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Articles from Jonathan M Flaks | Selfgrowth.com
- Connections and Chemistry - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksI was on a hike with my sister-in-law and the subject of summer-school came up. I remember that I enjoyed the sciences well enough to take Chemistry in high-school over the summer as a way of getting ahead. Reflecting on chemistry and about the world at a distance, the idea came to me that we ...
Views: 1087 - 3 Important Keys to Staying Focused - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksStaying focused is a key ingredient to staying motivated and getting great results, whatever you do. Let me give you the 3 most important keys to staying focused: 1. Sense of purpose – while the world is throwing an infinite array of distractions at you, if you hope to stay focused on a ...
Views: 1857 - How to Stop Fighting – Yourself and Others - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksStop fighting. Either take a stand, with a strong case, or stand aside. If you’re fighting about something that happened, get over it. Resentment and revenge cost you more than it’s worth. Try forgiveness – which doesn’t mean you accept that a wrong-doing is right, ...
Views: 2176 - Spontaneity and Instincts - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksFor this week’s Monday Morning Mini-Motivation Meetings, I chose the topic “Spontaneity and Trusting Your Instincts.” To walk the talk, I did not plan an agenda, but trusted the likelihood that interesting things to say about planning, spontaneity and trusting your instincts ...
Views: 3532(1 vote) - Restoring Calm Confidence - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksOne day I was speaking with a client who is a top producer in his region. I asked what he wanted to speak about, and I was surprised by his answer. “I’d like to talk about my issues with confidence when talking to people with ‘big money.’ People at all ...
Views: 1415 - My Father's Opinion on Leadership - by Submitted on Jun 22, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksLast Sunday was Father's Day, so out of love and respect for my Dad, today I'd like to discuss some of his advice on the subject of leadership. My father has a lot of experience and passion for the subject of leadership, especially in politics. We’ve come to accept that he is ...
Views: 1188 - Are You Super Happy? - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksHappiness is a very important concept of business and life. But how do you achieve and maintain it? I'd like to quote Rob Gilbert: “The first rule of happiness is: Don't seek happiness. Create it." I've found that the question asked in the title of our blog post ...
Views: 1215 - Don't Give Up - by Submitted on May 24, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksWhen Beethoven was young, he was told by his music teacher that he was hopeless as a composer. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper because he had "no good ideas." Henry Ford's first two automobile businesses failed. Michael Jordan was cut from his High School varsity ...
Views: 1384 - Being Heard - by Submitted on May 20, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksI have a client who runs a business and has two people working in his main office. They weren't answering the phones with the level of energy that he considered representative and efficient. He had frequently asked them to change their behavior, but he didn't seem to get through to them. ...
Views: 2206 - A Lifetime of Listening - by Submitted on May 13, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksAbout 12 years ago, I met a 75 year old man in a coaching class on listening. That man was one of the best listeners I've encountered in my life. I could tell by the things he said and asked. At the end of the class when we were all reviewing what we had learned, he said, “Boy, I have ...
Views: 2089 - The Power of Trust - by Submitted on May 07, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksTrust is an important aspect of business, whether it's trusting others, or trusting yourself. I'd like to focus first on the trust you need to have in your team. This team could be the team of employees that you work with or lead, a virtual team, a team of people you network with, ...
Views: 1370 - Deadlines and Commitment - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksIn this week's blog I'd like to focus on how commitment strengthens deadlines and how deadlines can strengthen your commitment. Today most of us have one of the least favorite deadlines of the year. It's tax day. Like most people, I really don't enjoy doing the work that comes ...
Views: 2690(1 vote) - Actions Related to Results - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksYour actions are related to your results. That might seem like a no-brainer, but not everyone always makes a strong connection between their desired outcomes and the actions they take. Ideally you're motivated and energized to get busy and get things done every day, but you might ...
Views: 1333 - The Power of Fun in Business - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksA few weeks ago, I put together a dodge ball team (yes, that’s right – DODGE BALL!). I invited people I know from networking, offering three promises: we'll have fun, we'll get good exercise, and meet new people. So far we're having a great time, and on the side ...
Views: 1183 - Money - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksWe have many different names for money. In the United Kingdom, it’s the pound sterling. In Japan, it’s the yen. In the United States, we use words like “dough,” “bread”, “bucks,” “dollars,” “cash, and ...
Views: 1362 - Talking About Teamwork - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksToday we talked about the three fundamentals of having teamwork work for you. It’s important to start with the realization that everything great was accomplished as a team. If you go in it alone, you limit your true potential. 1. Do what you do best and have others do the rest. Get to ...
Views: 1699 - Figuring it out vs. Working it out - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksA lot of people come to me and tell me they’re stuck. They are trying to figure out something or another, and they can’t seem to figure it out. Whether it’s getting more clients, making the right staffing decisions, making more money, finding time to exercise, etc, people often feel like they’re ...
Views: 1427(2 votes) - Clarity of Purpose - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksPeople who know me know that one of my favorite subjects is - "Professional passion." It is a fascinating blend of commitment, energy and joyful connection to your work. We all know how bad it feels when our passion is untapped. The remedy is to have a clear sense of ...
Views: 1131 - The Power of Commitment - Where Extraordinary Results Are Born - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksHappy New Year again. I hope your first week was great.Today I want to talk about New Year’s Resolutions (NYR’s for short). I don’t believe I’m the first to tell you about all the hype and habits regarding NYRs. I don’t know what you think I might say about starting the New ...
Views: 1206 - Starting Strong - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Jonathan M FlaksThe start of a new year is a time to reflect and consider your full potential. I’m sure I’m not alone in being excited for this year to start strong every day and every week. Here are 3 ways to overcome your top-of-the-year to-do list and use your time to your best ...
