CoreCharacter: February 2006 Archives

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Feb28	How Much Money To Make You Truly Rich? John Gratton February 28, 2006 Know More: Goals, I'm Thinking, I'm Thinking, Motivation, Preparation, Self-Discipline, What Do You Want That’s a fair question. Most days, I think if I can get home and buy my kids an ice cream treat on the way, I’m rich. Personally, I used to think a million dollars would be enough – enough for a lot of ice cream, anyway – but now I don’t think so. According to Calling All Bulls, there are 8,900,000 millionaires in the U.S. Wow! In November 2005, MSN Money puplished a poll about how much it took to consider yourself rich, and 11,459 people responded. Here are the results: 3% $100,000 8% $500,000 19% $1,000,000 19% $2,000,000 25% $5,000,000 26% more than $5,000,000 More than half of the respondents thought it takes at least $5,000,000 to be rich. My grandfather said that if you ever get $5,000 in the bank you would be rich. What is your magic number? Jim Rohn says we should earn all we can (and give away all we can). How much are you going for, and what are you doing to get it? And, the big question, why? Posted at 1:06 PM \| Permalink
Feb28	Every Thing And Everything Must Sell John Gratton February 28, 2006 Every thing must sell. Everything from your storefront, to your logo, to your opening line, to the clothes that you wear, must sell Continue Reading Posted at 12:39 PM \| Permalink
	The Way To Wealth John Gratton February 28, 2006 The Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the Way to Market Continue Reading Posted at 10:42 AM \| Permalink
	Chaos And Creation John Gratton February 28, 2006 Talent alone won’t sustain your career long-term, it takes enormous passion Continue Reading Posted at 9:02 AM \| Permalink
	Neglected Virtue Number Seven John Gratton February 28, 2006 Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink
Feb27	Going The Extra Mile John Gratton February 27, 2006 Rendering more and better service than you are paid to render, doing it all the time and doing it with a pleasing, positive attitude Continue Reading Posted at 4:15 PM \| Permalink
	The Last Resort Of The Uninspired John Gratton February 27, 2006 It just seems we all ought to be able to come up with something of more substance in our work and in our tastes for entertainment Continue Reading Posted at 12:40 PM \| Permalink
	What Do You Think? John Gratton February 27, 2006 In many ways, I was a small thinker, a five-gallon guy rather than a man who owned gas stations Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 AM \| Permalink
	Calling All Bulls John Gratton February 27, 2006 I get an intersting e-mail every so often from Ted Harris, Transamerica Investment Management, LLC. The newsletter is named Calling All Bulls, and it is four pages of always interesting facts. For example, from the February 2006 edition: Page 1IRAs... Continue Reading Posted at 9:26 AM \| Permalink
	I’ll Have What She’s Having John Gratton February 27, 2006 If we see someone who has what we want, we should emulate them Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink
Feb25	A Chocolate Bar A Day Keeps The Doctor Away John Gratton February 25, 2006 I saw a commercial last night for Hershey's Special Dark and I thought, "now that looks good" but I remembered that chocolate is a no-no. Then the girl in the ad said something about "antioxidants" and I thought "now why... Continue Reading Posted at 10:14 PM \| Permalink
	Tax Deductions You Don't Want To Miss John Gratton February 25, 2006 If you don't know about a potential tax break, you won't take it. Here are the deductions that a lot of taxpayers seem to forget Continue Reading Posted at 9:45 PM \| Permalink
	Eating For A Sharper Mind John Gratton February 25, 2006 Some edibles are especially good at protecting the brain’s delicate nerve cells and blood vessels from the damage that accompanies aging Continue Reading Posted at 9:22 PM \| Permalink
	Three (Of 18) Tricks To Teach Your Body John Gratton February 25, 2006 These healthy tips are from Kate Dailey at Men's Health. 6. Fight fire without water!Worried those wings will repeat on you tonight? "Sleep on your left side," says Anthony A. Star-poli, M.D., a New York City gastroenterologist and assistant professor of... Continue Reading Posted at 9:10 PM \| Permalink
Feb24	Neglected Virtue Number Nine John Gratton February 24, 2006 These remarks are taken from Standing For Something by Gordon B. Hinckley. The subtitle is: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts And Homes. Optimism In The Face Of Cynicism A sustained diet of negative point of view has serious repercussions.... Continue Reading Posted at 12:02 PM \| Permalink
	Books Are More Valuable Than A Couch John Gratton February 24, 2006 Jim Rohn said that about books. He also said that either you are reading the books that will advance your career or you are not. It’s that simple. The problem with books is they are easy. Easy to get online,... Continue Reading Posted at 11:22 AM \| Permalink
	What Are You Laughing At? John Gratton February 24, 2006 Laughter helps you move away from anger and toward a positive closeness to other people, and positive social contact with others is essential for stress management Continue Reading Posted at 10:52 AM \| Permalink
	Five Barriers To Asking For And Getting What You Want Or Need John Gratton February 24, 2006 Ignorance, erroneous belief, fear, pride and low self-esteem make it hard to ask for what we want Continue Reading Posted at 8:54 AM \| Permalink
	Lege, Lege, Lege, Labore, Ora Et Relege John Gratton February 24, 2006 Read, read, read, work, pray and reread - the alchemists motto, and a pretty good formula for your career Continue Reading Posted at 7:29 AM \| Permalink
Feb23	Check Out Singer On The wsRadio John Gratton February 23, 2006 Listen to Entrepreneur Magazine Sales Show Continue Reading Posted at 12:31 PM \| Permalink
	Make Your Goals John Gratton February 23, 2006 Make your goals your own, what you want, not anyone else. Make your goals significant, more, say, than owning every song Roy Orbison released. Make your goals definite, more specific than “financially independent.” Make your goals difficult, so you will... Continue Reading Posted at 11:32 AM \| Permalink
	Lennon/Marx - Avid Readers (Among Other Things) John Gratton February 23, 2006 “as far as I'm conceived this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've ever ready.” John Lennon (about his first book, In His Own Write) Groucho Marx said, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns... Continue Reading Posted at 10:38 AM \| Permalink
	Stay Out Of The Mud And Don’t Throw Snowballs John Gratton February 23, 2006 There are companies that slop around in the mud and filth, but don’t let it be yours Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink
Feb22	Wow, I Must Be A Force To Be Reckoned With (And Not Just Because I Used The Word Abstruse) John Gratton February 22, 2006 Sometimes we get just a little too full of ourselves, and then lose sight of what we’re trying to do Continue Reading Posted at 3:18 PM \| Permalink
	A Point In Every Direction John Gratton February 22, 2006 “A point in every direction is the same as no point at all.” So proclaims the Pointed Man in Harry Nilsson’s The Point. If we don’t have a single point in mind, a goal, an end result, we have no... Continue Reading Posted at 2:28 PM \| Permalink
	Four Hard Lessons At A Dollar A Day John Gratton February 22, 2006 Teamwork is better, being the boss is better, keeping a job is better, getting paid is better Continue Reading Posted at 11:33 AM \| Permalink
	Self-Discipline John Gratton February 22, 2006 Control your destiny or somebody else will. Jack Welch We all must endure one of two pains: the pain of self-discipline or the pain of regret. Jim Rohn Either we discipline ourselves to achieve our self-chosen goals and ideals, or... Continue Reading Posted at 7:40 AM \| Permalink
	Do Right In An Emergency John Gratton February 22, 2006 Make intelligent decisions to protect your people and assets in an emergency Continue Reading Posted at 7:12 AM \| Permalink
Feb21	It’s Not Really “How Much?” But “What For?” John Gratton February 21, 2006 What do I need and what do I need it for? Continue Reading Posted at 12:22 PM \| Permalink
	Don’t Steal Candy From These Babies John Gratton February 21, 2006 Selling unsuitable products to men and women who are being trained in hand-to-hand combat and the use of deadly force is just plain stupid Continue Reading Posted at 10:16 AM \| Permalink
	To Do A Thing Right John Gratton February 21, 2006 It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong - Longfellow Continue Reading Posted at 9:42 AM \| Permalink
	How Is Your Short Game? John Gratton February 21, 2006 If what you present is more than what you really are, you are likely to fail, and you won’t be happy doing it Continue Reading Posted at 7:36 AM \| Permalink
	Making Money Not Memories John Gratton February 21, 2006 Stop long enough, now and again, to look, to listen, to touch, to taste, to remember Continue Reading Posted at 7:30 AM \| Permalink
Feb20	Neglected Virtue Number Eight John Gratton February 20, 2006 A female coworker dropped her keys, and I handed them back, as anyone would. She looked me in the eye and said “thank you” like I had just jumped in the raging river to save her puppy. I’m sure one... Continue Reading Posted at 1:30 PM \| Permalink
	The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves John Gratton February 20, 2006 I don’t know who thought that up, but it’s perfect. Too often our actions seem directly opposite of what we intend. In a Chris Browne Hägar cartoon, the boy asks his father: “Am I smart, dad?” Hägar says, “Are you... Continue Reading Posted at 9:06 AM \| Permalink
	10,000 Unhappy Customers A Day John Gratton February 20, 2006 US airlines are losing 3.5 million pieces of luggage every year, the worst they’ve done since 1990. I’m no mathematician, but that’s gotta be close to 10,000 suitcases a day. Ten t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d unhappy customers every day. That means that about... Continue Reading Posted at 8:25 AM \| Permalink
	Perseverance John Gratton February 20, 2006 John D. Rockefeller said, “I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.” One of my favorite cartoons is the Wizard of Id by Johnny... Continue Reading Posted at 7:21 AM \| Permalink
	Be A Good Something John Gratton February 20, 2006 Pauline Phillips (aka Abigail Van Buren as “Dear Abby”) once wrote, “If you can’t be beautiful (or handsome), be well groomed, tastefully attired, conscious of your posture, and keep a smile on your face. Be clean in body and mind. If... Continue Reading Posted at 7:03 AM \| Permalink
Feb17	Seven Foods Your Body Would Eat Right Now If It Could Sneak Down To The Kitchen Without You John Gratton February 17, 2006 Here's my list: Chocolate. BBQ pizza. Ice cream. Biscuits and gravy. Sticky cinnamon pecan rolls. Braeburn apples. More chocolate. Hey, one out of seven ain’t bad. Here's an even better list (By Leslie Fink, MS, RD, and nutritionist and food editor for... Continue Reading Posted at 11:48 PM \| Permalink
	Do Do Do Drink The Water John Gratton February 17, 2006 We all know we’re supposed to drink plenty of water, eight glasses a day. It’s like that old “apple a day” thing. Everyone says it, not many do it. But drinking a lot of water seems to have a lot... Continue Reading Posted at 11:40 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Saturday Sidebar John Gratton February 17, 2006 In the long run, health overrides all else, and our commitment to maintaining good health is as vital as any endeavor Continue Reading Posted at 11:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Am I Doing What I’m Good At? John Gratton February 17, 2006 Is what I’m doing today providing the best results for my company, for my family, for my future Continue Reading Posted at 3:07 PM \| Permalink
	My Desktop Displays My Destiny John Gratton February 17, 2006 Keep visual motivations in front of you to stimulate your desire to achieve Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink
	Through The Looking Glass John Gratton February 17, 2006 The bathroom mirror is my favorite place for mottos and quotations. My first was “four point oh or don’t go” back in 1980 when I started college (after finishing high school in 1974 with a 1.9 GPA, which they tell... Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink
Feb16	What's In Your Wallet? John Gratton February 16, 2006 Along with your goals, keep inspirational quotations where you can see them often Continue Reading Posted at 4:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Goal Setting Should Be Automatic John Gratton February 16, 2006 Twenty-five messages into this project, it occurred to me that I’d better set some goals for what I want to accomplish. As I sat down with pen and paper, I was surprised and pleased to find a list of short-... Continue Reading Posted at 12:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Negative Thinkers Never Do Great Things John Gratton February 16, 2006 Negative thinkers never do great things. Bill Francisco Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve. Gordon B. Hinckley The trouble with being in a rat race is that even if you win, you're still a... Continue Reading Posted at 8:31 AM \| Permalink
	Two Moral, Even Sacred, Obligations You Absolutely Must Keep John Gratton February 16, 2006 must must must go immediately when the light turns green, and if you say you will bail out employees who are arrested at work, do it Continue Reading Posted at 7:30 AM \| Permalink
Feb15	What They Don't Teach You At Kickapoo High School John Gratton February 15, 2006 I've read both books you mentioned, and can offer praise for both. In fact, I wish they were part of every student's reading list in middle school Continue Reading Posted at 6:22 PM \| Permalink
	Loan Sharks Set Pace For Morality? John Gratton February 15, 2006 A story in the Washington Post earlier this month, Credit Card Sharks, compared credit card companies to loan sharks, and the loan sharks came out on top. Here are the highlights, and, for the curious, an provocative commentary by Starling Hunter. Loan... Continue Reading Posted at 5:41 PM \| Permalink
