Seeing Red Cars: Actions speak loudly—your children are watching!
You’ll be grateful later when you’re clear now about your own wants
Your actions influence those around you, and especially your children. This fact became even more clear to me recently when I attended the funeral for my friend’s father. First, as I was walking through the parking lot, I saw a former coaching client I hadn’t seen in several years. It was a surprise to both of us when we saw each other. My friend’s father’s name was Glenn and my former client, John, was arriving to sing at his service.
My first reflections happened during the service itself. There were two people who spoke at Glenn’s funeral.
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First was a work colleague and close friend of 30 years. He spoke of Glenn’s dedicated service and love of work and friendships.
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Second was Sarah, his granddaughter. She stepped to the microphone with a quiet confidence and told funny and moving stories of her grandfather. She talked about his dedication to family and his love of fishing. Her voice cracked and she pulled us in very closely to her love and loss.
I got an intimate glimpse of a man and his family, although I had never met him. It caused me to reflect on family and the power of legacy. As I heard the stories of this man, I could see the influence he had had on his daughter, and then his granddaughter—all honest, hardworking and dedicated folks.
At the end of the service I looked up and John, my client, was standing in front of me. His music had been lovely and I felt so grateful for how he had blessed the occasion. We stepped outside into the sunlight and he began to tell me a story. “Ten years ago you worked with me, Laura, and you asked me, what do you want? I answered, and you told me that my response was as clear as mud!” I cringed a little at the bluntness of my words, but I didn’t let it show. He continued, “I knew my life was all tangled up and I lacked clarity. Together we untangled my thoughts and my dreams, and I finally was able to articulate what I wanted, personally and professionally, with great clarity! I found the work hard and at times I did not enjoy it. But now, as I look back on my life, I realize I have accomplished everything I set out to accomplish ten years ago, and more!”
At this point he began to slow down, and the reflection overwhelmed him. Tears streamed down his face as he told me how he was very proud of his own accomplishments, but even more proud and grateful for of the impact that his personal clarity has had on his son. John said, "I’m convinced that he would not be where he is today, which is a very good place, if I had not gotten clear about my own desires."
I always say, more important than the words you say to others are your actions! Others are always watching. I’ve found that people can live with their own mistakes, but abhor the idea that their focus or lack of focus could cause their children to build a life that is either good or not so good. How you live your life affects everyone around you. This was a surprising learning I gained while writing the book Seeing Red Cars.
Doing anything that is counter to building strong and capable children is unthinkable to most parents and is the reason I’ve seen people like John and others work hard to make positive changes in their own lives.
Imagine yourself and your family ten years from now. Imagine telling me a story that would cause you extraordinary pride. Imagine being drawn to tears while telling me what you and your family have accomplished, and how many people have been blessed along the way. This is the power of clarity. This is the power of knowing what you want both personally and professionally.
Start Seeing Red Cars! I can’t wait to hear your story!
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Are you clear about your personal and professional wants?
How does personal clarity influence others?
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Seeing Red Cars the book is available from popular retailers through our book website, seeingredcarsbook.com.
____________ Laura Goodrich Innovator l Author l Expert Speaker Radio l TV l Program Host Internationally Recognized Expert in Workplace Dynamics and Change Email: laura@onimpactproductions.com Website: www.onimpactproductions.com Business: 952-856-6071 Mobile: 952-240-1516 SKYPE: laura.goodrich OOVOO: Laura Goodrich Author: Seeing Red Cars: Driving Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization to a Positive Future is available at Amazon http://amzn.to/aj0IUm or Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 Seeing Red Cars — Mindset to Win — Forbes Magazine http://blogs.forbes.com/mindmakeover/2011/02/03/seeing-red-cars-mindset-to-win/ Program Host and Author: Seeing Red Cars Film: www.seeingredcars.com Book: www.seeingredcarsbook.com FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall App: Seeing Red Cars “I Want Statement” iPhone/ iPad http://bit.ly/afWHOx Seeing Red Cars Products: http://bit.ly/cB29Tq Program Host and Author: Shifting Years: Leverage the Power of Generations Film: www.shiftingyears.com FB Shifting Years: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162 Radio Host: FutureWork http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laura-goodrich TV Host and Producer: Life to the Max http://www.lifetothemax.tv/about.html Laura Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Goodrich/164266833612423?v=wall Twitter: http://twitter.com/lauragoodrich Blog: http://lgoodrich.posterous.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/lauragoodrich Seeing Red Cars FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall Seeing Red Cars Book: Amazon ( http://amzn.to/aj0IUm ) or Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 .) Shifting Years FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162?v=wall Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/LauraGoodrich Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35914444@N07/

