Thursday, October 15, 2009

The 10 P's of Business: PERSISTENCE


I was watching my daughter play soccer today and I admired all the little 7 year olds on the field. No matter how many times they missed the ball or accidentally kicked it into the other team's goalie - they kept on it. They didn't give up. I am so envious of how much they DIDN'T care about doing it wrong. They tried and tried, over and over again, until they made their goal.

If only we as adults can take a lesson from these kids - who cares if we make mistakes? It doesn't matter if we lose. It doesn't matter if we are told "no." They we try again. We do it better. We learn our lesson. We find a way to get a "yes."

There are so many adages about PERSISTENCE: "If at first you don't succeed - try, try again." Eventually you will get it right.

Persistence is a mindset:
  • You must first get over the worry of being blamed. Because you will be.

  • You must be brave enough to make mistakes - because there will be lots of them.

  • You must understand that there are those who will be jealous of your strength and persistence - because they are not strong, and they are not persistent. (and by the way - they are the ones who are blaming you).

  • You will fall on your face many times - but in the end you will be the one who others look up to

Do it over and over again - always finding a way to be better - and success will come knocking.

It is people like this that attract employers and big salaries. True - an employer does not want someone who will be constantly making mistakes. But much worse than this is someone with no drive, no ambition, or who never takes initiative because he doesn't want to be blamed.


By the way - a little hint: Ask LOTS of questions. Find someone who is very good in your field of work and pick their brain. Everyone likes to teach others what they know. Find your mentor and get as much information and advice that you can. It will help you avoid some of the mistakes.

Good Luck!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

The 10 P's of Business - PASSION

It's Sunday night. For some it's the last chance to squeeze the last drops of fun out of the weekend. For others, the feeling of dread is overcoming them. The dread of getting up another day to go to a job that they dislike or find boring. But for a select few - it is just another evening that they're spending with their family. They are not plagued with worry, loathing, dread, or anything else. Some might even be making a list of what they're going to work on come morning.

These select few people love their work. They love what they do. They do not have a "JOB" but instead, have a pursuit. A goal. A mission. They're on to something and they're excited about what they are "building." Whatever that goal is they are passionate about it.

The most successful people are passionate about life. They cannot wait to get to the next level. Whether it's in their personal life or career - those who have passion work harder, more often, and are the most successful people I know. But to them it's not work - it is FUN! Yes, I have been accused of "losing my mind" because I could not wait to get back to work. But I love my work because it's exciting, and fun, and I cannot wait to see what I can do next!

If you too think that I'm crazy then you are in the wrong business. It's time for you to start figuring out what drives that passion in you. You've heard it before: Find something you are passionate about and find a way to get into a career that encompasses that thing.

Think about it - if you hate your job then you go to work everyday and clock in and clock out. You do what is required of you and you leave. But.... if you are PASSIONATE about what you do then you are finding ways to improve, do better, and be better. That is the key to success in business and your personal life.

PASSION equals happiness. Happiness equals SUCCESS.