What have you done in the last 365 days that you set out to do? Have you considered that it’s not over yet?
It has been my observation over the years that despite the location I have been in, in the world at this particular time of year that the outcome or atmosphere has always been the same. People begin to reflect on their life and ask themselves what have I accomplished? It starts right after Thanksgiving! Thoughts of buying gifts, seeing loved ones and embracing the conclusion of yet another year start to overwhelm peoples mind.
The songs of holiday cheer fill the air and every shopping establishment known to man. The hearts of the less fortunate sink while the pockets of the retail stores overflow. Then it hits, right about the beginning of the second week of December. What did you set out to do for this year? Have actually accomplished it? After careful thought, we immediately shift to I will just add it to the following year’s list. Not this year! Let us make 2011 the starting of a new way of doing things.
Take the time over the next couple of days to be grateful for what you have accomplished and recognize what held you back from accomplishing the other items on your list. Remember 2010 is not over until it’s over! Continue looking for opportunities that present themselves that will allow you to maximize your list.
In 2010 I relocated to the states, set up two households, established this blog, started my own radio show, received another degree, begin pursing a degree in another field, became the COO of a corporation, mentored three teams of hungry professionals, coached several people on how to live with full expectation in life, developing the live 2 produce resource center and am still on the grind…
As you reflect over what you have done this year, make sure you learn from your mistakes and capitalize on every opportunity available to get better.
Join me this week Wednesday on the Live 2 Produce show for Real Talk with Ari Phillip. You don't want to miss it! The call-in number is (323) 443-7516. Tell a friend it's going down on the Live 2 Produce show…
Connect with Dr. V.A. Joseph
www.twitter.com/lifenugget
www.blogtalkradio.com/live2produce or on facebook friend page at /live2produce
Holiday link to check out! www.gigarecollection.com follow us on facebook friend page and twitter at/gigareinc.
LIVE LIFE ONE NUGGET AT A TIME…
INSPIRING, DEVELOPING, AND MOTIVATING OTHERS TO "GET THE BEST OUT OF LIFE."
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
SHIFTING GEARS TO PRODUCE
Have you ever considered getting better at what you do? Do you actually believe in some of the things you say? It is time for you to shift gears and begin to live productively. Living and being busy is not the same as living productively! You have to take time out to actually think about what you desire out of life, then devise a plan to get there, and start walking the journey to receive the promise that you saw in your dream. I learned that what I dream is simply my imagination taking me to places where I desire to go. The issue that we all face is what do we do after we wake up? Do we think that these things are out of reach or do we simply make plans to achieve what we desire?
Today I want to give you three simple tips to living a productive life.
1. Stay committed to what you say you are going to do.
People are only going to expect from you what you said you are going to do and accomplish! It is so important for your credibility and your integrity. Make small goals that lead up to your big goals so that you are consistent.
2. Stick with people who can assist you in getting to your goals.
Your circle of influence must be equal to the level that you are trying to achieve. Everyone needs someone that is able to teach them something. The moment you think you are the end all meet all within your group it is time to shift circles again. You can still associate but for influence sake you got to make the shift.
3. Serve by giving back to those who haven’t learn what you have mastered.
Society is so filled with the “I did it by myself” syndrome. That is why many communities can’t be unified and won’t go any further than just dreaming. In order to be productive in life you are going to have to help someone. “No man is an island” aint that the truth, but everyone is floating on a raft and tide is about to sweep them away. I learned an acronym in TEAM that I want to share and think will help all.
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
We can all go further faster if we just take the time and get focused. Stay committed to what you say you are going to do. Stick with people who can assist you in getting to your goals. Serve by giving back to those who haven’t learn what you have mastered.
Join me tomorrow on the Live 2 Produce show as we discuss changing the paradigm to Health and Wellness. You don't want to miss tomorrows show! If you are up for the challenge the call-in number is (323) 443-7516. Tell a friend it's going down on the Live 2 Produce show…
Connect with Dr. V.A. Joseph
www.twitter.com/lifenugget
www.blogtalkradio.com/live2produce or on facebook friend page at /live2produce
Holiday link to check out! www.gigarecollection.com follow us on facebook friend page and twitter at/gigareinc.
Live LIFE One Nugget at a time!!!
Today I want to give you three simple tips to living a productive life.
1. Stay committed to what you say you are going to do.
People are only going to expect from you what you said you are going to do and accomplish! It is so important for your credibility and your integrity. Make small goals that lead up to your big goals so that you are consistent.
2. Stick with people who can assist you in getting to your goals.
Your circle of influence must be equal to the level that you are trying to achieve. Everyone needs someone that is able to teach them something. The moment you think you are the end all meet all within your group it is time to shift circles again. You can still associate but for influence sake you got to make the shift.
3. Serve by giving back to those who haven’t learn what you have mastered.
Society is so filled with the “I did it by myself” syndrome. That is why many communities can’t be unified and won’t go any further than just dreaming. In order to be productive in life you are going to have to help someone. “No man is an island” aint that the truth, but everyone is floating on a raft and tide is about to sweep them away. I learned an acronym in TEAM that I want to share and think will help all.
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
We can all go further faster if we just take the time and get focused. Stay committed to what you say you are going to do. Stick with people who can assist you in getting to your goals. Serve by giving back to those who haven’t learn what you have mastered.
