Are you a “Hi-Po” or

... a“hippo”?

Last year, I attended the first ever Catalyst Canada Conference and it was a wonderful event – I sure thank God for the privilege of being there. I received many “nudges” and nuggets – I’ll share a few.

During one session, one of the moderators used the contraction “hi-po” (meaning “high potential”) – that was my first time of hearing that coinage. Well, the immediate opposite that came to mind was “hippo” so I decided to write on it – now I need to make it all stick…

Who needs you most?

I read a rather interesting article "Why Women still can't have it all" - it was even recommended by a senior male leader and one I recommend every woman reads:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2012/07/why-women-still-can-8217-t-have-it-all/9020/ 

I was opportuned to hear from the author of the article Anne-Marie Slaughter directly on Fareed Zakaria's show titled: Tough Decisions. I was really pleased that this made the list of tough decisions. Apparently, her article was the most read article in The Atlantic's 150-year history. Upon hearing that, the first thing that said to me is that everyone is out to see and learn from other people's real life experiences – we’re all drawn to authentic people.

Very many things in the article stuck me - too many to recount...the main one being the title of this post.

Mrs. Slaughter acknowledged that being the first woman Director of Policy Planning at the State Department hence a close aide to Secretary Hilary Clinton was a "foreign-policy dream job" and the career she'd always wanted. Unlike a number of professional women, she was clear on what she wanted; she was also honest in realizing the needs in her life. So when she considered her family and her career, she had to make a tough decision between need and want.

The Chickeagle...

Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested.

The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below.

The chickens knew that the must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the Eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds."

The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

The moral of the story:

You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.

- Author Unknown

Whatever you do in life, never become a "chickeagle." The only way to excel in life is to know and be who you are created to be - you have been equipped and empowered to excel...so spread your wings & soar.

Having vs. Giving Value

There is a lot of literature and talk about adding value and being valuable - especially in the professional space.

I found 3 quotes that I'd encourage you to hold on to - as I plan to continue doing - in both professional and personal settings:

The value you add comes from the values you hold. ~ Anonymous

You are recognized for the value you add not the values you possess.

~ Bishop David Oyedepo

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. ~ Albert Einstein

In summary,

the more value you add,

the more valuable you become

and that in itself is success...

Empowered to "walk" and excel

Welcome again to 2013...

I really enjoy reading what others - especially those who have excelled - have said.

I pray these words (mainly from women) empower you to " rise up, walk" and excel this year.  Here are 7 quotes that caught my attention (comments in purple font, mine):

  

I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.                          

~ Mary Wollstonecraft

If you don’t like being a doormat then get off the floor.    

~ Al-Anon

One thing that gets to me about us women is that some of us believe that we are, and behave like, victims. I believe that some of us actually behave like "doormats" and so we're treated as such. The fact of life is that - it's all up to you, so get up.  Some of us spend more time talking, or even complaining, about what we need to do to get ahead in life. Much talk and no "walk" is of little to no value...

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. ~ Mark Twain

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. ~ Amelia Earhart

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.

~ Elisabeth Kubüler-Ross

It's really about making each day count - not counting the days...

One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go. ~ Sheila Murray Bethel

Then do the most courageous thing: get up and go...

The more we see ourselves as a vibrant, successful, inspiring person who boldly declares and manifests her vision, the more we become just that.

~ Kristi Bowman

With 350 days to go, there is so much you can aspire to and actually achieve this year. Like Jesus said: "Rise up and walk..."

...the power to excel is within you.

Are you ready for success?

Last year, I watched part of the 2012 Oscars Academy Award ceremony. It was interesting that most of the Oscar winners had prepared their acceptance speeches which means that as nominees they had each come ready for success and that struck me. Beside the fact that it was a great example of "thinking before you speak" especially in public, it reflected a level of optimism on their part. Optimism is a great virtue to have because:

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

~Helen Keller

“Optimism is essential to achievement

and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”

~ Nicholas Murray Butler

Now this is not to say that achieving your dreams/heart desires will be easy but it can be eased by your perspective. Are you an optimist - ready and working for success or a pessimist - working for survival? I like the way 2 prominent men defined both perspectives:

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;

an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

~Winston Churchill

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities

and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.

~ Harry Truman

It has been said in so many ways by so many people that:

“Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity” ~ Henry Hartman

As we start this brand new year, are you prepared or ready for success?

Wishing you and yours the very best in this year.

Booster or Burster?

Do you know that what you believe (or even don't believe) can boost or burst your dreams? Indeed it can -  which is why you need to know and be sure about what you believe and especially Who you believe in.