What Goes Up...

 

We've all heard the saying, "What Goes Up, Must Come Down", right? I even have some "Blood, Sweat and Tears" featured on the podcast, singing the song, "Spinning Wheel", which starts off with this phrase.

 

The idea behind the phrase is, basically, your actions are like a boomerang...what you "throw" out there WILL come back!

 

Are you o.k. with that?

 

Yes, this is a continuation of what we discussed in the last article and podcast. Yet, I feel the need to continue this discussion because I see the lack of understanding of this concept literally, every single day.

 

My supervisor is completely stressed out every time I see her. As a matter of fact, before I was officially hired at this company, she told me that it was a stressful job...VERY stressful. Yet, what I have found to be true is this: SHE is stressed...VERY stressed and MY part of the job is not really stressful at all.

 

Sure, my job is completely different than hers but, this makes a very important point in how all of this works. Because she "speaks" stress in her work environment, she assumes it's that way for those that do what I do as well. She SPEAKS stress, she SEES stress, she FEELS stress and, in my opinion, stress will END her position with this company within a few more months, if that long.

 

Here's another thing that I have noticed about this situation: my supervisor CREATES stress in this work environment and it's not producing positive results for her. I have observed that my co-workers do not respect her nor do they respond well to her. I'm not trying to over-simplify this but, one main reason this happens is because "what goes up, must come down" or, in other words, she is getting back what she is putting out.

 

What about you?

 

Take a moment and write down some descriptions of your life. Break it down to descriptions of your typical day if you prefer. Use "descriptive" words (adjectives) on this list and see what you come up with as you do so. Don't think too much about it...just "brainstorm" and write down what honestly comes to mind.

 

How do you feel about what you discovered with this list?

 

This can become a vicious cycle in which YOUR stress can cause stress to others around you which, in turn, can cause YOU stress and on and on it can go.

 

You may not agree with me and that's o.k. But, can I get you to at least consider what I'm saying to be true? Try this - and I mean REALLY give it your best shot - and see what begins to happen. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS which, in turn will CHANGE YOUR WORDS and your ACTIONS.

 

Yeah, again, I acknowledge that this is easier said than done but, listen, stop trying to fit everything into our "microwave-mentality" culture. THIS MAY TAKE SOME TIME but, if you really put the effort into this, I believe that you will see positive results pretty quickly.

 

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS: Make an even stronger effort to immerse yourself with positive information. Stop watching the news and start listening to positive recordings as well as begin reading more positive articles. Hey, just turn the television OFF and see what happens. Consciously "chase out" any negative thoughts that begin to try to find a home in your mind. DO NOT allow it to do that...chase it off!

 

CHANGE YOUR WORDS: Changing your thoughts will begin to change your speech! You will begin to THINK more before spewing out some negative poison and your words will follow your thoughts and become more positive. And, by changing your thoughts and words, you will also begin to...

 

CHANGE YOUR ACTIONS:  You haven't forgotten the message from the last article already, have you? "Your feet will follow your mouth!" Once you begin to think differently (more positive) and you begin to talk differently (more positive and encouraging) then, it will not be long before your ACTIONS themselves begin to change. What you "put out" will become more positive and productive and, YES, you will begin to see this having a positive impact on those around you. If you are in any kind of management or supervisory position you will actually see more positive actions and, believe it or not, more positive production from your team.

 

Hey, you can choose to give this a try and see what happens or you can keep getting what you are getting from what you are doing. What's that definition of "insanity" again? "Doing the same things over and  over again and expecting different results."

 

So, as always, it's up to YOU.

 

Choose wisely, friend. Your "life" really does depend on it.

 

Until next time...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike 

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POSITION Does Not Make a LEADER!

"Position Does NOT Make a Leader!"

 

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"It's GOOD to be King!"

 

We've seen movies and other shows that have shown someone in power proclaiming this while enjoying the "benefits" of being in charge. However, we've also seen many movies and shows also reflect those in such power bemoaning the fact that their subjects don't love or respect them.

 

This is just not true in movies - it's been reported and repeated all through history and, yet, it seems that many - still today - have not learned the simple truth that POSITION does NOT make a LEADER.

 

Have you ever worked for/with someone like this? The answer is likely, "YES!"

