No matter the outcome of these two supposed significant events, my bet is that at the end of it all, the planet survives and Americans will keep on doing what they love and have to do, in spite of the lack of leadership in Washington.
To all people, may you have the attitude of +Calvin and Hobbes in their last cartoon strip and "Let's go exploring..."
As 2012 comes to a close, celebrate your life and those you love, remember those who are no longer with you and decide to make 2013 the best year of your life.
Blessings,
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
Executives-As-A-Service providing C-Suite On Demand at a fraction of the cost of full time.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
I Say Merry Christmas, What Do You Say?
My amazing wife, Cindy, declared last week, she wants to be more engaging with people relative to the upcoming holiday season. Rather than just say, "Happy Holidays" she wants to be more engaging with people and get to know them better than just responding, "Happy Holidays to You."
You have to know Cindy to understand the way she thinks about other people. First, she really cares about other people and she has a quality about herself that when others are around her, they just love Cindy.
Cindy says to me, "Instead of waiting for others to say, Happy Holidays, I'm going to say - I say +Merry Christmas, what do you say?" Her reasoning is pretty simple. She wants others to know she values being a Christian and does not want to water down her belief because of some political correctness. And, most importantly she wants others to feel comfortable in expressing their personal values, as well. It's about honoring other people and the result is you get to know a little more about them.
With a little thought about this on my part - we live in a vibrant, highly mobile, multi-cultural society. If we truly want world peace for our progeny, we need to be responsible for understanding and getting to know who other people are. If I just say, "Merry Christmas" without offering the option to others to express their belief, I can sound rude and politically incorrect. That behavior does not represent the love of Christ nor does it open the door for any further engaging conversations. If I merely say, "Happy Holidays" that is not expressing who I am. This is obviously the quandary many of us have experienced in these politically correct decades, but then if you know Cindy like I know Cindy, you too will take pause and ponder upon what she says - and, consider what you will say.
So, I tried out Cindy's saying and surprisingly it opened up some interesting discussions that would have never happen if I had blindly said, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays." After a couple of times I began to realize that it really is about relationship and honoring the relationships we have with others, especially with those we have just met or know professionally. Yep, I now have to admit to my wife, I'm a little slow and for the first time ever - she has thought of something before me. (and if you believe that, well, I can find the perfect coach for you.)
The responses to me saying, "I say Merry Christmas, what do you say" have typically been a chuckle and then they say, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays" and we all go on our merry way. A couple of the responses have been a chuckle and they say, "I'm Jewish and I say Happy Hanukkah." I respond, "Happy Hanukkah." It's about honoring who people are, getting to know them a little better, and since I'm a Christian - being more like Christ.
No matter your background, religion or race, 'tis the season to take a moment and be more loving with others. As I understand it, Jesus was born into a Jewish family and a group of Magi (from Persia - some might say pre-Muslim) came to visit him and present him gifts upon his birth. And, those gifts provided safe passage for Jesus and family to escape the slaughter of the children by King Herod. I'm figuring God has a plan and, in his infinite wisdom, He is giving us time to figure it out.
Be kind and loving to others who think and act differently than you,
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
You have to know Cindy to understand the way she thinks about other people. First, she really cares about other people and she has a quality about herself that when others are around her, they just love Cindy.
Cindy says to me, "Instead of waiting for others to say, Happy Holidays, I'm going to say - I say +Merry Christmas, what do you say?" Her reasoning is pretty simple. She wants others to know she values being a Christian and does not want to water down her belief because of some political correctness. And, most importantly she wants others to feel comfortable in expressing their personal values, as well. It's about honoring other people and the result is you get to know a little more about them.
With a little thought about this on my part - we live in a vibrant, highly mobile, multi-cultural society. If we truly want world peace for our progeny, we need to be responsible for understanding and getting to know who other people are. If I just say, "Merry Christmas" without offering the option to others to express their belief, I can sound rude and politically incorrect. That behavior does not represent the love of Christ nor does it open the door for any further engaging conversations. If I merely say, "Happy Holidays" that is not expressing who I am. This is obviously the quandary many of us have experienced in these politically correct decades, but then if you know Cindy like I know Cindy, you too will take pause and ponder upon what she says - and, consider what you will say.
