Find the Secrets to Winning in Business
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 6:00AMI just returned from the annual family summer games. This is not just any family picnic with games. These games are team building events that center around family. We return year after year to take home the coveted spirit shoe. The shoe is a reminder that you display determination, desire, sportsmanship and persistence. The completion is steep since the older players must compete with the younger, quicker, more resilient players. The older players have the advantage of experience, resting every minute they can, and knowing the benefits of limiting the brownie intake until later in the day.
When the games started at 11 am, all of the players were energetic, excited, and enthusiastic. As the day progressed into the late afternoon you could see the fatigue and hear groaning when the next event was announced. But there was one person that maintained a positive attitude, smiled instead of groaned, encouraged the other players when they felt defeated and did not loose enthusiasm. My sister, Amy, was that person this year. She remained enthusiastic until the end. Although some events were individual, she was always a team player. She didn’t loose sight of her goal to win the spirit shoe.
You meet people like Amy in your industry. You want to be around them because they make everything look easy. When they have setbacks they smile and try again. Failure is not an option; it is an opportunity to make changes in their strategy. Would you have trouble getting the spirit shoe in your business? Do you start a project with great enthusiasm only to loose steam and quit trying? How do you maintain your enthusiasm and persistence during challenging times? Do you consistently post to your blog, keep a daily practice of writing, move forward even after you have failed? Here are some strategies to develop the skills to be a winner.
;)
- Be a part of a team- You don’t have to do everything yourself. If you are self publishing a book, surround yourself with people that can help you achieve your goal. Find a good editor to edit your book before sending it to the printer. Have a designer design your book cover. Consult with an expert in publishing.
- Get a work out partner- A work out partner is someone that you share your goals with. You will be accountable to each other each week. If you say you are going to write 10 pages your work out partner will hold you accountable for your goal.
- Review your goals daily so you don’t loose site of your dream- It is easy to lose sight of the goal when you are bombarded with life issues. If you review your goals daily and work on them steadily you are more likely to move toward achieving your goal.
- Develop good habits- Once you have established a habit it is hard to break. Get into the habit of writing daily to complete your book. Do you consistently write your blog? If you can form a daily habit you are more likely to finish what you start.
Could you win the spirit shoe?
What do you do to maintain focus on your goal?
How do you monitor your goals?
What would it take to bring home the spirit shoe for your business?
Reader Comments (8)
Loved the story Julia. I would add to break it down into small steps so you can celebrate when you reach each milestone which helps you keep motivated.
Does the picture mean that you won the spirit shoe?
Great suggestion Susan. It is very rewarding to celebrate the small achievements. It helps to keep you on track.
The picture is of my sister Amy. She won the spirit shoe this year.
Great article Julia. All companies need someone like your sister Amy.
Love the way your shoe is a reminder that you display determination, desire, sportsmanship and persistence. Very different from getting the order of the boot, isn't it (UK English for getting fired)
I loved that this company event included families. When two entities understand each other, life is enhanced. Spouses and children learn to appreciate loved ones who work hard away at home, and hopefully companies reciprocate that support when an employee needs to be available for family.
Your suggestions are outstanding reminders in sharing our journeys instead of doing everything alone.
I like to wear my winning shoe but occasionally take it off.... like last week when I didn't post my blog! It's going back on right now!!!
A little habit that I have towards winning my own "spirit shoe" is to break every day down into little objectives that I have to complete before I call it quits for the evening. I start each morning with a blank piece of paper and I jot down what I absolutely want to get done that day - like post an article, check on a specific LinkedIn group, spend a set # of hours on a specific project. I like to include the little stuff too because I get a sense of accomplishment as I cross the items out.
All good tips. Develop good habits is so important. Like other writers, I tend to work best under pressure so will put off writing that blog until I have to. Not always a good idea because the danger is you will not write to your highest standards.
Sherry
It is definitely important to have daily objectives to accomplish. I find that if I dont do that I generally dont get anything of value accomplished. I love putting small things on my list just so I can mark them off. Setting a time limit is a great way to keep on task.
Really amazing post Julia. I totally agree that failures is not an excuse if you want to succeed. Persistence is the best attitude if you want to keep in the track of success. Another attitude I want to acquire is habit. There's no perfect in this world. But making a good habit will make better.