Leadership Solutions

Walking Through Pain

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I'm better now.

But in 2018 I hurt: My legs hurt, my hips hurt, my back hurt.

Doctors told me this was caused by arthritis and pinched nerves in my back.

In late January 2019, I decided to try walking. So I downloaded the Pedometer++ app for my iPhone.

Then I set a daily goal of 7,500 steps.

And now came the critical part: Go for a walk.

So I put on my walking shoes, stepped out the front door, and closed the door.

That left one choice: Start walking.

I limped to the sidewalk. And then stopped.

The pain was so bad that I stood there for minutes, wondering if I should give up and go back in the house.

But a voice deep inside, shouted, "Keep going."

So I began walking (limping, actually).

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Step by painful step.

After about ten minutes the pain began to subside a little.

And I finished the walk.

Then I went for a walk the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.

Update: As of Sept. 15, 2019, I have met that goal of walking at least 7,500 steps every day for 233 consecutive days.

I walked in the house while it was raining. I walked up and down the hallway in a hotel. I even walked 7,500 steps while riding Amtrak. Yes, I walked back and forth on the train while it was chugging along.

Now, I'm about 80% pain free.

I hope you realize there's more to this story than overcoming pain.

This shows the power of:

1) Setting a goal for a specific, realistic action that you can control.

2) Supporting that goal with a means of keeping score.

3) Taking the first step.

4) Being persistent and creative in overcoming obstacles.

Consider: What single step can you take today toward an achievement?

Success Tip: Courageous Question

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This impressed me.

I was shopping at Lowes.

When I told an employee that I was pleased with the service, he pointed to a woman standing at the end of the aisle and said, "Tell my boss."

So I introduced myself and described my positive experience.

And she responded by asking, "What can we do better?"

Imagine this: She asked for feedback.

I told her that I admire her courage asking for what might be criticism.

And yet, that is how good leaders gain ideas that lead to improvements.

Consider: Do you ask for feedback (i.e., criticism)? Do you make it safe for others to provide feedback? Do you thank people for their feedback?

The Guy Who Needs to Read This Won't See It

I saved a man's life yesterday.

I was driving home after speaking at a meeting. It was late and it was dark.

Suddenly a man on a motorcycle raced by me.

He was going faster than 100 miles per hour. Much faster.

This is scary because I did not know he was there until I heard him roar by. And I check my rear view mirror every few seconds.

Fortunately, I was driving steadily, staying in my lane.

If I had made any sudden move, he'd be dead.

So by being a safe driver I saved his life.

The point is: He was going faster than a person's time window of perception.

Do the math.

He was going over 150 feet per second. In the seconds that pass between glances in my rear view mirror, he goes from being out of sight to being in front of me.

By doing that, he's depending upon other drivers for his safety.

You can help.

Share this blog with others.

It's possible that he might read this.

There's another point here: Driving fast wastes gas. Driving really fast, wastes a lot of gas. 

That can waste hundreds of dollars each month.

If your money is important, here's an article that shows easy, practical ways to Save Money on Gas. And yes, driving safely is one of them.

How to Post Comments That Work

We have finally found imortality.

While this might not apply to our bodies, it does apply to our comments.

The comments that you leave on blogs will last forever, maybe longer.

These comments also tell a lot about you. If you plan to be a respected member of a social media system, the impression that you leave can matter. After all, who helps a jerk?

Here are simple guidlines:

1) Be positive.

Find something good to note, and write about that. Otherwise, leave nothing.

2) Be brief.

Use as few words as possible, unless, of course, you're offering praise.

3) Be careful.

Proof read your comment before pressing Submit. Make sure that you included all the words that you intended. And fix any typos.

4) Be creative.

Find a different insight to instruct, entertain, or inform.

5) Be honest.

Never leave spam. It can result in being banned from leaving more comments.

6) Be authenic.

Use your real name. If you're afraid to tell who you are, log off.

Call NBC

How did this make you feel?

