I saw this today and couldn't resist discussing. When I go about setting goals or 'wishes' I am hesitant to be specific....because I may not know what is always the best thing for me.

"Yes, You Can Get There From Here, But Is That Really Where You Want To Go?"

Be sure that the goals you set will get you where you want to go. Be certain that your destination is worthy of your journey before you start packing.

Answer Honestly:

What will your current goals bring you when they're accomplished? _________________________________

Think again. Will your current goals bring what you truly want? _________________________________

Are you sure you'll be satisfied as a result of your current goal's accomplishment? For how long? _________________________________

Talent, What do I do well?

I am re-learning how to play the cello. At mid-life this is not so easy. My fingers are not as pliable as when I was a child and I forgot how to read music.

After more than 30 years from the instrument this is not surprising. What is surprising is that in the first lesson I recalled what the notes were saying : Oh yeah! Now I remember! But actually playing the notes has been very difficult. I don't have perfect pitch but I do know when something is not right.

My cello teacher tells me that I need to hear and feel the tone of each note. Okay....what does that mean?

Did you know that when you hit the notes correctly the vibration of the bow to the string causes the other strings to vibrate? And then the wood of the cello also will vibrate and hold the tone. Sometimes it last so long I have to actually touch the wood to stop the movement. So even if I do not know what the note is 'supposed' to sound like...I know I have hit it when I can feel it!

That is exactly how it feels when you are doing something that is in your inherent talents. You may not know it prior, or have difficulty 'finding yourself'', but when you do --- you can FEEL it! So many times we focus on what is missing, what we don't have. It is truly astonishing when you are guided to your strengths and actually have an opportunity to use them.

Take the time to hear it. Take the time to FEEL it. Take the time to appreciate YOU.

How do I start (as an individual)?

Each of us has heard the experts say "do what you love and success will follow". I personally have no desire to be an entreprenuer...so how do I do this without starting my own company?

Know what you do well.

What are your talents or affinities?What are you intuitively attracted to do?
Do you prefer to interact with others?
Manage things? Manage people?
Do you take a thrill in seeing others accomplishments after you've 'taught' them something?
Do you like to challenge yourself in learning new things? Always? Constantly? Never?
Do you setup a production process even with the most simple activities just to see how fast you can do them?
Do you love meeting new people? Do you prefer to have a few trusted friends around you?
Do you see simplicity in complexity?

If you know what you do well you can choose your area of learning or expertise wisely. Others rarely offer what we do well, preferring to inform us 'where we could improve' which is a nice way of telling us what we don't do well. There are many assessments or coaches that will help you find your areas of talent or asset. Find that. Be sure of that. Then success is sure to come.

Introduction to Engagement Blog

Every week I am asked questions about engagement: in the workplace, its relation to performance, motivation, multi-cultural issues and 'how do you do it'? Amongst many others. So why not begin networking and sharing with the world 'at large'? I will post current questions and areas being contemplated in real time. If you have a question---ask! We will get lots of opinions (hopefully) and many points of veiw. Private answers can be received by emailing me at Marie.Bernu.Murray@gmail.com.

First, to define engagement in the workplace. Engagement is quantifiable and qualitative. Most companies can tell whether they have it or don't have it...but question how to build 'it'. Engagement is all about higher performance and increasing the utilization of the most valuable asset any company retains...their people. A lot of companies talk about it but that's just lip service. They say it because that's the right thing to say, all the while focusing on the metrics or hard performance areas they can 'control'.