“A leader’s goal is not to see but to envision.”

One of the most famous stories to this day of foresight is the example of General Electric under Jack Welch’s leadership. GE made a critical strategic decision; it would either be first or second in every market it entered, or it would abandon that market altogether. This approach constituted a wrenching change for GE as many longtime GE divisions and components were let go. But Welch held to his vision, recognizing the changing marketplace, being number three or number four would never be profitable. As a result, GE today represents the gold standard for American corporations, and Jack Welch is still revered as a business genius and a true rhino leader.

Like Mr. Welch, the rhino leader takes no prisoners, ignores the doomsayers and creates products unique enough and attractive enough to turn them from “what’s that?” to “must have.” A rhino leader tramples obstacles in his wake that suggests defeat, which provides a foundation necessary to achieve victory on his own terms.

The rhino always stays on message and is never troubled or daunted by changing circumstances. If you’re ready to apply the technique of rhino foresight here are three ways to do that today:

Step 1: Cultivate the environment in which foresight can thrive – as leaders we must commit ourselves to knowing the information that affects our future. We must stay current in our fields of expertise by reading the latest books, current biographies and historical perspectives. We need to attend trade shows and seminars and join professional organizations.

Step 2: Correlate events the past with those of the present – Correlating both past and present is an incredibly empowering tool that helps leaders understand the seeds of your individual successes and failures. Study the law of cause and effect in your day-to-day activities. Every meeting, telephone call, e-mail argument, and smile is an action that leads to another action. Be certain your actions are firmly future-focused and amenable to your path toward success.

Step 3: Anticipate the future – Foresight must always be proactive. Foresight requires conscious effort to anticipate and direct with what the future will look like. Today’s leader must create a “necessity mind-set” without any prompting from the marketplace.

The Rhino must know of George Washington, as he rises early every morning of his life. Great leaders have been known to rise earlier than people in their cabinets, troops or teams. The first land phase of the monumental D-Day invasion by the allied forces began at 6:30 am, meaning that the soldiers and their commanding officers were awake well before that.

There are many historic events that occurred in the morning hours including the first manned flight, piloted by Orville Wright which took off at 10:35 am on December 17, 1903. Both Paul Revere’s ride, the formal surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 and the first Marine Divisions landed on the beach at Iwo Jima in the morning hours… (OORAH)!

Sunrise holds much significance. As a new dawn breaks, I ponder my day and think about the mighty Rhino. I know that somewhere halfway across the world that he is up and seizing the early morning light by gathering food for his herd and planning his day’s strategy for keeping himself and his herd safe from harm.

Great leaders understand the significance of rising early and taking the day by storm. However, that cannot be done effectively unless you prepare yourself the evening before.

Below is a list of tasks that I perform every night after dinner. This keeps me from becoming sedentary and lazy and it gives me something to look forward to.

• At night I write down a list of all the things that I need to accomplish the next day. That has a two-fold purpose. First of all, it allows me to be prepared when I wake up. But more importantly, making a list keeps me from lying in bed at night and stressing over all I have to do the next day. Once I write down my agenda, I try not to think about it again until the next morning.
• After making my list for the next day I set my alarm 15 minutes earlier than when I have to be awakened. I then either watch a movie or read something enjoyable until I fall asleep. I try to get in bed at least 1 hour before my “official” bedtime. If your household is busy in the evenings and mornings you will learn to relish these nightly 60 minutes and morning15 minutes.
• I make sure that I have clean clothes for the next day, all the way down to my flip flops (Living in Orlando has its advantages). This alleviates the possibility of not being able to locate something the next morning. A hectic morning can lead to a nonproductive day.
• I make sure that my house including my kitchen, which is my favorite place, is clean and orgainized. To save time, I have even invested in a Keurig coffee machine so that my heaviest thought in the morning is which flavored pod of coffee I’m going to have. Waking up to an orgainized environment is refreshing and comforting. This helps lead to a non-stressful day.

These tasks may seem mundane. But I promise if you will integrate these simple tasks into your evening, it will make all the difference in the world the next morning and you will soon find yourself wanting to get up early. Keep in mind that the mighty Rhino may have to wake up charging, so he prepares himself for that the night before.

