The most important meetings you have to attend

Meetings here, meetings there, meetings everywhere!

I saw a poster in a bookstore in America that contains the following words: “The meetings will continue until we figure out why no work is being done around here!”

And while there are meetings that are a total waste of time, of course meetings are important. Businesses are conducted in meetings. But do you know that the most important meetings you will ever have to attend are the meetings you conduct with yourself?

Yes. You heard me right.

We talk to ourselves everyday of our lives. And the meetings we conduct with ourselves will determine the health of our perspective and our outlook in life. We are our most important critics. There are no opinions you can find in the world that are so vitally important than the ones we have of ourselves.

There is one word to describe the silent conversation we have with ourselves. Dr. Denis Waitley says, “Are we a nurturing coach or a critic? Do we reinforce our own success or negate it? Are we comfortable in saying things are working out well so far and I am reaching my goals? Are we normal every time we say to ourselves, I’ll do it better next time?” 

• When winners fail, they treat it as a temporary detour, a stepping stone and not a stumbling block. 

• When winners succeed, they feel rewarded rather than guilty about the achievement and the applause. 

• When winners are paid a compliment, they simply respond: “Thank you” very graciously. They do not have to be defensive. 

These are crucial conversation pieces that take place in the mind everyday. 

And while the winner conducts winning conversation and meetings with the self, he or she is comfortable spending time alone without constantly needing other people around. People who constantly need stimulation or conversation with others are often a bit insecure and thus need to be propped up by the company of others.

There are many meetings people conduct with themselves that are centered on the negatives.

“I told you the responsibility is too heavy for you to handle.”

“I knew I would mess up.”

“I’ll never make it.”

“I’ve tried it before and it didn’t work so why should it work this time?” 

There is no confidence. These people pre-qualify themselves in the negative. The meetings they conduct with themselves are so disastrous they turn out to be nothing but disasters.

We need to be careful with the meetings we conduct with ourselves.

On the other hand, don’t brag. Waitley says: “people who trumpet their exploits and shout for service are actually calling for help. The showoffs, braggarts and blowhards are desperate for attention. Don’t tell your problems to people, unless they’re directly involved with the solutions. And don’t make excuses. Successful people seek those who look and sound like success. Always talk affirmatively about the progress you are trying to make. 

And may I say that the most important meetings you need to hold on a regular basis are the meetings you hold with your Maker. Give God your thankfulness and gratitude. Acknowledge the fact that apart from Him you can do nothing and that He has equipped you with special skills and traits for a noble purpose.

These are the most important meetings you need to conduct every single day of your life.  

(Francis Kong will be the lead trainer for the Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” leadership program this July 28-29 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614 or 09178511115)