The Sykes Group's OnPoint

National Appreciation Week - Got Appreciation for Someone?

We are in the middle of National Appreciation Week, March 1-7. Sincere appreciation is one of the most powerful tools to motivating others. Take the time to personally show appreciation to a friend, colleague, employee, and family member or even the store clerk that gave you good service. You will never know how much it means to that person on a particular day and time. Here are some great resources to make it easier for you to start appreciating today:

http://scrnch.me/Appreciation 

Start appreciating today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a safe, great, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jump Start Your Progressive Thinking with TEDxNASA!

Watch the following video to jump start your progressive thinking for a more successful live:

Enjoy!

Are You Singing Your Song of Success? Five Secrets to Following Your Dreams and Achieving More Success in Your Life!

Recently, Susan Boyle, an unemployed forty-seven year old single woman from the small village of Blackburn, Scotland decided to compete in the television program, "Britain's Got Talent." She did not look like the typical "star quality" contestant. So, when she first walked out on the stage, the audience and judges started laughing and giving her cynical looks. Then she sang. The audience and judges were instantly won over and she continued to the next round of competition. Because the program was on television and the video of her program appeared on YouTube, she won over millions of additional fans with her unique talent. Whether she wins the competition or not, she already won by living her dream. By taking the bold step of competing, Susan won over millions while creating unlimited opportunities to sing her song of success.

So I ask you the following:

Are You Singing Your Song of Success?

Are you letting your song of success go silent? The following are five secrets that will guarantee that your song of success is heard and you can also live your dreams:

1. Create Powerful Goals to Be Successful
   Take the time to set clear, concise life and success goals that you can be excited about on a daily basis. Refer to your goals every day so that you can stay on course to achieve your dreams. Make your goals S-M-A-R-T-E-R: specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, time-based, encouraging, and rewarded.

To read the rest of the article and see Susan Boyle in action, go to Success

The Luck of the Irish Is Not Just For the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The term,"Luck of Irish," is not only for the Irish. Your luck can be created by the following:

Preparation + Opportunity = Luck

Here are five tips to creating ongoing luck each and every day:

1. Positive Attitude - Work to maintain your positive attitude everyday. Look at challenges as opportunities to develop your skills and prepare you for a future opportunities.

2. Knowledge - Take the time to learn, read, and ask questions. Embrace new methods and technologies.

3. Network - Develop your people skills so that you are comfortable in any social situation. Take a sincere interest in what other people are doing. Also, provide solutions to others so that you are regarded as the person in the know.

4. Tell Your Story - Let others know about accomplishments and skills. Be humble, yet be honest in what you achieved, the skills used to achieve them, and the outcome of the situation. If you don't talk about your achievements, who else will?

5. Embrace New Situations - Constantly look for new situations that are challenging and educational. While others will hesitate, be the person who is progressive and willing to tackle difficult situations. By tackling new projects, you will achieve a new confidence level.

Apply these simple techniques and you too will experience the "Luck of the Irish."

To learn how to create your own luck, go to Luck for more resources.

St.+Patrick's+Day Luck+of+the+Irish luck shamrock success

Has This Ever Happened During Your Conversations?

"It is impossible to overemphasize the immense need humans have to be really listened to, to be taken seriously, to be understood. Listen to all conversations in our world between nations as well as those between couples. They are for the most part dialogues of the deaf." - Paul Tournier-Swiss Psychiatrist

That happened yesterday. I did this at the gym yesterday. I was exercising at the gym when I ran into the gym director. I wanted to have a conversation with her for the longest time. The conversation went like this:

Ed: "Hey Taryn!"

Taryn: "Hello Ed!"

Ed: "How are you doing today?"

Ed: "I need to talk with you for a couple of minutes."

Taryn: "Sure Ed, I just need to check on my ride."

If you noticed, I didn't wait for Tayrn's answer to, "How are you doing today?," before going into my conversation and "my wants." How many times have you had this happen to you? How did it make you feel? Or maybe, you did this to someone else?

Great communication skills involve two-way communication that is respectful. My sure you are checking yourself during the conversation so that both parties have a mutually beneficial conversation. Two great resources to enhance your communication skills are the following:

Enhance Your Conversation

Bite Your Tongue! 10 Ways to Be an Effective Listener

Has this ever happened to you at work, home, or with friends? Share your story with us.

P.S.-I apologized to Taryn when I met with her and we had a very production conversation.

conversation conversation+skills talk talking listen listening listening+skills

JumpStart Your Employee Motivation: Ten Motivation Secrets to Empower Your Team

One of the important keys to employee motivation is to empower your employees to be successful. An empowered employee leads to the following benefits:

• Increased creativity

• Increased productivity

• Increased teamwork and motivation

• Increased initiative

• Increased ownership of work

• Reduced employee turnover

• Reduced human resources situations

• Better work environment

• Increased results for your organization

• Increased career opportunities

The following are ten motivation techniques to jumpstarting your employee motivation and empowering your team to outstanding results:

1. Motivate Your Employees to Find Solutions
   Encourage your employees to be solution creators instead of problem creators. When employees communicate a problem to you, look at it as an opportunity to empower the employees. Ask the employees how they would solve the problem, express your confidence that they are the person to solve the problems, give them the tools to solve the problem, and follow up with them. You have just empowered those employees to find ways in the future to create solutions and made your team more productive at the same time.

2. Motivate Your Employees by Soliciting Opinions
   Many times during our busy work day, we find it difficult to ask for opinions from our employees. But just the act of asking for their opinions tells your employees that you value their input and motivates them to accomplish more. Just imagine, it may be the first time that an employer has ever asked them for their opinion, and they appreciate it.

3. Motivate Your Employees by Managing to Their Level
   Learn your employees' skill, experience, and motivation levels for performing workplace tasks. Then assign the task and follow-up based on your findings. For example, you may need to follow up more frequently with an employee who is fairly new to the project or organization as opposed to the "veteran" employee who doesn't need much follow-up. Remember, the most skilled employee may not be the most motivated for performing the task you request.

To read the rest of the article, go to Employee Motivation.

motivation employee+motivation techniques motivate+team

Randy Pausch of The Last Lecture Passes Away

Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation (see previous post) and a best-selling book, died on July 25. He was 47.

What a great gift of hope and inspiration he left with us before and after his passing.

motivational+speech inspirational+speech Randy +Pausch the+last+lecture

What Would You Do If You Had Two Months to Live?

What Would You Do If You Had Two Months to Live? Would you forget about the little things in life that hold you back? Would you change the way you think and decide to change your life? Take the time to invest in your success by watching the following eleven minute motivational video:

or watch full 76 minute lecture at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxS

Randy+Pausch+Last+Lecture motivational+speech success inspirational+speech

Memorial Day - Take Time to Remember

This Memorial Day has even more meaning for me this year. One of best friends from high school, Christian Haerter, lost his only son, Jordan Haerter, in Iraq this year. Jordan was killed as he pushed another Marine out of the way of a roadside bomb. The following is the video of his funeral.

Take time to remember and honor our fallen heroes as we enjoy our liberties today.

Memorial+Day Jordan+Haerter Marines leadership Christian+Haerter Sag+Harbor

Success Lessons I Learned on the Way to NCAA Championship Game!

If you are a basketball fan like I am, then you have given up all your worldly goods other then your television set, and have been watching the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, otherwise known as "March Madness." The best college basketball teams in the United States compete to play in the men's and women's NCCA Championship Game. The winner of that men's NCAA Championship Game played tonight and the women's NCCA Championship Games are declared the 2008 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Champions, respectively, and receives all the glory with this very special win.

As I watch NCAA basketball tournaments, I realized that the teams exhibited many success techniques that can easily be applied to your business, your career, and your life. The following are many of the success techniques you can use by watching the NCAA Championship Games tonight and tomorrow:

• Develop a Powerful Mission Statement for Success

• Visualize Your Goals for Success

• Create Passion for Success

• Practice, Practice, Practice for Success

• Organize Yourself for Success

• Learn from Every Setback

• Develop a Strong Sense of Team

To learn how to apply these success keys to your business, your career, and your life, go to Success.

You know where I will be tonight and tomorrow. I will be watching the NCAA Championship Games at 9 p.m. EST. May the best teams win!

NCAA+Championship+Game success men's+basketball goal+setting teamwork

March Madness is Here!

March Madness is here! I am not talking about the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament. I am talking about the free bonuses offered with our new success e-book, "Jumpstart Your Greatness!"

Find out more about this success system and bonuses at Success.

March+Madness success successful+people Jumpstart+Your+Greatness

Leader Brett Favre's Retires

All-Pro, record breaking quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre, has decided to retire from the National Football League.

He achieved many of his accomplishments by being a great leader. Well, what are the characteristics of a great leader? The following are just some of the leadership traits important to leading people that Brett Favre exhibited:

• Leaders communicate clear goals

• Leaders provide ongoing communicate

• Leaders take adversity and create opportunity

• Leaders are not afraid to make mistakes

• Leaders bounce back up after taking a hit

• Leaders constantly motivate others

• Leaders develop teams

• Leaders inspire people to accomplish more than they realize

We know Brett will enjoy just as much success in his retirement.

Technorati Tags: Leader, leadership, leadership techniques, Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
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Pay A Compliment Day - Take Time to Appreciate Someone

What's the greatest investment you can make at work or in life? What is the one investment that doesn't cost you anything, yet you receive enormous benefits from it? What can you do to motivate a person to achieve a new level of success?

A Sincere Compliment

Take the time today, "Pay a Compliment Day," and everyday to "find something good" that an employee, a family member, a friend doing and compliment them on it. It may be the first time the person you are complimenting may ever have been complimented. On account of that special moment, you can make a real difference in their life.

For information on how to give a sincere compliment and praise someone, go to Appreciation.

Martin Luther King Jr. Motivating Millions with the "I Have a Dream" Speech

January 21st is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States. His "I Have a Dream" speech motivated millions to dream and take action to make the United States a better place.

Many of my presentation coaching students think that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave that speech for the first time on the Washington Mall. My students are surprised to learn that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been practicing by giving different variations of that speech for over a year. He consistently made changes until the speech became the masterpiece that changed the world.

Great presentations start with great preparation! Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: presentation skills, motivator, motivational speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King Day, "I Have a Dream"

Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day: Take Time to Appreciate to Motivate Your Employees!

Today is Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day! First, let me say, you should as a motivator always "invest" in the time to appreciate and motivate your team. I use the word "invest" because it is an investment in the overall performance and success of your team. By taking the time to show appreciation for a job well done, you motivate your team to go to the next level of success. Sam Walton said the following:

"Outstanding leaders go out of the way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."

I challenge you to always find the time to appreciate to motivate your employees in a timely and meaningful manner. The following link will provide you with vast motivation resources to help you start today:

Employee Motivation and Appreciation Resources

employee+motivation employee+recognition employee+appreciation team+building teambuilding

The Secret to Living Your Dreams: Five Success Techniques to Achieving More Success in Your Life!

How many times in our lives have we said the following?

If I had more time, I would have acted on my dream...
If I didn't need this job, I would have pursued my dream of...
If only I had (you fill in the blank) ten years ago, I would have achieved my dream of...

I am sure you can add a dozen more "If I" dream statements. There are people going through life everyday working at jobs they hate, in situations they tolerate, and living a life that they disown because they settled for an "If I" mindset.

What is the secret between the person who is achieving his/her dream life and the person who is just wishing for a dream life? The following are five techniques for living your dream and achieving more in life:

1. Understand Your Options and Live Your Dreams
   We have options in our life. Do we follow the road everyone else is taking or do we travel the road less traveled to achieve our dreams? We have the option to look at life's challenges as a way to find creative solutions or to look at challenges as a negative barrier to achieving one's dreams. Take the positive option to develop yourself and achieve your dreams.

2. Fight Your Fears and Live Your Dreams
   Most fears we constantly think about and which sometimes paralyze us never happen. Yet we will spend 75-90% of our thoughts on our fears. F-E-A-R is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real. Get the facts and act accordingly. Let's "flip our mental script" and concentrate on the upside of any situation so that we can concentrate on achieving our dreams. Fight though your fears and build your courage to live your dreams.

3. Concentrate on Your Goals and Live Your Dreams
   If you are not living your dream, you are living someone else's dream. How do you make your dreams come true? Create and concentrate on your goals to achieving your dreams. Start with your main goal and then break this goal down into smaller pieces so that you can digest and act on these goals. Most importantly, write down your goals and keep them in a place where you can see and read them any time of the day. This is important because there will be times you will feel you are not achieving your goals and will need a "dream booster shot" to keep you motivated toward achieving your goals.

4. Eliminate Barriers to Living Your Dreams
   You need to eliminate barriers to living your dreams. This could be eliminating expenses, gaining knowledge, or gaining the technology for living your dreams. One of the biggest barriers to eliminate could be very close to you. This barrier to living your dreams could be your family, your friends, and your co-workers who create reasons why you shouldn't live your dreams. They may not even realize they are a barrier to your dreams by their words or actions.
   
   Some people are living in their own misery and want you to give up your dreams and join them in their misery. Remember, some people may not have high expectations for themselves, much less for you. So when you express your lofty dreams, they will look and speak to you expressing their low expectations for you. Break away from them and their misery so that you can live your dreams. Bond with people of like mind so that you can form a synergy and have a positive group of people who are helping each other and moving toward their goals and living their dreams.

5. Act on Your Dreams!
   Your dream will be just that...a dream unless you act on it. An amazing thing happens when you keep acting on your dreams. You will keep growing stronger and will become better prepared to achieve even more in life.

Take the time to apply these five techniques for living your dreams and you, too, will achieve more in life.

dreams dream the+secret self-help

The Secret to Living Your Dreams and Achieving Your Goals!

The secret to living your dreams? Do what you fear most. Watch this very inspirational video, focus on your goals, and achieve your dreams!

living+your+dreams the+secret goal+setting self+improvement self+help

Develop an Attitude of Gratitude! Show Your Gratitude on World Gratitude Day!

Take the time today to develop an attitude of gratitude. Take the time to do it not because you want to keep score, because it is the right time to do. Take the time to show your appreciation to someone in your life: your family, your friends, your co-workers. You will never know what a difference it could make in someone's life when you take the time to say "thank you," "job well done," or "I appreciate you and everything you do."

Don't want till tomorrow or next year, do it today and make a difference in someone's life.

World+Gratitude+Day Appreciation Gratitude Attitude+of+Gratitude Appreciate

Are You Building Your Foundation of Success: Six Secrets of Motivating Yourself for Success

Are you creating your foundation of success? Are you motivated to take on challenges that others are not willing to do? The following is a story of someone who did and achieved great success in his life and how you can, too!

There once was a young man who grew up in Crawford, Mississippi. His father worked as a brick mason building home foundations. Everyday after school and during the summers, this young man would help his father build foundations. It's not the most glamorous job by any stretch of the imagination, but it's an honest, backbreaking, and low paying job that put food on the table and paid the bills. The father would start by throwing bricks towards the son in the area where they would build a housing foundation. Under the hot, sweltering Mississippi sun, his son would catch brick after brick with his hands, day after day. While most other kids were enjoying their summers or working in less strenuous jobs, this young man was motivated to work long and hard with his father, while catching those bricks and building a foundation for success in more ways than one.

You see, each time that young man caught bricks, he was not only making his hands stronger, he was building character and the foundation for success in his later years. With each brick he caught, he was even more determined to be successful in life. When he wasn't helping his father and going to school, he was pushing himself through football workouts to be better than any other football player. You see the young man's name is Jerry Rice, and he went on to become the most successful NFL All-Pro wide receiver of all time with the San Francisco 49ers. Some of you non-football fans may know him as a contestant from the television program, "Dancing with the Stars."

