Written by: Dr. Allen Lycka, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
There's a stark contrast between what companies and employees seek in the business world. Businesses primarily aim for quarterly profits, expecting obedience and performance from their employees. In contrast, employees yearn for motivation, respect, and happiness in their work environment.
The Great Resignation, emerging during the pandemic, highlighted this disparity. People realized they didn't want to spend their lives in unfulfilling jobs. It wasn't about disliking their work; they were unhappy with their lives. This period away from the office environment allowed them to think and reflect on their personal and professional desires.
A new employee joining a company should be akin to welcoming a new family member. This approach, as advocated by top CEO Bob Chapman, fosters a nurturing and growth-oriented environment.
Businesses often misunderstand happiness, equating hard work and high earnings with contentment. However, happiness should precede hard work and financial success, not follow it. Science consistently supports this, showing happiness stems from self-esteem, health, and relationships.
Understanding and teaching happiness is crucial. As evidenced by Harvard, Yale, and Sweden's Lykke Institute studies, training the brain for happiness can have long-term positive effects. My "Lykke Factor" infographic details this through traits, factors, and circumstances essential for cultivating happiness. You can download it here.
Dream cultivation is a vital process I employ in businesses. It involves writing down dreams and breaking them into achievable goals. Visualizing these dreams vividly is crucial for actualization.
Addressing fears is also essential. My Fear Vanquishing Process involves acknowledging and dissecting fears into manageable parts and finding practical solutions for each.
Finally, action is critical. Overcoming fears and expanding comfort zones enable progress. Courage isn't the absence of fear but acting despite it.
Stories like Lauren Hill's and Jill Conley's illustrate the power of living authentically and embracing challenges despite adverse circumstances. Lauren Hill, a high school basketball star from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, faced a life-altering challenge right before starting college. Despite being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Lauren chose to live her dream of playing collegiate basketball. Mount Saint Joseph College and the NCAA adjusted their schedule to allow her to play. In November 2014, Lauren's courage and determination shone brightly as she played in front of a packed crowd at Xavier University, achieving her dream and inspiring countless others. She passed away a year after her diagnosis, leaving a legacy of perseverance and living life to the fullest, commemorated by the "Best Moment" award at the ESPN ESPY Awards.
Jill Conley's story is similarly inspiring. After marrying her dream partner, Bart, Jill was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. Facing immense financial strain and grueling treatments, Jill's resolve led to the creation of "Jill's Wish," a foundation to financially support women battling cancer. She lived authentically, embracing her reality with the mantra "Rock what you've got," a guiding principle for her foundation. Jill's seven-year fight with cancer ended, but her legacy endures through the foundation championed by Bart. Jill's journey teaches the importance of owning our stories and scars, not as limitations but as integral parts of our identity. They teach us to embrace our stories and 'rock what we've got,' turning obstacles into stepping stones for growth and inspiration.
In conclusion, shifting from "I can't" to "I can" is about mindset and action. Now, I will end with a little story. When the summer holidays came, I only wanted to ride my bicycle. We weren't rich. We had to scour the want ads in the newspaper until we found one, we could afford. And the one we could afford had one gear, and it was turquoise in color. And the moment I saw it, I fell in love immediately.
My mother would have only two rules. The first was "Don't get into trouble," which was usually broken. The second was, "Be home for supper." That usually occurred because I was always hungry as a growing boy. And every day, I could hardly wait to get up. They were the happiest of my life. And I want to wish you all my happiness as a ten-year-old boy.
Dr. Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. A pioneer in cosmetic surgery, he helped develop several new technologies and has spoken at podiums worldwide. In 2003, his life changed when he was misdiagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and determination. Having been given a “golden ticket,” Dr. Lycka used his experience e to co-author the book "The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life" with a foreword by Jack Canfield, author of the 1 New York Times Bestselling book, "Chicken Soup For The Soul". He is the host and executive producer of How to Live a Fantastic Life and Doc Fix syndicated radio shows/ podcasts with over 7 million listeners a month. Dr. Lycka speaks to business groups around the world about “turning points,” and how to grow any business exponentially by bringing the best of out of their employees to increase the bottom line. You can download his infographic on happiness here and reach him on all social media.
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Dr. Allen Lycka, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and tenacity. Having been given a “golden ticket” Dr. Lycka used his experience to co-author the books The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life with Harriet Tinka, Pillars of Success with 1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jack Canfield and bLU volume 1 with Corey Poirier. He is the host and executive director of How To Live a Fantastic Life show with 4 million listeners per episode. He is a sought-after speaker.
