Good morning,
Happy Friday! Have you Googled yourself lately? Sure it sounds like bad behavior but it's actually good business. These days we're all being Googled for one reason or another and it's wise to know what people see when they search for us.
History matters.
In addition to monitoring our own history online, we can make more responsible decisions about hiring individuals or businesses by researching their history. If this sounds like common sense that's because it is, but the trick is consistently remembering to do it.
Happy Googling - and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "Knowledge is power." Francis Bacon
P.P.S. To receive Sunny Notes each Friday morning in your email, simply Visit This Link to sign up.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
Showing posts with label Preparation for Opportunity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preparation for Opportunity. Show all posts
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Change Up
Good morning,
It's Friday and going to be a beautiful one here in Michigan. Last night I was excited to open my just-arrived shiny copy of a new book published by my friend Brian Bartes. I randomly opened it in the middle and my eyes fell on these words.
"Changes creates opportunity, and those who are willing and able to learn new skills will be well positioned to benefit from change."
Wow - Brian, what a timely message! Change can be very challenging and today's sunny note is a word of encouragement to believe in yourself and focus on turning the challenges into opportunities.
If you'd like to know more about Brian and his excellent book, called Life Lessons, the website is www.LifeLessonsTheBook.com.
Let's change for the better - and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." John Wooden
P.P.S. Please help spread the sunshine. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
It's Friday and going to be a beautiful one here in Michigan. Last night I was excited to open my just-arrived shiny copy of a new book published by my friend Brian Bartes. I randomly opened it in the middle and my eyes fell on these words.
"Changes creates opportunity, and those who are willing and able to learn new skills will be well positioned to benefit from change."
Wow - Brian, what a timely message! Change can be very challenging and today's sunny note is a word of encouragement to believe in yourself and focus on turning the challenges into opportunities.
If you'd like to know more about Brian and his excellent book, called Life Lessons, the website is www.LifeLessonsTheBook.com.
Let's change for the better - and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." John Wooden
P.P.S. Please help spread the sunshine. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
Friday, May 27, 2011
Bridging Troubled Water
Good morning,
Happy Friday! In today’s interconnected business environment it seems that the importance of not burning bridges should be pretty obvious. Yet lately I’ve observed a number of situations that left me shaking my head.
These were instances in which one party didn’t get the outcome they wanted from the other and instead of being graceful about it they lashed out. I’m simply amazed by the shortsightedness of such bridge burning behaviors, which turn temporary setbacks into permanent losses. Since we don’t always get what we want today, the following advice is especially important.
Think long term.
Earlier this week I hired a company I haven’t worked with in years. I kept their contact information all this time because they did a great job and in particular, I still remember how gracious they were when I canceled their services. No muss, no fuss, just “we hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future.” That’s the opposite of burning bridges.
Let’s build some bridges – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. Life is short but there is always time for courtesy. Ralph Waldo Emerson
P.P.S. Please help spread the sunshine. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
Happy Friday! In today’s interconnected business environment it seems that the importance of not burning bridges should be pretty obvious. Yet lately I’ve observed a number of situations that left me shaking my head.
These were instances in which one party didn’t get the outcome they wanted from the other and instead of being graceful about it they lashed out. I’m simply amazed by the shortsightedness of such bridge burning behaviors, which turn temporary setbacks into permanent losses. Since we don’t always get what we want today, the following advice is especially important.
Think long term.
Earlier this week I hired a company I haven’t worked with in years. I kept their contact information all this time because they did a great job and in particular, I still remember how gracious they were when I canceled their services. No muss, no fuss, just “we hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future.” That’s the opposite of burning bridges.
Let’s build some bridges – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. Life is short but there is always time for courtesy. Ralph Waldo Emerson
P.P.S. Please help spread the sunshine. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
Friday, February 25, 2011
Believe It
Good morning,
It was great hearing news reports this week about Michigan organizations planning to expand their workforces. This raises the question, what traits are employers looking for when hiring?
