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In Leadership, Good Enough Is Pretty Bad
by Brent Filson
The first time I meet a leader to decide if we should work together, I invariably ask one question. The answer to that question gives me an idea of whether we'll have a productive relationship. The answer also tells me how the career of that leader might turn out.
I ask, "Are you satisfied with the results you're getting now?"
It's a simple enough question, yet it points to a world of difference between leaders. Because if the answer is "yes" then our meeting will be brief. We'll quickly go our separate ways. My leadership methods can't help a satisfied leader, a leader who lives by "good enough." Those methods can only help if that leader has a powerful dissatisfaction with the results h/she is getting now.
To understand this, let's go back to basics: Leaders do nothing more important than get results. If you can't get results, you won't be leading for long. Somebody who can get results is always waiting in line to take your place. If "good enough" is okay with you, you are the next best thing to somebody who can't or won't get needed results. So, "good enough" is your enemy, "powerful dissatisfaction" your benefactor.
I'm not saying that you should go around in a funk powerfully dissatisfied with everything and everyone. You'd be a royal pain. What I am saying is results should be seen not as an end in and of themselves but part of a natural process to get more. Powerful dissatisfaction does not have to be a downer. It can be a joy. The joy of having the opportunity and privilege of thinking anew and acting anew. To be powerfully dissatisfied, one must be relaxed, open, caring, and humble. Banishing "good enough", embracing "powerful dissatisfaction" becomes a profoundly enriching way not only of being a leader but of living one's life.
So, take a joyful, powerful dissatisfaction into your leadership activities and see the difference it makes in your interactions with others and in results.
2006 © The Filson Leadership Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
The author of 23 books, Brent Filson's recent books are, THE LEADERSHIP TALK: THE GREATEST LEADERSHIP TOOL and 101 WAYS TO GIVE GREAT LEADERSHIP TALKS. He is founder and president of The Filson Leadership Group, Inc. – and for more than 20 years has been helping leaders of top companies worldwide get audacious results. Sign up for his free leadership e-zine and get a free white paper: "49 Ways To Turn Action Into Results," at http://www.actionleadership.com
Hold On To Your Sparklies!
Hold On To Your Sparklies!by Glenda Ball------------------------------------------------The little girl had been told that she would notbe allowed to get off the schoolbus until she puther coat on. It was a very cold day, and thereshe stood, dressed only in a t-shirt and jeans,holding her coat in her gloved hands.The five-year old burst into tears and hesitated,having to be told again several times to put hercoat on. When she finally did, she sobbed, "Butmy gloves have sparklies on them and they come offevery time I put my coat on!"Oh, to have the determination of that child tohold on to our sparklies! Moments of joy andhappiness are flecks of glitter that disappear alltoo easily from the fabric of our days. But hereare some ways to be sure you hold on to them:1. Make up your mind to sparkle. Who controlsthe twinkle in your eye, the way you interpret thethings that go on around you, the thoughts youthink and the words you say? YOU do!!! AbrahamLincoln said "Most people are about as happy asthey make up their minds to be." Decide right nowthat, in spite of everything, no matter what, youare going to be HAPPY!2. Protect your "white space." White space isthe part of the page that doesn't have printing onit. It keeps your brain from being overwhelmedwith the appearance of too much information, justas the spaces between words makes it easier toread. Margins and spaces are important inprinting, and they're important in life, too. Youknow the little puzzle with numbers that you canmove around in all sorts of ways and then solve itby getting them lined back up in sequence? Itwould not work at all without that free space,that empty space that makes movement possible.Remember that you need white space, or free space,in order to be happy. Demand it!3. Have the courage to be happy. When the wholeworld is lined up, telling you what you must doand how you must do it, be brave enough toremember your sparklies and to protect them. Idon't think you ever run out of them, because eachday holds a new supply just waiting to bediscovered, but sparklies are not to be taken forgranted or thrown away. Recognize them for theprecious treasure they are, and do everything youcan to hold on to them!------------------------------------------------Glenda Ball, Salisbury NC USA, finances andcareers editor of Zongoo! http://www.zongoo.com,author of "Resume Magic - The Information You NeedTo Get The Job You Want."------------------------------------------------
Meditating with Angels
There are numerous angels listed in both oral and written tradition. The four most commonly known are the archangels. According to Jewish tradition, the four archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Each angel is assigned duties to which no other attends, yet as one studies the various angels, one can find contradictions to this principle.
