appreciative, Author at Dennis E. Gilbert

15
Apr 14
-

Hurry Up!

Tags : acceleration strategist bell curve life cycle pivot and accelerate

Often we are amazed by how fast time seems slip away. It is my belief, and perhaps the belief of many others that we are living in a very interesting time and the rate of human and intellectual development is accelerating at pace seemingly beyond our ability to keep up.

Creating success in a fast paced world may require us now, more than ever before, to be on the front side of the bell curve. You know the bell curve, there is the beginning of a life-cycle, whether it is for an event, a product, style, or even generally accepted beliefs. As the life-cycle continues from inception to its peak we are on the front side of the bell curve, once the peak is reached the curve begins a downward trend ultimately reaching the end of its life cycle. What is important is that the curve never stops, it is always moving across a period of time. This makes time the most important resource for our ability to succeed.

My point is simple. People who are determined to create a bigger, better, and brighter future, they need to hurry. They must have the courage to both pivot and accelerate. The curve will shift over time, and the longer they wait, the harder it becomes to achieve their success.

This may come across as harsh, and to some it may seem unnecessary, but if you want the benefit of the curve—hurry up!

– DEG

Photo Credit: Ray Bouknight

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

08
Apr 14
-

Strange Stuff

Tags : persistence for success pivot and accelerate

People do some strange stuff, right? Recently someone suggested to me that many people engage on social media channels simply looking for a fight. Yesterday, I caught a glimpse of a news program discussing a recent study that proclaims the residual effects or emotional experiences drawn from “spite” are healthy.

In some cases society has decided to reward drama, celebrate criticism, and glorify arguments. We see this in reality television, singing and performance shows who make mockeries out of contestants, and news stations that attack and belittle people for the sake of better ratings.

To me the question becomes not about why this is happening, we already know that answer, but why do we like it? Or don’t we? If you don’t like drama, then divorce yourself from all the stimuli that creates it. If you don’t believe in criticism, then stop criticizing. If you don’t want to argue, stop looking for a fight.

Keep in mind that what you focus on, you’ll get more of, most people would label this as your results.

People do strange stuff—don’t they?

– DEG

(Deep Fried Oreo Cookie) Photo Credit: Razan Orendovici

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

01
Apr 14
2

The Power of Fear

Tags : assume more risk face your fear

Listen carefully to what people say, the actions that they take, and the results that they get. Successful people assume more risk. Period.

“I considered saying something, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“I wanted to volunteer but I figured they wanted someone more experienced.”

“I thought about saying ‘hello’ to the owner of the business I work for when I saw them at the shopping mall, but I decided they probably weren’t interested to speak to me.”

Or worse yet,

“I really hate Mercedes Benz automobiles, my boss drives one.”

“Don’t even think about moving to that part of town, that is where all the rich people live.”

“Every time I see that jerk I just get more angry, it must be nice to be so lucky to run a business making that amount of money.”

Does any of this sound familiar? I am constantly amazed at the power of fear. Fear to take a risk, fear of being rejected, fear of taking action or making changes that then creates resentment, anger, or dislike.

For many, the single biggest factor affecting their ability to get to the next level, have the breakthrough they have been wanting, or accomplish something really big lies in their self-limiting beliefs which are enhanced, backed up, and completely supported by fear.

The first step to creating your success—face your fear.

– DEG

Photo Credit: Skywalk – Switzerland, by Kecko

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

25
Mar 14
2

You’re Talented!

Tags : being successful growing talent

People often work very hard to develop their talent. What is sometimes surprising is that people work even harder to develop their weaknesses. The same is true for businesses.

Spending time and energy on fixing weaknesses has both merit and value. Becoming entirely focused on fixing weaknesses, as compared to developing talent is probably the wrong move.

For example, if the coach of the football team recognizes that the quarterback can throw very well (talent) but isn’t heavy enough to push around opposing players on the line or block and tackle effectively, what should the coach do? Work with the quarterback to gain some weight and practice maneuvers to become a better blocker? No. Here the focus should not be on fixing the weakness; it should be on developing the talent.

The same is true for businesses. So often they become very active in pursuing the fixing of weaknesses, a good thing, right? Yes, until their focus becomes entirely committed to the weakness, when as a result, they start to sacrifice their talent to only become mediocre in the areas where they are weak.

So the key word becomes focus. You can focus on growing talent, but you should never focus on fixing weaknesses.

Make efforts to improve your weaknesses, but never lose focus of your talent.

– DEG

Photo Credit: Kyle May

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

18
Mar 14
-

Same Old, Same Old

Tags : persistence pivot and accelerate victim

Routines become part of life, if you allow it. A routine of getting prepared, being organized, exercise and healthy eating may all be considered good. Routines in support of the status quo, limited learning opportunities, and only accepting what comes easily in life may not be so good.

Many people pursue life as one big habit. They move through daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual routines. They look ahead to holidays, vacation time, and the start of a new year. Suddenly, they find themselves asking—where did the time go?

You see the same old routine doesn’t really get you anywhere, unless of course, some misfortune or luck affects your future outcomes. Oddly enough, this seems to be representative of many of the same people who claim they are victims. Victims of no luck, no opportunities, and a mundane life that has them experiencing a mid-life crisis for twenty or thirty years. Suddenly (or maybe not) it is too late and they find themselves xperiencing end of life resentment for unfulfilled expectations. People and circumstances are blamed but they seldom accept responsibility for their own outcomes.

This is exactly why the ability to Pivot and Accelerate has never been more important.

Your time is now.

We may not know what the fox says, but we know what the victim says: “same old, same old.”

