The Pyramid of Success

In my current job I do many things, but one of the things I miss from working at Covidien is the part about working with a team towards a common goal and managing/coaching on how to succeed. Working for a smaller company I wear many different hats, and am slammed with work everyday that I truly love but I miss having that opportunity to inspire sales reps. to go out and get after it. I decided that I needed to bring back something called "Weekly Inspiration" to my new team at PE.  I have always been a quote person, a person that loved motivational speakers, motivational books, etc.  and that will never change.  Since I no longer have a team  I directly work with I use this blog as an opportunity to try and inspire you! My readers.  Yes I realized this past week I actually have a lot of people that read my blog.  This email was sent to my team Monday therefore I am a little late here on my blog but each week I will be sharing with my team at PE and all of you my weekly dose of "Inspiration".  This week I sent this ....John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.  I love John Wooden and all the wonderful lessons this man has taught so many people.  My favorite is the Pyramid of Success Below.  When I was in college playing volleyball at Bentley I was given my first copy of this pyramid by an NCAA staffer.  Since then it has always been either in my pad folio or on my bulletin board.  The Pyramid of Success is to me more then just advice on how to be a great athlete, it is how to be a great person, a great leader, to be the best person you can be in this world.  Although all are important the following are my favorite blocks on this period that have helped me to tackle my own personal pyramid of success.  Which ones are yours?:

1. Enthusiasm: "Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others."  Enthusiasm is a gift for many, but it is an attribute that can also be learned based on your outlook and attitude towards life.  People love to talk to people that are enthusiastic, it is exciting and fun and everyone should practice this attribute because in the end it will also make you feel better!

2. Industriousness:  "Success travels in the company of very hard work.  There is no trick, no easy way."  This is incredibly important, in order to be successful and get to where you want to be you need to be willing to work.  Often times I have the opportunity to speak with people about my career path, and offer advice.  To new college graduates I always tell them you have to start at the bottom, and when you start there the work you do there is the most important you will ever do in your life because it builds the foundation of where you go from there.  And in that position you must have the best attitude ever, even if you are doing the worst job because it will only make you better and get you where you really want to go faster.  Some of the best lessons I learned in sales were selling heating pads in a mall kiosk when I was at 16 and then selling office supplies door to door through college.  It was all worth it because now I am where I want to be and in a position to continuously see myself grow.  For many of you out there do you work, but inside have a goal, a deeper sense of purpose for the things you love and for where you want to go and work hard to get there.  Because.....you eventually will!

3. Alertness:  "Constantly be aware and observing. Always seek to improve yourself and your team"  By forcing your self to learn something new everyday and to continously be developing relationships through networking it can take a you a long way.  Don't be afraid to talk to people, you never know what opportunities may come through the people you meet.

4. Intentness:  "Stay the course, when thwarted try again, harder, smarter, perserve relentlessly."  Success is reached only by hard work, and keeping your eye on your goal.  You have to pay your dues to get to where you want to be but in the end it is worth it. 

5. Poise:  "Be yourself don't be thrown off by events whether good or bad" In life and in business it is a constant rollercoaster, keeping your cool and focus will result in more success then not.