Performance Strategies: Effort

Do or do not...There is no "TRY"
- Jedi Master Yoda

Performance Strategies: The Steel Room

Imagine yourself in a large solid, steel room. The walls, the floor, the ceiling...all steel, all 2 feet thick. There is no way in and no way out. There are no windows, doors or cracks to crawl through. There is only a minute of air left and then, you die. Use that minute wisely and figure a way out without any tools or devices.

Having trouble? Trying to figure every way out. Is you time up yet. If so, sorry, you're already gone. No worries though. If you haven't already figured it out (and less than 2% do), read on.

So, how do you get out? That's easy! The same way you got in! Since you imagined your way in, why not just imagine your way out! 59 seconds to spare!

You see, we all create these steel rooms...right out of our imagination. And we are every bit as stuck as if the situation was real. When we imagine the worst, we need to remind ourselves to ask one question? Is this experience real or imagined. If real, go ahead and cope with it. We usually do aterrific job of coping in the toughest of times. However, chances are that it is imagined and in such a case, just imagine something else.

Performance Strategies: Settle for MORE....

Sometimes the reason we don't have is because we are shooting to low. As a result, often we see the doors as closed and don't understand why. Maybe they are closed so that the good ones are left open.

remember

Performance Strategies: Trapped?

Are you trapped in your past experiences? If so, your are doomed to relive them every day as your present.

Performance Strategies: Crumbs or Cake?

"Why eat the crumbs when the cake is for you to take"
---unknown

Performance Strategies: Which comes first?

You must believe to receive yet it seems that many need to receive to believe.
---Stephen Libman

Performance Strategies: Adjust your focus

"Dont be so wrapped up in your way when another way may serve you better"
---unknown

Performance Strategies: Acquiring Wisdom

If you walk with wise men, you will become wise
--- proverbs

Performance Strategies: Worry, or not...

Think back to a year ago, two years ago, five years ago or even longer and try and remember what you worried about. Chances are, most of those things never happened and the ones that did were managed.

So, considering that what we worry about seldom comes true and that which does is handled anyway, why bother worrying. In fact, all it accomplishes is a tremendous waste of time, energy and yet often adversely affects our health. Now that's something to worry about!

Performance Strategies: Persuasion

Everyone sells! and...they do it all the time!

Think about a child who wants something, anything. Or, how about the last time you wanted a raise, some workplace concessions or even a day off. Think about Mom wanting to see the kids or Dad wanting to get you into a golf foursome. Do you really think there is no selling going on? Really?

So, since selling is a given, what actually makes some people better at it than others? The answer is obvious. Those who sell well are masters of persuasion. Some are natually great whiles others can learn and apply the knowledge.

Stay tuned for future blogs on the "how to" of persuasion.

Performance Strategies: Fear Knocked...

Fear knocked at the door, I was afraid to answer
Fear knocked again, I was even more afraid
Fear kept knocking until I got fed up and threw open the door in defiance
No one was there

Performance Strategies: Take risk...

“A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.” Grace Murray Hopper

Performance Strategies: Lessons from "The Apprentice"

I've been following this show since it started. I actually sent in an application for season 2 but got nowhere. I would have continued applying for subsequent seasons but by then I was already committed to other lucrative projects. That aside, I'm a fan of the show not so much because I might feel I could have done "that" but because of the contestant interactions and reactions. So I discovered a few lessons we can all take away;

1. Be people centered... Nearly everthing is done people-to-people. Most people don't care about you till you show them you care about them.
2. Proact don't react... It's better to have a good plan starting out of the gate rather than try and fix a bad one on the fly. If things go astray simply adapt and more on.
   
3. Earn respect, don't demand it... If you deserve it you will earn it.
4. Act when you are 80% ready... Nothing happens while waiting for things to be perfect.
5. Surround yourself with greatness... Accept that you don't know it all and get the best people working with you.
6. Be decisive and firm... No one follows uncertainty too far.
7. Be accountable... Never blame others. No one really cares anyways if you do. Stop whining.
   
8. Give credit... Share the limelight with those involved.
9. Learn from every experience... If you did not learn something you're not really involved in the process.

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Performance Strategies: Lessons from "American Idol"

Watching American Idol I couldn't help but think about all those people who tried and failed. I don't mean the ones who actually made it onto the show as contestants. In fact those people succeeded albeit all at different levels. I also don't include those people who were not serious from the start. No, I mean those people who had the dreams, desires and aspirations for greatness. Those who worked so very hard to make it but fell short. Their reactions fell into two categories; those who gave up on their dream and those who did not. We are all challenged with roadblocks. Those who ultimately succeed do so because they persevere in spite of the setbacks.

Performance Strategies: Being Told NO! Roll with it...

You go to a restaurant. At the end of the meal your server offers dessert and coffee. You say "no". Did they quit? Of course not. In spite of the "rejection" they don't take it personally. Instead they accept that you rejected their offer, not them. No one can reject you without your permission. So the next time you get a "no", roll with it.

Performance Strategies: Attitude of Gratitude

Different days, different results. Some make you happy, others less so. In spite of the latter, spend a moment each day and find the good, then be thankful for it. Living with an attitude of gratitute helps you focus on the positive. After all, you get what what you focus on.

