Ross Reck's Blogs

You Might As Well Embrace Change Because It's Going To Happen Anyway

It's truly amazing how many people resent even the smallest of changes.  You hear them whining around and saying things like: "I just got settled into a comfortable routine and then this change came along and ruined it.  I wish things would just stay as they are."  The problem with this attitude is that change is inevitable--you can't stop it.  So, you might as well get used to it and learn to embrace it.  To say that you don't want change is to admit you don't want to grow--that you're will to sit back and let life pass you by.  As a result, you wind up missing out on many of the wonderful and exciting things that life has to offer.  That's a huge price to pay for the shallow and fleeting comfort of a routine.  So, lighten up and give change a chance.  You'll find your life will be a lot more fun and interesting when you do. - RossReck.com

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An Example Of An Effective Manager

I would like to share an excerpt from an email I received from a recent seminar participant about a highly successful manager:

"I have been reading the manuscript of your new book Instant Turnaround!  The concept is so simple, yet it's amazing how most people do not understand it or have time for it--not even in their own families!  It reminds me of a super effective manager I once had.  Daily he would visit as many people in our department as he could with a never empty cup of coffee.  He would sit with the person he was visiting for up to 15 or 20 minutes exchanging information about himself and listening to obtain information from the worker.  This created a very happy workforce and everyone went more than the extra mile necessary to accomplish their work.  Needless to say, this manager was sorely missed when he was promoted." - RossReck.com

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Happiness Is A Journey, Not A Destination

The biggest lie on the planet is: When I get what I want, I'll be happy.  This implies that happiness is a state that can be arrived at and that it can be achieved by focusing only on one's self.  In reality, the opposite is true.  You can only achieve true happiness by making others happy.  For example, think of those times when you wanted something really badly and finally got it.  It may have made you feel happy for a day, a week, or a month, but eventually the novelty wore off and it was back to business as usual.  Now think of those times when you did something that made someone else happy.  You felt very happy as a result and each time you recall one of these incidents, you feel happy all over again.  This means that happiness is a journey and the more that journey is filled with incidents where you make other people happy, the happier your life is going to be.  - RossReck.com

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Many People Have Forgotten What It Takes To Have Fun

Recent studies have shown that many people are happier and more fulfilled in their offices than they are in their own homes.  One possible explanation for this is that at work we are surrounded by other people as a matter of course--and people are a necessary ingredient for fun.  At home we are not surrounded by other people, we have to take action to make this happen.  When you do, you'll find that something magical happens when you bring a group of friends or loved ones together--all kinds of positive energy gets released, people have smiles on their faces and there's lots of laughter.  In addition, when the occasion is over, your burden seems lighter, you feel happier and you have another fond memory to look back on.  So take the initiative.  Make those phone calls, spiff up the house or back yard and bring a few people together just to enjoy each other's company.  It takes very little work, but it puts a whole lot more fun into your life. - RossReck.com

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Carrying A Grudge Is A Very Costly Activity

People who carry grudges don't seem to understand the high personal costs they suffer as a result.  First, people who carry grudges are less healthy and see their doctor far more often than those who forgive.  In addition, they suffer more stress, anxiety and depression.  Second, they send a very clear message to those around them that they are self-centered, not a team player and very immature.  As a result, they are far less successful because no one wants to help them.  Third, carrying a grudge is a weak act, so it undermines their self-image.  Fourth, the person they hold the grudge against doesn't feel at all badly; only the grudge carrier does--every day it eats away at them.  As comedian, Buddy Hackett put it, "I've had a few arguments with people, but I never carry a grudge.  You know why?  While you're carrying a grudge, they're out dancing."  So, the next time someone wrongs you, take a deep breath and let it go.  You'll be happier, healthier and more successful because you did.  - RossReck.com

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Stop Thinking And Start Doing

Many of us tend to over-think things rather than do them.  Think about all the times you thought about having friends over for dinner and then you put it off.  You thought about it again and again and continued to put it off.  Then you finally invited them over, had a wonderful time and said to yourself, "What a great time that was, we need to do this more often."  It's the same with other aspects of life.  Thinking about doing something does nothing for you.  It's in the doing where the fun in life is found.  So, stop thinking and start doing.  You'll find that your life is much richer when you do. - RossReck.com

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Every Day Is Special, So Make Sure You Treat It That way

For over seven years Regina Brett was a columnist for the Beacon Journal in Akron, Ohio.  During that time she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer.  Today she is a columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  To celebrate turning 50 last September, she wrote a column about the 45 lessons life had taught her.  One of these lessons in particular grabbed my attention: Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.  Don't save it for a special occasion.  Today is special. That lesson made me think of all the good bottles of wine people had given me over the years that eventually went bad sitting on my shelves because I was waiting for a special occasion to enjoy them--what a waste!  Life is too short to wait for a special occasion to enjoy yourself.  In reality, every day is a gift--to be enjoyed which means every day is special. - RossReck.com

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It's Never Too Late To Change

Early in 2007, Tom Coughlin, head coach of the New York Giants of the National Football League, was in danger of losing his job.  His team had lost seven of their last nine games and was characterized by in-fighting and bickering.  Coach Coughlin had always been a no-nonsense hard-nosed football coach with a stern demeanor who motivated his players with fear.  During the off-season the 61 year old Coughlin completely reversed his approach to coaching and started motivating his players with trust.  He started smiling, let his players get to know him as a person and communicated in a number of ways that he cared about them.  The turnaround was instant.  The team came together and the players gave Coach Coughlin everything they had, week in and week out, which culminated in a 2008 Super Bowl victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots. - RossReck.com

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A Lesson In Happiness From The Happiest Places In The World

In a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal, Robert J. Hughes reviewed a book titled The Geography of Happiness.  The author, Eric Weiner, an NPR correspondent, traveled to a number of countries including Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland which were ranked high on happiness by the World Database of Happiness.  His mission was to find out if the people living in these countries were really as happy as the database claims.  According to the review, "What surprised Mr. Weiner in his travels was that many people around the world define happiness in ways that differ sharply from how it is defined by many, if not most Americans.  'Here, we work on our physique and personal careers,' Mr. Weiner says, 'In large parts of the world, it's not seen that way; it's woven into your relationships.'"  The lesson that these happy places have to teach us is that true happiness can't be achieved by focusing only on ourselves.  Rather it comes from our connection with others--by being with, talking with and doing things for and with others. - RossReck.com

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Negative People Are A Luxury That Most Businesses Can't Afford

Negative people who make nasty comments to belittle or surpress those around them are a tremendous drain on the productivity of a business.  The problem is that negative comments are hurtful and almost always ruin people's days.  When this occurs, it immediately sucks away people's energy and now they are no longer able to apply their best effort toward doing their job.  A friend of mine who is a manager recently told me that he receives at least one degrading email a month from one of his superiors.  "When this happens," he said, "I completely shut down for the rest of the day."  Let's assume that 29 other employees received similar emails from that same person.  If each of them responded by shutting down for a half-day, that's 15 days of lost productivity each month all because of one thoughtless email!  The message here is: If you have negative people working at your company--especially if they're in supervisory positions--don't ignore them.  You need to find a way to get them rehabilitated or get rid of them because they're a luxury you simply can't afford. - RossReck.com

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