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1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
I believe that not much happens of any significance when we're in our comfort
zone. I hear people say, "But I'm concerned about security." My response to that
is simple: "Security is for cadavers."
2. Never give up.
Almost nothing works the first time it's attempted. Just because what you're
doing does not seem to be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means
that it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy, everyone would
be doing it, and you wouldn't have an opportunity.
3. When you’re ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.
There's an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It
goes like this: "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are
about to succeed."
4. With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that
could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.
Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as bad as a cloud of
"undefined consequences." My father would tell me early on, when I was
struggling and losing my shirt trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well,
Robert, if it doesn't work, they can't eat you."
5. Focus on what you want to have happen.
Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be."
6. Take things a day at a time.
No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get through it if you don't
look too far into the future, and focus on the present moment. You can get
through anything one day at a time.
7. Always be moving forward.
Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. The
moment you stop improving your organization, it starts to die. Make it your goal
to be better each and every day, in some small way. Remember the Japanese
concept of Kaizen. Small daily improvements eventually result in huge
advantages.
8. Be quick to decide.
Remember what General George S. Patton said: "A good plan violently executed
today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow."
9. Measure everything of significance.
I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.
10. Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
If you want to uncover problems you don't know about, take a few moments and
look closely at the areas you haven't examined for a while. I guarantee you
problems will be there.
11. Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you’re
doing.
When you look at your competitors, remember that everything looks perfect at a
distance. Even the planet Earth, if you get far enough into space, looks like a
peaceful place.
12. Never let anybody push you around.
In our society, with our laws and even playing field, you have just as much
right to what you're doing as anyone else, provided that what you're doing is
legal.
13. Never expect life to be fair.
Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing good if the only
meaning fair has to you, is something that you pay when you get on a bus (i.e.,
fare).
14. Solve your own problems.
You'll find that by coming up with your own solutions, you'll develop a
competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the co-founder of SONY, said it best: "You never
succeed in technology, business, or anything by following the others." There's
also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of frequently. It goes like this:
"A wise man keeps his own counsel."
15. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is due to luck. None of
us are in control as much as we like to think we are.
16. There’s always a reason to smile.
Find it. After all, you're really lucky just to be alive. Life is short. More
and more, I agree with my little brother. He always reminds me: “We’re not here
for a long time, we’re here for a good time!”
Copyright © 2005-2007 Bob Parsons. All rights reserved.
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