Three months later...

...and 40 pounds lighter, I ran the Cowtown Half-Marathon on Sunday. "Ran" isn't quite the right word. More like "jogged impressively."

I finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 20 minutes. Glad I did it and I might try a full marathon in a couple of months. Right now, I know more kinds of pain than Eskimos have words for "snow."

Cleansing Technique

Boy, do I feel light!

A little over a month ago, I was suffering through all the symptoms of overworking, overeating, and overindulging. It seemed a little counter-intuitive that I was struggling with a book that had to do with long-term success and value statements when my own values were losing a grip on my long-term vision. That's when the cleanse happened.

My wife and I went on a master cleanse program known as the "Lemonade Diet." Basically, all you "eat" for 10 days is a drink made up of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, grade B organic maple syrup, purified water and cayenne pepper. Couple that with a morning saline flush and a cup of herbal laxative tea before bed every day and Roto Rooter couldn't do a better job of getting rid of the goop. (Check the diet out for yourself HERE.)

But I didn't stop there. I decided to do a master cleanse on my life. Cleaned out the bookshelves, the garage and the closet. Wiped out all the old email and purged my laptop of unnecessary files. Got rid of everything that was clogging up my chances for success.

Lesson learned. You can't talk about a life-changing theory when you're breaking all the advice you want others to follow.

Now, I'm ready to roll. I've lost 20 pounds, have all kinds of room in my house, and best of all, I feel totally prepared to work on my long-overdue projects. Wish me luck.

The Parable of the Treadmill

Funny thing happened at the health club this morning...the power went out. Everything was humming along, people straining through workouts, TV monitors glowing, treadmills and Stairmasters and ellipticals keeping a steady, muscular beat.

And then, suddenly, BLIP. Power gone.

I was just starting my 20 minute struggle with an elliptical machine when the club went dark. Suddenly, everyone who was running on the treadmills came to a screeching, violent stop. One woman who was tearing up her treadmill at an elite distance runner's pace fell down. The belts were silent.

Over on the ellipticals, though, it was business as usual. In the darkness before dawn, everyone who was relying on their own power was still working out, LED's still glowing, charting our progress while the rest of the health club was standing around.

It struck me that there's a lesson here. Not that you should avoid treadmills...but that if you're counting on someone or something else to provide your momentum, you run the risk of unexpected failure. When you're providing your own momentum, if you stop it's because you choose to stop.

Just Another Maxim Monday

Lots of pithy sayings and quotable quotes to pass along today...

Don't give up the thing you want the most for the thing you want right now.

There's a big difference between "success" and "significance." Ask yourself--do you rather be successful or significant?

You can't be a success at what you do if you're a failure at who you are.

There's never a time limit for any problem worth solving.

Motivation is the art of getting people to do things they already SHOULD do. Inspiration is the art of getting people to do things they didn't know they COULD do.

Swinging The Big Axe

My wife works as a creative arts producer for our church and her boss (our worship leader) just announced that he'll be leaving later this year to start up another church. He's a very talented guy who has tremendous vision but has trouble with follow-through. Which is why my wife is the perfect assistant for him--Sally is the most organized person on the planet.

We were talking Sunday about his move up on the leadership ladder and he recalled the first time he had ever been evaluated for a prominent position. The senior pastor at his old church pointed out to him that he needed to work on handling details better, to which our worship leader said, "I guess I like to swing a big axe."

Here's my reponse to him and something any "visionary" leader should keep in mind:
If you're going to be walking through the woods swinging the big axe, you had better know who's going to be stacking the wood behind you.

Resolve To Serve

Wondering what you as the leader of your organization can do better this year? Why not resolve to serve your customers with the respect and attention they deserve?

