What’s your motivation?

I absolutely HATE cleaning house so to motivate myself, I put in my Alice Cooper “The Alice Cooper Show” CD from 1977 and listen to the concert.  While listening to music, I couldn’t help but think about Alice Cooper in his sixties, still out there performing. Interestingly enough, you can watch the same band today and he attacks the stage and with the same energy.   It’s almost as if he’s playing to people who have never seen them live and he wants to make the experience unforgettable, AND to those who’ve seen them many times before.  In both cases, the concerts are outstanding. Alice Cooper plays like it’s the first time anyone has seen them.

It became very clear to me that the music is infectious and my motivation.  What’s yours?  Is there something that you do routinely and are finding yourself getting bored with?  If so, remember, the routine you do might be the first experience somebody has with you.  For them, they would expect to see you performing with the enthusiasm of it being your first time “on stage.”  If people have dealt with your or your organization before, they expect you to top the last performance.

Jimmy Buffet must be absolutely SICK of singing Margaritaville, but it’s his signature song.  He needs to perform it as if the audience has never heard it before.  For them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see him.  If I ever get to see Alice Cooper in concert, I’ll expect to hear all the classics performed with the energy I see in my 1977 CD, anything less would be a letdown.  You can’t afford any of the people you contact to have a letdown either.  What’s your motivation?

This week, think about what you can do to treat your job, audience, task, or performance as if it’s the first in front of a new audience or in front of someone who’s seen it numerous times.  It will definitely cause you to ramp up your game.  I’m up for it.  Are you?

Are You on Top of the Foodchain?

Last week, after surfing the channels looking for something interesting to watch, I stumbled upon a very interesting documentary on the Smithsonian channel.  Apparently, some whale watchers captured video of a Killer Whale eating a Great White Shark.

Now everything we’ve ever seen or heard about Great Whites suggests they sit on top of the food chain.  Nothing preys on them and they have their run of the ocean.  In this video clip however, the Great White was no match for the Orca.

Every success story begins by somebody having a dream or goal and then working hard, against many odds, to achieve it.  Attaining success is just part of the battle though.  Retailers and products experience rags-to-riches-to-rags stories. Even “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” was the “baddest man in the whole damn town” until somebody left him “looking like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.”  Please forgive the old song quote. I could not help myself.

So how to do you stay on top of the food chain?  Here are some suggestions:

Remember what got you there.  There is a tendency, after a long-drawn-out climb to the top, to relax and enjoy the view.  I’ve experienced periods like this where I don’t seem to have the same motivation to keep up the grind, I’ve had several setbacks at work as punishment to keep me from slacking off again.  Just keep in mind, when you’re on top, there’s somebody else, even hungrier than you were, waiting to take your place.

Don’t get complacent.  Just because nobody can challenge you now doesn’t mean they can’t in the future.  In the documentary I watched, the Great White cruised over to take on the Orca (which was not native to this particular part of the ocean) not realizing it wouldn’t be intimidated.  Keep one eye on the prize and the other one looking over your shoulder (I know that’s anatomically impossible but you know what I mean…)

Don’t be arrogant.  Quiet confidence always wins the day over overt arrogance.  I’ve heard that it’s not the roaring lion you ought to fear – they’re the old, toothless ones who roar to keep you away.  Fear the young ones that creep up on you… Don’t ever give up on pursuing your dreams.  It’s healthy and a key to total career success.  In the same, don’t give up on holding on to your dreams.  The top of the food chain is certainly the BEST place to be, but don’t let anyone take you off of it willingly.

Oh and just some food for thought.  Even the Orca isn’t on top of the food chain.  After all, haven’t you seen Shamu at Sea World obediently jumping over a pole for a few little fish as a reward?  Do you get the feeling they’re just humoring the trainers?  If they really wanted to, they could easily reestablish their place on top of the food chain…

Assertiveness or Persistence

What’s the opposite of assertiveness and persistence? Aggressiveness and demanding.  One works and the other doesn’t.  Do one and you’ll get taken seriously, do the other and you’ll be laughed at.

Assertiveness is stating what you want in a respectful, but no-nonsense tone.  Assertiveness doesn’t demand, it states strongly.  Aggressiveness demands emotionally with an implied threat if demands aren’t met.  It certainly works, but usually with damage done.  Be aggressive long enough and you’ll be avoided at all cost.

