February 2007
Editorial By Ali A. Reza, Chairman PASME

The Practice of Discipline

 by: Brian Tracy

Discipline yourself to do what you know you need to do to be the very best in your field. Perhaps the best definition of self discipline is this: "Self discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not." 
 
 It is easy to do something when you feel like it. It's when you don't feel like it and you force yourself to do it anyway that you move your life and career onto the fast track. 
 What decisions do you need to make today in order to start moving toward the top of your field? Whatever it is, either to get in or get out, make a decision today and then get started. This single act alone can change the whole direction of your life.
 
 Seven Steps to Success
 There is a powerful seven step formula that you can use to set and achieve your goals for the rest of your life. Every single successful person uses this formula or some variation of this formula to achieve vastly more than the average person. And so can you. Here it is: 
 
 Decide What You Want
 Step number one, decide exactly what it is you want in each part of your life. Become a "meaningful specific" rather than a "wandering generality."
 
 Write It Down  
 Second, write it down, clearly and in detail. Always think on paper. A goal that is not in writing is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish and it has no energy behind it. 
 
 Set A Deadline
 Third, set a deadline for your goal. A deadline acts as a "forcing system" in your subconscious mind. It motivates you to do the things necessary to make your goal come true. If it is a big enough goal, set sub-deadlines as well. Don't leave this to chance. 
  
 Make A List
 Fourth, make a list of everything that you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. When you think of new tasks and activities, write them on your list until your list is complete.
 
 Organize Your List
 Fifth, organize your list into a plan. Decide what you will have to do first and what you will have to do second. Decide what is more important and what is less important. And then write out your plan on paper, the same way you would develop a blueprint to build your dream house. 
 
 Take Action
 The sixth step is for you to take action on your plan. Do something. Do anything. But get busy. Get going. 
 
 Do Something Every Day
 Do something every single day that moves you in the direction of your most important goal at the moment. Develop the discipline of doing something 365 days each year that is moving you forward. You will be absolutely astonished at how much you accomplish when you utilize this formula in your life every single day. 
 
 Action Exercises
 First, decide exactly what you want, write it down with a deadline, make a plan and take action - on at least one goal - today! 
 
 Second, determine the price you will have to pay to achieve this goal and then get busy paying that price - whatever it is.

Ten Things that Make a Successful Entrepreneur

Have you got what it takes to start your own business? Do you have the passion, determination and know-how to make a success of your venture? Find out the ten characteristics that make a successful entrepreneur.

Have you got what it takes to start your own business? Our checklist outlines the ten characteristics that make a good entrepreneur.

1. Passion

Are you totally passionate about your business idea? Do you absolutely believe in what you are selling, or the service you are providing? Have you got an in–depth knowledge of your product, your competition and the market you are entering? And, once you’ve got your venture up and running – do you have the passion and the energy to keep going when others are feeling tired and want to give up?   Passion is an essential trait in any entrepreneur.

 2. Innovation

While not necessarily ‘inventors’, entrepreneurs are highly innovative and creative individuals with the vision and insight to spot opportunities and act upon them. They have the ability to carve out a new niche in a market where others might not have seen it – and turn ideas into a solid business strategy.  

 3. Commitment

Have you got the commitment and determination to make your venture a success? Planning, setting up and running a business requires endless hard work and 100% of your time. Your family, friends and leisure activities may have to take a back seat, while you’ll have to give up security such as a monthly salary or a pension. Are you sure you’re willing to make this commitment?

 4. Courage

A successful entrepreneur is prepared to make big decisions and take on tough challenges. There will be times when things are not going so well – when the sales aren’t coming in and bills are overdue – so you’ll need the courage to dig deep and not crack under the strain (no matter how much you feel like turning your back on it all!). Having courage also means making the right decisions for your business, no matter how unpopular they may seem at the time.

 5. Ability to set goals

An entrepreneur will set specific and realistic goals and have a clear plan of how to achieve these. Your venture won’t be a success if you don’t do this as you won’t have specific targets to aim for or measure your performance against. Further, having clear goals will enable you to formulate a sound business plan.

 6. Sound judgement

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a high risk-taker to be a successful entrepreneur. It’s more about knowing which risks to take – and when you should take them. You’ll need sound judgement about your market, competition and your customers (e.g. who are they and how best can you reach them?). You will also have to judge what needs your attention at a certain time and what doesn’t, and prioritise your focus accordingly.   

 7. Flexibility

The ultimate Jack-of-all-trades, an enterpreneur has to be flexible. Are you able to cope with the different roles and responsibilities that starting a business demands, such as making decisions on finance, marketing, research and legal matters? Can you secure sales deals and manage new staff? Flexibility also means recognising changes that may need to be made to your business if things aren’t going to plan - and learning from experiences (both good and bad).

8. Independence

One of the main drivers for starting a business is the desire to be your own boss. Enterpreneurs like control and want to be in charge of their own destiny. They want to make the decisions and are prepared to go it alone – especially in the early stages of starting up, before they have built a team around them. If you avoid making decisions or taking responsibilities, then starting up your own business may not be right for you.

9. Leadership skills

Once you have built up a team around you, your staff will be looking to you for strong leadership. This means setting employees realistic goals and targets and being clear about what you all need to achieve and how you can do this. Make sure your employees share your vision and that you are able to steer them through any tough times. Be honest with them and make sure you take responsibility for your actions - for example, if you something goes wrong – don’t blame other people. 

