I was thinking about this quote from Stedman Graham, in case you do not know who he is, he is also known as Oprah's boyfriend. Before you jump to conclusions Stedman is a success in his own right. He has a a management and marketing consulting company and clients include Merrill Lynch, wells fargo, Georgia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Manpower, CNN, GlaxoSmithKline, Plains Capital Corporation, U.S. Department of Labor's Job Corps, Harvard University and Wharton Business School.

None of us are defined by our circumstances, nor are we defined by how other people perceive us. It is up to each one of us to define ourselves, and that is a life's work. Each of us has the ability to lead a dynamic life by pursuing our unique goals and dreams. There are no limits to what you can do. - Stedman Graham, author and speaker

Danny Cox is one of my favorite authors and speakers. He has two books Sieze the Day and Leadership When the Heat is On - I have read both and am rereading them now. Danny talks in 'Seize the Day' about being a high performance individual and states, "...high performance is a way of life." and in his first book "Leadership When the Heat is On" Danny states that "...no organization can rise above the quality of its leadership."

This got my attention, "... success or failure of individuals within an organization depends largely upon each person's willingness to adopt the vision and commitment to the organizations leadership."

Danny says that leadership runs in both directions, uphill and downhill - you will either influence others or be influenced by them.

What direction is leadership flowing in your organization right now?
Are you setting the standard or has that been left vacant? Have you abdicated your leadership role?

Natural vs. Self-Imposed Barriers

I was a good mechanic in my youth except I became allergic to the varsol, oil, and gas I was exposed to and became toxic and fell ill, until I got out of that business. That is an example of a natural barrier.

Danny says, "Self imposed barriers get higher and wider when individuals focus on their own weaknesses as pointed out to them by friends, employers, teachers, parents, conventional wisdom etc. Shifting focus on developing strengths immediately weakens self-imposed barriers."

Peter Drucker said, "Strong people have strong weaknesses." So you are in good company and you do not have a character or personality deficit - it is most likely an unresolved personal challenge.

What are Your Undeveloped Strengths?

Make a list of your undeveloped strengths. Then begin working on them and watch your life change - as you experience personal growth your performance increases and life changes.

In his book, Danny asks you to ask yourself, "Am I in direction right now or simply moving?"

"Life is the lively process of becoming. If you haven't added to your interests during the past year; if you are thinking the same thoughts, relating the same personal experiences, having the same predictable reactions 'rigor mortis of the personality has set in." - General Douglas MacArthur