Spock Factor: Seven Lessons To Live Long, Navigate Strong, and Prosper Well

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” (or “the one”).

Mr. Spock, from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

The passing of Leonard Nimoy last month, known for his TV/movie character Mr. Spock on the Star Trek series, brought special memories of this logical Vulcan and key member of the USS Enterprise star ship from fans everywhere.

And as many celebrities whose on screen performance expertise gives life to unforgettable icons, important lessons also ensue that can be helpful as navigate our own journeys.

Mr. Spock’s actions represented elements of the daily realities of people, how to get along and use your talents for a purpose.  Drilling a bit further down on these lessons, seven of these insights are:

1. Being Different is fine and needed. Recognize the gift of your uniqueness and use it for the good of others.
2. Take risks and adapt to new situations as you ‘boldly go where no man has gone before.’ Claim your enterprise.
3. There are times to sacrifice for the needs of others in the various roles we have in life, from parent, family member, citizen, leader, neighbor or colleague.
4. It’s good to have a BFF who accepts you as Mr. Spock did in the persona of Captain James T. Kirk
5. Explore and engage life. Leonard Nimoy’s intellect and interests beyond his Mr. Spock portrayal were evident in his passions for other art forms.
6. Keep head and heart connected but logic yields the answer at times… And so do feelings.
7. Understand all the different parts and origins of yourself – Mr. Spock was very much aware of his Vulcan and Earth inclinations and managed them as best he could.

 

Make your voyage a strong one, navigate it to the fullest, and prosper in all you do!

 

Finding Your Internal Positioning System (IPS): What’s Ingrained In You? | Great Black Speakers

Finding Your Internal Positioning System (IPS): What’s Ingrained In You? | Great Black Speakers

Your 2015: Purposeful & Resilient

The New Job Market: Take A Look Around

“Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

            If you’ve been in the same job or career for over five years, chances are the employment market process is quite different from when you last sought a new opportunity. Rapid and complex might be the best words to describe it. Wrapped up in the day-to-day tasks of doing our work, it’s easy to forget to look outside of our area to see what’s happening around us—the shifts, subtle and seismic.

            Some of this information is probably not new to many of you, but keeping up with these career evolutions can be overwhelming. It certainly ain’t what it used to be! So much more is expected of us as citizens and employees. Employers are looking for employees who can contribute to an organization to keep it competitive, along with well-informed people who exhibit potential.

            But just how do we follow these shifting chronicles in the job market?

            As you read books and listen to a variety of recommendations on career topics, be aware of a couple of things. Each decade has brought its progress and predicaments. First, if the person making recommendations is telling you to just go to the employment office and apply or look in the newspaper classifieds, chances are they’re a bit out of touch. While such advice may be well intended, times have warped forward. Yes, there used to be a time when longevity in a position, qualifications, and hard work would earn you a promotion. Or maybe you could have tried pounding the pavement, visiting several companies and putting in an application or submitting a résumé, hoping for an interview and a subsequent job offer. These days, this is rare.

 

          Technology prevails. Now, an online presence is not only helpful, but also essential. CareerBuilder, Indeed, Monster, and log-ins to company websites are required and consume time in a job search. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets can provide job leads.

 

         Whether it’s the old way or the new way, a well-planned strategy will land you interviews, jobs, positions, opportunities, and career promotions.

Be Tenacious! Ride the Trail of Life's Winds

Tough Times Never last, But Tough People Do!

Title of a book by Revered Robert H. Schuller

On a bike ride on top of a volcano in Maui, 2001

"Hold on!"

            As wild bicycle riders, my play gang during my youth and I would yell these words to each other as we circled the house—jumping ditches or mudholes, cruising over  rocks, knocking over playmates—or anything else in our way—peddling our ‘no speeds’ as hard as we could.  We were usually doubled up on the bike— one doing the leg work while standing— the other one perched on the seat, holding the other's waist, head, arms, or whatever provided the firmest grip. Occasionally, a third person would hop on, riding the handlebar or a rear wheel seat. Fierce and focused for big fun, we rode that limited but challenging route around the house on the bicycle, since we were not allowed to venture out into the road. Occasionally one of us would try to show off and take both hands off of the handlebars…and then everyone fell down. 

