Brick by brick, step by step

"I would have finished paying out all my card debts by the end of this year," cuz said with a sense of relief.

Many years ago I went through a tough time financially. I was in debt, I had a family to support, so I ended up doing free lance training in addition to my full time job. I did whatever I could to make a few dollars. I handled what was in front of me, and stayed open to opportunities. I lived hand-to-mouth, one month at a time.

The question always is...what are you willing to do to improve your circumstances. I have proven that our lives can and will change when we take responsibility for choices we have made - in our education, our relationships and our lives - and begin the work necessary to better our situation.

God helps those who help themselves. Your ship can't come in until you've sent it out. Climb out of your hole, and then climb up your mountain. The harder you work, the higher you go - and the higher you ascend, the better the view. Build your life, brick by brick, step by step. 

The 21st century sales leader

"My DOS is the best. She yells, shouts, and kick ass and gets things done" CD proudly announced.

Managing people has perhaps never been a more daunting task in the midst of a modern scheme filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.

As a conductor in the orchestra is dependent on the musicians, so too the sales leader in the twenty-first century is largely dependent on his/her team members. I noticed the most effective sales leaders are those who find ways to advance the organisation, while at the same time helping the team members to advance personally and professionally. 

If a leader attempts to advance the organisation to the detriment of the team members' purpose, it will hurt both associate and company.

Fuse getting longer

I watched the movie "42" yesterday inboard SQ865. The movie was about Jackie Robinson a negro baseball player who never takes racism lying down. He became the first African American Major League player. He struggles against his nature to endure unrelenting racist hostility on and off the pitch from players and fan alike.

As a teenager I had quite a temper. They called me the executioner on the football field. I took myself too seriously and would lose my temper at the drop of a hat. I would throw stuff, bang flipchart boards down and yes, scream and shout. I look back now and wondered where that person went.

I had mentors at work who taught me the way of character and the power of virtue in our lives. Over the years I developed in mind me heart, increasing my self-control. My fuse was getting longer. I am working to be a man who walks calmly, thinks calmly and acts calmly, even under pressure - especially under pressure.

An incredibly important introspection

"Paul, we all want to live the kind of life you are living," Swee Ain confessed while Alfred sang Streets of London in Stones Pub.

After further probing, I found out that he said what he said because through his lens, I m a person who seems to have the Midas touch...someone that others want to be around. He sees me as a person who is fun, happy and exciting.

In reflection, I realised the catalyst - the simple wisdom - that had shaped my life was something someone had once given me. I used to (and still do) ask myself regularly, "What is it about me that other people would want to change if they could?"

I check myself in many areas. What is it about the way I dress that other people would want to change if they could? What is it about the way I act that other people would want to change if they could? What is it about the way i talk that other people would want to change if they could?

This is an incredibly important introspection.

Personal development plan

I started mid-year Personal Development Plan discussions with my team members yesterday.

I have seen many sales people who often fall prey to the trap of not placing priority on their personal development, which can be a career buster. Some I know are too busy doing more urgent things, others place an overreliance on their boss or their organization for their development. And some others simply don't give their personal development a great deal of thought.

Take it from me: do not count on your boss or organization, because in the end no one cares about your career development as much as you should and do. No one!

Developing yourself is critically important to long-term career success and better results, so make it one of your priorities. You simply must keep your skills in tune with the growing demands of your job to keep your career on track and to help you sleep better at night.

The simple act of praise

The cabin crew on SQ910 was elegant, stylish, good looking, articulated and tall. I told her that while I shuffled past her while disembarking, adding "they should start  hire people like you again."

Having been brought up in my early selling years to crack the whip, I now know that a pat on the back accomplishes more than a slap on the face. Do not underestimate the impact a simple act of praise can have on the lives of others.....a mentor who died suddenly at the age of 59 said not to forget how important it is to compliment and praise others so we can never feel sorry for something left unsaid.

putting things in perspectives

The email from my cardio read..."Exercise stress test looks good. Echocardiogram is normal. Continue with current medications. To prevent future cardiac events, it is important to continue with current medications and learn to relax."

Since my ctca showed 60% narrowing of my arteries, I have been going on a series of tests. In reality, I probably found more hope than I had when I got my ctca results.

The few weeks' trauma seemed to put things into perpectives and help me realize that of all the things that grab for my attention on a daily basis, it is my faith and my loved ones that hold the most importance.

In many ways, I've made some good choices in my life and I've made some choices that were not so good. I'm proud of some of the things I've done and ashamed of some of the things I've done. But in the midst of it all, God has been at work in my life. That's enough for me.