Iron Willed

"We know how rough the road will be, how heavy here the load will be, we know about the barricades that wait along the track, but we have set our soul ahead upon a certain goal ahead and nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn us back." ~Vince Lombardi. I love the perspective of being the underdog, overcoming all odds, fighting a seemingly impossible battle, and winning. I often speak to leaders about teams who overcome those seemingly impossible odds and find ways to win.  Exceptional leaders respond the same way, “It was a team effort.”  So what does it take to create such a team effort?

Vision

Note the last phrase of the quote, “…set our soul ahead upon a certain goal ahead and nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn us back.” Life’s filled with barriers.  Maybe it’s addiction, maybe it’s a difficult boss, maybe it’s an unruly teenager, maybe it’s a challenging client, maybe it's a seemingly impossible deadline, or maybe it’s just the challenges that come with life.  Whatever your venture, you CAN and WILL encounter barriers.  The first step to overcoming any barrier is to have a purpose. "Where there is no vision, the people perish...” ~Proverbs 29:18.  Lombardi calls it “a certain goal ahead” and then declares “nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn us back.”  Let me challenge you…  what are your barriers, what’s your vision, do you have “a certain goal ahead,” and do you firmly believe that “nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn YOU back.”?

Exceptional Leadership

We’ve all seen it.  Sports teams, work teams, families, community organizations filled with talented people that just couldn’t get it done.  Why not?  Is it too many or too complex barriers?  Is it a lack of vision?  Until you have exceptional leadership, people aren’t a team, they’re just a group of individuals.  So how does the exceptional leader turn individual performance into a team performance?  As Eric Thomas says, "You don't beg average people to be phenomenal.  You don't beg good people to be phenomenal.  You just are phenomenal, and you will attract phenomenal.”  If you want to create an exceptional team, start by creating an exceptional you.  

Synergy

1+1=2. But if you’re an exceptional leader, 1+1=3.  Scotty Bowman is one of the greatest coaches in NHL history, boasting 1,244 career wins and 9 Stanley Cup championships. Bowman had an incredible knack of knowing his players, knowing their strengths, and putting together lines that would consistently outperform other teams, regardless of individual talent.  As a leader, you need to know your team’s strengths, weaknesses, and create those lines (sub teams, workgroups, etc.) that will supplement each other’s strengths while complementing each other’s weaknesses.  Bowman, like most great leaders, realized that life is a team sport, and that it's not just individual talent but rather synergy that makes great teams.

 

Iron Willed

Lombardi’s response to adversity is in the image above, “Iron Willed.”  I’ve seen this iconic chalk mark on several of my Ironman ventures, typically at a time when the body is saying "no," and the mind needs to overcome by screaming "GO!"  Iron Willed implies mental toughness.  It suggests a resolve that says you will face and overcome adversity, you will encounter and crush barriers, you will come across and exceed limitations of what seems possible. Iron Willed also implies a mindset, an attitude, that rejects mediocrity, rejects the status quo, rejects all self-imposed limitations, and sees the word impossible as merely a suggestion.  

Make It Happen

• Vision - clearly identify what your “certain goal ahead” look like, and commit yourself 100% to this vision.
• Attitude - you must truly believe, in your heart of hearts, that “nothing left from hell to sky" shall ever turn you back.
• Exceptional Leadership - in the personal and professional domains you lead, be an exceptional leader; create an exceptional you.
• Synergies - know the strengths of those in your domain, and organize them to optimize those strengths such that 1+1 consistently equals 3. Understand that synergy and team chemistry transform a group of individuals into a great team.
• Iron WIlled - have the mental toughness to never, ever, ever abandon your vision, and when you hear the word "no," condition your mind to scream "go!"  Embrace adversity, and consider the word "impossible" to be nothing more than a suggestion. And lastly, become so committed to excellence and success that winning is a foregone conclusion.

Welcome to the new you.  Enjoy the journey... 

Check out Enjoy the Journey on Amazon.com at  https://goo.gl/G9BM8O

Learn more about Dave VanEpps or request a speaking engagement at www.davevanepps.com

Be Your Own CEO

The American Dream. Climbing to the top.  Starting in the mail room and ending up in the board room.  Every rising star imagines what it would be like to be CEO. The CEO has the vision, the financial and human resources, and the ability to delight customers, make things happen and drive results. And aside from those pesky shareholders and the Board of Directors, nobody can tell you what to do, right? WCB2 - What Could Be Better.

What Does a CEO Do?

