Tuesday, January 29, 2013

21 Irrefutable Laws Leadership #3: The Law of Process


“Leadership develops daily, not in a day” (21).
 This sand “castle,” built at Patoka Lake last summer during a summer day trip with the  children is a good example of the law of process. The page on the left was a dragon in  the making and the facing page reads “Once upon a time.” This was made entirely by hand with details carved out by a small sharp stick I had found in the beach sand (keeping it from jabbing another beachcomber).
This “book” started as a pile of sand. Unremarkable. But, as the idea developed, this pile of sand began to take shape over the course of the afternoon, I was delighted when children would walk by, stop, take in the project underway, and exclaim, “Look, Mommy! It’s a book! It’s a book!” Even later in the day, as the sun prepared to go down, it was fun to watch from a distance the people who would stop, look, and point.
Books and stories. . .they just seem to resonate with people, in whatever form they take. We could easily build a story from what is here. We have all of the elements. . .time, place, and an invitation to consider that moment known to storytellers and their audiences around the world: Once upon a time.
We return to John C. Maxwell’s book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, to consider the third law, The Law of Process. This is the third installment in this 21 week consideration of Maxwell’s work and how it might lend to our deeper understanding of literacy leadership.
So, once upon a time, I wanted to think about literacy leadership. And I committed to discussing this topic for 21 weeks. And this brings us back to Maxwell’s introduction, “Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day.”
ONCE you have started to consider yourself a literacy leader, it’s time to put together your ideas and see what is there.
UPON these beliefs you must be most confident. You own your experiences–the utter failures and the great successes.
A literacy leader is born over the course of these experiences and revels in the gift of reflection.
TIME makes a literacy leader. Not tricks. Not the trade. Not a trial period or a notion.
So, if literacy leadership is a process–step by step–being cognizant of the laws and adhering to them by way of practice, then success would be on the other side, yes? Discovered after some time?
Maxwell cites his good friend, Tag Short, who says, “The secret of our success is found in our daily agenda” (23).
Our daily agenda.
This really made me stop and think about my own daily agenda. Where do I see literacy leadership in my daily agenda. What am I doing within the learning community that communicates that a part of my daily agenda is to introduce and promote literacy? A lesson? An invitation? A reminder to adhere to the school’s appointed reading time?
And outside of the learning community? Where do I see my daily agenda of literacy leadership here?  What do others think about my daily agenda? Do others see “literacy leadership” as part of my daily practice and presentation?
These are the questions that I wrestle with on a daily basis. And over time, I have come to believe that literacy leadership–seen through the lens of the third law–is a process.
Practice and Reflection. Repeat.
John C. Maxwell offers a list of facets associated with leadership. I thought it would be good to share those here if only to demonstrate literacy leadership as a process: respect, experience, emotional strength, people skills, discipline, vision, momentum, and timing. This is a list to which we could certainly add our own facets based upon each of those offered by Maxwell. Part of the process must be proposing where we stand–right now.
Okay. For me. . .discipline is probably the biggest of the facets that I must contend with right now. This post was supposed to have been done on Sunday. That was my commitment to the series. And yet, I am typing this up on Monday afternoon. No good reason. Two weeks of adherence that is followed by a postponement of ideas. I am taking my own gold star off of the wall for this, but emotional strength says, keep on with this week’s post. We’re three weeks in and this speaks to momentum.
When I am given a list, I can see what needs attention and focus and which facets compliment the others. Do I get respect because of my experience or is it because of people skills? Is this the right time to declare a vision in the midst of some other items that might need collaborative attention right now? What Maxwell offers by way of this list is a process checklist.
