Pulling a Fast One

NEWSFLASH! - "I'm trying my best!"

In My Head

Despite what I think sometimes...

Despite what others want me to be...

Despite the pressure I'm under to be everything for everyone...

Despite the self-talk that occasionally tries to 'go negative'...

Despite the change in the world that is bad...

Despite my blind spots that miss all of the good things in the world...

Despite what I thought should happen...

Despite my failings...

Powering Through

So, instead I think differently..

So, instead I accept that I can not be 'that' person...

So, instead I accept the pressure and go for it anyway...

So, instead I battle my self-talk, and win the argument...

So, instead I take action against the bad...

So, instead I challenge myself to see more clearly...

So, instead I embrace what is happening...

So, instead I accept that I will struggle, and improve...

How About You

What do your battles look like...sound like...feel like? Even though I am part of an amazing community, there is always the internal struggle that is part of what makes each of us unique, and crazy, and special all at the same time.

Sometimes it can feel as if life has pulled a fast one on us. But the reality is that life is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. All we have to do is...try our best. 

Life is good!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

As Was

"Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action."
- Walter Anderson

Comfortable
This is not a post about accepting change, blah, blah, blah. It is however, about an important part of the change process that doesn't get much airtime.

For many years I maintained a...comfortable...relationship with change, and risk, and my life. Changing things up were always okay with me, as long as they weren't too much, or too fast, or too risky.

Hmmm. That sounds like I was too boring.

But, feeling comfortable is something we all strive for, right? Feeling good about the company we work for, connecting with our coworkers and knowing we have successfully integrated into the culture are all good things. 

Except...

Restless and Stable
For those that know me, I can barely sit still let, alone not try new tools or strategies in my work. My restlessness is a strength (at least I choose to define it that way!) and I embrace that constant churn.

However, that constant motion could quickly unravel my world if I didn't also focus on building a stable foundation from which to work. This is the part that gets missed so often when talking about the power of change.

If the corporate culture is not relatively stable..if systems have not been built...then change will destroy, not improve the workplace.

Stability is key, and allows you to take action with confidence.

How About You
Have you invested in the relationships, worked to understand the norms and culture of your organization, and then made the bold moves necessary to be successful? If not, maybe today is a good day to start?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

inspiration

Screaming Soul

I yelled today.*

It was loud.

It was aggressive.

It was on point.

I'm not one to raise my voice very often. But there are times when it is necessary to break through the malaise of the world of work and cut to the heart of an issue. 

How many times have you watched something fail...knowing it would fail...but you stood by watching it fall apart anyway?

It's not easy to get that fired up and still (hopefully) have the respect of your colleagues. 

It's not easy knowing that the space you're venturing into with your words and energy is going to go beyond "disruption."

But leadership isn't about watching things fail and praising how wonderful the organization is because it is so skilled at failure. I hate that BS excuse.

Leadership is about going hard (and often solo) in order to avoid disaster.

How About You
The next time you see well intended actions headed for a major miss, and the warning signs are ignored, make sure you do something about it. Not only are you getting paid to do the right thing, but others are watching to see if you have the courage to stand tall when it matters most.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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*Happened a long time ago

I'm Not Talking To You

Time moves fast, right? We all seem to be hustling harder than ever, and the months and years keep pace as time literally roars past us. When I started blogging in 2010, I hoped I could avoid flaming out in several months and not completely embarrass myself in the process.

Now, more than 700 posts later, I've finally figured something out. So much of what I focus on here at NoExcuses...and so much of what I say in real life...is often not intended for anyone but me.

Is that an odd thing to say? Perhaps. Let me explain.

Accountability
As I ventured into the blogosphere, I recognized I was not going to change the world. What I did want to do however, was develop a personal voice that helped me stay accountable as an executive. 

Perhaps no one really cares about these words anymore? Maybe I over think the importance of executive behavior, role-modeling, leadership, and the potent combination of high energy and risk to actually make progress?

At this point, I don't care what others think when I write.

I'm not talking to them.

It's All Good
Another brief example I'd like to share has to do with one of my favorite, albeit overused phrases. I use it constantly, particularly when I'm managing multiple stressors in my professional and personal life simultaneously.

"It's all good." 

As time has passed those closest to me have started calling me out on my use of this comment. Their interpretation is that I am not acknowledging my feelings, and therefore am holding back instead of addressing what I need to work through in a healthy way.

Except my amazing, and well-intended friends are actually missing the point.

It's all good...for me...is a reminder of the blessings I have in my life. My family, my oldest friends, my amazing new friends, my faith, my career, my health, my passion for music and fitness and Florida.

You see, it's all good is my own humility check. Because despite what my friends think...

I'm not talking to them.

How About You
What approach helps you stay focused, productive, and still remain grateful for the blessings around you? Does anyone know the hidden meaning behind your mantras? No one knows mine...I guess until now.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Deciding to Win

Consider your situation right now...personally or professionally. 

Have you achieved your goals? 
Are you hustling with a company that you love? 
Have you found a sense of inner peace...with all of the successes and failures and near-misses and disappointments and noise that are part of "peace?"

