Category Archives for Entrepreneurship & Business

3 Top Peak Performance and Entrepreneurial Articles for The Week of September 29, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

How Mood Effects Performance
By Brain Amble

If you’ve ever had one of those customer service experiences which left you convinced that the employee you were dealing with must have got out of bed the wrong side, new research suggests that could have been exactly what happened. Read more

My  Comment:  What do you do to make sure your employees and team start the day in a positive mood? www.motivateresults.com

How Mood Impacts Results
By Daniel Goldman

Emotions are highly intense, fleeting, and sometimes disruptive to work; moods tend to be less intense, longer-lasting feelings that typically don’t interfere with the job at hand. And anemotional episode usually leaves a corresponding lingering mood: a low-key, continual flow of feeling throughout the group. Although emotions and moods may seem trivial from a business point of view, they have real consequences for getting work done.  Read more

My  Comment:  It’s important to find ways to address mood. www.motivateresults.com

Business: Change Your Performance Mindset
By Dr. Jim Taylor

When I work with businesspeople and companies, my first challenge is to convince them that profitability, whether individual or corporate, though important, should not be the primary focus. To persuade the often-resistant corporate brain trust, I introduce them to what I call the 3 Ps. Yes, at the top of the business “food chain,” the ultimate goal in the business world and the first P isprofitability (or increased profitability). But how to achieve greater profitability. It comes from the second P, productivity, meaning getting stuff done that results in individual compensation or corporate revenues. But what underlies productivity? The third and most fundamental P, performance, is the engine that drive productivity and profitability. Read more

My  Comment:  One way to change your performance mindset is to set a record.  www.motivateyourresults.com

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Your Raise The Bar Primer: Mental Performance Tools

“Easily look your best and set records.” – Raj Gavurla

Easily look your best and set records with my new workbook, Your Raise The Bar Primer: Mental Performance Tools.  If you’re not seeing the results you want, then this is the workbook for you.

Learn to set records and use your mental performance tools for greater success.  Will be available soon as a monthly and yearly workbook.

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

The #1 Secret to Reaching Your Peak Performance Level
By Mohamed Tohamil

By the time you finish reading this article you’ll discover the #1 secret to reaching your peak performance level.

It has been proven again and again that all successful people have used this secret at some point in their lives, and that this secret is responsible for generating successful people and financial giants each and every day. Read more

My  Comment:  Mentoring allows you to create something greater than you initially started with. Not just copy someone’s past success.

Focused Priorities Fuel Leadership Success
By Pat Heydlauff

What are your leadership responsibilities – engaging the workforce, hiring, acquisitions, financial planning, visioneering, innovation? Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric, believed he had only three things to do as a leader: choose the right people, allocate the right funds and transmit ideas from division to division at the speed of light. Read more

My  Comment:  This article can also be applied to entrepreneurial leadership or corporate entrepreneurship

7 Questions To Ask Yourself Every Day For Peak Performance
By Jason Brick

The life of an entrepreneur is hard. It demands your time and energy, and it often torpedoes relationships and other aspects of your life outside of work. It pulls you in so many directions at once that it’s hard to find a clear path. Read more

My  Comment:  Knowing your why (relationship between motivation and inspiration) is essential for you to thrive

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

1 Weekly Habit That Will Push You to Peak Performance
By LAURA GOLEMAN

In 15 minutes a week, you can get closer to your optimal work life.
Most of us have the desire to be high-performing. The alternative is boredom and less personal pride. Entrepreneurs especially, with their names on the sign, aim high. Read more

My Comment:  This article really gets to the importance of asking the right questions.  In anything you pursue, instead of reaching a comfort zone or boredom ask the right questions to set a record (your personal best or a world record).  I believe health and having the tools to set records are the keys to living a great life.

Peak Performance In The Workplace
By DANIEL GOLEMAN 

THE old joke — How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice — is getting a scientific spin. Researchers are finding an unexpected potency from deliberate practice in world-class competitions of all kinds, including chess matches, musical recitals and sporting events.  Read more

My  Comment:  Training is important, however, be sure to pick up on the importance of motivation and the need to perform entrepreneurial to eliminate patterns that are causing stagnation that once worked, create breakthroughs, and eliminate boredom.

The New Corporate Ethic
By BILL COLE, MS, MA

Corporations today are committed to helping organizations empower their people with high-performance work styles. People who are identified as peak performers, even in high stress environments have mastered the skills top achievers in all disciplines possess. We share the secrets of renewing oneself in a high-stress world.

In a fast-paced and ever-changing workplace, we are all concerned about stress, burnout and how to achieve peak levels of performance on an ongoing basis. We propose the Sports Metaphor to help your people move away from burnout, stress and chaos toward peak performance.

