Are You Like Blockbuster or Are You Like Netflix?

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“Anyone can make millions; all you gotta do is think.” –Ted Turner

A recent CNBC article reported “Blockbuster failed to update its brick-and-mortar model to compete in the fast-paced digital age, and it's been trounced by Netflix.” As a result, Blockbuster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The question: Are you like Netflix or are you like Blockbuster? Are you changing with the times and thriving or are you watching things around you change and reacting to your environment? There is no question we live in changing times, and while some are waiting for the economy to recover so they can go back to life as they knew it, others are being adaptable, flexible, and creative.

Here are some ways you, too, can change with the times, so you’re not left wondering “what just happened?”

Get Into Prosperity Mode: While having lunch with a friend I explained the tremendous potential within each of us for greatness. Her response, “People are too busy focusing on surviving.” If you are among those who are focused on just surviving, then like Blockbuster that is exactly what you will find yourself doing. To put things into perspective, Blockbuster had a staggering $900 million debt load. Instead, close off all thoughts such as, “I’m just getting by” and begin shifting your mind into prosperity mode. Do not become a victim of your circumstances.

Be joyful for the things in your life (family, health, friends, food…) and accept that there are limitless opportunities for you in the world. A woman recently posted on Twitter, “I reject the recession. I am my own lottery ticket.” That’s prosperity thinking! You become what you think about, so think thoughts of prosperity.

Make Your Own Rules for Success: Who says you have to play by the rules? Get into a paradoxical spirit of rule breaking with the intent of yielding results for your future. Netflix’s culture, for example, is contrary to that of many corporations. Their forward-thinking strategy for hiring, retaining, and compensating talent is vastly contrary to that of most organizations. The company threw out the old ways of doing business, which helped prepare them for a new economy. What rules will you begin breaking to start creating results in your life?

Be Proactive, Reject Reactive: Ask yourself, what kinds of skills do I have that would be of value? What kinds of people do I know? What new connections will I make? What knowledge do I possess? Asking these types of questions, keeping an inventory of your talents and resources, and taking action on some of these items (e.g., learning a new skill or making new connections) will prepare you to better adapt to changes in your life and finances.

Release the Innovator Within: One of my favorite TV shows is The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. While the show is no longer on the air, it was a testament to the innovator within all of us. The show featured everyday people who became millionaires when they realized, as Deutsch said, “There has to be a better way!” These people invented simple products to organize their lives, care for their children, haul away junk, or eat healthier foods. Their inventions were born out of necessity.

One of Netflix’s values is innovation. Among other things, they "create new ideas that prove useful.” Look around and think of products you or others could use to simplify or enrich your lives. Or consider services that would be especially useful in today’s economy. Even the simplest ideas can lead to something great.

Become an Information Vacuum. Observe trends or gather knowledge and information by surrounding yourself with resources or people you can learn from. You may be able to glean information that you can transform into new opportunities. Media mogul turned philanthropist, Ted Turner, said his fortune grew from reading the papers and gathering information which he would then piece together to realize there was a need for a product or service. This constantly kept him ahead of the competition. “Anyone can make millions; all you gotta do is think,” says Turner. The saying, “knowledge is power if you use it” holds true. So, act on the useful information you gather.

These are just a few things you can do to change with the times. Add your thoughts and ideas below and let’s share our brilliance to support and empower each other.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

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You're Such a Goody-Two-Shoes

Have you ever been called “goody-two-shoes”? I have. There were times I was told I was too honest because, for example, I corrected a cashier’s error or I refused to tell untruths on someone else’s behalf.

I used to be offended by the term goody-two-shoes because my mind conjured up images of a schoolmarm who had zero sense of fun or risk-taking. Who wanted to be perceived in that manner? Not me!

Over time as I immersed myself in books and courses on personal development and leadership, the term “integrity” began to take on great significance. I saw the devastating effects a lack of integrity had on businesses, the economy, and communities (think Bernie Madoff, the Great Recession, and Fortune 500 companies that have fallen from grace). Certainly other factors such as greed played a role in these situations; yet, a lack of integrity ranks high on the list.

In 2009, when Fortune magazine reported schools were adding courses on integrity to MBA programs, I knew these schools saw the same lack-of-integrity effects I did.

