http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/ en scotty@lifecatalystconsulting.com Copyright 2017 2017-03-08T18:12:25+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/attract_the_best http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/attract_the_best#When:19:43:38Z Attract the Best…How? Every organization searches for high quality team members. So how do you attract the best? Create this type of culture: People are valued and respected. They believe what they have to say matters. The best idea is adopted, not just the boss’s idea. There is a high level of trust in the organization. People are not micro-managed; they are even given permission to fail. The work is extremely meaningful. Work is a good place to be when there are guiding principles and a clear vision. This gives each employee something to strive for that is bigger than the bottom line. The best want to be part of a winner. People want to be proud of their employer. Successes need to be celebrated corporately and on an individual basis. The leaders of organizations who claim, “I cannot seem to find good people” or “there are not any good people out there” are out to lunch. The best organizations and leaders attract the best people. You may want to look in the mirror. Leadership, 2016-10-04T19:43:38+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/quest_to_be_your_best http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/quest_to_be_your_best#When:23:54:14Z In the book, Quest of the Keys, a young man named Decklen has failed miserably in life. He travels back to his home to discuss the legendary Eight Keys to Success. Each of us should be intentional in becoming one’s best. One’s potential is unlimited; there is much more we can accomplish if we start on the quest. Here are a few things Decklen learned about optimizing his potential.Do not try to be someone else. Be your best. This is a common mistake people make. Remember your unique qualities, strengthens, abilities, personality and maximize those attributes. Commit yourself to be a life-long learner. Learning begins at birth and ends at death. Think for the long haul. Each week find new things to learn. Surround yourself with exceptional people who will challenge and bring out your best. Lastly, believe positive things can happen in your life. Have a big vision and then take action. It is amazing how much growth will take place when you follow this advice. Leadership, 2013-08-29T23:54:14+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/denial_a_leaders_nightmare http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/denial_a_leaders_nightmare#When:18:12:25Z If leaders live long enough, most will succumb to denial. Denial can show itself in these three circumstances. 1.When it becomes apparent that the leader has made a bad hire. Good leaders give people plenty of time to learn a new job but do not hang on to someone who is obviously not right for the position. 2.There are “chinks” in the armor of the leaders in charge. At first they are ignored. Later they are excused. On the surface everything seems fine but then it becomes clear that the leader is not the real thing. Face reality for your own good and the good of the organization. 3.The leader is over his head. A high character leader would never continue to collect a paycheck knowing that the job is bigger than he can handle. Denial will cause justification. A good example of leadership denial with horrific consequences was Adolf Hitler. He surrounded himself with an entourage of people who were in denial and told him what he wanted to hear. The result was devastation for millions. Denial can get to every leader so surround yourself with people who speak honestly into your life. Have high integrity and be accountable. Leadership, 2017-03-08T18:12:25+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/how_to_be_more_effective http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/how_to_be_more_effective#When:21:48:43Z A non-profit management guru, Peter Drucker defined effectiveness as doing the right things. Spending valuable time doing the wrong things makes no sense. Unfortunately many people operate their lives this way. Becoming more effective takes work but is a valuable concept to grasp. The first step to becoming more effective is taking time each day to plan. Planning is simply predetermining a course of action. It is not complicated, nor should it be a time-waster. In fact taking one percent of the day to plan the other ninety-nine percent will make a big difference in your effectiveness. Common excuses for not planning are being too busy, limiting freedom and procrastination. A few guidelines for effective daily planning include reviewing values, goals and setting specific daily tasks. Evaluate the time it takes to complete the task. If the task is not a high priority but the time required is high, it may need to be eliminated. Prioritize your tasks determining the appropriate value and order of events. When possible, work on the most prominent item first. When serious about being more effective, take personal responsibility. Pay attention to detail. Take a step each day working on becoming better and practicing self-discipline. For any type growth either personal or professional, there will be a price tag. Becoming more effective does not necessarily cost money but demands time focusing on the right things. Leadership, 2017-02-23T21:48:43+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/creating_margin http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/creating_margin#When:23:50:00Z There is a book called Creating Margin by Richard A. Swenson that is very insightful on how we can improve the quality of living. Without margin, we do not have sustainability. This leads to burnout and even depression. Most people need addition margin in their life. Margin is the space between overload and limits; the reserves. What are the symptoms of overload? Overload is a state of chronic overage that leads to dysfunction in at least one area of your life. Common symptoms of overload are apathy, withdrawal, depression, work dread, irritability, anger, frustration, and mistakes. Create margin in your life in a healthy and sustainable way. Be intentional by controlling your schedule. Accept and respect limits. We all need boundaries and must learn to say “no.” Rest, observe a Sabbath, learn to disconnect; no cell phones, email or internet, and simplify your life. Without margin we are heading for a train wreck and it will not be easy to recover. Encouragement, Leadership, 2017-01-03T23:50:00+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/positive_mental_attitude1 