600 Articles . . . How Am I Doing?

Just hit 600 posts on my blog. Hooray. I NEVER thought I would be here - when I first re-launched my site back in 2009, I decided to include a blog to let viewers, prospects, and clients know what's inside of Rich Gee's crazy mind.

Four years later, I have 600 small peeks into the wacky world of Rich Gee. If you subtract weekends, you get approximately 261 working days each year (this doesn't include holidays or my 4-6 weeks vacation time). So if you take 600 and apply it over almost four years — I've been posting over 75% of the time.

WOW. I hope you've liked the ride. I sure have. I think it's time to find out if I've been hitting the mark. How am I doing?

I WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK. Please let me know below this post.

Tell me if you like the direction my blog is going — if you like the topics, or if I hit the mark (or I don't). I want constructive criticism — please tell me what I can do to make this even BETTER. Oh . . . also tell me your favorite posts — I will write more.

I'm just catching my breath and beginning to start another marathon. Anyone have any water?

Thank you! Rich 

Our Competitive Spirit.

The other day, I was listened to a podcast and heard the incredible progress (and inventions) which emerged from the space race to the moon in the 1960's. It was amazing how many advances in aeronautics, science, technology and even velcro — came out of our billion-dollar endeavor. It got me thinking. It seems significant jumps in progress happen when intense competition is involved. Let me break it down:

MILITARY Competition - When two (or more) countries are ferociously attacking one another, their entire reason for living is to outdo the enemy. They will do whatever it takes, open up the financial coffers, and apply as many people to develop new ways to kill the opposition. A good example is the Manhattan Project, where the U.S. spent billions ($2 billion or $25.8 billion in 2012 dollars) to develop a weapon which ended WWII.

GLOBAL Competition - It's an us vs. them scenario - where global standing, influence and stature is involved. The Space Race is a powerful example of what two countries can and will do to come out on top. In 1961, the Russians shot a man into space . . . eight years later, we had a man on the moon.

BUSINESS Competition - Although not as cut-throat as Military or Global competition, Business competition can still decimate industries and quickly put the competition out of business. In 2004, Apple gathered a team of 1000 employees who ultimately developed and released the iPhone in 2007. At the same time, throughout 2005-6, Google was in the process of procuring companies and resources to also do the same thing. Some people still say that Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, learned of Apple's intentions while still on the board of Apple. He then directed Google to mimic many of the deliverables of the iPhone in the follow-up Google handset.

PERSONAL Competition - Where's your competitive spirit? What drives you? Are you willing to go the distance to produce real change in you department, division, company or industry? What can you do right now to start the process? Who are the drivers, the leaders, the shake-up-the industry personalities? Why don't you know them?

Stay tuned shortly for a follow-up post on what Apple does to motivate their new hires!

10 Tricks To Get Control Of Your Email.

I say email is dying! New generations are moving towards texting to communicate — I welcome that improvement! But email is still around for the short term — and if you're like me — you get hundreds of emails a day. And if you're like a lot of my clients, it's hard to navigate all that email without a few tricks. So here they are:

1. Eliminate your email alert setting in Outlook or MacMail. If you find yourself watching the email alert bar move up and down or the small circle alerting you to the number of unread emails - you're letting email control YOUR life.

2. Read certain times of the day. Set up times during the day to read your email — say 9 AM, Noon, and 4 PM. Otherwise, do real work. If it's an emergency, let everyone know to call, stop by or text message you with an 'URGENT' or 'IMPORTANT' header.

3. Take action, delete or file. So many people who jump into email and need to jump out quickly tend not to act on emails. They scan and then move on — they know they need to do something with the email, but they don't have the time. So they whip through their list and then rush off to a meeting. If you commit to an email, read it and then act, delete or file. It's that easy.

4. Don't start chain emails, pick up the phone. Even better, instead of writing a long and boring response email (that no one will really read), pick up the phone and take care of the issue immediately.

5. If it isn't filed, trash it. I know it's hard, but kill email whenever you can.

6. Don't print emails — only if you REALLY have too. If you print, you have now brought the electronic into the real world. And you have to now find a place for all those emails. Good luck!

7. Minimal file folders — no parent/child lists. I love it when people have HUGE lists of file folders and sub-folders. Don't you know about search? I use search every day and it works perfectly.

8. Clean up daily. If you decide to file the email, do it immediately and don't let them build up. At the end of every year, I bunch up all of my filed emails and archive them. Guess what? I only access the archive a few times a year. Go figure.

9. Email is a POOR communication vehicle. You have to realize email causes a lot of problems — missed messages, hurt feelings, arguments, unnecessary wasted time, etc. It's NOT 2-way communication. Pick up the phone or stop by the person's office. And if it's really important, set up a (short) meeting.

10. Don't worry. So many people obsess about email — they love to complain about it. A number of years ago, I took an approved sabbatical from work for 30 days (we were allowed those back then). I set up an email rule to let everyone know not to email me (I wouldn't be reading them) and that I would be back in 30 days. Guess what? I still received 3750 emails. Under the advice of my coach, I:

• Took the emails and filed them in their own file folder named 'Sabbatical'.
• I only read emails from my boss to me.
• I only accessed that file five times over the next three months.

