Force, violence, rough play - whether it be against people or animals is an indication of issues within the person perpetrating because of a need to use force to control, manipulate and subjugate to compensate for their sense of inferiority (sometimes masked as superiority) and fear resulting in the need to dominate others to bolster their self worth and feelings of insecurity - beware of the bully - these people may do you great emotional and/or possibly physical harm
There are many people who think we are about money, are control freaks, and/or people who take risk to receive some reward - I strongly disagree!!! While this may offend some I believe often what is the case when I hear these definitions (apologies to who this will offend) is we have employees trying to relate a mindset they do not even begin to grasp.
The closest thing I have found to explain a true entrepreneur is an artist. A person not motivated by money or even in some cases not even concerned with making a living (though life requires it) rather a person almost obsessed and driven with seeing their ideas made manifest as they envision them in their head much like an artist takes a picture in their head and does what they can to translate that onto some media to the best of their ability and hopefully if others see the value get compensated an entrepreneur is the same with their ideas often that others miss or fail to understand.
I could go on, but instead of my pontificating endlessly let me share the thoughts and ideas of others and then I would like to know your thoughts:
Also - a good resource to use is Entrepreneur and least I forget the business I and my partners started Top Flight LLC because too many models are focused on exclusivity - we designed ours to help anyone who is serious (regardless of their level) about being the best at what they do and who is willing to pay the price.
Too often people focus on the sizzle and not the substance, the sparkle and not the content, the sweet without the nutritional value. I know I am what some would consider a geek, a nerd or an analytical technical nataured person - yet it is this perspective that allows some insights and in the vein I would like to offer some advice:
Beware of snake oil salespeople
Technology does not exist for technology sake - it should exist to support and align with your business.
Avoid the tempation to use all of the new and fancy stuff because it is there (am not saying do not be an early adopter) I am saying make sure that you do aligns with your mission
Avoid fancy websites with allot of colors and gadgets that are difficult to read and navigate - Most of us learned to read on paper with pen or on a white screen with black type - high contract easy to read - make it to difficult people will not bother staying on your site.
When selecting someone to assist you in executing you business mission make sure they are actually listening to and working to solve your challenges and make your business run more efficiently - too often many are pushing their products to make a quick dollar - you want people who are looking to form a long term strategic partnership and who believe their success is tied to your success.
I could go on but and on about this topic but I am sure by now you get the theme. Seek people who understand technology - like money, tableware, hammers, etc are simply tools not the destination. Also make sure they have some idea of how to work with you to make those tools work effectively for you!
I will close with some thought s from Sir Richard Branson - My question to you is how does what he is discussion ties into what I have written?
We have all heard the saving the truth shall set you free.
This has been an interesting week. Was in a conversation with a friend who told me they are doing work which they believe is beneath them. I shared that there is no such thing as honest work that is beneath you and shared that almost 15 years ago I worked a part time and even cleaned toilets to pay bills as a degreed engineer and that my mother who was a certified and licensed teacher used to clean building with my grandmother to earn extra money to make up the difference. So often we place value on the wrong things and I believe we should be humble enough to appreciate the fact we have our health and the ability to do any work. While I hate this recession I think if we as a society relearn that simple truth we would have made much progress because the obsession with easy money or finding new ways to exploit instead of serve (greed) is much of the reason for our current dilemma. We have lost sight of some important core characteristics:
Fidelity
Respect (of self and others)
Integrity
Self control
Diligence
Accountability
Patience
Empathy
Courage
Scholarship
Self Sacrifice
Today I was getting gas and spent about an hour talking to a young man who was telling me how his girlfriend committed suicide yesterday and how he had to cut her down.
He told me about the note they found of how life was no longer fun. He also told me about how for $200 and some change the Doctor cut her off from her medicine. This made this think about how important the quality of the people we associate with are and how they can literally mean the difference between life and death.
What are the characteristics of the people you associate with and do they challenge you to reach your potential or do they enable your continued dysfunction. Do you associate with people who work to create mutually beneficial relationships or people who look to exploit you for their own gain at your expense.
He recanted how she was tired in her notes and how life was no longer fun, there was no joy in life. She had what many consider the american dream her own house, a good job, and could do what she wanted and yet that was not enough so what was missing?
Also, to a lessor degree can some of what we see here be attributed to why some people succeed and others continue of paths of self destructive behaviors?
the part I like the best because it ties back to business is
Maturity & Leadership
Leadership is more than a desire to delegate tasks. If your confidence provides orientation for unconfident followers, and if your decisions are beneficial, you will be respected. Soulwork coaching can help you accomplish family, team or organizational goals. Soulwork can help you:
maintain a clear vision that encourages people to align with you
create an environment where people want to be responsible
clearly describe what is necessary for quality performance
transfer responsibility to the people who do the work
develop individual capability and competence
set an example and challenge people to continually learn
Pardon the rambling but here are the questions:
how have your relationships past and present affected the current quality of your life and are they moving your closer to or further away from your goals?
Are you better off long term from having known this person?
Are they better off long term from having known you?
Have the quality of their life or business improved from having associated with you and visa versa?
When setting your goals since you cannot achieve them alone have you answered the WIFM question with regards to how it will affect others?
Have been in a few discussion on innovation as well as watching some shows. One of the shows I watched Kamen Rider Dragon Knight - which is a variant of the original Kamen (Masked) Rider Ryuki. While it is an adaptation the American version aside from costumes, props and some (not all) characters actually shares little with the original but the special effects are way better. The assumption for some would be same show so aside from English must be the same right - this is an example of a perception that if we do not verify we wrongly assume an incorrect premise to be accurate when it is in fact false.
Do our perceptions and preconceived motions affect our decision making:
Are we aware of how they affect us?
Can our short term decisions have long term ramifications?
If we qualify the criteria used to make a decision do our biases cause us to make better or worse quality choices?
If our goal is fun and entertain or dazzle and spectacle can that cause us to make choices and pick items that in truth are less effective than if we make objective quantified decisions based solely on empirical fact?
If our motivation is merely short term in nature can that cause us to make decision and choices which are strategically bad for us in the long term?
The million dollar questions:
How does perception affect the quality of your decision making process?
Are you aware of the affects your biases have on your decision make processes?
Can this bias cause you to make emotional vs strategic choices?
Can this bias cause you to pursue self destructive goals believing they are productive?
Power - so many think the only way to obtain it is to take it from someone else - when people or businesses do this avoid them - this is a tactic used to distract from that person or businesses lack of substance or inability to perform.
If you run across a person or business who bad mouths another suggest checking out the business they are bad mouthing because there may be some merit however also suggest not doing business wiht the negative firm however that is just a suggestion will leave the decision to you yet I will ask this - if that business had merit would they instead be talking about how they can add value to you instead of trying to devalue another?
What is the greatest assest you can have in business?
Some would say money, others would argue knowledge and I would differ.
There is not one thing I believe rather there are two
Your compassion
Your honor
Let me explain - it is only in compassion that you can possibly understand that your customers and employees come first and that your employees are investments to be developed to grow to their full potential. As for honor it is your word, your reputation, people knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt you will life up to every aspect of your word.
From these trust and respect are developed and without these no business can be sustained long term. If you do these things you will most likely stand out from the crowd!
Let me open with an expression of thanks to the faculty and staff of Minority Programs at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth for an excellent program, the October 2008 session of Building the High-Performing Minority Business. The courteous treatment the participants received, the nurturing environment of the campus, and the willingness of my fellow participants to share was a refreshing change from the day-to-day. Running an effective and profitable business in this economy is important and ensuring owners have the proper tools to lead and grow their businesses has always been important, but especially now.
I found that Building the High-Performing Minority Business excelled in providing development strategy—the curriculum was challenging and the practicum was effective. The most beneficial offering, for me, was one-on-one mentoring with Len and Jason. As a result of their suggestions, I am positioning my company to take advantage of some potentially upcoming trends, and changing the appeal—and consequently the marketing—of my business.
I made revisions to several details of my business, some of which are: the nature of my blog; the content of my website and linkedin profile; and the general focus of my company. It will take me months to fully implement all of the changes and solutions that came out of the Building program, but I am already seeing some payoff. Once these changes are complete, I will most likely pursue a moderate capital infusion, as well as strategic teaming agreements, to allow more breadth and scale.
Since returning to the Carolinas and applying what I learned in the program, the virtual perception of my company has already improved. Some clients whose value I had determined to be questionable evolved and solidified, and I was also able to secure business from some clients that I had not heard from in a few years. Additionally, I have begun laying the groundwork for strategic alliances with classmates; once my company’s internal realignment is complete, I will likely be able to capitalize on some of the synergy that came out of the program for several of us. I have already referred some clients to classmates, and I have likewise received some great leads from classmates.
As a result of what I have learned I have reorganized to pay off debt, removed dead weight and have new projects in the pipeline.
I personally and actively advocate that all business leaders, business owners and associates should attend this program to help them with their businesses, as well as equip them with the tools they need to help others. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend—it was, and remains, of great benefit. I strongly recommend this program to any business owner. Having the proper tools to run your business is important in any economic environment.
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
1892 to 1923
"I pledge allegiance to my flag andtothe republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1923 to 1924
"I pledge allegiance totheflagof the United Statesand to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1924 to 1954
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Statesof America,and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
1954 to Present
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nationunder God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
The oath may beswornoraffirmed(in which case it is called anaffirmationinstead ofoath). Although not present in the text of the Constitution, it is customary for modern presidents to say "so help me God" after the end of the oath. For officers other than the President, the expression "So help me God" is explicitly prescribed, but the Judiciary Act of 1789 also explains when it can be omitted: (specifically for oaths taken by court clerks), "Which words, so help me God, shall be omitted in all cases where an affirmation is admitted instead of an oath."[15]
The Constitution specifies in Article VI, clause 3:
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
For other officials, including members of Congress, it specifies they "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution." At the start of each newU.S. Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year, those newly elected or re-elected Congressmen - the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate - must recite an oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.[16]
This oath is also taken by the Vice President, members of the Cabinet, and all other civil and military officers and federal employees other than the President. While the oath-taking dates back to the First Congress in 1789, the current oath is a product of the 1860s, drafted byCivil War-era members of Congress intent on ensnaring traitors.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution, and laws of the United States. So help me God.
The outbreak of theCivil Warquickly transformed the routine act of oath-taking into one of enormous significance. In April 1861, a time of uncertain and shifting loyalties, PresidentAbraham Lincolnordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath. When Congress convened for a brief emergency session in July, members echoed the president's action by enacting legislation requiring employees to take the expanded oath in support of the Union. This oath is the earliest direct predecessor of the modern version of the oath.
When Congress returned for its regular session in December 1861, members who believed that the Union had as much to fear from northern traitors as southern soldiers again revised the oath, adding a new first section known as the "Ironclad Test Oath." The war-inspired Test Oath, signed into law onJuly 2,1862, required "every person elected or appointed to any office ... under the Government of the United States ... excepting the President of the United States" to swear or affirm that they had never previously engaged in criminal or disloyal conduct. Those government employees who failed to take the 1862 Test Oath would not receive a salary; those who swore falsely would be prosecuted forperjuryand forever denied federal employment.
The 1862 oath's second section incorporated a different rendering of the hastily drafted1861oath. Although Congress did not extend coverage of the Ironclad Test Oath to its own members, many took it voluntarily. Angered by those who refused this symbolic act during a wartime crisis, and determined to prevent the eventual return of prewar southern leaders to positions of power in the national government, congressional hard-liners eventually succeeded by1864in making the Test Oath mandatory for all members.
The Senate then revised its rules to require that members not only take the Test Oath orally, but also that they "subscribe" to it by signing a printed copy. This condition reflected a wartime practice in which military and civilian authorities required anyone wishing to do business with the federal government to sign a copy of the Test Oath. The current practice of newly sworn senators signing individual pages in an oath book dates from this period.
As tensions cooled during the decade following the Civil War, Congress enacted private legislation permitting particular former Confederates to take only the second section of the 1862 oath. An 1868 public law prescribed this alternative oath for "any person who has participated in the late rebellion, and from whom all legal disabilities arising therefrom have been removed by act of Congress." Northerners immediately pointed to the new law's unfair double standard that required loyal Unionists to take the Test Oath's harsh first section while permitting ex-Confederates to ignore it. In 1884, a new generation of lawmakers quietly repealed the first section of the Test Oath, leaving intact the current affirmation of constitutional allegiance.
The oaths of state and local officials are largely patterned on these. Typical would be the oath taken by all New York government officials:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of New York, (and the Charter of the City of New York, e.g.), and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of (mayor of the City of New York, e.g.) to the best of my ability.(So help me Godis traditionally added.)
Federal judicial oaths
In the United States,federal judgesare required to take not just one, but two oaths. The first oath is this:[17]
I, XXX XXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as XXX under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.
The second oath that federal judges must take is this:[16]:
I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Federal statute specifically says that the latter oath "does not affect other oaths required by law."[16]
Amendment XIV[Privileges and Immunities, Due Process, Equal Protection, Apportionment of Representatives, Civil War Disqualification and Debt (1868)] (seeannotations)