When asked this question, a business owner conducting a recent seminar replied, “Confidence, above anything else.” So today's sunny note is a reminder to...
Believe in yourself.
When you have confidence that you can accomplish anything, anything can be accomplished. The world needs what you have to offer.
Believe it - and have a sunny day.
Clarity
P.S. "As is our confidence, so is our capacity." William Hazlitt
P.P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and I thank you for sharing Sunny Notes with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
It was great hearing news reports this week about Michigan organizations planning to expand their workforces. This raises the question, what traits are employers looking for when hiring?
When asked this question, a business owner conducting a recent seminar replied, “Confidence, above anything else.” So today's sunny note is a reminder to...
Believe in yourself.
When you have confidence that you can accomplish anything, anything can be accomplished. The world needs what you have to offer.
Believe it - and have a sunny day.
Clarity
P.S. "As is our confidence, so is our capacity." William Hazlitt
P.P.S. I always enjoy hearing from you and I thank you for sharing Sunny Notes with others. New readers can Visit This Link to add an email address to receive Sunny Notes directly from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-268-6810
SunnyMediaGroup.com
Friday, December 17, 2010
Focus
Good morning,
Happy Holidays! At this time of year the joy of the season also brings with it some unique challenges of the season, as we rush around trying to pack so much activity into such a short timeframe. Inevitably, whether it’s during the holidays or not, we all occasionally find that we simply can’t do it all. When that happens, instead of getting frustrated by what you CAN’T do…
Focus on what you CAN do.
It’s very easy and counterproductive to get caught up in worrying about things that are beyond our ability to control. Instead, we’re better off accepting our limitations and crossing those undoable items off our list of concerns, which then enables us to focus more successfully on the things we can accomplish.
Let’s do what we can to have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden
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 from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Happy Holidays! At this time of year the joy of the season also brings with it some unique challenges of the season, as we rush around trying to pack so much activity into such a short timeframe. Inevitably, whether it’s during the holidays or not, we all occasionally find that we simply can’t do it all. When that happens, instead of getting frustrated by what you CAN’T do…
Focus on what you CAN do.
It’s very easy and counterproductive to get caught up in worrying about things that are beyond our ability to control. Instead, we’re better off accepting our limitations and crossing those undoable items off our list of concerns, which then enables us to focus more successfully on the things we can accomplish.
Let’s do what we can to have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden
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 from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Sunny Media Group, Inc.
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Friday, December 3, 2010
Make It Happen
Good morning,
Happy Friday! Thursday’s newspaper made me smile with its article about the economy heading in the right direction. Despite the tough times we’ve been through the world is still full of opportunities. The catch is that:
Opportunity doesn’t knock.
It just drives by - unless we jump up and chase it down. So if there’s an opportunity you’d like to pursue, now is the time to get out the gym shoes and in the words of Michael Jordan, "make it happen."
You can do it – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen." Wayne Dyer
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 from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Happy Friday! Thursday’s newspaper made me smile with its article about the economy heading in the right direction. Despite the tough times we’ve been through the world is still full of opportunities. The catch is that:
Opportunity doesn’t knock.
It just drives by - unless we jump up and chase it down. So if there’s an opportunity you’d like to pursue, now is the time to get out the gym shoes and in the words of Michael Jordan, "make it happen."
You can do it – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen." Wayne Dyer
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 from me by email each Friday.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Friday, July 9, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning,
Happy Friday! Today’s sunny note is both a tip and a bit of a myth-buster. I’ve often heard the (hopefully exaggerated) statement that something many people fear more than death is public speaking. Yet frequently or infrequently, just about all of us have to do it – in our careers, at weddings – you name it. When that happens, we typically want to sound natural or even spontaneous. But for some reason it’s a well kept secret that the best way to sound natural or unrehearsed is to:
Rehearse.
This topic came up the other day when someone commented about one of my TV spots for Metropolitan, saying “It looks so natural like you didn’t rehearse at all.” I appreciate the kind compliment. However, it illustrates a dangerous misconception, that the best way to appear spontaneous is to wing it. Quite the opposite is true.