Part of the answer to reversing declining levels of performance lies in empowering individuals at all levels of the organization to effectively combat stress and to rise above daily challenges to strive toward self-mastery, which ultimately leads to organizational wellness. All levels of the organization can then learn how to partner to create individual and organizational health.  Read more

My comment:  Towards the end this article has one of the best descriptions of being “in the zone” (feels effortless, everything is in slow motion, you accomplish spectacular, great, wow, amazing, etc.! )

Value of Consistency

There are several reasons one succeeds in a specific goal, project, or endeavor.  Think of a success you’ve had.  Can you write the key components for success on this goal, project, or endeavor?  What made it work and enjoyable?  

Did you list the word “consistency”?  The value of consistency produces tremendous benefits towards your success. After attending a leadership team building session, I noticed as the team members progressed through the stations the ability to work together became easier.  Why?

Initially, we had to discover the best approach to take.  As the day went on we honed our approach to the following:

1.  Someone in the group suggested an initial strategy and if it was good we used it.

2.   We listened to ideas.  This was essential to improving our initial strategy.  Do you listen to ideas in your company to improve performance?

3.  We went with the best idea(s) to create a better strategy.

4.  Then we had to perform as a team and individually to achieve better results.

5.  We “consistently” applied this approach.  Once we realized we had a methodology it became easier to accomplish our goals.

By the end of the day, we realized the value of consistency.  Did you list consistency as a key component to your success?

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Present Yourself

“Consistently raise the bar in at least one thing daily.” – Raj Gavurla

To improve performance consistently raise the bar in at least one thing daily. By doing so you’ll grow. Before you can grow you need to improve performance. However, you have improved performance and are wondering why am I not growing?

One key objective is the ability to present yourself. Although you have a great service and/or product, people do not just knock at your door until you present yourself. How well you present yourself determines how much you receive and how many people tap you for your services and products.

Examples of presenting yourself:
1. Your appearance
2. Interview
3. Anytime you speak (conversation, presentation (keynote, workshop, facilitation, seminar, video, coaching, acting, etc.), your tone, what you convey
4. Anytime you write (blog, book, website, article, speech)
5. Advocating for innovation (advancements)

So, think of one way you can raise the bar in presenting yourself. Take action to make it happen. More people will buy your services and/or products. You’re worth it.

My example: I worked on my speaker preview video. You’ll see I’ve raised the bar in presenting myself. I will continue to hone and refine my ability to present myself as should you. Watch the video.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Write It Down

“Work on higher goals.” – Raj Gavurla

All aspects of life become better when we decide to live a better life.  Work on higher goals to keep things interesting, fun, and enjoyable.  For sure as you make progress regardless of how fast or slow you will reach points of stagnation. When this happens increase motivation and inspiration to look for additional intelligence to ignite your progress.

Innovate in all aspects of life by working on higher goals.  Writing a blog is challenging at times because I’m not sure what to write about.  I cover a variety of topics focused on entrepreneurial leadership in all aspects of life, optimal performance (the zone or nirvana), and living a better life.

I’m writing down my future postings.  This means they are out of my notebook and head and on the canvas.  This also means I have discretion of the order and can extemporaneously add topics.  It also means you can comment or e-mail me at raj@rajgavurla.com to write about a specific challenge, topic, or concern of yours.

How To Motivate and Inspire Your Employees?
Presenting Yourself
You’ve Been Diagnosed With A Disease Now What?
Stop Self-Defeating and How?
Handling Investors
Handling Negativity
Performance Tools
Working With Your Healthcare Provider
Self-Care and Self-Respect
How to Innovate?
Keeping A Notebook
How You Can Help Owners Bring You Into The Conversation to Maximize Impact?
5 Steps to Live Great Dreams
Breaking Through Barriers
Communication In The Workplace
Hone and Refine Skills
Be The Best for Them
Using Thoughts, Words, and Action To Propel Success
Come From A Position of Strength
Building Relationships
Where To Find The Best Ideas

Remember, to comment or e-mail me at raj@rajgavurla.com to write about a specific challenge, topic, or concern of yours.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Soak In The Experience: Power of Gratitude

It takes a herculean effort to put on a community fundraiser. There was planning and arrangements to be made. Everything from venue selection to refreshments, registration, tables to arrange for sponsors, canopy, DJ, Zumba, speaker, and humanity.

I attended the NAMI Greenville Walks and arrived early while people were setting up to soak in the experience. Some I knew and many I didn’t know. There were introductions and an emcee, recognition of teams and individuals, and a speaker’s message. Before walking Zumba instructors helped us warm up. We had to “shake it!” I was smiling.

While walking along a scenic route among friends and making new friends the conversation was nostalgic, sky was clear, sun beaming, and you felt the breeze at just the right time. As we crossed the finish line, “community”. Music was playing and people were recognized for their amazing efforts.

