Diversity

Diverse, noun /dəˈvərs/: showing a great deal of variety; very different.

This week’s word of the week is brought to us by one of the many traits of the Withum Way – Welcome Innovation and Change. As our Firm continues to grow, realize that diversity and inclusion are key ingredients to our future success. “The value of a diverse team is its capacity to challenge the norm or group think and thus boosting performance through improved decision-making.”

Be like Gunner. This week we found him exchanging ideas with his colleague El Guapo the pug. After this meeting Gunner shared with me how eye-opening it was to see what someone with a different perspective can bring to the table. Whenever the opportunity for collaboration presents itself, realize “the more we engage others who think differently than ourselves, the more creative we collectively become.” “Diversity is what drives innovation, when we limit who can contribute, we in turn limit what problems we can solve.”

Realize, there is only one way to look at things until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes.

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”

Have a good week.

On Track

Regardless of how simple or complex your most recent goal is, let’s not forget that the best way assure achievement is to periodically check your progress along the way. Realize that “what you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Never stop working toward your goal. As they say, “even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get hit by the train if you just sit there.”

Be Like Gunner. Anytime you look at him, he always seems to be on the right track. What he learned from this train track adventure is that no matter how long the journey you can only get to the finish line by taking it one step at a time. “A little progress each day always adds up to big results.” Take your journey one step at a time you can achieve the impawsible.

“The difference between who you are and who you want to become is what you do.”

A little, a little, a little, becomes a lot.

Have a good week.

100th Motivational Message

In our day-to-day lives, we find ourselves starting many tasks but what we must realize is that we are defined by our finished product. What gets overlooked too often, but can be equally important to finishing, is how that product is delivered. Whether we are talking about tax returns, audits, or something as simple as mowing your lawn make sure you “promise only what you can deliver and try your best to deliver more than promised.”

Be like Gunner. He always has the spirit of a finisher. Here he is, delivering his 100th Motivational Message! It just goes to show that “where you start doesn’t have to dictate how you finish.” Over the past two years, one of the greatest lessons Gunner has learned while being Withum’s Motivator of Monday is that anyone can begin a marathon but true Champions finish them. Everyone experiences adversity but it’s those who stay strong to the finish are revered. Pace yourself. Determine to go the distance.” Always keep aflame the spirit of a finisher. After all, “every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Be sure to autograph your work with excellence.”

Always Finish Strong.

It’s more than a statement, it’s an attitude.

Have a good week.

Peaking

As we go about our days trying to reach the peak of our profession, just remember “that between peaks, there are always valleys and how you manage your valley determines how soon you reach your next peak.” Realize that the person on top of the mountain didn’t just fall there and that the only way to reach the mountains peaks of life is to forget about one’s self and help others reach greater heights.

Be like Gunner. He never stops looking for his next adventure. Here we have him finding himself on another mountain top. Before each journey we go on, he always reminds me that “it’s always easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is much better at the top.” Sometimes what you learn along the journey is more important than being at the top itself.

“Adventure isn’t always about hanging out on the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life.”

Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.

Have a good week.

Targets

Since we just passed the midway point of the year, remember that it’s always important to have goals in mind year-round both professionally and personally because “the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field, never scoring.” When we go about setting our goals for the rest of the year, don’t be afraid to have ambition. “Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude because you don’t need a fan club to achieve your own goals.”  Always be your own motivation.

Be like Gunner. Even though our pal only has one eye he always makes sure to take aim at his goals because “the odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you put them in sight.”  Anytime he reaches one goal it also just so happens to be the starting point of another.  Follow his lead and set an ambitious target this year!  After all, “the most ambitious goals make for outstanding achievements.”

“Talented people hit targets no one else can hit; ambitious people aim to hit targets no one else can see.”

Go find your target.

Have a good week.