MaXIMIze - Business Karma

Events at work over the last few weeks reminded me that, sometimes, not everyone is looking out for the mission first.

One of our mottos, if you will, is People First, Mission Always. And so it should be in any organization. The organization was created to propel a certain mission forward, and if it has the right people in the right positions, it will succeed in doing so.

A good or great organization is capable of not only ensuring the mission gets done within whatever parameters have been set for it, but also the organization grows the people working on said mission.

That being said, the people have the biggest impact to the success or failure of the organization.

I have been blessed to work in a part of our organization that has a very strong sense of purpose. We have a project - a large project - to complete by a certain date and within a certain scope and budget. Our supervisors have the savvy to be able to balance ensuring our people are growing in their jobs and ensuring our project moves along and is completed within the parameters set for it.

Because we are all focused on this goal, we are in alignment and our course is, while not perfect, at least smoother than it appears in other areas of our overall organization.

In other areas of our organization there has been a lot of change recently, and that has shown the sordid underbelly of some of our organization's issues.

People don't like change. That's a given. However, change happens, and you can either help drive the change or let the change drive you, or drag you along kicking and screaming with it - your choice.

One message that came through loud and clear recently is that how our higher ups in the organization - our leaders, nominal and actual - communicate about something or someone very much affects the organization.

Our goal is the mission. Yes, taking care of people is another one of our mottos or slogans, however, the goal is the mission. People First, Mission Always. And how we perceive and react to our environment and the changes therein affects the capability to complete the mission.

Counteracting the poison of negativity and negative energy can be very difficult, particularly when dealing with adult children that other people raised.

Couple that with me-ism - what's in it for ME, how can I benefit, where do I want to go - and it is a very toxic combination/situation.

There is no I in team - and at work, we are a team focused on a goal. So, when our personal mission and goals are not aligned with the organization's mission and goals, perhaps it is time to find a new organization to work for - or to really examine why you are where you are and how, within the framework of supporting the organization's mission and goals, you can get where it is you want to be.

If you focus on the we, you will take care of the me.

So, before you complain about something or someone, think through the possible repercussions to the organization and to yourself. Are you really helping the situation and the organization in a positive manner, or are you just adding unnecessary venom to the situation?

Think about the good of the whole, not just yourself or your small piece of the organization.

And remember, your perception is just that - your perception - it is not necessarily the Reality of the situation.

Until next time, Namaste!
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Questions? Comments? Feel free to post them here, or e-mail me at the address below.
Beth Henderson, MaXIMIzer
maximize.beth@gmail.com

MaXIMIze - Reflections and the New Year

Hard to believe that this begins the 4th year of posting this blog for me. When I began the first iteration of this blog, I had a goal of helping others as I continued to grow myself. Less than a month after I started blogging, my life went into a tailspin - I got a promotion to a job I really wanted, but that in the end was much more challenging than I realized it would be, and my then-husband told me he wanted a divorce. Writing this blog and keeping focused on healing and growing myself kept me going through that first tumultuous year.

The process of writing the blog posts that y'all read - some of you on a very faithful basis! - continually proves that it is truly about progress not perfection. I look back over the past three years and see the progress I have made and it is amazing! I now have a great job that I love and a man in my life who truly accepts me as I am - two very rare gifts indeed! I am blessed with family who came together for the Christmas holiday and there was no drama - lots of noise with three grandchildren under the age of 7 of course, but no drama!

Are there still ripples from stones I've dropped in the pond in the past? Are there still weeds in the garden to be pulled? Of course there are! But the ripples are getting fewer and weaker and the weeds are becoming sparser. It took time to get to the point I was at and it takes time to get to the point I want to get to now. So I'm enjoying the learning and growth I'm experiencing along the journey as I make progress down my path.

The growth of this blog from a mere 25 entries that first year to the 49 entries in 2014 - and the compilation of some of those posts from 2012 and 2013 into my book titled Take Your Life in Your Arms and Kiss It! - is also proof of the progress I've made, particularly since becoming a Certified Professional Coach in 2013.

Organization helps too…I had themes for every month and topics for every week in 2014, and I have the same for 2015!

For the rest of January, we will be talking about Passion and Persistence.

In February, we will discuss Optimism versus Pessimism, Abundance versus Lack, and what truly is your motivation.

We'll start March off with the Seeds We Sow and Unintended Consequences, and review what our current satisfaction levels are in the areas of health, finances, career, relationships, spiritual well-being, and overall well-being.

For April through September, we will focus on each of those six areas, one per month, much like we did with last year's posts.

In October, we will look at what we have harvested this year, and why.

November is our month of Gratitude, and December ends our year with Celebration!

If you have been with me as a long-time loyal reader - Thank You for your support and welcome back for another year!

If you are a new reader, Welcome, and please read the previous years' posts to glean more goodness for your life!

Until next week then, Namaste!