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 Today’s article is by Olympic Gold Medalist Nikki Stone. She is a motivational speaker and the author of the new book “When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How to Stick their Necks Out”. We appreciate her sharing some of the secrets of what makes a person overcome great obstacles to achieve the unimaginable. After overcoming a debilitating injury and going on to be the first to win an Olympic gold medal in aerial skiing, her advice is definitely worth more than gold.
Sticking Your Neck Out: Discover the Top 7 Ways to Reach Your Peak Performance
As a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and an Olympic gold medalist, I have seen what makes an individual most successful in the boardroom and on the slopes. Over the last five years, I have researched the similarities of forty different highly-successful individuals — including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Prince Albert of Monaco, Dr. Stephen Covey, Shaun White and many more. And no matter the field or endeavor, I have found The Turtle Effect philosophy at the core of everyone’s success.
This philosophy was taught to me by my mother, who told me that I could achieve anything I wanted. I always held it close and adapted it to every situation I encountered. I’d like to help people breathe in this confidence and share the secrets that are common to those at the top of their given field.
1. Have a Soft Inside – let your heart drive your actions
Find Your Passion: Do the things you hate first so you can truly get pleasure from the parts of your job and day that you are most passionate about. First thing in the morning write down five things you don’t like to do. Do each before 11:00 a.m., and check off that you’ve done them. Doing the thing you hate most will allow you to spend the rest of the day or week focusing on the things you enjoy the most.
2. Develop Your Hard Shell – stay strong against life’s challenges
Enhance Your Focus: Try to complete a task or project today as well as you can — without looking at others for approval. Can you bring something to fruition without worrying about the outcome? If you do feel you have to see your “results”, compare them to your own past efforts rather than to what someone else has achieved.
Be Committed: Either give yourself a challenge or challenge a colleague, teammate or friend to decide on a certain goal with you. Write the challenge down on an index card and tape it to the wall to remind yourself of your goal. This commitment will make you accountable to your goals and responsible for your actions.
Overcoming Adversities: Ask yourself, “If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I try?” After you answer this question, ask yourself why it would be so awful to fail at the task or activity. We learn much more from our failures than we learn from our accomplishments.
3. Be Willing to Stick Your Neck Out – put yourself out there and find the support to make sure you follow through
Build Your Confidence: We all have our strong points and we need to remind ourselves of these attributes. Create a list today of all the personal traits that give you confidence. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and knowing your strengths will help you compensate for your shortcomings.
Start Taking Risks: We can’t be afraid of failure. If you don’t try, you have already failed. Why not give yourself the chance to succeed? Pick something that scares you a bit, and decide you are going to take the risk to follow through with it today.
Find Your Teamwork: A support system is crucial in helping you develop a strong character. Go out today and ask a few close friends how they would describe you. If they define you only in terms of your accomplishments, take the time to show them who you are in terms of your relationships. Think about the things you may be doing to project a title rather than a personality, and correct that.
I find that the same factors work to put someone at the top of their game, whether you are a triumphant athlete, Fortune 500 CEO, an accomplished politician, successful educator, or even an effective parent.
I hope these tips help you find your Turtle Effect and encourage you to strive for levels once thought impossible.
©2010 Nikki Stone, author of When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out
Author Bio
At the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, Nikki Stone became America’s first-ever Olympic champion in the sport of aerial skiing. What made this performance so unbelievable was the fact that, less than two years earlier, a chronic spinal injury prevented her from standing, much less walking or skiing off a twelve-foot-tall snow jump that launches aerialists fifty feet into the air. She overcame the injury and went on to earn 35 World Cup medals, 11 World Cup titles, 4 national titles, 3 World Cup titles, a World Championship title, and membership in the Ski Hall of Fame. Nikki is also a magna cum laude graduate of Union College and a summa cum laude masters graduate of the University of Utah. Her aerial retirement is less than restful as she trains Olympic athletes and business professionals in speaking/media skills, coaches personal and professional development courses, hosts group skiing adventures, sits on five different charitable committees, and writes articles and columns for many magazines, newspapers, and websites. Nikki’s career focus is now on traveling around the world working as a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing her secrets to success by inspiring her business audiences to “Stick their necks out.” Every spare moment is spent with husband, Michael Spencer, and daughter, Zali, in Park City, Utah.
Nikki is the author of When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out. For more information, please visit www.WhenTurtlesFly.com.
Tired of the same old trophies? If you’re hoping to award your employees with style, there are some truly unique awards ideas out there that make for not only a fabulous presentation, but an original keepsake for the recipient.
 Bronze Statues: Bronze artwork doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. A decent piece, like this beautiful original called “Majestic Monarch” can be had in a reasonable 7″ size for around $50. Various themes may be selected to match the award occasion, and most come with an engraved plaque for personalization.
 Art Glass: Art glass pieces provide a stunning visual and a reminder of achievement that can be easily displayed in either home or office. This piece, by Swedish company Kosta Boda, gives a perfect example of combining recognition with style. Again, various designs offer a selection of themes to choose from. Many of the pieces can even be sandblasted with a name and/or company logo to commemorate the event.
 Framed Artwork: A framed print or original painting can easily be chosen to represent the award through its theme. The price points here are endless, spanning from about $35 for a small framed print to over $1,000 for an original artwork. Some pieces can even be personalized on an engraved plaque on the matting, or within the print itself.
No matter what the award – outstanding performance, going beyond the call, or years of service – the standard trophy is far from being the only choice. Getting creative with your awards and offering something with great display potential heightens the excitement of receiving an award all the more.
If one of these unique awards ideas appeals to you, or if you have one of your own you’d like to see become a reality, give us a call at 1/888-664-6449. We’d love to help!
 One guy's thanks is sometimes another guy's pain in the cranium... Last week we asked people to tell us one thing an employer had done for them that made them feel truly appreciated. This week we decided to flip the coin and ask the reverse: What is the worst attempt an employer has ever made to try and make you feel appreciated? As one can imagine, the answers are anything but dull! Instead they give us a good look at what to do – and what not to do – to show our employees they’re valued. So read on. And if you have a story of your own to share, be sure and leave us a comment.
Beverly: The worst attempt I remember was getting to select a service award for 20 years of service from a flyer sheet and when the award arrived my boss said, “Hey, that watch you ordered has been sitting on my desk for a couple days. Why don’t you go grab it?” Tear jerking, huh?
Jillian: My boss approached my desk, and in a whisper asked if I would like to be second in command. When she wasn’t there I would manage the employees and handle emergency situations. I knew this “promotion” wasn’t a paid position, but I felt honored to be chosen. The first time I tried to politely exercise my power, I was rudely shut down by the employee and when I consulted with my boss about it, she said she would handle it. She never did. I realized later that no one was told of my new place in line; I guess she hadn’t wanted to insult the others by picking me to run things when she was gone. It still hurts to this day.
Bill: I worked for the same company for just shy of 10 years when I quit on good terms. In fact, I quit one week shy of my 10-year anniversary. I’d already chosen my anniversary gift and it had been ordered. It was a very nice watch and I was really looking forward to receiving it. About a month after I left the company I called the HR department to see what had happened to my watch because it hadn’t arrived yet. I was told that since I didn’t work the full 10 years, (7 days short of it, mind you!) the watch had been sent back.
Patty: What is the worst attempt? Wow, how do I choose? I was “awarded” my pin after my first five years of service. Every five years employees get a gold colored plastic pin. The center circle is a different color for each five years. This $2.50 pin is usually given to you late, up to a year for one employee, or when the supervisor is reminded it was your anniversary. At the staff meeting it’s just handed to you and they announce how long you have been working there. Some people clap. Then it’s your “duty” to wear the pin all day. As all staff do not attend the same meetings, it lets the rest of the office know you made it another five years. But the pin is so small most don’t notice it. Some employees collect them. Mine collects dust bunnies in the back of my bathroom drawer somewhere. And honestly, when my husband’s work found out that’s all I got, they felt horrible and gave me a watch as that’s what they do for their awesome employees. That’s sad!
Chuck: I used to proofread telephone books, believe it or not. Records were kept on each of us as to whether or not we missed any typos, etc. When an error was found against us, it was marked down in red ink on our sheet. If we made it a week with less than a certain amount of errors, we were allowed to choose a “prize” from a cardboard box of castaway items. Included (I remember it well) were things like packs of sticky notes, pens with the company’s former name and logo on them, even half a pack of stationery one boss found in her desk. It was almost embarrassing to whoever was “rewarded” with the chance to pick through the box. We always felt like we should refuse, but we were all young and didn’t know how to handle it, I guess.
Perhaps after reading through these stories you’re feeling a big “Oops” thinking of something your company has done for its employees that perhaps wasn’t such a hot idea. If that’s the case, don’t fret. This is the golden opportunity to turn things around and show your employees appreciation a little differently. When the opportunity arises to thank someone for a job well done, taking a moment to put yourself in the recipient’s shoes can help you see that things need changing; or perhaps the role reversal will verify that you’ve indeed found a great way to say thanks.
 One need not emulate the Golden Globes to make the awards presentation entertaining. It’s time to set aside some time, pull all the employees together, and present the latest awards. Sure, for the recipients, receiving the awards and the recognition is already exciting, but how do you make an awards presentation fun for everyone? To avoid the glazed-over look of the rest of the group, here are a few ideas that will get them looking forward to receiving their recognition awards next time around. And no, it doesn’t require a red carpet or awards shaped like a gilded planet.
Thanks for the Memories: If the awards to be presented are related to years of service or a retirement, a few days before the presentation ask the employees to secretly write down a funny or positive memory of those to be honored. Sort through them and read the best ones aloud before presenting the award.
This Day in History: Another great way to celebrate years of service or a retirement is to do a little research on the employee’s hire date and/or year. What were the fads then? Who was president? Was The Cosby Show the most popular show on television, or Laugh In? What was the price of bread, gas, milk, bellbottoms? And speaking of bellbottoms, a photo of the honored person “way back when” is sure to be a hit!
Keep the Speeches Short and Entertaining: We’ve all seen them during Red Carpet events: The actor gets up on stage and won’t stop thanking everyone, including the key grip, gaffer, manicurist, grade school teachers… While you probably won’t have that problem from employees receiving an award (most would just assume thank you for the watch and return to their seat), remember to keep your own speeches compact. Be sure to keep your words heartfelt and sincere without getting too lengthy so the entire audience stays plugged in and interested.
Feed the Masses: One sure way to get everyone gathered around, and in a hurry, is to serve up some good fresh coffee, a cake, even a lunch. You may want to save the awards ceremony for after the lunch has been served, however, or wait for everyone to have cake and coffee mug in hand. Sure, they love their coworker and want to see them applauded for a job well done, but feeding the group first will assure all eyes are on the presentation and not that beautiful double layer chocolate cake back in the corner.
The most important thing in setting up awards presentations is to make sure it’s engaging and fun, and that not only the guest(s) of honor walk away feeling positive and fully appreciated, but the entire staff. It doesn’t need to be over the top or expensive, but it should be meaningful. The best part? No glittery evening gowns required.
 What makes an employee feel appreciated? We may assume we know the answer to that question; we may even assume we’re doing it for our employees already, but are we? I asked a few hard workers an important question: ” What was one thing an employer did for you that made you feel truly appreciated?” Some of those questioned had immediate responses. But most had to think awhile; one even gave up. Following are their eye-opening answers.
What was one thing an employer did for you that made you feel truly appreciated?
Bob: Unfortunately I can’t think of anything great a company did to recognize me specifically, but at an employee group level, the company organized a few picnics that turned out to be fun events. I would have appreciated a simple verbal acknowledgment from my manager for a job well done.
Cecil: I always liked getting free things. (I once got a laser pen and pencil set.) The day we would grill out and have hot dogs and hamburgers. Gift certificates were nice. Unexpected things were always the best. Like coming into the office and saying the first sale of the day got $50. Salesman of the month with a gift certificate to a restaurant.
Sharon: During a performance review at a job I had in my early 20’s, a boss told me he wished all his employees worked as hard as I did. He was very sincere and I’ve carried that compliment with me all these 20 years later!
Sarah: OK, I can honestly say I don’t know the last time an employer did anything to let me know I was appreciated. Oh wait, I think on Secretary’s Day the other agents buy us a big lunch. But wait, that’s the agents. That doesn’t come from the employer. Scrap that. My supervisor brought us snacks for Christmas. For the whole staff she brought us one thing of celery sticks cut up, a small bag of carrots, and some dip. And two rolls of Ritz crackers for our ENTIRE staff. I think a dozen cookies too! Is this helping?
(Thanks, Sarah. Actually it does help! We appreciate your candor.)
Maria: In 1997, I received a gold necklace from a boss and his wife when I left the company. I am wearing it right now. Also, the continuous “Thank you’s” are so important.
Five people, five different companies five totally different responses. Or is it? One could read these answers and walk away with an overall impression: It really is in the sincerity of the recognition. One thing is for certain: Everyone wants to feel appreciated and recognized for the time and effort they put into a company. If you’re wondering whether or not your company is doing its best to make the employees feel valued, you might try a similar survey, asking employees to give their responses anonymously. Perhaps you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. Or maybe it’ll be some pretty difficult reading material. Either way, it’s important enough to take the time to find out. In the end, you’ll have happier, more productive employees that are willing to go the extra mile.
Perhaps you’re the employee with a story to share. Please feel free to comment on this post and tell us what an employee has done to make you feel valued!
Check back next week when our next Speak-Out asks people to share their stories when employees tried to make them feel appreciated – but didn’t. More eye-opening stuff to come, so subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss out!
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