Spike's Advice

Vision and Leadership

We need vision today as much, and perhaps more, than ever. Not an everyday--"things will get better, be better someday" sort of vision—but an extraordinary vision of what can and will be.

In order to be great, a vision has to be both compelling and propelling, meaning it both pulls and pushes people toward something greater than themselves.

It's the basis of all effective leadership. A leader leads because they have the ability to see beyond "what is" to "what can be". They lead because their vision is not only inspiring, but it's encompassing for themselves and others around them.

The proverb "Where there is no vision, the people perish" has an inherent meaning that people are affected by the vision or lack thereof. But it also implies that an effective vision extends beyond the visionary to the people who are inspired and compelled to do more, to be more.

Every great leader throughout history has had the ability not only to "see" a better future but to convey a sense of greater possibility and guide others along the way.

The global economy stinks. A lot of people are losing jobs, homes, patience, and maybe even hope. Times are tough for millions of people.

What "is" at this moment, isn't what has to be, but "now" is simply a step on the path to something different, something greater, something we can all aspire to create and be part of. But in order to create it, we need to know what "it" looks like; if we can't see it for ourselves, perhaps someone else can share the image of a brighter future.

Vision is not only the vehicle that propels a leader but carries the people who see, embrace, and helps bring possibility into reality.

In times of turmoil or uncertainty, it's the leaders with a vision of possibility and certainty that change the world because they help us change our perception of today but also the potential we see in ourselves.

Leadership isn't the same as authority; doesn't come from position, and it's not "forced" upon us—it's embraced by us because we hold a higher sense of potential than where we are, and perhaps we who we are at this moment. It compels us to think of ourselves as people of possibility and propels us to reach our potential and create a new reality.

The world doesn't need more politicians, gurus, experts, managers, speakers, teachers, or preachers who only talk about the past or the turmoil we face today. We need more people with vision, and the ability to share that vision with and for others so that we may see the world of potential and possibility before us. You, me—all of us can be those leaders, the visionaries of a greatness that begins today.

There's great value in the light of the leadership of others but it is "we" who must walk into a brighter future for ourselves and to lead the way for those a step behind us and help those alongside of us.

Excellence and Perfection

Michael J. Fox once said, "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business."

Excellence is a process or pursuit; perfection is a "state" (and a static state at that). If and once one were to reach a state of perfection in anything the quest would be over, no improvement possible, and the passion that drove the pursuit of perfection would die.

Don't misunderstand. Aspiration for perfection is a noble quest, but there's a danger and a downside. If the expectation of "perfection" is present, surely you'll be disappointed if you don't reach it.

If the charge of being perfect is the standard of success, it's often easier not to get started than to risk almost certain failure in falling short. Laurence Olivier said it best, "Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything. Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best."

 

It's better to be prolific in your striving than starving in stagnation, self-fed with an alluring excuse not to try because you could never be perfect (or at least not right away).

 

The gift in seeking perfection is that you could never approach that without becoming at first proficient and ultimately excellent; that can be a magnificent obsession.

Intent on seeking perfection (or at least proficiency) in any endeavor or area of your life?

Here's a formula you can use on your path to mastery or excellence in any undertaking:

Ask yourself:

• In your mind, what does "perfection" look like, feel like, sound like? Write a detailed description of the ideal state (perfection), situation, accomplishment, or objective?
  
  
  
  
• Imagine what "it" looks like just before perfection—your life, your surroundings, your state of achievement so far? Write that description as well?
  
  
  
  
• What's your present "reality", what does it look like—the here and now? Write a detailed description here too.

   

 

Now create a plan with key steps, achievements, benchmarks etc. to get started moving from "here" to "just before perfection". What do you need to do to get started? What do you need to do right now? Who's help can you enlist? What do you need to learn or know? What will you need to do, get, create, or learn along the way? Create a detailed action plan with activities, times, dates, and performance measurements.

Record your growth, and remember to recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Focus on a commitment to progress and consistently move in the right direction on the road toward perfection—that's the best a person can do.

Another warning--you probably won't hit "perfection" regardless of how hard, how smart, or how long you work—blunt, but a reality. There's an invisible, unpredictable barrier in front of you. Your sense and measure of "perfection" will probably change before you get to perfection, which would make it impossible for you to ever achieve.

 

But excellence is within your reach!

 

 

   

 

In Dreams Begins Responsibility

 

I'm being interviewed tomorrow by Kim Castle of Brand University at the Conscious Entrepreneur Experience Event (www.BrandU.com/cee). The topic is "Personal Responsibility".

