One of our most popular blog posts of all time, we’ve brought this one back for a much-deserved republication. Enjoy! The amount of negativity all around us is no longer empowering us as a society, but instead, it is slowly crippling us in a time where we need to find and acknowledge the progress, gratitude and appreciation for life to set the example for the next generation. Too many words, not enough action. Too many problems, a lack of solutions. Too much blame, a disregard for accountability. Too much assumption, a loss of fact. Let me emphasize, this is not a political post. Nor do I want it to be misinterpreted as one. This is about self-awareness: an introspection of our own character and how we rationalize both our internal and external awareness in the environment we are in. Simply put, it is about our decisions. “Remember, a negative multiplied by a negative is only positive in math — not the real world. – Eric Thomas, Motivational Coach All of us need to take the time to reevaluate our priorities, values and purpose, to ask yourself, “Am I living up to my own standards each and every day?”. As adults, each of us — regardless of race, creed, socio-economic stature, education or persuasion — are providing the ground work for a new generation of young adults who will play a critical role in our future development in society. Do you sincerely believe that our focus is on providing a balance of both positive and negative to teach our children that there is good and bad in the world, but to also elicit the actions of problem solving and healthy, productive discussions to find unity and make an impact on the world? Our brain is bombarded with negative influences everywhere, especially from the highest influencer, visual data. It is now estimated that upward of 90% of the news, both newspaper and television, is negative content. A 2016 review of all social media channels discovered that on average, 62% of posts and/or comments are negative-biased (statista.com). We have developed a negativity bias in our cognitive system over time that creates “mental shortcuts” that push us toward the negative in a situation rather than actually processing it, thinking about it, using critical thought and providing an honest opinion. What influences us the most to make these shortcuts? Other people’s opinions. It doesn’t take science to prove that we tend to lean toward the side of popular opinion as opposed to sticking with our independent belief because we fear being the outcast, or not part of the majority. Over time, we have lost our ability to generate free and independent thought because what was once a simple discussion with others can immediately lead to a heated, emotional debate regardless of topic. Why are we so quick to attack? When did we lose the ability to listen and discover through others’ knowledge? The fireside chat has turned into protests, violence, extreme threats on social media and a focus by news outlets to intensify the situation by making light of it at every chance they get. But if you want science to back up my position . . . According to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, 2002 Nobel Laureate and best-selling author of “Thinking, Fast and Slow”, people tend to take a benchmark and react to it. It actually takes effort to make an individual act and think rationally to find the support for independent thought processes. His empirical findings challenge the assumption of human rationality prevailing in modern economic theory; however, his research, results and principles are largely used by behavioral psychologists today. “Life is a reflection of what you think. If your thoughts are negative, the world you see will be the same.” – Leon Brown, MLB player Time for me to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Here are five ways to make positive changes in your life today that will leave a lasting impression on others, as well as make you a happier person. Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways. Practice positive self-talk. All of these things will contribute to you having a positive and productive mindset. You know what I mean — you just need to think about it! Don’t post on social media when you’re angry, don’t respond unless you grandmother would approve of every word you use, don’t have an opinion unless you have the knowledge and facts to back it up. Show respect and avoid the fight. Only participate if you can clearly see the intent and purpose is for a positive change. It’s one thing to post a sarcastic retort on something you disagree with; it’s another thing to have an intelligent debate while disagreeing. Think of it like this, “Pay it Forward” and focus on what YOU can do to make a difference. Once you get the motivation to do it, you will see the immediate benefits, and a true leader will find the purpose in getting more invested in the mission. One person can make an incredible difference. Giving and gratitude go hand in hand. The more you practice it, the better you will get at it. I challenge you to take the first step, then pass it on and grow the efforts. When I say be a mentor, I mean take an active role in discovering what you are passionate about and go inspire others. You can find these opportunities all around you, through schools, community-based mentor programs, your church, YMCA, etc. Regardless of where you choose, mentor a young person who needs direction in their life. Teach them about life, integrity, leadership and the character and skills necessary to succeed. For some of these kids, you may be the only positive figure in their life. You can make a difference. For some, this may seem uncomfortable, but it is no different than journaling. I am a huge proponent of journaling; it allows me to put my thoughts, ideas, concerns, frustrations and questions on paper. And when I write things down, I am more likely to act upon them. A component of my journaling that I learned from my father was to remember what you grateful for each day. For years, I have made it a habit to write five things down each day that I am grateful for. We all have general ones such as health, family and friends, but look deeper and put thought into it. If I can recognize the things I am grateful for before I go to bed, the odds of me waking up with the right attitude increase. Don’t talk. Act. Don’t say. Show. Don’t promise. Prove. Make a difference today. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ In Memoriam: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Note: this tribute blog originally appeared in November 2018. In honor of the 3rd anniversary of Vic, Sr’s passing, we are resharing it today. Everything Charge Up has become is because of who he was . . . November 8, 1924 – April 30, 2017 Today is for you, Dad! Happy Birthday… For as long as I can remember, my father always enjoyed his birthday. He would talk about it weeks in advance to remind us, expressing the importance that we go all out and buy him very nice gifts and celebrate at a fancy restaurant. He said we owed him for all the birthdays he spoiled us as kids. The reality was he didn’t care about the gifts or the fancy restaurant; he was happy with anything as long as it was with family. That was kind of man my father was; family always came first. Simply put, Vic was an amazing man. He was what some would call “old-fashioned”, and was a friend to everyone he met. He believed in a handshake and a man’s word. He worked hard, earned his success and helped those in need. He was strong in his faith and knew he would celebrate the day when the Lord took him. He was brave, courageous and full of humility. If he called you friend, you could count on him. Simply put, Vic was an amazing man. There were so many lessons he taught us, but what always came first was the importance of family. I have so many distinct memories of my life spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. So many of those people from my childhood have passed, but the memories are so vivid. As a child, we spent every Sunday having lunch with my grandparents and the extended family would come in and out of their home as if it were an open house. There was always a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and laughter. When my grandparents passed away, we were fortunate that my father, uncle, and aunt, inherited their love for family by carrying on the traditions of spending every Sunday together as a family, which I now do with my own children. The saddest thing about losing my father is that he died on a Sunday. I didn’t get to sit at a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and smiles. That Sunday would be so different from all of the others. And though it breaks my heart that I didn’t get one last Sunday to tell him I loved him, I know that his Sunday dinner that day was the most incredible and beautiful one of all, more than he or us could ever imagine. I imagine his first Sunday in heaven was filled with family and friends from years past with tables filled with food, wine, wonderful stories, and smiles. There were hugs, kisses and more love at his dinner table than we as a family could ever provide because he was at the Lord’s table. I know he looked down on us as we mourned, but in my heart, I felt as if he was telling each one of his children…it’s your turn to carry on. He had taught us so many lessons over the years, and God had the confidence in us that we were prepared and ready to live life without him. Now that I have accepted the role of continuing the traditions that my dad, my grandparents, and generations before them had celebrated, it’s my turn to teach my own children how important family is. It’s my turn to honor him. “A father should be his son’s first hero . . .” Moving forward… Following his sudden death on April 30, 2017, it was an incredibly challenging period in my life. I knew I needed to work through the grief I was experiencing. And I know it’s precisely what he would have told me. When his birthday rolled around six months later, we decided to celebrate by having a party. He wouldn’t be there physically, but I knew his spirit would be everywhere. We asked every guest to write their favorite memory of Vic so we could read them aloud to celebrate his life. What a great party it was! Smiles everywhere, good food, good wine, love, and laughter; all those Sunday nights were. And yes, his spirit was everywhere. It was a beautiful tribute to a man who always put others before himself, and he was loved beyond measure. You could hear it in the words, voices and body language of each person who spoke. That evening, I came to the realization that each beautiful, unique and inspiring story needed to be shared. It would be my honor to carry his legacy forward and dedicate myself to become the man he was. This is how CHARGE UP came to be . . . “The gifts that keep on giving are those of his legacy.” This is the vessel to move from grief to gratitude every day, to celebrate his legacy, and most important, to pay it forward and make an impact in people’s lives the same way he did for more than 80 years. Venture, Lead, Prosper…those are his initials. If you didn’t have the privilege of knowing my father, I’d like you to learn at least one more thing about him. I can think of no better way to end this than with laughter… Vic always made family and friends laugh over the years because of a knack he had for what we called “Vic’isms,” and when corrected, he would respond, “Whatever, same thing!”