Become A Better Asker

Sometimes we don't get the right answers because we don't take the time to figure out the proper questions. The first step in receiving answers is to become a better asker. A lot of times we don't ask, we just assume things or take them for granted. Take the time and figure out what you want from life and turn that into intelligent questions. In the words from the old book: Ask and you shall receive!

Seeking Roots Or Fruits?

To be curious is interesting and it is exciting to try to understand things better but what is even more exciting is to achieve results and results are achieved by getting the work done. This is true in every field, whether you talk about sales, management or child rearing etc. You don't need to understand exactly how everything works, you just need to understand how to work it. Are you seeking the roots or are you seeking the fruits?

An Apple A Day

What we do repeatedly on a daily basis adds up over time. That is why establishing good habits is so important. Small errors in judgement repeated every day accumulates over a life time. Don't eat a candy bar every day when the doctor says; eat an apple a day. Small errors in judgement can lead to catastrophical consequences. Long term success on the other hand can be defined as a small number of disciplines practiced every day.

Learn From Your Mistakes

The ability to take feedback and adjust is crucial for your success. Take from the day your positive experiences ("here is what I will do more of") and your mistakes ("here is what I will do differently next time"). I have found that I learn more while positively reflecting on my mistakes than I will elaborating on my triumphs. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes!

Reasons To Do Well

Motivation is more important than skill many times. In sports, the average athlete may well win over the most talented, because he puts in the hours of practice. In order to succeed and do well it is important to have enough reasons. Some people call it having a bigger why than the what and how. Do you have enough motivators to keep you going in spite of the obstacles? List the reasons that keep you going. Freedom, family, fame, fun, foreign countries - or whatever it is in your case.

Major Time, Minor Things

You can do nothing to change your past. It is what you do today that creates your future reality. How do you allocate your time and energy today? Successful people are good at prioritizing their major initiatives that take them closer to their goals. It is much easier when you have well defined goals in place. Secondly, self discipline is needed to carry out those initiatives on a daily basis (a little at a time). Make sure you don't waste major time on minor things.

Study What You Are After

Study what you are after. Study in the areas you want to improve. You can become an expert in your field through diligent study. Get the books, the audios, the instruction, the council, the mentoring and the coaching you need. Then practice your craft. Do what you learn. When you study and put it into practice you lock in your knowledge and you immediately get the benefits out of it too.