Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Doing more with less
ttention & Focus: The Keys To Success Or Failure In Your Life
by ASOKA SELVARAJAH on AUGUST 18, 2010
One thing that is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve in our modern world is focusing on what really matters to us in life and making consistent progress towards it. Multi-tasking seems to rule the day and appears ever more indispensable as the complexity of our lives increases.
As we then try to do ever more within the same amount of time, things begin to unravel and it becomes ever harder to complete projects as we open more and more loops and fail to close the ones that we have already opened. Before we know it, even our most cherished projects and goals become never-ending ordeals that never quite seem to happen.
Marketer Rich Schefren coined the phrase “Attention Age” to signify that, as in the Information Age when information was the key commodity, today’s scarce resource is actually our attention, and what we give it to. We have only so much of it and there is ever-increasing competition to win it over to someone else’s agenda.
I find this challenge to my attention ever-present. Back in 1986, I completed a Ph.D. thesis in Nuclear Physics. In 2001/2, I wrote my ebook The 7 Golden Secrets To Knowing The Higher Self. However, these days I admit that even I struggle with keeping my mind on a project and persisting to the finishing line. It seems as though I, along with an increasingly large number of previously normal people, struggle with some form of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
It’s not just email, Facebook, Twitter, your mobile phone or a myriad other distractions that have grown up in recent years (Thankfully, I’m largely immune to Web 2.0 sites and don’t possess a mobile phone of any kind). With the rise of the Internet, there has even been an exponential growth in the number of opportunities available to everyone. In other words, unlike our grandparents whose choices might have been very limited, we suffer from having way too many opportunities to choose from. In regards to this issue, the book The Paradox Of Choice is an excellent one, wherein the author discusses how too many options in any scenario actually leads to sub-optimal performance and often failure.
In other words, we are back to that old adage that “Less Is More”. Herein, lies the beginning of the solution and the way out of the agony of overwhelm and opportunity cost. Every opportunity has with it an associated cost because it takes something out of you in terms of either time, money or resources to engage in it in preference to some other opportunity that you might be pursuing instead. Also, because every great enterprise takes a lot of time as well as energy to mature and bear fruit, we are also faced with the agony of frustration, i.e. “What if I had done X instead of what I am doing now (Y)?” And so on.
So the solution to overcoming this attention deficit that we all increasingly face is to realize that Less Is More. DO less, achieve MORE. Be very careful which project you decide to take on, but once you have decided on it, make sure that you continue with that project until it is finally DONE.
Note the use of the singular “project” as opposed to plural “projectS”. The more projects we take on simultaneously, the less likely that any of them are to ever finish. Hence, a key factor to getting what you really cherish in life done and manifested in your reality is to choose extremely carefully which project to do in the first place. Once you have decided upon it, make sure you focus on THAT project, putting aside all distractions, until you get it done. THEN, and only then, you entertain the next project.
So, when great ideas come up that could throw you off the project you are working on, put them in a little book to review at some later date. That way, you do not negate what your creativity is giving you, but you don’t let it throw you off focus either. Remember: the project you are NOT doing is always more appealing and potentially easier than the one you ARE doing; that is, until you start work on it!
Above all, if you have not been aware of this before, develop and maintain your awareness that your attention is your primary resource in this modern world of ours. It is where you place that attention, and how long you keep it there, that will determine the results you get in life for good or ill.
Copyright 2010. Asoka Selvarajah. All Rights Reserved.
RELATED ARTICLES BY ZEMANTA
Self-Help for Adult ADD / ADHD: Tips for Managing Symptoms and Getting Focused (helpguide.org)
Distraction: A Serious Problem of Modern Life (beliefnet.com)
How to Reclaim Your Attention | zen habits (zenhabits.net)
Why “Am I a Success or a Failure?” Is The Wrong Question (psychologytoday.com)
5 more fresh articles...
by ASOKA SELVARAJAH on AUGUST 18, 2010
One thing that is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve in our modern world is focusing on what really matters to us in life and making consistent progress towards it. Multi-tasking seems to rule the day and appears ever more indispensable as the complexity of our lives increases.
As we then try to do ever more within the same amount of time, things begin to unravel and it becomes ever harder to complete projects as we open more and more loops and fail to close the ones that we have already opened. Before we know it, even our most cherished projects and goals become never-ending ordeals that never quite seem to happen.
Marketer Rich Schefren coined the phrase “Attention Age” to signify that, as in the Information Age when information was the key commodity, today’s scarce resource is actually our attention, and what we give it to. We have only so much of it and there is ever-increasing competition to win it over to someone else’s agenda.
I find this challenge to my attention ever-present. Back in 1986, I completed a Ph.D. thesis in Nuclear Physics. In 2001/2, I wrote my ebook The 7 Golden Secrets To Knowing The Higher Self. However, these days I admit that even I struggle with keeping my mind on a project and persisting to the finishing line. It seems as though I, along with an increasingly large number of previously normal people, struggle with some form of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
It’s not just email, Facebook, Twitter, your mobile phone or a myriad other distractions that have grown up in recent years (Thankfully, I’m largely immune to Web 2.0 sites and don’t possess a mobile phone of any kind). With the rise of the Internet, there has even been an exponential growth in the number of opportunities available to everyone. In other words, unlike our grandparents whose choices might have been very limited, we suffer from having way too many opportunities to choose from. In regards to this issue, the book The Paradox Of Choice is an excellent one, wherein the author discusses how too many options in any scenario actually leads to sub-optimal performance and often failure.
In other words, we are back to that old adage that “Less Is More”. Herein, lies the beginning of the solution and the way out of the agony of overwhelm and opportunity cost. Every opportunity has with it an associated cost because it takes something out of you in terms of either time, money or resources to engage in it in preference to some other opportunity that you might be pursuing instead. Also, because every great enterprise takes a lot of time as well as energy to mature and bear fruit, we are also faced with the agony of frustration, i.e. “What if I had done X instead of what I am doing now (Y)?” And so on.
So the solution to overcoming this attention deficit that we all increasingly face is to realize that Less Is More. DO less, achieve MORE. Be very careful which project you decide to take on, but once you have decided on it, make sure that you continue with that project until it is finally DONE.
Note the use of the singular “project” as opposed to plural “projectS”. The more projects we take on simultaneously, the less likely that any of them are to ever finish. Hence, a key factor to getting what you really cherish in life done and manifested in your reality is to choose extremely carefully which project to do in the first place. Once you have decided upon it, make sure you focus on THAT project, putting aside all distractions, until you get it done. THEN, and only then, you entertain the next project.
So, when great ideas come up that could throw you off the project you are working on, put them in a little book to review at some later date. That way, you do not negate what your creativity is giving you, but you don’t let it throw you off focus either. Remember: the project you are NOT doing is always more appealing and potentially easier than the one you ARE doing; that is, until you start work on it!
Above all, if you have not been aware of this before, develop and maintain your awareness that your attention is your primary resource in this modern world of ours. It is where you place that attention, and how long you keep it there, that will determine the results you get in life for good or ill.
Copyright 2010. Asoka Selvarajah. All Rights Reserved.
RELATED ARTICLES BY ZEMANTA
Self-Help for Adult ADD / ADHD: Tips for Managing Symptoms and Getting Focused (helpguide.org)
Distraction: A Serious Problem of Modern Life (beliefnet.com)
How to Reclaim Your Attention | zen habits (zenhabits.net)
Why “Am I a Success or a Failure?” Is The Wrong Question (psychologytoday.com)
5 more fresh articles...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
To do List
Everyone is familiar with a to-do list, but most people don’t really understand the importance of having a list of the things you want to accomplish. Creating a to-do list is creating a list of goals. The list tells you what you need to do to achieve some larger outcome in your life. The power isn’t so much in the list itself, but in the overall goal it helps you to achieve.
A list is a way to break down your life goals into easy manageable steps that you can complete in a specific amount of time. In this sense, your list becomes a guide showing you how to succeed in life. The way most people start off creating to-do lists, isn’t particularly effective. It is easy to end up with many items that aren’t important, that you don’t want to do, and that don’t contribute to your overall goals.
Developing a talent in creating your lists is very beneficial First, you need to see your list as a sacred place. It is there to help you achieve your life goals. It represents items on which you plan to spend part of your valuable and limited time. This doesn’t mean you can’t put smaller items on the list–like getting groceries. It does mean that you need to make sure you only use your list for things that are actually valuable to you.
A list is a way to break down your life goals into easy manageable steps that you can complete in a specific amount of time. In this sense, your list becomes a guide showing you how to succeed in life. The way most people start off creating to-do lists, isn’t particularly effective. It is easy to end up with many items that aren’t important, that you don’t want to do, and that don’t contribute to your overall goals.
Developing a talent in creating your lists is very beneficial First, you need to see your list as a sacred place. It is there to help you achieve your life goals. It represents items on which you plan to spend part of your valuable and limited time. This doesn’t mean you can’t put smaller items on the list–like getting groceries. It does mean that you need to make sure you only use your list for things that are actually valuable to you.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Getting more done
Here are 7 tips to help you focus and concentrate on getting the
important things done!
1. Do What You Love.
Concentration arises chiefly from being deeply interested or vested
in an activity. So many people overlook this truth: No one can
become deeply interested in work that they don't like. Many people
struggle upstream all their lives because they are in a job that
doesn't fit them. They do not experience doing their best--and the
fulfillment that flows from this--because they do not like what they
are doing and lose their own self-respect. If this is true for you,
changing this is your starting point.
2. One Thing at a Time
Concentration is the art of continuous and intense application to a
task. To cultivate concentration you must have focus. As you're
growing this skill, it's a good thing to think and do only one
thing at a time. There's nothing wrong with writing a book and
doing home improvements in the same month. There is everything
wrong with starting projects and not finishing them. Creating bad
habits like procrastination and not finishing projects destroys
even the grandest dreams.
3. The Little Things Matter
In order to cultivate focus, you must bring your will to bear
strongly upon your work and your life. As Napoleon Hill said,
"Thoughts mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a
burning desire are powerful things." Begin to develop your focus
skills today in little things. Cultivate intense focus in whatever
you do. Say to yourself: "I am striving for excellence and will do
this well until it is done." Period. Even the most difficult tasks
yield to the power of focus and uninterrupted effort.
4. Nice and Steady
Vacillation is the enemy of focus. If you are erratic in your
habits and shift constantly from one thing to another, you may
appear to be busy but accomplish nothing substantial. To achieve
greatness, you must focus on one course of action and stay the
course. Your ability to dig in, to stay focused, to get up one more
time than you fall, to practice when you don't want to, and to put
temporary pleasures aside will allow you to more quickly achieve
your biggest goals.
5. Revel in your passion
Self-consciousness undermines focus. Greatness requires boldness.
Take a stand and live out loud. I wish I could deliver a big shot
of passion that would keep you focused and moving forward.
Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Only you can name and claim
your Why. What is the one thing that drives you, the one thing that
matters more than anything else? It has to be real and it has to
engage you. When you own your passions and how they make a
difference in the world, you will accomplish incredible things.
6. Feel it, Baby!
It is easiest to improve focus and change behavior in general when
you integrate an emotional component. This means that you can
reduce the need to white knuckle your way to high achievement
through sheer determination and hard work. You can go beyond a
logical connection to your effort and feel the emotion of why you
are doing what you do. When the emotional component of missing your
goal becomes more engaging than the temporary pleasure of not doing
whatever is required to enhance your skill or mastery, stopping
isn't an option.
7. The Bigger Picture
One of the payoffs of increased concentration is an improved
ability to make more money and better manage it. Yet, the need for
concentrated effort goes beyond business. You want to increase your
ability to concentrate in non-income producing activities, too.
Apply intense focus to everything you do. Why? Because the power of
concentrated effort will help you cultivate many other valuable
traits like organization, punctuality, thoroughness, an improved
memory, self-respect, and self-reliance.
Obstacles abound. Without concentrated focus, you will be unable to
persevere in the face of difficulty. Continue to grow your
concentrated effort to fuel you through obstacles, allowing you to
use them as stepping-stones to higher things.
important things done!
1. Do What You Love.
Concentration arises chiefly from being deeply interested or vested
in an activity. So many people overlook this truth: No one can
become deeply interested in work that they don't like. Many people
struggle upstream all their lives because they are in a job that
doesn't fit them. They do not experience doing their best--and the
fulfillment that flows from this--because they do not like what they
are doing and lose their own self-respect. If this is true for you,
changing this is your starting point.
2. One Thing at a Time
Concentration is the art of continuous and intense application to a
task. To cultivate concentration you must have focus. As you're
growing this skill, it's a good thing to think and do only one
thing at a time. There's nothing wrong with writing a book and
doing home improvements in the same month. There is everything
wrong with starting projects and not finishing them. Creating bad
habits like procrastination and not finishing projects destroys
even the grandest dreams.
3. The Little Things Matter
In order to cultivate focus, you must bring your will to bear
strongly upon your work and your life. As Napoleon Hill said,
"Thoughts mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a
burning desire are powerful things." Begin to develop your focus
skills today in little things. Cultivate intense focus in whatever
you do. Say to yourself: "I am striving for excellence and will do
this well until it is done." Period. Even the most difficult tasks
yield to the power of focus and uninterrupted effort.
4. Nice and Steady
Vacillation is the enemy of focus. If you are erratic in your
habits and shift constantly from one thing to another, you may
appear to be busy but accomplish nothing substantial. To achieve
greatness, you must focus on one course of action and stay the
course. Your ability to dig in, to stay focused, to get up one more
time than you fall, to practice when you don't want to, and to put
temporary pleasures aside will allow you to more quickly achieve
your biggest goals.
5. Revel in your passion
Self-consciousness undermines focus. Greatness requires boldness.
Take a stand and live out loud. I wish I could deliver a big shot
of passion that would keep you focused and moving forward.
Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Only you can name and claim
your Why. What is the one thing that drives you, the one thing that
matters more than anything else? It has to be real and it has to
engage you. When you own your passions and how they make a
difference in the world, you will accomplish incredible things.
6. Feel it, Baby!
It is easiest to improve focus and change behavior in general when
you integrate an emotional component. This means that you can
reduce the need to white knuckle your way to high achievement
through sheer determination and hard work. You can go beyond a
logical connection to your effort and feel the emotion of why you
are doing what you do. When the emotional component of missing your
goal becomes more engaging than the temporary pleasure of not doing
whatever is required to enhance your skill or mastery, stopping
isn't an option.
7. The Bigger Picture
One of the payoffs of increased concentration is an improved
ability to make more money and better manage it. Yet, the need for
concentrated effort goes beyond business. You want to increase your
ability to concentrate in non-income producing activities, too.
Apply intense focus to everything you do. Why? Because the power of
concentrated effort will help you cultivate many other valuable
traits like organization, punctuality, thoroughness, an improved
memory, self-respect, and self-reliance.
Obstacles abound. Without concentrated focus, you will be unable to
persevere in the face of difficulty. Continue to grow your
concentrated effort to fuel you through obstacles, allowing you to
use them as stepping-stones to higher things.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
10 Life Lessons You Should Unlearn
6. It matters what people think of me. "But if I fail," you may protest, "people will think badly of me!" This dreaded fate causes despair, suicide, homicide. I realized this when I read blatant lies about myself on the Internet. When I bewailed this to a friend, she said, "Wow, you have some painful fantasies about other people's fantasies about you." Yup, my anguish came from my hypothesis that other people's hypothetical hypotheses about me mattered. Ridiculous! Right now, imagine what you'd do if it absolutely didn't matter what people thought of you. Got it? Good. Never go back.
7. We should think rationally about our decisions. Your rational capacities are far newer and more error-prone than your deeper, "animal" brain. Often complex problems are best solved by thinking like an animal. Consider a choice you have to make—anything from which movie to see to which house to buy. Instead of weighing pros and cons intellectually, notice your physical response to each option. Pay attention to when your body tenses or relaxes. And speaking of bodies...
8. The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them. Almost every gorgeous client had a husband who'd married her breasts and jawline without ever noticing her soul.
9. If all my wishes came true right now, life would be perfect. Check it out: People who have what you want are all over rehab clinics, divorce courts, and jails. That's because good fortune has side effects, just like medications advertised on TV. Basically, any external thing we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. Weirdly, when you've stopped depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize. To attract something you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the point.
10. Loss is terrible. Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to keep things stable. I'd smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I now know is that losses aren't cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? That's the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If you've abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern. Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home.
In the past 10 years, I’ve realized that our culture is rife with ideas that actually inhibit joy. Here are some of the things I’m most grateful to have unlearned:
1. Problems are bad. You spent your school years solving arbitrary problems imposed by boring authority figures. You learned that problems—comment se dit?—suck. But people without real problems go mad and invent things like base jumping and wedding planning. Real problems are wonderful, each carrying the seeds of its own solution. Job burnout? It’s steering you toward your perfect career. An awful relationship? It’s teaching you what love means. Confusing tax forms? They’re suggesting you hire an accountant, so you can focus on more interesting tasks, such as flossing. Finding the solution to each problem is what gives life its gusto.
