WORK: 2 RULES

For many years, I operated a business running door to door sales teams. I started in the magazine business when I was a sixteen-year-old teenager out on my own. I always thought it was something I’d do until I found something better.

I did many other things over the course of my working life. The list of jobs I’ve worked at are numerous involving trades and warehouse and retail as well as forays into the unconventional. Eventually, I found my way into the behavioural sciences and counselling.

Early on though, when on a break from one of those pursuits, asking myself, ”what will I do now?” I often found myself back in door-to-door sales.

No matter where I was dropped in the world, I figured I could get a product, organize a workforce, and create a business out of thin air.

The cashless society nowadays would kill that. You need a debit machine to operate and the street entrepreneur is highly disadvantaged without them.

When print versions of newspapers were still viable, I had crews running door and kiosk sales in seven cities with up to a hundred and fifty reps and fifteen managers under me. The North American company I was privileged to work for even made me Senior VP, Canada.

I did that until 2015 and would have rode it into the sunset if not for the digital age killing legacy print media. Externalities, you see…

The following were the two most essential rules to my success.

Taking on new hires almost daily means constant exposure to a myriad of personality types, values, and experience. I was consistently challenged in every possible way.

But by putting the work first, we dampened the various egos and were able to collectively engage in this shared fiction we called “work” successfully.

Every venture I was involved in was made possible precisely because of this. It was my rallying cry.

If you have ever had occasion to team lead or manage, you will see right away how helpful this principle can be. If you are just starting a job, this keeps you focused on what is important. Make the job the boss.

The second rule is one of personal responsibility. You exist in a competitive world where others may be more advantaged.

I teach that all we truly own in life are our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.

We also only have three things to offer the world: Time, talent, and effort. These are the great equalizers. You maximize time and talent with effort.

A person who can understand and use these simple truths in his favour, will go further.

Combined with “make the job the boss,” not letting anyone outwork you provides your best shot at excellence.

Decide to leave no stone unturned when it comes to your effort.

The Pareto Principle says that 80% of production comes from 20% of the people. This applies to almost anything. Be part of the 20%.

In summary, my two rules for success are simple but effective: prioritize the work and take full personal responsibility. Make the job the boss and don’t let anyone outwork you.

By following these personal promises, you’ll be on your way to running things.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out.

true and free…
cw