Success Strategy: Stop Complaining and Do Something

It is human nature to complain. A certain amount of venting is good. It releases some pressure and stress. It can help us put things into perspective. (Have you ever caught yourself complaining and realized how absurd it could sound to someone who is much worse off than you are? I have!) It can also make us decide to take action and change things.

After a time, however, complaining does not do any good. Alone, it does not fix anything; it does not change anything. It just takes a great deal of our time and energy that could be used to better purposes. Do you know anyone who has been complaining about the same (probably petty) grievance for years? What a waste!

There is a sign that I saw that I really liked. It went something like this: “Pull on your big girl panties and deal with it!” There comes a point when additional complaining is senseless. Either take action and do something about it or let it go. Put your time and effort into something that will achieve positive results.

Success Strategy: Study for A’s?

I still remember something a high school teacher told my class many years ago. (I wish I could remember his name!) He said that if we study for A’s, we may or may not get them. However, if we study to truly learn and understand the information, the A’s will come automatically.

He was right! When I studied to learn the concepts and details of the material, the A’s came easier!

I think this concept can apply to our professional and personal lives as well. If we work to get a raise or a promotion, we may or may not get it. However, if we work to truly learn and understand our company and its practices, products, customers, and suppliers, and use this to excel at our jobs, we will find success!

This can apply to our personal lives as well. If we work to improve our relationships, it may or may not happen. However, if we work to truly understand the people in our relationships and how they think and feel, how can it not improve our relationships?

Obtaining an “A” is a great goal. Using the approach of truly learning and understanding will help us achieve it.

Success Strategy: Persistence or Stubbornness?

Persistence is good. Rarely do we reach our professional and personal goals without being persistent. We need to keep working toward our goals rather than giving up.

Sometimes, however, persistence crosses into stubbornness. This is not necessarily good!

For example, several weeks ago I had an evening meeting. I had been to the location before and was certain I knew where it was. It was not there! I drove up and down the road several times without finding it. However, I knew it was there! Finally, I called. The location was further south than I thought.

The positive aspect was that I was persistent until I found it. The negative aspect was that my stubbornness kept me from finding it sooner. Things are not always as we remember. Sometimes we are wrong. When I arrived, I realized the mistake I had made. I had confused two crossroads.

Be persistent in attaining your goals. However, do not become so stubborn that it holds you back.

Success Strategy: Aim Accurately

This weekend my husband and I went to the driving range to hit a few golf balls. One of the problems that I had was in aiming. Whenever I thought I was aiming at the pin, the ball went way to the right--consistently. This is common for me on the golf course as well. When I aimed to the left of the pin, the ball went straight for the pin.

As I thought about this, I realized that this could happen in our professional and personal lives as well. We may think we are aiming for our goals. However, if we consistently miss our goals, then something is wrong. Remember, there is no reality, only perception. Our perception may be that we are aiming for our goals, but if the reality is that we are missing our goals, our aim may be off.

When I change how I am aiming for the pin, the ball goes toward the pin. I have found that this is true in life, too. There have been times when no matter how hard I try, I cannot reach a goal. When I stop and analyze the situation, and how or where I am aiming, often I can then reach the goal.

If you are not meeting a professional or personal goal, stop and analyze how and where you are aiming. You may have better success if you modify your aim. Where you think you are aiming may not be where you actually are aiming. It is the reality and perception concept again!