Authenticity, Ethics, and Integrity in Business

May 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

I was once in business with a man who had a habit of saying, “It’s business,” as a way of justifying his actions. It’s as if he had a different set of values for his business and personal life. As far as he was concerned, it was okay to do things one would never consider in their personal life, as long as it was in the name of “business.” Needless to say, our partnership didn’t continue past that point.

If you want to be happier and more productive in your life, be authentic. Don’t do something in your business that would not be acceptable in your personal life. Do not treat people differently at work than you do at home.

This should be obvious but, looking at the way some people act in the world of commerce, it’s clear it’s not.

steel-stacks

Bethlehem Steel Stacks, Bethlehem, PA. This is a monument to remember what was once a great American company.

We have corporate executives ordering their subordinates to do things that are unethical and, at times, even illegal. All in the name of “business.”

We’ve seen companies “cook the books” to portray a better image to the investment community, as though it’s acceptable to lie and cheat as long as it’s in the best interest of the company.

Pharmceutical companies, fined for making false claims about their products, write it off as part of the cost of doing business.

This type of behavior is wrong. A second grader can tell you that.

And it violates not only man’s laws but God’s laws and the laws of the Universe. Eventually, this type of behavior will result in failure. The law of Cause and Effect ensures it. Who remembers Enron?

This is not acceptable. It never was and it never will be. The end result of this type of behavior can only be eventual failure, as evidence by the number of companies in ruin and former executives in jail.

What can you do to avoid getting caught up in this?

For starters, make sure the company you own, work for, or want to work for is an upstanding, ethical organization. If not you may want to go elsewhere. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re being asked to do something that compromises your integrity and goes against your values, don’t do it.

Your own integrity is all you really have to guide you. Compromise that and you’ll regret it sooner or later. You may not go to jail; you may not even be found out, but the guilt you will carry around as a result of selling out will weigh you down for a very long time.

Instead, make sure you are clear about your values and know what drives your behavior. Once you know what you stand for and what is important to you, you’re better able to determine which actions are appropriate and which are not.

You are a unified being whether at home with your family or in a negotiation for a “big deal”

Treat everyone you meet with the same caring and honesty you would demonstrate if you were dealing with a family member and you’ll see your success soar.

How do you stay true to yourself? We’d love to hear from you. Please post your comments.

 

 

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Mother’s Day and the Power of Reading

May 10, 2013 — Leave a comment

As we approach Mother’s Day here in the US I was reflecting on my own mother, who passed in 200. Among the many gifts she gave me, the one that I believe has been the most valuable is her taking the time to teach me how to read. Once a person has that, an entire world opens up to them, providing, of course, they use that gift.

mothers day -power to readIf your mother taught you to read, go and thank her. She gave you one of life’s most valuable gifts and ensured your future.

If you’re the mother of young children please do what you can to get them interested in reading and, if they’re young enough, teach them how to read.

Young mothers and mothers-to-be may want to read the book “How to Teach Your Baby to Read.” Yes, young babies can learn to read well before they can speak.

My own mother taught me to read when I was four. It’s a skill that’s served me quite well throughout my life. By the time I started school I already knew how to read, write, spell and do arithmetic.

When I bought my first computer I bought books for each of the software programs I was using and taught myself desktop publishing, photo editing, and, later, web development programs. At one point in the late 90’s I was a freelance trainer at a leading Philadelphia computer school even though I had never taken a computer class.

I was able to accomplish this and more because my mother taught me to read.

Possessing the power to read coupled with the Internet and a way to access it, any person can learn anything they want or need to know in today’s world.

Books on every subject imaginable are readily available, usually with immediate delivery in digital form.

University classes, available through Apple’s iTunes and other services are readily available, often for low or no fee.

Personal Development, Business, and Lifestyle courses are available from sites like Udemy.com in the U.S. and (coming in june) LearnersHive.com in Singapore. There, in addition to my own video training, you can learn a myriad of subjects from your own home.

Can you read your way to a better job?

