According to Wikipedia:
Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
Pruning is a horticultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health.
Imagine a garden, full of succulent fruits and vegetables. Look at the detail of the river rock wall surrounding this stunning masterpiece. Think about the effort that went in to creating such a productive field of beauty. Can you see the gardener with his pruning shears as he delicately tends to each plant? Look at the elaborate fertilization system in place. It delivers just to right amount of nutrients to ensure proper maturation.
Now imagine the same garden without the gardener or the fertilization system. Look how weed ridden it is. The rock wall is crumbling, there are no signs of fruits or vegetables. I wonder how long it's been since someone actually tended this garden. How long will it survive? How will it and who will it benefit in this condition?
In reference to relationships, each of us has a garden. We fill our garden with all sorts of people. The question is, do we take the time to fertilize and prune our gardens? Are our relationships like the first or second image described above? Do our relationships produce fruit, or are they full of weeds?
Seven steps to a productive "relationship garden".
1) Always meet new people. You never know if they are an "essential nutrient" to you and others you know.
2) Set expectations with others. The relationship must have meaning deeper than weather or sports talk. How can you mutually benefit from the relationship?
3) Have some seasonal relationships. These come and go, but they always produce growth (a mentoring relationship).
4) Don't be afraid to "prune" out bad branches. Remember that pruning maintains health and directs growth. To be blunt: life is too short to get bogged down trying to revive a bad relationship at the expense of many great relationships. It's okay to be selective. Don't be a jerk, be honest with others -- it may do you both some good.
5) It's not all about you. Be like the gardener, have a committed heart and a desire to impact others.
6) Make time. Whether it is a spouse, child, colleague, or old friend, the relationship will not survive if not properly tended to.
7) Share what you know. A master gardener usually has an apprentice. Teach others the skills necessary to cultivate productive relationships.
What are some other ways to improve and build healthy relationships? Please share your thoughts.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Politico is not influencing positively
Where are all the statesMEN? What is politics teaching young Americans about honor, respect, the value of man, the list goes on and on??
I barely recall a time when being an elected official was an honorable opportunity. A man had the ability to make a positive difference. Now, the political machine takes a man and wrings every ounce of goodness out of him.
Why is it that when our three year old acts out we reprimand him, but we don't show him that we have the same expectation of our elected officials? We're teaching that disciple is temporary.
Let me say this--discipline and selflessness are required for any amount of success in any area of life.
If you want a successful marriage, you must be disciplined to love unconditionally.
If you want a successful business, you must be disciplined to select great talent, train and develop, think outside the box, etc.
If you want a successful portfolio, you must be disciplined to understand the changing markets.
If you want to be successful at knowing your Maker,......well discipline's root is disciple?
Maybe I live in a hole, but I still believe that a man can be married to the same woman forever, can be an amazing and engaged father, and can have a positive influence on every single person he comes in contact with.
There is no greater time than right now, leaders, to create more of these men!
The question is, are you disciplined and selfless enough to create them?
I barely recall a time when being an elected official was an honorable opportunity. A man had the ability to make a positive difference. Now, the political machine takes a man and wrings every ounce of goodness out of him.
Why is it that when our three year old acts out we reprimand him, but we don't show him that we have the same expectation of our elected officials? We're teaching that disciple is temporary.
Let me say this--discipline and selflessness are required for any amount of success in any area of life.
If you want a successful marriage, you must be disciplined to love unconditionally.
If you want a successful business, you must be disciplined to select great talent, train and develop, think outside the box, etc.
If you want a successful portfolio, you must be disciplined to understand the changing markets.
If you want to be successful at knowing your Maker,......well discipline's root is disciple?
Maybe I live in a hole, but I still believe that a man can be married to the same woman forever, can be an amazing and engaged father, and can have a positive influence on every single person he comes in contact with.
There is no greater time than right now, leaders, to create more of these men!
The question is, are you disciplined and selfless enough to create them?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Getting Better
Are you a leader? Do you see your job as developing others? Do you use words such as growth minded, invest in, develop, lead, teamwork, etc?
If you answered "YES" to the above then you should be applying these ideals daily AND you should be getting better at them daily.
