Seth Saunders Inspirational, Learning, Value

Give Thanks Invitation

 

What is one of the mpbs-givethanksost awesome, powerful and rewarding gifts you could give someone? Simple, gratitude.

That’s right, giving thanks is something that can turns someone’s day around, it can make brighten the spirit of someone, it can be an answer to a prayer, it can literally change a life.

See when you give thanks, I mean a heartfelt, genuine and thoughtful gratitude to someone, you are giving something that money cannot buy. You are allowing yourself to connect with that person in a very special way. You are opening up an opportunity for that person a window to hope.

During this week of Thanksgiving it can become easy and almost repetitious to show our love and gratitude for family and friends which is awesome. However, I want to invite you to do something a little different this year. your invited

Take some quite time to ponder or mediate about those outside your everyday circle. Maybe its an old classmate or co-worker, maybe its a neighbor, maybe’s a teacher, coach or church leader, maybe it is a family member who you have not had much communication with for a while.

As you think about them, think about how you might show your gratitude to them. In many cases it will be an email, text or phone call. No matter what the form of communication might be, jot down what you feel impressed to share with them.

Now, go ahead and reach out to them. Share with them your heartfelt gratitude and be specific. Let them not only hear your words but feel them. The truth is, you may be an answer to their prayers or even the prayers of that persons family and friends. As you do this, there will be a warmth and peace that comes upon you. You won’t get worldly recognition but more importantly, you will receive internal and personal confirmation of your own goodness. Interesting, one more thing to be thankful for.

Leaders, the best leaders know how to give thanks. They know that without the support and efforts of others, they would not be successful. Ironically, heroes receive tons of thanks and gratitude but more often than not feel uncomfortable with the publicity. Yet, if you listen to them they give thanks for things like, being prepared, being at the right place at the right time, being raised with strong values, having faith in a higher power, etc. It seems they are never at a loss for showing their gratitude. We can all learn from true heroes and great leaders but showing our real gratitude.

lighten the load

 

I hope you will join me during this time of Thanksgiving and lighten the load of someone by giving your thanks and gratitude to them.

 

 

Seth Saunders Inspirational

Quotes-Do they really mean anything?

Often times we see people share quotes. It seems to be all the craze with Social Media right now and I am one who has made a regular part of communication and touch points with different audiences. So what do these quotes really mean? Well, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes and why I like them so much. Let’s get started:quotemarks

Quote#1

“The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at the best, know the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

thinking questin markMy thoughts:

To me there is so much within these profound words of the great president Theodore Roosevelt. I guess one main reason I like this quote so much is that it can be applied in almost every situation. I know that having spent quite a bit of time in leadership roles professionally, religiously and in other areas of my life, this quote has always come to my mind. At the end of the day, the credit truly does need to go to those who are making great things happen every day. Whether you are a parent, teacher, leader, professor, whatever role you want to list, think about how this quote might change the way you see others. For parents, your teenagers are in a serious battle, every day, they are in the arena trying their hardest to do good, are you giving them the credit for their efforts or are you always looking for what’s wrong? Just something to think about. I know as a parent I can lose sight of just how blessed I am to have teenagers who strive every day to do good. This quote helps me remember that and do all I can to be there should the slip and fall.

Quote #2

“Life is about adding value to other people’s lives.” Lou Holtz

My thoughts:

I love these short but sweet quotes. There is a ton of meaning in these few words. I was actually attending an event where Coach Holtz was speaking and heard him share this and it pierced my heart. I can remember the feelings I had about how this had been my goal throughout my life but he stated it in such an effective way. I can honestly say that this quote was truly a turning point for me. It has helped me to push forward in trying to set myself up to truly add value to other people’s lives. So what do you think about his quote? It is important that this not be applied just to one’s professional life. Think about what your life is made up of, now how does this quote relate to you? The last thing that made such a profound impact on me was that these words of a college football player who truly believed and lives these words. He wanted to add value to the young men he coached. He walked the talk. I am trying every day to do the same.

So there are just two examples of how quotes can be used for more than just nice Tweets, Intsagram pics, Facebook Status, etc. I will share more of these in the future as I liked the exercise of reflecting upon these words.

Time to go add value.

Seth Saunders Inspirational, Learning

Don’t Burn Bridges

One of the things that many professionals overlook, especially when they are young in their career is the importance of not burning bridges. The concept of burning bridges refers to what can happen as you move from one opportunity to another one, you do so in a way that does not allow for there to be an opportunity with those you have associated with previously. This often happens as an employee leaves one company and is upset how they were treated. Their exit is accompanied by negative noise. When this happens a company will surely not allow that employee to return to work for them in the future.

When a decision is made to leave one opportunity to pursue another one it is in your best interest to do all you can to make the transition as professional as possible. You never know who you will need in the future or who will end up being your boss. Your ability to make a positive exit will pay huge dividends to you, your company and often those who you work with.

I have learned that leaving one company and going to another one can be one of the best personal and professional development opportunities of my life. I have made the decision to leave one company to go work for a competing company and everytime I have made this decision, I have done my best to leave with respect, professionalism and relationships intact. Here are some helpful hints for those that are or will be making important transitions:

1. Once you have made your decision, don’t apologize for the actual decision you have made. Your ability to be confident in your new opportunity will ensure respect with yourself, boss, co-workers and new company.

2. When you give two weeks, be willing to work out those two works and give it everything you’ve got. Stay focused.

3. Something I learned from my years in Boy Scouts, leave your position better than when you found it. Help ensure that the person coming behind you can pick-up where you left off and even do better. Put together transition notebooks, if you are lucky enough to spend time with your replacement, give them all the knowledge you can.

4. Don’t create company buzz about leaving. You need to be fair to your company and co-workers as they will be there when you leave. Keep things positive and focus on the great things about the company you are leaving. Let your company decide the best way to communicate your decision.

5. If possible, leave at the top of your game. Nothing is more powerful, empowering and respectful then leaving when you are at your best. This ensures that you will leave with a good relationship intact and in the chance that you need help in the future from your previous company or someone there, you have a much better chance of receiving it.

At the end of the day, leaving a company is never easy no matter what the situation might be. It may take extra effort to leave in a respectful and professional way but that extra effort will always be worth it. Don’t do anything that would burn bridges you just might need in the future. I know first hand that this is true. I have been re-hired by company’s I have left.

“Even Heroes will go through transitions. Heroes don’t burn bridges, they build them.”

Be A Hero!