But while out there, I came up with several reasons to keep going. First, shoveling snow is good exercise, and after being cooped up with the flu for a week, it felt good to work my muscles a little. Secondly, shoveling snow provides good thinking time, and I don’t get as much of that as I would like these days (I seem to spend too much time doing and not enough time thinking about why or what I’m doing). Third, shoveling snow requires layers of clothing. If I had gone inside, I would have had to strip down those layers; and the likelihood that I would re-suit up after doing that was slim. I was also motivated by the thought that any guests would be forced to navigate a half-shoveled driveway, which would not be as easy for them as for me, since they don’t know the drive as well.

Most importantly, though – and this is what really kept me going for the final stretch – was the underlying value in finishing what I started. My parents instilled this in me at an early age, to the point that I feel compelled, even when I don’t want to, to see something through to the end.

Anyone can be a starter. We all do it. We start a project; we buy an instrument or a fancy camera; some of us even start the Great American Novel… with the intention of learning, of mastering, of completing. But so often, when the energy, enthusiasm and creativity wane, so does our commitment. We are good at starting, but we are not so good at finishing.

Finishing must become a habit for those who want to be successful. For that reason, I want to be as good at finishing as I am at starting. Finishers are successful; finishers are winners; finishers are motivators and role models. They have perseverance and character and wisdom. Yes, I am a finisher. My body may ache, and my clothes may be wet through… but my driveway is clear. And I am content with another job completed.

Happy shoveling.

– Clifford Bailey
speaker, CEO

Some people are inherently energy givers. They light up a room, they ask good questions, and they are good listeners. They are thoughtful, thankful, sincere and wise. They empower and serve, excite and inspire. Time spent with one of these people leaves one feeling energized and positive.

On the flip side are the chronic energy takers. We all know them, and chances are, you work with one. They shoot down ideas, dominate conversations and have a ready complaint at all times. They are often unhappy and angry, and they consider themselves victims of the passive injustice around them. Time spent with these people is draining; too much time spent with them can be toxic.

I use the word toxic because chronic energy takers can suck the energy out of even the brightest energy giver. Energy takers are black holes; there is no end to the amount of energy they can consume. One energy taker left unchecked can suck the energy out of a department and eventually erode the morale of an entire organization.

Perhaps you are nodding your head, relating all too well with having a chronic energy taker in your personal or professional life. Maybe you have experienced first-hand the drain; you dread the phone calls and maybe even take a different route to avoid that certain individual. We can all identify an energy taker, but what I have come to realize is that few chronic energy takers can identify themselves. As such, perhaps we should all ask ourselves: “Is it possible that I could be someone else’s energy taker?” It’s not a comfortable question, I know, but it’s one I think we all need to ask objectively.

Who we choose to surround ourselves with will impact who we become. Seek out energy givers, and aim to give them at least as much energy as you take from them. The result is a brighter world for all of us.

– Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, CEO, energy giver

Personally, I have spent quite a bit of time ruminating on how to make 2013 one of my best years yet. I have set some goals for my personal and business life, but this year I want to do more than set personal goals. I want to cast a vision for a way that we, as a community, can come together as conduits and advocates of positive change. My next few blogs will share that vision with the hope that others will embrace and own it with me.

One way we can strengthen our community for both today and tomorrow is by intentionally investing in the younger generation. We, as business and community leaders, are currently in the positions which our youth will one day hold. It is in our best interest, and the best interest of society, to nurture, mentor and teach them.

Consider the impact you can have in shaping these young people. Play your part by being a positive role model for the children and young adults in your life. This could include small gestures of reaching elementary-aged children with positive words of affirmation and encouragement or committing a portion of your personal time to mentoring a teenager who is poised for a life transition.

Whatever you choose to do, I implore you to not passively sit by and let these children go unnoticed. Eventually, these young minds will transition into various leadership roles, applying primarily the skills they have seen modeled for them. We have been given the unique opportunity to “step up to the plate” by investing and preparing these young people to lead effectively. As you set goals for the coming months, I encourage you to consider your part in molding and training the next generation.

– Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, CEO, conduit of change

As I sit down to write this post, one that should be a holiday offering to all of my friends perpetuating the supposed joy and peace of the season, I am still struggling with attempts to wrap my mind around the recent devastation that took place in Newtown, CT.

Approaching the holidays in the wake of this tragedy, individuals across the country are grappling for direction. We’ve raised debates around gun control and started conversations related to improving mental healthcare, and rightfully so. These are appropriate discussions to have. However, when the voices of debate have silenced, many of us are left in the same place of wondering: Where do we go from here?

With the new year upon us, and more than enough tragedy taking place around us, I’d like to issue a challenge. My challenge to us all is to allow the pain of the recent events to nourish our courage and act as motivators for change. It has become abundantly clear that our society is poised for a change. I encourage you to allow this tragedy to ignite a passion within that will lead you to pursue and advocate for this change. I believe this is the best way to honor the lives that were cut far too short.

As our country continues to mourn, feeling deeply the loss of 28 precious lives, we pause and cling closer to our own loved ones.  That is as it should be.  But as we look up and look forward to the coming year, I hope that we each will seek a spirit of courage. Instead of letting this tragedy paralyze us with fear, let us move forward bravely, boldly… and be the change we wish to see in the world.

– Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, advocate for change

Crazy date, huh? Many individuals around the world strongly believe that today is going to be a big day. It has been suggested that the ancient Mayan calendar’s cycle will stop and then restart, and that some significant event will take place in the universe. The predictions range from cataclysmic events to the world being “reborn.”

I am not one to comment on the alignment of the planets or the activities of the cosmos (all I know is… they are bigger than I am!), but I do resonate with the idea of a “re-birth.” I am a believer in the power of change and the positive outcomes that can accompany it. I also believe that each individual has the ability to enact their own personal transformation.

Doesn’t today – this famed and anticipated date – seem like the perfect time to pursue that change? If today you feel a renewed energy and a desire for “re-birth,” here are three catalysts that I have found to be effective for growth in my own life…

1. Be honest with yourself. Maybe the transformation you are seeking requires that you take a step back and honestly evaluate yourself, where you are in life and where you would like to be going. This raw honesty demands that you admit your mistakes and shortcomings and face them head on. Resist the urge to blame others or make excuses for personal failures; instead, own them, correct them and take the initiative to move forward.
2. Don’t limit yourself. Perhaps the change you have decided to pursue involves taking a personal or professional risk. I would encourage you to boldly and confidently move forward. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrase, “If I had it to do all over again, I would…” Avoid being in this position! Forget about what anyone says you can’t or shouldn’t do and focus on what you can. And don’t talk yourself out of it.
3. Enjoy being yourself. Here is one of the most transformational actions that one can take: enjoy being in your own skin. Be comfortable with who you are. Many times we are striving to get more out of life without simply enjoying being. The discipline of being intentional in appreciating who you are and what you contribute to the world can reap priceless benefits. Consider fully how precious and unique you are, and relish that moment of recognition!

Hopefully the fact that you are reading this indicates that the world has not ended. However, I hope that it does indicate that you are ready for a change. I encourage you to embrace this coming season and discover what is waiting for you on the other side!

- Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, catalyst for change

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

As the holiday season approaches, I have been deliberate in taking time to slow my normal hurried pace and survey my life through the lens of gratitude. I have been candid in sharing with you all several of the challenges and victories I have encountered over the past few months. Pausing purposefully and intentionally to view these situations with the eyes of thanksgiving is what I like to call a “game-changer.”

As the leader of a technology company, I certainly understand the mantra: Move quickly, Think ahead, Look forward. But this comes at a cost. Rarely are we encouraged to look back, to pause, to see our current life circumstances through fresh, thankful eyes. Thanksgiving has historically been a time for that, one day a year set aside to pause.

I think that Melody Beattie was on to something in her quote above… Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It can change the way we view our circumstances, our surroundings and ourselves. Although it may not make full sense of them, gratitude brings clarity to life obstacles that were formerly confounding or unwelcomed. While it may not bring total and complete peace in a moment, appreciation can bring hope to a situation that is seemingly helpless. And, though it may not give you a comprehensive future vision, thanksgiving will certainly ease the steps forward to the unknown.

My wish for you this season is this: That you might allow a sense of gratitude to provide for you a shift in your thinking and the way you choose to live your life. Join me in intentionally slowing down and allowing gratitude to give us all a fresh perspective. I hope for many blessings on each of you this holiday season.

– Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, CEO, grateful heart

“In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.”
– James Allen

Everyone has a personal measure of success, whether intentional or not. For me, I strive for excellence in my business and personal life. One thing I have learned in my pursuit of success is that in order to get more, to realize your vision and to further your growth, you have to do more.

So many times, when we have a taste of success, we continue to practice the same methods that got us to that point. However, repeatedly using the same approach, in any aspect of life, will not continue to escalate the success that the initial effort brought about. A higher level of effort is required to reach a higher level of success.

The amount of effort it took to reach the first milestone toward a goal is not equal to the amount of effort it will take to reach the next one. If we desire to keep growing, to further success in new and innovative ways, the strength of our efforts must increase as the challenges increase.

This theme remains true across all sorts of endeavors. An athlete that has trained hard to become a champion must train even harder to defend his position. He must continue to improve on his technique because the competition is focused more intently on unseating him.

A student at the top of her class must study more if she seeks to learn more. To ensure a top grade, a strong scholar needs to become more and more disciplined in her studies so she can master increasingly difficult curriculum.

In business, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Even if you are a successful entrepreneur, whatever you have done to achieve today’s success will not earn you tomorrow’s success. You must do more.

Doing more may look different for each individual. If you are seeking to expand your client base, take a risk on a new endeavor that may bring you more exposure. If you are seeking balance in your work and personal life, be intentional about making and keeping firm hours and goals for yourself. Whatever success looks like for you, it is likely to require more effort each day.

Are you struggling with feeling mediocre, in life or in business? Consider your next steps to success. By strategically increasing your efforts today, you are more likely to reach a higher level of success tomorrow.

– Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, CEO, success seeker

Why is it that so often – in personal relationships, in hiring decisions, in business deals… –we see what we want to see instead of what’s really being revealed to us?  How many times do we make hiring decisions with the hope that the skills lacking could be developed on the job?  How often do we enter relationships hoping from the onset that we can change the other person?

First impressions are usually very good indicators, and trusting your instincts can save you a lot of trouble down the road. Does a person fail to shake your hand upon meeting you?  That is instinctive for outgoing people, not an oversight; this is likely not going to be your lead sales guy.  Did the candidate know anything about your organization before the interview?  If she fails to prepare for an interview, how will she prepare for a client meeting?  If an administrative assistant misspells a word on her résumé, why would you be surprised to see typos in an important presentation down the road?  If a colleague dominates every conversation with stories about his own successes, is it realistic to expect that he will have your best interest at heart when negotiating a shared deal?

We all know that it is foolish to think a cat’s spots will change if it gets wet.  So why do we hold out hope that this will happen in real life?

I’m not saying that we should write people off with their shortcomings.  Quite the contrary.  We are all imperfect beings, and as such, we are called to show each other grace.  Part of showing grace is understanding an individual’s strengths and weaknesses and not expecting them to be something they are not.  At TechSoft Systems, I try to search for the strengths of an individual and position them for success in an area that lets them apply those strengths.  This concept is reinforced by decades of research from Tom Rath and his team in Strengths Finder 2.0.  If we are all working in the areas of our strengths, we will all be happier and more productive.  In some ways, this is the business application of, “Keep on the sunny side.”

On the flip side, if an employee – or the person with whom you find yourself in any type of relationship – simply isn’t working out, ask yourself if your expectations of that person were ever reasonable to begin with; perhaps you were the one with the poor judgment from the start.  It’s possible that by adjusting your expectations and shifting your perspective to focus on his or her strengths, the relationship could be mended.

If the shift in perspective is too costly – from a business or emotional standpoint ­– then know when to call it.  Expecting someone to become something they are not is unfair to both of you.

–Clifford A. Bailey
CEO, TechSoft Systems

“Experience is a tough teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”
– Vernon Sanders Law 

 As many of you know, in February I had a “heart stopping experience” that slowed me down– both literally and figuratively. In a previous post, I was still struggling to appropriately process the profound effect that this experience had on my life. Since then, I have further clarified some lessons that I’ve gained through my heart attack experience.

The most important lesson, which applies equally to life and business, is that change is unavoidable. We will encounter personal and professional circumstances that are beyond our control. Fortunately, both wisdom and growth can come from our response to those changes. Here are some lessons I have learned when dealing with change.

