Choose your friends carefully!
Last week I decided to “cancel” a friendship I had with a guy (let’s call him Gordon,
for no particular reason) who, over the 12 years I’d known him, had always seemed
to be in a parlous financial state, despite having a succession of reasonably paid sales
jobs.
Worse, he perpetually blamed the Government, the tax-man, his divorce and recently
the economic meltdown for his feeble position and lack of tangible success.
Sometimes, if my day hadn’t quite gone according to plan, I’d found it comforting, in
a strange kind of way, to hang out with someone else whose day, year or entire life
was going even worse.
Problem was, allowing him to sympathise over my occasional disappointments had
saved me the trouble of doing anything constructive to stop the same things
happening again. Even worse, after a half-hour of his desolate diatribes, I would even
find myself starting to buy into his thinking!
Believing as I do that our success is based almost entirely on the attitudes and
behaviours of the people around us, Gordon just had to go.
Inspired by that experience, I’m now spring-cleaning and de-cluttering my whole
address book, exterminating any other Gordons who may be lurking in there
masquerading as worthwhile associates. Try it for yourself, using these 3 simple
criteria –
1: How are they fixed financially? It’s a spooky mathematical reality that if you take
the five people closest to you, add up their salary and divide by five, you’ll have your
annual earnings potential. Don’t tolerate anyone who drags down your average.
2: How much value can they bring to your life? Fruitful and rewarding associations
are about a fair exchange of value, with each party adding to the other’s success. If
it’s all their way, bin them!
3: Do they move in circles you’d like to penetrate? If they operate at a lower level
than you do and never venture out of their discomfort zones, they’re unlikely to be
capable of improving your life.
After you’ve ruthlessly culled your contact list, get to work on those you decided to
keep, and resolve to spend a lot more time with them. That shouldn’t be difficult if
you’ve done it properly; because there won’t be too many names left…
Have a question you'd like Jon Cooper to address? You can submit it by either adding a
comment to this post online or by e-mailing it to jon@jupiterdawn.com
Showing posts with label positivity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label positivity. Show all posts
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Lessons from a 'Nam Vet'
The Stockdale paradox is a recipe for long-term survival
I’ve been reading an inspirational biography by Admiral Jim Stockdale, who was the
highest ranking United States military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war
camp during the height of the Vietnam War.
He was tortured repeatedly during his 8-year incarceration, yet maintained the
respect of the military prisoners still under his command, whilst trying to ensure
that the highest number of them survived their unthinkable ordeal.
Stockdale established rules allowing his men to reveal certain information after a
given level of torture, understanding that no-one can withstand pain indefinitely.
He inflicted self-injury with stools and razors, so that his captors couldn’t film him
on video to demonstrate their responsible custody to the outside world.
Reading the book, I was overwhelmed with the sense of desperation and isolation
which he and his soldiers must have felt, and astonished that he was able to keep
his spirits high, and to refuse to be broken.
Interviewed recently, he was asked how he dealt with such incredible hardship, and
more poignantly with not knowing how, when or even if it would all end.
He replied that he never lost faith in the end of the story. He believed that,
eventually, he would be released and be reunited with his family.
He was then asked who didn’t make it. “The optimists”, he replied, coining at once
the concept now known as the Stockdale Paradox.
What he meant was that “those who told themselves, ‘We’ll be home by Christmas’,
were disappointed when Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then
they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter
would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they
died of a broken heart.”
Stockdale finished his interview with a stunningly concise summary of his survival
strategy, and one which I’m sure would be a useful edict with which to get through
the albeit less life-threatening corporate torture wrought by these troubled
economic times.
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never
afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current
reality, whatever they might be.”
Respect to you, Admiral.
Have a question you'd like Jon Cooper to address? You can submit it by
either adding a comment to this post online or by e-mailing it to jon@jupiterdawn.com
I’ve been reading an inspirational biography by Admiral Jim Stockdale, who was the
highest ranking United States military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war
camp during the height of the Vietnam War.
