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	<title>Practice This &#187; Motivation</title>
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	<description>Take Your Life For A Test Drive</description>
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		<title>Follow The Three Laws of Performance</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/12/13/3-basic-conditions-for-successful-consulting-gig-2/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/12/13/3-basic-conditions-for-successful-consulting-gig-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:48:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/12/13/3-basic-conditions-for-successful-consulting-gig-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
       by wwarby
How do I quickly improve performance at work and in my life?
In the book The Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan outline three simple laws of performance you need to follow to get instant results. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div style="margin: 0px; float: right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="First Class Service Consultant" border="0" alt="First Class Consultant" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/image.png" width="219" height="244" />       <br /><font size="1">by </font><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwarby/"><font size="1">wwarby</font></a></div>
<p>How do I quickly improve performance at work and in my life?</p>
<p>In the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470195592?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0470195592">The Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life</a> Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan outline three simple laws of performance you need to follow to get instant results. </p>
<p>It is about how the situations occur to you and what language you use to reflect on the situation. The promise of the three laws of performance is rewriting your default future. I tried it – it works for me.</p>
</p></div>
</p>
<p> <span id="more-550"></span>
</p>
<h3><strong>The First Law of performance</strong></h3>
<p>Zaffron and Logan write:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>The First Law of Performance</strong>: How people perform correlates to how situations occur to them.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In other words, to start perform better you need to read the situation the way it encourages better performance. Do you see a problem or a challenge? Do you see the world through negative or through positive lens? Do you feel screwed or stretched? Do you feel exhausted or accomplished? This is what helps me when approaching a situation at hand &#8211; be it at work or in my personal life. I decide how the situation occurs to me. If I can positively reflect on the situation I am motivated and I am all set for high performance. I am all set to providing first class service to my customers. If not – I drain my energy and usually achieve nothing or very little.</p>
<blockquote></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>“We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.” &#8211; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud">Talmud</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h3><strong>The Second Law of Performance</strong></h3>
<p>Zaffron and Logan write:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>The Second Law of Performance</strong>: How a situation occurs arises in language.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Here is a little story.&#160; I was consulting to a project with few distributed teams. One team lead was flaming the other guy for not getting things done on time and on spec. On contrary, the other guy was calm, he was reflecting on the situation trying to spot the high priority issues and asking for help on how to resolve it. Obviously, the same situation occurred differently to both fellows. As a result each team performed quite differently – can you guess who’s performance was better?</p>
<h3><strong>The Third Law of Performance</strong></h3>
<p>Zaffron and Logan write: </p>
<blockquote><p>The Third Law of Performance: Future-based language transforms how situation occur to people.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Let me test you. When shit hits the fan, what’s your reaction? “Who did that?”, “Why have you done that?”, “I know who did it.”, “We are lost!”, “We are never gonna get out of it.” Notice that all of these are focused on past or a person. It is self destroying. A better way to admit the situation and think about how to get out of it. I observe way too many people dwelling on the past, presenting themselves victims of the circumstances. Here is what I say to myself:</p>
<ul>
<li>Admit the situation – It happened. It is in the past. I cannot control the past.</li>
<li>Who’s in control? &#8211; I can influence the future. At least I can try my best.</li>
<li>What’s next? – what I can do to make the situation better? What can I do to make sure it never happens again?</li>
</ul>
<p>Have you noticed the focus shifted to the future situation?</p>
<blockquote><p>“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.” &#8211; Eleanor Roosevelt</p>
</blockquote>
<h3><strong>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Reflect on the situation with positive language – avoid draining your energy for nothing. </li>
<li>Think in future – see the better station through. </li>
<li>What’s you best next move? – be actionable, start improving your performance right now. Waste no time.</li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470195592?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0470195592">The Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life</a> – the book is choked with real world examples.</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>My Related Posts</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/03/06/4-dimensions-of-personal-power/">4 Dimensions Of Personal Power</a></li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/04/03/emotional-intelligence-core-skills/">Emotional Intelligence &#8211; Core Skills</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/26/become-the-next-great-mind-now/">Become The Next Great Mind &#8211; Now</a></li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/07/successful-consultant-puts-positive-spin-on-everything/">Successful Consultant Puts Positive Spin On Everything</a> </li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>4 Things Mentors Do</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/09/29/4-things-mentors-do/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/09/29/4-things-mentors-do/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:41:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/09/29/4-things-mentors-do/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
&#160;       by seanmcgrath
If you are into personal development like me you must have a mentor or two.
J.D. goes even further making everyone his mentor.
Why having a mentor? What do they do to us? And how it helps us to grow?
