The “One Thing” of Successful People….

danlong — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:05:50 +0000

A poll was conducted several years ago and they ( Oz himself ) looked for what was most common in successful people’s lives. We’re not talking financially successful, although many people who are personally successful tend to be financially successful as well.

They immediately ruled out education & IQ but they did find that a higher percentage of people grew up in towns of 15,000 or less. Regardless, what they did find was that most successful people share a common trait - they’re all ” GOODFINDERS”!

They find “good” in nearly all things & people. They help draw out good in others as well. C.S. Lewis calls it becoming the ”Good Infection.”

Think about the most successful people you know, and see if this is not true!

Of course, the next question is are you a “Good Finder?” If so, please share you thoughts with me. If not, work hard to BECOME ONE!

Are you a “Success”? Take this test and see!

danlong — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:02:35 +0000

In his book “Finding Hidden Treasures”, Nampa author Ron Price gives this definition of success:

“I think if we all were to strive for its (life’s) accomplishment, we would all lead much happier lives as well as live in an even better world!” Here is another excerpt from his book: “H.G. Wells says that fame & fortune are no measure of success whatsoever. Success is nothing more than the ratio between what you COULD HAVE become and what you have become!” Think about that for a moment. Here’s the best news: there is still time!

Author Matthew Kelly writes about “becoming the best version of yourself” - that’s good stuff!

9 Secret Words

danlong — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:37:51 +0000

Here are the 9 secret words that have been very instrumental in my own business success. Lean in closer and let me whisper them to you. Here they are: “The Risk of Insult is the Price of Clarity”.

To be clearly understood, one must speak the simple, essential truth as plainly as he is able. While many of those listening will say “Such refreshing candor! So bold and direct!” Others will say, “He is tactless, blunt, rude, insensitive, and unrefined.”

Whether you’re advertising to your customers or talking to an employee, speak the simple plain truth! Here’s an example of what we have done at A-1: “A-1 Plumbing will be on time, every time!” Our customers have come to count on this statement and all of our employees (plumbers, call takers & dispatchers) know that they “must” deliver that product. It works folks!

A Closed Mouth Gathers No Feet

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:04:31 +0000

In business as well as in life, there is probably no greater lesson that I have learned than to shut my mouth and stop talking when appropriate. Remember the phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Who came up with that phrase? Broken bones eventually heal, but the wounds caused by the spoken word sometimes last forever!

These days I try to have my speech passed through these 3 gates: 1) Is it true, or at least do I believe it to be true? 2) Is it loving, and will it build a better relationship with the other person? 3) Is it NECESSARY? If it can pass through these 3 gates, I’m free to say it.

Sleeping with the Book Keeper!

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:46:49 +0000

I was fortunate enough in my business career to have married not only a great woman, but a tremendous business partner. Lori, my wife of 28 years, has skimped, saved and managed our money since we were first married. Nobody has the same interest in the success of our business than the partner you live with. If I didn’t have her counsel to keep me grounded at times, I know I wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.

Caution: I would only recommend sleeping with the Book Keeper if you are married to them.

The Art of Management

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:26:35 +0000

Over the years, I’ve used this definition for the Art of Management: “When you can get your people to do what you want them to do, and all the while they thought it was their idea.” When your new policy is in place and your employees say “Look what we have done!” that’s a sure sign of a great manager.

Tell Them, Show Them or Involve Them

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:19:34 +0000

Whenever we wanted our employees to take ownership of a particular idea or concept, we did not just tell them, we did not just show them, we INVOLVED THEM! When employees become involved, they are more likely to understand; once they understand, they will more than likely take ownership.

“Plumberize” It!

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:11:01 +0000

At A-1 Plumbing, whenever we would attempt to implement a new concept or new idea to our employees, it would always have to pass the “plumberize” test. First, are we speaking their language? And secondly, are we speaking in a way that they can understand what’s actually being said? This can be true for any business at any level of comprehension. You must first speak their language for them to buy in and take ownership of the new idea.

Love your Competitors!

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:59:46 +0000

“I love my competitors, for they bring the best out of me” is a phrase that I have used for years. I hope the spirit of competition is alive and well in your industry. That’s America; that’s capitalism at its best. Few places outside of this great country still make it possible for the common man to achieve anything they want to achieve. It’s called the “American dream,” and it continues to thrive in our country. Let’s hope that the American dream is not substituted for the American Promise of Unlimited Entitlements!

What is Success?

danlong — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:24:47 +0000

What is “success,” and how will you know when you have achieved it? I recently came across a very simple yet wonderful definition for the word success. What I like about this definition is that it really doesn’t matter what culture you are living in or what family you’ve been born into. In his book, “Finding Hidden Treasures”, Nampa author Ron Price said: ”Success is the ratio between what you could have been and what you have actually become.”

Basically it simply asks: have you discovered and used the talents you’ve been given, and have you become all that you can be? Personally, I think that in order to become a truly successful human being, you must also add this statement as well, from the great Albert Einstein: “Only a life lived for others is worth living”. That, to me, would be a successful life. The good news is, it’s not too late.