A to Z Challenge - Zealous

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Today is the last day. Enjoy and dream big!

Zealous

There is no real magic trick to charisma, though. Basically, it is the ability to instill enthusiasm in others. Think back to the last time you were in the presence of such a charismatic dynamo. Were you not energized by his enthusiastic nature? Did the bright light of his life not draw you closer? We are all attracted to those who embody the pure essence of a zealous existence. However, charisma does not imply a hyperactive personality or a person of overwhelming intensity. It is simply a contagious spirit of optimism and enthusiasm.

A to Z Challenge - Your Internal Voice

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Your Internal Voice

One of the first items we need to control is our internal voice. The chatterbox in our heads is detrimental to our self-esteem as well as our attitude. Develop awareness of the words uttered silently in the mind. Are the phrases uplifting or downgrading? Remove belittling words of condemnation from your vocabulary. Even if no one around offers an encouraging word, play the role of cheerleader for yourself. Allow your stream of conscious to inspire and uplift. Do not speak as if you are your own worst enemy.

A to Z Challenge - eXtra

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

eXtra

Like a battery, we must occasionally recharge. Allowing for a full night’s sleep or periods of rest during the day is vitally important. A little extra sleep is good for a tired body. Don’t forget that our minds require energizing as well. Senses grow dull when there are no new stimuli on which to feed. Provide the brain with a change of scenery and a break, too. Once rested and refreshed, we can attack our problems anew.

A to Z Challenge - Work Ethic

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Work Ethic

Proper work ethic implies that we should display all of the qualities we want our people to possess. As a leader, we should work harder and encourage more often than anyone else in the organization. We must set the example and achieve results, not just activity. Followers will emulate our bad traits faster than our good traits, so provide them with as few negative habits as possible!

A to Z Challenge - Vision

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Vision

We can begin cultivating a charismatic personality by developing a dream. When we share a goal that taps into the dreams and desires of others, we create a vision worthy of pursuit. By attacking this ambition with unwavering determination and intensity, others will feel inspired to join in the crusade. People will follow a charismatic leader, drawn by his enthusiastic belief in total victory. Think of all the great charitable organizations and worthy causes started by such an individual. What an incredible image of success!

A to Z Challenge - Understanding Shyness

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!


Understanding Shyness

We offer many explanations for our shyness. Some people claim they are simply not the talkative or sociable type. Preference to follow rather than lead is often cited as an excuse. Others describe their bashful nature as a desire to remain out of the limelight and merely watch from the sidelines. Internally, many simply fear they will be disliked or hurt by other people. The reasons vary from one individual to the other.

But what is the real underlying cause? Despite all of these seemingly different excuses, shyness comes from only one thing- a problem with human relations. It is our inability and reluctance to reach out to other people that hold us prisoner.

Shyness is more than just a barrier to enjoying meaningful relationships. It is a wall that separates us from new concepts and experiences. When we cannot access people, we cannot access their ideas, either. It limits how far we can expand our world and confines us to only one way of thinking. In order to continue growing as a person, we must extend our horizons, and this means relating to other people.

A to Z Challenge - Take Action to Cure Fear

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Take Action to Cure Fear

Acting upon a fear does not sound appealing. It’s probably the last thing we desire. That does not change the truth of the matter, though. We can only conquer fear by facing it and taking action.

Every person on earth experiences fear. No one is immune. Yet, for every anxiety we possess, someone in this world has faced and overcome that concern. That should give us hope! The good news is that once we take action, the fear dwindles. It’s the very first step that’s always the most difficult. If we can just do it once, conquer fear only one time, then the next time it is easier to accomplish the task. It is vital then that we take the first step.

A to Z Challenge - Self-Image

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Self-Image

Our self-esteem is the deciding factor in whether we succeed or fail in life. It is an intangible possession of incredible power. What exactly is this internal force and what shapes its attributes?

Self-esteem can be described as a sense of personal worth. It is self-respect, confidence, and genuine joy on the positive side and self-doubt, worthlessness, and unhappiness on the negative side. Our ability to handle situations and accomplish goals is determined by the amount of self-esteem we possess. At any given time, this can also fluctuate between sufficient amounts or serious deficiency.

