Good Morning,
What really matters in your life?
Most would say having a great family life and enjoying being apart of some meaningful work. Having great relationships with those who count - getting out in the most awesome playground in the world (Canada), making decent money and having good health because we see how fleeting it can be - being at peace.
How do we get all that and enjoy it? Looks like the Millennials have it figured out. They want all those things. They believe in collaboration, working as a team, hard work, setting and achieving balanced life goals. They want to express their values in the workplace - be counted on, stand out, party, relax and be cool with whatever comes their way.
Here are my thoughts:
1) It’s who you are being that counts. Being a giver to others; being interested in others, being enthusiastic about life, your work; being confident and expressive about your thoughts and ideas in conversations and groups. It’s about checking out who you are being, what you are about - your commitments and values that come out in your language in any conversation, relationship or job or business. Determining what really matters in life is a key to being who you want to be. If you get lost for a while and say stupid things or forget yourself, you can always alter the language in any conversation to make sure you are being who you want to be. For example, being a Papa to my grandchildren is what gives me the most meaning in my life right now. If I act and talk like an over busy business person to them, I won’t be a good Papa.
2) Learning about things that matter. Constantly develop your skills so your talents, education and technical abilities can shine. Financial success requires financial knowledge and discipline. Some people would be broke and in debt no matter how much they made. Business success requires a diversity of many skills ie. Reading financial statements, accounting, investing, marketing, selling and some legal knowledge. If you want to get ahead in business, then learn business skills. Obtain financial intelligence - it’s about making money and keeping it and then one day growing it.
Those individuals with people, sales and marketing skills, financial savvy, and especially understanding the newer methods of connecting to clients through social media and the web, will be the high earners of tomorrow.
Those who make fitness and their overall health as part of their life DNA have a greater chance of less stress, illness, disease and will have more energy, vitality and happiness. Those business people who don’t control worry and stress die younger than they should.
For you to get ahead, advance in your company, make a team more productive and make more income, you must invest time and money in developing and refreshing your relationship and persuasion skills. Warren Buffet in his book, “The Snowball”, claimed that those two skills are more important than his degree and financial education.
John D. Rockefeller once said, “The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee and I will pay more for that ability than for any under the sun.”
It’s true - learning to deal with people, especially customers, vendors, bankers and employees will allow you to successfully solve problems and get results.
Here are some other simple but not easy suggestions on getting ahead while having a good life. I’m taking these from a report I wrote a few years ago. For the full report, “How to Get Ahead While Maintaining a Balanced Life”, click here.
1. Hang around those who have the skills, savvy and success you want. Buy them lunch once a month and ask them how they do it. Shut up, take notes and thank them. No one has all the answers.
2. Find out how other disciplines or departments work. I.e. If you are an engineer, look into how marketing or sales works.
3. For many, consider starting your own business. It’s the best way to learn it. Or at the very least, consider selling. It will cause you to come out of your comfort zone, and communicate better with everyone. At least take a sales course.
4. Become a strategic partner in your company. Very few employees can tell anyone where their company is going and what initiatives the organization is working on. Be engaged, find out, and talk about how you can help. Help your company get ahead and they will help you get ahead. Listen and present plans. While you are doing so, always focus on work excellence, and take ownership of your results. Companies want and need producers.
5. Prepare yourself for the changes happening in your organization and you’ll become a fast tracker. What’s happening in the industry and what do you need to learn - get the tools.
Actions:
· Re-read the MMM blog
· Pick one area you could focus on
· Write it on a card and tape the card to your computer as a reminder
Have a great week,
Kevin D. Crone
CEO
Dale Carnegie Business Group
BusinessNext Inc.
Offering Dale Carnegie Throughout Canada
Tel. 905.826.7300 / 1.800.361.2032 ext. 223
kdcrone@dalecarnegie.ca