I like how Sr. Ken Robinson explains it in his [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div style="margin: 0px; float: right">&#160;<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="mentors" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/image4.png" width="163" height="244" />       <br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgraths/"><em><font size="1">seanmcgrath</font></em></a></div>
<p>If you are into personal development like me you must have a mentor or two.</p>
<p>J.D. goes even further <a href="http://sourcesofinsight.com/2009/09/04/youre-the-average-of-the-10-people-you-spend-time-with/">making everyone his mentor</a>.</p>
<p>Why having a mentor? What do they do to us? And how it helps us to grow?</p>
<p>I like how Sr. Ken Robinson explains it in his book <img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0140280197" width="1" height="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670020478?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0670020478">The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0670020478" width="1" height="1" />. Sr. Robinson says mentors are about recognition, encouragement, facilitating, and stretching.</p>
<p>My mentors are my secret weapon that helps me get quickly back into the saddle when I fall, it helps me find my track and keep up with it, it helps me grow exponentially.</p>
</p></div>
<p> <span id="more-533"></span><br />
<h3><strong>Recognition</strong></h3>
<p>Mentors are&#160; in the know. They can identify a diamond in the rough. Have not you had that feeling “I really want to do it, but will I succeed?” Good mentor will tell you simply – “You can do it. I can see it in you. You have everything to succeed in it.”</p>
<h3><strong>Encouragement</strong></h3>
<p>So you go ahead and make your move and… fail. Good mentor will tell you it means nothing. He will tell you the story about himself and his mentor and how he was failing again and again until he figured out the right path to the dream of success. He might also send you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45mMioJ5szc">Michael Jordan’s Nike Failure commercial</a> as a proof. </p>
<h3><strong>Facilitating</strong></h3>
<p>Good mentor does not only pushes you forward with encouragements. He also gives you the tools for your success. Any good mentor has a wealth of tools to share. The tools that facilitate you to achieve more, faster, better results. Ask your mentor for the tool of trade. Ask him about how he manages his time, ask him about how he prioritize, ask him about how he influences without authority, ask him how he recreates himself. Ask him tons of questions. Being mentee is driving, not being driven.</p>
<blockquote></blockquote>
<h3><strong>Stretching</strong></h3>
<p>Success is about constant growth. One time achievement only proves you are on the right path. Today’s achievement is tomorrow’s commodity. How do you continue to keep succeeding? The way you do it is by setting new goals and objectives. Good mentor won’t let you set average mediocre goals. Good mentor will stretch you to the next level, something you have never thought you could do. Listen to him and apply practices that worked, ask for more tools for success.</p>
<h3><strong>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Get yourself a mentor – make sure he is not only in the know but also he knows how to recognize the talent. </li>
<li>Ask your mentor for tools for success – get equipped properly before investing your time and energy. </li>
<li>Get stretched – you either grow or die, there is no in between. </li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670020478?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0670020478">The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0670020478" width="1" height="1" /> &#8211; you will be overwhelmed with true stories of success and how to apply it to your life. </li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>My Related Posts</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/09/14/secret-revealed-the-power-to-change-anything/">Secret Revealed: The Power to Change Anything</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/06/05/meet-me-20/">Meet Me 2.0</a> </li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Meet Me 2.0</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/06/05/meet-me-20/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/06/05/meet-me-20/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:21:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/06/05/meet-me-20/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
&#160; by wili_hybrid
J.D published incredibly insightful yet very dense e-Book called You 2.0. The promise is simple but powerful:


Success by design. 
Living your purpose. 
Living your values. 
Playing to your strengths.&#160; 
Improved results. 

It was enough for me to go through it and see where I stand. Meet Me 2.0!
 
Step 1 &#8211; Find Your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div style="margin: 0px; float: right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 20px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/image.png" width="244" height="164" />&#160; <br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wili/"><em><font size="1">wili_hybrid</font></em></a></div>
<p><a href="http://sourcesofinsight.com/2009/06/02/you-20/">J.D published</a> incredibly insightful yet very dense e-Book called <a href="http://sourcesofinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/you-20.pdf">You 2.0</a>. The promise is simple but powerful:</p>
</p></div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Success by design</strong>. </li>
<li><strong>Living your purpose</strong>. </li>
<li><strong>Living your values</strong>. </li>
