Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Motivation

The One Person You Deserve to Cherish

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The One Person You Deserve to Cherish You’d never dream of hurting the ones you love, so why treat yourself like an exception? You’re someone’s loved one, too. You deserve the same kindness you so freely give others.

  • Treat yourself with care. If you wouldn’t hurt someone you love, don’t do it to yourself.
  • Stop the self-criticism. When you’re harsh on yourself, remember you’d never say those things to a loved one.
  • Own your whole self. Embrace your flaws, your complexity, your mess. Live boldly, unapologetically.

Let go of the negativity. Build your confidence. Live freely, as your true self.

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People Do What You Inspect, Not What You Expect

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People Do What You Inspect, Not What You Expect Expectations alone won’t cut it. Without active monitoring, goals quickly go off the rails. In the restaurant business, setting food quality standards without inspection is like leaving the door wide open for trouble. Left to their own devices, staff will cut corners, skip steps, and serve subpar meals, leading to under-cooked food and neglected health standards.

Without oversight, people do just enough to stay out of hot water. Worse, if they think no one’s watching, unethical shortcuts slip through the cracks.

Inspection shows you’re serious, holding people accountable and keeping them on track. It drives performance, prevents complacency, and shuts down any funny business.

Idea for Impact: What gets inspected, gets done.

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Five Questions to Spark Your Career Move

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Five Questions to Spark Your Career Move There are numerous compelling reasons to consider switching jobs. Factors such as work-life balance, economic pressures, family relocations, company downsizing, or a desire for a change can all influence your decision. However, these motivations often stem from circumstances rather than personal feelings, leading to less uncertainty than the deeper reasons we’ll explore later in this article.

We naturally resist change, even when dissatisfaction looms large, which can make leaving an uninspiring job difficult. Yet, a career switch can sometimes be the best choice for your well-being. Here are some essential questions to guide your decision-making process:

  1. Are you mentally stimulated in your job? If your work has become repetitive and unchallenging, you may be experiencing “rust-out.” Seek opportunities that engage your mind and rekindle your passion for your role.
  2. Do you feel valued in your workplace? Job satisfaction often hinges on recognition from your manager and colleagues. Feeling undervalued can lead to burnout and disengagement, making a positive work environment essential for motivation.
  3. Are you performing at your best, or merely coasting? If your work feels effortless and routine, you might be underperforming. Addressing frustrations in your current role could be easier than starting anew with fresh challenges.
  4. Where do you envision your future? Reflect on whether there are specific roles or industries you’ve hesitated to explore. Understanding your long-term goals can clarify if you’re on the right path toward achieving your aspirations.
  5. Are you settling for a job that misaligns with your values? If your current position doesn’t reflect your self-worth or personal beliefs, it may be time to seek opportunities that resonate more with what truly matters to you.

Idea for Impact: Before quitting out of frustration, consider giving your employer a chance to address your concerns. Identify the core issue: is it the job itself, your boss, a coworker, or the company culture? Even if your supervisor can’t resolve everything, sharing your thoughts may spark positive changes. If improvements don’t materialize, shift your focus to moving forward rather than assigning blame.

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Conquer That Initial Friction

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Conquer That Initial Friction Getting started is often the hardest part of anything truly worth doing.

Whether it’s hitting the gym, penning that elusive article, or pitching to a client, the trick is just to dive in.

Next time you find yourself procrastinating, tackle it with a tiny action. Slip on those sneakers for your workout, jot down that opening line for your article, or draft a snappy email subject line for your pitch.

Once you push past that initial friction and get over that first hump, you’ll find some momentum and likely get your task done.

Here’s to taking that first leap!

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Some Worry is Useful

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Some Worry is Useful - What Action Can You Take Now Worry can often feel overwhelming, but it usually serves a purpose. Some anxious thoughts can help you prepare, avoid surprises, and motivate action. To manage your worry effectively, ask yourself, “How is my worry helpful?” and “When does it become unproductive?”

Train yourself to differentiate between productive and unproductive thoughts. For instance, when preparing for a significant work presentation, channel your worry into action. Focus on researching your topic, creating slides, and practicing your delivery. This productive worry acts as your to-do list. In contrast, if you find yourself fretting about job loss, unproductive thoughts like “What if I can’t find a new job?” may arise. Instead of spiraling, take action—update your resume and start networking. If you’re worried about a family gathering, thoughts like “What if everyone argues?” distract you from what you can control. Instead, plan activities that foster conversation.

Idea for Impact: When worry strikes, ask, “Can I take action today?” If the answer is yes, get to work. Tackling your worries directly helps alleviate anxiety.

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An Effective Question to Help Feel the Success Now

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An Effective Question to Help Feel the Success Now Bestselling author Tim Ferriss is known for his unconventional take on productivity and personal growth. He urges his audience to ask bold, thought-provoking questions—timeless wisdom in modern form.