The following are the six success secrets that Jerry Rice used that can easily motivate you to achieve success in any aspect of your business, career, and life:

1. Motivate Yourself to See Opportunities in Every Challenge
   Jerry could have looked at the job of catching bricks as a chore that was a waste of his time. But he saw the big picture and made the chore more enjoyable by developing games out of the activities. Many times in life, we are thrown bricks and complain and miss the opportunity it presents to us. The person who can find solutions in the challenges they are faced with can write their own ticket for success. When you take on a challenge, it's preparing you for an opportunity in the future. You may not know when the opportunity is coming, how it is coming, or what the opportunity will look like, but it is coming; and will you be prepared? Embrace your challenges so you will be prepared.

2. Motivate Yourself to See That It's Normal to Experience a Little Pain
   As Jerry was experiencing the pain of catching bricks each day, this pain was actually building him to becoming a stronger person. Each brick was fueling Jerry's internal desire to be successful. Think of some situation at work, in business, or in life that was painful. Your pain may be an embarrassing moment, it may be a learning experience, and it may be a setback. How can you use this setback to motivate you to become more successful? We achieve success in our businesses, careers, and life when we develop the success tools of using our "pains" as a learning experience and a springboard to success.

3. Motivate Yourself to Take on Unpopular Tasks
   Catching bricks all day is not the most glamorous job in the world. Many times we are thrown bricks in life and avoid them like the plague. Volunteer to catch these bricks while others decline. This will allow people of influence to see your special skills and offer you opportunities for success. It is what I always say, "It's not what you know, it's not who you know, it's who knows what you know." When you volunteer to catch those bricks, you allow others to now know and see the special skills and talent you exhibit.

4. Motivate Yourself To Take Action
   Just the simple act of taking action will make you more successful than 98% of other people. Many times people are waiting for "just the right moment" or "more resources." Motivate yourself to take action where you are at today and make the appropriate corrections as needed.

5. Motivate Yourself to Go the Extra Mile
   Jerry Rice's off-season personal football workouts were legendary. He would train six days a week running five miles, along with running wind sprints up the steepest mountains in his community. He didn't need to do this grueling workout, but he wanted to be in better physical shape than any other professional football player. He went the extra mile to be the best.
   
   What are you doing to go the extra mile? Do you have a continuous learning program in place? Do you give of yourself to make your employees better? Do you give your clients something extra to show appreciation of their business? These are all opportunities to put you above the rest and to succeed in your business, in your career, and in your life.

6. Motivate Yourself to Create a Masterpiece
   Jerry Rice wanted to be the best professional wide receiver ever in football, and he achieved that title. He was motivated to pay the price to achieve that goal.
   
   Are you motivated and ready to create a masterpiece? Do you have a vision of what your business, career, or life masterpiece looks, feels, or sounds like? Are you willing to sustain the quality effort, attitude, and determination to create your masterpiece? What are you willing to give up in order to achieve your masterpiece? Until you are ready to answer these questions, you can't lay the foundation for achieving your masterpiece.
   
   After you answer the above questions, create S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals as your roadmap for success. If it's not on paper, your goals don't exist. Be motivated to create, write, and act on your goals.

Follow these six success secrets and you, too, will be motivated to lay the foundation for your success.

motivation motivate bricks+of+success foundation+of+success success motivate+yourself

Get Motivated to Live Your Passions!

Today is Dance like a Chicken Day! How many times have you wanted to "cut loose" and just dance like a chicken without a care in the world? Most of the time in life we are told what not to do and that only staying between the lines is right, and you can do that if you wish. But, I say to dance like a chicken. Every time I dance, my daughter covers her eyes, puts her hand up, and pleads with me to stop dancing like a tormented chicken. But, it doesn't actually need to be a "dance." You can do anything you have passion about just because it feels good.

Passion Motivation Motivated Self+Improvement Self+Help Dance+Like+a+Chicken+Day

Employee Motivation, Don Imus, and: Team Building: Five Secrets to Creating Successful, Motivated Teams

Don Imus, a shock jock (someone who shocks their listening audience by saying outrageous statements), was fired from his jobs on WCBS radio and MSNBC television for crossing the line of decency and making racist and sexist remarks regarding the Rutgers University women's basketball team. From a team building and employee motivational point of view, there are tidbits of motivational wisdom to be learned from this situation.

First, let me ask you, how many "Don Imuses" do you have in your organization, your team, or your department? You know what I mean, the employees, whether they are women or male employees, who continuously cross the line when it comes to behavior; perhaps being overbearing or the bully at work. They make insensitive comments without respect for other people's feelings, and then say the following when you discuss their conduct:

Yet, they proceed to exhibit this inappropriate behavior. Because of this "Don Imus" behavior, productivity decreases, employees are less motivated, transfers and personnel issues increase, and soon you stop accomplishing your goals. Bottom line is that these kinds of people can tear apart your organization and team with their words or behavior.

The following are five secrets to handling the "Don Imuses" on your team so that you keep employee motivation high, build a strong, self-directed team, and achieve a higher level of organizational success:

1. Live Your Mission - When you continuously communicate and act upon the organization's mission, values, and goals, your employees will be motivated to live the mission and maintain a high standard of behavior and productivity. This communication must start at the top and be communicated and acted upon at every level at every opportunity.
   
   One of your organization's top values should be--respect. When you allow an employee to disrespect other team members through words or actions, you are not living your organization's mission, which will lead to organizational and team turmoil, productivity issues, and possible harassment issues.
   
   We know when working with top organizations, the more organizational values are communicated and reinforced, the more success the organization will achieve. This creates a motivated work environment and rewards employees based on the mission.

2. Be Consistent - Whenever you observe this bad behavior, you must address it each and every time. Many times I will hear managers say, "Well, they just said it once" or "It will go away eventually." Well, it doesn't go away. By not addressing this inappropriate conduct each and every time, you enable or empower the individual expressing this behavior. Your "Don Imus" person is thinking, "Well, no one said anything, so it must be acceptable," or "If I can get away with this, then let me overstep the boundaries even further." All the while the other employees, who are conducting themselves in a positive manner, are less motivated to produce. They will retreat to a safe environment where they won't need to communicate with this person and communication fundamental to a successful work environment ceases.
   
   Be consistent each and every time! Have the courage to conduct a private coaching session with the "Don Imus" personality and explain what is acceptable communication and behavior each and every time. Explain in detail what the reward for good employee behavior is and the penalty for continued bad employee behavior.

3. Remember That Words Hurt - "Sticks and Stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me" is the phrase many of us heard growing up. Well, words do hurt. The best advertising copywriters, political experts, speech writers, and screen writers are paid millions of dollars to create emotions with words so that we are persuaded to act in certain and various ways.
   
   Realize that once we say something that is hurtful or can alienate our fellow employees, we can never take it back. Or, as the old expression goes, "It's hard to get the horses back in the barn once the door is opened."
   
   

   We should all be careful with the words we use. You might ask yourself the following:

   Is my language positive or motivating toward my fellow employees?
   Am I showing respect toward my team members with the words I use?
   Do the jokes I use uplift or motivate or tear down and de-motivate my team members?
   
   
   Note: Always use honest communication that respects the recipient of your message. When you are "frank" (Let me be frank with you...), this means you are giving an opinion at the expense of the person receiving your "frankness." Let's leave "frank" out of our conversation and be more honest and respectful.

4. Motivate Towards Good Behavior - Always encourage positive, motivating behavior and recognize good behavior whenever you can. Recognize the person(s) exhibiting positive behavior in team meetings, a memo, or letter from the vice president, etc.
   
   Most of all, your employees will emulate the behavior you show. Always be on your best motivating, respectful, and positive behavior. When it comes to behavior as a manager, you receive what you send out.

5. Be Prepared to Take Corrective Action - If you have a meeting and/or coaching with the employees that are exhibiting the "Don Imus" behavior and they choose to continue with their inappropriate behavior, it's time to take action. Make sure that you, as the supervisor or manager, document, document, and document all discussions relating to this unacceptable behavior. Confer with human resources to receive expert advice on the next steps in the corrective action procedure. Remember, you are never alone when dealing with this kind of employee. Then start implementing the corrective action and follow-up to ensure there is a positive change in behavior. Be timely in your follow-ups so that there is no lapse in time between the next situation of unacceptable behavior and the next level of corrective action. Also, immediately motivate and reinforce positive behavior changes.
   
   Remember, if you show you are quick to take action for unacceptable behavior, this sends a message to your team members that you respect them as employees, individuals, and team members; and they will be far more motivated because of your actions.

Apply the above five employee motivational secrets and eliminate the "Don Imus" personalities from your team, and you will create a motivated workplace that achieves team and organizational goals.

motivation motivate employees motivate team employee motivation team building Don Imus

We are Hokies, We Are Virginia Tech!

Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia has declared that we observe a moment of silent and a statewide day of mourning for the fallen students of Virginia Tech University. As I understand it, many other states are joining Virginia in the moment of silent. Even though I am a Blackbird (Long Island University), since this tragic happened, I am a Hokie.

We went to the gym early this morning and many people were wearing the Hokie colors. Afterward, we went to the supermarket and the grocery bagger was wearing a Hokie t-shirt that read "Hokie Hope."

Hope is the common theme of today and every day going forward. We hope and pray that the families, friends, and community will find the strength to overcome the tragic loss of loved ones. We hope that our freedom to live life will not be eliminated the act of one troubled soul. We hope the heroic stories are not forgotten. We hope that we will learn from this tragic situation so that we become a better, stronger society by taking the time to help all those who are weak and in need of help.

The following was written and read by Poet Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of English Nikki Giovanni at the convocation held the day following the tragedy at Virginia Tech:

We Are Virginia Tech

We are Virginia Tech
We are sad today
And we will be sad for quite a while
We are not moving on
We are embracing our mourning
We are Virginia Tech
We are strong enough to stand tall fearlessly
We are brave enough to bend to cry ...
And sad enough to know we must laugh again
We are Virginia Tech
We do not understand this tragedy
We know we did nothing to deserve it
But neither does a child in Africa dying of aids
Neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by a rogue army
Neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory
Neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water
Neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of night in his crib in the home its father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destablized
No one deserves a tragedy
We are Virginia Tech
The Hokie nation embraces our own and reaches out with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds
We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid
We are better than we think
and not quite what we want to be
We are alive to the imagination and the possibility
We will continue to invent the future
Through our blood and tears
Through all this sadness
We are the Hokies
We will prevail
We will prevail
We will prevail
We are Virginia Tech

We are Hokies, We are Virginia Tech!

Virginia+Tech+Day+of+Mourning Governor+Tim+Kaine Virginia+Tech Nikki+Giovanni overcoming+adversity

How is Your Friday the 13th?

How is your Friday the 13th? Is it like the movie with the character Jason? Is it one of your best days ever? Is it somewhere in between?

The fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia. I now have a fear of pronouncing that word. There may be as many as 21 millions Americans inflicted with Paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Simply amazing how so many people allow a day of month to determine whether they have a bad day or great day. So I challenge you to blast through your fear of Friday the 13th and always make it a great day.

Create a Great Friday the 13th!

Positive+Attitude Friday+the+13th

Today is Empowered Women Entrepreneurs Day!

Today is Empowered Women Entrepreneurs Day!

More and more women are gaining the knowledge and resources and becoming entrepreneurs. This enables them to be empowered, take action, and embrace new opportunities in their lives.

I would like to recognize my partner, Joy, and especially my sister, Cheryl for being empowered entrepreneurs. Cheryl recently had her second baby. Her husband is disabled because of an unfortunate job related accident. Instead of sitting back and accepting her situation, she researched different entrepreneurial opportunities, and started a striving eBay business with enough income to live comfortably.

Obtain the knowledge, take the action, make opportunities happen, and be empowered for more success in your lives!

For additional resources, go to Empowered Women

Empowered+Women+Entrepreneurs success opportunity

Motivation, PBS, a Big Thumb, and Clifford the Big Red Dog

Joy and I were recently invited to tape a Public Broadcast Service (PBS) television segment about interesting people making a different in society. Well, to say the least, we were honored, excited, and motivated about the opportunity.

We drove up to the television studio, I opened the back door to the retrieve my bag and bam; I closed the car door on my thumb (See my thumb to the left). Joy eyes exploded with fear as she covered her mouth to keep from screaming. I calmly opened the car door and reassured Joy that the thumb was not broken and all I needed was some ice to control the swelling. You see, I was motivated and wasn't going to let a big thumb get in the way of an opportunity.

By the time we arrived at the television studio, which was unusually hot, my thumb was throbbing with pain and I was dizzy from the heat. I forgot about the pain and the dizziness once they said we were able to tape the segment. As they say, "The show must go on."

The taping was a success and I couldn't wait to put the ice back on my thumb. Joy asked the our contact when the segment would show. She mentioned that the segment would show in late April after "Clifford the Big Red Dog." At that time, I didn't know who "Clifford the Big Red Dog" was, but Joy quickly let me know that everyone knows Clifford and what cave was I living in not to know of Clifford.

We will keep you posted when the video when it is available. I need to go now to take care of the big thumb.

motivation, motivated, PBS, Clifford the Big Red Dog

Happy Smile Rejuvenation Day!

I just finished facilitating an exciting employee motivation program with a group of supervisors and managers. During one of the exercises, the group agreed that as supervisors and managers, they needed to set the tone for a motivated workplace. They discussed one way to set the tone is to have a pleasing smile when interacting with their employees.

How many of you have felt motivated to work first thing in the morning and you see your supervisor or manager walk into the office looking like the picture to the left. Are you still motivated? Are you distracted from producing your best work? Are you wondering, "What's going to happen next?"

Wouldn't you rather walk in an environment that looks like the picture to the right? Remember, as supervisors, managers, and leaders, we set the tone for the work environment. If you want a motivated work environment, it starts at the top.

So rejuvenate your smile and set the tone for the day!

motivation motivating others motivated+employees employee+motivation smile team+motivation

Happy St. Patrick's Day! - Eight Secrets to Creating Your Luck Everyday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is associated with having luck as in "the luck of the Irish." Well, you don't have to wait until St. Patrick's day to create your own luck. Everyday has a pot of gold waiting for you. The following are eight secrets to creating your own luck and receiving your pot of gold everyday:

• Expect the best and prepare for the worst

• Develop a pleasing personality

• Seek knowledge and understanding

• Take action and make things happen

• Develop your goals and move toward them and others will help you

• Appreciate every blessing and challenge

• Create balance in your life

• Look at every setback as a learning experience

Apply these secrets in your life and you too will achieve success and everyday find your pot of gold!

Success St.+Patrick's+Day luck Positive+Attitude luck+of+the+Irish Goal+setting

Appreciate to Motivate Your Employees!

Today is Employee Appreciation Day!

Take time today to show your employees how much you appreciate their efforts. It could be as simple as saying "thank you." The following resource will give you the techniques to appreciating your employees so that they become more motivated and become more productive:

Appreciate to Motivate

Employee+Appreciation+Day appreciate+employee appreciate+motivate motivate employee+motivation motivation

Presentation Skills: Seven Presentation Secrets Learned from the Academy Awards

Academy Awards come and go, but one thing is a constant: bad acceptance speeches. You may never win an Academy Award, but you may be asked to give an acceptance speech for an accomplishment in your business, your career, your community, or your organization. Sometimes your acceptance speech will be for what you accomplished, or for what your team has accomplished.

Will you be ready when it is your time to give an acceptance speech?

The following are seven presentation secrets to giving an outstanding acceptance speech in any situation:

1. Prepare For the Moment- You may have heard the Oscar winners say, "I really didn't think I would win," or "I really didn't think I would be standing here tonight," and then give an acceptance speech like they didn't think they would win. Well, my question is, "Why did you think you were invited to this gala event?"
   
   Most likely, you will know ahead of time that you will be possibly winning an award, so take the time to prepare your presentation. Practice your speech using a tape recorder or, better yet, a video camcorder. Also, if you can, give a dress rehearsal of your speech in front of friends, family, or colleagues.

