Although I have gotten better at it over the years, I could still do a MUCH better job of telling others how I appreciate them. Saying "I appreciate you" to someone and then backing it up with telling them WHY can feel a bit uncomfortable .... perhaps because we simply don't PRACTICE it enough (by doing it on a regular basis). It DOES, however, FEEL GOOD once you do it .... and it's ALWAYS apparent that

None of us have the luxury of wasting valuable work time.  Time. Is. Valuable. Showing up for a meeting and then finding out your contact double-booked or forgot about the meeting is time-wasted that COULD HAVE been avoided.  Showing up for a meeting where the other party is not fully prepared CAN (and many times DOES) result in an unproductive meeting for BOTH of you which COULD also have been avoided...

  How many emails to you send each day?  How may replies?  How many forwarded emails? EVERY email you send is an opportunity to "display" and make available to someone your business card .... not the paper variety, but its digital equivalent .... your EMAIL SIGNATURE.

Stay alert today for any opportunity to do something NICE, something UNEXPECTED, something KIND for a work colleague. Take someone to lunch and pick up the tab, surprise someone with their favorite Starbucks drink, write a handwritten thank you note to a team mate who recently helped you out in some way.

Seek out AT LEAST ONE act of kindness you can offer a colleague today...  

ONLY YOU are in charge of your personal, professional and career development.  Your boss or manager CAN be an ally, a fan, an advocate, and an influencer ... but ultimately, it's up to you to figure out your interests and direction, and then chart a path and plan for achieving that direction. YOU are in control, YOU must invest the time and energy, and YOU must take responsibility for MAKING your wants and desires a reality.  It's truly up to you.

How CLEAR are you on where you want to go NEXT?  

Do you have a plan to get there?

Are you fully aware of the obstacles and challenges, and are you taking steps to mitigate or eliminate those obstacles and challenges? Is your boss, manager, board, etc. in support of your direction?  If not, why not?  Who else is supporting you on this path? What action (or actions) do you have underway or in play NOW that put you squarely on the path to the direction you seek?

How WELL have YOU taken charge of your development?

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Rare is it that we alone deserve the credit for a job well done. More often than not, success and achievement is the result of a team effort -- the combined effort of a few, of several or many. When you find yourself in the "spotlight," resist the temptation to enjoy it all yourself. Share the spotlight ... share the credit -- openly recognize the contribution of others.  Seek them out.  Thank them in person.  Thank them openly.  Show your genuine gratitude and appreciation. ALWAYS share the credit ....

Make it a point to observe the people you respect ... those who really seem to "walk" the leadership talk and inspire others ... those who naturally draw others to them like a magnet ... those who energize and inspire their team mates and followers. Don’t necessarily mimic or copy all that they do, but identify what it is they do differently or what things really set them apart -- then, ask yourself what you can learn from them? Write your learning points down; review them; flesh them out.  Now .... from that list, choose one thing you can try or one change you can make -- something that fits your personal style.  TRY putting that one thing or one change into action this week.