Stretch Quote – Keep Climbing (@IsraelmoreA)

If you really want to eat, keep climbing. The fruits are on the top of the tree. STRETCH your hands and keep STRETCHING them. Success is on the top, keep going.
Israelmore Ayivor

Where are you on the journey to reaching your goals?

Are you half way there?  Are you a quarter way there?  Are you almost there?

Don’t give up!

Keep climbing.  Keep stretching.  Keep going after your goal.

The Discipline Of Getting Expert Advice – 6 Ways Getting Expert Advice Will Stretch You

The top experts in the world are ardent students. The day you stop learning, you’re definitely not an expert.

After seeing our nutritionist, I changed by morning routine.  I used to do cardio and leave a little time for lifting at the end.  Now, I lift first before I do the cardio part of my workout.  Yesterday morning, I was at the gym when one of the trainers started watching me as I spent time on a few of the strength machines.  He interrupted me a few times to give me tips on how to more effectively use the machines.  Then he took me over to a few other pieces of apparatus to show me a few other strengthening exercises.  Again, I just needed a little expert advice to get me heading in the right direction.

Last night, I contacted a garage door expert to help me with a problem with one of my garage doors.  When he came over, he made a few adjustments and recommendations, and my garage door started working properly again.  I just needed a little expert advice.

My natural tendency is to do things on my own.  I don’t like asking for help, but I don’t have time to figure everything out by myself.  Sometimes it pays to call in the experts.  I must learn to practice the discipline of getting expert advice.  This discipline will save me a lot of time and aggravation when I hit a roadblock.

If you are like me, you probably struggle to practice the discipline of getting expert advice.  Here are a few ways expert advice will help you stretch:

6 Ways Getting Expert Advice Will Stretch You

1. Getting expert advice will humble you.  Most men have trouble asking for help.  Asking for help requires humility, and learning to be humble can be a stretching experience.
2. Getting expert advice will help you learn.  As the garage door repairman worked on our garage door, I watched and learned.  Next time I have a problem with the door, I will have a few things to try.
3. Getting expert advice will give others the opportunity to speak into your life and your challenges.  People want to help, and they want to use the knowledge and skill they’ve picked up along the way.  When you ask for expert advice, you provide the chance for others to help you.
4. Getting expert advice will ultimately save you time and energy.  Most of us don’t like to ask for expert advice, because we don’t want to pay for it.  In reality experts often bring value into our lives that far outweighs the financial impact.
5. Getting expert advice will help you meet many new people.  I didn’t know the trainer at the gym or the garage door repairman before I asked for their expert advice.  I like meeting new people, and asking for expert advice gives me the opportunity to plug into people I don’t know yet.
6. Getting expert advice prepares me to help other people.  Ultimately, I want to help other people.  By asking for expert advice, I either gain transferable knowledge or valuable connections that I can pass along to others.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of getting expert advice?  How has expert advice made a difference in your life?

29 Discipline Posts To Stretch Your Life

How long have you been reading my blog?

Have you noticed a theme on my blog the past year?

As I was looking back at my blog archives, I noticed a them of discipline.

Developing discipline in our lives can be a STRETCHING experience.  I like what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:11:

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

I want to live a productive life.  I want my life to make a difference.

In order to reach this goal, I have to be intentional – I have to be disciplined.

Here are a list of the posts I’ve written this year on the topic of discipline:

29 Discipline Posts To Stretch Your Life

1. Increase Impact By Decreasing Impulse
2. The Discipline Of Showing Up
3. The Discipline Of Being Present
4. The Discipline Of Celebration
5. The Discipline Of Unplugging
6. The Discipline Of Gratitude
7. 7 Habits That Build A Lasting Marriage
8. The Discipline Of Discipline – Why We All Need A Little Discipline In Our Lives
9. The Discipline Of Taking Risks
10. How Discipline Helps Keep You Going When You Feel Like Giving Up
11. The Discipline Of Rest – For When You Feel Weary
12. The Discipline Of Taking Inventory On Our Lives
13. The Discipline Of Laughter – 4 Ways To Develop The Discipline Of Laughter
14. The Discipline Of Boundaries
15. The Discipline Of Measuring Our Lives
16. The Discipline Of Standing Up
17. The Discipline Of Focus – 5 Ways To Help You Focus
18. The Discipline Of Adventure
19. The Discipline Of Preparation – 5 Ways To Prepare For The Outcomes We Desire
20. Small Steps To Big Leaps – Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone
21. The Long Walk
22. The Discipline Of Less
23. The Discipline Of Going The Extra Mile – 6 Ways To Go The Extra Mile
24. The Discipline Of Getting Feedback – 6 Steps For Getting The Feedback You Really Need
25. The Discipline Of Self-Assessment – 10 Areas For Self-Assessment
26. The Discipline Of Mastermind
27. The Discipline Of Pressing On (Even When You Feel Uninspired)
28. How I Maintain A Positive Attitude (When Negativity Surrounds Me)
29. 5 Steps To Creating A Personal Success Plan That Works

What discipline post was your favorite?  Why?