Prepare relentlessly. Although we are unable to control the world around us, we are often able to foresee what could come our way. They say that hindsight is 20/20, but hindsight won’t help you in a crisis.  Although foresight may not be 20/20, foresight has the advantage of not being clouded by stress and urgency. Planning ahead for worst-case scenarios helps you gather all the information you will need to put thoughtful plans in place in advance. These are the plans that you will need to rely on if a crisis happens. Create contingency and succession plans that prepare you, your family and your business for unforeseen scenarios. Don’t wait for the crisis to leave you flat-footed.
Recognize, believe, and accept that change is occurring. It is impossible to control outside circumstances that might affect your life or business. And it is foolish to ignore the implications of change. Be cautious of prideful thinking that might lead you to believe that you can stop change from happening. Instead, seek the grace that is necessary to accept the adjustment.
Pause and calmly assess the situation. When a major change has come your way, it can put your business or even your very life in danger. But do not give in to fear. Remain calm as you pause to assess the situation in its entirety. Whether or not you have prepared for this situation, a clear-headed response can turn a crisis into an opportunity. Trust your instincts.
Determine if you should yield or take control. It is at times necessary for all of us to seek and accept help during a time of change. Let go of the belief that you should be strong enough to handle alone anything that comes your way. There is nothing shameful about seeking a helping hand during a difficult time. Furthermore, by asking others for help, you gain access to additional perspective and wisdom that may aid you in your response.
Drive action intentionally and deliberately. Responding to change requires that you gain a firm grasp on the situation and a sense of urgency around the actions to be taken. In uneasy times of change, each decision made can be critical. Be clear about the course ahead of you and move forward strategically and thoughtfully.
Adapt and respond to the change. Although this may be the most difficult step of all, it is also the step that will surely produce the most growth in your life or business. While the initial change that was thrust upon you may feel like a refiner’s fire, your response to the change will prove your strength. As you implement your plan, step back from time to time to monitor and adjust your course as needed.
Inform those affected by the change. No one wants to be kept out of the loop, so make sure that anyone who will be affected by the change is well informed of the implications and the plan for moving forward. And don’t forget to express gratitude to those who were involved in the change process.

At the end of a change process you will surely feel exhausted – physically and mentally. It is important to recognize the course you have just navigated. Change is never easy… but it can certainly be beneficial. Take time to celebrate your achievement. Congratulations! You have fought the good fight and entered a new season of opportunity.

-Clifford A. Bailey
speaker, CEO, navigator of change

In order get the right answers, you must ask the right questions. Many times we are quick to ask questions just for the sake of conversation. These questions normally result in a nice exchange, but they rarely leave the asker any wiser or the answerer any more invested.

Instead of asking surface-level questions, seek to find answers that will help you get where you want to be. I typically offer three guidelines when it comes to crafting the “right questions.”

1. Ask questions that will help inform your decisions. I knew that a school selection was on the horizon for my young friend, so I suggested her first question be, “I am getting ready to decide what college I am going to attend. Why did you select the school that you did, and how has that decision affected your career path?” Not only will this question show your genuine respect for the person it is directed to, but its answer provides insight that could guide you in your own decision making.
2. Ask questions that will open doors to wisdom. We have the amazing chance to learn from the experiences and the mistakes of pioneers who have gone before us. The second question I offered was, “Is there anything you would have done differently in your career? If so, how would those decisions have changed where you are now or how you got here?” Questions like this typically lead into a narrative, hosting innumerable points of wisdom. Equally important, shared stories help build memorable connections between people.
3. Ask questions that will provide networking opportunities. Lastly, I recommended that this young woman request permission to contact Ms. Roberts periodically for advice and counsel, asking something like this: “I know that there will be decision points along my journey where your wisdom and counsel would be invaluable to me. Would you mind if I contacted you periodically for your perspective?” (What honorable person would say No to this request?) This simple question could open countless doors. However, this type of relationship requires complete authenticity and respect for boundaries. Appropriate periodic contact with someone of this stature is probably two to four times a year. It could include an update on decisions and life progressions, or it could include a question on which genuine feedback is being requested. The keys are to (a) keep the communications brief and (b) refrain from asking for favors; ask only for counsel. This approach can yield a valuable mentor relationship in which the mentor has a personal stake in the mentee’s success.

There is not a person alive from whom you cannot learn if you only listen. If you are given the chance to engage in a dialogue with an individual who has insight to offer, it is a gift. When you raise questions that are strategic and thought provoking, you will always benefit from the answers if you listen carefully. Joyce Brothers said: “Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” Seek individuals who are worthy of your listening ear – and ask away.

-Clifford A. Bailey speaker, mentor, CEO