A Conscious Culture Creates Profits

I once heard a physician describe the culture of his award winning hospital in this way. He said, “Just as our body needs red blood cells to live and grow, we also need white blood cells. Red blood cells equate to our income and profitability. But white blood cells equate to our patient care and superior performance in all areas.”

What the doctor described was really a Conscious Culture — one that fosters continued learning, personal and professional growth and the opportunity for people to apply their skills and knowledge in ways that benefit their customers and, in turn, the company. As a result profits are realized.

When I talk to companies and organizations about creating a Conscious Culture, I emphasize the Four Ps. They are your Principles, People, Processes and Performance. Regardless of the type of business or organization you operate, these four areas influence your values, attitudes and behaviors in the workplace.

But, just like the human body, we need a balance between our red and white blood cells. And, so does your company. You need a balance between your business operations, customer relations and profit strategies. We refer to these three areas as your Business Success Triad. It’s a very delicate balance because each of the three legs of your Business Success Triad constantly compete for resources and money. Just as our body competes for nourishment, recreation, mental and physical stimulation and rest.

The Course of 10,000 Days believes that conscious leaders value their people because they understand people are their greatest asset. When leaders create a conscious culture that goes beyond the profit motive and fosters an environment that nurtures their people and treats each and every customer with dignity and respect, new customers will seek you out and your profits will grow.

Employee Engagement Requires Engaged Leaders

Over the past 20 years, I've taught thousands of managers and supervisors how to improve their interactions, strengthen communication and build better relationships with employees. Honestly, it’s been an uphill struggle. Why? 

Well, the fact is most companies aren't invested in their people. They give them a job to do, a paycheck and then they expect them to show-up at work and perform the job to the best of their ability. The late management guru Dr. Peter Drucker used to challenge his students and audiences by imploring them not to hire just the arms and legs of people, but also employ their brains and hearts because it is the heart and souls of your people that separates ordinary companies from extraordinary companies. I agree.

And, while paying people a competitive wage and providing them a safe, pleasant work environment would seem like a fair proposition, it’s not enough anymore to stay ahead of the competition.  It’s also not enough to keep your employees motivated and committed to the goals of senior management; and, it’s certainly not enough to retain you best-and-brightest talent.

What’s really required of companies – assuming you want to be recognized as an industry leader or best-in-class organization – is to help your people discover their passion. You see, people who are passionate about their jobs bring an entirely different mindset to the workplace.

This level of passion and commitment on the part of employees is what leaders should be creating in the workplace. But, it’s tough because it requires leaders to get outside their comfort zone and move beyond traditional employee engagement practices.  So, how do you achieve that?

Here are three steps to get you started.

1. Acceptance. Leaders need to accept the fact that an employee is only as committed to his/her jobs as the leader is committed to that employee. Once leaders accept this basic premise, a mind shift occurs and leaders change how they relate to employees. That shift requires a leader to respect the employee as a human being who is their equal despite differences in income, title, education and their upbringing. Each person has unique gifts and talents. Remember that regardless of the job, every employee has a life and interests outside the workplace.

2. Celebrate, Recognize and Reward.  The best leaders embrace the Three Musketeers philosophy – “All for one and one for all!” When an employee is part of a team – and feels as though he/she plays a meaningful role on that team -- commitment follows and passions flow. When leaders challenge a team to perform, and recognize a team’s accomplishments, they are strengthening the team’s commitment to the organization. I have always believed that leaders must recognize a team, but also reward individual achievements. 

3. Set the Example.  Most leaders are good at setting goals and establishing expectations. But, frankly, very few leaders set the example or lead the way down unchartered paths so their teams can follow.  Best-in-class organizations have inspirational leaders who are not afraid to strap on a backpack and walk the journey with their people. Remember, your people are human. They want to see the human side of their leaders as well. No one expects perfection, and no one expects the leader to have all the answers. However, your people do expect the leader to somehow find the answers and show them the way.

This is how meaningful employee engagement happens. It requires passion, involvement and a commitment on the part of leaders. When employees see these attributes in their leaders, they too will be inspired, engaged, committed and passionate about their job.

The CEO is also the Chief Wellness Officer

There's no question that the chief executive officer has many important responsibilities.  But, one of those responsibilities that is becoming more important to the productivity and profitability of your organization is the role of chief wellness officer.

What exactly is a chief wellness officer? The 10,000 Days Foundation defines a chief wellness officer as the individual who is responsible for the personal growth and professional engagement of employees in the workplace. 