 

I've seen and heard of many situations where a person comes out of college or some special program - usually much younger than those that they will be working with - and be placed in a POSITION of "leadership" and think that it qualifies them for instant respect and instant followers.

 

WRONG ANSWER - WRONG THOUGHT - WRONG APPROACH!

 

Remember, POSITION does NOT make a LEADER!

 

You would think that, as I pointed out in the first few paragraphs, we would learn this lesson from histroy. But, even worse than us not learning this from past "ancient" history, I see those that don't even learn this from present, every day examples.

 

I recently heard a man that is in a POSITION of "leadership" state to his workers that he didn't care about them and that they were there to do the work that he told them to do. Along with telling them that he didn't care about them he also told them his philosophy was, "I say - you do!"

 

How many of his workers do you think respect him? Not many, if any. Oh, there are a lot of them that are AFRAID of him because they fear being fired if they don't follow his philosophy but, the truth is (and will ALWAYS be) that this man will NEVER get the full potential out of his workers with this mindset. Never.

 

So, if you work for or with someone like this then it is DOUBLY important for you to dig deep and supply yourself with as much positive ammunition (like this blog and my podcast/videocast) as you can in order to keep your attitude as it needs to be. Believe me when I say that your coworkers NEED that from you because many - if not most - of them don't have the same approach to life as you do and they need your attitude and mindset to help teach, lead and empower them to make it through such a mindset from someone in charge.

 

Again, "in charge" does not make one "a leader".

 

And, finally, if YOU are one with this type of mindset then let me get straight to the point - STOP IT! I can promise you this: if you believe this and have this approach, YOU WILL FAIL! Oh, you may have some "success" but you will NEVER achieve what is possible with this type of approach. Just like the man I described before, you will never get the full potential out of those that you are in charge of and, the truth is that if you cannot get the full potential out of those that you are in charge of then you will never reach YOUR full potential with your company.

 

That, my friend, is the HONEST TRUTH.

 

So, what DOES make one a leader?

 

We will be taking a look at that question in the next few blogs and podcasts/videocasts to come. The podcast is already up and can be found at www.FutureYouUniversity.com by clicking on the video cast tab and then clicking on either the iTunes logo or the Hipcast RSS feed logo. The vidoe cast for this segment will also be found there very soon.

 

Think about all of this and do what you MUST do to combat the negativity that will likely come with this attitude. And, again, if you are guilty of this mindset then determine NOW that you MUST change and become more than just a person who holds a position. Determine now that you WILL become an actual LEADER.

 

Until next time - "Be sure to make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is gonig to do it for you?)"

 

Mike



RELATIONSHIPS: In the Workplace II

"RELATIONSHIPS: In the Workplace II"

Before I get going on today's entry let me clarify that when I talk about your "boss" I am referring to that person that tells you what you need to do at your workplace each day. It may be a "manager" or "supervisor" but, regardless, they are YOUR boss.

How many of you LIKE your boss?

How many of you DISLIKE your boss?

Of those of you that DISLIKE your boss, how many of you would also say - honestly - that you don't put 100% into your efforts on the job BECAUSE OF your dislike for your boss? You know what I mean, right? It's the kind of attitude that says, "Why should I do that for you? I'm not going to do anything more than I absolutely have to!"

Now, an even more important question that you need to address: "How is that attitude helping you in ANY way whatsoever?"

Does it make you feel better? I can answer that for you - "NO!" Oh, you may THINK it makes you feel better but I can promise you that this "relationship" (as it stands) eats at you each and every day.

Is it IMPROVING your positive mindset? Again, an easy answer - "NO!"

So...what's the point?

What if I could tell you a way that will not only change the way you approach each work day BUT may very well lead to a promotion and/or better job for yourself?

Here it is: Do EVERYTHING you can to make your BOSS look as good as possible!

O.k. after you pick yourself up off of the floor I'll continue. Are you back with me now?

Doesn't that just go against everything that seems to make sense in the workplace?

But really take a close look at this idea. Again, how is the other approach working out for you?

When you decide that you are going to approach each day with the idea of doing the BEST job possible (hey, listen, don't roll your eyes - it really is an important step to take!) then you begin to LOOK FORWARD TO the day as opposed to DREADING the day.

When you begin to focus on making your boss look good, guess what? YOU will begin to be noticed and YOU will "look good" as well. Your boss (even if he/she IS a jerk) will begin to realize how invaluable you are to them and they will do all they can to keep you working for them.