. He would take a word, phrase or sentence, say it wrong, and truly make it his own. Eventually, we needed a journal to keep up, so the “Vic-tionary” was created! With that, I would like to present you some of my favorites on this special day: When he called my sister-in-law from the hospital when my wife was giving birth to our second child, Catherine, he told her, “they are going to seduce the baby!” He meant to say “induce” the baby. His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… He once told us all that he was going to be remodeling his home and would be putting “Gerber” carpet in. He meant to say “Berber carpet.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… We complimented his shirt at a family gathering, and he proudly told us that it was from “Banana Republican.” He meant to say “Banana Republic.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… He was describing a scene of an accident that he passed and told us that he thought it was severe because the police officer was giving the man “UPS.” He meant to say CPR. His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… While preparing a meal, he told us that we should be using a “SEGREGATED” knife. He meant to say “serrated.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and I watched him do it.” I sincerely appreciate you allowing me the platform to dedicate this to my father. Charge Up, Dad! I hope you are proud; we love and miss you every day… VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Blessed to carry on his legacy, #ChargeUp #venture #lead #prosper #legacy #inspiration #gratitude #love #Dad #HappyBirthday RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.A tribute to my father and inspiration: Vic Pisano, Sr.
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✏ Loyalty: Employees Quit Bosses, Not Leaders
Do you think poor leadership has an effect on team performance? ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN’T CREATE GREAT FOLLOWERS UNDER POOR LEADERSHIP. In today’s business environment, being a leader isn’t simply a job title. One must have the ability to motivate and inspire a team to empower them to deliver the company goals, and do so in an engaging spirit. A Gallup poll of more 1 million employed U.S. workers concluded that the No. 1 reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor. 75% of workers who voluntarily left their jobs did so because of their boss — not the position or company itself. In spite of how good a job may be, people will quit if the relationship is not healthy. “People leave managers not companies…in the end, turnover is mostly a manager issue.” We often talk about the differences between a “boss” and a “leader”. It’s a simple way to distinguish the difference in a definition that has changed dramatically over the years, as more studies point to the success of what traits make great leaders. For years, many individuals in a position of power abused their role through a lack of integrity, sensitivity, honesty and inspiration. A key trait that is absent in poor leadership is empathy. In order to be an effective leader, you have to respect the relationship, and have a genuine understanding of the roles and responsibilities of your team members. Your job is to support, encourage and inspire. I have said numerous times in my blog posts, LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE. You are tasked with a tremendous responsibility — one that goes beyond your own self-development. If you don’t truly understand the requirements and expectations, then maybe leadership isn’t for you. The problem is, too many people have an ego that doesn’t allow them to step away, or they don’t have a mentor showing them how to be a good leader. A great phrase most of us have heard is “loyalty breeds loyalty”. In order for a leader to receive loyalty, you must first give it. YOU are the example of leadership in everything you do. If you demonstrate commitment, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate integrity, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate character, you will gain it back in return. It starts with leaders who understand that to get loyalty from others, you must first give it. Leaders who take the initiative in demonstrating commitment to their teams are far more successful in gaining commitment in return. If you have their back, they will have yours. “Strong leaders won’t create followers; they create more leaders.” A strong leader provides empowerment and allows their employees to grow. They serve as a mentor, with a shared goal of watching you succeed. By contrast, a poor leader will hold you back professionally, developmentally — and will create an atmosphere that lacks challenge, encouragement and personal gain. Let’s be realistic, no leader is perfect. Each will have their own strengths and weaknesses; however, effective leaders have the self-awareness to identify areas for improvement and are dedicated to constantly growing. Good management takes effort and experience, but it’s really pretty straightforward. It does require a tremendous amount of work, and with that comes a dedication to craft your team toward success. That’s the reward though, watching those under your mentorship succeed on their own. Bottom line, don’t take your employees for granted; they’re the most valuable asset you have. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #boss #bossorleader #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ One Leadership Style You Must Know
I have an epiphany – that “a-ha” moment where something strikes you, and everything makes sense. For years I have researched about leadership; read books, watched videos, and listened to thought leaders explain precisely what characteristics define an effective and efficient leader. I have studied nearly every leadership style: the “Visionary,” “Autocratic,” “Laissez Fair,” “Pacesetter,” “Bureaucratic,” and “Transactional”. Each shares various elements with another, but they’re still unique and appropriate for different people and various situations. While I understood them, what confused me can all be summed up in a straightforward question. WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO MAKE LEADERSHIP SO DIFFICULT TO DEFINE? I believe there is one leadership style that encompasses the qualities and traits that serve as the foundation of any effective and efficient leader. Remember, to lead is to influence, to serve others; it’s not necessarily a singular focus on profitability while ignoring the efforts of those on the front line. I am not a Pollyanna — profitability is vital to the very existence of any business — but have I fear that we’ve lost touch with what this generation of aspiring leaders need most . . . CONNECTION. The only way to meet that need and be successful in the growth of others comes from one leadership style . . . SERVANT LEADERSHIP “The servant-leader is a servant first. It begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve…as opposed wanting power, influence, fame, or wealth.” — Robert K. Greenleaf To make a positive impact on those you lead, an effective leader must establish trust and empathy. That leader must be authentic and sincere with a sense of gratitude toward the dedication and passion his or her subordinates exhibit. When describing a servant leader, words such as humble, self-aware, and stewardship are used. A strong servant leader takes a tremendous amount of pride in being a mentor, because they understand that their job is not to create more followers, but rather more leaders. Most professionals develop their leadership style as a result of their personalities. That works, except those who still feel as if manipulation, ego, and guilt are acceptable. Some leaders are still stuck in management by fear approach, instead of one based on respect. There are still far too many who rely upon title, authority, and rank to call themselves a leader. “The difference between effective and ineffective leaders is not — Todd Whitaker Employee attrition is an epidemic taking place that is entirely preventable. We just need to spend the appropriate amount of time training those in leadership positions to ensure they are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to lead. We pour money into elaborate training programs for our employees but fail to allocate those same resources for the people we empower to lead. Although I say “Servant Leadership” is the most effective, I want to be precise. I also subscribe to elements of Coaching, Visionary, and Transformational leadership, as well. I do so because they are so closely aligned to servant leadership. It’s adding that element of dedicating yourself to a purpose and coming to the realization that true fulfillment comes from helping others. That is the very essence of servant leadership. “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem — Sam Walton Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE MONTHLYLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
what they know, it is what they do.”