	What Do Rich, Successful, Happy, Healthy People Do That Poor, Unsuccessful, Unhappy, Unhealthy People Don’t John Gratton February 15, 2006 If you want to be rich, or successful, or happy, or healthy, find out what rich, successful, happy, healthy people do and do the same things. Continue Reading Posted at 5:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Traffic Cameras Present Moral Dilemma John Gratton February 15, 2006 As a moral issue, I think the controversy itself is immoral, so I propose two solutions that have not been considered Continue Reading Posted at 5:03 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Feb14	How Do You Measure Up? John Gratton February 14, 2006 I came across DRFT Sports Training while researching Michael Jordan. The goal of DRFT – Dave Ruben Fitness Training – is to “improve the overall performance of athletes,” but this Athlete Note could just as easily be talking about you and your... Continue Reading Posted at 1:39 PM \| Permalink
	When Selling Out, Try To Get More Than $3 John Gratton February 14, 2006 Like you, I’m reading about people caught up in crime or scandal, and wonder how it happens. We all flirt with being less than honest sometimes, or settle for something outside our basic beliefs, and it just builds from there.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:54 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	My Bike, My Business, Three More Similarities John Gratton February 14, 2006 Don't take stupid risks, become stronger, set frequent goals Continue Reading Posted at 8:41 AM \| Permalink
	Track Your Activity, Capture Your Past John Gratton February 14, 2006 If you want to remember, write it down Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 AM \| Permalink
Feb13	Neglected Virtue Number Two John Gratton February 13, 2006 Where there is honesty, other virtues will follow Continue Reading Posted at 8:40 AM \| Permalink
	It Wasn't Really Any Of My Business John Gratton February 13, 2006 Anytime anyone steals from the man who signs your paycheck, they are stealing from you Continue Reading Posted at 8:08 AM \| Permalink
	I Read The News Today, Oh Boy* John Gratton February 13, 2006 The pain of discipline or the pain of regret Continue Reading Posted at 8:04 AM \| Permalink
Feb10	How Was Your Day? John Gratton February 10, 2006 "Once you have a clear picture of your priorities - that is values, goals, and high leverage activities - organize around them." Stephen Covey "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love to do,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:06 AM \| Permalink
	Tihs Is Yuor Lfie John Gratton February 10, 2006 Recognize patterns that lead to success, strive for stability, but recognize that instability will never go away completely Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	My Bike Is Like My Business John Gratton February 10, 2006 Bikes are like business: they show where you are weak, they expose you to risk, they go fast or slow, easy or hard, and only work when you do Continue Reading Posted at 9:36 AM \| Permalink
Feb 9	Kill Fear With Action John Gratton February 9, 2006 Confrontation conquers fear Continue Reading Posted at 12:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Control Your Thoughts John Gratton February 9, 2006 Think and talk about the things you want rather than the things you don’t want Continue Reading Posted at 11:28 AM \| Permalink
	Let The Rest Go John Gratton February 9, 2006 We love to hold on, even when we know it is holding us back Continue Reading Posted at 11:08 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	You Want Fries With That? John Gratton February 9, 2006 Keep focused on the single thing that matters most. Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 AM \| Permalink
Feb 8	The Power Of Changing Your Mind John Gratton February 8, 2006 I used to think I was stupid. Early in my college career, I turned in a paper – 10 pages on the Puritans – on which I worked very hard. The teacher read it to the class, and said, “this... Continue Reading Posted at 12:21 PM \| Permalink
	Customers Know Values: Yours John Gratton February 8, 2006 “The only reason to be in business,” says Brian Tracy, “is to create and keep customers.” If you’re considering a tattoo, that would be a good tattoo. No matter what business you’re in, there are things you must do to... Continue Reading Posted at 12:12 PM \| Permalink
	Philosophy Begins In Wonder, If You Can Believe Plato John Gratton February 8, 2006 Our philosophies, as Jim Rohn says, govern our thinking, and of course, thinking controls our actions, and actions determine our success. For long-term success, in business relationships and in personal relationships, our actions must be based on sound principles and... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink
	But Enough About Me John Gratton February 8, 2006 The significance of constant self-improvement and of being true to core values. Continue Reading Posted at 11:40 AM \| Permalink \| Comments