Ask my nephew, Jim, who, while working in an entry level tech job, read the Microsoft Certification books during his commute on the bus to and from work. This enabled him to become of greater value to his company and, as he continued reading and learning new skills, has risen to the position of Senior Vice President in a major Financial institution.

All of this, including his beautiful wife and terrific kids along with his lifestyle, were made possible because he was taught to read by his mother, my sister Debbie.

Of course the rest of the credit goes to him. To say I’m quite proud of him is a great understatement. He rocks!

The greatest gift I’ve received as a result of reading is what I learned from all the personal development books I was able to absorb. The ideas in those literally changed my life.

I was able to go from the very bottom of the socio-economic scale, barely surviving, feeling hopeless, to the life I know I am meant to live.

The very reason I do the work I do is because of a desire to share what I’ve learned from the hundreds of books I’ve read, audio’s I’ve listened to and seminars I’ve attended.

Studying personal development has enabled me to create my ideal life and it keeps getting better. Sure I have goals but I am so grateful for the life I lead.

Mostly I’m grateful to be doing the work I’ve been guided to do. My greatest thrill is when I hear from someone who has used the ideas I share and changed their own life.

But the amazing thing is, this all began with my Mother teaching me to read. Thank you Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day to you and Mothers everywhere. You are more special than you’ll ever know.

By the way, if you want to give a gift that will really make a difference in someone’s life, give the Kindle edition of the book that started it all for me and my first international bestseller, Handbook to a Happier Life

 

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Staying Safe in Public

April 19, 2013 — 2 Comments

In light of the recent tragedy in Boston and similar events throughout the world, it’s obvious that only so much can be done to protect people, so what can you and I do to keep out of harms way? In particular, what can we do to ensure our safety at public events?

Let’s face it, all the security in the world will not stop some out-of-control nut-case from trying to inflict their particular brand of insanity on innocent people.

Government agencies and Law Enforcement are doing their best, and I applaud them for it, but no amount of security can guarantee our safety in a world where a radicals who commit acts of terror exist.

Staying SafeSo what can we, as individuals, do to protect ourselves and our families? How can we still enjoy going to public events without being afraid?

For starters, learn to pay attention to your own “internal guidance.”

Throughout my life I have always had the ability to sense trouble before it happened. It may have been developed as a defense mechanism, to survive the rowdy places I played in with my band and, later, frequented during my dark years. I’ve also been told that accomplished martial artists have learned to develop this “sixth sense.”

I do know that it’s something that’s in all of us and, as we learn to pay attention to those uncomfortable feelings we get in a situation and act on our intuition, we can avoid many potential dangers.

Utilize the power of prayer

I also know we can ask for, and receive, help from the Heavens but we need to ask. “Ask and you shall receive.” Matthew 7:7

One of the practices I use is, before I leave home, I say a little prayer and ask for and visualize a protective shield of Divine light to be placed around, me, my family, our home, and cars and to protect me wherever my travels take me.

It’s a matter of raising my attention toward a higher plane so that I am vibrationally and energetically in a higher, more positive, state.

I believe this explains why some people manage to survive horrible tragedies unscathed, while others are not so fortunate. If I am to take responsibility for my life and everything in it, and I do, then I must accept the fact that there are no accidents.

If you follow the principles of the law of attraction and other Universal laws, you’ll realize that you cannot attract into your experience anything you are not a vibrational match to.

Following this line of thought, it also reasons that, if you are in a high, positive vibrational state, you will not attract negative experiences.

This is one of the reasons I avoid the news as much as possible. I get my news online so I can choose what I see and pay attention to. I don’t need to be brainwashed with horrid images of people being killed, played back over and over by a news media interested in little more than ratings.

Following the events of September 11th, we were subjected to constant video of planes crashing into buildings. The result? School children were hiding under their desks in fear.

Note to news media: You need to hold yourself to a higher standard.

Something else I’ve always done and something that has kept me safe in some dangerous situations is, I trust my instincts. As I said above, we have an internal guidance system that alerts us of danger.

It’s that uncomfortable feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, just below your rib cage. Many people refer to it as their “gut instinct” or “gut feeling.”

