Leadership Development - Skills and servitude - Part 2

He was 9 years. Young Jake was spending a perfect afternoon Saturday to watch the boats and ships come and go in the harbor. He loved the sea, the breeze and salt spray. Such a ship, a sailing very large, had docked near where he sat. There was a family on it. What he imagined must have had adventures together!

Jake and his parents had lived in this coastal town for a lifetime. His father and his father's father, had always worked at the port. It 'been honest, hard work that has provided a good life for their family and countless others. In his youthful exuberance, Jake ran home to announce to them that when he grew up, was going to buy a big boat, a sailboat, just like what he saw at the port. He told the family he had seen on it and what seemed to be having a great time together.

Their reaction was not what she expected. He thought he would say something like: "How wonderful! How big is your boat? What color is it? So you surf?" Instead, their response was very different, "Are you crazy? This is just a pipe dream for people like us. You could also get that idea from your head and get back to reality! You'll never own a boat like this."

How many of us have been in the same place as the young Jake? We have hopes, dreams and big ideas, only to have them dashed by those who think they are doing you a favor by pulling us back to "reality".

I often have conversations with people just like Jake. Even if all the odds seem against them and the family and friends think are setting themselves up for a fall, are forced to continue their search for a better life. They are constantly looking for product "right" idea, or "opportunities" that will allow them to realize their dreams.

I am one of those dreamers. We try again and again with various home based business, an invention, even a brick and mortar business, an 'idea' better ', or places of self-employment of any kind. I am always amazed by the strength of the human spirit!

How many of you, I can not stop! There's something burning inside me going - effort, toil, work for a better future for my family and the lives of those who call upon me for my help and expertise. I am always looking for the one who asks: "How big is your boat? And where you want to sail?"

If you are among those who "can not go out", whose dreams can not be suppressed, the simple concept I bring today is for you. If you have been in any kind of MLM home based business or one of the first things they said that was the dream of doing. Big dreams, write them, keep them, and reach them through whatever product or the company may have. I will "amen" that. But, here's a simple 3 word phrase that can put that in perspective and action.

"Define, Learn, Do"

Growing up we are taught to think about what the possibilities are. Dreams of grandeur and are crushed before they can take hold. We are caught in the expectations of our friends and family. Going to school, get a good job with benefits, work 40 years and retired, living the perceived "American dream".

In the "real world" this is usually experienced as:

DO - As a high school are encouraged to do something. Make a decision for our future. (As if 18 years are ready to do this kind of decision!)
LEARN - We go to college to learn to do that "something" that we chose.
DEFINE - This decision therefore often defines who we are, our results and our way of life.

I have often considered why are we so enamored of the television show "American Idol". I think it's because everyone can relate to go after our dreams, become the best, finally achieving all that we knew we could be. We actually live the dream through them. I do not want to live the dream through someone else. I want it for myself, for my family and those whose lives are able to touch along the way.

I intend to go after life in the opposite direction.

DEFINE

See the "vision" (finished product) clearly. Where do I want to go? Those who want to be? How do I make a difference in my world? What is my purpose? Define what it looks like in detail.
(How big and what color will be sailing the boat?)

LEARN

Use the resources, materials, people who have already reached the "vision" in their right to show us, teach us and help us to avoid problems during the trip. Find a Mentor to provide guidance along the way. College may very well be the answer to this, but do not limit education to a class.

DO

Take the knowledge you have collected, put together a plan, always weighing action against "vision" to reach the goal. Do those things that are productive and in line with what must be done to achieve the desired result. Think big, think out-of-the-box, see the possibilities, weighing action against your vision. Being single-minded and well targeted.

This is what leaders do. They see the possibilities (the "vision"), they discover how to reach them, and take appropriate action. Remember, though, we can not do it alone. People will always be our greatest resource. Always treat others with respect and kindness. Do not step on people without taking into account their needs and desires. Instead, take them with you in this exciting journey towards your dreams.

Learning these principles is a process. Their application is vital! I conclude with this quote from the book to start 'Revolution Leadership of Woodward and Brady, "Leaders do the right things for the right reasons at the right time." (P. 66) Learn to be kind of a leader, the type of person that truly do the right thing "for the right reasons at the right time." And each of us can come and put that we can achieve our dream of "sailing", whatever that might be for you or me.

Until next time!
Kathy Alger ...