What Words Do You Wear?

Most of us have a routine we follow when we begin our day. Whether you work the evening shift, sleep in until noon or watch the sun rise, we have habits that we follow day in and day out. One of those includes choosing our wardrobe. For some, it is based on what is clean and easy to reach. Others take great care in finding just the right outfit.

No matter which category you fall into, I ask you “What words do you wear?”

As you stand in front of the mirror how are you dressing your mind? Are you draped in words of happiness filled with the anticipation of a new day? Or, are you covered in gloom and negativity?

Are you wearing the same words each day as if they are a uniform? Or, do you experiment with new selections of thought that bring joy and pleasure into your life?

Use this simple exercise to uncover the wardrobe of your mind. Think of the first three words that best describe you. Write them down somewhere in the order that they entered your mind. Look at the first word and picture it as if it could wrap itself around you. Imagine it is so close to your skin that you can feel yourself absorb the word into your body.

This, my friend, is your self talk.

Now, envision the next word you wrote down enfolding you. Again, it becomes such a strong mental garment that it sets the tone of your feelings and exemplifies your view of you.

Complete your ensemble with the last word you listed making it a tight fit. Do you wear it well or is it choking off possibilities?

This is your own collection. It has your signature. It is a line only you can carry. And, these words that you bear shape the way you live your life

Do you like what you have on? Or, do you need a makeover?

I don't like Hope.

Hope feels like I may get it and I may not. It leaves me with the impression that although there are possibilities of achievement, there is also an implication of potential failure. Hope seems like maybe or maybe not.

No, I don’t like Hope at all.

I prefer Faith. Faith implies my beliefs will happen. It is a knowing that my desires will come true. It is an understanding that I will receive what I want. There is no doubt with Faith. Instead of Hope’s “Maybe’, Faith represents “Definitely”. It signifies my wishes will become a reality.

In the 1999 popular movie, The Matrix, one of the main characters, Morpheus, tells Neo, “Don’t think you are, know you are.” This is Faith at its finest. It is the powerful belief that overcomes all odds. It can be disguised in miracles. It is the underlying power of positive thinking.

Faith even feels different than Hope. Think of something you really want in your life. Be very clear in your mind’s eye of this desire. Now, Hope that you have it. Really Hope. Experience the feeling of Hope as strong as you can possibly envision. Say over and over to yourself, “I Hope I have it. I Hope I have it.”. As this exercise comes to a finish you end with a feeling of partial closure.

Now, change direction in your thought process. Again, clearly picture your desire in your mind. Using Faith as a knowing, confirm that you have it. Repeat to yourself, “I have Faith it will be done. I have Faith it will happen.” Draw passion from this phrase and notice the emotion you feel. It is very different than the feeling of Hope, isn’t it? Faith mentally moves you to the sensation of victory.

Hope versus Faith – which one do you believe in? Comment back! I am interested in your thoughts.

Diversity – Managing the Differences

Dr. Delores Smiley, Dean – Community Education and Diversity Affairs at Nova Southeastern University is a colleague that I have worked with in the past. She recently asked me: “Do diversity education and training enhance teacher preparedness and leadership skills?” Here is my response…

When it comes to leadership skills, I believe diversity no longer focuses on race, age or gender. It is simply acknowledging the differences between all human beings. Because, isn’t there something unique about every one of us that makes us all diverse?

A key ingredient in being a great leader is the ability to manage the difference of all employees. First, you need to know what your employees need from their job to accomplish their career and personal goals. Next, you need to understand the difference in how people learn, how they communicate, and what they expect from you as a leader.

The strongest teams of employees produce the greatest results when all members are given the opportunity to contribute as individuals. When each person is valued for who they are and a leader encourages individuality, managing the differences turns in to utilizing resources.