Look In The Mirror
Do you want a better life? It starts with you. How badly do you want it? Are you all talk, or are you actually taking action to improve yourself?
If you want to achieve levels different from where you currently are, you have to redefine yourself to grow into that higher level. It would be absurd to think about massive lifestyle changes happening, without investing in yourself to create and master those new opportunities.
Want to be the boss? How much time have you invested in learning how to become one? Read any management books in the last month, or take any recent courses on leadership? If you said no, then you are not serious about it. Rest assured, other people you know are investing in themselves, and improving. They will get that job.
Want to start a company? How many books have you read on doing so? How many mentors have you approached with questions? Done any legit research on the business niche? Have you done a simple business plan to estimate the financials and returns? No? Then you aren't ready.
We should always look into ourselves first, if we want changes to happen. Rid yourself of things that do not move you closer to your goal. That may include bad habits, excuses, negative people, and your attitude. Make these changes to yourself, and watch the opportunities arrive. Most people simply hold themselves back, but they do not realize it.
Become the best version of yourself, and seek to improve every single day. Little positive changes, performed over a long time, will bring exponential gains.
You Only Get One Ride
The trajectory of your life is always just one decision away. Our time here is relatively short, so why not make the decision to make the best of it?
Quit aspiring to be average. Quit putting in average effort, and expecting more than average results. Would you buy products or hire services that are advertised as merely average? Hell no. Then realize that an average life is not for you. Average is boring, and robs you of ever experiencing your full potential.
Friends, we only get one ride. There is no reset button at the end of our lives. You can decide to improve, and chase those dreams...or you can be destined to die with regret. Spend some time with those near the end in their years, and they will tell you regret is awful. And, they have run out of time. Do not stay on that path. It is your choice to make, today.
Regain your health and fitness. Educate yourself with books and mentors. Be willing to take risks, and fail. Get back up. Accept and love yourself. Choose to be confident. Pay no attention to what others say about you. Be who you were meant to be. Build the memories and experiences that will last you a lifetime. Explore. Be kind, and helpful to others.
If you want something, ask for it. Take action. Strengthen relationships. Hug them before they are gone. Before you are gone...
Managers vs. Leaders
Are you currently a manager, or do you aspire to become one? Do you consider yourself a leader? The reason there are two different questions, is because there could be two different answers. Most people believe a manager and leader are the same thing, but this statement is not accurate. Anyone who has worked within any company has seen proof of this. Within all companies, the role of manager is certainly an important one. The position is purely authoritative, intended to keep the employees following the process and rules. One could even argue that the leadership aspect of some of these manager roles is not always required.
Not all managers are leaders. "Manager" is just a job title. Conversely, not all leaders are managers. Some individuals lead from behind, regardless of their corporate rank. These people motivate and inspire everyone around them to perform at a higher level, by offering encouragement and leading by example. Leadership is a personality characteristic, not related to any specific title. It is something you have to decide to become, and practice to improve.
Within our corporate world, many people get promoted into management without having the leadership persona. Someone could be an ace at performing within a skilled support role, but that doesn't automatically make them leadership material. They may have mastered the intellectual IQ requirements for that technical role, but may have not developed the EQ (Emotional Quotient) to lead people. Some managers are just not interested in managing people, but will accept the promotion for the title, status, or salary increase. Once in that position, we find they under-perform compared to their previous roles. These managers still want to focus on the technical side of their role, and disregard their human resource requirements. Managers like this will cause your talented employees to look elsewhere. Most people quit their boss, not the company. When considering the promotion of someone, companies need to stop prioritizing tenure ahead of talent. People should never deserve a promotion, they should earn it. Great companies will be able to identify which individuals will flourish within specific roles.
Each of us has experienced good and bad managers. Fortunately, we can learn from both. The bad managers exhibit indecisiveness, negative attitudes, and poor business habits. These failures provide us with invaluable experience. If you take a look back along your career, your best managers will be easy to identify. These are the people you still retain contact with, even after years of having worked together. You still bounce ideas, ask advice from, and network with them. They likely have become friends with you. The main difference between the good and bad, is that the good managers actually cared about you and the rest of their team. This is what separates managers from leaders. Leaders care about the individuals on their team, and understand what uniquely motivates each person. Leaders never ask their reports to do things they would not do themselves, or haven't done themselves. Leaders are interested in the personal development of their team members, and do not avoid the career development plans or mentoring responsibilities. Leaders want each member on their team to succeed within their current role, as well as their future roles. Leaders do not hold down superstars.
Take this moment to evaluate yourself as a leader, with one simple question. Would your team follow you anywhere you go, or will they cheer the day they quit working for you? Hopefully the answer is a positive one. If not, hope is not lost. This is something you can improve upon. Start today.