I will complete this installment by sharing one of my favorite passages from the esteemed poet and writer Maya Angelou. This is a part of the famous speech that Ms. Angelou delivered on January 19, 1993 at the Inauguration of President Bill Clinton.

On the Pulse of Morning

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes,
Into your brother’s face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

There are many, many great leaders who share or whom have shared my sentiment on rising early and seizing the day, in addition to the vast majority of the animal kingdom. So many successful creatures cannot be wrong!

Keep Charging Hard!

In today’s’ global business community it is not unusual for a single person to be a member of several crashes. Some may be in their department, paralleled throughout other departments, intranet-based or global.

• A team approach is a proven method for addressing business issues. When forming crashes it is imperative for each team to have a clear mission statement.
• Form enough crashes to get several initiatives handled simultaneously.
• Do not over build. Too many crashes will become redundant and ineffective.
• Do not form crashes for small initiatives. Sometimes one person can be effective enough to handle the job at hand.
• Each crash should contain one leader. Chose someone with proven ability in their area(s) of expertise.
• If a job is not crucial, chose a crash leader that needs some leadership experience. Communicate with them exactly what you are doing. Let them know that you are trying to give them some experience and that they will need to rely on their crash for help throughout the project. It might be wise to call a meeting to inform each crash member of your agenda and that each member is to aide the newest leader. This should alleviate feelings of frustration and confusion. Remember that the key to crash success is effective, communicative leadership.
• Teach your crashes to be proactive. Their mission is to head off any foreseen issues concerning their project.
• Reward your crashes. If a particular crash performs very well or especially beyond expectations set them apart and do something tangible for them. Give them a catered luncheon at the office or let them leave on a Friday at 3:00 pm instead of 5 or 6 like everybody else. Set goals and reward those crashes who work at peak performance.
• Follow-through. Once you have set a precedent of rewards, continue to reward. It will breed motivation. Trust me on this.

A Rhino and his crash keep their eyes and ears open at all times. It is obviously safer and smarter to have more than one set of eyes and ears for any big projects. As the old saying goes, “There is strength in numbers.” Form crashes and inspire them to perform their missions.

Once you begin building effective crashes, you will find that your employees will begin to use more ingenuity, resourcefulness and enterprise as assigning power will beget power.

Keep Charging Hard!
 
Christian

Copyright 2009 © Christian Warren ● All Rights Reserved

The best leaders can take a lesson from the Rhino. What a Rhino smells prior to aggression is generally anything that they consider to be a threat. What that scent really translates into is success. If a Rhino becomes aggressive taking down the threat, he will succeed in being the victor. If a great leader senses a threat, they will become proactive rather than wait and be forced into being reactive. That heightened sense is really the smell of success.

The sweet smell of success is difficult to describe as each successful leader will relate a different approach to attaining success. However, all successful leaders have at least one thing in common. They smelled success before they achieved it. Human beings are driven by their senses. When you wake up in the morning and smell a freshly brewed pot of coffee, you find yourself wanting a cup. Most personal or professional missions in life work in the same manner. When you know someone who has achieved success, you crave the same.

Motivation is the key that turns the lock to our senses. If we see a beautiful, new car, we envision ourselves behind the wheel. If we hear our favorite song, we want to sing along or at least dance. If we touch silk, we want to wear it. Although these examples are tangibles, the bridge to acquiring them is the intangible bridge of motivation. When great leaders tap into these motivations and take steps towards attainment, they risk free-falling into the unknown.

The greatest leaders look within themselves for the motivation that is necessary for achieving the tangibles that represent heightened senses, motivation, and hard, focused work. Smelling success before achieving it is the motivation that is necessary for attaining our goals.

• Make a list of “Things to Do Today,” EVERY SINGLE DAY.
• Begin with the most difficult “thing” EVERY SINGLE DAY on the list. By doing this, everything else on the list will seem a lot easier.
• Take an action for someone else EVERY SINGLE DAY. It can be something simple like getting a cup of coffee or a soda for a co-worker or loved-one, without being asked to. Ask a co-worker or loved one what you can do for them today…help with paperwork, bring them lunch, pick up dry cleaning, go to the grocery.

