Awesome Day at Autodesk

It was an awesome and exciting day in Austin, TX last Wednesday, because that was my first day back in the saddle, as I began my new job with Autodesk. I am excited to be working in the Media and Entertainment Division, specifically responsible for the sales development of a unique product, called 'Smoke for Mac'. Smoke is what is called a creative finishing product, used by any company who creates high-end video productions. For a quick look at how the product is used, you might enjoy watching how eyewear maker Oakley uses Smoke as part of their in-house post production pipeline to create corporate videos, short films, and advertising projects. Pretty cool stuff!

A strong voice mail message

Voice mail may be on the way out, replaced by email, texting, and social media, but it is still important to have a strong and enthusiastic voice mail greeting, especially if you are a sales person. I always liked my friend Tom Davin's voice mail, when we were first tennis buddies a number of years ago in Nashville, TN. At the time, Tom was a Regional Manager for Taco Bell, and I believe his message started: "It's a terrific day at Taco Bell . . ." 

Tom later became CEO of Taco Bell. I am sure his rise to the top was for many reasons beyond his enthusiastic voice mail compellation, but it goes to show that a little something beyond the normal can be an important way to set yourself apart from the crowd.

I have borrowed Tom's strategy through the years and my family likes to remind me of these various greetings:

• It's a magnificent day at Milestone . . . 
• It's a beautiful day at Balfour . . .
• It's a super day at Salient Systems . . .
• and now (soon to be) . . .
• It's an awesome day at Autodesk . . .

The Seed of Perspective

Can you re-frame?

Denis Waitley closes his book, Seeds of Greatness, with his tenth and final seed – perspective. Perspective is how you see life from within. The seeds of greatness are all about developing responses and attitudes that help you see the world in a more positive way. When you see things from the positive side, you grow more self-esteem, you see yourself as more valuable. Your imagination creates and soars.

I like the use of the term 're-frame', as a way of always looking to 'frame' the situation to the positive. Even the most difficult of times can be re-framed to find something good. Have the courage to adapt and to change your perspective in all situations, especially when times are tough.

The Ten Seeds of Greatness: 

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose

6. Communication

7. Faith

8. Adaptability

9. Perseverance

10. Perspective

It has been fun for me to go back through my notes from a book I read over 20 years ago. I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on the Seeds of Greatness. 

The Seed of Perserverance

The ninth Seed of Greatness, from Denis Waitley's famous Ten Seeds of Greatness, is perseverance.

This quote from Calvin Coolidge says it all:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." -- Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the US)

Press on!

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose

6. Communication

7. Faith

8. Adaptability

9. Perseverance

USA into World Cup Final

Speaking of self esteem, creativity, purpose, and adaptability how about our USA Women's Soccer squad and their 3-1 win over France today. That puts our girls in the finals against the winner of the Japan vs. Sweden game. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon (2:45 PM EST) according to ESPN. Here is a great interview from our leading goal scorer Abby Wambach, where she speaks of her childhood, her love (and participation) in many different sports, and then her focus on soccer once she realized she had a special gift. http://es.pn/oiiE62

These girls are fun to watch and are doing our country proud with their humility, work ethic, and never-give-up attitude.

The Seed of Adaptability

Most people play up how awful things are today as an excuse to why they don't achieve. This current economic downturn (one of the worst in history) is a time when being adaptable can really come in handy. Waitley teaches that stumbling blocks are actually stepping stones to the stars. Not sure who said this, but I found it in some old notes: 

"I am adaptable, flexible, versatile, and ambitious. I am confident that I can do it all. Just give me a chance and you will see."

Crisis = opportunity.

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose
6. Communication
7. Faith

8. Adaptability

The Seed of Faith

Fly with the eagles

Moving on in our study of Denis Waitley's Seeds of Greatness, we have our sixth seed, faith. Waitley describes faith as the realization of the things hoped for and unseen. He says that the mind can not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined.

Here are some action steps to more optimism and faith:

1. fly with the eagles;
2. hang out with kids;
3. listen to upbeat music; and
4. change your vocabulary. 

What the mind harbors, the body manifest. In scientific terms, I believe positive thoughts and actions produce endorphins - much like a good workout can give you that feeling referred to as a "runners high".

1. Self-esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom
5. Purpose
6. Communication
7. Faith