But my absolute favorite part of the Law of Process is found in John C. Maxwell’s Four Phases of Leadership Growth. I’d like to spend some time on these if you have not read the book.
Phase One: I Don’t Know What I Don’t Know:
Maxwell shares here that many young people do not sign up for elective courses in leadership because they do not see themselves as leaders. That leadership is a quality reserved for a few (24).
How many times have I felt this way, myself? With the number of truly gifted and talented writers that I follow at Facebook and Twitter. People with books with their name upon them? Those seemingly naturally born literacy leaders? I remember well driving back to Indiana from the Louisville International Airport with Penny Kittle. Penny, from the passenger seat of my truck, asked when I was going to put my own thoughts into a book. I told her that I had thought that the best material regarding reading and writing was already being done by her and a host of other people I hold in deep regard that I was able to cite like a Who’s Who in the World of Literacy Leadership.
And that’s when Penny got very quiet and looked right at me.
I was looking at the highway in front of us. But I could feel that look.
“That’s very dangerous thinking, Paul,” she said, “to think that your voice doesn’t matter in this conversation.”
I’ll never forget this moment. It was a moment wherein I was living Phase One: I Don’t Know What I Don’t Know.
John C. Maxwell writes, “As long as a person doesn’t know what they don’t know, he doesn’t grow” (24).
Phase Two: I Know What I Don’t Know:
Here, Maxwell cites Benjamin Disraeli who says, “To be conscious that you are ignorant of the facts is a great step toward knowledge” (25).
This is where I would cite literacy leaders like good friend, Donalyn Miller. I am continually impressed by her ability to pull snippets from research studies and apply them to something we are talking about at that time. Well read in the research regarding reading and writing, Donalyn is an example of knowing what she knows while I am working–as part of a process–to stop being awe-stricken by her ability and to put some of this research into my thinking and sharing box for myself and for those with whom I may have some influence.
I started to think about those students–okay, even peers–who might feel the need to tear down the gifts of another peer because the words they use are “too big,” lamenting (albeit somewhat shortsighted and perhaps a little ironic) that they will “never be as smart as _________” But, this is what Phase Two is all about and how timely that we would consider knowing what we don’t know as part of a process that leads to becoming a literacy leader.
Phase Three: I Grow and Know and It Starts to Show: 
I’ve had colleagues–in my first year of teaching–remind me of my neophyte status, mainly by juxtaposing their experience with my own. The veteran teacher with a number of years of experience can–with a degree of comfort–use the number of years they have been in a building comparatively as leverage, but what happens when that new teacher stays. . .and begins to collect experience. The gap remains the same. Time will never make us equals as time is not a competitive entity (I’m being tongue and cheek here, but take a look at other facets of our lives wherein we have tried to compete with time. As I write this, I am awaiting the delivery people who are bringing a new treadmill to our house).
But as I look back over the past eight years–to interviews, to podcasts, to articles written, to presentations delivered, to PLN’s built and maintained, I am starting to see some growth.
Phase Four: I Simply Go Because of What I Know:
When one gets to phase four, Maxwell writes, “your ability to lead becomes almost automatic. And that is when the payoff is larger than life. But the only way to get there is to obey the Law of Process and pay the price” (27).
The Law of Process is a good one to consider early on in this visitation of the Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and–in turn–the Laws of Literacy Leadership. It’s a good time to look at our daily agenda. Look for those places where literacy leadership presents itself.
Before you know it, a pile of sand becomes a work of art. By way of process. And practice. Carving out the vision to reveal the story that had been inside all along. Before you know it, you’ll have excited on-lookers who will want to share with others what you are working upon.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Property and Super - Why it might not be the right choice