<li><strong>Playing to your strengths</strong>.&#160; </li>
<li><strong>Improved results.</strong> </li>
</ul>
<p>It was enough for me to go through it and see where I stand. Meet Me 2.0!</p>
<p> <span id="more-466"></span><br />
<h3>Step 1 &#8211; Find Your Purpose</h3>
<p>What’s my purpose in life? </p>
<p>What sticks with me is something that is related to distilling massive information into practical/pragmatic approach and spreading it as wider as possible. Something that goes along these lines (I truly believe I belong to Levite tribe as per my last name and according to my passion for teaching):</p>
<blockquote><p>“When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan, the Levites were the only Israelite tribe who received cities but no tribal land &quot;because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their possession&quot;.&#160; The Tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well.” &#8211; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levite">Wikipedia</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Here is my purpose in life: </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Serve the masses by spread pragmatic practices.</strong> </li>
</ul>
<p>I know that today religion and politics have very little in common with “pragmatic”. But I believe that back thenitI has a lot to do with practical guidance.</p>
<h3>Step 2 &#8211; Find Your Why</h3>
<p>Why do I do what I do?</p>
<p>While I am far from being a fatalist I strongly believe in my life purpose as it was set by Deity [read previous subtitle and the Wikipedia’s quote]. I tried many ways to express myself. The only true fulfilling way for me is sharing the experience with people and making them successful. That explains why I love so much consultancy – I am field software consultant working day and night with my customers to solve their small, medium, and supersized problems.</p>
</p>
<h3>Step 3 &#8211; Find Your How</h3>
<p>How do I get my best results … what’s the pattern?</p>
<p>Since I treat everybody as my customers – my family (my best and the first customer), my managers, my colleagues and friends, my real customers – I can safely apply the same pattern/approach to everyone:</p>
<ul>
<li>Understand and speak their language. </li>
<li>Feel the pain. </li>
<li>Offer the solution – do not prolong the problem. </li>
<li>Grow together. </li>
<li>Emotional Intelligence is your best friend – apply it constantly. </li>
<li>Distill working patterns and reuse – AND SHARE THEM! </li>
<li>Celebrate joint wins, analyze losses to avoid them in the future. </li>
<li>Time is most precious and scarcest resource – prioritize it for investing in most impactful stuff that matters. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Step 4 &#8211; Find Your Values</h3>
<p>What are my top 5 values? </p>
<p>I have chosen the following values from the list J.D. offers in his e-Book:</p>
<ul>
<li>Family Happiness </li>
<li>Achievement </li>
<li>Freedom </li>
<li>Inner Harmony </li>
<li>Personal Development </li>
</ul>
<h3>Step 5 &#8211; Find Your Strengths</h3>
<ul>
<li>What are you really good at? </li>
<li>What comes naturally for you? </li>
<li>What activities make you feel great? </li>
</ul>
<p>I have completed this exercise some time ago &#8211; <a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/03/10/find-your-strengths-know-your-life-purpose/">Find Your Strengths, Know Your Life Purpose</a>. I have reviewed the strengths I identified back then and it seems to stick so far:</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Achiever</b> &#8211; You have a relentless need for achievement. </li>
<li><b>Analytical</b>&#160; – Your Analytical theme challenges other people. </li>
<li><strong>Communication </strong>– You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. </li>
<li><b>Focus</b>&#160; – “Where am I headed?” </li>
<li><strong>Arrange </strong>– You are a conductor. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Tagline</h3>
<p>My tagline is <strong><em>“Take you life for a test drive”.</em></strong> No, it is not about crashing into a wall, it is about testing new ways, sticking with what works, tossing what is not.</p>
<p>My most motivational quote comes from Thomas A. Edison:</p>
<blockquote><p>“The value of an idea lies in the using of it. “</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Metaphors</h3>
<p>Metaphor for me:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I am Winston Wolf &#8211; I solve problems.” – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPsHKpti48">Pulp Fiction</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Metaphor for life &#8211; <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/20/you-are-95-and-you-are-dying/">You Are 95 And You Are Dying</a>.</p>
<h3>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>Read J.D.’s <a href="http://sourcesofinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/you-20.pdf">You 2.0</a> – find out whether you are set for success or for failure. </li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Realize The Difference Between Activity And Productivity</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/24/realize-the-difference-between-activity-and-productivity/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/24/realize-the-difference-between-activity-and-productivity/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2009 17:47:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/05/24/realize-the-difference-between-activity-and-productivity/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
&#160; by WordRidden
Working hard is not going to help you to fly right any more. Working smart is the name of the game. Change your mindset from “doing” to “achieving.”
