“We are free to choose, free to become great by choice.”
Great By Choice
The pure title of this book by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen makes me excited about its content and indeed the book talks a lot about how greatness is a choice. Analyzing and studying many successful companies in our time, the authors develop ideas on why great companies “thrive in uncertainty and others do not.” The book also uses other interesting real life stories and adventures in history to make their points stick. Though there are different specific strategies and ideas about what these companies and individuals did to stand out, I have a short list of the characteristics recited over and over again in the text demonstrated by those who choose to be great.
Discipline
“True discipline requires mental independence, and an ability to remain consistent in the face of herd instinct and social pressures.”
First, the successful companies and individuals in the book were wildly disciplined. Each of them demonstrated a tenacity to stick with what they knew or believed to be the right course despite hardships, challenges, prosperity, trends, or outside warnings. They had a plan, a value system, a method, a way to prepare, and they stuck with it no matter the changing circumstances. They stayed true to what they were as a company rather than conform, even amongst immense pressure to do so. This level of resolve made them unique from their peers and eventually much more successful. True and complete discipline toward the right things will create success in our own lives and will lead to consistency which is the next trait.
Consistent
“The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.”
Second, they were consistent. Never wavering, never jumping from one trend to another, never formulating new values, never changing their actions, these successful companies and individuals were very consistent and methodical in their approach. Day in and day out they held to what they knew would work. Their long-term objectives never wavered or moved from one thing to another. Their methods stayed the same, their daily activities stayed the same, their beliefs stayed the same, their messages to their team stayed the same. In a world that is extremely inconsistent and volatile, consistency brought these successful companies and individuals strength day in and day out.
Ownership
“Reject the idea that forces outside your control or chance events will determine your results. Accept full responsibility for your own fate.”
Finally, the successful companies and individuals in this book took full ownership for their results. No matter their luck, whether good or bad, they determined their results were up to them. Although they could not control the future, they believed they could create it. They utterly rejected that something outside of themselves would determine whether they succeeded or failed. Taking ownership for their results in life led them to success.
Great by Choice is a great read and learning to practice the characteristics exhibited and reiterated over and over again in the book by those who chose to be great including discipline, consistency, and ownership will lead us to great outcomes in life.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Slow Down!
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to travel a bit for work. Though I don’t enjoy traveling too much because I prefer to be home with family and friends, I did find an unexpected positive side effect. Traveling allowed me to slow down a little bit.
I’ve determined that each of us needs time to “slow down.” In today’s world we are literally wired 24 hours a day seven days a week. Our ability to slow down and relax has almost become nonexistent. And if you are like me, you have a hard time relaxing and slowing down when there is work to be done. (And does work ever really end?) But having long layovers and some even longer flights has almost forced me to slow down.
And slowing down did some wonderful things for me. It allowed me to re-evaluate how I am spending my time in life and wondering if the constant hustle and bustle I am always involved in is worthwhile. It allowed me to reflect and put back in to prospective what is really important in life and what is not. Finally, it allowed me to have a clear mind and think of new ideas to help me both in my work and personal life. In the end, slowing down added a lot of value to my life.
Unless we force ourselves to do so, we can be running around literally our entire existence only to look back and wonder what happened to our life. Too often we don’t slow down because we fail to recognize or believe the value it can bring to our life. Today I encourage all of us, including and especially even the busiest individuals out there, to find some time to slow down just for a bit. Take some time to think about what is most important to you and whether you are dedicating your time to that or not. I promise you that doing so will add value to your life.
I’ve determined that each of us needs time to “slow down.” In today’s world we are literally wired 24 hours a day seven days a week. Our ability to slow down and relax has almost become nonexistent. And if you are like me, you have a hard time relaxing and slowing down when there is work to be done. (And does work ever really end?) But having long layovers and some even longer flights has almost forced me to slow down.
And slowing down did some wonderful things for me. It allowed me to re-evaluate how I am spending my time in life and wondering if the constant hustle and bustle I am always involved in is worthwhile. It allowed me to reflect and put back in to prospective what is really important in life and what is not. Finally, it allowed me to have a clear mind and think of new ideas to help me both in my work and personal life. In the end, slowing down added a lot of value to my life.
Unless we force ourselves to do so, we can be running around literally our entire existence only to look back and wonder what happened to our life. Too often we don’t slow down because we fail to recognize or believe the value it can bring to our life. Today I encourage all of us, including and especially even the busiest individuals out there, to find some time to slow down just for a bit. Take some time to think about what is most important to you and whether you are dedicating your time to that or not. I promise you that doing so will add value to your life.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Power of Remembering
About a week and half ago we celebrated Memorial Day. This holiday originally established to remember those who died in war has evolved to become a day of general expression of memory and remembrance. Remembering, or our memory, is a powerful and important tool we can use to help us be more successful in life. And too often we do not use it to our advantage. Around this Memorial Day I’d like to talk about 3 ways the power of remembering can help us reach our potential.
#1
Our memory will provide us with reminders of our mistakes. If we are wise, we can use our memory to help us learn and be better prepared to avoid repeating mistakes when faced with similar situations. Too many people (including myself!!) push aside our memory and repeat history in our lives time and time again. If we’d only remember how it felt when we made the mistake the first time then we’d be much more likely to escape them in the future. We need to take advantage of our memories and learn from our mistakes by remembering them. As we remember past errors, we can have better results and outcomes in life.
#2
Our memory can help us remember the good times in the midst of bad times. If we embrace our memories, we can remember all that we’ve been blessed with even in the face of great challenges. This reservoir of memories can help us push through difficulties, make us better, and allow us to hope for better times. Remembering all that we’ve been given will help us to remain humble and grateful, allowing us to be better people and more fully reach our potential.
#3
Finally, our memory can help us remember those who have sacrificed so much in our behalf so that we could in turn enjoy success and happiness in life. Remembering parents, teachers, mentors, and others who have inspired and helped us along our way will provide us with a powerful desire to be better and to live up to their aspirations and expectations. This memory of sacrifice in our behalf can help serve us well when faced with difficult situations, tough decisions, or other challenges in life.
Our memory can be a powerful tool to help us reach our potential in life. As we strive to remember our mistakes and learn from them, remember the good times despite current unfavorable conditions, and remember those who have helped us along our path, we will be motivated and much more likely to find success in life.
#1
Our memory will provide us with reminders of our mistakes. If we are wise, we can use our memory to help us learn and be better prepared to avoid repeating mistakes when faced with similar situations. Too many people (including myself!!) push aside our memory and repeat history in our lives time and time again. If we’d only remember how it felt when we made the mistake the first time then we’d be much more likely to escape them in the future. We need to take advantage of our memories and learn from our mistakes by remembering them. As we remember past errors, we can have better results and outcomes in life.
#2
Our memory can help us remember the good times in the midst of bad times. If we embrace our memories, we can remember all that we’ve been blessed with even in the face of great challenges. This reservoir of memories can help us push through difficulties, make us better, and allow us to hope for better times. Remembering all that we’ve been given will help us to remain humble and grateful, allowing us to be better people and more fully reach our potential.
#3
Finally, our memory can help us remember those who have sacrificed so much in our behalf so that we could in turn enjoy success and happiness in life. Remembering parents, teachers, mentors, and others who have inspired and helped us along our way will provide us with a powerful desire to be better and to live up to their aspirations and expectations. This memory of sacrifice in our behalf can help serve us well when faced with difficult situations, tough decisions, or other challenges in life.
Our memory can be a powerful tool to help us reach our potential in life. As we strive to remember our mistakes and learn from them, remember the good times despite current unfavorable conditions, and remember those who have helped us along our path, we will be motivated and much more likely to find success in life.
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