Keep the Faith (WT463)

Keep the Faith (WT463)

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by Shirley Dalton | 10 May, 2019 | Blog, Mindset

WT463 Keep the Faith

 My vision for travelling and working around Australia was to be able to continue coaching and training with my clients. 

I have to say the first month or two was a bit rough, especially having to dress in my corporate clothes and apply make-up. This didn’t fit the vision and on a few occasions I cried to Ross, “This isn’t what I had in mind. I visualised being on the phone coaching and helping people, wearing my shorts and T-shirt and looking out over the ocean.”

This week the vision finally came to light. Situated overlooking the magnificent Number 1 Beach at Seal Rocks in New South Wales, I got to coach, even with poor network availability and phone coverage.

I smiled as I found myself encouraging one of my clients to “Keep the Faith”. Often as I coach, a little voice in my head asks me, “Are you listening to this? Are you hearing this advice?”

On many occasions I think the advice I give is really intended for me.

As it happened, my client was feeling down and almost ready to give in and give up. “You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought”, I counselled.  This is actually the name of a book, a very big book by Peter McWilliams, which is definitely worth a read. Initially intended for people with life threatening illnesses (including life), the advice is relevant for all of us.

If I had given in or given up, we would not have Contessa; we would not be travelling and working from amazing places and meeting amazing people.

If you’re feeling down or feeling like what you want may not manifest, remind yourself, You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought and you MUST, absolutely MUST Keep the Faith.

It is only your faith and determination and commitment that will see you through the hard times until you manifest what you want, be that health, wealth or relationships.

Until next week, Keep the Faith.

Bargain Fruit (WT462)

Bargain Fruit (WT462)

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by Shirley Dalton | 3 May, 2019 | Blog, Business

WT 462 Bargain Fruit

If you were driving past a shop sign, as we did recently in a little country town, for a fruit shop that read “Bargain Fruit”, what perception would you have of the fruit being sold? 

Immediately I thought the fruit would be of lesser quality than fruit sold in other shops.

The word “Bargain” means “a thing bought or offered for sale much more cheaply than is usual or expected”.

The point I want to make is that words, especially in a business name, can make or break your business.

Based on the name alone, I wouldn’t go to that shop. Would you?

The words you use impact on your brand and your positioning.

If you offer a premium service and want to charge premium prices you have to deliver a premium service and all your advertising and marketing (including your business and product or service names) should reflect the premium brand. 

I found it fascinating that someone would name their shop “Bargain Fruit” and then have a tagline that read, “Best quality fruit”. For me the two are contradictory. 

What does your business name and tagline say about you and your business? 

Where do you want to position yourself in the market? 

Conduct a little audit. Is your brand, advertising and marketing supporting the position you want? 

I Googled to find Quirky Names and found this site on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com.au/Marie_Edge/quirky-names/?lp=true 

Take a look at some of the names.

It’s interesting to me to see some, that I imagine the owners thought were either extremely funny or clever, which totally put me off, like this one for a pet shop salon “Pussies and Bitches – Pet Shop and Grooming Salon”.  

Maybe the title of this week’s thought should have been “What’s in a Name?” 

What’s in YOUR business name? What does it say about you?

Do You Want Me to Do Nothing and Just Look at the Sky? (WT461)

Do You Want Me to Do Nothing and Just Look at the Sky? (WT461)

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by Shirley Dalton | 26 Apr, 2019 | Blog, Leadership

WT 461 Do you want me to do nothing and just look at the sky

The past month has been really interesting for Ross and I as we navigate our way through transitioning to living together in the space of a motorhome.

Both of us are leaders and both want to be the boss. Of course there can only be one boss. Fortunately though we can be boss of different areas and so we have come to realise that just like when we were first living together 30 years ago, we have had to clarify our roles and responsibilities.

Similarly, we met another couple on the road who arrived in Australia from South Africa and within a few days were on the road with their caravan.

The wife explained that “he wanted to do everything” and finally, in exasperation she said, “Do you want me to do nothing and just look at the sky?”

She went on to say how she had had to learn how to do things because she hadn’t had to do them in South Africa.

Having clear roles and responsibilities makes life easier for everyone, not just at home. 

Think about your work situation as well.  How much better do you feel and how much better do you perform when you know exactly what you have to do and the standard to which it needs to be done.

If you’re a leader, it’s important that your team knows what they are responsible for.

If you’re a leader, it’s important that you know the limit of your boundaries.

So far for us, it has worked out that Ross takes care of connecting the water and electricity, etc. on the outside and I take care of the inside when we arrive and depart.

We’re still figuring out the rest and are comfortable in the knowledge that “The Team Development Wheel” requires that we go through the argy bargy quadrant of fighting before we get to performing. We are also thankful that on most occasions, I say most, we know how to fight fair.

How about you?

What Language Are You Speaking? (WT460)

What Language Are You Speaking? (WT460)

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by Shirley Dalton | 19 Apr, 2019 | Blog, Leadership

WT 460 What language are you speaking

A few months ago, I was introduced to a new profiling tool and I have to say I am extremely impressed with it.

