Great Achievements - The Big Story Behind Small Ideas

You might not know the story behind Post-it Notes. The amazing glue that leaves no residue and allows Post-its to be used again and again, was developed 10 years before a use was discovered for it. As it happened, 3M employee Art Fry was struggling to keep his bookmark from falling out at church. He remembered that his coworker had invented an interesting adhesive and he gave it a try. Soon Art was putting the glue on small pieces of paper and sticking them to his filing cabinet. Years went by before 3M finally launched the product.

When I was putting IMAGINE Employee Assistance Program LLC together with my business partner, we were tossing several potential names around for the business. My 14 year old daughter was browsing through the list when “Imagine” grabbed her attention. She grabbed a pencil and started scribbling some ideas on a piece of paper (It was actually a purple Post-it and I'm now wondering how many business ideas have been jotted on Post-its). She was pretty excited when she presented me with the Acronym she had come up with.

Inside Many Achievements Great Ideas Need Exploring

I'm admitting now that at first I wasn't all that excited. The name didn't seem to fit with the employee assistance program we were launching, but I kept thinking about it none the less. It was catchy.

About a week later I set out to formalize my coaching practice which I had informally been doing for some time. I found myself again debating various different company names when “IMAGINE” hit me like a laser right between the eyes. That's what coaching is all about; exploring ideas and turning them into measurable achievements. I like the acronym and it's staying.

In a small way, the choosing of my company name is like the Post-it story. A small quirky idea that wasn't exactly right for one business idea, is entirely perfect for the other. The lesson is that no matter how silly an idea seems to start with, there is always the possibility that it can work if not immediately, at some other place or time.

During goal development and brainstorming sessions, ideas tend to pour out. I suggest to clients that they keep these notes and refer to them when they're stuck or in a rut. Items that were overlooked previously may be just the solution they're looking for.

Integrity -vs- Deception

I met an Amway salesman this week, except he didn't tell me he was an Amway salesman.

I've come across this pitch so many times, I could probably give it. “I'm an online distributor of household supplies. I have a web store that provides all of the things you can find at a big box store and at unbeatable prices.” The pitch continues, “I'm looking for strong, talented people that really want to better their lives.”

WHOA! The conversation went from owning an internet super store to looking for a “few good men.”

What is it about these guys that they can't tell you what they sell and who's writing their paychecks? I conversed with this guy for better than 30 minutes and not once did he mention that he is an Amway distributor or that they've renamed their business Quixtar. Could it possibly be that they know Amway and Quixtar are synonymous with deceptive sales people and boring coffee meetings at Denny's?

Whether it's your business or your personal life, it's imperative that you have integrity and practice honesty in everything you do. Integrity means always doing the right thing even if you will personally suffer. Integrity means making difficult decisions and following through. Integrity means we can trust each other. It's the opposite of deception. It's the antithesis of misleading.

I refuse to purchase from businesses that lack integrity or fail to follow through on promises. I refuse to be anything more than an acquaintance of anyone that is dishonest.

When you're making plans for a new business endeavor or looking into a new job, ask yourself, “Will I be able to tell everyone I meet that [I am in this business] or [I work for this company]?” If you hesitate in the slightest about answering “yes,” it's likely you are acting in conflict with your value system. Chances are integrity and forthrightness will prevail in your subconscious.

Afterward: I personally don't have anything against Amway or Quixtar (the same thing). In fact it is a business model that works for some people. My experience however is that the “distributors” of Amway don't talk about “Amway” or “Quixtar” until you are well into their coffee presentation. My preference, as someone who has been through a couple of these meetings, is to have all of the information up front rather than vague, canned phrases. In other words, a little less deception please!

(Brandon Johnston is a Life and Transition Coach assisting people discover success and happiness in life and work. Brandon can be reached by email at brandon@coachbrandon.net, or by phone at 612.326.4717.)

Are You Happy?

Answer this question right now...

“Are you happy?”

There are many things in life that effect our happiness. Most of them are things, people and actions that we can't control. It's probable the secret to happiness that most of us do naturally, but give little thought to, is just “being” happy. Separating ourselves from external problems and keeping a positive frame of mind allow us to “be” happy.