Every once in a while a Rhinos sense of smell leads them in the wrong direction. That is to be expected. For without those small failures they will never achieve and maintain the reputation of being a mighty force to be reckoned with. Since a Rhino charges with no fear, each of their endeavors, even if they don’t hit the bulls eye, further embeds their standing as a relentless foe.

A Rhino is aware that his sense of smell is more acute than his blurred vision. They are self-effacing, realizing their weakness, but all the while strengthening their assets. The delicate balance between their heightened sense of smell and acting on it appropriately and with precise timing, is what has given the Rhino their status.

As stated earlier, a Rhino has no natural predators. A predator will only strike if they sense a vulnerability or lack of confidence. The Rhino doesn’t respond to such frivolities. Great leaders also have no natural predators. They are people who have sensed a threat or an opportunity, rather than having been motivated by an attack. That higher sense of existence is the motivational factor that breeds success.

A predator has yet to experience the sweet smell of success; therefore they pose no real threat, as they have yet to experience the heightened sense of awareness that it takes to be really motivated towards tangible or intangible goals.

After the 1st level of leadership, the J-O-B level, in which you listened and learned as much as you could about your organization and the people around you, you hopefully developed some respect and recognition from your peers. At level 2, the people around you will have their ears perked and their eyes open. They have definitely noticed your leadership ability and will want to get to know you. These people will be very interested in your motivations.

On this level, you will have to, like the four-legged Rhino, fill two pairs of shoes.

Tennis Shoes – These are your kicking shoes. Use them to make a break through in your leadership by making people happy by your actions. These shoes allow you to run around and generate some buzz. They also allow you to work harder and get further. Take the time to get to know people and concern yourself with their motivations and work ethics. This is a great level to recruit.

Work Boots – Use these shoes to dig in and maintain a stance for your future. On this level, there will be people that will try to poke holes in your style, leadership, character and motivations. These people are the ones that probably feel threatened by your mere presence. As corny as it may sound, you must develop the Rhino’s thick skin and kill them with kindness. Do not patronize or condescend to these people, just smile and try to help them. The only way to develop a positive relationship with insecure people is to understand their insecurities and try to enlist their help. Asking for their help will help you in the long run. Turn to these people for advice and opinions. Even if you do not use their tips, the dynamics of the relationship will change and so will their attitude. Remember the saying: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” At this turning point, these people will either jump on your bandwagon or get out of your way. Your job is to maintain your goals, keep your eye on the ball and show more leadership ability by having a positive attitude towards all people and all tasks.

There will come a point on this level of leadership, that your will begin to take ownership of your team and its agendas. This is when people will begin to ask your advice and they will consult you before taking any major steps or making any major decisions. People will follow your lead, so you must look within on a regular basis, to make sure that you are making wise decisions and not miss-steping. Towards the top of this level, you will take full rein and will be using your honed judgment.

Advice for Level 2:

• Maintain a great attitude at all costs. All eyes and ears are on you, so make wise decisions.
• Do not run over people. These people will help catapult you to the top, so utilize their talents and abilities. Appreciate them on a regular basis.
• Don’t let anyone knock you down. Some people may see you as a threat, but don’t let that get to you. Let your great attitude out shine any negative feedback.
• Show your happiness about being on the team. This will eventually turn around; and people will want to be around you and they will want to help you and follow your lead. They will want to be on your team.
• Hone and begin to fine-tune the relationships that you make on this level. Some of these people will be the ones that will help you get to Level 5.
• Always remember that this is the PEOPLE Level.

Remember that you are on the verge of climbing to the 3rd level where you will gain your momentum. Remember that the relationships that you develop and on the 2nd level will be necessary on the next level when your team will generate itself to stardom.

Keep Charging Hard!

 
Christian

Copyright 2009 © Christian Warren ● All Rights Reserved

Jack Welch, in his extraordinary book “Winning” notes resilience as one of the most important characteristics a leader can have: “The fourth characteristic [of senior leadership] is heavy-duty resilience. Every leader makes mistakes, every leader stumbles and falls. The question with a senior-level leader is, does she learn from her mistakes, regroup, and then get going again with renewed speed, conviction and confidence.

