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David Guerra’s Daily Challenge for Wednesday February 1, 2017

IT’S A NEW MONTH, LET’S REEVALUATE THE MISSION, CHECK OUR JOURNEY SO FAR, AND RESET / CHANGE THE COURSE IF WE HAVE TO.

What does that all mean?

It means to take this time, right here, right now! We have our resolutions for the new year. Yeah, how did they work out for you? I know, right out the window! Is there something you still want to accomplish for the year? Are you reading the books you wanted to read? Are you on track to read 10 books this year or 12 books, one book a month or two books a month or whatever?

Let’s get back on those resolutions, you want to lose that those three pounds a month? Did you lose three pounds this month and if you didn’t then get back on track. That does not mean you lose six but it means get back on track and if three is too many for you then set yourself up to lose two or one.

Re-evaluate what we have to do and what you are doing. Re-evaluate everything you need to do you.

Are you back in school? Are you studying the way you need to be studying? If so, good job! Stay the course but if you need to change and alter the course now is the time to do it! There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

What is wrong is when you decide you’re going to quit that’s not what this is about! This journey is an every day. Let’s alter that course, make the course corrections. Ship’s captains do it all the time. Aircraft do it all the time.

Have you ever looked up in the sky and seen the little contrails up there? Every once in while you see them turn just a bit, that is because they make those mid-flight course corrections because they recognize they are off-course and they do what they need to do to get back on course and you should too!

Take the time now to check your mission status, check your journey’s progress to make sure you are going where you want to go and adjust the course if you have to.

——

What do you think about today’s Daily Challenge? Let me know by email dave@daveguerra.com or on Twitter: @daveguerra

Thank you,
David Guerra

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It’s Time To Be Clear And Concise

Happy New Year!

A New Calendar, A New Way of Thinking, and most certainly, A New Way of DOING!

Too many people, I mean way too many people for one reason of another refuse to be clear and concise in any communication they use. However, it all begins with the face-to-face conversation. For whatever reason, people have trouble communicating face to face. This then carries over to other forms of communication with voice-to-voice a very close second place.

This indirect activity creates a feeling that the speaker believes everyone within the sound of his voice can also read his mind and is 100% in tune with what he (or she) is trying to say. However, with this mindset, the speaker will fail 100% of the time.

When a speaker starts to hint at things and sends mixed messages the listeners become lost and unfocused. At that point, the speaker has lost his place and getting it back is a trick not even the greatest magicians could accomplish.

When the speaker hints at things or sends the mixed messages, they also fail to get to the point as quickly as possible. Again, failing to get to the point will result in not getting what you want or are asking for.

When the time comes and it is your turn to speak be careful to avoid being so vague that nobody will ever understand what you want or asking for. Failing to be clear and concise will lead you to fall short of your desired goal. So step up your game and start clearly and concisely vocalizing what you want or where you stand.

A word of warning is careful that you do not come across as abrupt, unfriendly, arrogant or rude. Just say what you feel and while it may be difficult at first you will find that right balance. That is why you must work every day, every single day, on conveying that clear and concise message. Do that vocally. Remember, the number one culprit is face-to-face communication. Practice. Practice because that is the only way to become clear and concise. You have to work on it. If you are not constantly practicing and working on being clear and concise and just doing it every once in a while you are going to get stuck at hinting at things and sending mix mixed messages and avoid getting to the point as quickly as possible.

That my friends is not a good thing. Get to work!

 

 

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on AUTHENTICITY by David Guerra

Dave on Authenticity

What is AUTHENTICITY? Great question. Sometimes, we have to stop and think about this. Are we truly authentic or are we just going through the motions? To be authentic, we should be asking that question all the time. As we ask that question, all the time, then it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, we are more than likely answering honestly. Otherwise, why bother? I mean, you will only be fooling yourself.

Now to answer the question of what is AUTHENTICITY?

Authenticity is about as real as you can get. It is the true definition of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). Anything less, is not authentic. Of course, everyone has different standards on what authenticity is and how they interpret it. Be aware and remain cognizant of that fact, otherwise you will greatly disappointed when others do not think, behave, or act like you. That is all right, being different and unique is part of being authentic, so expect that.

Now there will be times when interacting with others that you will be told to “keep it real” do not take it too personally. Remember what I wrote about everyone have different perspectives. However, you should check yourself to ensure you remove any “fluff” that may have crept in during the dialogue, monologue, or any exchange of information. The best advice here is to get to the heart of the matter as soon as possible without pulling any punches.

Remember, you are a leader and as a leader you are expected to remain authentic 100% of the time. You cannot be a part time leader. Please do not ever think you can half-ass your way into becoming a leader, let alone an authentic leader. You have to commit all the time, non-stop, you have to be a leader with a mindset something like General George S. Patton described when he said, “We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” Meaning, that there is no time to waste, know who you lead and then do it.

Being authentic when it comes to being a leader means you have what it takes to be that leader. To be the leader that has demonstrated that his or her values and beliefs are on display every time the leader does something. This is critical, in that people are watching. As people are always watching and that means, clearly, the leader must be the example.

To be the example, you have to take time to “keep yourself real”. As a human being, you have to take the time to stay grounded. Grounded in the reality that is the here and now. By staying grounded and keeping yourself real, you can only get better. Remember you can always get better but never perfect. Talk about staying grounded.

While taking the time to stay grounded is excellent, on the other side neglecting to take the time means that you can stop being your true self. This is where the need to impress others with smoke and mirrors creeps in and settles before you know it. Once the need to impress others has settled in, getting out of it may be one of the most difficult things you, as a leader, can do. The smoke, mirrors, bells, and whistles can be pretty seductive and the need for it to continue can be overwhelming. Remember, a flash in the pan is not what we need in leaders. Leading is what we need. Leading is what everyone wants and deserves.

Authenticity can go wrong when you continue to sell what has been sold. One starts to question what is going on. Minimizing the questions means there is less smoke, less mirrors and less vagueness in what is going on. As a leader, being transparent will cut down the questions. Being open ensures that others are not led down a wrong path or question why they are following you. That is not a good thing.

To be authentic, stay open, remain transparent and above all be yourself.

–David Guerra

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