One of my favorite quotes is from Edward Deming, the famous
business consultant who revolutionized management theory.
He observed that what we measure and hold ourselves
accountable for, gets done.
Nobody likes being embarrassed by publicly failing to
complete a task. Once we’ve committed ourselves to complete
a task or reach an objective, we HATE falling short. I
think that actually explains a lot of failure, both in
business and in our personal lives.
We hate failing so much we fear to set objective,
measurable expectations. We have dreams or wishes or
fantasies (call them what you will) but we hesitate to set
hard, measurable performance goals.
I see this in talking with people who are "interested" in
coaching. When we interview each other they tell me they
are ready to achieve more than they have in the past. But
when I ask them to describe exactly what they want to
achieve, they often hesitate and then give me a vague
statement about being "more successful."
Unfortunately, success, by itself, is not a thing to be
achieved! Success is a side-benefit of achieving specific,
measurable results. Success is the recognition or wealth we
enjoy after we've completed far more specific (and less
spectacular) tasks.
If you want "more success," it's easy! Just do the things
that achieve the results you desire. I guarantee, success
will follow, but only AFTER you've achieved those more
mundane, measurable results.
business consultant who revolutionized management theory.
He observed that what we measure and hold ourselves
accountable for, gets done.
Nobody likes being embarrassed by publicly failing to
complete a task. Once we’ve committed ourselves to complete
a task or reach an objective, we HATE falling short. I
think that actually explains a lot of failure, both in
business and in our personal lives.
We hate failing so much we fear to set objective,
measurable expectations. We have dreams or wishes or
fantasies (call them what you will) but we hesitate to set
hard, measurable performance goals.
I see this in talking with people who are "interested" in
coaching. When we interview each other they tell me they
are ready to achieve more than they have in the past. But
when I ask them to describe exactly what they want to
achieve, they often hesitate and then give me a vague
statement about being "more successful."
Unfortunately, success, by itself, is not a thing to be
achieved! Success is a side-benefit of achieving specific,
measurable results. Success is the recognition or wealth we
enjoy after we've completed far more specific (and less
spectacular) tasks.
If you want "more success," it's easy! Just do the things
that achieve the results you desire. I guarantee, success
will follow, but only AFTER you've achieved those more
mundane, measurable results.
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