            I continued to enjoy biking and at one time lived close to an extensive and intermittently demanding trail in Alexandria VA. The trail’s proximity to the Potomac River brought beauty and peace to the ride for me. However, on windy days this location was particularly challenging. Headwinds coming off the river prevailed, slowing my ride and causing me to hold on tighter when I reached dangerous curves and downhills. I was concerned about falling because in spots the trail was further surrounded by miry marsh and rocky deep ditches. My helmet offered some protection and I shifted gears as necessary to negotiate the path. Those were not times or places for any tricks like riding with my hands off the handle bars. Paying attention to these moments, the call for me was to still ‘hold on’.

            The trails of life can yield weighty winds and stumbling stones, but being steadfast can help us to ride them out. ‘That which doesn’t kill us can make us stronger.’ Let’s maximize our motions. With our protections of faith, creativity and a firm foundation of focus— we can do it. 

            Another one of my favorite gospel songs tells me, ‘Just like a tree that's planted by the water, I shall not be moved.’

            Our talents provide a framework of protection for us to peddle hard on the journey.

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE

Charge! Four Routes to Your Leadership and Life Purpose

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why…I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?
Robert F. Kennedy

What centers and lights the way for you at your place of being in charge? How do you map your way through life?

Organizational mission statements and strategic plans are designed to provide this scope. In life, we may be faced with many battles. Going up our own rough side of the mountain, it’s important to know why we’re climbing. Is there a vision?

Many events in life are ordained, part of our purpose, and they may involve suffering before victory. Leaders need to be on point. Parents need to be focused. An outcome must be sought, dreams turned into reality. Both are sources for guidance and direction, all for achieving the objective.

For the military, no war is fought without a purpose and a plan. During battle, the purpose is to support and defend while staying alive, willing to sacrifice if necessary, proud to serve!

Cause and direction are essential. This scope is to be drilled down to the lowest level, orienting soldiers to the mission and how to take action. Trickling even further, soldiers are issued a compass as a tool to help them orient themselves to where they are and traverse the battlefield. GPS technology also supports this effort in current times. You can’t win without direction and battle orders.

            Driving was also another area that surfaced quite often in our family gatherings. With two uncles that were long haul truck drivers and another one who traversed the country for his military assignments, I too took on the messages from the open road.  Metaphorical and purposeful, driving offers insights geared to continuing the charge in leadership and life.

            There were four strategies I gleaned from him for the long haul:

 

1.      Define where you are going. So set the coordinates.

 

It starts with a vision.

. “Keep your eyes to the sky,” one of my uncles advised as I took on my first long distance road trip. “Read the directional signs and know the name of the next big location or city you’re headed to. Continue to check your map before you get on the road, and each time you stop for a break, familiarize yourself with your route. This will keep you from getting lost out there. You’ll be all right.”

I was—trip successful.

Lesson link. Put a plan in motion with relevant and actionable steps. Where do you want to go and how do you get there? Be very clear on your coordinates.

 

2.      Open all lanes for learning.

Mistakes, setbacks, and disappointments are inevitable. What will you do with that knowledge? Gridlock and resistance show up. We will have learning curves for him when it comes to earning buy-in from those we lead.

3. Don’t be afraid to change destination.

Steer on in spite of roadblocks and potholes such as the economy, a career shift, or lost resources. Find a new route. Use another skill to still be of service.

4. Crank your motivation motor constantly.

Be driven and self-motivated to remain on course. Keep the fuel ignited. Think about why you’re there as a leader. Do you have a passion for your deliverables? Is there a link to your life purpose? Does it afford the flexibility or income potential you seek?

Excerpted from my book, Hardcore Leadership: 11 Master Lessons from My Airborne Ranger Uncle’s “Final Jump”   http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479324760

 

 

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