A Success Formula for Life

 

Point Number One

 

Take 100% responsibility for everything you experience in life.

This is an absolute statement that has to create a huge question in your mind. Everyone clearly know that you are not responsible for everything that happens in your life. You did not choose your parents, siblings, the country you grew up in, or even the culture that surrounded you. This is specifically true until you reach your late teenage years and begin to make decisions for yourself.

What it does say to me; is that we are responsible for the responses we have to everything that we experience in life. Literally every material procession can be taken from you, you can lose your health, you can lose your relationships, you can lose your position, however no one can rob you of your perspectives, values and beliefs.

Once you take responsibility for everything you experience and understand the vicissitudes of life, then you can determine to take responsibility for how you react. Life with this perspective is all about choices. And taking responsibility is a wise choice that leads to long term benefits.

We all know the law of cause and effect. We choose to drive impaired, speed and drive recklessly, then there is a high probability of having a serious incident. We chose to live a totally irresponsible lifestyle and we lose the trust of our family, friends, employers, and the law.

I was raised in a United Auto Workers union family. There was a strong bias against General Motors and local management. The union installed a psychic determinism attitude that stated the company (GM) is holding me back and I have no power to oppose it. When I worked my way through a business degree, I began to change my attitude. It became very clear how difficult it is to make a viable profit in our competitive business environment.

As employees we do have a choice of where to work and the attitude we’re going to have about our work and life situation. You can literally decide to change and make steps to implement your decision. Your changes may not happen as soon as you would like, but the determination to take ownership of your situation may be one of the most important decisions you can make in life.     

Point Number Two

Everything you think, say and do needs to be intentional, aligned with your highest purpose, your values and your goals.

As a human being, you are in procession of one of the most powerful tools in the   universe. Your brain has billions of neurons and the capability of creating memories and templates under which you can operate under.

You have the capability to establish a resolve to stick to your stated purpose in life, which results in a set of values, which eventually aid you in reaching your goals.

When faced with a decision; the “proverbial fork in the road”, you can make a decision to compromise or live out your values in an intentional manner.

Don’t be concerned about being tempted, We are all tempted!

As we all know temptation confronts everyone on a daily basis. It is the strength of your resolve to be aligned with your purpose, values and goal achievement that allow you to resist the temptation.

Small compromises can seem inconsequential at first but can easily lead to a bigger compromise that leads to a failure. A great example is our food intake. How easy it is to revert to a high carbohydrate diet when we know its ultimately not good for us!

But it tastes so much better, and I deserve it!!!

Learn to capture your thoughts and be intentional.

 

 

Point Number Three

 

To achieve desired outcomes, one must replace complaining with taking action.

Has anyone gotten into a belly aching conversation with our work peer group about the company, its policies, products, and culture? I certainly have and I am not proud about admitting it.

In my very first sales job with 3M, I entered into a whine and complain session with my fellow sales team members in front of a service rep who was transitioning into sales. He promptly told management what he heard, and yours truly got pulled into the office to talk about my conduct. My manager said that I was on the promotable list, but if he heard any more talk about crummy products, then I would immediately be off the list just like that. As he said this, he snapped his fingers to empathize his point. I’ve never forgotten that snap of the fingers.

We all know that no organization is perfect and there is room for growth with us as individuals and organizations. Our best plan of action is to adopt a positive attitude, establish a plan of action about confronting the issues and strenuously go the work with a firm action plan. 

 

In summary:

1.     Take responsibility

2.     Be Intentional in everything you do

3.     Be a person of resolve and action.

 

Gary D. Seale – MBA  July 22, 2022

Trucon Communications  www.truconbd.com