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Jim L. Smith has more than 45 years of industry experience in operations, engineering, research and development and quality management. You can reach Jim at faceofquality@qualitymag.com.

Jim's Gems: Aiming Too Low

March 9, 2009
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When you’ve reached the goal that you have set for yourself, refocus and set another, further-reaching goal. Keep focusing on continuous improvement and the actions to reach the peak.

Things will not always work out the way we plan, no matter how thorough we plan or how hard we work. Even when we are not successful at reaching a goal, there are lessons to learn. These important lessons are a great teaching tool and the experience gained will be invaluable.

One of the important keys to meaningful achievement is not how clever we are or how lucky we are or how much advantage we can gain over others. The critical ingredient is to keep going-setting new goals and action plans to achieve the goals.

When others give us encouragement, insight and assistance, be grateful and show appreciation for the help. Thank them for the help while offering your own value to them in return. Helping others accomplish their goals is not only satisfying, but also a significant way to increase your chances of success.

Not everyone is happy to see others achieve success. When others try to block our efforts, resist the negativity and the urge to react in a less-than-positive manner. We need to work hard, concentrate and raise ourselves up to where we can see beyond the petty, shortsighted attempts to prevent our success and achievement.

Whatever may happen or fail to happen, there is always a way to keep working toward our goals. It is ultimately ourselves who determine the outcome and the reaction to the outcome. We will get wherever we wish to go when we consistently choose to focus on the positive and continue along the journey to success. It’s not always a smooth road, but it'll get us where WE choose to go. The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that is too low and we reach it. Think about it...
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Jim's Gems: Aiming Too Low

Steve Wilson
March 17, 2009
A must read all insight. Thanks for the insight. These brief, all six paragraghs cover positive and not so positive inputs for consideration.

Aim high

Dr. E.H. Gupta
May 14, 2009
An important message for everyone. Keep working and setting newer goals all the time. We should all keep Mr Smith's last line on our office walls and read every day.

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