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Mary Beth Cahill-Phillips sad, “There are no shortages of opportunities for people to do great things.” The opportunities exist, and the choice is up to us. We read stories about people that do extraordinary things every week. There are people that create value in business; people that lead organizations; people that develop other people; people that are focused on their passion, their purpose, their plan.

How are you living to be successful in your life? Do you have the right focus? Are your actions aligned with your goals?

Some of you may be able to answer yes. Some of you may be saying, “I have not yet discovered my passion.” Some of you are probably stuck in a routine that is keeping you on pace with the same results as last year.

Here is something I discovered. Understanding your passion, purpose and plan is a dynamic process. It is not a one time event. If you are waiting for a bolt of lightning to deliver you inspiration, it is not going to happen.

I am not passionate about the same things today, as I was passionate about 20 years ago. My purpose today is different because it has evolved. I cannot write down a plan, and not review it, modify it, grow it at least every year. We change, and our vision of the future is a dynamic entity.

If you have not created or revised your plan in the last twelve months, do it this weekend. Set aside time to reflect, dream, grow, and focus. Put your plan on paper, and then begin to align yourself to acheive.

 

A leader’s greatest challenge is leading himself. People will not follow someone that cannot lead their own life. If you wish to strengthen your leadership, strengthen yourself. Here are three keys areas where your focus can have a visible impact to those around you.

1. Energy: You will be more successful if you are energized. Energy can be increased by many factors. Your health, your fitness, and your ability to sleep will increase your energy level. Your energy is also reflected in your passion, your vision, and your actions. All you fully energized to be successful?

2. Attitude: It is no secret that being positive will greatly affect your results. If you feel defeated before you start a project, the chances are good that you will fail. Your attitude is always visible. If you work to make it more positive, it will make your team, and your environment more positive.

3. Values: Most of us can list the values that we believe in, honesty, courage, respectfulness, integrity, etc. But think about how you live your values. Are they front and center in everything you do? People need to see that you live your values, not just being able to list them.

 

Last week a friend of mine was visiting. He told me about taking his 4 year old son for a walk in the park. They were walking and his son, was intently watching an older lady that was walking toward them. When she got closer, his son started waving at her. When she passed by, his son said, “Hi!”

Afterwards, his son said, “I always say hi to older people.”

My friend asked, “Why?”

His son answered, “Because they always have a sad look, and when I say hi, their face fills up with a smile.”

Insightful for a 3 year old. Something we should all remember.

Harry Colcord had faith. I am sure you don’t recognize the name, but once you know his place in history you will agree that he had faith. Harry was the manager for Charles Blondin, also known as The Great Blondin. In 1859, Charles crossed the gorge of Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He carried Charles Blondin on his back.

How much faith would Harry Colcord need to possess in the success of Charles to cross the Niagara? You can imagine it was a immense.

How much faith do you put into people? A leader must place faith in his people. To be successful you must let each person on your team contribute to their full ability. That means letting go, and having faith that they will succeed.

People will not have faith in you as a leader, until you put your faith into them.

To successfully cross the Niagara, Charles Blondin had to have faith that Harry Colcord would not panic and plunge both of them to their death. Faith is not something you give or get easily, but it works in both directions.