Curious about the CEO’s Secret Handbook? The July Issue of Business 2.0 Has the Lowdown

The minute I took my July issue of Business 2.0 out of the mailbox, I was intrigued. In large bold letters the cover proclaimed, “The CEO’s Secret Handbook - Warren Buffet Sent It to 100 Friends, Jim Collins Calls it Good to Great, and You Can’t Buy It. We Have Exclusive Excerpts.”

Talk about compelling copy! I could hardly wait to get home and open it.

Described in the magazine, “The tiny handbook has become an underground hit among senior executives and management thinkers. Written by Bill Swanson, CEO of aerospace contractor Raytheon, Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management is part Ben Franklin and part Yogi Berra, with a dash of Confucius thrown in.”

I am going to share my thoughts on a few of the excerpts that especially rang a bell with me, but I would suggest purchasing the magazine if you don’t have a subscription, so that you can log onto their website and read extra comments by business leaders. They are enlightening!

Most of the ideas and rules are common sense, but also great reminders.

“Learn to say `I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be used often.” When we are giving a presentation and/or involved in a meeting or a class, we are much more respected if we are willing to admit that we don’t know an answer to a question. Others will know immediately when we try to fake an answer. Much better to admit a lack of knowledge and say, “I’ll research that and get back to you.”

One of the quickest ways to make enemies is to not follow this rule: “Never direct a complaint to the top; a serious offense is to `cc’ a person’s boss on a copy of a complaint before the person has a chance to respond.” It is like being a tattle tale when by talking to the person in question first, you can often resolve an issue and make a friend in the process.

Most of us don’t crave criticism, but “If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.” I love the line, “Problems are not like wine and cheese; they don’t get better with age.” Much wiser for us to take the risks and face the criticism that often follows.

This next rule is one of my favorites, “A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter - or to others - is not a nice person. (This rule never fails.)” Having been a server (waitress) for many years, this rule really hits home. It is the real jerks that treat people they feel are of lower status with a subtle form of condescension or even masked contempt. Just remember that everyone is important no matter what their station in life is!

And, my all time favorite is almost a mantra with me. “Have fun at what you do. It will be reflected in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump!” Have you ever noticed that if you keep a bounce in your step and a smile on your face, the people you pass on the street or in a store smile back. Yes, happiness and laughter definitely beget more laughter.

I would love to get my hands on the full 76 page handbook, but, at least, we have a good taste of what it holds and proposes. Do check it out, and let me know what you think.

Curious about Celebration - Do You Celebrate Often Enough?

Tonight I am going out to dinner with a friend to celebrate the fact that I have completely finished setting up my new apartment the way I want it. She doesn’t know that this is a celebration for me, because I don’t want her to feel that she needs to bring a house warming gift - it is almost a personal celebration just for me.

I believe in celebrating accomplishments - no matter how small and mundane they may seem to others.

Yes, most people celebrate the obvious milestones - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and retirements - and also the national holidays - here in the States we hold serious celebration gatherings for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. These are fun and are usually include food feasts, parades and fireworks.

In this blog, I thought I would discuss celebration and celebrations from other points of view.

By now you know that I teach between ten and twelve fitness classes a week. At the end of each class, we take a deep breath, raise our arms and give ourselves a hearty clap of the hands. We are celebrating that we made it through with flying colors. It brings us to closure on a high note and also recognizes that we have accomplished a worthwhile endeavor.

I submit to you that there are many other times during your days that you can and should celebrate:

• You wake up on time and feeling great.
• You love what you do - how you fill the hours. It may be a career, a hobby, a sport, another interest, and/or volunteer activity. You name it!
• You finish a task that you have been avoiding.
• Or complete a task that you have been working on for a long time.
• You learn something new.
• Your computer does what you want it do.
• You repair something that is broken - it can be a piece of equipment, a treasured art piece, or a valued relationship.
• You make a new friend.
• You sell one of your products, or get a new client.
• If you send out a newsletter, you get a new subscriber - or many new subscribers.
• You survive and/or avoid an accident that could have been fatal.

I could continue with my list, but I am hoping this will spur you on to write your own list and to start celebrating.

Before I close, here are some interesting quotes that use the word “celebration” in different ways:

• "Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood." - Karen Casey
• "The Olympic Games are the quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity." - Pierre de Coubertin
• "Think of the magic of that foot, comparatively small, upon which your whole weight rests. It's a miracle, and the dance is a celebration of that miracle." - Martha Graham
• "Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love." - Tom Hannah

And, as a professional storyteller who is preparing to give a new performance at the upcoming National Storytelling Network’s Conference, I was drawn into the following quote by the nineteenth century actor, Sydney Smith, “The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.”