Join me tomorrow on the Live 2 Produce show as we discuss changing the paradigm to Health and Wellness. You don't want to miss tomorrows show! If you are up for the challenge the call-in number is (323) 443-7516. Tell a friend it's going down on the Live 2 Produce show…
Connect with Dr. V.A. Joseph
www.twitter.com/lifenugget
www.blogtalkradio.com/live2produce or on facebook friend page at /live2produce
Holiday link to check out! www.gigarecollection.com follow us on facebook friend page and twitter at/gigareinc.
Live LIFE One Nugget at a time!!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
LIVING A PRODUCTIVE LIFESTYLE
In today’s blog I am going to explain a few simple things that can assist us all in looking at life from another perspective. Have you ever caught yourself wanting and expecting more out of life? What is it about life that causes us to want more?
Over the last month and a half I have been on a personal search for my inner productive self. I took a step back for observation and self analysis and what I found was stunning. Life is very simple but we make it super complex because of our confusion when it comes to wants, desires, and needs. Everything that people need in life they were born with. Once a baby comes out of the womb it is already prepared for what the world has to offer. Yes there is a preparation and developmental phase that we all must go through but for the most part you are born to be successful at this thing called life.
During the 9 month process of carrying a child is where the development takes place. The body is formed which is the (internal preparation) and must adapt and feed off of its surroundings to grow and mature into the purpose filled baby that you and I will see come into the world.
The external preparation phase starts the moment the baby is birthed and begins to get exposed to its surroundings. Despite what others may say your environment does help shape your mental capacity, focus, and drive. However, it is not the determining factor but it does play a roll in you living a productive life.
Here are the nuggets that I desire to share with you from my journey of inner self productivity.
1. A productive life is first and foremost not about how much you have, but more about the forward movement and actions that contribute to something productive in other people’s lives.
You must actively be a part of other people’s success and not only pursue success for yourself. True leadership, mentorship, and development as I have learned over the years and through my many travels around the world to different countries is all about bringing the best out of the people you come in contact with. Actions speak so much louder than a load of words…
2. A productive lifestyle is developed by actively pursing a better way of doing things not by merely saying you want more. Saying and doing are two totally different things and your productivity is a testimony of the passion that ignites your actions.
If you find yourself day dreaming about what life could be like and always saying that you want more but never achieving it, this is a sign that your passion light is flickering and about to go out. To live a productive life you are going to have to make a lifestyle change. Wanting to lose weight every year can not continue to be your New Years resolution. You are going to have to make a lifestyle change as I would say “make a small shift” to make big things happen later. Talk is cheap but results show that you mean business.
3. Stop looking for what you don’t have and start using the available resources that you do. Start with what is within reach and use it until it no longer serves its purpose in your life. Understand that this principle is for things and not people.
Regard people with worth and dignity not as mere property like luggage that you dispose of when you get ready. Relationships are important to productive living and must be cultivated to add value to both parties. I have always said that everyone who has come into my life has a purpose whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, or monetarily.
4. Setting goals, expectations and dreams that stretch you to grow and mature.
Learning to be realistic is important but pursuing to be significant is a better target. If you truly desire to live a productive lifestyle you are going to have to choose to think differently and better to live differently and better. Many people fail to realize that you have to have three circles of influence in your life. I called them spheres which are paramount to productivity. One being the parallel sphere which is where you meet and communicate with people on your level or with people who are where you are in life. Then there is the vertical sphere which is where you communicate with those who are already in the place that you desire to be in and are reachable to add value to your life. Lastly there is what I call the topo sphere which is where you find the people who are at the top 5% in their field and you reach out to build relationships with them so you can mature and be developed beyond regular expectations.
If you desire to be great then you have to step out of normalcy and come up to the level where greatness is normal. If you desire to be significant then you are going to have to reach up and allow yourself to be pulled out of greatness to significance by the right type of people and associations that surround you. Moving forward and not staying in your comfort zone is what it all boils down to.
5. Taking and making deliberate, diligent, and dedicated decisions to achieve the lifestyle and mental shift is a very tough thing to do, but if you focus on the end state you realize it’s really worth it.
Once you truly believe what you desire out of life or what you want to achieve making the shift to living productively becomes easier. You don’t have to fight yourself to see it (that which you have been dreaming about) nor do you have to battle with people to get it accomplished if you communicate it properly and create an environment (a circle of partners) that is conducive for open teamwork and dialog.
Here is the advice that I gave myself after I reviewed my findings. Start now…. Jump in head first…. and run like my life depends on it.
Live Life one nugget at a time…
Over the last month and a half I have been on a personal search for my inner productive self. I took a step back for observation and self analysis and what I found was stunning. Life is very simple but we make it super complex because of our confusion when it comes to wants, desires, and needs. Everything that people need in life they were born with. Once a baby comes out of the womb it is already prepared for what the world has to offer. Yes there is a preparation and developmental phase that we all must go through but for the most part you are born to be successful at this thing called life.
During the 9 month process of carrying a child is where the development takes place. The body is formed which is the (internal preparation) and must adapt and feed off of its surroundings to grow and mature into the purpose filled baby that you and I will see come into the world.
The external preparation phase starts the moment the baby is birthed and begins to get exposed to its surroundings. Despite what others may say your environment does help shape your mental capacity, focus, and drive. However, it is not the determining factor but it does play a roll in you living a productive life.
