Your Social Capital - The Power of Focus

2011 is going to be a year of tremendous focus in my business.  I have decided to put the old 80/20 rule on steroids by focusing 99% of my efforts on the top 1% of my professional relationships to take things to a new level.

In the book the Tipping Point, Macomb Gladwell introduces us to three kind of people, the Connector, the Maven, and the Salesman.  Each of these people and their associated characteristic provides considerable impact and influence in their communities to have a “tipping point” impact on the world.

My plan is to focus on selected relationships that meet the following criteria:

• Do these people have a very high level of influence with others?
• Do they possess strengths or capabilities in my areas of weakness?
• Can they or have they already added value to me professionally or personally?
• Do these people share my values and vision for the future?
• Are these people more concerned with leading a life of significance and not just success?
• Do these people believe in the premise that givers gain?
• Would I enjoy having an extended dinner with them?

How would your professional and personal life be different this year if you focused on these “tipping point” relationships? 

Drop me a quick note and let me know your thoughts at www.dempcoaching.com.

Your Best Future Self

A favorite exercise that I use in my Personal Excellence Training is for my clients to describe their best future self in the coming year and beyond.  They often ask numerous questions for clarification and I end up answering them by saying something like.  "What are the qualities and characteristics of the people you most admire?"

Below are some additional questions for your consideration if you too are thinking about your best future self:

• Who are the most inspiring leaders you have ever seen or met?  What characteristics make or made them so great?
• Who do your know that most exemplifies integrity, honor, and compassion?  How do they best demonstrate these characteristics?
• Who do you know that is an outstanding husband/wife, father, or mother?  What makes them stand out in these roles?
• Who do your know that is in optimum health?  What are their daily routines and habits?
• Who do your know that demonstrates, confidence, courage, creativity, and a strong desire to contribute their best to others?
• What other values do you most admire in others?

By observing the very best in others and modeling these behaviors and qualities in our own lives, we can all become the best version of ourselves.

Please let me know what characteristics you most admire and your thoughts about this post by contacting me at www.dempcoaching.com. 

Challenge 2011: Create and Sustain Your Personal Motivation

As the end of January nears, the resolutions that were strong only just a few weeks ago begin to wear off for some and habits from the past return.  How will you sustain your personal motivation in 2011?  Perhaps some of these quotes can offer an interesting perspective and serve as healthy reminders. 

"It is better to follow the Voice inside and be at war with the whole world, than to follow the ways of the world and be at war with your deepest self."

- Michael Pastore

"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn...and change."

- Carl Rogers

"Man is what he believes."

- Anton Chekhov

I welcome the opportunity to learn how you are using tools and information to sustain your goals for 2011 and can be contacted at 248-740-3231 or through my website - Troy Michigan Business and Personal Coach.

Positive Motivation and Momentum To Start 2011

2011 will offer many opportunities for change and challenges for both personal and professional growth.  As these opportunities and challenges enter our lives, it is helpful to maintain a balanced perspective towards the positive outcomes that are developed from creating sustainable change.  With this in mind, here are some thoughts to consider:

"The secret of man's being is not only to live but to have something to live for."

- Dostoyevsky

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds:  Your mind trancends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed of yourself to be."

- Patanjali

"I expect to spend the rest of my life in the future so I want to be reasonably sure what kind of future it's going to be.  That is my reason for planning."

- C.F. Kettering

"People are like stained-glass windows.  They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"I don't know what your destiny will be but one thing I know:  the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to server."

- Albert Schweitzer

I welcome the opportunity to learn how you are using tools and information to sustain your goals for 2011 and can be contacted at 248-740-3231 or through my website - Michigan Business and Personal Coach.