A majority of companies lack a commitment to customers and a continuing poor understanding of the value of customers. A survey conducted by the Strativity Group uncovered these results:
-- 54 percent of senior executives admit they do not deserve their customers' loyalty.
-- 87 percent of execs don't know their average annual customer value.
-- 67 percent agree that their execs do not meet frequently with customers.
-- Only 33 percent say that they have the tools and authority to serve their customers.

The average consumer will probably show more loyalty to the businesses that show them more loyalty. The organizations who make a consistent and passionate effort to show their customers how much they appreciate them will be the ones who thrive, not just survive.

The L Factor

I'm a political junkie. I watch all the cable shows. Read the daily blogs. Named my dog C-SPAN. :-) I won't ever join the fray because I know just how much of a bloody business it is and even the most honest politician has some dirty birds clucking in the bushes.

So as I'm watching the tremendous groundswell of support that Barack Obama (D) and Mike Huckabee (R) are enjoying lately, I keep hearing this phrase used as the reason:
"It's his likeability factor."

I couldn't agree more. If our society obsesses over celebrity, it's only natural that our leaders would be chosen more for their personal appeal than for their experience or position papers. A friend who works for a prominent pollster told me that their research shows that "Hillary will never be elected President--most people secretly don't want to look at that face or hear that voice every day for four years?!?"

Nothing can justify a superficial decision-making process...but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. The truth is that is happens all too often. My belief is that if you're aspiring to a leadership position in any field, you need to be aware of your own "likeability factor."

Tim Sanders has a terrific book on the subject (which isn't exactly a revelation: people who are well liked are more apt to get what they want out of life than those who are disliked.) However, according to Amazon.com, Sanders does offer a valuable look at the four personality traits he says contribute to a person's likability—namely, friendliness, relevance (do you connect on interests or needs?), empathy and "realness" (genuineness or authenticity).

Check it out HERE. It's a Puzzle Principle trait worth focusing on.

The Moment of Truth

Have you seen an advertisement on Fox for their new prime-time game show, The Moment of Truth? According to a casting notice on the Internet, "Contestants who are up for the challenge are hooked up to a lie detector and asked 21 increasingly personal and delicate questions. If a player answers all 21 honestly, as determined by the polygraph, he or she could win $500,000."

(Check out the trailer HERE.)

You can guess what all the buzz will be about--a contestant is strapped to a polygraph and in front of his family, friends, and 20 million strangers admits to stealing from his children's piggy bank...or says she's secretly attracted to her husband's best friend...or tells the world that he hired a hit man to take out dear ol' Grandma for the inheritance.

Even more gut-wrenching is the fact that there's a button where the contestant’s friends and family sit that they can use once during the game to “rescue” the player from a difficult question. Except, according to executive producer Mike Darnell, the friends and family never seem to use the button for its intended purpose. When one contestant was asked if she would be more attracted to her husband if he lost 20 pounds—which is considered a relatively easy query—her husband lunged for the button.

Darnell told the press, gleefully, “This is the first game show where you technically know all the questions and you know all the answers...and yet this is the hardest game show I’ve ever been a part of in my entire life.”

Why? Because the only reason a game about scruples is entertaining...is simply because the players have none.

This is the exact reason why I came up with The Puzzle Principle. When your set of core values is so solid and so accountable that it provides a morally-impregnable solution to each and every scenario your life or career is confronted with, the answers are easy. And, more important, above reproach.

When the "Moment of Truth" appears in your life--how easy will the answer be?

Too Much Menu, Not Enough Plate

Forgive me, friends, for I have sinned--it's been over eight months since I last blogged. Not the kind of track record that leads to success.

My excuse is honest, if not creative. After taking the Managing Director job at the Sacramento Theatre Company in April 2007, I found there was just a little too much housekeeping needed to clean up the place, and on top of my consulting duties and a joyful season as PA announcer for the Sacramento River Cats, I had to let something go.

Until now.

There have been some amazing things I've learned about leadership, non-profit management, personnel issues, and communication that will not only help provide significant material for this blog but will also fill up the pages of a book I know you'll want to read.

