3 Things I learned last week 8/16-23/2015…

What a week of learning I had this past week.  I not only learned some new things, but I was also reminded of things that I already know.

Leadership:  Crappy leadership is everywhere.  This is a whole blog within itself, but I was reminded from a few examples this week on why I believe bad leadership is everywhere.   The reason I share this opinion this week is I hope to inspire my readers, especially the ones in leadership positions that have the ability to change this.  So why and how did I witness crappy leadership this week:

• Leaders don’t get emotional.  Sure we can get emotional about a topic or a subject, but we can’t get emotional and let others see or hear our emotions in a negative light.
• Leaders must hold themselves accountable first.  You know the old saying: “Do as I say not as I do”.  NO!  NO!  that is not the saying. “Do as I say and as I do”.  Or leading by example.  Leaders must lead by example.

The good news and the bad news is that there is crappy leadership everywhere.  The reason it is bad, because we need strong leadership in our communities, our workplaces, and our lives.  The good news, is that there are a lot of opportunities for those who want to take on leadership roles.

You have more in the tank:  I am a runner.  On Saturday I participated in a 5K race.  I have run in many 5K’s before, but I chose to run in this one kind of last-minute.  I set a goal to run this race in a time that I have not run before.  I wanted to set a PR (Personal Record) for myself.

I am pacing well half way through the race, but I get to the last half mile of the race and the final hill of the race, and I am just gassed. To accomplish my PR, I have to run the 3.10 miles at a 6 minute and 25 second pace, give or take.  I ended up running the race in a 7 minute and 1 second pace.  So roughly 36 seconds slower than I needed to.

I finished the race first in my age/gender class, and 20th overall.  It was victory.  But I had more in the tank.  I know I did.  My body wasn’t tired, but my mind convinced me that it was.  I could have pushed through not only during that final hill, but many times throughout the entire race. I had more in the tank.

This week, when you think you are exhausted and out of gas, dig a little deeper, don’t give up, you have more in your tank.

Don’t listen to everything the people who haven’t been where you want to go say.  Kind of a long statement.  But here is what it means.  You are desirous of going somewhere aren’t you?  Maybe it is in your career, your relationships, your health, or some other area of your life.  There are most likely several people in your life that are giving you advice.  Maybe they are telling you how to do it.  Maybe they are telling you, you cant do it.  Or maybe they are just cheering you on, to do it.  In some cases they may be doing all three.

Here is what I want you to takeaway though. Don’t listen to everything they say.  Sure some of it may be valid and worth listening to but we have to remember “don’t take all the advice from people who have never been where you want to go.” Get around the people who have successfully navigated the waters of the places you want to go.  They know how to maneuver in the waters to successfully get you to the destination.

It was a great week of lessons for me this past week.

What did you learn last week?  Please share with me and my readership.

To your success and your future.