One of my favorite quotes is from Edward Deming, the famous
business consultant who revolutionized management theory.
He observed that in the end, what we measure and hold
ourselves accountable for, gets done.
Nobody likes being embarrassed by publicly failing to
complete a task, and for most of us, the personal integrity
issue is even more potent. 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" or "want" to achieve more than they have in the
past. When I ask them what they want to achieve, they often
hesitate and then give me a wonderful-sounding but vague
statement about being "successful." Success is not a thing
to be achieved! Success is the result, almost a side-
benefit of achieving specific, measurable results. Success
is the popular acclaim or recognition we enjoy after we
complete far more specific (and less spectacular) tasks.
If you want "success" make more sales than anyone in your
company. If you want "success" win some races or publish a
best-seller. If you want "success," do the things that get
the results you desire. I guarantee, "success" will follow,
but only AFTER you've achieved those more mundane, hard,
measurable results.
business consultant who revolutionized management theory.
He observed that in the end, what we measure and hold
ourselves accountable for, gets done.
Nobody likes being embarrassed by publicly failing to
complete a task, and for most of us, the personal integrity
issue is even more potent. 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" or "want" to achieve more than they have in the
past. When I ask them what they want to achieve, they often
hesitate and then give me a wonderful-sounding but vague
statement about being "successful." Success is not a thing
to be achieved! Success is the result, almost a side-
benefit of achieving specific, measurable results. Success
is the popular acclaim or recognition we enjoy after we
complete far more specific (and less spectacular) tasks.
If you want "success" make more sales than anyone in your
company. If you want "success" win some races or publish a
best-seller. If you want "success," do the things that get
the results you desire. I guarantee, "success" will follow,
but only AFTER you've achieved those more mundane, hard,
measurable results.
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