got wisdom?
Earlier this year, at the National Speakers Association conference in Atlanta, experts shared the latest technology, marketing strategies and best practices to grow our speaking, training and consulting businesses.
The conference concluded with a panel of six “million dollar” speakers and consultants, including the consultant’s ultimate consultant, Alan Weiss, and leadership development speaker Mark Sanborn. Roxanne Emmerich, the author of “Thank God It’s Monday,” said that we are not selling information or knowledge but rather wisdom. Hmmm. Wisdom as a commodity.
Wisdom is defined as insight, the ability to discern what is true. Wise people are often considered enlightened, which means to be free of illusions.
So, how can you bring more wisdom to your work? Here are three ways.
1) Tap into your wisdom. Employ proven practices like meditation, trusting your intuition and paying attention to dreams to solve problems, boost creativity and make wise choices. Confucius advised, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: first by reflection, which is noblest; second by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.” Take time to reflect.
2) Focus on what matters. Distractions can often be mistaken for opportunities and much of what we fear never materializes. Every day, we are seduced by bad news, superfluous interactions on social media sites, and the latest gizmos and gadgets. Just because you can participate, doesn’t mean you should. When you get sidetracked on your road to success, save your precious time and energy by simply asking yourself if this detour really matters.
3) Emulate wise qualities. According to The Talmud, “The highest form of wisdom is kindness.” Whenever you can, express genuine compassion, concern and appreciation for your coworkers, employees, clients, vendors and associates. By doing so, you will inspire them to do the same.
“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it,” said Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Edith Wharton. Either way is wise.
Forgive Yourself
“For all you did or didn’t do,
for all you did or didn’t say,
for all the times fear got in the way,
forgive yourself.
Tomorrow’s a brand-new day.”
~ Tricia Molloy ~
The other day, as I was contemplating our human tendency to focus on mistakes and missed opportunities, the above quote formulated in my mind and made its way to this blog. It was a comfort to me and I hope to you, too.
As I mentor and consult, I find that some of my clients have limited their success because of their fear of standing out or speaking up. Some choose to take on too much responsibility, instead of delegating duties. Others compare themselves with colleagues and wish they had pursued that big account, written that book or taken that risk.
When you see failure as just more data, you are free to take more chances, celebrate your mistakes and savor the lessons learned. And, you are less likely to harbor restrictive regrets and resentments about yourself or others.
Acclaimed 18th century poet and critic Alexander Pope got
it right when he said, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
What Will You Give Up and Get in Return?
During the season of Lent, many Christians give up something for 40 days in preparation for Easter.
When I was young, my ultimate sacrifice was always the same: Chocolate. Sometimes I was successful. Mostly, not.
Now, this ritual holds more meaning as I choose to give up something that no longer serves me. Think about a self-defeating belief or behavior or destructive habit. It might be your tendency to judge others, worrying about things you have no control over, or spending too much time watching TV or on Facebook. Then, contemplate what you’ll receive in return. Perhaps a sense of peace or more time to focus on what matters.
To make this sacrifice easier and to fool that part of you that resists any kind of change, assure yourself it’s only for a week, or month or maybe 40 days. Use strategies like affirmations and visualization to strengthen your resolve.
I’m still deciding what I’ll give up but I already know, whatever it is, I’ll get much more in return. And I know it won’t be chocolate.
Release Emotional Clutter
Clean Out the Clutter, the first of the five steps in the “CRAVE Your Goals!” formula, always gets the strongest response from audience members and clients. It’s also the one practice that produces the fastest results.
Most people understand physical clutter, like a messy workspace or overflowing closet, and technical clutter, like an over-reliance on your cell phone or too much time on the Internet.
However, emotional clutter is often more insidious and difficult to detect. It’s the regrets, resentments and things you haven’t forgiven about someone else or perhaps yourself. Just like physical and technical clutter, this emotional clutter can distract, confuse and exhaust you. Give yourself a belated gift this Valentine’s Day and release emotional clutter so you will have the time and energy to focus on what’s most important. Here are three more areas to consider:
- Unnecessary Obligations. Assess all your ongoing commitments–from networking groups to committees–and resign from those that are non-essential and no longer serve you.
- Unfinished Business. Review the section of your to-do list that never seems to get checked off and decide if you can release or delegate it.
- Toxic People. Negative people drain your energy and waste your precious time. If you can (so-called friends and neighbors), end the relationship and, if you can’t (family and coworkers), set up healthy boundaries and limit your interactions. “Being there for them” only enables them to continue this behavior.
Did I strike a chord?
Joy is an Inside Job
It’s wise to remember that the same awe-inspiring infinite intelligence of the universe that created us and everything around us is also ready to guide us to our most joyful life. All we have to remember is to ask, listen and trust.
ASK. Pose a question just before meditation, during a quiet walk or as you are falling asleep. It could be as simple as, “What can I do to experience more joy?”
LISTEN. Your guidance may come as a still, small voice in your head, disguised as a friend’s suggestion, as a synchronicity, or perhaps an image.
TRUST. We live in an instant gratification world. You may not receive guidance right away. Be patient. When we let go of the details and the illusion of control, miracles happen. And so it is.
The Joy (and Wisdom) of Gardening
I have a magnificent garden. That’s because I’m married to a very gifted gardner. While Rick plants and pampers our vegetable patch of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, kale and green beans; our plum, apple and fig trees, and a plethora of flowers, I have one job. I deadhead the roses.
Once a rose blooms and dies, it remains on the bush–taking precious resources from it. When I clip the dead roses, I allow that energy to go to the new buds so they can bloom.
That made me think…where in my life can I deadhead? What activities are no longer serving me, no longer bringing me joy? As I let go of toxic relationships, unnecessary obligations and busy work best delegated, I feel clearer and more energized. I’m blooming! What can you release today?
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The Joy Factor
Welcome fellow Happiness Pioneers! You've come to the right place if you are looking to raise your Joy Factor. My vision is for everyone to live a life aligned with their passions and full of joy. The intention of this site is to offer you juicy nuggets that will increase your experience of joy and delight. Take a look around, grab something yummy and share the joy.
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