Intentional Work, LLC

In Seth Godin's newest book, Linchpin, he explains how to be invaluable in our work. Ok, he talks about a lot of things, but the biggie is how to become the person, in the work you do, you become the linchpin, the thing that holds it all together and the piece 'they' can't be without.

First rule of thumb though, for anyone looking to become indispensable: don't wait for someone else to give you the permission to find the solution - take initiative - try something. In other words, don't just sit there, do something.

"There are no longer any great jobs where someone else tells you precisely what to do."

~Seth Godin

Try something. Experiment. Ask for help. Do the work.

All that sounds simple, easy even, but with our lizard brain getting in the way (that ego!) our fear stops us in our tracks. Sometimes it is easier to just sit there and wait. Wait for someone else to give us the answer and tell us what we're supposed to do with the project, at work, in our lives.

But we each have to make our own choices. And choices require action. And courage. Doing something.

My charge for you today: Don't just sit there, waiting for change, do something. One small thing, that moves you to where you want to go. Right now.

Sustainable success starts with a community gathered together to learn.

• Do you love reading business books?
• Do you love talking about the books you've read?
• Do you love to share what you know with others?

Then join us in Seattle, next Tuesday (2/9) at 6pm at the It's-Not-Just-Business Bookclub!

Check out all the details and join us for some fun learning!

"Books can be dangerous.  The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."  ~Helen Exley

I can hardly believe its December and the new year (2010?!) is almost upon us. And I also feel like things are shifting, the energy, the attitudes and the ideas of so many people on the planet. My ideas about who I am, the work I do and the work I want to do to make a bigger, better impact on the world - all shifting... 

My clients are like that too. That makes me smile. Big. My intention and hope is to get more people to smile and make intention and service a part of what they do everyday. It's not a muscle that many of us are used to moving (or maybe we don't even know how to get started).

Well, these guys have found a way - a very inspiring way. It's called Smove, or rather Smile & Move. It's a movement. It's something we can all learn to do, in 9 simple ways, to create more ways to inspire intentional actionfor us, for our teams, for our families and friends. Check out this video - and SMOVE your way into the new year!

The 9 simple ways to smile & move:

1. Wake-up - engage with care and attention
2. Be thankful - the opportunity to serve is a gift.
3. Be approachable - we're at each other's service.
4. Complain less - being positive is more fun.
5. Smile. Really- it's where pleasantness begins.
6. Start early and go long - get lost in your service to others.
7. Exceed expectations - expect more from yourself.
8. Have a sense of urgency - everyone's time is valuable.
9. Be resourceful and resilient - results are what we're all after.

You can find more information about this inspirational work on their website.

Visionary companies may appear strait-laced to outsiders, but they're not afraid to make bold commitments to Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs).

Like climbing Mt. Everest, going to the moon, putting a computer on every desk (sound familiar?), a BHAG can sound daunting, risky and maybe even dangerous...

... but the adventure, excitement, and challenge of it grabs people in the gut, gets their juices flowing and creates immense forward momentum. - Dan Zadra

2010 is the year to think big.After the last two years of status quo and major shifts in some paradigms, its time. And I believe it's high time to go BIG.

I'm inspiring my friends, family and clients (and myself!) to dream big, think big and then start taking baby steps, one small intentional action at a time, to make those things happen. I'm coaching people to get them inspired and wired to make things happen.

You can do it too. Your friends, family, clients, co-workers. Some ways to get you started.

1. Get clear about what you want. Crystal clear. Make a list of all that you want. Be specific.
2. Make sure it pertains to you. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Make sure what you want is something you can effect.
3. Believe you can have it. Trust that it will arrive and know that it might not look like what you think it should.
4. Be grateful for what you already have. Say thank you. Over and over. Smile.
5. Build your community. Share your goal, your inspiration, your requests, your success. The universe does it all the time. What you put out, comes back to you (at least I think so). We help make that happen by sharing with others and that means giving and receiving.

Where do you want to go? What BIG things do you want? Share them!

'Tis the season and all that. And there's never a better time to start than now.

Because you're already here.

What to dive into 2010 with all your ducks in a row? What to jump start your BHAGs and get started now? Join me in January get to going full speed ahead!