#personal developmen

Comfort Is the Enemy of Growth—Strive for More!"

"Comfort zones feel safe, but they are the biggest threat to growth. Never settle—push yourself beyond satisfaction, because the pursuit of more transforms you into a stronger, better version of yourself."

"Step out of your comfort zone today—unlock your full potential!"

I used to work in a Multi-Level company as a networker back when I was in Lima. I was very excited, but people I know would say that such companies were a complete waste of my money and time, and that nothing good would come out of it. Well, I could say they were right because I didn’t end up making any money. However, something good did came out of me joining that company, which was the business leadership seminars I had access to. That helped me understand that what moves people is not a product, a building or a brand, but the people behind all of that. People moves people.

After that company went broke, I had all this knowledge about leadership that I knew I had to apply in my life as a musician to make it worth, but how? At that time, all I wanted to do was to become a music producer, not thinking much about my industry. I didn’t know how my leadership would expand beyond me showing the artist the correct path to get the best sound possible on his record. Luckily, after graduating, I realized that my plans of becoming a music producer weren’t enough to thrive in my country’s industry without any major knowledge in how to make business. And that making business needed a strong doze of leadership. Power and influence are crucial.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

I’m currently in my 2nd month of the Entertainment Business program, studying a course called Executive Leadership (but the teacher told us it should only be called Leadership). And basically, it showed me two types of leader that were completely opposite: One from John Maxwell’s book Developing the Leader Within You (1993) and the other from Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power (2000). In my opinion, those two types developed through the books can literally be compared to the Light and the Dark Side of the Force (I know). Maxwell’s type of leader is more self-less, dedicated to other people’s needs and to work in a more horizontal way to achieve the company’s goals; while Greene’s is the kind of person that will do anything, even trespassing some ethic boundaries, so that he/she can gain power for himself. Actually, something that made reading those books more entertaining for me was picturing both authors like Yoda and Darth Sidious.

At first, I was afraid I had to be fixed into one of these two, because they were extreme opposites. However, the first thing I learned in class was that, just as the Force isn’t completely black or white, but with gray in between, so was the leader I could become able to take from both sides. I could balance myself between those according to the situation. I learned that a leader must possess positive traits like integrity, self-discipline and vision (Maxwell, 1993), while also be able to work everyone’s psychology individually and taking advantage of shortcuts that can propel you to power (Greene, 2000). You could say that, at some point, both types become complementary like the Ying-Yang. 

Maxwell says that “everything rises and falls on leadership” (Maxwell, 1993, p. VIII). This can arguably mean that leaders will be found in every single company. I believe that regardless of which industry you are venturing in, you need to be able to switch between both types when the occasion requires it. Why? Well, if you’re only a Maxwell-type of leader, you might become naïve and idealize your co-workers, bosses –even your friends, and exposing yourself to the risk of being used or being outdone by them. In that case, the Greene-type comes as a defense mechanism to protect yourself by always looking people through cold, calculating and ruthless Sith eyes (Laughs). While on the other end, to be only a Greene-type of leader implicates neglecting your integrity very often, which is something people will eventually notice, and will try to unmask. That’s why the positive traits from Maxwell serve as a very good way to build a “solid reputation and not just an image” (Maxwell, 1993, p. 42), which has a much higher value for people you want to influence as an example –like a respectable Jedi Master 

But in all seriousness, I consider myself more like a Maxwell-type of leader in the sense that I possess integrity, a good sense of priorities and the right attitude while facing problems, which is something I got used to as a music producer. And even though I still lack the ability to influence people on a deeper level, I believe it’s a trait that can be developed with time and effort. I shall get to know people around my working environment –colleagues, classmates, clients and masters alike–. In order to create a solid team to work with towards the goal of reviving the music industry in my country, I must know what motivates them and feed that fire within, but also to lead with example . No good results will come if people aren’t willing to do 110% and I if want to be the person that inspires them, I must give 120% myself. This is known to be true since long ago. Like Henry Buckler said: “a leader is someone who knows, the way, goes the way and shows the way” (Buckler, 1889, p. 107)

Still, I know I must apply the concepts learned in Greene’s book because, like my teacher said on the first day of class, “the music industry –and even the entertainment business in general– is a ‘cutthroat industry’”. Everybody is looking for power, even at the expense of other people’s work (Greene, 2000). It doesn’t matter if it’s here in the US or in Peru. It’s natural that people will try to care for themselves. I know that becoming a businessman and entrepreneur will inevitably mean to work with other people, because one can’t do anything by himself. Like I said before, they will be the most important asset in my endeavors, and I will take care of them as best as I can –which I believe is the true essence of leadership. To care about others. But I will always be on the lookout for any hidden intentions, and so should you.