I once worked with individuals and have known others who religiously taught leadership, so much so that they neglected to apply the same principles to themselves. It is an easy trap to fall into. Leaders should never talk so much that they don't walk.
In his book The 7 Levels of Change Rolf Smith writes "to get better results, you have to do things better." Oftentimes as leaders, we get so hung up on the better results that we forget to "doing" part.
Statistics show that it takes 10,000 hours of "doing" to become an expert at something. That's A LOT of hours. Think about the best professional athletes out there. What do they do after the golf round, track meet, or football game? They practice! How serious are you about practice, leader?
How does a leader practice? Reading. We all knew that was the answer, because we're really good at having the answer. What we're not all really good at is the "doing" or the action part.
If you're not reading, you're not growing. If YOU are not growing, you're definitely not growing others. When you reach the top, the leadership role---when you're the captain of your organization--you're expected to be the expert (remember---10,000 hours = expert).
Back to Smith's book. How are you doing things better? Where are you carving out time to get better at becoming a better "doer". I bet you can find 15 hours in a week to invest in becoming an expert.
The question is, are you willing to be a better leader?
If you answered "YES" to the above then you should be applying these ideals daily AND you should be getting better at them daily.
I once worked with individuals and have known others who religiously taught leadership, so much so that they neglected to apply the same principles to themselves. It is an easy trap to fall into. Leaders should never talk so much that they don't walk.
In his book The 7 Levels of Change Rolf Smith writes "to get better results, you have to do things better." Oftentimes as leaders, we get so hung up on the better results that we forget to "doing" part.
Statistics show that it takes 10,000 hours of "doing" to become an expert at something. That's A LOT of hours. Think about the best professional athletes out there. What do they do after the golf round, track meet, or football game? They practice! How serious are you about practice, leader?
How does a leader practice? Reading. We all knew that was the answer, because we're really good at having the answer. What we're not all really good at is the "doing" or the action part.
If you're not reading, you're not growing. If YOU are not growing, you're definitely not growing others. When you reach the top, the leadership role---when you're the captain of your organization--you're expected to be the expert (remember---10,000 hours = expert).
Back to Smith's book. How are you doing things better? Where are you carving out time to get better at becoming a better "doer". I bet you can find 15 hours in a week to invest in becoming an expert.
The question is, are you willing to be a better leader?
Friday, January 6, 2012
Change
Often times we hear the word change and we stall. Change strikes fear. Change causes us to question whether something was "wrong" to begin with. Why fix it if it ain't broke? Right?
Though we fear change, we are also very curious about it. The new year is always filled with grand allusions of the changes we will make in our lives. We get enthralled with the idea of changing--but we don't.
On the other hand we recognize that change is needed. Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We believe it is insane to not change, (I need to exercise more, eat better, read more, work less, etc....or else "x" will happen....) yet are insane because we do not.
Why do we do this.... all the time?
I believe that "change" strikes fear because we think it requires some complete overhaul of who we are, though most haven't even defined that yet. So therein lies the greater issue for 2012. Who are you? What are your values?
Before you waste time chasing a new year "change", take the time to define YOU. Once you define who you are and determined your values, you will be able to set clearer--more achievable goals. For once, put the cart behind the horse, you'll have a great success rate!
When you've finally defined you by establishing the non-negotiable values that make you up--you can focus on change. Change then becomes growth, not an abandonment of your values (which is what we feared to begin with). Values are constant, the change in your life should be filtered through those values.
Be resolute to set values first in 2012, then determine what "change" needs to take place.
Though we fear change, we are also very curious about it. The new year is always filled with grand allusions of the changes we will make in our lives. We get enthralled with the idea of changing--but we don't.
On the other hand we recognize that change is needed. Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We believe it is insane to not change, (I need to exercise more, eat better, read more, work less, etc....or else "x" will happen....) yet are insane because we do not.
Why do we do this.... all the time?
I believe that "change" strikes fear because we think it requires some complete overhaul of who we are, though most haven't even defined that yet. So therein lies the greater issue for 2012. Who are you? What are your values?
Before you waste time chasing a new year "change", take the time to define YOU. Once you define who you are and determined your values, you will be able to set clearer--more achievable goals. For once, put the cart behind the horse, you'll have a great success rate!
