Eric Papp's Blog

I’m about nine months into my new job as the Vice President for Employee Benefits, and it has been a humbling experience.

The work requires consistent outbound effort: phone calls, follow-ups, emails, LinkedIn messages, and patience. And if you’ve ever done business development, you already know the part no one glamorizes:

A lot of effort…
A lot of attempts…
And a lot of silence.

Many calls go unanswered. Many emails go unreturned. It’s not personal, but it feels personal if you let it.

At the same time, I’m also a professional speaker. In that world, the feedback loop is immediate. I’m on center stage speaking to hundreds of people. Afterwards, people shake my hand, tell me what the message meant, and sometimes I’m signing books.

That contrast has taught me a lesson I needed to relearn:

Failure is not identity. Failure is information.

The Two Stories We Tell Ourselves After a Setback

When outreach doesn’t land, when momentum slows, or when results don’t show up quickly, most of us default to one of two internal stories:

1) Identity-Based Failure (the dangerous story)“I’m a failure.”“I’m not good at this.”“Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”“Maybe this was a mistake.”

This story doesn’t lead to improvement; it leads to shame. And shame doesn’t produce better performance. It produces hesitation, overthinking, and avoidance.

2) Action-Based Failure “That approach didn’t work.”“My actions failed.”“That message didn’t resonate.”“That follow-up cadence wasn’t strong enough.”

This story creates space to learn. It turns disappointment into data.

And data leads to decisions.

Why This Mindset Shift Creates Possibility

When you tie failure to identity, you end up stuck:

You personalize the outcomeYou protect your ego by playing it safeYou stop taking the actions that create growth

But when you tie failure to actions, everything changes:

You can adjust your strategyYou can improve your messageYou can build consistency without questioning your worth

That’s the shift I’ve been practicing:
My outcome isn’t who I am. My outcome is feedback on what I did.

The Habit That’s Helping Me Most: Taking Inventory

In this season, I’ve had to take inventory constantly, not with emotion, but with honesty:

What actions do I need to start taking?What actions do I need to stop taking?What am I doing that isn’t working, even if it’s comfortable?What am I avoiding that would actually move the needle?

Sometimes the answer isn’t “work harder.”
Sometimes the answer is work differently:

A clearer messageA tighter target listA better follow-up processA stronger call-to-actionMore reps over a longer stretch than your ego wants to tolerateThe Real Win Isn’t Applause. It’s Progress

The win isn’t that every call gets answered.
The win is staying in motion without letting rejection rename you.

Because rejection can be loud if you let it talk.

But here’s the truth:
You’re not failing as a person. You’re refining as a professional.

And that’s a completely different story.

A Simple Question That Helps Reframe Failure

If you’ve been discouraged lately in sales, leadership, parenting, health, or anything else, ask yourself:

Is it really who I am… or is it what I’m doing?

If it’s what you’re doing, that’s good news.

Actions can be changed.
Strategies can be improved.
Systems can be built.
Skills can be learned.

And progress can be made.

FAQWhat does it mean to reframe failure?

Reframing failure means changing the meaning you attach to a setback. Instead of treating it as a verdict on your identity (“I’m a failure”), you treat it as feedback on your approach (“my actions didn’t work”).

Why is identity-based failure harmful?

Identity-based failure leads to shame and avoidance. It makes you less likely to take the next rep — which is the only thing that creates growth.

How do I stop personalizing rejection?

Use a process mindset: separate who you are from what you did. Review your actions, identify what to adjust, and commit to the next set of reps.

What’s a practical way to apply this mindset?

Take weekly inventory: identify one action to start, one to stop, and one to improve. Then measure your effort, not just your outcomes.

If you’re in a season where results are slower than expected, I hope this helps. Keep going.

by Eric Papp

The post Reframe Failure: Identity vs. Action (My Most Humbling Lesson This Year) appeared first on Eric Papp.

It’s February 10th.

So let me ask the question we all love to hear this time of year:

“How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions?” 😑

Yeah. Not my favorite either.

By the end of January, many people already feel behind, discouraged, or quietly resigned to the idea that this year won’t be much different from last. But here’s the truth:

Most people don’t quit on their goals because they lack discipline or motivation.

They quit because they’re using a faulty measuring system.

The Measurement Trap That Kills Momentum

Most of us measure progress like this:

Where I am today vs. where I want to be

That comparison drops us straight into what Dan Sullivan calls “the Gap.”

And the Gap is discouraging.

When you live in the Gap, all you can see is:

How far you still have to goWhat isn’t working yetThe results you don’t have

Even when you’re making progress, it feels like you’re losing ground.

A Better Way: Measure Gains, Not Gaps

There’s a healthier and far more productive way to measure progress:

Compare where you are today to where you used to be.

That’s the Gain.

And recognizing Gains is what fuels consistency, confidence, and execution.

Let me give you a real example from my own life.

A Personal Example: Progress You Can’t See on the Scale

Back in September, I suffered a knee injury that knocked me out of Peloton rides and kettlebell training.

The result?

Less movementInterrupted routinesSome unwanted weight gain

In December, I finally started riding again.

Now here’s the honest part:
The weight hasn’t come off as fast as I’d like.

But when I looked back at my workouts, I noticed something important.

My power output has steadily increased.

That’s a gain.

And recognizing that gain has a powerful effect, it gives me the motivation to keep going. Far more than staring at a number on the scale ever could.

Why This Matters for Leaders, Sales Teams, and Businesses

I see this same dynamic play out in business all the time.

Especially in:

SalesLeadership developmentCulture changeLong-term strategic initiatives

Sometimes it takes months after initial prospecting, training, or strategy changes before results show up.

If you only measure outcomes, it can feel like:

Nothing is workingEffort isn’t paying offPeople should be “further along.”

But under the surface, momentum is often building quietly.

Execution doesn’t fail because people aren’t trying.
It fails because progress isn’t being recognized.

The Gap vs. Gain Lens for Leaders

Here’s what I’ve observed:

When teams live in the Gap:Motivation dropsPeople disengageEffort feels pointlessConsistency breaks downWhen leaders measure Gains:Progress becomes visibleConfidence increasesMomentum buildsExecution improves

People don’t need constant praise.
They need evidence that what they’re doing matters.

As January Comes to a Close, Try This Instead

Here’s a simple reset as we move into February:

Start measuring daily and weekly winsTrack effort, consistency, conversations, and progressReflect on how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go

When it feels like nothing is happening, that’s often when the gains are stacking quietly in the background.

And that’s usually the moment most people quit.

Keep Going

Execution isn’t about motivation.
It’s about measuring the right things long enough for results to show up.

This idea, shifting how leaders and teams measure progress, is a core part of the work I do with organizations that are serious about follow-through, accountability, and results.

If this resonates and you’re planning a leadership event or session this year, I’d love to start a conversation.

Keep going.

By Eric Papp

The post Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail: You’re Measuring the Wrong Thing appeared first on Eric Papp.

 

Why do some leaders who lead a change in their organization ignore their people’s emotions? 

It’s amazing the stories we tell ourselves 

This change was disrespectful. They don’t care about us. All they care about is money. 

 

Two Reasons 

1. It’s easier to skip over it. Our brains are wired to conserve energy, and allowing people to be fully self-expressed can be uncomfortable. In a leader’s mind, this can be seen as a high level of perceived exertion and something that they think is not a priority. 

 

2. Blind Spot of the Leader

It’s in their blind spot (emotional empathy), and since they have learned to hold back on their emotions for so many years, they assume others will naturally do the same. This can lead to a disconnect between leaders and their teams, potentially hindering the progress of organizational change.

 

When we don’t acknowledge our emotions or those of another person, they exist in the background. 

It’s like trying to do your homework while watching an episode of Friends. Yes, some of you can do it, but it will take longer, and you will most likely miss something. 

 

Two Choices: Ignore vs Acknowledge 

 

Ignore: Pretend everything is good, assume folks are okay with the change and will implement it without any hiccups, and pretend to be shocked when you hear someone talking negatively. This comes from a high level of self-deception and positive ignorance. 

What you resist persists. 

 

Acknowledge: Create a space where people can voice their concerns and share openly. Often, people don’t want you to solve their problems; they want their voices to be heard. The more you can express your team’s concerns, the more effective you will be. This requires humility in listening and courage to lead the conversation and steer it back to the change. 

A humble person is close to reality.  A courageous person takes action without knowing if it will work out. 

 

by Eric Papp 

Change Management Speaker 

The post Change is Emotional appeared first on Eric Papp.

1. Buy “it” Yourself 

Take a look around your house. How much “stuff” did you buy in the last month? Or review your Amazon cart. I’ll bet if you examined your purchasing history, there are probably at least a few items you shouldn’t have bought. And even before you hit the purchase button, you were probably on the fence. 

This is no different in many of the “changes” in the work environment. Sometimes, leaders make changes and are not entirely sold on themselves. 

How easily can you recommend (sell) your favorite restaurant, wine, or book? It’s easy. Why? Because you believe in it. 

Most change initiatives fail because the leaders don’t fully believe in them. How do you expect others to adopt and implement them if you don’t believe in them? 

A client of mine underwent a two-year implementation program for a new CRM system for the company. It failed. In talking with him, he had buyer’s remorse from the onset. He thought that he could still successfully move forward without addressing it. 

The first step is to examine the scale of Pain vs. Pleasure 

Urgency is directly correlated to the degree of avoiding pain or seeking pleasure. The more painful something is, the higher the degree of urgency. It is critical because this can help us take the first step.

The second part examines the relationship between self-reflection and self-deception. Many failed change initiatives are led by leaders who live in self-deception and arrogance, which prevents them from seeing and believing in change. 

 

2. Select a Community of Influencers 

I paid to join an elite group of professional speakers a while back and attended the first in-person event. After leaving, this influenced me to update my website and demo video. 

No one told me to make these changes to my business, but being around high performers helps you raise your standards. 

We are social creatures, and peer accountability is incredibly powerful. 

When an organization changes, people often look to their peers and influencers for help. If you can win over a select few influencers, they can help champion your change. 

The change may come from upper management, but the influence will come from their peers. 

 

3. Share/Sell the Why 

Start With Why.

Sometimes, organizations address the what and gloss over the why. 

They focus on the result and fail to share the purpose. 

Why are we doing this? What’s the motivation behind this change? 

What’s the belief that this will be something that will help the organization? 

Employees who don’t understand the “why” tend to give half effort. 

Addressing the why speaks to the part of the brain that deals with trust and “gut feelings.” 

Knowing “the why” behind a change initiative is the energy source for overcoming obstacles that will surface in the coming weeks and months. 

 

4. Flush Out Your Concerns 

About every eleven months, we have an A/C technician come to our house to inspect and clean our unit. One of the things he does is flush the drain line. It always amazes me how much sludge comes out. 

In the past, when we hadn’t had this service, the drain line got clogged up, and the a/c unit stopped working. This is not fun in June in Florida with small kids and a wife. 

People will naturally talk when you initiate a change. Some will resist and perhaps balk at the new changes. This is okay and to be expected. 

What amazes me is how senior leaders prioritize finding out who’s speaking negatively. They will seek to collect information from “sources” and waste much time in this pettiness activity instead of taking courage and flushing out concerns face to face. 

Create a psychologically safe environment where people can voice their concerns without fear of retribution. Allowing people to express their thoughts and feelings is one critical step in getting them to buy into the long-term change. 

When someone has to “keep it in” or “stuff it down,” it will usually surface in the future and create more problems. 

Have you ever been in a conversation with a person, and they bring up something you did that was hurtful to them from the past? You had no idea they took offense to that or were still holding onto that. 

This is what happens when we don’t fully express our concerns. 

 

5. Reduce The Friction 

I bought a Peloton bike in 2019. I saw it as a way to get an incredible workout without getting in my car, driving to a studio, and coordinating class times with my schedule. 

It can be tough enough to motivate myself to work out, but when you add additional friction layers (driving and coordinating class times), excuses start to surface. And now that we have two kids, I can do a ride when the kids are napping. 

When you reduce the friction, the desired behavior is likely to occur.

You must also remember that 40-60% of our day is habitual. Our thinking and actions are automatic. And our brain is wired to conserve energy.  

Before you ask a person for a new behavior, consider how to reduce the friction so it will be easy for them to take action. 

 

6. Commit to 1-2 Measurable Behaviors 

When I was 245 lbs and weighed myself daily, I thought the scale would never move and that I had to live with this as my new reality. 

I felt stuck because I was measuring the outcome and not the behavior.

Companies make the same mistake by focusing on the goal and failing to identify the daily and weekly behaviors determining the outcome.  

I found confidence in measuring to see if I did my 3 HIIT classes in a week and drinking a protein drink once a day. This was something I had control over. And I backed off on obsessing over the scale. 

What two key behaviors will lead to your desired result? Keep in mind the 80/20 rule. 80% of our outcomes will come from 20% of our results. 

What are one or two things that, if we measure, will produce our outcome?

Be patient and measure yourself from where you are to where you used to be. 

 

7. Celebrate Small Wins 

Our minds are naturally in fear mood 

What’s wrong? We don’t have enough time. This won’t work. 

 

The antidote is identifying daily progress. 

Showing progress builds momentum and helps maintain confidence. 

Momentum is real. Any sports fan can provide several examples. 

When initiating a new change, it is critical to highlight some wins in the first couple of weeks to show that the change is possible and working. 

I have created a job aid that tracks daily and weekly wins.

It is amazing how the energy shifts in a meeting when you start it, with everyone going around the room sharing their biggest win for the week. 

Winning is contagious. 

 

8. Adopt the New Identity

When I started cycling in 2019, I did it mainly to lose weight. 

I never thought I’d now see myself as a cyclist. But that is exactly what has happened. 

Even though I already attained my weight loss goal, I continue to cycle because I assumed a new identity. 

Many employees saw themselves as having to go to a physical office to get work done. When the pandemic hit, they were forced to work from home, learn new communication skills, and stay focused. Many employees now see themselves as a teleworker. 

It is important to reinforce that change is inevitable and that even though we are “creatures of habit,” we can learn, adapt, and grow. 

In doing so, we start to see and think of ourselves as highly capable people who can rise to the unknown challenges of the future. 

 

by Eric Papp

Change Management Speaker

The post 8 New Rules of Change Management appeared first on Eric Papp.

 

Life Happens, and The Only Thing You or I can control is how we respond.

We had to go to the urgent care orthopedic center this week at home.

Nothing was broken or fractured, but something caused a scare, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

What I planned to do Vs. What I accomplished

I believe some of our frustration occurs because the “plan” we have in our heads differs from how reality unfolds.

Job position or promotion is not what it seemed

The unique feeling of a new relationship has worn off

The no-fail diet has failed 

So, what can you do?

Two skills that you can sharpen are Reflection and Planning

Reflect:

Start with yesterday.

What were my three wins today? Were these wins aligned with my most important goals?

How could I have improved my concentration?

When we don’t spend time on self-reflection, we end up with self-deception.

Plan:

Start Today

What are the three most important things I want to accomplish today? (add all three up, no more than 4 hrs)

What are some of the action steps for these three goals?

What do I want to “let go of” to make this day happen?

A successful day starts the day before; a stressful day starts as you plan on your way to work.

by Eric Papp

 

P.S. This image is what I gave out as stickers to a group that was having a tough time with changes at work.

Win Through Change was the program.

 

 

The post Life Happens appeared first on Eric Papp.

Kierrätysvapaat Ilmaiskierrokset 2024 Pelaa Ilman Kierrätystä

Tässä meitä auttaa vuosien kokemus rahapelialasta sekä lukuisat yhteydet alan toimijoihin. Suurin syy pelitilin vahvistamisen tarpeelle on varmistus siitä, ettei kyseistä pelitiliä käytetä rahanpesuun. Valitse vain oma pankkisi, syötä talletettava summa ja vahvista maksu pankkitunnuksillasi. Näiden maksuvälittäjien ansiosta voit tallettaa rahaa turvallisesti käyttämällä suomalaisia pankkitunnuksia, mikä tekee pelaamisesta vaivatonta ja turvallista.

Noston käsittelyä ei tarvitse odottaa, sillä verkkopankkitunnukset vahvistavat pelaajan henkilöllisyyden.Kierrätysvapaita ilmaiskierroksia voi olla jaossa myös henkilökohtaisena etuna aktiivisesta pelaamisesta tai erinäisten kampanjoiden ja erikoistarjousten yhteydessä.Vaikka aikaisemmin kasinot ilman rekisteröitymistä eivät tarjonneet kovinkaan hyviä bonuksia, tilanne on viime aikoina muuttunut.Curacaon lisenssi puolestaan ei takaa verovapaita voittoja, ja pelaajat joutuvat maksamaan veroja voitoistaan omassa maassaan kotiutustilanteessa.Alla esitellään lyhyesti uusimmat nettikasinot ilman rekisteröitymistä, ja sen jälkeen kerrotaan lisää ilman rekisteröintiä -konseptista.Näissä tilanteissa bonus ja sillä saadut voitot tullaan poistamaan pelaajalta.

Silvergreen.fi/

Tunnukset täytyy aktivoida käyttöön, ja uudistaa pankin asettamassa aikataulussa. Jos pankkitunnukset katoavat, on asiasta ilmoitettava pankille saman tien. Useimmilla nettipankkitunnukset kulkevat aina mukana älypuhelimessa, ja tunnistautuminen tapahtuu mobiilipankin tunnistautumissovelluksella.

Kasino Ilman Rekisteröitymistä Ja Bonuksia

Jos ja kun pikakasino läpäisee kriteerimme ja arviointiprosessimme, se pääsee mukaan listallemme ja siitä julkaistaan kattava arvostelu. Sinun on helppo vertailla sitä muihin nettikasinoihin ja tehdä sitten omien mieltymystesi mukainen valintasi. Valitse haluamasi summa ja talleta Trustlyn, Zimplerin tai Briten välityksellä. Ota huomioon, että Kasinohai ei tarjoa itsessään uhkapelaamista ollenkaan. Jos haluat antaa palautetta Kasinohaista, voit lähettää meille sähköpostia osoitteeseen Kun lisenssin myöntäjänä on virallinen taho, peliviranomainen valvoo kasinon toimintaa koko lisenssin voimassaoloajan.

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Sivustolle ei tarvitse myöskään luovuttaa puhelinnumeroa tai sähköpostiosoitetta. Kasinot ilman rekisteröintiä eivät vahvista pelitilejä pelaajien kiusaksi. Lisenssin myöntävät viranomaiset vaativat, että jokainen pelitili on jossakin vaiheessa vahvistettava. Mikäli tilejä ei vahvisteta, ei lisenssin haltija voi antaa pelaamisen jatkua.

Näin Toimii Kasino Ilman Rekisteröitymistä

Pelaajat voivat lunastaa 100 ilmaiskierrosta 10 euron talletusta vastaan. Näiden kasinoiden alkuaikoina bonuksia ei juuri ollut jaossa, koska ne houkuttelivat pelaajia supernopeilla rahansiirroillaan ja helpolla pelaamisella. Nykyisin kuitenkin kilpailu rekisteröitymisvapaiden kasinoidenkin välillä on niin kovaa, että bonustarjonta alkaa vastata perinteisiä nettikasinoita. Kasinot ilman rekisteröitymistä ovat olleet jo muutaman vuoden suosituimpia nettikasinoita. Alun perin Pay n Play kasinoiden toiminnan mahdollisti ruotsalainen maksupalvelu Trustly, mutta nykyään markkinoille on ilmestynyt kilpailijoita. Vuonna 2024 kierrätysvapaita ilmaiskierroksia näkee kuitenkin enemmän kuin koskaan aiemmin.

Kuinka Nettikasinot Ilman Rekisteröitymistä Toimivat?

Kasinot ilman rekisteröitymistä ovat siis nousseet monen pelaajan suosikeiksi. Kasino ilman tiliä ei vaadi pelaajaa luomaan pelitiliä, vaan talletuksia tehdään verkkopankkitunnusten kautta ja tunnistautuminen tapahtuu samalla tavalla. Kasinoiden käyttämät maksutavat tukevat jokaista suomalaista pankkia, joten kaikkien pankkien verkkopankkitunnukset käyvät. Suomalaisille pelaajille Maltan ja Viron pelilisenssit tarkoittavat aina, että voitot saa kotiuttaa verovapaasti.

Näin Valitset Itsellesi Parhaan Nopean Kasinon

Nettikasinot, joihin ei tarvitse ollenkaan rekisteröityä on tulevaisuudessa luultavasti aina parempi vaihtoehto, kuin kasino johon rekisteröityminen vielä vaaditaan. Yksi suurimmista tekijöistä on myöhemmin tässä artikkelissa käsiteltävä turvallisuus, joka verkkopankkitunnuksia käytettäessä on huomattavasti paremmalla tasolla. Toistaiseksi pelaajalle sysätään kuitenkin vastuuta siinä mielessä, että hän voi vielä itsenäisesti tehdä päätöksen siitä, minkälaisella netti- tai pikakasinolla hän tulevaisuudessa haluaa pelata. Ilman rekisteröitymistä Suomessakin toimivia kasinoita alkoi ilmestyä jo vuonna 2016, mutta vasta hiljattain ne ovat tulleet markkinoille todella merkittävässä mittakaavassa. Vuonna 2020 perustettu Boomerang pikakasinon logona toimii värikäs bumerangi. Suomenkielisyys ja anteliaat bonukset tekevät pelaamisen aloittamisesta sujuvaa.

The post Kierrätysvapaat Ilmaiskierrokset 2024 Pelaa Ilman Kierrätystä appeared first on Eric Papp.

As 2023 comes to a close, many are excited about the new year. And why not? 

When something is new, it gives us hope. 

When something is new, we tend to treat it with great care. (Think of how careful we are the first week we receive a new phone.) 

When something is new, we quietly think, “This will be different.” 

But sometimes, it’s not, and we neglect to see how our optimism blinds us, especially with New Year’s Resolutions. And how ineffective we are at accomplishing them, myself included. I read somewhere that only 11% of those who set their New Year’s Resolutions accomplish them. 

So how about we do something different?

How about we shift from a goal to a theme? 

Some themes I thought of 

Consistency Velocity Just Get Started Small Wins I Choose Gratitude 

And I decided upon Consistency. 

And how I’d like for that to show up in all areas of my life. 

More consistent in my workouts. Every workout must be intense. And this has caused me to take too many rest days between training. The goal now is Consistency and maximum effort, only sometimes. More consistent in my outbound sales/marketing efforts. I tend to back off these activities when business is rolling. More consistently enjoying the present moment. We have an 18-month-old and a 4-year-old, and I have to not be on my phone so much when I’m around Cole and Ellie. 

What will your theme be this year? 

by Eric Papp 

The post New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work. Here is What You Can Do. appeared first on Eric Papp.

Do you have any? 

cutting vegetables while also talking on the phonehanging up Christmas lights on the roof texting and driving 

Or, in my case, flipping up the side flap on the lawn mower while it’s running. Well, this past weekend, that careless habit caught up with me. 

A visit to the emergency room and surgery reinforced two words in my brain regarding that practice of clearing the grass clippings from the mower: Never again! 

We know it’s dangerous, but we tend to do it anyway. Sometimes, it is out of habit, convenience, or a lack of self-discipline. 

Whatever your careless habit is, there is still time to stop it before something terrible happens. 

by Eric Papp

The post Careless Habits Cause Harm appeared first on Eric Papp.

Do you have any? 

cutting vegetables while also talking on the phonehanging up Christmas lights on the roof texting and driving 

Or, in my case, flipping up the side flap on the lawn mower while it’s running. Well, this past weekend, that careless habit caught up with me. 

A visit to the emergency room and surgery reinforced two words in my brain regarding that practice of clearing the grass clippings from the mower: Never again! 

We know it’s dangerous, but we tend to do it anyway. Sometimes, it is out of habit, convenience, or a lack of self-discipline. 

Whatever your careless habit is, there is still time to stop it before something terrible happens. 

by Eric Papp

The post Carless Habits Cause Harm appeared first on Eric Papp.

Are you inventing things to do to avoid the important? 

This is a question I put on a Post-it note to help minimize the time I spent procrastinating.

It works, so I made it and give it to audience members.

by Eric Papp

The post Procrastination Question appeared first on Eric Papp.