confidence Archives - Page 3 of 5

13
Dec 18
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Internal Narrative, Working For You or Against You?

Tags : confidence decisions narrative story

Quite possibility, the decision was made because of the observations of the competition. Perhaps, the critics, naysayers, and pessimists had a hand in the outcome. What is your internal narrative suggesting?

The business enterprise, the non-profit, and even the career changer are often driven by the internal narrative. Business or pleasure, people are often good at finding something to either drive change or prevent it.

Emotions or Facts?

Fear and emotions are a good driver. Nearly any decision, any choice has emotion attached.

Sure, we can make business decisions based on the data, the metric, and the CFO’s report. There are factual aspects of the data and outcomes.

Questioning the narrative can be complex. Will sales improve, will the shipment arrive on-time, or will the competition launch before we do?

Data may tell a story but the internal narrative will drive what happens next.

Internal Narrative

Our organizational cultures and our instincts, gut feel, and experiences drive the narrative. In nearly all cases the narrative we see, discuss, and share is reflected in our decisions.

As organizations and people, we may fail to trust, fail to commit, and refuse to spring into action. Why? Largely it is about the narrative.

The narrative has two sides. One of pending doom, or one of pending boom.

Our internal narrative will drive what happens next. It is often working overtime to either cause distress or drive reassurance.

Should you work for the narrative or against it?

Better learn to assess the narrative.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

23
Oct 18
2

Do You Know How To Write a Great Win List?

Tags : confidence how to impact positivity win list

Friends are often priceless. Sometimes they are cheap too, but that is a different story. A good friend suggested to me that I’ve written about why, but I failed to tell how to write a great win list.

Impact Matters Most

Writing a win list may be quite different from person-to-person. Some of it really depends on how you absorb information. You must consider what is most impactful for your own learning and the degree to which you are stimulated by factors in your environment.

Some people take in the information and reflect on what it means by writing it down. They take notes, and it stimulates storage, a memory, some reflection. Others may claim they learn by watching, reading, or even just listening.

This is important for how you’ll create your win list. The idea is stimulation, a reminder of moments you are successful, and perhaps an avoidance of reliving negativity.

Great Win List

Here are some ways to consider the how:

Journal. You can keep a journal of wins. A tablet, a spiral bound notebook, or even a leather or hardbound book type journal.
Digital Document. You can place lists of your wins in a digital document. This could be on your personal computing device, cellular phone, or tablet device. You could even record your voice or create a video.
Whiteboard. A white board is a nice place for collective wins. A department or a team may need a reminder from time to time about what to focus on. A white board win list is a nice community engagement tool.
Easel Pad. In my office, I’ve used a Post-It easel pad sheet. I write down wins or messages that are positively impactful and stick it on my bookcase. I change it or remove it as necessary.
Speak About It. While this isn’t necessarily the written word you can ask your colleagues, “What was your win today?” Often, we choose to talk about what went wrong but a win list is the opportunity to discuss what went right.

What is most important about your win list is that it can serve as a positive reminder. It should be the place you go to look when you are feeling off track, discouraged, or disappointed. The win list is a tool in your arsenal for confidence and positivity.

Do you want to know more about why a win list is valuable?

What Goes on The List?

Anything that could be considered a win or that sparks positivity.

Did you have a goal for the day or week? Did you improve, come closer, or gain some ground? Perhaps you hit it!

Has someone mentioned something positive to you, thanked you, or expressed gratitude? Did you make a difference for someone else?

Sometimes we can turn things around. Perhaps you didn’t close the sale, but you did achieve two new inquiries. Or, perhaps you learned how to improve on your next proposal.

It’s your list, writing it, reading it, seeing it, feeling it, recording it, all these matter for impact.

Share it.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

15
Oct 18
-

Creating Outcomes Is Exactly What We’re All Doing

Tags : confidence outcomes self-fulfilling prophecy vision

Are you responsible for your own fate? Are you being positive about what the future holds for you? In your life or career, do you feel like you are creating outcomes?

Most people probably do this much more than they realize. Their mindset directs what happens next.

Someone coughs. “Stop spreading your germs! I better not get sick.”

Traffic is backed up. “I knew this would happen.”

Sales are down. “The marketing plan was a bad idea from the start.”

Our Vision

We get more assignments when we attend the meeting. The phone rings as soon as we get engaged in our work. We nearly the finish the project and then the boss decides it isn’t needed anyway.

It happens to us when we don’t get the job. Perhaps when the weather takes a turn we don’t like. And, it especially happens when we feel overwhelmed.

Is it coincidence, is it fate, or just bad luck?

Expectations

We get more of what we expect. Yet we’ll argue that we would never, ever, do that. In fact, we may even argue that we are being positive but bad things keep happening.

Do you talk about what’s positive? Do you recite the feeling you had when you closed the sale, drove straight through without traffic, or felt pretty good after a brisk walk? This is option one.

Option two is talking about the coworker that appears to be goofing off, how you were running a few minutes late and then traffic was at a standstill. Or, perhaps you’ll mention the scratchy feeling in your throat and worry about an oncoming sickness.

Creating Outcomes

Life isn’t always as complex as it seems to be. Creating outcomes is what we do. It all starts with our vision.

When we expect a bad day. We’ll find a reason to see a bad day. Do this repetitively and we’ll develop confidence that our vibes are correct. Our intuition is our guide and we trust it.

All of this affirms that you get what you look for, and what you look for is what you’ll get.

Stop telling everyone what went wrong. Look for what worked, what went right, what is a win. You’re not bragging, you’re not narcissistic, you are turning your life around.

-DEG

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

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02
Oct 18
-

Why You Should Be a Standout Sensation

Tags : best fit confidence innovation standout value

Often the goal is to fit in. The successful job applicant is largely successful because they’ve convinced the hiring organization that they are the best fit. Is this the correct logic or should you be a little different? Should you be a standout sensation?

We’re not going to easily rewrite the golden rules of job applicant success. I’m not even sure we should. However, sometimes what moves us forward is not being the best fit, it is being different.

Does Different Sell?

I’m not suggesting different such as purple hair, or different such as violating every societal trend, or even different such as refusing to adapt and normalize with appropriate etiquette. Not at all.

What about being different by being a standout sensation? Does this sell? Is it valuable? Yes.

What has contributed to Zappos success? Being a standout sensation in the art of customer service.

What about Amazon, eBay, or Apple products? Whether you are a fan or not, whether you agree or not, something makes them stand out.

It is hard to get noticed in a crowd of average. It is hard to be selected when the perception of value that you bring is just like everyone else.

In nearly everything that we do, the difference may be in the testimonial, it may be in the recommendation, and in a connection economy it may be your activity within the group. Any or all of these may lead to an opportunity to stand out.

Standout Sensation

Sitting in the dark corner all dressed up at the prom is safer than busting it out on the dance floor. Until Footloose changed the perspective.

You can struggle with positioning and hide away with fear. The fear of fitting in, being accepted, or being chosen.

The alternative is putting in the extra effort, the practice, and the risk of innovation to become a standout sensation.

One will get your somewhere, the other is just part of the crowd.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

03
Aug 18
-

Getting Promoted Requires One Important Action

Tags : confidence performance promotion qualifications

You want the promotion, or the new job. You’ve put in the time, increased your knowledge, and have gained valuable experience. Are you interested in getting promoted? What are the roadblocks?

The biggest difference for those who want to tackle more and those who spring into action and get more is often confidence. Not arrogance, not being overconfident, or narcissistic, but having appropriate confidence.

Life Lessons

Since grade school we’ve likely been taught to wait to be picked. Wait for our turn. Allow someone else to go first. Be patient.

Many people apply what they’ve learned in childhood to their role in the workplace. Manners and being polite are a good thing. Regarding your opportunity to get promoted, you may need to be a bit more assertive.

Yes, some people will get picked. They’ll have what appears to be the right combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities to address a higher calling. They are noticed, visible, and are called to action.

For everyone else some choices remain. Build our confidence, take a risk, raise our hand, jump in the middle, ask, or just start doing it. What is stopping you?

The roadblock for many comes down to the fear of exposure. Exposure that we’ll make some mistakes, that we aren’t skilled with supervision, or that a lack of talent will become apparent and we’ll fail.

After all, since grade school we’ve never been the first pick for the team.

Getting Promoted

Getting promoted may begin with confidence. We need the confidence to get started and that happens by picking ourselves.

Most people don’t start a new job being over qualified. They start on the edge. The edge of being good enough to perform the work but still having significant room for growth.

Many believe the key to getting promoted is to prove what they’ve done in the past. Granted past performance is good indicator of future performance, but for the promotion no one knows for sure.

It is a bet. Start by betting on yourself.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

19
Jun 18
-

Personal Frame and Where We Belong

Tags : confidence frame meetings personal workplace

We tend to put everything in a frame. Our favorite pictures, a diploma, and even our capabilities. Others put us in a frame too. What is your personal frame and does it help or does it somehow make you less?

Work Frames

We attend meetings at work. The entire meeting and its associated outcomes are often conditioned by a frame. Some like the frame, some strongly dislike it.

The frame helps give it all structure. It may speed up processing and at the same time it may limit positive change and prolong problem resolution.

The people within the frame, are framed.

After working with others for some time we tend to have a feel for what they’ll say and how they may say it. We have an idea how they’ll interact and where they will stand on a subject.

This too, is both good and bad. There are positive and likely negative consequences.

While you are inclusive in the frame, you also have your own frame. A place they have placed you. Psychologically, they have given you a label. Smart, silly, bossy, quiet, big ego, or even a push over. People believe they know what they’ll get.

The real question then becomes what frame have you placed yourself in?

Personal Frame

Do you believe you belong in the meeting? Are you good enough, too good, or growing into it? Are you more of an observer, just wanting to have a seat at the table to keep a pulse on the action?

You’ve given yourself your own label. It is the place where you fit. As part of the group you know the ebb and flow, you will likely follow it, always.

It may be confidence, or a lack of it. Your personal frame will guide everything that happens next.

Avoid labeling yourself as not good enough, inferior, or not belonging. Chances are good you’ll live up to your own expectations.

-DEG

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

08
Sep 17
-

breakthrough dennis gilbert appreciative

When a Mistake Becomes a Breakthrough

Tags : breakthrough change confidence mistakes perfection

People worry a lot about making mistakes. It seems natural we want to make the correct decision. We want to avoid more cost, harsh repercussions, and disappointment. Mistakes aren’t always the end of the line though. Sometimes a mistake becomes a breakthrough.

Making Mistakes

It is often said that a mistake is not bad when you learn from it. Of course, that is reasonable advice and certainly adds value to what may seem really bad at the moment.

Innovation and growth often happen by mistake. Sometimes amazing breakthroughs will develop. It happened with penicillin, sildenafil (Viagra), and minoxidil (Rogaine). They were a big mistake, until they weren’t.

There is no doubt that mistakes can be costly. It is true in nearly any field, but not all mistakes will mean that it is over.

No Variance

Many times, we are taught that we must perfect the process. We need to get to the slightest variation, live and work within minimal and maximal tolerances, and once we produce the desired result, lock it in.

This all seems logical. It seems to make sense, until it doesn’t. It stops making sense when businesses and organizations decide that they need change.

When change is called for the logic is in danger. Now the exact ideology, the focus, the culture that exists around perfection is expected to shift gears and change. Even the concept of continuous improvement is more often about a focus on perfection, not change.

Becomes a Breakthrough

Often the forces driving perfection cause the most struggle. The idea to make something great is counterintuitive to making something new. Concepts of no failure, minimal waste, and fewer resources always make sense, until they don’t.

If you’re going to learn to ride the bike, you might fall. If you swing at the ball, you might miss. The exact project that you are working on might be riddled with errors. That error, that mistake you are worried about, it may be a breakdown, but it may also become a breakthrough.

The difference between the destination that you seek and the place that you arrive may become the best mistake you’ll ever make.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours!, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

07
Sep 17
-

Expectations Build Better Careers

Tags : ambition big bucks career confidence expectations

Most of our analysis of life is conditioned by our expectations. Expectations affect everyone’s outlook. They apply to the perfectionist, the idealist, and the pragmatist. High ambition or low, expectations condition results. How do expectations build better careers?

It might seem odd when you think about it. We often tell our friends what we want to quit, but are more quiet about what we really want to achieve. We’ll talk about cutting sugar from our diet, cutting back on junk food, or even about not letting the small stuff get us upset.

Cutbacks typically garnish support. Friends remind friends to have one less beer, to quit smoking, or to consume fewer calories. That is great, in a sense. That may be one of the many great things about friends.

What About Ambitions

What about the other side, what about ambitions, are they supported? If you say you want to complete the college degree, be promoted to vice president, or earn the big bucks, do you get support?

Unfortunately, ambitions are often met with jealously, envy, or the face of insecurity from others. People claim that others who are on the move may be bragging or are narcissistic. If you can support the quit and the cut back or cut out, then you had better be there to support ambitions.

Ambitions are built from expectations. Low or moderate expectations create an opening for easy achievement, average results, or a blending of the crowd. High expectations feel risky and almost out of reach which is exactly why you need more support.

Our success in life, or in some cases perhaps our happiness is conditioned by our expectations. Our expectations are supported, or not, by our friends, family, and colleagues.

I remember in junior high school one of the teachers had a mural in the classroom which contained the words, “great expectations.” Illustrating what was expected from the students. The belief was that it conditioned results. It still moves me today.

