Extraordinary Business

This thought is from an article by Dan and Chip Heath in the February 2008 issue of Fast Company. Their article "Make Goals Not Resolutions" highlights a good point that plagues most companies and people. We fail to clarify what we want to accomplish.

Things like increasing profits, better teamwork, improved communication are all great ideas. Unfortunately they cannot be measured and there is no time line to follow. The result is usually failure to realize that goal to its full potential.

The Heaths point out visualization as a key factor in achieving what you want. By visualizing where and when you will do something you have a much greater chance of actually achieving that goal.

So what were your resolutions for the new year? If you could visualize what you were doing, where you would be and when you complete it, would it help you reach your goal?

Labels: Business, Business Coaching, Coaching, Leadership, Management, Personal Development, Professional Development

An article in the January 6, 2008 edition of Parade states it is natural to start forgetting things as we get older. While we are no less competent, it does take us longer to retain information. So as you get older and find those "minor memory lapses", what do you do to retain information. I find that working your brain is a lot like working your muscles. If you fail to work out, your muscles atrophy. In some ways not giving your brain a workout can do the same. What do you do?

Labels: Business, Business Coaching, Personal Development, Professional Development

It's hard to believe we are into our first full week in 2008 already. Often this is a time of year when we are excited about the targets we have set for ourselves in the coming months. What are some things that you are striving for? What's one thing you need to do on a daily basis so you will reach those goals? What is one thing you need to stop doing in order to accomplish your

Labels: Business, Business Coaching, Leadership, Management, Personal Development, Professional Development, Strategy

I recently heard a radio personality comment on a football game he was watching. The comment was related to how the coach managed the clock and how difficult it must be to keep track of the time outs while managing the plays and accounting for the obvious obstacles created by the opposing team.

What's interesting is as a leader you experience similar change every day. The Leader's team is their people and strategy is their playbook. Instead of one team, leaders are often competing against many teams at the same time. The clock you manage is through your annual goals and your fiscal year. As with any team, you have your standout players, your team players and those who fail to deliver their best.

As you look at 2008, what are some of the biggest challenges you see with meeting your goals?

Labels: Business, Business Coaching, Change Management, Leadership, Management, Personal Development, Professional Development, Sales, Strategy, Wealth

Carla Johnson of the Associated Press recently wrote about a recent study that found people "who see themselves as self-disciplined, organized achievers have a lower risk for developing Alzheimer's".

It appears this personality helps protect the brain. Some of the "dutiful people" were examined after death and found to have physical symptoms in their brains that would be consistent with the criteria for Alzheimer's, yet these people had shown no signs of the disease.

Robert Wilson of Chicago's Rush University of Medicine who co-authored the study said, "This adds to our knowledge that lifestyle, personality, how we think, feel, and behave are very importantly tied up with risk for this terrible illness."

In a way it might be said that hiring a coach could assist you with protecting yourself against Alzheimer's. While there is no study to back up how coaching can help, this study does suggest it could make a difference. A good coach should help you define your purpose and live a dutiful life by teaching self-discipline. So if you are considering hiring a coach to better yourself professionally, you may also reap greater benefits personally.

Labels: Alzheimer's, Business, Business Coaching, Change Management, Coaching, Culture, Health, Organizational Development, Personal Development, Professional Development