Change is no easy, especially when it comes to changing a mindset. A famous book by Spencer Johnson Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<div style="margin: 0px; float: right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 20px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/image5.png" width="244" height="184" />&#160; <br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/"><em><font size="1">WordRidden</font></em></a></div>
<p>Working hard is not going to help you to fly right any more. Working smart is the name of the game. Change your mindset from “doing” to “achieving.”</p>
<p>Change is no easy, especially when it comes to changing a mindset. A famous book by Spencer Johnson <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399144463?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0399144463">Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0399144463" width="1" height="1" /> helped me to focus on dealing with Change and focusing on Productivity vs. Activity.</p>
</p></div>
<blockquote><p>”They were disappointed but believed they could solve the problem. So they started earlier, stayed longer, and worked harder. But after a while, all they had was a large hole in the wall.”</p>
<p>“Haw was beginning to realize the difference between activity and productivity.” </p>
</blockquote>
<p> <span id="more-464"></span><br />
<h3><b>Change To Keep Growing</b></h3>
<p>Johnson writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>”If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct” </p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><b>Family</b>. If you do not change you relationships become boring. If you do not change your kids adopt the wrong role model. If you do not change you stop driving, you become driven. </li>
<li><b>Work</b>. If you do not change your skills become obsolete. If you do not change you miss career opportunity. If you do not change you create the wrong personal brand.&#160; </li>
<li><strong>Network.</strong> If you do not change your network disappears. If you do not change you have less to outsource. If you do not change you become weaker in the Age of Social Power. </li>
</ul>
<h3><b>Enjoy Your Cheese</b></h3>
<p>Johnson writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>Imagining Yourself Enjoying Your New Cheese Leads You To It.</p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><b>Family</b>. Imagine dating your wife weekly. Imagine you prepare a home work with your 4th grade. Imagine you spend an hour daily with your preschooler. Imagine you go outdoors weekly with the whole family. Imagine you move to a bigger house in a better neighborhood. Imagine your vacation next summer. </li>
<li><b>Work</b>. Imagine you work on stuff that matters. Imagine you are part of the team of top performers. Imagine you ask for a rise. Imagine you get a promotion. Imagine you take a break. Imagine you retire. </li>
<li><strong>Network.</strong> Imagine you meet an old friend. Imagine you become a member of the professional community. Imagine you get a mentor. Imagine you become a mentor. </li>
</ul>
<p>What stops you from achieving all that? Stop doing, start achieving. </p>
<h3><b>Keep Searching</b></h3>
<p>Johnsons writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>It Is Safer To Search In The Maze, Than Remain In A Cheeseless Situation.</p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><b>Family</b>. Had a fight? – <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/04/08/want-to-win-argue-do-not-fight/">Argue, Do Not Fight!</a> <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/03/31/improve-your-outcomes-by-changing-your-responses/">Improve Your Outcomes By Changing Your Responses</a>. </li>
<li><b>Work</b>. Stuck at work? &#8211; <a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/07/04/do-you-have-the-dream-job/">Do You Have The Dream Job?</a>&#160;<a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/20/fear-no-recession-surpass-your-career-potential/">Fear No Recession &#8211; Surpass Your Career Potential</a> Do you have <a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/12/28/the-courage-to-quit/">The Courage To Quit</a>? </li>
<li><strong>Network.</strong> Attract more people by <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/07/successful-consultant-puts-positive-spin-on-everything/">Putting Positive Spin On Everything</a> </li>
</ul>
<h3><b>Cheese Rules</b></h3>
<p>Change happens. Your next Change is just around the corner. Adopt Johnson’s rules of Cheese: </p>
<blockquote><ul>
<li><b>Change Happens</b>.The Keep Moving The Cheese.</li>
<li><strong>Anticipate Change. </strong>Get Ready For The Cheese To Move.</li>
<li><strong>Monitor Change.</strong> Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old.</li>
<li><strong>Adapt To Change Quickly.</strong> The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese.</li>
<li><strong>Change.</strong> Move With The Cheese.</li>
<li><strong>Enjoy Change! </strong>Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!</li>
<li><strong>Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again &amp; Again.</strong> They Keep Moving The Cheese.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<h3>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>The only constant is Change – keep growing.&#160; </li>
<li>Imagine your cheese – see your success through. </li>
<li>Keep searching for the Cheese – he who searches will always find. </li>
<li>Read&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399144463?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0399144463">Who Moved My Cheese?</a> – it is a classic book they must teach in schools but they don’t. </li>
</ul>
<h3><b>My Related Posts</b></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/11/apply-8020-principle-focus-on-stuff-that-matters/">Apply 80/20 Principle &#8211; Focus On Stuff That Matters</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/20/you-are-95-and-you-are-dying/">You Are 95 And You Are Dying</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/02/16/team-of-top-performers/">Team Of Top Performers</a> </li>
</ul>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>You Are 95 And You Are Dying</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/20/you-are-95-and-you-are-dying/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/20/you-are-95-and-you-are-dying/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 20:06:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/05/20/you-are-95-and-you-are-dying/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
&#160; by foxypar4

Are you living life you won’t regret about when you are 95? 
It is simple yet powerful question that you should answer before it is too late. 
