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This story was shared through an email I received. It reminds me that every day we are faced with task and how we approach these tasks ultimately defines our success and can determine our value. This story does an excellent job of illustrating these points.
Some years ago, three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They were all hired by the same company at the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Frank was receiving $1,000, but George was now making $1,500.
Their father decided to visit the employer and find out why each son was being paid a different amount. The employer listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told:"Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers." An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays.
George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned."The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each. There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
How can we be more like George today not only in your business dealings but personal life as well?
Hope you enjoyed.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen, Go out and “Make it a Great Day”
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What Does Your Echo Say?
On a daily basis, what are we telling ourselves about who we are? What are we telling others about ourselves? How does this reflect on our interactions with others? This is a great story and someone shared this with me a few years back. I wish I knew who the author is to give appropriate credit. Enjoy.
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Making a Difference with a Personal Mission Statement
I started my career in sales like many others: doing whatever it took to make the sell and counting commission dollars along the way. I had a mentor that suggested not to count commissions, but to count quantity of production. He also advised to take the word sell out of my vocabulary and replace it with the word help. It took me a while to grasp this approach and it wasn’t until I had another mentor whom suggested developing a personal mission statement. Her personal mission statement was “To Improve the Quality of Life for the People I Serve”. I liked her personal mission statement so much that with her permission I adopted and made it my own.
This personal mission statement governs every interaction with the people that I serve. Who do I serve? My direct reports, my boss, other departments within our organization, our customers, and our agents that sale our products, my family, the youth sports teams I coach, my church, my friends and the list goes on. Identifying who I serve was just part of the equation, but how do you improve their quality of life? What I do is try to be one’s advocate, looking out for others best interest, making every interaction as positive as it can be, doing what is asked and helping them grow. Sometimes my products are not the best match for a client. If I am an advocate for that person then I need to make honest recommendations. Admit mistakes and don’t hide them. Take a genuine interest in others and watch how you can make a difference.
Once I adopted this personal mission statement and started living it out, my life changed. Sales grew and relationships deepened. I have another friend who has a personal mission statement that I love: “Helping Others Grow" She uses this similar to the way I use mine. As a VP of Sales, this governs her interaction with her staff, family and in her church. It’s a wonderful way to live – “helping others grow”
Email me your favorite personal mission statements and I will post them in the future.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made. Make it a Great Day!
This personal mission statement governs every interaction with the people that I serve. Who do I serve? My direct reports, my boss, other departments within our organization, our customers, and our agents that sale our products, my family, the youth sports teams I coach, my church, my friends and the list goes on. Identifying who I serve was just part of the equation, but how do you improve their quality of life? What I do is try to be one’s advocate, looking out for others best interest, making every interaction as positive as it can be, doing what is asked and helping them grow. Sometimes my products are not the best match for a client. If I am an advocate for that person then I need to make honest recommendations. Admit mistakes and don’t hide them. Take a genuine interest in others and watch how you can make a difference.
Once I adopted this personal mission statement and started living it out, my life changed. Sales grew and relationships deepened. I have another friend who has a personal mission statement that I love: “Helping Others Grow" She uses this similar to the way I use mine. As a VP of Sales, this governs her interaction with her staff, family and in her church. It’s a wonderful way to live – “helping others grow”
Email me your favorite personal mission statements and I will post them in the future.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made. Make it a Great Day!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year Resolutions - How to achieve part II
I complete a business plan every year and have my sales team do the same. We list our goals, we break the goals down to monthly numbers, identify the activity it takes to achieve the goals and at a minimum on a monthly basis review the plan and make amendments if needed. Here is my 7 step model for achieving goals:
- Step 1. Identify a clear and measurable goal, spending more time with the family or reading my Bible are great things to do but is it clear and can it be measured.
- Step 2. Think it through, what will it take, what resources do you need come up with a plan and write it down.
- Step 3. Tell others. Solicit the help of family and friends to hold you accountable.
- Step 4. Review regularly. I weighed and tracked both calorie intake and outtake on a daily basis.
- Step 5. Celebrate your success along the way.
- Step 6. Adjust your plan for unforeseen variables and sometimes you might have to consult with experts or others who may have more experience in certain areas.
- Step 7. Prayer - Prayer is needed through this entire process. Remember, With God All Things Are Possible!
Have a Happy and Safe New Year and may you accomplish all your resolutions and goals in 2009.
Great days don’t happen they are Made. Go out and “Make it a Great Day”
New Year Resolutions - How to achieve Part I
What is a New Years Resolution? It’s a goal that we try to achieve and usually fall short. How come so many people fall short of obtaining what they passionately want for themselves? Before I give you the answer let me tell you a story about myself.
I have a beautiful wife and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children. After every pregnancy she lost most all of her weight. But me, lets just say those sympathy pounds did not come off as easy. 3 kids cost me about 50 lbs. I couldn’t run because of an ankle injury and did not spend any quality time at the gym.
I have a friend that was diagnosed with MS and I wished there was more I could do for her. I heard of a bike ride every April from Houston to Austin called the MS 150. So how hard could it be? In 2005 I bought a bike and started training. From February to April I logged about 600 miles of leisurely training. I started this crusade not thinking that this fat boy could finish. Well I did and it was a great accomplishment for me but a miserable experience. I had great intentions to continue my training but my bike went back into the garage until January of 2006. Any weight that I did loose was put right back on and maybe then some. 2006 MS 150 was not much different for me than the prior year. Again, I planned on continue my training but my bike went back into the garage
December of 2006, I made a New Year Resolution to be in tip top shape before the MS 150 in April of 07. I made a goal weight of 165 lbs before the mid April ride. My past experience taught me that “leisurely training” would not help me accomplish my objective. The first thing I did was to tell friends and family to help hold me accountable. Then I researched how many calories are in a pound (3500 calories = 1 lbs). I needed to know about how many calories I burned each day without working out, my “Basal Metabolic Rate” which was 1972 calories. I also knew that I am not changing what I eat. I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Now I was half way to achieving my goal. I created a spread sheet, and broke my goal down to weekly goals. I tracked calorie intake and outtake. I ate what I wanted but knew I would pay the price at the gym. I would get to the gym some mornings at 3 AM and burn a minimum of 2000 calories each trip. Sometimes I would hit the gym twice a day. No more leisurely riding. Every time I mounted my bike it was for a purpose. I would track average time, speed and cadence. By breaking my goal down to monthly and weekly goals I was able to make adjustments as needed. I hit my goal weight of 165 lbs the week before the MS 150, almost 50 lbs in 3 ½ months! After completing the 2007 MS 150 I was ready to ride my bike home from Austin. I was in the best shape I think I have ever been in.
I have a beautiful wife and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children. After every pregnancy she lost most all of her weight. But me, lets just say those sympathy pounds did not come off as easy. 3 kids cost me about 50 lbs. I couldn’t run because of an ankle injury and did not spend any quality time at the gym.
I have a friend that was diagnosed with MS and I wished there was more I could do for her. I heard of a bike ride every April from Houston to Austin called the MS 150. So how hard could it be? In 2005 I bought a bike and started training. From February to April I logged about 600 miles of leisurely training. I started this crusade not thinking that this fat boy could finish. Well I did and it was a great accomplishment for me but a miserable experience. I had great intentions to continue my training but my bike went back into the garage until January of 2006. Any weight that I did loose was put right back on and maybe then some. 2006 MS 150 was not much different for me than the prior year. Again, I planned on continue my training but my bike went back into the garage
December of 2006, I made a New Year Resolution to be in tip top shape before the MS 150 in April of 07. I made a goal weight of 165 lbs before the mid April ride. My past experience taught me that “leisurely training” would not help me accomplish my objective. The first thing I did was to tell friends and family to help hold me accountable. Then I researched how many calories are in a pound (3500 calories = 1 lbs). I needed to know about how many calories I burned each day without working out, my “Basal Metabolic Rate” which was 1972 calories. I also knew that I am not changing what I eat. I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Now I was half way to achieving my goal. I created a spread sheet, and broke my goal down to weekly goals. I tracked calorie intake and outtake. I ate what I wanted but knew I would pay the price at the gym. I would get to the gym some mornings at 3 AM and burn a minimum of 2000 calories each trip. Sometimes I would hit the gym twice a day. No more leisurely riding. Every time I mounted my bike it was for a purpose. I would track average time, speed and cadence. By breaking my goal down to monthly and weekly goals I was able to make adjustments as needed. I hit my goal weight of 165 lbs the week before the MS 150, almost 50 lbs in 3 ½ months! After completing the 2007 MS 150 I was ready to ride my bike home from Austin. I was in the best shape I think I have ever been in.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent
1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
--- Author Unknown
I received this a few years back and thought it would be an appropriate time to share. Hope you Christmas is filled with the Divine Peace and Joy.
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
--- Author Unknown
I received this a few years back and thought it would be an appropriate time to share. Hope you Christmas is filled with the Divine Peace and Joy.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
"Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude"
I send out a weekly message to my sales team and had an idea about creating a blog to share with all. I am new to blogging so please allow a little grace.
Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.
I knew a motivational speaker named Keith Harrell that used to say your attitude determines your altitude. Keith spoke at several Wellpoint functions. Keith spoke that “attitude is everything”. If you are interested check out http://www.keithharrell.com/
To try and illustrate Keith's point, take a good look in the mirror. The person you see staring back is the only one responsible for your success or failure.Your success boils down to one thing - YOU! True freedom and success comes at a price. Nothing worthwhile comes without effort. Get excited about paying the price for success now instead of paying the price for the rest of your life for mediocrity.I believe the positive attitude road is an invitation that is sent to all but recognized by few. It seems to me that those on the positive attitude road often times are somehow invited into a special banquet hall to take a sneak look at what is possible. This glimpse then invites those rare questions that most people simply don't ask themselves.What if I decide to set and reach higher goals? What if I decide to go for my dreams? What if I can change certain unpleasant things about myself? What if I can significantly make a difference in the lives of others? So from this special sneak preview and these new questions, a new life begins to evolve. Why? Because of your new vision and possibilities. Yes, it can be said a Positive Attitude opens up a whole new world of potential and possibilities for you and for those you affect.
Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.
I knew a motivational speaker named Keith Harrell that used to say your attitude determines your altitude. Keith spoke at several Wellpoint functions. Keith spoke that “attitude is everything”. If you are interested check out http://www.keithharrell.com/
To try and illustrate Keith's point, take a good look in the mirror. The person you see staring back is the only one responsible for your success or failure.Your success boils down to one thing - YOU! True freedom and success comes at a price. Nothing worthwhile comes without effort. Get excited about paying the price for success now instead of paying the price for the rest of your life for mediocrity.I believe the positive attitude road is an invitation that is sent to all but recognized by few. It seems to me that those on the positive attitude road often times are somehow invited into a special banquet hall to take a sneak look at what is possible. This glimpse then invites those rare questions that most people simply don't ask themselves.What if I decide to set and reach higher goals? What if I decide to go for my dreams? What if I can change certain unpleasant things about myself? What if I can significantly make a difference in the lives of others? So from this special sneak preview and these new questions, a new life begins to evolve. Why? Because of your new vision and possibilities. Yes, it can be said a Positive Attitude opens up a whole new world of potential and possibilities for you and for those you affect.
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