tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56754101275595397522024-03-19T04:21:32.145-05:00Michael Palazzo SpeaksMichael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-59239620223058991722012-07-17T12:56:00.001-05:002012-07-17T12:56:06.999-05:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I would highly recommend Michael Palazzo as a Business
Coach to anyone who is looking for one. Michael is looking to help small
business owners make an honest living. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I met Michael Palazzo several months ago, when we were in
negotiations to do some work together. Michael told me about some trouble he
had in the past. He advised me to look him up on the internet. We made another
appointment to speak again on the telephone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I researched Michael on the internet, and called a few
people I know. Everything Michael told me checked out on the internet. Despite this,
I wanted to give this man a chance, and here is why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">Many years ago in first grade, I learned the story of
George Washington and the cherry tree. As you may recall, the story illustrated
George’s integrity when he declared he could not tell a lie; he had done wrong.
All during my youth, society told us that good people always tell the truth and
take responsibility for their actions. We heard the same message at church: if
we confess our sins, we will be forgiven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">We all remember how President Clinton went on TV and told
the world he didn’t have sex with Monica Lewinski. Then the government wasted
time and money proving that he was less than honest about that. I didn’t care
that he had an affair, but I did care that he lied. This led me and millions of
others to lose respect for the President. He lost all credibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">I’m not sure why people today have stopped taking
responsibility for their actions and the actions of their children. Back in the
’60s and ’70s, when kids were outside playing all day, sometimes a window would
get broken. Our parents would get so mad at us, but everyone put some money
together and fixed the broken window. The kids were given more chores to make
up for the cost of the window. In this way we learned to take responsibility
and to act with integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">Michael Palazzo has made some mistakes in his past. Just
like people brought up in the ’60s, he admits his mistakes. He doesn’t make excuses;
he just says what happened and goes on. I like that, and I admire him for
stepping up and taking responsibility for what he did. Because of this, I
decided I want to work with him. In my opinion, Michael feels remorse for his past
mistakes and has learned some hard lessons from them. I believe you can benefit
from Michael’s experience if you hire him as your Business Coach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">David Wander<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">CEO <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;">Eastgate Virtual Professional LLC<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Schoolbook;"><a href="http://www.myevpllc.com/">www.myevpllc.com</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-56273968616593705902012-07-17T12:54:00.002-05:002012-07-17T12:54:04.104-05:00What ever happened to one night stands?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In business these days, we have
many technical tools. We have social media at our fingertips, and we can get a
review of a product or service at the click of a button. We look for analytics
to tell us the results of our marketing campaigns. What is the result of all
this wonderful technology? It prompts us to want the answers faster and we have
shorter attention spans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While all of these technical
tools have their purpose and do great jobs that would take us many manual hours
to get to an answer, it has taken the valued face to face partnership out of
the equation. I am referring to the all-important one on one working
relationship. Business people rely so heavily on getting the quick answers from
our colleagues that we may not be taking enough time to build that all
important relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first met Michael Palazzo,
I was not at all sure about hiring a life coach. I was not convinced I needed
one, and could not see the benefits. It was a difficult decision. I was
ambitious but not getting ahead. I had a clear path in mind but was not moving
forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through regularly scheduled one
on one coaching sessions Michael has had the insight to get a deep
understanding of not only where I have been, but where I want to go with my
life and my business. He has cultivated a working relationship that we have
built on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This valued partnership has grown
to the point where I have a good solid foundation of understanding. I through
his coaching, I now see what was holding me back from being successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have a new understanding of the
coaching process and how it has benefited me and my business. I highly
recommend that if you are on the fence about starting a long term relationship
with a business coach that you start with Michael Palazzo at Coach-Masters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever happened to one night
stands? We grew up. We matured. We moved past the instant gratification and
realized we want something- like a long term relationship or someone- like a
business coach or a life partner -- who is more stable in our lives and whom we
can rely on to be there for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If that’s the case for you, you
have come to the right place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Palazzo and Coach-Masters
will give you the tools to see where you may have taken a wrong turn in your
past, and how to get and stay on track so you can meet your goals and get to
where you want to be in your life, business or both. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Susan Gibbons is the owner/CEO of </span></i><a href="http://www.gibbonsva.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Susan Gibbons Virtual Assistants</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and can be reached at </span></i><a href="mailto:susan@gibbonsva.com"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">mailto:susan@gibbonsva.com</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-23765255133971483162012-06-24T08:40:00.000-05:002012-06-24T08:40:13.398-05:00THE GENIUS OF SIMPLICITY<span style="color: #032726; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">During the years of 1892-1924, there were more than twenty
million people who immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. In
their quest for the dream of a better life, people were willing to journey
thousands of miles, and many who had little or no money were forced to travel
in steerage conditions. Most Americans born from 1940 to 1990 have no concept
of the challenges faced by those entering the United States. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
reasons these new immigrants made the journey to America was similar to those
of their predecessors. They were escaping religious, racial, and political
persecution, or seeking relief from a lack of economic opportunity. Many were
pulled here by contract labor agreements offered by recruiting agents, known as
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">padrones,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> to Italian and Greek laborers.