The idea of taking control of your super, selling those under performing shares that have been managed by a professional whocharges ridiculous fees regardless of the performance sounds appealing but be careful. Ark gives us  5 reasons why buying property in your super might not be the right choice for you http://www.arktotalwealth.com.au/mediacentre/why-property-super-might-not-be-right-choice.html 

The Power of 2 - pictures tells it all!





 




top 10 Lincoln Quotes

Here are my top 10:

1. “It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.”

2. "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

3. “Character is like a tree and reputation its shadow. The shadow is what we think it is and the tree is the real thing.”

4. “I am not concerned that you have fallen -- I am concerned that you arise.”

5. “Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.”

6. “If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.”

7. “The best way to predict your future is to create it”

8. “Those who look for the bad in people will surely find it.”

9. “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

10. "I don't like that person, I need to spend more time to get to know him better"

Friday, January 25, 2013

10 Major Shifts in the Australian Property Market in 2013


http://www.lunchmoneywebinars.com.au/?af=CLS1165527

Next Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday nights (January 29, 30 & 31) one of Australia's most successful property investors will be revealing the Top 10 Massive Shifts Heading for the Australian Property Market This Year in a never-before offered 3-Part Webinar Series you can tune in to from the comfort of your own home or office.


His name is Phil Anderson and over the past 20 years he's developed a multi-million dollar property portfolio that enabled him to retire at just 38, even though he only ever earned an average income his entire working life.

During the webinars Phil will be sharing the biggest shifts you need to be aware of to be successful in property investing this year, plus, his step-by-step process for acquiring property with just a $1 deposit and very low (if any) holding costs (a model 460 other investors have already used to grow their portfolios).

Go here to secure your place now

More than 3,500 people have already registered to attend this webinar, which is likely to be the largest webinar ever run for Australian property investors, so you know this is in-demand information that could make a big difference to your investing decisions this year (and potentially save you hundreds of thousands).

Phil purchases multiple properties every year and is the guy who regularly picks property hot spots 12 - 24 months before they appear on just about everyone else's radar, so he's a smart operator and one person you should be listening to amidst all the conflicting information on the Australian Property Market right now.


There is a limited capacity for these webinars. With so many already registered, this is likely to close soon.





Monday, January 21, 2013

5 Wealth Creation Tips for 2013

January 2013 - A Webinar to kickstart 2013

WIth the start of the year just kicking off, we thought it would be helpful to provide 5 top tips on how to kickstart your wealth for 2013. 

We are please to present our first webinars for 2013. The 'Top 5 tips for 2013' which will cover off the above strategies in more detail plus a few bonus strategies. To register just click on the link below 


Top 5 Wealth tips for 2013
Duration: 30mins 

Buying Property in your Super
Duration: 1 hour


1 Start your tax planning now - Although we are still 6 months before the end of the financial year, it is important to start your planning now before it is too late. This can include make extra super contributions, purchasing tax deductible items or purchasing tax effective investments. Reducing tax is one of the most effective ways to create additional savings. 

2 Review your loans - With interest rates in a downward cycle and every bank passing on different amounts of the cuts, now would be a great time to review your loan structure. It is not all about getting the cheapest rate, there may be a better structure for you that allows you to save more interest and money. 


3 Look at where you super is invested - The share market has had a great run over the last 6 months. You want to make sure your super is invested in the right assets for your situation. This could include international shares, direct Australian Equities or even Direct Property. 


4 Invest your excess savings - The disadvantage of interest rates declining is your cash returns become lower. If you have money in savings (high interest or Term Deposits), now would be the time to look at alternative investments and your investment portfolio. 


5 Get organised - This sounds simple, but if you have your finances in order it will help you build your wealth. This is because you won't pay any unnecessary fees or charges as all bills/interest will be paid on time but it also allows you to understand what you have and make the most of it. With technology, there is an abundance of software available to help you get organised. If this doesn't work, hire someone to help you. 

These top 5 tips sound very generic and simple... and they are. They are not designed to be high risk or complex but to help you along your wealth journey. 

This is your Life


Life...action, simple, passion, dream, create, share, travel, experience, share

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Great article on what makes the great entrepreneurs tick - thanks stevetobak!


by Steve Tobak  www.inc.com

What have the great entrepreneurs such as --Mayer, Page, Zuckerberg--have in common, that makes them better than all the rest.
Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, Jack Dorsey, Phil Libin, Alberto Perlman
jdlasica, Gobierno de Chile, Giorgio Montersino, Red Innova [4]/Flickr; Getty
From left: Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, Jack Dorsey, Phil Libin, Alberto Perlman
2,586
Share







Super Succesful Entrepreneurs seem to have  unique  qualities, some more eccentric than others. Marissa Mayer is a high-fashion workaholic. Mark Zuckerberg is obsessed with the product. Larry Page is a geeky introvert. Larry Ellison and Richard Branson are adrenaline freaks that race yachts, fly planes, and buy entire islands.
All that may be true, but it’s a big mistake to think that defines them.

Successful entrepreneurs seem to have  7 traits in common.

1.They all have a process. It’s the strangest thing but every single one of them seems to have their own process for thinking things through, making decisions, whatever. They’re very process-oriented. Sometimes they don’t even know it. 

