Angels of Evolution

You’ve heard it before, but the more we get exposed to a good idea, the more deeply we get to integrate it. Like reading a powerful book for a second and third time. Seems like a whole new book on every new reading. Did the book change? No. You did. Your capacity to understand got bigger. Your world view got broader. Your ability to take in the insights grew. And so you discovered a whole new level of knowledge in that book. That was always there. You just didn’t have the eyes to see it before.

The idea I feel so passionately about on this day can be stated in a simple phrase: Angels of Evolution. Nothing soft and irrelevant about this one. Just a way to look at life’s challenges in a better light. As blessing rather than curses. Because they just might be. Angels of Evolution. Everyone who is causing you stress, struggle and challenge in your life just might be an angel of sorts. They just might be the very messengers carrying the lessons you most need to learn to get to your Next Level of Greatness.

The difficult teammate might be an angel of sorts, here to teach you understanding. The mean salesclerk might be an angel showing up to help you with compassion or communication or standing up for yourself. A business setback or professional disappointment might be an angel sent to build your resolve and commitment. A health issue might be an angelic wake-up call to get you to commit to a better diet, regular exercise, relaxation and meditation. Each encounter represents a defining moment that gets you to the excellence meant for you.

Angels of Evolution. The hardest stuff in your life is the ideal stuff to get you to where you’ve always dreamed of being. The people and events that irritate, anger and hurt you are the idea educators to help you learn the lessons that will help you shine – at work, at home and in life. So that you evolve. And grow.

“Everyone who is causing you stress, struggle and challenge in your life just might be an angel of sorts…carrying the lessons you most need to learn”

(these are not my thoughts J and are copied from Robin’s book)

I'm Stretching Too

I know I encourage you to push the envelope. To innovate. To elevate. To step up to the next level with the work you do and within the life you have the privilege to lead. And I know I talk a lot about running to your fears (remember that most of the stuff we are afraid of never even comes close to happening) and hugging your discomfort. Well, I do my best to do the same. Here’s an example.

I just spent two days last week in a recording studio. For a long time I’ve had the dream of making music with a powerful message. I used to play guitar in a rock band in law school (poorly yet passionately) and I needed to get back to that love. And you know this: There will never be the ideal time to do the dreams in your heart. So I took a risk. (Al Pacino recently told Larry Kind, “You will only be as good as the chances you take.”) I reached out to the two amazing partners at the Orange Record Label and shared my vision. Guess what, “no ask, no get”. They signed me to a deal. Immediately.

These past two days found me in a studio with some of the most creative people I’ve ever met. Writers and musicians. Visionaries and dreamers. All banded together to help me create brilliant music that will inspire people to make their lives extraordinary. Genuine works of art. I had to sing (stop laughing). I had to play guitar. I had to let go of my safe harbor and be a beginner again. “How was it?” you ask. Breathtakingly great. (If you want to seem playing, watch the CNN clip at robinsharm.com). I was scared, excited, joy-filled and delighted. I trembled. And I laughed. It was a experience I’ll never forget – one that is part of the personal story I call life. So get out there. Risk. Ask. Dream. Dare. Fall. Fail. And never let anyone tell you that your dreams can’t come true. Eventually someone’s going to do what you dream of doing. Why not you?

“Never let anyone tell you that your dreams can’t come true. Eventually someone’s going to do what you dream of doing. Why not you?”

(these are not my thoughts J and are copied from Robin’s book)

First Principles for Great Relationships

The quality of your life comes down to the quality of your relationships. With your customers, with your suppliers, with your loved ones, with yourself (big idea there). Commit to insanely great relationships and you’ll have an insanely great life. And being a great human connector is pretty easy stuff. Remember, success is all about masterful consistency around fundamentals.

The following seven First Principles are profoundly simple and yet simply profound – and isn’t that the case for all great truths?

• Be the first one to say hello (or Namaste/Shalom/Hola/Salam Malekam, or whatever may be appropriate) when you encounter another person. In other words, be kind first (which takes courage, because we’re all scared of rejection)
• Smile a lot. It’s one of the best ways to have someone open up to you. Remember, we make lasting impressions on people within the first few minutes of meeting them.
• Use people’s names. This is really important. It shows that you care, and is a mark of respect.
• Look people in the eye when you speak to them.
• Become a world- class listener. Get this one right and you’ll own the title of “Relationship Superstar”. Most people don’t listen. Most people are so self-focused that they fail to ask good questions when they meet another person. Listening and asking questions shows humility. It shows you are interested. It demonstrates that you are engaged – and not in love with yourself. Most people’s idea of listening is waiting until the other person has finished speaking so that they can interject.
• Offer sincere compliments. Praise is free. Never miss an opportunity to celebrate and elevate another person, whether at work or at home. You’ll connect with the best within them. And then they’ll give you their best. Leave people feeling better than you fond them.
• Treat everyone like royalty ( and I do mean everyone; it scares me when someone’s really nice to me but rude to a waiter – no consistency there). Behave as if you’ll never see them again. When I get home from work each day, my kids come flying around the corner and hug me. Every day. Makes me feel like a king.

Sure the above seven ideas are simple. Master these principles and you’ll get to your mountaintop more quickly than you can imagine. Greatness comes from mastery around the fundamentals.

“Never miss an opportunity to celebrate and elevate another person”

(these are not my thoughts J and are copied from Robin’s book)