Persistence is the act of sticking with a request by using different approaches to achieve the desired end-state.  There is a fine balance between persistence and annoyance.  Persistence is a series of gentle reminders.  Done with the right tone and variety, they will achieve their goal.  Demanding has the subtlety of a jackhammer.  It often works (just as you’d do most anything to shut the noise of a jackhammer off) but results are short-lived and pretty much guarantees that it’s a one-time victory.

People who are aggressive and demanding get what they want, but will never be taken seriously.  Using a tactful mix of assertiveness and persistence is the strategy of any successful salesperson or business person.  The tools take less emotion, use less fear, and build up confidence.  Learned early enough, they are your ticket to success in school, relationships, and in the beginning stages of work life.  Applied consistently, they are the building blocks of successful careers.   Ultimately, they’ll send the message that you’re mature and should be taken seriously. 

Little Things are Important

If you think about it, most of the major issues we face all begin with a small problem.  The Titanic was sunk by an iceberg just grazing its side, scratching out the rivets that made the hull separate.  Most airplane crashes happen as a result of several small issues culminating into one big catastrophe.

When I was in the Army, one of the first phrases we learned in basic training was “pay attention to detail.”  Paying attention to detail means that we proactively look at all the little things that could have a big impact.  Obviously in the Army it’s important when you’re on an important mission and lives and cost are at stake.  I think it’s important for all of us on a daily basis.

One small miscommunication can expand into a major misunderstanding and conflict.  A small detail left out of a project plan can cause the entire process to break down.  On missing ingredient can turn that perfect recipe into something your dog wouldn’t eat.

We often tell people not to “sweat the small stuff” but in reality, paying attention to the “small stuff” might prevent a much bigger problem.  Just like a small mechanical issue on your car can turn into a large bill, your small issue can cost time, money, and sometimes relationships.

This week, I’m going to make a concerted effort to really look at the details of stuff that I’m planning.  Maybe this attempt to “sweat the small stuff” will pay big dividends for me.  Will you join me?

This past week those of us in Texas and other states faced the prospect of having a chance to win one of the largest Mega Millions jackpots of all time – a whopping $656 million.  In the days leading up each drawing, people began lining up for tickets, optimistic in their chances for winning.  Just on my Facebook page alone, several of my friends said things like:

“Don’t bother buying one, I have the winning ticket.”

“I won’t be going to work on Monday”

Amazing the optimism since the estimated odds at winning the jackpot stood at 1 in 176 million. By Friday night, after it had grown for more than nine weeks, Americans had spent nearly $1.5 billion on Mega Millions tickets — the equivalent of nearly $5 for every man, woman and child in the USA. They spent more than $429 million on Friday alone.  The average purchase was four tickets per person.

Large jackpots also bring forth the requisite comparisons on the odds of winning.  Here are a few:

You are 18 to 120 times more likely to die from a flesh-eating bacteria than to win the lottery (1 chance in 1 million).

What are the chances that if you’re playing with a group of four that two of you will get a hole-in-one on the exact same hole? At 17 million to 1, they’re better than the chances of you winning the lottery.

What about dying from a snake bite or bee sting? You’re 180 to 1,200 times more likely to die from one of these incidents than win the lottery. That’s because the probability of dying from a snake bite or bee sting is about 100,000 to 1.

You are 30,000% to 200,000% more likely to die in a legal execution than to win the lottery.

Here’s an interesting thought:  Aside from winning the Mega Millions, your chance of doing most anything else productive and fun in your life is actually 1 in 3.  How does this work?

For every request, there are three possible answers:

Yes

No

Let me think about it/maybe

So, if that holds true, here are some interesting things to consider:

You want a raise at work?  Your odds are 1 in 3.

Want that certain somebody to go out on a date with you?  Your odds are 1 in 3.

Want to get that college degree?  Your odds of success are 1 in 2.

Want to lose weight this year?  Your chance of success is 1 in 2.

Need to get over your fear of public speaking?  Odds of success are 1 in 2.

For most anything in life we really need, the odds are actually pretty good.  Dreamers hope a lottery ticket will solve all of their problems. Doers do a series of small things, each day, to ensure success.  Doers aren’t afraid to ask for something because the odds of success are either 1 in 2 or 1 in 3.  If that’s the case, why would anyone sit back and depend on a Mega Millions ticket to save the day?