So, I tried out Cindy's saying and surprisingly it opened up some interesting discussions that would have never happen if I had blindly said, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays." After a couple of times I began to realize that it really is about relationship and honoring the relationships we have with others, especially with those we have just met or know professionally. Yep, I now have to admit to my wife, I'm a little slow and for the first time ever - she has thought of something before me. (and if you believe that, well, I can find the perfect coach for you.)
The responses to me saying, "I say Merry Christmas, what do you say" have typically been a chuckle and then they say, "Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays" and we all go on our merry way. A couple of the responses have been a chuckle and they say, "I'm Jewish and I say Happy Hanukkah." I respond, "Happy Hanukkah." It's about honoring who people are, getting to know them a little better, and since I'm a Christian - being more like Christ.
No matter your background, religion or race, 'tis the season to take a moment and be more loving with others. As I understand it, Jesus was born into a Jewish family and a group of Magi (from Persia - some might say pre-Muslim) came to visit him and present him gifts upon his birth. And, those gifts provided safe passage for Jesus and family to escape the slaughter of the children by King Herod. I'm figuring God has a plan and, in his infinite wisdom, He is giving us time to figure it out.
Be kind and loving to others who think and act differently than you,
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
Monday, December 10, 2012
Legacy.com - Just Dying to Be Mentioned
I did a Google search for "legacy" - check it out. I click on Legacy.com because I'm curious and enjoy seeing how people have put really good domain names to use. Bottom line - I'm not interested in being mentioned on Legacy.com for quite a while.
I doubt I would make the landing page for Legacy.com even if I were eligible to be considered worthy for Legacy.com. Yet, it begs the question, "So what will people remember me for?"
Good question and the answer to that question requires comments from those who "really" know me. In the meantime, here's a couple of thoughts about the possibilities of legacy.
I've met, know and known many amazing people throughout my life and I love listening to their stories of success and how their failures and challenges became the seeds of that success. I cherish their words of wisdom whether they know I do or not. Whenever I have the opportunity to make a difference with someone else and sense that sharing my experiences of these people - I believe I am enhancing and expanding their legacy. See the blogs about Veterans Day (John), Zig Ziglar and Jimmy V.
Who knows, maybe the stories I share about others will have an impact on the lives of the living. And, maybe one day, when I become eligible for Legacy.com, I'll find myself in Heaven facing a long line of people who were blessed by the stories I shared about the legacy of others, which otherwise they may have never known.
Maybe, at the end of it all, it's really just taking the time to listen to another person and offering a few words of hope, encouragement and love. I guess I've been gifted with knowing many amazing people and I figure it's my job to listen, encourage, love and take the time to share the legacies of others. Thank You, God. I love my job.
Share the legacy of someone you know. It may make a difference!
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
I doubt I would make the landing page for Legacy.com even if I were eligible to be considered worthy for Legacy.com. Yet, it begs the question, "So what will people remember me for?"
Good question and the answer to that question requires comments from those who "really" know me. In the meantime, here's a couple of thoughts about the possibilities of legacy.
I've met, know and known many amazing people throughout my life and I love listening to their stories of success and how their failures and challenges became the seeds of that success. I cherish their words of wisdom whether they know I do or not. Whenever I have the opportunity to make a difference with someone else and sense that sharing my experiences of these people - I believe I am enhancing and expanding their legacy. See the blogs about Veterans Day (John), Zig Ziglar and Jimmy V.
Who knows, maybe the stories I share about others will have an impact on the lives of the living. And, maybe one day, when I become eligible for Legacy.com, I'll find myself in Heaven facing a long line of people who were blessed by the stories I shared about the legacy of others, which otherwise they may have never known.