Hungarians, Poles, Slovaks, Bohemians, and Italians flocked to the coal mines
or steel mills. Greeks preferred the textile mills; Russian and Polish Jews
worked the needle trades or pushcart markets of New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Railroad
companies advertised the availability of free or cheap farmland overseas in
pamphlets distributed in many languages, bringing a handful of agricultural
workers to western farmlands. But the vast majority of immigrants crowded into
the growing cities, searching for their chance to make a better life for
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our
ancestors understood the genius of simplicity. While many built rich and
successful lives, their core values guided them. Family was first, the
importance of quality relationships and the long held bonds of tradition made
up the fabric that held people together.</span><span style="color: #032726; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #0e002d; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">“I would not give a fig for simplicity this side of complexity,
but I would give my life for simplicity on the far side of complexity.” </span><span style="color: #0e002d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">- </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Jr. (March 8, 1841 – March 6, 1935) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Life
is the 21st Century, better known as the post-modern society with all its
technological advancements has transformed the way people live, think and what
we value. The industrial revolution has forever changed life in America. The
demands of cognitive thinking have altered the way we learn and how we process
information. Baby-Boomers can no longer bask in the mindset of asking a child
how to use a computer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Regardless
of the challenges we face, simplicity is always on the far side complexity. When
Albert Einstein was asked; ‘Why is it that when the mind of man has stretched
so far as to discover the structure of the atom we have been unable to devise
the political means to keep the atom from destroying us?’ he responded </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">“That is simple, my
friend. It is because politics is more difficult than physics”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
we think of simplicity, who better to look to than Comedian George Carlin, who
said it best. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">“The
American language is loaded with euphemisms because Americans have trouble
facing the truth, so we invent the kind of a soft language, and it gets worse
with every generation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I'll
give you an example of that. There is a condition in combat that is a result of
a fighting person's nervous system being stressed to its absolute peak and
maximum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the First World War, that
condition was called shell shock. Simple, honest, direct language. Two syllables.
Shell shock. Almost sounds like the guns themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That
was seventy years ago. A whole generation went by and the Second World War came
along and very same combat condition was called battle fatigue. Four syllables
now, it takes a little longer to say and doesn't seem to hurt as much. Fatigue
is a nicer word than shock. Shell shock! Battle fatigue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then
we had the war in Korea its 1950, and the very same combat condition was called
operational exhaustion. Hey, we are up to eight syllables now! And the humanity
has been squeezed completely out of the phrase. It's totally sterile now.
Operational exhaustion. Sounds like something that might happen to your car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then
of course, came the war in Viet Nam, which has been over for thirty seven
years, and the very same condition was called post-traumatic stress disorder.
Still eight syllables, but we've added a hyphen! And the pain is completely
buried under jargon that we still use for today’s soldiers. Post-traumatic
stress disorder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Genuine
simplicity is evidenced in the biblical definition of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Love is patient, love is
kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not
dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">1
Cor. 13:4-8 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 16pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Regardless of your religious or
political affiliation, we see no better example of simplicity. The challenge
for each of us is to follow the principles taught by my 7th grade math teacher.
