http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/ en scotty@lifecatalystconsulting.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-18T01:21:26+00:00 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/6K4-G2qgokk/attract_the_best http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/attract_the_best#When:19:43:31Z 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, 2012-06-04T19:43:31+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/attract_the_best#When:19:43:31Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/loqT5oUf3tI/part_7_creating_your_own_3x5_plan_continued http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/part_7_creating_your_own_3x5_plan_continued#When:01:21:26Z   Step 4 (I would suggest that you create on a separate document a weekly “to do list.” This is where you would list the various tasks that you will accomplish throughout the week. A typical week for me is 20 – 25 tasks. In a perfect world every task would help us accomplish our annual goals but as you know, many times that is not reality.) Write down three activities that you will do each day. These are different than daily tasks. Your daily activities are “bigger picture” actions. For example, one of my three daily activities is to study. Each day I study 30 minutes to 5 hours. These three activities will not change each day. Step 5 “Successful people live by priorities not by pressure.” Quest of the Keys Next, write your three top priorities for the day. Ask yourself, if I can accomplish three things today, what would they be? Then focus your energy and time on those things. Your priorities will change every day. For more information about priorities read Quest of the Keys pp. 73-74. Step 6 At the end of the day or the beginning of the next day, write down three things you are grateful for. I have found this to be helpful in being thankful for my blessings. It will also be a way to give you a better perspective on life. Here is a short review: Step 1: Purpose…………………stays the same each day Step 2: Passion………………….stays the same each day Step 3: Yearly Goals………….stays the same each day Step 4: Daily Activities………stays the same each day Step 5: Priorities……………….changes each day Step 6: Grateful………………..changes each day You may ask, “Why write down your purpose, passion, goals, and activities each day when they do not change?” Clarity, Focus, Results! Human Resources, Leadership, 2013-05-18T01:21:26+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/part_7_creating_your_own_3x5_plan_continued#When:01:21:26Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/4DO23HawBmA/part_6_creating_your_own_3x5_plan http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/part_6_creating_your_own_3x5_plan#When:19:59:47Z We have all heard of the KISS principle (Keep It Super Simple), a practice implemented by the U.S. Navy. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complex. The 3 X 5 Plan is designed simple for maximum success. Follow these simple instructions and see results! Step 1 “It is much easier to write your life purpose. The greater challenge is to live it each day.” Write out on paper what you believe to be your purpose. Until you know your purpose, you will always lack the clarity you need to live life to its fullest. Write your purpose statement. Try to keep it simple—within one sentence. For more information on how to write your purpose statement read Quest of the Keys pp. 33-37. Quest of the Keys Step 2 “Passion is something that will consume your thoughts and time.” Write three things you are passionate about. These should connect back to your purpose. For more information about passion read Quest of the Keys pp. 38-51. Quest of the Keys Step 3 Specific Write your three major goals for the year. Use the S.M.A.R.T. goals approach. Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely “Don’t let your doubts today limit your realization of tomorrow.” Quest of the KeysOnly list three major goals. It is alright to have more than three goals and I generally do but for your 3 X 5 Plan, three is all! For more information about goals, read Quest of the Keys pp. 96-97. Communications, Leadership, 2013-05-11T19:59:47+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/part_6_creating_your_own_3x5_plan#When:19:59:47Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/eGy0y8PjuIU/the_3x5_plan_part_5_confirmation http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_5_confirmation#When:22:00:15Z Word of the Year Each year God gives me a word for focus and direction. (I want to thank my friend John Rea for suggesting this idea to my church 15 years ago). In November of 2012, I began praying and asking God what my word for 2013 would be. The word “trust” kept coming to my mind. This was confusing because I am trusting to a fault; surely that could not be my word. I have found many times that God has to give me three confirmations, probably because of my lack of faith at times. First Confirmation In November, my wife gave me a pen and pencil set with the word “trust” engraved on it for my birthday. Second Confirmation On developing the 3 X 5 Plan, there are two connections to the numbers 3 & 5. You put your plan on a 3 x 5 index card. There are 5 key areas with three points under each—therefore you get 3 X 5. Side note story: To make the plan 3D, I wanted to connect a Scripture reference. Sorry I was not spiritual enough to begin there. I needed a Scripture that was a Chapter 3, verse 5 (3:5). Surely in the entire Bible there would be the perfect verse. So what do all great theologians do? Google it, right? The first Scripture listed was Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” There is that word “trust” again. Third Confirmation The same week I was working on the 3 X 5 Plan, I was attending a Men’s Retreat and one of the speakers shared his testimony. He told the crowd that Proverbs 3:5 was a game changer for him and now was his life verse. This man had struggled with depression but as the Scripture became real to him, his depression had subsided. Now, for the skeptics in the group; why was the word, “trust” on my radar? Why would my wife buy me a gift with the word “trust.” When I Googled a 3:5 verse, why would “trust” be the first word? And why of all the wonderful passages of Scripture the speaker at the Men’s Retreat could have chosen, did he share “trust” in the Lord? You may not be convinced, but I am. I am 100% convinced that the Lord gave me the 3 X 5 Plan to give away to others. I am exercising Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord…”                   Communications, Leadership, 2013-05-03T22:00:15+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_5_confirmation#When:22:00:15Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/EP5zpT2MiR4/the_3x5_plan_part_4_write_it_down http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_4_write_it_down#When:13:38:36Z I use an iPhone, iPad, and a MacBook laptop. Over the years I have used all three to take notes and keep up with my personal growth plan. However, what I found is that none of these tools are more effective than the act of writing something down. I did some more homework to verify if this was just another, “Scotty weird thing.” New research shows the importance of writing things down. Brain imaging studies have shown writing causes greater brain activity called “Reticular Activity System.” When “RAS” is triggered by writing, it sends a signal to the cerebral cortex to focus on what a person deems as most important at that moment. Writing things down:Improves memory Makes a permanent record Shows you are serious Makes you more accountable You can better work through thoughts that are written down Communications, Leadership, 2013-04-20T13:38:36+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_4_write_it_down#When:13:38:36Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/ptt2DUxMMGg/the_3x5_plan_part_3_the_research http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_3_the_research#When:19:14:44Z The Power of ThreeA phrase I have heard through leadership circles for the last several years is the “Power of Three.” Research proves that our mind can handle three thoughts very well, but when adding a fourth it causes confusion and procrastination occurs.   