Performance Strategies: Dominant Ideas

"It may be so difficult to escape from a dominant idea that it becomes impossible without outside help"...Edward de Bono (world's leading authority on creative thinking)

Click HERE to listen to Edward de Bono discussing creativity and order the free DVD.

Performance Strategies: Never Interupt...

"Never interupt someone who is doing what you think can't be done"

Performance Strategies: Are you living life in the rearview mirror?

If you live your life in the past, you are really living your past in the present. In doing so, you condemn yourself to live that way in the future. Leave your past where it belongs...in the past.

Performance Strategies: Just say "Hi"

Not too long ago two of my children were extras in the film The Greatest Game Ever Played directed by actor Bill Paxton. I briefly met Mr. Paxton while on set one day. Nice gentleman, wonderful to cast and crew.

Fast forward to yesterday. I'm on a connecting flight through San Francisco on my way to Reno when I see who I think to be, Bill Paxton. Initially, I was not going to disturb him for two reaons. Well one reason and one justification. The justification was that he probably was hounded by fans and he would not appreciate being noticed in such a public place. The real reason was because I did not want to be embarrassed if I was mistaken or of being rejected if I was not.

Well a little "self-talk" (Dummy, what's the worst that can happen? Better yet, what positive result might come from it?) went aong way so I made that quick "go and say Hi" decision and approached him.

"Bill?" He didn't answer ("is he ignoring me, maybe I should go away"). I asked again, "Bill?"

This time he turned and with a stern look said "Do I know you?".

Wow! It was Bill Paxton and I was annoying him ("quick, apologize and run away").

"Yes Mr. Paxton, we met on the set of Greatest Game.My boys were extras. They even have a great picture of all of you together".

His entire demeanor changed. He apologized for being "guarded" and or the next 30 minutes, we talked about the movie, what he was doing now (Big Love HBO TV Series) and that he and his brother Robert were travelling to Reno for his folks' (John and Mary Lou Paxton) art collection exhibition at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Then he said what I didn't expect, "You should come!". "Who me?" ."Yes, join us at the museum". "Well Bill, I'll see if I can make it" (translation = this catches me off guard and I'm not sure how to reply). We part at baggage claim.

At the hotel I give some thought to Bill's offer and then it hits me. I've really got two choices here. One, stay in the hotel and order room service - no opportunties. Second, go to the event, see what happens - maybe some opportunities. I hopped in a cab and off I went.

When I got to the museum I was treated like a VIP. I soon met up with Bill, his brothers Robert and Steve, and his parents John and Mary Lou. I was given a personal tour and commentary of the collection. What a great experience. Then came a sit down dinner. "What? A sit down dinner?". I had no idea. "What the heck, l'll stay" (I said to myself). It was a great dinner during which Bill checked up on me to make sure all was good. It was. In fact, I met a number of very interesting people including a real estate lender who loaned money on land only deals within 45 minutes of his home. Why is that significant? Well, the next day, while I was speaking at a real estate training program, one of my students revealed that he was involved in a big land-only deal in Reno and needed funding. Go figure. So, I put him in touch with the lender met the night before. The student told me if he could get the deal done it would change his life. Who knows what may come of tha or what may come of my evening with the Paxtons? At the very least, I had a great time, met some great people, opened some doors and, made a new friend.

Friends, next time you are wondering if you should say something, remember this story, and just say "Hi".

Performance Strategies: From eZine to Blog

Many of you have come to this Blog as a previous eZine subscriber to “The Drive to Achieve (DTA)” from my website at www.stephenlibman.com. If so, let me extend a special welcome.

For those who did not know, “The Drive to Achieve” was an eZine based on the thoughts and ideas stemming from my forthcoming book of the same name.

While I tried in earnest to deliver DTA to all subscribers, I was getting more and more “bounced” e-mails. I quickly discovered (as are many other e-mail newsletter writers) that spam filters have become quite unforgiving lately (in spite of running spam-check first). Then I discovered Blogs and realized I could still write my eZine (just in another format) and people could simply subscribe to the feed.

We all benefit. You, my valued readers, have more control and I know those who want The Drive to Achieve eZine are still getting it.

In addition to the new material, over time, I will post all the previous issues’ content here.

Thanks for staying connected. Please forward the link at right to your friends, family, colleagues, associates or anyone else you fell may benefit from some practical performance advice.

Performance Strategies: Know-Why versus Know-How

In his book "Life is Tremendous", Charlie "Tremendous" Jones (who, by the way, I've had the priviledge of being hugged by...another story for another day) talks about the difference between knowing how to do a thing compared with knowing why you are doing it. As Charlie says "...great organizations...have been built on the answers to "why"". I agree, once the "why" is known and you are aligned to it, the "how" becomes almost obvious. For more information on my program "The WHY Factor: Living Life on Purpose", I invite you to visit my website or click here for the pdf.

Performance Strategies: Stop Blaming & Complaining

Take a look in the mirror. Take ownership. Take responsibility. Take new actions. Take home the reward.

Performance Strategies: Recommended Reading on Leadership

Leadership - Rudolph Giuliani
Hardcover - 288 pages 1 edition (October 1, 2002)
Talk Miramax Books ; ISBN: 0786868414

Many people talk about it, this man lives it. It's interesting to note that while going through the 9/11 crisis, Mr. Giuliani modeled Winston Churchill during his own challenges of war.