“If a man has done his best, what else is there?”
-George S. Patton
Frankly, the only thing worse than being in an organization that will not or cannot compete financially is not being able to recognize that fact.
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”
-Abraham Lincoln
Your vision is a byproduct of both your knowledge (experience and formal education) and your creative imagination. Your imagination enables you to conceptualize the possibilities that await an organization at the end of a particular destination.
Your imagination is the creative ability of your mind that enables you to combine the existing facts available to your with your mental ability to perceive a variety of possibilities in a way that enables you to envision different circumstances.
If you’re not willing to talk about the success you expect to achieve, it is unlikely you are going to be able to accomplish it.
“Most companies don’t die because they are wrong; most die because they don’t commit themselves...You have to have a strong leader setting a direction. And it doesn’t even have to be the right direction — just a strong, clear one.”
-Jack Welch, GE’s CEO
From Gary Blair’s book, The "Ten Commandments of Goal Setting:"
1. Thou Shalt Be Decisive
Success is a choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will, or should do that for you.
2. Thou Shalt Stay Focused
Your ability to sustain focus from beginning to end determines the timing and condition of your future outcomes.
3. Thou Shalt Welcome Failure
You have no choice but to expect it as a temporary condition on the pathway of progress. Rather, the questions is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.
4. Thou Shalt Write Down Thy Goals
Your mind, while blessed with permanent memory, is cursed with lousy recall. People forget things; write down your goals.
5. Thou Shalt Plan Thoroughly
Planning saves 10-to-1 execution. Proper planning prevents poor performance.
6. Thou Shalt Involve Others
Nobody goes through life along. Establish your own “Personal Board of Directors,” people whose wisdom, knowledge, and character you respect to help you achieve your goals.
7. Thou Shalt Take Purposeful Action
Success is not a spectator sport — achievement demands action. You cannot expect to arrive at success without having made the trip.
8. Thou Shalt Reward Thyself
Rewards work. Think of what you will give yourself as a result of your hard work, focus, and persistence — you deserve it.
9. Thou Shalt Inspect What Thy Expect
The shelf life of all plans is limited. No plan holds up against opposition. Everything changes. Therefore inspect frequently and closely.
10. Thou Shalt Maintain Personal Integrity
Maintain your commitment to your commitment. Set your goals; promise yourself that you will achieve them.
