How you think is everything

Have you heard the phrase: "You are what you think" ?
This week I have accomplished another huge item from my "Bucket List: Meeting one of the most influential people and mentors in my life. Dr. John C. Maxwell. People from more than 40 countries, with different languages and cultures have gathered like real fans following a guru. Leaving behind multiple tasks and jobs, after flying thousands of miles to get here. All these efforts to be blessed by the wisdom from one of the top authorities in leadership around the globe.
It has been an incredible opportunity to connect with more than five hundred colleagues, part of the 1,000+ founding partners of the new John Maxwell Team for Coaching, Training & Speaking.
Leaders from all walks of life and students of John Maxwell's philosophy have gained new perspectives and knowledge around a subject that I am very passionate about.
John and his faculty members have taken us on a journey of reflection, insights, sharing profound principles that are essential to become successful leaders.
Among the many thoughts he shared with us is the fact that the big difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they think.
Our thinking determines our belief system. What separates us from where we are today and the place where we want to be, is the ongoing conversation we have with ourselves each and every day. Our past experiences in life, our failures and setbacks have set up our minds to a point where we establish our own mindset, becoming the person to have the less amount of belief in our own potential.
I can learn new behaviors, apply universal principles, however, it is not until we shift our thinking, when we start creating a new thinking, a new belief system.
We also heard another great thought from Paul Martineli. "Your current conditions could never predict what you could possibly do"
Altering our thinking is the key to success, it includes understanding the difference between abundance and prosperity. Abundance is when we beleive that there is plenty of resources out there. Prosperity is when we strongly beleive that there is plenty for me too.
I invite you to stop for a moment and think about what limiting belief is holding you back right now?
What has you stuck in life?
That same limiting belief leads us to not take the necessary actions because we lack the knowledge, we don't know how to do what it takes.
Self-Image is a function of our self-esteem. Self-image is how others perceive us. Self-esteem is how we perceive ourselves. Change your self-esteem and you will change your self-image. Alter what you think about yourself, and you will alter what others think about you.
Suspend the requirement of knowing how, and start getting the right thinking, the belief that you have all the potential to do anything you want in life.
At the same time, I ask you, What strenghts do you have? What is your inner voice telling you?
What have others already done that you could do as well?
What burning desire is driving your life right now?
Change your thinking and you will change your beliefs.
This drives motivation, that is motion, movement, your ability to do things.
What changes in your thinking are you making today?

Commencement Ceremony

Today, I have been invited to share some thoughts at the Commencement Ceremony of the Graduating Class of 2011 from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Orlando, Florida.
So, here are some excerpts from my keynote to these incredible group of 87 new professional artists that will shape the marketplace during the next years.

" I can’t believe I’m standing right here today.
I come from humble beginnings in Latin America, raised in a home with strong family and spiritual values, along with work ethics.
In our quest for the American Dream, my family and I came as immigrants to the US during Christmas week of 2002, enjoying freedom and new possibilities in this incredible land of opportunities.

I have also made lots of mistakes. I Have learned valuable life lessons.

Today, I am bringing you my best! Today, it’s all about you.

I am excited to learn more about you guys.You represent 7 different disciplines and specialties: 

Eight from Digital Media Production, eight in Game Production, ten of you in Marketing and Advertising, ten in Graphic Design, another ten with Interior Design, and, our biggest group, forty-one of you in Fashion Design and Merchandising, Wow!

That’s a total of eighty-seven new Professionals in Design and Technology who can change the world! 

You’re part of a very special crowd. You have beaten the odds. Did you know that 30% of College and University students in the US, drop out after their first year? And half of them, never graduates! So, you are very special, you are on the cutting edge! 

Let’s talk about what’s going on in the world today.
It’s about interconnections, connectivity is king, massive media activity, social media hyper growth, speed is key, mobility, instant access, global community, complex dynamics, desire for personal growth, pursuit of happiness, increased interest in spirituality, interdependence, freedom, flexibility, multiple choices, customization, creativity.
We are amazed about how social media allows us to stay connected and to know what’s going on in the world, as we speak right now.

As my gift to you in your special day, I want to share Ten Life Lessons with you:

• Start with Gratitude. Be grateful.‘The process of receiving starts with giving‘ Say: Thank you, 'Gracias', 'Obrigado', 'Merci', and then smile.
• Learn from your mistakes, and make some money with it.
• Know the difference between what is true and what is the truth. The fact that our economy is not in its best times, it's true. Also, I strongly believe the truth is that you are totally equipped to succeed in life.
• Be a Leader: As John Maxwell defines it, "Leadership is influence , nothing more, nothing less."
• Leverage The Power of Association, you are the average of your top 5 connections.   Hang out with successful people and, find a mentor.
• There is no such thing like an ‘overnight success’. Be persistent, achieve Personal Mastery. In the Book ‘Outliers’, Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master in any discipline. That is working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, that’s 5 years. Work on Your 5 Year Plan.
• Be socially responsible. Give back
• Discover your Purpose. Soul-search what you’ve been designed for. What do you want in life?
• Find your Passion. Who you are. What drives you? What makes you to be ‘in the zone’? What would you do for free? What makes you laugh, cry and sing?
• Design your Plan. It’s the magic in the middle. The ‘glue’ for putting together your Purpose and Passion.

