Courage

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:01 AM

Embrace fear & use it for a foundation of true courage. No Fear of: Death Financial Failure Success Helplessness Being Victimized Being blown around by fate like a leaf is blown off a tree

Fear of: Not living up to ideals reacting instead of acting not taking advantage of the opportunities that are always within reach impulse to dominate other people doing anything that he or his loved ones would be ashamed of making appearances more important than reality making impressions more than communication making himself more important those depending on him being caught like a deer in the headlights and is constantly choosing to make sure that never happens not making the most of every moment today Adventurous __ Alert__ Alive__ Assured Aware__ Centered__ Certain__ Cheerful Clarity__ Compassion__ Competent__ Confident Creative__ Daring__ Decisive__ Dynamic Eager__ Enthusiastic__ Exhilaration__ Explorative Flexible__ Focused__ Giving__ Happy Honorable__ Humor__ I can__ Independent Initiative__ Integrity__ Invincible__ Loving Lucid__ Motivated__ Non-resistant__ Open Optimistic__ Perspective__ Positive__ Purposeful Receptive__ Resilient__ Resourceful__ Responsive Secure__ Self-sufficient__ Sharp__ Spontaneous Strong__ Supportive__ Tireless__ Vigorous Visionary__ Willing__ Zest__

Know: How to be Resilience Adversity is something to expect to prepare to overcome Refuse to accept being the victim of circumstance You are never without options & choices to get back on track Things are getting better optimism
Embody: the Opportunist Sense of urgency Lead by helping others be their best "There is nothing brilliant or outstanding in my record except perhaps this one thing. I do the things I believe ought to be done. And when I make up my mind to do a thing, I act." - Theodore Roosevelt

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Integrity
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:13 AM

Its always in Ur best interest to do the right thing. Place your interest in Integrity & be in the black with honesty.

(Opposite of Integrity) Cognitive dissonance trying to live with two conflicting images in his head/ split between what ur telling the world & what you know urself/ keep ur eyes open/ dishonest gain = beginning of loss/ achieve it honestly with pride in what youve done

Honest & integrity are absolutely essential to survival they are like air, food & water Be totally above board and be honest Truth is the highest value When you give people reasons to trust you, they are not going to go looking for reason otherwise & theyll be just as perceptive as your positive qualities as they are about the negative ones Abundance mentality Act of integrity is just as obvious as an act of dishonesty You have a choice as a leader for how you will be seen but you will be seen one way or the other leadership of a family Demands higher importance for integrity & honesty Dishonesty can take many years before it will be forgiven Supreme responsibility to teach honest & integrity Integrity is a vitally important skill Can only teach honesty & integrity when you live with it Gut feeling will determine honesty or diplomacy We all have ethical barometers Overstate degree of enthusiasm for employees works 3parts praise for every 1 part criticism "The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear." - Socrates

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Honesty
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:19 AM

It always comes down to being honest with yourself. Tell the truth. Place your interest in Integrity & be in the black with honesty. Stop lying & simplify ur life Say what you mean, mean what you say, do what you say youre going to do when you say youre going to do it A clear correspondence between words & deeds. Face ugly realities as soon as they appear/ resist the temptation to hedge immediately & treat it seriously like a grease fire in the kitchen got to put it out before ur house burns down or fills with smoke & u wont be able to see where youre going anymore. Honesty is serious business: Pay ur ethical debts & keep ur integrity in the black/ Taking care of your debts/ personal responsibility / can be painful / money in the bank & being help accountable/ paying in full / taking care of your finances / take care of issues Be real/ be authentic to self in the face of social pressure /trust who you really are/ trust your ability to earn the respect of others/ pay whatever price the truth costs/ pay the price of the truth immediately because in the long run its a real bargain
Not in every instance you got to tell the whole truth & everything but the truth sometimes flexibility is acceptable Outright lying, planned lying, lying for personal gain to be avoided Lying is evil to the character & must be vanquished like He vanquished all his fears

Release: Any lies from ur personality Lying & premeditation theft (creating an illusion) Cowardice (fear & fear of failure) Fear the temptation to misrepresent who you are & what youve really done or what you intend to do
"It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: 'And this, too, shall pass away.' " - Abraham Lincoln

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Perseverance
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:30 AM

Opposite of Perseverance is Procrastination (inability to finish or start) *Perfectionist, never satisfied, fault turned into virtue is a common defense - pious excuse making. Basis = fear of failure