2. It’s important to stay happy. Solving a knotty problem can help us be happy, but we don’t have to be happy to feel good. If that sounds crazy, try this: Focus on something that makes you miserable. Then think, “I must stay happy!” Stressful, isn’t it? Now say, “It’s okay to be as sad as I need to be.” This kind of permission to feel as we feel—not continuous happiness—is the foundation of well-being.
3. I’m irreparably damaged by my past. Painful events leave scars, true, but it turns out they’re largely erasable. Jill Bolte Taylor, the neuroanatomist who had a stroke that obliterated her memory, described the event as losing “37 years of emotional baggage.” Taylor rebuilt her own brain, minus the drama. Now it appears we can all effect a similar shift, without having to endure a brain hemorrhage. The very thing you’re doing at this moment—questioning habitual thoughts—is enough to begin off-loading old patterns. For example, take an issue that’s been worrying you (“I’ve got to work harder!”) and think of three reasons that belief may be wrong. Your brain will begin to let it go. Taylor found this thought-loss euphoric. You will, too.
4. Working hard leads to success. Baby mammals, including humans, learn by playing, which is why "the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." Boys who'd spent years strategizing for fun gained instinctive skills to handle real-world situations. So play as you did in childhood, with all-out absorption. Watch for ways your childhood playing skills can solve a problem (see #1). Play, not work, is the key to success. While we're on the subject...
5. Success is the opposite of failure. Fact: From quitting smoking to skiing, we succeed to the degree we try, fail, and learn. Studies show that people who worry about mistakes shut down, but those who are relaxed about doing badly soon learn to do well. Success is built on failure.
6. It matters what people think of me. "But if I fail," you may protest, "people will think badly of me!" This dreaded fate causes despair, suicide, homicide. I realized this when I read blatant lies about myself on the Internet. When I bewailed this to a friend, she said, "Wow, you have some painful fantasies about other people's fantasies about you." Yup, my anguish came from my hypothesis that other people's hypothetical hypotheses about me mattered. Ridiculous! Right now, imagine what you'd do if it absolutely didn't matter what people thought of you. Got it? Good. Never go back.
7. We should think rationally about our decisions. Your rational capacities are far newer and more error-prone than your deeper, "animal" brain. Often complex problems are best solved by thinking like an animal. Consider a choice you have to make—anything from which movie to see to which house to buy. Instead of weighing pros and cons intellectually, notice your physical response to each option. Pay attention to when your body tenses or relaxes. And speaking of bodies...
8. The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them. Almost every gorgeous client had a husband who'd married her breasts and jawline without ever noticing her soul.
9. If all my wishes came true right now, life would be perfect. Check it out: People who have what you want are all over rehab clinics, divorce courts, and jails. That's because good fortune has side effects, just like medications advertised on TV. Basically, any external thing we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. Weirdly, when you've stopped depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize. To attract something you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the point.
10. Loss is terrible. Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to keep things stable. I'd smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I now know is that losses aren't cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? That's the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If you've abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern. Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home.
7. We should think rationally about our decisions. Your rational capacities are far newer and more error-prone than your deeper, "animal" brain. Often complex problems are best solved by thinking like an animal. Consider a choice you have to make—anything from which movie to see to which house to buy. Instead of weighing pros and cons intellectually, notice your physical response to each option. Pay attention to when your body tenses or relaxes. And speaking of bodies...
8. The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them. Almost every gorgeous client had a husband who'd married her breasts and jawline without ever noticing her soul.
9. If all my wishes came true right now, life would be perfect. Check it out: People who have what you want are all over rehab clinics, divorce courts, and jails. That's because good fortune has side effects, just like medications advertised on TV. Basically, any external thing we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. Weirdly, when you've stopped depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize. To attract something you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the point.
10. Loss is terrible. Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to keep things stable. I'd smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I now know is that losses aren't cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? That's the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If you've abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern. Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home.
In the past 10 years, I’ve realized that our culture is rife with ideas that actually inhibit joy. Here are some of the things I’m most grateful to have unlearned:
1. Problems are bad. You spent your school years solving arbitrary problems imposed by boring authority figures. You learned that problems—comment se dit?—suck. But people without real problems go mad and invent things like base jumping and wedding planning. Real problems are wonderful, each carrying the seeds of its own solution. Job burnout? It’s steering you toward your perfect career. An awful relationship? It’s teaching you what love means. Confusing tax forms? They’re suggesting you hire an accountant, so you can focus on more interesting tasks, such as flossing. Finding the solution to each problem is what gives life its gusto.
2. It’s important to stay happy. Solving a knotty problem can help us be happy, but we don’t have to be happy to feel good. If that sounds crazy, try this: Focus on something that makes you miserable. Then think, “I must stay happy!” Stressful, isn’t it? Now say, “It’s okay to be as sad as I need to be.” This kind of permission to feel as we feel—not continuous happiness—is the foundation of well-being.
3. I’m irreparably damaged by my past. Painful events leave scars, true, but it turns out they’re largely erasable. Jill Bolte Taylor, the neuroanatomist who had a stroke that obliterated her memory, described the event as losing “37 years of emotional baggage.” Taylor rebuilt her own brain, minus the drama. Now it appears we can all effect a similar shift, without having to endure a brain hemorrhage. The very thing you’re doing at this moment—questioning habitual thoughts—is enough to begin off-loading old patterns. For example, take an issue that’s been worrying you (“I’ve got to work harder!”) and think of three reasons that belief may be wrong. Your brain will begin to let it go. Taylor found this thought-loss euphoric. You will, too.
4. Working hard leads to success. Baby mammals, including humans, learn by playing, which is why "the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." Boys who'd spent years strategizing for fun gained instinctive skills to handle real-world situations. So play as you did in childhood, with all-out absorption. Watch for ways your childhood playing skills can solve a problem (see #1). Play, not work, is the key to success. While we're on the subject...
5. Success is the opposite of failure. Fact: From quitting smoking to skiing, we succeed to the degree we try, fail, and learn. Studies show that people who worry about mistakes shut down, but those who are relaxed about doing badly soon learn to do well. Success is built on failure.
6. It matters what people think of me. "But if I fail," you may protest, "people will think badly of me!" This dreaded fate causes despair, suicide, homicide. I realized this when I read blatant lies about myself on the Internet. When I bewailed this to a friend, she said, "Wow, you have some painful fantasies about other people's fantasies about you." Yup, my anguish came from my hypothesis that other people's hypothetical hypotheses about me mattered. Ridiculous! Right now, imagine what you'd do if it absolutely didn't matter what people thought of you. Got it? Good. Never go back.
7. We should think rationally about our decisions. Your rational capacities are far newer and more error-prone than your deeper, "animal" brain. Often complex problems are best solved by thinking like an animal. Consider a choice you have to make—anything from which movie to see to which house to buy. Instead of weighing pros and cons intellectually, notice your physical response to each option. Pay attention to when your body tenses or relaxes. And speaking of bodies...
8. The pretty girls get all the good stuff. Oh, God. So not true. I unlearned this after years of coaching beautiful clients. Yes, these lovelies get preferential treatment in most life scenarios, but there's a catch: While everyone's looking at them, virtually no one sees them. Almost every gorgeous client had a husband who'd married her breasts and jawline without ever noticing her soul.
9. If all my wishes came true right now, life would be perfect. Check it out: People who have what you want are all over rehab clinics, divorce courts, and jails. That's because good fortune has side effects, just like medications advertised on TV. Basically, any external thing we depend on to make us feel good has the power to make us feel bad. Weirdly, when you've stopped depending on tangible rewards, they often materialize. To attract something you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the point.
10. Loss is terrible. Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to keep things stable. I'd smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I now know is that losses aren't cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? That's the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If you've abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern. Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home.
Wanna Win, Be a Winner!
1. I am in charge of my destiny.
If you spend your entire career waiting for something exciting to come to you, you will be waiting a long time. Successful professionals go out and make good things happen. So commit yourself to thinking about your career in an entirely different way. You will make it to the top, and you are in charge of making it happen.
2. Anything is possible.
Think that there is no way you will ever be at the vice-president level? Then you definitely won't. Remember: If you think you can't, you probably won't. Adopt the attitude of The Little Engine That Could -- "I think I can."
3. No task is too small to do well.
You never know when you are going to be noticed. That is one reason to take pride in your work -- all of it. One public relations executive in Chicago said that her first task in the PR department of a ballet company was reorganizing the supply closet. She tackled the project with gusto and was immediately noticed for her hard work and attention to detail. Remember this the next time you feel like slacking because you are working on a menial task.
4. Everyone is a potential key contact.
While you do need to be aggressive in the workplace, you can also go far by being nice to those around you. Do you think it's unimportant to establish a good rapport with your boss's secretary? Well, just try getting your meeting squeezed onto the schedule when you really need it. Be courteous to those around you -- you never know when your past contacts will play a role in your future.
5. I was made to do this job... and the one above me.
If you spend your days feeling like you are not cut out to do the work you are responsible for, your performance will suffer. Your job may not be the perfect fit, but successful workers act like they are in their dream job, no matter where they are.
6. It's not just what I know, but who I know.
Successful workers understand the importance of networking, both in and out of the office. You need to proactively establish professional contacts. Invite a colleague out to lunch. Go to the after-work happy hour. Join your professional association. Do your part to establish a networking path for your future.
7. What else can I do?
Since you are in charge of your destiny, it's your job to look for ways to improve your professional self. Volunteer to take on an extra project. Learn a new skill that will make you more marketable. Stay late to help your co-workers. Successful workers don't just complete the job and sign out -- they look for additional ways to make their mark.
8. Failure will help pave the way to my success.
While it seems like some people never experience setbacks, the truth is everyone fails from time to time. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they deal with failure. Those who find success are the ones who learn from mistakes and move on.
9. I am my own biggest fan.
Have you been waiting for someone in the office to recognize your talents and efforts? Maybe it's time you start tooting your own horn. Step up and talk about your accomplishments and what you have done for the company. Successful workers know how to point out their achievements without sounding boastful.
10. My opportunity monitor is never turned off.
Yes, there will be days when you will want to just be happy with the status quo. But remember that successful workers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve. Keep your eyes, ears and your mind open to new opportunities -- you never know when you will discover the one that will change the course of your career!
If you spend your entire career waiting for something exciting to come to you, you will be waiting a long time. Successful professionals go out and make good things happen. So commit yourself to thinking about your career in an entirely different way. You will make it to the top, and you are in charge of making it happen.
2. Anything is possible.
Think that there is no way you will ever be at the vice-president level? Then you definitely won't. Remember: If you think you can't, you probably won't. Adopt the attitude of The Little Engine That Could -- "I think I can."
3. No task is too small to do well.
You never know when you are going to be noticed. That is one reason to take pride in your work -- all of it. One public relations executive in Chicago said that her first task in the PR department of a ballet company was reorganizing the supply closet. She tackled the project with gusto and was immediately noticed for her hard work and attention to detail. Remember this the next time you feel like slacking because you are working on a menial task.
4. Everyone is a potential key contact.
While you do need to be aggressive in the workplace, you can also go far by being nice to those around you. Do you think it's unimportant to establish a good rapport with your boss's secretary? Well, just try getting your meeting squeezed onto the schedule when you really need it. Be courteous to those around you -- you never know when your past contacts will play a role in your future.
5. I was made to do this job... and the one above me.
If you spend your days feeling like you are not cut out to do the work you are responsible for, your performance will suffer. Your job may not be the perfect fit, but successful workers act like they are in their dream job, no matter where they are.
6. It's not just what I know, but who I know.
Successful workers understand the importance of networking, both in and out of the office. You need to proactively establish professional contacts. Invite a colleague out to lunch. Go to the after-work happy hour. Join your professional association. Do your part to establish a networking path for your future.
7. What else can I do?
Since you are in charge of your destiny, it's your job to look for ways to improve your professional self. Volunteer to take on an extra project. Learn a new skill that will make you more marketable. Stay late to help your co-workers. Successful workers don't just complete the job and sign out -- they look for additional ways to make their mark.
8. Failure will help pave the way to my success.
While it seems like some people never experience setbacks, the truth is everyone fails from time to time. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they deal with failure. Those who find success are the ones who learn from mistakes and move on.
9. I am my own biggest fan.
Have you been waiting for someone in the office to recognize your talents and efforts? Maybe it's time you start tooting your own horn. Step up and talk about your accomplishments and what you have done for the company. Successful workers know how to point out their achievements without sounding boastful.
10. My opportunity monitor is never turned off.
Yes, there will be days when you will want to just be happy with the status quo. But remember that successful workers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve. Keep your eyes, ears and your mind open to new opportunities -- you never know when you will discover the one that will change the course of your career!
Monday, June 14, 2010
I was influenced deeply by the teachings of Coach Wooden. In this spirit here are 7 lessons I learned from him.
1. Success Is All About the Little Things - On the first day of practice Coach Wooden didn't discuss basketball strategy. Believe it or not, he taught his players the proper way to put on their socks and shoes so they didn't get blisters.
2. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome - Coach Wooden didn't focus on winning. He focused on the character of his team, key fundamentals, daily improvement, effort, potential and selfless teamwork. As a result he won...a lot.
3. There's No Such Thing as an Overnight Success - Wooden was at UCLA 16 years before they won their first national title. Today we live in a world where people expect instant results. If a coach doesn't win a title in a few years he or she is fired. Wooden is a testament that greatness takes time.
4. Selfless Teamwork is Great Teamwork - Wooden said, "A player who makes a team great is much more valuable than a great player."
5. There's Power in Humility - Norman Vincent Peale said that humble people don't think less of themselves. They just think of themselves less. Wooden made his life about coaching, leading and developing others and in doing so exhibited true power.
6. Faith Matters - In our politically correct world where people are afraid to mention God, even though it says it on our dollar bill, I find it interesting how in all the media reports about Wooden they talk positively about how his faith guided his life, principles and actions. There is power in faith. More importantly there is enormous power when your faith moves you to love, serve, inspire, coach and make a difference.
7. Your Legacy Matters - The most important thing you will leave behind when you die is your legacy. And the greatest legacy you can leave is your life, your principles and the lives you touch. Wooden didn't spend his life amassing wealth and trying to make a fortune. He invested in others. And while buildings will fall, jewelry will tarnish and money will get spent, his legacy will live on in those who carry his teachings in their heart.
1. Success Is All About the Little Things - On the first day of practice Coach Wooden didn't discuss basketball strategy. Believe it or not, he taught his players the proper way to put on their socks and shoes so they didn't get blisters.
2. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome - Coach Wooden didn't focus on winning. He focused on the character of his team, key fundamentals, daily improvement, effort, potential and selfless teamwork. As a result he won...a lot.
3. There's No Such Thing as an Overnight Success - Wooden was at UCLA 16 years before they won their first national title. Today we live in a world where people expect instant results. If a coach doesn't win a title in a few years he or she is fired. Wooden is a testament that greatness takes time.
4. Selfless Teamwork is Great Teamwork - Wooden said, "A player who makes a team great is much more valuable than a great player."
5. There's Power in Humility - Norman Vincent Peale said that humble people don't think less of themselves. They just think of themselves less. Wooden made his life about coaching, leading and developing others and in doing so exhibited true power.
6. Faith Matters - In our politically correct world where people are afraid to mention God, even though it says it on our dollar bill, I find it interesting how in all the media reports about Wooden they talk positively about how his faith guided his life, principles and actions. There is power in faith. More importantly there is enormous power when your faith moves you to love, serve, inspire, coach and make a difference.
7. Your Legacy Matters - The most important thing you will leave behind when you die is your legacy. And the greatest legacy you can leave is your life, your principles and the lives you touch. Wooden didn't spend his life amassing wealth and trying to make a fortune. He invested in others. And while buildings will fall, jewelry will tarnish and money will get spent, his legacy will live on in those who carry his teachings in their heart.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Are you ready
Great Supply Chain Information: http://www.clresearch.com/research/detail.cfm?guid=9801F362-3048-79ED-99FA-A314BF2ED54C
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Butterflies
Butterflies are often used as symbols of transformation. Observing
their life cycle is amazing. I remember watching a caterpillar create
a crystalis and then later seeing a beautiful butterfly emerge!
Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles. We too can transform
our limiting beliefs into opportunities to experience our limitless
nature and we don't have to migrate to do it!
Butterflies are free and you can be too. Imagine yourself spinning a
crystalis out of your limiting beliefs and watch a life filled with
magic and miracles emerge.
their life cycle is amazing. I remember watching a caterpillar create
a crystalis and then later seeing a beautiful butterfly emerge!
Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles. We too can transform
our limiting beliefs into opportunities to experience our limitless
nature and we don't have to migrate to do it!
Butterflies are free and you can be too. Imagine yourself spinning a
crystalis out of your limiting beliefs and watch a life filled with
magic and miracles emerge.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Persistence
“The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard, and give up at the first sign of opposition or misfortune. A few carry on despite all opposition, until they attain their goal. There may be no heroic connotation to the word “persistence,” but the quality is to the character of man what carbon is to steel.”
~ Napoleon Hill from Think and Grow Rich
~ Napoleon Hill from Think and Grow Rich
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Living Life Complete
Your mind controls your thoughts, your thoughts control your actions, your actions create your reality. Take control of your mind.
Dr. Edward F. Knab
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dr. Edward F. Knab
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Bloomington,United States
Health
This is the first day of summer, I am going swimming.
Dr. Edward F. Knab
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dr. Edward F. Knab
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Action
Decisive action is the key to any success program, or any other. The more often you put these ideas into action, the faster you'll adopt them and make them your own.
You're the director -- call for action and roll the camera!
Immediately Apply New Ideas and Practice Until Mastered.
Choose to be EAGER! Which key point from this program can you put into action in your life right now?
Choose to be AUDACIOUS! What one idea from this program do you really wish you could adopt? Whats to stop you?
Choose to be CONFIDENT! What one action can you take right now that will move you closer to a new and improved habit?
You waste all the time you spend learning new ideas when you never use them. You have to implement great ideas or they will never make a difference. If you want to change an old habit, you need to replace it with a new one. If you want to become more skillful, you have to practice the skill. The more often you put new ideas into action, the more adept you'll become at making them your own.
"Motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. It needs continual and regular top up's." ~ Peter Davies
You're the director -- call for action and roll the camera!
Immediately Apply New Ideas and Practice Until Mastered.
Choose to be EAGER! Which key point from this program can you put into action in your life right now?
Choose to be AUDACIOUS! What one idea from this program do you really wish you could adopt? Whats to stop you?
Choose to be CONFIDENT! What one action can you take right now that will move you closer to a new and improved habit?
You waste all the time you spend learning new ideas when you never use them. You have to implement great ideas or they will never make a difference. If you want to change an old habit, you need to replace it with a new one. If you want to become more skillful, you have to practice the skill. The more often you put new ideas into action, the more adept you'll become at making them your own.
"Motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. It needs continual and regular top up's." ~ Peter Davies
Monday, May 17, 2010
Possibilities
Lately I've been talking a lot about the power of allowing for the possibility. If we don't think something will ever happen, chances are it won't.
Whatever we focus our attention on we get more of. So if we focus our thoughts on saying yes to all the good opportunities, guess what? Lots of good stuff will happen!
Allow for the possibility you can create heaven on earth and you will!
Whatever we focus our attention on we get more of. So if we focus our thoughts on saying yes to all the good opportunities, guess what? Lots of good stuff will happen!
Allow for the possibility you can create heaven on earth and you will!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Self-Discipline: Paying Yourself Forward!
For many, the word "discipline" sounds like
punishment. Who would guess that such a word,
when applied to one's self, actually creates
unlimited rewards and freedom?
Self-discipline is the regulation one's Self.
It is a way of investing in your future - and
it is a key factor in helping you achieve all
you want in life.
Once upon a time, Americans were all about
self-discipline. George Washington made it a
personal challenge to rise before the sun did.
Benjamin Franklin said, "The person who has
self-discipline is very powerful." Countless
colonists read and followed the precepts published
in Poor Richard's Almanac, which was loaded with
advice related to the value of self-discipline
and which Franklin published every year between
1732 and 1758 (now that's self-discipline!).
Immigrants who came to and strengthened the fabric
of this great country were highly self-disciplined,
persevering through immense trials and tribulations.
So what happened since? Maybe things got a little
too easy for us and we settled into choosing comfort
over discipline. The good news is that I am seeing
resurgence in a desire to better oneself and
positively impact our world. Now more than ever
people want to serve others and leave a strong
legacy, and they realize that they need
self-discipline to do this.
Self-discipline is a habit anyone can acquire
with a little practice. Go easy on yourself as
you're building this success skill.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Self discipline can be best summed up in a
single word: UNTIL. You simply do whatever "it"
is until it is done.
2. You can BEHAVE your way to success. The key
is to focus on one area of improvement at a time.
Pick one target behavior, like getting up one-half
hour earlier than you do now to go for a walk or
write that book you say you'll write "some day."
Then do it every day until it becomes second
nature - a habit.
3. If you happen to be human, you will mess up.
Build this into your expectations. Don't buy into
all-or-nothing thinking, which leads to throwing
in the towel. Forgive yourself and start over. Go
back to item 1 and begin again.
4. Break down your goals. If you set a single
goal of completing a marathon and you only fit
in one-half hour of walking each day, you will
quickly get discouraged. If you set an initial
goal of walking for one-half hour each day, mixed
with running for one minute every 10 minutes, you
can steadily work up to this level and quickly see
results. Stop going for the home run and start
working your way around the bases.
5. Stay vigilant. When you find yourself beginning
to succeed, you also may find yourself saying,
"I wonder if I really need to ..." If so, STOP.
Recommit. Affirm your new habit with emotion.
Say it aloud! "Exercising each day makes me
feel great. Off I go!"
Most importantly, don't quit. You and your
dreams are worth fighting for. Keep going and
you'll quickly find that the temporary pain of
self-discipline will be more than offset by the
pride and pleasure of achieving your long-term goals
Being alive means we have and will have problems.
Being alive means we have and will have problems.
And if we're going to be confronted with problems the rest of our lives, then becoming good at facing and solving problems seems to be a worthy endeavor.
Before I jump into my list, allow me to share a few of my thoughts ABOUT problems.
I believe there is almost always more than one solution to any problem. And if you think there's only one, you will be significantly limiting yourself.
I also think that in business, you don't really have problems, you have expenses. This assumes that every problem in business can be solved. It's just going to cost time, energy and/or money to solve it. Not so with all personal problems. Many of them cannot be solved with money alone.
Our attitude toward problems and problem-solving is probably as important, if not more important, than our skills or knowledge in solving them. How we approach our problems is critical.
If we're angry about having the problem, it's going to be a lot harder to solve. Complaining about why we have the problem takes time andenergy away from SOLVING the problem. What we resist tends to persist.
And remember that problems can be, and often are, good things. We learn from them. We create or discover opportunities that wouldn't be realized without working through them. If there were no problems to solve, we would not be necessary.
That said, here are my Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems:
Define or re-define the problem. Charles Kettering said, "A problem clearly stated is a problem half-solved." The way we define the problem has a lot to do with how we approach the solution. Many times a re-definition will work wonders on opening the possibilities.
Focus on the SOLUTION, not the problem. Otherwise, we may just be worrying and making the problem bigger than it really is. Believe that it can be solved and stay centered upon the way to solve it.
Detach from the problem. Many times we are too close and too emotionally involved to a problem to have a good perspective. Try looking at it like it was someone else's problem. Take a larger view and you will likely find more possibilities.
Ask an expert or someone with experience. Very few problems we face are brand new. Usually they have been solved by someone else, so don’t underestimate the value of someone with the right expertise and knowledge.
Access the knowledge and the skills necessary. Determine what you need to know and the skills that need to be harnessed to get the job done. And if you don’t know what they are, find out.
Brainstorm. Practice green light thinking with your mastermind team. Generate as many ideas as you can.
Use IWWCW. That stands for "In What Ways Can We". And it implies there is more than one tactic, strategy or action you can take. It will expand your thinking and that of others involved.
Don’t try to solve the problem without the knowledge, skills and information you need. If you can delay decisions and actions until these things are determined and acquired, that's usually the best thing to do. It also helps to sleep on it. Our subconscious mind often solves problems in our sleep. Just be sure you are tactically delaying things and not procrastinating or avoiding.
Look for ways to simplify the challenge and the potential solutions. Often we complicate things more than we need. And many times the simplest solution is the best.
When possible, solve problems before they happen. It's much easier than dealing with it in crisis. Have contingency plans. Think about things that could happen and what action you will take if it does. This is not negative thinking. If you live in an earthquake zone or tornado area, what precautions can you take to be well prepared?
The more we accept our problems and the better we get at solving them, the more confidence we develop. In doing so, we increase our value in the marketplace because we are known for having a cool, thoughtful and logical approach to understanding and solving problems
And if we're going to be confronted with problems the rest of our lives, then becoming good at facing and solving problems seems to be a worthy endeavor.
Before I jump into my list, allow me to share a few of my thoughts ABOUT problems.
I believe there is almost always more than one solution to any problem. And if you think there's only one, you will be significantly limiting yourself.
I also think that in business, you don't really have problems, you have expenses. This assumes that every problem in business can be solved. It's just going to cost time, energy and/or money to solve it. Not so with all personal problems. Many of them cannot be solved with money alone.
Our attitude toward problems and problem-solving is probably as important, if not more important, than our skills or knowledge in solving them. How we approach our problems is critical.
If we're angry about having the problem, it's going to be a lot harder to solve. Complaining about why we have the problem takes time andenergy away from SOLVING the problem. What we resist tends to persist.
And remember that problems can be, and often are, good things. We learn from them. We create or discover opportunities that wouldn't be realized without working through them. If there were no problems to solve, we would not be necessary.
That said, here are my Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems:
Define or re-define the problem. Charles Kettering said, "A problem clearly stated is a problem half-solved." The way we define the problem has a lot to do with how we approach the solution. Many times a re-definition will work wonders on opening the possibilities.
Focus on the SOLUTION, not the problem. Otherwise, we may just be worrying and making the problem bigger than it really is. Believe that it can be solved and stay centered upon the way to solve it.
Detach from the problem. Many times we are too close and too emotionally involved to a problem to have a good perspective. Try looking at it like it was someone else's problem. Take a larger view and you will likely find more possibilities.
Ask an expert or someone with experience. Very few problems we face are brand new. Usually they have been solved by someone else, so don’t underestimate the value of someone with the right expertise and knowledge.
Access the knowledge and the skills necessary. Determine what you need to know and the skills that need to be harnessed to get the job done. And if you don’t know what they are, find out.
Brainstorm. Practice green light thinking with your mastermind team. Generate as many ideas as you can.
Use IWWCW. That stands for "In What Ways Can We". And it implies there is more than one tactic, strategy or action you can take. It will expand your thinking and that of others involved.
Don’t try to solve the problem without the knowledge, skills and information you need. If you can delay decisions and actions until these things are determined and acquired, that's usually the best thing to do. It also helps to sleep on it. Our subconscious mind often solves problems in our sleep. Just be sure you are tactically delaying things and not procrastinating or avoiding.
Look for ways to simplify the challenge and the potential solutions. Often we complicate things more than we need. And many times the simplest solution is the best.
When possible, solve problems before they happen. It's much easier than dealing with it in crisis. Have contingency plans. Think about things that could happen and what action you will take if it does. This is not negative thinking. If you live in an earthquake zone or tornado area, what precautions can you take to be well prepared?
The more we accept our problems and the better we get at solving them, the more confidence we develop. In doing so, we increase our value in the marketplace because we are known for having a cool, thoughtful and logical approach to understanding and solving problems
Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems
Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL ANGIER
Being alive means we have and will have problems.
And if we're going to be confronted with problems the rest of our lives, then becoming good at facing and solving problems seems to be a worthy endeavor.
Before I jump into my list, allow me to share a few of my thoughts ABOUT problems.
I believe there is almost always more than one solution to any problem. And if you think there's only one, you will be significantly limiting yourself.
I also think that in business, you don't really have problems, you have expenses. This assumes that every problem in business can be solved. It's just going to cost time, energy and/or money to solve it. Not so with all personal problems. Many of them cannot be solved with money alone.
Our attitude toward problems and problem-solving is probably as important, if not more important, than our skills or knowledge in solving them. How we approach our problems is critical.
If we're angry about having the problem, it's going to be a lot harder to solve. Complaining about why we have the problem takes time andenergy away from SOLVING the problem. What we resist tends to persist.
And remember that problems can be, and often are, good things. We learn from them. We create or discover opportunities that wouldn't be realized without working through them. If there were no problems to solve, we would not be necessary.
That said, here are my Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems:
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL ANGIER
Being alive means we have and will have problems.
And if we're going to be confronted with problems the rest of our lives, then becoming good at facing and solving problems seems to be a worthy endeavor.
Before I jump into my list, allow me to share a few of my thoughts ABOUT problems.
I believe there is almost always more than one solution to any problem. And if you think there's only one, you will be significantly limiting yourself.
I also think that in business, you don't really have problems, you have expenses. This assumes that every problem in business can be solved. It's just going to cost time, energy and/or money to solve it. Not so with all personal problems. Many of them cannot be solved with money alone.
Our attitude toward problems and problem-solving is probably as important, if not more important, than our skills or knowledge in solving them. How we approach our problems is critical.
If we're angry about having the problem, it's going to be a lot harder to solve. Complaining about why we have the problem takes time andenergy away from SOLVING the problem. What we resist tends to persist.
And remember that problems can be, and often are, good things. We learn from them. We create or discover opportunities that wouldn't be realized without working through them. If there were no problems to solve, we would not be necessary.
That said, here are my Top Ten Ways to Solve Problems:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Success and achievement are a science. They are the result
of specific methods and tools that anyone can learn, and in
fact, ARE mastered by most of us when we are adequately
motivated. (See last week's article.) Each of us have
achieved extraordinary success in our lives. We have set
goals that were important to us, developed plans and
budgets, learned the skills, devoted the time, energy and
discipline to achieve our goals, and ultimately passed the
test to get our driver's license. We even talked our parents
into letting us borrow the car -- and we did all that as
mere teenagers!
We've learned to ride a bike, date, get into school, perhaps
buy and sell stocks or real estate. We've learned to play
poker or bake a birthday cake for someone special. We've
learned to plan a vacation, mastered the obscure intricacies
of an iPod or assembled a swing set for the kids.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success. We
have achieved goals that were important to us, and mostly
we've done it on time and on budget.
And yet. And yet when it comes to the "big" goals or the
"big" transformations in life, many of us remain stuck and
frustrated.
We want to change our personality, save for the future,
start a business, go back to school or move to Australia and
we seem to make little or no progress. From year to year, our
weight, health and fitness levels remain about the same. We
want to up-grade our home, but we stay where we are. We want
more money or a promotion, but find it "hard." What's going on?
The New Science of Success says the likely culprit is an
inadequate plan.
The plan always comes first. Whether we are learning to walk
(the plan is to try and try again...until!) or sailing the
world after retiring at age 50, the key is a plan that has a
high likelihood of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. They include
a budget for time, energy, money and extra time to recover
from "mid-course corrections."
A goal without a plan is just a pipedream! I recently talked
with a woman who lives in rural Wisconsin. For most of her
life she's dreamed of going to college to becoming a science
teacher, preferably on U.S. military bases overseas. She's
come to our World Class Life conference a couple of times,
invested in other workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly became
just a ladies chat group." And little has changed.
What's going on? She has no plan! There's no budget. She
hasn't applied for scholarships or aid programs. She isn't
taking courses part-time, even though there's a branch of
the University of Wisconsin only a few minutes from her
home. She hasn't systematically borrowed books from the
library to prepare herself. Her husband supports her, but
there is no agreement for him to cook, clean, tend the kids
or allow time for her to study. In short, she's spent time
and money, effort and heartache on a dream, but has no
strategy for success.
No wonder it isn't happening for her! (We've talked and I
have permission to share her story without naming her.)
Compare that to a guy named Kheen, who knocked on my door
several years ago and announced he was going to build a sub-
division on 27 acres across the road. He pointed out where
the roads would be, knew the number of lots, the spec homes
he would build to get the neighborhood started, and how to
get the permits and funding he would need. He had a plan. He
KNEW the future in advance! (And, in about 18 months, he
pulled it off. I estimate he made about 3 million dollars,
although that's a guess.)
There's a wonderful quote from Walt Disney: "If you can
dream it, you can do it." I believe that, but with a vital
caveat -- you need a plan. You need a strategy, a system or
map or a recipe.
Every building project requires blueprints. Every cake
requires a recipe. Every business loan requires a business
plan. Every little kid has a plan to stay up late, even if
the plan is just to whine and argue until Mom or Dad gives
in.
The New Science of Success requires that you have a plan to
achieve your most important goals. Trump Tower is the result
of a goal, a high level of motivation, and a detailed plan.
Oprah and Bill Gates, and that successful cousin of yours,
all have plans, budgets, schedules and benchmarks for every
new project they take on. So should you.
of specific methods and tools that anyone can learn, and in
fact, ARE mastered by most of us when we are adequately
motivated. (See last week's article.) Each of us have
achieved extraordinary success in our lives. We have set
goals that were important to us, developed plans and
budgets, learned the skills, devoted the time, energy and
discipline to achieve our goals, and ultimately passed the
test to get our driver's license. We even talked our parents
into letting us borrow the car -- and we did all that as
mere teenagers!