How OLD Are You? Generational Strengths & Weaknesses.

There are many positives and negatives with age during your career. Sometimes you have more energy and sometimes you have more experience. Other times, a new perspective or more gravitas. Even when managing your team, you need to take into account what their strengths and weaknesses are — and capitalize or anticipate them. In today's post, I'd like to highly generalize my experience, interpretations, and understanding of each generation. They might not (and probably not) fully compare to you — but they are a broad interpretation of the workforce in general.

In any event, different age groups act differently . . . so where are you?

Your 20's

Just starting out - getting your feet wet - absorbing, learning, winning, losing.

Strengths: Young, lots of energy, new ideas, enthusiasm, fresh perspectives. Technology: You easily adopt any new tool or product and start using it immediately.

Weaknesses: Little or no experience, frustrates easily, limited knowledge, lacking in sophisticated interpersonal skill applications. Doesn't fully understand impacts and implications of behavior or decisions. Personal issues: likes to party, meeting partners, stays out late/comes in late.

Your 30's

Getting better, knowing more, developing relationships, slowing understanding how the game is played.

Strengths: More stable, able to take on more responsibility, better knowledge & experience, lots of energy, ready to move up - starting management positions. This is where they start to define their business personality. Technology: On the burning edge of technology - the ability to adopt it and use it with good business sense.

Weaknesses: Ready to move up - but not there yet, sometimes pushes the wrong way, personal issues: getting married/kids.

Your 40's

On the glide path - the right mix of experience, knowledge and energy.

Strengths: Number of years of critical business experience, deep knowledge of industry, great presenter, building gravitas, understands the complexities of the business and interpersonal relationships, growing manager. Know when to hold their tongue - there's a bit more at stake. Technology: Leveraging many new and old tools - but the newer ones are perplexing you a bit.

Weaknesses: Knows how everything works in business and gets disgruntled. Challenges authority, Personal issues: kids growing/school AND mid-life crises.

Your 50's

At the height of your ability - leadership and management talents abound. You are a linchpin!

Strengths: Gravitas - you can enter almost any room or situation and handle it easily, you've seen it all - so your reaction time is shorter, nothing really fazes you, your contact sphere is phenomenal - you can connect with virtually anyone and get things done.

Weaknesses: Your energy level is starting to wane a bit, you're not as energetic and enthusiastic as you were in your 20's/30's. Highly critical of stupid decisions and can easily see solutions on the horizon. HR & corporate tend to devalue you - watch out for personel cuts. Personal issues: kids in college/possible issues with marriage/death of parents. Technology: Starting to let it go - missing out on new innovations that streamline and integrate work.

Your 60's

Coming down for a smooth landing.

Strengths: Everyone approaches to you for advice - you are THE sensei. Great management, leadership, and direction are like breathing. Companies should show you off to clients and give advice to prospects. Personal: Kids are out of the house and grown - you have the time to work late and travel.

Weaknesses: Your energy level is slowing way down - no more 10-12 hour days. You might miss faster moving objects - people, projects, technology. Especially technology: we tend to become luddites - we disregard new advances and stay with the old (comfort zone issues). Watch out for HR & Corporate - they love to eliminate your position instantly.

Your 70's, 80's, 90's

Enough already - unless you've perfected the perfect platform and formula for continuing work - time to take it easy.

"It was a very good year . . ."

It's one of my favorite Frank Sinatra masterpieces:

But now the days grow short, I'm in the autumn of the year, And now I think of my life as vintage wine, From fine old kegs, From the brim to the dregs, And it poured sweet and clear, It was a very good year.

Today is Thanksgiving. It IS the autumn of the year. And I ask my clients and colleagues to look back over the past year and see what was the vintage wine (the stuff which worked) to the dregs (the stuff that didn't).

We're not all perfect — and in my case, far from it. :)

But it's a waste of a good year not to review your highs, your successes — your home runs:

• What new clients, customers or projects did you get?
• Who did you meet and befriend — who grew your business or prominence at work?
• Where did you go? On purpose and by accident?
• When did you do it? Did you plan and act or just bump into it?
• Why did you do it? Were you assigned or asked by a client — and it took you out of your comfort zone?
• How  did you do it? What were the steps which made it special?

But it's just as important to step back and look at some of your mistakes, your wrong turns, your plans which went awry:

• What obstacle came out of nowhere and threw you for a loop?
• Who was a waste of time to work with — who hurt you, your business, or career?
• Where did you go where it took a lot of resources and didn't pay off?
• When did it happen  — did it happen multiple times? When did you procrastinate or put things off?
• Why did you do it? Were you pushed into it? Did you feel you HAD to do it? Obligation or just laziness?
• How  did it affect your career or business? What were the short term and long term effects?

Some people might say "Forget about the past — focus on the present and the future."

