A Guide to Success Pt.2

What an amazing day to sit by the shore working on finishing up this post.

With temps in the mid 70's(f), it was hard to believe it was the first day of spring and not the first day of summer. The birds are busy doing that spring time courting dance that they do and building nest. The flowers are spouting everywhere. Suddenly our yard has pops of yellow in every corner from the daffodils that have sprung up.

It's been an odd "winter" here in Michigan for sure.

Without further ranting about our great weather, I'll pick up where we left off on Monday.


5. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Stop milking the time clock simply because you can.
Start being honest with yourself and everyone else. Don't cheat. Be faithful. Be kind. Do the right thing! It's a less complicated way to live and work. Integrity is the essence of everything successful. When you break the rules of integrity you invite serious complications into your life. Keep life/work simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right.

6. Organize your workspace.
Start clearing clutter. Get rid of stuff you don't use and then organize what's left. Keeping both your living and working areas organized is crucial. If you have a cluttered space, it can be distracting and stressful. A clear space is like a blank canvas, available to be used to create something great.

7. Be efficient.
Stop being inefficient simply because you've always done it that way. If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. Many times we live with unplanned, complex systems in our lives simply because we haven't given them much thought. Instead, streamline your life by finding better ways of handling common task. Focus on one system at a time (your cleaning system, paperwork system, your email system, etc.) and try to make it simplified, efficient and logical. Even if it takes you longer a few times until you find your rhythm. Then once you have it perfected, stick to it.

8. Let things be less than perfect.
Smile every chance you get; not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had planned, but because you choose to be happy and greatful for all the good things you do have, and the problems you know you don't have. You must accept the fact that life is not perfect, that people are not perfect, and that you are not perfect. And that's OK because the real world doesn't reward perfection. It rewards people who get GOOD things done. And the only way to get GOOD things done is to be imperfect 99% of the time.

9. Let go if the needless drama and those who create it.
Never create unnecessary drama, and don't surround yourself with those who do. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you- people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it. Don't walk away from negative people, RUN! Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.

10. Forget what everyone else thinks and wants for you.
To end this guide to success, I'll leave you with the thought that, one of the greatest freedoms is simply not caring what everyone else thinks of you. Their opinion is none of your business. Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and what you want to be. The best thing you can do is follow your heart. Take risk. Don't just accept the safe and easy choices because you're afraid of what others will think, or afraid of what might happen. If you do, nothing will ever happen. Don't let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big. They aren't.

Now, I know by leaving this information in the hands of my employees, I'll be fired. But, they wanted to know, what made me, me. And there you have it. I'm proud of the work that I have accomplished, as is the manager of the store. Sometimes to get it done, I had to be a little unconventional. In the end, I've made running the store simpler for everyone involved. If they'd like that to continue well after I've gone, then this is the things that the staff must know. I hope that it helps anyone who happens across this blog as well.

One other thing that really helps, is this great spring weather. I hope that each of you can enjoy a day like I've had today very soon.