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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Mini-Tangents and Mega-Tangents

by Rick Baker
On Apr 7, 2015

By definition, tangents are small things: the tiny beginnings of deviations from the path; by definition, tangents are mini.

Over time, the mini-deviations we make and take from our desired paths grow and the distance between where we are and where we expected to be increases.

Over time, mini-tangent become mega-tangents: this is the law and the nature of tangential things.

Over time, small deviations become enormous disconnections: the prior path becomes less recognizable as it shrinks away.

Tangents, the mini-ones, are the first illustrations of new things...People do only 3 things - good habits, bad habits, & new things.

Tangents, again the mini-ones, are the first steps of change...in nature, for the most part, irreversible.

Tangents, those mini-tangents, are the seeds that sprout the roots of our habits…they are the new things that become either our good habits or our bad habits.

Tangents: this basic geometry governs everything from our daily play to the success of our lives.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things

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Note to Self: When you feel the need to Criticize

by Rick Baker
On Apr 6, 2015

When that need to criticize visits...

STOP!

THINK - what is about to happen?

I mean - really THINK about WHY you are about to deliver this piece of Criticism.

What gratification are you seeking?

Are your expectations are reasonable?

Are your expectations fair?

Or, are you simply acting out another piece of bad behaviour? Is another bad habit about to illustrate its control over you?

Or, is this need to criticize about how smart you are and how ambitious you are…is it about proving that to others?

Certainly by now you must have learned salty & stinging criticism does not work.

Or, are you incapable of learning such simple lessons?

Are you destined to continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over again?

Is that the extent of your self-control?

Tags:

Criticism: Constructive Criticism is an Oxymoron | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things | Questions?: The Art of Asking Good Questions | Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

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Improving Focus...i.e., Focus on Work

by Rick Baker
On Feb 23, 2015

Some thoughts about focusing on our work... 

It is important that we continue to remind people of the importance of concentrating on their areas of work: Sales [Agreeing to Exchange Value], Fulfilling Work Orders [Delivering Value], and Invoicing & Collection [Receiving Value].

Apparently, it is equally important that we help [some if not many] people of our people not dwell on 'automatic negative thoughts'. Rather, everyone needs to learn how to stop destructive thoughts and replace them with constructive thoughts. 

These things can be done. Replacing ‘automatic negative thoughts’ with constructive thoughts is the essence of the process Napoleon Hill called AUTOSUGGESTION in his 1937 classic 'Think And Grow Rich'. 

And, it is the essence of Spirited Leaders’ Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things philosophy. 

Success in roles and in business depends on ability to choose to focus on positives & successes rather than back into focusing on negatives & failures. 

If we want our people to grow strengths then we must allow them to make decisions and fail...so they can learn from the failures. To learn from failures people must learn to get over failures…not to dwell on failures… not to agonize over failures. 

Tags:

Attitude: Creating Positive Attitude | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things

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Your power resides in your strengths: easily said, not easily done...and rampantly ignored.

by Rick Baker
On Feb 10, 2015

Your power resides in your strengths.

Your power either energizes action or it rests inactive.

Your power is the sum total of your talents, the opportunities you've had to put those talents to work at tasks, your knowledge related to those talents, and the time you've taken to practice and develop work-skills based on those talents.

Your power is put to good use when you employ your strengths through good habits.

Good habits, naturally, take you toward your long-term goals and vision.

And, of course, if you do not have long-term goals and vision then your power rests inactive and your strengths do not realize their potential.

 

 

Tags:

Goals - SMARTACRE Goals | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things | STRENGTHS: People-Focused for Success | Vision: The Leader's Vivid Vision

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Influence is the Essence of Leadership

by Rick Baker
On Jan 14, 2015

 

 

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Tags:

Business Contains Only 3 Things | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things | Influencing | Leaders' Thoughts | Seeking Simple!

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As you contemplate a productive 2015...

by Rick Baker
On Dec 29, 2014

As you contemplate a productive 2015...

Consider the following questions:

  • For the upcoming year how would you define success?
  • What gaps exist between where your business is now and that success?
  • What personal changes do people (does each person) need to make to span those gaps?
  • What personal changes do you need to make to influence people as they span those gaps?
  • What help do you need to make your personal changes?

When I use the words "personal changes", I am thinking...

People Do Only 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things:

Good Habits take people toward their long-term goals and vision of success.

Bad Habits do not.

New Things are, by definition, "personal changes". 

Tags:

Change: Creating Positive Change | Definitions - Spirited Words Defined | Habits: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things | Influencing | Leaders' Thoughts | Questions?: The Art of Asking Good Questions

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