Achieve More Doing LessWritten by Cyndi Smasal
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as signature box is included.Thanks, Cyndi Smasal Word Count: 310 words at 65 characters per line ================= Achieve More Doing Less (c) Cyndi Smasal The secret of achieving more with less is found by using 80/20 principle. The 80/20 principle demonstrates difference between efficiency and effectiveness. It emphasizes effectiveness that can be gained through simplicity. For example: * 80 percent of what you achieve at work comes from 20 percent of time you spend working. * 20 percent of a company's products usually account for 80 percent of its sales. And 20 percent of its employees contribute to 80 percent of profits. * 20 percent of criminals account for 80 percent of crimes. * 20 percent of motorists cause 80 percent of accidents. * 20 percent of your carpets get 80 percent of wear. * 20 percent of your clothes will be worn 80 percent of time. * 80 percent of traffic jams occur on 20 percent of roads. * 20 percent of computer users purchase 80 percent of software. Need to make money in your business NOW? Determine which 20 percent of your customers are producing 80 percent of profits. Now focus on keeping them happy and increasing amount of business you do with them. Tap into them for referrals because these are obviously satisfied customers.
| | Face your FearsWritten by Lisa Martin
Fear can be broken down into three categories: real (healthy), imagined (thought-based) and worry. Although fear can get in your way by interfering with your hopes, dreams and desires; fear is not always a bad thing. Admitting you’re afraid of something can be quite enlightening. It gives you a chance to assess what is holding you back. Real Fears Protect Let’s look first at “real” fear—that is, fear or concern that’s based in reality and that you must look at and evaluate rationally to maintain your physical, emotional or spiritual health. This kind of fear often acts as nature’s warning signal. There are definitely times when we are fearful of pursuing our hopes, dreams and desires for some very good reasons. Feeling “afraid” to start your own business when your financial reserves are lacking is a healthy fear. Your intuition is sending you signals to get your financial house in order before embarking on a new venture. Imagined Fears are Obstacles On other hand, imagined fear is not healthy. When our fear is basically in our heads, it can be unreasonable and paralyzing. Imagined fear needs to be examined very closely. Is what you consider a reasonable fear really a rationalization or an excuse for not trying. Do these sound familiar? “I’m too old to do something new.” “It will take too long.” “I won’t be any good at it.” “People will laugh.” Most imagined fears are outcome-based—in other words, source of fear is attached to an end result or how things may turn out. Two of our most common fears—of rejection and failure—are both are deeply connected to an outcome. However, if you spend all your time fearing an unknown outcome, you will never move forward. When you detach from outcome you release fear and give yourself opportunity to enjoy process.
|