Monday Morning Motivations Tenacity Pays

Published by Robert A. & Vicki L. Prentice of Professional Development Systems
July 14, 2008 Issue 309

From the Desk of Bob

Greetings!

The past three weeks it seems that I have worked harder than I have in the last five years! I should probably mention I have not been working strictly on my normal business activities. In fact, I have been working with a fellow named Eddie who is nearly 80 years old! Eddie, who is very skilled at his craft, is building my new shop/garage, and believe it or not, works as hard and as long as any 30-year-old workman I know. I have been making it a point to help Eddie during every spare minute that I have had available as I put in my sweat equity. This has amounted to nearly eight hours a day for both Eddie and me, and I am in awe of the stamina and strength that this man has! At the end of every workday, I have been utterly exhausted and am really looking forward to getting back to my real job this week where I can rest my poor muscles a bit!

Sore muscles aside, I wouldn't have traded the last three weeks for anything. Eddie has taught me so much about carpentry and building and, believe me, I have learned more from him than just building garages. He has been so patient with me when it comes to my sawing, hammering and drilling. You might say Eddie has become my building mentor. I think everyone should have a mentor or a person that they can be accountable to and learn things from, don't you? I'll always appreciate Eddie's advice to "measure twice and cut once!" Wow, what a great concept that reminds me to pay attention to the details so I will avoid making costly mistakes. The biggest benefit that I have gained in working with Eddie is not my new really cool shop/garage, but the fact that I have gained a new friend and one can never have
too many friends!

Have a great week! Bob

Life Attitudes

Alfred A. Montapert: "Your life will be no better than the plans you make and the action you take. You are the architect and builder of your own life, fortune, destiny."

Johann von Goethe: "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."

Vincent Lombardi: "Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal."

Seeds of Success: Builder or Wrecker–What Do You Want To Be?

By Robert A. Prentice

I'd like to share a poem with you that has inspired me to be a builder and not a wrecker. Though the author is unknown, I am sure you will agree with me that he or she-which ever the case may be-has a real knack for hitting the nail on the head, especially when you think of it in terms of human relations.

The Wrecking Crew

I stood on the street of a busy town
Watching men tearing a building down;
With a "ho, heave. ho," and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell.

I asked the foreman of the crew,
"Are those men as skilled
as those you'd hire if you wanted to build?"

"Ah no," he said, "no indeed."
Just common labor is all I need.
"I can tear down as much in a day or two
as would take skilled men a year to do."

And then I thought as I went my way,
just which of these two roles am I trying to play?
Have I walked life's road with care
Measuring each deed with the rule and square?
Or am I one of those who roam the town
Content with the labor of tearing down?

It's sometimes easy to fall into the habit of tearing people down, but I know I want to be known for my excellent skills in people building.

How about you? Will you be a wrecker or a builder? The choice is yours.

On the Sunny Side of Life: JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'D HEARD IT ALL–

These are unintentional yet funny gaffs from real job application forms

"I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant."

"Personal interests: Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far."

"As indicted, I have over five years of analyzing investments."

"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."

"Note: Please don't misconstrue my fourteen jobs as 'job-hopping'. I have never quit a job."

"Marital status: often. Children: various."

"Reason for leaving last job: They insisted that all employees get to work by 8:45 a.m. every morning. I couldn't work under those conditions."

"The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.

"Finished eighth in my class of ten."

"References: none. I've left a path of destruction behind me."

Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments Call to schedule Bob TODAY! 800.437.9715

Read on...

Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools

Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments.

Bob says,"My training sessions consist of the principles, attitudes and skills that I have discovered over the course of my life, and that I aspire to practice in my day to day living. These are the Life- Tested Tools that I have to offer..."

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