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July 2008 Being the bestWow...someone's playing with the months and days, I reckon. The calendar's got completely out of control. Any minute now, Geelong'll be premiers again. (Well, you see, I've done the sums and have finally admitted that, for my beloved Demons, it's a mathematical improbability) Anyway, I hope 2008, no matter how fast it's seeming to fly by, is your best year ever. Peter Thurin again, with another random collection of thoughts which might help you on your way to an all-time great year. Until 2009, that is, when we do even better.
In this issue:Continual improvementAs anyone who's ever read my book or listened to my CD or been to one of my seminars knows, the fundamental driver behind blackbeltinexcellence has always been this relentless push for continuous improvement. I ask it of everyone who comes to my presentations, I ask it of all the people close to me whom I'm working with every day, and, of course, I ask it of myself. How can I do what I do better and better? How can I move easily and effortlessly from one belt to another, from white to yellow to blue to red to black? And that's what excellence is all about...being the best YOU can be. I'm guessing you'll never be a Roger Federer, but if you're gonna pick up a racquet, play to the limit of your ability. And who's ever going to match Tiger Woods on a golf course again? But you don't have to be shooting sub-par to be the best golfer that YOU are capable of being. And maybe they won't award you Parent of the Year, but what's to stop you working at being the very best mum or dad YOU can possibly be? And in your workplace? Well, here's the truth: the highest paid, most successful, happiest people in any profession are the ones who strive for continual improvement, who work harder, who put in the extra hours, who read and learn in their chosen fields, and who take such a positive energy into their careers that they just sweep all before them. And how often do you find that those are also the people who are the most generous of their time and their skills, who have such abundant thinking that they are eager to share their knowledge and their expertise. These are the true leaders. They are people who recognise that for the company to be the best in its field, everyone has to be performing at their best, from the CEO to the Director of First Impressions at the front desk and beyond. So lending a guiding hand to someone on their way up is only going to raise the performance of the entire company. And great leaders don't expect anything in return. They're just happy to do something for someone with no thought of reward. Maybe they do it just to make someone else feel special. After all, the real reward for a thing well done is to have done it. That's the thinking of a blackbeltinexcellence company.
It's "Story Time"
I had such a fantastic response to the last newsletter. That was the one headed "What Do You Think". Thanks to all those who became part of the blackbeltinexcellence online community by sharing their stories. (Don't forget, I'm delighted to hear from you, any time you like. The address is comments@blackbeltinexcellence.com.au). The basic thrust of that last letter pointed out that people are the key to any company's success. If you're a leader in your company, listen to your people. Ask them questions, starting with the best question of all, "what do you think". That question has the power to totally transform your company. And that seemed to resonate with many of you. Marion Scheibner, who's in middle management with one of Sydney's leading research organisations, said that she actually sent a questionnaire around to every member of staff (including the cleaners.) with the bold heading at the top "What Do You Think?" They're still going through the responses two weeks later, but she says the suggestions for improvement cover every level of the organisation, from how to keep the staff kitchen healthier to how to market their services way beyond Australian shores. "It was the most amazing exercise to have done, Peter. I can't say enough how glad we all were for the suggestion." Troy at the Freedom Academy has been working hard on our success themes too: "Peter, I'm so unbelievably grateful for this path of life discovery that you put me on. I do understand that I had to want to go down that path for myself, but if it was not for your presentation I would never have even seen the path, so thank you so much again. Because of you I'm a better person every day." It's great you use the 'path' analogy, Troy. Tim Hicks at Taylors Wines says "your program lights up the right path people need to take to achieve their goals, but leaves it up to them to choose this path." I've described myself many times as no more than a catalyst for change. I don't bring about the change. YOU do! But like Troy, first you need to want to go down the path yourself. Then you need to see the path. The function of blackbeltinexcellence is to show it to you. And the other aspect to all of this is that, like in the movie, it's a Never Ending Story. Continual improvement means just that – continual. The story never stops. And I'm also here to tell you that it won't always be 'easy'. The rewards of success, be they financial, personal or even spiritual, come at a price. If success and financial security and blazing performances were easy, everyone would be doing it. But it's work. Great work, fun work, fantastic work, rewarding work, but work nevertheless. But don't worry, the payoff is awesome. As you move from one level of excellence to the next, your self-esteem and self-belief soar. And as they do, there's no challenge you can't tackle head on. And always remember to start with what you can do. There's plenty you can't do (yet), but don't let that stop you. Do what you CAN do, keep doing it better and better, and pretty soon you'll be doing amazing stuff you never thought you COULD do.
Credit's due
Must pay tribute to a couple of our blackbeltinexcellence community who are getting it out there, in quite different ways. Tonia is a young lady I have been working with one-on-one. She's just emailed me to tell me that she's heading off in a brand new career direction, taking with her the success principles she's learned from our sessions. She's decided to become a Life Coach, and get out there actively imparting the disciplines and ideas essential for success to others. It's early days yet, Tonia tells me, but she's in massive excitement mode, and well and truly IN THE GAME. Go, Tonia. And speaking of the blackbeltinexcellence 'can do' mindset, how's this for a story. One of the NAB's senior people, Dale, a father of two, with one on the way, is off to Africa. Not on banking business, but on a mission of mercy. Dale's heading over there with a master plan to help orphans. And how's he going to do it? By lending not just a hand but both hands. He wants to build a village, brick by brick. He's offered his services as a bricklayer. Each in their own ways, Tonia and Dale have both summoned up incredible resources of courage and vision and enterprise. I cannot tell you two guys how proud of you I am, and how glad to know you. Start pressNormally the headline reads "Stop press", but this time, it's the other way round. Just to let you know that my book "Be the Best You Can Be" has completely sold out of its first print run. But the presses are rolling again, and new copies, literally hot off the press, are available once more. You can buy a copy online right here. If you already have a copy, I hope you're dipping into it regularly. My intention with that book was to give you a structure to work to, to lay down tracks for you, to enable you to stay focused on continual improvement, to move from one belt, one level of excellence, to another smoothly and easily. If you don't have a copy, you can pick one up so easily right here. And maybe you could think about buying a second copy. I'm sure the information in the book will help someone else, someone important to you, to do more, be more and have more in their life, just like you. And of course, as always, the best reason for picking up multiple copies is that you'll be directly supporting my favourite kids' charity, ACCYO, the Australian Council for Children & Youth Organisations. Let's all make Australia a safer place for our kids. Until next time, may the weeks ahead be magnificent for you. And don't forget you can email me any time at comments@blackbeltinexcellence.com.au And if you'd like to book blackbeltinexcellence for your next conference, workshop, seminar or success training, you can book me here. I'd be happy to talk to you about awe-inspiring ways I can lead you personally and your company forward into the future with confidence, energy and commitment.
And remember, I'm always happy to work one-on-one with you too. blackbelt in excellence specialises in:
To your success. Be the best you can be. Best wishes, Peter Thurin 61 407 568 416 |
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