Category: Guidelines

Here are my guidelines for to be successful in at work. These are what I try to follow every day.

• Be present – To be present means mentally as well as physically. To be present is to be at work to work, to do the job you are paid to do. It is not just being there physically. Being present means that work is first in thought with on the job. It means to not be thinking about home, vacation, former partners, surfing the internet or participating in social media. To be present means to be at work mentally.
• Be focused – To be focused is to understand what needs to be achieved that moment or day. To do the things that matter most in helping the company succeed. To be focused is to achieve objectives and tasks. Being focused mean to stay on task when everything around is pulling I many different directions.
• Be organized – To be organized means that priorities and tasks are understood, required materials and resources are available and locations known, schedules are laid out, well planned and communicated. Being organized might be the most difficult.
• Do your best – No one can ask another to give more than their best. Your best might not be good enough all the time, however no one can find fault if you honestly give your be effort to everything you do. Afterall, the employer did not hire you for mediocre work. You were hired for your best and that is what should be given
• Be confident – You were hired to do a job. That means someone believed you were capable of doing it. So, believe in yourself and do it.

Here are a few simple guidelines for living. Some you have likely heard before. These have my spin and hopefully provide some perspective.

• Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me…Words may sting the emotions. But they never harm me physically. I can walk away from most situations.
• No matter where I go, there I am… I can’t hide from who I am. I cannot run from myself. I am who and what I do. I accept it. I embrace it.
• The world is small…With the inventions of automobiles, planes and the internet you can travel to almost any place in the world. You can get there quickly. Use the tools wisely.
• Life is short… Live it to the fullest. Enjoy. Live well. Have fun.
• I have never met a person I did not like…Though I have come to know a few. I have found that most people have good intentions. I may not agree with them, it is not required. I do respect their opinions. Don’t make it personal and we will be fine.

One of the most valuable guidelines is understanding how to treat people well. I have met many who do this well, unfortunately, I have also met many that need to read this and learn. I had a mentor that used to say, “I’ve never met a person that I didn’t like…Though, I have come to know a few.” My belief is that this is because there a people that don’t treat others well.

If you follow these guidelines, things should go pretty well. There will always be some challenging people and interactions, but my hope is this will help us be part of the solutions and not part of the problem.

1. Follow the Golden Rule which is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat no one worse than you would expect to be treated. This solves a great many issues and concerns.
2. Follow the Platinum Rule which is treat people the way they want to be treated. Most would like to be treated with kindness and respect, though not all. Typically, we can recognize how people want to be treated by observing how they treat others.
3. If you meet some one who behaves as if they would like to be treated poorly…Refer to #1. Treat no person worse than you want to be treated, no exceptions.

Gift giving is super fun. Here are my guidelines for giving gifts….

• The greatest gift is my time. If you spend time with you it is because I like you and believe you add value to my life.
• Gifts are earned. Never deserved. People who participate positively in my life earn gifts.
• Gifts are not always material. Referring back to my time.
• Gifts are to be enjoyed. Give gifts only to those who appreciate them

We all buy gifts for a variety of reasons: birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. These are my guidelines for buy gifts.

• Pay cash – DO NOT buy it if you cannot pay cash for the gift you are purchasing.
• Useable – try to make the gift something that will be used.
• Thoughtful – it is always good to put thought in to the purchase of a gift.
• Recipient – consider the recipient and would they want the gift.

Setting goals is one of the easiest things to do. Achieving or completing goals, not so much. Let’s recognize that what we want is to stretch ourselves just a bit. Here are my guidelines.

• Use the S.M.A.R.T. method for goal setting
  • Specific – it is understandable, nothing ambiguous.
  • Measurable – you can measure progress or what’s lacking.
  • Attainable – it is something YOU can do and control.
  • Realistic – it needs to be sensible.
  • Timely – it has date/time to be achieved.
• Write it down – put it on paper or somewhere that you will see it. It helps to have the reminder.
• Track your progress – keep records or score of your efforts to accomplish your goals/objectives.
• Share it – Tell others what your goal or objective is. If you don’t then it is a secret. Friends and family cannot support a secret.