Zoom into Reality and Zip the Fluff

I can’t remember how many times when I ask my friends exactly what the problem is, their reply would always be five to ten minutes of continual beating around the bush excuses, instead of explaining in two to three sentences what the problem really is. My father was the kind of guy who “tell it as it is.” There was no “well, maybe, unless, perhaps, or nearly, it was either a “yes” or a “no”. So even in my early childhood, I learned really fast to always be clear, objective, honest and straightforward with him or else I won’t get anywhere.

Now that I am a little older, I am very much appreciative of my father’s attitude, although sometimes it was frustrating to get a “tell it as it is” reply. However, as I observe my friends in how they handle problems and make choices, I can’t tell you how many minutes, hours and days they waste “beating around the bush”. Their skill of making up their minds and taking advantage of beneficial opportunities was often disappointing. Life waits for no one. Nobody owes you anything. Opportunities come and go in an instant. What you decide today, affects tomorrow. The difference between victory and defeat could be measured in .001 of a second difference.

I challenge you to set a clear and straightforward vision for your future. When positive opportunities arise, you seize the moment and never look back. When problems arise, you zip the fluff, you cut down the bush, admit your problems, admit your weaknesses and fix them. There’s nothing worse than constantly giving excuses and never fixing the problem. Think of how long you’ll last in your future career if you always responded to your boss, “it’s not my fault.”

The top 1-2% of teens that later arise to becoming great, powerful and respected society members learned early, the lesson of accepting the situation and making the most of it. It doesn’t matter if you or your parents live in luxury or bare essentials, abusive parents, suicidal/drugs/alcoholic friends or family members, disability/cancer or disease, bullied constantly, harassed, denied of necessities, or tragic and emotional moments, powerful and effective teens learn to accept what has happened, zoom into reality and zip the fluff. An old proverb rings true “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me”.

Leadership McPherson seeking applications (McPherson Sentinel)
The Leadership Board of Trustees will be taking enrollment for the 2007 Leadership McPherson program until Aug. 17. Enrollment forms can be obtained on the McPherson Chamber of Commerce web site at mcphersonchamber.org, or by stopping by the Chamber office at 306 N. Main.

Noxubee County looking for citizens for Leadership training program (The Commercial Dispatch)
The Noxubee County Chamber of Commerce will convene the first class of Leadership Noxubee this fall. Leadership Noxubee is a leadership development program for people who are committed to working with others to meet challenges facing the county.

Leadership Pensacola picks next class (Pensacola News Journal)
Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) recently selected 50 professionals from diverse business backgrounds for the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2008.

O2 appoints Ann Pickering as new head of Human Resources (Online Recruitment)
26/07/2007 O2 UK today announces that Ann Pickering has been appointed Head of Human Resources and will report into Matthew Key, Chief Executive of O2 UK. Ann previously held the position as General Manager of Human Resources for the Customer Service & Retail division within O2 UK.

Progressive Resources Builds Medieval Catapults for Team-Building ...
(PRWEB) July 27, 2007 -– Imagine having a fleet of medieval catapults as part of a team-building activity. Thanks to Hampshire-based Progressive Resources a ...

Team-Building balloons (Rome News-Tribune)
Berry College Elementary teacher Monica Nichols (right) and her team of other faculty members rush to build a tower out of balloons Thursday during a faculty pre-planning day at the school. Classes start Aug. 9. The balloon tower was the ending of a team-building scavenger hunt that took the teachers around town. To find out more about Berry Elementary, click here .

Known as The Miao, Lin Miao Executive Director of LinCity.com - http://www.lincity.com - The Ultimate Online Teen City, is labeled as one of the most powerful and inspirational teen speaker in the subject of Teen Leadership. He is also the Chief Information Officer for United Planet - The Largest Cultural Exchange - lin@lincity.com