Main | March 2006 »

Feb28	How Much Money To Make You Truly Rich? John Gratton February 28, 2006 Know More: Goals, I'm Thinking, I'm Thinking, Motivation, Preparation, Self-Discipline, What Do You Want That’s a fair question. Most days, I think if I can get home and buy my kids an ice cream treat on the way, I’m rich. Personally, I used to think a million dollars would be enough – enough for a lot of ice cream, anyway – but now I don’t think so. According to Calling All Bulls, there are 8,900,000 millionaires in the U.S. Wow! In November 2005, MSN Money puplished a poll about how much it took to consider yourself rich, and 11,459 people responded. Here are the results: 3% $100,000 8% $500,000 19% $1,000,000 19% $2,000,000 25% $5,000,000 26% more than $5,000,000 More than half of the respondents thought it takes at least $5,000,000 to be rich. My grandfather said that if you ever get $5,000 in the bank you would be rich. What is your magic number? Jim Rohn says we should earn all we can (and give away all we can). How much are you going for, and what are you doing to get it? And, the big question, why? Posted at 1:06 PM \| Permalink
Feb28	Every Thing And Everything Must Sell John Gratton February 28, 2006 Every thing must sell. Everything from your storefront, to your logo, to your opening line, to the clothes that you wear, must sell Continue Reading Posted at 12:39 PM \| Permalink
	The Way To Wealth John Gratton February 28, 2006 The Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the Way to Market Continue Reading Posted at 10:42 AM \| Permalink
	Chaos And Creation John Gratton February 28, 2006 Talent alone won’t sustain your career long-term, it takes enormous passion Continue Reading Posted at 9:02 AM \| Permalink
	Neglected Virtue Number Seven John Gratton February 28, 2006 Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink
Feb27	Going The Extra Mile John Gratton February 27, 2006 Rendering more and better service than you are paid to render, doing it all the time and doing it with a pleasing, positive attitude Continue Reading Posted at 4:15 PM \| Permalink
	The Last Resort Of The Uninspired John Gratton February 27, 2006 It just seems we all ought to be able to come up with something of more substance in our work and in our tastes for entertainment Continue Reading Posted at 12:40 PM \| Permalink
	What Do You Think? John Gratton February 27, 2006 In many ways, I was a small thinker, a five-gallon guy rather than a man who owned gas stations Continue Reading Posted at 10:22 AM \| Permalink
	Calling All Bulls John Gratton February 27, 2006 I get an intersting e-mail every so often from Ted Harris, Transamerica Investment Management, LLC. The newsletter is named Calling All Bulls, and it is four pages of always interesting facts. For example, from the February 2006 edition: Page 1IRAs... Continue Reading Posted at 9:26 AM \| Permalink
	I’ll Have What She’s Having John Gratton February 27, 2006 If we see someone who has what we want, we should emulate them Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 AM \| Permalink
Feb25	A Chocolate Bar A Day Keeps The Doctor Away John Gratton February 25, 2006 I saw a commercial last night for Hershey's Special Dark and I thought, "now that looks good" but I remembered that chocolate is a no-no. Then the girl in the ad said something about "antioxidants" and I thought "now why... Continue Reading Posted at 10:14 PM \| Permalink
	Tax Deductions You Don't Want To Miss John Gratton February 25, 2006 If you don't know about a potential tax break, you won't take it. Here are the deductions that a lot of taxpayers seem to forget Continue Reading Posted at 9:45 PM \| Permalink
	Eating For A Sharper Mind John Gratton February 25, 2006 Some edibles are especially good at protecting the brain’s delicate nerve cells and blood vessels from the damage that accompanies aging Continue Reading Posted at 9:22 PM \| Permalink
	Three (Of 18) Tricks To Teach Your Body John Gratton February 25, 2006 These healthy tips are from Kate Dailey at Men's Health. 6. Fight fire without water!Worried those wings will repeat on you tonight? "Sleep on your left side," says Anthony A. Star-poli, M.D., a New York City gastroenterologist and assistant professor of... Continue Reading Posted at 9:10 PM \| Permalink
Feb24	Neglected Virtue Number Nine John Gratton February 24, 2006 These remarks are taken from Standing For Something by Gordon B. Hinckley. The subtitle is: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts And Homes. Optimism In The Face Of Cynicism A sustained diet of negative point of view has serious repercussions.... Continue Reading Posted at 12:02 PM \| Permalink