Marshall Goldsmith and&#160; Mark Reiter, the authors of the book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful ask [...]]]></description>
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<div style="margin: 0px; float: right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 20px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="WIsdon" border="0" alt="WIsdon" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/image4.png" width="244" height="201" />&#160; <br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/"><em><font size="1">foxypar4</font></em></a></div>
</p></div>
<p>Are you living life you won’t regret about when you are 95? </p>
<p>It is simple yet powerful question that you should answer before it is too late. </p>
<p>Marshall Goldsmith and&#160; Mark Reiter, the authors of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401301304?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1401301304">What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful</a> ask it very colorfully:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Imagine you’re 95 years old and ready to die.      <br />…The 95-year-old you understands what was really important and what wasn’t, what mattered and what didn’t&#160; What advice would this wise “old you” have for the “you” who is reading this page? ”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>They also provide the answer. It is about doing meaningful work, being surrounded by beloved ones, and following the dream. The answer is based on surveying most talented leaders among 120 organization. It is also based on the intervening people on their deathbed…</p>
<p> <span id="more-461"></span><br />
<h3><b>Happiness And Meaning Now</b></h3>
<p>Goldsmith and Reiter write:</p>
<blockquote><p>One recurring theme was to “reflect upon life, to find happiness and meaning now,” not next month or next year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Either your are a leaf or a manager, are you investing yourself in something meaningful? Does it make you feel happy? Do you make an impact? </p>
<p>It is helpful to have a clear career model as described in <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/20/fear-no-recession-surpass-your-career-potential/">Fear No Recession &#8211; Surpass Your Career Potential</a>. It helps to <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/05/11/apply-8020-principle-focus-on-stuff-that-matters/">Apply 80/20 Principle</a>. When you focused you get results, you make the difference, you create something meaningful. How does it feel? Happy?</p>
<h3><b>Family And Friends</b></h3>
<p>Goldsmith and Reiter write:</p>
<blockquote><p>A second recurring theme was “friends and family”. Consider this: You may work for a wonderful company, and you may think that your contribution to that organization is very important. When you are 95 years old and you look at the people around your deathbed, very few of your fellow employees will be there waving good bye. Your friends and family will probably be there only people who care. Appreciate them now and share a large part of your life with them. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>One of the career models is about “<em>What do you want to do more/less of each day?”</em></p>
<p>I adopted this model lately. I want to “do” my kids more. I want to do my “wife” more. I want to “do” myself more. As I started to do that more I realized how powerful and meaningful it is both ways. What I need to do more is to “work” less each day, and that can be accomplished by productizing myself. I need to package myself and massively reuse myself. That way I get predicted results faster which should lead to more free time with beloved ones.</p>
<h3><b>Follow Your Dream</b></h3>
<p>Goldsmith and Reiter write:</p>
<blockquote><p>Yet another recurring theme was “follow your dream”…Figure out your true purpose in life, and go for it! This doesn’t apply just to big dreams; it is also true for little dreams. Buy the sports car your always wanted, go to that exotic locale that’s always held your fascination, learn how to play the piano or speak Italian, If some people think your vision of a well liver life is a bit goofy or off-beat, who cares? It isn’t their life. It’s yours. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>That is the hardest part. I am having hard times to define what dream is for me. Can you? On other hand I can relate the dream definition to success, and success for me is John Wooden’s:</p>
<blockquote><p>“<em>Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable</em>”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>My mind is peaceful (it wasn’t until not long ago). Does it mean I am successful? Does it mean I am living my dream?</p>
<h3>
<p><a href="http://thinkexist.com/"></a></p>
<p> Practice This &#8211; Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>Work on meaningful stuff that matters – be happy.&#160; </li>
<li>Invest in your first and the best customers – your family and your friends. </li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401301304?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1401301304">What Got You Here Won’t Get You There -</a> make your dream come true. </li>
</ul>
<h3><b>My Related Posts</b></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/06/06/john-woodens-12-lessons-in-leadership-for-kids/">John Wooden’s 12 Lessons In Leadership [For Kids]</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/07/04/do-you-have-the-dream-job/">Do You Have The Dream Job?</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/01/21/one-two-three-is-this-manager-for-me/">One, Two , Three &#8211; Is This Manager For Me?</a> </li>
</ul>
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		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>Apply 80/20 Principle &#8211; Focus On Stuff That Matters</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/11/apply-8020-principle-focus-on-stuff-that-matters/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/05/11/apply-8020-principle-focus-on-stuff-that-matters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 11:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Time Management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/05/11/apply-8020-principle-focus-on-stuff-that-matters/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
       by kwerfeldein
The 80/20 Individual: How to Build on the 20% of What You do Best by Richard Koch is the book I needed to read long ago. If you still have not read it do it now. Do not postpone it. It is engaging read and it is [...]]]></description>
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<div style="margin: 0px; float: right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 20px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Focus 80 20 principle" border="0" alt="Focus 80 20 principle" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/image1.png" width="244" height="164" />       <br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwerfeldein/"><em><font size="1">kwerfeldein</font></em></a></div>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385509758?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0385509758">The 80/20 Individual: How to Build on the 20% of What You do Best</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0385509758" width="1" height="1" /> by Richard Koch is the book I needed to read long ago. If you still have not read it do it now. Do not postpone it. It is engaging read and it is full of practical insights from successful entrepreneur. </p>
<p> For some reason I think it served (or could serve) Tim Ferris as a good prototype when he was writing his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere%2Fdp%2F0307353133%2F&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich</a>.     <br /> 
<p>In this post I share few ideas from the book.</p>
</p></div>
<p> <span id="more-451"></span><br />
<h3><strong>Creating Is Rearranging</strong></h3>
<p>Koch writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>Creation is rearranging things that already exist.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The best example for it is <a href="http://www.Wikipedia.org">www.Wikipedia.org</a>. It is huge value created by rearranging the information that already exists somewhere else. </p>