Build Better Careers

Our success is often conditioned by what we believe. The Wright brothers believed in flight, Microsoft, and Apple in what some considered crazy dreams. Henry Ford believed in cars, and William Harley and Arthur Davidson in motorcycles. They all had great expectations.

Expectations will help you accomplish your career goals. Make sure you are getting the support you need. Most of all, make sure that you are giving it to others.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a five-time author and some of his work includes, Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours!, and Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

14
Aug 17
-

3 Common Fears Holding Back Your Career

Tags : career confidence fear job promotion

Many people work hard during their career. Some believe that they are focused and committed to achieving more. Some believe they are creating their own legacy. Others feel stuck or stalled. Which one are you? What is holding back your career?

There is always a lot of chatter about fear and what holds people back. Some recognize their fear, look it in the eye, and overcome it. Still there are others, unfortunately, who claim to be the victim of wrongdoing, tough breaks, and unfair treatment.

It seems that there might be plenty of all of that to go around. Are there fears holding back your career?

3 C’s of Career Stall

Here are three common fears that hold people back:

Competition. Competition motivates many people and that is a good thing. Other people really don’t want to compete. It might be easier or safer to hold back, to not face the risk, and just move along. Recognizing competitors is exactly what many career stalls need to get jump-started.
Critics. If you are doing anything, achieving anything, making moves and getting noticed you’re definitely going to have some critics. On the highest level, it may be worth listening to a few of their comments, just to keep you moving in the right direction. However, much of it should be left behind or sent to the curb with yesterday’s garbage.
Change. Stable, normal, the same—are all within our comfort zone. Change makes us uneasy, nervous, and afraid. You might always order your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant, and that is OK. In order for you to really reach for something more you’re going to have to give up something you’re comfortable with and replace it with something new.

Holding Back Your Career

Honestly, fear more than anything else holds people back. It isn’t a lack of talent, intelligence, or opportunity, it is fear.

We might convince ourselves that we aren’t worthy. The timing might be wrong, the situation not quite right, often it is our own narrative that holds us back from progress.

Let go of any negative fantasies. Use competition and critics as a motivator. Be willing to give up something that you are holding on to.

Cut the cord, break the chain and unleash all that you have.

Stop holding back.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

20
Apr 17
-

confidence and doubt appreciative strategies

The Delicate Balance of Confidence and Doubt

Tags : certainty confidence doubt obstacles

Open a discussion about confidence and you might find that many people are interested to obtain more. When it comes to doubt those same people might suggest that they need fewer of those thoughts. Is there a healthy balance between confidence and doubt?

Nearly 20 years ago one of my favorite motivational zingers was to say, “No doubt!” Any time during a discussion about accomplishments, goals, or what to do next it was game on for this playful banter. It seemed to add a little spice to what otherwise might have been just another conversation.

In fact, looking back, a number of my colleagues often returned the gesture. In some of our workplace circles it was commonplace. It was a saying to close a conversation or make emphasis on a particular point. I’m not sure who started it, but it became a tiny part of our culture.

Confidence and Doubt

Confidence is important and suggesting that you can accomplish something without any doubt might suggest you have plenty of it. Sometimes though, confidence might be confused with absolute certainty your game plan will work.

We know that confidence develops from self-esteem and self-efficacy built across time. We make the attempt, we have success and then we try something a little riskier or bigger. Sure we might not always hit the mark but with successive attempts we learn that our effort and focus can pay off.

Building confidence is important, it helps us to grow, and when we approach the next obstacle without doubt our drive to succeed might be greater. With a lot of confidence we might become certain.

Being Certain

In life, confidence and doubt play a bit of tug-of-war. When we believe that we’ve removed all doubt, we are certain.

This certainty might suggest a lack of fear. Having no fear or little regard for consequences might create a new problem; wearing blinders to what might become a stark reality.

With blinders on you might be certain you are the only vendor with a winning proposal, the perfect person for the job, or that the need for your skill-set will never diminish.

Blinders and certainty might lead to a big surprise.

No doubt.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

←Older posts Newer posts→

Tag Archives: confidence

Dec 18

-

Emotions or Facts?

Internal Narrative

Oct 18

Impact Matters Most

Great Win List

What Goes on The List?

Oct 18

-

Our Vision

Expectations

Creating Outcomes

Oct 18

-

Does Different Sell?

Standout Sensation

Aug 18

-

Life Lessons

Getting Promoted

Jun 18

-

Work Frames

Personal Frame

Sep 17

-

Making Mistakes

No Variance

Becomes a Breakthrough

Sep 17

-

What About Ambitions

Build Better Careers

Aug 17

-

3 C’s of Career Stall

Holding Back Your Career

Apr 17

-

Confidence and Doubt

Being Certain

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