It's given me the opportunity to reflect and consider my own meaning of responsibility—what it is--what it isn't. Personal responsibility isn't hard, it isn't heavy, and it's not to be confused with blame. I believe personal responsibility is one of the most definitive acts of power an individual can take and make. It's liberating.

On some level, I'm responsible. I'm responsible for my successes, my failures. I'm responsible for the decisions I've made, the choices I've exercised, and the actions I undertook or not. I'm not a victim of circumstance, I'm a victor of the opportunities I've created and the challenges I've faced.

Sometimes I find myself thinking I wouldn't mind giving up some of that responsibility but then I remember—giving up the "responsibility" for something in my life means surrendering my choice and my power to act. If I'm choosing, if I'm acting—I am responsible for the results.

Does this mean I'm to "blame" if something goes not according to plan or even horribly wrong? No it means I'm responsible for the choice I made, the actions I took, but more importantly for the different decisions I can make now and in the future.

When and where does responsibility begin? William Butler Yeats said "In dreams begins responsibility". I agree.

It's in my dreams that a new reality exists, where unlimited possibility resides, and the seed of responsibility rests for me to make it so.

What I Want for the Rest of My Life

"What do I want for the rest of my life?"

I've asked myself this question dozens, perhaps hundreds of times for the last 49 years and 364 days. Today started at 3:30 AM Pacific Time with that very question.

But this day was my birthday—another year older (actually, just a day older but who's counting?).

Most people see aging as a diminishment of "who they were" rather than an unfolding of who they are yet to become. Candidly, I've been one of these "most people" at times (I think it started at about forty-nine and a half).

I have lot of diminishments—I sure can't run as fast as I used to. I can't do a powerlifting squat worth a damn anymore. I jump about as high as I did in my early teens and it sucks when it comes to sports. To make it worse, as an athlete "the older I get, the better I was" memories make it harder to accept I won't be turning "pro" anytime soon at anything in sports. Most nights, I have to "try" to sleep, and I take longer to wake-up, warm-up, and put-up than I used to. I have to "think" to remember facts I could recall in nanoseconds in my thirties. The "remind myself" lists now fill a page almost daily.

And a host of other creaks and quirks have crept into my physical and mental being that I don't remember having fifteen years ago (I could make a list but a catalogue of complaints would serve no useful purpose).

 

Today, it started with that question…

"What do I want for the rest of my life?"

 

… and ended with a declaration.

"What I want for the rest of my life is…"

 

Perhaps turning 50 today has steered and steadied my focus from the question to the answer.

The unfolding of who I am about to become.

At first, this morning I thought about what I didn't want for the next 50 years of my life; useful in creating a contrast between "what is" and what I would like to change--useful yes, but inefficient AND ineffective. Then I moved into making a list of things I "could" do. The list was almost overwhelming since I believe we live in a universe of infinite potential and I've been blessed with incredible opportunities. Next came the list of "should" do's—WAY too daunting and it felt more like a necessity than an inspiration of passion and purpose. Finally, I came down to was… THE LIST…

"What I Want for the Rest of My Life…"

No, it wasn't a goal list. It wasn't a list of dreams filled with "like-to-have's" or "want-to-be's"—or "would-like-to-do's". It was a list of what I want, who I will be and what I will do for the next fifty years of my life. A personal promise, a solemn vow…

…A Declaration!

I worked and I wrote. I got choked-up a few times (I'm not much of a crier), I giggled to myself. I reflected and I wrote some more. I scribbled and I mind-mapped. I added to the list and I scratched stuff out. But, at the end, I had it. What I ended up with was a list of things I will strive for, live for, and maybe even die for. These things will be the overarching guideposts of the next fifty years of my life. It wasn't simply about receiving; much of it was about giving--giving to others, giving to myself, and giving to a purpose and a cause higher than myself.

You'll be seeing and hearing a lot about what's on the list as my list comes to life. I invite you to the unfolding of who I am about to become, but in the meantime, I have a question for you...

 

What do you want for the rest of your life?

 

 

The Seven Secrets of Getting Significant Things Done

 

I like to keep things simple. In fact, I pride myself in having an ability to take something abstract and make it specific.

I like to create lists, formulas, flow charts, blueprints, and step-by-step instructions for making things happen, and then make those same "things" happen all over again. I like to take the esoteric and mysterious and make it obvious and mundane. I like to take something that could be called a fluke or dumb-luck and transform it into a predictable pattern of performance that anyone can follow.