<p>What could you do to create by rearranging? You could collect your best practices and publish it is a free eBook. I have done it recently. I published a small PDF file that consolidates some of my professional practices. The result was quite incredible &#8211; few customers called me asking for a service after reading it.</p>
<h3><strong>Be An Oddball</strong></h3>
<p>Koch writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>The psychologist wants unusual characters who have a few fantastic strengths. If you have these, the corporation couldn’t care less about a long laundry list of things you can’t do well or even do at all.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I cannot speak for myself how crazy I am [I know many who knows me would] and how it helps me to survive corporate jungle life. The best way to affirm it is calling out that <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/02/10/best-kept-secret-of-successful-consulting-model-the-best/">successful companies indeed embrace weirdness</a> as a strength.</p>
<h3>Belong</h3>
<p>Koch writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>To create you must belong.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Oh… this one is essential. The best prove for it is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs">Maslow Hierarchy of needs</a> for self realization. One of the needs is “Love/Belonging”. Does it explain the burst of social networks recently? I think so. People want to belong to their communities. Now they have the tools that break the limits of time and space. He who wants to realize himself cannot do it on his own, he needs to belong to his community of like minded.</p>
<h3>Making&#160; A Difference</h3>
<p>Koch writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>His greatest reward , as with all 80/20 individuals, was in making a difference.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>When your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs">basic needs</a> are fulfilled, when you belong to community of like minded, you want to make an impact – the difference. For me, it is about sticking to my values and doing the right thing for my family, for my customers, for my employer, for my friends. It is not uncommon that doing the right thing leaves you without the reward you deserve. Fight hard for the reward, but if you lose no one can take away your own pride about the fact that you made the difference. Make the difference.</p>
<h3>Life Is An Experiment</h3>
<p>Koch writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>Life is an experiment. We are running in a maze, and the 80/20 principle signposts the exit.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This one breaks the mold of common wisdom about first impressions. The best example I can think of is getting hired with my current employer. When I first got into HR department for an interview it was a complete fiasco. I left a seriously damaged first impression. It taught me a lesson. But I did not give up. Next time I came prepared. The result was twofold. #1 – I got hired with a company I wanted to work badly. #2 – I started this blog and the first post was just about that &#8211; <a href="http://practicethis.com/2007/05/30/prepare-for-job-interview/">Prepare For Job Interview</a>.</p>
<h3>Practice This – Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>Experiment with your life – make a solid collection of life time experiences. </li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385509758?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0385509758">The 80/20 Individual: How to Build on the 20% of What You do Best</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0385509758" width="1" height="1" /> &#8211; identify your stuff that matters and focus on it. </li>
</ul>
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		<title>Adopt 18/40/60 Rule And Stop Worrying About What They Think About You</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/04/10/adopt-184060-rule-and-stop-worrying-about-what-they-think-about-you/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/04/10/adopt-184060-rule-and-stop-worrying-about-what-they-think-about-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:19:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[


Just Finished reading Jack Canfield’s book The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. What a read… Whoa! Packed with tons of goodies and practical wisdom.
 by DMahendra&#160;



One of the pearls I really loved is Dr. Daniel Amen’s 18/40/60 rule Canfield shares in the book:
When you’re 18, [...]]]></description>
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<td valign="top">Just Finished reading Jack Canfield’s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060594888?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0060594888">The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0060594888" width="1" height="1" />. What a read… Whoa! Packed with tons of goodies and practical wisdom.</td>
<td valign="top" align="right"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/image1.png" width="244" height="164" /> <em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmahendra/"><em><font size="1">DMahendra</font></em></a>&#160;</td>
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<p>One of the pearls I really loved is Dr. Daniel Amen’s 18/40/60 rule Canfield shares in the book:</p>
<blockquote><p><font color="#222222" face="Verdana">When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you 40, you don’t give a darn what anybody thinks of you; when you’re 60, you realize nobody’s been thinking about you at all.</font></p>
</blockquote>
</td>
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<p>One thing is being worried about what they think about you the other is asking for a feedback. </p>
<p>Don’t be worried – ask for a feedback. Help the other guy to give you a constructive feedback. Canfield has another great advice for this one too. Canfield writes:</p>
<blockquote><p><font color="#222222" face="Verdana">On scale 1 to 10 how would you rate my&#8230;?               <br />…</font><font color="#222222" face="Verdana">Any answer less than 10 gets the follow up question:               <br /></font><font color="#222222" face="Verdana">What would it take to make it a 10?</font></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Simple and practical.</p>
<blockquote><p><font color="#222222" face="Verdana">I have lived a long life and had many troubles, most of which never happened. – Mark Twain</font></p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>Stop worrying what they think of you – ask for a feedback.</li>
<li>Transform the feedback into your improvement plan.</li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060594888?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0060594888">The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0060594888" width="1" height="1" />.</li>
</ul>
<h3><b>My Related Posts</b></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/19/ask-your-customers-friends-your-growth-hides-there/">Ask Your Customers’ Friends &#8211; Your Growth Hides There</a></li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/16/basic-instincts-and-marketing/">Basic Instincts And Marketing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/26/become-the-next-great-mind-now/">Become The Next Great Mind &#8211; Now</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Improve Your Outcomes By Changing Your Responses</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/03/31/improve-your-outcomes-by-changing-your-responses/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/03/31/improve-your-outcomes-by-changing-your-responses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:32:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Influence Without Authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/03/31/improve-your-outcomes-by-changing-your-responses/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



Are you satisfied with you outcomes? If you are not you better grab Jack Canfield&#8217;s book The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Canfield shares many simple yet practical methods for improving your personal performance. 

