Best DNA | Energize Performance

Hate Your Job? Your Purpose Can Be Your Inspiration

August 9, 2016 · by Bob Faw

We’re all familiar with the archetypal midlife crisis that involves a sports car, some new clothes and maybe even a younger love interest. The truth is that the vast majority of midlife changes are not superficial, but instead are driven by people looking for more meaning in their lives.

Some people are lucky enough to find careers that fulfill their purpose early on, but for most people finding that dream job is usually through trial and error. People make transformations simply because they are looking for a deeper sense of purpose: the stock broker who opens a bakery, the executive who sells everything and moves to Asia, the wealthy entrepreneur who gives his money to charity.

For example Bill Gates, who at times has been the wealthiest person on the planet, has shifted his focus over the last several years to doing things that drive his core purpose of improving the quality of life for people around the world. He has done this through his foundation’s efforts to improve education, vaccinations and health, and agricultural development across the globe.

Two people I’ve had the pleasure to meet who live their Core Purpose are Dick and Barbara Couch, the owners of a company called Hypertherm. Their Purpose is serving the greater good of their employees and their town. Hypertherm has a no-layoff policy. Instead they have created a war chest, so that when the economy dips, they cross train employees instead of laying them off. It’s the most amazing thing. The Couches even held tight to their Purpose as they were transitioning toward retirement. As a privately held company, they could have sold the business and made well over $1 billion. But they knew that if they sold, American plants would be closed and jobs shipped oversees.

Instead they gradually sold their company, piece by piece to their employees at a bargain price, so it is now 100% employee owned. When I asked Barbara why she would sell her company that way when she could have had an extravagant retirement, she looked at me like I was crazy. She said, “I love my town. How could I look anybody in the eye if I sold out their company?” Their Purpose was clear. They can retire as fulfilled and happy millionaires.

We live in a culture where we are rewarded with the superficial by the superficial. Many people are taught that their purpose in life is outside of themselves, and because of this many people let popular opinion dictate what they should do, feel, want, or even say. Well-being research shows that most powerful way to live is in balance: being true to yourself while also contributing to the world.

This brings us to Core Purpose, which is what you feel you exist to do. It is a single phrase that defines what gives your life meaning. It comes from within, and it is not about what others expect you to do. Somewhere inside, you feel drawn to expressing certain strengths, or achieving certain outcomes. THAT’s your purpose.

Life is more meaningful when many of your hobbies, career responsibilities, and other life decisions align with your Core Purpose. Your purpose becomes your inspiration!

So let’s get to the Core Purpose Brainstorm!

If you’ve completed the Principles and Strengths brainstorms, start by mining those ideas to see what strikes you as your Purpose. (In fact, if you haven’t yet completed the Passion, Strengths, Value Add, and Principles brainstorms, you may want to take a few minutes to check them out.)

Select words or phrases from the list below that deeply resonate with you. Add new words or phrases if they express your purpose better. Don’t worry about how precise or accurate this is. Don’t over analyze; just choose what attracts you. You might even see a pattern here.

Now choose the top words and phrases that represent your Core Purpose. Go through the list and pick your top 3-10. Think quickly. Don’t overanalyze or take too much time. Listen to your heart here.
Once you have compiled your phrases, use them to come up with a draft purpose statements of a few words up to a couple of sentences. Often a purpose statement will start with a verb, something you feel motivated to do. (A purpose statement does not have to be fancy, altruistic, or self-explanatory to be an inspiration to you.)

Prioritizing them like this also gives you clarity about which parts of your DNA are your BEST DNA. When you take a look at these statements, everything should generate an image in your mind of the best of who you are, and who you can become more of.

Stay tuned next month, when we work on Best DNA Mottos!

Until then, 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 “purpose” for 50% off in August.

Discover Your Value! And be true to the best of you.

May 12, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Do you know the value you add? Really, do you? When you know the value you bring to the table, you can focus on making the most important contribution possible.

I call this your “Value Add.” This is how you best add value to projects, people, teams, systems, your family, and more. These are your contributions that people find valuable, admirable, and maybe even praiseworthy. Your Value Add is what you do that makes the most difference to others.

And it’s the next step in the Best DNA Series. We’ve worked our way through the Passion Brainstorm and the Strengths Brainstorm, which are both worth taking a few minutes to complete, if you haven’t already.

Some people tell you to “live your passion,” or “live your dream.” While other people say that the most important thing in life is to be useful. I say that both are right—bring them together! The best of value add is when you’re contributing to the world and enjoying yourself too. It doesn’t have to be just one or the other.

Ours lives are most meaningful when we contribute to other people’s lives. (Put on your lifejacket; it’s about to get deep.) And the more effective and helpful your contribution, the more meaningful your life will be! (Mic drop! Bob Faw exit stage left.)

But seriously, when your contributions align with your passions and strengths, you will also feel more fulfillment in your career and life. You may even figure out that you want to take on a different career path or hobbies that provide you with more opportunities to add value in a way that suits your passionate strengths.

When I do Best DNA with my clients, I do a fun teambuilding activity around Value Add. Try this in your life. I have each person on the team write down on index cards a way that each of his or her coworkers adds value and helps him or her do their job well. This can be a soft or hard skill, such as “Creates stellar presentations,” or “Helps calm people down.”

Then they give these cards to each other. It’s a bit like Valentine’s Day! When people review their cards, they usually see a lot of overlap and very quickly get a sense of their Value Add. Not only does this help you to see exactly what others value in you, but it also illuminates the needs of others on your team. Plus, when you help others see their value, you start to recognize what others add to your life instead of taking them and their actions for granted.

Value Adds are usually specific tasks, results, or behaviors that you bring to the table that make a difference or help others to achieve their goals. Value Adds can be tasks that you do, or they can be the WAYS that you do it. For example, many people can give useful advice, but maybe you are that one friend who many turn to when they need advice with emotional support.

Exchanging Value Add feedback can also be wonderful for couples and families. With our families we generally have so little time and so much to do. If you can focus on the activities that matter the most, time with your family will be more meaningful. For example, one of the things my wife really loves is when I cook her breakfast. It’s not a strength nor a passion of mine, but it is so easy to do. Plus, it has a great return on effort!

You may see that many of these Value Adds are different ways of describing your strengths. That’s common. If they aren’t, that’s OK too. The purpose is to receive more clarity on how we see ourselves versus how others see us.

Value Add Brainstorm

To discover your Value Add, try asking yourself the following questions.

Why were you hired/promoted?
Why do people ask you for help?
What actions do you do that bring good effects to your family and to your social networks?
What important roles do you play at work or in other organizations?
What do you tend to be praised for, asked for, etc.?
What activities make the most difference to your coworkers?
How do your personality strengths make a difference for others?

Now choose your top five Value-Adds from your list. Choose the ones that either you really enjoy doing and/or add the most value to others. Don’t overanalyze or take too much time. Listen to your heart here. If it’s both that’s the best, but sometimes you have a mix. Then rank these in order to give you a crystal-clear sense of what your top priorities are.

Prioritizing them like this also gives you clarity about which parts of your DNA are your BEST DNA. When you do, it will give you a laser focus and make it easier to make choices that make you more fulfilled and successful! You can spend more time doing the things that matter most, and do them well.

Next month we will continue with Best BNA as we explore and discover your Principles. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your Value Add discoveries. Simply comment below. And connect with me on social media to get more great tips and ideas.

Visit BestDNA.com if you’d like to be guided through discovering your Best DNA and how you can live more into the best of who you are. If you use the coupon code “valueadd” you can do it for 50% off by the end of May.

It’s Not Bragging If It’s True — Embrace Your Strengths!

April 5, 2016 · by Bob Faw

Think of the top masters in your field. Those credible role models people turn to for insights. They have spent a tremendous amount of time building those strengths you admire. Do you want to be more like them?

Welcome to the third installment in the Best DNA Series! You are on your way to discovering the best of yourself that the world values. Last month we completed a Passion Brainstorm. If you haven’t already completed that brainstorm, it is worth taking a few minutes to check out. It can be helpful in this month’s activity—the Strengths Brainstorm.

These two brainstorms are really at the core of discovering your Best DNA because Passion and Strengths are what you do well and are motivated to do.

So why are we focusing on strengths?

There is ample evidence that suggests we can improve our performance more quickly when we focus on our strengths more than our weaknesses. World-renowned business guru Peter Drucker said it the best: “One should waste as little effort as possible on improving the areas of low competence. It takes far more energy and work to move from incompetence to mediocrity than to move from first rate performance to excellence.” Obviously we have to be good enough at compensating for weaknesses, but strengths are where it’s at!

Identifying strengths can often be a challenge. We are conditioned to believe that we are bragging if we say we’re good at something. But this brainstorm helps you recognize strengths as a factual inventory instead.

Like a lot of people, I have been afraid of saying what I am good at because I didn’t want to be thought of as egotistical. For example, one of my strengths is public speaking. Early in my career, I found that I really enjoyed working with large groups, but I didn’t see myself as a presenter or speaker back then. I just saw myself as a team-building guy. It wasn’t until I got into improv comedy that I saw speaking as a real strength instead of just something I liked to do. My comedy and public speaking mentor helped me develop my skills, and over time people started calling me a motivational speaker and a keynoter. I just wish I had the Best DNA tool at that time because I would have started improving it sooner!

For this Strengths Brainstorm, you are going to come up with as many ideas as you can around your strengths. First, a few guidelines to help you define strengths:

You tend to do these things more easily than many others can.
You are enjoyably motivated to do them.
Time passes quickly when you are doing them.
You tend to seek opportunities to do them.

A strength can be an activity, or a behavior or a skill that makes you stand out while performing that activity. For example, if “Blogging” is a passion of yours. Your strengths under blogging could be “Writing” or “Editing blog posts” or “Designing a blog” and so on. Also consider specific skills or outcomes that people frequently compliment you on. (E.g. “You always inspire me.” or “I’m amazed at how easily you organize complex projects.”)

Hearing our strengths from others is one of the most uplifting activities during my Best DNA Teambuilding Programs. As you can imagine that it is also a big morale booster as well to hear our strengths!

Strengths Brainstorm

Brainstorm a list of 3-10 Passionate Strengths. Consider both strengths from work and from other areas of your life (hobbies, volunteer activities, fun stuff you do for your family, etc.).
Then circle the ones that you are the most passionate about, that you look forward to doing, and tend to want to improve naturally.
Then choose the top 3 strengths that you want to use more and more. Think quickly. Don’t overanalyze or take too much time. Listen to your heart here.

Give the gift of strength awareness to others! Encourage others to discover their strengths and build on them. Recognizing and respecting others’ strengths can also help you build a successful team/family. Where can you play to others’ strengths to make you both more successful?

Once I understood about natural strengths, I started to hire people who had strengths in areas where I was weak. It improved my business—and I learn from them! I once had a warm and caring colleague who was so appreciative and supportive that everybody loved working for her. I wanted to know her secret. I once followed her around to observe what she was doing. She asked a simple question that I had never thought to ask: “How can I help you?” As simple as that question was, it was mind-blowing to me with my more directive style. People just opened up to her. They felt more supported and did a better job because of it. I was much more successful with her on my team playing to that strength.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the Strengths Brainstorm—and learned a lot more about yourself in the process. Next month we will talk about Value Add!

In the meantime, I’d love to hear about your thoughts and experiences with this brainstorm. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on social media.

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.

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.

Help your family (or team) become more positive and confident

November 19, 2014 · by Bob Faw

Would you like to raise your optimism level (and still be grounded in reality)?

Would you like your children to really know how good life is for them? To have greater confidence, self-esteem, and more resilient in the face of life’s many challenges?

Would you like your team to be more positive, creative and focused on solutions (not just the problems)?

I created this activity, inspired by research in Positive Psychology, 7 years ago. It’s made my relationships more positive. I’ve heard from many people who’ve attended my speeches that they’ve transformed their family dynamics with this simple, fun activity.

The key is to do it daily when you can. It gradually creates the habits of looking for what’s good in your life, what you’re good at, what you love, and even confidence for the future. It helps rebalance for the natural negativity bias. It helps us get our ACT together as well.

This description comes from our Leadership University program. Use it to make your life happier and more productive.

Please come tell me how it’s working for you. Feel free to ask questions about it too.

Creating Optimism – Make your life a work of art, with Jason Silva

October 3, 2014 · by Bob Faw

Jason Silva is one of the most profound thinkers of our day. To make it even better he is a master video producer (and host of Brain Games) so creates dynamic videos to explain his concepts.

I challenge you to create vital cycles of optimism. Design experiences for yourself that increase your passion, enhance your optimism, and as Silva says, “make your life a work of art”.

Culture eats strategy for breakfast!

May 20, 2014 · by Bob Faw

I enjoyed being interviewed on the Terri Levin Show about how to make sure that the strategy of your company syncs with your culture. I refer to Best DNA and how being clear about your company’s Best DNA helps you create strategy and culture that support each other.

Laughing at My Nightmare

November 15, 2013 · by Bob Faw

This young man epitomizes keeping a positive attitude, even in the middle of a living nightmare. It also shows the power of loving family and friends.

He is truly living into his Best DNA, and inspiration to us all.

A happy sense of purpose is good for our genes — who knew?

August 25, 2013 · by Bob Faw

I love those wonderful discoveries that show how doing what we love is good for us physically.

Click on The New York Times to read this fascinating, and heartening article.

This is particularly exciting for living into what we call our “Best DNA“.

Energize Performance

Browsing Tags Best DNA

Hate Your Job? Your Purpose Can Be Your Inspiration

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Discover Your Value! And be true to the best of you.

Like this:

It’s Not Bragging If It’s True — Embrace Your Strengths!

Like this:

Passion is in Fashion

Like this:

Do What You Love and Love What You Do

Like this:

Help your family (or team) become more positive and confident

Like this:

Creating Optimism – Make your life a work of art, with Jason Silva

Like this:

Culture eats strategy for breakfast!

Like this:

Laughing at My Nightmare

Like this:

A happy sense of purpose is good for our genes — who knew?

Like this: