We live in the information age and what you know and who you
know are the twin paths to success. I believe that, and yet
I'm constantly amazed at how little responsibility people
take for up-grading their skills.
Recently, I learned that the garage where I have my car
repaired requires their employees to spend more hours (and
more dollars) per year on continuing education than most
states require for doctors, lawyers, or other professionals.
Think about that the next time you take your car in for
repairs--or the next time you talk with your physician!
I try to "practice what I preach" and this week I'm flying
across the country to spend 4 days with friends and
colleagues to learn more about doing business online. We'll
look at best practices for serving more customers and doing
it better, smarter, faster and easier. We'll have plenty of
time for networking and fun, but the key is that we are
committed to building our businesses by working smarter and
providing better service to our customers.
Periodically I hear frightening accounts of how few books
the average person reads, or how few classes they take after
they leave school. I remember hearing a friend say that if
her employer wanted her to get more education, "they’ll have
to pay me for it." What a tragic attitude!
Increasingly the keys to success are being able to do more,
quicker and better than your competition, and most of the
time that means KNOWING more than the next person. It means
knowing more about language and culture, knowing more about
your industry and having better contacts. It means knowing
HOW to learn, and using that knowledge to your advantage.
As Brian Tracy has said, read the books. Attend the
seminars. Take the classes and expand your world. Jim Rohn
put it this way: "Work harder on yourself than you do on
your job."
To "work less and earn more" you’ve got to know more than
your competitors. This week, sign up for at least one
seminar. Check a book out of the library. Sow the seeds for
your future.
No comments:
Post a Comment