We may not reach perfection but we can definitely be EXCELLENT!

   It’s important for me to know what I’m talking about instead of using big words and looking silly because I don’t know the true meaning of the word. I know you’ve seen it, I’m talking about people who use words like Ludicrous, Blasphemy, Monotony, Rigmarole and Malarkey or even simple words like Ghetto, Gangsta, Ratchet, etc… People use these words all the time because they’ve heard someone else say it but they’ve never really took the time to look up the true definition of the word to even see if they even like the word or can relate to it. I do. Almost every day I hear someone use a word to describe me and the work that I do. Some days I’m "Nice", "Sweet," "Intriguing," "Creative," "Eccentric," "Attractive," "Sexy," "Kind," Empowering," or  "Direct" to name a few. I receive what has been said as a compliment but once I get to my car I’m on my phone looking up the definition to see if I really identify with that word because people have no clue what they are saying at times. All they know is that it made that last person smile.

     My hope for the world and the people surrounding me is that we are all striving for perfection. Striving for perfection means that we are consciously working towards becoming a better person every day, every hour, every minute with every situation that you are being tested with. We all know that the probability of us becoming perfect is ZERO. If you are anything like me you mess up, have word vomit daily and wish that there was a way to use white out on your life at times. We may not ever be perfect but I promise you that by now we have become EXCELLENT at what we do in life. The definition of excellent is “to be very good at what you do.” It’s time that we begin to own what we have been created to be and be excellent at it! Hairstylist, Make –Up artist, Nurse, Pharmacist, Manager, Customer Service Rep, Counselor, Friend, Mother, Father, Coworker,  Wife, Husband, whatever you do in life BE EXCELLENT at it!

     What’s the purpose of doing something every day at 45%? Motivate and prepare yourself to leave home on 80% at minimum daily. That means by the time you refuel your system with some delicious lunch you can tackle part two of your day on 100%. Being at 45% is a waste of unused positive energy and ain’t nobody got time for that! I heard a song on the radio the other day titled “I’m Different” and yes it’s catchy, yes it has a bouncing beat but it’s a kind of “Bottom of the Barrel” way to describe yourself. I don’t know about your genre but growing up being " different” was not a compliment, it was a sweet way to call someone an "invalid”(look it up) and now we have people walking around in circles chanting this song?! Again, I think the song is…. okay but imagine a world where music was played that motivated men and women to say that they are excellent and awesome. How much would a song like that inspire people to not only realize that they have been cut from a different cloth but that they are actually great at what they do? This would end up being a mantra or an affirmation to lift you higher and higher every day. Don’t just be a different kind of person be excellent at who you were created to be.

 Today tell yourself that you are EXCELLENT at what you do and most importantly EXCELLENT at who you have been created to become.

Are you working with your connections wisely?

          Isn’t it amazing how people surround you daily from all over the world? Different places, different faces and they all have a desire to get to know you! Welcoming people into your space can be challenging if you don’t know how to manage relationships. Being confident and secure in who you are as an individual helps when networking with people that you have not established a relationship with. I have realized that connecting and building a relationship with people from all walks of life can only be a WIN/WIN situation. You are who you are and only you have the power to change that. Once we accept our imperfections and our perfections (because we all have something that we do amazing well) it becomes much easier to approach people, shake hands, hug, and smile on a regular basis. All of these actions go into the category of “shining” and when you’re shining guess what?! You are attracting people to you! The brighter you shine a higher caliber of individual begins to place themselves in your circle and remain solid contacts. Celebrities were once average everyday people until they began letting people in to their world and managing their connections wisely.

                 Think of every new connection as a link. These links can be strong metal links on a rope link that can easily be cut. Solid relationships are normally the metal links, these people are your permanent connections whom you know are more than happy to give you a “yes” and assist you with your needs meanwhile the rope links might be temporary and very unstable. Rope links are easily recognizable because the level of instability is very recognizable. Rope link connections rarely provide a work with attitude because they are too busy with the dramatics of their everyday life to be responsive to pretty much anyone on time. They’ve decided to infiltrate your zone only to see what the hype is about you, which is not a bad thing. Rope Links serve as a validation check point for others who may be interested in knowing you but have cruel intentions. The biggest lesson that I have learned in life about relationships is that ALL relationships are good relationships. Some will probably stretch us to the limit but it will benefit our growth and maturity in more ways than one. While solid relationships will take us to the top. Other associates make us stronger every day. We all have a lane and we all design our lives the way that we want it to be. Use caution when visiting other peoples world because It might be pretty stormy on their side, however don’t hesitate to invite them into the sunshine of your life.