Let me hear from you about your celebrations - especially the daily ones!

Curious about Dream Jobs? Find Out How to Get Started with One!

I love getting up every day because I have a Dream Job. As a matter of fact, I have several Dreams Jobs. But, even having one Dream Job is so much better than having a job that is a drag. An unfulfilling job may pay the bills, but it doesn’t enrich your life.

When I first became active writing and designing on the Internet, I was fortunate to find Michael Werner, a publisher who had the idea for Dream Jobs to Go. He was searching for been-there done-that authors who were willing to write short, punchy e-books filled with content, interviews and hot links, all about how to get started in a Dream Job.

I signed up to write about my two favorite Dream Jobs – Fitness Instructor and Professional Storyteller – and was on my way in a new adventure.

Dana K. Cassell, writer and Series Editor for the Dream Jobs to Go series, sent me a sample book, the preferred structure, interview questions and guidelines. Besides sharing our backgrounds, knowledge and experiences in the Dream Job of our choice, we were to interview three people who also were enjoying the same Dream Job.

For both books, I had a blast! No, it wasn’t easy. Even writing a short e-book that was graphically designed and published by someone else took time, discipline and patience.

But enough about me and my Dream Jobs!

Have you ever wondered about how to get started in one of the following careers? Book Reviewer, Costume Designer, Dog Trainer, Event Planner, Fitness Instructor, Freelance Writer, Independent Filmmaker, Interior Landscaper, Karaoke Host, Meteorologist, Photojournalist, Professional Organizer, Professional Storyteller, Quilt Artist, Radio/Voice-Over Announcer, Software Trainer, Television Producer, Wedding Planner, Wilderness Guide, and many, many more. There are so many titles offered by so many interesting and knowledgeable people, you will find more dream jobs than you could ever imagine exist. You will find the list HERE.

Each title gives you step-by-step guidelines for breaking into your dream job field, along with invaluable insight from the pros - the author and others doing that very same job. It'll be like sitting around a coffee table listening to a bunch of veterans, picking their brains for the secrets you need to get started!

And every title includes 20 or so live, hot links to dream job-related sites and resources, places to go for additional details about a job, leads for break-in tips, and more! Just click on them from within the book, and your browser will take you straight through! Every book also includes that all-important section that tells you, step-by-step, exactly what you have to do to break into the field and do the job you're interested in.

Let me share an excerpt from one of the books I wrote for the site - How to Get Started As a Fitness Instructor.

As with all skilled professionals, an excellent fitness instructor makes leading classes look both easy and fun. Coupled with this observation, the idea of being paid to keep fit is appealing to many who already work out. To become an effective fitness instructor takes much more, however, than being fit and moving around to music.Even though this career can offer one of the most flexible and rewarding of "dream jobs," it still demands many hours of training, practice, and keeping up with the ever-changing world of fitness. It takes discipline, personality, communication skills, and, above all, the desire to help others achieve their goals.

Fortunately, if you are willing to devote your energy and time to this lively career, there is a plethora of opportunities. The fitness industry is "hot." Health clubs add new classes on a regular basis. New members join clubs daily. Corporations are realizing the benefits of creating fitness facilities for their employees. Senior centers, assisted living complexes, and nursing homes offer fitness sessions. Committed fitness instructors are needed and in demand. How to Get Started as a Fitness Instructor will provide a realistic picture of what you can expect, share the experiences of currently successful fitness instructors, tell you what you need to know, offer insider tips on how to become successful, and provide a step-by-step plan to get you started.

This is just a sample of the information and guidance you will discover in the Dream Job book of your choice. For additional information, and because you enjoy blogs, there is now a Dream Jobbin’ blog at http://jobtrekker.blogspot.com. Take a look!

Have fun and let me know how it turns out.

Curious about Passion - The Up and Down Sides

At the end of every one of his audio tapes - and I believe I have listened to every one - Anthony Robbins tells us to, “Live with passion.” He has also written, “There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it's the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessperson.”

In 1987, I became involved with the self-improvement movement. I started selling a pricey goal-setting program, listening to tapes and taking part in a weekly get together of those who bought and sold the product. Our leader asked me to review Robbins’ book Unlimited Power at one of the upcoming meetings.

I not only read the book, I also listened to Robbins’ tapes - and, became hooked! I even participated in a fire walk lead by Robbins - but that is another story.

I can honestly say that I do live my life and many careers with passion. It works for me. But it doesn’t work for everyone - and, from my observations, not for a lot of people.