2. Agree Who Will Give the Speech- Time and time during the Academy Awards Ceremony, the first person to the microphone will speak for the full thirty second time limit and not allow the other winners in the group (many seen clutching their own acceptance speech notes) the opportunity to give their acceptance speeches. Where this moment should be one of the happiest moments in their lives, you can see the disappointment on the faces of the winners who didn't have the opportunity to speak.
   
   When you are working as a team on a project and are receiving an award, agree in advance who the acceptance speaker will be. This might be the team leader, the manager, vice president, etc., but work this out before giving the speech.
   
   If you decide on one person to give the speech, then you need to decide on who will be recognized during the time this person gives the presentation. Also, when speaking for the group, make sure the "I's" are changed to "We's." For example, when speaking for the group say, "We would like to acknowledge the following people..." instead of saying, "I would like to acknowledge the following people..." Remember, the designated speaker is representing the group.
   
   If decision is to have several team members speak, achieve consensus on how much time each person will have to speak so that each person has an equal opportunity to express appreciation.

3. Use Notes to Enhance Your Presentation- At the Academy Awards Ceremony, one person read his entire speech from his notes, not once looking at the audience. What he had to say was very heartfelt and sincere; however, his sincerity didn't translate to the audience because his notes were in the way.

   When giving an acceptance speech, use notes as a tool to enhance your presentation and not as a crutch. Only use notes for remembering the opening sentence, important names to thanks, or whatever facts you need to mention. Don't have the entire speech on notes.

   The following are some quick tips for working with notes:

   • Practice with your notes so that your speech is natural.
   • Type your notes. In the heat of the moment and sometimes bad lighting, our eyesight can become a little challenged. Type your notes in 16-18 point fonts.
   • Double space your sentences so that you can easily read your notes.
   • Type only on the top half of a full page so that you are less likely to lose your place after looking up at the audience.
   • Look up at the audience after every two or three sentences to maintain rapport with the audience.
   • Number your notes in case they fall and become scrambled so that you can quickly recover.
   • Practice a smooth transition for pulling your notes out of your pocket or portfolio.
   • Don't flip your notes because the flipping noise will cause a distraction for your audience. Practice sliding your notes.

4. Share the Wealth- How many times have we seen at the Academy Awards ceremony where some persons went on about how they personally achieved the reward or, worst yet, forgot to acknowledge the most important person for whom they would not have achieved the award (Remember Hillary Swank not remembering to thank her husband?).

   Take the time to give appreciation to the organization giving you the award and to those who helped you achieve the award. No person is an island. You achieved the goal through the help of someone(s), so acknowledge and appreciate them. To save time, if it is a few people, acknowledge them by name. If it is a large group of people, department, or organization, mention the group by name. For example, you might say, "I would like to acknowledge the people in marketing for their hard work on the Peterson project for making this moment happen. If it were not for their time and effort, we would not have won the XYZ account. Thank you."

   Also, only thank the necessary people during your acceptance speech. Don't thank Guttenberg for inviting the printing press if he has nothing to do with why you accomplished your achievement. Stay focused on only those people who had a direct effect on your achievement.

5. Let Sincerity Flow Through Your Speech- Let your appreciations come from the heart. Briefly convey your own feelings regarding your appreciation of the award and all that it represents. Be honest and don't over exaggerate your feelings while accepting the award.

   Be clear and concise in your showing of appreciation because you will most likely be under time constraints.

6. Value the Award- Many times during the Academy Awards Ceremony, you will hear the winner of an award say, "I really don't deserve this award," or "I really shouldn't be standing here." When you make statements like that, you devalue the award and recognition given to you. Also you question the judgment of the people who chose you to accept the award. Simply acknowledge their judgment and recognition and continue your speech.

7. Stay Within the Time- At the Academy Awards, the Oscar winners have thirty seconds before the band starts playing the "wrap it up" music. In many cases, the winner attempts to speak over the music. Between the band and the Oscar recipient, who do you think wins? Of course, it is the band. As soon as the band starts playing the music, the audience stops listening to the recipient.

   Many times when you are given an award during a meeting, conference, etc., you are also under time restrictions. In most cases, you will have longer than thirty seconds. Take the time to ask the person in charge of the meeting how much time you have for your speech. Also, make it a habit to look at the agenda ahead of time to see how much time you have been allotted. It may be only three minutes, 10 minutes, or 30 minutes, but find out ahead of time. By finding out ahead of time and staying within the time given to you, you show respect to your audience, the people in charge of the meeting, and most of all yourself. Once you go over the time allotted, you can see the audience members start looking at their watches and stop listening to your important speech.

   Note: If you can't find out ahead of time how much time you have to make your speech, assume you have very limited time and keep you comments brief.

Take the time to apply these seven acceptance speech secrets and you will give an outstanding presentation each and every time you receive an award.

presentation presentation+skills speech acceptance+speech public+speaking Academy+Awards Oscar

Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day!

Today is "Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day!" I had a client appointment at 7:30 a.m. this morning and her number one concern was how to implement an employee recognition program to motivate her employees.

Whether it is first thing in the morning or late at night, great organizations realize that employee motivation and recognition is at the top of the list when it comes to organization success. The benefits of motivated employees are the following:

• Increased motivation

• Increased employee satisfaction

• Increased profit margin

• Increased customer satisfaction

Those are just some of the benefits of recognizing your employees for extraordinary work. Take the time today to recognize to motivate your team. For ideas to recognize to motivate your team, go to the following link:

Recognize Your Employee

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate Thanksgiving!

It's a time to step back, appreciate, and give thanks for all the wonderful moments in your life. One great way to do this is start a gratitude journal. Write down 5 things you are grateful every day. This will keep you balanced and focused on what is really important in your life during the most difficult times of your life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Increase Workplace Productivity: November 7-13 is World Kindness Week

November 7-13 is "World Kindness Week." We can all use a little more kindness in workplaces all across the world.

Acts of workplace kindness can increase workplace productivity and morale, decrease organizational conflict, and create a vibrant, growing work environment. The following are twelve acts of workplace kindness that you can apply today:

• East lunch with a new co-worker

• Say "hello" in the morning

• Bring someone coffee

• Write a note of appreciation

• Celebrate birthdays and other special events

• Give a compliment

• Help someone when they least expect it

• Cheer up a co-worker having a tough day

• Smile

• Forgive mistakes

• Respect others

• Offer to share a ride

So act today! As you can see most of the acts doesn't require money. It will produce big dividends for you and others.

Tell us about your acts of workplace kindness.

acts+of+kindness team+building teambuilding employee+morale employee+motivation appreciate+employees

It's "Make a Difference Day!"

Make a difference today and everyday by doing the following:

• Motivate your employees to go the next level

• Volunteer for community activities

• Volunteer in your local school

• Volunteer to mentor students, employees, family members

• Take time to exercise your mind and body

• Call or visit a friend or family member just because you want to say hello

• Share a smile or joke with someone

• Do a random act of kindness

• Take time to appreciate your spouse or love one

• Tell your children that they are destine for greatness in their lives and that there is responsibility that comes with this greatness

• Take time to think

• Take time to read behind the news headlines to get the facts and don't accept the "spin"

• Get involved in the process

Each act to make a difference will not only enrich others, but also prepare you for future opportunities.

success motivation motivate difference motivate+others self+help self+improvement

Motivate Your Team for Outstanding Customer Service: Six Secrets of Customer Service Motivation

Providing outstanding customer service is one of the most rewarding yet challenging activities within your organization. Exceptional organizations that provide outstanding customer service will experience the following benefits:

• Increased customer satisfaction

• Increased revenues

• Increased repeat and referral customer traffic

• Less employee turnover

• Increased profits

So how do we support and motivate our customer service team to give outstanding customer service? The following are six secrets to motivate your customer service team to give exceptional customer service to your customers:

1. Provide Ongoing Learning - It's important that you not only provide training on organizational policies and technology, but also how to handle customers. Create an ongoing system for training and feedback. Request continuous feedback and have the "courage to listen" to your customer service team's responses. Your customer service team members, because they are on the frontline, can provide you with excellent information on how to service your customer. Market conditions are changing all the time and the one piece of information your customer service team can share with you can make the difference between success and failure. After receiving the information from your customer service rep, if necessary, provide the training to your customer service team so that they can provide outstanding customer service.

2. Adjust the Attitude - Constantly work on your own attitude and your team's attitude to providing outstanding customer service. As a customer service leader, always be aware of the tone you set and how your customer service team will be motivated by your attitude. If you are upbeat, your team will follow the lead and provide outstanding customer service. If you have a negative attitude, your customer service team will follow your lead and communicate this negative attitude to the customers they serve.
   
   Work with your customer service team members to create a positive attitude in the following ways:
   
   
   • Look at every customer service experience as a learning experience that is preparing them for future opportunities.
   • Put your team in the customer's shoes to understand the customer's "pain" and create empathy for outstanding customer service solutions
   • Have your customer service team take on the persona of a positive individual they admire to help them through a difficult customer service situation.
   • Create "positive triggers" to remind your customer service team why it is important to give outstanding service. Your trigger could be as simple as a family picture or a picture of an item (new car, home, etc.) that is important to you.

3. Give Incentives - Motivate your customer service team by giving incentives based on meeting your organization's mission, goals, and values. Be timely, fair, and public with your incentives. Also, when putting together an incentive program, ask your customer service team what they would like as incentives. Many times organizations will invest thousands of dollars on incentives which are not the ones their customer service team wants. Just ask!

4. Show Appreciation - Appreciate to motivate your customer service team as much as possible. Remember, many times they are facing very challenging customer service situations everyday. Keep them motivated by sharing your appreciation in a timely, sincere, fair, and encouraging way. For more detail on this, go to my article, Appreciate to Motivate, on my website. By consistently showing appreciation, you will motivate your customer service team to excel when it is most difficult for them to do so.

5. Support Outstanding Customer Service - Support and motivate your customer service team in a number of ways. You can support and motivate your customer service team by making sure the technology supports them and the customers. For example, I recently called my internet broadband company about a mistake on a bill. The automated system disconnected my call five times before I finally spoke with a customer service representative; and I told him that he must experience many upset customers if they experience the same. The customer service representative agreed and said it made his job very difficult.
   
   Support your customer service team by "cheer leading" their concerns to upper management. Champion their concerns to upper management and let your customer service team know the progress of each concern.
   
   Support and motivate your customer service team by keeping standards high for customer service. When your organization is facing challenging times, it is very tempting to lower standards. That's the last action you should take. By lowering standards, you decrease customer satisfaction, increase customer service turnover, and muddy your organization’s name in the marketplace.

Apply these customer service motivation secrets with your customer service team and you will have highly motivated customer service teams and happy customers, and your organization's bottom line will increase.

motivate motivation motivate+your+team motivate+customer+service+team customer+service

Keynotes and Sessions in Los Angeles, Oh My!

We just returned from Los Angeles after doing a motivational keynote titled "Moments, Miracles, and Masterpieces: Seven Secrets of Motivation" and a breakout session on change management for the California Association for Education of Young Children. They are a great group of people making a difference with our children everyday. They are inspired, motivated, and ready for any changes in the future. As always, it was just another beautiful day(s) in LA.

One of the many highlights of the trip was getting together with Jim, my old high school friend, and enjoying the old and new times with him. It made me realize how we need to step back, "smell the roses," and always take time to cherish the important people in our life.

Create a Great Day!

Today is "Write Your Own Headline Day!"

Today is "Write Your Own Headline Day!" Be your own newspaper, letter, radio or television news. Instead of reading other people's headlines, live your own headlines. The great thing about creating your own headline is that you don't need to wait until 6 or 11 p.m. to "get the full story" because you are the story. The following are some headlines to give you a few ideas:

Manager (your name) Motivates Team to New Level of Success!

(Your name) Wows Customer with Outstanding Customer Service Techniques!

Business Leader (your name) Creates a Fun Environment While Exceeding Goals!

(Your name) Creates a Lasting Moment With Daughter/Son!

(Your name) Helps Stranded Motorist on Highway to Safety! (This happened to me yesterday)

High School Freshman (your name) Makes the Right Decision!

We are creating exciting headlines everyday by creating positive moments. Go out and write your own headlines!

Today is Tell a Joke Day!

Take time to put a smile on someone's face and tell a joke to lighten up a heavy moment at work. The following is a joke my daughter shared with me (she was definitely giving me a hint) this morning:

You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

-George Burns

Since she shared the joke with me, I have been able to achieve more when I bend over to tie my shoes.

Share your good and bad jokes (as long as they are clean) with us.

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes are Featured Leadership Speakers at Toastmaster International Convention

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes will be featured speakers at the 2006 Toastmasters International Convention held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on August 26th. The title of their presentation is "The Business of Toastmasters: How to Create a Vibrant, Motivated and Profitable Club."

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes will share secrets for treating your club, association, or group as a growing business. Ed and Joy, while volunteering for Toastmasters as Club Extension Specialist and District Public Relations Officer, respectively, have created and mentored five new clubs in 2006: Norfolk Naval Shipyard HRSC, GEICO, Booz, Allen and Hamilton, Verizon, and Johnson Controls, with vibrant starting memberships of over thirty plus and growing. They are currently working with State Farm Insurance to start a new club. These organizations realize that outstanding communication skills improve employee morale, customer relations, and, ultimately, better performance and bottom line.

"Many non-profit groups act like they are non-profits," says Ed Sykes. "However, they have an obligation as leaders to market, provide the product or service guaranteed in their "contract" (the membership application), and take care of their "customers" (the members). "Just like a corporation," says Joy Fisher-Sykes, "you are responsible for working with your "shareholders" (your area, division, and district officers) to provide the best product or service for your customers to grow your "business" (the organization).

Happy National Get Out of the Dog House Day!

July 17th is National Get Out of the Doghouse Day! Are you in someone's doghouse? Is someone in your doghouse?

Being in the doghouse or keeping someone in the doghouse leads to the following:

• Added stress and anxiety to your life which leads to illness and disease

• Lost concentration and focus

• Lost of career and life opportunities

Make the effort to get out of the doghouse. Take the first steps to:

1. Talk it out

2. Apologize, if needed

3. End with a promise for improvement

If you put someone in the doghouse, ask these questions:

• Is it worth all the physical and mental energy to keep this person(s) in the doghouse?

• What am I getting by keeping this person in the doghouse?

• Is my pride getting in the way of reconciling our relationship?

• What's the big picture compared to why this person is in the doghouse?

Remember, as a good friend recently told me, life is way too short to let disagreements get in the way of good relationships.

Take the steps to get out of the doghouse or let someone out of the doghouse!

Click here to read additional information on how to empower yourself or others.

July 11th is Cheer Up Day

Today is Cheer Up Day!

Take time to motivate and cheer up yourself and others by doing the following:

• Look at every challenge as a learning opportunity

• Compliment others on their habits, appearance, and how they make a difference

• Treat yourself to extra break, if permitted

• Help someone who needs help without being asked

• Take a moment to sit back and think of something you recently did especially well

• Say your blessings for the good things that you have in your life

• Do something special for someone who seems a little under the weather

• Call your spouse and say, "I love you"

• Go play with your children

• Be as silly as possible while reading "Cat in the Hat" or "Green Eggs and Ham" to your children or to yourself

• Listen to your favorite upbeat music

• View an inspirational movie

• Read a motivational book

• Play your favorite song and dance like you don't care who sees you

• Remember the saying, "This too will pass."

• Remember the saying, "If it doesn't kill me, it makes me stronger."

• Stretch or do some form of exercise

• Jump out of the "rat race" and take time to meditate

When you cheer up, others around you will cheer up. You never know the difference you may make in another person's life.

Success Starts with a Can Do Attitude: Three Secrets to Creating More Success in Your Business, Career, and Life

Recently, I was watching a women's professional tennis match on TV. One of the players, Nadia Petrova, was having a spectacular tennis season, either winning or playing for the championship in several tournaments in recent months.

