April 28, 2014 Focus Point

4 Things that will Increase your Daily Performance

"An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises." ~Mae West

"The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." ~John Wooden

"The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day…you will never be stuck." ~Ernest Hemingway

I recently read an article that gave great ideas of how to be more productive each day. I believe this information has just as much value for the student in high school as it does for a business owner. Just as much value for a mother in the home as it does for the corporate America fast track guy or gal running to complete that next big project.

1. Rework your to-do list.

Limit how many things you put on your to-do list and put two or three things at the very top that are the most important, and then do the most important items with the most productive part of your day. Identify when you start to become distracted and move from task to task and begin to waste time. This kind of discipline helps you to do the most important items regardless of how you feel at the moment. 

2. Measure your results, not your time.

The concept behind this is to help you work smarter rather than harder. Putting in more hours does not mean you will get more results. Successful people are able to learn how to develop habits and methods of getting more done in less time thus becoming more productive and working at a higher level of performance. This particular article also suggests keeping a done list. Once something is done, put it on the done list and you will be amazed how that will motivate and energize you.

3. Build habits to help you start working.

To start building successful habits and remove procrastination from your life you may find it very helpful to build routines for your work during different times of the day. A routine is a good way to stay on track and remind your mind and body when it is time to go to work. Adding physical exercise to your routine can certainly increase blood flow to the brain and help you to feel more engaged. Routines are a sign of people who have goals and are serious about accomplishing them.

4. Build habits to help you stop working.

Some people do not like to start working while others can't seem to ever stop working. If you are like me and you are so in love with your work that you could do it all day long, then it is important to learn how to stop. In order to not steal precious time that should be allocated to family, friends, community, and proper rest, etc., be sure to set a firm cut off time for work. Sometimes we tend to think that if we work longer hours we will get more done, when really we simply need to become more effective and prioritized with our time.

The Model of Human Behavior

A Powerful Way to Understand People

 

 

 

An introduction of the DISC concept

By Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D.

“If I understand you, and you understand me, doesn’t it make sense that we can work more effectively together?”

Each Person has a Unique Personality

Each person's perspective is built in to who they are. Some people call it personality. Some refer to it as temperament. I am sure that some of your family and friends are VERY different from you. If you are like me, you have often asked yourself, "Why did they do that?" or "What were they thinking?" or "What were they NOT thinking?"

The starting point of understanding people is to realize and accept the fact:

Everyone is not like you!

Have you ever said something to one person, and received a certain response, then said exactly the same thing to another person, and received a totally different response? The basic reason they respond differently is that people have different personality styles! You said the same thing, but what they "heard" was not the same. Wow, can that be confusing!

Different is not bad, it's just different! A lack of understanding of ourselves and others can lead to real problems such as tension, disappointment, hurt feelings, unmet expectations and poor communication. As you know, it is hard to work with a problem, especially if you do not understand what is going on inside the mind of another person.

Here is the Good News

There IS a way to understand people – if you know the model of human behavior! There is a simple key to understanding how people behave and how they are motivated. This key will allow you to unlock the mystery of motivation. It will teach you the power of good relationships! It will also show you how to reduce conflict, improve productivity and relate with others in ways that are more effective.

A Little Background

Twenty-four hundred years ago, scientists and philosophers, most notably Hippocrates, began to recognize differences in behavior that seemed to follow a pattern. Many psychologists and scientists have explored behavioral patterns over the years. In 1928 Dr. William Marston wrote The Emotions of Normal People after earning his doctorate from Harvard University. Marston theorized that people are motivated by four intrinsic drives that direct behavioral patterns. He then used four descriptive characteristics represented by four letters to describe a person's behavioral tendencies. The letters he used were D, I, S and C. Since that time, the "DISC" concept has been used and applied in many ways.

Building on a "Wellness" Model

Many behavioral models focus on what is wrong with a person to identify "disorders." The DISC model is based on normal behavior, not abnormal behavior. DISC is a "wellness model" that is objective and descriptive rather than subjective and judgmental.

The DISC wellness model is a good starting point for understanding people, but, as you might guess, DISC can easily be used inappropriately to label someone or point out another person's "weaknesses." We approach the DISC model with two perspectives that allow it to be used appropriately as an effective and encouraging tool for understanding others:

We use a POSITIVE approach to highlight STRENGTHS.

(we believe your strengths should "carry you")

We use a POSITIVE approach to address BLIND-SPOTS.

(we believe your blind-spots should "concern you")

The bottom line is that healthy, positive relationships come from having an accurate, healthy, constructive view of yourself and others. So, now that you know where the DISC concept came from and the importance of having a positive, realistic approach, let's take a look at the Model of Human Behavior using the DISC overview.

