Sal's Reflections

In my first free consultation with a potential client I am never pushy and try to listen more than I speak. The objections when they occur are usually the same”I can’t afford it,I don’t have the time.not sure this is the best time and not sure it will work.”These are similar to the personal ones that keep us from investing in ourselves. If we really believe in ourselves money and time are usually not the real issues. We can always find the money somehow, and if it is important enough-we will carve out the time.There is never a perfect moment so that too is really rarely the issue. The biggest obstacle is believing in ourselves and taking that first step toward what we would really like to happen. Seeing the end result is the impetus required to move forward. The other objections when scrutinized fall by the wayside.

Monday can be the dreaded day of the week when we feel most drained and lethargic.We run through all of the tasks,work assignments and perhaps even meetings with others that do less than fill us with energy.Our mindset will have a lot to say about whether this is one of those zillion tough starts of the week, or whether this is the start of a week filled with positive moments. I don’t need to leap out of my bed like Mary Poppins, but I can frame my visual of the day in a way that it becomes less wearing. I believe that there will be moments in this day when I will have opportunities to grow, and hopefully positively touch the lives of others.It is not merely Monday but a day which will never happen again.I can choose to be droopy and reluctantly go through the motions or grasp it by the horns and make it special. When you are having that cup of coffee see it as opportunity Monday rather than the beginning of a tough week.

I have probably spoken literally over a thousand times and every time before i speak there is this little voice in the back of my brain that spews out all the reasons why the keynote or talk will bomb. Fortunately I discount this, and at least up to now it has had no effect on outcomes.That negative voice resides in most of not all of us, and unfortunately too many times we let it effect our behavior. It tell us not to attempt something, or rolls out all the precarious consequences of failure. It reminds us of the past stumbles, and clearly identifies where we are lacking. The voice often has perfected a script that keeps us in the land of wishes rather than the land of doing. My suggestion is to add a voice to balance this .One that supports you and musters your courage in those moments of doubt. We all need to hear the cheers and not only the boos so that we are not governed by the limitations of fear.

We are taught from an early age that it is important to invest our money wisely.It is drummed into our heads that we should save”for a rainy day and our future depends on sound investments.This wise counsel is something that most of us take very seriously, but there is another form of investment that should accompany financial planning. We should from cradle to grave be investing in ourselves.Our growth and fulfillment depend on continued attention to seeking opportunities to grow and develop.There us no moment or age when we should stop learning and adding new skills.Our level of success and achievement requires that new learning and opportunities for development be regular investments and not time limited.Are you growing? .Are there career or personal goals that require further education ?Have you focused enough on ways that can enhance your career or personal desires?.It is never too late to dedicate time,focus,energy and yes even dollars in your future. Your 401 K deserves attention but so do you.

There are days when the motor is slow to start and the emotional battery needs recharging.This often occurs after a series of disappointments, or perhaps just the same old,same old.That is one of the reasons that I am such a fan of goal setting because it is a constant source of energy and inspiration. When immersed in the doldrums it is the daily view that fosters action. That visual can be the emotional caffeine that requires attention despite my down feelings.Reviewing each morning and night the goals that I have set more than occasionally gets me off my duff and back into doing the things that will make the goals achievable.

There is so much chatter politically about who is for women, and who is against women that I thought it would be helpful to share some thoughts on the subject.I am thrilled that we live in an time when the talents and skills of women are not limited to past stereotypes. It is not male bashing to seek the fullness of life’s opportunities regardless of gender.It has been my experience in my private as well as my business ventures that gender does not hinder outstanding performance in any way.The leveling of the playing field for all does not diminish my manhood but rather widens my intellect as well as my spirit. There is room for all of us in the boat, and developing the total person regardless of gender bears fruit well beyond our imagination.

Yesterday I started the clearance house as a reference for my network and already I have received two requests.

“First request to the clearing house
I have been with my present company for twelve years in Marketing. Started out in sales and was promoted four times in a six year period. My performance appraisals have been excellent, but it appears that I cannot rise to the executive management level. I never go easily to thinking that there is sexism in this stalemate, but the past three promotions have been rather suspect. It is not only confusing to me but also to the organization.Others do not understand why I have not received one of those promotions. There are two women at my level, and no senior females at the executive level. I would appreciate any suggestions and love that this will be done anonymously.”

Whenever I stop and reflect on my social media friends I realize what a phenomenal network I have . There is almost no challenge that cannot be improved by the expertise that lies within that circle of knowledge and talent. With that in mind I openly invite one and all to seek guidance from the life professors who are able and willing to be resources. Ask for help in solving something that is in front of you and I will ask the gurus what are the alternatives to your challenge. The biggest benefit is that one can follow or dismiss the advice. without any pressure.So as of this morning I am opening Sal’s Clearing House and appealing to all of you to act as my Wilkopedia.

No one ever achieves success in any capacity without the help of others.At every level of growth and development there are mentors and coaches that help shape who we are, and what we achieve.It would take me literally days to name all those that took the time to coach and mentor me ,and whatever dent I make in this world is largely due to their willingness to share what they have learned. That is one of the reasons why I enjoy coaching so much whether it be in areas of business or personal guidance. It affords me the opportunity to assist in the growth and development of others.Mentoring and coaching are not experiences that are foreign to most of us, and the opportunities to learn and teach are literally all around us.Draw deeply from the well of others wisdom and reach out to those that cross your path because they can gain so much from who you are and what you know.