Month: October 2015

10 Rules for Career Success according to Richard Koch

October 28, 2015

Kennesaw, GA – Richard Koch is a Brit that I have written about before. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Koch

“Everything you want should be yours: the type of work you want; the relationships you need; the social, mental, and aesthetic stimulation that will make you happy and fulfilled; the money you require for the lifestyle that is appropriate to you; and any requirement that you may (or may not) have for achievement or service to others. If you don’t aim for it all, you’ll never get it all. To aim for it requires that you know what you want.” – Richard Koch

This post is written for a special person who will know that this article is for them.

80-20 Principle Book Cover

Here are his 10 Rules for Career Success

  1. Specialize.  Develop core, niche Skills
  2. Choose a niche you enjoy.  Become an expert
  3. Knowledge in your niche IS power
  4. Identify and fanatically serve your best customers.
  5. Identify the 20% Effort that brings the 80% Results.
  6. Seek and Learn from the very best.
  7. Find Self-employment early in your career.
  8. Employ as many NET value creators as possible.
  9. Outsource everything but your core skills
  10. Exploit capital leverage and manage costs

Good luck with your career.  Let me know if I can help in anyway.

#nCourageXcellence

Julius “Dr. J” Erving: Meeting A Childhood Idol Who Didn’t Disappoint

October 22, 2015

Dr-J-photoMarietta, GA – Meeting Julius “Dr. J” Erving (February 5, 1980)

My dad came home one winter night when I was a junior in high school and said that he wanted to take me and my best friend, Tim Foster, to Indianapolis to see Julius “Dr. J” Erving play against his old nemesis, George McGinnis of the Pacers in a classic match-up of 2 former ABA teams.  It was snowing that weeknight and the crowd was  sparse.  There were maybe 5,000 fans because of the snowstorm.  On the court, Dr. J did not disappoint in the overtime win, although it was almost the end of his wonderful career. Watch it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3_1hZDi-qw

After the game, my dad took us boys down to the arena floor where Julius and teammate Bobby Jones had assembled the young fans. They spoke to us for over 30 minutes about making life goals, getting an education, and doing the right things to be successful in life.  They also shared their testimony how Jesus Christ had changed their lives and made them whole beyond the basketball floor.  Julius opened up his gym bag and gave away his sweat bands, shoe laces, and practice shirts.  He was a real class act.  Tim and I were in awe to meet not only a NBA legend and All Star but the same man whose poster we both had on our bedroom walls.  Tim played basketball at Lockland High and I played at Landmark Christian in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better, it did.  Julius and Bobby were staying overnight with the team in a hotel next to the arena and they invited Tim and me to join them in the lobby to talk some more.  My dad, Tim and I walked through the falling snow over to the hotel and sat with two NBA All Stars. We talked about life for another 30 minutes until Julius excused himself to get some dinner before turning in for the night, as the team would be leaving the next morning.  Bobby Jones and Julius were such professionals and both treated Tim and me with such respect, compassion and warmth.

When I speak and write about someone who Encourages Excellence, Julius Erving is one of those professionals who talks the talk and walks the walk.  He has had trials and personal tragedies.  But I believe his faith and inner strength has lifted him up to be someone we can be proud of.  My life was impacted by his encouragement and I will never forget it.  Thanks, Doc.

Bobby Jones NBA#NcourageXcellence

Know It All – How asking better questions will make you more intelligent

October 15, 2015

15597956-Business-person-standing-against-the-blackboard-with-a-lot-of-data-written-on-it-Stock-PhotoMarietta, GA – To continue growing in your selected field of study or career, you must develop the habit of learning and stretching your mind to learn more.  Adapt and overcome limitations with constant curiosity and good questions.  Read something about your career every day and look for learning opportunities to apply your knowledge by asking questions.  Basic rule is, “Don’t let your mind get stale.”

 

In true EvE (Effort v. Effectiveness) fashion, here are 10 things that will help you get started.

Just stack these 10 items in order of importance to you and attack the top two first:

  1. Never discourage curiosity. Data is gathered in many ways.
  2. Seek answers every day. Overcome your fear of not knowing something.
  3. Make problem solving fun not boring
  4. Find information to apply when others see roadblocks
  5. Mind sharing with others, always be open minded
  6. Exercise your mind, always be learning
  7. Practice conscious decision making
  8. Have fun helping others by sharing your knowledge with them.  Be a mentor
  9. Research and read something about work topics or classwork everyday
  10. Set goals and objectives to ask more questions and seek more answers.