When solving an algebraic problem, in the end, reduce it to the lowest possible
denominator. That’s simplicity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-64380928505981843572012-06-24T08:37:00.000-05:002012-06-24T08:52:06.993-05:00Finding the Rhythm of Business Acumen<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In today’s complex
business environment many organizations have changed their operating
procedures, specifically the manner in which customer service interacts with
customers. Perhaps you’ve called your health insurance provider, bank or
mortgage company. When was the last time you were able to speak with a manager
who was not in a meeting or just unavailable? Have call centers located in
distant countries with less than agreeable employees made you feel valued or better
yet, did you have a challenge understanding their native accent? The business
climate has changed and getting outstanding customer service has become the
exception and no longer common place.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The year was 1975
and Turn the Beat Around" broke on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40"><span style="color: #001445;">Top 40</span></a>
radio, almost immediately topping the charts. Despite failure to crack the
major markets of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City"><span style="color: #001445;">New York City</span></a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles"><span style="color: #001445;">Los
Angeles</span></a>, "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_the_Beat_Around"><span style="color: #001445;">Turn the Beat Around</span></a>" reached the U.S,
spending six months on the Billboard 100. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Who could forget
the lyrics that had America dancing in the streets.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"><em><span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">With the syncopated rhythm, with the scratch, scratch, scratch</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></em></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Makes me wanna move my body, yeah, yeah, yeah</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">And when the drummer starts beating that beat</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">He nails that beat with the syncopated rhythm</span><span style="color: black;">
</span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><em>With the rat, tat, tat, tat, tat, tat on the drums, hey</em></span><span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thirty-Five years
later we’re still dancing to the disco beat. Regardless of the lyrics, people
are looking for a rhythm. Many organizations who aspire to compete in a highly
competitive global market place struggle to find their voice, especially in a multi-cultural,
multi-generation work place. Americans have been conditioned to focus on the
“main-thing” almost to the detriment of silencing the voice of those who embody
their organization. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #001445; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Who can forget that
famous scene in Saturday Night Fever when </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tony
Manero</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
(John Travolta) a skirt-chasing Italian American from Bay Ridge Brooklyn
strutting down the street thinking of what motivates him the most, dancing on
Saturday night. What motivates employees to perform with excellence must become
a governing imperative for corporate survival. Where Baby-Boomers were
conditioned to get an education, find a good job and work hard, the youngest
generation entering the workforce were raised to think differently, be creative
and speak their mind. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Let’s not forget the
tech boom, those five years from 1995 - 2000 when the youngest, brightest and
most promising college grads were earning high 5 figure incomes based on
creativity and inspiration. Many were jumping to the next big offer, with the
average tenure to be between 6-12 months. Companies can no longer prosper with
employees who embrace an entitlement mentality or who do not feel part of the
“big picture”. Embracing cultural change requires organizational leaders to
think and act differently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s often been said
that transformational leaders teach their jobs to those below them and learn
the jobs of those above them. We have a rich and abundant history of Military
success in America, and the reason we win the wars we fight is simple. American
Military personnel clearly understand their mission. Members of the joint
services operate in harmony, and although they focus on their individual area
of specialty, working in tandem with the all services keeps each branch focused
and in sync.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aligning resources
with the mission and vision of your organization will only serve to increase
effectiveness in each area of business operations. Regardless of your “mission
or purpose” following the words of Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great
certainly apply. We must begin by getting the right people on the bus and the
wrongs ones off. But we take it one step further, getting the right people on
the business is not enough, we must now get them strategically placed in the
right seats. If organizations seek to do more than just survive, and prosperity
has become a governing value, mindsets will need to be re-calibrated from just
getting by to abundant success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Developing an
algorithm of abundance and success in the modern business climate requires three
key components.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">Identify the individual skill sets of team member<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">Align mindsets with the vision of the organization<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">Ensure people are empowered with the tool sets required to
succeed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The journey ahead
is filled with opportunities for growth and prosperity. In the words of Oliver
Wendell Holmes Jr., “Simplicity is always found on the far side of complexity.”
