How Do You Love the Work That You Do?
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by: Edward V Ellis, Sr.
How do you love the work that you do? So often the work that you are doing doesn't feel like it is necessarily your life's purpose. And yet, you were drawn to this work. If you're interested in finding work that is your life purpose, and you don't feel like you are there yet, there is a way to get there. You need to actually begin to accept, appreciate, and honor the work that you do.
Where you stand in this moment is the bridge to that ultimate thing that will bring you the fulfillment. In other words, you need the contrast of now to bring about that incredible inspiration that will lead you to the work that is your ultimate work, that work that will bring incredible fulfillment and desire.
I like the way that Napoleon Hill says it. He says there is the seed of equivalent benefit in every adversity. And the mind is often thinking, "Well, this particular job that I'm in now is a bit of an adversity. I don't like it. It doesn't feel good. I'm not happy about it." But it is bringing you to that thing that you want.
So, here's the trick. Make a list of all the things that are great, wonderful, that work, that you're excited about, that you're happy about. In the current position/job/ask that you're taking on, get connected to the fact that there are good things occurring right now.
Get connected to what is working. Then make a list of all the things that you want it to be, additionally. What else do you want it to be? So yes, these are the things that are good, but there's more to be good. What else do you want it to be?
If you get connected to what works, you'll find that more of it works for you. You'll find that it leads to greater opportunity. If you then identify what else you want it to be, you'll find that those things that you want it to be will start to come to you. Where you are now is perfect.
It's leading to where you wanna go. The contrast that you're experiencing in this moment is leading you to that next level of joy, self-expression and fulfillment that you desire in this endeavor. Do the 10-10 visualization. That's all this is.
Ten things you love about it, ten things you want it to be. And watch what happens. What you want is coming when you focus on it.
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Heard It Through the Grapevine
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by: Edward V Ellis, Sr.
Whitfield and Strong wrote it.
Marvin Gaye sang it (and made it famous).
Leaders everywhere deal with it - and worry about it all too often.
If you know the song, hum along as we talk about how leaders can work with the grapevine and make gossip less daunting and scary.
The subtitle gives you a little context - gossip can be detrimental to morale and productivity and can lead to stress, anxiety and worry. After all, when was the last time you heard positive gossip?
If you have something that can cause all those problems, as a leader it is your responsibility to reduce or eliminate that situation - or even better, use gossip to your advantage rather than peril.
Let's get started . . .
Using it
In the military, operatives are used to gain "intel" on what the enemy is thinking, doing or planning. Clearly people on your team and in your organizations are not the enemy, but keeping your ears open and being aware of what gossip and ideas are floating around is like gaining valuable intelligence about the pulse and concerns within the organization.
Knowing that, why wouldn't you want to be tapped in?
Perhaps you believe gossip is destructive and non-productive. Even if you feel that way, there is value in knowing what is being talked about and how people feel about it. It's hard to reduce the presence of something you are unaware of, so use gossip as the first step in reducing it.
Take a clue from the song - you need to hear it through the grapevine. Only then can you trim the grapevine or even pull it out by its roots.
Reducing it
A grapevine grows quickly and spreads its newest stems to whatever it can attach itself to. That is probably why the metaphor of the grapevine has long been used to describe gossip. If as a leader you recognize the potential concerns or problems with the grapevine, you must keep your pruners at the ready - looking for ways to reduce its growth and reach.
Where the grapevine metaphor falls apart is in how it grows. A grapevine grows with ample light - the newest growth stretches toward the light. Gossip, however, grows in the darkness - with the lack of understanding and communication.
Knowing this, the best way to reduce the spread of gossip is to expose it to constantly updated information. Here are three specific ideas:
Acknowledge it. Starting a conversation with "I've been hearing rumblings that . . ." or otherwise "outing the gossip" (not the gossipers) is a powerful way to reduce the gossip's spread.
Ask about it. Perhaps what you are hearing isn't all that is being said. Once you put the messages on the table you open up the other person (or the team) to share what else you haven't yet heard.
Address it. Talk about what you are hearing. If the gossip is incorrect, say so. If the gossip is partly correct, say so, and fill in the blanks as best you can.
Gossip can't grow nearly as fast with communication from leadership. If you want to reduce the amount and impact of gossip, the more information you can provide, the better.
Eliminating it
Knowing the critical point hinted at in the previous section is the key to eliminating gossip and the grapevine.
Consider frequent, honest and complete communication as the shovel that will help you uproot your internal grapevine. Here, in tangible language, is what I mean:
Talk early. Many gossip grapevines grow because leaders are afraid to share information on a change or project until they have all the information. While the intention here is fine, the reality is that in the space where your communication should be, your grapevine is growing. Tell people what you know when you know it. Yes, there may be things you have to withhold for legal or other reasons, but that list is far shorter than you think. Tell people what you know when you know it, and let them know when you will be able to say more.
Talk often. Don't make your information come in infrequent bursts. People crave information - and without it they will make it up themselves! Talk more frequently, even if you don't feel you have very much to say.
Ask questions. The first two points say talk - but they shouldn't be misinterpreted as one-way communication. Create early and frequent chances for conversation - spend as much time asking about and listening to concerns as you do in making your key points. Talk yes, but ask and listen too!
Be honest. If you don't know something yet, tell them. If the decision is made, tell them. If you know when an announcement will be made, tell them. Your honesty will go far in building trust, and trust acts like a herbicide to keep new vines from starting to grow.
These ideas will work with gossip new and old, big and small.
Your efforts may not eliminate all of your gossip immediately (it is hard to kill any plant that is deeply rooted), but using these approaches vigorously, intentionally and authentically will make a difference.
The grapevine is one of many challenges a leader faces. Handled effectively these challenges can help a leader and the team - flawed reactions can cause pain, frustration and more!
One of the pitfalls of Network Marketing... when others become afraid of individuals that can help, but as in corporate America we are afraid of losing our position, when in reality it could help us grow. Over the years I have learned that our teeth become a fence for the most viscous animal in the world... our tongue! |
| Don't Sweat The Small Stuff |
 I really am enjoying reading this book. It applies to all the people you love in your life. If you have the desire to improve your relationships, you will like it. The book is written in a very conversational manner, and is easy to understand. I think husband and wife (or significant other) would benefit from both reading the book. Taking turns reading each chapter, and then discussing it, and working to put it in practice. Maybe read a few a week, spread out over time. Thank-you to the Carlson's for sharing these insights. A small book with a lot of meaning. |
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