2.They trust their gut. It seems they’ve spent their entire lives being self-absorbed or self-sufficient. As a result, they’re extremely self-confident when it comes to trusting their own instincts and following whatever it is that inspires them. They will listen to others -- a trusted few -- but they’ll still make the final call in the end.

3.They have a passion for what they do. That’s why they do it. Whether it’s writing software code or coming up with the next hot gadget, they love it. It inspires them. It makes them feel safe, comfortable. It draws them like a powerful magnet. They feel at home doing it. And there’s nothing else they’d rather do. Nothing.

4. They’re unusually quick on the uptake. They can assimilate data, come to grips with a situation, or grasp something that took you two hours to understand in what seems like a heartbeat. It goes without saying that they’re unusually smart.  
  
5. They’re born problem solvers. To them, problem solving is a fantastic game. They get off on it. They live for it. And they’re the best at it. Once they understand the problem, they revel in bringing their intellect, inspiration, and observations to bear in coming up with the right solution, plan, decision, whatever’s appropriate for the situation.

6. They’ve got something to prove. It’s not usually clear -- to you or to them -- who they need to prove it to, but I really don’t think it matters. They all just seem to have this relentless need to achieve, to make things happen, to do great things. It drives them and motivates them.

7. They work their tails off. Their work is, to a great extent, their life. That’s sort of an obvious result when you consider how passionate they are about what they do and how driven they are to accomplish great things. And you won’t always see them working, either. Day or night, at work or at home, they usually have a hard time turning it off.
One more thing. If you end up working with some of these folks, the worst thing you can do is be in awe of them. They don’t generally like yes-men and are quite impatient with folks who don’t add value. They have you around for a reason. Do what you do best and be straight with them. That’s generally the way to go.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Ark Informer January 13



Welcome to the first Ark Informer of 2013. The Ark Team are holding a really useful 30 minute webinar on the "top 5 Wealth Tips for 2013" on Wed 23rd Jan @ 6pm and Thurs 24th Jan @ 12:30pm. See below for more details. (Click on dates to register).

Join Me on LinkedIn  http://au.linkedin.com/in/ivankayebsi ( I have over 3,500 contacts that I would gladly connect you with!)
January 2013 - A Webinar to kickstart 2013
Welcome to the first of our education webinars for 2013.

In this webinar we unveil 5 effective strategies to help you manage and build your wealth in 2013. 

In 30 minutes, we will cover the following;

1. Simple tips to help reduce your individual tax

2. A review of Home Loan Structures and a look at what interest rate you should be paying

3. An analysis of where you should invest your super and a look at some of the best funds from 2012

4. Where to put your excess savings? Looking at alternatives to cash. 

5. How to organise and manage your finances easily

These top 5 tips sound very generic and simple... and they are. They are not designed to be high risk or complex but to help you along your wealth journey. 

At the end of the webinar, all participants will receive a copy of our new e-book 'Wealth Planning for Young Accumulators'. 

If you can't make the allocated times, just 'click for an advisor' on the right and we can send you the relevant information.

Regards,

The ARK Total Wealth Team 
www.arktotalwealth.com.au | info@arktotalwealth.com.au



Webinars
Top 5 Wealth tips for 2013
Duration: 30mins 



Friday, January 04, 2013

The12 Investment Commandments for 2012





  1. I will live below my means — spending less than I earn 
  2. I will save money into a rainy-day fund so I’m ready for what life might bring 
  3. I will invest money I don’t need for at least 5-10 years to build my nest egg 
  4. I will regularly add to my investment account 
  5. I will learn more about investing, taking control of my financial future 
  6. I will invest in quality businesses, buying a slice of the company, not just a code on a screen 
  7. I will buy shares in a company with the intention of holding them for the long term 
  8. I will sell when my investment thesis fails, the company is overvalued or I have a better idea 
  9. I will avoid anchoring my decisions to the price I paid for my shares 
  10. I will remember than the market can be moody and over-react 
  11. I will expect volatility, and I won’t let it spook me into selling 
  12. I will let the market offer me prices (be my servant), not dictate my mood or actions (be my master)