He was tortured repeatedly during his 8-year incarceration, yet maintained the
respect of the military prisoners still under his command, whilst trying to ensure
that the highest number of them survived their unthinkable ordeal.
Stockdale established rules allowing his men to reveal certain information after a
given level of torture, understanding that no-one can withstand pain indefinitely.
He inflicted self-injury with stools and razors, so that his captors couldn’t film him
on video to demonstrate their responsible custody to the outside world.
Reading the book, I was overwhelmed with the sense of desperation and isolation
which he and his soldiers must have felt, and astonished that he was able to keep
his spirits high, and to refuse to be broken.
Interviewed recently, he was asked how he dealt with such incredible hardship, and
more poignantly with not knowing how, when or even if it would all end.
He replied that he never lost faith in the end of the story. He believed that,
eventually, he would be released and be reunited with his family.
He was then asked who didn’t make it. “The optimists”, he replied, coining at once
the concept now known as the Stockdale Paradox.
What he meant was that “those who told themselves, ‘We’ll be home by Christmas’,
were disappointed when Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then
they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter
would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they
died of a broken heart.”
Stockdale finished his interview with a stunningly concise summary of his survival
strategy, and one which I’m sure would be a useful edict with which to get through
the albeit less life-threatening corporate torture wrought by these troubled
economic times.
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never
afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current
reality, whatever they might be.”
Respect to you, Admiral.
Have a question you'd like Jon Cooper to address? You can submit it by
either adding a comment to this post online or by e-mailing it to jon@jupiterdawn.com
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Don't waste this crisis!
Positive thoughts and actions pay off in tough times.
One of my clients asked me today how it is that I’m always “up” and positive about things when so many businesses seem to be running out of steam, laying people off and reporting more pain yet to come.
I replied that there are some unique opportunities in amongst all the chaos. I am too busy working to identify them and using them to improve my life and the lives of others to ever feel down!
I could see he was unconvinced, and he challenged me to come up with 10 reasons why the crunch/recession/downturn isn’t all bad…
1: In a slowdown, it’s easier to see which of your goods and services are relatively unprofitable, and to focus on your core strengths or in developing your next core strength.
2: Many companies have reduced customer service and support staff. If you’re a competitor of theirs, they’ve made it relatively easier for you to impress in your own marketplace.
3: Advertising is cheaper and more accessible. I heard of a radio station offering 5 times the airtime per pound than 12 months ago, and some local free newspapers are desperate for your business at any price!
4: PR exposure is easier to achieve. Most of the media are eager to promote good news about the economy. Make a big noise if you’ve won a new order, opened a new site or similar.
5: Business supplies are really cheap. Now’s the time to replace the photocopier, stock up on stationery or give the office a makeover.
6: Vehicle leasing and purchase deals are incredibly sharp. That new van or company car has never made more sense.
7: Commercial property values are on the floor. Grab a bargain by purchasing or renting smart new premises you couldn’t have afforded a year ago.
8: It’s a great time to learn how to cut costs intelligently. When the economy upturns, you’ll be more profitable than before.
9: Government assistance is genuinely more available than ever. Check out the Solutions for Business portfolio via Business Link.
10: Recruitment is an employer’s market. Why not strengthen your sales or marketing departments, from a wide choice of potential staff at relatively low cost?
Have a question you'd like Jon, founder of JupiterDawn Consulting, to address? You can submit it by either adding a comment to this post online or by e-mailing it to jon@jupiterdawn.com
One of my clients asked me today how it is that I’m always “up” and positive about things when so many businesses seem to be running out of steam, laying people off and reporting more pain yet to come.
I replied that there are some unique opportunities in amongst all the chaos. I am too busy working to identify them and using them to improve my life and the lives of others to ever feel down!
I could see he was unconvinced, and he challenged me to come up with 10 reasons why the crunch/recession/downturn isn’t all bad…
1: In a slowdown, it’s easier to see which of your goods and services are relatively unprofitable, and to focus on your core strengths or in developing your next core strength.
