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Welcome to Bob Faw’s Energize Performance blog. Bob’s passion is to guide positive transformation. Through his personal and professional life experiences Bob developed a keen interest in pragmatic and science based approaches. He has been a longtime advocate of focusing on solutions and learning while having fun, concepts that are increasingly supported by recent neuroscience studies about enhanced brain functioning and performance. This blog is to gather and share his guidance and share best practices, inspirational examples, and creative ideas of others about positive transformation at work, in personal life, and in the world.

Forget the Tricks, Give Your Team a Treat

December 15, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Helping Others Live Into Their Best DNA

One of my Leadership University students once told me a personal story about her son, who had been struggling with depression. She and her husband were very worried about him, but she didn’t know what to do for him besides lecture him on what he should do differently to get his act together.

After working with me, she decided to hold a family meeting with her son and husband. They had a discussion about the things her son did that added value to the family and to their lives. She reported that the result was amazing: Her son began to see his own value, he started to help out more around the house without being nagged, and he made a plan for his life. This all happened because the family was focusing collectively on that small portion of his Best DNA. An added bonus was that it improved the relationship between her husband and her son.

Think about people you know who are struggling at work or home. Many times we see these people as low performers, but they might simply be struggling because they don’t see their own value.

It’s a common reaction to come down hard on people when they start to perform at subpar levels. It’s the fight-or-flight response part of our brain that makes us think that if we make people feel guilty or shameful that will teach them and they will work harder. There are some situations where this can be helpful, but generally it only makes things worse.

If you can help people work from a place of excitement versus fear and involvement versus punishment, they will start to become self-motivated instead of you having to harp on them to do their jobs.

If you want to be an energizing leader with a team (and even a family) of motivated people, try spending far more time focusing on their strengths and passions, and only focus on the weaknesses and challenges when it’s helpful, not just because your gut tells you to.

The first part of helping others live into their Best DNA is helping them figure out what their Best DNA is. Obviously having your team complete the Best DNA brainstorms is the most comprehensive way to help them discover their best, but one quick way to jumpstart the process is through the Value Add Activity.

You start by handing out index cards to everyone on your team. Each person then writes one quality or action that they value for each member of the team, and gives that card to the corresponding person. It can be something like, “Always meets deadlines,” or “Keeps us calm during times of stress,” or “Creates thorough agendas for meetings.”
Once everyone has their cards, they can rank them by the items they find most enjoyable or fulfilling.
Then ask your team to take the top three and brainstorm additional activities they enjoy doing that are similar.
Ask them to identify other tasks or even hobbies that they lose themselves in.
Then ask them to pinpoint why they enjoy these activities.
Finally, start a discussion on ways that they can do more of these types of activities—both at work and at home.

This exercise is a great way to open people’s eyes to what others value. Not only does it feel great to have so many positive comments, it also helps team members feel better about one another!

Help your team get on the path to growth today! From now until the end of the year, we are drastically reducing the price of our Best DNA tool! For only $19 per person, you and your team can go through the steps to identify—and maximize—your Best DNA. Click here to take advantage of this amazing deal.

Check out this video for more information!

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Walk Before You Run (Off and Join the Circus)

October 6, 2016 · by Bob Faw

A Roadmap for Living Into Your Best DNA

Self-discovery can be a blast. There’s nothing like figuring out what you’re really good at to energize your day-to-day tasks, or to give you the boost you need to move to the next level.

Over the past several months we’ve been working through Best DNA, and if you’ve been doing the brainstorm activities (Passion, Strengths, Value Add, Principles, Purpose, and finally Best DNA Motto brainstorms) you’ve probably made some very exciting realizations.

Your Best DNA may ultimately guide you to change directions in life. You may even make some big adjustments, if that’s the right thing for you.

But before you quit your job and start breeding pygmy goats, or sell your house to take trapeze lessons and join the circus, I’d like to offer some ideas for easing into your Best DNA. (And I happen to know first-hand that those cirque troops are extremely selective.)

It’s all about taking small steps in the right direction. Even small things can get the ball rolling, and help you learn more about yourself and what works best for you. I always suggest starting this way because it’s much easier to start with something small and build up momentum.