Research also shows how significant it is to write plans/goals down on paper. If you have doubts, look at the Harvard study which was conducted several years ago. Here is the short version: The Harvard MBA graduates who had goals/plans but did not write them down had an income of twice as much as the MBA’s that did not have any goals. The MBA graduates who had goals/plans that were written down had an income of 10 times greater than those of the classmates that did not have goals/plans. Only 3% of the Harvard MBA students had goals and wrote them down and their income was 10 times higher than the others. Leadership, 2013-04-14T19:14:44+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_part_3_the_research#When:19:14:44Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/sxSMB1sVGYs/the_3x5_plan_criteria_benefits http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_criteria_benefits#When:18:06:45Z I knew the criteria for the 3 X 5 Plan had to be simple. Also, I wanted to capture this plan in a concise way in order to share with others. Criteria Simple         Anything too difficult will not last. Concise     Often plans are too wordy or vague. Effective     This method has worked for me. Also research shows the concepts applied are incredibly effective. Doable         Anyone can do it. No fancy electronic devices are required. Free         Yes, it’s free. You can’t beat free. Benefits Clarity         Begin each day being clear on what is most important. Focus         This plan requires you to focus like a laser. Good Results     If you follow the plan, I am confident you will have improved results.   Communications, Leadership, 2013-04-03T18:06:45+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/the_3x5_plan_criteria_benefits#When:18:06:45Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/aT_O9wzuLCA/3x5_plan_part_1 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/3x5_plan_part_1#When:00:02:04Z Personal Growth Made Simple I have trained several hundred people on how to develop their personal growth plan. Like most things, people listened to my ideas and had good intentions. Some people have taken my ideas, developed their own plan, and followed it to a T. My best guess would be less than 10% actually created their plan and followed it. I believe deep down we all have good intentions to grow personally. Unfortunately, life happens and our hopes for improvement are put aside to deal with the challenges of the day. We are successful in putting out those daily fires but miss out on the opportunity to grow on a personal level. As 2012 was coming to an end, the thought hit me, “You deserve better.” Your continued personal growth is very important. You DO deserve better. In my experience in leading and coaching others, I’ve had much satisfaction being part of positive change in someone’s life. When a good plan comes together for personal growth, it is very rewarding to witness.  For personal growth to happen there must be a plan and it should be a good one. “No Plan” & “The Big Plan” When it comes to planning, people typically fall into two camps- “No Plan” and “The Big Plan.” Believe it or not, No Plan is really a plan. It is just the worst possible plan. Real growth and improvement doesn’t “just happen” else it would have happened already. The No Plan approach accounts for 90% of all personal growth intentions. The Big Plan is an over-complicated approach that becomes impossible to follow. The Big Plan becomes so arduous that people give up before they begin. The Big Plan to personal growth accounts for 7% of all plans. Both begin with the best intentions. Simple Plan So reflecting on what has worked best for me, I realized writing my plans down in a clear, simple, and concise format was the ticket. No computer, no iPhone or IPad—just pen and paper. This plan should be simple, doable, and thorough. If you take 1% of your day (which is 14 minutes) to plan the other 99% of your day, the other 99% will go better. My desire was to create something simple; maybe radical…so the 3 X 5 Plan! Communications, Leadership, 2013-03-27T00:02:04+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/3x5_plan_part_1#When:00:02:04Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/itgTzn7LMfY/everybody_wants_to_feel_like_somebody http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/everybody_wants_to_feel_like_somebody#When:17:23:06Z You can make everybody feel like somebody by practicing these behaviors: 1.Be accepting. We all want and need acceptance. 2.Appreciate others for who they are and what they do. No one wants to be taken for granted. 3.Take time to listen. We do not have to be great talkers to be good listeners. 4.Believe in them. We live in a negative world. Look for the positive in everyone. 5.Seek to understand first. When you give these five behaviors a try, you will encourage and empower others.   Encouragement, 2013-02-18T17:23:06+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/everybody_wants_to_feel_like_somebody#When:17:23:06Z http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lifecatalystconsulting/rss/~3/0BoaUCE4yCM/everyone_can_be_a_leader http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/everyone_can_be_a_leader#When:18:36:16Z L – Leaders are learners; always striving to learn new things. Leaders learn how to improve themselves and their organizations. E – Encourager – Leaders must encourage coworkers and other leaders. Everyone needs encouragement. Showing sensitivity to fellow workers is vital. Remember this, leaders rarely receive encouragement, so do not forget others who demonstrate leadership qualities. A – Accept responsibility – Own your work. When accepting full responsibility for your job, others will notice and do the same. D – Discipline – One cannot lead others until first leading oneself. Lacking discipline will discourage others from following your leadership. E – Exceptional – Be an exceptional person and do exceptional work. Get noticed by your desire to do your best. R – Relationships – Build relationships with coworkers and leaders in your organization. Ask questions and then offer solutions. Find ways to serve. 2013-01-29T18:36:16+00:00 http://www.lifecatalystconsulting.com/articles/everyone_can_be_a_leader#When:18:36:16Z