of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”
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✏ Press Forward
Average people will not be successful or effective leaders because they have no desire to press forward, pushing themselves to the point where innovation and breakthrough begin. Average people lack the tenacity and willingness to face challenging problems head-on. Average people understand that you cannot allow obstacles to change the course. ARE YOU AVERAGE? If you have accepted the challenge to lead others, you are not average. You have made a commitment to influence positively and achieve things more significant than yourself. This is why leadership is earned, not given. This is why leadership is a privilege. With any goal you want to reach, there will be opposition and adversity — and you have to be prepared to press forward to get through it. The slightest bit of doubt at any point in the mission can interfere with achieving your objectives. Champions know the climb to the top isn’t easy, but they plan for unexpected events. As a leader, you will need to press forward, and you must make quick decisions – but it needs to be the right decision. That intuition will come from experience and the confidence to act will come from passion. You will encounter those who are afraid to follow because it is outside their comfort zone, but that will be where your purpose and passion serve as the key to unlock their potential and elicit greatness out of them that they would not have otherwise even known they had. The path you charted may not be the actual one you take on your journey, there will be unexpected turns and challenges faced, but you must keep pressing forward. Do not ever give up on your dreams; live with the belief that everything is possible with the right mindset and motivation. “Keep pressing forward, never turn back! Nilufer Guney Your instincts should reflect your character – the very essence of who you are as a person. You are dedicated to being a leader who doesn’t create followers but more leaders. You take on the approach of a champion’s mentality in everything you do. This is called pride. It is the only way you operate, because you are working on creating a long-term legacy. You don’t really understand the concept of quitting, because that option should never enter your mind. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” you say, “how can I?” You should have the attitude of, “Here is the mountain, now let’s move it!” You should press forward each day with the same purpose and passion that lead you to your position of responsibility. “Whatever you’re facing today, keep going. Keep moving. Be like a clock on the wall, never moving backward, only forward. Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE MONTHLYLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
Because the future is waiting while the past is gone.”
Keep hoping. There is a victory on the other side!”
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✏ Giving Back: the Spirit of Gratitude
I firmly believe that we are all born with a kind, giving heart. We start our lives with an innocent perception that the world can be anything we want it to be. It is said that we control our circumstances, but too many young children become a victim to their environment — they are not taught the lessons of life and how to cope. As those children grow older, they lack a sense of compassion and trust. But we shouldn’t be so quick to blame them. It reminds me of a saying my father had: “When the son swears, slap the father.” He had a keen sense of judgement and a patience in understanding the truth of a situation. If our society has changed that much, it is up to us to “unteach” these youth that position, and introduce them all life truly has to offer. My father also taught me that we are all here to do something, to give our gifts and God-given talents to the world. He firmly believed that developing a spirit of gratitude would make a difference in your life. The more you contribute, the more life takes on an entirely new meaning. When you give more of yourself, you are destined to receive more in return. However, it must be done with a kind, unselfish heart expecting nothing in return and that’s when but true fulfillment happens. As a leader, you set the example. When I use the word “leader”, I’m not talking about position, rank or authority; that is not a leader, but rather a manager. When I say “leader”, I am referring to one who influences. To the person who has the ability to elicit greatness out of others. In other words, they always put others before themselves in an effort to create more leaders. To contribute as a leader requires more than just your responsibilities within your career. You also have a responsibility to be a contributor to life and not withhold the gift you have been given. As hard as you work to empower others, you understand that giving back actually empowers you. It’s that drive that leads to happiness. And if you truly influence others, they too will model your behavior and realize that giving thanks creates power. It is within the ability to look beyond your own needs and recognize where you can make an impact that provide unmatched rewards in life. “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” — Henry David Thoreau Think of it as a circle. We are all there to pass our gift to the person on our right, and once they receive it, they pass their gift on to the next person. This momentum continues and positive change starts occurring because there are so many people keeping the flow going. However, all it takes is someone to receive — and not giving back to break that momentum. Too many people today are stopping the flow, and holding back as a result of their selfishness. They believe what is theirs is theirs and it is not their responsibility to be giving. In their mind, they earned it — as should everyone else. Until you consider being giving an obligation, you will continue to put it off. If you want to see the results of your efforts, you must start now. Expand the circle of momentum by stepping in with your arms open and passing something on. Put ego aside, become more vulnerable and express the greatest gift you have, and that is gratitude.You cannot evade your own greatness, give without expectation because life contributes back to you when you are generous with your gift. The more you give, the more your get. When you focus on gratitude, it expands. If you make it a part of your life, think of the influence you have as a leader to pass that gift on to so many others. Don’t hold back, what you give will always come back to you tenfold. Commit to being a contributor and you will experience happiness for the rest of your life. Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE MONTHLYLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ No Substitute for Preparation