Some people "earn" a lot of money making a "simple" thing appear hard, unapproachable, or overly-complex—makes them seem "deep" perhaps. I get paid to make things simple and to get things done—perhaps not pretty, but effective for certain.

Ask me a question, I'll give you an answer—simple and to the point. I don't do the "linguistic boogaloo" to bedazzle you with my brilliance of how to turn the "matter-of-fact" into some mystical mumbo-jumbo. I like straight-talk and I don't like B.S.—getting it or giving it.

I like concepts and ideas but I like positive results better. I enjoy dialogue and discourse but I respect action and accomplishment. I admire deep-thinkers but I love people who make their dreams come true.

I've been called a logical, linear-thinker, at times almost as an intended insult. Hummm..., something about a straight-line being the quickest path… comes to mind. Granted, sometimes life, logic, and the pull of circumstance call for a smooth curve to be created to get from point "A" to point "B" but all things being equal, let me get from where I am now to where I want to go on a straight path and I'll figure the next best steps from there.

To that end, you want to get significant things done? There are a few things you'll need…

It's usually good to have a plan, a system, or a formula to get you where you want to go and get done what you want. You need to know what resources you need and what resources you have. You need to allocate time, energy, people, and capital towards the highest and best use. You need to have a system to monitor, measure, and manage your activities and results. You need to have contingency plans and actions poised at the ready if things don't go as planned. These are the ingredients of success and this is how things get done.

I'm not talking about getting simple things done, like going to the fridge to get a beer—that's pretty binary, either you get up off your bum or you don't. I'm talking about the best way to get significant things done. To that end, the curtain has been parted…

The Seven Secrets of Getting Significant Things Done

 

1. Know where you are and where you want to go
   1. Where are you now, and what would you like to be different?

    

2. Have a clearly defined vision of the future
   1. When you accomplish your goal or objective, satisfy your desire or need, what does it look like, feel like, etc.?

    

3. Develop an observable, measurable strategy to get from here to there
   1. Does your plan contain specific descriptions of "Who, what, why, how, when, and what if…"

    

4. Identify, obtain, and align your resources
   1. What/who do you have, what/who do you need? What's in it for them right now, and again when you're successful?

    

5. Measure, monitor, and manage your assets, actions, resources, and results
   1. What are you/they going to do and how will you/they know if they're on or off track?

    

6. Plan contingencies—for worse or for better
   1. What will you do if things don't go according to plan--worse than hoped, better than you thought, or simply different than you expected?

    

7. What's next
   1. After you have accomplished your objective, what do you want next? Do you want to duplicate it, replicate it, replace it, scale it, sell it, tell it, teach it, or something else altogether?

    

While not really secret, the "formula" I developed is powerful in its simplicity and in its effect. This process can be magical when applied to a concept, an idea, an unfulfilled desire, an unmet need, unrealized opportunity, or looming problem. I've seen this method change lives at my seminars and I've used this system for over twenty years to transform businesses around the world.

Now you know the "seven secrets" but one mystery remains…when are you going to get started?

A Fear of Our Own Possibility

I'm afraid.

We're all afraid.

But what we fear is not what we are, it's what we could and can be if only we dare.

Nelson Mandela said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

A powerful thought to contemplate…

But…

If we try, will it be good enough? If we dare, will we succeed? If we succeed, can we continually live up to the new standard and sustain our newfound success? If we can't, will we be left laying naked in the isolation of a short-term success and a long-lasting failure?

Ah…wait, we don't have to change, we can stay the same!

There's a reassurance in only being as good, as powerful, as successful, as accomplished as we are now. There's a certain contentment in remaining the same, bathing in the common glow of just what we have done and become until today. The comfort of the familiar; the certainty of staying the same—warm and fuzzy.

And it gets even better because we know we can be even better when the time is right.

There's a definite ease and satisfaction in only thinking of, talking about, and fantasizing in what we might do, become, or accomplish if one-day, someday when the "time is right". There's a snuggly security in waiting until we have all the stars aligned and the favor of a foretold-fortune to lead us from stagnation. "If only I had more of this, less of that, or absolutely everything just perfect, I'd be ready to be all I can be, but surely not before then—I just couldn't possibly consider it."

Ah, the seductive ease of thinking about the "if only".

Then comes a destiny-shaping decision point—to forget about the "if only" and move to the "what if" mindset.

Hummmm…

What if…?

