Defining Success Through Relationships
http://successandlife.com/articles/116208/1/Defining-Success-Through-Relationships/Page1.html
Tammy AS Kohl
Tammy A. S. Kohl, President of Resource Associates Corporation, has been with the corporation since 1986. She is an accomplished speaker on a variety of business topics, and is certified facilitator for Total Quality Institute. 800.762.6227 http://www.resourceassociatescorp.com By Tammy AS Kohl
Published on 02/1/2010
It is often said, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know” When defining your personal and professional success it is critical that you focus on who you know
Defining Success Through Relationships
This self improvement article is written by Tammy AS Kohl.
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It is often said, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” When defining your personal and professional success it is critical that you focus on who you know!
Are you surrounding yourself with winners?
Are you surrounding yourself with people who can help you achieve your goals?
Are you developing relationships that align with your purpose and passion?
Are you connecting with people who understand what is necessary to be successful and are able to support your success?
Do the right people know who you are, what your business provides, and the value you can bring to a customer?
Success is defined by your purpose, your action, and your attitude; however your success can and will be limited by the relationships that you create and maintain both personally and professionally.
Here is a great story that reinforces this concept:
Swen Nater an orphan from Holland moved to the United States when he was three years old. He grew up in an American home and as a high school junior; he stood 6' 11". One would think Swen Nater was destined for basketball, but he was so gangly and awkward that he didn’t make his high school team until his senior year. Instead of going to college after graduation, like some of his teammates, he went to work at a garage as a mechanic.
However, when a local community college coach convinced the towering mechanic to give basketball another shot several years later, his body had matured. Over the next two years Swen became one of the best junior-college basketball players in the country. He was honored with Community College All American his sophomore year. With two years of eligibility left, several smaller colleges became interested in Swen and each offered him an opportunity to shine.
But his coach decided to take a shot at a higher opportunity. He called John Wooden whose current UCLA team was in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports. He said “Coach, next year you have a guy coming in that everybody in America believes will be the greatest player to ever play college basketball: Bill Walton who towered at 7' tall. The next biggest guy you have on your team is 6' 9" inches tall. In practice, Bill Walton is not going to get better because he’s not going to have any competition so give my guy a chance.”
Wooden ultimately agreed and ended up making Nater two promises. “One, you’ll probably never ever get off the bench. But two, you’re going to get a chance to practice every day against the best player in America.” It only took a second for Nater to accept the offered scholarship, and as John Wooden promised, Nater barely played.
Three years later, Bill Walton as a college senior was positioned to be the number one pick in the NBA draft. Everybody wanted to know who was the best center Walton played against during his senior year. Was it that guy at Pepperdine or maybe the guy at Kansas? Bill Walton looked to the end of the practice court and said, “That guy down there, is the best player I’ve played against. Swen Nater.”
And it was true! Swen Nater had gotten so much better by working and playing against Bill Walton that he became the first player in history to be selected in the first round of the NBA basketball draft while never starting a college game.
Swen Nater went on to play 12 years in the NBA and is now vice president of Costco.
You are who you associate with. The people you spend the most time with in your life will significantly contribute to your success or lack thereof.
Instead of having a friend that suggests limitations that are an effort to keep you from harm or to protect you from being disappointed, align yourself with a mentor within your industry or area of expertise to enhance your knowledge and marketable skills. Making the commitment to enhance your marketable skills and having someone to guide you will propel you to higher levels of success.
In addition to reviewing ideas and making decisions regarding personal growth and career development with a family member, spouse, or partner, develop a relationship with a professional coach. Family and partners often times say they are supportive but tend to impose their limiting attitudes to your situation. Having a coaching relationship where the coach’s sole responsibility is to focus on you and your objectives will provide an unbiased process, which can accelerate your results.
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It is often said, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” When defining your personal and professional success it is critical that you focus on who you know!
Are you surrounding yourself with winners?
Are you surrounding yourself with people who can help you achieve your goals?
Are you developing relationships that align with your purpose and passion?
Are you connecting with people who understand what is necessary to be successful and are able to support your success?
Do the right people know who you are, what your business provides, and the value you can bring to a customer?
Success is defined by your purpose, your action, and your attitude; however your success can and will be limited by the relationships that you create and maintain both personally and professionally.
Here is a great story that reinforces this concept:
Swen Nater an orphan from Holland moved to the United States when he was three years old. He grew up in an American home and as a high school junior; he stood 6' 11". One would think Swen Nater was destined for basketball, but he was so gangly and awkward that he didn’t make his high school team until his senior year. Instead of going to college after graduation, like some of his teammates, he went to work at a garage as a mechanic.
However, when a local community college coach convinced the towering mechanic to give basketball another shot several years later, his body had matured. Over the next two years Swen became one of the best junior-college basketball players in the country. He was honored with Community College All American his sophomore year. With two years of eligibility left, several smaller colleges became interested in Swen and each offered him an opportunity to shine.
But his coach decided to take a shot at a higher opportunity. He called John Wooden whose current UCLA team was in the midst of one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports. He said “Coach, next year you have a guy coming in that everybody in America believes will be the greatest player to ever play college basketball: Bill Walton who towered at 7' tall. The next biggest guy you have on your team is 6' 9" inches tall. In practice, Bill Walton is not going to get better because he’s not going to have any competition so give my guy a chance.”
Wooden ultimately agreed and ended up making Nater two promises. “One, you’ll probably never ever get off the bench. But two, you’re going to get a chance to practice every day against the best player in America.” It only took a second for Nater to accept the offered scholarship, and as John Wooden promised, Nater barely played.
Three years later, Bill Walton as a college senior was positioned to be the number one pick in the NBA draft. Everybody wanted to know who was the best center Walton played against during his senior year. Was it that guy at Pepperdine or maybe the guy at Kansas? Bill Walton looked to the end of the practice court and said, “That guy down there, is the best player I’ve played against. Swen Nater.”
And it was true! Swen Nater had gotten so much better by working and playing against Bill Walton that he became the first player in history to be selected in the first round of the NBA basketball draft while never starting a college game.
Swen Nater went on to play 12 years in the NBA and is now vice president of Costco.
You are who you associate with. The people you spend the most time with in your life will significantly contribute to your success or lack thereof.
Instead of having a friend that suggests limitations that are an effort to keep you from harm or to protect you from being disappointed, align yourself with a mentor within your industry or area of expertise to enhance your knowledge and marketable skills. Making the commitment to enhance your marketable skills and having someone to guide you will propel you to higher levels of success.
In addition to reviewing ideas and making decisions regarding personal growth and career development with a family member, spouse, or partner, develop a relationship with a professional coach. Family and partners often times say they are supportive but tend to impose their limiting attitudes to your situation. Having a coaching relationship where the coach’s sole responsibility is to focus on you and your objectives will provide an unbiased process, which can accelerate your results.