This isn’t a trick question, and the answer isn’t golf all day.  It’s incumbent on the exceptional CEO to have a vision and to communicate that vision with all affected groups. The CEO is accountable to diligently manage the money and the people in their domain.  In order to survive, the CEO needs to constantly delight customers.  And most importantly, the CEO is on the hook to drive a positive return on investment and to drive game-changing results. The well-balanced CEO will delight clients, delight employees, and delight shareholders at the same time.

Responsibility, Not Power

Being CEO isn’t about a power trip.  It can be, but those CEOs don’t last long or prosper their people or their companies.  The best CEOs have a sense of humility, in which they realize they need to serve and delight customers, employees, the board, and shareholders. They realize they need to look at the traditional organization upside down and empower their employees to learn, grow, deliver, and delight. They realize that it's not about them, it's about making it about everyone else except them.

Be the CEO at Work

Everyone in Corporate America should change their title, and they should all start with the  words “CEO of”.  If you’re a project manager, congratulations.  You’ve just been promoted to “CEO of My Project Portfolio.”  If you’re a marketer, congratulations.  You’ve just been promoted to “CEO of My Marketing Campaigns.”  If you're an administrative assistant, congratulations.  You've just been promoted to "CEO of Administrative Activities in My Organization." Whatever your scope of responsibility, consider yourself the CEO of that domain.  Much like the Corporate CEO answers to both the board and the shareholders, you still have your own version of a board and shareholders.  But it’s your space, take accountability and own it!

Be the CEO in Life

If you’re a parent, consider yourself the “CEO of My Family.”  You need a vision for your family, and you need to constantly drive results to move towards that vision.  Your spouse and children are your board and shareholders all in one!  If you volunteer in your community, consider yourself the “CEO of My Volunteer Domain.”  If you belong to any other organizations or groups, consider yourself "CEO of My Role in That Group."  Whatever it is you do, approach it as if you’re the CEO of that domain - take responsibility to bring your "A Game" each and every day and to strive to make a difference in all that you do.

Make It Happen

• Start by looking at your work life. What do you do, and how can you make yourself CEO of that domain?  
• Next, look at your personal life (family, community, etc.).  In what areas should you be CEO?
• What CEO-like behaviors do you need to adopt?  Do you need to create and communicate a compelling vision for your domain? Do you need to manage your resources more responsibly?  Do you need to focus more on delighting customers, employees, or your board/shareholders?  Do you need to drive better results and provide a larger ROI?  Do you need to empower yourself for greatness?
• Lastly, look at how you can improve upon those CEO-like behaviors to become a legendary CEO.  Come up with a plan, execute, and reap the benefits.
• Accept no excuses.  Nobody wants to hear excuses from a Corporate CEO as to why their company isn't delivering results.  Everyone wants to hear how the CEO is overcoming obstacles and delivering results in spite of the challenges. As CEO, expect and accept nothing shy of excellence.

Welcome to the new you.  Enjoy the journey... 

Check out Enjoy the Journey on Amazon.com at  https://goo.gl/G9BM8O

Learn more about Dave VanEpps or request a speaking engagement at www.davevanepps.com

Charismatically Evoke Curiosity

People may not notice what you say, but they always notice how you act. If you want to elicit the right behavior, start by acting the right way.  Lead by example. You can’t ask your employees to put in the extra effort when you’re not doing the same. You can’t ask people to watch their language while you’re repeatedly dropping four-letter words.  As Eric Thomas says, "You don't beg average people to be phenomenal.  You don't beg good people to be phenomenal.  You just are phenomenal, and you will attract phenomenal.” If you want to live a better life, if you want to evoke curiosity, start by being a better you.

Live Your Story

Your life is a message to the world—make yours inspirational! What is your story?  What’s the secret sauce that makes you special, unique, and valuable?  What are those special qualities that only you possess?  What are the things you most want to be remembered for?  Maybe you’re not happy with your life so far.  Maybe you’ve made some mistakes, maybe you’ve fallen short at times, and maybe you view yourself as a failure.  If so, there’s good news.  Not only are you in good company, as most people feel this way at one time or another, but the rest of your story is yet to be written.  Start with your purpose, your passions, and your priorities.  What are they, how are you living them out, and where can you improve?  The remaining chapters of your story have yet to be written… make it an inspirational best seller!

 

Produce Fruit

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” ~Galatians 5:22-23.  That’s one of my favorite verses for many reasons. Trees bear fruit, and when one looks at apple tree, for example, we often judge it’s health by how many big, juicy apples it produces.  Nobody looks at an apple tree and judges it because it tried to produce fruit, talked about producing fruit, or even made excuses as to why it couldn’t produce fruit.  No, it’s a binary answer, either it produced fruit or it didn’t.  People are judged the same way, either we produce fruit or we don’t.  When people see you, do they see someone who is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and disciplined?  Do your actions exude those qualities of greatness that you want to showcase to the world as the fruit you produce? If not, start this very minute to make a concerted effort to exude your qualities of greatness in all that you do.

