March 2017, Month 2

Business Tips:

·         PROBLEMS: I learned this one a long time ago. It appears that if I continued to run up against the same or similar problems I would eventually realize that the problem was me. Sometimes I recognized it fast, others not so fast. But in the end, when I would go to work on myself through help of mentors and personal development I would almost always move forward bigger and better than before. From customer problems, to sales issues, to working with people, all the way to work ethic of those around me. When I went to work on myself, it didn’t matter much about what others were doing around me. I knew that if I raised the bar on myself, I would indirectly raise the bar on those around me. You may not always make friends that way, but in the end, folks always wanted me in their corner because I was willing to fight for them just as I was willing to fight daily to make myself better.

·         YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW: Humility is a powerful thing for many to finally rest upon. More times than not you will regret thinking you knew all the answers. I’ll be the first one to admit that. Behind every failed relationship, company, transaction, sale, etc. is the inability to be humble and seek first to understand rather than making rash and harsh decisions. So is life. My faith helps me a lot with this one as I have already surrendered to the One that oversees my life and the companies I serve.

Personal Tips:

·         SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PROGRESS: When you complete a “to do” list - keep it. Think about all the professional sports teams that hang their banners around their gyms/stadiums. Hang your own progress in your home. It will motivate you and move you forward as you continue to strive to hit your next goal and dream.

·         LEAVE WORK AT WORK: When you go home, find ways to enhance and live your life outside of your work on purpose. This would include your family time, dream time, and bucket list of to dos. We only live once. You work should enable you to achieve your dreams together. Go after them.

·         EAT THAT FROG:  Yes, it’s a book by Brian Tracy. You can get it from amazon. I read it quite a long time ago. Its 21 great ways to stop procrastinating. One example is a key one that I have used for years. PLAN EVERY DAY IN ADVANCE – meaning you have ordered your steps for tomorrow with appropriate lists and deadlines for the next day (obviously, you won’t always fulfill the plan, but it makes a huge difference in how you approach it).

Feel free to ask for advice or copies of any of the above references, ideas, or books.

Life Skills:

Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances, Friends, Fun, Following, Freedom; we call these the 8F’s in life. Many of these categories can tell one where their priorities are in life by measuring the time one would spend in one of the above categories.

FAMILY:  There is a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Take the tests yourselves http://www.5lovelanguages.com/ . It will educate you about yourself and those around you. You will be able to relate and complete your roles in your relationships at home, work, and all other social environments. Try it out.

Notable quotes:

“Never surrender convictions for conveniences.”

“America will remain free only as long as people desire freedom over security.”

“Commitment is the wedge that drives open the door of momentum”

“True unity turns average talent into a great team while disunity turns great talent into a poor team.”

“Anything worth doing well is worth doing poorly until you can master it.”

“Being a critic is much easier than being a leader as it requires no sacrifice or results.”