Business Marketing Magazine Summer 2017 December 2015 The best of 2015 | Page 35

the time of this story the average wage for a
worker as $2 a day, so Charles Schwab was
so impressed with this simple (but not easy)
concept that he paid Lee $1000 a minute for
the time it took to introduce the idea! And
yes the idea works today! Follow it and see
– and stay focused so you avoid distraction.
Dr. Covey taught a simple concept; that we
should focus on making the main things,
the main things! It’s not necessarily easy,
at least at the start, but as we accomplish
more and more we can then say ‘NO’ to interruptions that damage our focus.

Execution

It’s been said that a ‘B’ plan, or even a ‘C’
plan that is properly executed is better than
an ‘A’ plan that isn’t!
Execution is about getting the right things
done…on purpose! Execution powerfully
transitions clarity and focus into action so
that the expected results become reality.
The lack of proper execution is the downfall
of almost every failed company! Most companies have good ideas, even great ideas –
but they do not execute to fruition.
Execution is the implementation of Habit 1
of the 7 Habits, Proactivity. Be proactive –
but be proactive with the right things, otherwise you’re the farmer in the above story,
wheels constantly spinning – but the fence
isn’t getting fixed!
It’s a fact that it’s impossible to implement
each and every good or great idea that we
have, or that our co-workers might have.
We must execute the right things, the most
important things or our accomplishments

will be nothing but average (bottom of the
top, top of the bottom – cream of the crap!)
In the whitewater world we live in, most
companies, families, groups, organizations
– are bombarded with initiative overload!
The byproduct is frustration IF these entities attempt to implement every good idea.
That certainly doesn’t mean that you want
to remove your suggestion box, or discredit
ideas that could help make the entity better.
The more the merrier, and input from employees should be appreciated and solicited,
but the mentality should be known from the
bottom of the organization to the top that
only the cream of the crop will become an
implemented initiative.
As Stephen R. Covey said, “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and
have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly,
unapologetically – to say no to other things.
And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.”
Good luck with your new best friends – and
be patient with yourself, it takes a long time
to develop good new habits.