www.cbt.edu
Hello all,
So the other day, I wrote a post called "12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace". It was inspired by the CBT West Kendall Pow Wow. This is part 2 of that post, listing the rest of the 12 principles. We knocked out 5, so 7 to go! Today, we will cover 6. Tomorrow, I'll be back to cover the final one. It deserves a post all by itself!
6. Be Customer/Client/People Driven
Whatever you do, wherever you work, you should always be people driven. Business succeed because of customers, students, and clients. Businesses thrive when they have the right people in place. As a company, you should be people driven. Your goal should be to not only satisfy the costumer/client, but also to keep your employees, partners, board members and all involved in your company happy and motivated. As employees, you need to do everything you can for your clients/customers. Keep them happy, and you will keep your boss happy. Be polite, attentive, and always ready to help. If a customer needs you, drop what you're doing to help them. If you are discussing an issue with your director, and a student walks in, that is the priority that must be dealt with. Your situation can wait, because the student comes first! It's the same in any business with any kind of client. After all, while your boss signs your checks, the client supplies them with the funds for that check!
7. Always Respect Each Other:
Respect is a difficult thing to come by. It is not easily earned, yet so easily lost. If you lose the respect of another, how hard is it to gain back? I think we all know the answer to that.
Why is respect important in our every day lives and in our workplace? Simply, because everyone is different. There are no two people that are exactly alike. I may believe something that my coworker doesn't. I may like to have my hair a certain way, while someone else may choose to dress differently than me. That is all perfectly acceptable. Each person is entitled to live their own lives. We should respect that and be understanding and tolerant. Remember, while we may not agree with the things people do, say, believe, or enjoy, it is their right to do them and should be respected(as long as what they do is legal and ethical). Of course, they need to respect you as well.
In the workplace, certain things are considered inappropriate and unfit for a work environment. We are all to honor those written and unwritten rules of etiquette and respect. We should refrain from actions, words, and appearances that are considered offensive and inappropriate. The goal is to create a work environment where everyone is comfortable. No company wants a bunch of uncomfortable, awkward, upset and offended employees walking around. That will lead to unproductive employees, and low morale. Respect your coworkers. Understand that just because they don't like the same music, food, movies, or sports teams as you, that doesn't make them weird. In fact, just respect everyone you encounter. If we don't respect others, how can we expect to be respected?
8.Be Loyal
What does it mean to be loyal? The best definition I found was "loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause." A person can be loyal to their favorite sports team, family, school, and country. "Proud to be an American" is a form of loyalty. Serving your country is one of the greatest forms of loyalty a person can demonstrate. Dying for a cause, person, or country is the ultimate form of loyalty. Sometimes, that loyalty is tragically misplaced (such is the case with terrorist organizations, socialist governments, extremists in religions, etc).
Every person should have at least one thing they are loyal to. I, for example, am loyal to my God, wife, family, company, schools (both my high school and college), my country, and my sports teams (Dolphins all day baby). A loyal employee is a respected employee. It is very easy to sift the loyal ones from the disloyal ones. Your boss isn't blind. They can see when someone is upset, rebellious, or disloyal. If you have good reason to not be disloyal to your company, then you either need to address those with a superior, or find a company you can be loyal to.
How can you be loyal to your company? Follow the rules, work hard, represent your company properly and with pride, don't cause discord or discontent in your office. Be the polite, pleasant, diligent worker that all companies desire. Speak to your boss (or bosses) if you have any issues, don't gossip, and respect your coworkers.
9. Strive to exceed your goals
I wrote a post the other day about setting goals, and how vital is it to life. Goals give us purpose and drive. Goals create dedicated people. Goals give us something to reach for. As people, we should always look to improve ourselves. We shouldn't settle for second best. Strive for the best. Work to exceed your goals!
10. Keep a Positive Outlook
Perception is reality. Don't go looking for the negative in everything. Believe me, if you look for it, you will find it. Always examine situations, and see the good that comes from it. When my wife lost her job a few months ago, it was tough for her. She was the best worker that firm had. She poured her blood, sweat, and tears into that office, just to be let go on the whim of a completely unbalanced and heartless lawyer. I saw this as a blessing in disguise from the very beginning. We are perfectly fine with my income alone. Not having to work the 8:30-5:30 schedule allows her to finish up her degree faster than she would have as a full time employee. Now, she is focused 100% on school. She will actually be one of those rare people to graduate with her Bachelor of Arts in 4 years. Had I decided to look on the negative side of it, then things would have seemed bad for a while. No extra income? How are we going to afford to take extravagant vacations and buy bars of gold? The world is falling apart!! As ridiculous as that may sound, some people will reach that far just because they are never content with anything. They are not happy unless they are miserable. They are not satisfied with seeing the reality of situations, instead choosing to wallow and watch their world crumble over the smallest things. Don't let your circumstances shape you. Instead, when something doesn't go your way, re-approach the situation and make it work!
