Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The harder you work, the luckier you get
By Barry Farber
Luck is created by increasing the frequency of those activities that are most likely to lead to success.
For instance, a salesperson who calls on 10 people will be luckier in terms of finding a viable prospect than will a salesperson who calls on two people. There’s no getting around it: It takes effort to get lucky.
Tiny pieces of luck seep into every small step you take toward your goal. Put all those steps together, and you’re more likely to get that lucky break!
Or, as the writer and educator Shelby Steele once said, “Opportunity follow struggle. It follows hard work. It doesn’t come before.”
The extra push
The one trait that makes some people more successful than most others is working past the general work ethic, putting more work into their job than the next person.
It’s that extra push that makes the difference, whether it’s finding ways to get new prospects, serving current customers, or working with a vendor. What counts most is the “behind the scenes” effort that your prospects and customers don’t see.
Hard work is never glamorous. Nobody sees it. There are no TV shows that begin with the announcer saying, “Today we’re interviewing the successful salesperson Bob Jones of Acme Corporation.”
Enjoy the benefits
So what caused high achievers to put in the extra effort? Sure, they have pressures and obligations like everyone else, bills they have to pay and goals they want to meet. But that’s not why they do it. They do it because they like to do it and they want to enjoy the benefits that hard work brings.
Luck is created by increasing the frequency of those activities that are most likely to lead to success.
For instance, a salesperson who calls on 10 people will be luckier in terms of finding a viable prospect than will a salesperson who calls on two people. There’s no getting around it: It takes effort to get lucky.
Tiny pieces of luck seep into every small step you take toward your goal. Put all those steps together, and you’re more likely to get that lucky break!
Or, as the writer and educator Shelby Steele once said, “Opportunity follow struggle. It follows hard work. It doesn’t come before.”
The extra push
The one trait that makes some people more successful than most others is working past the general work ethic, putting more work into their job than the next person.
It’s that extra push that makes the difference, whether it’s finding ways to get new prospects, serving current customers, or working with a vendor. What counts most is the “behind the scenes” effort that your prospects and customers don’t see.
Hard work is never glamorous. Nobody sees it. There are no TV shows that begin with the announcer saying, “Today we’re interviewing the successful salesperson Bob Jones of Acme Corporation.”
Enjoy the benefits
So what caused high achievers to put in the extra effort? Sure, they have pressures and obligations like everyone else, bills they have to pay and goals they want to meet. But that’s not why they do it. They do it because they like to do it and they want to enjoy the benefits that hard work brings.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Most Memorable People in the World!
Pop quiz (and it doesn’t count if you look up the answers.)
Who were the highest paid CEO’s for the past 3 years?
Who were the last three Heisman trophy winners?
Who were the last three winners of the Miss America pageant?
Who were the last three winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature?
Who were the last three recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Who won the last three Academy Awards for Best Actress? Best Actor?
So, ho did you do? You probably left more than a few answers blank. Well, don’t worry, you are not alone. Few people remember yesterday’s news. And that’s what these folks are. Sure, they’re the best and brightest in their fields, the wealthiest, the most attractive, and the most successful. But sooner or later, the applause dies, the beauty fades, the awards tarnish. And wealth? Well, you really can’t take it with you.
Okay, now try this quiz:
Name three teachers who helped you get through school.
Name three friends who helped you through tough times.
Name three people who’ve taught you valuable lessons.
Name three people who’ve made you feel loved and appreciated.
Name three people whose company you enjoy.
Name three personal heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Bet this one was easier. The people who truly make a difference in our lives are rarely the ones with the biggest names, the most money, or the greatest number of accolades.
They are the ones who care!
Who were the highest paid CEO’s for the past 3 years?
Who were the last three Heisman trophy winners?
Who were the last three winners of the Miss America pageant?
Who were the last three winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature?
Who were the last three recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Who won the last three Academy Awards for Best Actress? Best Actor?
So, ho did you do? You probably left more than a few answers blank. Well, don’t worry, you are not alone. Few people remember yesterday’s news. And that’s what these folks are. Sure, they’re the best and brightest in their fields, the wealthiest, the most attractive, and the most successful. But sooner or later, the applause dies, the beauty fades, the awards tarnish. And wealth? Well, you really can’t take it with you.
Okay, now try this quiz:
Name three teachers who helped you get through school.
Name three friends who helped you through tough times.
Name three people who’ve taught you valuable lessons.
Name three people who’ve made you feel loved and appreciated.
Name three people whose company you enjoy.
Name three personal heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Bet this one was easier. The people who truly make a difference in our lives are rarely the ones with the biggest names, the most money, or the greatest number of accolades.
They are the ones who care!
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