What discipline post did you need the most?  Why?

What discipline is not on the list above?

Please take a few minutes to give me your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

Ice Breaker – Ten Years From Now

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Question:  What do you imagine yourself doing ten years from now?

My Answer:  In ten years, I will be 53.  It looks weird to me to type in that number.  The youngest operations manager in my department besides me just turned 55 this weekend, so I will still be younger than people who are doing my job now.  As far as work goes, I’m guessing I will still be working at my current place of employment.  I’m pretty sure, I’ll have some opportunities to move up a little in the next ten years.  I’m excited for what the next ten years looks like at my job.

In ten years, Leanne and I will be “empty nesters” as both our kids will be out of college.  I’m not looking to rush the current stage of our parenting, but I am excited for the prospect of enjoying time together as a couple.  Our initial “honeymoon” stage of our marriage was only a year and a half, so this will be an exciting stage in our marriage.  I think we will live in a smaller house.  We won’t have a mortgage (or any other debt), and we will be free to travel, give, and serve.

I plan to travel to Guatemala three (or more) times a year ten years from now.  I look forward to helping widows and orphans by building homes, teaching skills, providing meals, and sharing the gospel.

And finally, I plan to continue writing and speaking.  In ten years, I hope to have a few more books published, and I look forward to speaking to others – challenging people to stretch in their leadership, their families, and their lives.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

The 10 Reasons Why Positive Thinking Might Be for You After All

If you want to improve your life and have an easier time of dealing with what life throws at you, then consider these 10 reasons why positive thinking might just be for you after all:

1. Reduce Your Stress Levels

You can’t control what life throws at you. However, you can in fact control how you respond to it.  When we become stressed, it isn’t because of what we’re experiencing, but rather how we’ve chosen to react to these situations. If you choose to take an even-tempered approach to a negative situation, not only will you experience less stress, but you’ll be far more adept at handling and overcoming said situation.

2. Improve Your Physical Health

Stress isn’t just mentally and emotionally exhausting. It can actually be overwhelmingly harmful to your physical health. It raises your blood pressure and increases your heart attack risk. It’s one of the reasons why x put such an emphasis on creating a calming environment; stress can be just as harmful to our bodies as substance abuse.

3. Make Better Choices

We don’t make good choices when we’re in a negative mindset.  This is usually the time when we reach for a drink or a fatty meal or say something that we regret later on.  Whether you’ve been struggling to get out of a toxic relationship or even a deadly addiction, sometimes all you need to do is to choose to start believing in yourself again.  The moment you muster up courage to even just find a drug rehab center or simply take the first step to getting out your self-hatred, life takes a turn for the better.  By approaching negative situations with a positive outlook and taking a moment to breathe, you’re less likely to exacerbate your situation by acting out in anger.

4. Stick To Healthy Routines

Those who think positively aren’t inclined to “punish themselves” by neglecting pertinent tasks or engaging in unhealthy behaviors. When your outlook is regularly positive, you’re more likely to stick to your daily routines, engage in healthy behaviors and avoid procrastinating. A positive outlook can make your day-to-day life far simpler.

5. Be More Attractive

“Stress wrinkles” aren’t a myth. Stress is up there next to smoking, sun exposure and excessive alcohol use on the list of things that age you prematurely. If you want to look younger and more vibrant, reducing your stress levels is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do it. Remember, you can’t eliminate stressful situations from your life, but you can control how you react to them.

6. Manage Your Weight

Overeating and poor exercise habits are often fueled by unhappiness. When we’re unhappy, it’s hard to find the motivation to make better dietary and fitness choices. When life is approached with a positive outlook, however, people can easily find the motivation to take care of their health and fitness. Those who value their health and their body tend to have an easier time of making positive fitness and diet changes.

