How often does it happen that people let you down?  In order to avoid this, here are a few tips:

1.  Communicate your expectations clearly.

2.  Gain their commitment, which may be an altered version of your original expectation.

3.  Expect people to follow through with their commitment.

4.  If they don’t follow through, keep them accountable to the agreement they made with you.

It’s very easy to expect something from somebody that seems logical to you.  What happens is that though we assume it’s logical, everyone has different context for their thought process.  What seems logical or automatic to you may never occur to someone else.  This is why it’s critical to communicate.

Holding yourself and others accountable to doing what has been agreed upon encourages the whole process.  If we allow others to blow something off, it’s just as much our fault as it is theirs that it doesn’t happen.  Expecting people to do what they said they would do increases the chances that it will happen.

When making a commitment, or when gaining commitment from someone else, be sure to very clearly understand the agreement.  Oftentimes, two people can have parallel conversations, each hearing what they want to hear.  Reiterate the agreement to eliminate confusion.

Setting clear expectations and communicating them effectively allows us to develop trusting relationships with those around us.  Since trust is the foundation of a team, it’s critical that everyone commits to this level of communication.

Each of us has expectations.  Nobody wants to be disappointed.  When in doubt, communicate.

Coach Charrise

 

When you go through a time of struggle, do you realize afterwards that something positive came from it?  Do you ever realize the positive during your time of struggle?

There is no doubt that if we were not presented with challenges from time to time, we would become complacent.  How would we know how good we have it if we were never exposed to the opposite?

It’s really powerful if during your time of challenge, you are able to seek the gifts wrapped inside of it.  Live fully in that disconcerting moment, embracing the lesson and the growth you’re experiencing.  You are up to each challenge, as it has been designed just for you.

When you emerge on the other side of it, you’re stronger and wiser; you are better equipped to deal effectively with other challenges that come up.  Your life is made up of moments, hours and days, and each event has significance in determining the sum of what you’ll be when it is over.

Seek the gifts inside of it, even when they are suspiciously shrouded in what feels like a negative experience.

Coach Charrise

We are reaching the end of the road with our 13 year old chocolate lab, Jasmine.  As is often the case with larger breeds, she has severe pain in her hind quarter and has trouble moving around.  She has other health issues as well, that we’re choosing not to treat because of her age.  We’re getting used to the idea of letting her go, and keeping her as comfortable as possible.

As we were speaking with the veterinarian about her quality of life, I began to think about what we’d remember about Jasmine.  Then I began to wonder the same thing about myself.  It’s our nature to become so caught up in our daily activities that we don’t often consider what kind of life we’re living.  Further, if today I was told that my days left in this world were few, would I feel satisfied with the legacy I would leave?

My grandpa used to tell me that death is part of life.  He had a long, happy life, and knew he was dying when he told me that.  He left a legacy of kindness, strength, and endurance.  He was a “salt of the earth” kind of man.  He was satisfied.

Jasmine will leave a legacy of being a wonderful friend, gentle and kind to children, doting and happy companion.  In her dog soul, she will be satisfied.

What legacy will you and I leave?  Is the life we’re living going to support what we would want people to keep with them when we’re gone?  We have a new opportunity every day to make that kind of difference to people. 

We will miss Jasmine when she’s gone, but her spirit will be with us forever. 

Coach Charrise