We've learned to ride a bike, date, get into school, perhaps
buy and sell stocks or real estate. We've learned to play
poker or bake a birthday cake for someone special. We've
learned to plan a vacation, mastered the obscure intricacies
of an iPod or assembled a swing set for the kids.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success. We
have achieved goals that were important to us, and mostly
we've done it on time and on budget.
And yet. And yet when it comes to the "big" goals or the
"big" transformations in life, many of us remain stuck and
frustrated.
We want to change our personality, save for the future,
start a business, go back to school or move to Australia and
we seem to make little or no progress. From year to year, our
weight, health and fitness levels remain about the same. We
want to up-grade our home, but we stay where we are. We want
more money or a promotion, but find it "hard." What's going on?
The New Science of Success says the likely culprit is an
inadequate plan.
The plan always comes first. Whether we are learning to walk
(the plan is to try and try again...until!) or sailing the
world after retiring at age 50, the key is a plan that has a
high likelihood of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. They include
a budget for time, energy, money and extra time to recover
from "mid-course corrections."
A goal without a plan is just a pipedream! I recently talked
with a woman who lives in rural Wisconsin. For most of her
life she's dreamed of going to college to becoming a science
teacher, preferably on U.S. military bases overseas. She's
come to our World Class Life conference a couple of times,
invested in other workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly became
just a ladies chat group." And little has changed.
What's going on? She has no plan! There's no budget. She
hasn't applied for scholarships or aid programs. She isn't
taking courses part-time, even though there's a branch of
the University of Wisconsin only a few minutes from her
home. She hasn't systematically borrowed books from the
library to prepare herself. Her husband supports her, but
there is no agreement for him to cook, clean, tend the kids
or allow time for her to study. In short, she's spent time
and money, effort and heartache on a dream, but has no
strategy for success.
No wonder it isn't happening for her! (We've talked and I
have permission to share her story without naming her.)
Compare that to a guy named Kheen, who knocked on my door
several years ago and announced he was going to build a sub-
division on 27 acres across the road. He pointed out where
the roads would be, knew the number of lots, the spec homes
he would build to get the neighborhood started, and how to
get the permits and funding he would need. He had a plan. He
KNEW the future in advance! (And, in about 18 months, he
pulled it off. I estimate he made about 3 million dollars,
although that's a guess.)
There's a wonderful quote from Walt Disney: "If you can
dream it, you can do it." I believe that, but with a vital
caveat -- you need a plan. You need a strategy, a system or
map or a recipe.
Every building project requires blueprints. Every cake
requires a recipe. Every business loan requires a business
plan. Every little kid has a plan to stay up late, even if
the plan is just to whine and argue until Mom or Dad gives
in.
The New Science of Success requires that you have a plan to
achieve your most important goals. Trump Tower is the result
of a goal, a high level of motivation, and a detailed plan.
Oprah and Bill Gates, and that successful cousin of yours,
all have plans, budgets, schedules and benchmarks for every
new project they take on. So should you.
Success and achievement are a science. They are the result
of specific methods and tools that anyone can learn, and in
fact, ARE mastered by most of us when we are adequately
motivated. (See last week's article.) Each of us have
achieved extraordinary success in our lives. We have set
goals that were important to us, developed plans and
budgets, learned the skills, devoted the time, energy and
discipline to achieve our goals, and ultimately passed the
test to get our driver's license. We even talked our parents
into letting us borrow the car -- and we did all that as
mere teenagers!
We've learned to ride a bike, date, get into school, perhaps
buy and sell stocks or real estate. We've learned to play
poker or bake a birthday cake for someone special. We've
learned to plan a vacation, mastered the obscure intricacies
of an iPod or assembled a swing set for the kids.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success. We
have achieved goals that were important to us, and mostly
we've done it on time and on budget.
And yet. And yet when it comes to the "big" goals or the
"big" transformations in life, many of us remain stuck and
frustrated.
We want to change our personality, save for the future,
start a business, go back to school or move to Australia and
we seem to make little or no progress. From year to year, our
weight, health and fitness levels remain about the same. We
want to up-grade our home, but we stay where we are. We want
more money or a promotion, but find it "hard." What's going on?
The New Science of Success says the likely culprit is an
inadequate plan.
The plan always comes first. Whether we are learning to walk
(the plan is to try and try again...until!) or sailing the
world after retiring at age 50, the key is a plan that has a
high likelihood of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. They include
a budget for time, energy, money and extra time to recover
from "mid-course corrections."
A goal without a plan is just a pipedream! I recently talked
with a woman who lives in rural Wisconsin. For most of her
life she's dreamed of going to college to becoming a science
teacher, preferably on U.S. military bases overseas. She's
come to our World Class Life conference a couple of times,
invested in other workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly became
just a ladies chat group." And little has changed.
What's going on? She has no plan! There's no budget. She
hasn't applied for scholarships or aid programs. She isn't
taking courses part-time, even though there's a branch of
the University of Wisconsin only a few minutes from her
home. She hasn't systematically borrowed books from the
library to prepare herself. Her husband supports her, but
there is no agreement for him to cook, clean, tend the kids
or allow time for her to study. In short, she's spent time
and money, effort and heartache on a dream, but has no
strategy for success.
No wonder it isn't happening for her! (We've talked and I
have permission to share her story without naming her.)
Compare that to a guy named Kheen, who knocked on my door
several years ago and announced he was going to build a sub-
division on 27 acres across the road. He pointed out where
the roads would be, knew the number of lots, the spec homes
he would build to get the neighborhood started, and how to
get the permits and funding he would need. He had a plan. He
KNEW the future in advance! (And, in about 18 months, he
pulled it off. I estimate he made about 3 million dollars,
although that's a guess.)
There's a wonderful quote from Walt Disney: "If you can
dream it, you can do it." I believe that, but with a vital
caveat -- you need a plan. You need a strategy, a system or
map or a recipe.
Every building project requires blueprints. Every cake
requires a recipe. Every business loan requires a business
plan. Every little kid has a plan to stay up late, even if
the plan is just to whine and argue until Mom or Dad gives
in.
The New Science of Success requires that you have a plan to
achieve your most important goals. Trump Tower is the result
of a goal, a high level of motivation, and a detailed plan.
Oprah and Bill Gates, and that successful cousin of yours,
all have plans, budgets, schedules and benchmarks for every
new project they take on. So should you.
of specific methods and tools that anyone can learn, and in
fact, ARE mastered by most of us when we are adequately
motivated. (See last week's article.) Each of us have
achieved extraordinary success in our lives. We have set
goals that were important to us, developed plans and
budgets, learned the skills, devoted the time, energy and
discipline to achieve our goals, and ultimately passed the
test to get our driver's license. We even talked our parents
into letting us borrow the car -- and we did all that as
mere teenagers!
We've learned to ride a bike, date, get into school, perhaps
buy and sell stocks or real estate. We've learned to play
poker or bake a birthday cake for someone special. We've
learned to plan a vacation, mastered the obscure intricacies
of an iPod or assembled a swing set for the kids.
Each of us has a history of specific, methodical success. We
have achieved goals that were important to us, and mostly
we've done it on time and on budget.
And yet. And yet when it comes to the "big" goals or the
"big" transformations in life, many of us remain stuck and
frustrated.
We want to change our personality, save for the future,
start a business, go back to school or move to Australia and
we seem to make little or no progress. From year to year, our
weight, health and fitness levels remain about the same. We
want to up-grade our home, but we stay where we are. We want
more money or a promotion, but find it "hard." What's going on?
The New Science of Success says the likely culprit is an
inadequate plan.
The plan always comes first. Whether we are learning to walk
(the plan is to try and try again...until!) or sailing the
world after retiring at age 50, the key is a plan that has a
high likelihood of success. Adequate plans include a list of
skills to be mastered, and mentors to teach us. They include
a budget for time, energy, money and extra time to recover
from "mid-course corrections."
A goal without a plan is just a pipedream! I recently talked
with a woman who lives in rural Wisconsin. For most of her
life she's dreamed of going to college to becoming a science
teacher, preferably on U.S. military bases overseas. She's
come to our World Class Life conference a couple of times,
invested in other workshops, listened to audio programs, and
even started a MasterMind group, "although it quickly became
just a ladies chat group." And little has changed.
What's going on? She has no plan! There's no budget. She
hasn't applied for scholarships or aid programs. She isn't
taking courses part-time, even though there's a branch of
the University of Wisconsin only a few minutes from her
home. She hasn't systematically borrowed books from the
library to prepare herself. Her husband supports her, but
there is no agreement for him to cook, clean, tend the kids
or allow time for her to study. In short, she's spent time
and money, effort and heartache on a dream, but has no
strategy for success.
No wonder it isn't happening for her! (We've talked and I
have permission to share her story without naming her.)
Compare that to a guy named Kheen, who knocked on my door
several years ago and announced he was going to build a sub-
division on 27 acres across the road. He pointed out where
the roads would be, knew the number of lots, the spec homes
he would build to get the neighborhood started, and how to
get the permits and funding he would need. He had a plan. He
KNEW the future in advance! (And, in about 18 months, he
pulled it off. I estimate he made about 3 million dollars,
although that's a guess.)
There's a wonderful quote from Walt Disney: "If you can
dream it, you can do it." I believe that, but with a vital
caveat -- you need a plan. You need a strategy, a system or
map or a recipe.
Every building project requires blueprints. Every cake
requires a recipe. Every business loan requires a business
plan. Every little kid has a plan to stay up late, even if
the plan is just to whine and argue until Mom or Dad gives
in.
The New Science of Success requires that you have a plan to
achieve your most important goals. Trump Tower is the result
of a goal, a high level of motivation, and a detailed plan.
Oprah and Bill Gates, and that successful cousin of yours,
all have plans, budgets, schedules and benchmarks for every
new project they take on. So should you.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Focus on Happiness
A Reason to Smile
Devoting time each day for happiness will change your day and change your brain chemistry.
It can be so easy to get caught up in the rigors of modern life that we tend to forget that happiness need not come with stipulations. Happiness becomes something we must schedule and strive for—a hard-won emotion—and then only when we have no worries to occupy our thoughts. In reality, overwhelming joy is not the exclusive province of those with unlimited time and no troubles to speak of. Many of the happiest people on earth are also those coping with the most serious challenges. They have learned to make time for those simple yet superb pleasures that can be enjoyed quickly and easily. Cultivating a happy heart takes no more than five minutes. The resultant delight will be neither complex nor complicated, but it will be profound and will serve as a reminder that there is always a reason to smile.
So much that is ecstasy-inducing can be accomplished in five minutes. Alone, we can enjoy an aromatic cup of our favorite tea, take a stroll through the garden we have created, write about the day's events in a journal, doodle while daydreaming, or breathe deeply while we listen to the silence around us. In the company of a good friend or treasured relative, we can share a few silly jokes, enjoy a waltz around the room, play a fast-paced hand of cards, or reconnect through lighthearted conversation. The key is to first identify what makes us dizzyingly happy. If we do only what we believe should bring us contentment, our five minutes will not be particularly satisfying. When we allow ourselves the freedom to do whatever brings us pleasure, five minutes out of 14 wakeful hours can brighten our lives immeasurably.
It is often when we have the least free time or energy to devote to joy that we need to unwind and enjoy ourselves the most. Making happiness a priority will help you find five minutes every day to indulge in the things that inspire elation within you. Eventually, your happiness breaks will become an established part of your routine. If you start by pursuing activities you already enjoy and then gradually think up new and different ways to fill your daily five minutes of happiness, you will never be without something to smile about.
Devoting time each day for happiness will change your day and change your brain chemistry.
It can be so easy to get caught up in the rigors of modern life that we tend to forget that happiness need not come with stipulations. Happiness becomes something we must schedule and strive for—a hard-won emotion—and then only when we have no worries to occupy our thoughts. In reality, overwhelming joy is not the exclusive province of those with unlimited time and no troubles to speak of. Many of the happiest people on earth are also those coping with the most serious challenges. They have learned to make time for those simple yet superb pleasures that can be enjoyed quickly and easily. Cultivating a happy heart takes no more than five minutes. The resultant delight will be neither complex nor complicated, but it will be profound and will serve as a reminder that there is always a reason to smile.
So much that is ecstasy-inducing can be accomplished in five minutes. Alone, we can enjoy an aromatic cup of our favorite tea, take a stroll through the garden we have created, write about the day's events in a journal, doodle while daydreaming, or breathe deeply while we listen to the silence around us. In the company of a good friend or treasured relative, we can share a few silly jokes, enjoy a waltz around the room, play a fast-paced hand of cards, or reconnect through lighthearted conversation. The key is to first identify what makes us dizzyingly happy. If we do only what we believe should bring us contentment, our five minutes will not be particularly satisfying. When we allow ourselves the freedom to do whatever brings us pleasure, five minutes out of 14 wakeful hours can brighten our lives immeasurably.
It is often when we have the least free time or energy to devote to joy that we need to unwind and enjoy ourselves the most. Making happiness a priority will help you find five minutes every day to indulge in the things that inspire elation within you. Eventually, your happiness breaks will become an established part of your routine. If you start by pursuing activities you already enjoy and then gradually think up new and different ways to fill your daily five minutes of happiness, you will never be without something to smile about.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Build Your Leadership Skills on a Solid Foundation
Build Your Leadership Skills on a Solid Foundation
by Kevin Eikenberry on May 11, 2010
Growing up I learned a song in Sunday school based on one of Jesus’ parables (Matthew 7:24-29). It is about two builders and where they chose to build.
The story (and song) goes that the wise man built his house upon the rock. The other builder built his house upon the sand. When the rains and winds came, as they always do, one house stayed strong, and the other did not.
The story speaks to building on a firm and steady foundation. The parallel for us as leaders is to build our leadership habits, values and beliefs on solid unshakable principles.
It is easy to read a book or article and be excited about a new technique, approach or method. Most of these are sound and valuable. But ultimately they will only hold the greatest value for you when they are integrated into the foundation of your leadership house – and the techniques, methods and approaches are understood based on their underlying and unassailable principles.
Hopefully you can read of these principles in my writing in the past, and I delineated many as “Remarkable Principles” in my book Remarkable Leadership. I plan to do a better job of highlighting these principles for you in the future. But for now, ask yourself these questions, as your leadership activity of the day.
What is my leadership philosophy?
What principles do I lead by?
What are my most important leadership values?
by Kevin Eikenberry on May 11, 2010
Growing up I learned a song in Sunday school based on one of Jesus’ parables (Matthew 7:24-29). It is about two builders and where they chose to build.
The story (and song) goes that the wise man built his house upon the rock. The other builder built his house upon the sand. When the rains and winds came, as they always do, one house stayed strong, and the other did not.
The story speaks to building on a firm and steady foundation. The parallel for us as leaders is to build our leadership habits, values and beliefs on solid unshakable principles.
It is easy to read a book or article and be excited about a new technique, approach or method. Most of these are sound and valuable. But ultimately they will only hold the greatest value for you when they are integrated into the foundation of your leadership house – and the techniques, methods and approaches are understood based on their underlying and unassailable principles.
Hopefully you can read of these principles in my writing in the past, and I delineated many as “Remarkable Principles” in my book Remarkable Leadership. I plan to do a better job of highlighting these principles for you in the future. But for now, ask yourself these questions, as your leadership activity of the day.
What is my leadership philosophy?
What principles do I lead by?
What are my most important leadership values?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Success
How Much Do You Want Success?
There's a story of a young man who heard of a great teacher
who knew all the secrets of life. The teacher lived deep in
the woods and the young man went in search of him. When
young man found the teacher, he eagerly exclaimed, "Teach me
wisdom! I would give anything to be wise." The old teacher
silently stood and led the student to a nearby lake. Walking
into the water until they both stood waist-deep, the old man
suddenly grabbed the student's head and thrust him under the
water.
At first, the young man thought it was a strange joke, but
he quickly began to panic and started fighting for release.
As the moments passed, the young man fought harder and
harder, finally struggling with all his strength to force
the old teacher to let him up. He jerked his head above
water, gasped for air, and stared at the crazy old teacher
in disbelief. When he could speak, he screamed, "What's the
matter with you? Why did you do that?!" Calmly, the old man
replied, "When you desire wisdom as much as you desired that
next breath of air, you will find it."
Many of us desire success but are not clear about why or how
badly we want it.
Last week, I wrote about the importance of clearly defining
success so we recognize it when our opportunity arrives.
It's vital that our definition of success be clear in our
minds. You can't hit a target you can't see or haven't
defined. You can read more about that at:
http://PhilipHumbert.com/TIPS
This week, I want to focus on the necessity of knowing why
and how badly we want to achieve our desired outcome.
