"...keeping you great"
HEADLINES:
The Business of Happiness -- the single most important investment you'll make this year (and possibly your life) is purchasing a copy of Ted Leonsis's new book, The Business of Happiness: 6 Secrets to Extraordinary Success in Life and Work . Steve Case's "partner" in building AOL; owner of several DC sports teams; Emmy award-winning film producer; founder of SnagFilms; EO founding board member; and the happiest guy I've ever met, Ted shares how success doesn't necessarily lead to happiness, but happiness does lead to success. At a minimum, read Chapter 4 where Ted faces his reckoning with death -- and shares my favorite line in the entire book -- his promise to "live my life on offense and without regret."
Six Secrets of Happiness -- the first half of the book is Ted's story, including how he sold his first business for $60 million at age 28 (but realized he wasn't happy); then sold his next company to AOL for stock that made him extraordinarily wealthy; the fateful moment when he almost didn't purchase the Washington Capitals; and how his famous 101 "things before he died" list came to be. The second half of the book details the six secrets to being happy, which are summarized in the "Introduction" -- and he brings them alive as he shows how the happiest people he's known -- Bono. Ashley Judd, and Steve Case to name a few -- live their lives following the same six secrets of happiness -- a subject Ted has studied for two decades.
Olympic Happiness -- Year of Dreams -- no, winning an Olympic gold medal wasn't on Ted's list; but Radco Food Stores in Edmonton, Alberto, Canada launched their 2010 "Year of Dreams" theme with a 100 Day "RadcOlympic" Challenge for their 500 employees (team members) that encourages the team to reach six goals in the Olympic spirit of Higher Stronger Faster. Specifically in the next 100 days, achieve:
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Higher (breathing capacity means quit smoking)
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Lower (lower body weight)
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Stronger (30 minute vigorous workouts)
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Weaker (stop taking the banned substances -- bad foods and drinks)
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Check with the officials (annual dental, physical, or eye check up -- or visit a dietician or holistic medicine practitioner)
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Bring on the fans (encourage other people to join in on the challenge)
Olympic Torch Run -- the January 12th kick-off event was President John Radostits' actual Olympic Torch Run (a personal goal of his since 1988 given his passion for ski racing) joined by over 100 of his employees and their children in red Hoodies bearing the phrase "I ran with the Olympic Torch. Noted Radostits "This was such an honour it is not one that should be kept for just me -- so how do I take this flame and create a big fire in the company" which is why he built his company's annual theme around this historic event. "It was a great way to wrap our company in the Olympic theme and the Olympic flame." Here's a link to photos from the event.
Happy People Have Goals -- Radostits provided each team with the following:
- A copy of one-page message to sell the idea.
- A personal goal sheet.
- A graph to chart their success and a chance to win big prizes.
Share with Customers -- Exclaims Radostits "Like the Olympic flame that started with a small spark in Athens... and became mighty...we are embracing the Olympics and using the Torch run as our spark to create great results within our team. And we will do this to inspire the people around us...
- We will inspire our team by having them join the Torch run make a great lifestyle change and win prizes.
- We will also inspire our customers by bringing the torch to each store and letting people get a photo with the torch.
- We will inspire sport by being a drop off depot for Sports Central and collect donations of sporting goods that can be given to kids that cannot afford their own.
The 100 Day RadcOlympic challenge will be a great big fire... now get off the couch and find a way to 'Be Olympic' in your life," concludes Radostits.
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Magenta -- and this fun USA Today piece about how CEOs tend to pick the same colors...and how colors tell a lot about your personality. Brian Scudamore, 1-800-Got-Junk, was one of the CEOs to take the test, even though he's color blind. "Yet the results were bang on," notes Scudamore. Thanks to Stephen Watkins, founder of Entrex , for bringing this article to my attention.
Happy Customers, Happy Employees, Happy Company -- back to Ted Leonsis -- he feels there are happy companies -- and that these companies produce the best results. It's why happiness is the key indicator for the entire "People/Relationship" side of the business. Create and spread happiness...!
...and best of luck to all the Olympic athletes.