When you've finally defined you by establishing the non-negotiable values that make you up--you can focus on change. Change then becomes growth, not an abandonment of your values (which is what we feared to begin with). Values are constant, the change in your life should be filtered through those values.
Be resolute to set values first in 2012, then determine what "change" needs to take place.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Face 2 Face
I recently had the pleasant reminder of what a real conversation felt like. As a leader, I often get so consumed with the day to day operation of work. The day is spent communicating, but usually through a screen (texting, emailing, twitter, etc) and very quickly. Decisions need to be made and goals need to be met.
I reached out to a friend through a Words with Friends game---yes I dabble in fun apps occasionally in rare down time. When we met up he said to me, "we have communicated more in the last two months, texting through a game, than we have all year. What's wrong with that picture?" The conversation that ensued was rich and genuine. We each took turns sharing our passions. We challenged one another in our careers. After two hours, we both walked away encouraged and recharged to do what we do: develop people. I see it as time well spent.
Jim Collins, author of the best-seller Good to Great, schedules "white space" on his calendar. This is think time, brainstorming time, growth time. It is time every leader should make. Leaders should also schedule "face time." Face time is just like Collins' "white space" plus one. It is authentic conversation with another--on purpose. Face time doesn't have an agenda or a direction. The only rule is that it cannot be surface talk: nothing about the weather, sports, catching up on family, etc. You must dig deeper, ask questions, generate ideas.
When is the last time you had real face time? Reward yourself by scheduling it two to four times each month. Don't allow face to face communication to become a lost art.
Take a break from the screens, and enjoy the conversation.
I reached out to a friend through a Words with Friends game---yes I dabble in fun apps occasionally in rare down time. When we met up he said to me, "we have communicated more in the last two months, texting through a game, than we have all year. What's wrong with that picture?" The conversation that ensued was rich and genuine. We each took turns sharing our passions. We challenged one another in our careers. After two hours, we both walked away encouraged and recharged to do what we do: develop people. I see it as time well spent.
Jim Collins, author of the best-seller Good to Great, schedules "white space" on his calendar. This is think time, brainstorming time, growth time. It is time every leader should make. Leaders should also schedule "face time." Face time is just like Collins' "white space" plus one. It is authentic conversation with another--on purpose. Face time doesn't have an agenda or a direction. The only rule is that it cannot be surface talk: nothing about the weather, sports, catching up on family, etc. You must dig deeper, ask questions, generate ideas.
When is the last time you had real face time? Reward yourself by scheduling it two to four times each month. Don't allow face to face communication to become a lost art.
Take a break from the screens, and enjoy the conversation.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Going the distance
For years I have been a long distance runner...
One of the main reasons running is my "thing" is because of how much it reminds me that all of life requires patience, practice, and discipline--over and over and over and over again. Running is great perspective.
I began running in high school. I did well for our school, but never really put in the effort to be great. I could show up at a 5k and submit a sub 19 minute time almost every time. After graduation, I stopped--though I think about what could have been a lot.
During my senior year (or super senior year) in college I started running again. I decided that I liked it, and it was good exercise. From that point on I began entering the occasional 5k, then 10k. I capped myself to doing nothing more than the 10k for several years.
In 2009 I ran my first half marathon, and again in 2010. I remember thinking that 13.1 was crazy. I was asked afterwards if I would ever consider doing a full--my answer was "no way". Well, last weekend I finished my first (and NOT last) full marathon. Did I just say that? 26.2 miles of running is insane!
Back to perspective:
We all have hopes and dreams, but many of us fail to ever reach them. Many times we simply allow those dreams to remain a dream, convincing ourselves that it will never be possible. Sometimes we set a goal to reach a dream by a specific date, but never allow it to gain any traction by neglecting to take action.
Making a dream reality is like finishing a race--you have to have a plan. You don't go run 26.2 miles without having readily prepared to do so. In my case, I spent years getting up the courage to run a full marathon. Once I decided to do it, I had 16 weeks of intense training. I had a very specific plan that, if followed correctly, would yield success.
The issue that most of us face is not dreaming the dream, or even deciding to reach for it. The roadblock we often run into is the "training", the diligent work, the practice, patience, and discipline over and over and over again.
A dream is just a dream, a goal just a goal, a vision just a vision--unless YOU are willing to breath life into it in the form of action.