Here are the nuggets that I desire to share with you from my journey of inner self productivity.
1. A productive life is first and foremost not about how much you have, but more about the forward movement and actions that contribute to something productive in other people’s lives.
You must actively be a part of other people’s success and not only pursue success for yourself. True leadership, mentorship, and development as I have learned over the years and through my many travels around the world to different countries is all about bringing the best out of the people you come in contact with. Actions speak so much louder than a load of words…
2. A productive lifestyle is developed by actively pursing a better way of doing things not by merely saying you want more. Saying and doing are two totally different things and your productivity is a testimony of the passion that ignites your actions.
If you find yourself day dreaming about what life could be like and always saying that you want more but never achieving it, this is a sign that your passion light is flickering and about to go out. To live a productive life you are going to have to make a lifestyle change. Wanting to lose weight every year can not continue to be your New Years resolution. You are going to have to make a lifestyle change as I would say “make a small shift” to make big things happen later. Talk is cheap but results show that you mean business.
3. Stop looking for what you don’t have and start using the available resources that you do. Start with what is within reach and use it until it no longer serves its purpose in your life. Understand that this principle is for things and not people.
Regard people with worth and dignity not as mere property like luggage that you dispose of when you get ready. Relationships are important to productive living and must be cultivated to add value to both parties. I have always said that everyone who has come into my life has a purpose whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, or monetarily.
4. Setting goals, expectations and dreams that stretch you to grow and mature.
Learning to be realistic is important but pursuing to be significant is a better target. If you truly desire to live a productive lifestyle you are going to have to choose to think differently and better to live differently and better. Many people fail to realize that you have to have three circles of influence in your life. I called them spheres which are paramount to productivity. One being the parallel sphere which is where you meet and communicate with people on your level or with people who are where you are in life. Then there is the vertical sphere which is where you communicate with those who are already in the place that you desire to be in and are reachable to add value to your life. Lastly there is what I call the topo sphere which is where you find the people who are at the top 5% in their field and you reach out to build relationships with them so you can mature and be developed beyond regular expectations.
If you desire to be great then you have to step out of normalcy and come up to the level where greatness is normal. If you desire to be significant then you are going to have to reach up and allow yourself to be pulled out of greatness to significance by the right type of people and associations that surround you. Moving forward and not staying in your comfort zone is what it all boils down to.
5. Taking and making deliberate, diligent, and dedicated decisions to achieve the lifestyle and mental shift is a very tough thing to do, but if you focus on the end state you realize it’s really worth it.
Once you truly believe what you desire out of life or what you want to achieve making the shift to living productively becomes easier. You don’t have to fight yourself to see it (that which you have been dreaming about) nor do you have to battle with people to get it accomplished if you communicate it properly and create an environment (a circle of partners) that is conducive for open teamwork and dialog.
Here is the advice that I gave myself after I reviewed my findings. Start now…. Jump in head first…. and run like my life depends on it.
Live Life one nugget at a time…
Thursday, September 30, 2010
GET YOUR MIND RIGHT with Dr. Will
LIFE NUGGETS promotes Dr. Will Moreland from the Dr. Will Speaks Show. Arizona you don't want to miss this opportunity. California coming up next get ready...
Will Moreland Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://getyourmindrightaz-efbevent.eventbrite.com/
Spend three (3) powerful hours with one of the leading minds on "Personal Development." In these three (3) hours you will walk away with the tools that will enable you to produce max results in your life. Dr. Will has traveled to over 30 countries on four d...ifferent continents to teach these principles.
He is now going to share them with 30 motivated individuals that are ready for life transformation. You don't want to miss out, seats will go fast.
Don’t miss out, October 2, 2010 from 9:00am -12:00 noon; this will be an event you don’t want to miss. Get the answers you need, and the tools needed to build the life you desire……………
See More
GET YOUR MIND RIGHT with Dr. Will
Saturday at 9:00am
GET YOUR MIND RIGHT, Phoenix, AZ
Will Moreland Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://getyourmindrightaz-efbevent.eventbrite.com/
Spend three (3) powerful hours with one of the leading minds on "Personal Development." In these three (3) hours you will walk away with the tools that will enable you to produce max results in your life. Dr. Will has traveled to over 30 countries on four d...ifferent continents to teach these principles.
He is now going to share them with 30 motivated individuals that are ready for life transformation. You don't want to miss out, seats will go fast.
Don’t miss out, October 2, 2010 from 9:00am -12:00 noon; this will be an event you don’t want to miss. Get the answers you need, and the tools needed to build the life you desire……………
See More
GET YOUR MIND RIGHT with Dr. Will
Saturday at 9:00am
GET YOUR MIND RIGHT, Phoenix, AZ
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Be Yourself (Original) not a cheap counterfeit
Jeremiah 1:5 [NIV] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
You Are One of a Kind—Be Yourself!
Without argument, we are indeed unique creations, each of us are one of a kind. When the Lord informed Jeremiah that he was called to be a prophet, He also told him ‘I set you apart” – you are one of a kind!