Winning consistently requires the courage make the necessary course corrections
while remaining sensitive to the needs of our customers. <o:p></o:p></span><br />Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-88853756105226721282012-06-24T08:33:00.001-05:002012-06-24T08:33:06.848-05:00Dealing with the Mass Exodus of Baby-Boomers<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the past several years, many organizations have felt
the loss of the most seasoned and experienced staff members who have chosen to
either transition into retirement, or begin a second career. Whatever their
reasons, the gap between wisdom and practical application is immense. Leading
in times of economic uncertainty requires a well defined vision for the future,
and a plan of execution deeply routed in organizational governing values. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much has been said about the Baby Boomer generation, that
unruly generation that challenged and redefined so many rules within our
American culture. This is the generation that created Woodstock, staged peace
protests, survived the Viet Nam War, invented the computer, and fought against
the so-called establishment until they ultimately ended up in control of that
very same “establishment”. It calls to mind an amusing TV commercial that has
been running lately wherein a stogy corporate executive-type makes a remark to
a young employee that he is “sticking it to the man”. At which point the young
employee gingerly points out to the boss that he is, in fact, “the man”. Hard
as it is to believe, those same rebellious Baby Boomers eventually settled
down, got married, got jobs, took out big mortgages, sent their kids off to college,
and actually grew up and became (somewhat) responsible. And now here we are,
shuffling steadily toward the golden years of our careers and the long-awaited
retirement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The “official” onset of the Boomer generation began on
January 1, 1946 and concluded on December 31, 1964. During this time,
approximately 75.8 million children were born in the U.S. In 2006, the first
Baby Boomer turned 60; the first of 75 or so million Baby Boomers who are, or
will be, turning the reins of their respective company businesses over to the
next generation of leaders. As the Baby Boomers steadily exit their careers
over the next dozen years, the face of American business and industry will
change substantially. As any retiree will tell you, there are a myriad of
arrangements to be made as one prepares for retirement; but what about the
future and health of the businesses and organizations? Often in our haste to
climb the ladder of success we can become very “focused in” with regards to our
career or business and fail to identify opportunities and the responsibility to
coach and prepare other leaders to fill our shoes once we’re gone. This short
sighted approach may stroke the ego of the executive or leader with a false
sense that they are irreplaceable, but as we all know, no one is irreplaceable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too many selfish CEO’s and corporate executives put more
thought and energy into planning their own retirement parties than into making
mature and conscientious decisions about the future of their organizations and
for the smooth transition of leadership. Unfortunately, for the folks who
remain behind to steer the ship and tend the fires, this can lead to a
disastrous <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">destabilization that some organizations do not survive.
Ironically, on the surface it may appear as if the organization could not
survive without the sage leadership of the former CEO; but in actuality, the
failure to plan and poor judgment of the CEO by not preparing a succession plan
for the organization contributed to the distress of the business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most successful businesses have firmly established plans for
a variety of situations. We have safety plans, evacuation plans, production
plans, marketing plans; we log, categorize, inventory, count things, weigh
things, order things; it seems that no detail escapes our attention. How
strange it is that we often do very little, if any, planning for who is going
to assume key leadership roles after we’re gone. As stated earlier, not only
can this destabilize an organization, but it can also serve to create powerful
and destructive rivalries within the surviving power structure that can rip an
organization apart from the inside. It breeds a “survival of the fittest”
mentality that subordinates any mission statement or corporate objective. And
the simple truth is that this is so unnecessary and easy to avoid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Earlier in the article I used the word coach. That is an
important word with us here at Coach Masters International. It’s not just a
word; it’s more like a philosophy. Taking the time to understand the importance
of coaching within an organization can make the difference between a smooth
transition of leadership and an organization in chaos. True coaching involves
equal opportunity for all who possess the raw qualities of leadership. Coaching
is not to be confused with playing favorites, brown-nosing, or capricious
decision making. It is about empowering people and calling one another to a
higher level. Coaching is achieved by a commitment to excellence and by
establishing an environment where people are valued based on their individual
core competencies. Cream rises to the top, and so will your new leaders.