The more prepared we are, the more confident we feel, and the more confident we feel, the more comfortable we appear.
By the way - another myth is that a good public speaker must be a “natural.” Actually, the ability to speak well in public is a learned skill and just like so many other things in life, proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Here’s a toast to facing life’s most terrifying moments – and having a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.” Winston Churchill
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting ASunnyNote.com!
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
Happy Friday! Today’s sunny note is both a tip and a bit of a myth-buster. I’ve often heard the (hopefully exaggerated) statement that something many people fear more than death is public speaking. Yet frequently or infrequently, just about all of us have to do it – in our careers, at weddings – you name it. When that happens, we typically want to sound natural or even spontaneous. But for some reason it’s a well kept secret that the best way to sound natural or unrehearsed is to:
Rehearse.
This topic came up the other day when someone commented about one of my TV spots for Metropolitan, saying “It looks so natural like you didn’t rehearse at all.” I appreciate the kind compliment. However, it illustrates a dangerous misconception, that the best way to appear spontaneous is to wing it. Quite the opposite is true.
The more prepared we are, the more confident we feel, and the more confident we feel, the more comfortable we appear.
By the way - another myth is that a good public speaker must be a “natural.” Actually, the ability to speak well in public is a learned skill and just like so many other things in life, proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Here’s a toast to facing life’s most terrifying moments – and having a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.” Winston Churchill
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting ASunnyNote.com!
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Right Questions
Good morning,
Happy Friday! Here's the concept I'm contemplating this sunny morning. “The quality of your life and your business is directly relative to the quality of the questions you ask, especially the questions you ask yourself.” This quote is from Niurka, a compelling speaker I just heard at a Yes Network seminar. We all talk to ourselves (admit it!) and Niurka reminded me of how important it is to ask ourselves the right kind of questions, specifically:
Ask empowering questions.
Use words that frame questions in the affirmative. For example, we should ask ourselves “How can I be even more productive…” instead of “Why do I never get enough done…”
“Your subconscious mind will go to work on any question you ask yourself,” said Niurka. “The brain is like a missile that will move through all the information until it finds answers that fit the question, so your ability to formulate the question determines what you will get in the midst of infinite possibilities.” So ask yourself empowering questions and your subconscious will reveal empowering answers.
Imagine the possibilities - and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "We are what we think." Buddha
If you'd like to read more about Niurka's seminar or the equally good customer service seminar presented by James Lloyd, you're invited to read my Yes Network Seminar Reviews.
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting ASunnyNote.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
http://www.metromichigan.com/
Happy Friday! Here's the concept I'm contemplating this sunny morning. “The quality of your life and your business is directly relative to the quality of the questions you ask, especially the questions you ask yourself.” This quote is from Niurka, a compelling speaker I just heard at a Yes Network seminar. We all talk to ourselves (admit it!) and Niurka reminded me of how important it is to ask ourselves the right kind of questions, specifically:
Ask empowering questions.
Use words that frame questions in the affirmative. For example, we should ask ourselves “How can I be even more productive…” instead of “Why do I never get enough done…”
“Your subconscious mind will go to work on any question you ask yourself,” said Niurka. “The brain is like a missile that will move through all the information until it finds answers that fit the question, so your ability to formulate the question determines what you will get in the midst of infinite possibilities.” So ask yourself empowering questions and your subconscious will reveal empowering answers.
Imagine the possibilities - and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. "We are what we think." Buddha
If you'd like to read more about Niurka's seminar or the equally good customer service seminar presented by James Lloyd, you're invited to read my Yes Network Seminar Reviews.
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting ASunnyNote.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
http://www.metromichigan.com/
Friday, May 14, 2010
Batter Up!
Good morning,
Happy Friday! I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how important it is to be willing to try and risk failure, if we ultimately want to succeed at anything great. Years ago someone pointed out a baseball analogy that stuck with me ever since.
The greatest hitters fail more often than they succeed.