2) Set a "complete by" date (this could be days or years)
3) Determine what disciplines need to be in place (what you do daily, weekly, monthly to stay on track)
4) Set small goals along the way (you'll need a "win" or two to keep you motivated)
5) Revisit the original plan, track action to your disciplines--make adjustments (allow yourself to call an audible)
6) Cross the finish line (you may even get yourself a medal!)
Planning and doing, planning and doing, planning and doing--that's all it is. Now go out there and win! Remember: Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
One of the main reasons running is my "thing" is because of how much it reminds me that all of life requires patience, practice, and discipline--over and over and over and over again. Running is great perspective.
I began running in high school. I did well for our school, but never really put in the effort to be great. I could show up at a 5k and submit a sub 19 minute time almost every time. After graduation, I stopped--though I think about what could have been a lot.
During my senior year (or super senior year) in college I started running again. I decided that I liked it, and it was good exercise. From that point on I began entering the occasional 5k, then 10k. I capped myself to doing nothing more than the 10k for several years.
In 2009 I ran my first half marathon, and again in 2010. I remember thinking that 13.1 was crazy. I was asked afterwards if I would ever consider doing a full--my answer was "no way". Well, last weekend I finished my first (and NOT last) full marathon. Did I just say that? 26.2 miles of running is insane!
Back to perspective:
We all have hopes and dreams, but many of us fail to ever reach them. Many times we simply allow those dreams to remain a dream, convincing ourselves that it will never be possible. Sometimes we set a goal to reach a dream by a specific date, but never allow it to gain any traction by neglecting to take action.
Making a dream reality is like finishing a race--you have to have a plan. You don't go run 26.2 miles without having readily prepared to do so. In my case, I spent years getting up the courage to run a full marathon. Once I decided to do it, I had 16 weeks of intense training. I had a very specific plan that, if followed correctly, would yield success.
The issue that most of us face is not dreaming the dream, or even deciding to reach for it. The roadblock we often run into is the "training", the diligent work, the practice, patience, and discipline over and over and over again.
A dream is just a dream, a goal just a goal, a vision just a vision--unless YOU are willing to breath life into it in the form of action.
6 simple steps to going the distance:
1) Dream it2) Set a "complete by" date (this could be days or years)
3) Determine what disciplines need to be in place (what you do daily, weekly, monthly to stay on track)
4) Set small goals along the way (you'll need a "win" or two to keep you motivated)
5) Revisit the original plan, track action to your disciplines--make adjustments (allow yourself to call an audible)
6) Cross the finish line (you may even get yourself a medal!)
Planning and doing, planning and doing, planning and doing--that's all it is. Now go out there and win! Remember: Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Winning at its best
Lots of businesses and individuals strive to be the best. Pushing, conquering, rising to the top is an exhilarating experience. However you must be focused on the path you leave behind you as you rise.
I was recently researching a specific type of certification from two industry leading training programs. On their websites, each program listed the reason why they are the "best" in the world. Both have great qualifications, and seem to be amazing. One, though, was constantly comparing themselves to the other--almost to the point of bashing. By the end of my research, I was completely disgusted with the "bashing" company. My decision was made easily.
I often wonder why so many businesses, athletes, politicians, and people in general seek gain at the expense of tearing others down. The end result, though it may be years, is downfall. We see this all the time, yet it continues to occur.
Consider this in your journey to become great:
I was recently researching a specific type of certification from two industry leading training programs. On their websites, each program listed the reason why they are the "best" in the world. Both have great qualifications, and seem to be amazing. One, though, was constantly comparing themselves to the other--almost to the point of bashing. By the end of my research, I was completely disgusted with the "bashing" company. My decision was made easily.
I often wonder why so many businesses, athletes, politicians, and people in general seek gain at the expense of tearing others down. The end result, though it may be years, is downfall. We see this all the time, yet it continues to occur.
Consider this in your journey to become great:
- Keep your focus on becoming the very "best" you.
- Be mindful and appreciative of your competition. Don't get sucked into the trap of comparison--you will lose your focus.
- You can become the "best" without leaving a path of destruction along the way.
- A winning attitude from the onset is what consumers really want to see-- you will ultimately win their dollars too!
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