I read in the paper today (November 8) that the economy lost over 240,000 jobs in October bringing the total decline since August to 651,000. Clearly, these are very bad numbers. The unemployment rate climbed to 6.5 percent, the highest level since 1994. Nineteen ninety four, that seems so long ago, almost like a century away.
The new president-elect acknowledges that it isn’t going to be easy to dig ourselves out of this hole we are in. One day after his election, President-elect Obama, while acknowledging this great economic challenge said, “But, America is a strong and resilient country.”
It isn’t “America” that is going to change the economic situation. It’s Americans—people like you and me—that when faced with difficult choices and tough decisions decide to excel and perform above our limit.
First, confront reality or as George Kohlrieser, a professor at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland calls it: “Put the fish on the table. It’s smelly, and cleaning it is messy work, but you get a good meal in the end." We must face facts squarely. Understand what is and then begin to take action that contributes to improving the situation. Don’t be quick to say, “What is, is.” Go the extra mile. Keep in mind best-selling author and professional speaker Wayne Dryer’s words, “It’s never crowded along the extra mile.” It’s the travelers on the extra mile that will dig us out of the current economic hole and bring about the needed changes.
Second, know that 20 percent of the workforce produces 80 percent of the results. Therefore, commit yourself to be in this 20 percent. Have focus, a plan, a sense of mission and most importantly, execute! As we know, becoming great at anything requires commitment and action. Good intentions are not good enough. When we execute, we exceed expectations.
Third, acknowledge that you have inner resources that have never been tapped. Bad times drive good people to dig deep. Committing to achieving goals forces you to make use of your inner resources. In the final analysis, achievement often requires the ability to get more out of yourself than you think you have. Most people would be amazed at how little of their talent and resources they actually use.
Fourth, encourage and support those around you. It is acknowledged that a team of players committed to each other can beat another team made up of superstars that are seeking their own individual glory. In these times our country and our companies are looking for team players because team players are the right players for the time. Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team that beat the Soviets at Lake Placid captures this truth: “I’m not lookin’ for the best players; I’m lookin’ for the right players.” Are you one of the “right” players? If so, you will remain employed and help defeat the bad economy.
Fifth, serve. True greatness and a key to achieving success is to apply the Golden Hog Rule: You serve yourself best when you best serve someone else. Serving your customers, clients, patients and fellow team members takes the focus off of, “What’s in it for me” and spotlights, “What’s in it for you.” Remember, your side of the economic equation is only costs; revenue is produced on the other side of the equation.
Sixth, take responsibility for your attitude. Assign a number to each of the letters in the word “attitude” i.e. A= 1, T=20, I= 9, U=21, D=4, and E=5. Add these numbers up and the sum is 100. And 100% is how much of your attitude you are responsible for. Therefore, the attitude you bring to your job is your attitude, not someone else’s. Bring a good attitude and you do a good job; bring less than a good attitude and you may soon be one of the statistics in the unemployment figures. “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the season, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” —Jim Rohn
These are six steps a country, a company or a person can take to dig themselves out of a hole. The lesson to learn is that by starting with the individual and his or her commitment to the six steps, the company can dig itself out of the hole and, when enough companies apply the six steps, the country can dig itself out of the hole.
HOG THOUGHT:
America and American companies have economic problems, the competition is fierce and the economy unmerciful, but how we respond reveals a lot about us and our character. Remember, Hogs got character.
HOG QUOTE:
“Whatever I have tried to do in this life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.” —Charles Dickens
HOG ACTION:
Dig deep and do more of what you are good at and less of what you are not good at. Ignore the unimportant and avoid distractions. You have only so much time and energy. You control your actions and your attitude. A great attitude and your best actions are good enough.
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