Daily Thought Archives: July 2009

July 1
A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM
Some sales people struggle in their jobs because they approach customers in all the wrong ways. They focus on the solution without first understanding the problem. Remember, a solution looking for a problem is a problem. Focus on their problems first.

July 2
HOW DID I CREATE THIS?
There are many people who encounter different problems and circumstances in their lives and wonder: How did this happen to me? They think it is always the fault of someone else. The people who turn problems into success always ask a different question: How did I create this? - and then take action to make a change in their behaviour.

July 3
LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY
Our personal development is what enables a better future, and it is what we do on a daily basis that gets us to that future faster. Why not set a goal to learn something new every day, and you WILL build a strong foundation that will enable you to get to that future fast.

July 4
DEBATE FOR A BETTER DECISION
You often hear people in organisations say: How did that decision happen? In order to drive better decisions and ones that stick, allow for and encourage the right level of debate during the decision process. You get better decisions and ones that are much easier to implement as well.

July 5
CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS
There are so many workers having problems with their bosses, and it is often because what's expected of them is just not clear. Many times it is the problem of both (the boss and the worker). The best approach is to always focus on getting clarity before leaving the room.

July 6
A WHATEVER IT TAKES ATTITUDE
Attitude is a key driver for all us to do what is necessary for our success. Those who achieve great success have a "do whatever it takes" attitude, as they know nothing is ever accomplished without repeated action.

July 7
MOTIVATING EACH OTHER TO HIGHER PERFORMANCE
A team that is working at it's potential is doing one key thing that other teams are not doing. They are very good at motivating each other, and this leads to everyone raising their level of performance. Teams that work well together enjoy seeing each other succeeding.

July 8
QUESTIONS TO UNCOVER CHARACTER
The very best interviewers of potential new employees are always asking great questions that drive others to really "think". The best questions are those that can uncover the real character of the potential employees. It is often the character flaws that will cause more problems than a lack of skills.

July 9
BE QUICK TO ACKNOWLEDGE OTHERS
One of the best ways to develop great relationships is to be quick to acknowledge what others do and say. When we quickly acknowledge others' contributions and help, they really feel appreciated. The feeling of appreciation is very powerful in fueling the happiness of others and you.

July 10
YOU WIN IN YOUR MIND FIRST
All successful athletes win the race in the mind before ever reaching the competition. They visualise their success in such great detail, and this is what gives them the confidence and expectation that they will be successful. Win it in your mind first.

July 11
THE BUSINESS IS THE PEOPLE
No matter what business you are in, making it a long-term success always comes down to the people. The leaders, who see their role as developing people and putting them in the right roles, will create the right foundation for long-term success.

July 12
IT'S WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT
Everything we do always begins in our thoughts first. Therefore, it is what you think about each day that drives what you do, and what you do determines your results. If you don't like your results, you have to go back and change your thoughts first.

July 13
FORWARD LOOKING ALL THE TIME
There's a great reason to have goals, as they are always driving you to look forward all the time. Isn't it always easier to walk forward when you are looking forward? Why not face your life in the forward direction by setting goals and reviewing them regularly.

July 14
SHOWING OTHERS HOW MUCH YOU WANT IT
With whatever we attempt in life, we will always encounter problems in our way. In fact, the greater it is the thing we are attempting, the greater the problems we will have. How we address those problems, and with what sense of urgency, will show others how much we want it?

July 15
THE PERSON BEYOND THE WORDS
Everyone likes to feel important and to be thought of well by others, and we often think it is what we say that creates the impressions with others. However, the real impressions come from our daily actions and behaviours that are observed by others. It's not what we say, but how we live.

July 16
LEAVE YOUR PROBLEMS BEHIND
Everyone has problems, either at home, at work, or with their friends. We let our problems create even more problems when take them on the road with us. Suddenly, our problems at home are impacting our work, and vice versa. It's important to focus on solving those problems where they are and not taking them on the road.

July 17
A "NO MATTER WHAT" PERSON
If you are hiring people for your organisation, there is one type of person you need: A "No Matter What" person. One trait all successful people have is commitment, and people with commitment will always get the job done - No Matter What.

July 18
BUSINESS IS AN ACT OF FRIENDSHIP
The truly successful business people treat business as an act of friendship. They look to create strong and profitable long-term relationships (friendships) with the customers. Remember, the closer the relationship, the easier it is to see how you can add more value to your customer's business.

July 19
NOT FEARING THE UNKNOWN
There are so many people in life that are afraid of change. They would rather continue to live a "miserable known" than to change to an "unknown". If you notice the people who are always making changes, they are often the most happiest and healthiest people as well.

July 20
TAKE SOME TIME OUT FOR YOU
Everyone is running at such a fast pace these days, with so many obligations on how we use our time. It is important to take some time out for you. Everyone needs to re-charge the batteries and take time to reflect on our priorities. Remember, take some time out for you.

July 21
GET SOME HELP ON YOUR BLIND SPOTS
We all have parts of our personality and ways of communicating that we just can't see. They are our blind spots. Why not ask a trusted friend on how you could improve, and most likely, they will point out one of those blinds spots for you. Addressing your blind spots can be the difference that creates even greater success for you.

July 22
CREATE A CULTURE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Successful leaders create a culture of responsibility. They are great role models for others and never blame others for their mistakes. You can see company cultures who have it, when you never hear anyone blaming others in the organisation for their mistakes or failures.

July 23
YOU'VE GOT TO BE HUNGRY
To have a fulfilling life, you really got to be hungry for something. That's the problem with some people who have filled their lives with just being busy, and then there is no room left for doing what they really love. Build the hunger for something very worthwhile, and put it into your life first, before anything else.

July 24
SEE RELATIONSHIPS AS ASSETS
You might have heard the term - relational capital. Look at any successful person, and you see this to be true. They all have built their success upon the foundation of their relationships (assets). How are your relationship assets?

July 25
DELIVER BAD NEWS IN A DIRECT WAY
There's a big difference between confident leaders and those who are not. The confident leaders always deliver bad news in a direct way. People like to know the "truth", and these leaders tell the truth in a very direct and compassionate way.

July 26
YOUR THINKING MAKES IT SO
Everything in our lives is neither good or bad. Our thinking about it makes it so. How we view our world is our perception, with others possibly seeing it in a totally different way - their perception. As your thinking is your choice, your perception is within your control. Make it a "good" one.

July 27
FOCUS ON HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A good approach to take in life is to focus on how to make a difference in other people's lives. A great place to start is living your life with an attitude that inspires others. Then, you can add value to others in your own unique way, and in something that is aligned to your passion.

July 28
DECISIONS AND FOLLOW-THROUGH
Look at the very best leaders and you will see them not afraid to make decisions, and also they follow-through with them by the action & follow-up they take. They know that decisions without actions can never deliver results.

July 29
COMMITMENT ALWAYS CREATES THE WAY
If you have a strong commitment, you will always find a way. You can always uncover your commitment by the way you respond to your first problem. Anything worthwhile to achieve will have problems in your path. When you have commitment, you always find the way to solve each problem.

July 30
MEASURED BY THINGS YOU CAN'T BUY
You often hear people talk about what they have been able to buy as a result of their success. Success is never about the money, or the house or the toys. It is about the person you need to become and the relationships you have built on the journey. It's always about the things you cannot buy.

July 31
START RIGHT NOW
When is the best time to start something? Right NOW! Even if you cannot do the action right away, you can define it now and decide when you are going to do it. Whatever is needed, the time to start is always right NOW.