"A" for Effort

Good morning,

Happy Friday! Last week Ursula Burns reminded us that working isn’t all about the cash. This morning I’m reflecting on one of the things that’s often as motivating as money, and that’s appreciation.

It’s human nature for us all to want to feel appreciated. But more importantly, all of us have the opportunity to show appreciation to others. At home and on the job, when you see someone do something well, simply take a moment to:

Applaud.

It's painless to applaud a person’s efforts or make a positive comment that shows you noticed. These small gestures, which cost nothing, are worth a lot. On the job, one doesn’t have to be a manager or in charge in order to show appreciation for others. We’re all in it together and we each have the power to change lives, one compliment at a time.

Smart business owners figured out long ago the value of making sure employees know they’re appreciated. Basically, the less they appreciate their people the more they have to pay them to achieve levels of performance or loyalty that showing appreciation would have helped cultivate.

I’m fortunate to work within an organization that appreciates its employees, and I know I couldn’t accomplish my work without the efforts of the people around me. But too often in the world hardworking people doing great things seem to go unnoticed or unacknowledged. So today I invite you to join me in saying “Great job!” to the next person you encounter who appears to be doing just that.

You’ll make them smile – and have a sunny day!

Clarity

P.S. “When someone does something well, applaud! You will make two people happy.” Samuel Goldwyn

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Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com

14 Tons of Passion

Good morning,

Friday is here – and I hope you had a wonderful week and Labor Day weekend! Today’s food-for-thought is inspired by Ursula Burns, Chairman & CEO of Xerox Corporation. I enjoyed hearing her speak at this week’s Detroit Economic Club meeting. When asked by an audience-member how to become as successful as Ms. Burns, she said:

“Find something that you love and work really, really hard to do it well.”

When we’re passionate about the work we do, we create better results, we’re more fulfilled, and ultimately more successful. Most importantly, Ms. Burns reminded us that success isn’t all about dollars and perks. It’s about enjoying a fulfilling life. The work doesn’t have to be glamorous in order for us to put our heart into it. Every job can be done with enthusiasm and great success.

I heard a very touching example in a conversion on the radio between two New York City sanitation workers. They were talking passionately about clearing 14 tons of garbage from the city streets each day. I googled and found a link so you can hear them at http://bit.ly/cvly9d. If they can bring such enthusiasm to their work, we can too!

Wishing you a successful and sunny day,

Clarity

P.S. What if the job you’re doing right now isn’t your dream job? In the words of Crosby Stills Nash, “If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.”

P.P.S. “The kind of commitment I find among the best performers across virtually every field is a single-minded passion for what they do, an unwavering desire for excellence in the way they think and the way they work.” Jim Collins, Author

Thank you for sharing Sunny Notes with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly by email each Friday.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com

One Thing

Good morning,

Happy Friday! It’s going to be a beautiful Labor Day weekend here in Michigan, and can you believe it’s September already? Time flies by and it’s easy to wake up wondering where all the days, months or even years went.

Chances are that most of us have goals and dreams we haven’t fulfilled yet. But let’s not give up, even in the face of adversity. This morning, instead of trying to achieve everything all at once, let’s ask ourselves:

What is one thing I can do today to improve my life?

The key is “today”– not tomorrow, not someday. Identify one thing to do right now that will make a difference. For some of us it’s something big, like enrolling in college. For others it’s something small, like making a phone call. Maybe it’s as simple as taking a soothing walk with the dog (Bambi, I’m coming…)

Whatever it is, don’t delay – and have a sunny day!

Clarity

P.S. “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent van Gogh

P.P.S. Thank you for sharing Sunny Notes with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly each Friday or read prior Sunny Notes at clarity.tv.

Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com