	Books Are More Valuable Than A Couch John Gratton February 24, 2006 Jim Rohn said that about books. He also said that either you are reading the books that will advance your career or you are not. It’s that simple. The problem with books is they are easy. Easy to get online,... Continue Reading Posted at 11:22 AM \| Permalink
	What Are You Laughing At? John Gratton February 24, 2006 Laughter helps you move away from anger and toward a positive closeness to other people, and positive social contact with others is essential for stress management Continue Reading Posted at 10:52 AM \| Permalink
	Five Barriers To Asking For And Getting What You Want Or Need John Gratton February 24, 2006 Ignorance, erroneous belief, fear, pride and low self-esteem make it hard to ask for what we want Continue Reading Posted at 8:54 AM \| Permalink
	Lege, Lege, Lege, Labore, Ora Et Relege John Gratton February 24, 2006 Read, read, read, work, pray and reread - the alchemists motto, and a pretty good formula for your career Continue Reading Posted at 7:29 AM \| Permalink
Feb23	Check Out Singer On The wsRadio John Gratton February 23, 2006 Listen to Entrepreneur Magazine Sales Show Continue Reading Posted at 12:31 PM \| Permalink
	Make Your Goals John Gratton February 23, 2006 Make your goals your own, what you want, not anyone else. Make your goals significant, more, say, than owning every song Roy Orbison released. Make your goals definite, more specific than “financially independent.” Make your goals difficult, so you will... Continue Reading Posted at 11:32 AM \| Permalink
	Lennon/Marx - Avid Readers (Among Other Things) John Gratton February 23, 2006 “as far as I'm conceived this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've ever ready.” John Lennon (about his first book, In His Own Write) Groucho Marx said, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns... Continue Reading Posted at 10:38 AM \| Permalink
	Stay Out Of The Mud And Don’t Throw Snowballs John Gratton February 23, 2006 There are companies that slop around in the mud and filth, but don’t let it be yours Continue Reading Posted at 7:27 AM \| Permalink
Feb22	Wow, I Must Be A Force To Be Reckoned With (And Not Just Because I Used The Word Abstruse) John Gratton February 22, 2006 Sometimes we get just a little too full of ourselves, and then lose sight of what we’re trying to do Continue Reading Posted at 3:18 PM \| Permalink
	A Point In Every Direction John Gratton February 22, 2006 “A point in every direction is the same as no point at all.” So proclaims the Pointed Man in Harry Nilsson’s The Point. If we don’t have a single point in mind, a goal, an end result, we have no... Continue Reading Posted at 2:28 PM \| Permalink
	Four Hard Lessons At A Dollar A Day John Gratton February 22, 2006 Teamwork is better, being the boss is better, keeping a job is better, getting paid is better Continue Reading Posted at 11:33 AM \| Permalink
	Self-Discipline John Gratton February 22, 2006 Control your destiny or somebody else will. Jack Welch We all must endure one of two pains: the pain of self-discipline or the pain of regret. Jim Rohn Either we discipline ourselves to achieve our self-chosen goals and ideals, or... Continue Reading Posted at 7:40 AM \| Permalink
	Do Right In An Emergency John Gratton February 22, 2006 Make intelligent decisions to protect your people and assets in an emergency Continue Reading Posted at 7:12 AM \| Permalink
Feb21	It’s Not Really “How Much?” But “What For?” John Gratton February 21, 2006 What do I need and what do I need it for? Continue Reading Posted at 12:22 PM \| Permalink
	Don’t Steal Candy From These Babies John Gratton February 21, 2006 Selling unsuitable products to men and women who are being trained in hand-to-hand combat and the use of deadly force is just plain stupid Continue Reading Posted at 10:16 AM \| Permalink
	To Do A Thing Right John Gratton February 21, 2006 It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong - Longfellow Continue Reading Posted at 9:42 AM \| Permalink
	How Is Your Short Game? John Gratton February 21, 2006 If what you present is more than what you really are, you are likely to fail, and you won’t be happy doing it Continue Reading Posted at 7:36 AM \| Permalink
	Making Money Not Memories John Gratton February 21, 2006 Stop long enough, now and again, to look, to listen, to touch, to taste, to remember Continue Reading Posted at 7:30 AM \| Permalink
Feb20	Neglected Virtue Number Eight John Gratton February 20, 2006 A female coworker dropped her keys, and I handed them back, as anyone would. She looked me in the eye and said “thank you” like I had just jumped in the raging river to save her puppy. I’m sure one... Continue Reading Posted at 1:30 PM \| Permalink
	The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves John Gratton February 20, 2006 I don’t know who thought that up, but it’s perfect. Too often our actions seem directly opposite of what we intend. In a Chris Browne Hägar cartoon, the boy asks his father: “Am I smart, dad?” Hägar says, “Are you... Continue Reading Posted at 9:06 AM \| Permalink