7. Have Better Relationships

Angry and unhappy people often end up pushing those they love away from them. Positive people, on the other hand, are pleasant to be around and attract great people into their lives. When you adapt a positive mindset, you’ll watch your relationships with romantic partners, friends and family members gradually become easier and more fulfilling.

8. Laughter Is Literally The Best Medicine

If you can find the humor in a negative experience, you can actually improve your health. The notion that laughter is the best medicine isn’t just a folksy old saying, it’s the truth. The Mayo Clinic reports that laughter has actual concrete health benefits, both for mental and physical wellness.

9. Better Career and Financial Success

If you’re stressed out about money, that might be the main reason why you have money woes in the first place. No matter where you are professionally or financially, merely having a better attitude about your situation can help you to better improve your standing in your career and the amount of money that you are earning.

10. Just Plain Feel Better

Little Orphan Annie wasn’t whistling Dixie when she said that the sun would come out tomorrow. The truth is, the world will continue turning whether you have a negative or positive attitude. However, the ride is far more pleasant if you choose the latter. With a positive attitude, you’ll just plain feel better.

Consider these 10 reasons the next time you’re ready to respond negatively to an unfortunate situation. We can’t control the world around us, but we can control how we choose to respond. By adopting a positive outlook, you’ll be healthier, more successful and happier.

How has positive thinking impacted your life?  Tell me about it in the comments.

Today’s article is a guest post by Elliot Caleira.  Elliot is a freelance writer in the self-mastery and health and wellness spaces. When he’s not writing you’ll find him cooking or teaching Portuguese classes.  Connect with Elliot on Twitter.

Read more about how to guest post on Jon Stolpe Stretched by clicking here.

Stretch Quote – Time to STRETCH (@DeanKarnazes)

Personally, I don’t STRETCH, I don’t get massages.  Maybe massages would be useful, but I just don’t have the time for it.

Dean Karnazes

You spend time on the things that matter the most to you.

Do you know your priorities?

I’m guessing you are here in part, because you want to stretch yourself.  I’ve said before “You’re not really living if you aren’t stretching and growing.”  If you really want to stretch, you have to make time for it.

Dean Karnazes is an ultra-marathon runner who defies the normal boundaries of human limitations.  He ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.  You and I are not Dean Karnazes.  We need to stretch.  We need to take time to grow, to work on our flexibility, and to push the boundaries of our comfort zone.

How will you take time to stretch this week?

Finding New Members for Your Club (or Organization)

In today’s post, I’ll share with you the written text for my speech.  While the speech is directed at members of my Toastmasters Club, I’m sure it will be helpful for you and the organizations you represent (clubs, churches, and teams).  Finding new members for our organizations can be a stretching experience, but it’s an effort worth pursuing for the vitality of your organizations, its members, and the community.

Toastmasters

Aetna Articulators

The Successful Club Series

Jon M. Stolpe

October 14, 2015

Finding New Members For Your Club

After completing the Competent Leader and Competent Communicator awards, Toastmasters have the opportunity to keep learning and advancing to Advanced Leader Bronze. In order to earn ALB, Toastmasters must earn CL and CC, serve as a club officer for a minimum of six months, participate in the Club Success Plan while serving in office, participate in district-sponsored club officer training, and conduct any two speeches from The Successful Club Series and/or The Leadership Excellence Series. Today, I am presenting a speech from The Successful Club Series.

New members are essential to the success of our club. Without a continuous flow of new members, our club will stagnate or even seek to exist. New members inject new energy, new enthusiasm, and new ideas into our club. They provide an opportunity to mentor and to pass the torch of our club to others. The more people we have in our club the easier we can fill club meeting roles and try new activities. New members also represent more funds for the club. We each learn from each other, so new members represent a tool to help each of us stretch and grow.

Let us share the benefits we have gained for ourselves with others.

Dr. Ralph C. Smedly

Before I share ways to recruit members, I will share my early Toastmasters journey.

A couple of years ago, I heard about Toastmasters International, and it sounded like something that could help me in my public speaking and leadership opportunities in my work at Siemens and in my areas of interest outside the office. I did some investigation of my own, and I talked to my HR Manager, Mike, and I discovered our club. The meeting location and time were perfect for my busy work schedule and priorities right across the street. I contacted Rosalind, our club’s VP of Membership, and I decided to check out my first meeting. I felt welcome during my first visit, and Roz even checked in with me after my meeting to thank me and to see if I had any questions about the club. I came back two weeks later for our next meeting, and I started to learn some of the lingo and patterns for the meetings. I came back several more times before I handed over my application and dues to Gloria who was our club Treasurer and Secretary at the time. Shortly after joining the club, I received a call from Carol asking me to consider filling the role of club secretary. Since then, I’ve jumped in to help and participate whenever and wherever I can. My entry into the world of Toastmasters was pretty exciting!