The Model of Human Behavior

The model of human behavior is based on 2 foundational observations about how people normally behave:

Observation #1: Some people are more outgoing, while others are more reserved.

You can think of this as each person's "internal motor." Some people always seem ready to "go" and "dive in." They engage their motor quickly. Others tend to engage their motor more slowly or more cautiously.

Observation # 2: Some people are more task-oriented, while others are more people-oriented.

You can think of this as each person's compass that guides them. Some people are focused on getting something done; others are more tuned-in to the people around them and their feelings. With both observations, we want to emphasize that these behavioral tendencies are neither right or wrong or good or bad. They are just different. We are simply identifying normal behavior styles. People have different styles, and that is okay. We represent these 2 observations in the diagrams below.

Thus, we have 4 behavioral tendencies to help us characterize people:

• Outgoing

• Reserved

• Task-oriented

• People-oriented

Everyone has some of all 4 of these tendencies at different times and in different situations. However, most people typically have 1 or 2 of these tendencies that seem to fit them well in their everyday behavior. And, on the other hand, 1 or 2 of these tendencies usually do not fit them well, and these tendencies may even seem "foreign" to their approach to life. The balance of these 4 tendencies shapes the way each person "sees" life and those around them.

Describing Each Personality Style

(4 Different Types - 4 Different Priorities)

The Dominant "D" type - An outgoing, task-oriented individual will be focused on getting things done, accomplishing tasks, getting to the bottom line as quickly as possible and MAKING IT HAPPEN! (The key insight in developing a relationship with this type person is RESPECT and RESULTS.)

The Inspiring "I" type - An outgoing, people-oriented individual loves to interact, socialize and have fun. This person is focused on what others may think of him or her. (The key insight in developing a relationship with this type person is ADMIRATION and RECOGNITION.)

The Supportive "S" type - A reserved, people-oriented individual will enjoy relationships, helping or supporting other people and working together as a team. (The key insight in developing a relationship with this person is FRIENDLINESS and SINCERE APPRECIATION.)

The Cautious "C" type - A reserved, task-oriented individual will seek value, consistency and quality information. This person focuses on being correct and accurate. (The key insight in developing a relationship with this individual is TRUST and INTEGRITY.) To summarize the DISC Model of Human Behavior (in clockwise order) :

D stands for the DOMINANT Type which is OUTGOING and TASK-ORIENTED.

I stands for the INSPIRING Type which is OUTGOING and PEOPLE-ORIENTED.

S stands for the SUPPORTIVE Type which is RESERVED and PEOPLE-ORIENTED.

C stands for the CAUTIOUS Type which is RESERVED and TASK-ORIENTED.

What Is Your PQ?

We spend years in school developing our intelligence to effectively use our mind. Developing our unique personality to effectively use our behavior is just as vital to successful living. Your Intelligence Quotient, or IQ, measures your intelligence. Your Personality Quotient, or PQ, refers to your ability to understand yourself and others for effective communication and teamwork. Studies have shown that technical skill, beginning with intelligence and developed through education and experience, accounts for only 15% of success in the workplace. The other 85% of workplace success comes from people skills! These skills are developed through learning better ways to behave and interact.

The Elevator Test: Which Type Are You?

The elevator doors are about to close on an eager rider who is trying to get on the elevator. Four people are already inside the elevator. One of the people in the crowded box is in a hurry and does not want to wait (outgoing and task-oriented). There is also a bubbly, energetic passenger who holds the door open while greeting the newcomer (outgoing and people-oriented). A third rider is happy either way and smiles while waiting patiently (reserved and people-oriented). The final passenger is concerned as she calculates the weight to see if the elevator can handle another person (reserved and task-oriented). While not perfectly scientific, this scenario depicts in broad brush strokes the Dominant (outgoing/task-oriented) person who is focused on getting somewhere fast; the Inspiring (outgoing and people-oriented) person who is energized by all the interaction; the Supportive (reserved/people-oriented) person who reacts calmly and tries to get along regardless; and the Cautious (reserved/task-oriented) person who wants to make sure the added person doesn’t exceed the weight limit! As you can see, there were four different people who responded to the same event in four very different ways!

You Are Off To A Good Start!

One of the dangers of learning about DISC is that you may think you already understand all there is to know about it now. Did you know there are not just 4 personality styles? We identify 41 specific personality blends that they are all very different. Even within the 41 blends, there can be a wide variety of nuances.

