Legendary Lives

My 103-year-old grandmother departed this earth a couple of short weeks ago, on my birthday as it so happened. Without a doubt, she was one of the most influential people in my life. I will miss this tiny 4′ll” woman of incredible strength and vitality who taught me poetry, a love of family and an appreciation of beauty in the world surrounding me.

She penned in the front of her well-worn Bible the words, “He sets my life to song, and gives my heart dancing shoes.” I inherited her shoes.

Jim Rohn’s death on Dec. 6th  represents the passing of another legendary figure in my life. I cut my wisdom teeth on his words and message. Though I never had the opportunity to meet him, he was a mentor to me. “Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person we become” – just one of many of my favorite quotes from Mr. Rohn.

Though many heroes fall and people often disappoint us, legendary lives are those that inspire us and bring out the best in us.

…to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.  (Emerson)
 

Turn Your Ear to Wisdom

It’s often said that there’s a wide gap between knowledge and wisdom. This thought-provoking video clip on wisdom says alot in a short 5 minutes. I would love to hear your comments about what your biggest take-away is.   

“The great use of  life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” ~Charles Mayes

Something Extraordinary

Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. ~ Jim Rohn

I’ve spent much of my career deeply involved with training.  This year, when I formed a strategic alliance with the Rainforest Business Institute, I gained access to some phenomenal resources to share with my clients. We’ve launched a Professional Learning Lab that is truly the most amazing resource I’ve seen in thirty years. I’m not going to try to explain it to you because I can do better than that – I can show it to you.
 
Do you believe that 2010 can be your best year ever? Would you like to rub shoulders with some people that absolutely believe this to be true? And better yet, want to impart that vision to you?

I’m scheduling an appointment with people who want to expand their vision and the scope of their business.  Though this resource is amazing as a corporate training tool, my particular passion is for the more than 50% of US businesses that have 1-4 employees. My personal experience is we can feel isolated and sometimes “stuck”, yet most small businesses don’t have a budget for consulting services.

I’m extending an invitation for you to spend an hour with global consultant and author Michael Pink – free. 
The webinar is next Tuesday, November 10th  at 9 am ET.  (If you’re interested, but the time doesn’t work for you, please contact me.)

Please let me know immediately if this is something you would like to investigate. The value is immeasurable and the webinar is limited to 15 people so the line can be open for questions and interaction.

I believe something extraordinary awaits us.  Email me at beverly@lifepointspeaker.com to reserve your place.

The Brazil Nut Effect: Strategic Relationships

If you missed the first 2 posts, I’ve been discussing one of the Rainforest High Growth Factors - The Brazil Nut Effect.The Brazil Nut Effect conveys the story of strategic relationships; the kind of relationships that can make or break a business. This last discussion focuses on the vital partnerships that make for a profitable enterprise.

Symbiotic relationships are defined by productive, purposeful action. One party provides what another party needs and vice versa forming a mutually beneficial exchange. One example I saw of this in the rainforest was rather startling. During a hike, I noticed one particular seemingly benign plant reaching across the narrow pathway. Our guide cautioned us not to touch the plant, and then illustrated why. A quick brush of his hand against the plant resulted in an immediate convergence of ferocious ants. I say ferocious because they bit him faster than he could remove his hand, even though he knew what was coming. The ants were performing stealth protection for the plant as they were on the hunt for food. This was a mutually beneficial relationship; the ants gobbled up butterflies and insects that landed on the plant and the plant got protection from pests.

An example of this in the business world would be an IT professional I know that had a need for office space. One of his clients is a realtor that had need of computer-related services and had a number of vacant offices. Exchanging value for value, rather than dollars, the computer specialist got office space in a trade for services and the real estate firm got something they needed by trading something they had available that wasn’t producing income. Another example would be a building contractor who constantly refers business to a roofer and in turn, the roofer gets calls for work that requires a building contractor and he in turn refers the contractor. Both of these examples illustrate a win-win situation.

The last type of relationship is called Mutualistic. This represents the biggest commitment of all. This is when two parties really can’t survive without each other. The current economic environment has resulted in several large automakers ceasing production. In turn, local dealerships were forced to close because their livelihood was totally dependent on the manufacturer.

The Brazil Nut Effect is just one of many wealth secrets of the rainforest; this effect defines the critical nature of strategic relationships in business. If it’s true that no man is an island, then that translates into the fact that businesses can function optimally only when integrally involved with other enterprises. If focus is only on profit in a selfish single-minded way, with disregard for the bigger picture, the outcome is likely to produce predictably negative repercussions.