11. Be Accountable to Each Other
Accountability: a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account giving.
Being accountable to each other is all about improving who we are as people by holding each other responsible for actions. In regards to a professional atmosphere, it’s all about improving the overall personal and organizational performance of one another by developing and promoting responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creating an environment of personal and professional growth. Accountability is essential for any society to function. We are all held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Thus, accountability is simply being responsible for one's actions.
Accountability in the workplace is defined as doing the right thing consistently, day in and day out, in tasks and relationship interactions in order to fulfill or further the mission of the organization
Showing posts with label setting goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label setting goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
12 Principles to Help You Thrive in the Workplace Part 1
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
It's a grind most days, isn't it? For most people, Monday through Friday harbors the dreaded work, eat, sleep routine. Just about everyone I know is "working for the weekend". No one wants to be sitting in the office, living the Dwight Schrute life, but that's exactly where most American professionals find themselves. As I said, it's a grind. Sadly, most of us make our work experience even worse than it should be by the attitude we adopt. This attitude doesn't start when we arrive at work. It doesn't even begin when we wake up in the morning. For most, the negativity and dread begins while laying in bed thinking, "aggghhhh, I don't want to go to work tomorrow!!" It all starts with the mind. Perception is reality. If I get it in my mind that I cannot comprehend this little math problem I'm working on, my mind will just shut down and make it a reality. We underestimate just how powerful our mind is.
How can we as professionals in the modern business setting find enjoyment, and thrive in our workplace? How can we achieve personal and professional growth, while demonstrating excellence and commitment? Recently, we had a "Pow Wow" here at CBT West Kendall, and came up with twelve principles, that if followed, would lead to success in the workplace. At first, I thought this activity was pointless, and a huge waste of time. I felt like I was living an episode of The Office, and Michael Scott had called us all into the conference room for an absolutely ridiculous time waster. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it turned out to be productive, , and created an identity for us as individuals and as a team. We saw coworkers in a different light, a light that for some, had been left in the dark until then. It actually helped us gel.
I decided that I would share five of the principles we outlined. Why five? Because twelve would take me too long, and I have other things to do today. I really believe these "philosophies" can make a difference in your daily life, and help you thrive at your workplace.....
1. Attitude is a Choice:
As was stated earlier, it's all about your attitude. Wake up thinking positively! Tell yourself it will be a good day. Get in a good morning workout, take a shower, and actually have a real breakfast (coffee doesn't count). It will truly go a long way to shaping your day. The flip side is you getting up with a bad attitude, driving angrily and hastily because you are running late, and maintaining those bad vibes all day. Any little hiccup in your workday will just push you off the cliff. Not only will you be highly unproductive, but chances are your bad attitude will rub off on others. Don't be "that" person. Don't be Buzzkillington. Don't drag the rest of your coworkers down into you misery. Change your attitude, change your outlook, and create a positive atmosphere for yourself and those around you. Attitude is a choice.
2. Be consistent:
I realize this leaves room for consistently mediocre, but in speaking with several executives and company higher ups, consistently mediocre is better than maddeningly inconsistent. There is nothing worse than a person who only "shows up" when they want to. Why is this so bad? Your employer, friends, family, and significant other never know who they are going to get: the pleasant, hard working, and caring version, or the moody, lazy, lethargic, and irritable version. If you are consistently mediocre, at least everyone knows what to expect from you, right? The goal is not to be consistently mediocre, though. Your goal should always be consistent excellence, and consistent max effort. As humans, we should always be striving for the very best in everything we do. Consistency is key to that excellence. The guy who gets up early every morning to do his P90x workout, have a great, healthy breakfast, get to work ten minutes early, and put in a full day of hard work will achieve much more than the guy who is a superstar one day, and a superdud the next. Be consistent. Be consistently excellent, which leads to our next to point.....
3. Autograph Your Work with Excellence:
Everyone likes to hear the words, "good job!" I have never met a single person who prefers being ripped into for poor performance. We should always try to stamp our work with excellence. Whether it's school work, a blog, our job duties, our home life, a piece of art we are working on, a party we are planning, or a poem we are writing for our significant other, always strive to make it the best. Don't cut corners, don't cheat, don't do things half heatedly. Be ethical and considerate of others. How can you make sure your work is excellent? Be consistent with it, and try your very best. Also, keep a positive attitude throughout. Yup, I'm tying things together.
4. Go the Extra Mile:
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Hard work, compassion, and kindness are essential to a good workplace. Picking up your teammate/coworker is a big part of that. If you see someone in need of help, don't hesitate to lend a hand. Be the one to step up for your team. Be the one who is willing to make a difference. It means putting the needs of others before your own. Going the extra mile is often an inconvenience for us. Believe me though, people (including the ones who sign your checks) will take notice.
5. Manage your Time Effectively:
One of the biggest issues we as people face is poor time management skills. We spend our time taking a nap rather than finish our English homework, or browse through Facebook for five hours instead of finishing those expense reports, or Call of Duty as opposed to helping our wives with housework, or even watch New Moon for the nineteenth time when we should go visit our parents. Worst of all, it's not that we don't to do those things, it's just that we lose track of time. We don't prioritize our time. We don't set schedules for ourselves. We don't place the more important things ahead of the self gratification stuff. We place ourselves and our petty and unnecessary wants above what we really need to accomplish. Is it possible to play Call of Duty after helping with housework? Of course! Can we fit a nap into our schedule, once the homework is completed? I'm sure we could. The point is that we don't manage our time properly. I guarantee you, if you set a daily tasks schedule at work, with allotted time for each task, we will be more efficient and effective that day. Do that on a vacation, and you will get to do all the things you wanted to. Plan, schedule, and follow through. If you set your schedule to wake up at 6:30 for a morning workout, shower, and healthy breakfast before work...do it! Don't hit snooze. If you plan on doing homework for three hours when you get home, make it happen, and make sure you use that time as effectively as possible. Don't allow yourself to be distracted!
I will be back later in the week with the rest!
www.cbt.edu/facebook
It's a grind most days, isn't it? For most people, Monday through Friday harbors the dreaded work, eat, sleep routine. Just about everyone I know is "working for the weekend". No one wants to be sitting in the office, living the Dwight Schrute life, but that's exactly where most American professionals find themselves. As I said, it's a grind. Sadly, most of us make our work experience even worse than it should be by the attitude we adopt. This attitude doesn't start when we arrive at work. It doesn't even begin when we wake up in the morning. For most, the negativity and dread begins while laying in bed thinking, "aggghhhh, I don't want to go to work tomorrow!!" It all starts with the mind. Perception is reality. If I get it in my mind that I cannot comprehend this little math problem I'm working on, my mind will just shut down and make it a reality. We underestimate just how powerful our mind is.
How can we as professionals in the modern business setting find enjoyment, and thrive in our workplace? How can we achieve personal and professional growth, while demonstrating excellence and commitment? Recently, we had a "Pow Wow" here at CBT West Kendall, and came up with twelve principles, that if followed, would lead to success in the workplace. At first, I thought this activity was pointless, and a huge waste of time. I felt like I was living an episode of The Office, and Michael Scott had called us all into the conference room for an absolutely ridiculous time waster. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it turned out to be productive, , and created an identity for us as individuals and as a team. We saw coworkers in a different light, a light that for some, had been left in the dark until then. It actually helped us gel.
I decided that I would share five of the principles we outlined. Why five? Because twelve would take me too long, and I have other things to do today. I really believe these "philosophies" can make a difference in your daily life, and help you thrive at your workplace.....
1. Attitude is a Choice:
As was stated earlier, it's all about your attitude. Wake up thinking positively! Tell yourself it will be a good day. Get in a good morning workout, take a shower, and actually have a real breakfast (coffee doesn't count). It will truly go a long way to shaping your day. The flip side is you getting up with a bad attitude, driving angrily and hastily because you are running late, and maintaining those bad vibes all day. Any little hiccup in your workday will just push you off the cliff. Not only will you be highly unproductive, but chances are your bad attitude will rub off on others. Don't be "that" person. Don't be Buzzkillington. Don't drag the rest of your coworkers down into you misery. Change your attitude, change your outlook, and create a positive atmosphere for yourself and those around you. Attitude is a choice.
