Long before I started speaking, writing and coaching on personal development topics I was a student. In fact I’m still very much a student first.

During my studies, as you might imagine I’ve learned a lot of ideas — some I’ve found applicable and have implemented in my life, and some, as I’ve progressed in my own personal development journey no longer fit quite like they once did. If you think about it, that makes sense — we are always growing after all.

Throughout my years of study and application in the field of personal development, one idea always seems to ring true. In fact, it has played such an important part in my own life’s journey that I feel compelled to share it with you here now.

Ready? here goes…

You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react to what happens to you.

Did you get that? Please read that again as it’s that important. Even better, grab a 3×5 index card (or your journal) and write it down.

In life, any number of things can happen — good or bad. As someone far brighter than I once said, “the only constant is change.” Before I continue let me say that the point of my writing here is not to get into a discussion on the line of thinking that says that we are attracting into our life each and every negative event — be it disease, the death of a loved one, or insert whatever devastating thing you can think of — that happens to us (either consciously or on a subconscious level). That’s not my point here. Besides, there are no shortage of experts who have addressed that particular line of thinking elsewhere.

What I am saying, is that no matter what may have happened to us, whether it was someone taking advantage of us, a shift in the economy that led to being downsized, or virtually any other situation you choose to apply to this, the simple truth remains — how we choose to react to it is well within our control.

That is not to say that it’s always going to be easy, sometimes it means accepting things we have a hard time accepting, and taking corrective measures that are anything but comfortable.

However, the powerful thing about acknowledging this truth is that in doing so we come to realize that we are able to get over simply accepting the role of victim — the part that says, this happened to me — this is why I’m this way, and as a result I can’t do anything to change where I am.

Instead we are able to move to a more empowering position of, this happened, but by taking action I can change my particular situation for the better.

Through fully embracing the belief that you have control over how you react to what occurs in your life you unleash your personal greatness. You no longer have to accept that you are at the mercy of whatever may come your way, but rather that you can take an active role in defining, and in turn get on with living your perfect life.

While it is true that it isn’t always easy to fully embrace and accept this truth day in and day out — it is imperative that you do make the effort to do so just the same. Fortunately, in most cases it is as easy as being aware of it — even if at first you notice you have resistance to it — by keeping the idea in mind, in time you will come to accept it as well as benefit from all that goes along with viewing challenges and adversity in this light.

Inside this simple, yet profound thought is exactly what is needed in most cases to move you from a place where you feel stuck or out of control to a place where you realize that by applying action — and acquiring new skills, whatever you identify that is needed to learn — you can in fact take an active step towards changing your place for the better.

If you find yourself in a place in your own life where all is going well, then all the better. The idea will only make more concrete the reality that you have all you need to achieve your goals and dreams.

Keep clearly in mind that great personal power comes from knowing that come what may, for better or worse you can play an active role in shaping — and in turn living the life you were meant to live.

It’s your life, LIVE BIG! Josh Hinds

Josh Hinds is a speaker, trainer and coach. He is the author of ‘Why Perfect Timing is a Myth: Tips for Staying Inspired and Motivated Day in and Day out!’ — grab your copy of this life changing booklet at http://GetMotivation.com/booklet/ now!

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Acquisition of Washington Mutual Bank

September 25, 2008

Banking operations of Washington Mutual, Inc were sold in a transaction facilitated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the FDIC. All deposit accounts and all loans have been transferred to JPMorgan Chase Bank.  

•  JP Morgan Acquires All Qualified Financial Contracts as Part of Washington Mutual Acquisition
• Washington Mutual Bank Investors – Additional Information
• Continuation of Contracts Transferred From Washington Mutual Bank

I am going to start a series of articles to give some insight into what is going on in our economy.  I am not giving financial advice but just my opinion based on certain facts.  Stay tuned!

Lately I have been speaking to many perspective clients who aren’t having their best year this year. As I’m listening to them, I’m wondering why don’t we have our best year every year? What I’m hearing leaders and business owners say is that the economy is bad, we’re in a recession, gas prices are too high, my company is restructuring and the list goes on. For many of us life is punctuated by difficult events that we believe we can do little about. Many of us and our teams are left feeling hopeless and out of control.

Just last week I met with a company who wanted some time management and effective meeting training. They had brought me in because employees were feeling overwhelmed by the number of meetings they were attending and in turn they believed they did not have time to do their ‘real’ jobs. The more I spoke with different members of the organization, I realized that this company had a belief that was holding the entire organization back and causing stress and burnout throughout all levels. This belief was “drop everything for our most important clients because we are dependent on them.” Now when this organization first started 5 years ago, that belief was perhaps valid and it got them through some hard times. But today, as they are continuing to grow and build their client base, that belief is causing problems.