It’s an all-too-familiar topic, but for some reason, we keep taking the bait. Everywhere you look, there are videos, workbooks, seminars, one-on-one coaching — all promising you success at an accelerated pace for an exaggerated price. We laugh about it when we are in groups, but once we are alone, we click on that magic link to uncover the next DaVinci Code. We want it now — no time for patience, because that will only set us back. We demand our skills, knowledge and behaviors be sent via Amazon Prime so that by the end of the day tomorrow, we will be successful! Who needs preparation or experience — that’s a waste of time! “Success takes an investment in time, dedication, and sacrifice. This is true education. It is a process.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki Did you hear that? That was the sound of reality hitting. Hard. Maybe I was a little rough on the Millennials. The fact of the matter is, we’ve been trying to buy snake oil for as long as we can remember. Most generations have fallen for the “overnight success story,” only to realize that most of them come true after about 36,500 overnights. With all of the advancement in science and analytics, we still have a difficult time defining the formula for “get rich quick.” “It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” — Howard Ruff Let’s debunk another “truth” — fair warning, this one may depress you. What if I told you that we have all been fooled in believing that it only takes 21 days to break a habit? Once again, even 21 days is not enough time. According to the European Journal of Social Psychology, they found that it took on average, 68 days to break or form a habit. And that’s the average. It could take as long as eight months! But how can that be true? Isn’t it a fact that it takes 21 days? Bad news, that whole “21 day” myth that was touted by Dr. Maxwell Maltz wasn’t even a scientific study, but simply an observation. Let’s talk about the solution to being successful — over weeks, over months, or over years . . . 10 REALISTIC WAYS TO SUCCEED: Having a plan puts you in a position to succeed. It takes time to develop the right plan to achieve your specific objectives. Creating an effective and efficient plan also includes roles and responsibilities, step-by-step explanations, timeframes, resources required and projected outcomes. Without a plan, you have no purpose. Like the legendary basketball coach from UCLA, John Wooden, said, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” It’s easy to get confused between planning and preparation, but you can’t have one without the other. Preparation is gathering information and resources and how they will be used. Likely the most challenging trait of success, you must understand that patience is aligned with wisdom. For you to master your craft, it takes a tremendous amount of trial and error. You have to be prepared to test your plan and evaluate the outcomes. There is no substitute for patience, and once people are willing to come to terms with that, the path becomes easier. Simply put, it is the ability to be persistent in what your goals are without allowing obstacles to detour your path to success. No innovation or breakthrough isn’t met with tremendous challenge, but handling the barriers with focus and determination will contribute to their success. Success isn’t singular; it is an effort by more than one to achieve something that exceeds expectations. Successful people recognize this. They empower others to contribute, and encourage critical dialogue to show the importance of others input. Those who achieve success take as much pride in others as they do themselves. One of the few guarantees on the journey toward success is failure — you will encounter it numerous times. Good preparation can help reduce or soften failures, but not eliminate risk entirely. Successful people know this and welcome the challenge, because they understand that each failure is simply a stepping stone toward their goal. In other words, if you get knocked down, get back up. Absolutely critical to success is your ability to focus on the activity you are trying to complete. You cannot allow anything else to distort your goals because it will require your undivided attention. Great leaders have a unique talent and honing in on the specifics, knowing that the devil is in the details. They make no assumptions and always have a plan B prepared. Without a realistic perception and understanding of who we are, as vulnerable of a position as it may put us, we don’t have the capacity to understand our “uniqueness” and strengths without being self-aware. More importantly, it allows us to identify where we have the opportunity to improve. Success requires risk, which it takes you completely out of your comfort zone into an unknown area that most aren’t willing to explore as a result of fear. The rewards of working with a sense of courage creates innovation and breakthrough — these are the qualities of a successful person. I’ve listed this last, but it’s certainly not least. To practice humility is to build character and earn the respect of others not just through your words, but your actions as well. Your ability to be humble will lead to your success, but also set the example for those who choose to emulate your behaviors that others will model. Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #ChargeUp #365 #patience #prevent #success #leadership #RaiseTheBar #impact #BeTheImpact #Lead #authentic #gratitude #PayItForward #mentor #purpose #GoodToGreat #reflection #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ True Fulfillment is a Journey
When we invest ourselves and commit to achieving our goals and dreams, it can be a long road — filled with the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. But if we stay the course and remain fearless, the gift of true fulfillment awaits. There is an undeniable satisfaction knowing that the outcome was born of the struggle to persevere, and never sacrifice our true self to being average. It’s a journey that those who are vulnerable, innovative, and willing to prove their true character by staying strong can achieve successes and discover the gifts they have to offer. “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.” The most powerful obstacle in that journey will be your own ego. Will you base what and how you do things based on the opinions of others? Are you confident enough to stop chasing people who don’t support or appreciate you, but are the first to criticize? Most of us live right on the edge of our own capabilities, but won’t step outside that comfort zone due to insecurities. We allow those who settle for the status quo to hold us back from reaching our own potential, because they selfishly don’t want anyone to raise the bar. It’s called the comfort zone for a reason. It’s time to get comfortable being uncomfortable. To be fulfilled means that you’ve achieved something you desire. We all strive to live a fulfilled life; it’s the constant quest for growth, personal development and achievement that contribute to our happiness. The key is that you have to love yourself. It is the essence of confidence, being completely in control of your life and self-aware. You have to believe in one thing – yourself. Once you stop seeking approval from others, you become free. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first. As a result, your voice of confidence becomes louder than the one in your head. You no longer allow circumstances to define who you are. You learn to overcome, because that is who you are. Through the journey, you discover an invincible you that knows you have to get comfortable with fear, because that is where the lessons live. Each time you hit a crossroad on this journey toward fulfillment, a new character trait will expose itself. You have to be open-minded and encourage change. With ambition comes innovation. One of those strengths you will develop is discipline, and through discipline, you will get things done. It will be discipline which creates habits; a tendency to respond to the same situation in a certain way. When you face adversity, the discipline you’ve gained will come into play to determine if you are on course, or need to make adjustments. Patience will always be your ally. Knowing that anything worth achieving takes time is the foundation. Those that don’t have patience are always looking for the finish line. What they can’t comprehend is that there isn’t a finish line; we are always climbing the mountain. You must be not only skilled, but perseverant and consistent, because the journey is a marathon, not a sprint. And when we reach the summit, it only provides a better view to the next mountain. Instead of losing our motivation at that pinnacle, the view atop that mountain provides us with a sense of confidence to continue to the journey. “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the — Andy Rooney Dream big and never lose the excitement of the journey, because if you think about it, the journey is the destination! Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing.”