– DEG

Photo Credit: Domenico Salvagnin

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

11
Mar 14
-

Good Intentions

Tags : good intentions persistence for results

We seem to believe that good intentions mean something. I thought about trying to improve, but I didn’t take any action. I thought about calling the customer to offer the special but then I got busy with email. I thought about changing my diet, but then I thought it really doesn’t matter that much anyway.

Good intentions, while a noble gesture, are really just that, a gesture. They seldom produce any results on their own. It gives people something to talk about, it allows them to feel like they have given effort, but in reality, they have given very little.

Three things are important for people with good intentions:

It means they have considered a plan, but now it is time to get started
They have to start someplace, most start small, or at the bottom and work up
Once started, it is a plan in-action and no longer just an intention.

Right now, if you are thinking—is this me? Then you already have the answer. If you ask the question, you’re likely in the company of good intentions. Break the mold; break the habit, break-free of limitations. Today is the day you take action, don’t just think about it, and make your next move—intentional!

– DEG

Photo Credit: Andy Melton

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

04
Mar 14
2

Collaboration Combination

Tags : collaboration customer service win-win

You’ve heard about win-win. You suggest it, you stipulate it, and you tell others that it is the only way you roll. Do you pride yourself on win-win relationships? Are you sure?

Sadly most business propositions are more focused on the win, as opposed to a win-win. Failure to see or understand the difference between a standalone win, and a win-win leaves at least one party misrepresented. What is worse? It seems that the longer the term of the relationship, the harder it becomes to keep the win-win atmosphere alive.

Sales and service organizations are often under pressure to month-by-month, year-by-year improve revenues, value of services, and increase profit. Their customers on the other hand, are charged with reducing expenses, getting more value while maintaining quality, and also increasing profit. Considering the customer and vendor continuum it seems like a tall challenge to consistently deliver a win-win combination. That takes us right back to the win.

A standalone win represents everyone for themselves and is certainly not a win-win. Effective collaboration requires both. It is the only combination.

Are you collaborating, or are you only winning?

– DEG

Photo Credit: Mark Morgan

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

25
Feb 14
-

Hearing Confidence

Tags : confidence self-esteem self-limting

Often people tell me that they are “trying to stay positive,” which is not a bad statement to make, or hear. What is often more troubling is that when they speak, they speak defeat.

If you listen carefully you will hear words like:

Can’t
Never
Won’t
Bad
Difficult

Not that these words shouldn’t be used, but when used in short phrases describing situations or potential outcomes they often sound like negativity or defeat.

This leads to the point about confidence. Confidence or self-confidence is something that we develop. It is not genetically created, we build it. Many believe that it is built from two primary factors, self-efficacy and self-esteem.

What is so alarming is that people often don’t remember the things they have done that are great, they tend to dwell on those mistakes, errors, or when they have let themselves or others down. They may develop the attitude that you, can’t, won’t, and never will be able to accomplish goals, a dream, or success.

They only hear negativity in the voices of others. Both intentionally and unintentionally sometimes other people bring you down. Their words can hurt, stifle progress, and certainly help you to inappropriately set self-limiting beliefs.

Confidence is built, both by what we hear and what we say. Everyone has good days and bad days, they have times of accomplishment, and moments of shortcomings. Confidence will never be built with a focus on defeat.

To accomplish more and build confidence you should focus on what worked well, what created positive momentum, and what efforts have propelled you one step closer to your goals. It is important to consider and listen to feedback of what didn’t work so well, but that must be used to craft your next move forward, not retract or establish new lower limits.

Listen to yourself. What do you hear?

– DEG

Photo Credit: Saad Faruque

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

18
Feb 14
-

Strategy and Logic

Tags : logic self-limiting beliefs strategy

Good strategy doesn’t always align with what many would believe is good logic. Looking back not everyone agreed with the concept of the personal computer, the internet, and cellular telephones. It doesn’t mean that any of those were a bad idea.

Often what is necessary for a breakthrough involves breaking down old habits, traditions, and self-limiting beliefs. Being a black smith as an occupation, owning or operating a video rental store, and using a camera that requires film all at one point may have seemed like a good idea and a strategy to continue. Yet those jobs, businesses, and products are nearly all, if not entirely, obsolete.

Good strategy doesn’t always mean it makes sense. People and businesses that stay focused on where they are, will likely have unknowingly placed limits on where they can be. Instead, staying focused on where you are going to be changes the opportunity from becoming obsolete into becoming elite.

Does it make sense to challenge logic when you form strategy?

Ask Kodak, Blockbuster, and your blacksmith. Hurry.

– DEG

Photo Credit: Derek Key

Dennis E. Gilbert is a national level corporate trainer, speaker, consultant, and coach. He is leading people, teams, and organizations to new levels of personal and professional growth. He latest book is: Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours!

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

11
Feb 14
-

Spending Smart

Tags : advertising marketing money relationships spending

It seems reasonable that all businesses spend money on marketing and advertising efforts. People too, they spend their energy and resources on networking, relationship building, and future positioning.

Some businesses will just throw money at a problem; throw money at building their brand, or at marketing and advertising efforts. It doesn’t mean they are any smarter or better than businesses who spend less, it means that they earn enough through their endeavors or through investment to spend like crazy trying to make up for other shortcomings. Many believe the old idiom, “You’ve got to spend money, to make money.” Perhaps there is some truth to that statement.

People sometimes follow a similar pattern. Sometimes they spend with money, sometimes with only resources or their individual energy. People may pursue building relationships, monitoring who they hang out with, and even how they spend their leisure time. All in an effort to build relationships or an image that they believe will get results. Many believe the old idiom, “It’s not what you do, it’s who you know.” Is that the truth? Perhaps but is it smart spending?

Both businesses and people spend. It’s not about how much they spend. They don’t necessarily need to spend big—they need to spend smart!

– DEG

Photo Credit: Nick Ares and aresauburn^TM

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

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