Essentially, the Lord’s was showing His masterful, unfathomable and unmatchable ability as the Creator! He had no need cookie cutter templates, drafts, stencils, molds or patterns because we were individually designed with a specific life purpose and ordered steps. Additionally, He wanted us to understand there is no competition amongst us in His plan—the calling He has given each of us is as individualized as our DNA and fingerprint. The calling we must each fulfill has a clearly designed purpose, direction and outcome belonging only to you; you just have to acquiesce to it.
Nevertheless, I would suggest if we account for every event, circumstance, victory, trial and outcome in our lives we can see the Provident hand of God as He clearly outlines our journey towards a specified purpose. While, your life may have overarching similarities with others, it is not identical in any instance, second, minute, hour, day, or year because it’s the steps taken within your journey that makes your story. And it is that story that will enable you to fulfill your God-given purpose once you accept it.
Whatever you have been called and purposed by God to do, it’s all yours—God’s just waiting for obedience. It’s time you to let the knowledge, skills, talents and abilities God’s placed within you blossom. You're one of a kind--be yourself! Reach for your purpose…
Courtesy of Faithtochange.com
Living Life one nugget at a time!!!
You Are One of a Kind—Be Yourself!
Without argument, we are indeed unique creations, each of us are one of a kind. When the Lord informed Jeremiah that he was called to be a prophet, He also told him ‘I set you apart” – you are one of a kind!
Essentially, the Lord’s was showing His masterful, unfathomable and unmatchable ability as the Creator! He had no need cookie cutter templates, drafts, stencils, molds or patterns because we were individually designed with a specific life purpose and ordered steps. Additionally, He wanted us to understand there is no competition amongst us in His plan—the calling He has given each of us is as individualized as our DNA and fingerprint. The calling we must each fulfill has a clearly designed purpose, direction and outcome belonging only to you; you just have to acquiesce to it.
Nevertheless, I would suggest if we account for every event, circumstance, victory, trial and outcome in our lives we can see the Provident hand of God as He clearly outlines our journey towards a specified purpose. While, your life may have overarching similarities with others, it is not identical in any instance, second, minute, hour, day, or year because it’s the steps taken within your journey that makes your story. And it is that story that will enable you to fulfill your God-given purpose once you accept it.
Whatever you have been called and purposed by God to do, it’s all yours—God’s just waiting for obedience. It’s time you to let the knowledge, skills, talents and abilities God’s placed within you blossom. You're one of a kind--be yourself! Reach for your purpose…
Courtesy of Faithtochange.com
Living Life one nugget at a time!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
VICTORY PROCLAMATION!
Introducing "Faith to Change"
Proverbs 18:21 [KJV] “Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Your victory is in your proclamation--your speech!
Victory over ‘old mountains, last year’s issues, yesterday’s concerns and today’s problems’ begin within the mind and end with the faith demonstrated through the power of your spoken word. Despite your stature, race, creed, culture, tradition or gender you will encounter mountains—problems in life—requiring positive proclamation and action.
Undeniably, in all cases the greatest asset we have when dealing with any problem is a clear mind and the ability to harness it by proclaiming victory! It is a mindset of victory demonstrated through actionable faith further illustrating how we see God in relation to our mountain. Do you have a problem right now that you are allowing to get the best of you through anxiety, worry and or anger? If so could it be you’ve not proclaimed your victory?
The central most of us fight in our victory begins with you belief system, our faith and ability to to draw from it the power to speak—to proclaim—the power of God unto deliverance over our problems.
Matthew 17:20-21 [KJV] states “…Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Nevertheless, as spoken by the Lord, if your faith is as small as the grain of a mustard seed, He is able to deliver; thus there's no mountain, high place, principality, power or issue beyond the conquering power of God.
Without argument, the issue we all contend with is to sincerely believe what we say! Our faith must be deeply rooted in God's omnipotence—such as a child believing that his Dad is the strongest man on earth—so as when we coupled our obedience, faith and proclamation as the Psalmist states, our speech contains the power of Life and Death!
Truly, ‘shock and awe’ because we contain the power of God within our life we just need to proclaim it, by believing and obediently living within His Word. I encourage you to walk by faith and allow God to gain positive control of your life which when lived accordingly we inherently have the power of God through the Holy Spirit to move any mountains and to even command life and death through the words of our lips.
So, whatever your issue, frustration, fear, anxiety or problem, speak the power of God over it and get it out of your way! From my learning position to yours
If you enjoyed this portion of LIFE NUGGETS take the time to post a comment and please visit www.faith2change.com and support.
Proverbs 18:21 [KJV] “Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Your victory is in your proclamation--your speech!
Victory over ‘old mountains, last year’s issues, yesterday’s concerns and today’s problems’ begin within the mind and end with the faith demonstrated through the power of your spoken word. Despite your stature, race, creed, culture, tradition or gender you will encounter mountains—problems in life—requiring positive proclamation and action.
Undeniably, in all cases the greatest asset we have when dealing with any problem is a clear mind and the ability to harness it by proclaiming victory! It is a mindset of victory demonstrated through actionable faith further illustrating how we see God in relation to our mountain. Do you have a problem right now that you are allowing to get the best of you through anxiety, worry and or anger? If so could it be you’ve not proclaimed your victory?
The central most of us fight in our victory begins with you belief system, our faith and ability to to draw from it the power to speak—to proclaim—the power of God unto deliverance over our problems.