Reserve energy is a mark of strong sense of character in any field -> manage to reach down into themselves for the strength to overcome any challenge external or internal. Goals are important to achievement as a baseline -> like keeping score Keep motivation consistently high: Overcome virtually every obstacle Hard Work > Talent Class = overcome any number of challenges during a journey, calling on reserve energy never show you get tired you never actually do quit. Perseverance is like class Perseverance can be learned: list of realistic personal highly rewarding goals goals are major to a success oriented person >> keep score bring out the best >> challenge creates strong character As a leader have goals clearly in focus >> Being a leader you must define goals for vast majority of people who aren't able to do it for themselves >> must have big picture & keep going -> know where headed & determined to get there Lots of objectives for goals & do something everyday towards it & celebrate it. You are creating a lifestyle of perseverance & achievement. Overcome procrastination: 1.Break it down - into manageable pieces, first things first, real time positive thinking, compartmentalize. 400 pages in 1 year vs 1 1/4 a day for a year (maybe intimidating) vs fill up a page & a quarter just today (Yes it's manageable) 1 day at a time -> Break time & work down to manageable increments vs 3 sentences in next hour (preserve from there) 2.Write it down: Want to do vs what you actually do with time & keep a diary of activities During course of day for a week (what ur doing & what ur not doing) make quick note of beginning & end of activity once every 30 minutes at least a week keep it up & make self aware "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." - Babe Ruth With whom you want to share?
Who are you working for besides yourself? Who is depending on you?

Who will benefit if you fail or succeed? Who will suffer if you give up or stop trying?
Who can you help & reach out once you've achieved the goal? Motivation beyond the self is the strongest motivation

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Wisdom
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:39 AM

Live smile & look around you & think

Act wisely -> full expression of personal doctrine knowing the facts isnt always the same as knowing the truth Hunger for wisdom - comfort with my hunger. I want it more than anything in the world. Life is a paradise. I genuinely want wisdom. Never get it all & never have enough. See what others are learning & happy about their success. Win/win. Shares wisdom = both are wiser. Only giving & sharing. Books do not equal wisdom, books can help one find the wisdom in themselves inside their minds. Ask yourself: What is Common sense vs "smart"? What is right & wrong? What is life worth? What is love? How can we give happiness? Who are we? Why are we here? How is the universe made?

King Solomon (wives of every nation on earth in peace) Wish for wisdom & he got everything as well. I choose wisdom.

Wisdom is learning & earned on our own. Wise enough to never say you're wise. Philosopher = lover of wisdom Totally dedicated Know thyself Having a purpose Great Planning & personal Mastery Knowing what you lack & asking for it Always more -> more questions More interested in process & questions Practical benefits & life's values Meaning in life Wisdom is fruit of experience Noticing patterns, understanding self through others, noticing others "Step by step, little by little , bit by bit - that is Great insight into life the way to wealth, that is the way to wisdom and that is the way to glory." I can see we're all the same (we're really alike) - Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton Understand they enemy & see essential oneness Seeing the opposite -> is that true? Compared to whom?

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Responsibility
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:50 AM

Strong character = assume responsibility for whatever happens

Responsibility -> seek responsibility & want the ball when the game is on the line gain the material & spiritual rewards & glory of strong leadership The buck stops here. Letting go of the blame game, take the buck stops here approach. Take responsibility for everything you do & take responsibility of others as a leader. Take responsibility for success or failure. No Excuses, I want my destiny in my hands, Destiny is in my Hands. Accepting responsibility & putting yourself on the line. You can depend on me. Determined to be different take responsibility. Accept consequences of actions & look to yourself for everything that happens. How -> how is this an opportunity? What can I do now? What does this mean to me?

As a leader you are responsibility for preparing subordinates

choose the values you want to live by & live by them Create self like a character like Marcus Aurelius'. Roman Emperor = built inner self
Conscious ongoing acceptance of what you do what you want to be You must make a conscious decision to grow up Wanting the ball when the game is on the line.

I assume command regardless of situation or challenge. Accept responsibility for own interests. I the captain of my own ship. Ferocious resolve for taking responsibility. Taking responsibility for health. I can't wait for others, I must take act ion Independently. It's all my fault & I'm going to do something about it. I am at cause. Look at intention. Refuse to participate in excuses. No one really believes excuses & I refuse to rely on them. Honest acceptance of responsibility of mistake. Excuses = evasion of responsibility

If it's to be, it's up to me - Brian Tracy

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Humor
Thursday, February 24, 2011 8:32 AM

Humor -> laugh at self as a sign of trust & integrity & handled with awareness
Importance of being able to laugh at yourself -> everyone has a good sense of humor. America's most important quality in a leader is a well developed sense of humor.