We are not talking about the health and physical wellness of employees although that's important. Rather, a chief wellness officer is concerned with the mental and spiritual development of employees because these are the two areas that influence a person's productivity, commitment to their job, teamwork and adherence to the core values of your organization.

During our Life Balance Retreats, we emphasize the importance of commitment to the workplace because a person's legacy is often defined by their work and career. For someone to have a rewarding career and work experience is critical to the individual's sense of pride, self-worth, and shaping their legacy.

A disturbing statistic recently cited by the Gallup organization is that 8 out of 10 people are unhappy with their jobs. If this statement is accurate, it speaks to the uphill challenge many CEOs face in trying to re-energize and rejuvenate their employees to be more productive and more committed to the core values and goals of the organization.

While there is no single remedy, The 10,000 Days Foundation has experienced a high degree of success in helping managers and employees, who feel under-appreciated at work -- especially those over 50 years old -- find ways to rediscover the joy of work and have a rewarding and satisfying career.  After all, life is about so much more than simply one's work or job title. 

While work is very important, the most productive employees are those who have created balance in their lives by addressing the eight elements represented in our "Wheel of Life" assessment. Those eight elements are: Environment, Relationships, Wellness, Career, Romance, Fun & Recreation, Money and Legacy. 

This is what we focus on during our Life Balance Retreats. In the process, we help attendees discover what's really important to them and how to set realistic goals to achieve their desired outcomes.

The CEO cannot do it all. He or she needs a talented team of professionals -- internally and externally -- who can help them advance their vision, reinforce their core values, and re-engage their employees so the organization is successful and the employees are fulfilled.

The 10,000 Days Life Balance Retreats are one powerful tool a chief wellness officer can use to create more productive and committed employees.

For more information, visit our website at: www.LifeBalanceRetreat.com   

Christmas is a Time for Giving of Yourself

It seems every year, as Christmas approaches, I find myself being asked the same, old tired question... "So, what do you want for Christmas?" The truth is nothing. Well, at least nothing material. Oh, sure, I can always use a golf glove or a subscription to National Geographic. But, what I really want is more precious than anything material.

I'd simply like to enjoy a wonderful conversation with those I love. I'm sure I speak for many parents who never get enough holiday time with their kids. Or, for that matter, close friends and relatives. One of the greatest joys in life is to simply spend meaningful time with those you love.

So, this Christmas and Hanukkah,  give the gift of yourself and spend time with those people you love. It's the most precious gift of all.

Merry Christmas!

A Goal Setting Plan For Success in 2015

December is a good time of year to start thinking about your goals for next year.  I know it's difficult amid the chaos of the holiday season, but I like to steal away a few minutes each day during December to think about my goals for the new year. The fact is it gives me a huge advantage over my competition and allows me to "hit the ground running" on January 1st.

People who set goals typically outperform their competition. This is a fact. Did you know that only 37% of American adults say they set new goals at the beginning of each year. This means if you are a Goal Setter, you're in the top third of Americans who have a chance at success in the new year. After all, most people who don't set goals have no clear direction as to where they're going or how to get there. So, it stands to reason that Goal Setters are miles ahead of their competition.

Another key part of success is to share your goals with someone you trust -- someone who will encourage you onward to success. It's reported that 30% of American adults don't share their goals with anyone. I have found that when I talk about my goals with others, it reinforces my belief and determination. So, share your goals with people who will reinforce them.

I'm encouraged by the fact that 14% of Americans say they are making personal or spiritual changes in their life, while 13% are setting financial goals. This means more people are making the connection between personal growth and creating greater abundance in their lives.

Another important goal-setting area is Life Balance. Too often, after a speech, people will come up to me and say "I wish I had more time to spend with my kids, or travel, or sit on a beach and so forth..."
I always reply, "You have as much time as you need. The question is how do you choose to spend it?"
I've never known anyone who, on their death bed, wished they had spent more time on the job.

The truth is we make choices every day that lead us to greater fulfillment or greater frustration. So, this month, take some time to think about what really matters to you. What's important in your life? Then, set goals that move you in that direction.

I can guarantee that you will find greater happiness and fulfillment in life if you set worthy goals that bring you closer to your dreams.

How to Use the Power of Presence to Live a Meaningful Life

In a recent interview, one of America's most respected Life Coaches, Chess Edwards said, "Everyone has a life purpose. the challenge is to discover it and live it."

I think that's great advice. The question is how? One way, according to Chess Edwards, is to be present -- to focus on this moment and enjoy the experience of now. 

Edwards says, "There is great power and pleasure in being present in the moment. Consider this: You know those people, who as soon as you meet them, they instill an instant sense of trust? Why is that?

