What “Costs” Nothing and yet is Everything?

In a world of “have more, be more” messages, I feel the need to remind myself, you and others that...

A connection of the heart “costs” nothing,

yet the connection is priceless.

It is in the connections, that lasting legacies are built – both tangible and intangible.

Connect.

©2013. All rights reserved worldwide.

Albert Einstein, Innovation, Genius and You

I recently published a newsletter about Einstein (www.ellencastro.com/ellen-castro-newsletter.htm). What an incredible guy! He was a role model of brilliance, humility, service and had a sense of humor and levity.

I realized, we all have an Einstein potential. Wow!

Release your genius!

 

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Give Up Proving Your Worth

I get to coach incredibly bright, unique individuals. With a particular coaching assignment, I had the opportunity to speak with ten stakeholders for the person. The reviews were great -- he knocked it out of the park with strategic thinking, builds a rock-solid team and much more.

The feedback also included that he tended to bring high emotions into his conversations. People articulated he had a lot to be proud of and be happy, yet there was a sense he was trying to prove himself – when in fact, he had nothing to prove.

Do you know that feeling – trying to prove your worth? I have observed that most of the dysfunctional behaviors of people stem from a sense of having to prove their self-worth and existence.

Let me make something perfectly clear, if you are breathing, you have worth. In fact, you are priceless beyond measure.

Proving you can overcome a challenge versus proving your worth is totally different. Proving to yourself you can overcome a challenge builds self-esteem and confidence. Proving you have worth creates drama.

The lesson: accept your worth, be your personal best and let go the need for external approval.

 

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Want to Soar?

It hit me that how can I soar if I am hanging on?!

What would happen if you and I stopped trying to figure things out and just trusted that the next steps will be provided perfectly?

I was reminded of the quote that says that I've had many problems; thank goodness most of them did not happen.

As your coach, stop making up stories of the worse possibilities. I've done enough of that for the two of us and have the gray hair to prove it.

Believe in the best possibilities. Life is always good, whether we see it or not.

Live from your dreams and the possibilities!

 

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Worse Betrayal

From my experience and observations on three continents and on life:

Self-betrayal is the worse form of betrayal.

You have no one to blame but yourself. Huge heavy sigh.

My clients and I realize we knew in our hearts what we should do and did not.

We buckled under pressure. The need for acceptance, approval and/or promotion was more important than our own self-acceptance and self-approval.

Are there ways you are betraying you? What are the underlying needs?

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New Role Tips for Success

Recently several people have asked me, “I’m in a new role. I feel confused. What should I do?”

When I start a new engagement = new role, I ask the client = new manager the following:

• What does success look like to you for this engagement?  What three specific outcomes are you expecting?
• What is your preferred way of communicating?
• How and how often do you want to be informed and kept in the loop?

Good luck! You are going to do great!!!

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Great Leaders

I get to work with great people and leaders. While I have lots of observations as to what makes for great leaders, there are two practices/behaviors which tend to be overlooked by aspiring managers.

The two are:

One: Great leaders know how to follow.

Two: Great leaders understand it is okay to be vulnerable.

Dare to be greater. Be the follower. Be vulnerable.

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Just Keep Breathing

Another crap cake just got served – see earlier postings for contexting.  Or use your imagination by what I mean with crap cake and you are probably right!

This time I handled it differently. I did not go into a spin of anger and frustration. I just kept breathing. Slow, steady breathing.

Amazing, the emotions subsided. I viewed it for what it was worth. A glitch. Temporary. Re-framed. Moved on.

What I find interesting is that I do the slow steady breathing to keep my clients open during heated debates and charged facilitations. Giggling, I teach what I most have to learn.

Isn't life grand?

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