The duty of Michael is thought to be that of a messenger of God, that of Gabriel to represent the strength of God, Uriel represents the light of God, and Raphael represents the healing power of God.
The purpose of this article is to outline a method of meditation that includes the guidance of the four archangels. The process involves finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Sit with your back upright. This allows your energy to flow up the spine. Notice what is going on in your body. Feel your chest rise and fall as the air enters and leaves with each breath. Notice your breathing, and whenever you notice thoughts coming into your mind, reflect again on the experience of your body and your breathing.
Now call upon the four archangels. Ask Michael to be at your right and be open to any messages God has for you. Ask Gabriel to be on your left side. Many mystics believe that evil or death approaches from the left. Imagine Gabriel is there to protect you during your meditation. Ask Uriel to be in front of you to light the way. Ask Raphael to be behind you to support you while you are sitting in meditation. You may also ask him to help heal you of physical or emotional problems you may be experiencing. The four archangels now surround you and protect you during your meditation. At this point, you can imagine a huge cloud of white light overhead, representing the Shekhina. The Shekhina represents the feminine aspect or nature of God. However you wish to think of it, allow this light to descend on you and surround you with love and tender protection. Allow a feeling of peace to enter your mind. You are in a state of infinite security, safety, and kindness.
Pay attention to your breathing. As you inhale, think the word, Yah (pronounced as Ya), and as you exhale, think the word Weh (pronounced Way). This is considered the sacred name of God, and is derived from the tetragammaton (IHVH, JHVH, YHVH or YHWH, which in Hebrew is Yud Hei Vav Hei). It is the Hebrew tribal name of the Supreme Being, which for fear of desecration, the Jews about three centuries before the birth of Christ, ceased to pronounce. They substituted for it the word, Adonai, which means master. The vowel points that were included as directions on how to read it were misinterpreted and gave rise to the Christian form Jehovah. Thinking the word Yah and Weh as you coordinate the syllables with your breathing will not violate the taboo of pronouncing the word out loud.
Meditate on the word for approximately twenty minutes each morning and evening. When you are ready to end the meditation, do not get up abruptly and go about your daily or evening activities. End the meditation in the reverse order of how you began it. Ask the Shekhina to rise again above your head. Thank each of the archangels in the order that you invited them to take their place around you. Let them go about their duties.
You may feel a lasting effect of this meditation throughout your day, and a peaceful night of sleep. If you do this consistently, you should realize great benefits. You may gain insights into your life and inspiration involving problems you wish to solve. Do not approach the meditation with a view to solving a certain problem, however. It is always best to enter each meditation without an agenda. Let happen whatever is supposed to happen. Trust the archangels and the Shekhina to guide and direct your life.
Dr. Conny Young has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and a Master of Arts degree in Physiology and Biochemistry. He did postgraduate work in Neurophysiology and Phamacology. He worked as a research scientist for a major pharmaceutical company for 17 years before becoming a chiropractor. He attended seminars on Touch for Health, Logan Basic Technique, Bioenergetic Synchronization Technique, Reiki (Level III master), Network Chiropractic, Brimhall 10 Step Protocol and has studied the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Shiatzu, Kiatzu, and Reflexology. He maintained a private practice for 17 years, and taught Neurophysiology and Toxicology at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He conducted research on the effectiveness of energy balancing for the treatment of migraine headaches. He has practiced mantra meditation for 31 years and studied with the Self Realization Fellowship. He also studied Hebrew and Kabbalah. He can be reached through his websites at: http://www.healthandwellnesssolutionsonline.com and http://www.sugarcitygifts.com.
