Life and Business Leadership Insight
- October 03

In this issue:

• October "Self-Leadership" Insight
• Quote for the month
• Suggested reading for the month
• Monthly "Self-Leadership" Challenge
• "Yarra Ridge" Business Seminar
• Free Articles for Your Publications
• Email this newsletter to a friend

"Challenging the Work Ethic Paradigm"

I can't be sure when it hit me but it was somewhere near the edge of our local lake! With my dog frolicking carefree in the mud and slush as they do; I suddenly caught myself thinking that I shouldn't be enjoying this moment as much as I was.

After all it was Thursday morning at 11.00 am and I should be at my desk working! In fact my thinking even strayed a little bit further to the point of associating the enjoyment of my chosen "free time" in the park with a feeling that I had my priorities all wrong!

I mean who was I kidding here. This was a structured work day and at least a day and a half to go until the weekend.
My flawed thinking went something like this: "How could I be in the park at this time of day and still be productive and focused on the development and growth of my business?"

As some of you may realise with my work in "self-leadership" I try and instill in all of the people I interact with the life changing ability to "track down" the reason why we think the way we do and be prepared to change whatever we find for a better alternative if necessary.

So what are some of the more insidious aspects of the work ethic paradigm?

Try some of these on for size:

1. Frantically busy people are the most productive.
   (No, more likely they do not know how to delegate or are poor time managers)

2. People who work the longest hours care about the company the most.
   (No. See above as well as consider the possibility that these people might in fact be under performers who use the long hours as justification for continuing employment. Or even worse, just slot in to the culture because everybody else works long hours!)

3. Working long hours is the basis for promotion in a company.
   (Again no. More likely a basis to establish someone who does not have much interest outside work or undervalues the input of social activities to keep a healthy mind or body.)

Whilst enjoying this beautiful day in the park I also decided to actively change my own behaviour in a number of ways. Firstly to decide that you can be productive at any time of day and that the 9-5 workday is largely a thing of the past. My take on the situation is as long as you are productive period.

Secondly, I have decided to stop asking people I meet the lame question "How's business?" People are expected to say "flat out or frantic" because if they don't the perception is that things are not going so well. No real logic there if you stop to think about it except for the implied cultural pressure to continually be "flat out" working. So instead, I have decided to start changing people's mindsets by asking "How's your work/life balance going?"

A better question to reinforce a better and healthier value system.
I'm happy to say in this case that I am "working" on it and by the way walking in the park never felt so good!

Richard.

Upcoming Dates

How to Get What You Want Assertiveness Techniques

Oct 29, 2003 (9am-5pm)
Oct 30, 2003 (9am-5pm)

[more info]

How to Win in Business and Enjoy the Experience
Yarra Ridge Winery

November 28, 2003

To book contact Dianna Goodman at Yarra Ridge Winery on 0419004606 or click here to email

Products

Tall Poppyship - How to Get There and Stay There
This insightful book is based on the Crocodiles not Waterlilies program and reviews in a unique style the 38 “universal” principles of the program that direct you toward self-leadership and personal accountability.

How to Get What You Want
Getting what you want from life is everyone’s desire and basic right. Why is it then that so many people do not have what they want and seem powerless and uninterested in changing? The answer is that many do not know how to change or where to begin.

Mastering Stress
This CD program provides an insight & review process for the Toughness Training seminar, a 1 day program on how to live the life you want, be tough & persistent about getting it right. Designed to compliment the program or as a stand alone tool.

Monthly Self-leadership Challenge…

This month's challenge: To eliminate "fillers" in your daily conversation. Fillers are words or more accurately sounds such as; "er", "um", "aahh", "ok" anything that breaks the flow of your message.

First, identify what your "fillers" are.
Second, tune into when you use them.
Third, practice eliminating them from your speech.

Your time starts now…

Hear Richard Speak…..

Richard will be speaking in the Yarra Valley at Yarra Ridge Winery on November 28th. He will be speaking on "How to Win in Business and Enjoy the Experience".

It will be a great opportunity to enjoy lunch with wonderful wines and learn about the opportunities for you and your team in 2004.

The afternoon is being promoted as an opportunity for you to get away with your colleagues for an enjoyable afternoon in the Yarra Valley.

To book contact Dianna Goodman at Yarra Ridge Winery on 0419004606 or diana.goodman@yarraridge.com.au

Free Articles for Your Publications......

Richard has numerous articles available for reprint in any publication, company newsletter or magazine etc. You may use these articles written by Richard which can be found on his website www.richardday.com.au. It is also possible to view back issues at http://www.richardday.com.au/newsletter.html

All Richard requests is that you print the article in its entirety along with the following acknowledgement at the end of the article: "Richard Day is Australia's Self-Leadership Expert, Life and Business Coach and Inspirational Speaker and Facilitator. www.richardday.com.au richard@richardday.com.au

We Love Stuff like this…

"And once again, thanks to you, the Crocs principles has had a powerful impact on my life and how I approach its many challenges - I look forward to attending another session at some time in the future."

Beth Downham
TXU Team Leader

Inspirational Speaker to Entertain, Motivate and Educate You.....To Get The Best From You And Your Life!

Richard Day is a National and International Speaker, Life and Business Coach and Corporate Facilitator. He has worked extensively with organisations and individuals in the realm of self-leadership, team dynamics and peak performance strategies for both business and life application.

He also coaches individuals and teams on how to be more successful and has blended a unique background in human performance, psychology and education enabling him to work with the corporate business world empowering each individual to be more accountable to themselves and the organisation they work for.

He has extensive experience in many industries and has recently founded the Life and Business Leadership Institute which is committed to promoting the "universal" principles and concepts of leadership to as many sectors of the business community as possible.

Book Richard today for your next event. Tel: 0418177868 richard@richardday.com.au

The Life and Business Leadership Institute Specialises in…

• Keynote Presentations
• Life and Business Coaching
• Seminars, Workshops and Conferences
• Corporate Facilitation
• Speech Writing
• Self-Leadership Products and Services

Accredited Speaking Professional (APS) of the National Speakers Association of Australia

For more information about how we can help you, contact 0418177868 or visit our Website at http://www.richardday.com.au

Email this newsletter to a friend

The Life and Business Leadership Institute
Phone: 0418 177 868 , Fax: (03) 9848 8126, E-mail: info@richardday.com.au

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send a blank email to the email address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject field

Copyright © 2003 Richard Day & Associates | Newsletter by Melissa Norfolk Web Design