A Summary of Peaks & Valleys by Spencer Johnson M.D.

The below is an excerpt of the book Peaks and Valleys by Spencer Johnson, M.D..

To manage your good and bad times:

Make reality your friend – whether you are temporarily up on a peak or down in a valley ask yourself: What is the truth in this situation?

To get out of a valley sooner:

Find and use the good hidden in a bad time – relax knowing that valleys end. Do the opposite of what put you in the valley. Get outside of yourself: be of more service at work and more loving in life. Avoid comparisons. Uncover the good that is hidden in a bad time, and use it soon to your advantage.

To stay on a peak longer:

Appreciate and manage your good times – be humble and grateful. Do more of what got you there. Keep making things better. Do more for others. Save resources for your upcoming valleys.

To get to your next peak:

Follow your sensible vision – imagine yourself enjoying a better future in such specific, believable detail, that you soon enjoy doing what takes you there.

To help people:

Share it with others! Help people make good and bad times work for them, too.

Employee Recognition

Extensive research has shown that firms that recognize and praise employees for their contribution have a bigger bottom line than those who don’t. This proves that when people are happy, they work better – and when they work better, the company grows.

Finally more and more employers are acknowledging that money alone is not a good motivator. Employees know that cash is a limited resource and won’t serve as a motivator forever. Most people who leave their jobs don’t leave because of low salaries, but because managers don’t recognize them for a job well done. The number one need of any employee is to be recognized and appreciated.

The story of Roger Bannister reveals a phenomenal truth. Up until 1953, no one had ever run one mile in less than 4 minutes. However, Roger Bannister, against all thoughts that it was impossible, ran the one mile in 3:59 minutes and instantly and for many months became the highlight of the world. The media and the sports world recognized him worldwide. He was even knighted. But what happened next? After almost 2 months, another runner ran the mile in less than 4 minutes…then another… and another… The 4-mile myth became an achievable feat! Behold the power of recognition!

What we learn here is that when people are recognized, they perform better, and they also motivate others to perform better as well. How much does it cost? It’s completely free!

Before recognizing employees, the leader has to have 4 basic characteristics according to the Carrot Principle before engaging in recognition or else all is in vain. The characteristics are:

1. Goal setting
2. Trust
3. Communication
4. Accountability

By practicing these traits and then recognizing employees, results are sure to soar!

What are You Living for?

Time and time again we might ask ourselves what are we living for and why. People have their degrees and certificates hung on the walls. Their shelves are full with books they have read along the years. They go to work every day giving their very best to the world with energy and dedication. Their bank accounts are full and the future is secure. But what’s next? What are we living for?

Try to reply to the following questions that were taken from Charles Schultz’s philosophy:

“1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier? 

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”

Start!

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” By these few words, Mark Twain summarized the ultimate question of how to succeed in life.

The most important thing in the road to success is to START or as the dictionary defines start: “COME INTO BEING”. COMING INTO BEING is to create what previously did not exist. It is to refuse the status quo and decide to go for the better. People ask, “Where and how do I start?” The answer lies within. It involves knowing and discovering one’s self. It is to search, look, and find what it is that keeps one awake at night and then make a promise to “come into being”. However, people will not always be helpful nor will know what you desire and live for. Some simply don’t care. Even leaders might not take you to where you should be but will use you to their own ends if you are not the leader of yourself.

Ask yourself where you want to be in life. What dreams do you have? What kind of relationships do you desire? What is your purpose?

Only after knowing yourself that you can set goals and priority. Always aim high, but start small to be motivated and make it seem achievable.

Remember that success often is not a nice and comfortable journey. There will be roadblocks, mistakes, and failures. However, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” (Nelson Mandela). There will be difficulties along the way. People will let you down and will spread all sorts of negative messages. But don’t listen to anyone! Don’t quit!

When you finally reach the destination, why not set another one? “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” (C.S. Lewis).

START now!

Interview Question that Uncovers Loyalty

The one question that would aid any interviewer to know whether the candidate is loyal or not is this: We need someone on the job immediately. When can you start work?

If the candidate eagerly answers,”Tomorrow!”, then you have a problem! S/He gave little thought to their current boss and can do the same to you.

The best answer would be to say that before joining your company, s/he should give notice first to management and then start work.

What people talk about their bosses says much more about them in their absence than in their presence. Sometimes you just have to probe a little deeper.

 

 

Source: http://www.bnet.com/blog/small-biz-advice/the-sneakiest-8212-and-most-effective-8212-interview-question/2852?promo=665&tag=nl.e665

What Makes Presentations Boring!

According to research done by Business Intelligence Middle East, CONTENT is what makes presentations boring!

It is well known that 93% of communication is body language and 7% is verbal. Therefore, trainers’ performance is only 7% content.

Public speaking skills are very important for leaders who want to inspire and motivate their employees to achieve peak performances in their organizations. The greatest presentations are the ones whose content is presented in a way that is convincing, inspiring, and motivational.

To best present content in a way that doesn’t bore the audience, the presenter has to leverage his/her body language. Voice, body movements, gestures, eye contact, all play a big role in enhancing learning and even memorizing information.

The presenter also has to be a master of the art of story telling. Children learn best with an animated story teller rather than a monotonous boring reader. In the same way, the energetic presenter is much more capable of engaging the audience! By linking 1 subject to another in a story-like way, the audience is sure to have his/her attention.

As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Source:  http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=52885&t=1&c=129&cg=4&mset=1101

Why Blog Now?

The social media revolution has started and it is time to act! More and more people are searching for what they need on the internet and no longer want to be interrupted by sales people or be flooded by junk mail. That’s why vehicles such as blogs, YouTube, and Facebook have been created! People now go to these tools to see what the market has to offer.

Why invest in social media marketing? For one, it is about 60% cheaper than traditional marketing. Second, it is accurately measurable. Third, it is more effective and targets customers on a micro scale. And finally, it is much more fun!