	10,000 Unhappy Customers A Day John Gratton February 20, 2006 US airlines are losing 3.5 million pieces of luggage every year, the worst they’ve done since 1990. I’m no mathematician, but that’s gotta be close to 10,000 suitcases a day. Ten t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d unhappy customers every day. That means that about... Continue Reading Posted at 8:25 AM \| Permalink
	Perseverance John Gratton February 20, 2006 John D. Rockefeller said, “I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.” One of my favorite cartoons is the Wizard of Id by Johnny... Continue Reading Posted at 7:21 AM \| Permalink
	Be A Good Something John Gratton February 20, 2006 Pauline Phillips (aka Abigail Van Buren as “Dear Abby”) once wrote, “If you can’t be beautiful (or handsome), be well groomed, tastefully attired, conscious of your posture, and keep a smile on your face. Be clean in body and mind. If... Continue Reading Posted at 7:03 AM \| Permalink
Feb17	Seven Foods Your Body Would Eat Right Now If It Could Sneak Down To The Kitchen Without You John Gratton February 17, 2006 Here's my list: Chocolate. BBQ pizza. Ice cream. Biscuits and gravy. Sticky cinnamon pecan rolls. Braeburn apples. More chocolate. Hey, one out of seven ain’t bad. Here's an even better list (By Leslie Fink, MS, RD, and nutritionist and food editor for... Continue Reading Posted at 11:48 PM \| Permalink
	Do Do Do Drink The Water John Gratton February 17, 2006 We all know we’re supposed to drink plenty of water, eight glasses a day. It’s like that old “apple a day” thing. Everyone says it, not many do it. But drinking a lot of water seems to have a lot... Continue Reading Posted at 11:40 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	The Saturday Sidebar John Gratton February 17, 2006 In the long run, health overrides all else, and our commitment to maintaining good health is as vital as any endeavor Continue Reading Posted at 11:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Am I Doing What I’m Good At? John Gratton February 17, 2006 Is what I’m doing today providing the best results for my company, for my family, for my future Continue Reading Posted at 3:07 PM \| Permalink
	My Desktop Displays My Destiny John Gratton February 17, 2006 Keep visual motivations in front of you to stimulate your desire to achieve Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink
	Through The Looking Glass John Gratton February 17, 2006 The bathroom mirror is my favorite place for mottos and quotations. My first was “four point oh or don’t go” back in 1980 when I started college (after finishing high school in 1974 with a 1.9 GPA, which they tell... Continue Reading Posted at 7:43 AM \| Permalink
Feb16	What's In Your Wallet? John Gratton February 16, 2006 Along with your goals, keep inspirational quotations where you can see them often Continue Reading Posted at 4:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Goal Setting Should Be Automatic John Gratton February 16, 2006 Twenty-five messages into this project, it occurred to me that I’d better set some goals for what I want to accomplish. As I sat down with pen and paper, I was surprised and pleased to find a list of short-... Continue Reading Posted at 12:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Negative Thinkers Never Do Great Things John Gratton February 16, 2006 Negative thinkers never do great things. Bill Francisco Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve. Gordon B. Hinckley The trouble with being in a rat race is that even if you win, you're still a... Continue Reading Posted at 8:31 AM \| Permalink
	Two Moral, Even Sacred, Obligations You Absolutely Must Keep John Gratton February 16, 2006 must must must go immediately when the light turns green, and if you say you will bail out employees who are arrested at work, do it Continue Reading Posted at 7:30 AM \| Permalink
Feb15	What They Don't Teach You At Kickapoo High School John Gratton February 15, 2006 I've read both books you mentioned, and can offer praise for both. In fact, I wish they were part of every student's reading list in middle school Continue Reading Posted at 6:22 PM \| Permalink
	Loan Sharks Set Pace For Morality? John Gratton February 15, 2006 A story in the Washington Post earlier this month, Credit Card Sharks, compared credit card companies to loan sharks, and the loan sharks came out on top. Here are the highlights, and, for the curious, an provocative commentary by Starling Hunter. Loan... Continue Reading Posted at 5:41 PM \| Permalink
