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How do you make yourself a consummate achiever--and how do you do it faster? In this space you harvest as many ideas as I can pack into 625 words.
How do consummate achievers do it? How do they get there? How do you make yourself a consummate achiever -- and how do you do it faster? In this space you harvest as many ideas as I can pack into 625 words:
1. Make yourself an expert at something.
Whatever it is, know it inside out, upside down, backward and forward.
Study it tirelessly, endlessly, relentlessly. Make it your intimate other. Love it with a passion that knows no bounds, has no limits. Devote yourself to your area of expertise resolutely. Make yourself its master. Dedicate your energy, your time, your resources without limit and without reserve to your chosen discipline. Yes, have a love affair with the object of your focus.
When I was 17 I lied about my age to get a job at RCA. I was the sole support of my mom and 2 kid sisters. I quit high school because there was no one else to support them, my Dad having taken off, never to return. I quickly worked my way into the electronic test group. I studied my task just as I recommend you to do.
My love affair with the screen and the alignment process yielded new, original, previously undiscovered ideas to shorten a procedure from 45 minutes to 15 minutes. Standing firm against the non-believers, I prevailed. I got the process I conceived made the new standard, thus tripling production in my department. I'd made myself an expert at my area of interest. Go thou and do likewise!
2. Know your market
Know exactly what people, companies, associations, groups, industries are most likely to appreciate you and your mastership -- and to reward you handsomely for your insights, your views, your recommendations. Know their demographics. Know their psychographics.
Then stay on top of events that matter to those in your market. Be a restless, hungry,greedy seeker of every crumb of data, knowledge -- and wisdom -- that impacts those at every level in your market. From the shareholders to the Board to the CEO to senior management to every level, every specialty, every group and sub-group. Leave no stone unturned.
Years ago,I represented the Pepsodent Division of Lever Brothers to retailers in the Greater Los Angeles area. I found retailers who didn't know that they longed to carry my line, to display it, feature it, promote it. I identified dozens and dozens of stores, targeted them and won them over. Not just as customers, far more than that. I made them advocates, believers, disciples. Amen, brother! This passionate devotion to the cause of that brand carried me to recognition, awards—and much more. I knew my market. Know your market!
3. Know yourself
Know your values. Know your value—and don't settle for less. Know what you stand for. Know what matters, truly matters, bone-deep, to you. Know where you've been. Know where you're going. Know why you do what you do.
Hey, I've lived this stuff, I don't just teach it. Years ago, when Pepsodent didn't reward me adequately, I quit. (When a market doesn't reward you adequately for your contributions, find another market that does recognize and reward your contribution.)
When I moved on I joined Cole Steel Equipment Company. Within 5 years I tripled their sales in the Greater Los Angeles area This went on and on until I started to awake others to their potential. And to how to actualize their potential. But -- you don't want my life story. You're more interested in YOUR life story...and how you can write future chapters you'll be proud to show your kids. Know yourself!
Burt Dubin, 20 year veteran of the business of speaking, mentors speakers and wanna-be's world-wide. Burt works with people who want to be speakers and with speakers who want to be masters.
The words of his clients, the admiration and respect expressed for his work by some of the world's most successful speakers, testify to the values you receive. For samples of the wisdom available to you, simply go to http://www.SpeakingBizSuccess.com.
Burt Dubin, 1 Speaking Success Road, Kingman, Arizona 86402-6543, USA. Phone 800-321-1225 Fax 928-753-7554. mailto:burt@SpeakingBizSuccess.com
© Copyright 2003 Burt Dubin
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