At this point, you’re also experimenting-discovering if this really your Best DNA before you take a big risk. What if you jump into a whole new job and discover that you don’t like it after all?

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Discuss your Best DNA Motto with people who can support you, and get feedback on how it fits you.
List tasks, roles and projects you currently work on that are aligned with your Best DNA and make you feel good. Brainstorm ways to do more of these kinds of Best DNA-aligned activities.
List up to 5 tasks, roles and projects that do not fit your Best DNA and are draining to you. Brainstorm ways to do less of these kinds of activities. (i.e., trade with others who do like the task, delegate, automate, or get help)
Find hobbies and volunteer opportunities that align with your Best DNA.
Look for a life or career coach to help you find additional ways to fulfill your core purpose.
Identify one small action you can take today, and every day, that will free you up from an activity that drags you down.

When you start taking actions that align with your best DNA, you will get even better at your career. Eventually this will lead to you getting paid more for what you love doing.

But let me clarify this: NOBODY lives in his or her Best DNA 100% of the time. As human beings, we are just not capable of living permanently in that passionate mode. We need downtime, and it is important to honor the other parts of who we are. Life also necessitates occasional drudgery and doing things we don’t love. We have to pay the bills, get the house cleaned, do the grocery shopping, and clean up after the goats.

For example, I have spent years in the same career of training and consulting, but now I do a lot more public speaking-which I LOVE doing. In order to get the speaking gigs I love, I have to create proposals, do some marketing, and even do sales. And let me tell you, that is NOT in my Best DNA. However, I know how crucial these tasks are in order for me to reach my ideal life. I try to outsource as much as possible. When I have to handle some of it, I keep my eye on the big picture to keep myself motivated.

Living into your Best DNA will ultimately transform you over time and build a foundation for big changes. With a daily practice of taking a small, mindful action in the right direction, you will eventually be living a life of fulfillment.

Next month we’ll talk about how to help others live into their Best DNA. In the meantime, I would love to hear your feedback. Just post a comment below!

Visit BestDNA.com to learn more! Through the end of 2016, I’m offering the online assessment at a special price of only $19!

If you’re eager for more, watch this video on Using Best DNA to Help Determine Your Personal Brand.

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I Want to Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night! … Never Mind, I Gotta Work Tomorrow

September 1, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Creating Your Best DNA Motto

Walk your talk. To live fully, use a motto to make the talk walkable.

If you’ve been working through your Best DNA over these last few posts, congrats! You’re getting ready to put it all together in your Best DNA Motto.

(If you haven’t yet completed the Best DNA brainstorm sessions, they are definitely worth checking out, and don’t take too long. Click here to check out the Passion, Strengths, Value Add, Principles and Purpose brainstorms.)

A Motto is a memorable phrase that makes it easier to guide your life by your Best DNA. The words that make up your Motto can help you figure out what kind of work you want to do, who you want to work with, and how you want to spend your free time. Once you determine your Motto, you can evaluate how everything in your life syncs up.

Some people live by their own personal mottos: “Down with the Establishment”, “Life’s Too Short to Deal With Jerks”, “You Only Live Once (YOLO)”, “Eat More Bacon”. But what you want is a Motto that doesn’t get you put in jail, fired from your job, kicked out by your spouse, or really high cholesterol.

Mottos may change over time. For example, my Motto about 30 years ago is far different than my Motto today. As a teenager, my motto may have been, “Whatever gets you through the night.” (Maybe that’s still your motto if you have obnoxious neighbors or a new baby. Hey, I’m not judging.)

The great news is that once you create your Best DNA Motto, you will find that you tend to do more activities—small and large—that will have a big role in building your ideal future.

I once worked with a leader named Wendy Schroeder, helping her discover her Best DNA and then she did the same process with her team. Afterward they all shared their Mottos with one another, and soon Wendy started to notice a shift in the culture. The members of her team began volunteering for activities that fit their mottos, and getting more enthusiastic about their work. Not only were they taking care of tasks without her having to tell them what to do, but they were also working on their weaknesses by getting help from their coworkers, based on each person’s Motto.