When having such an amazing group of creative minds and professionals in front of me, I have some reflections to share with you.

What can be improved? What’s the limit? How can you make a difference?

Decisions shape your destiny. What decisions are you making today? 

Creativity and Imagination are driving forces in today’s interconnected and competitive world. Many people are concerned about our unemployment rate being at 9.2%. Did you know that you have the opportunity to actually create your own job? Yes, you can create the type of life you want, and design your own destiny.
The good news, you are incredibly gifted and ready with all the talent you need, to walk into your greatness.
We are living in an era of new patterns and daily changing rules in the marketplace, every day we learn about new concepts, new ideas, new products, and even stuff we never thought we would ever need at all. 

Think about the millions of people playing and being fans of video games like Angry Birds.
Who would have thought that such a simple concept could make so many millions?
Look at the ads on facebook, how marketers know exactly what you are talking about, and what your interests are.
Explore, pay attention to what’s going on out there, be unique, practice niche marketing, build your own specialty, start writing a blog about what you are passionate about.   Tweet, share, research, discover.
It ain’t gonna be easy, but it’s possible. I love the quote from Bethany Hamilton, in her movie ‘Soul Surfer’, after losing her left arm from a shark attack and willing to go back to surfing with one arm only. She said: ‘I don’t want easy, all I want is possible” 

Are you prepared? Being prepared is a function of education, preparation, knowledge, skills, and all the training you have received at I.A.D.T. 

Are you ready? Readiness is a matter of willingness to take action.

Like Nike says, "Just Do It! 

Connect, get out there, network, network and, network again. Listen, add value, help others, be happy, smile, believe in yourself. Believe in the people around you, enjoy life, laugh, have fun, and, lots of fun, life is beautiful. 

The one thing I want you to remember: 

Today is not 'The End', it’s 'The Beginning' of your best years in life, the best is yet to come. Be a student, embrace others and their ideas, be a lifelong learner. 

You are credentialed, certified, and ready to take action, now.
You have 'permission' to go out and show the world what you have to offer, bringing your best value, the best in you.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating the success from our graduates today.
Congratulations again, to our dear Class of 2011! 

See you on facebook, and Thank You! "

Feeling before doing?

I just came back from a trip from Venezuela, South America. It was an opportunity to enjoy reconnecting with old friends and family members, recreating old memories and also creating new ones. I was blessed by having the opportunity to give a huge hug to my oldest uncle, who just turned 92 and feeling great about it. Yes, he is very active with social media tools as facebook, skype and you tube. He is also very proud of his network marketing business with a world known corporation. I also had the opportunity to visit with my spiritual mentor from more than 45 years ago. It was gratifying getting to talk to him and his wife, while celebrating his 85th birthday. What a couple of great examples and role models for me to follow.
While listening to them and interacting with my siblings, friends, entrepreneurs, professionals and people from different walks of life, I noticed two types of individuals. Those who are overwhelmed by the political and economic circumstances down there, paralyzed with fear of what could happen and the facts about how things could even get worse before they get better.
What got most of my attention was also getting to know those who are focused on the things they can control on a daily basis. Their language was immersed with positive insights, optimism, current projects, possibilities, and more importantly, with lots of activities and intentional actions, doing the right thing.
The first group has the belief that is necessary to feel good, before doing the right thing. Sort of believing that feelings and emotions precede action. They will not take action towards investing in self or moving forward in life until they hear the magic words, filled with promises and hope from the government, feeling good about what they say it will happen.
The latter one,  are doing the right things, therefore, they are feeling good about life and business. They have learned how to develop the right state of mind, to manage their emotions and feelings first, then, taking action accordingly.
Developing and having the right state of mind requires a clear and simple personal mission statement in life. One that is filled with the verbs that cater to your greatest passion in life. Transformational coaching is a tool that allows individuals to craft their personal mission statement, controlling their emotions, not emotions having them, controlling their actions and destiny.
Are you waiting to feel good before taking action?
Have you taken the decision to feel good first, then, taking proper actions?
You don't have to do it alone, surround yourself with the right associations. Hire the right coach, and get all the help and insights to help you manage and control your emotions, each and every day.
Be, Do, then, Have.