The TV interviewer interviewed Nadia's new coach and mentioned that Nadia, who was rated in the top twenty players in past years, was fast becoming one of the top five players in the world. The interviewer asked Nadia's coach about this, and the coach said, "In the past, Nadia had people around her that concentrated on what she 'can't do.' So Nadia would concentrate on what she couldn't do, especially in challenging situations on the court, and it would frustrate her. I am concentrating on what she 'can do, and she is a much better, confident player and is mentally much happier."

So I ask you, do you concentrate on the "can't dos" or the "can dos?" The following are three secrets to creating a "can do" attitude that produces positive results and more success in your life, business, and career:

1. Set Can Do Goals
   Set goals that move you toward successful results. People fail because they don't know what they want or what they don't want. Ask a friend, family member, or associate what they want in life. In most cases, they will pause and really think about what they want. Sometimes they can't come up with an answer. Sometimes they may come up with a weak response. However, ask the following question, "What don't you want in life?" and, in most situations, you will receive multiple, clear, and quick answers to your question. That's because we concentrate on what we don't want to happen instead of what we want to happen. In life, as in sports, we concentrate on "not losing" instead of concentrating how to "in."
   
   Set S-M-A-R-T-E-R (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Encouraging, Rewarding) goals that create a crystal clear roadmap for your success, and work to achieve these goals everyday.

2. Take Care of Your N-E-T-S
   N-E-T-S stands for Network with Everyone Today for Success. Fill your NETS with positive people that will support your positive "can do" attitude. These people, while supporting your goals, will also help you pass roadblocks to achieve your goals. You will also make your NETS stronger by supporting their goals to create a mutually supportive situation.
   
   Joy Fisher-Sykes always says, "Clean your NETS of people who have a "can't do," negative attitude, and who don't support your quest to achieve your goals." The more junk (negative people) in your NETS, the less room you have for more treasure (positive people). Take a close look at "friends," family and co-workers and ask, "Do they support me and my "can do" attitude?" If they don't, remove them from your NET. Keep your NET strong with positive people.

3. Concentrate on the Positive
   Recent research shows that 75-80% of daily communication is negative. This would include negative self-talk, conversations with others, or the media (TV, radio, the internet, etc.).
   
   Take back control of your mind and be responsible for your "can do" attitude. You can start with the following:
   
   
   • Concentrate on self-talk with positive solutions
     Start your mornings with meditation. Concentrate on positive thoughts with positive results. Visualize, involving as many senses as possible, to intensify the visualization and make it real for you. Ask, "What does your success feel, look, sound, and taste like?" Be aware of negative self-talk, and replace it with positive self-talk.
   
   
   • Control the Communication
     If it is a conversation, reframe the negative conversation into a more positive conversation. If someone is complaining endlessly, say, "Mike, I hear what you are saying. What solutions to you see to this problem?"
     
     If the media is negative, tune it out or turn it off.
     
     You can always walk away. You have that right.
   
   
   • Walk the Talk
     Be consistent in your behavior, and act on your "can do" attitude.
   
   
   • Fake It Till You Make It
     Act like you are already achieving your goals, and you will rise to a higher level. Others will also see you as achieving your goals and interact with you accordingly.

Follow these "can do" techniques and you will also achieve more success in your life. I know Nadia does. As of this writing, she has won two additional tournaments, with no end in sight. She has a "can do" attitude that creates success, and you can, too.

Leadership Techniques for Anyone: How Kermit Shared Five Leadership Secrets with the World

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the funeral of my friend Kermit. A pleasure, you ask? Yes, a pleasure and a honor, because it was a great celebration of Kermit's life and the passion and spirit he brought to living it.

Usually, when I go to funerals, the spiritual leader (pastor, minister, rabbi, cleric, etc.) goes on and on about the deceased, a person he barely knows; and maybe one or two friends or associates might say something about the deceased. Well, Kermit's funeral was special. The pastor spoke briefly, a singer sang a hymn, and then the pastor asked for comments from the audience. That's when the funeral became really special. After one and a half hours later, over forty people had gotten up and shared their positive experiences and what Kermit meant to them. People from their 20's to well over 60-year-old people from different spiritual, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds stood up to make comments. People who served with him in the Navy (Kermit retired as a Commander) stood up and spoke about how Kermit changed their lives.

There was story after story about how Kermit made the speakers overcome obstacles and made them believe they could do better, and did this with passion. Some of them were as follows:

1. Past ballplayers talked about Kermit's cowbell as a rallying cry at their ballgames.

2. A woman told of having a flat tire on a busy roadway and Kermit, whom she didn't know at the time, stopped and helped her fix the tire; and then they became friends.

3. A businessperson talked about how Kermit volunteered his time to help him launch a business that is still going strong after ten years.

4. A previous player described how he was motivated by Kermit to make something of himself. He went to college and is a very successful basketball coach teaching the same principles that Kermit taught him.

5. A man explained that he was going through a divorce and bankruptcy and was thinking of committing suicide. Kermit heard about his troubles, called him, and helped him through these dark times. Now this person helps others through their challenging moments in life.

Wow! It moved me. Here are five leadership and success secrets Kermit shared with us. How can you apply them to become more successful and outstanding leaders?

1. What is Your Cowbell? Create Passion!
   Kermit truly enjoyed working with people to make them better. It was not just the cowbell, but the emotion and excitement he experienced when seeing other people succeed. The cowbell was just the tool that Kermit used to show his passion so that others became passionate. Let your passion show. Let people know that you are excited about their accomplishments, and the passion will multiple.

2. Expect the Best. Excellence Will Take Care of the Rest.
   It was said about Kermit that when meeting people, he never met a stranger. In his mind they were already someone he knew. Kermit always expected the best when interacting with people, and they eventually rose to his expectations.
   
   Expect the best out of people, and they will rise to your standards.

3. Understand So That You Are Understood
   Kermit's conversations were always centered on understanding the other person. For all the years I knew him, I never knew he was a commander in the Navy. He didn't make his title the focus of the conversation. You see, it wasn't about him; it was always about the other person's interests, needs, etc. Because of this, people naturally wanted to become involved in Kermit's projects and help Kermit make other people successful.
   
   So my question is: How well do you understand your employees?
   
   Take the time to understand their goals, wants, needs, hobbies, etc. The more you take time to understand them, the more your employees will want to help you succeed.

4. Give of Yourself
   Kermit always gave his time, energy, and passion without "keeping score." In return, the people he helped not only helped him, but went on to make a difference in other people's lives.
   
   Take the time to go the extra mile to see how you can help your employees, your team, and/or your organization without "keeping score." Your employees will feel that you care, and then they will go to a new level of caring.

5. Share the Knowledge
   Kermit took the time to share his knowledge with others so that they become more successful. Whether it was coaching a sports team, helping a friend start a business, or sharing his experiences to get a person through a difficult time, Kermit took the time to share his knowledge with others. Because Kermit shared his knowledge, other people became more successful and they shared their knowledge with others so that they could be more successful.
   
   What special knowledge do you have that can help others succeed? Don't hoard your knowledge, share it. By sharing your knowledge, you multiply yourself and become known as a developer of people. Your knowledge, once you share it, will live on after you are gone.

Apply these five leadership techniques and create success in your business, with your team, in your community, and your life. Just like Kermit, you will also see instant results.

Thanks for sharing, Kermit, and making the world a better place.

March 3rd is Employee Appreciation Day

It's Friday, it's March 3rd, what better time to appreciate your employees. Invest the time to show your employees how much you appreciate them. The follow are forty-five no cost/low cost ways to appreciate to motivate your employees:

1. Call an employee into your office just to say thank you; don't discuss any other issue. Keep it "pure."

2. Create a "Pat on the Back" Award for employees who do an outstanding job. Send a notice of the award to the employee's file.

3. Post a thank-you note on the employee's office door.

4. Create business card size "Thanks," "Good job," "Bravo," and "Keep it up." Write specifically what they did in two or three words. Put the person's name on the card.

5. Volunteer to do another person's least desirable work task for a day.

Read the rest of the article.

Eight Leadership Techniques for Outstanding Teams

Apply the following eight leadership techniques to create highly motivated, self-directed, and extremely productive employees and teams:

1. Provide Clear Expectations
   Winning organizations know where they are going and what is required to get there. Employees constantly need to know what they need to accomplish. Communicating expectations in a clear, concise manner is important. It's also important to communicate your expectations on an individual, department, and organizational level. Continue communicating your expectations on an ongoing basis. Whether one-on-one, through memos, or in a team meeting, keep communicating your expectations. Read more...

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes are Keynote Speakers at Big Brothers Big Sisters Appreciation Banquet

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes were the keynote speakers during the Big Brothers Big Sisters Appreciation Banquet on February 3rd at the Little Creek Naval Base Chief Petty Officer Club in Norfolk, VA. The banquet was to acknowledge the Big Brothers and Big Sisters for their efforts in making a difference with their "little brothers" and "little sisters."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Hampton Roads is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a positive future for at-risk children. They match children, the little brothers or sisters known as "littles," with a mentor or Big Brother or Sister known as the "bigs," to invest time and provide guidance to their mentees to create a positive future for the "littles."

The banquet was attended by Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) and Portsmouth Mayor Bill Holley among others. Ed and Joy gave the speech, "Make a Difference," highlighting the positive experiences they had mentoring children. Ed let the volunteers know that they were heroes because they invest their time and effort to make a difference in the lives of the children, their little brothers and sisters. Ed also said, "We make a difference by setting positive expectations for children who have negative influences in their lives." Joy spoke about the need for the children to be comfortable with themselves. "We must teach our children that they don't need to have the most expensive clothes, cars, and jewelry to be great and be successful. They must be 'comfortable in their own skin' so that they make the right decisions because it's the right thing to do, not based on what other people want them to do." Joy also mentioned that the volunteers benefit from their experiences because they develop a new perspective on life and enhance their listening skills. This leads to improved personal and business relationships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampton Roads is located in Chesapeake, VA. They can be reached at telephone number 757-549-7437 or at their website, www.bbbsofshr.org.

Today is Pay a Compliment Day!

Take a moment to give a sincere compliment to a family member, coworker, or friend. Step back and say, "What do they do well that I can appreciate?" Then say it. It does no good if you are the only one who knows it.

Give a Compliment Day

"You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life."

- Zig Ziglar

January 25th is Give a Compliment Day! On this day you are to share five compliments during the day.

Why is this important? Because it is so easy to comment on what is wrong with your employees, your community, and even your family or spouse. But sometimes we forget about appreciating the good things people do everyday. By giving a sincere compliment (not flattery), you receive the following benefits:

• A compliment forces you to find the positive in people.

• A compliment lets the other person know you appreciate them for what they do.

• A compliment can be contagious and create a positive environment.

• A compliment can erase conflict between individuals.

• A compliment can make a difference in someone's life.

Believe it or not, there are people going through life never receiving a sincere compliment or expression of appreciation. Do you know someone like that or you can't remember when the last time someone gave you a compliment? They never receive a compliment at work, from family members, or at school. Remember, everyone has something they do well. Our job is to find it and express our appreciation for it. By sharing a sincere compliment can make the day for them...and you.

So here are my five compliments that I will share with these very special people:

To Joy (my wife and business partner): I appreciate her attention to detail and her ability to constantly push herself and others to be better.

To my kids: I appreciate their independent thinking, their drive, and their initiative to make positive things for themselves and others.

To A.F.: I appreciate you for being a leader and taking the time to invest your time to listen and act on your employee's ideas.

To M.T.: I appreciate your energy and positive attitude at your place of work while fighting through your illness. Especially since your doctor told you not to put in so many hours.

To Amos and the BOA crew: I appreciate the way you always make every customer feel special and attend to them like they are the only person in the bank.

I challenge you to find something you appreciate in five other people and share a sincere compliment with each person. Do it because it's the right thing to do.

You'll be glad you did.

For additional resources on appreciation go to our website.

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes Featured on NBC News as Mentors of Young Leaders

Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes were featured on the WAVY-TV 10 (NBC affiliate) program, Wednesday's Child, for their volunteer work mentoring the community's young to become leaders. The program, hosted by WAVY-TV 10 news personality, Don Roberts, ran a series called "Where in the World is Wednesday's Child" seeking to find out what happened to children in challenging situations mentored by Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes during 1996. Don Roberts featured Ciara the young child mentored by Joy. Ciara now nineteen years old, is an art teacher in a local school and is preparing to go to college for law.

It has been very rewarding receiving telephone calls from indivduals wanting to know how they can volunteer or start their own programs. Even with our busy travel schedule, we continue to volunteer our time to teach children leadership, team building, and communication skills through the Toastmasters Young Leadership program.

Make your Dreams Come True/Make Your Mark/Blame Someone Else Days!

It's funny that January 11th is "Make Your Dreams Come True Day," January 12th is "Make Your Mark Day," and January 13th is "Blame Someone Else Day." Believe it or not these are real holidays.

I believe that if we don't sit down and plan your goals and act on them you won't achieve your dreams. If we don't achieve our dreams we won't make our mark in life, work, and the community. Many times if we don't achieve our dreams and make your mark we often put the blame on someone or something else. See how the days are connected?

Here are some resources to make it easier for you to achieve your dreams and leave the blame for someone else:

Free Articles

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part One

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part Two

• 10 Action Steps to Motivate Yourself to Great Accomplishments

• Connect the Dots! Your Roadmap for Success

• Adversity: Your Seed of Greatness (Three Secrets to Using Adversity to Become Great)

• The Greatest Gift of All - The Gift of Empowerment

So let's achieve our dreams everyday and make our mark!

Happy Human Resources Month!

January is Human Resources month! Now is a great opportunity to highlight the contributions you make and to honor the special people in Human Resources who make them. Rewards and recognition for Human Resources staff set the stage for another terrific HR year.

This is the perfect time to:

1. Expand your good will and public relations efforts within your organization.

2. Showcase your contributions.

3. Seek the input and feedback you need to effectively serve your customers.

With these multiple purposes in mind, consider these opportunities:

Read more....

Want to Accomplish More of Your Goals in 2006?

What do Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Chris Widener, Tony Alessandra, David DeFord, and Ed Sykes have in common?

These achievement experts have joined forces to provide you with a "roadmap of success" in 2006 and beyond in a new innovative achievement book! Whether you want to achieve more in your business, career, family, community, this will give you the easy-to-follow secrets to achieve your dreams.

Read more...

Be Thankful

Here is something special to share with you whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not.

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

- Author Unknown -

Motivate Your Team! Eight Quick Tips to Motivate for Success

Motivation is the key ingredient for success in any organization. You can have all the technical skills in the world; however, if you can't motivate your team, you will not achieve success. As a leader, a majority of your job is to motivate others to succeed so that everyone's goals are accomplished.

The following are eight quick tips to motivate your team:

1. Everyone Has Motivation
   Your employees are motivated on some level. It is your job to find the level of their motivation and move your employees to the next level. Read more...

Adversity: Your Seed of Greatness (Three Secrets to Using Adversity to Become Great)

From our first day on earth until our last, we face different levels of adversity. Adversity may be sickness, a property loss, or the loss of a family member. It may be a lost career promotion or a business setback. How we handle these adversities defines how we achieve greatness in our lives.

Let me share the story of James Blake, who overcame multiple adversities, more than most of us would ever experience in a lifetime and yet achieved greatness. James Blake is a world class professional tennis player enjoying fame and making a six-figure income. However, in his childhood, he developed a rare disease that required him to wear a body brace for years. Other kids teased him, calling him "Iron Man" from the Marvel Comic Books, and he felt left out. During this time, he concentrated on his academics, read a wide variety of books, and developed himself as a well-rounded person. He also developed a heightened awareness for others who are going through difficult times. Read more...

Make a Difference!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. You can't help but be moved emotionally from the updated news reports coming out of LA, MS, and AL. A hurricane doesn't care if you are rich or poor. Hurricanes will cause destruction just the same.

