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WORDS OF WISDOM
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I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
-Jimmy Dean
I love the idea that a lousy pair of twos is a potential four of a kind!
-Donna Long
WARNING: Humor may be hazardous to your illness.
-Ellie Katz
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PLAYING THE CARDS YOU ARE DEALT
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My Mom and Dad were wonderful examples of knowing how to play the cards they were dealt. When I was between the ages of 6 and 8 our family faced some real challenges. My little sister was severely burned on a floor register, landing her in the hospital. We had an electrical fire which destroyed the inside of our home causing us to be displaced for about 6 months. Also Dad, who was a union carpenter, fell from a building and broke his back and leg. He was out of work for a long time. It won't surprise you to read that money was tight and George and Ann McMichael (my parents) worked hard to support their six children both physically and emotionally.
As kids, we felt the pain of these rough times. But we also have incredible memories because our parents knew how to play the cards they were dealt. For example, when the electricity was turned off because there was no money to pay the bill, Mom and Dad created the following adventures:
- A living room camp out where we all slept by the fireplace.
- Performing songs with the help of a transistor radio.
- Playing Monopoly or cards by the fireplace.
- Learning to cook oatmeal over the fireplace or on a grill under the back porch.
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HOW DO YOU PLAY YOUR CARDS?
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I won't pretend that things were all fun and games during these tough times, but Mom and Dad did work diligently to find solutions. They also had a way of creating some fun, which translated to coping mechanisms. Perhaps more importantly, they had unending optimism for the future.
How do you play your cards when situations are less than desirable?
- Do you focus on solutions and ways to create coping skills or do you complain about the cards you've been dealt?
- Do you work to identify things to be optimistic about or do you focus on the things that pull you and others down?
- Do you share hope with others or do you jump on the doom and gloom bandwagon?
- Do you look for small opportunities to create a smile, laugher and even downright fun or do you go into high stress mode?
The interesting thing about embracing the positive aspects of these questions is that it will not only be good for the company, but it will make you feel better too.
And... attitudes are contagious. Especially the attitude of a leader. Remember that the definition of lead includes "to show the way by influence." What kind of influence are you having on your team members? |
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THE LEGENDARY LEADER
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Click this link to learn more about The Legendary Leader... 52 Ways To Coach For Commitment. It offers 52 affirmations for effective leadership and is designed for readers to focus on one each week.
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