Listen...Silent

My daughter Gabriela is on her journey towards getting her Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. We often engage in great conversations about human psychology. It is fascinating the amount of new knowledge I am gaining while listening to her passionately talk about this subject. Days ago, she shared with me that as an integral part of being successful in her career, she needs to first get to know her/his client very well. Asking the right questions and listening to client's responses is a critical step in the process of getting to know the client and what is going on in his/her life.
I just learned from her the fact that the word LISTEN has the exact same six letters as the word SILENT, isn't that interesting?  In today's dynamics, it is imperative that leaders and business owners incorporate coaching skills in our roles. The traditional techniques from the last century are no longer enough to connect with others. With so many distractions and options, most individuals don't have the time to evaluate all the options out there in the marketplace. Therefore, those who really pay attention to clients, engage in a communication process that allows them to listen to needs and wants from their clients. This allows them to also come up with the right solutions.
As a leader, when you are wearing your "Coach Hat", listening is key to building rapport and to foster such a dialogue, whereas Active Listening sends the message that we really care, we understand and we know what our client or team member is going through. Active Listening is putting aside any judgmental approach,  a structured way of being engaged in a dialogue, avoiding other thoughts, by listening and responding accordingly. It is when you focus on the speaker to a level where you can re-frame back and say what you believe you just heard. You can develop active listening skills when you are attentive, when you let go your own agenda, not distracted and thinking about others things, trying to guess what they are just about to say next.
On the other hand, the word SILENT makes me think of being fully present, making eye contact, offering interest, providing attention to what is being said, and asking questions that imply we are in fact listening. Putting our electronic gadgets aside, silencing them and avoiding multitasking during such an important process. Whether is face-to-face interaction or over the phone, LISTEN and actively ask questions that make your client feel you are indeed paying attention.
After all, we we listen, we respect others and what they have to say.
Think about three questions your team members, clients and customers may have in the back of their minds every time you are interacting with them:
Do you care for me? Can you help me? Can I trust you?

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

I believe it was back in 2004 when I first heard the quote from John Maxwell: " Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less". This thought takes us to the Law of Influence. I am sure you are familiar with instances in your life when you met individuals and organizations who believed leadership was associated with a position or a title.  The world has been filled with sad stories where power was the only element that drove what it was so-called leadership. Gladly, we have also been blessed by great examples of what true leadership is, individuals who drove their leadership with their influence. Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan, Billy Graham, among others. They represented Leadership and Influence as a function of their own example and lifestyle. During the 80s,  there was an escalating myth referring leadership as the same as management. Management is more about knowing what to do, getting the job done, taking a project to its completion. Managers have played an important role in the evolution of all industries. Managers are critical in any organization. I believe the world needs great managers.
Also, I strongly believe the world needs Great Leaders. When talking about true Leadership, it takes a different skill sets, it's about influencing others on what to do.  Leaders lead by example, they are often the ones upfront, showing the way, knowing the way, and not getting there alone. True leaders get to the top in the company of others, otherwise, if no one is with them, they are just having a walk.
I remember a time where I was not happy about my performance. My team was not delivering the results I needed. I naturally started blaming others and complaining about my team, I was sharing my frustrations with a leader, in regards to my team. Their lack of commitment. Being tired of asking and telling them the things they were supposed to do. Their apathy had taken me to a horrible state of mind and I was at a point of almost quitting my business. Then, I was prompted with some powerful questions: " Who is their leader?  Who is influencing them? What is the greatest and closest example they can follow? So goes the leader, so goes the pack.
At our discussions about this law, there was a discovery that struck me. I must admit that for years, I have been striving to influence those in my team, paying most attention to my organization and peers, and not so much in being an influence to myself and to those leading me.
Our facilitator asked us to draw a circle, writing down 5 arrows, one South, referring to those we lead, arrows to left and right, that is West and East, representing our peers and colleagues. An arrow up North, that is our leaders or Up Lines,  and another arrow circling the middle, which is us.
I came to the conclusion that my ability to lead others is a direct function of leading up and leading self. I am asking you:
How well are you leading you? How are you leading up? How would you rate your ability to influence those above you?
How would you rate yourself in your ability to influence your Up Line, your supervisor, your leaders?
" The first person you lead is you" John Maxwell