Make a difference! Below are organizations you can donate time, food, clothes, money, and your expertise, etc.:

• Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or https://www.redcross.org/

• Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.org/

• Second Harvard: http://www.secondharvest.org/

• United Way: 1-800-272-4620http:/www.national.unitedway.org/

• Network for Good http://www.networkforgood.org

• Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or http://www.er-d.org/

• Mercy Corps http://www.mercycorps.org

• United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/hurricanes/2005/

• Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

• Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: http://www.nvoad.org/

• Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: http://www.la-spca.org/

Connect the Dots! Your Roadmap for Success

Recently, Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios, gave a commencement address to the graduating class at Stanford University. He talked about creating passion, life and death, and "connecting the dots." The dots were events in his life, many challenging and many positive, which led to his many successes. He shared with the audience that being fired from Apple Computer, the computer he founded, he was able to step back and develop the idea for Pixar Animation Studios. By achieving the great success at Pixar, he was eventually asked to come back to lead Apple Computer. This eventually led him to spearhead the launching of one the most revolutionary products of the 21st century...the iPod. He feels that he would never have achieved his successes without his failures and setbacks. He was able to connect the dots to see how it all added up.

So I ask you, "Have you connected your dots?"

Here are five reasons why taking the time to connect the dots will give you a roadmap for success in your life: Read more...

Words to Live By - Six Ways to Breathe Life into Your Day

We've heard the instructions many times over. There is such familiarity that many people can almost recite them verbatim. In fact, these directives are so crucial; they are printed on placards and demonstrated visually by the staff. They are so important that they can't wait until you are airborne to share. I'm talking about the life-saving instructions on what to do in case of an emergency that airline passengers receive on every flight before they're airborne. Given without fail around the globe daily, millions often sit back and ignore flight attendants by reading a magazine, speaking to a neighbor, or simply becoming annoyed at the disruption of quiet. The highlight of the instruction says:

Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will fall from the ceiling in front of you. If you are traveling with small children, place the mask on yourself first, then place a mask on the child.

Who would have thought for decades the airline industry has been sharing with millions of people a valuable life lesson. Read more...

Lance Armstrong Rides Off into the Sunset

Just like the perfect movie ending, Lance Armstrong set out to accomplish his goal of winning seven consecutive Tour de France races...and achieved his goal.

After overcoming cancer he became even more focused, determined, goal oriented and trained harder than anyone else. As a result he is considered the greatest cyclist of our time. Also, he has made us more aware of cancer and what we can do to help eradiate this terrible disease through his humanitarian efforts.

Want to acquire the skills of a champion? Read the following articles:

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part One

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part Two

My hat goes off to you Lance Armstrong. May your results be even more fruitful after cycling.

Happy National Get Out of the Doghouse Day!

Today is Happy National Get Out of the Doghouse Day! Are you in someone's doghouse? Is someone in your doghouse?

Being in the doghouse or keeping someone in the doghouse leads to the following:

• Added stress and anxiety to your life which leads to illness and disease

• Lost concentration and focus

• Lost of career and life opportunities

Make the effort to get out of the doghouse. Take the first steps to:

1. Talk it out

2. Apologize, if needed

3. End with a promise for improvement

If you put someone in the doghouse, ask these questions:

• Is it worth all the physical and mental energy to keep this person(s) in the doghouse?

• What am I getting by keeping this person in the doghouse?

• Is my pride getting in the way of reconciling our relationship?

• What's the big picture compared to why this person is in the doghouse?

Remember, as a good friend recently told me, life is way too short to let disagreements get in the way of good relationships.

Take the steps to get out of the doghouse or let someone out of the doghouse!

Click here to read additional information on how to empower yourself or others.

Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela!

In a world that looks to solve its problems through force, your power came from peaceful resolution, determination, and a belief in change for the better. We need more "leaders" like you.

Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela!

May you have more birthdays.

Happy 4th of July (Independence Day)!

Let's take time to appreciate and say thank you for the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers are making across the world so that we can enjoy this special day. Whether our soldiers are on humanitarian missions after the Tsunami or fighting a war in the Middle East, take time to say "thank you."

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the Navy Seals who lost their lives last week in Afghanistan when their helicopter went down in the mountains on a rescue mission. We are especially touched by this incident because our friend lost her husband (they were married less than one year) in the incident. She was to move into her new home in Virginia Beach this month and have it ready when he returned home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her, their families, and friends.

So when you go see a movie blockbuster, enjoy the delicious BBQ, or see the fireworks with friends and family, take time to appreciate the soldiers who are making your Independence Day safe, happy, and enjoyable.

Every Super Hero Needs Theme Music. What's Yours?

You are sitting in front of the big screen of a movie theater or television as you watch your favorite hero about to face his/her most challenging situation. The tension mounts. The odds of success may be overwhelming for our hero. Then you hear...the music. Our hero springs into action and automatically saves the day and everyone feels good.

So I ask, "What's your theme music?" Read more...

Are You a Millionaire?

May 16th is "Be a Millionaire day!" But why not be a millionaire everyday? Being a millionaire is far more than just having money. It's about developing a positive attitude that embraces opportunities that come your way. Click here to learn how to acquire a million dollar attitude.

Today is International Firefighters' Appreciation Day!

Today is International Firefighters' Appreciation Day! In many ways firefighters have touched our lives. Some of the firefighter images I think of:

• Getting the cat of the tree for grandma

• Taking time to teach us fire safety

• Arriving on time with a respirator to save a life

• Standing firm in the face of a roaring fire to save property

And on 9/11...risking, and in most casing losing their lives in the hope that others would be saved.

Take time not only this day but everyday to think of and show appreciation for your community firefighters. Many times they risk their lives to make a difference.

Thank you for making a difference.

Take Time to Appreciate a Teacher This Week

May 1-7 is Teacher Appreciation Week

That's right, it's Teacher Appreciation Week. Whether you're in school or not, whether you have a child or not, take time to appreciate a teacher who made a difference in your life. Appreciate a teacher for the following:

1. Taking time to develop you sometimes at the expense of their children

2. Taking time to put together innovative lesson plans that inspire you to learn

3. Taking time to listen to you when no one else would

4. Taking time to challenge you to do better even when you didn't know what "better" was

5. Taking the time to teach you what being an responsible human being is all about

6. Taking time to make you laugh when things seem so serious

I had an eight grade math teacher, Mr. Kassner, for whom I would like to appreciate. I was an A student in the early part of his class and then my grades started to fall into the C's and D's. I guess I was distracted with "teenage hormones." Well, Mr. Kassner noticed and talked to me after class. He took the time and asked me what was happening in my life, expressed what he was noticed and that my grades were falling. Then Mr. Kassner went on to explain that there would be many distractions in my life and I would need to be true to my personal goals. But I would always remember he said that I was much better than what I was showing in class and that I was capable of great things in my life. Saying that...made a difference. Not only did I finish with an A in his class but also I continued to master math in college (straight A's in statistics, business math, etc.) but also in business and life.

What teacher is making or made a difference in your life? Whether it is your coach, teacher, guidance counselor, or mentor take the time to write, call, e-mail, or visit them and let them know how you appreciate them.

Five Secrets to Becoming the Perfect Employee That Everyone Wants - Part One

With ever increasing deadlines, decreasing resources, and changing workplaces, sometimes it can be challenging to be a good employee, much less a perfect employee. The employee who can rise above the everyday problems and embrace challenges will be the person that every employer wants.

The following are five secrets to being the perfect employee everyone wants: To read the rest of the article...

Take Time to Create a Life Balance Sheet for Success

It's important from time to time that we sit down and honestly assess our lives. Doing so allows us to make an honest determination about where we are now and where we want to be in the future. When we're assessing our finances, we prepare a financial balance sheet. On it we list our debits and credits so that we can determine our bottom line. What if you wanted to determine the state of the life you lead? How is it, or is it not, serving you? The answer is simple - prepare a Life Balance Sheet. Much like a financial balance sheet, list all of your lifestyle debits (choices that detract from balance) such as the following:

• Maintaining relationships that drain you

• Constantly whining, griping, or complaining

• Inability to say no

• Always expecting the worse

• Being ungrateful

• Unwilling to listen effectively

• Forgetting to mind your manners

• Taking others for granted

Next list your credits - ways you live your life that support and honor you. Anything positive you count as a credit - no action is too big or too small. Below are a few credits that add to your life's bottom line.

1. Smile - not just at people you know, but especially at those you don't

2. Give to others without expecting anything in return

3. Do one thing outside of your comfort zone that improves the quality of your life

4. Allow someone to merge into traffic - even if they didn't wait their turn

5. Compliment a salesperson/clerk on a job well done

6. Use the good crystal and china other than for a holiday

7. Be honest about what you need to be happy

8. Read to a child

9. Dance to your favorite music

10. Place your neighbors' newspaper right outside their door

11. Call someone just to say "hello" and to see how they are doing

12. Buy a co-worker a cup of coffee or ice cream cone

13. Walk barefoot in the grass

14. Tell someone "I love you"

15. Learn one new thing every week

16. Every day acknowledge at least one thing in life for which you are grateful

At least once a month, create a Life Balance Sheet. Take a look at your Life Balance Sheet at least once a day. This will empower you, at a glance, to realize how wonderful life can be and allow you to make lifestyle adjustments as necessary. Remember, a great life is yours to create. Go create a fabulous life!

Have you Appreciated Someone Today?

I invested some time with Mother recently and drove her to the hospital to visit with her sick sister-in-law, my aunt. While I was standing in the doorway, a nurse came by and introduced herself as Ruth and said "hello" to us and said "hello" to my aunt. This put a smile on my aunt's face. The nurse then introduced me to the other nurses working at the nurses' station. She let me know that these nurses are hard working and good at their jobs.

I couldn't agree with her more. Theirs is a very difficult job with no margin for error. In many situations they know and understand the patients better than the doctors.

Realizing this, and noticing that some of the nurses looked a little tired, I asked Ruth to bring out all the nurses she had introduced me to at the nurses' station. I reintroduced myself and explained that my aunt was the patient in room 518. Then I said the following:

"I would like to thank you for taking care of my aunt. I personally appreciate the way you make her comfortable during this difficult time, and I know that my aunt is in good hands. My family, and especially my uncle, appreciates the hard work and care you put into making her better. Thank you again and keep doing what you are doing to make a difference with not only my family, but other families."

Well, you should have seen the looks on the nurses' faces. First, they had a look of surprise. Then they were all smiling from ear to ear. Several faces turned red. But all of them had a look of appreciation as they said, "Thank you."

Why did they have a surprised look on their faces? Was this the first time someone other than another nurse had acknowledged them? When was the last time someone showed appreciation to them?

It only took fifteen seconds to put a smile on their faces and have them feel good about themselves. Take the time every day to appreciate your employees, your family, and other people that are doing a good job. It might be the only appreciation they receive and will make a difference in their day.

Read my article, Appreciate to Motivate, to find out how to make your appreciation count every time. You will also feel good doing it.

Positive Affirmations for a Negative World

"There is very little difference in people. But that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative."

A recent survey states that 75% of daily conversations are negative. That's a whole lot of negative energy you are subjected to on a daily basis. That's not counting what you experience by watching television, reading various print media, and listening to radio.

It's time you took back your mind! The more you allow your mind to fill with negative thoughts, the less room you have for positive, productive, and happy thoughts.

One way to take back your mind and fill it with positive thoughts and ideas is through positive affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements you make to yourself on a daily basis that encourage your success. These statements will have the greatest impact when you say them when you wake up in the morning and just before you go to bed at night (you can always say them anytime).

Here are some examples of affirmations that can work for you:

To improve my attitude at work:

"Today, I embrace change as an opportunity to learn and grow."
"Today, I will look at every challenge as an opportunity that creates additional opportunities for me in the future."
"I am a winner, I work for a winning organization, and because of my contribution and creativity we will keep on winning."
"I'm proud to be a (your occupation). Everyday I make a difference in my department, my organization, my family, and my community."

To build confidence:

"Today and everyday is my day to own because I believe it to be so."
"I have clearly defined goals and I will pursue them today with enthusiasm, determination, and discipline."

To reduce stress and create success:

"I will make stress work for me."
"When I feel stress, I will take a deep breath, relax, and release my stress before I take on additional tasks."
"Stress is a part of my success process. I will embrace stress and make it work for me."

These are just some of affirmations you can apply today. You can use these, change them, or add more to fit your situation. Click the following link to read additional techniques for creating a positive attitude. Start using these techniques today to make a positive difference in your life.

Happy Lady Lucky Day!

April 5th is "Lady Luck Day!"

Just because I said it, do you now feel luckier? Do you need a day to proclaim that you are lucky? I don't think so.

You are "lucky" every day you have the following:

1. Friends and family who love you

2. Good health or the opportunity to improve your health

3. Opportunities to fail or succeed

I'm sure you can mention many other reasons why you are "lucky."

Do you know a person and ask yourself, "Why do they seem so lucky?" "What is it about them?" Well they possess the following qualities:

• Expect the Positive - they expect the best will always come their way. They take a situation that can be looked at as negative and see the positive and move toward it.

• Embrace New Opportunities - They look forward to new challenges as new opportunities to grow and jump in to make the opportunity work for them. As the old saying goes, "You have got to be in it to win it."

• Develop Your Personality - People with pleasant personalities attract opportunities.

• Prepare for Future Opportunities - Ask questions, volunteer, and continuously learn as much as possible to prepare for future opportunities. You will never know when these opportunities will come, however, when they do you will be prepared. I say that "luck" is the following:
  
  
  Atttitude+Preparation+Opportunity=Luck

So embrace positive expectations, prepare for future opportunities, embrace new opportunities, and develop your pleasant personality, and "luck" will always come your way!

Survey States that Most Employees Feel Unappreciated

Our February 2005 survey asked the question, "How often do you receive praise for a job well done?" The results came back as follows:

• 25.4% receives appreciation daily

• 12.7% receives appreciation weekly

• 13.1% receives appreciation monthly

• 11.2% receives appreciation a few times a year

Here's an interesting statistic:

• 37.6% stated they never received appreciation

For whatever reason, 37.6% of employees still feel unappreciated. Take the steps to communicate your appreciation of the efforts your employees are making everyday. Take the time to read the following articles to jumpstart your motivation efforts so that you can have a more productive workforce:

Also take the time share your opionion in the March poll, "What would motivate you at work?"

Appreciate to Motivate (The Key to Successful Team Building)

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, since said, "There are two things people want more than sex and money...recognition and praise." Time and time again that one motivating factor that is at the top of most employee lists is appreciation for a job well done. It is more requested than the green stuff, money.

Why don't more manager, owners, and employees give appreciation? Some people state they don't know how to give it. Others don't know what to give appreciate for in the work environment. Yet others say they are too busy to give appreciation.

I think is this is the biggest sin of managers, being too busy to give appreciation for a good job well done. Remember what the old transmission commercials used to say, "You can pay me now or you can pay me later." Well, that is what giving appreciation is about. You can invest in your employees now and "pay" them with sincere appreciation and achieve even better performance. Or you will "pay" later by seeing your team's performance sink, corrective actions and coachings increase, and overall morale decrease.

The following are five tips to giving sincere appreciate that will motivate your team to soar to higher level and achieve more:

1. Be Specific
   In order to get the same behavior or action again you need to let the employee know exactly what action(s) you are appreciating. For example, the typical attempt at appreciate sounds like this:
   
   Manager: "Mike, you did a great job earlier today. Keep up the good work!"
   
   Mike: "Thanks" (Mike is thinking what is he complimenting me on?)
   
   The correct way:
   
   Manager: "Mike you did a great job on the report earlier today. I can see you invested a lot of time on the report by the detail you put in it. I really appreciate you effort. Thank you."
   