Matthew 17:20-21 [KJV] states “…Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Nevertheless, as spoken by the Lord, if your faith is as small as the grain of a mustard seed, He is able to deliver; thus there's no mountain, high place, principality, power or issue beyond the conquering power of God.
Without argument, the issue we all contend with is to sincerely believe what we say! Our faith must be deeply rooted in God's omnipotence—such as a child believing that his Dad is the strongest man on earth—so as when we coupled our obedience, faith and proclamation as the Psalmist states, our speech contains the power of Life and Death!
Truly, ‘shock and awe’ because we contain the power of God within our life we just need to proclaim it, by believing and obediently living within His Word. I encourage you to walk by faith and allow God to gain positive control of your life which when lived accordingly we inherently have the power of God through the Holy Spirit to move any mountains and to even command life and death through the words of our lips.
So, whatever your issue, frustration, fear, anxiety or problem, speak the power of God over it and get it out of your way! From my learning position to yours
If you enjoyed this portion of LIFE NUGGETS take the time to post a comment and please visit www.faith2change.com and support.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
This life nugget is organized to challenge you to bring the inner leader to the forefront and awaken the sleeping giant of productivity…
What is a leader? Do you consider yourself to be one? How can leadership be measured? In many ways leadership is simply influencing others to make things happen that they normally would not do. I have learned the art of leadership through my experience of two decades in leadership in several capacities to include business, combat, government, non-profit, organizational and institutional positions in various countries.
“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion.” — Theodore Hesburgh, President of the University of Notre Dam...
A leader is one who directs, guides, and provokes others with a passion and conviction to get to predetermined destination. Leaders have to be able to see things differently from a forecasting, vision, and insightful perspective. In order to consider yourself as a leader you must measure up to a simple question; who am I influencing or inspiring?
Ironically, people confuse management with leadership. Management is the development of systems where as leadership is the development of people. According to the management guru Peter Drucker (1909-2005), the basic task of a management is twofold: marketing and innovation.
I would like to take the time to share this simple acronym that I developed of a leader about seven years ago while teaching future leaders in Europe.
L-ead by example (so others can follow)
E-xamine the potential of others around you
A-pply aggressive action with common sense
D-evelop the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the future leaders around you
E-ncourage subordinates to achieve high standards and reach max potential
R-eward improvement and build healthy relationships
An effective leader is one who uses every resource within their toolkit to build others up for success. A true leader knows and understands that failure is not an option because leaders just don’t quit. Great leaders develop themselves out of positions and reproduce after their own kind.
Here are some essentials characteristics of Leadership:
Clarity of vision – explanation of tasks (to the simplest level)
Proper allocation of time and resource and personnel to accomplish mission
Proper dissemination of communication with required feedback
Taking care of employees; Being an approachable
Bring correction; reward openly
Know your personnel; build relationships
Understand the difference between a title and position
These are just a few chips from the nuggets of leadership that I have come to learn over the years. If there was a statement that I could make to encompass the above principles or values it would have to be “BE, KNOW, And DO”. Be what you want others to be, Know what you are expecting others to know, and Do that which you expect others to do.
It’s time to awaken the sleeping giant of productivity I look forward to hearing from each of you who read Life Nuggets! Live LIFE one nugget at a time!!!
What is a leader? Do you consider yourself to be one? How can leadership be measured? In many ways leadership is simply influencing others to make things happen that they normally would not do. I have learned the art of leadership through my experience of two decades in leadership in several capacities to include business, combat, government, non-profit, organizational and institutional positions in various countries.
“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It's got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion.” — Theodore Hesburgh, President of the University of Notre Dam...
A leader is one who directs, guides, and provokes others with a passion and conviction to get to predetermined destination. Leaders have to be able to see things differently from a forecasting, vision, and insightful perspective. In order to consider yourself as a leader you must measure up to a simple question; who am I influencing or inspiring?
Ironically, people confuse management with leadership. Management is the development of systems where as leadership is the development of people. According to the management guru Peter Drucker (1909-2005), the basic task of a management is twofold: marketing and innovation.
I would like to take the time to share this simple acronym that I developed of a leader about seven years ago while teaching future leaders in Europe.
L-ead by example (so others can follow)
E-xamine the potential of others around you
A-pply aggressive action with common sense
D-evelop the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the future leaders around you
E-ncourage subordinates to achieve high standards and reach max potential
R-eward improvement and build healthy relationships
An effective leader is one who uses every resource within their toolkit to build others up for success. A true leader knows and understands that failure is not an option because leaders just don’t quit. Great leaders develop themselves out of positions and reproduce after their own kind.
Here are some essentials characteristics of Leadership:
Clarity of vision – explanation of tasks (to the simplest level)
Proper allocation of time and resource and personnel to accomplish mission
Proper dissemination of communication with required feedback
Taking care of employees; Being an approachable
Bring correction; reward openly
Know your personnel; build relationships
Understand the difference between a title and position
These are just a few chips from the nuggets of leadership that I have come to learn over the years. If there was a statement that I could make to encompass the above principles or values it would have to be “BE, KNOW, And DO”. Be what you want others to be, Know what you are expecting others to know, and Do that which you expect others to do.
It’s time to awaken the sleeping giant of productivity I look forward to hearing from each of you who read Life Nuggets! Live LIFE one nugget at a time!!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
WHO ARE YOU INSPIRING?