From this perspective, I agree. But everyone has to take some time during the year and assess what got them there and ensure they repeat the successes and the actions which streamlined their progress.

And they need to understand the wrong turns and what impact they had on their progress. It's only then you DON'T make the same mistakes again.

In any event, take today and have a relaxing, restful, tasty and filling Thanksgiving.

You've earned it. 

LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BELOW — I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Tools That Help Me Perform At 100%.

I am frequently asked about many of the tools I use in my practice. Just a word of warning, this post is definitely not a 'static' list — these tools do change in capability, size and manufacturer. HEADS UP: If you see a tool I'm missing or one you think is better — let me know in the comments at the bottom of this page. Here we go:

Hardware

Macbook Air:  This is MY BABY. I learned on a Macintosh back in the 80's and then spent 20 long years with PC's in corporate. When I started my practice, I immediately moved to Apple. Best decision I ever made. They rarely break or have problems and help is only a phone call or visit away. It's small (13") and thin — but perfect to carry when I travel. (link)

HannsG 27" Monitor: All of us are getting older every year — don't ever skimp on your vision. It's big and has great color — and it just works! Yes I could have bought the Apple Monitor, but it's an additional $800 — and I'm not a graphics person — I'm not picky. (link)

iPhone: I have this wherever I go — even in the shower. When I don't need my Air, my iPhone delivers EVERYTHING I need to stay connected to my office, assistant, and my clients. I just moved from the 3GS to the 5 and I can't be happier! It's the best of the best and at $199 — it's a steal. (link)

iPad: Is this overkill with my Air and iPhone? Not at all. I use it to give demonstrations to small groups or presentations one-on-one with my clients. It boots up instantly and is connected to all of my files. In addition, my family uses it all the time for reading, checking news, and playing games. Guess what Santa is going to bring down the chimney this year? (link)

Western Digital My Passport 1TB: I need this because I only have 128GB of space on my Air. I connect to it daily and have it encased in a CaseLogic case (link) — but it's vital to keep all of my current and old files ready to access. (link)

Western Digital 1 TB: This is my backup — using Time Machine and SuperDuper, I had it partitioned so I have two different images of the same hard drive on my Air. I also keep all my music on it too. (link)

Brother HL-2270DW Printer: This is my workhorse — my $99 B&W printer that pounds out anything I need printed (less and less every day) — but it's there, it works, and it delivers. On paper, labels, cards . . . anything. (link)

Plantronics Headsets: I have two headsets — one for my direct coaching line (link) and for Skype/Webinars (link). They are expensive ($250+) — but they WORK. And I never have any audio issues with them.

Bindertek Binders: American binders STINK. How many times does your 3-ring binder stick, get caught on paper, or just break? Bindertek is the European solution that has been around for decades. 2 rings are better than 3. Trust me — you'll love them. (link)

Thule SlingBack: For many years, I carried around a number of briefcases — all the way from a 007 hard Samsonite case to a Lands End canvas bag to a Ogio computer bag. I realized the bigger they are, the more crap I carry in them. So I culled myself down to a Thule and I've never looked back. And it allows me to have two hands free!  (link)

Software

iCloud: This brings everything together — my iPhone, Air, iPad, and all of my files, music, movies, etc. I know — some of you diehards don't believe in it. But it's worked perfectly for me so far. It keeps all of my files synced (my calendar, contacts and email too!) perfectly — and it's easy to use too. (link)

MacMail: I know, I should use Gmail, but MacMail just works. It's clean and it does EXACTLY what I need it to do without all the bells and whistles. It allows me to archive past emails and access them instantly. I love it. (link)

iCal: This is my lifeline for my business — it allows me to color-code all of my appointments, attach tasks/activities, and save for eternity. (link)

iWork: Keynote, Pages, Numbers — my final Apple entry — but clearly a favorite of mine. I was brought up on Word (too big), Excel (too complex at times), and Powerpoint (my one true love). When Apple introduced iWork, I was intrigued that they had taken the very best of every tool and made them better (and in Keynote's situation — much, much better). I don't need to do mail merges or pivot tables — so I use Pages and Numbers. But for ALL of my presentations — I use Keynote. And the audiences respond and constantly ask, "What presentation software do you use?" Or even better, "Who professionally made your presentation?" (link)

Wordpress: This entire site is constructed within Wordpress — it has REVOLUTIONIZED the way I market and communicate on the web. I have total control of what goes where AND posting new blogs items are super simple. If your site isn't in Wordpress, you are missing out on something BIG. (link)

Dropbox: I worry A LOT. Especially about important files and the ability to access them instantly. Dropbox allows me to easily 'drop' important files, archive key blocks of info, and access them anywhere — on my mac, my iPhone, or iPad — or even at an outside PC. And it just works. (link)

Evernote:  Ever read something on the web and forget where it is? Or want to save a PDF for later reading or dissemination? Or a myriad of other things? Evernote is the answer. (link)

Pixelmator:  I have an eye for graphics but I'm not as talented as a graphic designer. But I do have a need to do slightly complex techniques on images or build logos for my products. And I don't want to spend $600-$800 on Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. This is where Pixelmator comes in — it's a full function image tool which allows you to modify photos or text in many ways. It's intuitive and it just works. (link)

Want To Change Your Life? Read This Poem.