Leaders encourage resilience in their teams by nurturing them through the recognition of failures and by encouraging them to build new and more successful habits in terms of failure. The level of your achievements in life is directly proportional to your level of failure. If you don’t believe me, simply stand in the center of a busy airport and consider how many times the Wright Brothers did not get the plane off the ground! Yet they continued to try until they prevailed.

The greater your failure, the greater your potential in life is. Failure is the price we pay to achieve the success and progress we enjoy in life. It is important as a leader to know that no matter how many times you fail, you are not a failure. Failure does not define you. What you do with failure creates those defining moments that enrich you as a leader.

Changing our failure mind-set assures us that while we cannot avoid fear, we can learn from it. Reflecting on our experience from a new vantage point allows us to break down failure into specific elements, which can then be dissected and analyzed, helping us to determine the specific root cause of the failure.

Success is not reserved for special people–nor is failure. The only definitive difference between achievers and those who struggle is how they approach, handle, and perceive their failures.

As leaders, our job is to keep our goals rooted in reality, but we must also embrace the understanding and opportunities that failure brings. That will indeed make our teams and our missions soar.

While it is very easy to put on blinders and run through life, the rhino realizes that survival depends on constant observation and planning. A Rhinos vision can be likened to a mother’s vision-no matter what species she hails from. A mother’s main objective is to lead by example and protect herself and her herd of baby Rhinos.

While growing up you probably thought that your mother had eyes in the back of her head. You now know that she didn’t. However, what she did possess was an all-encompassing vision as she realized that she constantly had to be aware of her surroundings and protecting her herd, much like the Rhino’s lifelong vision.

What your mother envisioned was not just children running and playing. She crystallized her vision and saw dangers and pitfalls that may be lurking around any corner. Her visions, much like the Rhinos, gave clarity to her vision of her herd obtaining heights and depths that they were yet to realize.

That is not just blind faith; it is a very carefully calculated vision of what she wants for the future of her baby Rhinos, or herd. Now that is a leader that is not focusing on leadership or being in charge. That is a leader without blinders whom creates, shifts, and refines her vision based on circumstances, opponents of her herd, and activity in the herd.

Your mother, like the Rhino, believes without proof, that her herd will be a powerful force to be reckoned with. Part of that vision requires a little blind faith mixed with organizing, planning, and a 360° vision of what the world has to offer.

A Rhino, much like a mother, has eyes on the side of it’s head, allowing it to keep a 360-degree watch on everything that is going on around them, at all times. A Rhino’s babies run around with blinders on due to immaturity, lack of vision, and the blind faith that they innately posses for their mother. Her job is to instill her visions into her herd with skill and precise calculation.

The reality is that Rhino’s can only see approximately a 50 feet parameter around them. But that is insignificant to the mighty Rhino. What they envision is a world past the 50 feet and unexplored territory to be reckoned with.

The Rhino forms pictures in their mind of what they believe is out “there.” They become so steadfast in their vision that when they charge, they do so with their eyes closed. They are not interested in leading; they are interested in their target and exude so much power and bravery that they expect the herd to follow, much like a mother of any herd.

It all starts with the competitive arena which has actually made it more difficult for leaders and individuals alike to admit they have failed at something they attempted to do. Competition really starts in the womb and continues on with siblings, school, work, and personal relationships. Are we as individuals so pompous that we actually believe that we will succeed at everything we touch?

The truth is that it’s not necessarily the actual “act” of failure that hits us in the gut, knocking us to our knees; it’s the exercise of having to admit that we actually failed in the first place. That’s where the majority of our “failure” pain comes from. We are hard-wired for failure; we are just not hard-wired to admit it. What we are really craving is positive validation; and we can’t get that from failure… Unless we are able to turn the tables on the dreaded monster.

How do we come back afterward and ensure that we will do a better job the next time? The current crisis on Wall Street and within the technology sector stems from leaders’ avoiding the simple lesson of failure. We’ve all become so busy at not taking responsibility for anything that we’ve lost the opportunity inherent in failure. Historically speaking, there are many who failed before they succeeded. Abe Lincoln was defeated for state legislature and Speaker of the House for Illinois, lost the nomination to Congress and the Vice Presidency, was twice defeated for a seat in the US Senate, lost a job, failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown, ALL before becoming the 16th President of the United States. “The fact that millions have achieved great success after a ridiculous amount of failure should clearly prove to all that you can fail all the way to success.” Did I mention that Lincoln publicly acknowledged his failures? That’s the key to harnessing the power of failure. Admitting it and charging right through it. Success is about leveraging failure after failure without losing your ability to admit it.

