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Talk Confidence - One Degree More... 86,400 seconds

Eilidh Milnes 

                                                                                                                                                          Tap into Your Magnetism

Reading time:  489 words

Just one Degree More

 

The difference between hot water and boiling water is just one degree of heat. And whilst that may not seem a lot, it is the difference between a relaxing cup of tea and having the oomph to power up a steam train! Just one extra degree of heat - that's all. That one degree extra effort, can make all the difference not only for locomotives but in powering forward with your personal and professional life. 


The Law of Magnetism is powerful too; so great in fact that whatever character you possess you are likely to find in the people who are attracted to you. Leaders attract people whose values are similar to their own. Think of the people who were attracted to John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. He was a young idealist who wanted to change the world and he attracted people with a similar profile. When he formed the Peace Corps and extolled people with, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," thousands of young idealistic  people stepped forward to answer the challenge. JFK exuded a magical magnetism; as does Obama. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter whether the shared values are positive or negative, the result is the same. (Hitler being an obvious example of the latter).

 

As you know, people work better when they feel valued. Everyone needs to feel important and respected. In the book Leadership and Self-deception it is put this way; whatever is is that you do, you see others either as people or as objects. When you see people as people you are thinking out of the box and when yu are in the box when you see them in a distorted way i.e. as objects. 

 

Enthusiasm Rocks!

One thing you could do to increase your magnetism quotient is use kind words of encouragement; and to do so publicly and with gusto. Praise your employees with enthusiasm especially in the current climate.  As Gerry Westwood explained in his newsletter recently,enthusiasm rocks! Or as Dale Carnegie said, "Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise... " 


Get to know who they are...

When you take the time to learn someone's name you see them as a person not an resource. Be genuine! People will spot falsehoods and no-one likes to feel manipulated by a new technique. Be honest! Go out, look for the good in people- just for fun and because you can! Why? You will feel really good about yourself and that it is the one degree more needed to turn you into a people magnet. 


Thank you!

You've been given of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" Why not do so now? And charge forward with a full head of steam and have a great month attracting all sorts of exciting things into your life.

 

Talk Confidence International - Are YOU Pointing in the Right Direction?

Eilidh Milnes 

Reading time: 456 words

"Where does persistence end and obsession begin? How high is too high? How big is too big?"  - questions posed by Ricardo Semler in his leadership book 'Maverick'.

We encourage ourselves to do our best and others likewise. However, from time to time we can over-cook aspects of life and work. At such moments, hold the old adage of "moderation in all things" in the forefront of your mind. Persistence is only a virtue when it's pointing in the right direction, is one my sayings and if you are verging on obsessive - STOP! Check your personal compass. Enough is enough! 

Two of my clients, who have shown symptoms of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) are Sylvia, who constantly doubted if she had locked her front door and had to go through a daily rigid routine to get out of her house. And John who was convinced that he was going to lose his job plus the respect of his peers, if he did not work 12-15 hours a day. I extol clients to focus on their goals and be persistent, but in the case of Sylvia and John, the focus was distorted, unhelpful and destructive. This serves as a timely reminder that we probably all need to do some brain-washing on occasions. 

Take heart, balance can be restored by the moderation maxim! Advances in technology have far outstripped advances in mentality. Technology can be transformed overnight; but mental processes can take decades and generations to alter; so allow time for you, your team and family members to adapt. And starting back to work after a holiday is an opportunity to consider change and review your progress.

Persistence does pay off. Take the young band  'The Yeah Yous' currently in the charts with their latest song Getting up with You. It's a great track that I'll be downloading as soon as it releases (in 10 days time) and what makes it even better for me personally, is that Michael, one of the singers is the son of my friend Mr Network -  Will Kintish. It has taken the band 8 years to get in the charts! And now believe it or not, they are on the same playlists as... wait for it... Dame Vera Lynn! Talk about persistence! That amazing lady has it in spades! To be back in the charts at 92 years of age is unbelievable.

Are you persisting with your goals for this year? Are you heading in the right direction? If not, and you need some advice do drop me a line.

Click this link if you want to read Semler's book or others recommended by Talk Confidence readers. Jackie Cameron for example recommends "The One Thing You Need to Know..." by Marcus Buckingham.