Many people dream or wish, hope or fantasize about success,
but also hope it won't require too much of them. They would
like a major promotion, but prefer not to work the long
hours or master the skills to obtain it. They would like to
start a business, achieve wealth or fitness, improve their
personal relationships or achieve some other type of success
but they are reluctant to pay the price because they aren't
sure exactly why or how badly they want it.
Think about that! We all have dreams or wishes and that's
fine! Dreams and hopes, fantasies and desires are good
things. They entertain us, relieve stress, even give us the
illusion that we have "goals" without requiring that we risk
or change very much. As long as we are clear about the
distinction between highly desired GOALS and vaguely desired
wishes, there's nothing wrong with hoping.
I'll go out on a limb and make this generalization, knowing
that it does not apply to everyone or every situation. Here
it is: Most people's most important GOAL is to preserve what
they currently have and minimize their risk of losing
anything important to them. Most people put greater value
and priority on keeping what's familiar and comfortable than
they do on achieving their definition of "success." Again,
there's nothing wrong with that, and it makes sense.
We may not be rich, but we fear poverty. We may not be
famous, but we do not want to become the subject of
ridicule. We may not have the home, car, income or other
things we desire, but we don't want to lose what we have.
That's human nature and in many ways, it's healthy. Don't be
embarrassed about that!
But moving up the ladder of success means leaving our
current situation behind. It often requires some risk.
It certainly requires some change in skills, behavior,
attitudes or how we use our time. "If you do what you've
always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."
It's vital to know WHAT you want (see last week's article)
and WHY and how badly you want it. It's vital to be clear
about what you'll do or change, learn or risk to achieve
your goals. And while success rarely "costs" as much as we
fear it might, it always costs something and the price must
be paid in full, and in advance.
To run a marathon, you must put in the time and miles of
training. To build a business you must master the skills,
take the risks, put in the hours, invest your savings and do
the things that are required. Wishing and hoping, dreaming
and talking "a good game" won't get it done. Ultimately, you
must do the work, and that requires clear and compelling
REASONS to get up every morning and pursue your destiny.
Many people claim they "would do it" if they had the right
opportunity or could see a way to "get there," but as Jim
Rohn observed, usually the "how" doesn't appear until we
have sufficient reasons. "Reasons come first, solutions
comes second."
When you want success as badly as you would fight for a
breath of air or to save your child's life, or to save (or
create) your own life, you will find a way.
Why, and how badly, do you want success?
There's a story of a young man who heard of a great teacher
who knew all the secrets of life. The teacher lived deep in
the woods and the young man went in search of him. When
young man found the teacher, he eagerly exclaimed, "Teach me
wisdom! I would give anything to be wise." The old teacher
silently stood and led the student to a nearby lake. Walking
into the water until they both stood waist-deep, the old man
suddenly grabbed the student's head and thrust him under the
water.
At first, the young man thought it was a strange joke, but
he quickly began to panic and started fighting for release.
As the moments passed, the young man fought harder and
harder, finally struggling with all his strength to force
the old teacher to let him up. He jerked his head above
water, gasped for air, and stared at the crazy old teacher
in disbelief. When he could speak, he screamed, "What's the
matter with you? Why did you do that?!" Calmly, the old man
replied, "When you desire wisdom as much as you desired that
next breath of air, you will find it."
Many of us desire success but are not clear about why or how
badly we want it.
Last week, I wrote about the importance of clearly defining
success so we recognize it when our opportunity arrives.
It's vital that our definition of success be clear in our
minds. You can't hit a target you can't see or haven't
defined. You can read more about that at:
http://PhilipHumbert.com/TIPS
This week, I want to focus on the necessity of knowing why
and how badly we want to achieve our desired outcome.
Many people dream or wish, hope or fantasize about success,
but also hope it won't require too much of them. They would
like a major promotion, but prefer not to work the long
hours or master the skills to obtain it. They would like to
start a business, achieve wealth or fitness, improve their
personal relationships or achieve some other type of success
but they are reluctant to pay the price because they aren't
sure exactly why or how badly they want it.
Think about that! We all have dreams or wishes and that's
fine! Dreams and hopes, fantasies and desires are good
things. They entertain us, relieve stress, even give us the
illusion that we have "goals" without requiring that we risk
or change very much. As long as we are clear about the
distinction between highly desired GOALS and vaguely desired
wishes, there's nothing wrong with hoping.
I'll go out on a limb and make this generalization, knowing
that it does not apply to everyone or every situation. Here
it is: Most people's most important GOAL is to preserve what
they currently have and minimize their risk of losing
anything important to them. Most people put greater value
and priority on keeping what's familiar and comfortable than
they do on achieving their definition of "success." Again,
there's nothing wrong with that, and it makes sense.
We may not be rich, but we fear poverty. We may not be
famous, but we do not want to become the subject of
ridicule. We may not have the home, car, income or other
things we desire, but we don't want to lose what we have.
That's human nature and in many ways, it's healthy. Don't be
embarrassed about that!
But moving up the ladder of success means leaving our
current situation behind. It often requires some risk.
It certainly requires some change in skills, behavior,
attitudes or how we use our time. "If you do what you've
always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."
It's vital to know WHAT you want (see last week's article)
and WHY and how badly you want it. It's vital to be clear
about what you'll do or change, learn or risk to achieve
your goals. And while success rarely "costs" as much as we
fear it might, it always costs something and the price must
be paid in full, and in advance.
To run a marathon, you must put in the time and miles of
training. To build a business you must master the skills,
take the risks, put in the hours, invest your savings and do
the things that are required. Wishing and hoping, dreaming
and talking "a good game" won't get it done. Ultimately, you
must do the work, and that requires clear and compelling
REASONS to get up every morning and pursue your destiny.
Many people claim they "would do it" if they had the right
opportunity or could see a way to "get there," but as Jim
Rohn observed, usually the "how" doesn't appear until we
have sufficient reasons. "Reasons come first, solutions
comes second."
When you want success as badly as you would fight for a
breath of air or to save your child's life, or to save (or
create) your own life, you will find a way.
Why, and how badly, do you want success?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Live Big
How You Start Your Day Counts
by Josh Hinds
Whether or not we choose to believe it,
for the most part you and I have a clean
slate with each new sun rise. Whatever
happened yesterday, good or bad is now
rooted in the past.
In the moment in which we now find
ourselves, we have the ability to focus
in on and do the things which will serve
us for the better, or we can give our
attention to those things which will
re-ignite whatever thoughts were causing
us to remain stuck.
We have a choice, and fortunately, it
isn't all that difficult to set the tone
early on in your day. Does that mean
you're guaranteed not to meet with a
challenge early on that will knock you
off course or throw you for a loop? Of
course not, but in the event that
something (or someone) shows up with such
an agenda you'll find yourself a lot more
prepared to deal with it and be able to
adjust course accordingly.
Here are some simple, but effective ideas
you can use to start your day out on a
positive note.
Upon waking up, name at least ten people
you're thankful for - recount those in your
life who've had a positive impact on you.
Think of those who have in some way helped
to make you the unique person you are. Don't
sell yourself short here.
No matter what place you may find yourself
in now, you're still an amazing person,
with unique gifts and talents. You don't
have to believe it, but it's still the
absolute truth! Practicing gratitude is a
powerful thing that helps to reconnect us
with our inner power, and the abilities
which make up who we are.
Give thanks for your talents and skills -
each of us has been blessed with special
skills and talents. You may not feel as
though you've completely developed all of
yours up to this point in your life, but
that doesn't change the fact that you've
got them.
Think through those things that others
compliment you on, those are talents. Don't
underestimate all the amazing bits and pieces
that go into making you the person you are.
As you identify and give thanks for the
talents that were bestowed upon you commit
to develop them and become more proficient
in their use.
Write down your days most important action
steps the night before - The simple act of
writing down the following days most
important tasks will give you a plan to move
on the next day. Keep in mind that you can
get the most productive mileage if you'll
put your "Super Tasks" at the top, where
you'll complete them first.
For the purpose of this article consider
Super Tasks as those things which upon
their completion will give you the absolute
most bang for your buck. Consider the
difference between a "Super Task" and say one
of lesser importance. A super task might be:
Calling on a prospective client, while one
that doesn't quite hold such importance in the
grand scheme of things might be: cut the grass.
While both are important, and you want to get
both done, the simple fact is the first example
is going to lead towards a greater reward then
the latter. You see, it's more a matter of
separating items which fall into the category
of "busy work" versus those which can move us
forward at a maximum pace. Another such "Super
Task" might be to spend time studying your
industry or chosen profession.
Review the actions steps you wrote down the
night before - As you are looking over the items
you wrote down, close your eyes and see yourself
completing them and experiencing the wonderful
sense of accomplishment for having done so. After
you have visualized yourself finishing the items
on your daily action list take a deep breath and
begin your day working on and completing them.
Keep in mind that each new day is just that - an
opportunity to turn the page, and implement daily
actions that can steer your life in the direction
you wish it to go. You can sail your ship, or choose
to remain mired in inaction and float aimlessly,
dependent upon whatever life may throw your way. My
sincere hope for you is that you will choose the
first option.
And remember...
It's your life, LIVE BIG!
by Josh Hinds
Whether or not we choose to believe it,
for the most part you and I have a clean
slate with each new sun rise. Whatever
happened yesterday, good or bad is now
rooted in the past.
In the moment in which we now find
ourselves, we have the ability to focus
in on and do the things which will serve
us for the better, or we can give our
attention to those things which will
re-ignite whatever thoughts were causing
us to remain stuck.
We have a choice, and fortunately, it
isn't all that difficult to set the tone
early on in your day. Does that mean
you're guaranteed not to meet with a
challenge early on that will knock you
off course or throw you for a loop? Of
course not, but in the event that
something (or someone) shows up with such
an agenda you'll find yourself a lot more
prepared to deal with it and be able to
adjust course accordingly.
Here are some simple, but effective ideas
you can use to start your day out on a
positive note.
Upon waking up, name at least ten people
you're thankful for - recount those in your
life who've had a positive impact on you.
Think of those who have in some way helped
to make you the unique person you are. Don't
sell yourself short here.
No matter what place you may find yourself
in now, you're still an amazing person,
with unique gifts and talents. You don't
have to believe it, but it's still the
absolute truth! Practicing gratitude is a
powerful thing that helps to reconnect us
with our inner power, and the abilities
which make up who we are.
Give thanks for your talents and skills -
each of us has been blessed with special
skills and talents. You may not feel as
though you've completely developed all of
yours up to this point in your life, but
that doesn't change the fact that you've
got them.
Think through those things that others
compliment you on, those are talents. Don't
underestimate all the amazing bits and pieces
that go into making you the person you are.
As you identify and give thanks for the
talents that were bestowed upon you commit
to develop them and become more proficient
in their use.
Write down your days most important action
steps the night before - The simple act of
writing down the following days most
important tasks will give you a plan to move
on the next day. Keep in mind that you can
get the most productive mileage if you'll
put your "Super Tasks" at the top, where
you'll complete them first.
For the purpose of this article consider
Super Tasks as those things which upon
their completion will give you the absolute
most bang for your buck. Consider the
difference between a "Super Task" and say one
of lesser importance. A super task might be:
Calling on a prospective client, while one
that doesn't quite hold such importance in the
grand scheme of things might be: cut the grass.
While both are important, and you want to get
both done, the simple fact is the first example
is going to lead towards a greater reward then
the latter. You see, it's more a matter of
separating items which fall into the category
of "busy work" versus those which can move us
forward at a maximum pace. Another such "Super
Task" might be to spend time studying your
industry or chosen profession.
Review the actions steps you wrote down the
night before - As you are looking over the items
you wrote down, close your eyes and see yourself
completing them and experiencing the wonderful
sense of accomplishment for having done so. After
you have visualized yourself finishing the items
on your daily action list take a deep breath and
begin your day working on and completing them.
Keep in mind that each new day is just that - an
opportunity to turn the page, and implement daily
actions that can steer your life in the direction
you wish it to go. You can sail your ship, or choose
to remain mired in inaction and float aimlessly,
dependent upon whatever life may throw your way. My
sincere hope for you is that you will choose the
first option.
And remember...
It's your life, LIVE BIG!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Engaged?
Hot or Cold?
How engaged are you and your team? Are you:
Hot with passion,
Lukewarm with complacency
Cold with apathy
It’s an important question to ask because hot and highly engaged people deliver superior results. Luke warm people settle for mediocrity. And cold employees will ruin your team and organization.
Think of your culture as a big pot of soup with everyone in your organization stirring the pot with a spoon. The most important ingredient is the energy that each person shares while stirring the pot. This energy determines the temperature of your soup and the temperature is a key factor in determining how good it tastes.
After all, hot soup is delicious. No one likes lukewarm soup. And cold soup is gross. :)
In order to create great soup you need to focus on building a team of engaged, energized, passionate pot stirrers.
It doesn't happen by osmosis. It happens when you create a culture of greatness, lead with optimism, share a compelling vision, nurture your people, develop their talent, unleash their passion and focus on their engagement. And research shows that when you focus on the engagement of your team you enhance their performance, productivity and results.
So whether you are hot, lukewarm or cold, the great news is that with simple strategies and more focus and energy you can raise the temperature and engagement of your team...and your own career.
How engaged are you and your team? Are you:
Hot with passion,
Lukewarm with complacency
Cold with apathy
It’s an important question to ask because hot and highly engaged people deliver superior results. Luke warm people settle for mediocrity. And cold employees will ruin your team and organization.
Think of your culture as a big pot of soup with everyone in your organization stirring the pot with a spoon. The most important ingredient is the energy that each person shares while stirring the pot. This energy determines the temperature of your soup and the temperature is a key factor in determining how good it tastes.
After all, hot soup is delicious. No one likes lukewarm soup. And cold soup is gross. :)
In order to create great soup you need to focus on building a team of engaged, energized, passionate pot stirrers.
It doesn't happen by osmosis. It happens when you create a culture of greatness, lead with optimism, share a compelling vision, nurture your people, develop their talent, unleash their passion and focus on their engagement. And research shows that when you focus on the engagement of your team you enhance their performance, productivity and results.
So whether you are hot, lukewarm or cold, the great news is that with simple strategies and more focus and energy you can raise the temperature and engagement of your team...and your own career.
Two Frogs
The Two Frogs
---------------------
Two young frogs fell into a bucket of milk. Both tried to jump to freedom, but the sides of the bucket were steep
and no foundation was to be had on the surface of the liquid.
Seeing little chance of escape, the first frog soon despaired and stopped jumping. He sunk to the bottom of the
bucket and after some time, drowned.
The other frog also didn't see any chance of success but he never stopped trying.
Even though each jump reached the same height as before, he kept on struggling. Eventually, his persistence
churned some of the milk into butter. From the now hardened surface of the milk, he managed to leap out of the bucket.
So what's the moral of the story?
"Those who don't give up and persevere may be in for a pleasant surprise! "
- Author Unknown -
---------------------
Two young frogs fell into a bucket of milk. Both tried to jump to freedom, but the sides of the bucket were steep
and no foundation was to be had on the surface of the liquid.
Seeing little chance of escape, the first frog soon despaired and stopped jumping. He sunk to the bottom of the
bucket and after some time, drowned.
The other frog also didn't see any chance of success but he never stopped trying.
Even though each jump reached the same height as before, he kept on struggling. Eventually, his persistence
churned some of the milk into butter. From the now hardened surface of the milk, he managed to leap out of the bucket.
So what's the moral of the story?
"Those who don't give up and persevere may be in for a pleasant surprise! "
- Author Unknown -
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Yuan’s Too Weak – But It’s Not the Real Problem
April 26, 2010
Oh, for a world of easy answers. We’d all like to see China boost the value of its currency because that would help U.S. exports, right? Well, yes – but what about all those unintended consequences?
Start with the fact that China won’t do anything just because the U.S. tells it to. Who’s holding most of the cards in this relationship, anyway? China has been financing our budget deficit for years now, and has stockpiled huge reserves of dollars. Moreover, it’s the favorite place for American manufacturers in search of cheap labor, at least for now. So why should China take steps that would theoretically bolster markets for U.S. goods while making its own products less competitive?
Few would disagree that China has been artificially manipulating the yuan to keep it weak against the dollar. Granted, it let the currency appreciate by around 21 percent over a three-year period, but it has kept the yuan in the neighborhood of more than 6.8 to the dollar since July 2008. U.S. legislators have threatened to take punitive action, in the form of a bill that would allow for the imposition of duties in response to the yuan’s continued under-valuation. The Obama Administration, especially Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, has spoken out on the issue, although in less combative terms. (It’s more apt to make the argument that an abnormally weak yuan hurts other emerging market economies even more than it does the U.S.) And the International Monetary Fund recently urged China to let the yuan appreciate, to cool an expected growth rate of 10 percent this year.