A to Z Challenge - Real Criticism is an Art

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Real Criticism is an Art

First, we must define criticism on a basic and practical level. We are all quite familiar with movie critics and their ability to rake a film across the coals. These individuals appear to revel in their power to condemn a movie to box office disaster. However, the true purpose of criticism is not to tear down but build up character and content. To truly critique is to offer suggestions and possible improvements. Therefore, criticism should only be conducted in the spirit of assistance and encouragement.

A to Z Challenge - Questions

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Questions

In order for us to listen, the other person must open up his mouth and talk. Asking questions encourages his participation in the discussion. He may seem reluctant or slow to respond, but do not let this discourage the pursuit of meaningful dialogue. That person might be unaccustomed to the attention or even suspicious as to why anyone would find him interesting. Persist with a genuine, caring attitude and honest motive. You will eventually coax a detailed and engrossing response. And if you discover his hot button, prepare for the sleeper to awaken.

A to Z Challenge - Proactive

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Proactive

Proactive puts you in control. No matter how the scenario unfolds, whether for better or for worse, you are the master. This does not imply you can control the conditions or even the final outcome. However, the circumstances will not control you. More specifically, they will not control your attitude or behavior.

This is yet another important component of a positive mental attitude. A proactive person will not allow situations to control his actions. He is in full control of his attitude and can make decisions independently of the circumstances. Behavior and response will not be based on the crisis of the moment, nor determined by outside influences.

A to Z Challenge - Organization

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Organization

If we are to become an effective leader, we must master organization, act with confidence, and instill these behaviors in our followers.

These two qualities are entwined. If we are unorganized, we do not give others confidence in our abilities. Our lack of confidence is occasionally due in part to misinformation or poor planning. One trait affects the other. How well we portray these attributes will have a profound effect on others as well.

As our organizational skills increase, so will our confidence, and we will gain our follower’s confidence as well.

A to Z Challenge - Never Take Criticism Personally

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Never Take Criticism Personally

The best protection against criticism is to avoid taking it personally. Many times the judgment is not aimed directly at us, but we accept it as such. If our egos were not on the line, we would not feel so threatened! By removing our self-esteems from the equation, we find that criticism does little harm. We are then better equipped to handle criticism calmly and effectively.

A to Z Challenge - Making a Good Impression

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Making a Good Impression

As with all people skills, there are no gimmicks, but there is a secret when it comes to impressions. One surefire way to make a good impression on someone is to let him know he is making one on you! If you follow the basic rules during the encounter, he will regard your behavior as a vote of confidence. That person will conclude that you view him as important, valuable, and respectable. In his mind, he thinks, “Hey, he believes I’m really somebody!”

A to Z Challenge - Leadership

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Leadership

There is one quality all victorious leaders possess- charisma! It’s the trait that gives certain people a magnetic personality. Those in the presence of such magnetism are drawn to that individual. It is not important for those exhibiting charisma to possess the greatest intelligence or beauty, either. They simply enjoy a special ability to attract others as if charmed by a spell.

There is no real magic trick to charisma, though. Basically, it is the ability to instill enthusiasm in others.

A to Z Challenge - Keep Moving

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Keep Moving

Once we have selected a destination, we should never waver in our decision to reach that objective. Problems will arise, and we will make mistakes. The secret is to learn from these experiences. The law of averages says if we keep trying, if we are persistent and consistent, eventually we will succeed. Thomas Edison and his ten thousand attempts to create the light bulb should give us hope. It is doubtful we will encounter that many unsuccessful endeavors as we move toward our goal. However, we must be willing to do whatever it takes to conquer fear and achieve success.

A to Z Challenge - Justify

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Justify

We all crave approval. We long to hear that we are accepted and liked by others. When another human being pays attention and truly listens to us, it conveys a sense of importance. Our sense of worth either increases from their interest or is reduced by their rejection. Sometimes we even resort to negative and destructive behavior to elicit a response that will justify our existence. The desire for acceptance factors into almost everything we do or say.

A to Z Challenge - Ideas

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Ideas

Ideas and input from others can help us overcome fears and reach goals. In this world, true success is rarely achieved alone. Assistance is vital if we want to keep moving forward and achieve our dreams.