Nowadays, when someone describes me as goody-two-shoes I realize what they are really saying is, I am a woman of integrity. If the term goody-two-shoes does not appeal to you, the next time someone describes you as such consider it a high compliment and keep moving forward.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

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Humility Breeds Success

Humility is an important characteristic of a leader. Leaders who possess this quality and who are also interested in benefiting others rather than advancing their own self interests, achieve greater success with their teams and business.

Therefore, I couldn't agree more when I read this recent quote from Jim Collins, author of classic business books such as Good to Great and Built to Last. I thought it was timely and relevant:

"Leaders of great enduring companies possess a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will, more like Lincoln than Patton; they're intent on building, contributing and creating something that will endure rather than furthering their own interests in fame, fortune or power."

In the course of leading your team, your company, or even your family, balance strength with humility to achieve greater success and lasting results.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

___________________________
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Life is an Open Classroom

Life is an open classroom, though there is no curriculum to tell you which lessons to expect each week or even each day. Lessons are often unexpected and challenges are like pop quizzes that test your character as much as it builds it.

Different seasons in your life represent semesters in which new lessons are learned. There is no pass or fail, only a grade of "complete." Once the lesson is complete you move on to the next. Sometimes you may experience a similar lesson. Not because you've failed a previous one; instead, it's an opportunity for you to achieve advanced learning.

So, what do you do with all that knowledge? Apply what you've learned to your own life as well as to the lives of others. When you teach others you help them to learn and grow. In turn, you learn and grow as well. I find that as I teach others, it reinforces my knowledge and I may even acquire new learning. For example, the more I teach someone about humility, the more I am reminded to be humble. Through my experience with that individual I may learn to be more patient. I may even discover that I am stronger than I realize.

You are always learning. You are always growing wiser in life's open classroom.

What lessons have you learned and how have you applied them to your life and the lives of others? Share your comments below.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

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Changing Your Behavior for Results

Enjoy this short, impactful process designed to change your behavior so you get results in your business and/or personal life.

Immediately after completing this exercise, share your thoughts and reactions with your group. Then, post comments here about your experience and outcomes.

This process is taken from the Harvard Business Review article, "An Exercise in Changing Yourself." Click here to read the full HBR article.

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Are You Hurting Bad Enough?

One morning a man was sitting on his porch with his dog who was lying there groaning. A passerby stopped and asked why the dog was groaning.

Man: He's lying on a nail
Passerby: Why doesn't he just get up?
Man: He ain't hurtin' bad enough

I heard this story several years ago and it's always worth sharing.

The moral is there are people who talk about what's wrong or what's missing in their lives; yet, they never really take action toward creating change. Instead, they "groan" about their situation. Why? Because they are not hurting badly enough to get up and go after what they want.

Oftentimes people say they aren't pursuing their dreams because, at the moment, they lack the drive; they're low on money; they're too busy; they want to shed a few pounds first; they're too young or too old... When I ask how long they've been putting their dreams on hold, it turns out it's been years!

To achieve a dream or to create change in your life, think about how badly you want it. Begin developing belief and reflect all that is possible within you by changing your thoughts; e.g., "I WILL do this." "This is possible." Imagine yourself already achieving your dream and start taking the action steps that will get you there.

Get off the nail, stop groaning, and start doing!

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

___________________________
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Challenge Rules If They Don't Make Sense

In 1963, psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment on obedience, now known as The Milgram Experiment.

In this experiment, participants were divided into groups of teachers and students. The "teachers" were asked to administer painful electric shocks to "students" who gave incorrect answers to questions. The shocks weren’t real, though the teachers did not know that. As the experiment progressed, the teachers grew concerned and asked if it was okay to continue. They were encouraged to do so and were assured they would not be held responsible for the outcomes.

The participants were given more and more painful shocks and they screamed in pain; some even banged on the wall and pretended to complain of a bad heart. In the end, 65% of the teachers obeyed orders to punish the students to the very end of the 450-volt scale! No one stopped before reaching 300 volts. If the shocks were real the participants would have died.

In 2006 I told the story of the Milgram Experiment in a speech about taking the road less traveled. I provided "7 Steps to the Road Less Traveled"; step number three was "Challenge Rules If They Don't Make Sense." This step holds true today.

Wherever there are rules that don't make sense, exercise the courage to challenge them. Your decision to do so may make a difference in your life or the lives of others.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine

___________________________
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