With rampant growth comes inflation, and that’s the reason why China will finally relax its grip on the yuan just a bit. The nation has done a fairly good job of controlling inflation during its dizzying expansion of recent years (again, let’s give a big thanks to our U.S. manufacturers for that windfall), but it’s looking at a rate of better than 5 percent by year’s end, according to some experts.
The prospect of higher inflation will put China’s central bank at loggerheads with the ministries in charge of promoting exports. The former is likely to prevail to at least some degree, without any help from the outside world. So doesn’t that solve the problem, from the standpoint of U.S. interests?
It depends on who those interests are. Certainly, U.S. exporters will benefit, although not necessarily in the form of increased access to China’s domestic markets. The more likely scenario is that American products will do a slightly better job of competing against Chinese goods elsewhere in the world. (So, of course, will products made in the European Union and other countries.)
U.S. importers will be less happy. A cheaper yuan relative to the dollar “means increased costs for companies importing from China, plus rising prices for consumers,” says Josh Green, chief executive officer of Panjiva, a specialist in procurement and strategic sourcing. Let’s be realistic: there are massive amounts of product flowing into the U.S. from China, and higher costs in that area will have a much greater impact on the American economy than a marginally better edge for U.S. exports in world markets. That $39.7bn U.S. trade deficit for February 2010 tells the story about where the action in this economy really is.
Green says American interests are getting steamed up about the wrong thing. What they should be fighting for is access to China’s own markets through fairer trading policies, and the way to do that isn’t by squabbling over the yuan. “Currency,” he says, “is a little bit of a sideshow.” In fact, putting pressure on China in that area could lead to trade disputes that limit access even more. That’s essentially the argument made by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which recently issued a statement supporting international efforts “to encourage broader financial sector reforms that will enable China to accelerate its removal of capital controls and allow market forces to fully determine the value of its currency.”
Green has some practical advice for U.S. companies looking to minimize the impact of the yuan’s inevitable re-valuation. One crucial step “is to really dig in and understand as much as you can about the health of your Chinese suppliers.” Be aware of how those contracts are structured, and how they might be threatened by currency shifts. A lot of suppliers are going to get hurt by the change, he says. Are they yours?
Step two is to lock in prices in dollars to the greatest extent possible. But don’t go overboard; Chinese suppliers know that currency changes are coming and might resist attempts by their U.S. customers to place them at increased risk. Call this one a delicate balancing act.
Finally, U.S. manufacturers need to think about diversifying their sourcing, if they haven’t already. Many companies are becoming deeply concerned about rising labor costs in China, as well as the risks that come with longer supply lines. They’re looking to relocate at least a portion of their offshore manufacturing, perhaps to Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America. (Some are even talking about producing in the U.S., but don’t get too excited about that trend. A big migration of manufacturing back to American soil is highly unlikely, to say the least.)
Even with a cheaper yuan, China will remain an attractive place for offshore production for years to come. But nothing lasts forever – despite all those experts who never seem to see the bubble forming – and companies need to give serious thought to their alternatives. For those who stopped thinking strategically when the recession hit, it’s time to get out of survival mode. “There’s no shame in that,” says Green, “but now that we’re starting to see movement in China’s policies, you’re really setting yourselves up for trouble if you don’t address it.”
- Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain
Oh, for a world of easy answers. We’d all like to see China boost the value of its currency because that would help U.S. exports, right? Well, yes – but what about all those unintended consequences?
Start with the fact that China won’t do anything just because the U.S. tells it to. Who’s holding most of the cards in this relationship, anyway? China has been financing our budget deficit for years now, and has stockpiled huge reserves of dollars. Moreover, it’s the favorite place for American manufacturers in search of cheap labor, at least for now. So why should China take steps that would theoretically bolster markets for U.S. goods while making its own products less competitive?
Few would disagree that China has been artificially manipulating the yuan to keep it weak against the dollar. Granted, it let the currency appreciate by around 21 percent over a three-year period, but it has kept the yuan in the neighborhood of more than 6.8 to the dollar since July 2008. U.S. legislators have threatened to take punitive action, in the form of a bill that would allow for the imposition of duties in response to the yuan’s continued under-valuation. The Obama Administration, especially Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, has spoken out on the issue, although in less combative terms. (It’s more apt to make the argument that an abnormally weak yuan hurts other emerging market economies even more than it does the U.S.) And the International Monetary Fund recently urged China to let the yuan appreciate, to cool an expected growth rate of 10 percent this year.
With rampant growth comes inflation, and that’s the reason why China will finally relax its grip on the yuan just a bit. The nation has done a fairly good job of controlling inflation during its dizzying expansion of recent years (again, let’s give a big thanks to our U.S. manufacturers for that windfall), but it’s looking at a rate of better than 5 percent by year’s end, according to some experts.
The prospect of higher inflation will put China’s central bank at loggerheads with the ministries in charge of promoting exports. The former is likely to prevail to at least some degree, without any help from the outside world. So doesn’t that solve the problem, from the standpoint of U.S. interests?
It depends on who those interests are. Certainly, U.S. exporters will benefit, although not necessarily in the form of increased access to China’s domestic markets. The more likely scenario is that American products will do a slightly better job of competing against Chinese goods elsewhere in the world. (So, of course, will products made in the European Union and other countries.)
U.S. importers will be less happy. A cheaper yuan relative to the dollar “means increased costs for companies importing from China, plus rising prices for consumers,” says Josh Green, chief executive officer of Panjiva, a specialist in procurement and strategic sourcing. Let’s be realistic: there are massive amounts of product flowing into the U.S. from China, and higher costs in that area will have a much greater impact on the American economy than a marginally better edge for U.S. exports in world markets. That $39.7bn U.S. trade deficit for February 2010 tells the story about where the action in this economy really is.
Green says American interests are getting steamed up about the wrong thing. What they should be fighting for is access to China’s own markets through fairer trading policies, and the way to do that isn’t by squabbling over the yuan. “Currency,” he says, “is a little bit of a sideshow.” In fact, putting pressure on China in that area could lead to trade disputes that limit access even more. That’s essentially the argument made by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which recently issued a statement supporting international efforts “to encourage broader financial sector reforms that will enable China to accelerate its removal of capital controls and allow market forces to fully determine the value of its currency.”
Green has some practical advice for U.S. companies looking to minimize the impact of the yuan’s inevitable re-valuation. One crucial step “is to really dig in and understand as much as you can about the health of your Chinese suppliers.” Be aware of how those contracts are structured, and how they might be threatened by currency shifts. A lot of suppliers are going to get hurt by the change, he says. Are they yours?
Step two is to lock in prices in dollars to the greatest extent possible. But don’t go overboard; Chinese suppliers know that currency changes are coming and might resist attempts by their U.S. customers to place them at increased risk. Call this one a delicate balancing act.
Finally, U.S. manufacturers need to think about diversifying their sourcing, if they haven’t already. Many companies are becoming deeply concerned about rising labor costs in China, as well as the risks that come with longer supply lines. They’re looking to relocate at least a portion of their offshore manufacturing, perhaps to Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America. (Some are even talking about producing in the U.S., but don’t get too excited about that trend. A big migration of manufacturing back to American soil is highly unlikely, to say the least.)
Even with a cheaper yuan, China will remain an attractive place for offshore production for years to come. But nothing lasts forever – despite all those experts who never seem to see the bubble forming – and companies need to give serious thought to their alternatives. For those who stopped thinking strategically when the recession hit, it’s time to get out of survival mode. “There’s no shame in that,” says Green, “but now that we’re starting to see movement in China’s policies, you’re really setting yourselves up for trouble if you don’t address it.”
- Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain
The Yuan’s Too Weak – But It’s Not the Real Problem
The Yuan’s Too Weak – But It’s Not the Real Problem
April 26, 2010
Oh, for a world of easy answers. We’d all like to see China boost the value of its currency because that would help U.S. exports, right? Well, yes – but what about all those unintended consequences?
Start with the fact that China won’t do anything just because the U.S. tells it to. Who’s holding most of the cards in this relationship, anyway? China has been financing our budget deficit for years now, and has stockpiled huge reserves of dollars. Moreover, it’s the favorite place for American manufacturers in search of cheap labor, at least for now. So why should China take steps that would theoretically bolster markets for U.S. goods while making its own products less competitive?
Few would disagree that China has been artificially manipulating the yuan to keep it weak against the dollar. Granted, it let the currency appreciate by around 21 percent over a three-year period, but it has kept the yuan in the neighborhood of more than 6.8 to the dollar since July 2008. U.S. legislators have threatened to take punitive action, in the form of a bill that would allow for the imposition of duties in response to the yuan’s continued under-valuation. The Obama Administration, especially Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, has spoken out on the issue, although in less combative terms. (It’s more apt to make the argument that an abnormally weak yuan hurts other emerging market economies even more than it does the U.S.) And the International Monetary Fund recently urged China to let the yuan appreciate, to cool an expected growth rate of 10 percent this year.
With rampant growth comes inflation, and that’s the reason why China will finally relax its grip on the yuan just a bit. The nation has done a fairly good job of controlling inflation during its dizzying expansion of recent years (again, let’s give a big thanks to our U.S. manufacturers for that windfall), but it’s looking at a rate of better than 5 percent by year’s end, according to some experts.
The prospect of higher inflation will put China’s central bank at loggerheads with the ministries in charge of promoting exports. The former is likely to prevail to at least some degree, without any help from the outside world. So doesn’t that solve the problem, from the standpoint of U.S. interests?
It depends on who those interests are. Certainly, U.S. exporters will benefit, although not necessarily in the form of increased access to China’s domestic markets. The more likely scenario is that American products will do a slightly better job of competing against Chinese goods elsewhere in the world. (So, of course, will products made in the European Union and other countries.)
U.S. importers will be less happy. A cheaper yuan relative to the dollar “means increased costs for companies importing from China, plus rising prices for consumers,” says Josh Green, chief executive officer of Panjiva, a specialist in procurement and strategic sourcing. Let’s be realistic: there are massive amounts of product flowing into the U.S. from China, and higher costs in that area will have a much greater impact on the American economy than a marginally better edge for U.S. exports in world markets. That $39.7bn U.S. trade deficit for February 2010 tells the story about where the action in this economy really is.
Green says American interests are getting steamed up about the wrong thing. What they should be fighting for is access to China’s own markets through fairer trading policies, and the way to do that isn’t by squabbling over the yuan. “Currency,” he says, “is a little bit of a sideshow.” In fact, putting pressure on China in that area could lead to trade disputes that limit access even more. That’s essentially the argument made by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which recently issued a statement supporting international efforts “to encourage broader financial sector reforms that will enable China to accelerate its removal of capital controls and allow market forces to fully determine the value of its currency.”
Green has some practical advice for U.S. companies looking to minimize the impact of the yuan’s inevitable re-valuation. One crucial step “is to really dig in and understand as much as you can about the health of your Chinese suppliers.” Be aware of how those contracts are structured, and how they might be threatened by currency shifts. A lot of suppliers are going to get hurt by the change, he says. Are they yours?
Step two is to lock in prices in dollars to the greatest extent possible. But don’t go overboard; Chinese suppliers know that currency changes are coming and might resist attempts by their U.S. customers to place them at increased risk. Call this one a delicate balancing act.
Finally, U.S. manufacturers need to think about diversifying their sourcing, if they haven’t already. Many companies are becoming deeply concerned about rising labor costs in China, as well as the risks that come with longer supply lines. They’re looking to relocate at least a portion of their offshore manufacturing, perhaps to Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America. (Some are even talking about producing in the U.S., but don’t get too excited about that trend. A big migration of manufacturing back to American soil is highly unlikely, to say the least.)
Even with a cheaper yuan, China will remain an attractive place for offshore production for years to come. But nothing lasts forever – despite all those experts who never seem to see the bubble forming – and companies need to give serious thought to their alternatives. For those who stopped thinking strategically when the recession hit, it’s time to get out of survival mode. “There’s no shame in that,” says Green, “but now that we’re starting to see movement in China’s policies, you’re really setting yourselves up for trouble if you don’t address it.”
- Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain
April 26, 2010
Oh, for a world of easy answers. We’d all like to see China boost the value of its currency because that would help U.S. exports, right? Well, yes – but what about all those unintended consequences?
Start with the fact that China won’t do anything just because the U.S. tells it to. Who’s holding most of the cards in this relationship, anyway? China has been financing our budget deficit for years now, and has stockpiled huge reserves of dollars. Moreover, it’s the favorite place for American manufacturers in search of cheap labor, at least for now. So why should China take steps that would theoretically bolster markets for U.S. goods while making its own products less competitive?
Few would disagree that China has been artificially manipulating the yuan to keep it weak against the dollar. Granted, it let the currency appreciate by around 21 percent over a three-year period, but it has kept the yuan in the neighborhood of more than 6.8 to the dollar since July 2008. U.S. legislators have threatened to take punitive action, in the form of a bill that would allow for the imposition of duties in response to the yuan’s continued under-valuation. The Obama Administration, especially Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, has spoken out on the issue, although in less combative terms. (It’s more apt to make the argument that an abnormally weak yuan hurts other emerging market economies even more than it does the U.S.) And the International Monetary Fund recently urged China to let the yuan appreciate, to cool an expected growth rate of 10 percent this year.
With rampant growth comes inflation, and that’s the reason why China will finally relax its grip on the yuan just a bit. The nation has done a fairly good job of controlling inflation during its dizzying expansion of recent years (again, let’s give a big thanks to our U.S. manufacturers for that windfall), but it’s looking at a rate of better than 5 percent by year’s end, according to some experts.
The prospect of higher inflation will put China’s central bank at loggerheads with the ministries in charge of promoting exports. The former is likely to prevail to at least some degree, without any help from the outside world. So doesn’t that solve the problem, from the standpoint of U.S. interests?
It depends on who those interests are. Certainly, U.S. exporters will benefit, although not necessarily in the form of increased access to China’s domestic markets. The more likely scenario is that American products will do a slightly better job of competing against Chinese goods elsewhere in the world. (So, of course, will products made in the European Union and other countries.)
U.S. importers will be less happy. A cheaper yuan relative to the dollar “means increased costs for companies importing from China, plus rising prices for consumers,” says Josh Green, chief executive officer of Panjiva, a specialist in procurement and strategic sourcing. Let’s be realistic: there are massive amounts of product flowing into the U.S. from China, and higher costs in that area will have a much greater impact on the American economy than a marginally better edge for U.S. exports in world markets. That $39.7bn U.S. trade deficit for February 2010 tells the story about where the action in this economy really is.
Green says American interests are getting steamed up about the wrong thing. What they should be fighting for is access to China’s own markets through fairer trading policies, and the way to do that isn’t by squabbling over the yuan. “Currency,” he says, “is a little bit of a sideshow.” In fact, putting pressure on China in that area could lead to trade disputes that limit access even more. That’s essentially the argument made by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which recently issued a statement supporting international efforts “to encourage broader financial sector reforms that will enable China to accelerate its removal of capital controls and allow market forces to fully determine the value of its currency.”
Green has some practical advice for U.S. companies looking to minimize the impact of the yuan’s inevitable re-valuation. One crucial step “is to really dig in and understand as much as you can about the health of your Chinese suppliers.” Be aware of how those contracts are structured, and how they might be threatened by currency shifts. A lot of suppliers are going to get hurt by the change, he says. Are they yours?
Step two is to lock in prices in dollars to the greatest extent possible. But don’t go overboard; Chinese suppliers know that currency changes are coming and might resist attempts by their U.S. customers to place them at increased risk. Call this one a delicate balancing act.
Finally, U.S. manufacturers need to think about diversifying their sourcing, if they haven’t already. Many companies are becoming deeply concerned about rising labor costs in China, as well as the risks that come with longer supply lines. They’re looking to relocate at least a portion of their offshore manufacturing, perhaps to Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America. (Some are even talking about producing in the U.S., but don’t get too excited about that trend. A big migration of manufacturing back to American soil is highly unlikely, to say the least.)
Even with a cheaper yuan, China will remain an attractive place for offshore production for years to come. But nothing lasts forever – despite all those experts who never seem to see the bubble forming – and companies need to give serious thought to their alternatives. For those who stopped thinking strategically when the recession hit, it’s time to get out of survival mode. “There’s no shame in that,” says Green, “but now that we’re starting to see movement in China’s policies, you’re really setting yourselves up for trouble if you don’t address it.”
- Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Success
ast week I introduced the New Science of Success and talked
about the four components of Who, What, Why and How some
people achieve extraordinary results. There truly is a
science, a formula or predictability to success. This week I
want to talk about Who achieves success.
We have long known that many so-called predictors of success
are totally unreliable. Rich kids end up as failures. Bright
kids end up working for other people. Attractive kids grow
up to be lonely. The most popular kids and best athletes do
no better (and often worse) than the "average" kids.
