Walk The Talk Chock full of resources to inspire, motivate, encourage, and challenge you!

Safe Assumptions You Can Make

Most people realize that making assumptions is bad and can get you into some serious trouble. As the saying goes: “When you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME.” Nevertheless, as humans we all tend to make them. So here are some “safe” ones … things you can feel okay in assuming:

• The e-mails you send will be seen by more people than those they’re addressed to.
• Things said “just between you and me” won’t stay that way.
• The time you pick to take a long break or lunch will be the same time your boss looks for you.
• The “minor” rule you choose to ignore will be the pet peeve of the manager that catches you.
• Call in sick so you can do something else and you will be seen by someone who knows you should be working.
• Treat one customer poorly and ten people will hear about it – including someone who has   authority over you.
• Your ability to get “another job” will be directly related to how well you do on the job you have now.
• Whenever you think “no one will know,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “no one will care,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “it will never be missed,” it will.
• Whenever you think you’re as good as you need to be, you aren’t.

Start Right …
Stay Right

Turning Up the Heat

At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train. Applying just one extra degree of temperature to water means the difference between something that is simply very hot and something that generates enough force to power a large machine. The message of this simple yet powerful metaphor should be clear to all:

Seemingly small things can make tremendous differences. The key learning is equally powerful: The application of additional heat (effort) to whatever task or activity you undertake will not only help you achieve the primary objective you seek, but also reap exponential rewards that are possible by applying one extra degree of effort.

Do the math and imagine the possibilities …

• Make just one extra sales call per day and you’ll gain over 200 revenue-generating possibilities    each year. What might that mean for you?
• Eliminate just one half hour of television watching each day and you’ll gain 182.5 hours each year    to devote to your family and friends, your hobbies, or your self development. How might that benefit you … and others?
• Help just one additional coworker each week and, within a year, over 45 more people will have benefited from your knowledge and kindness. What might that mean to them? What would that say about you?

The possibilities are endless! So, let the number 212 serve as your constant reminder. Let it be your new way of thinking – your new way of acting. Write it down and leave it wherever it might serve you best – wherever you might need a prompt to extra action. Where can you give a little more effort? What small changes can you make that will add up over time? What can you do – what will you do – to enjoy the rewards that come from “turning up the heat” one extra degree? Find those opportunities and seize them!

Featured Resource

Present Like a Pro

Do you occasionally have to make presentations to your team, your customers, or groups away from the job? Like some help making those presentations less nerve-wracking and more effective? Here are a few tips that should help:

Preparing a presentation is like building a house – you need to begin with a good foundation. The foundation for any presentation should be clearly defined with written objectives. Presentation objectives should start with action word such as: motivate, inspire, clarify, educate, inform, share, etc.

Know your audience. Spend time thinking about their needs. When analyzing your audience, answer the “4 What’s”:

• What do they already know about my subject?
• What do they want/need to know about my subject?
• What experience do they have regarding my subject?
• What is their attitude about my subject?

It is best to narrow your presentation to three major points. Most people can remember only three highlights. This is not an absolute, but if you focus your energy and time on accomplishing just a few points, you’ll have a better chance of concluding with all objectives accomplished.

Follow “The Presenter’s Creed.”

1. Tell them what you are going to tell them (introduce the topic and your purpose);
2. Tell them (deliver your message), and
3. Tell them what you told them (review/summarize your key points)

  136 Effective Presentation Tips

“The 3 R’s” of Business Ethics

Like to enhance your reputation as an ethical business person and team member? One of the best ways to do that is by focusing on – and mastering – “The 3 R’s”:

The first “R” of business ethics is RESPECT. It’s something that must be applied to people, organizational resources, and your environment. And it includes behaviors such as:

• Treating everyone (customers, coworkers, vendors, etc.) with dignity and courtesy;
• Using company supplies, equipment, time, and money appropriately, efficiently, and for the    business’ business only;
• Protecting and improving your work environment, and abiding by all rules and regulations that      exist to protect our world and our way of life.