   Mike: "I appreciate you noticed the time a put into the report. Thanks" (Mike is thinking that the manager really did read it and appreciates his effort. I will be glad to do it again.) As you can see the employee has a clear understanding of what action the manager is showing appreciated for and he is motivated to take on the project again.

2. Be Timely
   Make sure you show appreciation as soon as possible to the action you appreciate. The further the distant in time between the appreciation and the action the less impact it will have to motivate the employee.
   
   Manager: "Mike, the report you submitted six month ago was great. Keep up the good work. Thanks!"
   
   Mike: "Thanks, I think. What report are you taking about?"
   
   Always find time to show appreciate in a timely manner. Even if you need to drop something else take time to appreciate your employees.

3. Be Fair
   One of the key concerns of students in my workshops is that when appreciation is shown, it doesn't seem fair. The biggest villain of this is the dreaded "Employee of the Month" board. Many times when you ask the "Employee of the Month" what did you do to earn it they say, "I don't know." I have one action you must take when giving appreciation...be consistent!
   
   • First, clearly state the rules for appreciation so that everyone understands how appreciate is earned.
   • Second, be consistent when showing appreciation. If one employee does a favorable action and you show appreciation and another employee does the same or similar action and you don't show appreciation you have just sewn the seeds of bad morale and feelings of favoritism.
   • Third, always be on the lookout for "finding something good" your employees do well. Once you achieve this mindset you will always find the good and increase morale and productivity within your team and organization.
   • Fourth, be pure in your appreciation. If you to show appreciation, don't muddle it with other communication. In other words, don't show appreciation for one action and then start discussing a potential corrective action for another action. This sends mixed signals that say to the receiver of this communication, "I don't want any appreciation because there is always something bad attached to it." Keep it pure!

4. Be Public, if Possible
   Appreciation is not something you hide. It works best when done publicly. Show you appreciation in a public way in meetings, in front of team members, and management. The funny thing is that once you get in the habit of doing this many of your team members will increase the activity they need to take to also earn this public appreciation.

5. Be Relational
   When I ask the question, "Why do you come to work everyday?," in my workshops I usually get "to get paid" as the first answer the students give. Then as we discuss it further it always comes down to "I feel like I make a difference" as the main answer. You see, in most cases the reason why employees decide to climb out of bed in the morning, their toes touch the floor, and they decide to drive to work is that they feel that they make a difference where they work.
   
   I remember an opportunity to emcee a large sales meeting for a Fortune 500 company. I introduced a Senior Vice President and he went to the lectern to address over 500 employees. He announced that the company achieved sales of $14 billion. Then he quickly announced that their goal for the next year was $17 billion. As he was talking I was looking at the audience. They were unusually quiet and attentive. However, as I looked at them they had a glassy eye look. I realized the problem was that the speaker was just talking numbers. He didn't relate how those 500+ employees made a positive difference for the company. All he needed to say was how their sacrifice everyone translated in the success of the company. Along with this, they will meet the coming years challenges only with the talents of our employees. So simple, but so rarely done.
   
   Relate the action done with how if affects the team, department and organization. Let's go back to our earlier examples to complete the appreciate process:
   
   Manager: "Mike you did a great job on the report for the new computer system earlier today. I can see you invested a lot of time to do the research so that we have the necessary information to request the computer system. Mike, we appreciate your efforts because the new computer system will make our team more productive so that the department will achieve its goals and the company will be profitable this year. Bottom line, bigger bonuses for everyone. I look forward to seeing your high level of work in the future. Thank you."
   
   Mike: "Thanks. I appreciate making a difference. Please let me know whatever I can do to help the team."
   
   As you can see, Mike has a clear sense of achievement and where he fits in the company. Also, the manager encouraged Mike to do the same behavior soon by saying "I look forward to seeing your high level of work in the future." And the manager ended with a sincere "thank you."

These are five simple tips that will motivate your employees to achieve more with a minimum amount of efforts. Starting today, apply these techniques and you will see a world of difference in your team, department, and organization. Remember, "pay" yourself with the rewards now or "pay" yourself with a low performing team later.

Take Time to Be Successful!

The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: "I did not have time."

As a reminder, here are five quick tips for effective time management:

1. List and prioritize weekly objectives.

2. Make a daily "to do" list and prioritize it by A-B-C.

3. Devote primary attention to your A's.

4. Handle each piece of paper only once.

5. Continually ask, "What is the best use of my time right now?" and DO IT!

Are You Expecting Success?

February is International Expect Success Month. You should expect success every day of the year. This month is a great time to recharge your success batteries and refocus on the success you expect and deserve in life.

To help you recharge those batteries, take time to read and applied the success techniques from the following articles:

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part I

• Five Secrets to Creating a "Goal" Medal Life - Part II

• The Greatest Gift of All - The Gift of Empowerment

• 10 Secrets to Motivating Yourself to Great Accomplishments

• Goal Setting Secrets to Jumpstart Your Life

• Delegate to Accelerate Success

So take the time and expect success!

Leadership Skills for Challenging Times

Leadership Skills for Challenging Times
By Ed Sykes

We consistently face new and ever growing challenges in the workplace such as reorganizing, downsizing, and "left out sizing." We are faced with the question, "How do we lead in this storm of change?" It may seem difficult at times and the decisions we make define our short-term and long-term outcomes. I will share with you five leadership techniques guaranteed to keep you on track during these difficult times.

• Integrity. I put this first because the lack of integrity will make or break you as a professional, as a leader, as a person in the long run. The lack of this will turn yesterday's heroes in today's villains. For example, "MCI was the apple of the business community's eye. High revenues, high profits, and high growth; MCI was beating the competition hands down. Then it was discovered that there were gross accounting irregularities that accounted for the astounding profits. You see, management made a decision, "Do I continue to sustain good growth and be able to look at myself in the mirror or do I cook the accounting books and spend the rest of my time covering up this integrity deficiency? The real shame of the MCI situation was that AT&T, Sprint, and others in the industry had to cut costs and lay off thousands of employees to compete with MCI's false numbers. The lack of integrity at MCI not only affected the company but also the livelihood of thousands and the industry as a whole.
  
  I was recently speaking with a recently retired City Council member who is well respected in the community. I asked her what the secret was to her success while on the council? She mentioned that one of her political adversaries said to her, "While you were on the council, I didn't like the way you voted, but I respected the way you voted because you were consistent with your votes and had the city's best interest in mind."
  
  Ask yourself what decisions that you make are right for the long term? Be consistent in your actions, whether it is with management, your team, or your family.

• Knowledge. With change happening faster and faster every moment, it is extremely important that you gain the knowledge to master these changes. You owe it not only to yourself, but to your team and management. As I always say, "It's not having the right answer, it's that you have the right answer faster than before." Many times during my teambuilding programs a student will say, "I didn't know where to find the answer." Then I will say, "That is an unacceptable answer." Because part of being a leader is acquiring the skills to find the right answers. With the Internet, classroom and online training, mentors, etc., the knowledge is at your fingertips. Challenge your team members to use the same resources to acquire the knowledge to master their challenges. By acquiring this knowledge, you will be able to navigate your team through the ocean of change and achieve your goals.

• Decisiveness. You have seen them. They wait for information, then more information before making a decision. Then they need more information to support the information they already have. Then they need a committee to analyze the information. Then they wait for the perfect time to make the decision. Well, you know what I mean. Anyone you know? Make the decision! Good things happen when you take action; you grow, you adapt, and your team grows. There is no perfect time to make a decision. Leaders make decisions based on past experience, putting into action the decision, and staying and adapting the decision if needed. But make the decision. The worst quality you can show your team is indecision. What do you think your team sees when you can't make a decision? Make the decision and go for it.

• Vision. This is the ability not only to see what is the present - anyone can do that - it's the ability to see the future. Outstanding leaders can not only see their team for what they can do now, but what they can become, and paint the picture for them. These leaders are consistently communicating and coaching their team members to that vision.
  
  One of the best ways, and least used methods, to convey your vision is the team meeting (Teambuilding and Coaching Skills for Outstanding Results). Every meeting should start out with the team vision, mission, and goals; and the rest of the meeting should tie into the vision. For example, the motivation portion of the meeting should tie into the vision, the information portion of the meeting should tie into the vision, the training portion of the meeting should tie into the vision, etc.
  
  Also, invest time to develop your team members' personal visions and show them how they can accomplish their personal goals by tying into the overall vision. By consistently communicating the vision, your team will move with purpose, feel they are personally making a difference, and achieve their goals sooner.

• Unselfishness. Stephen Covey, in his successful book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, wrote that a true leader must be a servant to the ones he or she leads. The leader must be able to "give of oneself for the good of the team." In other words, be unselfish in words and action. Be unselfish in praise of others, in public, especially in front of management.
  
  Be unselfish in the ability to take time to listen, really listen to your team's concerns. A recent management survey said that the average time management invests doing "pure listening" to employees during the year is a mere two hours-just two hours! What was meant by "pure listening" time was listening with eye contact, acknowledgement, and not answering the phone while listening, not speaking with another person while listening, etc.
  
  Be unselfish in the ability to help your team. Whether it's the ability to readily assist with a difficult telephone call, jump in and remove road blocks for team members, or "be there" for a team member during challenging moments. Believe me, your team will remember those moments and excel for you.

Now I challenge you to put into action just one of the leadership techniques I mentioned above to achieve your vision, your mission, and your goals in the future.

How Appetizing Is Your Feedback? (Five Secrets to Give Feedback so Others will Listen)

Recently, I was watching a rerun of the successful television show, The Cosby Show. The patriarch of this professional family (He is a doctor and his wife is a lawyer.) played by Bill Cosby, was just told by his college-bound daughter that the boyfriend she brought home to meet him was really her fiancé. He was disappointed with the news. Disappointed not in the young man or what he did (he was a "maintenance engineer"), but in the way he was told about this engagement.

Mr. Cosby said that the way he was told was like taking a sizzling, delicious, robust T-bone steak and serving it on a garbage can lid. It's not too appetizing. You know the steak is delicious, but would we really want to eat it? It's not too appetizing.

I ask you, when you give feedback, do you make it appetizing for the receiver of the feedback? Or do you make your "steak" indigestible? We can be giving great feedback everyday and, unless we make it appetizing so others will digest it, our feedback will not acted upon.

The following are ten techniques for making your feedback more appetizing:

1. Prep for a Great Meal
   Just as you would prep for a great meal, you should prepare to give feedback. Mentally go over the following:
   
   • Is the feedback important?
   • What do I want to accomplish with the feedback?
   • Who are the persons I will be giving the feedback to?
   • How will they take my feedback? How can I make my feedback more appetizing for them?
   • How have they taken feedback in the past?
   • Is there someone better I can enlist to "serve" the feedback?
   Just as you would expect to produce a great meal, mentally expect to have a great feedback session. Take time to visualize the positive interaction and results by giving the feedback. Know that you will improve the lives of those you give feedback to and how you will accomplish your goals.
   Note: Remember, all feedback, with the goal of improving another individual or situation, is positive. It's when we are not receiving or giving constant feedback that situations turn negative due to misunderstandings.

2. Timing Is All Important for a Great Meal
   Make sure you are giving the feedback when it is needed. Giving feedback too long after there is need will dilute the "hunger" for the feedback. Giving feedback too early when there is no "hunger" for the feedback will allow your meal, your feedback, to go to waste and not have the impact on behavior that you need.

3. Quality Ingredients Are the Start of a Great Meal
   Be consistent every time you give feedback so that the person receiving the feedback will know what to expect. Be fair in your feedback. Also focus your feedback on actions observed, not the person. Or, as I say, "point to point, not person to person." Use "I" statements.
   • Be direct in your feedback. Just like you wouldn't want to wait forever to get to the main course, you wouldn't want to wait forever for someone to tell you why they are giving you feedback.
   • Set positive expectations so they want to eat. Instead of saying the following:

   "Mike, come by my office today at 3 p.m. so that I can give you some "constructive criticism." Mike is thinking he had rather be having a root canal.
   Say the following:
   "Mike, come by office at 3 p.m. today. I have some ideas on how to make your job easier (or some other benefit) and would value your feedback."

   Remember, in order for the receiver of the feedback to be hungry for the information, apply the "What's In It For Me" (WIIFM) technique. Ask yourself, "What is the benefit to the receiver of my feedback?"
   • Master Our Utensils. Master our utensils, the words we use, when serving the meal. For example, if you noticed someone unfocused in their conversation, you might say the following:

   "Sue, slow down! You are rambling too much."

   Instead say the following:
   

   "Sue, you sure have a lot on your mind. Let's concentrate on top the three points you want to discuss."

   Use positive words to create a great meal.

4. Ask for Feedback on the Meal
   Encourage the other person to give you feedback on your feedback. This may clear up any misunderstandings. Also, it shows that you value the other person’s opinion.

5. End the Meal on a Positive Note
   Appreciate their time, their manners, and overall demeanor to the feedback. Let them know that you appreciate the efforts they are making. Also tell them that you expect that there will be a positive outcome from the feedback session. Also, let them know that you are there to help them succeed.

Apply these techniques at work, home or in the community to ensure that your feedback is more appetizing to others. Bon appétit!

Nine Ways Johnny Carson Can Help You Run Outstanding Meetings

Recently, America lost one of the giants of late night television, Johnny Carson. He was a master at his craft, because he would conduct his show, essentially like a ninety minute meeting. The program would be entertaining, insightful, informative, and leave you wanting more.

Many times we fear going to meetings because we feel, based on past experiences, that they are going to be boring, not relevant, lack information, and we can't wait until the meeting ends.

Here are my eight techniques used by Johnny Carson to make your meetings outstanding for all involved:

Click here to read more

The Sykes Group Announced the "Dive in 2005 Success Series"

The Sykes Group announces it new series of workshops, "Dive in 2005 Success Series." This innovative series taught by experts will give you the skills to succeed in business, career, and life.

Click here to learn how these programs can work for you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!

We made it through 2004. As always, there were many challenges we faced, we embraced, and ultimately mastered, and learned from them. Also, there were many opportunities, some clearer than others, that we profited from to grow as individuals.

Some of us lost love ones along the way and rejoiced by remembering the time we had with them. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the unfortunate victims of the tsunami. May their spirit overcome the challenge before them to find the seeds of inner strength, health, happiness and prosperity in their lives. This unfortunate situation serves as a sobering reality check for all of us to live life to its fullest for we do not know what tomorrow brings.

Joy and I look forward in 2005 to making a positive difference in your lives so that you can make a difference in others. Our wishes for you are the following:

• May you continue to grow as individuals by asking the "right questions" to receive the "correct" information in which to make your life better.

• May you hold strong to your values and ideas while seeking to learn and respect other’s values and ideas. Remember, we can always "agree to disagree."

• May you further develop the "sixth sense" to make the right decisions.

• May you continue to help others grow so that you grow.

• May you take time to create balance in all aspects of your life so that you find peace within you and with others.

On that note,

Have a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, and Great New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

As 2004 draws to a close, what else we can say but - "Thank You!"

The Sykes Group sends a huge "thank you" to everyone who has shared encouraging words and supported our efforts this year. Thank you for the overwhelming response to OnPoint, the one source for achievement tips and techniques.

Joy and I are touched by your inspiring stories and are proud we helped make a difference in the lives of so many. We always appreciate hearing about how you applied our techniques learned in our programs and improved your career, your community, and your personal life. Please keep your comments coming. Finally, we commend all of you for the courage to make a change - and the commitment to see it through in 2004.

While we are very excited about your successes in 2004 we know they will pale in comparison to 2005. As 2005 approaches, we look forward to continuing to help you meet the challenges of today while preparing you to seize the opportunities ahead. Look for our next newsletter on January 15th. This issue will include information on:

• The "Dive into 2005" Empowerment Series

• The "Achieve Your Dreams" Event

• Kick starting your career articles

• New features in the blog version of OnPoint

We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season and a very prosperous new year!

