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CEO Success Report  -  February 2001

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Increasing the Effectiveness and Enhancing the Lives of CEOs
and business owners.

Contents of this issue...
   .. Welcome - A few words from the publisher, Gary Lockwood
   .. Thought-Starter -  "Don't PARK in the Comfort Zone!"
   .. Guest article - "Building Solid Foundations"
   .. CEO Resources
   .. Quotes to use in your staff meeting this month
   .. Humor to lighten up the executive suite
   .. Contact the publisher
   .. Subscribe and unsubscribe instructions

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      WELCOME to this issue of the CEO Success Report!
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Hello again. I'm Gary Lockwood, President of CEO Success.

Welcome back once again to the CEO Success Report. I know you
have no shortage of material to read and I thank you for choosing
to read our newsletter.

We work hard to provide practical ideas, thought-provoking concepts
and useful information for you. Please give me some feedback
about this issue. Send your comments to
   mailto:Gary@CEOSuccess.com

Your personal "comfort zone" is where you are comfortable in
what you are doing in your job, your life and your experiences.
It is when you have no feelings of risk or anxiety. Some call it
"being comfortable". Some would call it "a rut".

If you are not learning, trying new things and growing, your job
or business may be deteriorating.

My "thought-starter" in today's issue looks at how to expand
your comfort zone.

Our guest article this month is written by Michael Angier. Michael
is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of
SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. His mission
is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best--
personally and professionally.

When it comes to erecting a building, few people would dispute
the importance of establishing a strong foundation. It's no
different in building a business, a family or a life.

In 2000, we watched many of the dot-coms become dot-GONES.
One of the reasons for this is that these companies were built
without solid foundations. It's not only brick and mortar companies
that need firm footings.

The emphasis today is on instant gratification. But if we want
to build something of value, something that will last, we must
build a foundation that will support our vision.

Michael's guest article today is about how to construct such
a solid foundation.

Read more about Michael at the end of his article.

I hope you enjoy receiving these articles and ideas to
help you sharpen your thinking about being an effective CEO.

My wish is that you use the ideas in the CEO Success Report to
get the results you really want. If you want some help in putting
them into practice, or if you have questions, email or call.

As you know, our specialty is Increasing the Effectiveness
and Enhancing the Lives of CEOs and business owners.

May I ask a small favor? Please forward this issue to other CEOs
and company presidents who may be interested in receiving
these messages. Thank you.

Enjoy this issue with my compliments.

Sincerely,
Gary Lockwood
CEO Success

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       This month's THOUGHT-STARTER
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     Don't PARK in the Comfort Zone!
     by Gary Lockwood

"Minds, like bodies, will fall into a pimpled, ill-conditioned state
from mere excess of comfort."  - Charles Dickens

Most of us have a thermostat that regulates the temperature in
our house.

When it gets a bit too warm, the air conditioning kicks on to
bring the temperature down to an acceptable range. When the
temperature drops below a comfortable point, the heater comes
on to bring the room temperature up to a more comfortable level.
The "comfort zone" is the range of temperature that is not too hot
and not too cold; just comfortable.

Your personal "comfort zone" is where you are comfortable in
what you are doing in your job, your life and your experiences.
It is when you have no feelings of risk or anxiety. Some call it
"being comfortable". Some would call it "a rut".

You have your own personal comfort zone.

Your built-in "thermostat" regulates your level of anxiety, fear
and discomfort. When you step outside your normal, existing
boundaries in the areas of your knowledge, skills, habits and
attitude, you begin to feel a bit anxious. The natural tendency
is to pull back.

Try this: fold your arms. Now, fold them the other way.

How did that make you feel? Felt a bit unnatural, didn't it? That's
why you usually stay within your comfort zone. When you try some-
thing new, you often feel uneasy about it, and frequently pull back.
The security feels good.

The downside of all this is that always staying in your comfort zone
can be very limiting.

The world passes us by as we stagnate. Complacency, in our
fast-paced competitive world, can be fatal to business and
severely limit personal and professional growth. If you are not
learning, trying new things and growing, your job or business
may be deteriorating.

How do you <-- e x p a n d --> your comfort zone?

Before you just throw all caution to the wind, try some simple things.
   > Drive home a different route.
   > Shop at a different grocery store.
   > Order something from the menu that you've never tried before.
   > Sleep on the other side of the bed.

Make a conscious effort to experiment.

Let yourself feel the adrenaline level rise a bit. Allow your anxiety
level to increase. Feel your heart rate and breathing going faster.

The adrenaline is your body's natural drug that, in moderation,
makes you sharp, creative, and quick. It creates the feeling of
excitement and exhilaration that comes from trying something
new. Recognize that it also can be scary and stressful. Some
stress is useful. Too much can be harmful. Some stress provides
energy. Too much stress causes distress and can lead to burnout
if done to extreme.

Why would you want to give yourself the stress of stepping outside
your comfort zone?

Because that's where growth takes place.

Just like a muscle gets stronger when you exercise it outside its
normal range of use, you get stronger when you get out of your
rut. And just like your muscles, once you stretch beyond your
current capabilities, you don't ever go back to your original
dimensions.

As you try new things, you gain confidence. Confidence makes you
feel powerful and good. And when you are confident that you can
survive new ideas, you allow yourself to try even more new things.

What's the limit?

Obviously, you need to be realistic in your risk management. Most
successful people think through the possible outcomes of taking
a risk. Then they prepare for how they would deal with each
potential outcome. Successful people take risks, but they are
not foolhardy or stupid.

What are some higher-level activities that could add to your
personal and professional growth?

Here's my challenge to you.

Make a list of 50 things that, if you really were successful in doing
them, you would be a better person or have a better company.
Things like:
      Give a speech (oh no!),
      Write and publish an article,
      Start an exercise program,
      Meditate daily,
      Teach a class,
      Feed a homeless person,
      Volunteer,
      Climb a mountain,
      Learn to play a new musical instrument,
      Sign up for a dance class,
      Try for that promotion,
      And so on.

Then choose one or two that you are willing to do within the next
90 days. Schedule those new activities, and then go for it.
Afterward, choose one or two more and do it again. Make
personal and professional growth a lifelong habit.

Don't stay PARKED in the comfort zone.

   About the Author...
Gary Lockwood is Increasing the Effectiveness and Enhancing the
Lives of CEOs, business owners and professionals.
Get the Free BizSuccess newsletter -
     http://www.bizsuccess.com/newsletter.htm
or send any blank email to mailto:subscribe@BizSuccess.com


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          Guest Article
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     Building Solid Foundations
     by Michael Angier

When it comes to erecting a building, few people would dispute
the importance of establishing a strong foundation. It's no
different in building a business, a family or a life.

In 2000, we watched many of the dot-coms become dot-GONES.
One of the reasons for this is that these companies were built
without solid foundations. It's not only brick and mortar
companies that need firm footings.

The emphasis today is on instant gratification. But if we want
to build something of value, something that will last, we must
build a foundation that will support our vision.

The quick fix, the quick buck and the quick solution will not
endure. The individual who shoots to the top of his or her field
only to self-destruct is often the victim of not having
solidified the values and the structure to support the stardom.
It takes effort and it takes conviction, but the rewards are
worth it.

Keep Your Eyes on What You're Building

There was once a man passing by a construction site. He stopped
and asked one of the tradesmen what he was doing. The worker
replied gruffly, "I'm laying bricks, can't you see that?" The man
watched a while longer and then asked another worker what he
was doing. "I'm just earning a living," he replied. A third time
the man asked a worker and the response was much different,
"I'm building a cathedral."

No doubt the personal happiness and the quality of the work from
the last man was much better than from the first two.

And what about us? Are we just collecting a paycheck, doing
drudgery work--laying bricks? Or are we building a cathedral?

By staying focused on what we're building and seeing the task at
hand as accomplishing that purpose, we'll gain greater
satisfaction, our work will be lighter, and we'll create more
excellence.

Foundations Take Time

I recently watched a building being constructed. (I must admit I
was tempted to ask some of the workers what they were doing.)
For months, there seemed to be little progress. There was plenty
of dust, lots of activity, but very little evidence that anything was
really happening.

That's because they were building the foundation--the foundation
to support a grand structure. And that takes time.

The engineers, the architect and the owner certainly weren't
standing around saying, "Where's the building? Why can't I see
more progress?" They knew that a majority of the time to
construct the building would be spent in laying the groundwork.

Once the foundation is ready and cured, the rest of the
construction happens at impressive speed. Even mistakes made in
the superstructure can be corrected without too much difficulty.
But faults in the foundation CANNOT be easily repaired and will
jeopardize the entire structure.

And why should what we build be any different? We need to put
strong foundations under our dreams, our businesses and our
relationships. I believe that this is where many people
struggle. They're too focused on the payoff and don't give
enough attention to the hard work and careful planning required
in building the substructure. They want to start putting up
walls and bringing in the business too soon.

And in the end, most fail because there's not the right support.

Every business, every marriage, every cause will be tested. Just
being a "good guy" and "doing the right thing" will not insulate
you from the gales, the attacks and the infestations that will
most definitely occur.

But with a strong foundation, built with good materials, with
painstaking effort, your structure will be one that withstands
all assaults and fully supports your endeavors.


Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net,
publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST.
Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping
people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective.
Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be
their best--personally and professionally. Free subscriptions,
memberships, books and SuccessMark Cards are available at
    http://www.SuccessNet.org

Copyright 1995-2001 Michael Angier & Success Networks
International.






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        RESOURCES  for CEOs
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     The Executive Committee
     http://www.bizsuccess.com/tec.htm

     **  Attention CEOs
Imagine the benefits of meeting regularly with a small group
of company leaders in your area to share experiences, exchange
ideas and solve common problems.

Thousands of chief executives turn to TEC for a learning
experience they cannot get anywhere else. We are committed
to connecting CEOs with the people, ideas and information they
need to help them improve their businesses and enhance their lives.

Check it out at        http://www.bizsuccess.com/tec.htm


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      QUOTES to use in your staff meeting this month
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     Raise your voice and your dignity is lowered.

     People forget what you said.
     People forget what you did.
     But people never forget how you made them feel.

     With wealth you can live in comfort.
     With drive you can make a comfortable living.
     With peace of mind, you can be comfortable in living

     One will never reach distant shores,
     if he chooses to remain upon the dock,
     In fear his little ship of dreams
     may be dashed against the rocks. (F.Bolen)

     Tell me and I'll forget.
     Show me and I'll remember.
     Get me involved and I'll learn

     There's always free cheese in a mousetrap.


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      HUMOR to lighten up the executive suite
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© Copyright 2001-2007  Gary Lockwood  All rights reserved.