Maybe, at the end of it all, it's really just taking the time to listen to another person and offering a few words of hope, encouragement and love. I guess I've been gifted with knowing many amazing people and I figure it's my job to listen, encourage, love and take the time to share the legacies of others. Thank You, God. I love my job.
Share the legacy of someone you know. It may make a difference!
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Jimmy V - A Coaching Legacy Seeking Cancer Cures
What challenges, issues, concerns and problems did you wake up with today? Most of us woke up with normal stuff. The important question, no matter your issues, what sort of attitude did you have and do you have?
In July 1992, Jimmy Valvano woke up knowing he was dying of cancer. In spite of this challenge, Jimmy V believed and modeled "be enthusiastic everyday and don't every give up." And, he lived that way long before he knew he had cancer.
This is one of the fundamental truths I write about on a regular basis. Who you are everyday determines who you will become. When Jimmy V woke up that fateful morning, he was able to treat it like another day because he had rock solid habits and disciplines of the way he had lived every other day of his life.
I was once again reminded of Jimmy V, as I watched the University of Texas and Georgetown play in the 2012 Jimmy V Classic in the Madison Square Gardens. As the game progressed and highlights of Jimmy V were shown, I knew Jimmy V would be the subject of my next blog on legacy.
Throughout his coaching career, Jimmy V encouraged others to do three things everyday:
At ZFactor Group, we definitely laugh. Listen to a Blogtalk Radio Show "Two Old Sales Guys and Sales Diva." The premise of our books is "successful people think and act differently." And, when you get to know us, we are passionate about caring about one another, everyone we know and every one of our clients.
You can listen to Jimmy's 1993 ESPY Speech, where he exclaims while reviewing the three things to do everyday, "that's a heck of a day! Do it seven days a week and you'll have something special." Jimmy V's something special has become an enduring legacy through the Jimmy V Cancer Research Foundation. Wikipedia Jimmy V.
This quote from Jimmy's speech, sums up much of what we believe and seek to deliver in ZFactor Books and Coaching. This quote is the foundation of the ZFactor methodology. ZFactor books help you know who you are, where you are and how to get you to where you want to be.
As Jimmy V says, "you have to have an enthusiasm for life, a dream, goal and be willing to work for it."
If you are ready to accelerate getting to where you want to be, please take a moment to check out the ZFactor series of books on Amazon and get more info at the ZFactor Group website.
Don't every give up,
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
In July 1992, Jimmy Valvano woke up knowing he was dying of cancer. In spite of this challenge, Jimmy V believed and modeled "be enthusiastic everyday and don't every give up." And, he lived that way long before he knew he had cancer.
This is one of the fundamental truths I write about on a regular basis. Who you are everyday determines who you will become. When Jimmy V woke up that fateful morning, he was able to treat it like another day because he had rock solid habits and disciplines of the way he had lived every other day of his life.
I was once again reminded of Jimmy V, as I watched the University of Texas and Georgetown play in the 2012 Jimmy V Classic in the Madison Square Gardens. As the game progressed and highlights of Jimmy V were shown, I knew Jimmy V would be the subject of my next blog on legacy.
Throughout his coaching career, Jimmy V encouraged others to do three things everyday:
- Laugh
- Think - spend time in thought.
- Have your emotions move you to tears.
At ZFactor Group, we definitely laugh. Listen to a Blogtalk Radio Show "Two Old Sales Guys and Sales Diva." The premise of our books is "successful people think and act differently." And, when you get to know us, we are passionate about caring about one another, everyone we know and every one of our clients.
You can listen to Jimmy's 1993 ESPY Speech, where he exclaims while reviewing the three things to do everyday, "that's a heck of a day! Do it seven days a week and you'll have something special." Jimmy V's something special has become an enduring legacy through the Jimmy V Cancer Research Foundation. Wikipedia Jimmy V.
"You have to know where you started,
where you are and where you want to be."