What if we were to allow ourselves to become our boldest dreams? What if we were to pursue with passion fulfilling the deepest-held desires and the needs that stir our soul? What if we were to live up to all of our potential and fulfill the entire scope of our possibility?

By most measures and my own previous standards, I'm pretty successful. But, what if…?

What if I unleashed my sense of possibility and pursued achievement beyond any limiting belief? What if I opened the gates of prospect and opportunity to smash any fear of failure? What might I become, what might I be, do, have, or give?

Admittedly, it's a bit scary. But fear is an internal belief that's cured by an external commitment--action.

I've always been a person of action and it's time to crank it up a bunch of notches…

Care to join me?

Return on Experience

 

In the business of life or in the life of a business we don't always get a positive Return-on-Investment from our expenditures of capital or resources. In spite of the best thought-out and well-executed plans, we can't always control the process or the result.

What is totally within our control is the R.O.E. or the "return on our experience" that we can deposit in the "bank of understanding".

Value is inherent in every event, all interactions, and each experience if only we look to take advantage of it. The lessons we learn and the wisdom we earn are totally up to us and at our disposal.

When I look back at my career and reflect on my life, sometimes the most valuable gifts I have received have come from the most difficult of times. Trials, tribulations, and even painful knocks-up-side-the-head have often led to my greatest progress. If I learn from a challenge, I can profit from a problem and get a positive return on my experience. Man, at times I wished it were easier and that I could have gotten the same level of growth without having had faced the dilemma that brought about the progress--but it is what it is and was what it was.

I take heart in knowing that I have the opportunity to make a different choice next time around, gained resources I didn't have before, and built strength in the knowledge that I can do better, be more, and make wiser decisions when faced with a similar circumstance. That, my friend is what life is about and in the business-of-life, a positive R.O.E is a guaranteed investment that always pays a positive dividend.

Since I'm not in the business of breaking-even—I think I'll make mine a ten-to-one return.

How about you?

 

Is Your Life in a Recession?

An economic recession can be defined as "a period of general economic decline; specifically, a decline in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for two or more consecutive quarters."

A "life recession" can be described in much the same way. If you are not growing, if your life is not expanding, at best you're stagnating and a decline in GQL (general quality of life) might not be far behind.

The way to ward off or escape a life recession is through confidence, commitment and, like in an economic recession, it is ultimately overcome through growth.

Confidence comes from a healthy level of self-esteem. Self-esteem comes from a conscious recognition of your unique skills, talents, capabilities, and accomplishments. Growth comes from a committed application of those resources and aligned action to stimulate an environment or create opportunity.

So if you're on the verge of a life recession, or already mired in a state of personal contraction what do you do?

First, understand growth by its very nature implies expansion. Expansion of your knowledge, expansion of your experiences, expansion of your skill set, your relationships, or expanding your actions and activities. Expansion means ya gotta get up off your bum and do something (yes, I guess you can technically expand your consciousness through meditation but living a life is more than contemplation—even meditation requires some movement).

There's a saying that's been quoted by dozens of people, books and organizations--"change your thinking, change your life". True enough. But if you change your thinking and change your actions, you can change the world.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Exercise your mind, body, and soul. Read, workout, breathe, pray, meditate
2. Expand your network and enhance your existing relationships through service, support, contribution, and cooperation
3. Extend yourself into a new activity, hobby, cause, or career
4. Expose yourself to new places, foods, cultures, philosophies, information—we learn best, grow most through contrast
5. Excite your passions by doing something you love, you always wanted to do, or dreamed about but didn't make it a priority
6. Expel the toxic relationships, activities, habits, and surroundings in your life—growth in one area of life can be triggered through a contraction in another.
7. Expunge negative-thinking patterns and self-imposed false limitation from your life
8. Encourage and nurture positive growth in others and in the world
9. Extol the qualities of others and be grateful of the gift that they bring you
10. Enliven and enrich the lives of others through the gift that you are and are becoming—the world is served by your growth

Get movin' and get growing.

A Misplaced Purpose

 

Sometimes we go along to get along. We do what is expected at the expense of what we always hoped, dreamed, and intended to become.

I've been there.

Sometimes I return there too; less these days but it's still easy at times to be lulled by past habits, convenience, and obligation. I too have been seduced by the familiar and the comfortable.

But I do my best, I am my best, and I give the most when I'm most aligned with my truest intent and my highest purpose.

Purpose is the fuel that powers the soul. It's the manna from the universe the pulls us closer to what we were born to do.

