Darn Glad 2013 Is Done!

I'm not a superstitious person, but 20(13) was a bit_ _ of a year. With family and friend's health issues and deaths, business challenges and my attempts to understand the motivations of my two sons (ages 20 and 23). 2013 was a year of many doors closing and several new opportunities.

I really am one who maintains a positive outlook on life and what's possible, no matter how challenging a situation or person might appear. It began with the blog "The Boomer Grind - No One Ever Told Me!" This blog is a simple life review of all the life challenges I and other boomers have had to navigate, endure and prevail.

Several of my 2013 blogs reveal my beliefs, attitudes and passions for life, family and business. Doing this review is good for the soul and reminder of who I will continue to strive to be in 2014 and beyond. 

Thanks for taking a little time with these blogs and I trust they provide you insight and inspiration. They do so for me.

• Entrepreneurial Leaders Do What Matters (I'm a longtime, serial entrepreneur).
• Purpose Driven Leadership - Servant Leadership (I launched a Google+ community on Servant Leadership, which has grown to some 260 followers).
• The World According To Our Children - Future Servant Leaders (This poem sums up my experience of my sons and expectations of why they will make the world a better place).
• Your Blog Can Predict Your Success Or Failure (I am one who believes in continuous learning - personal and professional development).
• America - Greatness In The Making (I have deep faith, hope and belief in the American people who I refer to as "The Faithful Majority" in one of my books - published in Kindle version and soon to be released in a print version.
• It Is Confirmed - Boomers Will Be Rolled Into Their Graves (I'm a boomer and love it and plan on living life to the fullest and leave a legacy of love and meaning that inspires future generations).
• Jimmy V - A Coaching Legacy Seeking Cancer Cures (I'm inspired by the lives and legacies of others).
• Authentic Legacy - Zig Zigler (One of the greats who has inspired me throughout my business career).
• I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart (Thank God I was reminded of this by one of my sons while he was struggling with understanding himself, his life purpose and what's next for him).
• Brain Research: Positive Attitude Improves Performance (Great to see that research is proving what the positive attitude community has always believed and their belief comes from Biblical teachings).
• A Lifetime of Servant Leadership and One Servant Leader's Legacy (Both of these blogs are my thoughts on the loss of my Mother-In-Law and a mentor).

Thanks for sharing some of your time with these blogs. May you have a tremendous and blessed 2014.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

A Quick Rant About Cancer

CANCER SUCKS! Literally, it sucks the life out of good people who do good for others. The many thoughts and emotions make it difficult to put into a single blog all that encompasses the extent of the uncertainty, the waiting, hurt, pain, anger, heartache, hope, faith, compassion, grace, mercy and love constantly in motion around a cancer victim, family, friends, healthcare providers and community.

Over the past few years, the list of those, in my personal life, with cancer gets longer. I'm sure you have a similar list and most likely even longer.

• Wife is a 4+ year survivor;
• Mother-in-Law just passed away from an aggressive cancer;
• 2 cousin-in-laws are survivors;
• Several cousins are survivors and a few deaths (big family);
• 2 uncle-in-laws passed away due to cancer;
• A few close friends are survivors and others have died;
• Numerous friends, business associates, extended family and friends of friends have similar experiences; and,
• The list gets longer by the day with the emails and calls to ask for prayers.

That's Life

It is easy to say, "That's life," and go on about one's day. We all know the death card has already been dealt. It's just a matter of time before it gets played. It's easy to remain above the fray and differentiate one's self from the process. There is the thought and hope this too shall pass. Sure, the game ends for one, but another game begins for someone else.

That's life and death, but who will you be in the midst of the game? Are you a fan, the announcer, facility staff, team, support staff, coach or star player? I've been all but the star player - thank you, God. 

Made Me A Better Man

Early in life, I stayed above the fray. With age and being active in meeting lots of people, illness and death on a chart begins to look like a hockey stick based upon number of people to years.

As this insidious cancer crept ever closer into the lives of close friends, family, then my wife and now Mother-in-Law; I chose to hurl myself into the game in ways I never imagined. 

The hurt, pain, tears and love are like waves approaching the shore. The waves never stop - some are ripples and others are tsunamis. I call these emowaves. Some wash over you from a brief memory and others roll you over and over like a tsunami. Bottom line - like the hockey stick - the people I know with cancer and have died because of cancer have made me a better man.

Not because of the cancer, but truly experiencing the light they are in the world and to those they care for and love. May I continually strive to put into words the greatness of those I have had the opportunity to know. This Mandela quote provides a bit of insight into the life lived by my Mother-in-law.

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously

give other people permission to do the same." 

                                          ~Nelson Mandela

Dedicated to JoJo, who lived life big and love for all, 

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Brain Research: Positive Attitude Improves Performance

Recent neuroimaging research has confirmed negative social-emotional responses interfere with developing positive thoughts, feelings and high cognitive performance. [link below to video] I realize many of you who are regular visitors are saying, "Like duh dude, everyone knows what you think is what you get."

Yet, why do so many people struggle with being more positive about life and why are so many people taking drugs for anxiety, depression and a variety of emotional/behavioral disorders? Academics, psychologists and scientists have continued to believe, profess and attack the positive attitude community as nothing but some pseudo-science with only anecdotal evidence and no definitive research. 