We each have our own story about checking out Toastmasters, and these are important stories for us to remember. What attracted you to Toastmasters, and what wasn’t so attractive about your initial experiences? Your story can be helpful in bringing new members into our club.

You have a responsibility to contribute to the success of our club, our fellow members, and our future members. You and I have the privilege and responsibility of ensuring our club and our club meetings are successful. And this is why you should care about finding new members for our club.

Finding new members for our club starts through recruitment. Recruitment is not a once and done event. Recruitment is an ongoing activity. It’s kind of like breathing. As a member of our club, you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to recruit people for our club. Here are some ways to be intentional about recruiting new members:

1. Talk to friends, relatives, and co-workers.
2. Wear a Toastmasters membership pin every day.
3. Display the Toastmaster magazine.
4. Distribute promotional brochures and fliers.
5. Conduct a Speechcraft workshop.
6. Create an account on a social networking site, such as meetup.com or yelp.com.

These are just a few ideas. Before I move on, I wanted to ask for your ideas on how we might be able to recruit new members. I’ll write your answers on the board. Can anyone get us started?

Great!

Getting people to come to our meetings is a major step forward in keeping our club successful, but it doesn’t stop there. When guests come to our club the first, second, or even third time, we must do our best to make sure guests are treated properly. At all of our meetings, we should make every effort to do the following:

1. Greet guests at the door as they arrive.
2. Sit with a guest during the meeting.
3. Speak with the guest after the meeting.
4. Invite the guest to join members for any after-meeting socializing.
5. Ask the guest to visit again.

Additionally, we should:

• Make sure guests sign the guest book. This helps us collect information, so we can communicate with our guests in the future.
• Wear name tags and encourage guests to wear name tags. Saying someone’s name does wonders for helping people feel welcome. Let’s face it. We’re not all great at remembering names. Name tags help us know the names of our guests, and it helps guests to know the names of our club regulars. People are coming to our club to connect, let’s make it a little easier for them.
• Ask guests about joining our club. Don’t assume, guests know what to do. As club regulars, we can get comfortable and complacent with how things go. We forget that guests don’t the general routines and expectations of our club. This includes signing up to join the club.

When you take time to welcome guests, you have the opportunity to advance towards your CL. These projects all deal with new members and guests:

• Befriend a guest.
• Co-chair an open house.
• Co-chair a special event.

Next week, we will be hosting our annual Open House. It’s not too late to invite a friend or co-worker. When you head back to work this afternoon, take time to tell others about our club. Invite them to our Open House next week. We’ll be meeting across the street at Siemens, and there will be lunch provided. (Make sure guests pre-register on-line.) In addition to the Open House, we are also conducting a Membership Drive. Whoever brings the most guests and who recruits the most new members will win a Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Don’t let the opportunity slip by. Finally, if you have any questions about membership, be sure to contact our VP of Membership, Roz, or one of the other officers.

One enthusiastic person can make all the difference in recruiting new people for our club. We don’t need fancy tools or gadgets. We just need you to carry your passion for Toastmasters outside these walls and into the world. Don’t forget to be personal, be helpful, and be friendly.

A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.

Homer

You and I can make a difference for our club and for other leaders and communicators!

Let’s do it!

Does your organization look for new members?  What has worked and what hasn’t worked when it comes to finding new members?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Are You Having An Identity Crisis?

Identity.

How do you define your identity?  What is your identity?

According to dictionary.com, identity is:

condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is

Do you have a problem with your identity?  Are you having an identity crisis?

Many of us find our identity in our careers, our positions, our family, our friends, our sports teams, and our personal pursuits.

I am an engineer, an operations manager, a father, a son, a husband, a writer, a speaker, a reader, a runner, a Cubs fan, a Phillies fan, a Bears fan, and an Eagles fan.  These are a few of the things that describe me.

Is this my identity?

I’m currently reading H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. by Brad Lomenick.  (This book is amazing!)  The initial section of the book is all about learning to be a humble leader.  Humility starts by discovering who we really are – in understanding our identity.  At the end of the first chapter, Brad shares a quote from Dave Lomas about our identity:

“We must remember that we don’t find our identity; we receive our identity from God.  We are made in God’s image and likeness.”