I really recommend both books if anyone is interested in becoming a leader in his life, but feel discouraged because of what sacrifices might involve, or what you think you’re capable of. I tell you, there are no limits to what you can become. Also, work is not the only place where leadership applies. You can be a leader in different aspects of your life. So, go ahead and give it a chance. You might not see people with the same eyes anymore, but I assure you, those new eyes will serve you better.

References

Greene, R. (2000). The 48 Laws of Power. New York: Penguin Books. Maxwell, J. (1993). Developing the Leader Within You. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Buckler, H. (1889). The Perfection of Man by Charity (p. 107). New York: Catholic Publication Society Co.

Is it possible for a janitor to find work more meaningful than a doctor? Research from Amy Wrzesniewski says yes.

Meaning In Work is an exercise that helps you to transform the way you view your work. By focusing on the people you help and the skills you master in your work, you transform your work from a job into a calling.

Meaning in Work super-charges your work week with a sense of motivation and passion. It makes your work both more productive and more enjoyable - enabling you to get the greatest possible fulfillment from what you do.

Even the most boring job is an opportunity for self-growth and self-expression. Amy Wrzesniewski found that janitors and doctors were about equally likely to view their work as a job, a career or a calling. The difference is all in your perspective.

If you're not employed, you can focus on the work you would like to do, any household work or other responsibilities you have, or on the job search itself.

You are doing something right, now.

If you can look back and see the great things you have done over the years, at 5, 10, 15 and ever 20 it must mean you are doing something right, now!

Surrender who you expect yourself to be and pray all the goodness that would bring other still does.

Who ever you hoped you could be to someone else, wish that they will have that love, support, joy in their life- and allow yourself you be what and how you are right now. Because even if you can't see it maybe you already are that person.

They are not puppets they are valuable with greatness just like you

Personal development coaching may be very difficult to describe if you fail to recognize you own uniqueness. Whether you like it or not, each and every person is different form all the people who have ever lived in this world. This can be supported genetically as different people what different DNA compositions independent of how close they may be related. This is enough to show how special every individual is.  Moreover, even if a person is able to sustain themselves in any field of life, they can never become successful without having the right amount of self-confidence. In order to build this self-confidence, it is necessary that these people take steps in order to develop their personality and their character. This will help them to attain a status and importance in the society and the other people around them will begin to take them seriously. Ask yourself if there still exists some room for improvement in the areas where you need the improvement. Identify the factors which may be standing between you and the success you want. For instance, if one of your top five goals is enjoying your occupation, make a list of what is preventing you from your enjoyment. This will enable to identify the areas where you have lost focus and correct them appropriately. Attaining this attribute will also help the person to achieve the things that they wish to achieve within their entire lifetimes. Furthermore, it will also help these people build a strong relationship with the other people around them as well as with the people with whom they interact and socialize with. However, developing the self-belief of a person is not very easy. This kind of improvement has a direct relationship with your childhood. It means trying to erase the past, as you cannot get back what has already happened; it also means anticipating the future, because one can make it better. This means working towards your goals. From the resources you have found, select one or two of your key areas and write out a growth plan. This can be done on your own using your resources, or can be done by consulting a life coach or the service provider you have decided to work with. It is important to develop a plan that has very specific steps that are simple to follow and detailed enough to complete. Nothing feels better than being able to see progress toward your goal than actually seeing check marks next to tasks that are needed to finish a project or a plan. The step that makes the biggest difference is also the one that is most forgotten: set aside one hour a day to dedicate to your improvement. This does not have to be an hour all at one time. Personal development coaching entails knowing yourself completely, from all your strengths and weaknesses. All your dreams and goals, and using all these to fuel your life and lead you to greater heights. With complete improvement, you can be sure of success not only in your career, but in many other important aspects of your life as well.