The second “R” of business ethics is RESPONSIBILITY – to your customers, your coworkers, your organization … and to yourself. Included here are behaviors such as:

• Providing timely, high-quality goods and services;
• Working collaboratively and carrying your share of the load;
• Meeting all performance expectations and adding value to everything you’re involved with.

The third “R” of business ethics is RESULTS. More accurately, it’s right results – the kind where the how’s are equal in weight to the what’s … where means to achieving ends are just as important as the ends themselves. Obviously, you’re expected to get results for your organization and for your customers. But you’re also expected to get those results legally and ethically. Allow yourself to lose sight of this, and you jeopardize your business and your career.

Reflection – Greatness Takes Time

While life in the twenty-first century brings unprecedented efficiency, it also brings an overwhelming urgency. This lifestyle makes it easy to forget that greatness takes time. We want everything in the here and now – right here, right now. With improvements in technology occurring daily, it only makes sense that we feel entitled to have things immediately. And when frustrations mount because life isn’t happening fast enough, it’s nice to bring a little humor into the equation. The late George Carlin once said, “When someone is impatient and says, ‘I haven’t got all day,’ I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?”

Truly magnificent structures, natural wonders, and rare marvels are only here because of what we call “the power of 10%” – small changes taking place over time. Over time, the Colorado River has carved one of the world’s most impressive examples of erosion: The Grand Canyon. This canyon is 277 river miles long. At its deepest, from rim to river, the canyon is over one vertical mile. In some places, the canyon, rim to rim, is 18 miles wide. What we see now is the result of centuries upon centuries of work.

Look also at the pearl. What was once a mere piece of sand within the folds of the mollusk becomes a precious gemstone. Examples abound of small actions, over time, producing sights which are truly impressive to behold … results which can truly stagger the mind.

Want to increase the chances that you’ll achieve the success we all desperately want and need? Begin today to invest just 10% more time in those things that are important to you. The dividends you’ll receive from small changes made over days, weeks, and months will be worth the wait. Remember: Whether eroding rock or growing money, greatness takes time!

It takes twenty years to become an overnight success.
~ Eddie Cantor

The Power of 10%

Understanding and Accepting “No”

Hate it when management says “no” to your idea or request? Of course! Ever consider how difficult (and often appropriate) that word is to say? Probably not … but you should! Here’s a manager’s perspective – a letter to you – to think about and remember:

One of the hardest words to say in the English language is “no.” It’s as hard to say as it is to hear … sometimes harder. Given my druthers, I’d say yes all the time. Most people would. It makes us feel good when we please others. But you and I both know that’s not realistic – it’s not always the right thing to do. Somebody has to periodically say no, and I got elected.

When you come to me with a request, an idea, or something else you feel is important, you usually have the luxury of focusing strictly on your issue. I, on the other hand, am stuck with a much bigger picture to look at and evaluate. I have to ask questions like: Can we afford it? How will it affect the work to be done and our priorities? How will it impact other people? Will it be consistent with what I’ve done with others? What if everybody had the same request? and so on. And what may seem like one simple request to you may be one of a ton of competing requests or other good ideas I’ve received that day. You have no way of knowing that … but I sure do. And I feel bad when I do say no and you walk away disappointed, angry, or both.

So please keep this in mind: I will say yes whenever I can. It certainly won’t be every time, but I’ll do my best to strike a balance between yeas and nays. And I sure would appreciate it if you’d give me the benefit of the doubt and assume I’m motivated by what’s best for everyone, because I am. That includes saying no to someone else at times when their request would be unfair to you.

Don’t like the word “no”? Try walking awhile in my shoes!

  Walk Awhile in MY Shoes

Appreciate What You Have in Common with Other Generations

Have you ever looked at a coworker from another generation and thought: He (or she) and I are as different as night and day … we have absolutely NOTHING in common!  If you answered “yes,” several things are pretty much true: you’re honest, you’re normal, and you need to do some serious rethinking.

