The Employers' Association

The Employers’ Association (TEA) is a not-for-profit employers’ association, formed in 1939, with offices in Grand Rapids serving the West Michigan employer community. We help more than 600 member companies maximize employee productivity and minimize employer liability through human resources and management advice, training, survey data, and consulting services.

TEA is in the business of helping people. This blog is intended to address human issues, concerns and the things that impact people - be they self-perpetuated or externally imposed. Feel free to respond to the thoughts presented here, for without each other, we are nothing!

Friday, October 21, 2011

ANTICIPATE AND PLAN TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS




One must closely monitor progress and constantly identify obstacles that could hinder the accomplishment of goals if he or she wishes to succeed. Consider carefully changes to established plans or your current situation before acting, but remember that the worst possible alternative many take is unintentional inaction.

The game of chess requires many of the same thought processes as life – well planned, intentional actions (rather than "knee jerk" responses to temporary conditions) that limit potential repercussions. I remember playing chess with my dad years ago when he asked how I could respond so quickly after he had agonized over a move for nearly ten minutes. I told him he was good enough to know the few moves he could logically make that made sense – and since he reacted in a predictable and rational manner I was immediately ready with another move.

We need to plan our lives in much the same way. An individual will never reach his or her full potential should too much focus be placed upon the path taken rather than the prize at its conclusion. To taste significant success one must start with an expectation of significant accomplishment.

A rather shortsighted fellow once told me, “If you never dream, you will never fail. If you set your bar low, you will never be disappointed.” I would challenge that without an endpoint you will never know when you have arrived. While you may never be lost when you do not know where you are going, you will never know when you have found what you seek without identifying your destination in advance. Life without purpose can be eventful but is rarely satisfying. It may be full of new beginnings but is strangely at a loss for successful “ends.”

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