Many people will never know that they have influenced or motivated another person because more often than not we don’t communicate the sentiment. About two weeks ago I was listening to a young man on a radio show. I listened to him and his humility and transparency just blew me away.
What is your passion and vision? What is about you that many often say that they enjoy seeing you do or make? Although we are creatures of habit I learned just this week that it is important to break old habits that don’t produce results. More importantly we have to become transparent enough with ourselves to say this is not working and I need to change it if I desire different results. You know they say if you do the same thing the same way, but expect different results that you are insane.
I am working on a thought and I wanted to share it with you. Are you ready to hear it? If you are going to break out of the old you then it will take the new you getting fed up of being bottled up in the old you to break out. There is greatness on the inside of you but you have to release it. The bible say’s in Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Not trying to be like someone else in the sense of being a clone, but by following the pattern or principles that lead to results. I pride myself in being a living example that others can follow.
Build healthy relationships and ensure that you extend a helping hand to those who may not have had the opportunity to go where you have gone. The awesome thing that I have learned about networking is in the process of working together to strengthen the net both parties are gaining and increasing self-worth.
It is imperative to lift up a standard in everything that you do. Little do you know there is always someone watching you despite if they tell you or not. Here are four nuggets of a blueprint I picked up the other day that will change your view of day-to-day living. Live a life that someone else can follow.
Plan- for the future by setting examples of desired outcomes to your goals.
Organize- every entity in your life to fulfill your goals.
Lead- influences those around you to assist and hold you accountable to your goals.
Control- monitoring of your progress and making changes to arrive at said goals.
Live LIFE one nugget at a time!!!
What is your passion and vision? What is about you that many often say that they enjoy seeing you do or make? Although we are creatures of habit I learned just this week that it is important to break old habits that don’t produce results. More importantly we have to become transparent enough with ourselves to say this is not working and I need to change it if I desire different results. You know they say if you do the same thing the same way, but expect different results that you are insane.
I am working on a thought and I wanted to share it with you. Are you ready to hear it? If you are going to break out of the old you then it will take the new you getting fed up of being bottled up in the old you to break out. There is greatness on the inside of you but you have to release it. The bible say’s in Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Not trying to be like someone else in the sense of being a clone, but by following the pattern or principles that lead to results. I pride myself in being a living example that others can follow.
Build healthy relationships and ensure that you extend a helping hand to those who may not have had the opportunity to go where you have gone. The awesome thing that I have learned about networking is in the process of working together to strengthen the net both parties are gaining and increasing self-worth.
It is imperative to lift up a standard in everything that you do. Little do you know there is always someone watching you despite if they tell you or not. Here are four nuggets of a blueprint I picked up the other day that will change your view of day-to-day living. Live a life that someone else can follow.
Plan- for the future by setting examples of desired outcomes to your goals.
Organize- every entity in your life to fulfill your goals.
Lead- influences those around you to assist and hold you accountable to your goals.
Control- monitoring of your progress and making changes to arrive at said goals.
Live LIFE one nugget at a time!!!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
PRIORITIES, PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE
Some people actually go through life worried about trivial stuff that really doesn’t matter.
Priorities, priorities, we must have correct ones. First, priority is to recognize who our Shepherd is and let Him lead us. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Nurture and love your family, life is too short to get caught up in silly drama with family members; forgiveness is the key and unconditional love is necessary. Friends--chose them well; some are for a season, some are for a lifetime, but don't get caught up in the trivialities of differences that impact a worthwhile friendship. Jobs and careers, are gravy, don't spend too much time on them the return is more short lived where as God, family and friends last a lifetime.
“Character, not circumstance, makes the person.” — Booker T. Washington
I speak with a lot of people, who seem to want to throw in the towel, stop fighting, and simply just give up in this game called life. My response to them is stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. The only way you fail is if you stop fighting and give up. Stay in the race and press toward your bright future. Perseverance is being steady persistence in a course of action or purpose in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. There is one thing that you can take to the bank; you can expect to encounter problems when trying to accomplish something good. Successful people don't let obstacles or disappointments get in their way.
“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.”
What is the purpose of patience? It is the tool of life that teaches us to live and learn to wait for what we may want, desire, or aspire to do and be. Patience is also something that we must all learn to develop as we go through life’s process. We must use this very powerful tool called patience to help us mature in courage, strength, love, peace, understanding, and actions. My personal testimony is a direct reflection of these 3P’s. Over the last decade God has blessed my family and I to experience the better part of my thirty-three years on this earth. During this time I have learned that there is absolutely nothing that my father in Heaven will not grant me education, finance, faith, a loving family, divine relationships, great health, life abundantly, and building a legacy for generations to come. The process can be the most rewarding or the most difficult thing that you encounter in your life. My attitude and receptiveness to Godly instruction is what determined how pleasurable the process became. For every vision that God has shown me I have had to exercise the 3P’s. It has become yet another key to my success.
Be blessed and inspired…
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Priorities, priorities, we must have correct ones. First, priority is to recognize who our Shepherd is and let Him lead us. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Nurture and love your family, life is too short to get caught up in silly drama with family members; forgiveness is the key and unconditional love is necessary. Friends--chose them well; some are for a season, some are for a lifetime, but don't get caught up in the trivialities of differences that impact a worthwhile friendship. Jobs and careers, are gravy, don't spend too much time on them the return is more short lived where as God, family and friends last a lifetime.