2. Be consistent:
I realize this leaves room for consistently mediocre, but in speaking with several executives and company higher ups, consistently mediocre is better than maddeningly inconsistent. There is nothing worse than a person who only "shows up" when they want to. Why is this so bad? Your employer, friends, family, and significant other never know who they are going to get: the pleasant, hard working, and caring version, or the moody, lazy, lethargic, and irritable version. If you are consistently mediocre, at least everyone knows what to expect from you, right? The goal is not to be consistently mediocre, though. Your goal should always be consistent excellence, and consistent max effort. As humans, we should always be striving for the very best in everything we do. Consistency is key to that excellence. The guy who gets up early every morning to do his P90x workout, have a great, healthy breakfast, get to work ten minutes early, and put in a full day of hard work will achieve much more than the guy who is a superstar one day, and a superdud the next. Be consistent. Be consistently excellent, which leads to our next to point.....
3. Autograph Your Work with Excellence:
Everyone likes to hear the words, "good job!" I have never met a single person who prefers being ripped into for poor performance. We should always try to stamp our work with excellence. Whether it's school work, a blog, our job duties, our home life, a piece of art we are working on, a party we are planning, or a poem we are writing for our significant other, always strive to make it the best. Don't cut corners, don't cheat, don't do things half heatedly. Be ethical and considerate of others. How can you make sure your work is excellent? Be consistent with it, and try your very best. Also, keep a positive attitude throughout. Yup, I'm tying things together.
4. Go the Extra Mile:
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Hard work, compassion, and kindness are essential to a good workplace. Picking up your teammate/coworker is a big part of that. If you see someone in need of help, don't hesitate to lend a hand. Be the one to step up for your team. Be the one who is willing to make a difference. It means putting the needs of others before your own. Going the extra mile is often an inconvenience for us. Believe me though, people (including the ones who sign your checks) will take notice.
5. Manage your Time Effectively:
One of the biggest issues we as people face is poor time management skills. We spend our time taking a nap rather than finish our English homework, or browse through Facebook for five hours instead of finishing those expense reports, or Call of Duty as opposed to helping our wives with housework, or even watch New Moon for the nineteenth time when we should go visit our parents. Worst of all, it's not that we don't to do those things, it's just that we lose track of time. We don't prioritize our time. We don't set schedules for ourselves. We don't place the more important things ahead of the self gratification stuff. We place ourselves and our petty and unnecessary wants above what we really need to accomplish. Is it possible to play Call of Duty after helping with housework? Of course! Can we fit a nap into our schedule, once the homework is completed? I'm sure we could. The point is that we don't manage our time properly. I guarantee you, if you set a daily tasks schedule at work, with allotted time for each task, we will be more efficient and effective that day. Do that on a vacation, and you will get to do all the things you wanted to. Plan, schedule, and follow through. If you set your schedule to wake up at 6:30 for a morning workout, shower, and healthy breakfast before work...do it! Don't hit snooze. If you plan on doing homework for three hours when you get home, make it happen, and make sure you use that time as effectively as possible. Don't allow yourself to be distracted!
I will be back later in the week with the rest!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Setting Goals
When I was a child, I remember wanting to be a professional baseball player when I grew up. I also wanted to be a doctor, meteorologist, lawyer, superhero, actor, singer, advertising exec, graphic designer, producer for a record label, and King of Prussia. I had some lofty dreams. The direction that my life has taken dictated my current standing in the professional world. As we speak, I believe I have achieved one of my "when I grow up" goals as an up and coming marketing, events, and new media manager. Most would agree that I am in the right field, based on my talents, "artsyness", persistence, and persuasiveness. I truly believe the sky is the limit for me in this field because I am great at what I do. Why do I tell you this, though? Where is this coming from, and where is it going? Good question! Well, I was recently thinking about where I want to be in a few years, and how important setting goals in your life can be.
I strongly believe that setting goals allows a person to establish purpose in their professional and personal life. Are you working at your current place of employment just to work? Is it just for the money? If so, you're probably not where you should be. Are you dating someone you don't see a real future with? If so, you shouldn't be dating that person. Honestly, what is the point of being with someone if you don't see it having a future? What is the point of living life with no desire to create a better existence for yourself, your loved ones, and humanity as a whole? By setting goals in every significant aspect of our lives, we are creating the drive, the motivation and the perseverance needed to accomplish them.