It’s called the Reach Quotient and similar to D.I.S.C. and other profiling tools it measures our basic trait or personality, however it goes further than the others in that we can also measure the degree to which you are speaking another’s language, i.e. we can measure the size of your REACH. 

This is exceptional because it shows exactly where you are and the impact you have on the four styles as well as identifies areas for improvement.

The higher the “REACH”, the better the leader and communicator. The better the leader, the more respect the team has, the greater retention, higher productivity and sales.

You can do the quiz, which has been scientifically validated over the past 9 years with over 55,000 people or you can simply answer two questions to get a feel for where you sit.

Here are the questions:

  1. When it comes to day to day operations, where are you most emotionally engaged – people or tasks? 
  1. When it comes to setting and achieving goals, are you more methodical and a thinker, planning and preparing or do you go with your gut instinct or intuition and jump in and start doing. 

Interested to know what you are? 

If you’re more of a thinker and people focussed, you sit in the “Counsellor” quadrant. 

If you’re a thinker and task oriented, you sit in the “Advisor/Administrative” quadrant.  

If you prefer to jump in and take action and are focussed on people, you’re a “Coach”. 

If you are into action and tasks, you are a “Driver”. 

None is better than the other. In fact, in teams you want to have a representative from each quadrant to ensure you make good decisions and look after both people and the tasks. 

Each of the styles has a preference for how they communicate, delegate, focus, make decisions, learn, plan and handle conflict. In essence, each has its own language. 

What language are you speaking?

If your REACH score is high, you can easily connect with people in the other quadrants. You speak their language and show them you understand them. If it’s lower, you’ll most likely experience difficulty communicating with the other styles.

As an example, one of my clients is a very successful sales person. He has learned how to speak the different languages of the various styles and as such his REACH is very impressive. He is able to act like a chameleon, (in a good way) which helps him connect and help his clients solve their problems. 

Because this is new and I am keen to share it, I can offer you a very special opportunity to learn your language and understand your REACH. 

Normally $200 for the profile and REACH quotient, for a limited time, you and your colleagues, family, friends, workers can find out for just $55 (until 30 April 2019). 

To take advantage of the offer, click on the link https://la114.infusionsoft.com/app/manageCart/addProduct?productId=115 

and I will organise for you to take the profile, and you’ll be able to download your profile as soon as you complete the online questionnaire. 

What language are you speaking? Would you like to be fluent in all four?

Persevere – It Will Get Better (WT459)

Persevere – It Will Get Better (WT459)

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by Shirley Dalton | 12 Apr, 2019 | Blog, Leadership

WT 459 Persevere - It will get better

It’s been just over a month since Ross and I started our journey in Contessa, (our motorhome).

We’ve been happily married for nearly 30 years and yet one month in Contessa nearly brought it all undone.

Living in such close quarters has required HUGE adjustments on both our parts.

As an only child and an introvert (i.e. I regenerate through solitude), I have struggled to find some time and space for myself.

Without periods of solitude I tend to get narky and cranky and passive aggressive.

Of course Ross reacts rather than responds and the whole situation just disintegrates.

I was doing my best to explain the situation to a colleague and I imagine that what we are going through is what many first time parents go through; waiting so long for the birth then realising how much work it is and not necessarily as much fun as expected, and hoping it will get better. As parents the realisation occurs that “This is it”. There is no going back.

Thankfully Ross and I remind ourselves of our commitment. We promised each other at least 50 years of happy healthy married life together. This keeps us going when times are tough.

In our leadership experience this past week, participants also learned the value of perseverance. Playing a game, one team were on the brink of giving up and changing things around. They persevered and came good at the end. It was a very valuable lesson for all of us.

This week, as I share our challenges with you and make the commitment to make it work, believing strongly that “It will get better” and therefore it will, I encourage you to notice any situations or relationships where your commitment might be needed to make it work.

Even though you may be thinking of giving up, ask yourself if you can stick it out for a little longer and make the commitment (if appropriate) to make it work.

Perseverance is a great quality to cultivate and certainly one I am improving on a daily basis.

Remember, persevere and it will get better.

The Difference You Make (WT458)

The Difference You Make (WT458)

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by Shirley Dalton | 5 Apr, 2019 | Blog

WT 458 The difference you make

I’ve been reading a book called Discover the Gift – It’s Why We’re Here by Shajen Joy Aziz and Demian Lichtenstein (brother and sister).

Here’s a quote in the book from Personal Development teacher Barbara De Angelis. I share it because I want to make a positive difference to you:

“A lot of us discount what we have to offer because we can’t see how it’s going to make us money, or it’s not going to make us famous, or we’re not going to get invited to be on Oprah. So we believe we are not making a difference. But making a difference is really about the way you show up in the world every day. In fact, know it or not, like it or not, you’re already making a difference just by your presence. It may be a good difference or a bad difference, a large difference or a small difference, but you had an effect on everyone who saw you, felt you, or heard you today. So the question is not whether you can make a difference, but what kind of difference are you making?”

Short but sweet this week. What is the difference you are making? Is it aligned to who you really are and what you really want?

If not, maybe now is a good time to re-evaluate and make some changes.

In 10 more weeks we celebrate 9 years of Weekly Thoughts. Personally, I am amazed at my own commitment. Thank you for being part of my community.

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