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ IMPACT: 10 Ways a Leader Can Have It
Good leaders change habits. Imagine not caring what day of the week it is because you love what you do. Having those you lead strive to become better and use your example and actions as a goal. Being trusted by those around you to guide and mentor them as they grow through challenges and obstacles. Most importantly, making a genuine impact on something bigger than yourself, that has the ability to affect others long after you. One day you will just be a memory to some people. The pursuit of being a great leader is the most rewarding journey you will ever take. If you are focused, determined, and willing to become a person of influence through your character and integrity, you will be on a path of self-fulfillment while at the same time, embracing your passion and purpose. HERE ARE TEN WAYS THAT A GREAT LEADER CAN MAKE AN IMPACT: Always remember, leadership is a privilege, and the ability to make an impact a responsibility. It is not given nor based on rank, authority or position. There may be “managers” who have that role, but a real leader earns respect and trust by consistent positive action and example. They take pride in their role and lead with a servant’s heart and a dedication to elicit the greatness within everyone they work with. As the saying goes, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” You should listen more than you talk. Look a person in the eyes. Don’t interrupt, shake your head or say disparaging words under your breath. You can solve most problems without any action at all if you simply willing to listen with empathy and understanding. Above all, put your phone away so you won’t be tempted to glace at it if a text comes through. Why be somebody else when you are the best version of you? Each of us have a unique set of traits and characteristics that set us apart. Most want to “blend in” for the sake of acceptance, but you have to be true to yourself if you are to ever have a solid sense of self-awareness. Knowing who you are starts with who you aren’t. Once you distinguish who you aren’t, spend time building those positive attributes that set you apart from the pack. There is no greater joy to be shared than when gratitude becomes a priority. We all have the opportunity to show our gratitude for what we have, and to ensure we never take our own blessings for granted. The chance to show our gratitude usually presents itself in the most mundane circumstances, but it is having a clear vision to recognize the chance to show it that makes the biggest impact. Don’t ever wait to show gratitude, and make it a habit. We dwell on yesterday and worry about tomorrow, not recognizing the gift we have of the present. Be where your feet are and take the blinders off to recognize the here and now. Far too often we become so consumed with the outcome, that we lose perspective of the process. That journey toward the objective is where all the lessons are learned. Live each day to the fullest and don’t wish time away. Life is far too short. There is no better way to build strong, independent, and courageous leaders than to act as a mentor to those who show the willingness and passion to influence. If you are successful, I guarantee someone helped you get there. Mentors are trusted advisors — you need to have one and be one. If you love what you do and treat each day as its own unique opportunity, what you feel inward will be portrayed outward. Express the passion you have in everything you do. From the small things to the important tasks you encounter each day, approach it with a vigor that is recognized by all. The effect of positivity is contagious; set the example and live it. Life is all about passing gratitude and joy to others. No matter how rich, or poor, educated or not, we are all born with a kind heart. Paying it forward simply means that you have experienced kindness by another and you are responding by being kind to another. Imagine a world where we all place an emphasis on paying it forward; it would eliminate so much stress and anger. There are more opinions than just your own. Strong leaders yearn to listen to new ideas and thoughts. They firmly believe that everyone has the ability to become an innovator and discover breakthroughs so they are always listening with an open mind. It’s extremely rare to hear of a solo success story, there are always others involved and most of the creativity most likely came from each person being open-minded. Once you discover your purpose, your why, your passion, the realm of opportunities are limitless. Find what drives you and you will uncover the version of you that was meant to make a difference and create a legacy. Your happiness will allow you to step outside your comfort zone without hesitation. This simple action puts you in a position to create change and be a difference maker who creates impact. True fulfillment always comes from helping others. Each of us have a leader within, we just need to discover what it is. Once that greatness shows itself, chase it with everything you have and dedicate yourself to making an impact. It is what legacies are made of, and what better way to be remembered! Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
Great leaders change lives.
Do your best to be a good one!
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ 365 Days of Charge Up
Being committed to something for one year can change your life — and I’m living proof of that. Charge Up turns one year old this week, and my friends, the future is bright! “The joy of accomplishment is the greatest joy there is.” — R.G. LeTourneau When I look back and think about the launch event on the evening of July 11, 2018, I can still feel the excitement from the hundreds of people gathered in that room. No detail was overlooked, and our goal was to ensure that each person there felt a connection to the purpose of the project. We were just beginning to build our community, and that day was about celebrating with family and friends. The concept of Charge Up was actually born in September of 2017, following the sudden death of my father in late April, 2017. It would serve as my vehicle to go from grief to gratitude, by sharing the lessons and wisdom he had passed on to me during my 50 years as his son. With nine months to strategize, Charge Up went from what was simply going to be a blog-based concept to a total platform that would include blogs, vlogs, podcasts, social media posts, video-based interviews, personal videos, and community dialogue. As we finalized the business plan prior to roll-out, each of us knew the magnitude of the commitment and investment this dream would take to become a reality. The team I had put together had strong ambition and talent, so we set the bar high. There was no doubt that each of them were the right people for the project and they each brought their own talents to the table. I had so much passion and vision that it became contagious. But this dream wasn’t just about me. This was my way to ensure that the legacy of my father would never leave my heart, and I wanted to share it. I wanted his spirit to continue to live on through my message. Each and every day as I invest into this project, I know he is walking beside me and directing me with pride. There is an unexplainable sense of purpose in this mission of spreading positivity and gratitude, and through it I have been blessed to discover what so many others search for — my “why.” What is your “WHY?” First, think about some important questions. What is your gift to society and how can you leave it better than you found it? How can you be a better husband, wife, father, mother, uncle, aunt, friend, employee, or coach? How can you ensure that there is a part of your life that is selfless, rather than selfish? Where will you be able to find a true sense of fulfillment in your everyday actions? Can you be committed enough to pursue your passion and still balance your life? These were all the questions that were running through my head as we toasted Charge Up last July 11th, and we wasted no time. Since then, our commitment to growing our community and making a positive impact is exactly where we wanted it to be – in fact, we have exceeded our projections and plan to aim even higher in our second year. Take a look at these accomplishments in just our first year: However, the most important number from those first 365 days is how many people we were able to affect with our content. How many found a quote or a story that elicited an emotion that they acted on? How many discovered the leader within themselves? How many stepped outside their comfort zone? How many made a conscious effort to show gratitude? These are things that matter most to me when I look back and reflect upon the impact we have made. “A life without gratitude is a life wasted.” — Victor Pisano There are definitely days that I wonder if all the effort will ever reap the rewards and expectations I have? Some days, I am lucky to get two or three people to view content. Other times, thousands will latch on to a particular blog, podcast or post that I didn’t even think would create much attention. The fact of the matter is, you never know. That’s the motivation for me to keep going each and every day. Something that may surprise those that don’t know me personally is that Charge Up is not my career; it’s my “passion project.” I call it that because for some reason I naturally thrive in spending my off time writing; the same as one loves to golf, fish, travel, hike or run distance races. Think of it as a hobby — we all need an outlet to share our ideas, creativity, and happiness outside of the borders which define