Parasitic, opportunistic, symbiotic and mutualistic relationships all play a role in health of a dynamic ecosystem and a thriving business. A trip into the rainforest is chock full of enlightenment, innovation and inspiration.

For a Free Online Assessment regrading your businesses Key Growth Factors, Click Here

You Can’t Take This to the Bank

Yesterday’s post introduced the Brazil Nut Effect – one of the high growth factors in the rainforest. In the discussion of the types of relationships observed in that story, I’ll start with the lowest kind of relationship; one you would seek to eradicate rather than to foster. Just as pests and pathogens are part of life in the rainforest, so are parasites; and they will eat both your lunch and your dinner if you’re not watchful. Parasitic relationships benefit one party and damage the other.

Business examples would include credit-lending agencies that mislead and gouge consumers with outlandish interest rates. This brings to mind the strangler fig in the rainforest, which is a dramatic example of a parasitic relationship. The fig starts as a small plant growing on a large tree. It can appear harmless – but if allowed to grow unchecked- it will completely take over and kill the host tree. There’s a lot of lessons here, including “pay attention to the small things; they can become big things while you’re not looking”.

The next type of relationship is called Opportunistic and as the name implies, is more a matter of chance than design. A few years ago, a relative who works for a medical doctor overheard a conversation about a company going public on the New York Stock Exchange that was likely to experience high growth because of the medical breakthrough it represented. My broker scoffed at my interest in making a small investment, however, I felt it was worthwhile and we invested a small amount. As things developed over the next three years, the stock did amazingly well (to my broker’s shock and amazement). That investment is an example of an opportunistic situation and is not a situation that I will seek or is likely to repeat itself. Helpful happnestance is not something you can plan on and set goals to achieve.

Next post will address the 2 kinds of strategic relationships that you can bank on.

The Brazil Nut Factor

Have you cracked a Brazil nut recently? You know, that dark half-moon shaped, hard as a rock nut that yields a large chunk of nutmeat when you have the perseverance to get into it. Have you ever given any thought to the process that went into getting that nut from the tree to the neatly wrapped cellophane package that appears in the grocery store in abundance? With less effort than it takes to crack a Brazil nut, you can learn a fundamental secret of the rainforest that can revolutionize your business.

The Brazil Nut Effect conveys the story of strategic relationships; the kind of relationships that can make or break a business. In the squeeze of the current economic climate, those that form strategic alliances are positioning themselves for market dominance in the days ahead. A trip to the rainforest can provide relevant information for business application.

The Brazil Nut is at the core of a host of complex relationships that form a productive team. As with many unforgettable lessons, it was through failure that the importance of these relationships was revealed.

Most people are aware of the detrimental effects of clear-cutting the rainforest. Man is often woefully oblivious to the long-term effects of his schemes that disrupt natural systems. Case in point is when the clear cutters tried to create Brazil Nut tree plantations. The trees grew well – even growing up to 200 feet in size – but there was one major problem. The trees produced no nuts. Zero. The perplexed business developers turned to the scientists, who in turn discovered that there are several species crucial in the reproductive process of the Brazil Nut.

The process of fruitfulness in Brazil nut production starts with a certain species of bee that pollinates the flowers of the tree, facilitating the process of nut production. This bee lived in the rainforest, but did not stick around through the establishment of the plantations. Furthermore, the bee happens to require a certain species of orchid that is involved in the bee’s reproductive process. The scenario becomes complicated further because of the necessary participation of a giant rodent in the propagation of Brazil Nut trees. The agouti, a 10 pound rodent, is the only species capable of chewing through the extremely hard Brazil nut shell to distribute the seeds for new tree growth. This chain of relationships worked beautifully in the rainforest but did not translate to a man-made environment. These strategic alliances are unseen by the casual observer, but are critical in the life of the rain forest.

In subsequent posts this week, I’ll review the different types of relationships as they translate to business. There’s great wisdom in nature if we’ll take the time to open the eyes of our understanding.

False Evidence Appearing Real

Fear is a thief; stealing your energy and creativity and leaving you despondent. Conversely, it can be the tool that sharpens your perception and propels you to success as you use the edge of fear to sharpen the blade of faith.

I was recently in a group and was asked what I’m afraid of. Most people’s answers were surface and focused on things like spiders, roaches and snakes. The more serious answers pertained to loss; loss of health or loss of a loved one. I wasn’t able to give a quick answer as I realized that my fear is more a formless shadow without a name. I’ve been peering at that shape to discern the form that casts the shadow.

To my way of thinking, fear is like a dense, creeping fog. It can make you feel totally alone and incapable of action. I’m reminded of a story I once heard about an open-water swimmer by the name of Florence Chadwick. In her sport, swimming the English Channel is quite an accomplishment; equivalent to the feat of climbing Mount Everest for a climber. Florence had not only successfully swam across the English Channel (about 20 miles in frigid water), but she’d successfully navigated the Channel in both directions. Next, she set her sights on becoming the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the coast of California. Her attempt began on July 4, 1952 in a dense fog. The water was freezing cold and shark- infested. After 16 hours of swimming in the frigid water, she was pulled into the boat only a half-mile from shore. Even though her trainer was in the accompanying boat shouting encouragement to her, it was the fog that deterred her. She was utterly exhausted and couldn’t see her goal. The fog had totally obscured her vision.

Fear is like that fog. I’ve heard it said that the acronym for fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. The good news is that when the sun comes out, fog is burned off and dissipates. Courage is like the sun and the heat it emits is the action which restores clarity and focus.

It seems to me that we’ve come through a season when many have been lost in the fog. The sun is coming up on a new day. I’ve got a great view of the sunrise at my place and room for you to join me.

Click Here for Details

Note: This post was the result of some “mulling” I’ve done since Michelle over at Scribbit put out the October writing challenge on the subject of Fear. I always love a challenge to write.

My Bark is Worse Than My Bite

Occasionally I gnash my teeth. Furthermore, I sometimes suffer bouts of insanity. Thank God I seem to recover quickly from both.

Take for instance, my consideration of applying to be a community blogger. This is a position advertised by our local paper whereby you agree to post 3 times a week regarding current issues, reply to comments and submit to being a public whipping post. For FREE! Oh yes, sign me right up.

Granted, the reason I considered it is that it galls me that politics has become so political. I know, I know, I’m the eternal optimist who thinks it’s supposed to be about the thoughtful, intelligent exchange of ideas to lead government and formulate laws that are in the best interest of the people and in line with our constitution. How old-fashioned of me.

My passion to speak up is fueled when I read the words of Abraham Lincoln,

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

I love America. I find great comfort in the fact that I’ve read the last chapter of the book and righteousness wins. But it can get awfully messy between here and there.

The continous direction of our government in controlling more and more aspects of our personal lives alarms me on many levels. Did you hear that the FTC has issued a new law governing bloggers that takes effect December 1? Oh yes, it’s true. Michelle, who blogs at Scribbit posted an excellent summary of the 81-page document.

During the temporary bouts of insanity I’ve already confessed to, I’ll  admit I’ve considered running for political office.  I think Rudyard Kipling does an amazing job of describing the job requirements of a politician in his poem “If”. Even the title is apt. 

I’m only giving you the fist 2 stanzas:

“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;” …..

then my friend, I’ll vote for you. In the meantime, I might have to resort to gnashing my teeth.

The Call of the Sea

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood
and don’t assign them tasks and work,
but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
~Antoine de Saint Exupéry

It seems that in the richest land in the world, the malaise of unfulfilled dreams is steadily eroding relationships and scarring people with the pain of a futile existence. They are lulled into a lie that their life has no purpose and they seek to find comfort in entertaining themselves while the hours and days slip by. Potential is wasted and the cost is incalculable. I am seeing the fall-out from this plague in businesses, marriages, churches – everywhere.

We’re designed with a purpose and thrive with a quest in our heart and passion in our steps.

What can you do this week to reach farther, see wider, feel deeper? What could help you kindle a greater understanding and perspective for this vast world ours? It’s likely to start with something simple and do-able. What’s that in your hand?

Unfulfilled dreams can steal your joy & passion for living. Cast off the lines, my friend, let’s go sailing.

A Drop of Golden Sun

There are times we need to lighten up. After all, laughter is an instant vacation, and who doesn’t need a vacation?

This video clip makes me think of joy as well as teamwork and cooperation. There’s a wonderful energy that comes from being part of a synchronized team. The Rainforest Team of Coaches is creating both energy and synergy and we’re having fun doing it!