Provide them with an adequate forum to demonstrate and sharpen their skills and
let them do the work. I have always believed that authority finds its way to
those who can wield it. By establishing an appropriate staff development
coaching program, you will be able to master the delicate art of passing the
baton to your next generation of leaders. You will be able to leave your
organization with your head held high with full confidence that you have
entrusted your office into the most worthy and capable hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The preceding article was penned in collaboration with Mr.
Steve Kilgore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-13233274143970005492012-06-24T08:30:00.003-05:002012-06-24T08:30:50.874-05:00OUTSOURCING CUSTOMER SERVICE - PUTTING PROFITS OVER PEOPLE<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The business climate in North America has certainly changed,
and in many cases it’s not for the better. With globalization comes diversity
of manufacturing and service providers. Many organizations have outsourced
their customer service and as we have all encountered, the unfortunate result
is that quality of the customer service has gone way down. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We readily accept advances in technology, auto manufacturing
and the production of widgets from countries who were once considered no threat
to the financial stability of the economy of the U.S.. In a global market
place, we must recognize several critical and highly relevant factors as we
expose our customers and employees to a workforce that may not comply with the
standards of performance and level of excellence we experienced in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As North America
transitioned from the industrial age to the knowledge age, the jobs our parents
and grandparents held in the past have been replaced by technology and
innovation. For example, the emergence of online companies such as Legal Zoom
who provide a vast array of easy to use legal documents for people who
previously were unable to afford the services of an attorney, have changed the
landscape of the legal community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In organizations large and small, the first client-facing
presence – the receptionist has been replaced by an auto-attendant, and
pressing “0” only leads to a generic voicemail. One cannot help but ask, what
happened to all the live people – the workers? The answer; in many cases their
jobs have been outsourced! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I think of outstanding customer service, GEICO is an
example of a company that is high on my list. Branding a company with a little
green gecko was brilliant. In my experience over the past 5 years, the model of
business at GEICO Insurance has been to ensure total customer satisfaction. I
call it the Happiness Factor. When training their employees, they kept the
importance of treating employees, prospects and customers with respect and
dignity in mind and it shows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lack of excellence in customer service in North America
is two-fold. Companies placed a higher value on profits and made that more
important than the resource for those profits. Standards were lowered to
generate greater profits. In many cases, the poor customer service is what the
client will remember and that is not the direction that companies in the U.S.
should be heading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another example is
Dell Computer Corporation, who chose to outsource its customer service and
technical support to countries who were unable to understand the needs of their
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>customers, along with an inability to
effectively communicate in English. Having reaped sour grapes as a result of
this decision, Dell quickly realized that putting profits over their clients
and prospects had created a negative effect on a once aspiring and highly
successful company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The time for change in how the business community values and
embraces its customers is about to emerge. History has become a wonderful
teacher, and unfortunately as intelligent as we are, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we often fail to learn the lessons of our
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next revolution is not only imminent, in some cases it’s
already happening. When the founders of America revolted from the aristocratic
oppression of King George III, the founding era was a unique moment that was
both “post-aristocratic” and “pre-democratic. Regardless of the conditions
which precipitated the revolution, and not unlike the conditions in America
today, a radical change was birthed as a result of social unrest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Changing our circumstances requires that we change how we
think, thereby alternating our actions. The single vital ingredient to long
term sustainable growth and prosperity is deeply <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rooted in our values and vision. When we value
our customer enough to give excellent customer service consistently, we all
