Grow Rich #8

Profound words connect and make meanings stronger. I find that as I read, surf the net, watch/listen to television, the combination of words and images create powerful messages that connect.

This image describes a line from Grow Rich along with the connection to a line from an Oprah re-run I was watching while on the treadmill (I almost fell off, it made so much sense)!

Know Thyself.

Live your life only.

Our children are not of us, they pass through us to the world.

Leadership and Commitments

To be a leader that has actual followers, you need to be able to demonstrate that you can keep commitments. Keeping commitments builds trust, shows you are reliable and dependable, shows the team that you care about them, and gives a solid example to follow.


Successful leaders realize and keep close to their heart the fact that people remember every action one completes, not necessarily every word. If you say you are going to do something, then do it! Otherwise it is an empty promise or commitment and then come the excuses of "I forgot" or "I ran out of time" etc. Every time an excuse is made, trust starts to break down. As trust breaks down so does your ability to lead.
 A simple way to keep commitments is to only make commitments that you intend to keep. Leadership is not easy and sometimes saying 'no' with a proper explanation will earn you more trust and determine your leadership success than saying 'yes' and no following through.

After you have made a commitment, write it down and keep track of it - whether there is a deadline involved, which you will need to follow up with during and after the course of action, even any roadblocks along the way so that you can understand and learn from your own actions. Do whatever it takes to follow through - your leadership is on the line.
 As a successful leader, you earn trust. By setting a good example in your business, you set the expectation of keeping commitments and integrity. Who wouldn't want to be known for that?

Delivering Happiness: MUST READ

I spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon in the sunshine reading the book:

"Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hsieh - CEO Zappos.com, Inc

WOW! What a read!
Big lessons for me:

• happiness is from the connections you have with others and the work you do
• if you hit the alarm clock to snooze too many days in a row, you need to evaluate if you are still happy (and in love) with what you are doing
• risk - take risks, be humble, look for opportunity
• build a culture that suits your business - the fact that Zappos is so open and transparent gives me hope that the future for everyone is just a little brighter!
• happiness comes from the ability to align yourself with a higher purpose - to truly be happy, finding purpose will exceed the strength of pleasure

Finally:  Envision, create, and believe in your own universe.
Thank you Tony!!!