Whatever.

Just give people something specific they can do. Help them "take action." In doing so you help those help you are influencing become all they can be.

But there's something more to this process: put *their* heart it!

I have stated to interns over years: "If I can wed these two together, I have a winner: your heart's desires and your goals."

It's true. When you...

Understand someone Capture their heart's desire Create actions based on their heart's desire

You have a winning combination!

But you can do "more." You can...

CHALLENGE THEM TO EXCELLENCE

I'll give you another example. In talking with intern that prompted my thinking -- and eventually this issue -- I mentioned:

"I've included a sample to show how you can improve. The other example I gave will do for now. However, if you want to keep on developing your skills in this area, pay attention to what I have written and it will help you in future."

I was quick to add: "Don't let this kill you. Do what is 'you' in this regard. However, pay attention to these simple suggestions and use them as you can."

Why did I add statement above? Because I wanted intern to see that he *could* do more -- but he didn't have to make it his life's passion! You see, I knew it wasn't his area of interest. I gave him a slight challenge to excel *in his own way and *at his own time.*

But it was a slight nudge towards excellence!

Then I had to...

RELEASE!

It was time for intern to "just go and do it!" We had talked before. And, I'm sure we will talk again.

There's pattern: release -- guide -- release.

Let person you are influencing try! Be there, yes. Like a good coach.

But let person run his own race.

When I was swimming competitively and I heard words, "Timers and judges ready. Swimmers take your mark."

And gun went off...

Don, my coach, wasn't leaving that starting block. Lee Wise was!

You've got to release. Let them try. But be ready to guide them again.

After races were over, I found myself back in pool again with "you know who" guiding me, pushing me, and challenging me to be best I could be.

You got it -- my coach, Don.

Good swimming coaches do operate that way. And so do good life coaches.

Which is what you might term "a leader."

SO WHAT'S THE PATTERN?

*Listen *Capture desire of heart *Chart action steps *Challenge towards excellence *Release-guide-release

AND WHERE ARE YOU?

Can you identify any of stages of this pattern where you are *right now* with someone?

Could you improve in listening, capturing, charting, challenging, releasing or guiding?

That's not a guilt trip. I'm not "in" to guilt trips. It is, however, a reminder to both of us. A reminder to keep improving our ability to help others become all they can be through our influence.

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net

Even if they were injured, expectation of victory was enough to tip scales in their favour.

Back to real life, you *must* banish negativity from your mind, don’t listen to ‘dream stealing’ voice in your head.

With my new book, I set myself challenge of writing and publishing it in 21 days.

Did I ever doubt that I would do it? Of course not!

In fact I had people post in some online forums, that they knew full well I would do it.

*They* expected me to succeed, because they knew *I* expected to succeed!

This kind of assurance takes time to develop, and practice.

Once you have it though, any goal you set is just a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if’.