Timely Inspirations for Personal Success – T.I.P.S.

What’s Your Cause?

Comments Off Written on April 27th, 2012 by
Categories: Mindset, motivation, Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

 

On Saturday, April 15th hundreds of people gathered in Greensboro Center City Park to walk in support of the Catfish Hunter Chapter of the ALS Association.   Our team, Brigitte’s Brigade – walked in honor of our Queen, Brigitte Gann who was diagnosed with the disease three years ago.   This was our 3rd year walking and raising money to support those impacted by Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS.   When you support a cause that you believe in, a cause that has impacted you, a friend or a family member – you look forward to participating.  You get energized and inspired.  Fighting for a cause helps keep things in perspective about what’s really important in life– you want to give your time, talent & resources.  What’s your cause that you get excited about supporting?  

Have you ever had a cause (or change or new initiative) at work that was important to your team and needed full support for it’s success?  Here are 5.5 strategies to help rally the troops.  

1. Maintain Enthusiasm– Smile, Animation, Energy, Tone of Voice and create the right setting.  Block out those dream stealers or people that act as rocks on your kite!
 
2. Select a small group of champions to support the cause and encourage them to be your cheerleaders throughout the organization.
 
3. Celebrate small successes – short term wins can fuel the momentum.  Celebrate good times and move on to the next step.
 
4. If you get off track or a member of your group – RE-GROUP.  RE-STRATEGIZE. RE-START.
 
5. Hang in there one more round.  Too often people give up to early.  If it truly takes an average of 21 days to create a new behavior, don’t sell your team short by not giving them enough time to Fight for the Cause!

5.5 PRAY

 

 

Posted in Mindset, motivation, Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

UnPlug

No Comments » Written on March 26th, 2012 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
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CoachMkay Rubber Tree

February 10-20, 2012 I traveled to Guatemala to serve on a building mission team with the NC United Methodist Conference.  As our bus headed up the mountain towards a small village called Chuisaicaba, we stopped to look at a rubber tree farm.  I was on day two of being unplugged from my blackberry and computer and quickly realized how overwhelmed our life can get when we are continuously connected to technology.    

In a recent training session a vp of sales recalled a sales meeting with two of his top performers. While he was talking he noticed both of them had their phones under the table texting/emailing people during the meeting.  He promptly reached over the table, asked for their cell phones and removed the battery for 24 hours.  BOTH of the wives called the vp that night, thanking him for what he did.  WOW!  

Are you too plugged in?  Is it time to set some boundaries to technology so you have more balance and are truly connected the people and events that are important? 

 

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8 Ways to Build Customer Loyalty

No Comments » Written on February 8th, 2012 by
Categories: Business Management, Professional Development, Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
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(Inc. Magazine, 2012)

Geoffrey James got these nuggets from interviewing Jeffrey Gitomer on how top salespeople use these simple rules to keep their customers buying from them–even in the face of steep competition.  Want your customers or patients to keep you top of mind and tell others how much they love you?  


Consider these strategies.

1. Have a sales philosophy that emphasizes relationship building.

2. Define a unique niche and become the customer’s expert on it.

3. Help the customer build the customer’s own business.

4. Translate what you offer into the customer’s business results.

5. Value the relationship more than making your quota.

6. Think end-of-time friendships, not end-of-month totals.

7. Achieve a perfect job of delivering what you’ve promised.

8. Provide absolutely impeccable service after the sale.

Testimonial:
“I truly believe that the principals and stories shared will have a lasting impact on my life and the way I approach, treat and build/sustain relationships with people. Thank you Merikay for your energy, enthusiasm and delivery of the course each and every session.”

Robert Rinaldi, Cost Accountant TK Holdings Inc.
Graduate of the 8 Week Dale Carnegie Course

 

 

 

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Posted in Business Management, Professional Development, Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

Be Courageous!

No Comments » Written on January 25th, 2012 by
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While traveling back from Snowshoe, WV on Christmas Eve I was checking emails/voicemails/texts that sat in my in box for four days because I had no cell reception on the mountain.  This was one of the text, “Hey did u hear that Corrine Stickley (Buckalew) died in a plane crash with her kids, hubby (and co-worker) and dog…Jeff (her husband) was piloting the plane.”  I was stunned.  In a flash I tried to comprehend the horrific tragedy.  I thought about Corrine’s family in Greensboro and about my own family.   

Then I thought about gratefulness.  Grateful that Corrine and Jeff came to our high school reunion a few years ago.  Grateful for the times we competed against each other in gymnastics and cheerleading.  Grateful for many things in an instant.  

Corrine was an energetic, determined & talented woman.  Her sister highlighted her ability to push through any obstacles at the family memorial service on December 30, 2011.  So as you embrace 2012 – what obstacles do you need to push through to find true success in your life?  Think of these categories and rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being outstanding) Spirit, Family, Career, Health, Self, Finance, Community, Friends.  Pick a few of your lower score categories and write down specific improvements or goals you want to achieve for this year.  Post them where you can see them daily.  

Earl Nitengale said, “You become what you think about.” Be courageous, think BIG for 2012 and push through your obstacles.

 

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Spirit, Blessings & Enthusiasm

No Comments » Written on December 15th, 2011 by
Categories: Mindset, New Year, Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
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December T.I.P.S.
Timely Inspirations for Personal Success

‘Tis the season to be in a giving spirit, count your blessings & get ready to greet the new year with enthusiasm. I watched Jimmy Valvano’s 1993 speech from the Espy Awards the other night and it reminded me of what’s really important during Christmas in his words,  ”Family, Religion, and the Green Bay Packers!”  

Well, maybe not the Green Bay Packers – insert your favorite sports team here.

 

Jimmy V also shared three things we need to do every day:

1.) Laugh.
2.) Think.  
3.) Have your emotions moved to tears, that’s a full day, a heck of a day.

I’m a Carolina Girl -some might think it would be tough to be a State fan….well, I am a BIG fan of Jimmy Valvano.  Why?  Because he got it…he lived it….he believed it….Jimmy V believed in the power of enthusiasm and the value of having a dream and setting goals.  It was important to him to work for it and he urged us to enjoy every aspect of our life.  The theme of the Jimmy V organization is to, “Never give up.  Never, never give up.”  So if this was your last Christmas season, what would you do different?  

Let go of the chaos and focus on what’s important.  ”Your family, your religion and the Green Bay Packers!”

 

 

 

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Email from a Friend…

Comments Off Written on November 17th, 2011 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
Hey Merikay!!
 
I saw this video the other day and thought you’d enjoy it. 
 
 


Have a fantastic day!!!
 

Roger D. Sims, CLU
Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
 

I saved this email in my inbox until a quiet moment appeared and watched the 1.48 minute video, then quickly called my 12 year old son in the room to watch it too.  He said, “cool” with a big smile.  It’s amazing how one little act can bring people closer or how a series of words can make a dramatic difference for someone.  Consider the desire to create positive change for yourself or in your organization and the impact it may create for the future.   A quote that stays on my vision board that I look at daily is, “Actions aligned with values.”

What do you value?  How does it play a role in your daily actions?

 

  

Posted in Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

The Value of a men·tor/’men?tôr/

No Comments » Written on September 13th, 2011 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
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Noun: An Adviser.
Verb: To advise or train (someone).

 For the last six years, I have sought counsel from a variety of mentors to help me in my personal and business life. These mentors come in the form of real life people, books & seminars. Bill Hybels discusses the value of mentors in his book, Axiom- a powerful collection of Leadership Principles. There is no one perfect mentor for all areas of life. What’s important is to identify the top three areas that are critical to you right now and then find a mentor for those key areas. Maybe you read a book, schedule a weekly or monthly call with someone or invite someone to lunch and ask if you can get some feedback on some things you want to work on to help you achieve your goals.  

I’ve registered for my second mini-sprint triathlon in two years and this event is serving as my mentor to push me to schedule time to exercise regularly. So remember, mentors can come in many shapes and forms.

 Here’s a big thank you to my ‘real life people’ mentors over the past few years: Dorothy Merchant, Carol Wise, Bob Baber, Emily Howard, Jan Brittan, Jack Canfield, Dale Carnegie, Susan Norman-Vickers, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Chuck Austin & Lucy Wellmaker.

  

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The Power of the Second

No Comments » Written on August 16th, 2011 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.
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Powerful Living TipsAfter 80 years of living & teaching others, Tom Brittain shared TEN RULES FOR LIVING and here was the 10th….Remember—in a single second, a simple decision or a single act can MAKE YOUR LIFE or DESTROY IT.  Today my youngest daughter had six braces put on her upper front teeth… after only 2.5 hours, she elected to perform a front flip under water at the pool and knocked her knee into her upper lip.  Yep, you guessed it…one shiny new bracket dis-lodged.   The sitter called and as I prepared myself for the news…found myself moments later thrilled that it was only a loose bracket and wire.  

Some of our choices on a daily basis may end up as minor accidents.  Some of them may have a greater impact on our life or business.  The key is to be mindful of how major decisions could yield positive or negative outcomes.   One of my managers made a commitment to wait 24 hours before making any big decision.  This helped her evaluate all the angles, take the emotion out of the process, talk to others for feedback, etc.  We can’t change decisions made in the past, we can learn from them.  We can’t change decisions made in the past, we can learn from them.  Face simple decisions or acts with deliberate thoughts to help you choose wisely. Blessings and make it a great day!

 

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Getting Engaged

No Comments » Written on June 14th, 2011 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.


Leadership - EngagingLast night during a leadership session, a manager from a pharmaceutical company said he wanted to get his team members more engaged.  It made me think about when you get married, someone asks the question, and if you say, “yes!” then now you are engaged.  Here are some principles that can help you as a leader get your team engaged at work.

 

1-Ask Questions

What is important to them about their work?  What are their professional strengths?  What do they enjoy most about what they do?  What ideas do they have to improve work flow/processes or people?

2-Give honest, sincere appreciation (one of Mr. Dale Carnegie’s human relation principle).

Say thank you for a job well done.  Leave a note on their desk with written appreciation.  Make an announcement in a staff meeting about positive feedback a client gave about them.

3. SMILE - watch what can happen if you consistently greet people with a smile.  It is amazing!

If we want people to be more engaged at work, check your level of engagement.  If you are excited, your team may just follow your lead.

 

 

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The Impact of Pain

No Comments » Written on May 14th, 2011 by
Categories: Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

For the past three weeks I have been seeing a chiropractor….I even agreed to have multiple needles placed in my back from an acupuncturist. OK. That was extreme in my book, because after two epidurals gone bad, I KNEW I was desperate for some pain relief.  As I joked w/ my provider about the fact that I was giving a speech for the Triad Chapter of the American Payroll Association on ‘Stress Management’ of all topics….it made me pause to reflect on how I got to this point in the first place.  So here are some reminders to keep balance in your life.  Ask yourself these questions.

1-Are you too busy to exercise?

2-Is your calendar running you?

3-Has caffeine become your favorite beverage of choice?

4-Are you waking up in the middle of the night thinking of everything you have to do?

5-Do you find it difficult to just relax?

6-Is taking daily time for reflective reading or centering impossible?
7-Are you thinking about work throughout the weekend?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you might find yourself in my situation…..keeping all the tension in your shoulders and back.  Even though I teach people how to manage stress we can implement all the strategies we know and still not feel our best.  So, here’s to asking for more help and taking some vacation days!

Blessings and make it a great day!

 

Posted in Timely Inspirations for Personal Success - T.I.P.S.

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