2: Many companies have reduced customer service and support staff. If you’re a competitor of theirs, they’ve made it relatively easier for you to impress in your own marketplace.
3: Advertising is cheaper and more accessible. I heard of a radio station offering 5 times the airtime per pound than 12 months ago, and some local free newspapers are desperate for your business at any price!
4: PR exposure is easier to achieve. Most of the media are eager to promote good news about the economy. Make a big noise if you’ve won a new order, opened a new site or similar.
5: Business supplies are really cheap. Now’s the time to replace the photocopier, stock up on stationery or give the office a makeover.
6: Vehicle leasing and purchase deals are incredibly sharp. That new van or company car has never made more sense.
7: Commercial property values are on the floor. Grab a bargain by purchasing or renting smart new premises you couldn’t have afforded a year ago.
8: It’s a great time to learn how to cut costs intelligently. When the economy upturns, you’ll be more profitable than before.
9: Government assistance is genuinely more available than ever. Check out the Solutions for Business portfolio via Business Link.
10: Recruitment is an employer’s market. Why not strengthen your sales or marketing departments, from a wide choice of potential staff at relatively low cost?
Have a question you'd like Jon, founder of JupiterDawn Consulting, to address? You can submit it by either adding a comment to this post online or by e-mailing it to jon@jupiterdawn.com
Monday, 16 February 2009
Reading and meeting for a Tremendous Life
Reading and meeting are the keys to a Tremendous life
Like many in business, and with an interest in the success habits of others, I’m an avid reader.
I was reminded again of the power of a well written phrase when I picked up an article celebrating the life of Charles “Tremendous” Jones, an inspirational American speaker, author and life coach who died in 2008.
For six decades he toured the world imparting his wisdom and touching the lives of millions of people, but the one thing he’ll be remembered for above all else is a simple 26-word mantra –
“You are the same today as you will be next year except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.”
It’s a beautifully simplistic view of course, but how true! If you read nothing and meet no-one for 12 months, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be particularly successful.
It’s also a given in that statement that it matters what you read and who you meet. If you read the Beano and meet only the postman every day, you’ll get what you get.
In a life devoted to advancing the understanding of business fundamentals, Jones published nine books, all of which have become reference works of their kind.
I’m about to re-read my copy of his 2 million selling “Life is Tremendous”, still available online and in bookshops.
Peppered with memorable quotes such as “To know what to do is wisdom. To know how to do it is skill”, his output consistently redefined how we should think about generating lasting wealth and happiness.
Like many business icons, he was a passionate philanthropist, and firmly believed not only that to receive anything you first have to give something, but also that giving is simply returning what you owe anyway. “Everything I have was a gift from someone”, he said recently.
Charlie also said that the secret to success is two words – “I will”, as against “I’ll think about it” or “I might”, or (God forbid) “I can’t”.
This year I’m going to follow Charlie’s “Tremendous” guidance. I WILL meet some more exceptional people, and I WILL read some more amazing books. I hope you do too.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com business consulting.
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries.
Like many in business, and with an interest in the success habits of others, I’m an avid reader.
I was reminded again of the power of a well written phrase when I picked up an article celebrating the life of Charles “Tremendous” Jones, an inspirational American speaker, author and life coach who died in 2008.
For six decades he toured the world imparting his wisdom and touching the lives of millions of people, but the one thing he’ll be remembered for above all else is a simple 26-word mantra –
“You are the same today as you will be next year except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.”
It’s a beautifully simplistic view of course, but how true! If you read nothing and meet no-one for 12 months, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be particularly successful.
It’s also a given in that statement that it matters what you read and who you meet. If you read the Beano and meet only the postman every day, you’ll get what you get.
In a life devoted to advancing the understanding of business fundamentals, Jones published nine books, all of which have become reference works of their kind.
I’m about to re-read my copy of his 2 million selling “Life is Tremendous”, still available online and in bookshops.