by apesara&#160;


For example::
If you do not like your outcomes, change your [...]]]></description>
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<p>Are you satisfied with you outcomes? If you are not you better grab Jack Canfield&#8217;s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060594888?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0060594888">The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be</a><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0060594888" width="1" height="1">. Canfield shares many simple yet practical methods for improving your personal performance. </p>
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<td valign="top" align="right"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Change Your Response" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/image12.png" width="244" height="217"><br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/apesara/"><b><em><font size="1">apesara</font></em></b></a>&nbsp;<br />
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<p>For example::</p>
<blockquote><p>If you do not like your outcomes, change your responses.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This advice can sound too obvious, but how many times you witnessed people change their approaches? How many times you changed yours?&#8230;</td>
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<h3><b>Change Response To Failures</b></h3>
<p>What&#8217;s the usual response to a failure? Regret, anger, emptiness. None of these help to succeed next time. Worse, it consumes your energy for nothing draining your <a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/03/06/4-dimensions-of-personal-power/">personal power</a>. Change response to a failure! <a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/01/14/whats-the-powerful-skill-of-all-is-it-asking-the-right-questions/">Ask yourself questions</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li><b>Admit</b>. Say it &#8211; &#8220;I failed&#8221;. Stop lying to yourself.
<li><strong>Reflect. </strong>Where did I go wrong?
<li><strong>Refocus</strong>. Adjust yourself. Set yourself for success with realistic goals.
<li><strong>Plan. </strong>What do I need to do to make it successful next time?
<li><strong>Reward yourself.</strong> Even when failed reward yourself. &#8220;No matter what, I gave it a try!&#8221;, &#8220;Now I know better!&#8221;, &#8220;Hey, I am still alive and kicking!&#8221;.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I have not failed. I have just found ten thousand ways that won&#8217;t work&#8221;<font color="#222222" face="Verdana"> &#8211; Thomas A. Edison.</font></p>
</blockquote>
<h3><b>Change Response To Customers</b></h3>
<p>In consulting your ultimate goal is making your customer happy. It is not about proving you are right. It is not uncommon customers treat you the way that is far from what you&#8217;d expect it to be. What can you do? Explain customer he is wrong? Prove you are right?&nbsp; Your goal is to keep the customer happy while keeping the profitability of the gig. Arguing and creating conflict situation is a surest path to lose the customer. </p>
<p>Adopt a &#8220;hero&#8221; mindset. Tell the customer &#8211; &#8220;It was pleasure serving your&#8221;. Tell yourself &#8211; &#8220;I did the right thing&#8221;. Smile. <img src='http://practicethis.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<h3><b>Change Response To Managers</b></h3>
<p>The simplest yet effective change of mindset I have made was moving focus from &#8220;How can I excel?&#8221; to &#8220;What&#8217;s your biggest problem?&#8221;. The meaning is the same but the perception is&#8230; everything. It is easier for manager to spit out his challenges off top of his head vs. trying to deeply understand you so that he can pave your path to the excellence. You become low maintenance employee, the one who gets desired results with minimum investment. Managers appreciate it.</p>
<h3><b>Change Response To Kids</b></h3>
<p>You are your kids leader. One of my favorite leadership lessons from John Wooden is &#8220;<strong>Call Yourself A Teacher</strong>&#8220;. Not a preacher. Stop preaching, start teaching, start leading. Lead by example.</p>
<h3><b>My Related Posts</b></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/04/24/3-easy-steps-to-become-a-superhero/">3 Easy Steps To Become A Superhero</a>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/02/05/consultants-beware-of-procrastinators-disengaged-and-distracters/">Consultants, Beware Of Procrastinators, Disengaged, And Distracters!</a>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2009/03/27/effective-techniques-to-handle-your-kids-temper-tantrum/">Effective Techniques To Handle Your Kid’s Temper Tantrum</a>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/06/06/john-woodens-12-lessons-in-leadership-for-kids/">John Wooden’s 12 Lessons In Leadership [For Kids]</a></li>
</ul>
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		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
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		<title>Mark Twain Quotes &#8211; Motivation Super Power (WARNING &#8211; Addicting)</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2009/02/13/mark-twain-quotes-your-motivation-and-emotional-steroids-warning-addicting/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2009/02/13/mark-twain-quotes-your-motivation-and-emotional-steroids-warning-addicting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:01:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2009/02/13/mark-twain-quotes-your-motivation-and-emotional-steroids-warning-addicting/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


When I feel drained, when I feel my emotional reservoir need a refill I scan Mark Twain&#8217;s quotes. I LOL (Laugh Out Loud) and I feel the positive energy overwhelming me all over.What A Power Of Word!These are my favorite Mark Twain&#8217;s quotes:
&#160;by sfjalar





&#8220;Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" width="450" border="0">
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<tr>
<td valign="top" width="225">When I feel drained, when I feel my emotional reservoir need a refill I scan Mark Twain&#8217;s quotes. I LOL (Laugh Out Loud) and I feel the positive energy overwhelming me all over.<br />What A Power Of Word!<br />These are my favorite Mark Twain&#8217;s quotes:</td>
<td valign="top" width="225"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="196" alt="Mark Twain" src="http://practicethis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/image6.png" width="244" border="0">&nbsp;<br /><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfjalar/"><b><em><font size="1">sfjalar</font></em></b></a></td>