have a good experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-15004142250223758732012-06-20T19:06:00.000-05:002012-06-20T19:06:49.096-05:00CHALLENGING PEOPLE - CHALLENGING TIMES<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgXinaMVKAP_Bgu0njGJEbaSImfHgiC66Tz6GHh-OleBwJ8KV04mL23Lr-HLbdfrE4r6XdZtJ7n_elmyo5d_2zFihnpZmxamDlvkt2PE6ePt3dUXrptiehsvJ_P8E1uLcYjs-UeIn61tU/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><h2>
</h2>
</a><a href="http://www.michaelpalazzo2.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenging-people-challenging-times.html">CHALLENGING
PEOPLE - CHALLENGING TIMES</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgXinaMVKAP_Bgu0njGJEbaSImfHgiC66Tz6GHh-OleBwJ8KV04mL23Lr-HLbdfrE4r6XdZtJ7n_elmyo5d_2zFihnpZmxamDlvkt2PE6ePt3dUXrptiehsvJ_P8E1uLcYjs-UeIn61tU/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgXinaMVKAP_Bgu0njGJEbaSImfHgiC66Tz6GHh-OleBwJ8KV04mL23Lr-HLbdfrE4r6XdZtJ7n_elmyo5d_2zFihnpZmxamDlvkt2PE6ePt3dUXrptiehsvJ_P8E1uLcYjs-UeIn61tU/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a time when many people are re-evaluating
their ability to prosper and what that means to the security of their families,
we are reminded of a well know and often forgotten message given to us by our
founding fathers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The vision of the Declaration of Independance
was to ensure that people were afforded the opportunity to follow their dreams,
and live in a society that is free from big government, and the oppression of
totalitarian rule. Who we are as a nation, and as a people, has evolved, and in
many ways, our country has chosen to ignore the values and ideals of what our
nation was founded upon. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The written words of our American Declaration
clearly define our governing values. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to
secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."</span> </i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am deeply saddened that in a time of
international unrest, when nations are raising up against nations, and innocent
people are being slaughtered as a result of evil dictatorships, America has
lost her vision, and rather than resist the temptation to become a socialist
society, we are pandering to governments who hold the mortgage on our freedoms.
Communicating effectively today requires that we maintain a dispasstionate
approach as not to offend or alienate our listeners. If we take a position that
differs with the idologies of those who are committed to so changing our
society, we're branded as fundamental radicals. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When people become so furious with the status
quo, they stand up and demand change. During the years 1775 - 1783, the American
Revolution, also known as the <b>War of Independence</b>, was waged against
Great Britain. It would be foolish to think our corrupt standards of government
today can be sustained in their current form without a second American
Revolution. It is certainly within reason to believe, the next war of
independence will most certainly become a battle for our freedoms, and the
values upon which our nation was originally founded.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently, I was reminded by a business
associate that people are offended by the spoken word of God. Regardless of your
religious or political affiliation, I was unaware the U S Constitutional was no
longer valid.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<strong style="font-weight: bold;"> First Amendment - Religion and
Expression</strong></div>
<br />
<center><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></strong></center>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<i>Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.</i></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
My fellow Americans, at the risk
of offending those who do not support our freedoms and would much prefer the
status quo to continue, I leave you with the words of that famous and beloved
song, God Bless America.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h1 class="title" style="display: inline; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
God Bless America</h1>
<br />
<br />
<div class="sub" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">
Words and music by Irving Berlin<br />
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving
Berlin<br />
© Copyright Renewed 1965, 1966 by Irving Berlin<br />
© Copyright
Assigned to the Trustees of the God Bless America Fund<br />
International
Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.<br />
Used by Permission</div>
<div class="spacer10" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<i>"While the
storm clouds gather far across the sea,<br />Let us swear allegiance to a land
that's free,<br />Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,<br />As we raise our
voices in a solemn prayer. "<br /><br />God Bless America,<br />Land that I
love.<br />Stand beside her, and guide her<br />Thru the night with a light from
above.<br />From the mountains, to the prairies,<br />To the oceans, white with
foam<br />God bless America, My home sweet home</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">.</span></div>