Peppered with memorable quotes such as “To know what to do is wisdom. To know how to do it is skill”, his output consistently redefined how we should think about generating lasting wealth and happiness.
Like many business icons, he was a passionate philanthropist, and firmly believed not only that to receive anything you first have to give something, but also that giving is simply returning what you owe anyway. “Everything I have was a gift from someone”, he said recently.
Charlie also said that the secret to success is two words – “I will”, as against “I’ll think about it” or “I might”, or (God forbid) “I can’t”.
This year I’m going to follow Charlie’s “Tremendous” guidance. I WILL meet some more exceptional people, and I WILL read some more amazing books. I hope you do too.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com business consulting.
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries.
No whine in 2009
No Whine in 2009!
I’ve been isolating myself from pessimists for as long as I can remember. As soon as I feel a negative “vibe” from someone, I always make a mental note to be in a different room next time they’re around.
That particular skill is one I’m calling on more and more these days, as finding people without the doom-bug can be quite tough.
One thing which hasn’t changed with the economic climate is pretty much a fundamental law of the universe. Whether or not you believe some of the more spiritual stuff preached by Dale Carnegie, or in recent publications such as “The Secret”, it will always be an irrefutable fact that you get back what you put out.
If you think negatively, you will get negative results.
Even more obviously, if you say and do negative things at work, those around you will mirror those words and actions, producing a spiral of bad outcomes for your business.
The fact is, thriving in 2009 is far from impossible; here’s my 3-point plan to ensure that you keep your ventures on track when others are falling off the rails.
1. Review which of your goods or services are selling best, and focus on making those even more attractive. Pricing, features and delivery can usually be tweaked if you look closely enough. Conversely, consider dropping whatever isn’t selling well or making you a profit.
2. Use PR to get your message to the market cheaply, and ahead of the competition. Standing out from the crowd as a fashionable, desirable business can cost less than you imagine. Newspapers, TV and BBC Radio offer great opportunities for entrepreneurs to broadcast interesting, recession-busting stories.
3. Banish negativity from your business. If suppliers are talking doom and gloom, agree with them and get better prices and longer payment terms. If customers are whining, find out what it would take to make them happy again. If staff or colleagues are getting you down, re-arrange your office so you don’t have to listen!
In summary, identify the key success factors which made your business great in the past, promote them and focus on them, whilst eliminating waste and negativity.
I know 2009 is going to present some brilliant opportunities; make sure you are set up to grab them with both hands! Merry Christmas.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com - business consulting that works!
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries.
I’ve been isolating myself from pessimists for as long as I can remember. As soon as I feel a negative “vibe” from someone, I always make a mental note to be in a different room next time they’re around.
That particular skill is one I’m calling on more and more these days, as finding people without the doom-bug can be quite tough.
One thing which hasn’t changed with the economic climate is pretty much a fundamental law of the universe. Whether or not you believe some of the more spiritual stuff preached by Dale Carnegie, or in recent publications such as “The Secret”, it will always be an irrefutable fact that you get back what you put out.
If you think negatively, you will get negative results.
Even more obviously, if you say and do negative things at work, those around you will mirror those words and actions, producing a spiral of bad outcomes for your business.
The fact is, thriving in 2009 is far from impossible; here’s my 3-point plan to ensure that you keep your ventures on track when others are falling off the rails.
1. Review which of your goods or services are selling best, and focus on making those even more attractive. Pricing, features and delivery can usually be tweaked if you look closely enough. Conversely, consider dropping whatever isn’t selling well or making you a profit.
2. Use PR to get your message to the market cheaply, and ahead of the competition. Standing out from the crowd as a fashionable, desirable business can cost less than you imagine. Newspapers, TV and BBC Radio offer great opportunities for entrepreneurs to broadcast interesting, recession-busting stories.
