Darrell Davis

Break Time is Over

It's been a while since I've posted. Sometimes you need to take a break and set down responsibilities that can wait. We let pressure drive us past our healthy threshold. That should not be.

I was feeling the pressure and as a result, feeling that I didn't have my best work to offer. That is a good time to break. So, I am back. So much going on in the world. Historical times in the political arena with Obama and Palin. The world is full of violence and war. People are losing their homes and the neighborhoods are going to hell. You must be at your best to succeed and to affect change. That is what Required Reading is all about. Be at your best, be prepared- regardless of external circumstances. Peace.

The Mathematics of success

In the previous article, I was open about one of my proposals that was rejected, the reasons why and what I should do about it. The reason I am so open about this seeming failure is because I understand the mathematics of success.

The fact is, if you practice good business and sound success principles, you will have a potentially prosperous company. An important part of the success equation is the rejections. If you Analise them, you will find the seed of success within them and that leads to profit! You don't simple accept a rejection. Rejection as a rule should be looked at as a "delayed yes"!

So use math to your advantage. Take your successful proposals and your rejections, and learn to profit from both!

Success and The Present Moment

I have found that a most affective way to live a successful life is to be in the right (or best) mindset at a given moment in time. If you are anything like me- you have read and studies many disciplines during your journey called life. Mine spans the spiritual to the material to the philosophical.

Suppose you are feeling a little down. You may feel like you studied enough spirituality that you should not feel down. And yet you do. The mistake you are making is not being in the moment. The best mindset for the situation. That may mean pulling out Don't sweat the Small Stuff and meditating on a chapter.

Suppose you are trying to get a new contract for your business. You don't need 'Sweat the Small Stuff' now. You should pull a good marketing book or visit one of the masters like Seth Godin. That is putting you in the best mindset at the present time. That leads to a more successful life.

Adversity Brings Out Who You Are

I remember when I was younger and first started reading Personal Development books. Anger management was one of my early studies since I've always struggled with a short fuse and loose lips. But I remember- after reading anger management books, I would still lose my temper. What was going on here?

Actually, what was going on is what almost always goes on: we read a self-help book and viola! Nothing. Still the same! Why is that. Millions of people read Personal Development materials everyday and are still stuck in the same quagmire hey hope to escape. The reason for this common occurrence of inertia is we do not practice the principles in the book. In fact, we don't practice them when we need it the most! That is the fatal error to personal development. You must apply the principles in the eye of the storm. Because if you don't, guess what happens? You buy another book and start the process over.

Always remember to step back from a situation and remind yourself this is what you are working on improving. Then do the technique that applies. The first few times my yield no measurable results but progress is made. Just keep practicing, you will get better, and more importantly- improve yourself.

Protect Your Time

In business and in life, your time is invaluable. For you to be at your absolute best, you must optimize time management. Unfortunately, many people will innocently (and not so innocently) dump on you. They will seek your help, or worse, for you too take on their responsibilities. It is pure business and spiritual suicide to constantly succumb. You must sometimes say no even when you don't want to. You must get in the habit of protecting time that belongs to your peace of mind, your healthy body or your family.

A couple of things to ease your conscience: 1) Refer people to someone else who's job or business it is to perform such services. You now don't have to do it and you don't feel like you left anyone hanging. And 2) Ask the person to take an initial action to solve the problem. Often the person will just look for someone else to do the work and you again have protected your time. And if they do take initial action and you are still pressed for time, refer them to someone else anyway.

Always be on the look for ways to save yourself time. Because the time you save, may be your own!

Let Your Work Shine

There are several factors that contribute to your success or failure in any business.  A crucial but often ignored aspect is the final product. Too many business people are so intent on getting paid and moving on that they leave a trail of dis-satisfied customers who are sure to tell all their friends what a bum you are. Not only did you lose a potential repeat consumer, but you botched any word -of- mouth advertising you may have received. Despite time pressures, don't shoot your toes off before you really get running. Take the time to do your best work at all cost (and sometimes that will mean coming out of your own pocket).

You also want to go beyond the scope of the job. Over- promise! As Seth Godin points out- it is the cornerstone of word-of-mouth marketing. It is priceless. Just don't let your mouth sell your butt! Keep promises in reasonable range of what you can do. A great finished product that falls short of an over- promise, is as destructive as a poor finished product.

Give yourself a chance to be great. Always do your best work. There is no room for second rate.

Master Your Fear!

What do you fear that is keeping you from taking action that can bring you closer to, and achieving your goals? For the most part, it is a fear of something that holds people back. Afraid to ask for what you need; Afraid to make an important call to a big fish; afraid to try and make money by starting your own side business. Get past the fear and you have a real chance at happiness and success.

How do you conquer fear? By embracing it. Suppose your see your dream job advertised in the newspaper. Your heart begins to race as you read the qualifications, thinking "that's me!"  And then fear! Instead of getting on that phone right away, you start arguing against yourself:  "someone else probable already is picked for that job."  Or, I'm not good at interviews."  So you don't call and a job that may have been yours, your dream! goes to someone else.

Here is the trick. You have to be willing to get temporarily uncomfortable in order to be successful. You have to "will" your way to action. You must remember that the apprehension will pass. Keeping those thoughts in mind, close your eyes and jump! Trust me, once you are airborne, all kinds of skills and abilities you didn't know you had will surface. It will be the books you read, the conversations with you parents or mentors,or some other inspiration, but it is already in you to be great. Kick fear in the ares and get on with claiming- right now! Today- what is yours!

Stress- It Is What It Is

It has often been said that there are two universal truths: death and taxes! You can add stress to that.

From the time of my teens and beyond, I have lived a more than average life of stress.  As a community activist, leader, radio show host, writer and philosopher, I have been extremely busy nearly everyday of my life. I have many times teetered on the brink of burnout. How did I survive? Stress management.

There is a new saying on the scene right now that works for me. That saying is "It is What It Is."  I think it reflects a philosophical state of mind that is conducive to managing stress. We often get stressed because we are not happy with a given situation and demand it change to our liking. The problem is, life doesn't usually go like that.

One year ago, I launched this site after a near death experience. I had to scrape back from illness and homelessness. During that journey (which continues) I reeducated myself.  I learned new things and new ways of thinking.  As an activist, I have been called one of the best in the country.  As an investor or entrepreneur, I gave it no thought.

Still, I did devolope a stress management system that allowed me to survive, in deed, laugh at political assaults using police, the courts (more trials than Al Capone), illegal evictions and more. And I am fine. My friend Huey (he is a six-foot duck) says so.

I will be giving attention to that system of stress management in upcoming articles.  But for now, remember we are creatures of habit. If you practice ignoring negative thoughts for a day- you will be amazed at how warm your moods become. Start there. Today, catch your negative thoughts and ignore them. You will find they will get fewer and fewer. After all -it is what it is. One love.

Sometimes You Need To Step Back

Every so often, I like to step back from my projects which include business and political activities. It is an important way to maintain enthusiasm and perspective.  And, you will find that when you take those breaks, you come back to your work with new energy and insight. You can see your weaknesses, mistakes and surprisingly- your obvious detours from your goals that you otherwise may not see.

Take a break, everyone is different, but a few days is a good balance between a mental recharge and handling your business.

Seth Godin: One of The Best!

The name Seth Godin has always seemed to have grabbed my attention.  So many self-help gurus always seem to quote him.  He is one of the best.  As a result, I have been reading him off and on for sometime.  His website is invaluable for the entrepreneur.  Nuff said, check him out and visit his site often by clicking on the link that you will see at Required Reading from now on.  One Love!