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The area of Leadership has become one of my favorite subjects during the past three decades of my life. I have been blessed by great leadership around me, being surrounded by role models like my parents, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, school professors, Sunday school teachers and many other mentors from different walks of life.  Given the ongoing and fast pace changes in the world, more organizations and individuals are increasing their level of awareness in this critical area.  Today, more than ever, success is a function of leadership. As Dr. John C. Maxwell says: 'Everything rises and fall on leadership".  I have read and researched many books in this subject and have become a student of leadership. One of my favorite gurus in this area is John Maxwell. He has written many books about how to be an effective leader and more importantly, how to develop those around you. He has sold more than 19 million copies in multiple languages and has been an influence in equipping and multiplying leaders around the globe . Over a month ago, I started a journey of learning more about the Maxwell philosophy and we are currently discussing about his 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
As I keep discovering more truths in this subject, I am also learning how to live the laws and how to lead others to these laws.
The first one we have studied is the Law of the Lid. It states that "Leadership ability determines a person's level of effectiveness". Maxwell establishes that the level of our organization or business cannot be higher than our level of leadership. Let's say that on the scale from 1 to 10, I rate myself on a level 5 in my leadership ability, that determines my lid. Meaning that my organization or team, will not grow or go beyond a level 4. It always stops 1 level below my leadership ability. If I want to increase my results to a level 7, my ability to lead needs to go to a level 8.  This law requires me to raise my level of effectiveness in leading others, before expecting better results.
Are you finding yourself stuck in your ability to help your team grow to a higher level?
Do you want more from your team? Feeling frustrated by not achieving the levels of performance and results you have established at the beginning of the year?
Whether I like it or not, or, whether I believe or not in this law, it's a law. Just like the law of gravity, if a jump from an airplane, I am going to fall.
Our accomplishments are a direct function of our ability to lead others.
How can we raise our level of leadership, how can we move our lid up?
Reflect each day, spend time with self as part of your daily discipline, evaluating past experiences and asking yourself: How could I have done it better?.
What do I need to "stop doing"? What do I need to "start doing" ?
Surround yourself with people stronger than you. Be part of a Mastermind Group. If you find yourself as the smartest and strongest person in your current group, you need to go and find another group.
Do you want to increase your level of leadership and enjoy greater results and influence?
Do your research, find a mentor and hire the right coach. It's time to invest in YOU.
At the end of the day, the first person you lead, is You! Think about it...

'Your Life Starts at the end of your Comfort Zone'... Unknown

I know what you're thinking. You may be wondering and asking what happened with my experience at the 'Unleash the Power Within' Seminar with Anthony Robbins, this past weekend? My wife Silvana and I were blessed by achieving another element from our 'Bucket List', as part of our journey of personal growth. A live event with Tony Robbins. OMG.
Talk about recession and down economy? Recession what? I invite you to think for a moment about how we all perceive things and events in our lives, even when they are not real. Where do we focus our thoughts and actions? As we were driving towards Fort Lauderdale and remembering our past experiences with many events and logistics, we asked ourselves questions like, What would this event look like? Given the challenges with the economy and registration going from $595 up to almost $3,000 per person, how many people will really show up?
As we were making our way to find a space in the multiple levels at the parking lot, running to the registration tables and barely finding a seat in the main ballroom, our eyes were amazed witnessing the spectacle of more than 4,000 people and 300+ volunteers, congregated to meet with this high energy guru of self help and human potential called Anthony Robbins. A full house from 15+ countries, multiple languages and a room packed with contagious energy and anticipation, what an experience. My mind went back in time and I remembered the early 80s, when I was attending College, single, soul-searching for my biggest dreams, building my 'blueprint' of life and looking for more successful role models to follow. In that process, I started hearing about this innovative young man, nicely dressed, filled with confidence, holding seminars, conducting power talks and inviting people to walk on fire at the end of his events. I need to confess that even though it got my attention, my mind was also telling me it all sound like a gimmick, or, just simply massive 'brain wash' for the multitudes. It was pure personal judgment, without enough evidence. After 30 years of becoming a student of personal growth and self help tools, whether you and I totally agree or not with everything he says, I have learned that Tony Robbin's success is a product of his focused daily self-discipline, strong determination and passion for helping people. I was amazed not only by his incredible high level of energy, his structured and well-organized systems, also, I was impressed by his 'down to earth' attitude and on-going genuine smile from stage. Day 1 was a 'non-stop' marathon of more than 9 hours of pure adrenaline, role playing, body movements, exercises, group dynamics with visuals, music and tons of lessons to be personally learned and applied to my life. It was stimulation at its best.  I am now going through the many pages of personal notes I took, the powerful statements that triggered my mind and my emotions. But it was when I was walking through the booths displaying the many products and tools to better our lives, that I saw a T- Shirt with a statement that made me stop and got my full attention:
" Your Life starts at the end of your Comfort Zone"
Shocking. A strong 'wake up call'. My 'eyes were opened' to reflect about past & current events in my life and since, I have been asking myself: Are you too comfortable now ? Are you actually feeling uncomfortable doing new and different things? What kind of life do YOU really want? 
Decisions shape our Destiny. I respectfully ask you: 
What decisions are you making today, to shape your destiny? 
Are your decisions provoking some uncomfortable feelings? 
The Good news: If so, You may be starting the best years of your Real Life. 'See you' soon