our lives, such as family and career. I will be the first to tell you that my career is extremely rewarding. I have been in this respective field now for 20 years, and the company I represent, my current role, and the team I work with is extremely challenging and gratifying. There is nothing in my life that I would change. However, my pursuit of gratitude and being an “influencer to elicit greatness” out of others provides me with fulfillment. There is a difference between feeling “rewarded” and “fulfilled”. Both are critical to our true happiness, but a strong sense of fulfillment is something you carry around on a daily basis and it is based on the opportunity to serve those who serve others. “Life is more meaningful when our goal is fulfillment rather than gratification.” This venture isn’t a solo act — I can’t imagine not having my team of committed, dedicated and passionate people along for the ride. First and foremost, a huge thank you the person to whom I refer to as “Wonder Woman,” and that is our Strategist/Copywriter, Andrea Frost. She is my right and left hand. Thanks to her, I am able to do what I love most, and that is write. She uses her gifts and talents to do everything else that makes this clock tick, and I don’t take that for granted. She invests hours of her time, creativity and mindfulness into making Charge Up unique and impactful. There is the Elvis of Central Texas, the voice heard around the world through the LA Lloyd Rock Countdown, Lloyd Hocutt. If you like our podcasts, he’s the reason. All I do is speak into the microphone and he does his magic from there. He has been a mentor, an encouraging voice and a great friend. Then there are the boys from Zapata, Texas, the Garza brothers – who aren’t really brothers. Shout out to Abel Garza, the only man whose camera lens actually takes ten pounds off me, and Joe David Garza, who is like a unicorn. You hear about them all the time, but you never see one. When we are able to have a rare sighting, his work is second to none. Both Abel and Joe David are perfectionists and take tremendous pride in what they do. As a result, I benefit from their amazing work and I thank you both for your contribution to Charge Up! Our newest team member is Jayden Mount, who is just getting her feet wet but already has made a solid impact on our content and marketing research. Our goals remain to reflect, inspire and empower, with a focus on leadership, character and action. REFLECTION… Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go? What do you need to get there? I’m asking lots of questions, but I will also help you find the answers through our content and resources provided. Let’s figure out your destination, and what you need for a successful journey. INSPIRATION… Journeys are often two steps forward, one step back (and sometimes 5 steps back and a tumble to the ground before you get back up). You’ll need fuel in your tank to keep moving forward, so consider Charge Up your fuel stop (minus the dubious bathrooms). I’ll share what I’ve learned, and also bring you the best insights from those who inspire me. EMPOWERMENT… So, here’s the catch to all this guidance (of course there’s a catch – no free lunches here): Charge Up is a pay-it-forward concept. The goal is empowerment – and once you’ve achieved yours, don’t forget to extend a helping hand to others. The best leaders know that empowering those around you doesn’t diminish your strength; it amplifies it. “Keep in mind that you’ll have true happiness, true fulfillment, — Joel Osteen I can think of no better way to conclude than to sincerely thank each and every one of you that has supported Charge Up and built this community. I am humbled to have earned your trust and respect. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to speak at over 60 events in just the past year – from corporate events, to NCAA university sports programs, high school leadership groups, and high school athletics. I have traveled all over the country speaking, and it fuels me. To all those who provided handshakes, hugs and selfies, I say “thank you.” To those who were kind enough to look in the camera and say, “And don’t forget my friends, Charge Up!”, I hope you know that a few seconds of awkwardness meant the world to me. To those friends that didn’t hesitate in allowing me the opportunity to present and work with their respective programs once we launched, and continue to encourage and support my endeavors today, including Mike Alfaro, Caitlin Bollier, D’Layne Kelly, Bill Harrison, Tom Damiani, John Carpenter, Mari Bissaro, Leticia Morales Bissaro, Maggi Welham, Penny and Roman Foore, Donna Fields, Patrick Murphy, and most of all, a very special friend that’s like a daughter to our family, Molly Fichtner and the Athletic Department at the University of Louisiana Monroe, I sincerely thank you. But the biggest thank you of all goes to my family. To my inspiring wife, Beth, and my two beautiful, strong and successful daughters, Isabel and Catherine — I am so thankful for your support and encouragement. It has been a long 365 days for you as well. Your selflessness and kind hearts push me to be a better person. I love you. I also want to thank my brother and his family, my sister and her family, and my uncle and aunt whose love and guidance make the hard days easier and the easy days brighter. I am forever grateful for what was always my father’s number one priority…family. “You don’t choose your family. — Desmond Tutu Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #ChargeUp #365 #patience #prevent #success #leadership #RaiseTheBar #impact #BeTheImpact #Lead #authentic #gratitude #PayItForward #mentor #purpose #GoodToGreat #reflection #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
not living to get but living to give.”
They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ The Power of One Leader
As we approach Charge Up’s first anniversary on July 11(!), I’d like to offer a few reflections on what’s at the heart of what we do . . . Why me? Why Charge Up? Why now? IF YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE AS IF EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU . . . I’ve been blessed to have so many people in my life who were willing to take the time to invest, inspire, motivate, empower, teach and push me to become successful and as a result, I want to pay it forward. Those lessons weren’t meant to keep to myself, but to share with the right intention and motivation. Charge Up was built on the foundation of a very important person in my life, my late father, Vic Pisano. He was a “Servant Leader” before it became a thing. He was the epitome of empathy, integrity, character, passion and motivation. Questions I’ve been asked… Why me? I was taught that leadership and success isn’t a secret code, it’s wisdom that’s meant to be shared. Why Charge Up? A platform like www.chargeuptoday.com that anyone can access is how I can share. Why now? Gratitude is key, and by taking the baton and continuing my dad’s legacy, I can uncover the GREAT in people. I’m in an amazing place in my life, that’s not an accident. I’ve already gained more than I have given. The world needs more leaders who understand the gift they have and the value they can bring: they need to be responsible to pass that knowledge on, and accountable for how they do it. Leadership is about more than “you”. Somebody believed in you; now it’s your turn to reciprocate. Be a part of the solution. It’s time to turn the tables. THE POWER OF ONE LEADER. I’m motivated to be part of the “community” that contributes, the “thought leaders” who inspire, the “innovators” who create, the “selfless” who make the impact, the “optimist” who brings joy and the “realist” who brings the truth. I commit to contributing to the momentum that others before me have set. As long as one person is listening, following, reading and being inspired, then I have done my job. It’s a simple philosophy… THE POWER OF ONE LEADER. If you can change the thought pattern, and inspire or motivate just one person, imagine how many lives that one person can change in the course of their own lives. And here’s the kicker — you never know who that one person is. “To the world, you might just be one person. But to that one person, you may be the world.” — Dr. Seuss No more “what if”, “I should have”, “if only”, “I remember when”, “why can’t” or “we needed to”. Those are excuses, not solutions; phrases that will lead to regret as you get older. You’re better than that, you have the ability to do great things. Be prepared: this journey will require patience, sacrifice, persistence and belief. It will come with challenges, barriers, excuses, negativity and disappointment — because nothing worth having comes easy. I want to challenge you to think. . . Imagine a world where people accept fear, and stop. Where people who tried to challenge themselves can’t find an answer, and quit. Where those with strategy have no passion. Where leaders don’t have followers. You are the POWER OF ONE LEADER. You have the ability to make a difference. Look deep within yourself and discover your passion, that will lead to your purpose. Be the impact — even if it’s just under your own roof. Positivity and change are not defined by the numbers you affect, but rather the impact you bring. We all start small, build the foundation and as long as we are taking small steps forward, we are progressing. As long as we have momentum, we will grow. As long as we operate off integrity and character, we will make a difference. So -— why you? Why now? WE ARE THE POWER OF ONE LEADER! Make a difference today. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
YOU WILL BE LEFT WITH JUST THAT.
YOU.
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ There’s Nothing Simple About Leadership
Do you think you know enough about leadership to assume the role today? My answer…”Be careful what you wish for!” The life of a leader: a day spent shaking hands, delegating difficult and time-consuming tasks, and always talking about big picture projects. Going from meeting to meeting to listen, and maybe offer a quick snapshot of what’s going on within the ivory tower. Truth or fiction? FICTION. Leadership is a complex blend of competencies and capabilities. It is not a position or a title; it is action and example. It is not just a matter of guiding others to complete a task. The foundation of leadership doesn’t necessarily include motivation or inspiration. Those traits are earned, along with respect, trust and integrity. You see, true leadership is having the confidence that when you say, “let’s go”, the team has complete buy-in and is behind you all the way. “A boss has the title. A leader has the people” — Simon Sinek The role of a leader is often a thankless, risky and lonely responsibility. You cannot lead from the crowd — you must have the boldness to act alone and make difficult decisions that will affect people. A leader must have the courage to take risks and trust and be vulnerable to go down the difficult road in an effort to achieve the greatest reward. It’s understanding that failure is part of the game, and knowing how to audit your self-awareness and move forward without fear of failing again. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers” — Ralph Nadar You are not born a leader. People become leaders through various processes, including teaching, learning and observation. Leaders possess a specific skill set that comes from practice, application and observation over a period of time. In other words, leadership is a process, and more importantly, a commitment. Like all processes, it is a skill that takes time to develop. Rush, and you may become an ineffective or unconfident leader. Invest in the process, believe in the system and have a genuine willingness to learn and you have the opportunity to do great things. 10 SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE A COMPETENT LEADER If you still feel confident, then the work will begin. You must be prepared as a leader to trust and serve and give those around you permission to succeed. In order for that to occur, you must be available, embrace diversity, view people in terms of their potential and challenge the unchallenged. It will be your job to raise the bar and ensure that everybody who follows understands your vision and a willingness to invest in their success. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #difficulttolead #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #patience #areyouready #leadandfollow RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ What Success Looks Like
We live in exciting times — the rapid advancements and the use of technology have evened the playing field for the start-up business vs. the major corporations to market their products and services. No longer are major production crews necessary for commercials, marketing or media. There’s an app for that! For the aspiring entrepreneur and ambitious leader, anything is possible in today’s world. But what does success look like — really? “PERCEPTION” OF SUCCESS: You see them walking from their mansion to their museum garage filled with exotic sports cars, or gingerly pulling up in their Bentley, flat brim cap on with the stickers still on it, at the private airfield next to their G6 for the cameras to catch them shaking the pilot’s hand and boarding their jet for the next adventure in their perfect life. They look right into the camera and tell you that just one year ago they were just like you, struggling to pay the bills and trying to find a way to capitalize on their marketing talents. Now, they are millionaires, and they want to help you achieve the American dream. Generous of them, right? Time to break the bad news, this is the “perception” part. Don’t fall victim to an over-saturated market of alluring ads all over social media where everyday people “just like you” can make millions overnight by simply following somebody’s sure-fire formula for success. Newsflash: the only ones getting rich quick are the ones selling you their books, courses and online programs. If it were that easy, it wouldn’t be a secret. But amazingly, people still go deep into their website (and eventually their wallets) to learn more. Each new web page builds your confidence until finally, you’re inspired enough to bet your savings on these snake oil salesmen. Why do they need to park four Lamborghinis in their driveway and walk past each one while talking? Why not just do the sales pitch in a studio? They are marketing directly to the millennial who wants to see the material gratification of success. They deliver reinforcement to their audience that they are just as entitled as the next guy to earn easy money, and lots of it. You want to get rich quick? Play the lottery. Even doing that, your odds are approximately 292,000,000 to 1. But hey, somebody’s got to win, right? Here’s the real winning tip: the reality of being successful lies in one secret that we all have the ability to access at absolutely no cost . . . HARD WORK There is no substitute for hard work — it is the foundation of every success story. THE “REALITY” OF SUCCESS: Unfortunately the pitch for reality isn’t as exciting as perception, unless you thrive on the challenge of success. Fortunately, the aspiring and tenured leader completely understands the rules of reality and is willing to invest themselves completely in the process as opposed to a pipe dream. That investment starts with a strong foundation of integrity and character. Those two traits alone will carry you through the challenges you face as you gain experience through hard work, sacrifice, overcoming barriers, and experiencing failures, while taking those small steps forward that are absolutely necessary on the journey toward the ultimate pinnacle – earned success. You earn your stripes along the way as a result of your courage, braveness and abundance of confidence to inspire and empower others to follow your clear vision to achievement. Success should never correlate itself with riches. True success associates itself directly with your legacy. You are the only person that can write that story, and each page should be filled with adventures, not images of possessions. Look at it this way, if these overnight success stories were true entrepreneurs, wouldn’t they be savvy investors, as well? I can’t imagine an infomercial with Warren Buffett or Elon Musk in their vintage t-shirt, jeans and sandals walking down a driveway that looks like a car dealership. IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS! Leadership is a privilege. Go do great things today – earn it – and go make a difference. Venture + Lead + Prosper VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #fail #learnfromfailure #bounceback #failure #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility #ambition #action #stepforward #norgerets #comfortzone #chances RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ Adversity: That’s Not Fair
Trigger Warning: LIFE IS NOT FAIR! In the 1994 Disney animated movie, “The Lion King,” there is a scene where Scar, the wicked uncle of Simba, captures a mouse that he is about to consume. He dramatically holds the mouse up to eye level, and in a Shakespearean-like tone says, “Life is not fair, is it? You see, I shall never be the king, and you shall never see the light of another day.” Oh, the irony. It may be a Disney film for kids, but the message resonates across all ages. “Life isn’t fair. It never was, and it never will be.” — John F. Kennedy We so often hear children respond in a situation by saying the simple line, “that’s not fair!”. We try to explain to them that there are times we get what we want, and others where we don’t. We hope that through repetition, the lesson will be easier to interpret as they grow older. But does it? We are all guilty of the “that’s not fair” syndrome; it is a universal language we all speak.There will always be situations where bad things happen to good people – adversity is simply a fact of life. The opposite also holds as well — good things happen to bad people. Maybe it’s just the way it’s supposed to be. You know, fate. However, as a leader, it is your responsibility to navigate situations that may seem one-sided, so as to not cause a distraction. You achieve this through connection, effective communication, clear standards, and most importantly, by setting the example. Too often in times of adversity, leaders fear being on the side of an unpopular opinion, and will support the argument that a situation or condition “is not fair.” Remember, being a leader can a lonely job. Although connecting with those under your leadership is critical, so is honesty. You must have the courage and restraint to stand tall and represent the interest of all involved. Be brief, factual, embrace the reality, and position it as a challenge — do not allow the barrier to divert your efforts or goals. If done consistently, your skills as a confident leader — even in the face of undesirable conditions — will benefit the team. You will create empowered, no excuses, confident, critical-thinking followers. It is time for people to understand that things are not going always to go their way. It’s called adversity, and if you can deal with it, your perspective will change as well. Instead of evaluating things as fair or unfair, you will consider it a challenge. As for your team, instead of looking for excuses, they will discover alternative ideas. Instead of wasting time complaining, they will be timely in finding alternatives. Instead of wallowing in the “that’s not fair,” they will become innovators of adversity. Simply put, you have the opportunity to go from good to great in your leadership role. A harsh reality is that too many disappointments may be a warning sign that your expectations are way off. When you consistently feel a lack of respect or trust, you may be right — but it also may be the perfect opportunity for you to exercise some self-awareness. Look introspectively, be vulnerable, and ask yourself some tough questions. Is your skin too thin? Are your expectations too high? Are your efforts sincerely exceeding expectation or they actually what is expected? Be truthful with yourself so you can adjust your attitude and mindset. “Sometimes you can do everything right, and it all goes wrong. And sometimes you can do everything wrong, and it still goes right. It’s not fair – it’s just life.” — Larry Winget Bottom line, life is not easy. Those willing to accept the fact that things won’t always go their way have an uncanny ability to thrive in both good times and bad. Be that person — face adversity head on, and accept the fact that life is not fair. You will become more at peace with yourself! Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #adversity #challenge #resilience #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humility RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ What’s Really Important: Process vs Outcome