This quote from Jimmy's speech, sums up much of what we believe and seek to deliver in ZFactor Books and Coaching. This quote is the foundation of the ZFactor methodology. ZFactor books help you know who you are, where you are and how to get you to where you want to be.
As Jimmy V says, "you have to have an enthusiasm for life, a dream, goal and be willing to work for it."
If you are ready to accelerate getting to where you want to be, please take a moment to check out the ZFactor series of books on Amazon and get more info at the ZFactor Group website.
Don't every give up,
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
What You Think Determines Your Legacy. Where Are You?
You are here. Welcome. Not to be flippant with you, but you are here, right now. Thank you for being here and taking some of your valuable time. I promise to create some value for you.
What are you thinking and saying to yourself, right now? What will you be thinking, saying and doing when you finish reading this? Will you stop reading here and go on about your day or will you take another few moments that will make a difference for you and your legacy?
You have 60,000 thoughts a day. What percentage are positive and what percentage negative? How many of those thoughts are focused on where you are and who you are being now?
How will you spend your day? What will be your dominant thoughts and actions throughout the day? At any moment, you can take a breath and check in on your thoughts and what you are saying to others. And, you can choose to make appropriate changes that work for you and others around you.
You are what you think. What you think influences what you do and what you do determines where you are. On a scale of 1 to 10 how does where you are now represent where you want to be and ultimately your legacy? 10 being you are definitely in your sweet spot.
This is not rocket science, nor is it some new age mumbo jumbo. Thinking is a skill to be learned and developed. How would you rate your ability to think about what you want to think about? How often does someone's statement or some comment on TV make you react with a statement that just flies out of your mouth like someone pushed the Play button on a video?
Before you speak think 333.
Think of a time when you intentionally shifted your thinking from negative to positive. Learning to shift your thinking from inside is not only a good skill to develop, it is the most essential skill necessary for achieving your goals and ultimately leaving a legacy that makes a difference.
If you want to know your past thoughts and actions, simply assess where you are now, your results. If you want to change your future results, change the way you think and the actions you take. What thoughts and actions will give you the results you want?
It really is this simple and it takes real intention and work to make it happen.
What you think will determine your legacy.
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
What are you thinking and saying to yourself, right now? What will you be thinking, saying and doing when you finish reading this? Will you stop reading here and go on about your day or will you take another few moments that will make a difference for you and your legacy?
60,000 Thoughts a Day
You have 60,000 thoughts a day. What percentage are positive and what percentage negative? How many of those thoughts are focused on where you are and who you are being now?
How will you spend your day? What will be your dominant thoughts and actions throughout the day? At any moment, you can take a breath and check in on your thoughts and what you are saying to others. And, you can choose to make appropriate changes that work for you and others around you.
You are what you think. What you think influences what you do and what you do determines where you are. On a scale of 1 to 10 how does where you are now represent where you want to be and ultimately your legacy? 10 being you are definitely in your sweet spot.
Thinking is a Skill - Needs to be Developed
This is not rocket science, nor is it some new age mumbo jumbo. Thinking is a skill to be learned and developed. How would you rate your ability to think about what you want to think about? How often does someone's statement or some comment on TV make you react with a statement that just flies out of your mouth like someone pushed the Play button on a video?
3 - 3 - 3
Before you speak think 333.
- Count to three (3).
- Have you said what you are going to say three (3) times or more?
- Will what you say make a difference three (3) minutes from now, three weeks, three months, three hundred years...?
Think of a time when you intentionally shifted your thinking from negative to positive. Learning to shift your thinking from inside is not only a good skill to develop, it is the most essential skill necessary for achieving your goals and ultimately leaving a legacy that makes a difference.
Thought + Action = Result
If you want to know your past thoughts and actions, simply assess where you are now, your results. If you want to change your future results, change the way you think and the actions you take. What thoughts and actions will give you the results you want?
It really is this simple and it takes real intention and work to make it happen.
What you think will determine your legacy.
~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing
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