Hoping to Win
It's funny how our early dreams of future lives...filled with hope for personal satisfaction and professional success...somehow never seem to get to an end point. It's as if we can...never...quite...get...there...regardless of how hard we (have convinced ourselves that we continue to) try.

There is a tired, but accurate phrase, that says 'hope is not a strategy.' However, it appears to be one of the most common forms of self-evaluation, self-esteem, and overall measure of one's worth.

I vote that we use hope as part of our thinking, but pursue a different path when it comes to actually getting things accomplished.

Deciding to Win
Now consider your situation again, but this time let's use a different lens. One that is not based on workplace hustle, personal bliss, or finding the perfect job. Instead, let's take an inventory of what you have accomplished over the last couple of years.

What bold moves have you made in your career?

How does it feel to be on the other side of major life decisions that caused so much stress, but are now behind you?

What else is different now, but you were in such a hurry to focus on the next thing that you've forgotten how much of a difference you've made?

How About You
As it turns out, winning is not a place, or title, or partner. Winning is what you decide it is. So, will it be the endless pursuit of...pursuing? Or, will winning be something entirely different for you?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Too Fast for Love?

Two years.

It's hard to believe. Two years filled with action, risk, bold moves, incredible support and success. Two years with a group of people who are committed to doing things differently than everyone else. Two years of being part of a leadership team that understands how the contemporary world of work is supposed to operate.

Two years at Kinetix for me, as of today.

Bold Is Where We Live
I'm not kidding. Bold is exactly where we live. 

In fact, we use it as a repellent for those companies that think they want to work with us, but have such weak leadership we actually try to drive them away before we waste our collective time.

That's not just bold, that's bad ass.

Too Fast
As I've reflected on my own bold move to leave my VP of Human Resources role after so many years, one thing is clear about that decision...

Nailed it.

My life is faster than ever...the pace of change is faster than ever...the needs of our clients are more complex than ever...

Fast is where I live...and I love it.

How About You
Do you think work is too fast for you to love? Think again. Fast is not only how the world operates...it's how effective leaders "get it done." After all, it can't just be about the process, right? Results matter.

I'm blessed...and I'm fired up to keep pushing. The faster the better.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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title inspiration

Making Payment

"The important thing is this: to be ready at any moment to sacrifice what you are, for what you could become." 

- Charles Dickens

Entitlement

It seems to me the world is filled with a sense of entitlement. It's not just the wave of younger employees in our organizations that desire some sort of reasonable balance in their lives (oh, the horror!) And, it is certainly not just the old guard that feels like they've paid their dues and for some reason need to do less simply because they've been breathing longer (give me a break...)

While both groups are well-intended, they have missed the mark.

Words and Effort

As a leader for many years I have learned to quickly see the difference between someone (regardless of age) who talks about their work, and the ones who do the work. While you may be thinking to yourself that this is a simple task, you might want to consider the variable of motivation.

Sure, true slackers are easy to see. Yet other productive members of the team may say they aspire to bigger and better roles with expanded responsibilities; yet, their effort does not reflect their intention.

They simply can not, or will not, make the payments necessary to earn that opportunity. 

Often times the only thing holding them back is the view they have through their own narrow lens. It's such a shame. As we know, feedback, particularly thoughtful, direct, constructive feedback is essential to moving past our own self-talk about leadership behavior, and opening our eyes to the larger world in which we desire to lead.

How About You

Are you willing to truly listen...and make your payments...as you push your career forward? 

Once you process the fact that humility is an essential part of leadership, you will be astounded at what comes next.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

New You? No Chance, Right?

This is not a New Year's resolutions post. Here's why...I don't think you're going to keep any of yours. January 1st has nothing to do with changing your life.

I'd rather talk about a hardcore commitment story. It's about someone who struggled with weight, self-control, their career, and self-esteem.

Until that someone decided to completely commit to a new life.

Early Excuses
In the beginning it wasn't hard to justify the behavior. When you're young you can bounce back from bad food choices, lack of exercise, and being undisciplined at work. The excuses come easy, and there is always 'plenty of time' to get back on track.

Along with the excuses came professional highs and low, and a waist line that seemed to follow. At some points reasonably fit...and at others...well...not so much.

Manic Excuses
As the realities of getting a bit older set in, the hyper-focus on fitness took control (in a bad way.) The workouts, without regard for injury or fatigue, became the norm. So did the pain from overuse injuries. Again and again and again.

As the self-esteem went down...the weight went back up.

Surely this must be bad luck! Or life's cruel twist? But there was more to come. 

One day, most unexpectedly, a phone call came through describing a dire situation. Not soon after, the Father was gone at 61. This was a devastating loss which sent this cycle into overdrive. Food, excuses, training, injury, low self-esteem.

Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.

How About You
I'm happy to report this person is doing extremely well today. A complete and total commitment to a new way of living was not just necessary, but required.

The focus on eating clean, training hard, a disciplined approach to work, and respecting the limits of what one's body can handle (usually) are now part of a consistent and high energy approach to life.

In short, I'm doing better than I have in years.

So, as you look forward, regardless of the date on the calendar, I hope you too will find the balance, discipline, and drive to dominate every part of your life. I believe in myself now...and I believe in you too.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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