The Problem With Marathons, July's Goal and My Brand

Hey guys,
No work today, I had the day off because I have to work in Saturday and that will busy.  So my plan was to have a studying marathon and catch up on the four hours I was short of my goal last week.  Or at least just log some.

Unfortunately, it just so happens to be a blazingly sunny and beautiful day!  And it's making it hard to concentrate.

The day started out a little rocky as a I started reading a new leadership book (because I finished 25 Ways to Win With People last night) called The Brand You 50.  I'm not giving up on it just yet, but let's just say it's not my favorite.  Tom Peters doesn't believe in correct grammar or sentence structure, apparently.  I'll still work on getting through that book, I think it just starts slow, but in the mean time I started "Leadership Is An Art" by Max De Pree.  It's also a different format from what I'm used to.  But I like what it says about writing in books:

"As a child, I often watched adults study books and learned one of my first lessons about reading.  They wrote in their books.  Intent and involved readers often write in the margins and between the lines."

Wow- this definitely describes me!  If you flip through my leadership books you'll see a lot of yellow highliter and black pen.  I wish I could say you'd get a lot out of reading my notes, but you probably wouldn't- they're pretty nonsensical to people besides myself.  My physics teacher used to tell us to "talk to the text," when we read our physics book (or if, in most cases) and that's where I got the habit. I'm constantly debating the principles, and writing in the margins, "Do I agree with this?" and "How can I say this without sounding cheesy?"

I digress.  After I did a bit of reading, I started to do a handful of other things.  I just felt all day like I had too much to do and it was a little overwhelming.  But when I step back, I really did get quite a bit done, including:

• Almost my entire FFA Application (excluding a few of the harder things)
• Called people to write me letters of recommendation
• Read through and studied the Monday Morning Monitor
• Checked in with Jeff
• E-mailed two people about training weekends
• Sent about a million emails to Rayne (or 3)
• Worked on 35 "Ways to Encourage the Heart" #33- writing thank you notes
• Read leadership books
• Two blog posts
• And I checked again just to make sure the due date for the application is indeed August 1st.

 So, up to now it's been 4.5 hours.  Which isn't bad, I guess.  I just need to not expect marathons to be very successful, because I can't focus after a few hours.  Oh well. I also got some other things done, like scheduling an appointment to get my hair cut and going to the gym (ie, March's goal).

Speaking of goals: It's July!  And it's been July for a while, but I've had this goal and have just forgotten to mention it.  So here it is: Exercise Patience.  Man, this is such a hard thing for me.  And I don't even know if this is the right wording for what I'm trying to do.  Not only am I trying to be more patient about life and the pace it goes, I'm trying to be more patient with others and mostly, control my temper.

Two weeks ago I got into a huge fight with my sister Rita, over, essentially  whether "dating" is defined as "going out" with someone or "going on a date" with someone.  Ridiculous, I know, but I totally lost my cool and it took me a long time to get in control of myself.  At one point I was ranting and my sister said, "Imagine there was a camera right here in the car (we were on our way home from Anchorage) recording you right now, wouldn't you be embarrassed to watch yourself?"


At the time I was mad, so I just thought, whatever.  But now I think, "Oh man.  What if there was a camera.  What if the nominating committee saw me at my worst, my very brattiest,  instead of this responsible, put-together servant-leader I'll be doing my best to present to them.  If they knew I treated my family this way, they would never elect me."

And, that's all very true.  So I'm working this month on that.  As a sidenote, I don't know why it's always my sister Rita who says things that impact me so much- she also contributed a quote to my retiring address.  It's probably because she's so honest- but I appreciate that.

Could this be officially considered a diatribe?  Probably.  I'm going to get to work on the harder aspects of the application now (the letter of application and the resume).
-Rachel

Home

I am finally home.  It feels so good to be around family, play with my nieces and nephews, and drive around town without feeling anxious.

It's also a bit of struggle adjusting to a new schedule and new surroundings in terms of my study habits- hence the break in blogging.  Sorry about that.  I'm working on it.

