Mark S. Brown

There is a proverb that says, “Masters who sacrifice for servants will receive the gift of loyalty.” Your success is multiplied by the success of those around you. The success of those around you can be multiplied by your help and support.

I am not suggesting that we are surrounded by servants that we need to serve. But I am suggesting that your success is directly related to how you help others become successful.

This is the time of year when we are reflecting on the past and making plans for the future. If you want to be more successful next year, increase your effort on serving others. To get you started on this reflection exercise, consider questions in these three areas:

1. Do you have a servant’s attitude when it comes to your leadership? When you are in a leadership position (work, family, organization, business, etc.) what is your true purpose? Are you giving as much as you receive? What can you give to those around you that would help them? How can this group of people be more successful with your help? What unique skills do you bring?

2. What do the people closest to you value? What is the purpose of the people around you? What joy do they receive when you are around? What benefit do you provide that they desire? What brings a smile to their face when you approach them? If they don’t smile, then determine what will make them smile.

3. How can you increase the value added to the people closest to you related to what they value? Why are they associated with you? What can you do to strengthen the value you provide to them (not based on your purpose, but based on theirs). Their purpose is not aligned with the yours, but you can learn what they need. Make it part of your action plan for the coming year to help them achieve what they need to achieve.

Frank F. Warren said, “If you wish to be a leader you will be frustrated, for very few people wish to be led. If you aim to be a servant you will never be frustrated.” You will always be welcomed by others if they see you as a person that adds value, and is not afraid to help.

I facilitate small group meetings composed of individuals that increase their success through increased awareness and networking with others. We all can benefit from more personal success. You can join one of these groups by sending me an email at mbrown@newroadsleadership.com.

If you change the way you see yourself, you will change the way you see the world. Muhammad Ali once said, “The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” How we change over our lifetime is an integrated result of our view of the world and the view of ourselves.

Most people look outwards upon the world, but it is just as important to have an inward focus. You must start with yourself.

Here are four valuable approaches that will change you and the way you view yourself.

1. Add value to others: If you dedicate some of your time, money, or energy in helping others, you will change yourself. People that give of themselves gain significance, fulfillment, personal growth, and a new attitude. By helping others you are helping yourself.

2. Know your values: Every person has a unique view of the world. It starts with who we are. Every year I review what it is that I value. It helps me ground myself, make sure I am aligned, but it also provides a framework for my world.

3. Add value to yourself: You cannot give to others that which you do not have. If you want to grow in significance, you must invest in yourself. There are many ways to grow your capabilities such as reading, joining a group, taking a class, and utilizing a coach or mentor.

4. Being disciplined and accountable: This is the process by which we transform dreams and hopes into reality. If we take action and we follow through in order to accomplish our goals, then our view of what can be accomplished increases dramatically. We become more aware of the possibilities. If we are stuck, and our dreams are only dreams, then we will remain stuck in our current place.

This approach may seem simple, or it may seem overwhelming. We are all in different places along our journey. If you can build these four practices into your daily life, then you will have a better view of your world. If you need some help getting started, send me an email at mbrown@newroadsleadership.com.

 

Thanksgiving doesn’t feel anything like it did when I was a child. It has evolved over nearly 400 years since it was first celebrated. In the last 35 years alone, our society has greatly impacted how this holiday is celebrated. Three factors with a large influence are the increase of splintered families, the increase of commercialization, and the decrease in people regularly attending a church.

Thanksgiving has transitioned to be a weekend of shopping madness. Many stores are opening now on Thanksgiving to capture your dollars. In a few more decades, I would guess all the stores would be open, just like on Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

Regardless of what your plans may be for Thanksgiving, I recommend a few basics to fully enjoy the holiday.

1. Reflection: For most people giving thanks would be number one, but I think reflection must come first. Reflection gives you a chance to put in perspective all the blessings received in the previous year.

2. Giving Thanks: Giving thanks is something we need to do intentionally, and all the year. However on Thanksgiving Day we take the opportunity as a special time. The word giving means we must express our thanks, not just be thankful. Here is a great blog about being intentional this Thanksgiving. http://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/giving-intentional-thanks

3. Rejuvenation of Spirit: This Thanksgiving let yourself be rejuvenated by the holiday. Take time for yourself. Don’t spend your entire weekend working, shopping, eating, and sleeping. Take a few moments just for yourself and rejuvenate your spirit, and your attitude.

I wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time, and save a little for yourself.

Stuart Wilde said, “Our life’s journey of self-discovery is not a straight-line rise from one level of consciousness to another. Instead, it is a series of steep climbs and flat plateaus, then further climbs. Even though we all approach the journey from different directions, certain of the journey’s characteristics are common to all of us.” It is true that we may share characteristics related to self-discovery, the journey is difficult. In fact, the hardest work you will do is self-discovery.

Some people are probably thinking, “Really, you must be joking? I have done much harder work.” It is true that most work is physically harder work, but there is no more mentally challenging work than self discovery. Some people find physical work enjoyable because they can tune out mental stress and other challenges.

When I think of self-discovery, I think about a couple of books by John C. Maxwell that have really made me stop, think, and learn more about myself. These books have made me change my actions, and my daily agenda so that I can continue my journey of self-discovery. The two books that I reference the most in this regard are Today Matters, and The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.

Today Matters define 12 daily practices related to 12 areas of life that you should consider, and make decisions on how you wish to live. Chapter by chapter it takes you through these 12 areas, such as attitude, priorities, health, family, thinking, commitments, and finances. Each chapter becomes an area of reflection and self-discovery.

The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth is focused on being a lifetime learner, and growing your capability. The path of personal growth and the path of self-discovery overlap in many instances. Lets examine the first three laws of growth and see how they relate to self-discovery.

1. The Law of Intentionality: Growth Doesn’t Just Happen Very seldom do significant results occur without intentional action. Both personal growth and self-discovery require intentionality.

2. The Law of Awareness: You Must Know Yourself to Grow Yourself Self-discovery is a process that happens in stages. It is a continuous journey. When you become aware on one level, it opens the door to additional levels. Whatever area you decide to develop, works the same. A nuclear scientist started out learning addition and subtraction just like you and I. They just continued down a different path, achieving much higher levels of awareness and knowledge.

3. The Law of the Mirror: You Must See Value in Yourself to Add Value to Yourself This is a great law linked to both personal growth and self-discovery. If you do not value yourself, you are not going to spend time with yourself. Because it is work, you need to see the value of that work. If you look for it, you will always see value that will lead you to a next step.

The work of self-discovery is hard work, because it requires us to be intentional in our actions. No one else is going to hold us accountable minute by minute. It is so easy to sit in front of the computer or a television and waste hours of your day.

It is hard work. Are you making the effort?