I love Rudyard Kipling’s “If”. It’s a magnificent poem — it doesn’t get too maudlin, but it does have its highs (it’s been voted Britain’s favorite poem). Check out the bolded areas and see if they have meaning for you and what you do.

Trust me — it’s powerful (the line with triumph and disaster is emblazoned at Centre Court at Wimbledon):

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:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ‘ Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BELOW

P.S. Which quote resonated clearly with your career? Which one made you think twice? Let’s talk.I’ve worked with a number of clients — and we developed a successful strategy to grow your career exponentially. If you’re not a client . . . pick up the phone and call me — I offer only one complimentary session each week.

10 Tips To Recover After A Crisis.

Last year, my home and business were hit by a terrible snowstorm (Irene) which knocked out power for over eight days. Even though I had access to cell phones and internet, it played a mental and physical toll on me. As the main provider to my household, it affected me mentally — WHY? — our situation was totally out of my control. Even though we had a generator with power, heat and food, life was way from normal. The mental toll played out personally and professionally. I constantly worried about any further impacts to our situation, sustained boredom, and how it was playing on my clients.

Guess what? Everything was fine — I just had to refocus my energy on positive actions which would move me forward. So here are 10 tips to help you cope with a natural disaster which might affect your career or business:

1. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

When life knocks us for a loop, we tend to roll with the punch and stay down. If you know boxing, you only have 10 seconds to get back up before the fight is over. That means you need to get back up ASAP and realize there will be light at the end of the tunnel and wallowing in our own misfortune will not get us there.

2. Keep busy.

Fill up every day with things to do. Why? It doesn't allow you to worry about what didn't happen or occur during the emergency and it gets you back on the horse ASAP. Think about tactical, strategic and communication activities — what actions will bring the most impact. In addition, if your boss or clients see you humming along like a rocket, they will be impressed!

3. Stay in contact with your clients, boss, and team.

Communication is key. Reconnect with everyone, ask questions, and see how you can help. Give them tips on how to recover. Or just LISTEN. Most people just want to talk, vent, and look for answers — it is great that you are there for them.

4. If you can't do tactical duties, work on strategic stuff.

If you're held back by others or processes beyond your control, do something else. Remember that project or initiative you never have time to work on? Now you have time - do it!

5. Reach out and engage people you usually don't connect with.

Broaden your contact sphere and reach out to people you normally don't talk to. I promise they are looking for a shoulder to cry on and you are there to listen. Also — they are a week behind too — see how your abilities and business might help them solve their problems.

6. Try to help, inform, and impact everyone you meet.

Everyone. People on the street might need a jump for their car, your neighbors, other people in your office building, etc. Right after the emergency, most people need help getting themselves, their career and their business back up and running. This is the time to reach out.

7. Did I say keep busy?

Don't stop for anything, keep busy and your mind thinking of new ideas how to move forward!

8. Get your name out there to see if you can help.

This is the best time to market yourself. If you're a business — increase your marketing by 100%. Get onto social media — blog, tweet, facebook, etc. Get your name out there. If you work for an organization  — market yourself — who can you reach out to and help them with their project? Reach out to your boss and show them what you've done so far.

9. Get your head straight.

It's over. Move on and stop venting how bad it was. Whine for one minute and then move on with your life. It's behind you. Don't let it continually affect you over the coming months.

10. Rocket out of your current position and fly forward.

Set up the launch pad, fuel your rocket, and hit the ignition switch. Use this calamity as a reason to rocket your business or career into the stratosphere. Start thinking BIG!

How To Miss Work The Right Way When An Emergency Strikes.

As we batten down the hatches here on the east coast for Hurricane Sandy, I thought I would write a quick post on how to handle interruptions to your work schedule without it affecting your workflow and your relationship with your boss.

1. Get a feel how your boss and company reacts.

When you first start at a company, in your HR packet you'll find basic rules and regulations for missing work, closures, etc. Take these with a grain of salt — nothing is ever 'locked in stone' in business.

Get a better idea by watching your boss and see what they do (and say) when someone else is absent or when something happens (snowstorm, inclement weather, emergency). If they're normal, they are usually lenient and let the person (or persons) off the hook pretty quickly. But sometimes you have one of two types of bosses:

a. Workaholic - will never miss work, work ridiculous hours, and constantly compares their work performance with their people. They're the only one at work during a blizzard, a hurricane or a blackout. It seems they like work more than life — they do. If you speak reasonably to them, they usually understand (they are not unreasonable people - like B below).

b. Killjoy - someone who takes pleasure in making other people's lives hell when they need an accommodation. If your kid is sick and you have to stay home that one day out of 365 — they give you grief — you get the idea. Usually standing firm with these jerks tend to scare them away (recite the HR rules), but you're never going to win the war. If it becomes a problem, you need to change bosses or your company.