What's my purpose?

My purpose is to be the best I can be. It's to give all I can give—that's easy enough.

But what's my real purpose? Why have I created the circumstance, the opportunity, and the challenges that surround me? What is it that makes me uniquely human and an inimitable soul?

The eternal question, "why am I here?"

I believe in my heart of hearts, my human existence is to recover, rediscover, and reconnect with my soul, my spirit; to align my energies and my actions toward a path of contribution and realization of a divine purpose.

My purpose is this--to lead, guide, and inspire people to live an aligned life; to help people choose a vocation and an avocation (or avocations) that stir their soul and passions. My purpose is to help business leaders as people and organizations to create the greatest value they can for themselves, their employees, their stakeholders, their customers, clients, and their market.

As a consultant, as a speaker, as an author everything I aspire to be and endeavor to accomplish is to help the people I meet or work with discover and honor their uniqueness for their own benefit and for the betterment of the world. In business that significance could be a service or a product. In relationships and social interactions, it could be simply a smile, an act of kindness, a charitable contribution, or a passionate cause. Ultimately my purpose is to help people realize and act upon their own divine purpose and their personal mission of service to themselves and others.

What's your purpose?

You have always known; perhaps you misplaced it, you simply have to ask the question and look deeply into your soul to rediscover it.

 

 

Get up, Shut up, and Put up

 

Admittedly, this post might be off-putting to some. For those who might feel anything less than positive for what I'm about to say, I apologize in advance but ask for your indulgence to read beyond your initial reaction. It's personal to me and I think there's value for others.

I'm proud of my accomplishments as humble and as modest as they may be by some standards in both life and in business. I'm equally, perhaps more appreciative of the obstacles I've overcome. Not that my hurdles have been any higher than yours or anyone else's but they were mine to jump over just the same. But, after all, as Arthur Schopenhauer said, "To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence."

However, progress is seldom made without models and mentors to grow from and to be guided by.

The most influential person in my life has been and is my Mom. She grew up first in an orphanage, and then lived in a less than functional adoptive home. She was a single parent raising me (the hard-headed sort that I was and am) and bringing up my brothers and sisters from her early age of seventeen. She never had the advantages I was given, earned, or learned along the way but her wisdom and insight was not only an inspiration but the whack-upside-the-head I needed to first survive, then get by, and eventually thrive.

She taught me to love music—soul music; she taught me that to dance through life is a key to happiness and to appreciate what I have and go after what I want.

From her, I learned the meaning of respect—give respect and expect to receive respect in return.

My Mom is 69 years old, 5"4 about 120 pounds but to this day, even though I'm over 6 feet tall and about 240 lbs, she'd beat my butt in an instant (and she could) if I'd ever give her a cross look, an insolent word, or were to whine to her about my current state of affairs . Not because she doesn't love me, respect me, or think that I'm not an adult but because giving respect, expecting respect, and making life what one wants it to be is one of our family standards.

My Momma taught me independence, how to love without limits, and to honor the distinctions in all people, races, religions, cultures, and circumstance.

Most vividly she value of knowing the difference between "can't" and won't".

When I was about nine or ten years old, on one occasion my Mom told me to do something; the task I forget, the lesson I'll always remember. When she told me to do whatever it was at the time I said "Mom, I can't". Her words stayed with me forever. "Son, when you tell me you 'can't', either you're telling me you 'don't know how' or you 'won't'. If you're telling me you don't know how, I'll teach you how; if you are telling me you won't, then I'm gonna beat ya; now which one is it… you don't know how or you won't do it?"

I'd don't know if her words were original wisdom, instinct, something she heard or was taught but it sure worked for me; I'd much rather be taught than "whupped". I learned that there are few things I couldn't do if I was willing to learn and had the benefit of someone showing me the way.

My Mom taught me not to judge people by their religion, color, creed, ethnicity, or economic status but make up my mind by who they were and are as individuals and the actions they took.

I learned from my Mom, never to back down, never to give up, and never forget I can be, do, and become whatever I put my mind to. She taught me I'm no better, no worse than anyone else and that diversity and adversity are gifts that "God" or the "universe" given to us to learn and grow from. She taught me it matters not from where I came, but only where I am and where I am going that counts.

Most importantly, though she never said it, my Momma taught me when life, business, people, or events get tough, when things go wrong, when days get you down to "GET UP, SHUT UP, and PUT UP"

Momma, this is for you, I love you and thank you for all you are and all you do.