Neuroimaging Research Provides Proof

Up until just a few years ago, even the neuro-scientists believed the brain to be a static organ and could not generate new brain cells. It is now a fact the brain does continue to regenerate new brain cells throughout life. This is proven with neuroplasticity, which explores how, and in which ways the brain changes throughout life. This ongoing growth of new neural pathways and synapses, confirms, no matter the age, if we change the way we think, the brain can change it's structure, become more flexible and improve brain functions for better memory, attention, speed, and problem solving. If this were not so, then how is it possible for a twenty-something to grow and develop into a mature fifty-something?

Graduation - The Future Of Leadership Is Back

"Can you be the change you want to see in the world?"

~Mahatma Gandhi

Thank God for graduations. This is one of those seasons of life when we catch a glimpse of the future. Young men and women celebrating their achievements with family and friends and commencement addresses compel graduates to look into their future with faith, hope, love and dreams. Deepak Chopra has one of the more poignant addresses for 2013. (link below)

With heightened emotions, all are building expectations for the future with recently acquired knowledge that pales in comparison to the development of one's character and personal values empowered by faith, hope, love and dreams. These are the essential elements of being a sustainable leader. Gaining the knowledge, tested time and again, has resulted in a diploma that has become the cornerstone of one's future.

Everyone's diploma says all have learned the basics. There may be some minor differences in grade point averages, but what becomes more and more critically important to propel one forward into their desired future...

I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart (Just Do It)

This is dedicated to +Og Mandino, author and a great man, who has taught me and hundreds of millions to be better men and women.

Kudos to Jason Black, CEO of +Boundless Network, who gave the book "The Greatest Salesman In The World" to the 100+ sales professionals during an annual sales event. My wife, +Cindy Goldsberry, who helped Boundless grow from $1MM to $55MM in six years, was asked to read the second scroll entitled - I will greet this day with love in my heart. Jason knows what's really important for success and he knows how to leverage available resources to deliver a meaningful message. Way to go, Jason!

As Cindy shares this with me, I am inspired to pull my personal copy of the book off the shelf for four reasons: 

The World According To Our Children - Future Servant Leaders

This poem was originally written in 1996. My sons were 6 and 3. I had been on the internet for over a year. By 1996, the potential for the internet was being discussed and envisioned. While the realities of today are so very different than 1996, the essence of the hopes and dreams of many early internet users, I believe is just beginning to be realized.

Daily, I am reminded how the human condition remains much the same as it did before the proliferation of the internet across the planet. Human behaviors, desires and motivations are the same. The question to be asked is how will the internet continue to be leveraged for improving the impoverished human condition across the planet and in your own local community? Seeds of this potential are being revealed and witnessed today. What are you doing to release this potential to make a difference and leave your lasting legacy?

Will our children value and revere our leadership as we value and revere those leaders who have gone before us?

Are you an inspiration and encouragement for modeling servant leadership and motivating our children to be authentic servant leaders to achieve and exceed the dreams and visions of all humanity?

Just a few thoughts to add to your day.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

The World According To Our Children

© Alan W. Goldsberry (1996)

Through our children’s journey

     of their birth,
We witness the awesome power of life.

Through our children's voice,
     we hear the world's
Melodic, angelic symphony.

Through our children's touch
     we feel the
Miracle and magic of life.

Through our children's eyes,
     the world's illusions are
Unveiled - the reality difficult to ignore.

Through our children's senses,
     the sights, sounds and fragrance of
Nature's wonders halt the chaos.

Through our children's questions,
     our answers, filtered by their innocence,
Unmask our charades.

Through our children's minds,
     life's simple things
Are filled with awe and wonder.

Through our children's struggle
     to understand,
We desire the world to be a better place.

Through our children's accomplishments,
     we anticipate
Their contribution to humanity.

Through our children's laughter,
     we rejoice and bless
All that makes them unique.

Through our children's heart,
     love and peace for all humankind
Becomes a possibility.

Through our children's soul,
     the Spirit of God provides a
Glimpse of the way life is meant to be.

God, give me the wisdom and strength to
     respect and revere the children that exist around me
And, always remember the child within.

Fiscal Cliff and Mayan End of the World

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

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

How Will Your Legacy Make a Difference?

Who or what life experience made a significant difference for you? Maybe it is someone you know, a parent, teacher, minister, friend, mentor or someone you have read about or it could be a crucible life event. 

• What has been your process to deeply examine how this person or event has impacted your life? 
• How does this experience compel you to think about, seek out and act upon what you sense being called to do?
• With whom do you associate and what are your activities?
• Where are you serving others and what joy does this bring to your life?

These are just a few of the questions to answer on this journey toward the discovery and bringing forth your legacy. In a recent discussion with a young friend on this topic, they declared how they know their destiny, but that could be fifty or more years away. I encouraged them to begin living that legacy today. By doing so, I suspect their legacy will become much more than they ever imagined and impact many thousands more than ever hoped.

How will your legacy make a difference? What are the possibilities? Dreaming required.

Blessings to you for your journey and the difference it will make for those you may never know,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing