What Will You Do First?

"To him who is determined it remains only to act."

Italian proverb

Good advice to all seriously considering starting their own business.

But understand, "acting" includes having first planned what acts you will initiate.

Anything less is just blind wandering.

You Are What You Work To Become

"Be the change you want."

Ed Seykota
Commodities Trader

Contributed by Manish
Pune, India

Mr. Seykota, and by extension, Manish, is telling us to be what we say we want to be.

Seems simple when you first think about it but it's too often not.

At one time or another all of us say we want something but are not committed to making it happen.

How do you decide when you've done all you can to make something you want, come about?

How bad do you want it?

Management Flexibility: How Much?

"The one who adopts his policy to the time, prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the time does not."

Niccolo Machiavelli
16th century Italian Philosopher

There are many variations of this theme; things like the tree that bends, survives, whereas the one that will not, does not.

But how do you know when to "adopt your policy" versus "stand your ground"? It doesn't look like Steve Jobs has done much "bending" recently and he appears to be doing OK.

And likewise there is a long list of managers in every industry you can think of, who, if they are still "standing their ground", are doing so outside of the company for which they used to work.

Determination: The Tree of Life!

"When anyone asks me about the Irish character, I say look at the trees. Maimed, stark and misshapen, but ferociously tenacious."

Edna O'Brien
Irish Author

It seems appropriate to listen to the Irish on St. Patrick's Day and this quote is all the more fitting at a time when we struggle to regain our economic footing.

Ferociously tenacious.

Maybe the best of all qualities to exhibit as we move on to the next level.

Success: Determination and Focus Trumps Smarts

"The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who early in life, clearly discerns his object, and towards that object habitually directs his powers."

Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Early 19th Century British Writer/Politician

Translation: Being smart is fine but no substitute for being focused on a goal letting nothing get in your way of achieving it.

Does your company do this? I'm not just talking about words but rather deeds. Have they clearly stated what it is they intend to do, how they will do it and to the extent they have does their actions support these words?

If you are senior management and you feel you have done this, ask your key employees to describe what are to you those well defined goals. If they can't do it you've got work to do.