The most frequent response that I get to
the above question is, "I am not a CEO." Actually, I think
everyone is a CEO and a CEO of a very important company. That
company is each individual person. If we look at ourselves as
individual companies, it is very easy to find models for personal
improvement. I like Stephen covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective
People." But his habits are more mind sets rather than task
oriented steps.
While studying companies that I considered to be highly effective, I
identified 10 tasks or action steps that seem to be common across all
the effective companies. Taking these 10 tasks, I remodeled them
to fit "The Personal Company."
PRACTICES FOR YOUR PERSONAL COMPANY
- Production: Am I doing as much as expected (volume)?
- Quality Control: Does my work meet expectations (quality)?
- Process Development: How can I improve the tasks that I am
doing (process)?
- Products Research: How can I improve the end result of what
I am doing (service or product)?
- Marketing: What else is there that is valued that I can
do? What new talents should I develop?
- Sales: Be involved in things happening around you.
- Advertising: Raise the awareness of your talents.
- Public Relations: Actively look to make a difference.
Be the good citizen.
- Accounting: Measure your investment vs. return.
maximize your efforts.
- Management: Putting it all together. Managing your
future.
Another question frequently asked is, "If I am the CEO of a company,
what is my product?" If we look at the roles we play in our daily
life, these roles can be viewed as our products or services. you
may be an employee, student, family member, a member of a team, a
parent, a spouse, neighbor, etc. Each is a role and an
opportunity for improvement in your personal company. Since each
person will play multiple roles, my first thought is that this can be
too much work on an individual's part. Whether we want it or not,
however, that is life. We are in the game of multiple
roles. Fortunately one of the steps in the 10 Step Program takes
this into account and addresses the value of each role and the impact
on success so that priorities can be established concerning the most
effective allocation of time and resources (accounting).
As an experiment, as an employee, try viewing yourself as a
sub-contractor. I grant you, you will see your responsibilities
in a totally new light.
Like it or not, it is your life and it is your choice.
Perspective: For
every person climbing the ladder of success,
there are dozens waiting for the elevator.