Spread the Energy!

I’m afraid you’re not dreaming, my friend. If you’re reading this blog, it probably means you have given up on the nine-minute snooze button, and have managed to drag yourself out of bed. Yes, the weekend has come and gone. Today is Monday, the first and most-dreaded day of the week. Certainly not the way to “spread the energy.”

I, too, used to feel the same way about Mondays. But after realizing no stereotype has ever yielded any fruit worthwhile, I began looking at them as new starts. For me, Mondays became opportunities for either recreating success or recouping from failure. I accomplished so much under this outlook that I actually began looking forward to them—perhaps more than weekends. As a young man in my mid-twenties, many of my friends were scratching their heads and asking themselves “who does that?”

I was fortunate to learn early that life is what we make it. Success is nothing more than reaching a desired goal, big or small. But what we have yet to discuss is that success is also energy. An infectious energy that has everything to do with how we perceive things! A successful attitude not only enables us to reach any goal we set for ourselves, but inspires those around us.

…So SPREAD THE ENERGY!

I coined the phrase Monday Unleaded by observing people who were widely regarded as leaders, movers and shakers. I watched and studied their actions: From the way they spoke to how they carried themselves. Then, I began drafting the type of existence I desired for myself. I did not emulate anyone, but rather, borrowed from certain techniques to hone my own talents and qualities.

During this time I was working for a Chattanooga insurance company called UnumProvident (now the Unum Group). As a member of the Corporate Finance department, I often ran into Tom Watjen, the company’s President and CEO. He was always darting up and down the halls. I’m sure he had many tasks for the day and was determined to accomplish every single one of them. Tom was friendly and always spoke to everyone, but usually in canned phrases. Whenever he saw me, I would be carrying these big, yellow bags that had claims checks in them. So the canned phrase I always got was “Got ya’ hands full there, don’t ya?” He’d smile, then dart off the elevator and down the hall.

The moral of this story is that his energy never changed. Monday through Friday, he was the same, energetic force to be reckoned with. This is no easy feat when you have more than your share of responsibility. (These days, I am CEO of a small technology business and often feel overloaded). But make no mistake – energy is undoubtedly a fundamental quality that defines our leadership and overall success.

As you go about your work week, remember to keep your energy levels high. Remember that before you can achieve any level of success, you must first be successful (you may have to read that one again – I certainly did). And being successful requires positive energy, which in turn, spawns inspiration and realization.

Be successful and SPREAD THE ENERGY!

This is your Monday Unleaded for the week of September 8, 2013. Have a productive week!

Juicy – The Notorious B.I.G.