Sure it’s fun to dream.  I wouldn’t mind getting a chunk of $656 million.  Realistically though, I know my potential for success is in my own hands.  I’ll take those odds any day.

This week, ask yourself: Am I a dreamer or a doer?  If you’re a doer, then get busy doing!  If you’re a dreamer?  Well….pleasant dreams….

Do You Have Credibility?

More and more lately I realize that in many cases, a lot of folks don’t really carry a lot of credibility.  With that in mind, I thought I’d offer up some suggestions on how to be taken seriously.  This might be helpful advice if you’re trying to influence someone and might be very beneficial to young people who are trying to find their place in the world. 

1.      Be Current on Current Events.  I know most folks don’t care much for the news.  Frankly, with all of the UNFAIR and UNBALANCED views of ALL TV news (yes, this includes FOX news), I can’t blame them.  Regardless, having knowledge of current events gives you something to reference when you talk to people.

2.      Be Reliable.  More and more, I’m impressed with people, events, and services that actually start on time.  When someone I book an appointment with shows up on time, it’s more of the anomaly and not the norm.  Mediocrity seems to be the standard and anything slightly above seems amazing.  To be taken seriously, be EARLY and ready to go at the appointed time.  I guarantee you’ll make a great impression.

3.      Be Assertive.  Assertive is not to be confused with aggressive.  Assertive means that you take the lead in any type of interaction.  Introduce yourself rather than wait to be introduced.  Offer a firm handshake instead of accepting one.  Ask others their name and ask them questions about what they do rather than ask for a favor first.  Be an extravert in an introverted world and you’ll be taken seriously.  On another note though, if you’re already assertive, be prepared to tone it down if you typically intimidate and annoy others.  Assertiveness needs to be practiced with the right amount of balance

The Pygmalion Effect

I recently read an interesting article about San Francisco 49rs quarterback Alex Smith.  For those of you who don’t know, Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh, Smith was the first overall draft pick in the 2005 draft.  For the first six years of his career, he failed to live up to his own billing, not to mention the great tradition of 49rs quarterbacks like Joe Montana and Steve Young.

Until this year.

What happened?  Smith found himself with a new coach, Jim Harbaugh, who believed in him.

Last season Smith finally lived up to what he was always projected to be. That was evidence of him having confidence in himself and his coach having confidence in him. That was a big step in showing the team and showing the fans, who had been calling for him to be out of there for a long time, that they can be successful with him.

Without probably knowing it, Harbaugh brought Smith back by creating The Pygmalion Effect which refers to the phenomenon in which the greater the expectation placed upon people, often children or students and employees, the better they perform. The effect is named after Pygmalion, a Cypriot sculptor in a narrative by Ovid in Greek mythology, who fell in love with a female statue he had carved out of ivory.

Have you ever had someone who really believed in you?  Did their belief instill a new sense of confidence in you?  It’s happened to me several times, most notably when a commander I worked for way back, believed in my ability so much he put me on the road to education. Without him I probably would still be a high school dropout who couldn’t get into college. The confidence he built in me enabled me to go on and have the career I have now.

On the other hand, have you ever had someone either verbally or non-verbally remove confidence in you?  If so, you probably felt discouraged, unmotivated, and lost any sense of creativity.  I’ve had that happen too!

What should we do?

First of all, if you’re working hard to develop personally and/or professionally, surround yourself with people who believe in you.  I’m not suggesting you get people who just accentuate the positive – I mean people who will build you up but also push you hard and won’t accept less than your full effort.

Second, if you’re in any position of influence (boss, parent, etc.) are you making every effort to call attention to a person’s strengths?  If you see any potential for greatness, are you identifying that and building on that?  Your encouragement might be just what they need to break through a personal or professional barrier.  It’s a great experience to see someone you care about achieve their goals or set new and exciting ones.

The Harbaugh/Smith connection will continue to play out through the next season.  I’ll be curious to see just how the second half of Smith’s career pans out next season.  No matter what, I’m sure he’ll play it with a renewed sense of energy and confidence.

What will you do this week to create The Pygmalion Effect with someone in your life?