As the year winds down, it's time to strategize on what your personal plan is for 2008.
I wrote about a success technique several months ago from John Maxwell's book “Success One Day at a Time.” Periodically, I try to reread his “talking points” to remind myself that I need to stay focused.
In Maxwell's book, he focuses on what he calls “Seven Steps to Success.” I won't outline them in detail, but they are worth considering. His book is a quick read and worth the time and expense to pick up a copy at your local book store.
The seven steps are:
1. Make a commitment to grow daily. Robert Browning once coined the phrase, “Why stay on earth except to grow.”
2. Value the process more than events. Always strive for continual improvement.
3. Don't wait for inspiration. Basketball legend Jerry West said, “You can't get much done in life if you only work on days when you feel good.”
4. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity. In other words: Pay now and play later.
5. Dream big. When you think of limits you create them.
6. Plan your priorities. You never regain lost time, so make the most of every moment.
7. Give up to go up. Keep your eyes open for such moments and always be sure to trade up, not down.
These seven are only brief statements. If you like them, go grab a copy of the book and flush them out. You will find they can greatly assist you in creating your own success.
Now for success with others, here are a few ideas for you to ponder and even use:
• There is no such thing as an unimportant person, job or contact with a customer. If one employee wows the new customer now and then, that's commendable. But if every single employee makes an effort to wow the customer every single time, that is a sales and service revolution.
• Listen carefully and your customers will explain your business to you.
• There has been an alarming increase in the number of things we know nothing about. The future belongs to those who learn things the fastest.
• Everyone thinks of challenging the world, but no one thinks of challenging their self.
• Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time wasted on disapproving of others.
• When you get right down to it, someone else may be signing your paycheck, but you are the one that fills out the amount.
Have a great 2008!
I wrote about a success technique several months ago from John Maxwell's book “Success One Day at a Time.” Periodically, I try to reread his “talking points” to remind myself that I need to stay focused.
In Maxwell's book, he focuses on what he calls “Seven Steps to Success.” I won't outline them in detail, but they are worth considering. His book is a quick read and worth the time and expense to pick up a copy at your local book store.
The seven steps are:
1. Make a commitment to grow daily. Robert Browning once coined the phrase, “Why stay on earth except to grow.”
2. Value the process more than events. Always strive for continual improvement.
3. Don't wait for inspiration. Basketball legend Jerry West said, “You can't get much done in life if you only work on days when you feel good.”
4. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity. In other words: Pay now and play later.
5. Dream big. When you think of limits you create them.
6. Plan your priorities. You never regain lost time, so make the most of every moment.
7. Give up to go up. Keep your eyes open for such moments and always be sure to trade up, not down.
These seven are only brief statements. If you like them, go grab a copy of the book and flush them out. You will find they can greatly assist you in creating your own success.
Now for success with others, here are a few ideas for you to ponder and even use:
• There is no such thing as an unimportant person, job or contact with a customer. If one employee wows the new customer now and then, that's commendable. But if every single employee makes an effort to wow the customer every single time, that is a sales and service revolution.
• Listen carefully and your customers will explain your business to you.
• There has been an alarming increase in the number of things we know nothing about. The future belongs to those who learn things the fastest.
• Everyone thinks of challenging the world, but no one thinks of challenging their self.
• Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time wasted on disapproving of others.
• When you get right down to it, someone else may be signing your paycheck, but you are the one that fills out the amount.
Have a great 2008!