So what CAN we do? While there are forces outside of our control, sometimes I think it is easier to blame those forces than to look inside ourselves, our teams and our companies and reflect on what stops us from having our best year yet DESPITE those events that we can truly do little about. But there are things that we CAN control – it’s just that we don’t always take the time to get a grip on them.

So here are five things you and/or your team CAN do that, when done with consistency, will transform your results:

1. Learn the lessons that life offers you: I speak often about the Cycle of Productivity which explains how something goes from creation/idea stage to completion. The 4th stage of the Cycle of Productivity, and I believe the most important, is the 4^th stage in the cycle – Acknowledge. Acknowledge means to take a step back and review what has happened in the past, both the successes and the disappointments. When an individual or a team takes the time do this, what they find in the process are those lessons, that when applied to new situations will transform the result. Maybe the lesson learned is to trust your instincts. Maybe the lesson is to never let the customer down. Maybe the lesson is to focus on relationships. Whatever it is, take the time to learn the lesson and review them on a regular basis to ensure the lesson isn’t lost.

2. Deal with the things that hold you back once and for all: Sometimes the things that hold you back are tangible like poor computer systems, high turnover rates, and bad accounting systems. But more likely, what is really holding you back are the beliefs that are running your company culture or in the case of an individual, your mind. How do people think in your organization? As an individual, what thoughts run through your mind on a daily basis? Do you have beliefs that stop you from getting the results you need? Maybe there are beliefs that you don’t share information. Maybe it’s normal in your team to criticize those in another team. Have you noticed that it’s ‘okay’ not to perform up to expectations. Do poor performers get rewarded? Do you think you don’t have the time? Often our beliefs are not readily apparent to us – hey, we live them every day. But taking a step back and becoming aware of the thoughts and beliefs that are ingrained in your culture or your own head and then dealing with those that don’t help you get results, will go a long way to ensuring your success.

3. Live your values. This is the principle that most people would say is common sense, but what I know is that it isn’t common practice. So many individuals and organizations state their values – Customer Service is number one, live in integrity, honesty is the best policy – but their ACTIONS go against those values. Why is living your values so important to transforming results? Our values are the standard by which we make decisions and take action – they reflect what is most important to us. Defining strong values and living them allows us to evaluate our actions to make better decisions – those decisions that are important to us. To live your values you need to review them regularly, tell the truth about what must happen to improve the alignment between what you are doing and what you believe. When you do this, you deliver on your promise.

4. Focus on what is really important: The demands and complexities of the real world pull you in many directions. By gaining clarity and focusing on what is really important – the vital few goals that you need to achieve no matter what – you will be guided to make the best choices about how you spend your time and energy. How do you determine what is really important? First look to your values. Then take time to determine what will really engage you and your team, what will move you closer to your overall vision and mission, which would the rest of the organization or our customers care most about, which offer the best return on your investment of time, money and energy. What will make the greatest difference?

5. Adopt a process for accountability. When I work with clients, we have something called a say/do ratio. In other words, what is it that you say you are going to do and what actually gets done. My clients strive for at least an 80% say/do ratio. In order to do this, you need a system or process to ensure that people take personal responsibility and are accountable for their results. A Harvard Business Review article titled “Turning Strategy into Great Performance” states almost 15% of the total average performance loss is due to poor accountability systems. Issues such as actions needed to execute are not clearly defined, there are unclear accountabilities for execution of strategy, inadequate performance monitoring and inadequate consequences or rewards for failure or success are cited as reasons for the loss. What can an individual or company do to help? First of all, create plans that are clearly defined and ensure there is alignment on your values and your mission. Ensure the plan is communicated to everyone. But the most important discipline is to review the plan on a routine basis – at least monthly. Review goals and track your say/do ratio. Review the lessons you have learned and make sure that actions being taken are in line with your values and your focus on what is most important.

By consistently applying these five principles above, you CAN do something about your results despite everything else that is happening around you and your team.

Kimberly Kniveton is founder of Ascent Coaching & Consulting (www.ascentcoach.com). With 14 years of organizational development, training and coaching experience, Kim supports others on gaining focus, clarity and most of all, results in what matters most. Her clients comment that her fun, positive and engaging personality all contribute to helping individuals and organizations achieve success year after year. Kim has a BA in psychology and communications, obtained Her MBA in 2000 and received her coach specific training from CoachU. She is an ACC certified coach with the International Coach Federation, a certified member of the 6 Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network, qualified to various assessment tools, and is licensed to run both team and professional Producing Results programs with Best Year Yet. Kim is on the adjunct staff at the University of Utah Professional Development Center and sits on various board positions including the local chapter of the ASTD and the Utah chapter of the International Coach Federation. Kim’s passion is supporting changes that make a difference!

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