Did you know that some wine experts can determine the personality of a wine maker by tasting their wine? And that there is a common challenge experienced by chefs and restaurants I call the "stirring the pot phenomenon." The challenge they face is consistency because no matter how precise different chefs follow the same recipe the final product always comes out a little different. Even if two chefs do everything exactly the same way the meal will always come out a little different. Many of us have had this experience during family holiday gatherings. Aunt Jane will make something that everyone loves yet when you go home and try to make it and follow the recipe to a T it still doesn't come out the same way. It appears that who is stirring the pot has an impact on what's in the pot.

When I think of this phenomenon I think of my grandmother who loved to cook and bake. I remember as a boy she would walk over to me and notice food still on my plate. "Aren't you going to eat the rest," she would say. "I can't grandma. I'm just so full. I don't think I could fit any more food in my stomach." Then with a big smile on her face she would say, "You know if you loved me you would have another bite."

To her food and love were one in the same. When she cooked she wasn't just making a meal. She was pouring out the love in her heart and sharing this love with her family. When we ate her food we loved her back. And no food, no matter who made it, ever tasted as good as hers. Her love made the difference.

I believe it's the same way with life. The love and energy we invest into it determines the quality of it. The love we share in raising our children or developing employees or helping a customer or obtaining a new client impacts the final product. The love or lack of love we give ourselves and share with others will determine whether life is sweet or sour. It determines the fabric and texture of our relationships and how others perceive and receive us. When we love our kids they feel it. When we stir the pot, at work, with love our customers and colleagues notice. Just as wine is a reflection of the wine maker our lives and careers are the reflection of the love and energy that we put forth.

So as you consider steps to enhance your life, career, job, relationships, success, don't fall into the trap of thinking that the solution has to be complex or complicated to be worthwhile. Truth is simple. Truth is power. And there is no more powerful and simplistic truth than love. Love is the answer. Love is so often the missing ingredient.

Focus not on wanting more, doing more, or having more but rather focus on being, doing, working and living with more love. Become a love magnet and know the more love you put out the more that comes back. Stir the pot of life with more love and let everyone around you savor your gifts. I'll never forget the way my grandmother loved me through her cooking and people will always remember the love you share with them.

Sending Positive Energy Your Way,
- Jon

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Jon Gordon is a leading authority on developing positive, engaged people, leaders, schools, businesses and teams. He is the author of The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Work, Live and Team with Positive Energy, The 10 Minute Energy Solution and Energy Addict: 101 Ways to Energize Your Life. Jon's proven solutions are being put to use by people and organizations worldwide and his tips have been featured on CNN, the NBC Today Show, Men's Health, Forbes, Positive Thinking Magazine, and more. He is also the co-founder of PEP- The Positive Energy Program, which creates and funds programs that develop healthy, positive children around the world. Learn more and sign up for Jon's free weekly energy tip newsletter at www.JonGordon.com

(Reprinted with Permission © Copyright 2006 The Jon Gordon Companies)