3. Banish negativity from your business. If suppliers are talking doom and gloom, agree with them and get better prices and longer payment terms. If customers are whining, find out what it would take to make them happy again. If staff or colleagues are getting you down, re-arrange your office so you don’t have to listen!
In summary, identify the key success factors which made your business great in the past, promote them and focus on them, whilst eliminating waste and negativity.
I know 2009 is going to present some brilliant opportunities; make sure you are set up to grab them with both hands! Merry Christmas.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com - business consulting that works!
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries.
Let them moan!
Let them moan!
Regular readers will know I have a magnetic repulsion to negativity; in particular to anyone who tries to drag me down into their whine cellar with them.
Something happened this week though, which made me think we should be grateful for those people who constantly find things to moan about.
Maggie, one of my clients in the contract catering industry was waiting for a call from a big potential customer after she’d put in a rather large tender. Sure enough, the phone rang and her contact at this firm asked her how she was. Maggie replied in her usual cheery way that she was fantastic and that business was great, thanks! He seemed taken aback by her upbeat mood and when she told him that she had loads of work lined up, so she was now focussing on delivery rather than sales, she heard him take a big deep breath.
“Well”, he said awkwardly, “I was calling to tell you that we had unfortunately decided to go with your competitor on this job”. Maggie hid her disappointment professionally, until the customer continued, “But, you know what? I’ve been dealing with this guy over there who always goes on about how bad things are. In fact he said his firm would give me a discount because of the recession, and to be honest, he always sounded desperate to get the work. Give me ten minutes and I’ll call you back!”
When she picked up the phone a short while later, she was greeted by the same customer confirming that he’d talked to his MD, who’d agreed to give Maggie the whole contract, worth over £120,000 in the next 12 months. He added that the other quote was for around £20,000 less, but they just couldn’t face the prospect of dealing with this miserable guy for another year!
What’s the lesson here? Well, apart from the obvious “People buy from people”, there’s another more subtle message.
If you emit positive thoughts, words and deeds in everything you say and do, you will actively attract success.
In fact, these days, the moaners’ predictions of doom and gloom are far more likely to be self-fulfilling prophecies, and you will, like Maggie, find it even easier to steal their business with a smile on your face.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com business consulting.
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries
Regular readers will know I have a magnetic repulsion to negativity; in particular to anyone who tries to drag me down into their whine cellar with them.
Something happened this week though, which made me think we should be grateful for those people who constantly find things to moan about.
Maggie, one of my clients in the contract catering industry was waiting for a call from a big potential customer after she’d put in a rather large tender. Sure enough, the phone rang and her contact at this firm asked her how she was. Maggie replied in her usual cheery way that she was fantastic and that business was great, thanks! He seemed taken aback by her upbeat mood and when she told him that she had loads of work lined up, so she was now focussing on delivery rather than sales, she heard him take a big deep breath.
“Well”, he said awkwardly, “I was calling to tell you that we had unfortunately decided to go with your competitor on this job”. Maggie hid her disappointment professionally, until the customer continued, “But, you know what? I’ve been dealing with this guy over there who always goes on about how bad things are. In fact he said his firm would give me a discount because of the recession, and to be honest, he always sounded desperate to get the work. Give me ten minutes and I’ll call you back!”
When she picked up the phone a short while later, she was greeted by the same customer confirming that he’d talked to his MD, who’d agreed to give Maggie the whole contract, worth over £120,000 in the next 12 months. He added that the other quote was for around £20,000 less, but they just couldn’t face the prospect of dealing with this miserable guy for another year!
What’s the lesson here? Well, apart from the obvious “People buy from people”, there’s another more subtle message.
If you emit positive thoughts, words and deeds in everything you say and do, you will actively attract success.
In fact, these days, the moaners’ predictions of doom and gloom are far more likely to be self-fulfilling prophecies, and you will, like Maggie, find it even easier to steal their business with a smile on your face.
Jon Cooper is the founder of JupiterDawn.com business consulting.
Email jon@jupiterdawn.com with feedback and business strategy queries
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