If I ever get around to it. :-)

TBIF

Saw this post on Marc Orchant's blog on the website ZDNet and couldn't wait to share it with all the other positive people I know:

There's never been a better, more succinct statement of a fulfilling week of work that this morning's acronym form Doc Searls: TBIF - Too Bad It's Friday. Love it.

This is my last day of a busy and fruitful week at the Berkman Center. (I fly home early tomorrow.) There's progress and fun with every meeting, phone call and IM session. I'm here early this morning, freshly fueled by a double cappuccino from Peet's, to prep for a 9am meeting that will pick up where our Wednesday VRM & Public Media workshop left off.

Like Doc, I'm fortunate to have gotten my life to a place where I genuinely enjoy most everything I'm engaged in doing. That's not to say there aren't days that suck because of course there are. But when you can get to Friday and say "TBIF", you know you have gotten into a true flow state.

(I agree with Marc...that's one of the best descriptions of a fulfilling career I've ever read!)

I. Must. Be. Nuts

Sorry that I haven't posted this month until today...but I've been working 27 hours a day managing three careers.

The reason? I just accepted the position of Managing Director for the Sacramento Theatre Company, an exicting opportiunity which will allow me to utlilze many of the theories and practices I've been writing about over the past 18 months. It also gives me more freedom to travel for my consulting and speaking practice, MARKtalks, Inc.

The bad news? I felt it was important enough to honor my commitment at the radio station to agree to continue my morning show until they find a replacement. That will probably last until the end of April. Soooo......

I get up at 3 in the morning, on the air until 9, head down to the theater until 2pm, and after I pick up the kids at school, I make consulting and coaching phone calls until dinner. (I also just started back with the Sacramento River Cats as their baseball stadium announcer last night.)

I. Must. Be. Nuts.

The good news? I'm doing what I adore. And the 3-a-days will be over soon. Until then, thank you for your patience and understanding. Speaking of which, my March newsletter will arrive this weekend. :-)

MC Rove

Sometimes it pays to be silly. Even when you're the top advisor to the most powerful man in the world. Check out Karl Rove at the Radio and Television Correspondents Association annual dinner and roast HERE. (Caution--white men dancing. Hide the children...)

When you're in a high-pressure job where everyone seems to be taking shots at you, it's good to let loose and show everyone--especially your critics--that you have a sense of humor. Even if you don't have a sense of rhythm.

A Man With A Toothache

Life gets rough sometimes. Especially at work. Your boss gets mad, you miss a deadline, you lose a big account, or worst of all, you get fired. Studies show that:

• 40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful
• Three fourths of employees believe that workers have more on-the-job stress than a generation ago
• 26 percent of workers said they were "often or very often burned out or stressed by their work"
• Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or family problems.

No wonder that absenteeism is at an all-time high. So what's the solution? I think it's all in your perspective.

Sigmund Freud once said, "A man with a toothache cannot be in love." He meant that people tend to obsess over minor problems to the detriment of the more important things in life. A little attitude adjustment could go a long way toward fixing the problem. Dan Miller at 48Days.com has some terrific advice to help you ignore that "toothache"--

Make additional deposits of success in your physical well-being. The energy and creativity that can come from a sharp mind and body can generate the very ideas you need at this time. Organize a pot-luck with a group of your friends – you’ll be surprised how many of them are going through a similar experience and providing one dish will cost you no more than eating your own meal. Pick up a great book to read. If you read only 10 minutes a day you can read a new book a month – and that can transform your insight and preparation for new options. Stay connected spiritually. You’ll realize that in the scope of eternity, this event is probably a tiny spot on the timeline.

(I once got fired from a radio station where I had worked as a morning DJ for over 10 years...and the minute the GM broke the bad news to me, I drove home, kissed my wife and played on the floor with my 2 year-old son. Talk about perspective! )

It reminds me of a joke--these two brain surgeons were preparing for emergency surgery and one of the doctors was concerned about the prospects for success. The other doctor patted his peer on the back and said, "Don't worry...I mean, after all, it's not radio, it's just brain surgery." Again, perspective.

