“There cannot be a crisis next week – My schedule is already full.” ~ Henry Kissinger
According to Dan Kennedy, who arguably has helped more entrepreneurs become successful than any other single author, consultant and coach alive today, there is one determining factor for success.
In my own experience, and though I’m still perfecting it, when I changed this one personal habit, things changed radically.
What do you think it is?
At a recent meeting of local entrepreneurs, my friend and uber successful entrepreneur Mike Searls asked the room what was the single greatest success factor for entrepreneurs.
Nobody got it right. What was your guess?
If you guessed punctuality, you would be right.
Not what you guessed?
I ran a Google search for “quotes on punctuality” and discovered that outside of business circles, the majority… the majority of quotes about punctuality expressed disdain and sarcasm for those who were punctual and the whole notion of punctuality.
Amazing.
We live in a world where it’s belittled. Where excuses are the norm.
And, perhaps not coincidentally, where mediocrity and failure are typical.
Yet in my experience – and I’ll admit I still have to work hard on this every day – it’s the one thing that gives you power, control and a winning edge in direct dealings with clients, colleagues and staff and…
Now, here’s where you turn mere kindling into rocket fuel: Are you showing up on time for appointments you make with yourself? Do you keep promises you make to yourself?
Michelle Gielan in Psychology Today reports:
When we don’t keep a promise to someone, it communicates to that person that we don’t value him or her. We have chosen to put something else ahead of our commitment. Even when we break small promises, others learn that they cannot count on us. Tiny fissures develop in our relationships marked by broken promises.
How does that affect how you value yourself?
Tough to do, right? Easier to slide when nobody knows, right?
Unfortunately, there’s a high price.
In my own experience, and though I’m still perfecting it, when I changed this one personal habit, things changed radically.
What do you think it is?
At a recent meeting of local entrepreneurs, my friend and uber successful entrepreneur Mike Searls asked the room what was the single greatest success factor for entrepreneurs.
Nobody got it right. What was your guess?
If you guessed punctuality, you would be right.
Not what you guessed?
I ran a Google search for “quotes on punctuality” and discovered that outside of business circles, the majority… the majority of quotes about punctuality expressed disdain and sarcasm for those who were punctual and the whole notion of punctuality.
Amazing.
We live in a world where it’s belittled. Where excuses are the norm.
And, perhaps not coincidentally, where mediocrity and failure are typical.
Yet in my experience – and I’ll admit I still have to work hard on this every day – it’s the one thing that gives you power, control and a winning edge in direct dealings with clients, colleagues and staff and…
Now, here’s where you turn mere kindling into rocket fuel: Are you showing up on time for appointments you make with yourself? Do you keep promises you make to yourself?
Michelle Gielan in Psychology Today reports:
When we don’t keep a promise to someone, it communicates to that person that we don’t value him or her. We have chosen to put something else ahead of our commitment. Even when we break small promises, others learn that they cannot count on us. Tiny fissures develop in our relationships marked by broken promises.
How does that affect how you value yourself?
Tough to do, right? Easier to slide when nobody knows, right?
Unfortunately, there’s a high price.
Solution? You have two choices when faced with a commitment or promise you’re tempted to make; Pick one or the other, either black or white:
1. Get it done when you commit yourself to it
2. Don’t commit unless you mean it.
You get to choose, and if you don’t fulfill on commitments to yourself, consider the price.
Kennedy talks about an 85% success rate for goals he sets for himself.
That’s pretty good. I’m still working on 50%…
1. Get it done when you commit yourself to it
2. Don’t commit unless you mean it.
You get to choose, and if you don’t fulfill on commitments to yourself, consider the price.
Kennedy talks about an 85% success rate for goals he sets for himself.
That’s pretty good. I’m still working on 50%…