According to the Chakras, the subtle energy centers in our body as taught in Hinduism and Buddhism, that region located just below the rib cage is the 3rd Chakra, is the center of our emotions and associated with the color yellow.

If you talk with people who have been mugged, you will hear how they felt something was wrong but for whatever reason, did not heed their internal message. Instead they remained in a dangerous situation.

For example, if you’re in an elevator and someone gets in who causes you to feel uncomfortable, for whatever reason, get out! Never remain in a situation that feels wrong or dangerous.

Trusting your emotional guidance, which by the way, operates thousands of times faster than your intellect, can warn you of impending danger ahead of time.

Teach your children

Teaching your children to trust their instincts is one of the best things you can do to help keep them safe. Young children in particular are already in touch with their feelings and know when something’s not right. You just need to teach them to honor that feeling and act accordingly.

Can I guarantee nothing bad will ever happen to you? Of course not but I know from my own experience that paying attention to our intuitive messages, staying positive in any situation, and saying a prayer for protection from above will help.

I can’t prevent the next tragedy from happening but I can keep my own energy and personal vibration high and pay attention to my emotional guidance. When I sense that there’s eminent danger I follow my instincts.

I pray that you consider adopting these and similar ideas for yourself and your loved ones and may God keep you safe.

One day human beings will learn to live in peace but until that day arrives, protecting your safety and that of your family is your own affair.

 

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Smiley Faces, Dollar Bills, and Making Dreams Come True

April 5, 2013 — 2 Comments

I was having coffee the other day near my home. As I was paying with my debit card, I asked Julie, the young woman behind the counter, if she could make change for a twenty dollar bill. I wanted to leave a tip but only had the twenty. Before you ask, no, I’m not leaving a $20 tip for a cup of coffee and muffin.

I explained to Julie that the only single I had was the one with the smiley faces on it that I keep in my wallet. One day, a number of years ago, my wife Georgia observed that I wasn’t having enough fun with money and handed me a dollar bill with little smiley faces stuck all over it.

Smiley Faces on Dollar bill

It was a very good idea on Georgia’s part since every time I’ve opened my wallet since then, I’ve seen the dollar bill and smiley faces looking back at me. It’s been a great reminder over many years to lighten up and enjoy my life.

Jokingly I told Julie that I used to carry a $100 bill in my wallet. (it’s been replaced with a debit card – priceless:-)

She suggested that perhaps I need to put smiley faces on a hundred and carry it with me. Cool idea. I’ll let you know what develops from that.

Teachers are everywhere if you’re paying attention. Thanks Julie.

Little things like smiley faces on dollar bills and pictures of the car you want posted on your mirror, will not in themselves bring you what you desire, but they serve as terrific mental triggers to keep your dreams and desires forefront in your mind and provide clear instructions to your sub-conscious mind as to what you want.

Remember, your sub-conscious will act on whatever instruction you give it, however, it will not distinguish between what you say you want and what you say you don’t want. It will not act on the reverse of an idea any more than if I were to ask you to “not think of a pink elephant.” It won’t work.

Your sub-conscious takes everything you say, think and feel – literally – which is why you want to only think, speak, and put your attention on that which you want to experience more of in your life.

It’s why you want to talk about health, rather than illness; abundance rather than lack; and love rather than hate. As a matter of fact, if you perform Applied Kiensiology (muscle testing) on someone who has repeated the phrase, “I hate _____” a few times in a row, they will test weaker than they did before. Doing the opposite, repeating a sentence with positive words, like love, will strengthen the person.

Words have power and the words you speak into your life have the power to add to or detract from your experience.

If you want to enjoy a happier and more fulfilling life, be selective in what and who you listen to and even more selective in what you tell yourself.

One of the most powerful things you can say (affirm) for yourself is, “I am steadily becoming the person I was born to be.” Use this or something similar as your personal “mantra” and watch your life improve.

If you’re experiencing financial challenges, try this one from my colleague, David Neagle, “I always have more than enough money.”

I like this one a lot because it is clear and clean. It doesn’t have any negative association or fixed number attached to it while, at the same time, it affirms you always have “more than enough,” which is just fine with me.

