Guest Blog Post by Kita Szpak 2/11/12

Interesting that the idea of expectations should be top of mind this month, when this year is Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday* – February 7 to be exact. Who can forget the image of young Pip extending his bowl and asking, “Please, Sir, can I have some more?” And being absolutely dismissed for his outrageous request.

Like Pip, we sometimes have great expectations especially when they are linked to goals we have set for ourselves. Nowhere is this more “in our face” than at the beginning of a New Year where we promise ourselves that we will lose weight, quit smoking, take that course, read a book a week,
etc.

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Guest Blog Post by Bob Urichuck 2/19/12

People often wonder exactly what characteristics make a great sales professional. Below are the three attributes I find to be most critical in achieving sales success.

GOAL SETTING: The first thing to ask yourself is have you set professional and personal goals for yourself? It is important that your goals are written down on paper and follow the S.M.A.R.T. criteria (they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely).

The reason why it is so important to write down your professional and personal goals in the S.M.A.R.T. structure is because without them you have nothing to work toward.

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Guest Blog Post by Nanci McGraw 2/18/12

We know what “overwhelm” feels like. It’s over the top.

It’s too much, too many, too often, too distracting, too heavy, too frustrating, too fast, too slow, too…..(you know). It’s tough to try to make all the needed positive changes that need to happen in our life and work —AT THE SAME TIME. It’s “too-too” much.

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Guest Blog Post by Devon Harris 2/17/12

Here is thought for you: Everything that you are or ever hope to be is completely up to you! Is that scary….painful?

Yes, I know, you were born on the wrong side of the tracks, your parents abused and neglected you, the teacher gave you detention and your high school sweetheart broke your heart. Understand this—your environment and circumstances influence who you are but you are totally responsible for who you become. Undoubtedly, you can make a sound argument that your past experiences have negatively impacted your life but blaming, justifying, and complaining will get you nowhere. Stop polishing these experiences and presenting them as the reason why your life isn’t working the way you would like it to work. The harsh truth is that you have not yet accepted 100% responsibility for your life.

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Guest Blog Post by Chris Warner 2/16/12

Too often, leaders find it difficult to develop and convey a team vision. This weakness in a leader can prove to be expensive. You can’t be surprised to see your team end up in the wrong place if they don’t know where they are headed. And, even if you arrive at the end goal, more than likely the time it took to get there was longer than expected. Leaders need to become experts at understanding and conveying their vision, particularly in today’s economy.

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Guest Blog Post by Karl Mecklenburg 2/15/12

Like a great many others in Denver, Colorado, I am a big fan of Tim Tebow. It’s not just the way he comes back from behind and wins, or his fervent Christian character or even his overall toughness, both mental and physical. I’m a fan not just because of his fourth quarter “miracle” plays, or his unfettered enthusiasm or his team first attitude. It is the example in leadership through the blending of these characteristics that he sets for his team the Broncos, for the state of Colorado and even for the world.

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Guest Blog Post By Jeff Vankooten 2/14/12

Let’s go ahead and agree on one thing:

We are struggling today with too much change in too short a time. It can get on your nerves.

As a result stress is everywhere. Relationships are strained. Systems are breaking down. Nearly everyone is wounded. Mood and morale are low.

It is into this context that we live our lives and accomplish our work. But how? Previous strategies don’t cut it anymore in this shifted environment.

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Guest Blog Post by Robyn Wheeler 2/13/12
Ridding yourself of anger may sound easy to some people however it takes a lot more than reading a book or taking a class to truly live anger-free. No one can do it for you, so one mustn’t look outside themselves for solutions but search within instead.

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Guest Blog Post by Brian Biro 2/12/12

_{When I was a swimming coach, a common technique flaw that many of the kids needed to overcome in the freestyle stroke (or crawl) was the habit of not pulling far enough under the center of their body where they had the greatest leverage and power. But if I attempted to correct swimmers who had developed a wide arm pull by saying, “Pull down the centerline of your body,” what do you think they said to me in response?}

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Guest Blog Post by Nanci McGraw 2/11/12

We know what “overwhelm” feels like. It’s over the top.

It’s too much, too many, too often, too distracting, too heavy, too frustrating, too fast, too slow, too…..(you know). It’s tough to try to make all the needed positive changes that need to happen in our life and work —AT THE SAME TIME. It’s “too-too” much.

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