As people made their way home there was clean up. The breakdown of tables, folding chairs, and folding the canopy.

The event was orchestrated spectacularly! An experience I’ll cherish for progress, relationships, and friendships. Thank you!

The following day after watching the French Open Final, I took a walk in the neighborhood. As I approached the halfway mark, I saw three kids with a Kool Aid and lemonade stand at the main intersection. One asked would I like Kool Aid or lemonade and then another asked do I want a straw and then another said it’s free for walkers. They are our future. A snapshot of inspiration I’ll remember forever. Thank you!

Are you soaking in your experiences with gratitude for those who helped make it an amazing experience?

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

One Big Idea To Propel Team and Company Performance

What is one big idea to propel team and company performance? You hire the best and invest in training. Your employees have resources at their fingertips to perform. Yet, it seems the pareto principle still applies.

What if the percentages were reversed? Eighty percent of the people do most of the work versus twenty percent? Your company’s performance would make a giant leap. How? The one big idea is learn how to learn.

I’ve been attending regular meetings of one of the largest employers in the state. The team of thirty receive instruction, watch a video, and dress rehearsal. Then they perform. As they do it’s obvious some didn’t hear or didn’t remember specific instructions. In most organizations this would cause problems, however, the team and especially its fearless leader respond instantly without pointing blame. For example, you don’t hear phrases like “she told us to do this”, “weren’t you listening”, “either you can do the job or you can’t”, “do it yourself”. It really is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen.

This team also coaches each other. They have one hundred percent doing most of the work. Not eighty or twenty percent.

Does your team perform so well? If not, implement to see just how much better your company’s performance will be. What can be done to raise performance? When the time is right, they actually teach one another thinking tools used to execute what is done so well. You’ll find the end result is achieved in multiple ways.

By learning how they learned to execute the teammates can understand if there is a better and faster way to learn and execute. Usually there is. Now your team has gone from one level of performance to a higher level. Do you have a team that performs so efficiently?

They obviously know how to recruit the best people. Because none of the team members were trained to act this way. Amazing!

Taking a closer look at the team five ingredients stand out:

1. The supervisor, leader, and team members are diverse and have subtle people skills.

2. There is education/training (instruction, video, peer coaching), dress rehearsal, and event. In other words, education/training (your components), rehearsal, and project.

3. The environment is world class.

4. During and after projects anyone can give feedback to help increase performance. Ninety percent of the time the leader decides whether or not to implement in front of the team. The other ten percent the leader needs to think it through.

5. They realize their team members are living great dreams (their work/job at the company) and they have great dreams outside of work/job they do for the company they actively support.

Implement this one big idea to propel team and company performance.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Trigger Success

“Use compelling motivational thoughts to propel you throughout the day.” – Raj Gavurla

Each of us have successes, hopes, and dreams and each of us has adversity whether small or big.   Being on the platform in front of very successful people, successful people, and those who have adversity, I’m amazed at the human spirit.  People have dreams, resiliency, and are filled with hope and success.

Yet, a person can also cave in.  Our own thoughts and the motivational words of others invigorate us to make progress whether small or big.  Thoughts and words really have a huge impact!  You may be on the verge of success or failure.

Instead of looking to ward off your triggers to avoid decline (not excelling at work, gaining weight, exercise is a drag) think of “trigger success”.  Yes, triggers can be very motivational.  Of course, we want to excel at work, be at our optimal BMI, and have a fit mind and body.

So instead of focusing on negative triggers to avoid think of a sub dream to your dream.  Your dream isn’t yet to be achieved and thinking about it too much will take you away from taking action (doing the little things).  By having a sub dream it will be easier to take action because you aren’t overwhelmed.  Make a greater effort towards your compelling vision of your sub dream than your dream.  Why?  Because by achieving your sub dream your dream will come racing towards you and becomes greater.

After having:

1.  A compelling vision of a sub dream to your dream

2.  Mentally prepare and have the thought “trigger success”

3.  Take action by doing the little things.  If/when you have a negative thought, have the thought “trigger success”.  You’ll instantly engage in the thoughts needed to execute the little things.  For example, call a prospect or other infinite motivational words you’ve read or heard from others relevant to doing the little things.  That’s why you attend events, read, and talk with people.  You have a mind full of them.  Are you using them?

Here’ a message from a peer:

“Never lose sight…just may happen…thanks, for your visions, and your wishes!!”

4.  Review your progress

5.  Find ways to perform better.  Usually this involves learning how to learn.  It will keep you from burning out.         If it’s too hard, then the thoughts aren’t in place.  If you are coasting, then raise the bar to make progress.

It’s number three that makes all the difference.  Use the word “trigger” in a positive way not the way it is usually portrayed (example, what’s the trigger that causes that problem).

Trigger success.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!