Be Magnetic

Have you ever met someone and just wondered what it is that makes them tick?  Someone so special, unique, and charismatic that you wanted some of whatever they have?  Charisma isn’t a magnetic physical appearance that attracts others; it’s a magnetic personality that draws others in.  It’s the ability to relate to others on their level. It’s the ability to empathize with others and to make a genuine connection.  My friend Bob is the most charismatic person I’ve ever met.  Every time Bob walks into a room, it lights up.  He connects with everyone, he talks to people, he engages with people and people want to be around him.  When I ask him how he does it, his answer is simple, “People are awesome.  I just love people.”  

Evoke Curiosity

• Take an inventory of your actions. Are you living out your purpose, your passions, and your priorities?
• Look at the fruit you’re producing. Are you producing fruit that’s visible to others? Do your qualities of greatness exude from everything you do?
• Consider how you relate to other people.  Are you glued to your phone, or are you engaging with those around you? Are you exuding love, empathy, and connection to others? 
• Think about your uniqueness.  What would make your children, your grandchildren, your neighbors, your co-workers want to learn more about you?
• Lastly, think about your story.  What is it about your story that evokes curiosity, and what’s missing from your current story that you need to write into your future chapters?

You have it in you to live an incredibly joyful, purposeful, fulfilling life that evokes curiosity and draws others in like a magnet. No go out and make it happen.

Welcome to the new you.  Enjoy the journey... 

Check out Enjoy the Journey on Amazon.com at  https://goo.gl/G9BM8O

Learn more about Dave VanEpps or request a speaking engagement at www.davevanepps.com

Manage the Voices in Your Head

Neuroscientists have done numerous studies and have concluded that 95% of our thinking is done by our subconscious mind.  Our subconscious mind is also about a million times more powerful than our conscious mind.  Not only is our subconscious working more, but it’s working faster, which means that our subconscious mind basically controls our life.  Our emotions, thoughts, actions, and decisions are all primarily subconscious responses. If you want to live a joyful, purposeful, successful life, you need to learn how to manage your subconscious mind.

Programming

From the time we’re born, our brain is constantly being programmed and re-programmed. In fact, by the time we’re 6-7 years old, our cumulative life experiences have already programmed our brains in ways that will manifest throughout our entire lives. Things we see, things we hear, and things we experience shape our subconscious mind, and later in life when we encounter situations that we’re familiar with, we typically respond without thinking. We just respond.  The good news is that 95% of our brain activity is on a pre-programmed autopilot.  Imagine if we had to consciously process every emotion, every thought, every action, and every simple decision. No thanks!

Voices in Your Head

The challenge is to take control of how your brain is being programmed all the time.  We all hear voices in our heads - not just the mentally ill.  However, we need to recognize those voices and manage them.  For example, when your subconscious says, “You can’t,” you need to consciously say, “I will!”  When your subconscious says, “You always fail,” you need to consciously say, “This time I will succeed!”  When your subconscious says, “I’m not good enough to do this,” you need to consciously say, “I have what it takes!”  And when your subconscious says, "Be afraid," you need to consciously say, "I have the courage to try!" Recognize the voices in your head, but make sure the right voices are re-programming your mind and body for success.

Be the 3%

The most successful 3% of the people in the world have written goals.  Is it the goals that make them successful?  Yes!  The goals not only set the direction, but when constantly reviewed, they serve as positive programming for your subconscious mind.  They tell your mind where you’re going and when you’ll get there.  At this point, the subconscious mind goes into autopilot and guides you to success.  How you talk to yourself is critical.  Goals are a way of telling your subconscious mind what you will do and when.  Affirmations work in a similar way.  Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” you say (in the positive and present tense), “I am lean and healthy. My food is naturally sweet. My body is a temple that thrives on whole, natural foods.”  It may not happen overnight, but over time, this positive programming will transform your subconscious mind.