2. Pre-plan by communicating.

Let your boss (after speaking with them), your peers, your team and your clients know each eventuality and what will happen.

Especially your team. The better you communicate EXACTLY what to do, the less calls and confusion you'll receive during a storm or event. If you're going to be sick, pre-plan it with your boss that you'll leave a voicemail on their cell and follow up with an email. It's that simple. For your team, ensure by communicating for them to bring home their laptops and any work they might need.

3. Let key people know about your plans.

During the event, let people know what you're doing and what is expected of them.

Keep the communication flowing, expectations regularly committed, and deadlines met (or extended). A daily 15 minute follow-up via phone can ensure most items are accounted for and moving. Conference calls are  the norm — it allows people to feel that they are still connected.

Let your customers know via email and if there is a problem or deadline missed, pick up the phone (also - ask them for direct cell lines prior to the emergency — I have it built into my welcome packet).

4. Back up your absence the best that you can.

If you have a team and you're sick or taking care of an emergency, specify who will handle your workload when you are absent. A little pre-planning here will go a LONG way.

Pick the person or persons who will ensure your work flows without interruption and will keep you in the loop in case something happens.

If you take a little time and observe, pre-plan, communicate, and act — any absence — long or short — will not be a big deal.

How To Be A Great Audience.

I do a LOT of presentations, workshops, keynotes, and informal speeches (usually colleagues and friends ask me to stand up and give the audience a few words of wisdom). I also attend a lot of presentations, sales calls, workshops, etc. And it's funny — lately many presenters have been commenting after the presentation (and some during!), that I was a powerful energizer and helped them with their presentation.

I thought I was just sitting there and listening. I was wrong.

I've been taking notes and have found I exhibit a number of basic behaviors that make me a 'great' audience member. Here they are:

1. I smile.

So simple, yet EVERYONE forgets to do this. Some people smile, some have blank stares and some (and I don't think they realize this) they are frowning, smirking, or looking pretty angry. You're going to hear me talk a lot about energy transferral — and smiling is a simple and easy one to do. So if you remember, try to smile when they are speaking — not an insane, serial killer smile, just a sincere smile.

2. I nod my head.

When the presenter makes a point, I instinctively move my head and agree with them. Sometimes I do it unconciously, sometimes purposefully. In any case, it transfers energy to the speaker and gives them a temperature check of their speaking level.

3. I heartedly applaud at the beginning and the end.

It's hard for some people to stand up and immediately feel comfortable about speaking. A rousing round of applause with their name yelled out gets their blood pumping and immediately engaged. At the end, I'm one of the first slapping my hands together and standing — and getting the rest of the audience up and clapping. It's just the right thing to do.

4. I laugh at their humor.

I range from a small guffaw to a hearty laugh — let it out! When a presenter has a good sense of humor and uses it — the time flies, you enjoy the presentation, and you actually absorb what they're saying. Don't be a sour-puss — no one will like you (trust me on this).

5. I am engaged.

I listen to 'what' they are saying and not what my next appointment might be. I am present and actively engaged with the speaker, audience and topic. Live in the present and you will have a wonderful past and an exciting future.

6. I approach the presenter.

I always arrive early (it's a pleasant defect in my personality, so sue me) — so I always ask if I can help them set up. In addition, I always get the best seat in the house — not only to view the presentation — but the 'power' seat to speak if needed.

After the presentation, I always thank the presenter, mention 1-2 tips they touched upon, and give them positive feedback. Most people don't do this and sometimes the presenter doesn't get a good temp check on how they did.

And here's the PAYOFF . . .

Now step back and think — how can 'being a great audience' help your career or business? What happens if your boss was presenting? Or a valuable client? Or someone on your team? How would this help you? A lot.

I'm not saying to be disingenuous and fake about your emotions to the presenter — but I am stating that you need to let your body language and energy flow to the presenter and audience. If you are just yourself and let your emotions flow, you'll find yourself enjoying other people's presentations more, learning, and having more fun. It's infectious.

And guess what — they will do it for you to when you're presenting!

Happy With Your Career? Not For Long.

One of my favorite quotes from Bruce Lee: "If you alway put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else — it will spread into work and into your life. There are no limits — there are only plateaus and you must not stay there — you must go beyond them."

What is Bruce really saying when it comes to your career or business?

Everything in your life is a plateau on an endless mountain. You work hard — you move up — and make it to the next plateau. You get settled — you enjoy that plateau — and then you make plans to move from that plateau to the next plateau on the mountain.

And I promise you — if you stay at that plateau for a long time — one of three realities will occur:

1. You WILL get bored of that plateau and start self-sabotaging behaviors.

I see this happen all of the time. We get comfortable and we get to know our responsibilities, our deliverables, our customers. Unfortunately, a career without challenges tends to become predictable and boring. And when things in our life become predictable and boring — we tend to take them for granted.

We start to let some areas grow fallow — we start to procrastinate on delivering — just a bit at first, but then it becomes endemic. We might start coming in later to work or leave earlier. We might not get back to our best customer as quickly as we used to. We spend a little too much time surfing or sleeping on the job — and everyone begins to notice.

