Not that you asked, but I have some things to say.

When (if ever) have you put pen to paper and listed out your annual goals? All studies done on goals indicate that by simply writing them down, you have a higher chance of accomplishing them. Just saying them may work, but write them down anyway. Done? If not, go ahead and come back to this post. OK...great. Now look at them. Are they goals or wishes? Do you have a realistic, attainable goal? Is it defined as specifically as it can be? Can you measure it? Does the goal have a time frame? (many of you who have studied the "S.M.A.R.T. Goals" know what I am talking about already). A few examples of a wish are: I want to make more money / I want to be a better _____ / I want to spend more time with my family / etc etc etc. These are good things and are the first step to creating a goal. Take it to the next level. A few examples of a goal: 150% of quota minimum monthly/ 200% average or above quarterly / return EVERY call or email within 24 hrs / 1 family only-day (no Blackberry/La

I have been told by many of my friends and family that sometimes I am a tad brash. That my personality, while often refreshing, can sometimes be somewhat off-putting. I may occasionally push certain boundaries of acceptable communication. This is often, paradoxically, a serious understatement of what they are actually thinking. What they are thinking is "You can really be an ass." See the irony....I would probably, in their shoes, just say "You can really be an ass." There is just not enough honesty in the world. In the beginning of my career I did everything I could to win the hearts of my co-workers and clients. I've never been meek or subtle, but there was a time that I was more.....subdued. More political, and with a desire to please. It was maddening, disingenuous, and rather ineffective. To thine own self be true. So....I now speak my mind openly, freely, and without much of a filter. I am results oriented, you can like me later. Or not. I honestly no long

Friday I donned green tights and a lemon suit. The event was a grand opening for a community business heavily impacted by the flood. The theme was "Making lemonade when life hands you lemons" (hence the lemon suit). I enjoy doing odd things for the overall experience, and this was no exception. I had a ball. Most of the time was spent outside of the establishmend waving at traffic. I had hundreds of waves, horn honks, and several obscene gestures (one from a lovely young lady, that was suggestive to the point of making me blush....not an easy task). It was the best laugh all week. My fee for this 'gig' will be donated to charity. So I'm getting Karma points all over. Plus the laughs... I noticed something funny. When I waved at people I received both good and lackluster responses. But when I waved to people it was a different experience. It took focus and more physical energy to mix it up, but the change in overall response was exceptional. I would give the &quo

Beginning last week, I made the declaration of "Flexible Fridays"....and defined my Fridays as belonging exclusively to me. I will choose to not work most Fridays. My work load may make this difficult, but it is up to me to control this. I am going to focus on writing/completing my novel. I find myself repeating this to people. I feel like I have to justify such a radical decision as declaring Fridays as no longer a part of what my base salary covers. I shouldn't have to justify this with words....my past performance, choices, and personal goals justify this decision for me. My sales have been and continue to remain in the top tier within my market and company. I often forget what my quota is. I can tell you what my top accelerators are, and what my commission caps are. My quota, I have to back into or check my comp plan. My choices have been pretty relevant to this decision too. I have weathered storm after storm for the past 9 years with the same company. I realized the

I am pushing 40, but still get Gold Stars. This is amusing to me. I love them...this is even more amusing. Let me clarify...I am using 'gold star' as any form of recognition not in monetary form. I am also using this term literally. Within my sales group, actual gold stars are given to grown people. Again, this is amusing to the Nth degree. But...it's also affective and effective (yes, go look it up). These stars are symbols of a culture that my team stepped into almost 10 years ago. That culture, while constantly evolving, still lives. The ethos that we attempt to live up to is one of excellence, teamwork, gratitude, and accountability. Half a dozen leaders have been a part of this team, and they all buy into this approach. It is a tide that rises all ships. The stars are small, but important, physical manifestations of our approach. They symbolize the need to create goals and hold ourselves accountable to something more than just money. Don't get me wrong..the money i