One of his popular questions is: “If you had to accomplish your 10-year goals in six months, what would you do differently?” This challenge cuts through procrastination, forcing quick decisions and encouraging immediate action.

It drives you to focus on what truly matters, bringing clarity and pushing you beyond your comfort zone. It’s a mindset shift toward efficiency and innovation.

Idea for Impact: Don’t wait to fast-track your future. Ask the question, sharpen your focus, and make real progress now.

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How to … Kickstart Your Day with Focus & Set a Daily Highlight to Stay on Track

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How to ... Kickstart Your Day with Focus & Set a Daily Highlight to Stay on Track Take a few minutes, whether it’s 10 or 30, after rolling out of bed to start your day intentionally. Ground yourself in what you want to achieve. In those moments, practice a little mindfulness—tuning in to your body and mind without rushing to fix anything.

Even a brief check-in with yourself can help you notice what’s going on internally, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Maybe your mind feels foggy or sharp, your body tense or relaxed. Just observe it all without judgment. When you do this, you’re practicing discipline by acknowledging your inner states without reacting. Are you tense? Excited? Your mind is like a clear, still pond, reflecting everything that passes without clinging to it.

This creates a space between you and your thoughts or emotions, allowing you to see them as fleeting sensations rather than who you are. This kind of awareness keeps you focused, without getting derailed by every little feeling that pops up.

Next, choose a “daily highlight”—a single priority for your day. As John Zeratsky and Jake Knapp say in Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day (2018,) picking one focus gives you clarity, helping you stay true to your intention. It can be urgent, important, or simply something that brings joy.

Idea for Impact: Start your day with a calm, clear mindset, understanding that it’s your choices—not your impulses—that shape your experience. As the day unfolds, take intentional moments to check in with yourself and adjust where needed. This practice of mindful discipline keeps you centered, enabling you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively to the challenges and distractions of modern life.

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Ready to Pay Forward the Future You?

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Pay Forward the Future You - Delay Gratification My fitness coach always kicks off each session with, “Are you ready to do the hard things now and pay forward the man you’ll become?” It’s his way of reminding me that every day is a chance to invest in my future self.

Healthy eating and regular training pay off slowly, so it’s easy to lose motivation. Unlike quick fixes, long-term goals need patience and delayed gratification, which can be tough. It’s tempting to slack off when there are no immediate consequences.

Idea for Impact: Visualize success. Imagine how amazing you’ll feel in the future. Stick to the plan.

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The Motivational Force of Hating to Lose

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The Motivational Force of Hating to Lose Success isn’t always driven by our love for winning; at times, it’s our aversion to losing that truly powers us. This ‘hating to lose’ mentality can be a remarkable motivator and educator, surpassing the pull of victory.

Think of it in this light: the fear of losing can act as the spark that ignites an unyielding determination, compelling teams to work harder, instill discipline, and persevere through life’s most formidable challenges. Over time, this tireless effort solidifies their unwavering focus on their objectives, even when faced with the harshest trials.

Idea for Impact: While the allure of victory undeniably exerts a magnetic pull, it’s the dread of defeat that complements it, injecting urgency and tenacity into your team’s endeavors.

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Frontline Creativity: Small Ideas, Big Impact

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Empowering Frontline Workers: Unleashing the Power of Small Creative Ideas Frontline workers are right in the thick of it all—they’re the ones with their finger on the pulse. They see firsthand what’s working smoothly and what’s not, acting like customer whisperers, understanding exactly what people want and where things are going wrong.

But often, they keep quiet about what they observe. Can you blame them? Their to-do lists are endless—they’re racing against deadlines, handling customer frustrations, navigating strict policies and guidelines, and juggling a mountain of requirements. They barely have a spare minute to address the root issues.

Speaking up feels like walking on eggshells. They fear causing a fuss or feeling like their voice won’t count.

Listen to Your Frontline Heroes; They Know What’s Up

As a leader, you can change the game by opening up lines of communication with your frontline team. Spend some time in the trenches. Dedicate an hour each week or an afternoon each month, depending on the chaos, and gather everyone for brainstorming sessions. What are the major issues you need to tackle in your operations? How can you collectively solve them, and how can you ensure those changes stick?

Foster an environment that celebrates quirky, out-of-the-box ideas. Provide people with the time and resources they need to tweak their work and bring their ideas to life. And involve everyone in the process. Remember, real change takes time—sometimes months. But it’s worth the wait. Most companies lack patience, but those that do usually thrive at the grassroots level.

Idea for Impact: Frontline Feedback Drives Real Change

Companies must rethink how they perceive frontline employees. Sure, processes and technology can handle a lot, and automating processes can save heaps of money. But frontline workers are the lifeblood of the company—they’re the ones who truly connect with customers. They represent your brand. Don’t underestimate their insights. Treat them as the problem-solvers and brand ambassadors they are, and give them a voice in the mix.

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