	What Do Rich, Successful, Happy, Healthy People Do That Poor, Unsuccessful, Unhappy, Unhealthy People Don’t John Gratton February 15, 2006 If you want to be rich, or successful, or happy, or healthy, find out what rich, successful, happy, healthy people do and do the same things. Continue Reading Posted at 5:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Traffic Cameras Present Moral Dilemma John Gratton February 15, 2006 As a moral issue, I think the controversy itself is immoral, so I propose two solutions that have not been considered Continue Reading Posted at 5:03 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Feb14	How Do You Measure Up? John Gratton February 14, 2006 I came across DRFT Sports Training while researching Michael Jordan. The goal of DRFT – Dave Ruben Fitness Training – is to “improve the overall performance of athletes,” but this Athlete Note could just as easily be talking about you and your... Continue Reading Posted at 1:39 PM \| Permalink
	When Selling Out, Try To Get More Than $3 John Gratton February 14, 2006 Like you, I’m reading about people caught up in crime or scandal, and wonder how it happens. We all flirt with being less than honest sometimes, or settle for something outside our basic beliefs, and it just builds from there.... Continue Reading Posted at 11:54 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	My Bike, My Business, Three More Similarities John Gratton February 14, 2006 Don't take stupid risks, become stronger, set frequent goals Continue Reading Posted at 8:41 AM \| Permalink
	Track Your Activity, Capture Your Past John Gratton February 14, 2006 If you want to remember, write it down Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 AM \| Permalink
Feb13	Neglected Virtue Number Two John Gratton February 13, 2006 Where there is honesty, other virtues will follow Continue Reading Posted at 8:40 AM \| Permalink
	It Wasn't Really Any Of My Business John Gratton February 13, 2006 Anytime anyone steals from the man who signs your paycheck, they are stealing from you Continue Reading Posted at 8:08 AM \| Permalink
	I Read The News Today, Oh Boy* John Gratton February 13, 2006 The pain of discipline or the pain of regret Continue Reading Posted at 8:04 AM \| Permalink
Feb10	How Was Your Day? John Gratton February 10, 2006 "Once you have a clear picture of your priorities - that is values, goals, and high leverage activities - organize around them." Stephen Covey "There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love to do,... Continue Reading Posted at 10:06 AM \| Permalink
	Tihs Is Yuor Lfie John Gratton February 10, 2006 Recognize patterns that lead to success, strive for stability, but recognize that instability will never go away completely Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	My Bike Is Like My Business John Gratton February 10, 2006 Bikes are like business: they show where you are weak, they expose you to risk, they go fast or slow, easy or hard, and only work when you do Continue Reading Posted at 9:36 AM \| Permalink
Feb 9	Kill Fear With Action John Gratton February 9, 2006 Confrontation conquers fear Continue Reading Posted at 12:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Control Your Thoughts John Gratton February 9, 2006 Think and talk about the things you want rather than the things you don’t want Continue Reading Posted at 11:28 AM \| Permalink
	Let The Rest Go John Gratton February 9, 2006 We love to hold on, even when we know it is holding us back Continue Reading Posted at 11:08 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	You Want Fries With That? John Gratton February 9, 2006 Keep focused on the single thing that matters most. Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 AM \| Permalink
Feb 8	The Power Of Changing Your Mind John Gratton February 8, 2006 I used to think I was stupid. Early in my college career, I turned in a paper – 10 pages on the Puritans – on which I worked very hard. The teacher read it to the class, and said, “this... Continue Reading Posted at 12:21 PM \| Permalink
	Customers Know Values: Yours John Gratton February 8, 2006 “The only reason to be in business,” says Brian Tracy, “is to create and keep customers.” If you’re considering a tattoo, that would be a good tattoo. No matter what business you’re in, there are things you must do to... Continue Reading Posted at 12:12 PM \| Permalink
	Philosophy Begins In Wonder, If You Can Believe Plato John Gratton February 8, 2006 Our philosophies, as Jim Rohn says, govern our thinking, and of course, thinking controls our actions, and actions determine our success. For long-term success, in business relationships and in personal relationships, our actions must be based on sound principles and... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink
	But Enough About Me John Gratton February 8, 2006 The significance of constant self-improvement and of being true to core values. Continue Reading Posted at 11:40 AM \| Permalink \| Comments

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