“Character, not circumstance, makes the person.” — Booker T. Washington
I speak with a lot of people, who seem to want to throw in the towel, stop fighting, and simply just give up in this game called life. My response to them is stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. The only way you fail is if you stop fighting and give up. Stay in the race and press toward your bright future. Perseverance is being steady persistence in a course of action or purpose in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. There is one thing that you can take to the bank; you can expect to encounter problems when trying to accomplish something good. Successful people don't let obstacles or disappointments get in their way.
“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.”
What is the purpose of patience? It is the tool of life that teaches us to live and learn to wait for what we may want, desire, or aspire to do and be. Patience is also something that we must all learn to develop as we go through life’s process. We must use this very powerful tool called patience to help us mature in courage, strength, love, peace, understanding, and actions. My personal testimony is a direct reflection of these 3P’s. Over the last decade God has blessed my family and I to experience the better part of my thirty-three years on this earth. During this time I have learned that there is absolutely nothing that my father in Heaven will not grant me education, finance, faith, a loving family, divine relationships, great health, life abundantly, and building a legacy for generations to come. The process can be the most rewarding or the most difficult thing that you encounter in your life. My attitude and receptiveness to Godly instruction is what determined how pleasurable the process became. For every vision that God has shown me I have had to exercise the 3P’s. It has become yet another key to my success.
Be blessed and inspired…
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Monday, August 16, 2010
ESTABLISHING YOUR GOALS
Starting this week off with a bang! Make a change by “repositioning your thinking”
Last week we discussed setting expectations and I told you that by doing so it would cause you to change and shift your thinking, behavior, and ultimately your performance. This week I want to challenge you to establish your goals and take responsibility for your life by actively pursuing them.
If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes. Andrew Carnegie
What are the top 10 goals in your life? To get a high paying job? To be debt free? To own a home? To start your own business? To be wealthy? To be healthy? To lose weight? To be in a healthy relationship? To earn a degree? To be right with God?
A goal is defined as the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. The purpose of establishing a goal is to pursue and ultimately achieve it. A goal is not a New Year’s resolution! Hundreds of people every year make their resolutions with no intent to accomplish them. Many people try to treat goals the same way and are disappointed as they continue to go thru the same cycle over and over again. It’s insane to expect results without putting forth the effort to receive them.
Please don’t misunderstand me; I have set many goals in my years that seemed to never come to pass. Why was it so difficult to get certain things accomplished? After careful review of my actions, I realized my failures were simply because of the approach I was using to accomplish my goals. Then I begin to evaluate all of my successes and victories over the years and that’s when it finally clicked. My formula for anything that I have ever achieved was to Think it! See it! Write it! Work it!
Write it down. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants; cant’s into cans; dreams into plans; and plans into reality. Don't just think it - ink it!
As a soldier in the Army, my mindset has always been about getting it (the mission) done. When they told me it was not possible, I set goals an achieved it! I progressed thru the military ranks from E-1 to E-6 in less than six years. When I was told that it couldn’t happen for me, I set goals an achieved it! I became a warrant officer with less than seven years of service. This is not to brag or to boast of anything that I have done because all I did was listen when my father spoke, talked when He told me to speak, and executed when He gave me instructions. Think = strategize, See = visualize, Write = conceptualize, Work = productivity. One of the first things you must do when establishing your goals is to reposition your mind by taking an active approach. Here are a few points to consider:
1.Define your goal. How do you plan to reach it?
2.Set a timetable. When do you want to accomplish it?
3.Monitor your progress. How well are you moving toward it?
4.Be accountable and responsible for moving ahead. What safeguards will keep you on track?
5.Anticipate problems. What will you do if you hit a roadblock?
Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. David J. Schwartz
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Last week we discussed setting expectations and I told you that by doing so it would cause you to change and shift your thinking, behavior, and ultimately your performance. This week I want to challenge you to establish your goals and take responsibility for your life by actively pursuing them.
If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes. Andrew Carnegie
What are the top 10 goals in your life? To get a high paying job? To be debt free? To own a home? To start your own business? To be wealthy? To be healthy? To lose weight? To be in a healthy relationship? To earn a degree? To be right with God?
A goal is defined as the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. The purpose of establishing a goal is to pursue and ultimately achieve it. A goal is not a New Year’s resolution! Hundreds of people every year make their resolutions with no intent to accomplish them. Many people try to treat goals the same way and are disappointed as they continue to go thru the same cycle over and over again. It’s insane to expect results without putting forth the effort to receive them.
Please don’t misunderstand me; I have set many goals in my years that seemed to never come to pass. Why was it so difficult to get certain things accomplished? After careful review of my actions, I realized my failures were simply because of the approach I was using to accomplish my goals. Then I begin to evaluate all of my successes and victories over the years and that’s when it finally clicked. My formula for anything that I have ever achieved was to Think it! See it! Write it! Work it!
Write it down. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants; cant’s into cans; dreams into plans; and plans into reality. Don't just think it - ink it!
