Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

From Allen James' The Journey: A Calendar Book for July 30th we receive a tidbit of advice which carries much weight when applied to our journey to personal success.  Tom Peters, an American writer on business management practices, and best known for his book, In Search for Excellence, writes:

"Under promise, over deliver" (Peters, 1982).

All too often, both in our personal and professional lives, we do just the opposite of Tom Peter's recommends; we over promise and under deliver.  I had a student (Cody) a few years ago who was very interested in going into radio broadcasting.  I hooked him up with a student (Ray), whom I had had as a student some 30 years ago who had gone into the field himself and been successful for over 20 years, in hopes of Cody gaining some job shadowing experience.  I asked Ray,  "If you have one piece of advice for Cody to find success in the field, what would it be.  Ray words were inspirational, "Never say no".  He told Cody if he was ever asked in an interview or on the job if he could do this or do that, always say yes, even if he didn't know how to do it, say "yes", then go learn to do it before you have to.

Kinda scarey to me; over promising, then risking not being able to deliver at capacity.  However; the "real world" of work is so much of the time not represented accurately in the "educational world".  Much of what we use "on the job" is gained after we are employed, most employers most concerned with good communication skills and good critical thinking skills.  Employers would rather teach employees the skills needed to "do" the job themselves.

Be wary of touting your skills/abilities to the extreme.  As with most aspects of our lives, it is a very critical to find the "sweet spot" where balance is found; as in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, what is "just right" for our personal success.

Tom Peter's wise words are worth taking note of....keep looking up.  : )   AJ

Learn more about Allen James and his mission of personal success and positivity, browse/preview and purchase any of his publications at:

www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961 or
www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks