Quality Blog

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: Don't Waste What You Have

January 9, 2012
/ Print / Reprints /
ShareMore
/ Text Size+


All too often we waste a lot of time making judgments or complaining about what we or haven’t got. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s personal or professional. It still doesn’t seem to be enough. Instead, we should put what we have to use because it just might be going to waste.

We need to stop complaining that what we have isn’t enough or that it's not fair we don’t have more. We should just get busy and make the most of what we do have.

Fighting against what already is will only slow us down and distract us from doing our very best. Instead, let’s make good and productive use of what is, whatever it may be, and we'll find many ways to move forward.

If we wait until things are perfect before taking action, that day will never come. If we use what we have, as flawed and imperfect as it may seem, we'll soon be making remarkable improvements.

Let’s not worry about comparing what we have to what others may or may not have. If we stay stuck in low gear we will waste what we have. We just need to focus on what we do have and do the best we can do.

This isn’t difficult and we can begin to bring about some terrific energy. All we have to do is to start from where we are, with what we have, and persistently do what we know we must do.

Focus on what’s important and we’ll find a way to achieve it. There is no limit to where we can go.

Art L. Williams, a former football coach and businessman, said “All you can do is all you can do, but all you can is enough.” Certainly no one can ask for more. But, if we can focus on using what we have, wonderful things will happen. On what are we waiting?
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Podcasts

Bill Arbogast explains his perspective on quality, ISO 9001, and how to manage inevitable business changes.


Read: The 2013 Quality Professional of the Year

 
More Podcasts

THE MAGAZINE

Quality Magazine

magazine quality cover 2013 may audits

2013 May

Check out the May 2013 edition of Quality Magazine for features about Measurement, Software and Test & Inspection.
Table Of Contents Subscribe

Plant of the Year

Which is the most important factor in considering a Quality plant of the Year?
View Results Poll Archive

THE QUALITY MAGAZINE STORE

M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Quality\prac-field-guide-for-iso.gif
A Practical Field Guide for ISO 9001:2008

The purpose of this field guide is to assist organizations, step by step, in implementing a quality management system (QMS) in conformance with ISO 9001:2008, whether from scratch or by transitioning from ISO 9001:2000. It examines each sub-clause of Sections 4–8 of ISO 9001:2008, which contain the requirements, and gives a list of the documentation/documents required, internal audit questions, a summary of management’s responsibilities, and a flowchart of the steps that need to be undertaken to satisfy the requirements.

More Products

Clear Seas Research

qcast_ClearSeas_logo.gifWith access to over one million professionals and more than 60 industry-specific publications,Clear Seas Research offers relevant insights from those who know your industry best. Let us customize a market research solution that exceeds your marketing goals.

eNewsletters

STAY CONNECTED

facebook_40.png twitter_40px.png  youtube_40px.pnglinkedin_40px.png