"The reason is that they trust themselves. They show-up fully present to the moment, and you know that their minds aren’t spinning a million miles a minute calculating how to “get what they want” or “sell you what they’ve got,” or worrying if you’re going to like them or not. They already like themselves and they aren’t seeking approval from others.

"It’s almost like you’re meeting a Zen master or wise teacher, except they’re dressed just like you and don’t seem to reek of incense and lotus blossoms. They are your mechanic, the grocery store clerk, your dry cleaner, your professor, your next door neighbor, and your friend.

"When you’re around these people, you can feel the peace that they are experiencing within themselves. People want to be near them. People want them on their team. People feel safe around them. This is because they feel safe within themselves.

"What is happening is that they have learned to be at peace with themselves and that deep peace has given them a rock solid foundation that allows them to fully engage without the distractions of fear, doubt and uncertainty; and, act with great clarity and confidence in everything that they do and truly connect with everyone they meet. It isn’t that they don’t sometimes experience fear, but they aren’t ruled by it.

"They have learned how to cultivate a state of presence that they carry with them everywhere. It is their home. They have found their home and are no longer seeking it from the world around them. The world around them simply reflects their internal abundance of strength, peace compassion.

"We all have the capacity to create such foundations of balance, strength and integrity which translate into more joyful and powerful living under all conditions and in all circumstances.

Cultivating this Power of Presence takes practice and discipline. It takes some serious rewiring of old thought patterns and the willingness to let go of old habits and beliefs. It takes learning how to be mindful while establishing a more honest and courageous relationship with ourselves, our true-selves."

The Power of Presence is the ability to bring the power of our stillness, stability and integrity from the privacy of our personal practices into every active moment of our lives. Mindfulness in Action is being able to stay steady, present and powerfully connected no matter what the condition of the world around us.

As a result of understanding and learning The Power of Presence, you will be able to:

• Learn the art of being genuinely present in every moment where you access the peace, strength and joy that naturally resides within you.

• Liberate yourself through conscious and empowered choices rather than being victim to unconscious and conditioned reactions.

• Greatly reduce unnecessary drama and struggle in your life and the lives of those you impact.

• Dissolve blocks that keep you from living the full and abundant life that you’re meant to live.  Strengthen the foundations of emotional maturity and well-being upon which joyful and powerful lives are built.

The Power of Presence can transform your life.  Hey, it's your time!

5 Ways to Create More Happiness in Your Life!

Sometimes it’s tough being happy. It doesn’t take much to put us in a sour mood. When the world gets you down and you’re having a bad day at work, or your home scene gets frustrating, here are five ways to create more happiness in your life. According to America’s Happiness Expert, Barbara Yager, Step One is to change your Environment. If you’re in a pressure-cooker environment at home or work, step outside for a quick walk around the block. Clear your head and create a neutral or positive environment.

Step Two is to reflect on your strengths. Yager says this is your personal power pack. Your strengths are your skills and abilities that no one else possesses — only you! So, think about them and remember, that you have special powers that can change your mood and your life for the better. Turn on your power pack!

Step Three is get to work doing the things you love to do. What do you have a passion for. If it’s not your day job, then find something you can get passionate about. I met a person yesterday who is passionate about volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club two nights a week. She loves being with the kids and guiding them through their challenges. Another fellow I met named Christopher loves to clear the brush and trash off a nearby hiking trail on Saturday mornings. So, whatever your passion is, follow it.

Step Four is to create Autononomy. Happiness expert Barbara Yager reminds us that everyone lives by certain rules. Some rules make sense to us and others we follow just because those are the rules we have always followed. For example, when the light turns red, you stop your car. But, those rules that are found in our personal rule book, can be changed by you. For example, I met a 50 year-old man who told me he hated going to church on Sunday. I asked him why he went to church if he hated it so much. He replied, “Oh, I’ve been going since I was old enough to walk.” I suggested he find another way to achieve spiritual satisfaction — something he enjoyed doing. In other words, re-write your rule book! Yager says, “When we know what rules we need to live by in order to lead a successful life, life is easier to live and we’re happier.” She’s right, of course!

Step Five is to create Relationships. We all need someone to love and love us back. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a person. It could be your dog or cat. But, according to Barbara Yager, we need relationships because they are the foundation to feeling happy and content in life. Perhaps this explains why so many single people have pets! Yager also says work relationships are very important. We need someone at work we can talk to when times get tough. So, start making friends by expanding your social circles. Gary Plantz once said, “Make friends before you need them!” Now, that’s good advice.