Posted by MichiganAl on 3/5/06 4:28pm
Msg #102118

Losing when you haven't lost

There's always a constant debate about whether or not to take lower paying assignments or work with companies that suck up our time and energy. Many of the more successful signing agents have tried to explain that this isn't a long term model that will yield much success. Believe me, I understand the difficulty of giving up any income. But, after fretting about it on several different occasions, I made the decision to move away from companies that sent me steady business because of lower pay combined with higher demands. In every case, something better quickly came my away. Anyway, yesterday I was reading a bestseller called "Integrity - The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality - How Six Essential Qualities Determine Your Success in Business." I think it's great reading. I'd like to share one paragraph that is especially appropriate to what we deal with:

Losing When You Haven't Lost

To let go of something that isn't working is a sine qua non of healthy people and high performers, as we have seen. But, that is entry level to the field of successful living and achieving. The high performers go a step further. They let go of things that are working, if they are not the best things. What that means is that they are able to let go of things that take up time, energy, and resources that may be good, and even profitable, but are keeping them from the best things. The good is the enemy of the best.

Just something to consider.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/5/06 4:40pm
Msg #102119

Great article..thanks for sharing. n/m

Reply by Raimond on 3/5/06 4:44pm
Msg #102120

Good info! Thanks n/m

Reply by Beth/MD on 3/5/06 6:38pm
Msg #102133

I have a professor who's been reading this book. Sounds like an interesting read. Isn't this the book that has 6 steps of professionalism or something to that effect?

Reply by MichiganAl on 3/5/06 6:57pm
Msg #102137

Synopsis

Integrity. It is more than simple honesty. It's the key to success. A person with integrity has the -- often rare -- ability to pull everything together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances.

Drawing on experiences from his work with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and individual leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and nationally syndicated radio host, shows how our character can keep us from achieving all we want to (or could) be.

In Integrity, Dr. Cloud explores the six qualities of character that define integrity. He uses stories from well-known business leaders like Michael Dell and sports figures like Tiger Woods to illustrate each of these qualities. He shows us how people with integrity:

Are able to connect with others and build trust
Are oriented toward reality
Finish well
Embrace the negative
Are oriented toward increase
Have an understanding of the transcendent
Success is not related to only talent or brains. There are a lot of bright, talented people who are never successful. And the most successful are not only the ones with the most talent. The real factor, Cloud demonstrates, is the makeup of the person. All of us can grow in the kinds of real character that bring about fruitful relationships and achievement of purpose, mission, and goals. Integrity is not something that you either have or don't, but instead is an exciting growth path that all of us can engage in and enjoy.

Reply by John_NorCal on 3/5/06 7:27pm
Msg #102155

Re: Synopsis-Very good food for thought! Thanks! n/m

Reply by Renee Kovacs on 3/6/06 5:21am
Msg #102234

Re: Philosophy - Al, you're my hero!

Very inspiring words - very refreshing food for the psyche! Key then is every person's definition of success, which may or may NOT be the List of What I Want In Life. (It would seem healthier if that list did coincide with their definition of success - but it sometimes doesn't, IMO.)

Everything - every teeny, tiny little THING in life has a value. It may be a positive value or a negative value, but it remains a VALUE, and becomes a part of the large equation. The goal would be to end every day (or hour, or year, or experience) with your sum total being closer to your personal success. Closer to whatever it is you WANT.

It's all about the Journey, and really understanding that is key to ever achieving success.

My own feeble theory is that defining success, or compiling your List of What I Want becomes crucial in that the ego will battle with you OR against you, depending upon your grasp of understanding WHAT it is that you really, truly WANT.