My work situation is kind of weird this summer, but I guess it's good for me.  I'm doing an internship at the Division of Ag, but it doesn't start until July 6th.  Until then, I'm working part-time for my mom in the garden and using the rest of my time to study, do speeches and workshops, fill out my applications, and blog.  I can't wait!  Tomorrow I'm going into Anchorage with Mr. Werner (my state advisor) to a meeting about how to save Alaska CTSOs.  Then, if we have time, we'll meet with Rayne, and then head back into the valley for the Palmer FFA Chapter Banquet.

Although I haven't blogged, I've done six hours of study since last Thursday!  That is mostly because I read an entire book on Saturday while I traveled home.  It's called, "Just Don't Fall," and it's by Josh Sundquist (the speaker I wrote about before who only has one leg)...and it's awesome.  Very funny, very inspiring, and very well-written.  I got a TON out of it, which was good, because I was nervous about reading a book that wasn't a "leadership book" per se.

I'm going to blog a lot about it (I turned down the corners of the pages I liked) but I'll leave you today with a paragraph that pretty much describes my life right now.  I laughed so hard when I read it.  Self-help books will do this to your mind.

For some context: Josh is on a date at a book fair,

" 'I love books,' she says, sorting through a box of paperbacks. 'But I just never have time to read.'  I open my mouth to tell her about how she should just prioritize her schedule using The Seven Habits of Highly Effiective People method, which involves Roles and Goals and something called Quadrant II."

" 'Lydia,' I say, 'What are your goals in life?'  I ask her this because talking about your goals and dreams in life puts you in what Tony Robbins calls a Peak Emotional State.  Anything you associate with a Peak Emotional State gains importance in your mind.  If I can get Lydia in a Peak Emotional State while she is on this date...then she will associate those strong positive feelings with me, and she'll want to be my girlfriend."

Also, I didn't forget about my 35 Ways to Encourage the Heart (at least for very long).  Today I'm doing number 31, the "Do What You Say You Will Do" audit.

Have a great Tuesday,
Rachel

150 Ways to Encourage the Heart

...or maybe just 35.

I finished "Encouraging the Heart" yesterday, and there is a list of 150 ways to practice Encouraging the Heart in everyday life.  I picked out a few that I think are applicable to my situation, and I'm going to knock them off, one or two per week.

So here's a run down of the seven essentials of Encouraging the Heart:

1. Set Clear Standards
2. Expect the Best
3. Pay Attention
4. Personal Recognition
5. Tell the Story
6. Celebrate
7. Set the Example

And here are the experiences on my list:

Set Clear Standards:

1)  Think of someone you admire who exemplifies living a principle-centered life.  Interview that person.  Find out how they discovered their own values.

2)  Watch Eyes on the Prize, the film on the civil rights movement.  It's a compelling story of the power of purpose and the dedication people make to realizing a dream.

Expect the Best

3)  Surround yourself with positive people who can remind you of your strengths and abilities.

4)  Practice envisioning.

5)  Buy a few inspirational posters.

6)  Read George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion.  This is the classic novel on the power of positive expectations. And/or watch the video of My Fair Lady.  The film version of Shaw's novel, it portrays the power of belief in self.  Watch how Eliza Doolittle evolves through a growing sense that she can learn.

7)  Rent a video or CD of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1963.  Listen to it for the word pictures he paints.  You'll be able to see what he says.  Now try to add word pictures to your own speeches.

Pay Attention

8)  Make note of the kinds of "gifts" or recognition people appreciate (or don't appreciate).

9)  Right now, pay attention to your breathing.  What do you notice? Write it down.  Your ability to attend to the most common and immediate elements of your daily life helps you be more attuned to what is going on around you.

10)  Right now, pay attention to your heartbeat.  What do you notice?  Write it down.

11)  Right now, pay attention to the sounds in your immediate space.  What do you notice?  Write it down.