Happy Holidays,

Ed and Joy
Co-Founders
The Sykes Group
"Preparing You Today for Tomorrow's Opportunities"

10 Action Steps to Motivate Yourself to Great Accomplishments

Let me ask you this question, "Are you motivated to achieve great accomplishments in your life?" The following are ten action steps you can apply today to achieve more success in your life:

1. Positive Affirmations
   Our subconscious mind is a wonderful tool for success or failure. It will do what we tell it to do. It all depends on what thoughts we feed it. So why not feed your inner mind with only positive thoughts. The following are some examples of positive affirmations you can feed your inner mind for success:
   
   • "Today, I will win because I have faith, courage and enthusiasm."
   • "I see failure only as a signpost on my road to success."
   • "When I feel stress, I will relax and release my stress before I take on my next task."
   • "I always write down my priorities, thinking of my responsibilities. I may not get everything done, but I will do the most productive thing possible at every given moment."
   • "I am a winner, I work for a winning organization, and because of my contribution and cooperation we will keep on winning."
   • "Today, I will see opportunity in every challenge offered to me."

2. Positive Language
   Recent research has come out that 75% of daily conversation is negative. Whether it is the words we use or the body language, we need to communicate in a positive manner all the time.
   The following are some examples of how you can turn negative words into positive communication:
   
   • Instead of saying "problem," call it "opportunity."
   • Instead of an action being a "failure," describe it as a "learning experience."
   • Instead of "I have to," say "I choose to." This gives control for your actions back to you.
   • Instead of saying, "There’s nothing I can do," say, "Let’s look at our alternatives."
   • Instead of saying, "That’s just the way I am," say, "I choose a different approach."
   • Instead of saying, "He makes me so mad," say, "I control my own feelings."
   If you notice, by using the positive response, you have control over your actions and life.

3. Exercise
   A Gallup survey found the following among men and women who have taken up exercise recently:
   • 66 percent report a more relaxed life
   • 62 percent a new surge of energy
   • 55 percent less stress
   • 51 percent better looks
   • 46 percent more confidence
   • 45 percent better love life
   • 44 percent greater job satisfaction
   • 37 percent more creative on their jobs
    

   These are great motivators to exercise! Next time you feel demotivated, give your body a workout. Recent research reports that as little as fifteen minutes three times a week has profound effects. Get moving. Get motivated.

4. Take Risks
   We all live our lives in comforts zones, avoiding risky situations, avoiding the potential to fail. It’s real safe for us. But in order to get ahead of your competition and master the ongoing change in your life, you must go out of your comfort zone. Start one step at a time. Try that little new thing, that different approach. It could be as simple as taking different routes to and from work. Once in a while I like to "take the road less traveled" to stir up my creative juices. Then, keep stepping out of your zone. It may seem uncomfortable at first. But the more you do it, the more it will seem natural and you will see an increase in your creative juices and opportunities you never thought about before.

5. Positive Reading
   Read about the lives of successful people. Make sure you read only those people that embrace the timeless values that make them truly successful through the ages. Not the "success today, scandal tomorrow" success stories that we are experiencing today. People like Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, Fred Smith of Federal Express, Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are good examples. These are people who overcame enormous challenges, created real value for others, or changed other people’s lives for the better.

6. Positive Visualizations
   Condition yourself to paint your vision for success. One of the best ways to do this is the following:  
   • Go to a quiet place in your home or elsewhere. Turn off all radios, televisions, etc.
   • Find a comfortable chair and get into a relaxed state of mind.
   • Start thinking about one goal you want to accomplish. Remember, visualize as if you are already accomplishing this goal.
   • Visualize taking all the necessary steps to successfully complete these goals. The better your visualization, where you can actually see, feel, hear, and touch your vision, the more real it is to you.
   • Visualize any challenges to your successful completion of this goal and how you will eliminate this challenges.
   • Visualize how good it feels to complete this goal. Visualize what benefits it will bring to you, your family, friends, co-workers, etc.
   Enjoy the moment!
    

   Important: If you don’t take time to see it, it won’t happen!

 

7. Think Big
   See the big picture in everything we do. So much of our time is wasted dealing with the unimportant things in our lives (what that person said or did, the driver who cut us off this morning, and activities which don’t add value to our lives, etc.) that we forget about the big picture. We were put on this earth to make a difference. We make a difference for our families, our communities, our organizations, and for ourselves. All of our actions must be put into action with this concept in mind. Think a little bigger today than yesterday, and you’ll create a better future tomorrow. Thinking big leads to great actions. Thinking small leads to small results.  So Think BIG!

 

8. Set Goals
   The fastest way to fail in life is to not set clear goals. Set goals in the financial, family, health, spiritual, and career areas. Your goals must incorporate the SMART techniques or else it’s just a "conversation in the park."  
   • S for specific
   • M for measurable
   • A for attainable
   • R for realistic
   • T for time-based
    
   For example, you might have a goal of achieving $2 million for retirement in twenty years. After doing your research, a SMART goal would be the following:
    

   "I will acquire $2 million dollars for retirement by 2024. I will do this by contributing $20K, or $1667 per month, to my various retirement funds each year. Of the $20k each year, $2k will go to my IRA, and $18K will go into my organization’s retirement program."

    

   Remember the most detail you can add, the more realistic your goal becomes.

 

9. Positive Appearance
   Super achievers are very careful about their appearance and their movements. They know that looking good translates into feeling good. Billy Crystal, of Saturday Night Live and movie fame, once played a character that was known for saying, "It is better to look good than to feel good." What he was really implying was the "fake it until you make it" concept. In other words, if we are feeling down, then think positively and your mind will tell your body to follow suit and act positively. Also always dress the part of an achiever. Model the dress, actions, and behaviors of someone who is successful and embraces the long term values of successful people. This will also tell your mind that I am an achiever.
    

   Don’t let that be the deciding factor on being motivated. You can easily distinguish those who are motivated from those who are not motivated just by looking at their appearance and their movements. The motivated move forward, onward and upward with confidence.

 

10. Helping Others
    Develop an obsession to help others. Share your special talents without expecting a reward, payment, or commendation. And above all else, keep your good deed a secret.
     

    You know what, it you apply the helping techniques to others, it will automatically come back to you tenfold in a number of ways. First, the enjoyment of knowing that a special talent you had made someone else’s life better. Second, because you didn’t seek it, word will spread about you and your deeds. This will be translated into unexpected riches and opportunities. Third, you will gain a new level of confidence in knowing that you can make a difference. Super achievers find motivation and meaning by helping others.

   

Want to learn how to be a motivated achiever? Click here to find out how our leadership, attitude, goal setting, and achievement workshops can help you stay motivated. Click here to read our articles on motivation, attitude, leadership, goal setting, etc. Call us at 757-427-7032 or e-mail us at info@thesykesgrp.com.

5 Secrets to Gaining Credibility with Your Team for Outstanding Results

Towers Perrin, the corporate benefits consulting firm, surveyed over 1000 American workers and found the following:

 

• Only 51 percent of all workers trust their organizations to tell the truth in employee communications

• Only 48 percent of all workers with more than five years of tenure believe their companies are honest in their employee communications

• Only 44 percent of all workers over age 50 trust their organizations to tell them the truth in employee communications

 

Organizations then wonder why worker productivity decreases, employee loyalty is at an all time low, and human resource situations increase. Your employees see everyday, at least in their eyes, the following:

 

• Record profits, yet massive layoffs

• Hearing how important they are, yet having their jobs outsourced

• Experiencing changes to their jobs, yet not being asked for their ideas

• Being told how they are doing a great job, yet being yelled at for mistakes in front of colleagues

 

No wonder there is tension in the workplace. When I work with organizations, the following three concerns are the ones usually express:

 

"My supervisor, manager, etc., doesn’t know how to communicate with me."
"I am the last to hear about bad news."
"He/she never asks me for my ideas."

 

Because of these concerns, there is a divide, professionally, emotionally, mentally, and physically between the employees and their supervisor/manager, etc., which leads to lost productivity.

 

The following are five secrets that will increase your credibility with employees and produce outstanding results for your organization:

 

1. Be Honest
   You owe it to your employees and to colleagues to be honest. Tell your employees exactly where they stand within the organization. Be positive, yet don’t sugar coat it. Once your employees know where they stand, use this as a stepping stone for improvements and solutions you can work on together.

2. Be Consistent
   Be consistent with your communication among employees. You will lose credibility with employees if they see you communicate differently with different employees concerning the same situations. For example, if you berate an employee (which I’m sure you would never do) for a mistake, yet say nothing to another employee for the same mistake, you will lose credibility.
   

   Also, be consistent with the way you communicate your moods. Remember, if you project a professional manner, no matter the situation, your employees will emulate your behavior.

3. Communicate Bad News ASAP
   There is nothing worse for employees than hearing bad news from human resources, shareholders, the news, friends, family, and even their religious leader, but not from you, their manager. The biggest reasons I hear for not telling employees are the following:

   "Management asked me to keep it secret."
   "I don’t have all the facts yet."
   "I don’t think the employees can handle the bad news."

   Well, guess what:
   
   • Employees always find out about bad news (sometimes before their supervisors/managers, etc.).
   • Employees always appreciate when you share whatever information you have with them as long as you are honest with them.
   • Employees can take more than you think if you are sensitive to their concerns and express these concerns with them.
   Will some of them be unhappy in the short run? Some employees may not be happy; however, they will respect you as a manager that respects them and keeps them informed of all news, good or bad.

4. Give and Receive Constant Feedback
   Employees want feedback on, "How am I doing?" By giving constant feedback, you are developing a bond of trust that improves the performance of your employees.
    

   Remember, your employees are always doing something well. Make sure you come from a positive position of improvement when giving feedback. Let your employees know that you appreciate their efforts and the difference they make each day.

    

   Also make it "safe" for employees to give you feedback. Let them know that no one is perfect (I know we think we are) and that you value their feedback to make the work environment a "win-win" situation for all involved. Teach your employees how to give feedback, both positive and constructive. Remember, as a leader, you are constantly developing your employees for the next level.

5. Ask for Employee Solutions
   People go to work to succeed, not fail. Employees also go to work because they want to make a difference at their job. One of the best ways for employees to feel they are making a difference is to involve them in the solution creation process.
    

   Make asking for solutions from your employees an ongoing process. Whether during staff meetings, one-on-one sessions, etc., make it safe for employees to develop their own solutions. If given the opportunity, your employees will come up with solutions that are innovative, proactive, and in some cases better than any solution we can ever develop.

    

   To motivate your employees to create solutions, you must do the following:

    
   • Give them credit for the solutions
   • Create reward systems for solutions
   • Make it easy for them to communicate solutions
   • Massage solutions for positive results
    

   Very importantly, if employees share a solution with you, please, please, please, give them feedback ASAP. You will lose employee credibility if they think you don’t care or are taking credit for their ideas.

 

Apply these techniques now and you will gain credibility and increase productivity with your employees while developing a high performance environment that achieves outstanding results.

 

Source: Towers Perrin, Enhancing Corporate Credibility-Is It Time to Take the "Spin" Out of Employee Communication? January, 2004

  

Want to learn how to build a powerful, self-directed, high producing team employees? Click here to find out how our workshops can help you lead others to the next level. Click here to read our other articles on motivation, team building, and goal setting, etc. Call us at 757-427-7032 or e-mail us at info@thesykesgrp.com.

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Ed Sykes is a professional speaker published in the areas of leadership, change management, customer service, motivation, and teamwork. He works with business and government organizations who want to reach the next level of success and individuals who want to perform at their best. You can email him at esykes@thesykesgrp.com, call him at (757) 427-7032 or visit his Web site at www.thesykesgrp.com.

It’s the Most Wonderful Gift of the Year

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. As we deck the halls and fill the malls, we’re filled with anticipation, joy, and excitement. The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a special time we choose to show our appreciation and share our love with the special people in our lives. However, with all of the joy the holidays bring, this still tends to be one of the most stressful times of the year. Why?

Could it be because it’s intoxicating to buy loved ones whatever their hearts desire – and we’re willing to rise in the dark of night to shop in the pre-dawn hours for the "gift of the year?" Ah, yes, the mad dash to the 5 a.m. sale where you’re guaranteed to be pushed, run over, stepped on, and after a long wait told "Sorry sold out;" only to then have the pleasure of standing in a check out line as long as the east coast. Hum. Do you ever question the sanity of a day like this in a life that seems to have so little time, and a world that’s filled with job insecurity, war, and economic ups and downs? If so, why do you still feel so torn? Could it be because we’ve allowed marketers, advertisers, manufacturers, and retailers to shape our outlook and convince us to buy into their vision of the perfect life? This life where you shop to create the perfect body, so you can be with the perfect partner, live in the perfect house, and drive the perfect car to the perfect job so we can afford the perfect lotions and potions to forever live the perfect life. Wake up and smell the perfect hype! The holidays are not about being manipulated into believing in some artificially created image that drives sales; it’s about your vision of giving and sharing the joy your choose to create.

Stress of the season happens when we fret about how our gift will be received. A disconnect exists when we fear if our gift is disliked, then somehow we too will be rejected and denied the friendship, affection or acceptance we so desire. Although intellectually, we know nothing could be further from the truth, we may still feel the need to explain away or apologize for our gifts of love. I say if you hold this to be your truth and also believe that the worth of your relationships is based on the monetary value of gifts exchanged, then I strongly urge you to re-examine and re-evaluate your relationships.

At a time when many feel compelled to spend more money (perhaps more than they can afford) yet feel they have less time, it’s important to focus on the deeper meaning and spirit of the holidays. Now and in the days to come, regroup and refocus your energies to give the most priceless gift you always have to offer – YOU. Truly the most wonderful gifts of the year are heartfelt, so here are a few you can offer the whole year through.

1. Create A Moment
   Moments are magical times when someone later turns and says, "Remember the time we…" Moments don’t just happen; they’re created. Moments are the gifts that keep on giving and that can be relived at any time over and over again.

2. Unconditional Love and Friendship
   No judging, no gossiping, no criticizing – No Kidding!

3. A Random Act of Kindness
   Give of yourself daily. Acts both small and large count - choose to donate your time, energy, or money. You can experience even greater gratification if you don’t tell a soul.

4. The Gift of Time
   
   • Time with yourself to reflect and grow
   • Time with others to develop and build powerful relationships
   • Time given to others that empowers them to expand their greatness

5. The Gift of Respect
   Respect for yourself and others empowers you to value beauty inside and out. Value the beauty of your relationships by infusing them with respect and honoring them with your time.

I encourage you to start today - share any or all of these gifts with yourself, family, friends, or colleagues. Remember, the most wonderful gift of all is the gift that keeps on giving!

Want to learn how to make a difference with others? Click here to read our other articles. Our Achieve Your Dreams, How to Say No and Set Boundaries, and Positive Attitude programs can help you bring the best out of you and others. Just click here.

Eight Ways to Motivate Part Time Employees

In most cases, part-time employees present a special challenge when it comes to motivation. They do the "grunt" work, have little career choices, are often focused on other goals outside of your organization (college, hobbies, etc.), and are treated as outsiders by full-time employees. So what’s a manager to do? How do we turn our part-time employees into outstanding employees?

The following are eight proven techniques to motivate your part-time employees:

1. Orient them properly
   Take time to describe job duties and go over what is allowed and not allowed, e.g., personal telephone calls, use of organization property, etc. Avoid confusion by designating one person to orient and give assignments to part-timers. This will eliminate the "well he told me one thing and she said something else" situation that can lead to a demoralized part-time employee.

2. Find Out What Motivates Them.
   Ask your part-timers questions so that you can find out how to best motivate them. In my teambuilding and leadership programs, I discuss the "Sykes Seven Questions of Motivation" that you need to have the answers to if you are truly motivating your employees. One question you can ask your part-timer is, “What do you want to do in the future?” By asking the question, you can relate their future goals to your present needs. For example, the part-timer says he/she wants to be an artist. Listen, acknowledge, and embrace the answer and realize that you can possibly apply their skills now by allowing them to create recognition posters (I know you are already doing these, right?), work on the organization newsletter, or any other art project that will benefit your organization.
   
