Who is this Godfather?

EFFECTIVE TIME USAGES DETERMINES SUCCESS

Everyday you make an investment of your time in
your chosen activities.
You cannot save time for later use.
You have to use it as it comes.
And you only have 24 hours to each day.

Try to get the most out of the time you have.
Focus your efforts on doing those things that will have the most
significant impact on your life and your work.
Do the important things first and stay focused on them until they are done.

Nothing makes you more effective than your ability to stay focused.
Challenge yourself to stay focused.
You'll be amazed at how much you'll get done, when you actually work
the whole time you're working.

Your time is precious and cannot be replaced.
Use it effectively with focus and get things done.

Don't serve time, make time serve you.

Momentum Breakers vs Momentum Makers

Momentum Breakers vs Momentum MakersDr. John C. Maxwell

A train travelling 55 mph on a railroad track can crash through a 5-foot thick steel-reinforced concrete wall without stopping. That same train, starting from a stationary position, won't be able to go through an inch-thick block in front of the driving wheel.

It is never the size of your problem that is the problem. It's a lack of momentum. Without momentum, even a tiny obstacle can prevent you from moving forward. With momentum, you'll navigate through problems and barely even notice them.

As a leader, your responsibility is to understand momentum, to get it moving for your organization, and to sustain it over time. Momentum can be tricky to comprehend, though, often appearing elusive and intangible. In this article, my goal is to give you handles so that you can better recognize how to generate momentum in your workplace. To help you grasp the concept of momentum, I'll outline ten momentum breakers alongside ten momentum makers.

Momentum Breakers and Makers

Momentum breaker - double-mindedness
Momentum maker - focus

By creating and following a clear and focused vision statement, a leader develops momentum. A leader drains away momentum by shooting at nothing or attempting everything.

Movement causes friction. When you paint a target for your team, you'll likely encounter resistance. As a leader, you can't restrict yourself by living inside of someone else's comfort zone. Great accomplishments require leaders to fix their gaze beyond what's easily attainable.

Momentum breaker - the past
Momentum maker - the future

An organization picks up steam when its leaders point to a better tomorrow. Momentum breaks down when leaders preoccupy themselves with the past. Or, as I've heard quoted, "Losers yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Winners learn from the past and let go of it."

Many people have powerful dreams. However, most don't realize that the viability of their ideal tomorrow is based on what they do today. The difference between a dream and wishful thinking is what you're doing now. Practice today what you want to be tomorrow. If you do it well enough, someday you may arrive at your dream.

Momentum breaker - individualism
Momentum maker - teamwork

If you want to kill momentum, then insist on doing things by yourself. Momentum grows through team victories in which numerous people can claim to have played a role. The level of celebration on a team depends upon the level of participation.

Momentum breaker - critical attitude
Momentum maker - constructive attitude

Tennis great Chris Evert said it best, "The thing that separates good players from great ones is mental attitude. It might only make a difference of two or three points over an entire match, but how you play those key points often makes the difference between winning and losing."

Momentum breaker - tradition
Momentum maker - creativity

Don't tear down the fence until you understand why it was built. At the same time, relentlessly question the logic, "that's how we have always done it." What worked in the past may be outdated and could hold you back in the future.

Momentum breaker - apathy
Momentum maker - passion

Passion energizes your talent and rubs off on those around you. If you have courage, then you will influence people based on your passionate convictions. If you lack courage, then you will only influence people to the extent of your comfort zone.

Momentum breaker - dishonesty
Momentum maker - character

Character is the sum total of our everyday choices. It cannot be built overnight. A trustworthy leader has a much easier time generating momentum than a leader with a reputation of being manipulative and deceitful.

Momentum breaker - conformity
Momentum maker - change

As John F. Kennedy said, "Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." Sticking with the status quo won't create an ounce of momentum. Although it's difficult and may demand sacrifice, change is required to build momentum.

Momentum breaker - ingratitude
Momentum maker - gratitude

As a Chinese proverb states, "Those who drink the water must remember those who dug the well." No one can claim to be self-made. Whatever accomplishments we attain in life have connections to the goodwill and support of those around us. When we express thankfulness for the benefits bestowed upon us by friends and colleagues, then those people are more apt to aid us again in the future.

Momentum breaker - indecision
Momentum maker - action

I am never overly impressed with idea people. Anyone who takes a long shower can come up with a good idea. I'm impressed with a person who has the tenacity and discipline to make ideas happen.

I've seen many leaders break the momentum on their team by succumbing to the paralysis of analysis. Leaders have to act with incomplete information. You can never know all of the variables. Momentum and risk go hand in hand. As a leader, if you always play it safe, then you'll never inspire excitement in those you lead.

Closing Assignment

I'll leave you with a simple assignment. Assess your personal momentum. Are you speeding through the obstacles in your life or struggling to surmount even the smallest problems? What is responsible for your momentum or lack thereof? Do you recognize any of the momentum makers or breakers in your personal leadership?

Benefit for Active Duty Military

Please pass the below information to active duty military, active members of a reserve or National Guard.

Thank you for your service.

* Complimentary admission for active duty military representing all
five service branches, active members of a reserve or National Guard unit,
and/or up to three direct dependants.
* Valid for one complimentary single-day admission per person, per year,
to one of the following Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks:
* SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio
* Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Williamsburg
* Sesame Place
* Adventure Island
* Water Country USA
* Offer valid through 12/31/2009. Operating days and hours vary by park.
Please check with specific park for current operating schedule.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Fill out the on-line form below entirely and then submit.
2. Print a copy of the form.
3. Sign the bottom of the printed form on the line provided.
4. Along with completed registration form, applicant must present valid,
active-duty Military/Service ID; dependents ages 10 and over must present
valid Dependent ID.
5. If you are unable to print your registration form, you can pick one up
at Guest relations and fill it out upon arrival.

 http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/os_application.asp

DISCLAIMER:
Valid military identification reflecting active status and dependent ID(s)
required for offer. Non-transferable. Non-refundable. Not valid at Aquatica
or Discovery Cove. Not valid with any other discounts or offers. Subject to
change or cancellation. Limit one complimentary admission per person, per
year. 

Love as viewed by Children

Read this today, and wanted to pass it on...

Love as viewed by Children Rebecca age 8: "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's Love"