Smile & Make an A!

Why Your Smile Will Always Buy You A YES!

Someone once said a smile is the sexiest curve on the body. What would you do if you knew that your smile might just be the end of ever hearing the word no again?  Have you ever started laughing and felt really good while you enjoyed that laughing moment? Smiling has been known to boost our immune system and release endorphins that make us feel good!  A simple full smile uses less muscles than a straight face or a frown, a smile will make your day more optimistic and create an upward spiral for your happiness and joy. It’s impossible for you to smile at someone and not receive a smile back unless the person that you are smiling at is intentionally trying to win the “butt whole of the day” award.

Smiling can also be an open door to levels of trust between you, your peers or even someone new. It’s hard to trust a “fast talker” because it seems that they are trying trick us by quickly piling a lot of information on us with hopes that we just might miss something. Meanwhile, a smiling face or even a smiling voice over the phone is calming, convincing, and trustworthy.  I don’t know about you but I personally feel more at ease if I am visiting the doctor and the nurse has great energy and a bright smile. It’s a double bonus if the nurse is a male with great energy and a bright smile * wink *

Smiling is magnetic. I smile at strangers, babies, friendly pets and even the people that stand on the side of the street waving and turning their advertisement signs to make a couple of dollars. I’m actually smiling while writing this article and guess what? I probably just made you smile too. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the word no. My smile has been my moneymaker, not because I’ve spent years wearing braces because I have not, it’s because my smile is genuine. When I smile I mean it. I’m not a “grinner” because I was taught that some people could receive grinning offensively but there is no mistaking a beautiful smile. It’s impossible for you to not feel the energy or feel the aura behind a genuine smile.

Today I have a challenge for you. It’s not a dare or a double dare. It’s actually a physical challenge! I challenge you to a battle of smiles! Try smiling and attracting positive energy your way for the rest of the day. I can’t promise you that somebody will not try to turn your smile upside down because someone might. However, I can promise that you have the power to control what you do and how you communicate to others and if you have successfully finished this article you have officially accepted the physical challenge! Go on… SMILE!

How to maintain your shining light at work

  Working with others on a regular basis can be quite a task not only as a Christian but generally speaking emotions are at an all time high between the hours of 9-5. Kingdom minded individuals have a presence about them that comes with an expectation of joy, peace, flexibility, and kindness when it comes to working with others. Every leader has a particular leadership style that is innate. However, I have learned in my studies that the behaviors, attitudes or methods of delivery that is effective for one co worker may be counterproductive for another. It’s times like this when we need turn our light up a notch and communicate and behave in ways that are motivational and inspiring.

Here are a few suggestions that will make you illuminate while working with others and help you maintain a level of peace.

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        Honesty. Always do the honest thing, the RIGHT thing. Don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Pause, take a breath and ask yourself “What would Jesus do?” Honesty always makes employees feel like they know where they stand with you at all times.

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        Discernment.  Gut feelings should never be mistaken for fear.  Kingdom people have the ability to accurately perceive really well. Tap into your God given power and perform with purpose and authority.

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          Respect.  Don’t play the favorites game. Treat all people no matter what station in life, what class or what rank in the organizational chart. Don’t forget Kingdom people are magnetic and everyone deserves a kiss of spiritual sunshine

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         Compassion. Yes, you have to care. This day and age estrogen levels are just as high as testosterone levels in the workplace. Even though we all try and check our emotions at the door Satan never clocks out.  Be patient, be kind, ask if everything is okay and yes become a giver and receiver.

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         Praise. There is POWER in your praise. I’m not only speaking about your praise and worship for the most high but your praise for your peers.  Whenever someone on your team has an accomplishment or you see someone trying to increase their work ethic praise them. Praise them with an email to the team, privately, or with a special gift letting them know how proud you are of them. Don’t be afraid to show gratitude, and appreciation. Remember that blessings flow, if your peers are being blessed guess what?! Yours is on the way!