Make It Happen

• Start with a statement about your 3 Ps.  What’s your purpose in life, what are your priorities in life, and what are your passions?  Write them down.  Revisit them regularly.
• Next, set goals that will define the steps to achieving those 3 Ps.  What will you do and when?  Write them down. Revisit them regularly.
• Think about areas where you don’t like what you see in your current life.  Create affirmations (present, positive), and say them daily for the next 21 days.  Be patient with yourself.  If you’re like me, you’ll fail repeatedly.  But as the process of re-programming your mind occurs, you will start seeing little victories along the way.
• Recognize the voices in your head.  When you hear the negative, subconscious voices speaking out against you, remind them who’s in charge.  Take what you hear and replace it with your own form of positive programming.
• Believe.  Start with the fundamental belief that you’re as good as any human being out there. You are unique. You have what it takes. You have been carefully designed by the Creator of the universe to do great things. You were created to not just lead an incredible life, but you were created to leave a legacy of greatness for generations to come.  Now make it happen.

Welcome to the new you.  Enjoy the journey... 

Check out Enjoy the Journey on Amazon.com at  https://goo.gl/G9BM8O

Learn more about Dave VanEpps or request a speaking engagement at www.davevanepps.com

Pump it Up for Success

My friend Bob lights up every room he walks in.  He has an aura about him - he’s passionate, he’s energetic, he’s engaging.  On a scale of 1-10, he performs at a 12 every day.  No matter where he goes, people are drawn to him like a magnet. He makes the most of every moment, and he lives life to the very fullest.  To top it off, he’s successful in business, he’s successful with his family, and he loves life.  Let’s take a look at some common characteristics of highly successful, happy people.

Passion

Motivational guru Anthony Robbins says it best, “Live with passion!” Do what you love, love what you do.  When you don’t love what you’re doing, find aspects that you do love, and focus on those aspects. Treat every personal encounter as an opportunity to positively impact someone's life. Treat every task as a challenge and an opportunity to shine. Be excited about the here and now, make it count, and let your passion be contagious.  Then watch how quickly people are drawn to you.

 

Rest

It’s hard to perform at a level 10 when you’re mentally and physically exhausted.  It’s been scientifically proven many times that the human body requires 7-8 hours of sleep.  That’s not a target, that’s a minimum.  It’s what it takes your body to go through the sleep cycle and recover from the daily stressors.  Not only do we need sleep, but we also need relaxation.  Some practice yoga, some meditate, some withdraw and read, some pray, and others sit in hot tubs.  Relaxation requires you to put down the phone, turn off the TV, and take some quiet time away from screaming kids, depressing news, and smart phone notifications.  Just relax...

Diet & Exercise

If you want to perform at a level 10, you need physical and mental energy. God created us to be continually energized by eating the food He created. Any good nutritionist, like my nutritionist Carly Secoy, will tell you that your energy will come from good, whole, natural food choices. A modestly portioned diet with 5-6 evenly spaced meals throughout the day will improve mood, energy, and metabolism. On top of diet, your body needs exercise to energize. There’s nothing like 5-6 days of 30-60 minutes of combined strength training, yoga, and cardiovascular exercise to reduce stress, improve health, and exponentially drive mood, energy, and metabolism.  Just remember, you can’t out-train a bad diet, so don’t think that exercise gives you a pass to eat junk.

Focus

Everything these days seems to be demanding your immediate attention.  At work it’s meetings, emails, ad hoc conversations, and instant messages. At home it’s smartphone notifications, emails, errands, and keeping up with the kids.  Make it a point to focus your 3-Ts on your 3-Ps.  That is, to the extent possible, focus your time, talent (energy), and treasure (money) on your purpose, passions, and priorities in life.  Chances are, the latest facebook notification isn’t relevant to your purpose, passions, or priorities.  Yet somehow it always grabs our attention.  Focus on what you’re doing, here and now, and make a difference.  As my father always taught me, “When you’re doing something focus on it 100%. When you’re not doing something, focus on it 0%.” There’s no value in dwelling on what happened yesterday or worrying about tomorrow. Be present, be focused. The rest is just noise.  

Make It Happen

Some days, we’re just exhausted.  We didn’t sleep well, we ate too much of the wrong foods, we feel sluggish, we’re pulled in too many directions, and we can’t seem to catch a break.  Now imagine the following day at work: you got 7-8 hours of sleep, you woke up and exercised for an hour, you ate modestly portioned, healthy meals, you’ve resisted the countless distractions, and you’re laser-focused on your work priorities.  Does that sound like a recipe for success?  What about your personal life - how would you feel if you were sleeping well, eating right, exercising, and passionately focusing your 3-Ts on your 3-Ps.  Do you think you’d be happier and more successful?  Try it.  I promise you won’t regret it. 

Welcome to the new you.  Enjoy the journey... 

Check out Enjoy the Journey on Amazon.com at  https://goo.gl/G9BM8O

Learn more about Dave VanEpps or request a speaking engagement at www.davevanepps.com