Solution: When you start to get bored — the very millisecond you get bored — start looking for the new plateau to move to and START CLIMBING.

2. Someone WILL kick you off that plateau.

In my Welcome Packet I send to new clients, I have a powerful quote on the front cover: "If you aren’t continually reinventing yourself, your company, or your brand, it’s only a matter of time before you become obsolete, irrelevant, and go out of business." And that's 100% true.

Someone or some company is going to come along and shake your apple tree. You might see the apples fly all over the place and say to yourself, "I have a strong stem — nothing will happen to me."

But you're wrong. Think of what's happening right now in the marketplace — what has happened to the publishing, newspaper, media, advertising, music, auto, banking industries (just to name a few)? If things aren't falling all around you — you might be falling off the number one spot to number two (or three). Or your vocation is changing and YOU need to chart out a new direction for your business to sail towards.

Solution: Keep your peripherals moving at all times — keep looking around and see if anyone (or any company/industry) is going to begin to take over your plateau. Don't get comfortable, get moving.

3. Your plateau WILL disappear and you will fall.

We frequently make the wrong assumption and think, "This is a great job/company, I am challenged every day, and nothing will really change (at least for the time being)."

You're WRONG. 40-50 years ago, you might be right — my father had his position at Electrolux until the day he retired. But stop kidding yourself — those jobs are GONE.

In fact, each year, the market is moving faster and faster. Industries that were booming just a decade ago are now gone.  I'm always in awe when I visit my local cable company (usually to trade in my broken DVR player) and see just 10-15 years ago all the awards on the walls, the photos of all the accomplishments, the parties, the fun that filled all the offices and people there.

Now there are two VERY bored people on the other side of the glass partition who collect cable payments and exchange DVR players. That's it. Everyone else is GONE.

Solution: Sometimes plateaus disappear instantly, but most of the time, it take awhile for them to totally evaporate. So you have time — not a lot of time — but just enough to find that next handhold and start climbing up.

So the only logical decision to be made is to start climbing up. Because you don't want to start climbing down.

There's no time like the present — START CLIMBING.

P.S. By the way, this also applies to your life too. Your marriage. Your friends. Keep it fresh! Keep it growing!

A Client Made Me Feel Wonderful Today.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't draw on some of the expertise that Super-Coach Rich Gee has shared with me over the past two years. My natural inclination is to start the day with whatever is in front of me and let chaos reign. But there's this little Rich Gee voice inside my head saying, "Get organized, use your Action Plan Checklist - don't open up your email until 10 AM!" Damn him!

So instead of being scattered, I have a daily action plan that organizes my work and keep me on track. I set goals, get rid of the excuses, make things happen, and get much more accomplished than I ever expected.

If you are seriously willing to make successful changes in how you operate your business, your schedule, your goal-setting, and aspirations, then have that one conversation with Rich Gee.

It will change your life. The real question is: Are YOU ready for it?"

- Dawn Reshen-Doty, President at Benay Enterprises, Inc.

Social Media Is Ruining Your Life.

How many text messages do you send in a day? How many emails? Tweets? Foursquares? How many quotes/photos/links do you post on Facebook? Pinterest? How many sites do you surf to learn about the world around you?

All of this is GOOD. But it shouldn't be the end-all of what you do to communicate every day.

Do you interact with strangers anymore? Your neighbors? The shopkeeper down the street? The man at Starbucks who makes you that perfect coffee every day?

As we stretch out via the web, we are slowly and subtly closing out many people around us. Not our friends, but those people I call "Strangers". You know, the people you DON'T know and unfortunately, they don't know you either.

As we entwine our lives with more and more social media outlets, it allows us to forgo the opportunity to reach out to people we touch everyday — the waitress, the auto mechanic, the crossing-guard at the school — and have a meaningful conversation with them.

Honestly, we don't even have to talk to them anymore — they are not only strangers, they are 'non-people' in our lives.

You might say — so what? But you might be missing out on your new best friend, your new boss, or your new life partner.

A better title for this post should be "Start A Conversation".

In the next few days, start a conversation with 3-5 strangers whom you wouldn’t normally talk to:

Ask them a question, make them laugh, or give them a compliment (I really like how your arranging those oranges - how do you do that?). You also need to get a response back — and if the opportunity presents itself, have a conversation.

But this is my charge to you — you have to do it this week. Make it happen.

When Things Aren't Working - Do The Opposite.

There's a famous Seinfeld episode where George is at a very low point in his life. Nothing is working and he doesn't know what his next step should be.

You can watch it here: http://youtu.be/cKUvKE3bQlY

What would happen if YOU did the opposite of what your instincts (fear) tell you? If what you've been doing has been delivering the wrong results, what would happen if you did the exact opposite? For example:

• If you have a bad communication channel with your boss, your natural instinct is to shy away. What if you increased your communication and asked the best channel to communicate?
• If you are reticent about attending an event, go to the event with a few friends, buy a new suit, and have new business cards printed. Engage people once you enter and act like the host.
• Having problems with a client or colleague? Instead of letting it go and fester, make a point of engaging that person and see how you can make your relationship healthier, stronger and more resilient.