The list I used to describe myself above is not who I am – these “titles” are not my identity.  Instead, I must learn to look at my identity from a different perspective:

• I earned an engineering degree and license.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I manage in the operations department at my company.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I parent my two teenagers.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I love my wife.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I write.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I speak.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I read books and blogs.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I run.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
• I cheer for the Cubs, the Phillies, the Bears, and the Eagles.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.

My identity is not what I do, what I earned, or what I achieved.  MY IDENTITY COMES FROM GOD.

When I begin to grasp this, I can face the challenges and uncertainties of life with confidence.

This is the same for you too.

Who are you?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Ice Breaker – First Kiss

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

Question:  Tell us about your first kiss.

My Answer:  Tomorrow is the 22nd anniversary of my first kiss.  The first (and only) person I kissed was actually my wife.  We shared our first kiss at McConnell’s Mills in western PA.  We shared lunch together on a rock along the creek that runs through the park.  The kiss happened after lunch.  (A year later, I went for an accidental, icy swim when we when to the same location to celebrate the anniversary of this momentous occasion.)

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep Stretching!

5 Steps To Creating A Personal Success Plan That Works

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

Benjamin Franklin

Earlier this summer, I was elected to be president of my Toastmasters International club.  It was an honor to be selected for this position, but it also comes with a lot of work.  I have to kick-off and close our club’s bi-weekly meetings.  I have to plan and lead our club’s executive committee meetings.  And I have to interface with fellow officers, club members, and guests.

One of my responsibilities as the club president and member of the club executive committee is to create a Club Success Plan.  Essentially, this is a document to record the club’s current status, challenges, and goals for the coming term.  And the Club Success Plan provides a place to write down a plan for overcoming obstacles and achieving our goals.

This week spent time completing the Club Success Plan, and I’m excited for the results when we look back at the plan throughout the term and at the end of the term in June.

As I was working on the plan, I reflected on the importance of writing a success plan for other areas of our lives.

What do you want to accomplish this year?  What goals do you want to achieve?

Do you have a plan to get there?

Typically, we talk about goals at the beginning of the year.  Everyone gets hyped up on New Year’s Resolutions.  The enthusiasm lasts for a few weeks or even a few months before we settle back into our normal existence trying to survive the pushes and pulls of our busy lives.

By the time we get to this time of year, our resolutions and goals are long forgotten, and we are trying to make it to the next weekend.

As Benjamin Franklin said, many of us fail to achieve our goals because we fail to create a plan for getting where we want to go.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to fail.  I like to succeed.  I like to achieve.  I like to make progress towards my goals.

Writing a personal success plan doesn’t have to take forever.  You can write a success plan for yourself using these simple steps:

5 Steps To Creating A Personal Success Plan That Works

1. Evaluate your current condition.  Self-assessment is critical to creating a personal success plan that works.  What is working well?  What isn’t working so well?  What changes do you need to make in your life?  Take time to evaluate you.  This may require time away from the things that normally distract you, and it may require feedback from those who know you best.
2. Determine your goals.  Where do you want to be in one year?  What do you want to achieve?  There is no point in completing a success plan if you don’t take time to determine your goals.  If you don’t know where you want to go, you can be certain you will get there – no where that is.
3. Recognize the obstacles and challenges in the way.  What is keeping you from achieving your goals?  Is it time?  Is it skill?  Is it lack of knowledge?  We all face challenges.  When creating your personal success plan, you have to know your weaknesses and challenges.  Being aware of these will help you make changes to get around, get over, or get through the obstacles in the way of achieving your goals.
4. Write down a map for overcoming these obstacles and challenges and for achieving your goals.  Create a SMART roadmap to reaching your goals.  Be specific.  Have measurable check points along the way.  Make sure your goals are attainable and realistic.  Finally, determine the timetable for reaching your goals.  When you write down your road map, be as detailed as possible.  Who is responsible for reaching your goals?  What help do you need to meet your goals?  What specific steps will you take to make sure you succeed?  Write it down!
5. Work your plan.  Finally, a plan does nothing without action.  Once you’ve created your plan for success, follow through.  Take the necessary steps to succeed.  Stop along the way to evaluate your progress.  Then keep going.  Don’t stop until you reach the end – SUCCESS!

What do you want to succeed in the next year?  What is your plan to succeed?

What measures have you taken to achieve your success goals?