Our Best DNA is as unique as fingerprints, so our Mottos will be as well. And like anything else in this Best DNA Assessment, you can change it over time. I have. When I first created my personal motto I was 24 and reading a book on Purpose. I decided that my motto was “Guide positive change,” but as my career evolved I realized that I liked to energize it, not just guide it. Then I decided that transformation was more powerful than change to me. Today my Motto is, “Energizing positive transformation.” It thrills me to even say it. You will probably find something totally different equally compelling.

Let’s get started! (Follow these steps or get help using the coupon code at the end.)

In creating your motto you’ll start with your Core Purpose. (Many people find it easy to work from there, as they often tend to be similar.) Follow the Purpose directions here. It should align with your personal Principles, play to your Strengths, and guide you in Adding more Value.
I encourage you to limit your motto to 2 to 5 words to make sure it’s memorable. It only works if it’s top of mind. Your Motto should motivate you, inspire you, and bring clarity to your mind. It doesn’t have to mean anything special to other people.
Write compelling words from any part of your Best DNA. Quickly create 3 or more potential mottos without editing.
Then choose the motto you like the best! Treat this as your version 1.0. It doesn’t have to be perfect! It just has to be good enough for now. You can always fine-tune it later.

Next month we’ll talk about how to use your Motto to live into your Best DNA. And I would love to hear your feedback on Mottos. Just comment below.

In the meantime, visit BestDNA.com to learn more. Use the coupon code “MOTTO” for 50% off a guided Best DNA Assessment for the month of September.

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To Laugh or Not to Laugh :: Is there even a question?

July 11, 2016 · by Bob Faw

People Hands Holding Red Straight Word Principles

Uncovering Your Core Principles

Several years ago, I interviewed for a large strategic planning contract with a Fortune 100 company. I had a preliminary meeting with the steering committee that went great—I made them laugh throughout the meeting, and by the end we were carrying on like old friends. As I was walking out the door, they gave me one piece of advice. They told me that when I did my demo with the team the next day I should not use humor. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Me, Bob Faw, not use humor? Did I hear that right? I struggled to mask how stunned I was by this request. I explained to them the brain science behind the use of humor and how it helps people relax and be more productive, but they held fast—no jokes for the big guys.

That night I had a conundrum to work through. Would I stay true to my style or would I adapt their style to get this project? If I had won that contract, it could have doubled my income that year. But I had to decide if I wanted to spend that much time violating my core principles. In the end, I decided to be me. I did my demo to a room full of laughter and interaction, and … I did not get the project.

(Ironically the VP of HR pulled me into her office afterward and wanted me to do conflict management with her senior team. So humor is good for conflict but not for strategic planning? But that’s a story for another time …)

To be honest, I have never regretted that decision. I would much rather spend my time working with people who line up with my principles. It’s much easier to be your best authentic self when you feel like you’re living true to the best of you.

Just because something looks like “the life” from the outside doesn’t mean that it’s a really a good life. Trying to force yourself into a situation that doesn’t align with who you are hurts you on the inside and can lead to so many negative things over time. Take rock stars and movie stars for example. They are usually not the happiest people in the world, despite having plenty of money and adoring fans around them. This is because many are constantly trying to be what other people want them to be.

And this leads us right into the next email in the Best DNA series: Principles.

Principles are guidelines that help you make good career and life decisions. The goal here is to uncover the Core Principles that you just cannot live without. These are part of your identity: they shape your thinking and how you express yourself in the world.

Principles are usually qualities. For example, freedom, learning, growth, honesty, health, charity, etc. My own core principles are “learn, grow, and have fun.” They help guide me in determining the jobs and volunteer roles I take on, and even the kind of people I like to hang out with.

When you are conscious of these Principles, you hate violating them. And when you do violate them, it’s uncomfortable, or even devastating. That itself is a great indicator of what might be getting in the way of your fulfillment. One thing is for sure: If you violate your core principles for long enough, you will eventually burn out.

On the other hand, when you stay true to these principles you will feel a sense of integrity, higher self esteem, peace of mind, and more enjoyment in your career and life. Don’t get me wrong, survival and taking care of your family may force us to sometimes take work that violates our principles. However, whenever you have the choice, use these as your guide.

After doing this activity, I have seen many people have an “ah-ha” moment where they suddenly pinpoint the exact reason behind not liking a job, or why they end up arguing with that one person every time they speak, or why some groups feel so right to be part of.

So try it out!

Principles Brainstorm

Choose 7-9 Principles you value from the list below. You can also choose principles that are not on the list, or adapt any of these to fit you better.

Bobs word chart

Go through the list and pick your top 3 Core Principles that you want more of in your life. Think quickly. Don’t overanalyze or take too much time. Listen to your heart here.
Finally, rank these 3 in order so you have a crystal clear sense of what your top priorities are.

(Why do we choose only our top 3? Because 3 is a magic number that makes it easy for your brain to remember. And the components of your Best DNA can only guide you if you remember them!)

Now you should have 3 words that give you both clarity and motivation. Everything here is meant to generate an image in your mind of the best of who you are, and who you can become more of—Your Best DNA!

Stay tuned next month as we explore Purpose! Until then, I would love to hear your feedback on Principles. Just comment below. And don’t forget to connect with me on social media!

If you have missed them, over the past few months we’ve completed the Passion Brainstorm, the Strengths Brainstorm, and the Value Add Brainstorm, which are all worth taking a few minutes to complete as you work toward discovering your Best DNA.

Check out BestDNA.com if you’d like to be guided through discovering your Best DNA and learn how to live into the best of who you are. Use the coupon code “principles” by the end of July for 50% off.

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Get High With Daily Highlights

May 18, 2016 · by Bob Faw

This tool is life-changing!

Make yourself and your family more resilient against depression, anxiety and the challenges of life.

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Enjoy Vacations more with “FABLES”

April 9, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Savoring the memory of a vacation can be as good as the vacation itself, sometimes better. There is a fascinating article describing how even anticipating a vacation can give one joy.

I met a wise young man recently that created a delightful, and (I think) scientifically sound method for helping people enjoyably savor their vacations even better–while still on them. I begged him to let me share his creation.

fables

This graphic was created by Greg Sullivan of Sullivan Gang Graphics.

Sullivan Gang Graphics

115 S Handley St Wichita, KS 67213

Phone: 316-262-6242

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Passion is in Fashion

March 3, 2016 · by Bob Faw

A Brainstorm for More Fulfillment

Welcome to the second installment in the Best DNA series. Last month we gave you an Introduction to Best DNA—which is essentially the best of who you are that other people value. This month we’re continuing the journey to discovering your Best DNA with the Passion Brainstorm.

The Passion Brainstorm is an important part of the Best DNA process because of our negativity biases. The negativity bias is something we all share. It helps us anticipate and prepare for threats and problems. These are good things when it comes to survival, but bad things when it comes to self-confidence and a seeing a better future. The Passion Brainstorm exercise helps you to balance the negativity bias and to see yourself as the full-of-potential person that you really are.

As you go through this fun and rewarding exercise, hopefully you will gain more clarity on what really makes you happy, what your strengths are, and what steps you can take to use your passions and strengths to make this world a better place. Your goal is to discover what is best about you that you can bring to the world (Insert a dramatic pause here!) and get rewarded for it. Plus, why not be happier too?

The four questions in the Passion Brainstorm are designed to help you examine the spectrum of your life. It is important to look at both work and personal aspects to understand what is most satisfying to you. One good way to activate this part of your mind is to imagine that you are already living your ideal life. No restrictions on money, time, or anything else—just your ideal life. What does that look like? List activities you imagine you’d be doing for career, for family, and even for hobbies.

Many of the things you list during this exercise may not be directly applicable to work, and that’s OK. Some are, but what you will see is that the answers you come up with will help you have a very fulfilling life in general. Research shows that being fulfilled in your home life helps you become more creative and resilient at work as well.

My suggestion is to dedicate at least 10 minutes for this exercise in a quiet space free from distraction, ideally with your favorite beverage (to calm or stimulate you).

Here are a few important tips before you get started:

There are no right or wrong answers here! As long as you say what is true to you, your answers are right.
Start in brainstorm mode, allowing ideas to flow freely. Don’t edit your ideas as you go. This shuts off the flow of creativity! When your brain goes into editing mode, it limits your ability to generate ideas.
Don’t be afraid to write the same word more than once; it may lead you down a different path of creativity.
Prepare to walk down happy memory lanes. Enjoy yourself.

Here we go! Put your fingers on a pen or keyboard. Brainstorm answers to any of the following questions:

Think about a few times when you felt happy, fulfilled or thrilled. What caused it? What were you doing? (Write about at least three experiences.)
What are the things at work (or home) that you’re the happiest doing?
What activities energize you the most?
What would give your life more meaning if you did more in future?

Once you’ve listed at least 10 different answers, go back and underline the three activities that are most important to have in your life. What you are looking for are the ideas that spark joy, a sense of happiness, and enthusiasm. At least one of these three should be something you can do more of at work.

Sometimes when we look at these types of lists, our negativity bias kicks in yet again, and we start thinking about how we don’t do enough of these things or how hard they are. If you do start thinking in this way, just notice those thoughts and let them float away.

After you’ve underlined the top three, keep that list somewhere safe. We’re going to build on your discoveries, and we will also talk about how to apply these things in a work and home setting as we move through your Best DNA discovery.

Now start to consider the ways you can do more of what fulfills you at work and at home. For example, at work your Passion Brainstorm answers may affect the way you accomplish tasks or help other people. You may notice certain activities you really enjoy at work that energize you.

At home, you may identify things you do with your family, friends, or community groups that are meaningful to you. Things you wouldn’t give up or activities that make you feel like you’re making a difference in the world. How can you do more of these in your life?

We are what we do. Everything that we do shapes our habits and the way people see us. Doing what you love to do is extremely personal and subjective. Only you can know which activities fit you best. For example: Much of my work right now is not within my Best DNA. I’m doing a lot of development work, which is good to do, but it is higher stress and doesn’t play to my strengths. To help energize myself, I contacted one of the organizations that I care deeply about—The Department of Children, Youth and Family Services here in NH—and did a couple of Re-energizing experiences to their staff for free. This is my passion: I love talking to and interacting with crowds, and feeling like I’m making a difference live. (I’m smiling just thinking about it!) I’m lucky because this is what I do for work, but it’s also my personal passion. I want to feel like I’m making a difference in kids’ lives. One of the ways I do that is helping the people who work with kids to be even more passionate about their work.

Next month we will talk about the next step in the Best DNA process: the Strengths Brainstorm. I look forward to continuing this process with you. And of course I invite you to comment on this post and to connect with me on social media. I love chatting with people about these topics.

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Do What You Love and Love What You Do

January 29, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Masters Make Money & Meaning by Living their Best DNA

Think of people you know who have mastered their craft. They both love something about their work, and have significant strengths in it. They are living what we call their “Best DNA”.

Ray Bradbury, Maya Angelou and Steve Jobs are among many who have suggested that we follow our passions in our careers. This doesn’t mean you should quit your job today and try out for the NBA or become a starving artist. Following your passion doesn’t necessarily have to be an activity like sports, art, etc. Many people can find fulfillment in their work by doing work in a way that is meaningful to them. Depending on who you are, this could mean “helping others,” “solving interesting problems,” “discovering new facts,” “experiencing wonder,” or so many other, highly subjective passions.

Back in 2008, in the midst of the recession, my business was slowing. Budgets were being slashed, and it seemed like I was seeing client after client postpone our programs, or drop them altogether. Scary times!

As a positive change consultant, I was lucky that I had plenty of tools for high-stress situations such as these. So I decided to use one of these tools to propel myself forward. I turned to the Best DNA Assessment, a tool that I had used on many occasions with my clients.

At the time I had only used the Best DNA model for organizations, not people. But as I reviewed it in more depth, I began to see how easily it could be adapted to help individuals as well.

Moving through the Best DNA steps, I listed my top clients (they liked my work, and I liked the work I did with them) and asked them to identify the value I added to their organizations. Many of their answers surprised me. There were facets of what they valued that I only did sporadically or that I hadn’t put much energy into. Their answers helped me realize that my Best DNA was relationship-based, and came through when I partnered with my clients, rather than treated their programs as transactions to complete.

This realization was especially exciting because it helped me shift focus to what I loved to do and was naturally good at, instead of what I thought I should do. This new focus resulted in writing a book, booking more speaking engagements, and attracting additional clients that were a great fit. Before this realization, some of my work had felt transaction-based, but Best DNA helped me to grow my business, and to be more fulfilled as well.

Today, I regularly use the Best DNA model with my clients — both companies and individuals — and the tremendous results have inspired me to share it with you. Over the next several months, this email/blog series will help you identify, clarify, and utilize your Best DNA in order to become more fulfilled and successful.

So let’s get started with an introduction to Best DNA. Best DNA is essentially the best of who you are that other people value — what you’re passionate about, and skilled at, that you can bring to the world. There are two major facets of Best DNA, much like the double helix of a strand of DNA. These are Core Self and Passionate Strengths.

Here’s the catch: Best DNA has to be what you are both passionate about and what others value. For example, one of the things I’m passionate about is the Lord of the Rings, but none of my clients listed my in-depth knowledge of Middle-earth as valuable to their organizations. If it’s not valuable to others, you won’t get paid for it; it’s just a hobby. So, I don’t talk about Frodo and the Ring of Power at work. 🙂

Once you’ve discovered your Best DNA, you will be able to put more energy and time into what makes the most impact. Building on your Best DNA can lead you to the greatest heights of professional and personal success. It also improves your ability to lead others, and to motivate them by helping them live into their Best DNA.

This month’s activity: Think about a time in your career or life that you felt the most fulfilled and successful at the same time? What were you doing?

In the following months, we will explore specific questions and techniques for discovering what made these events so special and how to replicate the fulfillment and success tied to them.

Next month we will talk about the first step in the Best DNA process: the Passion Brainstorm. I look forward to taking you on this journey, and as always, feel free to comment on this post and connect with me on social media. I would love to hear your thoughts.

And because I was reminded of my love for Lord of the Rings, let’s have a little fun. Answer this trivia question correctly in the comments, and I will randomly select one lucky winner to receive a free copy of my book, Energize! Entry will close on February 14, 2016. Question: What was Gollum’s name when he was one of the Riverfolk?

To learn more about Best DNA, subscribe to my Best DNA YouTube channel and check out these videos: Using Best DNA to Help Determine Your Personal Brand, and Best DNA in Strategic Planning.

Notes: The Best DNA tool draws heavily on the Hedgehog Concept from Jim Collins’ book Good to Great. I highly recommend reading Jim’s book! I’ve also drawn from positive psychology and appreciative inquiry.

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Sharing gratitude

December 28, 2015 · by Bob Faw

This is a wonderful way to build connection, happiness and enjoy the beauty you already have in your life even more.

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Learning from mistakes; not as good as you think

December 23, 2015 · by Bob Faw

I often hear the time-honored trope “We learn the most from our mistakes.” It is intuitive. However, it is false.

man screaming at laptop

We certainly remember our big, painful mistakes the most, and hopefully learn from them. Of course, we need to learn from some of our mistakes. However, we learn far more from experiencing, or witnessing, something done correctly.

That’s why if you want to create a great product you study the best in the industry, not the worst. If you want to learn golf you go to an expert, not to me. I can show you tons of mistakes, but I doubt that will be worthwhile (except for laughs).

The caveman part of our brain focuses far more on mistakes, because it sees them as threats. So that part of our brain confuses us into thinking that those are the most important. They are more important for survival, but most of what we do at work or in relationships is about building, not surviving.

Make sure people experience how to do something right as soon as possible. What we’ve experienced primes us how to do it next time, for better or worse.

smiling people around laptop.jpg

In building we most want to learn from what does work. There is tons of research that support this. Here is an article that describes some of that research in a compelling way…

This Fast Company article starts out …

WHY YOU SHOULD STOP TRYING TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES

A NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT REMEMBERING PAST MISTAKES CAN IMPACT YOUR SELF-CONTROL AND DECISION-MAKING.

BY STEPHANIE VOZZA

Remembering the past can negatively impact your self-control and decision-making process.

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