Make people laugh at themselves, & self deprecating humor, find out people's sense of humor. Humor = knocks people of their ballast humor can help seriousness balance the meeting. After humor you can be as intense as you want. Playful approach to life is an extremely strong sign of character
Life's perception is in your power Life is comic Comedy = low point to high point in everything

Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they think laughable. - Johann W. von Goethe

Humor can be your best tool to turn a negative into a positive

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Flexibility
Thursday, February 24, 2011 8:41 AM

Flexibility -> critical to every situation & it means strength without rigidity & it means knowing what you can control & what is beyond is control & behaving accordingly & playing the cards we are dealt the best we can & resisting the temptation for wishing it was better More important today than ever before. Flexibility > Rigidity. Innovation & creativity & flexibility are the essentials of success. Welcome & accept new changes, thrive with them & grow with the times, put down deep roots & flourish & know human nature & the will to survive. It's important to stay firm when you know your right and not be put down when the crowd is against you.
It's wise to see more than one way to accomplish a task, see more than one solution to any problem, see a plan from another perspective. Flexible -> knowing what you hold on to might not be true. Smart to see more than 2 or 3 choices, perspectives, solutions. People who are ready to adapt will bend in first gust, step out of the way of the charging bull, pivot while holding their place in the scheme of things, step back & let something else bear the brunt of impact. Open to change & flexible & farsighted anticipating change when we can & being prepared for all possibilities. Requires self control like a master martial artist to be master at flexibility Confucius - solid foundation - supplied theories for government, code of ethics, law giver & supplied a few fixed beacons to help guide the unknown future.

Know thy enemy & be flexible -> strong & appropriate in one situation & weak & losing in another situation & having a flexible approach. Even as you're trying to out smart you - you have to be flexible Important to anticipate when we can & being prepared when we can't anticipate. Foundation strongly reinforced but room to sway & give grace. Grace & fluidity (strength & aggression of the opponent is the power of the defender like aikido) Knowledge of various alternatives, nimbleness & dexterity. More important = inner flexibility -> not just survive but succeed. Every moment all things are changing (next is never like lasts) flexible response to needs, wants & ambitions of others = success & side step nature fate & predictableness to solve today's problems. Unyielding in private life but in public things have to appear to be acceptable by all parties. Secularism -> felt right which may mean on common agreed upon end or win/win. Never be the first to break a commitment. Great self knowledge -> from Iron self control like a master of the martial arts (self -discipline , cool hand, appraising eye, poise, balance, judgment) like bull fighter (greatest enemy could be himself) -> cool & skilled & wiling to try all the steps in the dance of death. Stoicism = mastery of self -> take responsibility for the way things affect you at the same times bend with the forces too. Too great for control must bend. Self measurement & self control Recognize patterns & compromise & know that you know nothing & know that you can adapt to life's changes big & small & know that you know more than you think you know, reinvention

"If a man fools me once I think he's not nice, & I remember it, If the man fools me a second time I think shame on him, if the same fellow tricks me a third time I have been warned & I should of changed my ways & didn't & I think shame on me. Fooled me once -> that's not nice, Fool me twice -> shame on you, Fool me thrice -> shame on me

Lao Tzu - mysticism, need for intuition, respond quickly to change, sometimes best to advance by retreating, long term goals can be made by accepting sort term reversals.

You cant step in the same river twice. -Lao Tzu

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Patience
Thursday, February 24, 2011 9:21 AM

Patience -> helps cope with unpredictability & turn those into the parts of success & take it as an ally -> time is an ally Important to wait as it is to work. We can always control & adapt our response. May mean you take off in another direction while you let events run its' course. "YOU play straight with me & I'll play straight with you, I never take advantage of anyone & I never let anyone take advantage of me." (Great counter-puncher -> hitting back hard with patience & be strategic & tactful & keep it to yourself f& be polite & never tell anyone you're waiting for an opening. You rest assured your chance will come. Focus on your responses & things you can control & learn everything you can from someone of value while you have the chance. Have time to spare & has deeper insight to self & other having abundance mentality & be willing to wait.