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         Empower. True leaders always make the people around them feel more bold and powerful. Speak a word of power into the lives of your peers. Say things like “I know you can do this”, “I believe in your passion” “You seem like someone who wants the best!”

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        Confidence. Hold your position. If you don’t believe in yourself no one else will.  Yes, I know I know there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance. The reality is that people want to know what you know for sure and … what you don’t. Having the confidence and humility to say “I don’t know but I can find out for you” is a powerful skill

      

        Edify. Don’t be afraid to help and train others on what makes you successful. Remember “What God has for is for you!” No one can take away your gift that God has given to you. People may try to duplicate what you do but don’t worry the impact will never be the same.

      

       Fearless. Don’t be afraid to think out of the box and speak up about your creative ideas. Your superior will have delight in knowing that you are engaged in what is going on at work and that you have actually formulated thoughts and opinions on how to push the team into another level of success!

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       Passion. If you are passionate about what you do between the hours of 9-5 coming to work will never be a challenge but always a pleasure and an opportunity to learn something new.

Hopefully you noticed that ALL of these Kingdom traits involve direct COMMUNICATION. The most important thing that we can ever do in life is speak up! People want to connect with you, they want to hear what kind of things you have to say, they want to trust you. Sometimes you don’t have the time to graciously get to know someone and make your peers see how valuable you are. Reach out, initiate conversation, embrace office communication and relationship building. Your shining light just might be the closest thing to Jesus that your peers come in contact with

Leaving your workplace with Grace

    You’ve done it! You’ve made the decision to move forward to what destiny has next for you and your career. You are excited! As a matter of fact you might just be elated at the fact that one chapter of your life is closed and a new one is about to begin however, there are some people who will not be as happy as you are. Not because they are upset with you but because they truly loved being around you and enjoyed the fresh breathe of air that you bring when you enter into a room. When you leave people will miss you and they will be sad to see you go. In order to try to alleviate some of the emotions that may take place upon your departure here are a few ways to make your last two weeks an enjoyable and optimistic success.

Always give your employer notice that you are leaving. Sending an email with your last date of attendance is a courtesy but why not take it one step further? Take a trip down to your manager’s office and discuss your departure. This conversation does not have to reveal where you are going or why. All that your manager needs to know is that you are very happy; you appreciate everything that you have learned and when your last day in the office will be.

 Write out your accomplishments. During this meeting it would be a great time to list everything that you have contributed to the team. All success and implementations are worth mentioning during this conversation, your current boss may need to have this information nearby when working on your recommendation letter.

Be thankful! Have an attitude of gratitude and show it. Sometimes emotions may get the best of people during your last couple of days. Take this time to write thank you cards to your coworkers thanking them for all of their help and the memories that you all shared. Don’t forget to leave them with your contact information such as your phone number, social networking information and most importantly your LinkedIn information. The best part about connecting with your coworkers on LinkedIn is that they can write you an online recommendation that is posted directly to your profile after you approve it.

Recommend someone for your current position. If you know of someone that would be great at doing what you used to do, say so! Let your manager know who you believe is strong enough to fill your shoes. It also would be nice to let the coworker that you are recommending know as well. You may believe in them a little bit more than they believe in themselves so make sure beforehand that they are ready

 Start packing early! Start putting your things together and take them out to your car in small trips daily. I’ve always thought “The white box” was a bit of a dramatic scene and unnecessary. Bring in a large shoulder bag and use your last two weeks to gradually remove your things. Tuck everything in your bag so that it isn’t eye catching. There is no need to have offline conversations about anything.

Lastly, Don’t mentally check out.  You have decided to give your job two weeks of your time so stick to your word. Complete any unfinished business; email your relationships to let them know whom you will be passing the torch to and finish your last couple of days being appreciated for everything that you’ve done.

Going to the next level in life can be exciting for you and a very delicate subject for others so be compassionate and remain as positive as possible. Try your best not to let your excitement come off as dismissive, condescending, or sarcastic. Stay humble and very appreciative. Bring in a cake or cupcakes with balloons so that everyone can celebrate your departure. Have fun, smile and rejoice! The best phase of your life is getting ready to happen and there is absolutely no need for you to go out in a blaze of glory when you can leave your workplace with grace.~J.Keys