A leader must understand that in order to achieve any measurable level of success, failure is necessary. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity consists of doing the same thing over and over and hoping for different results.” One of the most valuable traits one can have as a leader is the ability to closely observe his or her mistakes and learn the lessons that create positive changes so that the next set of challenges presented will result in different outcomes.

Failure should not be seen as an unsuccessful attempt; rather, it can be viewed as a yet-unattained goal or as simply one more step toward eventual success. Leaders can truly embrace their fullest potential by actively embracing failure as the most important ingredient in the recipe for success.

The past can be a validated, comfortable place to hide, but it can also serve as a roadblock to innovation and growth instead of a bridge to a brighter, more prosperous future. Failure is temporary; success is long term. Great Leaders should not shut the door on their failures nor obsess over them endlessly. Instead, they need to use them as a tool with formidable force, as failures are the greatest teaching tool in existence. Observe their failures and analyze them, understanding they are not identified by their mistakes. One can overcome a great deal of fear-based thinking by understanding that we all fail and we all can go on to achieve great success from that failure.

Jack Welch, in his extraordinary book “Winning” notes resilience as one of the most important characteristics a leader can have: “The fourth characteristic [of senior leadership] is heavy-duty resilience. Every leader makes mistakes, every leader stumbles and falls. The question with a senior-level leader is, does she learn from her mistakes, regroup, and then get going again with renewed speed, conviction and confidence? The name for this trait is resilience, and it is important that a leader must have it going into a job because if she doesn’t, in a time of crisis time, is too late to learn it.”

Leaders encourage resilience in their teams by nurturing them through the recognition of failures and by encouraging them to build new and more successful habits in terms of failure. The magnitude of your achievements in life are directly proportional to your triviality of failure. If you don’t believe me, simply stand in the center of a busy airport and consider how many times the Wright Brothers did not get the plane off the ground! Yet they continued to try until they prevailed.

The greater your failure, the greater your potential in life is. Period! Failure is the price we pay to achieve the success, progress and validation that we enjoy in life. It is important as a leader to know that no matter how many times you fail, you are not a failure. Failure does not define you. What you do with failure creates those defining moments that enrich you as a leader.

Altering our failure mind-set assures us that while we cannot avoid failure, we can build on it, as it is the strongest foundation of great success. Reflecting on our experience from a new vantage point allows us to break down failure into specific bite size pieces, which can then be dissected and analyzed, helping us to determine the specific root cause of the failure.

Failure is not reserved for special people–nor is success. The only definitive difference between achievers and those who cease trying is how they approach, handle, and perceive their failures. Once success is achieved, the failures experienced are suddenly recognized as hard work and determination; thus we have achieved that very much sought-after validation.

In 1946 one of the founders of 20th Century Fox, Darryl Zanuck, said, “Television won’t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” 20th Century Fox Television was founded in 1949. Mr. Zanuck clearly admitted failure and was obviously validated after the immense amount of success that the company soon garnered from the addition.

As leaders, our job is to keep our goals rooted in reality, but we must also embrace the understanding and opportunities that failure brings. That will indeed make our teams and our missions soar.
As leaders, our mission is to maintain our reality-driven goals, while realizing that without failure, our recipe for success will be missing the main ingredient. Validation is just the icing on the cake.

Keep Charging Hard!

Christian

The best chess players in the world will tell you that they are not just merely interested in the board game; they will tell you that they are strategists whom enjoy an intellectual cat and mouse where they are not anticipating their own next move, but rather their worthy opponents. They not only plan their next five or six moves in advance, they base their moves on those anticipated moves made by their opponent. This is much easier said than done, but it can be done; just ask Mikhail Botvinnik, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov and the current World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand.

I hope that I have made that last passage very clear. Very simply, in order to plan your next moves you will have to study your opponent. While that is not a science, and may be risky at times, you will have to learn how your opponent thinks and try and anticipate the advantageous options that your opponent has. This is not a guessing game. Understanding your opponent will give you a clear idea of what he or she is trying to accomplish.

