Rivelations for Business Professionals: Simple changes you can make now to achieve the extraordinary life and business you desire

By Jim Riviello

The truth is, if you want to have something different, you must first become someone different. That’s what Rivelations for Business Professionals is all about—implementing small, easy-to-make changes that will help you move forward from where and what you are today to where and what you want to be tomorrow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9780990386629

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Copyright © 2015 Jim Riviello

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at Leadership X University, 102 Durham Way, Lansdale, PA 19446, or email: www.JimRiviello.com

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Leadership X University

102 Durham Way

Lansdale, PA 19446

www.JimRiviello.com

Cover Design: Kathi Dunn, www.dunn-design.com

Interior Design: Dorie McClelland, www.springbookdesign.com

Ordering Information:

Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the address above.

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Rivelations for Business Professionals / Jim Riviello – 1st edition

ISBN: 978-0-9903866-0-5 (Print)

ISBN: 978-0-9903866-1-2 (Kindle)

ISBN: 978-0-9903866-2-9 (Other eReaders)

LCCN: 2014917444

This book is dedicated to all the incredible business leaders I have the privilege of working with on a daily basis.

Your contagious energy motivates me.

CONTENTS

Introduction

CLARITY

PART 1: AWARENESS

CHAPTER 1: FALSE AND LIMITING BELIEFS

Don’t Have Enough Time

We all get the same 168 hours a week

Someone Else Is to Blame

You are 100 percent responsible

Obstacles in Our Path Are Bad

But what if they weren’t?

Run Faster, Work Harder

Do less and accomplish more

CHAPTER 2: DAILY DISTRACTIONS

Becoming a Conscious Observer

A powerful leadership attribute

Building Self-Discipline

A critical requirement for achieving success

Purge the Unnecessary

Simplify life by learning to say no

Create Space for Something Better

Reduce mental and physical clutter

CHAPTER 3: PERSONAL ENERGY LEVEL

Energy Vampires

Energy leaks that drain precious time

Yellow Warning Signs

Proceed with caution when emotions are high

The Hidden Message within Energy Leaks

Help is always available

Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Don’t worry about what’s next

PART 2: ALIGNMENT

CHAPTER 4: INTENTIONS

Clarity Is a Choice You Make

Discover freedom from ambiguity and stress

Live Authentically in the Present

Don’t miss it!

Move the Needle

Focus on smaller, more manageable tasks

Be True to Yourself

Trying to control others only leads to disappointment

CHAPTER 5: COMMITMENTS

Imagine If

Visualize achieving whatever you desire

Time to Make Time

Make reflective thinking a daily practice

Commit to a New You

Become the person you truly want to be

Sustainable Habits

Help you achieve more

CHAPTER 6: CONVERSATIONS

Speak to the Heart of the Matter

Have the courage to speak candidly

Stop Selling; Start Helping

Lead from the heart

The What-Why Filter

A lens to clarify what’s in it for your audience

Unlock Your Personal Treasure

Messages and clues are everywhere

DISCIPLINE

PART 3: ACTION

CHAPTER 7: WHAT WE THINK

Leadership Ritual

Early-morning reflection

Vacation from Should

Give yourself some breathing room

Let Everything In

When life throws you a curve ball

Shared Thinking

Collaboration breeds innovation and growth

CHAPTER 8: HOW WE DECIDE

Leadership Decisions

Choose peace as your barometer

Take the First Step

Overcome the fear holding you back

Time Out

Achieve clarity and focus when making decisions

Power Walk

Brainstorm ideas and connect with others

CHAPTER 9: HOW WE RESPOND

Respond or React

Leaders remind themselves of the difference

24-Hour Rule

An effective policy for both celebration and pity

Let It Be

Ignore that have-to voice chirping in your ear

Blessings in Disguise

Remember life’s simple truths

PART 4: ACCOUNTABILITY

CHAPTER 10: BE AUTHENTIC

The Student Becomes the Teacher

Share what you learn with others

Coach, Don’t Manage

Leadership mastery starts with being a great coach

Your Personal Network

Authentic people you can count on

Attitude of Gratitude

Reflect on all the blessings in your life

CHAPTER 11: BE ENGAGED

Conscious Growth

Resistance to change will stunt personal growth

Pay Attention

Learn to live in the moment and be present

Grow Your Business with People You Like

Do you need a VIP filter?

Plug In

Ensure your energy current is flowing

CHAPTER 12: BE DIFFERENT

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude

Ignite energy and creativity

Shine Your Light

Help brighten someone’s day

Ripple Effect

Positive impact is contagious

Be Different. Do Different. Have Different.

Accountability begins within us

Acknowledgments

Index

Praise for Rivelations

"Rivelations is a treasure chest of valuable insights and ideas for increasing productivity and performance. A powerful, practical book that is a must-read for those interested in achieving success!"

—Alison Forsythe, Managing Director and General Manager, Exact Software

"Jim’s wisdom comes with humility and respect for his reader, which is encouraging when facing the difficult challenge to face obstacles and change as a leader. Rivelations will be my go-to business bible when I need to limit distractions, focus on my authenticity, and deliver my ultimate best. It couldn’t have launched at a more perfect time."

—Antoinette M. Johnson, CEO, At Media

"Extremely motivating and thought-provoking! Riv encourages us to look at things from a different perspective. It’s all about the journey! The advice he offers in Rivelations is easy to apply and implement in our own professional and personal lives."

—Rick Laurenzo, CEO, Decusoft

"Rivelations is an inspiring guide that reinforces the importance of maintaining clarity and discipline on the habits that are most essential to success. Absolutely great stuff!"

—Vijay and Sanjay Khatnani, Co-founders and Managing Partners at J2 Solutions

Jim Riviello’s book pushes us to be better, questioning our selfimposed limitations, expanding our thinking, and leading through positive change.

—John Dubraski, Vice President of Sales, Hitachi Data Systems

Wonderful words of wisdom! Jim focuses on the simple changes we all can make that too often get overlooked. He underscores habits that truly make a difference. His words are exactly what’s wanted and needed. A true gift.

—Michael J. Lewis, President, Quick Med Claims

If you want to have something different, you must first become someone different.

-Jim Riviello

INTRODUCTION

At the end of a long day, do you ever wonder what just happened? Have you ever felt like you just worked your butt off, but you weren’t sure what was actually accomplished? Do you ever question why some people succeed at levels beyond imagination while others struggle?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Rivelations is for you.

It’s been my experience that many business leaders have never considered the leadership legacy they leave behind. In fact, most spend their days looking for a quick fix—a magic bullet. They believe if they just had another new client or could extinguish the current fire of the day, all their problems would be solved. Many appear to the outside world as very happy, but silently they’re exhausted from running on the treadmill, drained from struggling every day to make things work, and tired of feeling like everything is so difficult.

Deep inside they know something needs to change—both personally and professionally—but they struggle to define exactly what it is and how to change it. They lie awake at night searching for something they want to be, something they want to do, and something they want to have. I call this something the X. X is your personal something, and it is different for everyone. For some, the X may be a desire to lose 10 pounds before your daughter’s wedding or to find help for an elderly parent. For others, the X could be the challenge of finding a specific individual to fill a required role or a skill set to compensate for an inherent weakness. For many, the X they wrestle with is How are we going to grow the business?

By virtue of the fact that you are reading this book, there is the strong possibility that there is an X in your life you would like to change—or perhaps you are searching for answers to a personal X that weighs heavily on your mind.

Whatever has driven you to this moment, you are one of those fortunate people who are ready for a change—and that is what this book is all about: helping business leaders develop sustainable habits that will increase productivity, performance, and profits for themselves and for those they lead.

In the pages to follow, you will discover small, simple changes you can easily implement that will begin the process of transforming yourself from where and what you are today to where and what you desire to be tomorrow. I passionately believe that whatever you focus on (your personal X) is possible to achieve with clarity and discipline. In Parts 1 and 2 (Awareness and Alignment), I peel back the layers of clarity and explore the value of raising our awareness to the false beliefs, distractions, and energy leaks that sometimes derail us from achieving what we