|
|
|
Breaking Free
a monthly newsletter from Traci Duez & Break Free Consulting
Think better, Choose
better, Perform better, Live better
|
|
|
|
|
In Search of Infinite
Value
|
|
|
In business (and in life),
we focus on strategy, vision, ideas and planning
(especially as we start a new year). Then, we
switch and focus on execution, tasks, priorities. We
focus on achieving tangible results: increasing sales,
retaining talent, increasing stock prices, etc. Often
times the important intangibles, like higher morale,
motivation and commitment are overlooked.
We as individuals tend to do
the same. We compare where we are today to where we were
a year ago. We look at our paycheck, our car, our house.
We compare these to our family members and friends and
co-workers. Then, what do we do? We make grand plans to
do more and have more by the end of the upcoming year. |
|
|
Science of Value
In my study of axiology (the
science of value and value judgments), the items we
discussed above fall into 2 of the 3 classes of value...
systemic and extrinsic.
-
Extrinsic:
Extrinsically valued objects exist in the common,
public, sensory world of space and time that we share
with others. We can see them, measure them. They are
real and tangible. Examples are physical objects, tasks,
the things that we do.
-
Systemic:
Systemic values do not exist in public space and time.
They are not physical or perceptible things; they exist
only as mental concepts constructed by our minds.
Examples are ideas, plans, rules, procedures,
expectations.
There is, however, a 3rd class
of value that is clearly missing from the discussion
above... Intrinsic.
-
Intrinsic:
Intrinsically valued objects are unique, priceless, and
irreplaceable. They are infinitely valued. Examples are
rare objects, treasured heirlooms, timeless principles
(wisdom) and human beings.
|
|
My Resolution
My resolution in 2008 is
to help you focus on the immeasurable, the
invaluable, the intangibles... yes, even the emotional.
Why?
Because when you
do, the extrinsic rewards and benefits of your actions will
take care of themselves. As Og Mandino writes, "...I am
prepared for wisdom and principles which will guide me out
of the shadows into the sunlight of wealth, position, and
happiness far beyond my most extravagant dreams until even
the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides will seem no
more than my just reward." (Did you notice that he didn't
say "I'm prepared for actions and ideas which will guide
me..."?) What's more, the systemic part of your life will not
be filled with stress, discouragement and frustration at the
circumstances of life.
How?
You may have
been told not to talk about certain topics in public and
especially at work... things like politics, religion,
personal matters. Emotional or emotionally-charged issues don't belong in the
workplace, right?
Wrong!
You are an emotional being. You can't separate your
extrinsic nature (your "doings") from your intrinsic nature
(your "being" and your "becoming").
Now, I'm not suggesting that you go to work tomorrow and cry or become angry and express
all of your emotions openly. What I am suggesting is that
you don't fear or
flee from your emotions or the emotions of others.
|
|
Your Legacy (infinite value)
Do you want to make
real, lasting, legacy-building changes in 2008?
Then, don't shy away from feelings or passion - HARNESS IT!
FACT: When people don't
feel emotionally connected, they hold back (on
average) 40% of their cooperation, commitment,
and productivity.
FACT:
For every 1% positive increase in the corporate
climate (emotional environment), there is a 2% increase in revenue.
You can be a powerful
influence in your world this year. To increase what you
have and become better at what you do, make the
commitment to:
-
Value the person FIRST!
Learn how to intrinsically validate the people
in your life. That means setting your agenda
aside and stepping into their world without the
need to be right, to fix them, to solve their
problems. Learn to fully focus on others and
their intrinsic, immeasurable value.
"I will
greet this day with love in my heart. And how
will I confront each whom I meet? In only one
way. In silence and to myself I will address him
and say I Love You. Though spoken in silence
these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkle my
brow bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my
voice; and his heart will be opened."
(The
Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino,
Scroll 2)
-
Connect
with people on an emotional level.
Try this... when people ask you how you are
doing, surprise them and give them an honest
answer. Quit saying "Fine". Which definition of
"fine" are you referring to anyway? of superior
or best quality? a sum of money imposed as a
penalty? very thin or slender? delicately
fashioned? Stop saying "fine" - be original
and
honest and connect with the people around you.
"I will
greet this day with love in my heart. And how
will I act? I will love all manners of men for
each has qualities to be admired even though
they be hidden. With love I will tear down the
wall of suspicion and hate which they have built
round their hearts and in its place will I build
bridges so that my love may enter their souls."
(The
Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino,
Scroll 2)
-
Invest in improving YOU,
your intrinsic value - who you are and how you
think. Don't just look into improving your
techniques or finding tips for manipulating your circumstances.
Make real changes in YOU!
"I will
greet this day with love in my heart. And most
of all I will love myself. For when I do, I will
zealously inspect all things which enter my
body, my mind, my soul, and my heart. Never will
I overindulge the requests of my flesh; rather I
will cherish my body with cleanliness and
moderation. Never will I allow my mind to be
attracted to evil and despair; rather I will
uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the
ages. Never will I allow my soul to become
complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it
with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow
my heart to become small and bitter rather I
will share it and it will grow and warm the
earth." (The
Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino,
Scroll 2)
Albert Einstein
cautioned,
"We
should take care not to make intellect our god. It
has, of course, powerful muscles, but no
personality. It cannot lead, it can only serve."
That means don't just focus on
the extrinsic and systemic value in this world. They
are only our servants. |
|
Jim Valvano said this as he was
dying of brain cancer,
"To me, there
are three things we all should do every day. We
should do this every day of our lives.
Number one
is laugh. You should laugh every day.
Number
two is think. You should spend some time in
thought.
And number three is, you should have
your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness
or joy.
But think about it. If you laugh, you think,
and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a
day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to
have something special."
|
Rem Edwards wrote,
"To be
and become all that we can, we must come to know, to
cherish, to create, and to express ourselves as
fully and as positively as possible in all three
dimensions of value."
|
 |
No eagle can fly with just one
wing.
Gifted leadership and break free
living occurs where the head and the heart meet.
Emotions and intellect are the
two wings that will allow you to sour in 2008 and
beyond.
|
|
 |
helps
you to soar into 2008!
Get started
with an assessment TODAY! |
 |
|
|
|
December,
2007
Vol. 2, Issue 4 |
|
|
Click here to view online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendars!
New coaching
groups will be forming in February 2008.
Enrollment is limited.
Click the image below to reserve your space TODAY!
Your coaching
group will meet every-other-week for 6 months. Your coaching sessions
will be conducted via teleconference and will last for 60 to
90 minutes.
|
|
|
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
|
|
|
January 16, 2008
PMI New Orleans
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Zea's Rotisserie Restaurant
1525 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
January 24, 2008
PMI Clear Lake / Galveston
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Mario's Flying Pizza Restaurant
618 W. NASA Road 1 Webster, TX 77598 |
|
|
|
|
"I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance."
- Pablo Casals
"The feeling is often the deeper
truth, the opinion the more superficial one."
-
A.W. Hare & J.C. Hare
"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing
with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion."
- Dale Carnegie
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a
smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or
the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to
turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia
"The very essence of
literature is the war between emotion and intellect, between
life and death. When literature becomes too intellectual -when
it begins to ignore the passions, the motions - it becomes
sterile, silly, and actually without substance."
- Isaac Bashevis
Singer
"In Aristotelian terms, the good leader must have ethos,
pathos and logos. The ethos is his moral character, the source
of his ability to persuade. The pathos is his ability to touch
feelings to move people emotionally. The logos is his ability to
give solid reasons for an action, to move people
intellectually."
- Mortimer Jerome
Adler
"...the game of business is
to influence the external world. But here’s the point: How can
you control your environment if you can’t even manage your own
thoughts and emotions? In other words, how do you rule the world
without first mastering yourself? The cornerstone of effective
leadership is self-mastery"
- Patricia Aburdene |
|
|
Want to understand your
emotions?
|
|
|
Use the button below to start
the process!
The 6 Advisors Assessment Report
goes below the surface of behavior and personality
and measures with great accuracy the thought
processes that are driving your decisions and actions.
Your FREE
Introductory Assessment Report will include the full
measurements plus written narrative and helpful audio for two (2) of your 6 Advisors. We have selected the
clearest and most balanced Advisor and your least clear
Advisor. |
|
|
|
|