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
    • EBOOKS
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • THE QUALITY SHOW
    • 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!

Just Three Steps Away from Success

By Jim L. Smith
July 11, 2011


If things aren’t going well professionally or personally- don’t worry. You do not have to tackle everything at once. That can be daunting.

You need to think about it logically and strategically. You are only three short steps from turning things around and getting back on track. You can handle that.

If you are headed in a negative direction, getting back on track may seem hopelessly out of reach. Yet by taking just three steps, you can completely change your prospects for the better.

Take one positive step, and you will stop moving backwards. Take a second positive step, and you will begin moving forward on your way to better things.

Then take the third step in a positive direction, and suddenly you have established real momentum. From that point, each successive positive effort comes more naturally and easily.

No matter how low you may be, remember at any point you are just three short steps away from a whole different outlook. Think about it a moment: No matter what is happening, you are just three small, positive actions to turning it around. You can easily get headed solidly in a new direction and become more empowering with each step.

In addition, by taking those three positive steps you will get a real sense of commitment. These actions will get you quickly and firmly invested in your own future and success.

Remember, wherever you are now, you are just three steps away. On your way to whatever goal you choose. Don’t let the current situation get you down, take control and do it now because now is indeed the best time to act.

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
  • Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders
    Sponsored byComplianceQuest

    Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders from the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for QMS

  • 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

Popular Stories

Two Individuals Using Quality Management Software

Quality’s Dirty Secret

Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders

Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders from the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for QMS

Visions Sensors Ebook

eBook | How AI-driven Vision Systems Are Transforming Automotive Quality Control

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

July 14, 2026

Quality Leaders Forum: Better Communication, Better Quality Data

The Quality Leaders Forum is a quarterly, editor-moderated fireside chat series hosted by Quality Magazine, featuring candid conversations with senior manufacturing and operations executives shaping enterprise-level quality.

August 12, 2026

Eliminate Manual FAI Processes and Reduce Inspection Time by Up to 90%

Discover how advanced FAI software automates First Article Inspection workflows by generating inspection plans, validating results in real time, integrating 2D/3D data, and reducing quality escapes to improve efficiency and compliance.

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
Rookie of the Year 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