1. Get and stay out of your comfort zoneI 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 upAlmost 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 thinkThere'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 beVery 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 happenRemember that old
saying, "As you think, so shall you be."
6. Take things a day at a timeNo 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 forwardNever 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 decideRemember 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 significanceI swear this is
true. Anything that is measured and watched, improves.
10. Anything that is not managed will deteriorateIf 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 doingWhen 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 aroundIn 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 fairLife 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 problemsYou'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 seriouslyLighten 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.
