THINK BIG!

THINK BIG!

February 5, 2014

Recently I read of a recruitment specialist who had been interviewing high school senior students for a junior executive training program. He was saddened to find that these young senior graduates were more interested in the retirement program than the opportunity to excel in a great job.

This story reminds me of experiences that I’ve had at interviewing and hiring for my business.  We operated an excavation company. It was important that we found people that were skilled in operating heavy construction equipment. My evaluation was to make certain that applicants had the skills to safely and productively operate equipment. The first thing I found was that everyone claimed to be an operator and many questioned if we had good retirement and vacation plans.

My father taught me to make sure that I was prepared and was qualified for the job that I was applying for. I’ve always felt that if I had the opportunity to work for a company, I should do the job well. He instructed me to take care of my responsibilities so well that there would never be a discussion of whether I was pulling my weight or if my boss should find someone else to take my place.

Now that I was a boss, you may understand why I was so surprised when someone who was applying for a job has to know first and foremost if I would provide for a paid vacation and that if I kept him working for fifty years, would I provide him with retirement for the rest of his life.

It has surprised me, but I’m very interested in getting these young men aboard and educating them on a different way of thinking. I believe that everyone should be involved in a self-development program. When I say self, that means me improving myself.

When we improve ourselves, we become a valued commodity to ourselves and to our employers. We become leaders among men. When you have improved yourself in every way, your income goes up as well. Your vacations get longer, and the competition to keep you will be greater. If you have developed yourself in the proper way, you will be a gracious, humble person and you will find a way to give of your qualities to everyone around you. Your greatest treasures will be your friends and your associates, and you will be a successful person.

A few tips to remember as you go through life are ideas taken from the book, “Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz, PHD.

1.       Don’t sell yourself short, conquer the crime of self- deprecation. Concentrate on your assets. You’re better than you think you are.

2.       Use the big thinker’s vocabulary. Use big, bright, cheerful words. Use words that promise victory, hope, happiness, and pleasure. Avoid words that create unpleasant images of failure, defeat, and grief.

3.       Stretch your vision. See what can be, not just what is. Practice adding value to things, to people and to yourself.

4.       Get the big view of your job. Think, really think your present job is important. That next promotion depends mostly on how you think towards your present job.

5.       Think above trivial things. Focus your attention on the big objectives. Before getting involved in petty matters, ask yourself, “Is it really important?”

As always, I wish you well in whatever you pursue.

Love you,

Taylor Thayne