Ambitious kids flame out, and so forth.
So what does predict success? Who gets to achieve external
success (wealth, fame, power, prestige, etc) and the
internal blessing of happiness? What are the predictors of
success in both realms? Who are the winners who have the
things we want on the outside, while also having peace and
fulfillment on the inside? Who gets that???
There are specific skills and behaviors that highly
successful people share and the good news is that they are
not genetic! You do not have to be born "lucky!" You can
learn or acquire these things. Here are a few of the traits
and skills of highly successful people:
1. A paradox. Success is a "do-it-yourself" project and yet
no one gets there on their own. Successful people LEARN to
be successful by watching and emulating successful people.
Winners attend the seminars, take the classes, read the
books (including biographies) and work with coaches and
mentors. I was reminded of that this week when Vic sent his
special about the Jim Rohn recordings. Jim taught me a lot!
Hanging around him, watching him, learning from him was one
of the best investments I've ever made.
2. Simplicity. This is a very sophisticated concept and
has more to do with balance or clarity than with the number
of appointments on your calendar. I've met famous business
leaders who lead astonishingly quiet, orderly lives. Others
are busy, high-energy, on-the-go, making deals every day.
The outward "style" is not the issue. It's their inner quiet.
Successful people know who they are, keep their feet on the
ground, and are rarely stressed.
3. Focused ambition. Successful people are ambitious, but
their ambition is aimed at a very precise outcome. They work
hard, but they are rarely ambitious for "success." Rather,
they are focused on a precisely-defined result. Their ambition
is not to "be successful" or to "become" anything! Whether
their success is teaching a 5-year old to read or building a
global enterprise, their ambition is focused and specific.
4. Insatiable curiosity. Successful people know there is a
way to achieve their goals and they will try any legal,
ethical technique. They ask for suggestions, borrow ideas,
modify techniques, study and ponder until they find the
solutions. Remember Sir Isaac Newton and his insight about
the nature of the universe when an apple fell from a tree?
Successful people are eager, curious observers.
5. Determination without stubbornness. Again we're back to
a paradox. Successful people never stop. They are hard
working, persistent people who never, ever give up. But,
they can change their mind in an instant. They are open to
new information, a new way, a new solution and when they
find it, they can instantly change direction. No one sees
them as unpredictable or chaotic, but when they find a
better solution, they grab it.
Success is built on skills that can be learned. The skills
come more easily to some than others, but anyone can nurture
their curiosity. Anyone can learn from a mentor. We can all
persist and "stay the course" in hard times. We can all
learn the skills and achieve success in life. So, Who gets
to achieve success? Anyone who will study, learn and use the
skills of highly successful people.
about the four components of Who, What, Why and How some
people achieve extraordinary results. There truly is a
science, a formula or predictability to success. This week I
want to talk about Who achieves success.
We have long known that many so-called predictors of success
are totally unreliable. Rich kids end up as failures. Bright
kids end up working for other people. Attractive kids grow
up to be lonely. The most popular kids and best athletes do
no better (and often worse) than the "average" kids.
Ambitious kids flame out, and so forth.
So what does predict success? Who gets to achieve external
success (wealth, fame, power, prestige, etc) and the
internal blessing of happiness? What are the predictors of
success in both realms? Who are the winners who have the
things we want on the outside, while also having peace and
fulfillment on the inside? Who gets that???
There are specific skills and behaviors that highly
successful people share and the good news is that they are
not genetic! You do not have to be born "lucky!" You can
learn or acquire these things. Here are a few of the traits
and skills of highly successful people:
1. A paradox. Success is a "do-it-yourself" project and yet
no one gets there on their own. Successful people LEARN to
be successful by watching and emulating successful people.
Winners attend the seminars, take the classes, read the
books (including biographies) and work with coaches and
mentors. I was reminded of that this week when Vic sent his
special about the Jim Rohn recordings. Jim taught me a lot!
Hanging around him, watching him, learning from him was one
of the best investments I've ever made.
2. Simplicity. This is a very sophisticated concept and
has more to do with balance or clarity than with the number
of appointments on your calendar. I've met famous business
leaders who lead astonishingly quiet, orderly lives. Others
are busy, high-energy, on-the-go, making deals every day.
The outward "style" is not the issue. It's their inner quiet.
Successful people know who they are, keep their feet on the
ground, and are rarely stressed.
3. Focused ambition. Successful people are ambitious, but
their ambition is aimed at a very precise outcome. They work
hard, but they are rarely ambitious for "success." Rather,
they are focused on a precisely-defined result. Their ambition
is not to "be successful" or to "become" anything! Whether
their success is teaching a 5-year old to read or building a
global enterprise, their ambition is focused and specific.
4. Insatiable curiosity. Successful people know there is a
way to achieve their goals and they will try any legal,
ethical technique. They ask for suggestions, borrow ideas,
modify techniques, study and ponder until they find the
solutions. Remember Sir Isaac Newton and his insight about
the nature of the universe when an apple fell from a tree?
Successful people are eager, curious observers.
5. Determination without stubbornness. Again we're back to
a paradox. Successful people never stop. They are hard
working, persistent people who never, ever give up. But,
they can change their mind in an instant. They are open to
new information, a new way, a new solution and when they
find it, they can instantly change direction. No one sees
them as unpredictable or chaotic, but when they find a
better solution, they grab it.
Success is built on skills that can be learned. The skills
come more easily to some than others, but anyone can nurture
their curiosity. Anyone can learn from a mentor. We can all
persist and "stay the course" in hard times. We can all
learn the skills and achieve success in life. So, Who gets
to achieve success? Anyone who will study, learn and use the
skills of highly successful people.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Inspiration
Message
1a. One red rose
Posted by: "Susan Gregg" susan@susangregg.com susanegregg
Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:48 pm (PDT)
When I was a little girl I used to bring my mother one red rose if
I was going to be home late. Years later I told her why I brought her
the roses and her face fell in disbelief. I had no idea how much
those roses had meant to her until that moment.
Sometimes we have no idea how much impact our actions can have. All
of our relationships are ultimately a refection of our relationship
with ourselves. Send ripples of kindness into your life and watch
those ripples spread.
--
With love and aloha,
Susan Gregg
1a. One red rose
Posted by: "Susan Gregg" susan@susangregg.com susanegregg
Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:48 pm (PDT)
When I was a little girl I used to bring my mother one red rose if
I was going to be home late. Years later I told her why I brought her
the roses and her face fell in disbelief. I had no idea how much
those roses had meant to her until that moment.
Sometimes we have no idea how much impact our actions can have. All
of our relationships are ultimately a refection of our relationship
with ourselves. Send ripples of kindness into your life and watch
those ripples spread.
--
With love and aloha,
Susan Gregg
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Leadership
Great Leadership
Challenging times require leaders who can lead others through the challenges. Now more than ever we need great leadership in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals and organizations. Good leadership won’t suffice. We need great leadership. There is a difference.
Good leaders get people to believe in them.
Great leaders inspire people to believe in themselves.
Good leaders say “Watch what I can do.”
Great leaders say “Let me show you what you can do.”
Good leaders catch fish for others so they can eat today.
Great leaders teach people how to fish so they can eat for a lifetime.
Having worked with countless leaders over the years in businesses, schools and professional sports I’ve realized that great leadership is really a transfer of belief. Great leaders share their belief, vision, purpose and passion with others and in the process they inspire others to believe, act and impact. Great leaders are positively contagious and they instill confidence and belief in others.
Great sales managers inspire their sales people to believe in themselves and their product/service. Great school principals inspire their teachers to believe they can make a difference. Great teachers inspire and empower their students to believe in themselves. Great pastors inspire their congregations to serve and impact the community. Great sports coaches inspire their teams to believe they can win. And the people who have changed the world have been those who instilled in others the confidence to step up, serve, take initiative and create positive change. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need to lead.
To lead others in a powerful way you must invite them on your bus, share your vision for the road ahead and then encourage, empower and inspire them to drive their own bus. In the process, instead of having just one bus that you drive, you create a fleet of buses and bus drivers, all moving in the same positive direction. When you create a fleet of buses and empower people to drive their own bus, you generate an amazing amount of power and momentum that becomes an unstoppable force. This is what great leadership is all about.
Challenging times require leaders who can lead others through the challenges. Now more than ever we need great leadership in our government, schools, businesses, hospitals and organizations. Good leadership won’t suffice. We need great leadership. There is a difference.
Good leaders get people to believe in them.
Great leaders inspire people to believe in themselves.
Good leaders say “Watch what I can do.”
Great leaders say “Let me show you what you can do.”
Good leaders catch fish for others so they can eat today.
Great leaders teach people how to fish so they can eat for a lifetime.
Having worked with countless leaders over the years in businesses, schools and professional sports I’ve realized that great leadership is really a transfer of belief. Great leaders share their belief, vision, purpose and passion with others and in the process they inspire others to believe, act and impact. Great leaders are positively contagious and they instill confidence and belief in others.
Great sales managers inspire their sales people to believe in themselves and their product/service. Great school principals inspire their teachers to believe they can make a difference. Great teachers inspire and empower their students to believe in themselves. Great pastors inspire their congregations to serve and impact the community. Great sports coaches inspire their teams to believe they can win. And the people who have changed the world have been those who instilled in others the confidence to step up, serve, take initiative and create positive change. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need to lead.
To lead others in a powerful way you must invite them on your bus, share your vision for the road ahead and then encourage, empower and inspire them to drive their own bus. In the process, instead of having just one bus that you drive, you create a fleet of buses and bus drivers, all moving in the same positive direction. When you create a fleet of buses and empower people to drive their own bus, you generate an amazing amount of power and momentum that becomes an unstoppable force. This is what great leadership is all about.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Success
Success and achievement in life--from parenting to fitness
to money or time management, to wealth, fame, power or
athletic prowess--is the result of mastering the
fundamentals. It's about approaching the task as a problem
to be solved, as a set of skills to be learned and applied.
In that sense, as long as we live in a predictable, orderly
universe, success is basically an engineering problem. What
a concept!
I anticipate expanding on this in many ways, for a long time
to come. I don't know where it will lead but here are some
of my initial thoughts on the Who, What, Why and How of
success:
1. Success comes to those who are prepared. Success comes
to some people more readily than others, but the difference
has nothing (nothing!) to do with luck or genetic talent or
family background. It comes to people who are balanced,
healthy, and structured. It is not attracted to scenes of
chaos, drama, confusion or impulsivity. Success in the outer
world is built on mastering one's own inner world. Get good
at living on purpose, with balance, enthusiasm, focus and
energy.
2. Success comes to those who know what it is. Success
comes to those who have defined their outcomes in advance,
who know their purpose and are committed to their goals.
Success is not about "a little of this and some of that."
It's not about starting over or giving up when things get
hard. Success is about defining what you want, knowing where
you're going, and pursuing your goals with creative,
persistent determination.
3. Success comes to those who know why they want it.
Success comes from purpose and passion, from having powerful
reasons for success. Successful people are described as
"driven" by a dream or "pulled" by their sense of mission.
They are rarely distracted, seldom confused and they never
give up. It's often impossible to tell whether they have a
dream or the dream has them. They stay the course because
it's important. They have their reasons.
4. Success comes to those who know how. Success requires
effective strategies, solid plans, a budget, a schedule and
talented partners, coaches and teammates. Success is not
random! We live in a orderly, predictable world and
successful people often spend more time developing their
"blueprint" or "path" than it takes to achieve their goals
once they get into action. Eager, impulsive failures tend to
launch before they are ready. Winners focus on the plan.
They know how their plan is going to work, and they work
their plan.
to money or time management, to wealth, fame, power or
athletic prowess--is the result of mastering the
fundamentals. It's about approaching the task as a problem
to be solved, as a set of skills to be learned and applied.
In that sense, as long as we live in a predictable, orderly
universe, success is basically an engineering problem. What
a concept!
I anticipate expanding on this in many ways, for a long time
to come. I don't know where it will lead but here are some
of my initial thoughts on the Who, What, Why and How of
success:
1. Success comes to those who are prepared. Success comes
to some people more readily than others, but the difference
has nothing (nothing!) to do with luck or genetic talent or
family background. It comes to people who are balanced,
healthy, and structured. It is not attracted to scenes of
chaos, drama, confusion or impulsivity. Success in the outer
world is built on mastering one's own inner world. Get good
at living on purpose, with balance, enthusiasm, focus and
energy.
2. Success comes to those who know what it is. Success
comes to those who have defined their outcomes in advance,
who know their purpose and are committed to their goals.
Success is not about "a little of this and some of that."
It's not about starting over or giving up when things get
hard. Success is about defining what you want, knowing where
you're going, and pursuing your goals with creative,
persistent determination.
3. Success comes to those who know why they want it.
Success comes from purpose and passion, from having powerful
reasons for success. Successful people are described as
"driven" by a dream or "pulled" by their sense of mission.
They are rarely distracted, seldom confused and they never
give up. It's often impossible to tell whether they have a
dream or the dream has them. They stay the course because
it's important. They have their reasons.
4. Success comes to those who know how. Success requires
effective strategies, solid plans, a budget, a schedule and
talented partners, coaches and teammates. Success is not
random! We live in a orderly, predictable world and
successful people often spend more time developing their
"blueprint" or "path" than it takes to achieve their goals
once they get into action. Eager, impulsive failures tend to
launch before they are ready. Winners focus on the plan.
They know how their plan is going to work, and they work
their plan.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Play to Win!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News Letter
Play to Win -The Productivity Coach
April 11, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal and Professional Productivity
Success and "The Good Life" are based on The Four Lists.
List 1: Your Core Values.
Knowing what you believe, what you value, what you stand for, is essential. Your values are your compass. They are the touchstone against which everything else is measured. There are hundreds of values that compete for your attention, and it is vital to know which ones you have consciously chosen to be at the center of your life. If you aren’t clear what you stand for, you'll wander forever, lost in a world of endless choices and spur-of-the-moment decisions.
As a result, your chances for long-term success are greatly diminished. Among others, my own short list of primary values includes integrity, loyalty, and "putting in before you take out." I value persistence, consistency and reliability. Curiosity and creativity are high on my list. Encouraging people to fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams are the core of who I am as a person. What's on your list? Have you written it down? Have you reviewed it with loved ones, and up-dated it recently? Knowing your Core Values is List One.
List 2: Your Goals and Priorities.
Where are you going and what are you doing with your wonderful life? What are your 5- and 10-year priorities? What are the big pieces that get your time and your best efforts? Have you written your goals down, and shared the list with your partners, family and friends? Have you reviewed it recently and up-dated it at least once a year? Do you know why you're working so hard and how you'll measure success ten years from now? Write your Major Goals down! List #2 is essential.
List 3: Your Current Projects.
Do you have a spring campaign, or a 6-week project? Highly successful people know their priorities and they work on them every day. They have 30-day targets, and quarterly deadlines. They have a list of items to be completed by the end of the month. What are you working on? How much progress will you make by 5:00 P.M. Friday afternoon? Highly successful people always work from a written list of short-term projects. They always know the next step, the most important piece of the puzzle, and they don't waste time. What's on your list of projects?
List 4: Your Daily Musts.
High achievers know their daily actions in advance. They plan their days, and they know the things that "must" be done each and every day. They have a written list of their "Daily Five" or "Power 8" that may include things like exercise, meditation or prayer, time to plan, and other daily actions to create the life they truly want. My personal list includes time to read, and contacting a colleague or loved one to touch base, every day. What's on your "Daily List?" Take care of yourself. Have some fun, live well, move forward every day! Do the things that create and build the life you really want, and do them every single day.
These are the four lists that make life worthwhile. They are the lists that high achievers keep close to their hearts and on top of their desks. They are the lists that guide their actions and inform their efforts. They may be written on simple note paper, but they are fundamental to creating and living the life your truly want. What's on your lists?
If you would like additional information regarding the manner in which you can increase you personal productivity and the productivity of your team contact Dr. Edward Knab for a free consultation regarding the opportunities in your environment.
If your company is attempting to cope with turbulence in your supply chain or if you would like to see your productivity and competitiveness improved; the Supply Chain Experts can help design a program that satisfies your requirements.
Dr. Edward F. Knab
Productivity Constructs, Inc.
800 660 8718 office
949 413 7333 mobile
ed@edwardknab.com
www.productivityconstructs.com
More Supply Chain Experts Blogs
Dr. Knab is an academic practitioner, expert in distribution center and supply chain design. His company, Productivity Constructs, Inc., is focused improving global supply chain leadership and thereby creating more efficient organizations. Dr. Knab can be contacted for speaking engagements, coaching, or consultation at efk@productivityconstructs.com, ed@ewardknab.com or www.edwardknab.com.
