One day, not so long ago, a young traveler was walking down a path and came across a more mature and clearly, very focused man, laying bricks.
     “What are you up to today, sir?” the traveler wondered aloud.  “I am layin’ bricks,” politely responded the man.

Having received an obvious answer to his obvious question, our traveler continued on his journey, only to come across another bricklayer.
     “What are you doing here today,” he asked again.  “I am building a wall, which will be exactly 8 ½ feet tall and curve around to the left when it gets to the corner.” 

“Wow,” he thought to himself as he moved on, that was a little different answer.  Not yet finished with his inquiry, he walked a bit further only to stumble upon another bricklayer. 
     “What-cha doin’?”  “Well, my friend.  I am building a cathedral where thousands will come to worship.”

     This simple story of the three bricklayers has within it, the power to change lives…  your life, the lives of your family, your friends, your co-workers and your employees. 

Q:  So what’s the lesson? 
A:  All three bricklayers had the same skill-set:  they were all master masons.  All three bricklayers had the same tool-set:  the trowel, the mortar, and the bricks.  But they all approached their mission with three dramatically different mind-sets:  one was “layin’ bricks,” the other, “building a wall with clearly defined specifications,” and the last, “building a cathedral.”

When it comes to Performance, the highest achievers and the top level “black-belts” in any walk of life, are continually working on all three:  skill-set, tool-set, and mind-set.  Likewise, the greatest coaches and mentors (in business, life management, sports, etc.) all work to empower those who look to them for guidance, to continually 1) Assess,  2) Develop,  3) Implement, and 4) Re-assess in a never-ending cycle of growth and development.  My PROFESSIONAL Coach is constantly reminding me that, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.  Living organisms cannot be in growth and defense at the same time.  The only way a car coasts, is down-hill.”  My Take Shape for Life HEALTH Coach is always checking in with me to make sure that I am continually picking the right tools (food) and developing the right skills (exercise, meditation, journaling, etc.) that are congruent with my public and private proclamation of staying fit and healthy.  Interestingly enough, my FINANCIAL Coach actually needed to be changed a few times until I found one that truly listened to my clearly-defined, risk-tolerance level.

Stephen Covey reminds us in many of his writings that the best way to learn something is to teach it.  That’s why I am so grateful to my PROFESSIONAL and HEALTH Coaches that they have each allowed me to grow in such a way, that now I am coaching others as they have coached me. 

These days, Businesses, Religious Organizations, Service and Social Clubs, are all searching for ways to empower, transform, and inspire their constituents to take back what has truly always been theirs…the RESPONSIBILITY for their own health and well-being.  For far too long, the majority of our citizens have looked outside themselves for the solutions to their health challenges.  This has lead to a crisis-driven, reactive, high-cost, and very dangerous “disease-care” system.  If we continue down this path, in our lifetimes, employers will no longer be able to foot-the-bill for this flawed process.
     
Being served by a Corporate Wellness Provider, however, allows employees and members of any organization to experience a process-based approach, focused not on the reactive treatment of diseases or injuries, but on the continual development of healthy habits, attitudes and beliefs.  The positive changes in posture, breathing, stress and energy levels, disposition, immune and nervous system function and quality of life, are invaluable to the individual, but have a direct and measurable benefit to the “bottom-line.”  This is “music” to the ears of HR directors, budget directors, and CEOs.  There is no greater asset to any business or organization, than the health, vitality, and vibrancy of the individuals within that group.