The saying, “Don’t reinvent the wheel” is so well-known it has become almost proverbial. Yet, I constantly see people trying to “reinvent wheels” and it often works to their detriment rather than to their advantage.
Please don’t misunderstand. Never would I suggest not being creative and trying new things. As human beings, we are, by our very nature, creative beings. Inventions, new cures for old ills and even better and more efficient/productive methodologies are all part of that magnificent creative process; a process that adds increase to all our lives and humankind’s overall standard of living.
However, when desiring to achieve success in a particular area of your life, it’s best to begin with the fundamentals. Once you’ve learned, embraced, and succeeded with the fundamentals, then you can move on and create “new things” or even new ways of doing those things.
In my booklet, The Success Formula, I quote the great Brian Tracy, who writes:
“This process of learning and applying what I had learned changed my life. I am still amazed at how simply and obvious it is. Just find out what successful people do and do the same things until you get the same results.”
Please share with us an experience you’ve had in which you’ve done what Mr. Tracy suggested and had the results you desired.
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Wonderful post! Brian Tracy has long been one of my personal and professional mentors. (He doesn’t know that, but my son was raised listening to The Psychology of Achievement.) Here’s a short story about one of the first things I learned from Mr. Tracy. “You are traveling in the direction of your most dominant thought.”
My family lived in Minneapolis for a short time. We discovered almost immediately that Minneapolis is the birthplace of the Rollerblade.
Our home was on a parkway with miles of biking, running, and Rollerblading paths. I loved to sit on the front steps of my home and watch people glide by on their blades. It looked effortless; they
were graceful like gazelles. Some of them would nonchalantly turn and sail by backward! Waving and smiling and flying backward!
That’s when I decided to join the ranks of the Rollerblading public.
When I announced this to my son, who was, at that time, in the fifth grade, he was wholeheartedly onboard. Off we went to buy our equipment. I was terribly proud of myself at this moment because I was facing a lifelong personal fear—the fear of falling! (I am not fond of escalators
or moving walkways. The thought of skiing—strapping waxed sticks on my feet and rushing down a steep mountain—is unthinkable!)
But today I was facing all of those silly fears and taking a risk. I was stepping out of my comfort zone and modeling effective behaviors for my child. (I probably should have been nominated for some kind of mothering award.)
Tabor had his blades on before mine were even out of the box, and he was off like a bullet down the parkway, whooping it up and yelling for me to, “Come on!” I was amazed at how quickly he took to it. We had never done this before, and he was already flying around like he’d been born on wheels. I remember thinking, “My goodness, these are magic shoes! No wonder it looks effortless.”
Finally I was ready, and I gingerly hobbled out to the parkway. I was terrified of going too fast and wiping out. The parkway suddenly looked steep and dangerous. Within fifteen minutes the ambulance arrived. (Don’t get sucked into the Rollerblading illusion! You can really, really hurt yourself on those horrible things.)
In the emergency room, I was bitter. “I don’t get it,” I snapped at my child. “You put them on for the first time and have a wonderful ride. I put them on and 911 is on the line.”
His answer was profound (irritating, but profound). In his classic, matter-of-fact way he replied, “All I was thinking about was going faster, and all you were thinking about was falling down. I guess we both ended up where we thought we would be.” (I resisted an incredible urge to clobber him. So much for the mothering award.) (Excerpt from Ready, Set…Grow)
Thank you Mr.Tracy for your work! It has changed my course. And thank you Mr. Burg for the lessons you teach, the wisdom you share, and the connections you make possible. You help us connect with people and principles for success.
WOW – Dondi, what an amazing story AND profound lesson from “Ready, Set…Grow”; one of my all-time favorite books. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Tabor’s line is classic. And, I’m sure he appreciates your note “clobbering him” for saying it. 🙂
{Note from Bob: Dondi Scumaci (http://www.DondiScumaci.com and http://www.Twitter.com/DondiScumaci) is an internationally-known speaker and author of two amazing books, with a third one on the way in February. I had the opportunity to read the newest manuscript and it is life-changing. Not sure if I’m allowed to mention the title yet so won’t take any chances. Dondi, if it’s okay to do so, please write back and let us know}
Bob,
Thank you for your kind words! We can absolutely share the title of the next book. Career Moves will hit the street on March 3, right behind the new Go-Givers Sell More! I am very excited to see the next installment from you and John David Mann.
I also want to thank you for making something else possible this morning. Sometimes we admire people from a distance and we learn a great deal from them. Your blog today gave me an opportunity to say, “Thank you Mr Tracy. You’ve made a difference over here.”
Wonderful blog Bob. Great discussions.
Dondi
I’ve been known for getting a few of the words out of place when I quote you Bob, but I recall hearing over and over “Systems create predictable results predictably”. Right wording or wrong, the meaning is clear.
I model people within Mentoring for Free who are building strong teams. We have been taught to help anyone in any business learn the skills to be successful … from how to market to the overwhelming task for most people —- actually talk to people. It produces predictable results for people who follow some simple steps.
Many, including myself, have been tempted to try other means, but seem to always return to what we call the “recipe”.
The Go-Giver and Endless Referrals solidified these concepts and gave me more creative ways to really celebrate others, know how to give referrals without an agenda and watch the magic unfold.
Any variance from the suggested plan of action can take you down detours. Detours are not necessarily a bad thing because you eventually end up back on the main road, but they do take precious time away from the journey. Most of us have to take a few of those before we really believe it could be that simple. Give with no emotional attachment to the outcome, then be open to receive.
Thanks for your counsel and inspiration in my success,
Jennifer Wideman
http://jenniferwideman.com