Views: 1282 - Setting BOLD Goals - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksClear your mind. Transcend the past and be present to the blank canvas that the future really is.Your next 12 months can be predictable, or can be wildly successful – it’s totally up to you.I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Sometimes people set goals that make them say ...
Views: 1797 - Strategic Planning for 2011 – Part 1 - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksThe Monday Morning Mini-Motivation Meeting www.mondaymorningcoach.com is the place to be for New Year planning. During this month, we’re going to be focused on expansive, strategic thinking for business and personal growth in 2011 and beyond. Here’s an overview Today we’re focused ...
Views: 1286 - How to Overcome FEAR in Four Steps - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksGeorgia (name changed for confidentiality) got stuck in the process of writing her business plan. She was holding back because she was afraid of the judgment and criticism she expected from a collaborative business partner.When she redefined "judgment and criticism" as "valuable research and ...
Views: 1532(1 vote) - Living Life to the Nines - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksI’ve coined a new phrase and philosophy called “Living Life to the Nines.” Doesn’t that conjure up all sorts of positive connotations? We’ve all heard the phrase “dressed to the nines,” which means being dressed extraordinarily well. How about “cloud nine” – that blissfully happy place on top of ...
Views: 2283(1 vote) - The Power of Planning & Preparation - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksOne of the best ways to make a good impression with clients, potential clients and business colleagues (all of whom might be sources of referrals) is to be prepared. The Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of America introduce the "Be Prepared" motto early to their young members, and I think it’s a ...
Views: 1254 - 2 Ways to Get Energized in the Morning - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksI know not everyone is a morning person. There are a few people who literally bounce out of bed at the sound of the alarm clock, but most of us fall on the sliding scale between “mild reluctance” and pillow-burrowing, “I don’t wanna!” dread.While I don’t promise you’ll jump out of bed like an ...
Views: 2189 - 5 Steps to Restoring Calm Confidence When Your Confidence Gets Shaken - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksToday in my M5 seminar, we talked about having calm confidence in the face of struggle, and my 5 steps to returning the calm confidence if it’s ever shaken. Confidence is often mistaken for cockiness, but confidence is not about being bold and blindly brazen. Calm confidence is a deep knowing ...
Views: 6670 - Preparing for Father’s Day - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksWhenever I was in the car as a little boy, my father would point excitedly at any sign that said “construction” and exclaim:“Look Jonny! Construction. That’s what Daddy does.”I was barely old enough to read simple sentences like “See Jane run” and “See Spot run,” but from an early age I could ...
Views: 1308(4 votes) - Preparing for a Peaceful Summer - by Submitted on May 25, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksWith Memorial Day approaching this weekend, officially launching the summer season, there’s a general sigh of relief and well-earned, wide-armed welcome after the very long winter we’ve endured. And while I’m the first one out there dusting off the grill for a summer of sundrenched days of ...
Views: 1379(2 votes) - Taking Breaks - by Submitted on May 19, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksGreetings from the beautiful Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania! Yes, friends, I decided to take a little bit of a breather from the hustle and bustle of New York, and so this blog is coming to you from the serene calm of a two-day vacation. I’m relaxing, playing a bit of golf – a sport I never ...
Views: 1433(5 votes) - Growth & Courage - by Submitted on May 11, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksWriter and producer Douglas Wood said “Fear of failure has always been my best motivator,” and considering the man has worked with Spielberg, I suppose the sentiment is valid. When it comes to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals, however, the “fear of failure” is sometimes ...
Views: 1322 - Listen to Your Mother - by Submitted on May 04, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksMy mother’s background is in piano. From my earliest memories, she’s always been a pianist and piano teacher, and some of my fondest moments in childhood were spent beneath the family’s baby grand as she practiced, my head in the curl of my dog’s belly, listening to the music and watching the ...
Views: 1426(1 vote) - Be a Go-Giver - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksOne of the most influential writers currently in my life is an author, speaker, & trainer named Bob Burg. If you’ve read my book, Income Double – Half the Trouble, you might notice that he’s one of the only a handful of living people that I quote. He’s written several books, including The ...
Views: 1307 - Sense of Purpose - by Submitted on May 06, 2010 from Jonathan M Flaks“Purpose It’s that little flame That lights a fire Under your ass.” These lyrics, sung by an idealistic college graduate puppet named Princeton in the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q, are oddly appropriate coming from a largely satirical storyline. And while the song, “Purpose,” goes on to ...
Views: 1414 - Positive Attitude - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksThe calendar tends to be a baseline for me when I’m planning my Monday Morning Mini-Motivational Meetings (M5), so it seemed appropriate that this week’s theme somehow tackled the looming April 15th tax date. As we’ve all experienced that heel-digging, gut-wrenching, childlike “I don’t wanna!” ...
Views: 1342(1 vote) - Anxiety & Inspiration - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksI kicked off the first session of a series of teleseminars I call “Monday Morning Mini-Motivational Meetings,” or M5 for short. The purpose of M5 is to spend 15 minutes – no more, no less – getting people excited and amped up for the week so they can be more productive, positive, and focused in ...
Views: 1552(2 votes) - Turning Lemons into Lemonade: or How to Return to a State of Sustainable Confidence - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2010 from Jonathan M FlaksTurning Lemons into Lemonade: or How to Return to a State of Sustainable Confidence In January, I went on vacation with my wife and our two sons, who are 10 and 14. We had hoped to enjoy the warm, sunny, southern California weather, but as you may have seen in the news, it rained like ...
Views: 1170(3 votes)