TipsForSuccess: Are You to Blame?

Are You to Blame? You cannot succeed if you have ideas like these: "I don't want to make the decisions." "I don't want to make waves." "I don't want to get in trouble!" To succeed in life, you must be willing to stir things up! Cause or Effect You are either at Cause over things or you are at the Effect of things. For example, if a computer problem confuses you, you are at the Effect of the computer problem. As soon as you solve the problem, you are at Cause. If you want to be wealthy, and your income is increasing, you are at Cause. If your income is stuck or decreasing, you are at Effect. If you make steady progress toward your goals, you are at Cause. If you are stuck in a rut, you are at Effect. Therefore, if you do not care if someone blames you for their troubles, you are at Cause. If you worry about being blamed, you are at Effect. "You should not minimize* yourself as CAUSE. It is your greatest ability. "Being blamed sometimes blunts* being CAUSE. But if one's total ambition is to be blameless, the best situation is to get one's name on a tombstone. And it's no fun being dead." -- L. Ron Hubbard (*Minimize = lessen, reduce. *Blunts = weaken, make less effective) Who Blames You? If someone blames you for a mistake or a problem, you might decide to be at Effect and try to hide. You want to keep out of trouble. You blunt yourself as Cause. For example, a shoe sales clerk named Mary had an upset customer. He wanted a refund for a pair of shoes that did not fit, but the shoes had scuff marks on them. So despite store policy, she gave a refund to the customer. She decided it was the right thing to do. When Mary's boss saw the shoes, he said, "You idiot! You know it's against store policy to pay refunds for worn shoes! I'm taking the refund out of your check." Mary decides, "I'm never making a decision again!" She blunts herself. She stops being at Cause and becomes a clerk who never makes decisions. The next day, another customer asks for a refund for his slightly-worn shoes. Mary says, "I'm sorry sir, but store policy won't allow me to give you a refund. See here? The bottoms of the shoes are scratched up." The customer says, "But they don't fit! I can't wear them! Here, give them to the homeless." He starts to walk away. Mary decides the store policy is wrong and she's not going to be Effect. She says, "Sir, wait. Never mind. I'm giving you a refund." She feels good. She is at Cause. Mary then walks up to her boss and says, "I gave another refund. It's the right thing to do. Go ahead and take it out of my pay." Her boss is shocked! He says, "I will!" But then he thinks it over. The next day the boss finds Mary and says, "You know, I thought it over and I think you're right. We should give refunds for shoes that don't fit. After all, we're supposed to help them find their correct sizes. I'll talk to the General Manager about changing this policy." Recommendations 1. List the things you would do if you had no fear of blame. 2. Take the easiest item on the list and rise to Cause. Do it, say it, stand up and take the action! 3. Do the next easiest item on your list and so on. Soon, you will find it's okay to take risks and, when necessary, accept the blame. If you do not worry about being blamed, you do not blunt yourself. You are at Cause!    Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.     Copyright © 2013 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Sign up or learn more about TipsForSuccess at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

