Tag Archive for: news release

Effective Communication: A Cornerstone of Success

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The power of effective communication in business (and in life in general) is incredibly important.

Communication is the cornerstone of success, both professionally and personally. It’s the foundation of strong relationships and successful organizations. In June, we recognize National Effective Communications Month. It’s the perfect time to celebrate this important skill.

Effective Communication | Improve Your SkillsEffective communication builds trust, which is one reason I’ve found that nothing is more important than relationships, than connecting with others, and understanding the other person’s motivation. When relationships align with your own core values, you’re poised to do great things together that benefit those around you.

Effective Communication: 5 Tips to Improve

To help you improve your communication skills, here are five actionable tips.

  1. Active Listening: Pay full attention to the speaker, avoid interrupting, and ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand their message.
  2. Empathy: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to understand their perspective and feelings.
  3. Clarity and Conciseness: Be clear and concise with simple language to avoid confusion and misinterpretation when delivering your messages.
  4. Nonverbal Communication: Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which convey important information and emotions.
  5. Feedback and Follow-ups: Encourage feedback from others and follow up on conversations to ensure understanding and maintain open lines of communication.

When done consistently, these five action items show respect, promote open dialogue, and allow for greater understanding. Because we’ve learned effective communication is key to building strong relationships with USANA’s customers and distributors, we strive to ensure that every interaction, whether it’s through our products, marketing materials, or customer service, is clear, concise, and informative.

In professional situations, empathetic and clear communication promotes open dialogue and resolves conflicts, which maintains a positive work environment.

I shared these thoughts in a news release that went out on June 1, 2023, to commemorate Effective Communications Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, which is available on Amazon, uncovers 12 principles for living a life in harmony and drawing on the power of values to help find life’s success secrets. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

5 Secrets to Staying on Track and Accomplishing Your Goals

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Making a goal is admirable. Seeing goals through to completion can be hard. But research shows accomplishing goals increases positive self-concept and improves moods. It all starts with understanding why your goals are important to you.

5 Ways to Stay on Track and Accomplish Goals 1080x1920In All the Right Reasons, I emphasize the importance of achieving goals in harmony with one’s core values. And as we celebrate May’s National Recommitment Month, I’d like to share five ways I believe we can stay on track to accomplish the goals we set out to achieve.

1. Understand Your “Why”

Defining the why motivates you through inevitable ups and downs.

One story I share in my book involves Mother Teresa. She served the poorest of the poor in slums because she heard a call from God. That inspired her to nurse the sick, the hungry,  and those dying in communities she visited. Long after her passing, her work continues, providing relief to those in need in 123 countries and confirming how the why behind goals is powerful.

2. Use Your Why for Inspiration

Remember your motivation for setting goals. And use that as a source of inspiration to re-energize your efforts and recommit.

3. Reflect on Goals from a New Angle

When progress stalls, take a step back and view your goals from a new perspective. Brainstorm new ways to achieve your goals and change up your approach with new energy.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, chose advisors and cabinet members who held contradictory views to his own so he could be exposed to other perspectives and divergent ideas. I have tried to follow Lincoln’s example of leadership by surrounding myself with people who are smarter and more capable than I am and I let them go to work. I welcome tough questions and am not afraid to be contradicted or challenged. I’ve found the best leaders see value in opposition.

4. Break Down Big Goals into Smaller Ones

Achieving smaller milestones toward your goal will help you visualize progress and stay determined. Then self-evaluate to assess your strengths and weaknesses. In areas where you have fallen short, generate specific strategies to address them. That level of honesty with yourself may be the single most important thing you do to recommit yourself to your goals.

5. Reward Yourself for Your Progress

Positive reinforcement and self-rewards can have huge benefits for anyone striving to meet goals, which leads to increased motivation, self-esteem, and happiness. Celebrating successes brings an overall happier mindset and a sense of accomplishment.

Whether it’s a food treat, a spa day, a new adventure, or a relaxing time at home with a book, such rewards can boost your confidence and energize you to overall personal growth.

I shared these thoughts in a news release that went out on May 2, 2023, to commemorate National Recommitment Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, which is available on Amazon, uncovers 12 principles for living a life in harmony and drawing on the power of values to help find life’s success secrets. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

Find Harmony in Your Life Through Music

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During April, which is International Guitar Month, I urge you to find harmony in life through music.

As you know, I’m a lifelong musician. Guitars, the bass especially, hold a special place in my heart — and soul.

Studies show that people who live in harmony with core values are more productive and happier. This practice ultimately benefits themselves and those around them. Creating a harmonious environment with music brings better collaboration, a sense of belonging, and increased motivation.

As I write in my book, All the Right Reasons, living a life with harmony and music brings five key benefits:

  1. Reduced stress
  2. Improved mood
  3. Increased concentration
  4. Better sleep
  5. Enhanced creativity

By living each day in harmony, you can increase calmness and manage priorities better, which leads to higher productivity.

Seeking Harmony? Don’t Forget to Have Fun

At USANA, we live by four core values: Community, Excellence, Health, and Integrity. But fun is a fifth, informal value that I ask our employees to remember. Having fun and enjoying opportunities helps us to increase harmony in our lives, especially when tackling new challenges.

Speaking of new challenges, whenever I’m faced with one I remember my grandfather. His favorite mottos were: “You Gotta Fake It Till You Make It” and “Go, Baby, Go!” In life, we face setbacks that can terrify us and knock us to the ground. At those times, do we run or confront our fears?

When challenges arise, stand up, be strong, and meet your troubles head-on. I’ve found you can conquer just about anything if you just face it and follow Grandpa’s “Go, Baby Go!” advice.

Celebrate International Guitar Month

With the guitar as one of today’s most popular musical instruments, International Guitar Month is the perfect time to strike the chords and produce exquisite melodies.

Now is an excellent opportunity to learn to play the guitar. That effort will show the beauty of harmonies, which can stimulate the imaginative parts of the brain, leading to greater inspiration and innovation.

That can also enhance the ability to think abstractly and outside the box, which develops greater problem-solving skills.

I shared these thoughts in a news release that went out on April 3, 2023, to commemorate International Guitar Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, which is available on Amazon, uncovers 12 principles for living a life in harmony and drawing on the power of values to help find life’s success secrets. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

5 Ways to Boost Employee Morale

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Employee Spirit Month, which is celebrated each March, honors all hardworking employees. In celebration, I’d like to share five ways to boost employee morale for ongoing, upward progress.

When employee morale is high, we see productivity soar. So it’s important to keep morale at a high level for many reasons. Boosting employee optimism can happen with five proven ways that enhance individuals, teams, and companies.

In my book, All the Right Reasons, 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I write that nothing is more important than relationships. Realizing that, at the core, companies are primarily groups of people providing services or products. Lifting employees higher benefits everyone with high-level positivity.

5 Ways to Boost Employee Morale

1. Create a Positive Work Environment

An upbeat work environment reduces stress and provides an atmosphere of collaboration and communication, which benefits every organization.

2. Support Team-Building Activities

Team-building activities unite people because they let employees bond over shared experiences outside of work.

3. Celebrate Employee Achievements

When a supervisor genuinely shows appreciation for an employee’s good performance, it makes a huge statement that the company values each person.

4. Listen and Respond to Employee Feedback

While making the work environment a safe place to share feedback is important, it’s equally valuable to show employees you are acting on valid points they’ve raised. If you simply can’t act on their suggestions, you have to state that and give a valid reason to continue to lead with trust and respect.

5. Promote Work-Life Balance

In today’s sometimes fatigued work world, promoting work-life balance acknowledges that company leadership understands employees have important personal lives that should be addressed.

Each circumstance calls for its own practices, but mental balance is key because when employees are balanced in life, they bring that stability and happiness to work, which results in more productive results at every level.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on March 1, 2023, to commemorate Employee Spirit Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

7 Ways Music Can Positively Influence Your Life

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Music is medicine for the soul, and this is the perfect time to celebrate music icons and the influence music has on us. Few things have the power to promote harmony, peace, and unity among people everywhere as does music.

Feb. 3 marks “The Day the Music Died.” It’s a day to celebrate the power of music and the icons that have influenced us. In doing so, here’s a list of 30 songs that mean a lot to me.

Music as a Positive Influence

7 Ways Music Can Lift You UpHere are seven ways music can positively influence people across the world.

1. Creates Positive Vibes

  • Playing music in the workplace can create a more positive atmosphere, which can help to improve morale and productivity.

2. Reduces Stress

  • Music has been shown to reduce stress levels and help people relax, which can lead to increased productivity. Sweden’s University of Gothenburg study found that listening to music helps lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

3. Improves Memory

  • Studies have also shown that music can improve memory and help people to remember tasks more easily.

4. Increases Focus

  • For many, music helps to increase focus and concentration, which brings improved productivity in the workplace.

5. Enhances Creativity

  • One of my favorite things about the power of music is that it can stimulate creativity and help people think outside the box, which generates more innovative solutions.

6. Boosts Motivation

  • Increased focus (see above) can also motivate people and encourage them to work harder and more effectively.

7. Promotes Teamwork

  • Tunes can also help to promote teamwork and encourage collaboration, leading to better results.

Additional Benefits

Moreover, music has the power to promote peace, break down barriers between people of different cultures, and be a powerful force for good in the world.

As I travel, I see that music is a universal language everyone can understand. For example, our Free Radicals band has played songs from the Beatles, Toto, Doobie Brothers, Boston, and more. It’s wonderful to see people singing, smiling, and dancing, whether we’re playing in Mexico, Europe, the United States, China, or Korea.

As many of you know, I gained a love for music from my parents, who bought a piano before they bought a car.

My dad returned from the war, married my mom, and bought a beautiful piano before buying a car because they valued music that much. In those early days of marriage without a car, my dad rode his bike to work and took my mom on the back of his bicycle on trips to the store.

Some people couldn’t understand it. My parents didn’t have a car, but they had a beautiful piano. Music was that important to them — essential, actually.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Feb. 1, 2023, in honor of The Day the Music Died, which is commemorated each Feb. 3. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

Start Something in the New Year

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To kickstart the year, I’m encouraging others to start something during January’s National Rising Star Month.

Start SomethingIn All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I share lessons describing how taking risks and starting a worthy habit can elevate a person to success in personal and professional efforts.

Accepting the challenge to start something—new or old—is invigorating and a bit scary because it gets us out of our comfort zone and focused on new discoveries. Starting a habit earnestly helps us discover inner strength and brings untold rewards.

January is an ideal time to start something new because it is National Rising Star Month, which encourages all individuals to step up and share their talents.

From my experience, everyone has talents to share, even those who feel hopeless or invisible. When they reveal those, the benefits are immeasurable.

Start Something to Unlock 5 Key Rewards

Beyond energizing one’s days with purpose, starting a new habit brings five key rewards:

  1. Increased self-confidence
  2. Beneficial physical changes
  3. Positive thought patterns
  4. An improved ability to handle stress
  5. A firmer resolve to live according to one’s core values

When I’m true to my values, my life is in harmony and an inner balance strengthens me to face challenges. When I’m inconsistent with what I know is right for me, I’m living a life in dissonance, and nothing good happens.

In one inspiring story in my book, I introduce readers to Rwandan Immaculee Ilibagiza. I call it the Cardboard Keyboard principle. After Rwanda’s genocide in 1994, Hutu fighters hunted Ilibagiza, who fled for protection. Even with soldiers outside her window taunting and calling her name, Ilibagiza stayed positive, was rescued, traveled to Rwanda’s capital, and applied for a United Nations job for weeks with no luck.

Telling herself she could master English, which would improve employment opportunities, Immaculee drew a computer keyboard on a cardboard scrap and spent hours learning how to type. With determination to learn English, countless attempts to get that job, and positive self-talk, she was eventually hired.


Watch The Cardboard Keyboard principle on my YouTube channel

That level of persistence and positive self-talk has the power to carry us to higher ground and plow through any obstacle. Immaculee never told herself she couldn’t do it, even though everything she had to learn was difficult.

To inspire others to start something now, risk can produce great rewards. The only strategy guaranteed to fail is to not take risks. Taking a risk—a leap of faith—is an essential part of progress.Rising Star Month - 5 Key Rewards (1600 × 900 px) - 1

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Jan. 3, 2023, in honor of National Rising Star Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

 

How Do I Develop a Personal Success Plan?

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I’m a big believer in the power of planning to succeed in personal and professional endeavors. December’s National Business Plan Month is the perfect time to develop a personal success plan for the upcoming year.

Personal Success Plan | Kevin GuestHaving a personal success plan (or personal life plan) is key to achieving goals and dreams. Such a plan will help you stay focused and motivated so you can track progress and reward yourself at high points.

In my book, All the Right Reasons, I share how years ago a colossal failure motivated my business partner and me to write a plan that set the course for success for the rest of my career.

After presenting to executives at a major U.S. retailer, I was told — bluntly — that we had “completely wasted” their time. It spiraled me into an all-time low.

We were shot down in such an embarrassing manner and absolutely demoralized that we could have told ourselves we were failures, that we had no business being in video production. Instead, we decided to use our failure as a stepping stone to our success.

During a long layover in the Denver airport, the two of us wrote a business plan on the back of about 20 napkins.

That laid the groundwork for our highly successful video production company in the years ahead. We had been humiliated, but we didn’t let the experience break us.

We still laugh when we talk about that experience. Our belief in ourselves and our positive self-talk made all the difference.

The Importance of a Personal Success Plan

Personal success plans provide a roadmap to follow and help keep a person accountable. Tailoring the plan specifically toward one’s interest is key.

It takes five steps:

  1. Define goals
  2. Break goals into smaller, manageable steps
  3. Take action
  4. Accept and overcome obstacles
  5. Measure progress

With the first two steps in place, it’s time to take action because the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll achieve your end goal. Starting early gives you the luxury of not being rushed, which brings the benefit of reflection and refinement.

Then, once you’ve taken action, it’s important not to let obstacles or setbacks deter you.

Being shamed out of the room by those executives motivated us to write a business plan in the airport with a firm determination to excel.

Last, but certainly not least, you have to track your progress and celebrate milestones. That keeps you motivated and on track. Measuring and applauding accomplishments boosted us forward to higher levels. Those celebrations kept us going.

 

Life’s a Journey

We spend our lives on a journey instead of at a final destination. This is why I define success by The Journey Principle: Success is about the experiences you have, the relationships you build, and the lessons you learn. A personal success plan will keep you on track for achieving greatness.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Dec. 1, 2022, in honor of National Business Plan Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

Showing Gratitude: 5 Ways to Say Thank You

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Gratitude is so important. And this time of year, it’s top-of-mind for us in the United States as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It’s no coincidence that November is also National Gratitude Month.

Earlier this year, I began writing daily in a gratitude journal to express thanks for the many blessings in my life. It’s my commitment as part of USANA’s #StartSomething! campaign. The global campaign encourages each of us to start something that can create change in ourselves and inspire others. Here’s more on my commitment:

National Gratitude Month

In celebration of National Gratitude Month, I’d like to share five rare ways to say thank you. Expressing thanks demonstrates how much you appreciate others. Plus, saying thank you could also help to lower your stress.

We all have so much to be thankful for, and in this month of gratitude, we can especially show appreciation to those around us in thoughtful ways.

Here are some ideas to show gratitude that might even go above and beyond a simple thank you:

  • Making a phone call
  • Writing a handwritten note
  • Offering an in-person expression of gratitude
  • Stating gratitude of another to them in front of others
  • Saying thank you by taking a friend out to lunch or dinner

In my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I share many lessons of the power of gratitude with others.

One time, I traveled to a faraway country for business. It was close to Christmas, and I had already been traveling for three straight weeks. I didn’t want to go anywhere so close to Christmas. I didn’t want to fly halfway around the globe for what I expected to be a two-hour meeting.

Couldn’t I solve the problem from my office in a virtual meeting?

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put technology away and do things in person. That was one of those times.

It would have been easy to talk myself out of that trip, but I paid attention to the distress signals and knew I must make the visit. My efforts to be there in person did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Benefits of Giving Thanks

I’ve written before about the impact an interaction with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr had on me. Ringo chooses to treat people with respect and warmth. He chooses to be the kind of person he wants to be.

As one’s level of thankfulness grows, I’ve seen three key benefits emerge: Levels of stress drop, energy levels increase, and people discover the life they truly want.

Research about gratitude indicates that those who have gratitude in their hearts are more likely to achieve their goals. As your gratefulness grows, your dream life is built. That’s the mark of living a life in harmony. It elevates you to allow your best self to come forward for you and for all those around you.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Nov. 1, 2022, in honor of National Gratitude Month. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

Smile! Increase Harmony, Relieve Stress, Boost Positive Feelings

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For World Smile Day, I am urging everyone to smile and reap health benefits.

Smiling is a choice I make every morning. I smile, not because life is perfect, but because I choose to see the positive in every situation. I make it my duty to find something to be cheerful about every day. Instead of pushing people away with negativism, I work to draw them in with my smile.

In my book, All the Right Reasons, I write, in your careers, your paths will cross with many people. They all matter and deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile, say hello, and learn their names. You’ve heard me speak several times about “The Dorothy Principle,” which concludes the most important thing is relationships.

As humans, we need each other. We need encouragement, empathy, and connections. We need smiles, kind words, good advice, and trusted friends.

The first Friday of October is World Smile Day, started by artist Harvey Ball, who created the smiley face in 1963. Today, Harvey’s yellow smiley symbol is universally popular and an instant reminder to see the bright side of things.

World Smile Day

 

7 Benefits Associated with Smiling

Today, I’d like to share seven benefits I’ve found from genuinely smiling each day.

  1. First, it relieves stress and tension.
  2. Next, smiling releases neuropeptides and hormones that have a positive effect on the immune system.
  3. Smiling also helps activate T cells, which fight infections.
  4. Smiling helps improve one’s mood and makes one feel happier.
  5. It lowers blood pressure and is a natural pain reliever.
  6. Among other benefits, smiling more often helps people look younger and more attractive.
  7. Smiling also makes you more approachable, which helps you collaborate more easily with others and accomplish your goals.

 

Find a Hobby That Makes You Smile

Some people turn to a hobby to boost their mood and smile more.

World Smile Day | Kevin GuestPlaying music is so fun for me that I can’t help but smile when I sing. I’ve made it a point to always love what I do and do what I love, which is a formula for me to smile and bring out the best.

Even more, for those needing a boost to smile, find time to dance. My wife and I even have a picture in my book of us dancing in the desert. It’s hard not to smile when you do. Maybe we should all dance a little more.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Oct. 6, 2022, ahead of National Smile Day. All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals.

National Day of Encouragement: 3 Ways to Lift Others Higher

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As we commemorate National Day of Encouragement, I encourage you to lift another higher by giving a word of encouragement and letting them know you believe in them. Sometimes all a person needs is to know life matters and they can make a difference. Having people who believe in you and your ability to live a successful life is key to that.

As human beings, we need each other. As I write in All the Right Reasons, we need encouragement, empathy, and connections. We need smiles, kind words, good advice, and trusted friends. We need mentors, teachers, and people who make us feel uncomfortable in our comfort zones. Sometimes we even need a kick in the seat of the pants.

Author John Maxwell writes that people quit people, not companies. Therefore, as leaders, giving genuine encouragement can help employees feel better about themselves, their bosses, and their coworkers. And that can result in satisfied employment.

1. Show Up and Listen

Having interacted with thousands of people during my career, I realize the most authentic relationship-building experiences happen when I’m sitting kneecap to kneecap with someone, looking them in the eye and sincerely wanting to understand. Face-to-face meetings lead to solid business partnerships and long-term relationships that help grow a business.

They foster trust, build bridges, and help us manage conflict from a position of mutual understanding. Simply put, technology can’t replace the power of face-to-face communication, so we need to show up.

2. Praise Others Genuinely

National Day of EncouragementTell colleagues you believe in them, and you know they can accomplish their goals. Share something they’ve accomplished, and urge them onward with encouragement such as, “you’re talented” and “keep up the good work!”

To emphasize the power of praise, my mother told me over and over that I was smart and could do anything I put my mind to. Right or wrong, I believed her, and those simple words have carried me through my life to lead a successful company internationally.

Imagine the influence you can have by sharing genuine words of encouragement with others.

3. Start Something New

This is a challenge we gave tens of thousands of USANA Associates in August.

Today is the day to start something positive with others. Commit to focus outside of yourself on National Day of Encouragement and boost another up. Imagine the positive effect you will have.

Take Care of Yourself

Those three steps make up just half the equation, however. Helping others succeed means taking care of your own reservoir of strength.

Four things to stay strong yourself:

  1. Be kind to yourself
  2. Challenge negative thinking about yourself
  3. Remind yourself of your accomplishments
  4. Graciously accept compliments

I’ve learned that to implement those four points, I surround myself with positive people, I celebrate small successes, I’m highly aware of my thought patterns and fill my mind with positive thoughts, and I accept compliments with a verbal thank you.

The Gift of Giving

When you help others achieve career success, you give them a priceless gift.

Most of the successful people I’ve met got there because they were told they had value and others encouraged them. Sometimes all a person needs is to know that her life matters and that she can make a difference. Having people who believe in you and your ability to succeed is very important.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Sept. 12, 2022, National Day of Encouragement.