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<p><span id="more-298"></span><br />
<blockquote>
<p>&#8220;Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;&#8221;It&#8217;s not the size of the dog in the fight, it&#8217;s the size of the fight in the dog.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;All generalizations are false, including this one.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The more things are forbidden, the more popular they become&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;It is easier to stay out than get out.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The more you explain it, the more I don&#8217;t understand it&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8221; We have the best government that money can buy.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And the all time winner is:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Practice This &#8211; Get Results</h3>
<ul>
<li>When you feel down, it&#8217;s only your interpretation of the world &#8211; snap out of it, switch to the better wave on your dial. </li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.&#8221; &#8211; <strong><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud">Talmud</a></i></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<h3><b>My Related Posts</b></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/03/06/4-dimensions-of-personal-power/">4 Dimensions Of Personal Power</a>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/11/18/meet-my-mentors-bruce-lee-abraham-lincoln-mark-twain-and-thomas-edison/">Meet My Mentors &#8211; Bruce Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and Thomas Edison</a>
<li><a href="http://practicethis.com/2008/12/28/the-courage-to-quit/">The Courage To Quit</a></li>
</ul>
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		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Courage To Quit</title>
		<link>http://practicethis.com/2008/12/28/the-courage-to-quit/</link>
		<comments>http://practicethis.com/2008/12/28/the-courage-to-quit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:10:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alik levin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://practicethis.com/2008/12/28/the-courage-to-quit/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Why is it so hard to quit? How do I know when to quit and when to stick? If I decide to quit, would I look back with guilt or anger?
J.D. pointed me to Seth&#8217;s book &#8211; The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick). Now I got [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[</p>
<p>Why is it so hard to quit? How do I know when to quit and when to stick? If I decide to quit, would I look back with guilt or anger?</p>
<p><a href="http://sourcesofinsight.com/2008/12/15/lessons-learned-from-the-dip">J.D. pointed</a> me to Seth&#8217;s book &#8211; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591841666?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=practhis-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1591841666">The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)</a><img height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=practhis-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1591841666" width="1" border="0">. Now I got few answers to my questions now. I also have few more questions too&#8230;</p>
<p><img title="" height="375" alt="Exit by zone41." src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/1021371325_2f87165539.jpg?v=0" width="500"></p>
<p><em><font size="1">by </font></em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zone41/"><b><em><font size="1">zone41</font></em></b></a></p>
<h3><b>Why It Is So Hard To Quit?</b></h3>
<p>Seth writes:</p>
<blockquote><p><font face="Verdana" color="#222222"><strong>Most People Are Afraid To Quit</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana" color="#222222">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It&#8217;s better to be mediocre than it is to confront&nbsp; reality&nbsp; and quit. </font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana" color="#222222">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Quitting is difficult. Quitting requires you to acknowledge that you&#8217;re never going to be #1 in the world. At least not at this. So it&#8217;s easier to put it off, not admit it, settle for mediocre. </font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana" color="#222222">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What a waste.</font></p>
</blockquote>
<h3><b>Say, Quit What?</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>If you cannot be #1 smoker then quit smoking?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 blogger then quit blogging?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 swimmer then quit swimming?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 consultant then quit consultancy?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 developer then quit developing?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 dad then quit parenting?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 husband then quit marriage?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 lover then quit making love?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 driver then quit driving?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 dog owner then quit owning a dog?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 citizen then quit citizenship?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 problem solver then quit problem solving?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 team player then quit the team?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 employee then quit the company?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 freelancer then quit freelancing?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 achiever then quit achieving?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 gamer then quit playing games?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 son then quit the family circle?</li>
<li>If you cannot be #1 brother then quit brotherhood?</li>
<li>&#8230;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Is It That Hard To Become #1?</h3>
<p>My take is &#8220;No&#8221;. Create your own niche and declare yourself as #1 there. And stick. And do not quit.</p>
<p>What&#8217;s your niche? Are you going to stick or quit?</p>
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