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Showing posts from November, 2019

Keep Learning Again and Again

A goal worth working on will produce high levels of learning. If that learning doesn't help you with this goal, it's guaranteed to help you on another. Keep learning. Learn constantly.

-- doug smith

Possibilities Equals Power

Are you searching for more possibilities? Are you generating more ideas? There could be more possible ways to solve your problem than you will ever think of, so keep thinking, keep exploring. Possibilities equals power.

-- doug smith

Challenge Your Assumption

If your assumption isn't helpful change your assumption.

-- doug smith

We all make assumptions, even when we know it doesn't help. Where do these assumptions come from? They come from old data, from old experiences, from filters so clogged we fail to see what is true. But the good news is that since assumptions originate from our own thinking, we can control that. We can change our thinking. We can change our assumptions.

Let's choose assumptions that lead to success. The people on our team WILL support us. Our leadership skills ARE growing. Our customers DO have reason to like our service.

If your assumption isn't working, if it just isn't helpful, change your assumption.

-- doug smith

The Path to Happiness

The goal isn't goals; the goal is happiness. And, the strongest path to lasting happiness is thru service.

-- doug smith

Go Big

Are your goals big enough, wild enough, ambitious enough?

If a goal doesn't make you nervous or giddy it's not big enough. Go big.

-- doug smith

Sing Your Song

The song of success contains many variations.

-- doug smith


And, we don't all like all the songs.



Of course it's work. Naturally, there's much more to it than that. And yet, the so…

Keep Improving

Imperfection is a human condition but not a curse. The blessing is in the constant process of growth.


-- doug smith

Are You Overthinking?

I've been told that I sometimes overthink things. How about you?

The trouble with overthinking is, when are you done?

Sometimes we have to think about what we're thinking to stop thinking so much.

Think about that.

-- doug smith

Make the Move

A fading dream makes room for a new scene. Make the move.

-- doug smith

Keep Your Goals In Front

Goals that you keep in front of you keep you moving forward.

-- doug smith

Quality Knows No Age

Old does not always mean outdated. New does not always mean best.

Quality knows no age.

-- doug smith

Start With a Goal

Don't let a lack of a goal stop you from getting what you want -- set the goal!

-- doug smith

Ask Your Team

Energize your problem solving team today, tomorrow, and everyday.

Not sure how? Ask them how. They know.

-- doug smith

You Can Do It

You can strengthen your self-esteem without anyone's help.

-- doug smith

Are you waiting for praise? Are you hoping for a great performance evaluation? Have you given any part of your control over your own self-esteem to anyone else?

I enjoy hearing good things. I like praise. Positive feedback is awesome. But do we need to wait for it? I don't think so. It's great when it comes, but the surest way to keep your self-esteem healthy is to know what you stand for and work toward that position. The best way to be happy about what you do is to do work that matters, to do work that makes things better for other people, to find joy in serving.

It's almost amazing, but what builds us up the most is taking care of other people.

Great leaders are in charge. Greater leaders are in charge and serving, at the same time. What a great way to build your own self esteem. You can do it. It's up to you.

-- doug smith

Darn Lies

Lies lead to lies and there lies the problem. Clarity is the solution.

We tolerate, we generate, too many darn lies. What are we afraid of with truth? Why do we try to deceive one another? Lies, lies, lies. A lie opens the door to air the truth, if we can spot the lie.

We can always spot the lie. It's not like they are so hard to find. Besides being everywhere, they are usually painfully obvious. Let's lean  on the truth instead. The cold, hard, honest truth.

If the truth isn't kind, there is more truth to find. Keep looking. Keep telling the truth.

-- doug smith

Actions Matter

Be careful of letting good intentions create bad problems. Actions matter.

-- doug smith

What's Your Goal?

Sometimes the most powerful question you can ask is "what is my goal on this?"

-- doug smith

Results can get scattered. Intentions can get confused. When I find myself wondering what's going on, what am I doing, or what others are doing, I pause long enough to ask, "what is my goal on this?"

When we know what our goal is we can follow the plan that we have set in order to achieve that goal. We can press on. We can stay relentless.

Even when things are so chaotic that they appear to be out of control, we can focus on a goal and take the steps necessary to get back on track. The right goal corrects a lot of wrongs. The right goal gets the job done.

What's your goal today?

-- doug smith

Dignified Goal Achievement

How you achieve a goal is as important as achieving it.

-- doug smith

I don't believe in achieving a goal at any cost. While goals are important, our character matters more. How we treat people in the process of working on our goals matters. It's not a winner-take-all contest because when that IS the case there are eventually no winners. Instead, it is a win and share the winning choice that provides the most traction and the best results.

If you want positive results, use positive standards. People will eventually learn to treat you the way that you treat them -- noble or not. Stay noble. Stay ethical. Stay truthful.

Temptation has no place in achieving goals. Abuse, cheating, taking advantage of others -- no of this belongs in the portfolio of a high performance leader.

Lead effectively. Achieve your goals. And use processes that treat people with dignity and respect.

Think of it as dignified goal achievement. Your character remains strong and your reputation remains solid.…

You've Changed

Do you ever get nostalgic? Do you ever wish that you could do something the way you once did, or be that person again?

Guess what? You can't. I can't. (and while I miss that 1966 Impala Supersport I once had, I don't think I miss the pants I was wearing back then...)

We can never be who we used to be. We have to keep growing. We have to keep learning. And, when we set new goals and head for new horizons, who we used to be matters a whole lot let than who we are becoming.

Who are you becoming?

-- doug smith

Find the Fun In Your Goal

Energize your team by keeping your goal both challenging and fun.

-- doug smith

Design Your Plan

The only unachievable goal is the one without a plan.

-- doug smith

Reframe Your Problem As a Goal

A problem turned into a goal is already headed for a solution.

-- doug smith