</div>Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-70525235255739483502007-02-24T16:52:00.000-05:002007-02-24T16:54:07.460-05:00Servant LeadershipWhen people are less concerned with who gets credit for a job well done, it’s amazing how much gets accomplished. We’ve all heard it said that great leaders are the biggest servants of all. Becoming a person of influence requires us to understand the key relationship between having others tend to our needs, and our commitment to serving those in our organization. When we place a greater value on what others can do for us, and not what we can do for others, we lose of ability to inspire others to lead by example. <br /><br />For years I have been an outspoken advocate on leading by example and not by words. We all have areas in our life, which need to be changed. Servant leadership is reflection of our willingness to meet the needs of those in our organization. When we change our focus from “us” to “them”, we begin to understand other people from an entirely different point of view.<br /><br />I recently added the phrase “Each One – Teach One” to our corporate philosophy. As we begin to understanding that we are all students who will in turn, help others become better, our perspective changes, and we become more sensitive to the needs of others. When we focus on other people, we learn compassion and empathy.<br /><br /> It’s not the mistakes we make in life that matters, it’s how quickly we overcome our own challenges, which empowers us to serve others in a highly effective way.<br /><br />During his inaugural speech, John F. Kennedy said, “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” <br /><br />Ask yourself this question several times a day: “How can I best use my unique talents and gifts to be of service to others?” Then, listen for the answer. Once you let your ego know that this isn’t just about me, the unconscious part of you that wants to contribute something of value starts to speak up. Chances are, within a few days (if not a few hours) you’ll get some clear indications about the best path for you.<br /><br />Dick Richards, the author of the fabulous book, is your Genius at work, writes, “knowledge of purpose will arrive only after the demands of ego have been transcended enough to allow that knowledge to enter awareness”.<br /><br />By “ego” I mean that set of personal underlying programs that concern themselves only with their own survival and gain… Those programs drive out what is needed to seize and run with a purpose: courage, willingness, surrender, open-mindedness, and other-centeredness.<br /><br />Servant Leadership can best be summed up in the words of Vince Lombardi. <br /><br />"A leader must identify himself with the group, must back up the group, even at the risk of displeasing superiors. He must believe that the group wants from him a sense of approval. If this feeling prevails, production, discipline, morale will be high, and in return, you can demand the cooperation to promote the goals of the company." <br /><br />Remember that Leadership is character is motion, without a solid foundation, we are merely manipulating people for our own self-serving purposes. When we genuinely learn to serve others, we become earn the respect and loyalty of others.Michael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-45857674458901277892007-01-18T02:04:00.002-05:002007-01-18T02:05:21.791-05:00Faith – A Believers Walk Through Life<br /><br />The Bible defines “Faith” as the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things unseen. As a frequent business traveler, I spend a great amount of time jetting to and from cities across these great United States. After the charming experience with TSA, I find myself boarding a modern jet in hopes of arriving safely at my destination on or about the expected time of arrival. I never question or even think to ask if the flight I have just boarded has the proper amount of pressurization to ensure I will have enough oxygen as we’re cruising the skies at 500 miles an hour. Nor do we think to ask when the last inspection was performed to be assured a safe journey, yet we have faith in the big name airline and feel reasonably secure to entrust our life to people we hardly know.<br /><br />I am often reminded that Faith is our compass in the night when clouds obscure even the stars above. How we choose to live our life comes down to two basic principles. What we believe and in whom we trust to make things happen. <br /><br />I have recently begun the process of relocating my business and personal residence. I must tell you that no matter how much planning one does, situations seem to always arise which cause you to ask yourself, if what you’re doing is the right thing. I am often reminded that just before a great victory comes unexpected storms and unwanted challenges. People of great faith understand that when we fall back onto our beliefs, we know for sure that no matter what obstacles we face, we will overcome. <br /><br />Faith is our assurance that our path is secure as we walk calmly into un-chartered territory. No matter how much effort we invest, the best results come when we just trust and obey. Developing greater faith requires us to trust in what we believe to be true; a willingness to step beyond our comfort zones, and allow miracles to be unfolded in our daily lives.<br /><br />In today’s uncertain times, we must become people of great faith. Life offers each of us many blessings; too often we become caught up in our human experience to remember that we are all spiritual creatures enjoying a brief earthly journey. Perhaps the goal for us all is to ask our creator what the real purpose of our life is, then as we move boldly ahead, our faith and our lives will certainly reflect our reason for being.