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Can You Stand the Test?

As a young boy, I often had to take tests. These tests were a determination as to whether I was fit to move on to the next assignment. Invariability the test would prove whether I had learned the lesson(s) properly.

There is also another type of test used in manufacturing. In this test a piece of metal or equipment is tested to see if it can withstand the pressure. Can it withstand the weight. Can the object just withstand. In life we are tested in the same way.

1. Did you learn the lessons taught.

2. Are you adequately prepared for the next level.

3. Can you stand the pressure and weight.

Elevation and success requires that you pass all three tests. You have to have all three in place to make. So my question to you today.

Is Can You Stand the Test?

 

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Does Your Dress Affect Your Productivity?

Like many of you, I work from home most of the week. As a result I like to be as comfortable as possible when I'm working. What I'm finding, is that my productivity is not what it should be. In fact, what I find is that on some days I'm more productive based on what I wear. For example, on those days that I put on this nice dress shirt. A pair of slacks. I find that I work harder or more importantly that more things get done.

On the other hand, when I wear my shorts or casual clothing. I find that I'm more creative.
So the question becomes. What to where on what days?

Here's how I solved it. On those days any behind productive that I need to take care of what I call business, i.e. Those days when I'm doing billing, client calls, or business meetings. I dress to the nines. And when I sit at my desk I feel productive ready for business. I feel ready to take over the world.

On those days that I need to use my creative side i.e. design work, vision casting, or business planning. I dressed casually. So my question to you is, does dress determining your productivity or creativity?

As always please leave a comment below.

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Time to Step Up! Part 1

I was at my son's school this morning - arrived at 6:45 -- between that time and 7:30am - there were 4 fights and a lock-down -- I didn't blame the school nor the parents nor society...-

I blamed myself -- I wondered if I as a man and a leader in the community had done enough to instill a better sense of communication and unity in the kids of this community.

There will always be conflicts - there will always be disagreements - there will always be disrespect -- It is how you handle those that will determine success.

More importantly, this morning it showed me I need to step up - what good is having influence and favor if I only use it for my child.  #preachingtomyself  --

 

PS: Would love suggestions for creating a community school program?

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Motivational Monday:Susan Lim: Transplant cells, not organs

Pioneering surgeon Susan Lim performed the first liver transplant in Asia. But a moral concern with transplants (where do donor livers come from ...) led her to look further, and to ask: Could we be transplanting cells, not whole organs? At the INK Conference, she talks through her new research, discovering healing cells in some surprising places.

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Take Off Your Clothes (My Tribute to My Grandfather)

Today marks the one year anniversary of my grandfather's passing. One year ago, I spent the morning calling relatives and relaying the news.

I thought I was prepared. But I was not. What I have realized over the last year is that I had been in a huge depression for several years. A downward spiral that was stealing my creativity. I was preparing not for the death of my grandfather, but I had been preparing my own death. Death of my dreams, death of my calling, and the death of my destiny. A slow painful death where I just let it go, without care.

A funny thing happened when my grandfather died. I wrote a blog post that was called "Lessons From My Grandfather". You can read it here. In this blog post I listed several lessons I had learned throughout the years of my grandfather living with me. This blog went on to become a talk and presentation and basically a battle cry from my soul. You see my grandfather didn't leave me in sadness. He left me with gladness. He left me a blueprint for success. A reset if you will. He left me with the gift of HOPE and DETERMINATION.

Continue reading "Take Off Your Clothes (My Tribute to My Grandfather)"

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What Do I Want to be Known For When I Die?

Recently I invited a group of teens and young adults to sit and ask me questions. Any question about anything. And boy did they throw it at me. This is a video from that series.

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Quotable from this video: "If they can write in my obituary that I was a good dad, then I have lived a good life" - @realsource

This is Richard filmed unscripted - straight from the heart - in a single take, without a prompter or notes.

J. Richard Byrd is a father, husband, church launcher, serial entrepreneur, musician, and marketing consultant. He is the author of several books most recently Next Steps. His goal is to make you Think Bigger -- Be Bigger so that you Can Do Bigger Things.

Meet Richard at http://www.JRichardByrd.com

 

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Motivational Mondays:Allan Jones: A map of the brain

How can we begin to understand the way the brain works? The same way we begin to understand a city: by making a map. In this visually stunning talk, Allan Jones shows how his team is mapping which genes are turned on in each tiny region, and how it all connects up.

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Why I Choose Transparency

The question was posed to me, Was I afraid that I would lose business because I talk about my "struggles" on social media and on my blog?

I have to be completely honest about this. In the beginning, I was very afraid that transparency would kill my business. I was worried that because I am a fixer, not being able to some times fix my own issues would cause people not to pick up the phone to either call me or answer my calls.

But, as I went along, I realized that the upside to this transparency was actually good for me; And what is good for me personally supersedes what is good for my business.

whyichoosetransparencyI just want to clarify a few things.

1. I don't post everything that happens to me and or my family on social media.

2. I am incredibly closed with my feelings and my life. In fact, I was once asked if I was even human. Posting simple things that happen in my life helps to push me to be more open.

3. I am a living witness that you can be successful and still be depressed.

4. You can be successful and still not be sure of yourself.

5. It was the public declaration of a well-known pastor about his bout with depression that got me to recognize my own depression. This allowed me to seek help and start to live my life over again.

6. The business only focused posts get 47% fewer views/comment/interaction than my "transparent" life posts.

7. I am not that moved by money. I have been blessed to have a lot of different revenue streams. Therefore I do not have to rely on any one stream. I have also accomplished most of my dreams. I am living on gravy right now.

8. The majority of my clients are clients because of me, not my company persona.

9.  I personally only work with clients I like. So it is important that they know what they are getting: Genius but Crazy.

10. If I can save someone from committing the same mistakes or help them through the areas I have struggled with, then any business I have lost is worth it.

The truth is my business is thriving. Like any business there are ups and downs. How you handle both of those seasons - will ultimately determine the success of your business. In life there are ups and downs -- and how I handle each determines my happiness. I want my happiness to thrive as much as my business.

So I post about the ups and the downs and how I handle each. At the end of the day, balance is more important to me than bottom line.

#ByrdOlogy -- it isn't a science -- you won't find it in a book -- Just some things I have learned in my years of business and relationships.