Tags: Chain, customer, Distribution, efficiency, Management, satisfaction, Supply, System, Warehouse, WMS
© Productivity Constructs, Inc. 2010
4 Lists for Success
Success and "The Good Life" are based on The Four Lists.
List 1: Your Core Values. Knowing what you believe, what
you value, what you stand for, is essential. Your values are
your compass. They are the touchstone against which
everything else is measured.
There are hundreds of values that compete for your
attention, and it is vital to know which ones you have
consciously chosen to be at the center of your life. If you
aren’t clear what you stand for, you'll wander forever, lost
in a world of endless choices and spur-of-the-moment decisions.
As a result, your chances for long-term success are greatly
diminished.
Among others, my own short list of primary values includes
integrity, loyalty, and "putting in before you take out." I
value persistence, consistency and reliability. Curiosity
and creativity are high on my list. Encouraging people to
fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams are the
core of who I am as a person.
What's on your list? Have you written it down? Have you
reviewed it with loved ones, and up-dated it recently?
Knowing your Core Values is List One.
List 2: Your Goals and Priorities. Where are you going and
what are you doing with your wonderful life? What are your
5- and 10-year priorities? What are the big pieces that get
your time and your best efforts?
Have you written your goals down, and shared the list with
your partners, family and friends? Have you reviewed it
recently and up-dated it at least once a year? Do you know
why you're working so hard and how you'll measure success
ten years from now? Write your Major Goals down! List #2 is
essential.
List 3: Your Current Projects. Do you have a spring
campaign, or a 6-week project? Highly successful people know
their priorities and they work on them every day. They have
30-day targets, and quarterly deadlines. They have a list of
items to be completed by the end of the month. What are you
working on? How much progress will you make by 5:00 P.M.
Friday afternoon?
Highly successful people always work from a written list of
short-term projects. They always know the next step, the
most important piece of the puzzle, and they don't waste
time. What's on your list of projects?
List 4: Your Daily Musts. High achievers know their daily
actions in advance. They plan their days, and they know the
things that "must" be done each and every day. They have a
written list of their "Daily Five" or "Power 8" that may
include things like exercise, meditation or prayer, time to
plan, and other daily actions to create the life they truly
want. My personal list includes time to read, and contacting
a colleague or loved one to touch base, every day.
What's on your "Daily List?" Take care of yourself. Have
some fun, live well, move forward every day! Do the things
that create and build the life you really want, and do them
every single day.
These are the four lists that make life worthwhile. They are
the lists that high achievers keep close to their hearts and
on top of their desks. They are the lists that guide their
actions and inform their efforts. They may be written on
simple note paper, but they are fundamental to creating and
living the life your truly want. What's on your lists?
List 1: Your Core Values. Knowing what you believe, what
you value, what you stand for, is essential. Your values are
your compass. They are the touchstone against which
everything else is measured.
There are hundreds of values that compete for your
attention, and it is vital to know which ones you have
consciously chosen to be at the center of your life. If you
aren’t clear what you stand for, you'll wander forever, lost
in a world of endless choices and spur-of-the-moment decisions.
As a result, your chances for long-term success are greatly
diminished.
Among others, my own short list of primary values includes
integrity, loyalty, and "putting in before you take out." I
value persistence, consistency and reliability. Curiosity
and creativity are high on my list. Encouraging people to
fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams are the
core of who I am as a person.
What's on your list? Have you written it down? Have you
reviewed it with loved ones, and up-dated it recently?
Knowing your Core Values is List One.
List 2: Your Goals and Priorities. Where are you going and
what are you doing with your wonderful life? What are your
5- and 10-year priorities? What are the big pieces that get
your time and your best efforts?
Have you written your goals down, and shared the list with
your partners, family and friends? Have you reviewed it
recently and up-dated it at least once a year? Do you know
why you're working so hard and how you'll measure success
ten years from now? Write your Major Goals down! List #2 is
essential.
List 3: Your Current Projects. Do you have a spring
campaign, or a 6-week project? Highly successful people know
their priorities and they work on them every day. They have
30-day targets, and quarterly deadlines. They have a list of
items to be completed by the end of the month. What are you
working on? How much progress will you make by 5:00 P.M.
Friday afternoon?
Highly successful people always work from a written list of
short-term projects. They always know the next step, the
most important piece of the puzzle, and they don't waste
time. What's on your list of projects?
List 4: Your Daily Musts. High achievers know their daily
actions in advance. They plan their days, and they know the
things that "must" be done each and every day. They have a
written list of their "Daily Five" or "Power 8" that may
include things like exercise, meditation or prayer, time to
plan, and other daily actions to create the life they truly
want. My personal list includes time to read, and contacting
a colleague or loved one to touch base, every day.
What's on your "Daily List?" Take care of yourself. Have
some fun, live well, move forward every day! Do the things
that create and build the life you really want, and do them
every single day.
These are the four lists that make life worthwhile. They are
the lists that high achievers keep close to their hearts and
on top of their desks. They are the lists that guide their
actions and inform their efforts. They may be written on
simple note paper, but they are fundamental to creating and
living the life your truly want. What's on your lists?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Time
Time isn't really linear as we experience it or is it? The only
moment that exists is the present, yet we 'remember' the past and
plan for the future.
We believe we can affect the future by the choices we make today.
If that's true, why can't we affect the past as well?
How is it you stop yourself from being in the moment? If you are
thinking about the past or the future you are crowding yourself out
of the only moment that exists. What if, just for this moment you
give yourself permission to be fully present?
What if you simply allowed yourself to breathe deeply and BE? Be in
the spaces between your thoughts.
moment that exists is the present, yet we 'remember' the past and
plan for the future.
We believe we can affect the future by the choices we make today.
If that's true, why can't we affect the past as well?
How is it you stop yourself from being in the moment? If you are
thinking about the past or the future you are crowding yourself out
of the only moment that exists. What if, just for this moment you
give yourself permission to be fully present?
What if you simply allowed yourself to breathe deeply and BE? Be in
the spaces between your thoughts.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Positive Action
In this spirit, here are five characteristics and actions you can take to thrive right now.
1. Refuse to Participate in the Recession - Businesses and people that thrived during past recessions continued to go about their business as usual regardless of the market conditions. They stayed positive, worked hard and focused on taking actions to grow their business. Focus on business as usual and while others allow fear to paralyze them you will charge forward and move ahead of your competition.
2. Increase Marketing and Advertising - It may seem counterintuitive to spend more money on advertising and marketing but with so many people and organizations cutting back on these expenses this is a great opportunity to build your brand, expand your presence and gain market share. People will still be buying goods and services and they will buy from those who they trust and see in the marketplace. This is a great time to win new customers and stand out.
3. Innovate - Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes, great ideas and new business ventures are born during economic hardships. GE, Disney, and Microsoft were all born during recessions. I believe when times are tough we are more open to new ideas, new products and new ways of doing things. For example, smart political and business leaders should be working on alternative energy and green technologies that would lead to great progress and profits.
4. Become a Talent Magnet - If you are a leader or manager there is no better time to find, attract and hire the best talent. Focus on strengthening your business now and you’ll be in a great position to capitalize when the market rebounds.
5. Think Big, Take Action - Consider that both the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge were built during the Great Depression. Now is a time to think big, create your vision and take action. With more people living in fear and fewer people taking initiative the rewards and recognition will be greater for those willing to work hard and dedicate themselves to building a great business, product, service, and vision. As we know, there is no substitute for hard work and now is a time where those with a positive attitude and great work ethic will shine.
1. Refuse to Participate in the Recession - Businesses and people that thrived during past recessions continued to go about their business as usual regardless of the market conditions. They stayed positive, worked hard and focused on taking actions to grow their business. Focus on business as usual and while others allow fear to paralyze them you will charge forward and move ahead of your competition.
2. Increase Marketing and Advertising - It may seem counterintuitive to spend more money on advertising and marketing but with so many people and organizations cutting back on these expenses this is a great opportunity to build your brand, expand your presence and gain market share. People will still be buying goods and services and they will buy from those who they trust and see in the marketplace. This is a great time to win new customers and stand out.
3. Innovate - Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes, great ideas and new business ventures are born during economic hardships. GE, Disney, and Microsoft were all born during recessions. I believe when times are tough we are more open to new ideas, new products and new ways of doing things. For example, smart political and business leaders should be working on alternative energy and green technologies that would lead to great progress and profits.
4. Become a Talent Magnet - If you are a leader or manager there is no better time to find, attract and hire the best talent. Focus on strengthening your business now and you’ll be in a great position to capitalize when the market rebounds.
5. Think Big, Take Action - Consider that both the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge were built during the Great Depression. Now is a time to think big, create your vision and take action. With more people living in fear and fewer people taking initiative the rewards and recognition will be greater for those willing to work hard and dedicate themselves to building a great business, product, service, and vision. As we know, there is no substitute for hard work and now is a time where those with a positive attitude and great work ethic will shine.
Friday, March 12, 2010
A Black Hole in the Supply Chain
American Railcar uses TMS to shine light on inbound supply chain
By David Hannon -- Purchasing, 3/11/2010 12:00:00 AM
A black hole in their supply chain.
That's how the purchasing team at American Railcar Inc. (ARI) described the issue that led them to select and implement a transportation management system last year. And that decision is reaping benefits both expected and unexpected.
Like a lot of manufacturing companies, ARI, was having particular difficulty tracking its inbound shipments from suppliers. "We had visibility when the product was ready at suppliers, but then it went into a black hole once it left our vendors' docks until it arrived at our location," says Brent Roever, purchasing agent at St. Charles, Mo.-based ARI, which manufactures and services railcars and parts.
In some respects, ARI was better off than some other manufacturers because it has a smaller supply base than a typical manufacturer, so there were fewer inbound shipments disappearing into the black hole. As a railcar manufacturer with two primary manufacturing locations in Arkansas, its supply base is limited to companies that can meet the rigorous specifications and certifications required by the American Association of Railroads. As a result its relatively short supplier list is based primarily in the U.S.
According to Richard Armbruster, ARI's vice president of purchasing, about 80% of its inbound shipments come via flatbed truckload. Only about 5% come in by truckload van and the rest come from suppliers via less-than-truckload. And, of course, the majority of its outbound shipments go out on rail—literally.
But as a Lean organization, ARI was always looking for ways to streamline its just-in-time manufacturing model and reduce its inventories. In its previous logistics model, ARI provided its suppliers with lists of preferred carriers and routing guides, but "it was on the honor system" according to Roever. "We had visibility when the product was ready at suppliers, but then it went into a black hole once it left our suppliers' docks until it arrived at our location."
So under Ambruster's direction, ARI's Senior Director of Purchasing Scott Smith worked with Roever to investigate what the solution to the black hole problem was. And while they knew it would require some outside help, the first question they needed to answer was TMS vs. 3PL?
"We reviewed both 3PLs and TMS providers we decided a mix of both would suit us best," says Roever. When it came to the TMS, ARI was sure it wanted to go with a web-based TMS that would integrate easily with its in-house ERP system.
With those priorities set, ARI decided that St. Louis-based Logistics Management Solutions (LMS) of was the right choice for its TMS provider. In early 2009, the team began working with LMS to incorporate its TMS system into ARI's purchasing and logistics processes.
The key to effectively streamlining the inbound freight flows was getting ARI's suppliers on board with the program. And it had to be a simple, straightforward process for the suppliers if it were going to be embraced.
In the new process all of ARI's orders flow from the ERP system into LMS' TMS system where suppliers can view those orders. Suppliers respond to those orders and indicate that their shipment is ready either by providing a form or by logging into the LMS system depending on their frequency of shipments and can include notes on how that product needs to be shipped. Some shipments may require a tarp or a flatbed truck, for example, all of which can be indicated on the notification.
With those details in place, LMS can then tender the load to one of ARI's carriers in that given lane. Carriers are only dispatched when the shipment is ready, which avoids costly carrier delays.
But most importantly, the system indicates to Roever and the ARI team when the shipment was picked up at the supplier and when it can be expected at ARI's facility based on established delivery times. Black hole averted.
"This allows us to control early and late shipments and ultimately this helps us reduce our on-hand inventory," says Roever. "It's our goal to have just enough inventory to build our railcars while taking into account transit times. We measure inventory month over month and it is improving from a host of activities, including our work with LMS."
The TMS system also lets the purchasing team at ARI track which suppliers ship on-time and which are late. That data is then included in the supplier's scorecard and also lets ARI perform root-cause analysis on those that are consistently late.
"We're using Lean to become world-class so being able to use reporting tools to identify and fix problems is very valuable," says Roever. "These tools give us more data to analyze in these areas."
While there was some pushback from suppliers early in the process, currently ARI has 99% of its suppliers on the system now. Roever says one thing that made the transition smoother was LMS assigned dedicated reps to the ARI contract, so all of ARI's suppliers are interfacing with the same people at LMS each time.
"Communication at every stage is crucial," says Roever. "Bring suppliers in early when you're looking at the change and ask them how it would impact their business."
By David Hannon -- Purchasing, 3/11/2010 12:00:00 AM
A black hole in their supply chain.
That's how the purchasing team at American Railcar Inc. (ARI) described the issue that led them to select and implement a transportation management system last year. And that decision is reaping benefits both expected and unexpected.
Like a lot of manufacturing companies, ARI, was having particular difficulty tracking its inbound shipments from suppliers. "We had visibility when the product was ready at suppliers, but then it went into a black hole once it left our vendors' docks until it arrived at our location," says Brent Roever, purchasing agent at St. Charles, Mo.-based ARI, which manufactures and services railcars and parts.
In some respects, ARI was better off than some other manufacturers because it has a smaller supply base than a typical manufacturer, so there were fewer inbound shipments disappearing into the black hole. As a railcar manufacturer with two primary manufacturing locations in Arkansas, its supply base is limited to companies that can meet the rigorous specifications and certifications required by the American Association of Railroads. As a result its relatively short supplier list is based primarily in the U.S.
According to Richard Armbruster, ARI's vice president of purchasing, about 80% of its inbound shipments come via flatbed truckload. Only about 5% come in by truckload van and the rest come from suppliers via less-than-truckload. And, of course, the majority of its outbound shipments go out on rail—literally.
But as a Lean organization, ARI was always looking for ways to streamline its just-in-time manufacturing model and reduce its inventories. In its previous logistics model, ARI provided its suppliers with lists of preferred carriers and routing guides, but "it was on the honor system" according to Roever. "We had visibility when the product was ready at suppliers, but then it went into a black hole once it left our suppliers' docks until it arrived at our location."
So under Ambruster's direction, ARI's Senior Director of Purchasing Scott Smith worked with Roever to investigate what the solution to the black hole problem was. And while they knew it would require some outside help, the first question they needed to answer was TMS vs. 3PL?
"We reviewed both 3PLs and TMS providers we decided a mix of both would suit us best," says Roever. When it came to the TMS, ARI was sure it wanted to go with a web-based TMS that would integrate easily with its in-house ERP system.
With those priorities set, ARI decided that St. Louis-based Logistics Management Solutions (LMS) of was the right choice for its TMS provider. In early 2009, the team began working with LMS to incorporate its TMS system into ARI's purchasing and logistics processes.
The key to effectively streamlining the inbound freight flows was getting ARI's suppliers on board with the program. And it had to be a simple, straightforward process for the suppliers if it were going to be embraced.
In the new process all of ARI's orders flow from the ERP system into LMS' TMS system where suppliers can view those orders. Suppliers respond to those orders and indicate that their shipment is ready either by providing a form or by logging into the LMS system depending on their frequency of shipments and can include notes on how that product needs to be shipped. Some shipments may require a tarp or a flatbed truck, for example, all of which can be indicated on the notification.
With those details in place, LMS can then tender the load to one of ARI's carriers in that given lane. Carriers are only dispatched when the shipment is ready, which avoids costly carrier delays.
But most importantly, the system indicates to Roever and the ARI team when the shipment was picked up at the supplier and when it can be expected at ARI's facility based on established delivery times. Black hole averted.
"This allows us to control early and late shipments and ultimately this helps us reduce our on-hand inventory," says Roever. "It's our goal to have just enough inventory to build our railcars while taking into account transit times. We measure inventory month over month and it is improving from a host of activities, including our work with LMS."
The TMS system also lets the purchasing team at ARI track which suppliers ship on-time and which are late. That data is then included in the supplier's scorecard and also lets ARI perform root-cause analysis on those that are consistently late.
"We're using Lean to become world-class so being able to use reporting tools to identify and fix problems is very valuable," says Roever. "These tools give us more data to analyze in these areas."
While there was some pushback from suppliers early in the process, currently ARI has 99% of its suppliers on the system now. Roever says one thing that made the transition smoother was LMS assigned dedicated reps to the ARI contract, so all of ARI's suppliers are interfacing with the same people at LMS each time.
"Communication at every stage is crucial," says Roever. "Bring suppliers in early when you're looking at the change and ask them how it would impact their business."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)