The Good Book says, “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap“(Galatians 6:7). Plant corn seeds and you reap corn. Eat correctly and exercise properly and you create a healthy body. Engage in self-improvement and act on what you learn and you will be amazed how successful (professionally and personally) you become.
Constantly improving yourself so you know what to do is one side of the success coin. Acting on what you learn is the reverse side. Too often, people acquire information, but fail to incorporate it into their life. We water down our work ethic when we pride ourselves in knowing but overlook our lack of doing. A while back, I came across a remarkable insight on judging between knowing and doing attributed to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.”
In a recent article in USA Today, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg offered advice on his personal work ethic: “What I learned is give 110% of yourself at everything you do, (and) no matter what the assignment is that somebody gives you, exceed their expectations just by some little amount.”
I think Katzenberg would agree: Give 110% and you get the job done. Give 100% and you meet the minimum standard. And meeting the minimum standard is not success. Practice producing a 110% performance.
Guard against giving up or quitting too soon. Thomas Edison echoed that sentiment when he said, “Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Successful people make themselves reach beyond their grasp. The failures see the gap and give up. Your ability to succeed is based on your determination to reach one more time. “It always seems impossible, as Nelson Mandela pointed out, “until it’s done.“
Organizations look for people who get things done and make a difference. Ask yourself, “What can I do today with what I learned yesterday?” Then, do it! The more things you do, the more successful you will be. As George C. Marshall said, “When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective.”
Three Point Success Summary
SUCCESS THOUGHT: What you learn from education (first- or second-hand) won’t make you successful, but when you use what you learn you take steps toward your goals. Dutch post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh remarked, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” All great accomplishments are born of small actions.SUCCESS QUOTE: “Let everything you do be done as if it makes a difference.” —William James
SUCCESS ACTION: Pick an idea you have and start using it.
Note: You may wish to view one or more of the other 87 postings. Go to: www.thehawgblawg.blogspot.com
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Comments are welcomed: wn-tampa@att.net
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