Business Advice from a Toddler Lesson #4

We had a parent/teacher conference the other day. The teacher told us that my son, Eliot, who had been in this new class for less than a month, was "the leader of the class."  To that my husband and I glanced at one another thinking exactly the same thing...that this meant my son's bossy side continues to emerge.  The teacher caught our exchange and made the following comments:

"Everyone wants to do what Eliot is doing.  If he is not there they ask about him.  He includes everyone and can play with the boys just as well as he can play with the girls (no one was excluded).  He loves to share.  He is a very happy boy."

I thought about what she said and began observing him in a different way.  I noticed he enjoyed showing others how to do the things that he was doing (even my husband and me) but was not overbearing.  He celebrated every success and shared in every failure.  Then in occurred to me...

My son is the leader I want to be.

The New Guilt Based Diet

Only eat those things that you want your children to consume.  Shouldn't be hard, right?

Healthy Break(fast) for the Mind

I'm sure you've heard someone tell you about the importance of starting your day with a good breakfast.  It's vital to giving your body the kick start that it needs.  Well, I'd like to suggest that your mind requires a daily kick start as well.

Too often little things occur in our mornings that set the tone for the day and they all seem to happen TO us...

• Kids refuse to get dressed - bad day
• Significant other leaves you a loving note - good day
• You spill coffee on your shirt 5 minutes before you have to leave - bad day
• You hit every green light on the way to work - good day

Letting the world happen to us can be a depressing thing.   Take control of the day when it starts with a little mental breakfast.  Set aside time to immerse yourself in the motivational.  Whether this is a book with your first cup of coffee or a podcast on your ride to work (my personal preference).  The time you set aside will awaken your mind and prepare you for the day ahead.

I'd suggest starting with one of the following podcasts (I despise wasted driving time):

Entreleadership

TED Radio Hour

Believe me, it will be worth it.

mmmmmm...coffee

Coffee is a morning hug from a loving friend or a great massage after a long, hard day.  That aside, I've been doing everything I can to cut down.  Now I'm thinking I should wait for the research.  :)

Coffee Linked to Lower Risk of Death

Slaying Dragons

My husband said something the other day that was pretty insightful...

"It's amazing the dragons you can slay with the right person whispering in your ear."

I've been consumed with this thought and the conclusion that I've come to is that true leaders do the whispering.

Business Advice from a Toddler - Lesson #3

Turn fear into enthusiasm.

Imagine a parent sneaking up on their child from a distance (goal: to administer a round of tickles) .  About halfway to their goal they announce their intent with a wide-eyed yowl and a rapid gate.  Many children scream, cover their body, fall back and brace themselves, or maybe run away...oh, but not my son.  In a matter of milliseconds he stands straight up, opens his arms, widens his eyes, screams at the top of his lungs (in the toddler intimidation sort of way), and runs full speed ahead TOWARD his attacker.  What does the parent do? First, protect any "goods" now vulnerable to toddler onslaught.  Second, brace themselves for the fast furry of a 35 lb toddler.  Third, scoop the child up.

What happened in the scenario above?  My son TOOK power.  Without knowing any different he saw change coming and met it head on with excitement and as a result the game was transformed.

Fear and excitement are first cousins.  Think about it, are there fearful things that you find thrilling?  Roller coasters, scary films, fast driving, attempting to find lemonheads in Kirtland at night (that one is for all my NE Ohio peeps)...all of these things invoke intense fear and/or excitement.  What is the difference between these two feelings?  With excitement we make a choice to acknowledge the fear and then embrace it.

We all have the power to choose.

The Importance of Scent

There are many studies about our sense of smell and how a scent is linked with memory.  I'm not going to be scientific.  What I want to share is that I've underestimated how important scent can be in our lives.  (This is why we are hearing more and more about "scented" grocery markets.)

Recently a perfume I've been wearing for at least 10 years was discontinued.  I'm on my last bottle and realized that this is a very emotional change for my family.  This is the scent that prompted my young niece to describe me as someone who "smells good"...the scent I left on my pillow for my husband when I left for work early....the scent that my son identifies as "mommy." 

I don't know how often people notice the scents that move in and out of their lives, but I know that I wish they were as simple to retain as pictures.  Could you imagine saying to your grandchildren, "This is the way my grandmother smelled."  (and I'm not thinking mothballs and denture cream)