At our March 21st, 2008 meeting, Bob Begin provided a great presentation that many found most enlitening.

While working in "Corporate America", I had the opportunity to attend many management sessions and one I found to be most useful. It was one on a business philosophy called "Investment in Excellence". I thought it might add a little more to Bob's already useful information.

Lou Tice of The Pacific Institute and creator of the "Investment In Excellence" program, bases his work on four key principles:  

	What we can do depends as much on our beliefs as it does on our ability.
	The quality of the help we receive along the way can make all the difference.
	All meaningful, lasting growth and change starts first on the inside and then works its way out.
	We move toward and become like that which we think about.  Our present thoughts determine our future.

Full use of all three components of our mind is vital:

	The conscious mind perceives and interprets information that comes in through our senses.
	The subconscious mind takes care of everything we don't think about.
	The creative subconscious causes us to behave consistent with our version of reality.

To use the creative subconscious as an example, Lou stresses we act, not in accordance with truth (reality), but with truth as we believe it to be.  Thus, how we think affects what we perceive, which in turn influences how we behave.  How we behave determines the results we get.  Cause and effect.  Nothing could be simpler, except perhaps how to do it! 

Goals.  Goal setting goals makes a huge difference in what we achieve.  Below are seven practical steps:

	Put goals in writing.
	Define goals clearly and specifically.
	Turn end-result goals into short-term subgoals.
	Make sure end-result goals are both challenging and attainable.
	Anticipate obstacles and setbacks.
	Track progress and reward achievement.
	Support goals with affirmations and visualization.

A particularly effective insight is to reset our goals before we achieve them.  This transforms our goals from a set of fixed destinations into a continually escalating series of milestones that we pass by on our way to something richer and fuller.  In other words, we keep raising the bar for ourselves.

Affirmations.  Underlying these methods for professional and personal growth is the regular use of affirmations.

What is an affirmation?  In the vernacular, it's "what you see is what you get".  Yes, it's that simple.  What we think about, what we visualize, is what we ultimately achieve.  Below are eight suggested guidelines for writing effective affirmations:

	Affirmations celebrate achievement in the first person.
	Affirmations are phrased positively.
	Affirmations are brief.
	Affirmations put us wholeheartedly into an experience.
	Affirmations are specific.
	Affirmations are realistic.
	Affirmations make no comparisons.
	Affirmations help us honor our word to ourselves.

Some examples of affirmations:

	I have a positive expectancy of success in all I do, and I see all setbacks as temporary.
	It's easy for me to demonstrate warmth and love to my family in ways that are meaningful to them.
	I am an attentive listener, and I value what others have to say.
	Continuous improvement is a way of life for me.  I am always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally.

Coaching and mentoring others.  Mentoring others is a worthy investment of our time. It can also help the mentor to refine their process.

Personal Coaching has the potential to help you change your life if you want to, but it is hard work over the long haul, not a panacea for short-term fixes.