Cherie's Random Thoughts

Why You're Not A Leader - Forbes The above article provides some great examples of things that a leader (regardless of your level) should aspire to NOT do when working with others. I particularly like the following examples:  You don't care. This is a cardinal sin. A careless leader is useless leader. Leaders who do not care, have employees who do not care. If you want your employees to care about your organization you must care about their well being.  You're chasing a position and not a higher purpose . To lead is to serve, not yourself but others! When you are more concerned about a title you often lose sight of this and as result make lives of other miserable.  You put people in boxes. When we box people in, we stifle creativity. Without creative there is not growth for an organization. So if you want your organization to grow you must tear down the cage and realize that SLAVERY is OVER!  You follow rules instead of breaking them . Although rules are ...

Within our lives resides "moments in time" that influence our being. Some negatively, some positively. Each moment is necessary to our development as person and should not be taken as chance. This week for me has been a hurricane of moments. Some expected and many unexpected. The unexpected ones were refreshing to my soul. The fact that I was blessed with several people having the courage to share their emotions and feelings freely with me and others sends a powerful message.  The message is that we are still human. Although some may want to confine to their image of who they want us to be, when most desire to spread their wings. Most importantly this week I had the opportunity to reconnect with someone who I met long ago. It was very unexpected but welcomed!  This is has been a week of filled with almost emotions-fear, anger, joy, and sadness but one that I will most likely never forget! 

For my fellow PhDers, colleagues, and friends who are currently or planning to do something that is going to make them stretch. During my last residency this was the mantra I share with my fellow peers: Anything we will experience is TEMPORARY. The only thing that is not is DEATH and I do not plan on doing that any time too soon! So when you feel defeated use these videos to shock you back to reality.  I listen to them a many night when I though, "Would it be better or easier to just QUIT". Then I realize that quitters live a life of regret, and is far more painful than the original pain you would have to endure. 

Today I learned that I passed my comprehensive exam for my PhD program. For the past 20 months, I have spend many nights with less sleep in a effort to write many research papers all while working full-time and for part of the time, two jobs.  The past four weeks I spent researching and writing my responses to three research questions in an effort to pass my exam.  The past 20 months have told me and reinforced something that I already knew but often tried not to believe: That impossible does not have to exist in your life. Although most things in life can be hard, they can be achieved with hard work, faith, and love.  The past 10 years have taught me that we must block our inner negative critic and not succumb to its fury. Listening to it will prevent you from fulfilling your true destiny. External critics are necessary but do not have to define who you are.  Lastly, although pursuing a PhD can feel like a lonely road, IT IS NOT. The road is filled with chee...

8 Daily Habits that Will Make You Stronger There is a fine line between the strong and the weak. It has nothing to do with strength. Attitude is EVERYTHING! Our attitude can influence whether we take a positive and/or negative path in life. It is the difference between pushing through or folding when times get tough.  I am reminded by mother's legacy of how we can be strong even in the darkest of times. Mark and Angel provide some key habits we all should adopt if we want to up our strength quotient. The two the resonate with me are the following:  Nurture your self-worth. Lack of self esteem can stop you right in your tracks and often will lead a person to float through life with a damaged heart. Self-worth must come from within. We cannot obtain it through things or living the life of another.  Chat with people who see things differently. I LOVE A GOOD DEBATE!! Often people are afraid to talk with someone who does not share their views, but how are we ever to ...

Lead Your Life Like an Everyday Mystic « Positively Positive In the above article, the author talks about living your life like an everyday mystic. They suggest the following four things a person should do to make this happen:  Pursue a Vocation, Not a "Job". Life is not complete when working in a job that does not add meaning to your life. Seeking a vocation allows us to freely give the world the gifts that lie within us.  Know Yourself. Lack of self knowledge often makes us make decisions that can adversely affect our life and the lives of others as well.  Think Beyond Confined Constructs. Narrow thinking can be toxic. It prevents us from doing what is best for ourselves and others. Growth as a person cannot exist when we are trapped in a box.  Create a Network of People for Moral Support and Feedback. The network we seek must be of honest thought. The network must include people who will tells us when we are right and wrong. 

"Everyone is capable of being original, inspiring and connected, at least once. And everyone is capable of leading, yes, even more than once." -Seth Godin  I love how Godin mentions how leadership resides in all of us, unfortunately, many stifle this with a pyramid approach to living: only a few are allowed to make decisions. When we stifle another person's capacity to lead, we send them the message that we do not value their thoughts and opinions. The message sent says, "There are insignificant." If you want to see a person thrive, trust them to step up to the  plate and take the lead. In order for any organization to thrive, you must have leaders at all levels. Leadership through a few often fails and creates a rocky road for most!