Social Patience is important, strategic patience, unaffected by annoyances & little problems are greeted with equinity & patience as you think them through. Real payoff is found in qualities of character you develop along the way. Adventure advances the Actor & give him the advantage of wisdom & character. Success earned is the best success. Lucky & smart create challenges to build upon. Patience means if not this year then next year for sure. Hustle while you wait. Put best effort into something and detach from outcome. Keep the clock running & staying in the game for as long as it takes.

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things I am tempted to think there are no little things. -Bruce Barton

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Confidence
Thursday, February 24, 2011 9:31 AM

Confidence -> emotional commodity invested in others & ability to inspire trust & trusting in yourself & people you meet & belief in yourself is so strong that the world seems safe and is oriented in your success & aspect of a strong character that changes the way people see reality Being able to inspire yourself is the first step to leading others. What you give to others, to confide with trust or faith, when you make a promise to keep it, a good faith offer, high fidelity, confidence inspires trust & converse with anyone without fear and someone people feel at ease with and people want to talk to, the right note & sympathetic vibration and accept you as you present yourself. Entire basis of social order is confidence, growth & good faith.

Powerful force to grow & flourish and believe in yourself & others. Strength of character strengthens them. Understood with fortitude & patience himself & enemy. Brigham young = bring people to paradise / Pablo Picasso = nonstop creative & strong clear vision. Accept new things & confidence in self & confidence in industry & people. Inspirers in vision & strong with what they believe in, perseverance & self-respect & command & confidence to others. Dedicated to central personal principles. Feel confidence in others. 1. Inspiring confidence in who you are & how you were raised 2. Derive confidence from the training youve received
3. Derive wisdom from challenges & experiences youve had in all areas of your life & success youve had in dealing with them

Talent & skill talent is a snap & grateful for what youve learned and have come easily. Be grateful for what youve learned & mentors & teachers. Be grateful for worth, and knowledge. Be grateful for experiences. Be grateful for intuition. I have the equipment & sharp eye to do well and more than survive. Sense confidence in others and you are sensing your own strength.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Act as though the achieving of the goal was absolutely inevitable. Carry yourself in your daily activities with others, in everything you do and say, exactly as if the achievement of your goal was guaranteed by some great power. -Thoreau

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Health
Thursday, February 24, 2011 9:36 AM

Good health -> wise choices -> who we are and how we should live, success is fundamental to character. Strong mind & body contribute to strong character Health -> is what you got and its everything. Be grateful for health. Attitude & mental health is important. Moderation in all things. Understand who you are and how you made, mentally, physically & emotionally. Success oriented & embrace the lifestyles of the time. Good health gives you an advantage in all aspects of life.

Health is wealth -Anonymous

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Achievement
Thursday, February 24, 2011 9:39 AM

Handle success graciously & wisely when it comes Achievement can only be measured in your own heart. Success builds character -> achievement is important. Strong characters naturally achieve success. Determine your degree of progress 4 gauges of character Refusal Compliancy (refuse less than the best effort, refuse to compromise with any area where you or your familys well being is in danger, refuse to accept less than ethical behavior)
Decision Maybe (are you a person who comes to the middle of the fork in the road and goes right or left VS stopping the car and scratching your chest and saying well maybe this way & then maybe this way. Are you someone that puts in a decision and goes to action

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen endeavor." - Vince Lombardi

Passion Apathy (caring vs not caring) (doing it as long it takes) Promise Fear (achieve goals & you promise) Assumed that yes I will have what I want & care about. Determination is a key to unshakable character to overcome fear & achieve your promise. A strong will to live & intrinsic motivation to LIVE. Strong motivators (how much money would you like to make annually? -> why do you want to make that amount? -> no doubt & confidence in those with motivation outside of self, desire to give others priceless memories, feel that level of emotion is truly blessed. 1. recognition from peers (from someone of value & meaning) 2. recognition from respected authorities & experts (earl schoff) 3. benefit others outside of self 4. Impulse to benevolence (to share with the world) (going to spend first half of my life accumulating money and the second half giving it all away) All involve other people help motivate, very internal & very personal strong character -> need people other than yourself as reasons to believe. Have enough reasons for character. Every time you take the risk for character you are making an investment while making a commitment to character. Achieve goals & break out of patterns into new ones & using any means necessary even with anger or sweet revenge through success and put it all behind you when you achieve success. Do whatever it takes and when you get there live well. With Courage, Honest, Integrity, Perseverance, Responsibility, Humor, Patience, Confidence, Good health & Achievement.

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