Full On Service - What Does it Mean?

This is one of the questions I ask the audience when I present on the topic of Working with Passion & Purpose. I am always intrigued by the answers this question stirs up. Recently, here is how an audience answered that question:

Being Full On in Service to Others:

•        Energized
•        Fully present
•        Coming from a place of giving (without expectation)5 ways / 5 actions to be more passionate and purposeful at work:
•        Smile
•        RAK (random acts of kindness)
•        Laughter
•        Connections
•        Acknowledgement
• 
  
• 
  

     When we discussed what the purposeful passionate team demonstrates in terms of qualities and attributes, this was the response:

•        Fun
•     Great team work
•        Collaborative
•        Sense of Freedom
•        Compassionate
•        Feel useful
•        Supportive
•        Determined
•        Successful

Being purposeful, passionate and present is not always easy; in fact, it can take work and energy. However, I know that not being present, purposeful and passionate is a lot more work. Often when you are not present, mistakes are made which require a mulligan (a do-over).  I am of the mindset why do something twice, when it only needs to be done once? 

Here are a few ways to be present, purposeful and passionate:

•        Frame your day- decide in advance how you will show up. Make a conscious decision about how you want your day to go.
•       Start your day with gratitude by identifying (and stating) one thing you are grateful for.
•        Ensure you nurture your health and well being.
•        Slow your pace, just a little bit.
•       Take time to breathe properly.
•        Keep your work space a little less busy or cluttered.
•       Remove distractions when you are trying to focus.
•        End your day with gratitude.

When you show up purposeful and present, it is much easier to tackle whatever comes your way as life happens.

Insights to the tough choices and hard decisions

I just finished reading The Book of Hard Choices, and appreciated the many examples of the tough decisions in business. We can probably all relate to the tough decisions that keep us awake at night.


Autry talked about the four types of clients:

1) Reasonable and fair clients

2) Unpredictable and troublesome clients

3) Difficult and Demanding clients

4) Bullies


We have all probably dealt with several types of these clients. Autry discusses the challenging dilemma of dealing with these situations involving the more difficult clients, while maintaining your integrity and self respect.


He also talks about the importance of never being driven by fear in terms of making important decisions and to remember the long term impact of what we say and what we do.


I very much enjoyed the author's comments about living in the "learning zone" instead of the comfort zone. This was an insight that I think is most important for business. Complacency can smother a team's morale, productivity and success.


Autry's comments that life experiences and how you cope, shape you are is so true. It also provides hope that we can change the outcomes of situations by how we respond, and who we are being in those moments.

Finally, his examples of ensuring ground rules before agreeing to confidentiality were so well written, and so important. As a trainer, facilitator and former mediator, I witnessed firsthand the necessity for ground rules around communication and confidentiality.

A good read.

To find out more about tough business decisions and the choices that challenge our integrity, and what to do about it, check out: