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Do What Works and Stop Doing What Doesn't
© 2003 By Michael Angier
Success is simple. Just be clear about what you want and go
after it. That and a few million details and you've got it
made.
Let's assume that you already know what you want in your
life and what it would take to make you feel successful.
But how do you make that happen?
It takes a clear and impassioned focus on your dreams and
constant and diligent attention to what you do, how you do
it and ways in which you can do it better. Sounds simple,
doesn't it?
It is, but it's not easy.
BEAT the Cold Winter of 2007 ARIZONA'S NEWEST WONDER
Kartchner Caverns State Park opened in 1999. This stunning limestone cave system is one of the top in the world. Visit Sunny Southwest this cold winter |
I remember a conversation I had with a friend awhile back
about reaching a financial goal. I was undecided about which
of many projects I should focus on--which one should get my
limited time and energies. He looked at me very calmly and
said, "Follow the money."
I thought, "Gosh, that's good advice."
It made total sense. It was a goal that involved finances,
so why not go for the projects that produced the most bucks.
It was simple. It was right on. And I wasn't seeing it
because I'd lost my perspective. I was too involved in
busyness instead of paying attention to business. I was
caught up in the thick of thin things.
It's not uncommon. It's easy to confuse activity with
accomplishment. Unless we're really paying attention, we can
be very busy doing the wrong things. As we dig our
hole deeper and wider, we often find out later that we've
been digging in the wrong place.
What was right yesterday, what worked last year, what was
innovative a month ago may very well be obsolete today. If
you can't pick your head up and survey the landscape once in
awhile, you're going to get beaten by a competitor who does.
Our most valuable commodities are time, energy and
knowledge. How we apply these is critical to our success.
Make a list of everything you do and what your intended
results are from those efforts. You'll find the 80/20 Rule
alive and well. About twenty percent of your efforts will be
producing eighty percent of your positive results. Look for
ways to reduce or eliminate the other eighty percent and do
more of the twenty.
Some things we do produce no results at all. We just keep
doing them because we've always done them and didn't really
question their usefulness.
Question everything! If you had to justify your investment
of time and energy to a boss or a board of directors, could
you?
Are you sure?
You wouldn't invest money unless it was giving you a return.
Why should your time and energy be any different?
BEAT the Cold Winter of 2007 ARIZONA'S NEWEST WONDER
Kartchner Caverns State Park opened in 1999. This stunning limestone cave system is one of the top in the world. Visit Sunny Southwest this cold winter |
Persistence is a great virtue, but it must be balanced
with the ability to see a better plan and put it into
action. Learn to cut your losses.
We're not entering the Information Age, we're already in it.
It's not enough to work hard. We have to work SMART. Being a
good steward means making good use of the talents and
resources we've been given. It requires thinking. It
requires close attention.
It's up to us--and only us--to be consistently analyzing our
actions and the results they produce. Do it, dump it or
change it.
Do what works and stop doing what doesn't.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Philip Campbell is a CPA, and the author of the book:
"NEVER RUN OUT OF CASH, 2 Questions That Will Eliminate
Your Cash Flow Worries". Do you have the cash
flow of your business under control? Learn more about
regaining control of the financial side of your business at http://www.growandsucceed.com
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