TipsForSuccess: Negative Emotions Make You Fail

Negative Emotions Make You Fail Pete, the new Sales Manager of ABC Autos, was yelling at the salespeople to do better, but with no improvement. The company owner, Mr. Christopher, was getting desperate. He sat down with the sales manager and said, "Pete, since you took over the Sales Department, our car sales have been going down. You've got to quit yelling at the salespeople. Our old sales manager never yelled. Please give it a try." Pete said, "Where I come from, you have to yell at the sales people if you want to get sales. Fire me if you want, but I'm gonna yell." Mr. Christopher said, "Okay, I don't care what you do, just get the sales numbers back up this week." So Pete held a sales meeting and screamed, "IF YOU DON'T MAKE AT LEAST ONE SALE THIS WEEK, YOU ARE FIRED!" The sales staff ran out and started calling people on the phone. They said things like, "You HAVE to call me back!" "I know it's been six months since you were here, but I need to see you." "Your old car is dangerous; you must come in NOW!" A couple walked in to browse. Four salespeople charged at them. The couple jumped back, mumbled "No thanks" and headed for the door. Another salesperson was blocked the doorway and said, "Did you find what you were looking for?" The couple fought their way out the door and the salespeople went back to their telephones. Emotional Reactions When things don't go your way, how do you react? Some people get more emotional, more reactive. They get frustrated, sad, angry or worse. They react without thinking. Unfortunately, this can make a short-term improvement. This is why bosses will threaten, scream and pound. They don't realize FORCED productivity is slavery and always backfires. In 1971, L. Ron Hubbard wrote: "THE PRIMARY BARRIER TO PRODUCTION IS HUMAN EMOTION AND REACTION." Careers, jobs and businesses fail when emotional reactions take over. Mr. Christopher Hires a New Manager Of course, sales at ABC Autos went from bad to worse and Pete was fired. The owner, Mr. Christopher, decided to run the sales people himself. First, he held a sales meeting with gourmet pizza. They celebrated Pete's departure. Next, he showed the staff how to use kindness and intelligence to sell cars. No more emotional outbursts and reactive behavior. By the end of the week, sales increased and continued to increase each week. Everyone -- managers, employees and the self-employed -- all ruin their productivity and income if they dramatize their negative emotions. Sixty Examples of Human Emotions and Reactions That Hurt Your Income You must remove, control or ignore the following types of emotions and reactions to improve your personal power and performance. They are wrecking your forward progress. Whining, snippy comments, avoidance, the silent treatment, revenge, disrespect, acting up, resentment, moaning, sulking, death wishes, blaming, fear, mocking someone, hate, getting upset, yelling, lump-in-throat sadness, emotional pain, complaining, being grouchy, mood swings, hostility, false sincerity, making someone wrong, political games, jealousy, preaching, overwhelming someone, anxiety, sarcasm, despair, harassment, pretending to be hurt, disagreeing without thinking, giving sympathy, demanding sympathy, getting even, antagonism, terror, being critical, belligerence, exasperation, acting stupid, regret, pity, gossiping, feeling useless, apathy, anger, lying, hopelessness, being stressed out, crying, confusion, sighing, being glum, hysteria, being a victim and cutting off communication. Reaching your goals and succeeding as never before means you need high-level performance. You must be capable of high-volume work. The road to success does not include negative emotional reactions. To succeed, you must shake off the emotional reactions, get focused and get working. Recommendations 1. Lighten up. Stop taking yourself so seriously. Read "Being Too Serious Can Drive You Crazy" at www.tipsforsuccess.org/seriousness.htm. 2. Set goals you can get excited about. Focus on your goals whenever you feel negative emotions. Read "How to Set Goals You Can Get Excited About" at www.tipsforsuccess.org/goals-link.htm. 3. Be stronger using the recommendations outlined in "How to Generate Personal Power and Command of Life" at www.tipsforsuccess.org/personal-power.htm. 4. Take better control of yourself. Use the free coaching tools at www.tipsforsuccesscoaching.org. 5. Improve your mental health. Buy and read the book Self Analysis. Available at http://bridgepublications.com/30-minute-mental-workout.   Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.     Copyright © 2013 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Sign up or learn more about TipsForSuccess at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

TipsForSuccess: Excuses Vs. The Supreme Test

Excuses Vs. The Supreme Test When faced with a difficult situation, you either make up excuses or find solutions. If you prefer excuses, you have low production and stress. If you find and implement solutions, you pass the Supreme Test. "THE SUPREME TEST OF A PERSON IS HIS ABILITY TO MAKE THINGS GO RIGHT." "This, of course, is a rather savage and brutal datum for it thrusts aside all justification, reasonableness, excuses and even does not take into account the size or obstacles of the opposition." "People who explain how wrong it is all going and who have reasons why and WHO AREN'T PUTTING IT RIGHT are the real crazy people in the universe. The only ones crazier than they are, are the ones who are quite happy to have everything fail and go wrong with no protest from them. And the only ones even worse are those who work endlessly to make things go wrong and prevent anything from going right and oppose all efforts instinctively. "Fortunately, there are a few around who DO make things go right in spite of everything and anyone." -- L. Ron Hubbard Examples of Excuses "My car was stolen and I have a cold. I'm taking the day off." "January and February are always bad months because of the weather." "I can't do any other projects right now because I'm switching to a new computer." "Profits are down because the new guy is too slow." "We can't fill more orders until we get a bigger space." "I can't . . . . " "I'm doing my best . . . " "I tried . . . " Examples of Passing the Supreme Test "Even though my car was stolen and I have a cold, I made it to work and will do a great job today." "If we complete the marketing plan, January and February will show a 5% increase." "Give me those projects. I'll get them done while I set up my new computer." "I'll train the new guy on Saturday." "I will find a bigger space by Friday. Meanwhile, let's work faster and add five hours to the schedule." "I will do whatever is necessary. . . " "Nothing will stop me." "I will make it go right." If you want a highly successful career, you make it go right. If you want a successful business or group or department, you make it go right. You never give up, blame others or whine. "Make it go right" applies to any area of your life. If you want a wonderful marriage, you create one despite all failures or obstacles. If you want to be a successful parent, you do the same thing. To succeed in anything, you get educated. You communicate. You get assistance. You face and handle obstacles. You persist until you succeed. What is the biggest problem you have ever confronted in life? If you had to solve that problem or go to jail, what would you do? You would find a way. Ten Tips on How to Pass the Supreme Test 1. Focus your attention into present time. 2. Make orderly progress. 3. Dive into problems. 4. Do not agree with anyone's excuses. 5. Learn more. 6. Take more responsibility. 7. Take better control. 8. Ignore the losses and make the wins firm. 9. Stay cheerful. 10. Persist until you win.    Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.     Copyright © 2013 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Sign up or learn more about TipsForSuccess at www.tipsforsuccess.org.