What reminded me of this was an excellent e-newsletter article, Why Passion Doesn’t Sell, I received today from Jill Konrath, the top expert (in my opinion) on how to sell to large companies. You will find the article HERE. Konrath writes, “Are you passionate about your product? Think your service is pretty slick? If so, you may have lots of trouble getting into big companies and winning their business. Your own eagerness and enthusiasm may actually create significant obstacles in your sales efforts.”

Yes, I have also discovered that being “passionate” about something, or just life in general, can turn others off. Rather than adding a spark to an office, you may get a look and attitude from others like, “What do you have to be so happy about?”

There are actually some workers who seem to thrive on being miserable. If you work in an environment where others don’t appreciate your passion and enthusiasm, my suggestion to you is, “Get out. Find another career.”

I do agree with Jill Konrath that when we are selling a product, we need to focus on how it can solve the potential client’s problems - not on how much we love and are passionate about it.

But don’t ever lose sight of the advantages of living your life with passion. Just for fuel, here are some great quotes about passion:

• As far back as the mid 1970s, Denis Diderot wrote, “There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.”
• Benjamin Franklin, however, warns, “If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.”
• And yet, Eve Sawyer said, “Never underestimate the power of passion.”
• When it comes to creativity, Rollo May wrote, “Creativity is not merely the innocent spontaneity of our youth and childhood; it must also be married to the passion of the adult human being, which is a passion to live beyond one's death.”
• And, W. Eugene Smith agreed, “Passion is in all great searches and is necessary to all creative endeavors.”

So, I ask you, “How passionate are you about life and your work?” I submit to you that if you can become passionate about living, working and playing, you will find that many of your problems will disappear. Try it! You’ll love it!

Curious about Change - Repeat after Me, "Change Is Good"

I mentioned to a woman with whom I work on a quarterly basis that I was moving after living eleven years in the same apartment. She advised, “Just keep repeating `Change Is Good. Change Is Good.’”

I definitely agree. Over these past two months, however, I have discovered two truths about change. Yes, change may be good for us, however, it is not always easy. And, even though I can count the benefits, there are many others who would rather fight change and complain about it.

With my move and also with the springing of summer, a lot of extra, unforeseen change has taken place. The move wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. It involved some of the hardest and most physical work I have ever done. I do feel fitter than ever!

But, the good part is that I de-cluttered. I gave boxes and boxes of books to the library for their annual sale. I gave huge bags of clothes (still like new, but seldom worn) to a local shelter. I gave away furniture that didn’t fit the style of my new, ultra-modern space. With every belonging now in its new un-crowded location (the closets here are “to die for”) I am enjoying the Feng Shui fruits of a clean, uncluttered environment.

On the other hand, change can bring with it new, unexpected challenges. My biggest one was that somehow the wiring for my two business telephone lines kept causing shorts. It would work for one line, but not two. I had been using one for the business phone calls and the other for my Internet connection and/or fax machine.

Ah, yes, “Change Is Good” so there must be a solution. And, there was! I decided to go with DSL, cancel the second line and also my dial-up connection. With help from an excellent 24/7 technology service, I was soon set up - not only with the DSL connection, but also with a Wireless router, so I could also access the Internet on my laptop at the front of the apartment.

How smug I was. That is until I started to send out my bi-weekly e-newsletter to its 2200 recipients and was told that my new service would not allow this under any circumstances. I finally worked it out, but it is still not what I can say is perfect. The good part of this change is that I have learned a huge amount more about computer usage. And to help facilitate, I have re-subscribed to my dial-up service for mailing days.

Now, for the complainers of change.

In the midst of all of my personal change and changes, the fitness club where I teach decided to cut back classes and length of classes for the summer months. Because I teach more classes than most of the instructors, my class times were changed, one was dropped and a couple were shortened.

Again, I repeated, “Change Is Good” and decided that getting up a half hour earlier than before would give me more time to work on the books I am writing, garden in my new garden and also catch up on reading.

But, oh my! You would not have believed the bitter and angry comments from some of the students. One kept saying that she was not a morning person and that scheduling the classes a half hour earlier would be a “real inconvenience” for her. She and some of the others were almost nasty about it. They didn’t want to hear that, “Change Is Good” or that it hadn’t been my decision to change the schedule.

Anyway, my question to you is, “How do you deal with change? Do you feel it is good?”

I say, let’s welcome change with open arms. It keeps us alive and thriving. It may not be easy and it may inconvenience our lives a bit, but I am convinced that, “Change Is Good!”