Still there are days that seem extra difficult and it becomes a challenge to stay on top of the happiness pillar. During these times it helps to have a few tricks to make happiness easier.

Try these:

• Write a letter of gratitude. A study by Kent State University found that when people express gratitude they report being happier. The added benefit is that you'll also make someone else happy!
  
• Learn a new joke. Everyone likes jokes, but not everyone can remember them. There are 1000's if not millions of websites dedicated to jokes and riddles. Learn a joke and share it with someone. You'll be happier for doing it even if it's a bad one like this: “What did Batman say to Robin before they got in the car? Robin, get in the car.” (Borrowed from parentinghumor.com)
  
• Call a friend you haven't spoken with for a while. As all facebookers know, getting in touch with old friends stirrs up all kinds of good memories. Sharing the experience with one in particular with bring you both happiness.
  
• Choose to be happy. I couldn't leave this one out. It's your decision. Making the right one is easy.
  

(Brandon Johnston is a Life and Transition Coach assisting people discover success and happiness in life and work. Brandon can be reached by email at brandon@coachbrandon.net, or by phone at 612.326.4717.)

Masking Anger as Grudges - "Does this help?"

Many of us have what we like to call “grudges” that we hold against people and organizations that have either caused us hardship, or threaten our sense of safety. Although we call them grudges, but they are actually manifestations of anger that we have yet to resolve.

Years ago I wrote an editorial piece in “The Daily Cardinal,” a student newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin. I presented an argument that was logical and well thought out. The next day “The Daily Cardinal” ran an editorial cartoon portraying me as an anti-Semite complete with a swastika on my sleeve. What the author failed to consider was that I have very close Jewish relatives and often celebrated the Jewish holidays with them. The accusation was entirely false and yet I was emotionally hurt. I reread my original piece several times trying to decipher what information the cartoonist had considered anti-Semitic. In fact, there was nothing in my writing or elsewhere that would lead someone to think that I was anti-Semitic. Why then did the cartoonist characterize me in that way?

As a young college student, I had never been publicly scrutinized. It was a shock to my self esteem and caused me to stay clear of public criticism for years afterward. What I realized much later was that the cartoonist, who by the way didn't sign the cartoon with a name, but rather a pair of initials, had been holding a grudge against me for something that had happened long before I wrote that piece and for something that had no correlation with his accusations. I often wonder if he felt any relief after drawing that cartoon and having it published. It is clear that his actions were made out of anger rather than rational thought. If he had addressed the issue with me directly I would have been able to understand his position and we could have possibly worked things out. In contrast, he chose to make a blanket statement about my character that was entirely false and served no purpose other than to confuse the people who knew us both personally. He let his anger get in the way of rational thought and in the end, he positioned himself as being irrational and spiteful.

I once considered it normal to carry anger around as “grudges.” Grudges are not normal and they are not healthy. Holding negative emotions inside rather than addressing them, can have negative effects on your personal and professional lives. Further, grudges carried by one person are often passed among other people in similar social circles. The simple act of carrying a grudge spreads ill will among like minded people and spreads negativity. To what ends does that serve?

Two things all people should be able to do when they are angry are:

1. Tell yourself that you and only you are responsible for your actions. The same is true for everyone else. If you are responsible for your actions, then your neighbor is responsible for his actions. You cannot control the actions of others. Tell yourself, “he did that because of his issues, not mine.” When you make this distinction in your mind, then you will automatically free yourself from the emotions tied to anger.

2. Address the subject of your anger directly. If you are angry about something that someone did to you, address the issue directly with that person. Make a real attempt to understand that persons perspective and clearly state your concerns. You may find that the other person is not capable of seeing your side, but you will feel better that you have addressed the concern. If you are carrying a grudge against a company or organization, ask yourself what purpose your anger is serving. If you can identify the purpose for your anger, you can find an alternative means of serving the same purpose.

Merriam-Webster.com defines a grudge as “to be unwilling to give or admit.” If you find yourself carrying grudges, you might consider “admitting” that you are responsible for your own actions. Admitting your responsibility is the first step in creating success in your life. When you can free yourself of the binds, real or imagined, that other people have put on you, you will be able to move toward the attainment of your goals.

(Brandon Johnston is a Life and Transition Coach assisting people discover success and happiness in life and work. Brandon can be reached by email at brandon@coachbrandon.net, or by phone at 612.326.4717.)

Do You Have the Gumption to Achieve Success?

A study by Yale University in 1953 concluded that people who set goals and write them down are not only more likely to achieve them, but they are happier people than those who don't set goals. You may not have heard about that study, but you've probably heard the results time and again.

How are your New Years resolutions coming along? Have you given up yet? If you haven't written your goals down, you are far more likely to fail at achieving them than you would be if you take the next steps.

1. Convert your New Years resolutions to goals. Converting the resolutions to goals formalizes the action of goal setting.

2. Write down your goals for the year. Don't leave any out – write them all down no matter how ridiculous they seem.

3. On another sheet of paper, categorize them by order of importance to you. Create 5 columns labeled one through five and with “1” being the most important, place all of your goals into the appropriate column.

4. On yet another sheet of paper, write all of the goals from category 1 and place a target date for achievement.

If you do those four things, the statistics say that you will be more than twice as likely to reach your goals than you otherwise would be. Take the next steps and you are almost guaranteed to find success.

1. Frame your categorized goals and your dated goals and hang them over your desk, or somewhere you will see them daily.

2. Except for any goals that are entirely private in nature, tell the important people in your life about your goals.

3. Seek advice from trusted resources on how you can attain your goals.

4. Identify obstacles to achieving your goals. Write down the things you need to do to overcome the obstacles.

5. Put the target dates on your calendar and set reminders at regular intervals for milestone achievements.

There's one final thing you need to do: “Be the part.” If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, act as if it's already gone. Exercise and do the things you plan on doing when the pounds are gone. Think of yourself as 20 pounds lighter. If your goal is start a new business endeavor or get promoted in your current position, this can seem like a difficult thing to do, but it's not. Tell people about your new company. Ask for and accept new responsibilities at work. Dress as if you're the boss. Find your ideal self in everything you do, and you will discover the rewards of goal attainment.

Can you do this? You can! If you don't believe me, contact me and I'll show you how.

(Brandon Johnston is a Life and Transition Coach assisting people balance their lives in ways they never dreamed were possible. Brandon can be reached by email at brandon@coachbrandon.net, or by phone at 612.326.4717. The first session is always free.)

Power Thinking

It's an amazing phenomenon: Your thoughts determine your every action and emotion.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the implications of that statement.

While driving in your car, someone cuts you off and abruptly steps on the brakes.  You have the option to cuss, swerve, use foul gestures and emit any number of negative emotions and actions.  You have the option of being angry and dwelling on the evils that person is spreading.

Or you can say to yourself, "I am calm, cool and collected."  "I am in control."  "I am responsible."

Responding to negative stimuli with anger, frustration and negative emotions will produce further consequences for your body.  Your muscles will tense.  You might get slightly nauseated.  You might start sweating and your voice might get shaky.

Responding with a positive, self-responsible thoughts will produce calming and strengthening effects on your body.  You will feel in control and relaxed.

At work you can choose to belittle your coworkers for not meeting your expectations for timeliness or production value.  You can choose to pass negative rumors and complaints about your boss and the company you work for.  Doing these things will make you less productive, less likable and less likely to succeed.

The other option is to tell yourself that you are exceeding the expectations of others, that you are in control and that you are responsible for your own success.  Taking this path, you will succeed, be in control of your destiny and will surpass the expectations of others.

Positive thinking not only effects our internal happiness, but it also effects the way in which other people see us.  Positive people are more likable, are more likely to succeed by fostering positive relationships and are more likely to be promoted or rewarded for their achievements.

If you make just one change in 2009, let it be that you convert your internal, self-talk from negative to extremely positive.  Doing this will subconsciously tell your body and your peers that you are in control and responsible for yourself.