Quality Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Quality Magazine logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
    • SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCT
  • CHANNELS
    • AUTOMATION
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MEASUREMENT
    • NDT
    • QUALITY 101
    • SOFTWARE
    • TEST & INSPECTION
    • VISION & SENSORS
  • MARKETS
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • ENERGY
    • GREEN MANUFACTURING
    • MEDICAL
  • MEDIA
    • A WORD ON QUALITY PUZZLE
    • EBOOK
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • IMTS
  • DIRECTORIES
    • BUYERS GUIDE >
      • Supplier Insights
    • NDT SOURCEBOOK
    • VISION & SENSORS
    • TAKE A TOUR
  • INFOCENTERS
    • Digital Quality Management Systems
    • NEXT GENERATION SPC & QUALITY ANALYTICS
  • AWARDS
    • ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
    • PLANT OF THE YEAR
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
  • MORE
    • Expert Columns
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • QUALITY STORE
    • INDUSTRY LINKS
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • EMAG
    • eMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
  • SIGN UP!

Do the Right Thing Right Now

By Jim L. Smith
April 12, 2011

We are often held back by thinking of the things we didn’t do or worry about the things we did do. Were they the right things? Was it enough? What will people think? This type of thinking can be paralyzing.

We need to let go of our concerns about what we could have done or should have done. We must look instead at our numerous opportunities for doing the right thing, right now!

If our regrets about the past are painful, then allow those regrets to teach and motivate us to take quicker action and do better. Right at this moment we can take the valuable lessons learned and use that knowledge to take steps to move forward.

We’ve learned that every action, as well as every failure to act, has consequences and they are seldom positive. It is our chance to enable those consequences to work in our favor.

Certainly, the past may hold some regrets as they do for everyone. Don’t dwell on the past because we have the present which can be a powerful ally if we let it.

The present can create a positive future that can be shaped by what we do today. We can choose, right now, from a large set of valuable and desirable possibilities.

Because of our past learning experiences, we are well-equipped to be our own most important advisor. If we just learn from what we’ve been through, we’ll find a way to go wherever we choose to go and what we choose to accomplish.

Share This Story

Qm0222 clmn face p2 author jim smith

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 [email protected]

Blog Topics

Shifting the Paradigm

Jim's Gems

Steve Adams: Operational Strategies

Recent Comments

Therefore great deal to take place over kinds...

Gee… I translate writes on a similar to...

As it turned out, it is quite possible...

For some it is significant, and so research...

nike tiffany and co jacket

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Quality audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Quality or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.
    Sponsored byPolyWorks by InnovMetric

    Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

  • Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios
    Sponsored byDorsey Metrology International

    Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

  • This image displays a Eddyfi Technologies Cypher portable inspection instrument alongside a scanner for non-destructive testing (NDT).
    Sponsored byEddyfi Technologies

    A Safer, Smarter Approach to Weld Inspection: Why Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Is Redefining Industry Standards

Popular Stories

MicroRidge MobileCollect wireless measurement system

Before AI Can Help, the Data Has to Be Ready

a titanium diaphragm speaker driver

The One Thing Elon Gets Right Is Designed to Scare You

This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.

Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

June 4, 2026

Scaling Manufacturing Quality with Automation for Greater ROI

If you need to do more with the same resources or build a new tech foundation, this session shows where to start and how to create a more efficient, scalable, cost-conscious quality process.

June 9, 2026

Future-Proof your Quality Processes with Advanced 3D Optical CMM Technology

Discover how to effortlessly capture complex data, leverage true multi-sensor automation, and ensure continuous operation without creating inspection delays.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

See More Products
Quality Podcast Channel Custom Content
×

Stay in the know with Quality’s comprehensive coverage of
the manufacturing and metrology industries.

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Reprints
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing