Controlling Yourself First!
10/05/04
Harold B. Jones, author of Personal Character and National Destiny, knows the importance of character: "People who are achievement oriented feel that they must be in control of their lives…. They do not expect to advance by demanding more from 'society,' but by demanding more of themselves."
The only thing you ultimately control on any given day is what you do to play the hand you're dealt. You may try to pick your game and the partners you play with, but you still must learn to do what you can with what you got where you are! Instead of getting busy pursuing a winning strategy, far too many invest valuable time in complaining about the situation, blaming others for the problem and waiting for the corporate fairy godmother to rescue them. There are three things you control in any given situation--you position for opportunity, you maximize your performance and that of your team, and you persist in searching for ways to make the best of changing realities on your way to sustained success. Demand more of yourself and your team! Ask the tough questions: Are we positioned with the services and products that our customers need? Do we have the people with the skills needed to meet those changing needs? If not, can we hire them or train our people to be ready to meet the challenge? How could you effectively raise the bar on performance for yourself and your team where it would make the biggest difference? Finally, in what way would persistence make a sustained difference in strategic results? The Fairy Godmother isn't coming. Challenge everyone to earn the success they seek.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Instead of getting busy pursuing a winning strategy, far too many invest valuable time in complaining about the situation, blaming others for the problem and waiting for the corporate fairy godmother to rescue them." --Terry Paulson, Ph.D.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Loren Ekroth, www.conversation-matters.com, provides this week's mirthful message--PROVERBS FOR THE MILLENNIUM. Hope you enjoy:
Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...