As a soldier in the Army, my mindset has always been about getting it (the mission) done. When they told me it was not possible, I set goals an achieved it! I progressed thru the military ranks from E-1 to E-6 in less than six years. When I was told that it couldn’t happen for me, I set goals an achieved it! I became a warrant officer with less than seven years of service. This is not to brag or to boast of anything that I have done because all I did was listen when my father spoke, talked when He told me to speak, and executed when He gave me instructions. Think = strategize, See = visualize, Write = conceptualize, Work = productivity. One of the first things you must do when establishing your goals is to reposition your mind by taking an active approach. Here are a few points to consider:
1.Define your goal. How do you plan to reach it?
2.Set a timetable. When do you want to accomplish it?
3.Monitor your progress. How well are you moving toward it?
4.Be accountable and responsible for moving ahead. What safeguards will keep you on track?
5.Anticipate problems. What will you do if you hit a roadblock?
Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. David J. Schwartz
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
SETTING EXPECTATIONS
One of the key components to living an effective life is setting expectations. You have heard it before; people tend to rise to the occasion when a challenge or assignment is placed before them. What expectation are you setting for yourself?
Let’s consider a few things:
Who are you right now? How does this compare to who you desire to be? What can you do about it?
Most people are comfortable with simply going along with the flow of things in their life, but get upset when they see the organized and discipline succeed. I have learned that talking about what you want out of life is not going to get you there. I make it a practice now to limit the discussion and increase the actions to achieve the goals. Being passive is not a characteristic of the successful. Setting expectations will help you to prepare for the challenges of life.
Question: What are you doing to be successful? Have you prepared by setting goals?
Take a look at some of the great athletes in sport today like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, and Michael Phelps. Tiger Woods has 12 majors and 56 victories since 2000. Kobe Bryant is said to be considered as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Usain Bolt is the unquestioned king of the 100-meter sprint, and is also currently its world record holder. He ran the 100-meter in 9.69 seconds at the 2008 Olympics. Rafael Nadal won three Grand Slam events, 25 matches in a row on clay and hadn't dropped a set in the French Open in over two years. Michael Phelps rode a four-year individual winning streak, including his eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics. All of these athletes have one thing in common they set goals/expectations and follow through.
Setting expectations cause you to change and shift your thinking, behavior, and ultimately your performance. It is imperative that you start off by mapping out a vision which is what you see for your life futuristically speaking. Create a vision and expectations worksheet that you can have with you at all times! All of your expectations should be parallel to this vision. Make sure that you are reviewing your vision and expectation on a regulatory basis. Rehearse it over and over again until it becomes second nature to you.
Hold yourself accountable to what you have placed in your V&E worksheet. Tell a friend or two about it so they can follow up with you and help keep you on track if you happen to go astray. If you want to be successful and you haven’t been then the first thing you must do is change your current habits and practices.
1. Challenge yourself to be different (Breaking out of the norm)
2. Write out your findings (Vision & Expectations worksheet)
3. Conduct frequent self assessments (Accountability)
4. Challenge yourself to stay the course (Sticking with it)
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Let’s consider a few things:
Who are you right now? How does this compare to who you desire to be? What can you do about it?
Most people are comfortable with simply going along with the flow of things in their life, but get upset when they see the organized and discipline succeed. I have learned that talking about what you want out of life is not going to get you there. I make it a practice now to limit the discussion and increase the actions to achieve the goals. Being passive is not a characteristic of the successful. Setting expectations will help you to prepare for the challenges of life.
Question: What are you doing to be successful? Have you prepared by setting goals?
Take a look at some of the great athletes in sport today like Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, and Michael Phelps. Tiger Woods has 12 majors and 56 victories since 2000. Kobe Bryant is said to be considered as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Usain Bolt is the unquestioned king of the 100-meter sprint, and is also currently its world record holder. He ran the 100-meter in 9.69 seconds at the 2008 Olympics. Rafael Nadal won three Grand Slam events, 25 matches in a row on clay and hadn't dropped a set in the French Open in over two years. Michael Phelps rode a four-year individual winning streak, including his eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics. All of these athletes have one thing in common they set goals/expectations and follow through.
Setting expectations cause you to change and shift your thinking, behavior, and ultimately your performance. It is imperative that you start off by mapping out a vision which is what you see for your life futuristically speaking. Create a vision and expectations worksheet that you can have with you at all times! All of your expectations should be parallel to this vision. Make sure that you are reviewing your vision and expectation on a regulatory basis. Rehearse it over and over again until it becomes second nature to you.
Hold yourself accountable to what you have placed in your V&E worksheet. Tell a friend or two about it so they can follow up with you and help keep you on track if you happen to go astray. If you want to be successful and you haven’t been then the first thing you must do is change your current habits and practices.
1. Challenge yourself to be different (Breaking out of the norm)
2. Write out your findings (Vision & Expectations worksheet)
3. Conduct frequent self assessments (Accountability)
4. Challenge yourself to stay the course (Sticking with it)
Live LIFE!!! One nugget at a time…
Friday, August 6, 2010
Expectation
Weekly Life Nugget
You must start if you expect to Finish
You must continue if you expect to Endure
You must fight if you expect to have Victory
The complete cycle begins with you.. Start, Continue, Fight!!!
You must start if you expect to Finish
You must continue if you expect to Endure
You must fight if you expect to have Victory
The complete cycle begins with you.. Start, Continue, Fight!!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Welcome!!!
Hi, I am V.A. Joseph and I wanted to welcome you to the start of the next stage of your life. Join me weekly for a golden nugget...
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