a business plan and then following those steps to start and maintain your business. And don’t get discouraged if your plan doesn’t go exactly as hoped. Rethink it, rework it, and then take action. Otherwise, you’re simply dreaming.
24 Be excellent–every time Mediocrity is easy. It’s what’s most of us do every time we show up for work late and then act as if no one should reprimand us. To be excellent means to show up on time, be committed, and execute. It’s really the only way to accomplish what you really want to get out of life. It takes drive, stamina, and determination; it’s what very successful people do, not as a means to an end, but as a way of life. Dennis Kimbro, a motivational speaker, recently retold the story of when Tiger Woods got off a plane after an exhausting 18 holes. Woods immediately began reviewing tapes of the day’s event. By 5 a.m., he was almost finished when he saw something on the tapes. He immediately called his swing coach and said, “I see something, let’s practice.” He takes 1,000 swings a day to get to peak performance. You may say to yourself, “I’m not Tiger Woods!” But you have to define excellence for yourself. Are you willing to go above and beyond to make your dreams come true? Excellence is about daring yourself to be great and then doing everything in your power to get yourself there.
25 Keep a journal In an era when no one has time, journaling is a way to get to know yourself and what’s really important to you. So get a notebook, journal, or even use your laptop (who said it had to be freehand?) and pour out your thoughts and goals. Also try blogging–writing about anything and everything that suits your fancy–on the Internet. Sites like www.blogger.com let you set up your own diary to type your thoughts out. Journaling is a freeing experience no matter which method you use. Take the time to jot down your thoughts to clear your mind and perhaps uncover some new truths about yourself. So, start journaling today and see how much better you’ll feel.