Teamwork

Growing up I was always very involved in sports. In fact I've played most major sports in some form or another throughout my life. As I've gotten older I haven't played sports as frequently as I use to but I do still occasionally play. With the AFC/NFC Championships this past weekend I thought a lot about this topic. So I thought we should discuss it today.

Most of the things I've written about in this blog have been ways to improve yourself to live a more joyful life. To me teamwork is also very important. Most of us have to deal with others daily in our jobs & many times we have to work with these people in a team setting. I have been in a management position in nearly every job I've had since I was 16 so working with people & motivating people to work as team is something that I'm very familiar with. So how do you motivate people? How do you work together as a team?

In my experience the best way to begin is to listen. I usually will start a group project by explaining the objective & then listening to input from the team. Through this listening often there are great ideas that can be incorporated into an action plan for the group. Even when there aren't good ideas coming from the group by starting with listening the other members of the group feel included. After listening & discussing what the team has been talking about I formulate an action plan. Once this plan is created & assignments give out to the different team members the work usually begins.

The next step for me is to circle back with each of the team members & discuss their assignments. It's important to remember that every person involved in the team has their own issues & personality so I like to give each person some personal attention to understand their resistance to anything going on with the project. By understanding the issues that each of the members of the team have, I believe the team becomes stronger.

Understanding that each person in the team is individual & listening with an open heart will lift each member of the team up to be more successful, not only in this project but in their career going forward.

There's is a joy in working together as a great team that can not be discounted. This feeling of being apart of a group that's supportive & successful can change the atmosphere of any work place. By believing in yourself & your team members you can accomplish anything.

Till tomorrow,

Bill

Quote of the day: "Through teamwork anything is possible. Create a team today & change the world tomorrow."




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Communication

So the other day I wrote about "Listening" & it dawned on me this morning that as important as it is to listen there's much more to communication then just listening. I wonder in this day of uber communication whether we are truly communicating better. I know it's easier then ever to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world but has the art of communication been lost in all the technology?

I believe true communication is a very important part of living a more joyful life. I think trying to make your way through everything we're bombarded with in this day & age can be tough though. I've written before about trying to quiet the noise around you & I think with communication it's especially true. I think that everyone that comes into your life has a message for you. Sometimes it's not a message we want to hear because many times we get back what we put out into the world. And for many of us what we put out is our biggest fear. I wrote blog early on that I entitled "reflection" that talks about how the universe gives us back what we put out into the world.

To me this "reflection" is the reason to pay attention to everything that comes into your life. Don't get me wrong it's not easy to see the things you don't like about yourself reflected back at you but in order to grow & become a better person I believe it's a necessary evil. The more people you truly communicate with in your life the better the opportunity there is to learn & grow. I know at times we all get tired of communicating with anyone, that's ok. But to truly grow & learn the messages God/universe is sending into your life you need to take the time to communicate with everyone who enters your life. It's only through the art of true communication that we can discover what we need to know to continue our journey to a more joyful life.

Practice listening & communicating, open your heart to all that enter into your life & pay attention to the messages that you are receiving, even when they aren't things you want to hear. Sometimes it's only through hearing the messages over & over again that we can grow & change our life.

I hope you all have a great weekend,

Till Monday,

Bill

Quote of the day:"Practice the art of true communication with everyone in your life. The message you receive can open your heart to a more joyful life."




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Listening

Are you a good listener? I think in the world today that we've lost the art of listening. We all try to move through life as quickly as we can & don't have time to truly listen to the people in our lives. One of the best ways to stay connected with your soul is to slow down & pay attention to everything that's in your life. This includes listening to the people in your life.

I know we all think we are good listeners. It seems to be a trait that most people think they possess but if you're truly honest with yourself you'll probably agree that you need a little help in this area. Listening to everything that comes into your life can open your mind to new discovers that otherwise would be hidden. Focus on what the people are saying. Don't think about how to respond to what you think they're saying. Take the time to actually listen.

Beyond listening to the people in your life, expand your mind to listen to the universe. Sometimes when we're struggling for answers to things in our life. If we change our focus to things we don't normally pay attention to we can find the answers we're looking for. Until you try this, I know it sounds a bit odd but trust me, you'll never understand the true benefit it can bring. Start by sitting in a park listening to the birds, I mean really listening, listen to every note they sing. This active listening can open your mind to the answers your looking for. The truth is what do you have to lose. You can at least enjoy the song the birds sing. This active listening can be anything in your life; the sound of the wind, the water or just the quiet. Take time to listen, really listen & your life will change.

Begin today practice listening to everything in your life, even the things you don't want to listen to. Pay attention & open your mind your life will be better because of it.

Till Monday, enjoy your weekend.

Bill

Quote of the day: "Open your mind & listen to everything in your life today...really listen. By paying attention to the smallest detail you can find the answers you're looking for."




By TwitterButtons.com