Newsletter for October 2004:
The Secrets To Unlimited Achievement
Contents:
- This Months Thought
- The Secrets of Unlimited Achievement
- Quotes of the Month
- Strictly Business: The Boss’s Most Important Job
- Humor: Eye Halve a Spelling Chequer
This Months Thought
Decide what you want and the life you prefer, then focus your time, energy and effort to that end. Use the resources available and create a Personal Eco-System that supports you perfectly, then simply out-work, out-perform and out-last the competition. There are no alternatives. Extraordinary achievement is the result of those four simple steps.
The Secrets of Unlimited Achievement
Each of us has the potential to achieve far more than we have yet imagined. We know that human beings use only a tiny percentage of our brain's potential. We waste time, we get distracted, we "spin our wheels", and we get frustrated. Yes, we do accomplish things, but only a small portion of what we are capable of achieving.
At the same time, other people are reaching huge goals and achieving vastly more than us. I find it humbling that Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods are so young! Whatever you think of him or his politics, isn't it astonishing that Bill Clinton is a retired president? He's still a "kid"!
What are the secrets to that level of achievement?
After studying many highly effective people over the past couple of years, I believe it comes down to only four critical essentials. Here they are:
1. Self Discipline. Self discipline has a terrible reputation because most people think of it as pain and deprivation, but nothing could be further from the truth!
Self discipline is the key to ultimate freedom! It means taking charge of your life, being an adult and deciding how you want to live your life. It means you are not dependent on circumstances or convenience or other people's opinions. It is choosing your own course, taking responsibility and going in the direction YOU have chosen. It means doing what makes sense in the long run, rather than what is popular or comfortable or easy. Self discipline is the first essential for massive, extraordinary levels of personal success.
2. Effective Resource Allocation. High achievers don't waste time or squander relationships, or "wish their lives away". They use their talents and abilities wisely. They focus their efforts on their most important next steps.
We have limited resources. There are only 24 hours in a day, and we have limited stamina and strength. High achievers concentrate their best efforts on their most important projects. They are very careful about time, knowing that when today is over, it's gone forever. They make careful choices about money, knowing that once spent, it's gone forever, but invested wisely, it can create literally millions of dollars over time. High achievers use resources wisely.
3. Environmental Perfection. We respond to our surroundings and high achievers create environments that support them perfectly, all day long, every single day. They care about their offices, and they take care of their bodies. They dress well and keep their tools sharp and well-maintained.
There is a reason extraordinarily successful people have elegant offices, and live orderly, structured, simple lives. These are the habits that MADE THEM SUCCESSFUL!
4. Extremely successful people work harder than the rest of us. Yes, sometimes they simply work more hours and stay more focused, but sometimes it's the subtle things. They pay attention and actually listen to the people they meet. They network effectively. They read and use what they learn to achieve better outcomes. They get more done!
Self-made millionaires routinely work 50, 60 or even more hours per week. Often they are doing work they love so it doesn't feel like "work" in the traditional sense, but they show up early, they stay late, and they work all day long. They take care of the "little things" and it shows up in the quality of their results, and in their bank accounts at the end of the year.
Chart your own course. Decide what you want and the life you prefer, then focus your time, energy and effort to that end. Use the resources available and create a Personal Eco-System that supports you perfectly, then simply out-work, out-perform and out-last the competition. There are no alternatives. Extraordinary achievement is the result of those four simple steps.
Quotes of the Month
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live." – Joan Borysenko
"It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits to our abilities do not exist." -- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul." – Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." -- John Ruskin
Strictly Business: The Boss's Most Important Job
As the owner or leader in your business, you wear many hats. You are probably the chief innovator, and certainly you are a role model for your team. They watch you, and they follow your lead. You are directly involved in sales, and you are responsible for finances and a multitude of other critical items. So, what's your MOST important job?
That's easy - To get your employees to come back tomorrow morning.
I recently saw a case-study of SAS, the software company, and it was remarkable. On average, turn-over at similar companies runs about 20% per year. At SAS, it's less than 5% per year! Think of the thousands of hours that saves in recruiting, training and management time! Not to mention the savings in direct costs! What's their secret?
The boss understands that for all his land and equipment and proprietary systems, his most essential assets "walk out of the building every night, and it's my job to see that they walk back in tomorrow morning."
Even in this tight economy, there are jobs to be had. People can make money, or start their own company and compete with you over night. What people want, what they have always longed for, is respect, fulfillment, satisfaction and recognition. Research has shown that, in general, you cannot pay people enough to stay on the job if they don't like the work, the environment, or their co- workers, and those things are YOUR job!
As the "boss" (even if you are your only employee!), your key task is to see that your people are well served, well maintained, well trained and well respected. Without that, everything else is just a pause until they move on.
Humor: Eye Halve a Spelling Chequer
Some people are incredibly clever and whoever put this together has my undying respect - it's a talent I can only envy. Enjoy!
Eye halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plainly marques four my revue Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word And weight four it two say Weather eye am wrong oar write It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh My chequer tolled me sew
Rodger Blaker is a Business/Life Coach who supports people in their desire to bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com
GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND! Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!