So instead of doing what you ALWAYS do, try the exact opposite. See what happens — you might surprise yourself!

Is Life Giving You Lemons?

I ran across a powerful quote the other day from Nora Roberts, the romance novelist: “If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.”

Do you know about Nora Roberts? I met her MANY years ago when I was in Marketing at Waldenbooks/Reader's Market. We hosted an autographing at one of our locations and she had a new romance novel out. She was a really nice person (most authors and celebrities at the time were obnoxious). A lot of you might say with a hint of disdain in your voice, "Oh, she's a romance novelist."

Here are some sobering facts — as of 2011, her novels had spent a combined 861 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, including 176 weeks in the number-one spot. Over 400 million copies of her books are in print, including 12 million copies sold in 2005 alone. She's a heavy hitter.

Nora began to write during a blizzard in February, 1979 while housebound with her two small boys. With three feet of snow, a dwindling supply of chocolate, and no morning kindergarten she had little else to do. While writing down her ideas for the first time, she fell in love with the writing process, and quickly produced six manuscripts.

She submitted her manuscripts to Harlequin, the leading publisher of romance novels, but was repeatedly rejected. Roberts says, "I got the standard rejection for the first couple of tries, then my favorite rejection of all time. I received my manuscript back with a nice little note which said that my work showed promise, and the story had been very entertaining and well done. But that they already had their American writer. That would have been Janet Dailey."

In 1980, a new publisher, Silhouette books, formed to take advantage of the pool of manuscripts from the many American writers that Harlequin had snubbed. Roberts found a home at Silhouette, where her first novel, Irish Thoroughbred, was published in 1981. She used the pseudonym Nora Roberts, a shortened form of her birth name Eleanor Marie Robertson, because she assumed that all authors had pen names. Between 1982 and 1984, Roberts wrote 23 novels for Silhouette.

Roberts believes that pursuing a career as a writer requires discipline: "You're going to be unemployed if you really think you just have to sit around and wait for the muse to land on your shoulder." She concentrates on one novel at a time, writing eight hours a day, every day, even while on vacation. Rather than begin with an outline or plot summary, Roberts instead envisions a key incident, character, or setting. She then writes a short first draft with the basic elements of a story.

After finishing the first draft, Roberts goes back to the beginning of the novel. The second draft usually sees the addition of details, the "texture and color" of the work, as well as a more in-depth study of the characters. She then does a final pass to polish the novel before sending it to her agent, Amy Berkower. She often writes trilogies, finishing the three books in a row so that she can remain with the same characters.

So let's look closer at her words:

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it.

How many times have you known EXACTLY where you need to go and what you need to do? In fact, it's right in front of you. But for some reason, something or someone is holding you back. Here's a little secret, most of the time, that obstacle is usually YOU. You might think there are external forces out there — but you are putting those potholes in the road. You need to be very clear about what you want and go after it. Nora could have remained a stay-at-home Mom, but she had a dream of being a writer. And she went after it with gusto.

If you don't ask, the answer is always no.

As a coach, I run into this one ALL the time. People are afraid of asking for that raise, that promotion, that business. They either feel they're not worthy or that they're begging. If you want it — go get it. Nora was turned down a bunch of times by Harlequin, but she kept going back. She wrote whole manuscripts, submitted them, and was nicely declined. But she kept coming back.

If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

MOVE. You need to move somewhere and not stay in the same place. When we need to make a life change when life is giving us lemons (and it happens all the time), we tend to get caught up on where to go. Just take ANY step - very soon, you will be making your way forward and moving towards a new location with no lemons.

Listen to Nora, she knows where it's at.

Nora Roberts biographical information was partially gleaned from Wikipedia.

What Would Happen If You Disconnected From Email?

Take a trip with me. You have your smartphone and you unlink your email settings from your email server, making it impossible to receive email on your smartphone. You could probably still access your email via the browser on your smartphone — but that is so time-consuming, you'd rather not.

Your last email to your team, clients, and colleagues is to let them know you will be checking email at regular intervals during the day while you are at the office and if there is an actual emergency, to call you on your smartphone. But for all intents and purposes, you are not reading or responding to emails when you're not in the office.

What would happen?

1. You might get a few more phone calls.

But that's not a terrible thing. Instead of getting into a viscious email communication chain on some obscure topic, you can probably handle it with a quick 3-5 minute call. And you can group your callbacks and keep them short.

2. You get more organized and focused when you did access your email at the office.*

Initially, it would build up. But as team members, clients, and colleagues would notice, email would cease to be a primary communication vehicle for you. Since you only had a limited amount of time to read your email, you would only focus on those emails that were from key members of your team or were directly sent to you. Anything else most likely can fall by the wayside. *I totally understand if you spend 90-100% of your time away from the office — your smartphone is critical. But what would happen if you just checked emails when you opened your laptop? Or if you checked your smartphone at discreet times during the day and not ALL the time?