Studying your opponent in the business world has really become quite easy with the advent of the internet. Most every company has a website that provides pertinent information regarding their company. I am not suggesting that you spy on your opponent; I am merely suggesting that you be as prepared as you can for the time that you will come face to face or go head to head with them.

• Go to their company website and read about the company. Companies usually provide their history, their current workforce and their mission and goals statement. Read it. Now, some of the information may be superficial and probably will not give you private information, but it will give you enough information to at least understand their approach, motivation and goals. Besides, nothing impresses a business person more than when you know about their company and their company history.
• Ask for a business meeting or lunch. An opponent does not generally anticipate a move of this nature. Just let them know that while you understand that you might be opponents or adversaries in the work force, that you can also be allies.

There is another lesson from the Rhino in this. While A Rhino might appear as if he is just standing in place, this is not the case. He is developing his foresight and his plan at every moment. His 360° vision capabilities aide him in anticipating his opponents next move, thus being able to plan his. Forewarned is forearmed.

Now before you charge ahead with a business move, keep in mind that not all of these businesses or people are opponents or foes. They are you and your company’s peers. A lot can be learned from them, not just about them.

A successful businessman once shared with me his secret: “Don’t worry about their next move just figure it out. The best position to be in is when your opponent is worrying about your next move.” I have learned to live by this credo.

Foresight can be achieved only if it is activated. Become an active member of your business community. Enlist yourself and your staff in trade shows, business seminars and join professional organizations. As stated earlier, do your homework and read about successful businesses and business leaders. The mighty Rhino knows his community and other members of the animal kingdom. He knows the way they live and how they approach their targets. Take a lesson and practice using foresight by being proactive not reactive and get a jump on your opponents and competition.

Keep Charging Hard!

Christian

You’ve probably heard the question before, either asked aloud or whispered by that little voice inside your head. Or perhaps you’ve heard it another way: “Do you control how you Spend Your Time?”

You already know that time is precious; however many of us fall into the ratrace of society’s expectations and become victims of living on other people’s time, rather than our own. Think for a minute about why we use the verbs spend and own in relation to time. It makes sense when you consider how valuable your time is. In fact, it is arguably the single most important asset you possess. And, if YOU don’t own it, then someone or something else does.

To determine exactly who or what owns your time, take a few minutes to calculate everything you do in a 24-hour day, and subtract the hours spent sleeping, commuting, working – the everyday things that cannibalize most people’s time – you might have less than a few hours a day to call your own.

Even if you did have more time, would you have the financial resources to do the things you wanted to? Would you be able to afford a nice vacation or even a day at the spa? It wouldn’t matter if you had more time, if you lacked the income necessary to do those things you would love to spend your time doing. That old verbatim, “Time is money” truly does have a double entendre.

So, how can you buy back your time and make your hours worth more? The answer may lie in simply knowing the difference between acquiring riches and establishing true wealth. If you have these things, then you can buy yourself more time to do all of the coveted activities you’ve been missing out on. Think of all the clichés like, “Time is precious” that might apply here!

Do You Own Your Time®?

Have you lost sight of your dream? Have life’s circumstances made it seem implausible for you to pursue those long-lost goals? Complacency will rob you of your time – day by day – minute by second. Time is something you can never recover. Therefore, it is even more precious than any riches. So, to get more of your time, you must develop the Rhino mindset of leadership mentality. You must grasp your dream and do whatever it takes to see it through. Do you really want to be an old person one day who looks back on your life, only to wish you had seen, done or had more than you did? For many, it will be too late. For you, it is not.

You see, there is a correlation between – yet a distinctive difference – between being rich and being wealthy. Many people think those are one in the same. Based on the definition above, this simple phrase represents a monumental shift in perception, purpose and process, and it is the key to success in both your business and personal life. Please take note: “own” is a verb, an action, a step you actively decide to make. Taking ownership of every minute of your day is not only a critical step in leadership but also a philosophy of life that can move you from the rat-race of “income accrual” to a lifetime of “true wealth.”

This difference between acquiring riches and establishing true wealth is something that many people have lost sight of.

Riches = directly tied to a dollar figure. Everyone has their own imaginary figure that they would consider as rich. For some, that may be a six-figure number. Others may not consider rich to be anything less than a $mill. You could say that lottery winners become rich. They are not wealthy. This represents material possessions, monetary income, anything that projects the appearance of success. However, without due caution, it’s easy to become enslaved to these things, to the point where they own you instead of the other way around! Most people today spend their time simply earning an income, which is certainly a noble effort but, consider this. By nature, income is designed to “come in” and then “go out”. When you look at it that way, the process seems a bit futile.

True wealth = directly tied to owning your time. By contrast, when you own your time, the world looks different and each day feels different. True wealth is a holistic state of existence: a combination of focused mind-set, the ability to value what’s truly important in life, and the means by which to enjoy your life. You’ll still meet obstacles along the way, but you’ll be free to overcome those obstacles any way you choose – even if it requires walking away for a break from the action to reassess your approach. When you own your time, you alone dictate your life’s course!

So how can you own your time and create true wealth in your life? Start with three steps:

1. A leader understands to create wealth you must have the right dream.
   To create wealth, you must have a clear vision of your target and apply the right amount of action to achieve it. I’ve said for your years that, “Vision without Action is just a Dream; Action without Vision is a Nightmare!” Not only must you have the right dream, but the actions that you put forth to acquire that dream must match. Do you clearly know what the right dream is for you and do your daily actions support it? Have you taken inventory of your passions and skills? This critical step will help guide you toward a more fulfilling and balanced life, a more satisfying place where you can thrive and create true wealth while exceeding all your financial needs and goals.
2. A leader understands to create wealth you must have the right team.
   Who you spend your time with is equally important as how you spend it. We’ve all heard the saying, “Two heads really are better than one”. When you combine resources and ideas, it strengthens an organization. When you share the workload, everyone is more efficient and able to enjoy more personal time. But a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so ensure that all hands are on deck. Find team members with skills and interests that complement each other and you’ll find yourself in a brewing pot of creative genius. The team might even be temporary, but with the right mix of people, everyone will part with more skills and knowledge than before, better equipped to own their time and create true wealth. Learn from great leaders who’ve gone before you and surround yourself with people who share your principles and support your dream.
3. A leader understands to create wealth you must have the right theme.
   Without a doubt, the theme – the underlying belief system – is your commitment to owning your time. The art of taking ownership of every moment of life is shared by the world’s greatest leaders. Working toward a goal is a journey, but what is the theme of your journey? Sometimes your theme is defined along the way, but you can identify your own theme in the beginning as a guideline. This will keep you both motivated and on track. One solid theme throughout a lot of success stories is “small steps toward big goals.” In other words, create an action plan of smaller, achievable goals to act as building blocks toward your end goal. It’s important to remember that the wealth you seek lies not only in the end goal, but in the journey. So celebrate small victories and enjoy the journey – and that sounds like another good theme!

Do You Need a New Dream, Team and/or Theme?

If you’ve come to the conclusion that you’re in need of some serious change in terms of who or what owns your time, I’ve got great news for you. While financial recessions – the current one included – are economic seasons none of us wish to encounter, they carry a silver lining and are historically known to create dynamic opportunities for entrepreneurial success stories. If you’re stuck in a cycle of chasing after income with little or no time left over, today may be a turning point.

If you surround yourself with successful people, guess what will happen? You too, will become successful. If you surround yourself with broke people who have very little to offer, aside from complaining or asking for more of your time, then you will never be able to get your time back, nor become wealthy. You will stay stuck right where you are, wishing you had more time and more money. You are the Rhino! Get back your time!

Once you take charge, your lifestyle will change dramatically and so will your financial riches. As a suggestion, rather than focusing on the monetary aspect; focus on the dream. The means and resources will fall into place once you take action towards your goals and find the right partners for success. This is not to say that you should let your responsibilities fall by the wayside. Of course, that would just create chaos and hinder your imminent success. Instead, allow those precious few moments that you do have (for now) to become more valuable and use them to take action towards fulfillment of your dreams.

Whether you’re the Assistant Manager of XYZ, Inc. or the CEO of your own entrepreneurial endeavor, the practice of owning your time holds the key to a lifetime of true wealth. It’s your time… OWN IT!

Keep Charging Hard!
Christian

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