If you've been watching the Olympics on NBC, you must have seen at least two occasions of this.

An American athlete lost a competition. And soon after, an NBC announcer shoved a microphone in the person's face with the question, "How are you feeling right now?"

This is heartless. Cruel. Mean.

Sunday night, one of the athletes was crying. Did she need to be asked how she felt on National TV?

So what could the announcers do?

Perhaps they could say, "On behalf of the American public, we're proud of you. You showed the effort of a champion. It's an inspiration to us all. Thank you."

I think people need space and compassion after a tragedy.

If you agree, let NBC know.

Here's the comment page on their web site.

http://www.nbc.com/contact/general

I just sent them a comment.

If enough people complain about this, maybe they'll change.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Best Way to Earn PDUs

Here is the best, easiest way to earn PDUs that maintain your PMP or PgMP certification.

How?

Sign up for The PDU Podcast

Then you can earn PDU's while you commute! Or work out. Or whatever.

I can recommend this because I've known Cornelius for a long time.

First, he is an outstanding project manager (i.e., he really knows project management).

And second, his material is absolutley the very best. It works.

I've participated in two of his programs. So I've seen how he works, how he builds value and perfection into every program.

All you have to do is download the The PDU Podcast webinars to your portable player, listen while you drive, and then claim your PDUs!

What could be easier?

So start now. Put your recertification on autopilot with The PDU Podcast. Click here to begin.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Help Endangered Birds

Birds have an important message for us.

This message affects birds. And of course, it affects us in every dimension of our lives.

This matters for leaders because there are elements in this message that affect major decisions about your business.

The sooner you know about them, the sooner you can begin making changes.

Read about it here: Endangered Birds

Much success,

Steve Kaye
Nature Photographer

Steve Kaye's Articles

How to Respond to a Heckler in Your Audience

Hecklers can ruin a presentation. They distract the speaker and they upset the mood that the speaker wants to create.

Your response to a heckler depends upon many things, such as frequency & type of heckling, size of the audience, and the audience's reaction.

It's also complicated because if you try to counterattack (e.g., insult the heckler), the audience will leave you. This happens because people expect leaders to demonstrate exceptional levels of courtesy, control, and restraint.

At the same time, you must stop the heckler. The audience expects you to fix problems, such as maintaining order during your talk. So, here are some options, in order of increasing severity.

1) Make the person's comment part of your talk or use it as a transition to your next point. If possible, use humor. This may discourage more remarks.

2) If the heckler continues with silly nonsense, tell the audience, "I'm sure some of you have great ideas about this topic. And I'd like you to save them for after I finish."

3) If the heckler is stating complaints or disagreements, then tell the audience, "I'm sure some of you have other views on this. Please save them for after I finish. I'd welcome the opportunity to talk about them later."

4) Stop speaking, go to the heckler, and say privately, "Your remarks are making it hard for me to concentrate (or upsetting people in the audience). I want you to stop. Will you do that?" Then go back onstage and continue.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

PS Want to know more? Here's an article on Business Presentations.

New Year's Resolutions for Meetings

Here are six New Year's Resolutions that will lead to better meetings.

1) Write the goal for a meeting before preparing the agenda.

2) Check if a meeting is the best process to achieve the goal. (If yes, then schedule a meeting.)

3) Prepare an agenda.

4) Distribute the agenda before the meeting, allowing attendees enough time to prepare.

5) Call (as in phone) key participants to check if: a) They have had time to prepare, and b) They plan to attend.

6) Arrive early so that you can greet the attendees as they arrive.

Next Step: Apply these steps to your next meeting.

Much success,

Steve Kaye Speaker,

Meeting Facilitator, and Author

Want to know more? See: Hold Better Meetings

The Best Gift That You Can Give

Here it is:

The gift that everyone wants.

    Appreciation.

Give this wrapped as thanks, acknowledgment, and praise.

Next Step: Show appreciation every day of the year.