Getting What We Want

When we have experienced seemingly unnecessary delays or inadequate responses caused by strangers, it is important to realize that the customer service individual is often doing the best that she/he can.

Our anger/frustration/impatience is sometimes directed at those least able to provide the solution/answer/outcome that we desire.

Often, "thank you or okay or I see" delivered with a smile, even through clenched teeth, is the best response.   Then, we aren't further burdened by guilt for our outbursts.

However, if the issue is important enough, we need to address it with someone other than the person on the front line.

Whenever we are angry or dissatisfied, it is prudent to pause to determine the action or response we are actually seeking to make things better.  Then, we need to consciously act or react appropriately to achieve our desired outcome.

It's Okay to Change a Plan

At the first of the year, we developed an incredibly ambitious market development plan.  Though we spaced events throughout the year, we intentionally front-loaded the calendar to allow for maximum impact.  It's been a terrific five months, with more opportunities than our colleagues have ever had.  My focus on executing the plan initially kept me from making a welcome adjustment.  However, the announcement that we were rescheduling a June event until the fall was enthusiastically received by all involved.

Plans are essential, but reasoned adaptation can reap big dividends.  

Vacation Ready

My work and home life are never in better condition that when I'm preparing for vacation.  I consciously handle everything that I can imagine needing attention.  I work harder, plan more carefully and anticipate more fully to ensure that everything will be well executed.  It's impossible to stay in "vacation ready" mode, but concluding each week with a sense of completion and preparation is the next best thing.

Success Mapping

Haven't we always been told that good things are worth waiting for?  We were looking forward to having Arlene Johnson, internationally known speaker, author and consultant as our February Sterling Bank Women's Business Initiative Dallas keynote speaker.  Mother Nature had a different plan.  Because of a snowstorm, we had to move Arlene's presentation to the fourth quarter.  We're now looking forward to November 19.

I've just finished Arlene's terrific book, success mapping: Achieve What You Want... Right Now! and am even more excited for her to share her proven plan for achieving all that we can.

Reading Arlene's book is the next best thing to spending one-on-one time working through her eight clearly defined steps for achieving personal and professional success.  Each step is illuminated with instructions, worksheets and stories of clients working through the process.  She helps us take the plan from theory to reality.

Embracing our potential, clarifying our options, believing that we will succeed, removing obstacles and executing our plan creates a map for individual success. 

Two of Arlene's key questions to propel us forward are:

• What do I want to accomplish that I haven't?
• What are my benefits and consequences of doing and not doing this action?

"The strategy of hope without action robs you of the joy of experiencing progress today and dreams fulfilled tomorrow."  Arlene helps us to intentionally plan and achieve our goals.

Dream!

We can't impose our dreams on another. 
They must be allowed to find and follow their own dreams.
We can and must, however, nurture dreams - our own and those of others.