Here's a question I hear often:

“Herman, I seem to always have trouble keeping the right balance in my life. How do I continue to do a good job at work and not sacrifice my responsibilities at home?”

Response: That concern is a common challenge faced by all those who are striving to achieve some level of success in life. It does not always conclude with establishing a set of priorities, though having your priorities in order is conducive to well-being. There are issues that arise at the last minute depending upon your level of responsibility that certainly do demand your immediate attention and can be in conflict with a dinner or other event. Regretfully, such choices  are part of the demands of leadership.

I have found, through trial and error, that the most effective way to address this balance is to begin by scheduling activities at home, community or church on your calendar as you would any other appointments. When you follow a schedule, having those events as part of it will enable you to more effectively address the needs of those outside your professional role and reduce the conflict of balance. 

In the larger sphere of the issue, always keep in mind the following: “Work when it is time to work. Play when it is time to play. Realize that you really can’t mix the two together and gain the ultimate success of each. They must be separated for lasting success.”  

To submit a question, simply email me and put Ask Herman in the subject line.

I look forward to your participation!

Herman

Business Moment: The Potential Power

There is a story told about the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw at the latter part of his life. A young reporter challenged him to play the “What If” game with him. After some brief back and forth interaction, Mr. Shaw consented to participate.

The reporter began, “Mr. Shaw, you have interacted with some of the most famous people on earth. You have been on a first name basis with royalty, well-known authors, artists, professors, and political as well as business dignitaries. If you had your life to live over and could be anyone you have ever known, who would you want to be?”

It was said that Shaw remained silent for what seemed like several minutes, but in reality only a few seconds and then simply replied, “I would choose to be the man George Bernard Shaw could have been, but never was.” That was a very profound response from an individual who himself was very well-known in the same interactive circles. 

As you ponder his response, what might have been your response? Who are you attempting to become? If you had the opportunity, what might be different? Potential is a vital asset that lies within all of us. How it explodes to the surface depends on what level we assign to the “heat factor” which drives our ambitions and our desires to excel. As you might understand, pursuing your potential is not found in any attempt to be like someone else. It is also not found simply by achieving what others might have done. It is achieved most directly by your pursuit of the unchallenged opportunity which lies hidden at times deep within you. Only you and your explosive effort can in turn bring that opportunity to the forefront.

It was once said that “The undeveloped piece of property with the greatest potential is still between the ears.” Your potential often comes from necessity: a necessity to score some measure of success. You can become great by simply fulfilling your own potential. The challenge is that often we simply don’t have any idea of how large our potential truly is. But in the end result, it most often can be realized by taking one step after another with the idea that “anything could be possible” with the determination, insight and courage to light the flame of potential that lies waiting within you. As former president Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Feature Article: Rock Solid Pebbles

Too often people fail to understand what they have on hand that provides happiness. They rush out to pursue avenues that often times fall short.

Benjamin Franklin once remarked to a heckler who proclaimed his uncertainty of the new American Constitution: "My friend, the Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself."

Former game show host Hugh Downs noted: "A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes." 

Even Aristotle the famed philosopher said, "Happiness depends upon ourselves." In your world of doubt, negative thinking and chaos, it is easy for you to push aside the actions which can bring happiness, opportunity and an energy-filled positive attitude.

Unfortunately, you can mislead yourself in thoughts of how bad times are and how everything is stacked against you. This catabolic view of victimization does nothing but make your life miserable and in turn a misery for those around you. This victim view will... Click here to read more.

Energy Leadership Article: Stress 

Change is inevitable – after all, nothing really stays the same. But in today’s challenging times, it seems like we’re on “uncertainty” overload, never knowing what will happen from one moment to the next. Here today, gone tomorrow – or, at the least, very different tomorrow. 

Uncertainty brings stress and confusion, and while most of us would be quick to say that we want less stress and more certainty in our lives, what we really want is less of a stress reaction to what life is throwing our way. 

We can’t choose what happens to us – but we can choose our responses to the situations we encounter. Let’s take a look at five different responses that people have to stressful situations. As you read through these five responses, you may want to think of a recent stressful event or news that you may have received, and see what your reaction to that event can teach you about how you habitually respond. You may have one type of response at work, and another at home, or you may react differently depending on who else is involved.    

The first, and unfortunately all too common response to stressful events is to suffer and be a victim to it. People who respond this way.. Click here to read more.

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Memories - Part I 

Memories - Part 2

Procrastifear