Your life cannot be broken without your permission. Find a way to triumph.

Can I Get A Witness?

One of the most important things you can have is an accountability partner--someone you trust and respect who loves you but doesn't have a problem telling you when you're off track. Most successful people have accountability partners and it's an invaluable asset. And it can make you a better speaker.

Have that trusted friend (or professional advisor) stop by a practice session or witness your presentation...and ask them to give you a constructive critique. What worked and what didn't and why. Things they heard the audience say afterwards. (It's great to have a friend hanging around, overhearing conversations about your performance. My wife loves to go to my shows and anonymously hear people complimenting my stuff!)

That witness can help you smooth out the rough spots and, better yet, praise you for the things that shine in your speech. You'll find your performance will improve dramatically!

Always Prepare To Over-Prepare

A great tip from professional coach Rick Frishman:

Being interviewed is giving a performance. For most of us, it's not something that we are accustomed to and the very thought can make us catatonic. If you know your stuff, the uneasiness usually dissipates as soon as the first words are out and the answers start to flow.

Before the interview, determine what you want to say. Prepare five main points to work into every interview. Also have three to four subpoints under each of the five main categories, because you never know how long an interview will run. The second step is to strengthen those points with anecdotes, jokes, and statistics so that they are more memorable and entertaining. The third step is to listen to the interviewer's questions carefully and take control of the interview. Always be prepared for the unexpected, and get help from media coaches. Lastly, appear natural, spontaneous and unrehearsed, which takes lots of practice.

That's the formula for success in any interview situation!

Savvy Schwartzenegger

Say what you want about his politics, but you can't deny that Arnold Schwartzenegger is a pretty smart cookie what it comes to working the media. Yesterday, he handled his latest controversy with perfect strategy and style.

Tuesday, the Governator called talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh "irrelevant," prompting the conservative Republican icon to accuse the governor of selling out his principles. Rush responded by calling Arnold a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and accused the governor of abandoning his conservative supporters.

Now, a politician has a number of options when he or she gets attacked by the media--none of them good. Ignore the comments and they become the "truth." Hold your own presser and try to refute the attacks--but then it turns into a ping-pong match you can't win.

Or you can do what Arnold did. Ask for an interview with the person who called you out. A risky proposition, because it usually backfires and you're left looking more ridiculous than before...unless you're a polished performer like Schwartzenegger. (Read the transcript HERE.)

He greeted Rush Limbaugh in a friendly, jovial manner, established they were old stogie-smokin' buddies--and then proceeded to dominate the conversation! Didn't let El Rushbo get a moment to respond. In fact, after the interview, Rush joked to his listeners:

Perhaps one of the reasons for Governor Schwarzenegger's sharp turn to the left under the guise of compromise has been owing to the ideology of his wife Maria. But after this interview, I'm not sure Maria gets a word in edgewise in their house. Governor Schwarzenegger obviously learned English and he hasn't stopped talking since!

The Governator's strategy was brilliant. Confront the media on their turf. Try it the next time you're under fire...but only if you're prepared to dominate the conversation.

What's Your Time Worth?

So...you never have enough time to work out. The house is a mess because you're rushing from appointment to appointment. You can't finish that book you've always wanted to write because there's so much going on in your life. You're just. Too. Busy. Right?

Wrong. You'd be surprised to find out how much time you really have to do the things you really want. I found a terrific site on FineLiving.com called Take Back Your Time that actually lets you calculate where you spend all that time every week. Then go to What's Your Time Worth? for lots of practical (and maybe a little pricey) personal services that help you find that extra time you've been dreaming about.

