What Is The Most Positive And Negative Thing Anyone Told You At Work?

Words stick with a person more than sometimes we realize when those words leave our mouths. 

Sometimes the most impactful words cause us to act, change direction, make a decision, be bolder, or perhaps retreat. 

Often these positive or negative words echo in our heads like a song that you can’t shake off singing. 

Sometimes those words can be amplified even if the individual who uttered them doesn’t warrant that megaphone. 

We can forget those positive words and fail to give them the attention they deserve but conversely amplify those negative comments disproportionately 

I am listening. I’d love to hear what positive or negative things you have been told at work that still sticks with you today. I’m also curious what happened as a result of those delightful or awful comments. 

You can anonymously share here. With your permission, I will compile in a future publication or even in my forthcoming book. (Anonymity is an option too)

I’m listening.

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/

What Are You Doing Today To Honor Those Who Serve?

How are you honoring those who have fallen serving their country or how are you supporting those who are still living?

Growing up in England it was with poppies, pinned to my school uniform, and sold as fundraisers. Why poppies? Because they were the only flowers to grow on the barren battle fields in Europe during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century. Remembrance Sunday is commonly known As “Poppy Day” and is a poignant day of remembrance each November. At school we all sold plastic poppies for raising awareness and funds for those who had served. 

On this Memorial Day in the US, there might not be any poppies, but a tradition I have followed for the last 11 years has been to complete “Murph” a workout named by the CrossFit community.  This was  created in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. This workout was one of Mike's favorites and he'd named it "Body Armor". It was renamed as "Murph" in honor of Mike who wanted nothing more in life than to serve his  country. Here’s the workout:

"Murph"
1 Mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 Mile Run

I also learned this week there is a Peloton Murph created. I’ll be completing this workout today in honor of Michael Murphy. 

“Peloton Murph”
4 mile bike ride
100 Seated dumbbell press
200 Push Ups
300 Squats
4 mile bike ride. 

Are you thinking that you could never do that? Why not try and see how far you get? Every year as I struggle through the workout I remind myself of the painful life threatening struggles of those out serving their countries around the world. When I get tired. When I feel exhaustion, when I want to give up...that’s when I think Michael Murphy and all of those who serve and it gives me great perspective to keep pushing. 

Today is the day to consider how you keep pushing, honoring those we have lost who have served their countries, considering how your company is supporting veterans, and reflecting on everything we all have to be thankful for. 

Thank you Mike Murphy and all of those who serve their country.

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/

How To Enjoy Everything Like It Is Your First Or Last Time

Ever look back and wished you’d appreciated something more? If only you had known it was the last time you would meet your team, travel to an event, see your family for over a year or more...might you had appreciated the moment more?

I am not a fan of regrets but I do believe in noticing what you have and expressing what I call Here and Now Gratitude.  It is what you need when your mind is wondering to what you didn’t do, could have done, should have done, wished you had changed...You have to ask yourself at this very second, at the very place you stand, seeing what you can currently see, hearing what you can currently hear, feeling what you are feeling right now, what precisely are you grateful for?

Here are some common reflection questions I often ask executives I advise:

• What is different about how you are handling this situation compared to how you would have a year ago?

• What have you accomplished recently - that can be your mindset, in your whole life, or could be business related?

• What did you do to show those around you that you are here, with ears, eyes, and your mind open to truly listen, not fake listen?

• Show me how you are capturing your achievements? Visually, hand written, a list or even as one of the CEOs I was working with... a graphic novel style summary of accomplishments. You can write it on the back of an Amazon box, I don’t care about the medium, what matters is that you memorialize it.

This past week, finally fully vaccinated, I packed my work suitcase for the first time, took a solo trip to a hotel so I could work in solitude, I also ran my first mask-free run (ok walk/slow jog let’s be clear!), and attended one of my daughters first in person athletics track meet. Each one of those events felt truly special as I they had been long removed from my life. 

I learned so much. I’d love to hear some of your new experiences and what you are learning from them. 

Have you been on your first flight yet?

Had your first in person customer meeting?

Finally met your new boss of the company you interviewed with and joined remotely?

Dedicated to growing your business,

Val

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this week's VAL-uable Insights, sign up here to get them in your inbox each Monday morning: http://valwrightconsulting.com/newsletter-sign-up/