3. You would get slower replying to email.

No more quick responses — email is not texting or twitter. In fact, I would ask you not to use those tools either. The whole idea is to limit interruptions to your day to be able to focus on the important and strategic things happening in your life. If it's tactical- or emergency-based use the phone.

4. You would get faster communicating with your staff, clients, and colleagues.

No more long-winded emails — no death-defying email chains that go on forever. Just small phone interruptions (or grouping of phone calls) to connect and engage, manage, or inform. You can get a reputation of fast phone calls, keep them to 1-2 minutes or less and focus on the task at hand and make decisions or take action. Email prolongs debate — how many times have you been put through the email wringer with various vicious email cycles?

A number of clients of mine have done this and they've found a significant lightening of their load AND they are getting more things done. Why?

Email is not a very good communication vehicle.

It takes a long time to compose an email, there are many instances when you do give direction and someone doesn't see it, or the email message is misconstrued in a way where you come of yelling or reprimanding. Bottom line - email is not 'two-way' communication — it's a broadcast medium. In fact, it's worse, when you run into CC: and BCC: transmissions of the same email.

These reactive responses deliver the wrong message — not promoting or pushing projects and people forward — they actually get into email ruts. Trust me — I've been there.

Finally, email turns into heroin for some people. You know who you are — reading your email constantly like a stock ticker — responding instantly to people. How much productivity is wasted with this type of communication? What might be a better way of communicating?

So if you're brave — try unlinking your email today. If you just want to try it, don't check your email at all today — have an email response: "I won't be able to check my email today on my phone, please call me if it's urgent."

Go for it.

I Got A Little Gold Star On My Homework Today.

"The highest compliment you can pay a career coach is they change your life for the better with results beyond what you imagine. This is what Rich did for me through a way of coaching that showed the path, outlined requirements and gave me the tools to do it. I also know he can do it again and do it for anyone. Rich is an invaluable resource." — Rob Petersen, President & Founder at BarnRaisers

Rob - Thank you! You are the best.

How To Win The Lottery Of Your Life.

From Jeb Corliss (professional skydiver and base jumper): Someone posted this on my page — "I think you should have a "lottery" to offer average "Joe Blows" like me, the opportunity to experience life on your scale. Especially towards the ones who appreciate life as immensely as you do."

I responded with this — That lottery exists :)

It's called hard work and sacrificing everything to live a dream. I started with nothing. I worked in a movie theater making $4 an hour. I ate ramen noodles and only spent money on jumping and nothing else. Anyone can do what I do but not by asking others to do it for you.

You have to get up off your ass and take some risks with your life. There is no safe way to do what I have done. At any turn I could have died and almost did many many times. But I kept taking the risks. I kept braking the bones. I kept watching my friends die. I never gave up and now here I am.

There is no magic leprechaun that's going to do it for you. You have to do it for your self and you have to be willing to take the risks and pay the consequences for your actions. Those consequences are pain, suffering and most likely death. So are you sure you want what I have. Because it's yours for the taking. Just grow some balls and do it.

To learn more about Jeb Corliss, check out his site, his facebook page, and his twitter page. What a guy!

The Hidden Secret Why Everyone Is Better Than You.

When you're a child, you develop an broad impression of great power in every adult you meet.

• You think doctors know how to fix people.
• Lawyers are so quick and know the law (and how to debate).
• Teachers can recite facts until you're head explodes.
• Scientists can produce rocket ships to the moon!

And then you grow up.

You encounter stupid doctors, bad lawyers, lazy teachers and careless scientists.

Somehow, dumb people are able to get through school, grab their degree, and steal that promotion.

Your next realization is how easy it is to overestimate people in general.

You think a job will be beyond your qualifications. You don't have the smarts, the knowledge, the experience. Everyone else is smarter than you. You feel like an idiot.

But in fact, you're smart . . . really smart. Just remember that. You have:

• Everything you need - all the tools and techniques.
• More experience than you think.
• A deeper knowledge base in many areas they don't even know about.
• A wider understanding of how to communicate and engage people.

And here's a deeper secret, you're probably better than them.

But they'll never let you know it.

"There are two types of people in this world. The doers and the complainers."

In 1998, aged 16, Gurbaksh Chahal dropped out of high school to work full time at his first venture, ClickAgents. ClickAgents was an advertising network focused on performance-based advertising. In 2000, ValueClick bought ClickAgents in a $40 million. In 2004, Chahal formed BlueLithium. BlueLithium specialized in behavioral targeting of banner advertising. In 2007, Yahoo bought Blue Lithium for $300 million.

This is a quote from Gurbaksh. He gets right to the point. He makes it happen.

I have two questions for you:

1. What's holding you back? Is it someone or something in your life? Or it it YOU?

2. What would life be like if you eliminated that obstacle?

Most obstacles are self-imposed. We grow things out of proportion. We make things bigger than they really are.

Do you think Gurbaksh let inner (or outer) obstacles get in his way?

I don't think so.