 

 

TipsForSuccess: Why Proven Ideas Make You Successful

 

Why Proven Ideas Make You Successful George was tired of being broke. Every day was a struggle. "How will I pay my bills? I'm going deeper into debt. I can't afford to buy anything." So George constantly worked on new ways to make money. "If I could invent a new can opener, all my money problems would be over." "Maybe I could sell funny hats on the internet." "If I found some investors, I could open a new underwater restaurant." George had tried manufacturing a razor blade that never got dull, building the world's largest tree swing and selling lamps made of salt. All his new ventures failed. To survive, he worked at McDonald's as an assistant manager. George felt he should solve his money problems with new untried ideas. Unfortunately, unproven ideas are often wrong. Affluence "Affluence* Attainment, consists of . . . Doing the things that won, not new things untried as yet." -- L. Ron Hubbard (Affluence: abundance; wealth) In other words, you cause an affluence, not from new ideas, but from things that have already worked. Even "new" ideas that create wealth are based on several proven ideas. George decides to try out this approach. He asks himself, "What has made me money in the past?" He lists the following: * Sold shoes at a store paid $350 per week. * Sold sunglasses at weekend festivals paid $1000 per weekend. * Bought old cars, fixed them up and sold them. The last car he restored, a 1961 Ford Mustang, earned $1500 profit with two weeks of work. * Working at McDonald's pays $560 per week. George realizes he can go back to his two best-paying jobs immediately: sunglass sales and car restoration. He convinces the sunglass company to give him 200 pairs on credit so he can sell them at an outdoor market that weekend. He then finds a wrecked 1988 Mercedes and makes a deal to buy it for $500, on credit. George quits his McDonald's job. He makes $800 selling sunglasses that weekend. He spends three weeks on the Mercedes and sells it for $4500. George uses old, proven ideas to boost his income. Business Uses When a business sticks to proven ideas, and avoids untried methods, it usually succeeds. For example, the owner of an auto dealership notices his car sales are dropping. His marketing director says, "We need a new TV commercial. Let's use elephants! We've never tried it before. It'll be great!" The smart owner says, "Let's wait on the elephants. Instead, find which of our old commercials worked best. What made our sales jump up?" The marketing director comes back the next day and says, "I hate to tell you this, but our best TV commercial is that one of you wearing diapers and crying. You swore to never show that commercial again." The owner says, "I hate that commercial. Oh well, show it again. In fact, buy twice as many time slots! And schedule the film crew to shoot a new commercial with me in the diaper. I'm really going to cry this time!" Car sales and income jump to new levels. Doing things that won is essential to good business. Copying Good Ideas If you do not have anything that has made you succeed in the past, do things that worked for others. For example, you want a career helping people and making a decent income. You write down the careers of everyone you know. You realize your uncle Jay, who is a dentist, helps a lot of people and makes an excellent income. You take your uncle to lunch and ask how he became a successful dentist. You follow his path As another example, you want a successful marriage and family. You find out who has been happily married for a long time and has a successful family. You learn all you can about what helped them succeed and then copy their success. If you want to succeed in any kind of job or business, interview the people who are succeeding. Find out what worked for them. Use these ideas as they are proven, not untried as yet. Luckily, most successful people enjoy talking about their success secrets and do not worry about competition. Doing things that won for you or others is a reliable route to success. Five Steps to Boost Your Income 1. Make a list of income ideas you are using that are unproven and not working for you. 2. Work out a plan to drop these ideas. 3. Make a list of income ideas that have worked for you or others. 4. Write down how you can use these ideas to boost your income. 5. Once you are earning the income you need, go ahead test new, untried ideas if you like. Just make sure they work before you invest any significant time or money into them.   Provided by TipsForSuccess.org as a public service to introduce the technology of L. Ron Hubbard to you.     Copyright © 2013 TipsForSuccess.org. All rights reserved. Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.   Sign up or learn more about TipsForSuccess at www.tipsforsuccess.org.