When a person enrolls at a college or university, they should have a goal in mind: graduate! That goal is directly connected to another goal: start a career in the field you are studying. That should again, lead to a bigger goal, like move up the ladder, go to grad/med/law school, start your own business, plant a church, etc. When a person embarks on a new romantic relationship with someone, the goal should always be marriage. I am strongly opposed to the idea that in our youth, we should sow wild oats, spread our seed, and play the field. All of those things are without purpose, without promise, and unnecessary acts of instant gratification. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me or suddenly change their point of view. Just to cement my point though, let me give you two personal examples of this very goal setting issue.
Example 1:
I dated this girl, let's call her Lily....
She dated an acquaintance of mine for a few years. Some mutual friends of the acquaintance (let's call him Greg) told me that Lily was bad news. They told me to stay away from her, because it would not end well. Greg himself offered some advice, but I did not heed any of their warnings. I liked Lily. She was pretty, fun, spunky, and we had common interests (music, food, movies). Mind you, I was 20 at the time, and living the "college life". I was far from the person I am now, and far from the God who gave me true purpose. She was pretty, I was into her, and we started dating. There was no real goal, and I should have seen it ahead of time. We had differing views on politics, religion, and family. She liked the drinking, smoking, rock star lifestyle. I played along, and I actually really liked her. Fast forward a few months...she cheated on me. Funny thing is the guy she cheated on me with was the very reason her and Greg broke up! Greg didn't tell me about that, and neither did anyone of our mutual friends. In hindsight, I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I would have dated her anyway, because I thought she was cool, and pretty. I ignored all the warning signs, I ignored the caution flags, I ignored the "Buyer Beware" notice. I gave her parts of me that she didn't deserve. I compromised values, and lifelong beliefs and goals for someone who would later devalue and defame those very things. It was a fruitless relationship that served as a wake up call and became the catalyst for bringing me out of my prodigal living.
Example 2:
I met this girl, let's call her Stephanie....
We met under interesting circumstances; my family member was dating her family member. She was down from another state, let's call that state Tennessee. It was a blind date kind of thing. Stephanie was going through a rough patch at the time, and came to stay with some relatives to clear her head, and hopefully have some fun. So, that night we all went to dinner and a movie. I was 22 at this time, and a little wiser I think. I was over my dumb phase, and had the proper mindset for a real relationship. We hit it off, I liked her. During her time here that summer, we really began to fall for each other. She wanted to transfer to a college in Miami, and be with me. Towards the end of the summer though, she had to leave. She went back to Tennessee and we were devastated. I did some very hard thinking, and knew that if I did what I was planning to do, I had to KNOW that she was the one.
My next move was drastic, and had I not had the goal of "happily ever after" in mind, my actions would have been both selfish, life shattering, and stupid. I realized all this, and made the decision then and there, that I was going to marry this girl name Stephanie. I took a bus to Tennessee, and her parents placed their trust in me. They trusted that I would take care of their first born, that I would love her, cherish her, and never forsake her. They trusted that allowing her to leave home and move to Miami to be with me was not a mistake. Fast forward to June 7th, 2009...Stephanie Marie Diago became Stephanie Marie Saavedra. This was and is the greatest day of my life. I knew on June 23rd, 2007 that I was having dinner for the first time...with my wife. From that day on, all my actions were made with that goal in mind.
My point is this folks: goals give our day to day actions a purpose, a meaning, and significance. Who wants to just float through life without ever accomplishing or achieving anything? Set goals, strive for excellence, and walk the straight and narrow path in order to achieve those goals. Set daily goals, weekly, monthly, yearly, and major life goals. I want to own a house in the next 5 years. I want to have my first child in the next five years. I want to be the youngest director of this company in the next 3 years. Those goals are all attainable for me, as long as I put in the work to make them possible. I am confident in my abilities. You're goals may be as big as curing cancer, or as small as getting an A+ in your Physics quiz tomorrow. The point is, set them because they honestly do give you more desire to achieve them. If you just go into that quiz with no stated goal, you won't be as motivated. It sounds dumb, but it's true.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
I strongly believe that setting goals allows a person to establish purpose in their professional and personal life. Are you working at your current place of employment just to work? Is it just for the money? If so, you're probably not where you should be. Are you dating someone you don't see a real future with? If so, you shouldn't be dating that person. Honestly, what is the point of being with someone if you don't see it having a future? What is the point of living life with no desire to create a better existence for yourself, your loved ones, and humanity as a whole? By setting goals in every significant aspect of our lives, we are creating the drive, the motivation and the perseverance needed to accomplish them.
When a person enrolls at a college or university, they should have a goal in mind: graduate! That goal is directly connected to another goal: start a career in the field you are studying. That should again, lead to a bigger goal, like move up the ladder, go to grad/med/law school, start your own business, plant a church, etc. When a person embarks on a new romantic relationship with someone, the goal should always be marriage. I am strongly opposed to the idea that in our youth, we should sow wild oats, spread our seed, and play the field. All of those things are without purpose, without promise, and unnecessary acts of instant gratification. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me or suddenly change their point of view. Just to cement my point though, let me give you two personal examples of this very goal setting issue.
Example 1:
I dated this girl, let's call her Lily....
She dated an acquaintance of mine for a few years. Some mutual friends of the acquaintance (let's call him Greg) told me that Lily was bad news. They told me to stay away from her, because it would not end well. Greg himself offered some advice, but I did not heed any of their warnings. I liked Lily. She was pretty, fun, spunky, and we had common interests (music, food, movies). Mind you, I was 20 at the time, and living the "college life". I was far from the person I am now, and far from the God who gave me true purpose. She was pretty, I was into her, and we started dating. There was no real goal, and I should have seen it ahead of time. We had differing views on politics, religion, and family. She liked the drinking, smoking, rock star lifestyle. I played along, and I actually really liked her. Fast forward a few months...she cheated on me. Funny thing is the guy she cheated on me with was the very reason her and Greg broke up! Greg didn't tell me about that, and neither did anyone of our mutual friends. In hindsight, I don't think it would have made a difference to me. I would have dated her anyway, because I thought she was cool, and pretty. I ignored all the warning signs, I ignored the caution flags, I ignored the "Buyer Beware" notice. I gave her parts of me that she didn't deserve. I compromised values, and lifelong beliefs and goals for someone who would later devalue and defame those very things. It was a fruitless relationship that served as a wake up call and became the catalyst for bringing me out of my prodigal living.
Example 2:
I met this girl, let's call her Stephanie....
We met under interesting circumstances; my family member was dating her family member. She was down from another state, let's call that state Tennessee. It was a blind date kind of thing. Stephanie was going through a rough patch at the time, and came to stay with some relatives to clear her head, and hopefully have some fun. So, that night we all went to dinner and a movie. I was 22 at this time, and a little wiser I think. I was over my dumb phase, and had the proper mindset for a real relationship. We hit it off, I liked her. During her time here that summer, we really began to fall for each other. She wanted to transfer to a college in Miami, and be with me. Towards the end of the summer though, she had to leave. She went back to Tennessee and we were devastated. I did some very hard thinking, and knew that if I did what I was planning to do, I had to KNOW that she was the one.
My next move was drastic, and had I not had the goal of "happily ever after" in mind, my actions would have been both selfish, life shattering, and stupid. I realized all this, and made the decision then and there, that I was going to marry this girl name Stephanie. I took a bus to Tennessee, and her parents placed their trust in me. They trusted that I would take care of their first born, that I would love her, cherish her, and never forsake her. They trusted that allowing her to leave home and move to Miami to be with me was not a mistake. Fast forward to June 7th, 2009...Stephanie Marie Diago became Stephanie Marie Saavedra. This was and is the greatest day of my life. I knew on June 23rd, 2007 that I was having dinner for the first time...with my wife. From that day on, all my actions were made with that goal in mind.
My point is this folks: goals give our day to day actions a purpose, a meaning, and significance. Who wants to just float through life without ever accomplishing or achieving anything? Set goals, strive for excellence, and walk the straight and narrow path in order to achieve those goals. Set daily goals, weekly, monthly, yearly, and major life goals. I want to own a house in the next 5 years. I want to have my first child in the next five years. I want to be the youngest director of this company in the next 3 years. Those goals are all attainable for me, as long as I put in the work to make them possible. I am confident in my abilities. You're goals may be as big as curing cancer, or as small as getting an A+ in your Physics quiz tomorrow. The point is, set them because they honestly do give you more desire to achieve them. If you just go into that quiz with no stated goal, you won't be as motivated. It sounds dumb, but it's true.
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)