Building on the Foundations of the Past

There is a wonderful and haunting quote that I believe comes from Arnold Toynbee: "Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." Successful people have always learned from, and built upon the foundations of those who went ahead of them.

Lee Iacococa said that he read two business books every week during his career at Ford and later when he brought Chrysler back from bankruptcy. Presidents Carter, Clinton and both Presidents Bush have commented on their study of history. John Kennedy was a voracious reader, and there is a famous photo of him walking into the White House on Inauguration Day with the book, "Presidential Power" tucked under his arm.

Leaders learn from the past!

As I coach and observe both extremely successful people in business, the arts, and highly successful parents, spouses, and "retired" elders, I note that there is a clear distinction between the behavior of the successful and the "almost successful".

Leaders read more and learn more. They ask questions, learn from their competition, respect and admire their colleagues, and form collaborative partnerships all over the world. They allow themselves to be taught by the great figures of history, as well as those still living.

In contrast, the "almost successful" have complicated reasons about why they "don't have time", or how their competitors have stolen their ideas, betrayed their trust, or treated them badly. Too often, these individuals become permanently "almost successful".

It is always unfair to stereotype and pick on any group, but I'm going to do it anyway. I notice that many entrepreneurs are particularly guilty of failing to learn from the past. They have wonderful ideas, tremendous enthusiasm and great faith. They want to MOVE! They just can't wait to build their business, achieve their goals and make their fortune.

Unfortunately, sometimes they end up spinning their wheels, making the same mistakes over and over, refusing to slow down, ponder, and learn.

Successful people access at least three distinct types of learning and use the wisdom and successes of others to guide them. Here are suggestions for areas one might explore:

1. Biographies of those who achieved what you want to achieve. Make no mistake - this is not casual reading or reading for a good story! This is an investment in your future, an investment in your success. Read and underline. Read and ponder. Read to learn how others have created the life you want to live.

2. Formal training. Leaders take classes, go to seminars, attend workshops and practice, practice, practice. The "almost successful" can't afford the time or the money. They "know that already". Or, they make up other excuses. Successful people invest in their education and they keep learning. A seminar that contains
just one new idea, or that gives you a fresh slant on an old idea could make all the difference.

3. Colleagues and experts. Highly successful people watch and learn from other people. They pick up the phone and call. They send an email and ask a question, build a friendship, and form partnerships with the best leaders and most successful people they can find. Successful people WILL try to respond and help others.

Too often we focus on the handful of things that have changed in recent years. We celebrate our telecommunications, our computers and our other new gadgets and tools. But, as the ancient wisdom says, there is really "nothing new under the sun". People still prefer to do business with people they like and trust. Hard work, persistence and a clear sense of purpose are still the keys to success.

As we remember the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedoms, let us also remember and learn from the great teachers of the past. Some, we knew personally in school, in past jobs, or in our families. Others we will never meet face to face, but they left books and businesses. They left legacies from which we can learn.

"Those who refuse to learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it." Commit yourself to learning, growing, and building on the successes of the past. You can't live long enough to learn everything by trial and error. And besides, sometimes it's just easier to let someone teach us!

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."
-- Francis Bacon

"Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life."
-- Sandra Carey

Source:
Philip E. Humbert, PhD,
Resources for Success!(tm)

Reengineering Quick Hits

Reengineering a process in your company is a large-scale, long-term project. To make it work, however, you need some short-term "quick hits."


Reengineering begins with an in-depth review of the business processes that you are considering for redesign. During these reviews, you will uncover short-term improvement opportunities.

Don't ignore these opportunities for minor improvements. Quick hits are crucial in gaining and maintaining support through the organization for the rigorous, long-term effort of reengineering.

It's one thing to talk about the dramatic returns you expect from your reengineering project. It's another thing to be able to quickly show them concrete results -- even on a small scale.

Best Practices in Reengineering by David K. Carr and Henry J. Johansson. Published by McGraw-Hill, Inc. 235 pages

CREATING FOCUS FOR EMPLOYEES

One of the biggest problems facing business people today is a lack of focus. There are too many choices, too many priorities. Sometimes it's hard knowing where to start. In some companies, employees work on whatever they think is important since they're not sure what the goals are. In order to be more effective, you need two things: clear goals and time management skills. Here are some tips from Nancy Wilber, president of Time Resources, a consulting company in Westford, MA, that you can use with the employees in the company:

1) Set goals. One way to establish a goal is to close your eyes and create a vision of what you would like in the future. Keep trying until you have a vision that really excites you. Then write your vision down, using the SMART formula:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-Bounded (which means give it a deadline.)

Notice the difference: "I want to lose weight" is merely a wish; "I want to lose 10 pounds by April 15" is a SMART goal.

2) Goals are like rudders. Even if your company or industry is going through a lot of turmoil, you still need to establish goals. It may be even more important since people caught in uncertain circumstances often need extra direction to help them cope, feel secure, and believe their efforts have some meaning.

3) Time Management. Once you know your goals, you need to create time to accomplish them. Consider using an operating room as your model. Surgeons must focus 100% of their attention. They couldn't possibly tolerate telephone calls or personal visitors. Why should you treat your tasks any differently?

Establish times when you will not be interrupted. (In our office, we have a daily priority hour, during which everyone works without being disturbed. We get two hours of work done in one hour with no interruptions.

Do you Fear RUBBER SNAKES?

How real are the things that you fear?

Fear can hold us back from achieving so many things in your life. Many times the things that you fear are only illusions. And even though they are false, the fear they instill can keep you from moving forward toward your most important goals.

Last year, a bird began building a nest under the corner of my porch. I love birds and enjoy watching them, but from past experience, I knew this type of bird could make a very big mess on my porch as it raised a family.
Not wishing to harm the bird, I tried to think of a way to discourage the bird from nesting there. Suddenly I remembered that my children had recently bought a big can of rubber "creatures."
I found the can and began searching through giant rubber flies, ants, and other weird bugs, until I found a small rubber snake. I grabbed the snake and took it out on the porch.
Climbing up on top of a chair, I carefully positioned it in the corner where the bird was building its nest. I made sure the snake looked as real as I could. Its tail was coiled into the corner, and its head and tongue projected menacingly into the air.

Guess what? It worked! The bird moved its nest elsewhere. The rubber snake fooled the bird into thinking it was real, and the bird decided to make its home elsewhere, even though there in fact was no real threat.

How many fears in your life are really rubber snakes? How many things do you fear that aren't real? How can you look more carefully at your fears and determine if they are real or not?
Look closely at your fears. Scan them from all sides. Analyze them in great detail for very small things that may indicate that they are in fact illusions.

Illusions can hold you back just as surely as real obstacles. Spend some time finding the rubber snakes in your life and stop being afraid of them. Get rid of the roadblocks in your life that aren't real and Live Your Dreams!

By : Scott Fite

SUN RISE

Every morning in Africa, When the Sun rises, A deer awakens,
Knowing it has to outrun the fastest Lion, OR, be hunted to death....

Every morning in Africa, When the Sun rises, A Lion awakens,
Knowing it has to outrun the slowest deer, OR, be starved to death....

It does not matter whether you are a deer or Lion, When the Sun rises,
Better be running at your best

FAILURE

Failure doesn't mean - You are a failure,
It means - You have not succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean - You accomplished nothing,
It means - You have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean - That you have been a fool.,
It means - You had a lot of faith.

Failure doesn't mean - You've been disgraced.,
It means - You were willing to try.

Failure doesn't mean - You don't have it.,
It means - You have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn't mean - You are inferior.
It means -You are not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean - You've wasted your life.,
It means - You have a reason to start afresh.

Failure doesn't mean - You should give up.,
It means - You must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean -You'll never make it.,
It means - It will take a little longer.

Failure doesn't mean - God has abandoned you.,
It means - God has a better way for you.

Three things of life

Three things of life once gone never comes back -
Time, words & opportunity

Three things of life must not be lost -
Peace, hope & honesty.

Three things of life are most valuable -
Love, self-confidence & friends

Three things of life are never sure -
Dreams, success & fortune

Three things make a man/Woman -
Hard work, sincerity & success

Three things of life that destroy a man/Woman -
Wine, pride & anger