THEN, other department managers will begin to notice what you are doing and then THEY will want to get you to work with/for them!

My wife is currently working a part time job that is nothing special. It's just a basic part time job that a lot of people fuss and gripe about. But, guess what? As she usually does, she has approached each day as a chance to make people smile and to just simply do the best she can. She has only been working at this job for two weeks and she has already had one manager tell her that "word" about her has already spread around the store and that all the managers are wanting her to work in their department.

IN JUST TWO WEEKS!

Now, you tell me, how can that be anything BUT good?

Now, even though YOUR immediate manager may want to keep you where you are so that you can continue to make them look good, THEIR manager will notice what you are doing and realize that it would be silly to keep you at that level and will likely want to promote you to a higher level in order to take better advantage of your work habit and attitude.

YES, THIS CAN BE REAL AND IT CAN HAPPEN FOR YOU!

But, first and foremost, you MUST change your attitude on all of this.

And then, quite honestly, the sky is the limit for you.

Hey, why not try it? Honestly, what do you have to lose?

BE YOUR BEST and see if THE BEST doesn't start happening to and for you!

Until next time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

http://www.michaelspillman.com/

RELLATIONSHIPS: In the Workplace

"RELATIONSHIPS: In the Workplace"

(access the audio/video version of this topic at: http://www.michaelspillman.com/)

First of all, just as I did on the podcast for today, let me clarify that I am NOT any type of "relationship expert". Quite honestly, I am not sure that there really IS such a thing and I challenge such a "title".

Anyway, I simply am sharing what I feel and think about these things based on my own personal experiences as well as my own observations. Again, we ALL have relationships so this is something that, hopefully, we can all relate to as we discuss these thoughts and ideas together.

Relationships... we all have them, they are "ours" and we put our "relational fingerprint" on each and every person that we come into contact with each and every day.

We have been talking about those "outer ridge" type of relationships that we all have (waiter, waitress, parking attendant, etc.) and how we are perceived by these people (perhaps the "real" us?) and how we treat those at this level of our relationships impacts ALL of our relationships.

Today, we move in one layer in our "relationship circle" and move into those relationships that we have at the workplace.

You may be saying, "WHAT relationships at my workplace? I try to do everything I can NOT to have relationships at my workplace!" That may be true but, whether you want them or not, they DO exist!

Think about this - the very fact that we spend so much time with these relationships (whether we want to or not) will DEFINITELY cause there to be an influence on our other relationships. What do I mean by that?

How many times have you either experienced this or you have heard other people talk about this experience - you come home from work (or someone else in your household comes home from work) in a rotten and stinky mood because of what has taken place WHILE AT work?

See what I mean?

We have had this basic discussion many times before but, the fact is simply this: YOU allow others to "push your buttons" and cause you to be in a bad mood. It's up to you whether or not you will turn this power over to those around you.

Easier said than done? YES! Will you be 100% successful in this each and every day? NOT LIKELY! But that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to improve in this area, wouldn't you agree?

Many times we fall into the trap of joining in with our coworkers when they begin to whine and complain about the job and/or the boss. Whine, whine, whine.

"Would you like some CHEESE with that whine?"

First and foremost - BE THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVE A JOB! Now, I understand that it may not be what you want to do for the rest of your life and I understand it may not be the BEST situation in the world. But, be THANKFUL!

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!

That's right. You have a CHOICE in how you approach each day and it is up to YOU to follow through with that choice. It's all up to YOU and no one else.

It's up to you how you relate with your coworkers and if you will allow them to "suck you down" with the negativity" or if you will take a different path and challenge them (by your actions) to rise above that poison and up to something better.

And, it's up to you as to how you relate to any of the bosses you have ahead of you. I mention this on the podcast for today and I want to leave it with you today so that you can run it through your brain a few times before our next discussion. (By the way, I mistakenly said we'd talk about this "tomorrow" on the podcast forgetting that "tomorrow" is FUN FRIDAY. So, it will be Monday before we get back to this.)

What would happen if you decided to do EVERYTHING YOU COULD to make your boss look as GOOD AS THEY COULD?

Think about that and join me again for part 2 of this discussion on our relationships in the workplace.

Until next time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

www.MichaelSpillman.com