Now. You'll have time to lose weight--20 minutes x 4 days a week = 5 pounds a month. Hiring a cleaning service wipes away the guilt and gives you 9 hours a week to organize that hectic schedule. And about that book? Zig Ziglar writes a book a year, just by writing about a page and a half a day. Takes him around 45 minutes.

You can do all that. It just takes a little time.

Nailing That Job Interview

My career track will changing soon. Because I nailed the interview. I mean, flat out hit every pitch out of the park. Not many things are better than knowing you handled a job interview with style and substance, and walking out feeling the love in that board room.

Presentation skills are not limited to the platform. In fact, the close-quarter combat that typifies most job interviews requires a similar amount of research, preparation, and practice. So before you head into your next interview, here are some things to have ready:

• Research. Doesn't matter if it's Microsoft or McDonalds, it really impresses the interviewer if you know all about the company's history, its products and services, and its customers. If you have Internet access, there's no excuse for not doing your homework.


• Preparation. You know that you're the right person for the gig--but why? The moment you know you're getting an interview, start preparing your answers to questions like, "What are your strengths...and why are they important to this organization?", "Which career decision do you wish you could take back?", and most important, "Why do you want this job?" Develop a compelling answer to that question and the job is as good as yours.


• Be Positive. Don't talk negatively about any previous job experience, especially about your old boss and what a loser he was. If you're openly complaining about your last job, chances are you'll be complaining about your new gig soon enough.


• Dress For Success. Yes, I know, it sounds trite. And I know you really, really feel like your freedom of expression is being censored because you can't wear a kilt to the interview. But trust me, the business world is not a democracy. Think of it as a benevolent dictatorship. So unless you find in your research that the company wants rugged individuals with wild fashion taste (and there are those companies out there,) please wear something appropriate.

Job interviews don't have to feel like the corporate version of the Bataan Death March--in fact, they can be thrilling IF you've prepped and presented correctly. (Good luck!)

Passing The "Who Cares?" Test

My favorite radio consultant, Mike McVay, was famous for going over my air check tapes and saying after every break, "So....does this pass the 'Who Cares' test?" He meant for me to determine, every time I cracked the mike, whether I was about to talk about something the listener really wanted to hear or was it just something that I was interested in. That philosophy has helped me become a successful morning radio personality.

But it's also helped my speaking career...because the first thing I do before I even start developing a topic is take the "Who Cares?" test. Who'll want to learn more about this subject? Why should my audience be interested in this particular story? Is this something that only I care about--or is a shared experience that will resonate with a large number of people?

It's a great litmus test, even if you're required to speak about a certain topic. For instance, one of my clients asked me for help in developing a presentation on mortgage lending. (You're already rubbing down the goosebumps, I can tell.) I asked him why that topic was so important. He said too many customers get pushed into deals they'll never be able to afford and it was his mission to convince the industry that its strategy should be to help customers achieve their financial goals without get-rich-quick gimmicks.

The topic we came up with was "Do The Right Thing-Creating A Lifetime of Customers By Helping Them Create A Lifetime of Wealth!" It turned out to be the best-attended session of his industry's conference.

Take the "Who Cares?" test every time you make a presentation and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the response when you choose a topic everyone likes rather than try to persuade people to enjoy something only you might like.

Stop Setting Goals!

It's frustrating to see the passion for goal-setting that continues to pervade the advice that management consultants are handing out these days. "Set challenging goals!" "Focus on your dream!" "Chart a course for success!"

Don't get me wrong. I love setting goals. I'm King of the To-Do List. But the problem I have is that too many people get caught up in the "what' and "how"...and they never ask "WHY?" Why do I need this? Why is this goal so important?

It all goes back to The Puzzle Principle--How To Create Long-Term Success In A Short-Term World. Whether you hear my speech or take my seminar, you discover that all the personal and professional goals in the world mean nothing without a clear sense of what the "Big Picture" looks like and why you want it to look like that.

Focus and direction are worthless without the values to support them. That's a success philosophy you can bank on.