Babe Ruth had a batting average of .342, so he only got a hit about a third of the times he went up to bat. Imagine if he’d been afraid to swing because he might miss; we wouldn’t be talking about him right now because he’d never have hit his 714 homeruns.
I was reminded of this recently when I came across an article in Smart Business Magazine by Michael Feuer, the guy who co-founded OfficeMax in 1988 and then sold it for $1.5 billion in 2003. Feuer’s article points out that, “It’s hard to get on base and ultimately score if an executive is unwilling to take appropriate and measured risks.”
If we limit ourselves to attempting only things at which we know we cannot fail, then our achievements will be limited – at best. Because, as Feuer puts it, “If you bat 1.000 in business, you’ll eventually strike out.”
Taking appropriate and measured risks requires confidence. “The confidence portion of the equation is not being afraid to be wrong, to admit it and to try again another day,” says Feuer. His complete article is available online here at Smart Business Magazine, along with numerous other insightful articles by the same author, in case you’re interested.
Let’s swing for the fences – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” Babe Ruth
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.metromichigan.com
Happy Friday! I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how important it is to be willing to try and risk failure, if we ultimately want to succeed at anything great. Years ago someone pointed out a baseball analogy that stuck with me ever since.
The greatest hitters fail more often than they succeed.
Babe Ruth had a batting average of .342, so he only got a hit about a third of the times he went up to bat. Imagine if he’d been afraid to swing because he might miss; we wouldn’t be talking about him right now because he’d never have hit his 714 homeruns.
I was reminded of this recently when I came across an article in Smart Business Magazine by Michael Feuer, the guy who co-founded OfficeMax in 1988 and then sold it for $1.5 billion in 2003. Feuer’s article points out that, “It’s hard to get on base and ultimately score if an executive is unwilling to take appropriate and measured risks.”
If we limit ourselves to attempting only things at which we know we cannot fail, then our achievements will be limited – at best. Because, as Feuer puts it, “If you bat 1.000 in business, you’ll eventually strike out.”
Taking appropriate and measured risks requires confidence. “The confidence portion of the equation is not being afraid to be wrong, to admit it and to try again another day,” says Feuer. His complete article is available online here at Smart Business Magazine, along with numerous other insightful articles by the same author, in case you’re interested.
Let’s swing for the fences – and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” Babe Ruth
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.metromichigan.com
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Key Ingredient
Good morning,
Hurray for Friday! Today’s food for thought involves one of the most important ingredients in life. Without it, lives are less joyful and careers are less successful.
The key ingredient is trust.
To get anywhere in business or in life, we have to be trusted and trustworthy. How? By keeping our word. Trust comes from saying we’re going to do something and then doing it. Rinse and repeat. And repeat and repeat...It’s that simple.
It’s simple but not necessarily easy. Trustworthiness is built on all the “little things,” like calling when we say we’re going to call, which over time form the foundation for being trusted (or not) with the “big things,” like receiving the promotion.
I’m fortunate to work with and have in my life some amazingly trustworthy people. And I try to be equally trustworthy. Since good habits help, I’ve been trying to avoid using misleading catch phrases like “just a minute,” which usually means more like five minutes, or telling my husband I’m “about to leave” the office, when really I need an hour.
The point? We must watch our words, because trust is hard to establish and easy to destroy. That’s why “under promise and over deliver” is good advice, not to impress the boss, but because trustworthiness depends on keeping our promises.
I promise to write to you next Friday – and I hope you have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. More food for thought…author unknown:
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Friday, March 26, 2010
Game On
Good morning,
Happy Friday! We’ve probably all heard some version of the concept that it’s insane to repeat the same behavior and expect different results. This of course implies that repeating the same behavior will in fact produce the same results. However, these days we can only wish that doing the same thing would produce the same results. Instead, in the business world the reality is this.
Doing the same things we’ve always done WILL NOT produce the same results we’ve always gotten.
