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Point to Ponder
What is your
GAP?
If you are like
me:
For example,
people do see and often judge the GAPS in our lives. When
what we do is far removed from what we say, our credibility suffers.
When what we believe and what we see (true) are separated, we can
undermine our confidence. When our actions fall far short of our
intentions or our dreams are so much more than our reality we can
find ourselves a bit frustrated, disappointed, and
disillusioned.
At times the GAPS can
seem to be insurmountable or impassable. And, for a time they can
be. Here are a few ideas that might help you close the GAPS in your
life.
Refocus your
beliefs, dreams, and intentions. Are they really aligned
with who you are and who you want to become? Are they worth the
investment in time, money, and effort to bring into
reality?
Resolve to make
changes. Changes in your efforts, your investment, and your
commitments. Changes in what you say and do. Changes in what you
share with others.
Perhaps you, like me,
need to learn to be a bit less vocal about what you are going to do
and just do it. When I first joined Toastmasters (1991) telling
everyone I had the grand intentions to be an international keynote
motivational speaker (and that really was my goal). However, my
skills were very 'basic' at that point and the statements seemed to
be unrealistic and perhaps egotistical. Somewhere during that first
year, I stopped talking about what I was going to do and started
digging in on my presentations and I began to slowly improve.
As I did, people came
along to encourage and to guide me with solid, usable tips and
techniques that helped me hone my skills. It took a few years but I
eventually moved into the realm of professional speaking and again
dug in... and again saw some improvement. And then, one day I
realized I was living my dream... and guess what? It still needed
work. Smile!
Resolve to allow
people into your lives who can help fill the GAPS or
perhaps provide bridges to allow you to cross them. I have been
fortunate to have quite a few people; fellow Toastmasters, fellow
CAPS and NSA Members who chose to invest in my life and leadership.
My wife, Irene was one of the best GAP fillers in my life. She has
helped and supported me and I am a better man, a better husband, and
a better speaker and coach because of her. They stood in the GAP for
me and helped me in ways I will never be able to repay.
I find myself still
learning, still looking to close the GAPS in my life. But I am still
moving towards my dreams, intentions, and actions.
Where are the GAPS in
your life? What are you committed to do to fill them or at least
make them smaller? Life is full of challenges, but is made better
when you keep focused on the goals and take steps in the right
direction.
Check out this inspirational video and then
refocus on what you can do!
Until next
month.
Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey
Interesting how
things evolve.
I have been active in leadership with
CAPS since we started the Vancouver chapter back in April of
1997. Vancouver was one of the 1st three that comprised CAPS
National when we became a country wide organization with the
creation of what is now called the Global Speakers Federation
later that summer. I've served as a CAPS National Director and
on several of our (CAPS and NSA) boards and national committees.
I've served as a director and president of the CAPS Vancouver
chapter and have been a director twice for the CAPS Edmonton
Chapter.
At our CAPS Edmonton executive
meeting on June 28th, I was almost unanimously elected as President
elect. (I didn't vote for me...figured I was out numbered.) I will
serve as CAPS Edmonton President for 2012.
We are going through some growing pains
as a Chapter and I want to continue what we have been doing this
year to serve our fellow members and find a way to engage more of
them in what we are doing and creating in 'our'
chapter.
It will be an adventure for sure.
Attitude Makes All the
Difference By, Alan W.
Goff
"If you realized
how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative
thought."
Sometimes enlightenment
comes at unexpected times. A while ago I had a very bad experience
while visiting a national fast-food restaurant. The eating area was
very dirty, desperately in need of a thorough cleaning. The
restaurant staff seemed indifferent and unfriendly, and I found
myself wondering, "What is wrong with this place?"
Without question, the owners of the establishment had paid the same franchise fee as those at other stores, and the personnel had received the same training that workers at other franchises were given. The store offered the same products, and procedures were identical to any other restaurant in the chain. I felt certain that inept management must have been an issue, but was not convinced that it was the only factor in the restaurant's poor overall performance. Then it occurred to me:
The core problem was attitude. For whatever reason,
this restaurant and its staff seemed afflicted with a negative
attitude and a defeated spirit. Imagine being raised in an environment where you were
always told you were stupid. By the time you reach the workforce, you would become
convinced that you are stupid and incompetent; all you want to do is
survive. This restaurant seemed filled with people like that - mere
survivors, not achievers. Convinced they were incapable of success;
their only goal was to make it through another day with as little
struggle as possible.
It is amazing the
difference our attitude makes in how we approach each day and what
we are able to accomplish. The book of Proverbs says, "As a man
thinks in his heart, so is he". The perspective you maintain about
yourself - and your circumstances - can have a tremendous impact on
what you do, how you do it, and how it is evaluated by
others.
 Are you a
survivor who would really like to become an achiever? Do
you harbor negative, even destructive, thoughts from the past? Make
an effort to transform your mind, adopting a new attitude toward
yourself and the situation in which you find yourself. You can start
by focusing on truth. Philippians 4:8 says, "whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable - If anything is excellent or
praiseworthy - think about such things."
Years ago, and even to
this day, business consultants and motivational speakers often speak
about "the power of positive thinking." This "power" does have its
limits - it takes more than just thinking positively to become a
world-class athlete, top-producing salesperson, or highly respected
top executive. But a negative attitude will undoubtedly keep you
from achieving lofty goals.
The story is often told
about the two stonecutters who were asked what they were doing. The
first answered, "I am cutting this stone into blocks." The second
offered a very different reply. He said, "I am part of a
team that is building a great cathedral." As you approach
your own job today, what will you be doing: Simply cutting stone
into blocks - or participating in building a cathedral?
Copyright 2010 Alan Goff.
Shared from the www.AlbertaSpeakers.com success articles
collection.
Last Minute News  This has
been a very different year compared to the one just past. By this
time last year I'd had the privilege of traveling to Hawaii,
Australia, Holland, Mexico, Korea, and Russia (with some Canadian
and US trips along the way.)This year promised Irene I'd stay
home unless it was 'paid' business travel. I often have
opportunities to travel which are not paid; although some of them
cover off the expenses. It has been a challenge. Other than a trip
to Cuba for Irene's birthday in January I've been good. But it will
be worth it when we go to Australia next year for Amanda and
Micheal's wedding.
There
are some amazing changes happening at our place in Egremont.
The gardens are growing and it is becoming our own private
retreat and a place we can invite friends for a drink or a bar-b-que
like we did this weekend. We had Kelly and Christine and a very
lovely young lady named Alexa over for dinner on Sunday. It is
amazing how Alexa is growing. Hard to believe she only came into our
lives last September. It is so much fun watching her
grow.
In between
working on the carpentry and garden projects I'm doing some writing
and working on a few other marketing pieces for the fall. So,
keeping my brain active as well.
Had a call from
a friend (and client) of mine who now heads a large US furniture
retail chain. He wanted to catch up and to remind me to not be a
stranger. He is working on his first book and says he has included
some of my crazy adventures or projects we worked on in the book...
how cool is that!
Thanks for
reading  Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey would be pleased
to be a part of your success team and to work with you to help
make your conference, meeting, or training event a larger
success. For more information about customized keynotes,
professional and personal leadership training and coaching, or
seminars/retreats, please visit http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office
at: (780) 736-0009
Ask about a customized conference, coaching or training package to suit your specific career, company, or organizational needs. Ask about our innovative leadership and/or sales leaders' motivational training programs. Picture is the gate we
just built to finish off the twin decks project this June.
Had to finish one part of the fence and replace the north
end of the skirting with wood so it matched the remainder
of the decks.
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