We all make mistakes.
The important thing, as everyone says is, we should learn from them.
Once something has happened, don’t dwell on it. Understand why it happened and work on what could prevent it from happening again.
But most importantly, focus on the solution.
How can it be fixed. Then you won’t be as scared to make mistakes.
When was the last time you wanted to do something, but were scared?
We all are. To be honest, there are many time we just don’t do it due to a worry it may go wrong, it won’t be the correct way, etc…
We then either leave it, get someone else to do it or just keep thinking…
If you want to do something, should you? There could be factors that are preventing you, but once you know those factors….
We are often faced with difficult situations where we have to learn a new way of working, a new method or a new process.
We hear that AI is going to take over our jobs.
Who knows?! But what we do know is that we should continuously learn new skills. Might seem hard at first…
So recently, I was on holiday and took the opportunity to read a book.
The book I read this summer was called, Never split the difference.
It was a great ready! Thoroughly recommend it.
The reason why I like it so much was because Chris gave some wonderful examples, he shared stories of successes but also failures! (you don’t have many people do that.. and then finally, it really did teach me something about empathy!)
So today’s thought is… make sure you’re equipped with the skills needed to negotiate.
Yesterday, I was talking to my team member about some work we are doing and I made the comment.. ‘slowly but surely’.
Now, for those who know me, I love the old Brian Clough quote, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I wasn’t on that particular job”. That’s very much me… but then on the other hand, there’s only so much you can do with what you have control over. It’s all about control.
So today’s thought is centred around doing what you can do, little by little, with the control you do have.
Know your worth. It’s important you believe in yourself and you know what your worth is.
Everyone has value.
Everyone can contribute.
Everyone has a skill.
Surround yourself where you can shine and prosper. You’re not a tree…. Move.
Many folks, really read into what other people think and say about them.
Whilst your reputation is critically important for success, there is an element of what they know about you. Do you advertise certain fact? Do you correct people immediately?
It’s not a matter of you correcting people – but it’s a matter of you knowing how much you want to disclose. How much it matters. It’s not for someone to say, ignore them all – that’s not entirely practical. But it is up to you, how much content you want to share…
What do you enjoy doing?
Watching football?
Playing games?
Eating food?
Whatever you enjoy doing… do it! (And there can be monetisable opportunities). But do it with some passion also. I’ll explore in another blog post of mine about a book I recently finished called, Tuesday’s with Morrie. Great book.
But for today’s Friday Thought… it’s from Gary V, and he puts it quite simply…
My Friday Thought is based around value.
Do you know your worth and value?
So the book continues and fair play to Arnold… it’s a decent read!
A relatively short chapter but nevertheless, a very important one. As you can guess, it was all about selling. Not selling yourself as such – but there is an element of that, but selling what you represent, what you stand for and included in that, your vision.
So the story Arnold tells is about body building. Again, you’ll have to read the book to learn about his story.
For me… what I took away was the element that people may or may not fully understand your vision. Understand what you stand for. Understand clearly where you want to get to.
This is where the sell, sell, sell part comes in.
Depending on what you’re doing. How you’re doing it. And the amount of success you’re having, you have to sell yourself, your trade, your work… whatever it is that you do. And sell it in a way that people want more!
I remember when I was at Kodak, and I wanted to become a chartered engineer. So I had to fill in forms, do lots of work etc… but I wasn’t selling myself. And I remember clearly my mentor at the time saying… ‘Bal, you have to write I did… not we’. That’s stuck with me since. I’m very clear and intentional that if I do something.. then I did it. Not just to get the applauds but if it goes wrong, then the buck stops with me… and my team is not to blame. Yes there’s times where it’s a team effort so it’s a ‘we’.
Have a look at your vision… work through the chapters and now, tell me honestly, are you able to sell it?