   If you don’t ask, you won’t know what the hidden talents of these part-timers are and how to apply them.

3. Check Yourself When Communicating
   Sometime part-timers are looked at as an unnecessary evil. It may be great to have the extra hands, but not so great to deal with them. First, realize you are fortunate enough to have the extra help. Most people are anxious to have the extra help. Second, it is your job to develop them. Third, only communicate the positive when communicating with them.
   
   Remember, for your part-timers, this may be their first experience in the workplace. They may be a little scared and may show it in a number of different ways (rebelling against requests, not working with others, or showing up late or not at all). Our job is to check ourselves whenever we communicate with part-timers so that they feel welcome. Check yourself when communicating requests so that they are always discussed with positive expectations. Check yourself when communicating with part-timer and full-timers so that both groups know you are glad to have them. It will go a long way to letting the part-timer feel motivated to be there.

4. Assign a mentor
   Even after proper orientation, part-time workers will be confused. Assign them a full-time worker to be a mentor. The part-time worker will feel more like part of the team, and the mentor will feel good about the added responsibility.
   
   Important: Pick someone who is patient, has good communication skills, is motivated to do the task, and has the time to answer questions.

5. Mix up the workload
   Don’t overload part-time workers with “grunt” tasks only. It’s a common temptation to assign all low-level work to part-time employees. Don’t do it! It’s demoralizing. Remember, "Variety is the spice of work life." This is where you would apply the information learned in technique number two to mix up the assignments.

6. Eliminate any Hard Feelings
   Eliminate any perceived or real hard feelings between part-timers and full-timers immediately. Explain to full-time employees why you’re bringing in part-time help and that their jobs are not being threatened.
   
   Important: Sell them on the benefits of bringing in part-timers (make jobs easier, allow them to learn management skills, etc.)

7. Offer Flexible Hours
   Many part-time employees are working part-time to meet special situations (College, family health situations, childcare issues, transportation issues, etc.). Use that to your advantage. By allowing flexible work hours, you’ll retain your part-time workers longer, eliminating the need for costly retraining.
   
   Important: Make sure part-time employees communicate and clear all scheduling conflicts in advance to avoid confusion.

8. Offer Incentives
   Most companies don’t offer part-time employees incentives. Believe me, the part-time employee knows and resents this policy right away. That’s a big mistake. Set up an incentive program based on your organization’s revenue or behavior you need to see from the part-time employee. In the case of incentives for behavior, give a bonus or incentive for the following:
   • Perfect attendance
   • Perfect on time attendance
   • Working well with others
   • Working well with full-time employees
   • Taking initiative to solve problems
   • Great customer service

   Important: Recognize the part-time worker as soon as the action was taken and praise publicly (my article “Appreciate to Motivate" will explain how).

If you follow the eight steps mentioned, we guarantee that you will be well on the way to motivated, productive part-time employees with less turnover and retraining. You will accomplish far more in less time without the stress.

Want to learn how to motivate your employees? Our Team Building, Life After Downsizing, How to Develop the Leader Within You, Time Management Skills to Achieve More, and How to Handle Workplace Stress and Master Your Life programs can help you lead others to the next level. Please read our articles on motivation, goal setting, etc. Call us at 757-427-7032 or e-mail us at info@thesykesgrp.com.

Three Easy Steps to Setting Yourself Free

Lilly Tomlin said, "The problem with the rat race is even if you win, you're still a rat." A lot of us are running a rat's race - feeling caged into a life of running and giving to everyone else FIRST, sometimes at your own expense. We are pulled in so many different directions - work, family, finances. It is time we put our foot down and stop feeling controlled - by people and circumstance.

Well, it's time to set yourself free. Today, begin to take stock of life and decide what is most important to you. Evaluate the benefits and the losses of certain lifestyle choices. In this quest to lead a fulfilling and quality life, here is my action plan to begin to set us free.

1. Free Yourself From Negative Influences.
   Have you ever been in the company of a person so negative you felt completely exhausted afterwards? Relationships with negative people can take a toll on your health, thoughts, and emotions. You will become the people you associate with.

Quick Tip: Don't allow "toxic people" to rule your mindset. Remove yourself from the company of negative people (I also call these individuals "toxic people"). If this isn't possible (for example at a family function), limit the time of your interaction.

2. Stop Putting Your Needs on Hold.
   We tend to put the needs of EVERYONE - our employer, family, and friends - ahead of our own. To do this denies us the opportunity to fulfill our personal wishes, goals, and desires.

Quick Tip: Make an appointment with yourself Today. Take the time now to stop and listen to your inner voice that so desperately wants to tell you your heart's desires. Now that you know what you want - take action and make your needs a top priority.

3. Think Outside The Box.
   "We can't do that! It won't work. Besides we've done it this way for the last 20 years." How many times have you heard this? We are creatures of habit and like to do things the same old way because it feels good. We love familiarity - it's comforting. Unfortunately, that familiarity, or "the box," can stifle our creative juices and rob us of great new ideas and opportunities.

Quick Tip: Expand your comfort zone and start to think outside the box. Take one thing you have done the same old way just because, and write down three new ways to do it. Take a chance. You might just surprise yourself.

Remember - Focus on your needs and set yourself free!

Click on the "comment" link below and share your thoughts with us.

Joy Fisher-Sykes is a professional speaker published in the areas of communication, time management, and teamwork. She works with business and government organizations who want to reach the next level of success and individuals who want to perform at their best. You can email her at jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com, call her at (757) 427-7032 or visit her Web site at www.thesykesgrp.com

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish the following articles and newsletters in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include our full signature file at the end of each article for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to info@thesykesgrp.com.

The Greatest Gift of All – The Gift of Empowerment

During the year, a variety of celebrations – birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions – call for a gift of some kind. We sometimes work ourselves into a frenzy trying to come up with the "perfect gift." The "perfect gift" is one that doesn’t wind up in the bottom of a drawer or a gift receipt because no one in his/her right mind would return it (after all it’s perfect.) Or have you ever received a gift and couldn’t wait for the return counter to open?

Why not invest in a gift that has staying power – the gift of empowerment. The gift of empowerment is a gift that keeps on giving, enabling one to enhance and further his or her personal development and achievement. An empowering gift is one that keeps on giving the whole year through and, if we’re lucky, beyond.

Here are three empowering gift ideas:

The Gift of Change 

• Enjoy cuisine of a culture other than your own. Learn about a culture other than your own. Learn the customs and the cuisine, or purchase a piece of clothing which can provide insight and an appreciation of others.

• Realize no one is perfect. Don’t beat yourself up about the past - remember the past doesn’t define your future – only you can do that. See and accept only positive people and thoughts in your life.

• Change someone’s life for the better; do a good deed. A good deed has multiple payoffs for everyone. You can make life a little easier or enable others to accomplish something they may not have been able to on their own. The size of a good deed is not of importance – only that you did something for someone else. The payoff for you – as the commercial says, "priceless."

The Gift of Knowledge
 

• Expand your knowledge with books. Seeking new information expands our mind and can develop our spirit. No time to read you say, books on tape (especially motivational tapes) are a great way to squeeze in learning during the vast amount of time we spend commuting, walking on the treadmill, or waiting at a doctor’s office.

• Take a class at an adult learning center or community college. This inexpensive option allows you to further your knowledge and increase your potential.

• Join Toastmasters! It’s not just for public speakers. This dynamic international organization empowers you to increase your communication and leadership skills in a supportive environment. This is a must for anyone who interacts with people – ever!

• Subscribe to a newspaper or magazine subscription such as a health, finance, or major newspaper. Why not better your well-being, develop your financial portfolio or learn more about current events that affect your life.

The Gift of Goal Setting 

• Set your first goal ((Click here for additional goal setting articles and learning tools) – you will make time for self. Even fifteen minutes alone, in the bathtub or shower, can provide you with the time you need to just think and find yourself. Finding yourself means determining what do you want and what you need. Who else knows you better and who else can give you what you need. Help someone else find time - barter or give the gift of time via babysitting or cooking a meal for another family (now they will have more time for themselves, too).

• Commit to a healthful lifestyle. Diets are great for short term gain but often fail because they are so difficult to stick with. Improve your health with a subscription to a health magazine, buy or rent a video/DVD, join a gym or recreation center, or purchase a piece of gym equipment. Remember it can only work if you take action!

• Set financial goals – financial freedom is a worthwhile goal that can be achieved with knowledge, planning and commitment. Whenever you find yourself in a buying situation, ask yourself “Do I want this item or do I need this item?” I find this a big help when deciding to make a purchase and not be a slave to credit card payments. Also, pay by cash and not by credit card. Start now!

• De-clutter and organize. That mess can make you feel overwhelmed, confused, and stressed. Less truly is more. Commit to keeping only what brings you pleasure, love, or need. Organize your home and office to enable you to find what’s there. This in turn will save you time and money because you won’t be going out all the time to buy what you already have.

I encourage you to start today - share any or all of these gifts with yourself, family, friends, or colleagues. Remember, the greatest gift of all is the gift that keeps on giving – the gift is empowerment!

Click on the "comment" link below and share your thoughts with us.

Joy Fisher-Sykes is a professional speaker published in the areas of communication, time management, and teamwork. She works with business and government organizations who want to reach the next level of success and individuals who want to perform at their best. You can email her at jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com, call him at (757) 427-7032 or visit his Web site at www.thesykesgrp.com

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish the following articles and newsletters in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include our full signature file at the end of each article for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to info@thesykesgrp.com.

Ten Techniques for Motivating Others through Chaos

The work environment has changed. Change has become the norm. Also the truth level of employees has decreased. This can lead to increased dissatisfaction and decreased productivity.

Here are ten techniques for motivating your employees to succeed during chaos:

1. Take Care of the Little Things
   Doing the little things well will show that your respect your employees. Making sure you are on time for meetings, saying “good morning” and “thank-you,” and returning phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner goes a long way to showing your employees that you care during chaotic times.

2. Be an Active Listener
   Recent research stated that the average supervisor or manager only invests two hours per year applying “pure listening” skills. Pure listening is when you are listening to your employee you are not:

• Multitasking
• Ordering your lunch
• Watching people walk by your office.
• Answering telephone calls
• Setting up appointments

To be a pure listener you must be an active listener. Good managers do more than pay attention. They genuinely care about people and never talk down to them. They ask their employees about their goals and dreams, their past achievement, their concerns and challenges during this chaotic time. They listen with their hearts and minds. They respect the employee’s thoughts and opinions. They realize that the employees sometimes have the best answer for achieving more through chaos.

3. Walk Your Talk
   If you expect your employees to arrive early, then you arrive early. If you expect your employees to keep their promises, you keep your promises. If you want your employees to keep to high standards, you keep to high standards. Your employees are watching you even when you don’t think they are watching you. So set the tone. Once you walk through the doors of your organization make sure you are positive and upbeat if you expect your employees to be positive and upbeat.

4. Let People Know They Make a Difference
   At the top of many lists of what motivates employees, more than money, is knowing that they make a difference at work. One of the most powerful methods of letting your employees know they make is difference is…praise (Go to article Appreciate to Motivate to learn how). The praise should relate to how the employee helps achieve the overall mission of the organization.

5. Communicate Clearly
   Communicate so that others understand what you want to achieve. Adapt your communication to the audience you are speaking. Constantly communicate your vision and goals so that there are no misunderstandings. The clearer the vision, the clearer the communication, the clearer the opportunity for success.

6. Help Employees Succeed
   People go to work to succeed, not fail. It is your job to understand your employee’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can put them in the best position to succeed. If, for example, you find out that an employee is lacking in a certain skill set to succeed during a change then provide the coaching and training to make them and your organization successful. The best managers minimize or eliminate their employees weaknesses and while building on their strengths. Remove any and all barriers to success.

7. Focus Your Team on the Goal
   Focus your employees on the end result, the overall team goal. Once you successful communicate this your team will band together to defeat any obstacles that get in the way.

8. Create High Standards
   High-performance organizations set high standards for their people. Employees want to know what is expected of them, how their performance is measured, and what rewards they can expect when they exceed the standard. Make sure the standards are consistently applied to each employee. Make sure each employee understands how the standards are measured so that they know how to reach it. As each plateau is reached, set new goals.

9. Help Your Employees Compete and Win
   Develop goals that help all your employees excel. Make your goals inclusive not exclusive. This means that everybody is working together and wins together. Have your employees complete against the goal, not each other.

10. Reward Outstanding Achievement
    Find ways to recognize your achievers in a public way. The more you reward employees for excellent achievement, the more you receive more of the same behavior. Make sure you are consistent with the way you contribute rewards to your employees. Very important, make use you communicate exactly why the employee is being rewarded. And last, reward as soon as possible to the action.

Some of the ways you can show recognition are:

• Idea board
• Initiative Board
• Star Spotlight
• Certificates
• Gift cards
• Say thank-you
• Lunch

Apply these techniques and you will achieve your goals during the most challenging of times.

Want to learn how to motive others to achieve more? Our Team Building, Leadership, Change Management, or Assertive Communication workshops can help you achieve more. Also read our articles on motivation skills, etc. Call us at 757-427-7032 or e-mail us at info@thesykesgrp.com.

Click on the "comment" link below and share your thoughts with us.

Ed Sykes is a professional speaker published in the areas of leadership, change management, customer service and teamwork. He works with business and government organizations who want to reach the next level of success and individuals who want to perform at their best. You can email him at esykes@thesykesgrp.com, call him at (757) 427-7032 or visit his Web site at www.thesykesgrp.com.

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish the following articles and newsletters in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include our full signature file at the end of each article for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to info@thesykesgrp.com.

Christopher "Superman" Reeve Fought a Good Fight and Never Gave Up

October 10th, Christopher Reeve passed away from a heart attack. We all lost a true "superman."

He fought a good fight and never gave up. He never gave up on his fight to someday again regain the use of limbs. He never gave up on his fight to someday walk. He never gave up on his fight to raise funds for paralyzed people like him. He never gave up his positive attitude.

You noticed I didn't use "paralyzed victim" because he wasn't, in his eyes a victim. In one of his interviews he said, "When I see someone stand up and stretch they arms I hope they don't take that for granted."

How many of us run into little road blocks and want to give up? Then when we take a look at what Christopher Reeve and others like him go through each day it puts balance back in our lives and we realize "it not that bad."

Thank you Christopher Reeve, a true Superman, for fighting a good fight and never giving up. You made a difference.

Customer Service Week News - Great Job Bank of America!

Recently I walked into my Bank of America branch and received my usual upbeat and personal greeting. The teller asked. "How can I serve you today Mr. Sykes?" I then told her about the transaction I wanted to perform and then she said, "It would be my pleasure to serve you today!" Then when she finished completing my transaction she then asked is there anything else, waited for my answer, then said "It was my pleasure to serve you today Mr. Sykes, have a great day!"

Wow! When was the last time you received service like that. I am usually pleased with the level of service that Bank of America gives me. That's why I bank there. The branch manager, Mr. Amos D. Brunson IV, has taken his staff to a higher level. He instituted a "happy praise" contest. As staff members are heard saying happy phrases such as "It would be my pleasure to serve you today," "I'll be happy to do that for you," "thank you for allowing me to help you today," etc., a gold star goes up on a bulletin board that can be seen by customers and employees. His employees receive instant recognition for raising the level of service.

As I stayed and watched, the employees were also having fun thinking of new "happy phrases" to use with their customers. Mr. Brunson also rewarded them in accordance to the number of gold stars they receive.

Great Job to all, and especially Mr. Brunson, for being proactive at taking customer service to another level.

Share your stories of Wow! customer service with us.