The Next Step Is …

There are 4 basic steps in learning how to work with other people. Learn about the

1. Learn about the Model of Human Behavior

2. Take a personality profile assessment to learn about yourself.

3. Study material that teaches you how to read the personality of another person

4. Study material that teaches you how to adapt YOURSELF to work better with others.

April 21, 2014 Focus Point

Perception Drives Reality!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." ~Wayne Dyer

"Whatever you focus on expands. Don't focus on what is. Focus on what will be." ~C.S. Hughes

"Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life." ~John F. Kennedy

"The book ends of success are on the front end initiative, the ability to start something. The back end, the ability to close or finish. In the middle is the discipline of consistency." ~John Maxwell

The brain is powerfully equipped with the ability to imagine things that could be, as well as remember things that have been. The brain and the power of thought is possibly the most powerful thing we possess and can be used to lead to a life of happiness and success, or on the other hand a life of doubt, worry, confusion, and a path that is unknown. And it all happens by what we choose to hold on to. If we choose past memories and future possibilities that are negative in nature, that is what we will get more of. On the other hand, when we select positive memories and positive future possibilities then we will begin to develop ideas to act upon to bring those things into reality as well.

Therefore, what we think about and focus on, positive or negative, fact or fiction, and if we perceive it to be true, it becomes true for us. It may not be true for somebody else but it becomes the truth for us, to lead to a positive situation or a negative one. Henry Ford said "Whether you think you can or you can't. Either way you're right." Napoleon Hill in his all time famous book Think and Grow Rich "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

Our minds, our perceptions, and our belief systems that we embrace literally create our future lives, and affect the environment around us. Let's you and I be the change that we desire to see in our lives, schools, communities, and in the world.

April 14, 2014 Focus Point

Don't Settle for Mediocrity!

"Excellence matters." ~Chris Rollins

"In a sea of mediocrity, just knowing what you want to do and then making an effort to pursue it distinguishes you from almost everybody." ~John C. Maxwell

"Do what you know, not what you feel, no excuses." ~Les Brown

"Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit." ~Napoleon Hill

I was at a leadership training this past week and one of the speakers asked the question: How many of you would like to have an exceptional life? As you can imagine everyone raised their hands. Then he asked how many of you would like to achieve simply mediocre results and have an average life? Of course, no one responded.

I have never met a person who does not desire a better life with more purpose and direction. Teenagers desire to get better grades in school, to qualify for scholarships and college opportunities that will eventually lead to a solid career. Parents desire better results and response from their children. Business owners want to see the results of more customers, clients, and profits. CEOs and executives desire more productive employees and so forth. You get the idea.

To settle for the average requires no talent and no goal setting. But to rise above and become more accomplished is what separates average people from those who practice excellence. And the more you practice, the more you become. Set yourself apart from the rest. Think big, work hard, become more excellent, get clear on what it is you desire. Do these things and certainly you will rise above mediocrity, achieve greater success in your life, and influence those around you as you go.

April 7, 2014 Focus Point

Motivation! Your Source of Energy and Movement 

"You can focus on all kinds of techniques, strategies, and learn things by the book, but it comes down to HOW YOU SHOW UP." ~Anthony Robbins

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ~Dr. Seuss

"Success itself is not some big mystery, it's already been figured out." Brendon Burchard (visit How Successful People Think)

"If the majority of your days are not days where you are ready to disturb the world in pursuit of whatever it is you want (your goals) then you are settling for mediocrity." ~ Unknown

"I don't think that the prize of success goes to the fastest or most brilliant, but the person who consistently day by day keeps on keeping on." ~John Maxwell

Everyone likes to listen to something, see something, or be around someone that motivates them. I have never met a person who wants to be de-motivated, have you?

The question is, what is it that motivates you into action and progress and are you able to stay motivated? Successful people are able to maintain a balance of the thinking part of success along with the action part, whereas most people overdose on one or the other and do not keep a balance. The quote by Dr. Seuss is a great reminder that we need to use the "brains in our head" (the thinking part) along with the "feet in our shoes" (the action part).

Chris Widener said it this way on motivation: "I'm sure you have heard the quote, 'where there is no vision, people perish.' We need a vision! Something that drives us forward. In fact, I always say that successful people are willing to do the things that unsuccessful people aren't. I believe, just like companies have a vision statement, successful people need a personal vision statement."

Four things that will motivate and move you forward:

1. Set goals and write them down for your own well being that include areas of physical health, social, mental, spiritual, and finance.

2. Think about them in the quiet of morning and evening. Visualize having met your goal.

3. Develop a desire to accomplish them. If you lack desire, you may need to adjust the goal.

4. Control your environment and only let books, music, events, and people into your life that motivate and encourage you towards your goals.

Motivation gets you going. Personal discipline keeps you going! What is your next step in the direction of your own success?