12)  The next time you listen to someone talk about himself, his work, and what's important, listen with your "eyes and heart," not just your ears and brain.  What do you notice in listening with eyes and heart that you don't in listening with ears and brain?

Personalize Recognition

13)  Think back on a time when someone encouraged your heart meaningfully and memorably.  What did she do to make it special for you?  How did she personalize it for you? Make note of the lessons you learned, and apply them.

14)  Tell people your own "most meaningful recognition story."  Ask them to tell theirs.  What are the common lessons?

15)  At the end of one of your speeches, say something like, "My colleagues couldn't be with me today.  I sure hope I represented them well."

16)  Write a thank-you note to a loved one or someone who has done something special.

17)  Take a class or workshop on creativity.

18)  Take a course in drawing, painting, or photography.

19)  Say thank you personally every time you appreciate something someone does, anywhere and anytime.  It's good practice, and good manners.

20)  Make a vow that never again will you fail to personalize every recognition you make, every celebration you hold.

Tell the Story

21)  At the next opportunity, tell someone the story of your most meaningful recognition.

22)  Keep a journal.  Record in as much detail as you can the critical incidents of the day.  The practice of observing and recording is important in building your skills in storytelling.

23)  What's the best movie you ever saw that really tells a compelling story?  Rent it on video and watch it again.  What lessons can you learn from your favorite movie?  How can you incorporate these lessons into your leadership practice?

24)  At the next holiday when you're together with your family or friends, volunteer to read a story fit for the occasion.

25)  At dinner every night, don't just talk about the day; tell a story about it.  Describe the rich details of place, people, and feelings.  Use your home as a practice stage.

26)  Take an improvisational theater class.

Celebrate Together

27)  Attend local athletic events.  Watch cheerleaders, coaches, and players as they celebrate small and large victories.  Focus on their enthusiasm and energy.  Watch how people express this enthusiasm as well as how those who receive it are affected.  Notice how you are affected by the celebrations.  

28)  At a wedding or other celebratory event, make mental notes on what you like, or what really inspires you about the event.

29)  Plan festive celebrations for even the smaller milestones that your team reaches.  "Don't wait until the whole project is completed before you celebrate.  Immediate acknowledgment keeps energy and enthusiasm high.

30)  Take care of your own needs for support.  Develop a relationship with at least one person with whom you can talk about your grandest hopes and worst fears, your greatest achievements and your biggest flops.

31)  Do a DWYSYWD ("Do What You Say You Will Do") audit.  Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle.  On the left-hand side record your value: the principles by which you say you want to lead your organization.  On the right-hand side, record your actions: what you do regularly to live out each of your values.  The only way to get any value out of this exercise, of course, is to be completely self-honest.  If you don't see yourself doing anything to live out a value, then leave the space blank.  If you think your behaviors are contrary to your espoused values, then write down that admission.  Grade yourself on how you're doing.  Do your values and actions line up?  Where are you strong?  Where do you have opportunities for improvement?  Make a plan to better align values and actions.

32)  Identify those experiences in your life that truly inspire you, and then bring this kind of inspiration into your conversations with employees.

33)  Write and deliver a thank you note every day.  We've never heard anyone complain about being thanked too much, but we've heard lots of complaints about being thanked too little.  

34)  Keep a journal of your experiments with encouraging the heart.  What works for you?  What doesn't?  What lessons have you learned?  How has this effort changed you as  a leader?

35)  The next time someone recognizes you, make note of your own thoughts and feelings.  (Experience becomes the best teacher, but only if we reflect on it.)  Then send that persona  thank-you not expressing appreciation for what you learned.

Yay for new goals and things to work on!  I also have a sheet from Dr. Miller on which I need to determine what I'm going to do to earn my four credits for of independent study.  

So for right now, let's check off the ones I've already done!  Numbers 16 and 26.  I wrote a letter to Mr. Giesler for 16, and of course, I started 26 when I came to college.

Ummkay, I'm out!

Rachel