I remember it vividly. I was in the process of putting together our yearly business plan for my team before our National Meeting. I had invested three months of researching analytics, trends, input from my team, goals for the division and my personal experiences with what I felt would be a test of effort, perseverance, and commitment to achieve our goals. In most cases, I have about four hours to present it to the president of the division and other senior leadership. Once approved, the entire division gathers at the National Meeting shortly after, and I only have a few days to sell it to my team to gain total buy-in and commitment. However, this time there was a longer gap between the approval of the plan and the actual meeting; about a month. During that time, as I was putting my final slides together, I came to a realization that this process had become so routine and centered around only one thing – our yearly quota. Love the process and the grind as much as the results. I challenged myself to think outside the box and discover a new way to present this plan without feeling like I’m “selling it.”. I wanted to gain engagement and trust from the team for them to feel they were genuinely vested, and a part of the PROCESS as opposed to only being judged on the OUTCOME. From experience, I always felt that growth, empowerment, and confidence came from the process itself. It was all of the small wins that built the real success at the end of the year. I valued that time because it exposed my ability to handle both success and failure. It allowed me to either utilize my skills to grow or sharpen them as I became more self-aware in the process. At that point in my career, I had been in the same industry for about 15 years, and I’d always felt like that a sales quota defined me, and those I led. In my opinion, I was doing a disservice as a leader focusing on an arbitrary goal (the number) instead of the tangible qualities of my abilities, as well as those leaders within my own team. “I am a series of small victories and large defeats, and I am as amazed — Chuck Bukowksi, Poet & Novelist We are at the National Meeting, and once we broke out into our respective teams, it was time to put my experiment into action. I applied something that I’ve done for 10 years that was a result of a book that somebody gave me as a gift. It’s by Jon Gordon, and it’s called “One Word That Will Change Your Life.” It’s a simple concept, you pick one word that can guide your decisions, mindset, attitude, direction, moral compass. Here’s the thought process behind it: LESS IS BEST, SIMPLE IS POWERFUL Dim the lights, start the power point and let them see the first slide. You know, it became so routine, we were all like Pavlov’s dogs expecting the same thing – that slide to show the quota for the year. Instead, I decided to change things up from the traditional format. My first slide said: PERSPECTIVE. “The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. — Chris Pine The group was so confused, they kept asking me what the goal was. Even their rhetoric proved my point. They were asking what “THE” goal was – as in a singular purpose, that dang quota! I went around the table, and I asked them, “What was last year’s number?“ They all knew it because we not only achieved the goal, we exceeded it by double digits — which means they got an additional kicker on their bonus, so the answers came quickly and with smiles on their faces. I then asked them, “What example can you provide me off the top of your head – as quickly as you told me the net sales – that stood out to you about one person on the team you lead, who not only improved but developed skills that contributed to our success?” I waited a few seconds and said: “time’s up.” Of course, they complained, but my point was made. My perception was that there was more pride in the number than there was in the people who achieved it. As a leader, that’s not on them. That’s on me. My father had a saying that I tend to overuse, but it applies to so many situations. He would say, “When the son swears, slap the father.” In other words, don’t be so quick to point the finger before you look in the mirror. In this case, the burning question was “Have we lost the value and importance of the team that commits and contributes to our goals every day in the field?” THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. I said, “Here is how we are going to start this meeting. You have one hour, to come up with one word that will define your goals this year that isn’t associated with the quota. One word that can provide clarity and guide your decisions, mindset, attitude, direction, moral compass.” I explained, “I take this very seriously, so don’t just throw something out there without thought because the word you choose will stick with you for the next 11 months, every day. If you give me a word that I don’t feel fits your personality or management style, we will just take more time trying to figure it out.” Now understand, I wasn’t treating them disrespectful, or as children; some of these people had been under my leadership for a long time. They knew me, and I knew them. There was a bond of trust between this particular team that made us unique. We had a mantra, “Play hard, work harder.” After an hour, I asked each of them to stand in front of the team and tell us their word, being as specific as they could. I also asked if they would provide the reasoning they choose that particular word and how they intended to be held accountable for it. What was funny was that a few of them said, “When we are done, are you going to tell us the number?” They laughed, and I did on the outside, as well, but internally, I realized that this was going to be a huge responsibility for me because I needed to change their mindset. The good news is everybody had some great words . . . PRESENT BALANCE PASSION TENACITY LOVE EMPATHETIC DRIVE CULTURE Their definitions, explanations, and application were spot on! When the exercise was complete, I asked that they get their computers out. I asked them to go to their email and open their “signatures” in Outlook. Once they did, I asked them to please put that word below your name in all caps and bold. I asked that they talk with their respective team and explain the rationale and the exercise we just completed. Share with them why you choose that word and tell them that you need their assistance to hold you accountable for it. Moving forward, I asked that every time they put an email together for distribution or were responding to another person, read it before you send it. Were they conveying the intent and meaning of your one word in that communication? I told them that when I read each of your emails, I will do so with a new perspective this year. I want to challenge you to not just write it down and talk about it. I want to see action. Even if it takes you away from the objective at hand, it doesn’t matter because we will still win in the long term. I then asked, “What do you think I mean when I say long term?” It was quiet for a second, then I heard a voice…” our quota.” She said it without any doubt in her mind. She got it! I said, “EXACTLY!” We were so focused on the GOAL that we were missing out on the excitement of the PROCESS. We became obsessed with a number instead of obsessed with our people. I told them, “I am as guilty as each of you, and I apologize for that. I haven’t been doing my job and that I would change along with them.” WE ESTABLISHED A NEW MINDSET. Somebody asked me, what’s your word? I said, AMPLIFY. I want to AMPLIFY my commitment I want to AMPLIFY my gratitude I want to AMPLIFY my empathy I want to AMPLIFY my relationships I want to AMPLIFY my health I said, “If you focus on that one word, live it every day, guide your team with passion and empowerment, you will hit the number. It will be the OUTCOME of a successful process.” What followed was the infamous slide with one number on it. I asked them if their perspective was a little bit different. They all nodded. . . . . . . So now I want to challenge you. Are you willing to approach your objectives a little differently this year, or a particular goal? Can you commit some time to find that one word that will be clear to you in guiding your decisions, mindset, attitude, direction, and moral compass? Remember: LESS IS BEST, SIMPLE IS POWERFUL Do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2019 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
as any other that I have gotten from there to here.”
You don’t have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.”
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