Why rethinking? Because you’re undoubtedly a lot more similar to others than your emotions are leading you to believe. Want proof? Think of that same older or younger coworker who you feel is so completely different from you. Lock his or her image in your mind. Now, imagine you’re given a pad, a pencil, and the following assignment: “You have one hour to make a list of all the things you and that person have in common. You’ll be given a one-hundred dollar bill for every item on your list.” What do you suppose would happen? There’s a good chance that your list would be jam-packed with personal similarities. Sure, you probably would have written down a bunch of physical (anatomical) matches such as: two eyes, two arms, one mouth, etc. But if your list had some real thinking behind it, it would also include things like: We both work for the same organization … We both want to be valued and respected … We both want to contribute in our own ways … We both want to feel good about ourselves and what we do … We both want to be successful and “make a difference.” And factors such as those should lead you to a logically accurate and powerfully profound conclusion:

WE HAVE MUCH MORE IN COMMON
THAN I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT!

Look for and appreciate the similarities that bind you to other generations – rather than the differences that divide you. It will make getting along and working together a whole lot easier.

  Generations Working Together

Streamline Your Writing for Greater Effectiveness

Remember back in high school, when you used as many words as possible to express simple ideas – just to fill the paper? Well, forget those days! We’re not in high school anymore, Toto! The key to effective writing at work is being clear and concise.

Think about it. The Lord’s Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address consists of 286 words, and the Declaration of Independence has 1,332 words. Yet, the U.S. government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words. Does that make sense? Seems like NONsense to us.

Whenever you write, your objective should be clarity. And clarity begins with simplification. Fact is, most people can only comprehend sentences of 15 words or less. So, if you want to really connect with others through memos, reports, and other written communication, start simplifying everything now!

For practice, pull four recent memos that you wrote or received from others. Count the words on each memo. Then, rewrite each one – but only use half the number of words. If you are like most, you will be able to make the point in less time and with more clarity by eliminating unnecessary verbiage. Apply that same “editing” process to everything you write in the future and you will be a more effective written communicator.

  Becoming the Obvious Choice

Maximizing Your Most Precious Resource – YOUR TIME

Like to increase your productivity without working more hours? You can, by controlling your time – and your priorities – more effectively. Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Categorize your to-do list into A, B, and C priorities. “A” priorities are the activities that are critical for your success. “B” priorities are important but not critical. “C” priorities would be nice to do if you get the time. Begin with your “A” priorities and work your way to the “nice to do” items.
2. Set specific goals for two weeks and write the goals down. Then, focus your attention on activities that lead to achieving those goals. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish if you put your goals on paper.
3. Never say “yes” without considering the time investment to which you will be committing. Having the courage to say “no” (tactfully) to requests that are inappropriate or unnecessary could be your most effective time management tool!

Unlike other resources, time cannot be bought or sold, borrowed or stolen, stocked up or saved, manufactured, reproduced, or modified. All we can do is make use of it.
~ Jean-Louis Servan-Schreiber

175 Ways to Get More Done in Less Time

Think “health”

Expecting some self-help type lecture on getting and staying healthy? Forget it! This isn’t about preachy lectures … it’s about facts. And the facts are that healthy people typically are vibrant, have more energy and drive, display greater focus, experience less stress, and lose fewer days due to illness. The overriding fact: Health is a competitive advantage. It’s yet another key to job (and personal) success.

Look around. Who are the most successful people you know? How would you describe their physical conditions? Chances are they’re healthy people … they take care of themselves. And that’s not a coincidence. Will you be able to find exceptions to that if you look hard enough? Of course. But for the most part, health and success go hand-in-hand. There IS a connection between the body, mind, and spirit.

So, if you’re really serious about success, work on staying fit. While there’s a ton of things you can (and probably should) do to improve your physical condition, the following three are great places to put your focus:

Rest: Make sure you get enough sleep. There’s no way you can be at your best if you start your workday already tired.

Exercise: Engage in some type of physical activity (working out, walking, playing a sport, etc.) several times a week.

Diet: Eat well-balanced meals. Minimize the “garbage foods” (you know what they are) and limit your portions.