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Peak performers excel in any economy because they make things happen and don’t watch things happening.
Peak performers whether in business, sports, ministry or any other field are committed to constant and never ending improvement. In an environment that is changing constantly and rapidly, improvement is necessary to remain relevant.
So how does one thrive in any economy? The writer of Ecclesiastes recommends sharpening the blade. In his own words, "Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharepen the blade. Thats the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed."
Jim Rohn, a famous success expert says, “Formal education is good and will earn you a living but continuous personal development will earn you a fortune.” This is not an attempt to discount formal education but an expression of the fact that personal development is a pre-requisite for lasting success. 3 out of the 10 ten richest people are college drop-outs, 5 inherited their riches and only two finished college. (Forbes 400 Magazine)How did they do it? Amongst other things they were committed to continuous personal development of their dream and vision.
The first step in mapping a personal development strategy is to take a personal inventory of your skills in relation to the goal/s you want to achieve. This will enable you to map a strategy on books you need to read, seminars you need to attend and any coaching you may require. Coaching is an easy and fast way to increase your knowledge from people who are experienced in the field you are looking to improve in. I recommend you interview a couple of coaches for a good fit before settling for one.
Join an association related to your career or business. In America, there is a trade association for every career/profession. Find out if there is a local chapter near you and make time to attend the meetings. The meetings are normally monthly with most having an annual convention. I recently joined the National Speakers Association (NSA) to improve my speaking business/ministry and I can’t tell you how much it has helped me improve! If you are a speaker you may want to consider visiting our website www.nsaspeaker.org to look for your local chapter and pay them a visit. The Georgia chapter is www.nsageorgia.com.
After you identify an association you wish to join, attend a couple of meetings as a guest and see if it will be relevant to your personal developmental goals. After you decide to join, make sure you make time to attend the meetings! It is amazing how many people sign up at the gym and only attend a couple of times a year yet their bank/credit accounts are debited monthly and the weight continues to increase. Who is to blame? I wonder! Making time to attend is an intentional adjustment you will need to make in order to grow and benefit from what the association has to offer. You can’t afford not to show up after signing up! Make the time.
Personal development requires a lot of discipline. Not only will you have to make time to show up, you will need to start making changes. I have a special notebook that I carry to my NSA meetings. I take notes at the meeting of the best practices, every good information that is shared that is relevant to what I am doing and of course everything the guest speaker shares. I high light things I need to put into practice and I do so immediately.
Finally, when you join an association, intentionally make new friends! That was for me! I am a super introvert but I am making the adjustment. Thank God at NSA Georgia, we have a program that helps new comers to meet other members. The program has different action steps on meeting the association members who have been there longer. And if one finishes the action steps s/he gets a microphone lapel pin. That program has been tremendously helpful because now when I attend every month with a target of fulfilling two or three of the action steps! Please feel free to contact me if you need more information.
This weekend take an inventory of areas you need to grow and do something about it. Remember the best plan will not work unless you do and with God on your side ALL things are possible!
To your success!
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Please feel free to share your thoughts on my blog at Cafe Excellence
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