Message #449
Monday, October 8, 2001
"When a finger points at the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger."
Chinese proverb
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S MESSAGE:
What you do in your spare time is an important factor in your success. There's always something to do -- even if you're caught up with your work -- even if you have only 15 minutes of free time -- that will help you reach your goals.
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There’s a young man I know -- someone I’m mentoring -- who has great potential but no obvious advantages. He doesn’t have a good education, has no money to speak of, and has only one serious connection -- me.
He has good natural talents, a solid mind, a good attitude, the willingness to work hard, and good values.
He’s a great prospect, in short, and might accomplish very wonderful things. But there’s one very important thing he needs to do. And that’s the subject of today’s message.
He fills up his spare moments by surfing the Internet or engaging in similar amusements. I’ve caught him doing so, and so has his supervisor. There’s nothing terribly wrong with that, one could argue. He accomplishes the tasks he’s assigned. He works extra hours when asked. He doesn’t complain.
But for him -- and his future -- it’s a shame. Because each of those spare moments presents an opportunity for him to move himself forward. Each is a chance for him to learn something new, refine a valuable skill, or make a new contact.
Whether he realizes it or not, this young man is competing against others who are about his age, have similar skills, and earn similar incomes. From the perspective of his employer and future employers, his value will grow or diminish relative to the rest of these people. To the degree that he can exceed them, he will become more valuable and his income and his opportunities will expand. If he slips behind -- and he surely will if he gives up too many of these spare moments to fooling around -- he will gradually be thought of as just ordinary -- and eventually will be expendable.
We are all busy. We all have the burden of multiple responsibilities. But success is derived from your behavior. And how you act when you have spare time is a crucial part of it.
Every 15 minutes invested in your future is a deposit that will grow and compound over time. It may not seem like a big deal now -- whether you spend that time surfing the Internet or updating your Rolodex -- but in the long run it will make all the difference in the world.
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ARE JOB-HOPPING DAYS OVER?
According to a nationwide survey of 2,600 people that was sponsored by Randstad North America, an Atlanta-based staffing firm, job-hopping is out and stability is in. About 51% of the respondents said they're looking for one company to commit to long term. Randstad's Gretchen Guender commented on the results of the survey by saying, "Generation Xers are becoming older. They're having children, buying houses, and paying mortgages. What's important to them is supported by having a career and a steady paycheck."
The survey also pointed out a lack of responsibility for their own careers amongst Gen Xers that I find very disturbing. Nearly 59% said it's up to their employers to figure out their special talents and skills -- and 79% expect their bosses to make sure they get the promotions and raises they deserve. (Remember what we said in Message #425. It's up to YOU to make sure your company takes care of you.)
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WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MAKING MOVIES
Good Actors Are Worth Their Weight in Gold
Contrary to the thinking I've heard expressed by some, actors are much more than chess pieces that directors move where they will. A good actor can make your mediocre line come to life. A bad actor will make the bard doubt himself.
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"Insensate" (in-SEN-sate) means several things. Cold and cruel is one denotation. As such, it means, literally, "without human emotion." Less often, it is used to identify someone without judgment, a fool. You occasionally hear it used synonymously with "insentient," which means "without any feelings at all; inanimate."
MMF
Copyright Early to Rise, 2001
* Tuesday's Action Brief: Pop Quiz!