 10. Perseverance

Have you got the stamina and focus to keep going until you succeed? Are you able to face up to the challenges and not get discouraged when things initially don’t go to plan? Business requires time, effort and dogged determination, and perseverance is vital if you want to make your business a success.

Are You Too Busy At Work? - By Deborah Brown, Career Coach

Are you doing too much at work? Do you find that your hours at work are causing you to eat more, exercise less, and watch your life pass by? Do you spend more time in the office than you do at home? Do you wish
there was a better way?

Working all the time prevents you from growing in other areas of your life. As a coach, I see single people that desperately want to get married but cannot find time to date. I see overweight people who cannot find time to go to the gym, or cook a healthy meal. I see men and women who cannot find time to spend with their kids because they have an important project that has to be completed at work. They tell me if only they were not so busy, they could have these things. Even still, they are unsure where to begin.

Yes, we need to work. (We have bills to pay!) But does it have to take away from our quality of life in the process?

So, What Can You Do? Follow These Easy Steps:

1. Acknowledge That You Are Doing Too Much.

Pretending that you do not have too much to do, or you have it all handled, will only make the situation worse. You cannot address the problem and make it better until you admit what it is. Yes, this takes
courage. You can do it!

2. Recognize What Working All The Time Costs You.

Working a lot can leave you feeling overwhelmed, tired, and unbalanced. In this mode, life is happening without you. The things you are responsible for in your life are important and I would nevër suggest that they should be ignored. But the person missing from this equation is you. Don't you think you deserve more?

3. Let Go Of The Past.

The reason you are staying in a situation that does not really work for you is your past telling you that you cannot do better. Poor decisions and perceived failures gave you a reason not to trust yourself anymore.
Plus, excuses work in your life. They give you a reason not to go out and try (and possibly make another mistake) again. Let it go so you can create something better for yourself.

4. Discover That You Have Options.

You don't have to be unhappy at work no matter how shaky the economy is. Right nöw, there may be a 9-to-5 job that is in dire need of your skills.(It is possible!) Or, you may be able to work something out with
your employer (or yourself) so you can have it all. You don't know how it will turn out until you try. Trying will show you that you are not stuck and that you do have choices.


5. Find Ways To Take Care Of Yourself.

You body is an engine and can only work properly if it's maintained. If you are working all the time, then you are not spending enough quality time on you. What are some things that you used to enjoy doing in your
spare time? Make time for those things. Rediscover your interests. If you do not, the only one you hurt is you.

6. Take The First Step.

Change starts with the first step. And it is up to you to take it. How about leaving on time one day this week? Or cooking a healthy meal tonight? Can you go the gym and stay for 15 minutes? The step you take does not have to be a big one. What matters is you are taking a step in  a positive direction.

7. Reward Yourself For A Job Well Done.

It is not easy shifting yourself from being a person who takes care of others, to a person who takes care of you. Be proud of yourself! Not everyone looks at their life and puts actions in place so it can be better. Congratulations for being that person. So, what will it be? You only have one life to live so it might as well
be a life you love.

About the Author:
Deborah Brown is a noted Career and Mentor Coach that helps Executives and Professionals find jobs they love, excel at the ones they have, start their own businesses, and find time for themselves. She also hosts the "Life After The Layoff" telephone coaching groups that help laid off executives use the power of a group to find their next jobs quickly. To learn more, visit http://www.surpassyourdreams.com, send an e-mail to info@surpassyourdreams.com or call (516) 432-2440.

Select Your Company Carefully!

By: Brian Tracy

Only the truly competent individual can be free of politics in an organization. When you're really good at what you do, you can rise above politics. It's the mediocrities at work who have to play games and every study shows that although they sometimes succeed in the short-term, they invariably fail when everyone figures them out. 

Do What You Have To Do
Select your work carefully and if you don't love what you're doing enough to want to be the best at it, get out! Flee from the boring or unsatisfying job as you would from a burning building. Working at something you don't care about is the very best way to waste your life. Remember, this life is not a rehearsal for something else. 

Look for Pay for Performance
One key to getting onto the fast-track is for you to work for the right company and the right boss. The right company is one that respects its people and practices pay for performance. The right company is dynamic, growing, open to new ideas, and full of opportunities for people with ambition and initiative. 

How To Make Progress
A woman spoke to me at a seminar recently and reminded me that she had asked me a question at a seminar about two years ago. She had told me that she was very ambitious and hard-working but that she wasn't making any progress in the large company where she worked. She felt it was because most of the senior executives were men in their fifties and sixties and that women had a hard time getting into positions of responsibility. What could she do? 

Change Jobs When Necessary
I told her quite frankly that there was nothing she could do. The senior executives and the company were not going to change. If she was really as capable as she said, I told her to find a job with a young, growing company that wouldn't care whether she was a woman as long as she could do the job. 

A Success Story
She told me that she had followed my advice, quit her job, much to the disapproval of her co-workers, and found a job with a small growing company - and it was exactly as I had said. She had been promoted twice in the last 14 months and was already earning 40% more than her best year with her previous company. 

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do to assure that you are in the right position. 

First, make sure that you really enjoy your work and that you do it well. You will never be successful at a job that you don’t like. 

Second, be sure that there are lots of opportunities for you to grow, develop and advance in your company. Your future is too valuable to waste where there is no future.