<br /><br />Make a difference in someone’s life today, we have no guarantee we will ever have the opportunity again.<br /><br /><br />MichaelMichael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-40535416110413403592007-01-08T13:51:00.000-05:002007-01-08T15:30:32.810-05:00Life, Liberty and the "Pursuit" of HappinessAs Americans, we have a rich history of men and women who have passionately pursued and realized their dreams. Thomas Jefferson, who is recognized as the author of the Bill of Rights, eloquently stated, all men were created equal, and have been given the rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.<br /><br />What most people miss in that time honored and powerful message, which has become the foundation of our legacy, is that we have not been granted happiness, we have been given the right to "Pursue Happiness” Let us never forget that happiness is a choice, and a decision we must make daily. <br /><br />Realizing our dreams requires daily commitment, persistence, passion, and most of all the willingness to say, I REFUSE TO QUIT! Success is available to all those who seek to achieve and realize their dreams. The price we pay for our happiness is in direct proportion to the size of our dream and our dedication to doing what is right. Doing the right thing isn't always convenient, yet it’s always the right thing to do.<br /><br />One of my biggest dreams for 2007 is to have a profound impact in the lives of those I am fortunate and blessed to be coaching and teaching. In the end, when we are asked to give an account of our lives, I hope that God will look upon me as say, good and faithful servant, in thee, I am well pleased. Who are you striving to serve? <br /><br />Making a difference in the lives of others will substantially increase our joy, and bring us a new level happiness. I heard it best said. "Each One-Teach One" What a wonderful world we would live in, if we all could embrace the attitude of adding to the joy and happiness of another person.<br /><br />Make today, your best day ever.<br /><br /><br />MichaelMichael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5675410127559539752.post-48615386996066114172007-01-04T20:56:00.000-05:002012-06-21T09:03:09.853-05:00"Choosing to be Happy”Can you believe that it's 2012? I recently turn 49 and have been asking myself, where did the past 20 years of my life go? We've all heard the saying, "If I knew then what I know now, I'd be a rich famous person" I have come to the realization that being happy is definitely a "CHOICE".
I am often asked by people who attend my Motivational Seminars how I keep a positive and upbeat attitude. My answer is always the same. I choose to be happy. Knowing that life is an opportunity to grow and become my personal best, the responsibility for my happiness is all mine. Sure it would be great to have people whose sole purpose in life, was to feed my ego and spend their time making sure I'm happy. Now back to reality on plant earth, life, as we all know, doesn't work that way.<br />
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I am often reminded that we become most like the books we read, and the people we associate with. Since iron sharpens iron I am always careful whom I allow into my life. The best example of maintaining a positive attitude can be best summed up by the saying; don't become susceptible to the negative influences of other people. <br />
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I find that reading positive books which challenge me to think differently and cause me to constantly re-evaluate my priorities, I am able to stay focused on what matters most, and always be thankful for the many blessing in my life. Getting to the next level both personally and professionally demands that I become better. <br />
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When the teacher is the best student he will ever have, the student will always have a great teacher. Learning what not to do, has been as important for me as understanding the phrase, "Doing the Right-Thing".
As I look ahead, I understand my purpose in life is helping other people realize their truest potential. I must be the example, and I say that with great humility. The responsibility of helping other people is one of the greatest joys in my life. I have learned though my many mistakes that life is a daring adventure, and remaining focused on my dream brings me great joy and happiness.<br />
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I've said many times, when you're going though hell, DON'T Stop! Happiness is a matter of choice, which so many of us forget to make. Each January many people make their "New Years Resolutions", and sometime between mid March and Tax Day, they're all too forgotten.<br />
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The many excuses we find to justify our abandonment of what we spent so much time committing to, is a sad representation of how easily we quit, just before something great is about to happen. I submit that if we just remain committed and stay the course, the results will be surprisingly positive. My advice to myself and to all of you is the same. <br />
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Refuse to quit, stay focuses and whatever you do, NEVER SETTLE for second best.<br />
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Make today, your best day ever!
MichaelMichael Palazzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01022410511559110029noreply@blogger.com