Use these and other positive affirmations, dream boards, and other tools to maintain a positive attitude and keep your life on track.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” Proverbs 18:21.

 

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It’s a quarter past 2013. Do you know where you are?

March 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

Yes, the title above is  take-off on an old TV public service message that asked, “It’s ten o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” I know, I’m dating myself:-)

Seriously though, it’s the end of the first quarter. Are you on track to reach your yearly goals?

Happy Spring

Let’s face it, the clock is ticking. Here we are already one quarter of the way into the new year. It seems like only yesterday when we were all posting new year’s greetings. Here in Eastern Pennsylvania we still have patches of snow hanging around but Spring weather is coming, or so they tell me.

Since the weather is not something I can do much about, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, however, my life and business is something I have control over and I do pay close attention to what’s happening in those areas.

Personally, I’m having a fantastic 2013.

I have two new books under contract, both with prestige publishers. The first of these, It’s Your Life,  will be released in September of this year and the other, Happy@Work, in Fall of 2014. You’ll be hearing more about them as we get closer to their publication dates.

I’ve just launched my new online video course “Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life,” and I’ve joined what I believe is an incredible opportunity to spread personal development information to even more people, helping change lives. And we’ve added an additional income stream in the process. You can learn more about that here.

My recognition as a speaker is growing and I’m being hired to speak to more companies. My new seminar, Happy@Work helps people reduce stress and overwhelm while increasing productivity and personal satisfaction at work and in their personal lives. With all the pressures people feel at work these days, this is my way of doing what I can to help.

On the personal side, my health steadily improves and I’ve managed to commit to working out at the gym two days a week so far. My friend and health role model, Jim Sutton, says I need to do more but I have to begin somewhere. It’s great he works out six days a week and is in amazing shape but, I have to start with a program I’ll stick with. Going into April, I’ll increase my gym visits to three a week.

At home my wife, Georgia, is doing great. She has been recognized by her company, CHANEL, as one of their top Makeup Artists and will be profiled in Elle Magazine sometime in the fall. I’m always proud of her accomplishments. Truth be known, she’s really the talent in the family.

Himalayan cat, BentleyOur aging Himalayan cat, Bentley, is holding his own even with his kidney issues. He gets fluids three times a week and his values are holding steady. It amazes me how our pets just tug at our heartstrings. Bentley is surely a member of our family and it’s difficult to see him not well.

What about you?

  • Are you steadily progressing in the direction of your dreams?
  • Are you taking the, seemingly small, actions that will, over time, produce giant leaps?
  • Are you examining your business or career for ways to improve?
  • Do you have a coach?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “If you’re in your own business and do not have a coach, you’re leaving money on the table.” It’s that simple.

Robert Nardelli, former CEO of Home Depot is quoted as having said that “Unless someone is coached, they’ll never know their true potential.” I’ll second that.

Without a coach by your side you will most likely continue to do the things you’ve always done and, as we all know, continue to get the results you’ve been getting.

Is this really what you want?

I’m guessing its not. The fact that you’re reading this tells me you want more from your life. If that’s accurate, get a coach.

I’m not suggesting you have to hire me to work with you but that you work with someone you feel can help you get where you want to go. If you’re experiencing challenges in your personal life, get a life coach. If you need help with your business, make sure your coach also has experience helping businesses.

There is no such thing as a “self-made success.” Becoming more successful is a team activity. We all need help and a support network.

One of the reasons I’ve become better known as a speaker and trainer is the result of the work I’ve been doing with my coach, Art (Ski) Swiatkowski. Not only has he been a tremendous asset to my continued success but a supportive and valued friend for many years.

I urge you to work with a coach or mentor, especially for your business. If you’re struggling and simply cannot afford coaching, reach out to someone you know, like and trust, and explore trading coaching and support with each other until you can afford someone professionally trained specifically to coach business people.

Your life truly is a work of art in progress and you deserve to experience the best life has to offer.

I wish you and your family a Happy Easter and Joyous Passover if you celebrate these holidays.

And may you continue to create the life you were born to live.

Blessings,
Jim

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