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 1.
Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
I believe that not much happens of any significance when
we're in our comfort zone. I hear people say, "But I'm
concerned about security." My response to that is simple:
"Security is for cadavers."
2.
Never give up.
Almost nothing works the first time it's
attempted. Just because what you're doing does not seem to
be working, doesn't mean it won't work. It just means that
it might not work the way you're doing it. If it was easy,
everyone would be doing it, and you wouldn't have an
opportunity.
3.
When you're ready to quit, you're closer than
you think.
There's an old Chinese saying that I just
love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: "The
temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are
about to succeed."
4.
With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the
worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to
quantify what the worst thing could be.
Very seldom will the worst consequence be anywhere near as
bad as a cloud of "undefined consequences." My father would
tell me early on, when I was struggling and losing my shirt
trying to get Parsons Technology going, "Well, Robert, if it
doesn't work, they can't eat you."
5.
Focus on what you want to have happen.
Remember that old saying, "As you think, so shall you be."
6.
Take things a day at a time.
No matter how difficult your situation is, you can get
through it if you don't look too far into the future, and
focus on the present moment. You can get through anything
one day at a time.
8.
Be quick to decide.
Remember what General George S. Patton said: "A good plan
violently executed today is far and away better than a
perfect plan tomorrow."
9.
Measure everything of significance.
I swear this is true. Anything that is measured and watched,
improves.
10.
Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
If you want to uncover problems you don't know about, take a
few moments and look closely at the areas you haven't
examined for a while. I guarantee you problems will be
there.
11.
Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to
what you're doing.
When you look at your competitors, remember that everything
looks perfect at a distance. Even the planet Earth, if you
get far enough into space, looks like a peaceful place.
13.
Never expect life to be fair.
Life isn't fair. You make your own breaks. You'll be doing
good if the only meaning fair has to you, is something that
you pay when you get on a bus (i.e., fare)
14.
Solve your own problems.
You'll find that by coming up with your own solutions,
you'll develop a competitive edge. Masura Ibuka, the
co-founder of SONY, said it best: "You never succeed in
technology, business, or anything by following the others."
There's also an old Asian saying that I remind myself of
frequently. It goes like this: "A wise man keeps his own
counsel."
15.
Don't take yourself too seriously.
Lighten up. Often, at least half of what we accomplish is
due to luck. None of us are in control as much as we like to
think we are.
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