As we approach another election year, we’re hearing from the current administration and all of the current candidates that they can and will engineer a recovery. I’m not certain the average American is buying this recovery rhetoric … and I certainly can’t blame them. We’ve all been there and heard those promises far too often.

Stocks and corporate profits may be rising and the economy may be expanding a bit. However, far too many Americans feel left behind. The problems remain frustrating … joblessness, home foreclosures, and the growing ranks of the long-term unemployed.

8.7 million people lost their jobs during the recession … think about that number! Sadly, more than 7.3 million are still without work. There are still nearly five job seekers for every job opening.

Washington politicians tell us that it will be years before the economy puts all those folks back to work. That’s probably true if we depend on them to make it happen.

Many, however, have decided to avoid reliance upon empty promises and instead have chosen to engineer their own comeback.

The rules are somewhat simple … the execution a bit more challenging. However, chances for successful outcomes are greater than waiting for others to do the job for you. Take a look …

Comeback Rule #1:

Refuse to die. Those with the character to triumph in the end tend not to allow the indignity of failure to force them down. Those who come back accept disaster, laugh in its face, and crawl to their feet again.

Comeback Rule #2:

Decide to fight. Those who come back have an inner sense of justice that refuses to be violated. They manage their emotions, reminding themselves of where they’ve been and why they’re here, and resolve that nothing will stop them.

Comeback Rule #3:

Get clever. Savvy fighters won’t make the same mistake twice. They accept the hard rules of the real world, analyze how they wound up on their back, and chart a course around the problem. Often as not, they turn trouble to their advantage.

Comeback Rule #4:

Focus, focus, focus! Once you’re on your way, don’t look up and don’t look back. A hundred distractions, doubts, and setbacks will haunt someone recovering from disaster. The true champion rolls with the punches and keeps coming back for more.

Comeback Rule #5:

Enjoy the ride. The reward for those making a comeback is to see their vision come to life in the real world. And they enjoy the deep confidence of one who had fought his way through hell and emerged to see the stars.

Begin your journey today!

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

There is an old story about a man who sold hot dogs by the roadside. Life was simple and very good for the elder gentlemen.

• He was illiterate, so he never read newspapers.
• He was hard of hearing, so he never listened to the radio.
• His eyes were weak, so he never watched television.

However, enthusiastically, he sold lots of hot dogs. His sales and profit went up. He ordered more meat and got himself a bigger and a better grill. Things were certainly going well.

As his business continued to grow, his son, who had recently graduated from college, joined his father. Then something strange happened.

The son asked, “Dad, aren’t you aware of the great recession that is coming our way?” The father replied, “No, but tell me about it.” The son said, “The international situation is terrible. The domestic is even worse. We should be prepared for the coming bad time.”

The man thought that since his son had been to college, read the papers, and listened to the radio, he ought to know and his advice should not be taken lightly.

So the next day, the father cut down his order for the meat and buns, took down the sign and was no longer enthusiastic. Very soon, fewer and fewer people bothered to stop at his hot dog stand. And his sales started coming down rapidly. The father said to his son, “Son, you were right. We are in the middle of a recession. I am glad you warned me ahead of time.”

This same process is happening to US today. The national media (radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, Internet) reports only the negative for the simple reason that they make more money by doing so. If we allow them to control our dominant thought we downsize, lay off, reduce advertising and training, become less creative, fail to offer service as we should, etc.

This is an interesting concept at a time when we see very successful organizations grow, hire more people, become more creative, increase advertising, marketing and training, enhance customer service, and offer new products and services.

As a result, they prosper at time when we’re told that can’t and won’t happen! You can see examples in most every industry today. The moral of this story SHOULDN’T have to be explained. It’s as plain as the nose on your face! However, it’s quite obvious that far too many CANNOT learn from these positive examples. For those we offer the following:

1. Many times we confuse intelligence with good judgment.
2. A person may have high intelligence but poor judgment.
3. Choose your advisers carefully and use your judgment.
4. The tragedy is that there are many walking encyclopedias who are living failures.
5. YOU control your most DOMINANT THOUGHT and you will ALWAYS move in that direction! What is YOUR most DOMINANT THOUGHT at the moment?

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

From time to time, I find myself blessed with an experience which inspires and enlightens me while renewing my faith in the human spirit. Just such an experience revealed itself to me this morning by way of a phone call from one of our clients.

I have his permission to share this unusual story as long as I don’t reveal the name of the organization … for obvious reasons.

Several months ago, I was asked to present a customized version of our often-requested “Productive Chaos” seminar. Over the years, we’ve presented various versions of this popular program to thousands of clients across a wide variety of industries from coast to coast. However, this request was rather unique.

The majority of previous presentations have been to those in leadership positions at various levels in the organizations we serve. This particular client requested that we share that same relevant content with his frontline staff! Here’s why he felt it was so important to do so.

• These are challenging times which call for increased productivity from every level of the organization.
• The majority of his frontline staff were not college-educated and had never attended an out-of-town conference of any kind. In fact, many had never received classroom training of any kind, even on the premises.
• This group of key employees was very concerned about the state of the business and the deteriorating status of our U.S. economy. In short, morale was low and self-confidence and self-esteem were far from what they should be to inspire the performance needed from this critical support staff.
• Our client felt they needed a boost and wanted them to know how important their performance was to the success of the company in these trying times.
• Therefore, he scheduled the entire staff to attend this presentation of “Productive Chaos” over several days of continuous sessions.

It’s been a few months now so I was certainly happy to hear from him this morning. In short, he was ecstatic. He rambled on for quite some time sharing the results of his risky decision. When he scheduled the seminar, he was honest in saying he wasn’t certain if the cost burden of training at this point was a wise decision. However, after seeing the results, he no longer uses the terms “cost” nor “burden.” He claims it was one of the best “investments” he’s ever made.

Let me cut to the chase. This is NOT a commercial for employee training. Paraphrasing our client’s feedback, he noted the following:

• In the days following the training, he observed an obvious increase in productivity by the majority of his employees.
• He observed more and better communication among individuals and departments.
• He saw daily evidence of greater morale, better attitude, and enhanced confidence and pride among his employees.

At this point, I would love to tell you that these key outcomes were a direct result of our powerful “Productive Chaos” program content and our unique method of delivery. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

In further discussion with our client, we agreed on the obvious. His staff differed little from other employees all across the nation today. They were beaten down and frustrated by daily media reports of a nation in demise. They were constantly exposed to reports that the future looks bleak and prospects of a turnaround grow more dismal by the day. In short, they were running out of gas and had little or nothing to look forward to.

Then our client gambled. He sent a subliminal message to his staff that they were indeed important and a crucial key to the company’s future success. The message was clear. They were important. They were needed. They were going to receive training with the expectation that performance and increased productivity would soon follow because their potential excellence was recognized, appreciated and a key ingredient for future success.

They were validated!

Sounds too simple doesn’t it? The results speak for themselves. People today want and need validation. The majority may not even be aware of it. I’ve seen it time and time again. A simple “thank you” or “good job” can make a difference. Eye contact, a smile, or a handshake can and will do wonders. People want to know that they possess value and can contribute in some way. Don’t you DARE underestimate the value of validation.

I don’t care who it may be …. a parent, child, spouse, friend, significant other, neighbor, vendor, client, employee or team member …. the results are the same. You’ll see greater pride, enhanced self esteem, increased performance and productivity, higher morale …. and the list goes on.

I saw it in the faces of those attending the training. They suddenly realized they were important enough to their company to receive training, to spend a day in a classroom increasing their ability and worth, to warrant their boss to bring in an outside speaker just for them. Of course, there were the typical number who didn’t care and refused to take part. There always are … but you don’t focus on those folks. You focus on those who care and appreciate your efforts. And the results cannot be denied.

I recently saw a video which so impressed me that I shared it on our blog. At the time, I honestly thought it was somewhat “corny.” However, 30 seconds into the content, I couldn’t turn it off. In fact I can’t believe I watched it to the end. It shared a very powerful message which should bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye and inspiration to your spirit. It should be shown to every parent, spouse, teacher, CEO, supervisor, manager, team leader, and team member everywhere. In addition, it should be shared in every classroom in the nation.

Today, with this call from our client, that video content was validated!

It’s worth your time to view it. Who knows, it may lead to the successful outcomes experienced by our courageous client who sent a special message to his staff. Can you spare a few minutes? What are you possibly doing that could be more important. Enjoy and prosper!

“>http://youtu.be/Cbk980jV7Ao

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.