Today’s fast-moving business environment demands that we tune up our game and learn new plays if we want to achieve the same results in the current economy that we used to achieve during better economic times. This is even more critical if we want to achieve superior results.
Today, companies are at risk if they assume that the same old marketing or customer service techniques from past years will continue to produce the same results. Likewise, employees are at risk if they think the skills they had when they got the job are the same skills that will be required keep the job. We absolutely must continually “brush up” to improve our competitiveness or risk becoming irrelevant.
Just look around. Many college students graduating today have great new skills. Many veteran employees getting laid off have great professional experience. For those of us with a job who want to stay at the front of our field, it’s game on. People who are unemployed already know how competitive the marketplace is. It’s those of us who are currently employed that need to wake up and smell the new economy – or risk getting benched.
So today, let’s ask ourselves what enhancements we can make to our skills – or what improvements we can make to our businesses – to ensure that we remain the top choice for our employers and customers.
Let’s stay in the game and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein, according to some internet sources. This quote has been attributed to other people as well after Einstein.
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Happy Friday! We’ve probably all heard some version of the concept that it’s insane to repeat the same behavior and expect different results. This of course implies that repeating the same behavior will in fact produce the same results. However, these days we can only wish that doing the same thing would produce the same results. Instead, in the business world the reality is this.
Doing the same things we’ve always done WILL NOT produce the same results we’ve always gotten.
Today’s fast-moving business environment demands that we tune up our game and learn new plays if we want to achieve the same results in the current economy that we used to achieve during better economic times. This is even more critical if we want to achieve superior results.
Today, companies are at risk if they assume that the same old marketing or customer service techniques from past years will continue to produce the same results. Likewise, employees are at risk if they think the skills they had when they got the job are the same skills that will be required keep the job. We absolutely must continually “brush up” to improve our competitiveness or risk becoming irrelevant.
Just look around. Many college students graduating today have great new skills. Many veteran employees getting laid off have great professional experience. For those of us with a job who want to stay at the front of our field, it’s game on. People who are unemployed already know how competitive the marketplace is. It’s those of us who are currently employed that need to wake up and smell the new economy – or risk getting benched.
So today, let’s ask ourselves what enhancements we can make to our skills – or what improvements we can make to our businesses – to ensure that we remain the top choice for our employers and customers.
Let’s stay in the game and have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein, according to some internet sources. This quote has been attributed to other people as well after Einstein.
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
MetroMichigan.com
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Fear Factor
Good morning,
Happy Friday! We’re finally getting a little real sunshine, too. Reflecting on last week’s topic, if we don’t want to give up on our goals, how come we frequently do?
Often the factor is fear.
Fear sometimes helps – prompting us to drive more cautiously or hold the stairway handrail – but most of the time fear just gets in the way of living up to our potential.
Author Timothy Ferriss points out, “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. That phone call, that conversation, whatever the action might be – it is fear of unknown outcomes that prevents us from doing what we need to do.”
The most nagging “unknown outcome” we’re afraid of is failure, by whatever standards we define for ourselves. Most of us are geniuses at conjuring up “what if” scenarios leading to our definition of failure. “What if I get rejected,” “what if it doesn’t work out,” etc.
Ferriss says, “Define the worst case, accept it, and then do [what you need to do].” Usually the worst case scenario isn’t that bad, furthermore it’s not the most likely outcome.
A word of warning - beware of discouraging words from people who think they have your best interests at heart. Loved ones who don’t want to see us hurt sometimes try to temper our dreams with (their version of) “reality.” Instead, show them that you’re not afraid of failure because you’re tough enough to try again.
The topic of fear also came up recently when I had the pleasure of hearing Bob Fish, CEO of Biggby Coffee (yummy), speak to the Livonia Chamber of Commerce about his fast growing coffee business. Fish said, “People limit their own personal or professional growth because they let fear get in the way.” And he reminded us about the importance of courage, which he defined as “doing something you're afraid of, anyway.”
While it’s safe to say, if we don't try we won't fail, we surely won’t succeed either.