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/positive_mental_attitude1#When:23:46:19Z What is a personal success plan? Does it include having a positive attitude? Discovering the elements of a personal success plan is determined by oneself and one’s attitude. A positive attitude makes a difference in all aspects of life. A number of years ago the top two hundred executives in America were asked what characteristics they look for when hiring an employee. The number one response was attitude or enthusiasm. It may come as a surprise, but a positive mental attitude does more to determine future success than anything else in life. Probably the most successful basketball coach or for that matter any coach, John Wooden, talks about enthusiasm from his pyramid of success. “Enthusiasm (or positive mental attitude) is energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication that will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” Each person must answer this question in their life: Does a positive or negative mental attitude rule? Okay, even if there is a negative mental attitude, choose to change it. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” So consider changing what is repeated for the good! Start now by saying the right words, reading the right books, being with the right people and doing the right thing. Over time a positive mental attitude can replace a negative mental attitude. Encouragement, 2016-11-16T23:46:19+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/do_you_want_to_improve_your_delegation_skills http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/do_you_want_to_improve_your_delegation_skills#When:00:12:53Z Do You Want to Improve Your Delegation Skills? Delegation is accomplishing results through others. A few benefits of delegation are expanding your potential, and improving your work. When you delegate your potential becomes unlimited. Delegation is an excellent way to develop people. So why don’t leaders delegate? When a leader is not willing to delegate it is usually because: 1.They are insecure. 2.They cannot let go of control. 3.There is a lack of ability to train others. 4.There is a lack of confidence and belief in others. 5.They have a low self-image and do not want to inspire others. 6.They have a fear of mistakes or failures. 7.They think they are too busy to delegate. It is also important to know and trust the person to which you delegate. Do not go too fast, start slow. Make sure you set up the person for success. If you truly want to be a more effective leader, you must learn the art of delegation. Leadership, 2016-08-13T00:12:53+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/when_your_life_is_stuck_in_a_rut_part_2 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/when_your_life_is_stuck_in_a_rut_part_2#When:14:44:43Z When Your Life Is Stuck In a Rut Part 2 Here are five more ways to get out of a rut: 5.Change your routine. Try to break bad habits. 6.One day at a time. Do not succumb to worry and anxiety. 7.Look closely at the people you spend time with. Negative people will bring you down. 8.Take personal responsibility. Do not blame others. Look deep inside yourself and realize that God has uniquely gifted you. 9.Spend more time in prayer. “Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” 10.Be self-aware. Know thy self and know the signs. Look for the trigger that will send you back to a rut. Use these ten techniques and get out of the rut you are in—begin today! Encouragement, 2016-07-06T14:44:43+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/pick_up_the_pace http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/pick_up_the_pace#When:10:00:54Z A former staff member contacted me last week to say thank you for some suggestions I had shared during a staff development meeting.  Frequent infusions of encouragement and motivation should be a staple in your staff meetings. What I had shared that day were some self-improvement tips that I’ve picked up over the years.  If you’ve known me for very long, then you’ve heard a truism that goes something like this . . . speed of the leader, speed of the team.Here are some tips to help you and your team pick up the pace. 1. Read 60 minutes a day. Fiction doesn’t count! Focus on subjects of interest to you and subjects you need to work on. 2. Write your goals and write them in present tense. Lead the way by establishing your own set of goals. Then challenge your team to write out their own. Goals will encompass work, spiritual, family, physical health, etc. Then periodically revisit them during the year. 3. Plan every day in advance. Think on paper. Remember that no plan is a plan. It’s just the worst plan. So write it down. What would the Lord have you do this day? 4. Schedule the most important things. Always concentrate on the most valuable use of time. I’ve noticed that so many people get involved just being busy during the work day and overlook the most important things. Schedule and prioritize those important things! 5. Listen to educational audio over and over. Do you work out? Drive in your car? These are excellent times to make use of audio books and podcasts. 6. After every event or activity ask yourself: What did we do right? What can we do better? Take the opportunity to note the strengths and weaknesses of the activity. You’ll be even better prepared for the next time. 7. Treat every person like a 10. It’s the second commandment rephrased. Everyone was wonderfully made by our Creator and has value in His eyes. Treat them like it! Leadership, 2016-07-06T10:00:54+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/when_your_life_is_stuck_in_a_rut http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/when_your_life_is_stuck_in_a_rut#When:13:35:18Z When Your Life Is Stuck In a Rut Part 1 Are you in a rut? After serving at a church for 19 years that is where I found myself. No matter how motivated or aligned you are, each of us can find ourselves in times of going through the motions. Here are some signs that you are in a rut: •You do not enjoy your work. •Your energy drops dramatically. •You are not sleeping well. •You are gaining weight. •You are no longer passionate. Here are some ways to get out of a rut: 1.Recognize this is a phase and it will pass. 2.Hang out more often with family and friends. We tend to withdraw when we are in a rut; many times only exacerbating the situation. 3.Exercise! You probably do not desire to exercise during this time but it will change your outlook. 4.Adjust what you are eating. Many foods can be self-destructive. Really manage what you eat—healthy eating is a must!   Next week – Part 2! Encouragement, 2016-06-01T13:35:18+00:00