This does not mean we have to act upon or accept every recommendation. Every person has an opinion, but not every opinion carries merit. Sift through the ideas and advice, discarding what cannot be used, and focus only on the valid points. The fresh viewpoints will stir our imagination and cause the creative juices to flow. Often we discover a suggestion that in turn sparks a similar but better idea in our minds. By reaching out for assistance, we may find the perfect solution.

A to Z Challenge - Honesty

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Honesty

Never falter in your adherence to the principals of honor and honesty. All that is required is one slip of character, one moment of unfaithfulness, or one simple lie to destroy a man’s reputation. Sugar cubes dissolve instantly in boiling water. So will your reputation if you are caught fabricating the truth. What took years to create will not only vanish in an instant, but will become nearly impossible to rebuild. Consider the man who is sent to prison for a crime. That moment of complete lack of judgment will follow him for a very long time.

A to Z Challenge - Goals

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Goals

Goals are empowering. They give us the strength to persevere even through the most difficult situations. Our lives are enriched when we live with a purpose!

Possessing a goal provides a person with something for which to strive. He has a target and destiny awaiting his arrival. Goals give our lives meaning and a reason to continue moving forward. The man with something to live for lives longer. Therefore, we need to set goals, if only to live a long and productive life.

A to Z Challenge - Facets of Fear

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Facets of Fear

Many anxieties are inherited when we are children, either from our parents or other close contacts. A mother’s fear of bridges might translate into a similar fear in her children. If we were never taught to swim, we might feel apprehensive toward water. Even prejudice, which qualifies as a fear of the unknown, can be passed from parents to children.

Other fears are learned through experience. A traumatic ordeal in front of a crowd of people can develop into a fear of public speaking. If a large dog knocks us down when we are very young, we might grow up to fear dogs in general. Negative experiences such as these contribute to the development of many fears. Often the original episode was not as traumatic as we recall, but the moment sticks in our minds. Over time, our brain exaggerates the experience, further fueling our fear.

Failure resides at the core of almost all fears. We are terrified of failing on every level: emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Failure questions our worth and value as a human being. Since we crave acceptance and approval, unsuccessful attempts to acquire these things devastates our self-image.

A to Z Challenge - Energize

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Energize

Do not forget to feed your physical body, either. Focus on healthy choices for your life. Exercise invigorates both body and mind, and it’s a great way to deal with stress. As your physical conditions improve, so will your self-esteem. You will feel energized and refreshed.

A to Z Challenge - Develop Passion

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Today this also ties in with The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, hosted by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Enjoy and dream big!

Develop Passion

Goals survive and flourish on passion and determination. Those possessing a vision must act with enthusiasm and belief. Organizations thrive when the leader is able to embody its vision. If we are to see our individual dreams come true, we need to exhibit our vision as well.

If we act with conviction, others will follow our vision, too. Our passion must be real and felt from the heart. Believe in your vision and see it clearly, and then watch your dreams come to life!

A to Z Challenge - Communication

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Communication

Communicating and spending time with another person helps us to get to know that individual. Relationships move through several stages in the progression as well, from the discussion of facts to the exchange of opinions to the sharing of feelings. Every step requires conversation at some level and a give and take from both individuals.

Long distance relationships are common in our society today, but at some point, physical contact is required for continued growth. Body language and mannerisms play a huge role in human interaction. Some things are only communicated through eye contact or a friendly handshake. The sharing of activities and accumulation of similar experiences adds to a friendship, providing yet another level of understanding. We crave physical nearness for these very reasons.

A to Z Challenge - Basic Truths

For the A to Z Challenge, my topic is leadership and goal-setting. I am posting short excerpts from my book, Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, along with an inspiring photo. Enjoy and dream big!

Basic Truths

Before we can begin acquiring people skills, there are a few basic truths that must be grasped. Understanding human nature is critical and provides a foundation on which to build. Without that foundation, our house of skills will crumble and fall.

One of the most basic human truths stems from our selfish nature. Our primary concern and focus in life is ourselves! Whether due to our strong spirit or our self-preservation instincts, we place ourselves about all other considerations. We are the center of our own universe and more important than anyone else.