I wish you courage – and a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
http://www.metromichigan.com/
Happy Friday! We’re finally getting a little real sunshine, too. Reflecting on last week’s topic, if we don’t want to give up on our goals, how come we frequently do?
Often the factor is fear.
Fear sometimes helps – prompting us to drive more cautiously or hold the stairway handrail – but most of the time fear just gets in the way of living up to our potential.
Author Timothy Ferriss points out, “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. That phone call, that conversation, whatever the action might be – it is fear of unknown outcomes that prevents us from doing what we need to do.”
The most nagging “unknown outcome” we’re afraid of is failure, by whatever standards we define for ourselves. Most of us are geniuses at conjuring up “what if” scenarios leading to our definition of failure. “What if I get rejected,” “what if it doesn’t work out,” etc.
Ferriss says, “Define the worst case, accept it, and then do [what you need to do].” Usually the worst case scenario isn’t that bad, furthermore it’s not the most likely outcome.
A word of warning - beware of discouraging words from people who think they have your best interests at heart. Loved ones who don’t want to see us hurt sometimes try to temper our dreams with (their version of) “reality.” Instead, show them that you’re not afraid of failure because you’re tough enough to try again.
The topic of fear also came up recently when I had the pleasure of hearing Bob Fish, CEO of Biggby Coffee (yummy), speak to the Livonia Chamber of Commerce about his fast growing coffee business. Fish said, “People limit their own personal or professional growth because they let fear get in the way.” And he reminded us about the importance of courage, which he defined as “doing something you're afraid of, anyway.”
While it’s safe to say, if we don't try we won't fail, we surely won’t succeed either.
I wish you courage – and a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius
P.P.S. Thank you for visiting www.MySunnyNotes.com. If you’re new to Sunny Notes and would like to receive my sunny email each Friday, visit www.JoinSunnyNotes.com.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
http://www.metromichigan.com/
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Success Equation
Good morning,
I promised to stay in touch and this morning I’m thinking about something that’s worth sharing with you – food for thought on a Friday. If it encourages you or just brightens your day, then I’m glad.
It’s a simple equation: “Success = Preparation + Opportunity.” I don’t know who said it first, but it’s powerful and true.
In my own life I’ve been often lucky – in the right place at the right time. But encountering opportunity doesn’t equal success unless we’re prepared to act. Perhaps it’s as simple as having an elevator pitch ready in case we encounter a potential investor, or keeping a passport current incase an opportunity involves travel.
I was recently reminded of Arnold Palmer, after an amazing golf shot, being congratulated by a fan about how lucky the shot was, to which Palmer responded, “It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” I love that quote because it underscores the importance of preparation and good old fashioned hard work in achieving success, or being “lucky.”
So this morning I’m reflecting on this question, if success occurs when preparation meets opportunity, what is one thing we can do TODAY to help prepare for the opportunities we desire to meet?
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. Now is usually the hardest and best time to act, because you never know what tomorrow will bring or when opportunity will knock…
I promised to stay in touch and this morning I’m thinking about something that’s worth sharing with you – food for thought on a Friday. If it encourages you or just brightens your day, then I’m glad.
It’s a simple equation: “Success = Preparation + Opportunity.” I don’t know who said it first, but it’s powerful and true.
In my own life I’ve been often lucky – in the right place at the right time. But encountering opportunity doesn’t equal success unless we’re prepared to act. Perhaps it’s as simple as having an elevator pitch ready in case we encounter a potential investor, or keeping a passport current incase an opportunity involves travel.
I was recently reminded of Arnold Palmer, after an amazing golf shot, being congratulated by a fan about how lucky the shot was, to which Palmer responded, “It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” I love that quote because it underscores the importance of preparation and good old fashioned hard work in achieving success, or being “lucky.”
So this morning I’m reflecting on this question, if success occurs when preparation meets opportunity, what is one thing we can do TODAY to help prepare for the opportunities we desire to meet?
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. Now is usually the hardest and best time to act, because you never know what tomorrow will bring or when opportunity will knock…
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