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Copyright 2002 Bobette Kyle. All rights reserved.

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5 Lessons from a Long Shot. A Heartening Belmont Victory. by Bobette Kyle

Like many, I watched Belmont Stakes hoping to see first Triple Crown in 24 years. Instead, I saw 70-1 long shot, Sarava, appear from nowhere to win. We should take heart from this unlikely victory. As small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs, "big shots" often see us as long shots - worth a cursory notice, but rarely more.

As I listened to trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Edgar Prado after race, I realized their win was not a fluke. Victory was result of several intelligent actions and decisions. Apply these same actions consistently, and you can win your own "Belmont Stakes":

1) Learn from your mistakes.

Just before Belmont, Ken McPeek was fired as Harlan's Holiday's trainer (The "better" horse.). Instead of becoming bitter, McPeek learned a lesson from experience. He analyzed his past actions and took steps to improve. As a result, he brought Sarava in days early so horse could get a feel for track. After race, it was noted that all of top three Belmont finishers had trained on track days before race.

We have all been criticized for our performance, actions, or ideas. It is easy to become defensive, blame others, and dismiss criticism as off base. Next time, when you receive a criticism or suffer a set back, use it as a learning opportunity. Look for grain of truth in criticism or figure out what you could have done differently and take action to improve.

2) Have faith in yourself.

Most commonly it is up to secretaries and office personnel to keep office running smooth, efficient, and not waste time or money. Yet many sales people don't have this luxury.

Try 10 tips below for one month and see what a difference your life and work will take on.

1. Right now get out your calendar and PEN in one hour of time every Friday for next month to work on ONLY those tasks that you need to do or want to do

2. Make a list of all things that seem to get out of control or piled up during week and figure out or discover a different system. Yours isn't working or you wouldn't be reading this.

3. Get my 5 W's of Organizing, a TEASER, and a TICKLE by downloading your copy from http://wwwoverhall.com/products.htm Read and follow steps now and anytime things get out of control.

4. Buy a tickler file or make one yourself (I tell you how at http://www.overhall.com ickler_file.htm )

5. Keep all "jobs" you're working on (or call backs) in your tickler stand or file drawer of your desk. Put job away when you're finished working on it for day. Better yet, schedule next time you will work on job and file it in your tickler for that date.

6. To ensure you don't have interruptions come in early or stay late. Yes you can do this if you really want to shine and be successful.