Reah’s Crib

Oftentimes, when we want to achieve something but fail, we surrender. When we are rejected or are criticized, we stop trying and feel frustrated. We give up the things that are indeed significant to our lives.

Not all of us, however, give up. Some become successful in their endeavors. Do you know their secrets? How about the secrets of big companies?

One of the secrets of successful individuals is that they do not know the word quit. They are persistent in achieving what they want in their lives. Let us consider General Douglas McArthur. After failing twice in his admission to West Point, he applied the third time and was accepted. If not of Gen. McArthur’s persistence, who would have said I shall return to the Filipinos? Likewise, Henry Ford, the famous automobile businessman went bankrupt twice during his first three years. As he said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” Isn’t he right? Look at where His assumption paid off making Ford Company one of the car manufacturers in the world.

Another secret of these victors is that they ate what they said. Could you imagine the following people experiencing shortsightedness? Thomas Edison, the inventor of electric bulb, for example, said once “Fooling around with alternating current is a waste of time. Nobody will use it ever.” Even Albert Einstein, the genius of the 20th century, supposed, “There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will be obtainable.” No wonder Einstein said “If A equals success, then the formula is A=X+Y+Z. Y is play. Z is keeping your mouth shut.”

Coca-Cola Company on the other hand sold only 400 bottles on their first year. Hey! They are now manufacturing billions of cokes every year for the global market! Amazing, isn’t it? Well, Don Keough, a former president and chief operating officer of the Coca-Cola Company, was applying what he calls “Keough’s Commandment for Losing” for the company to become successful. The following are his commandments of Losing:

1. Quit taking risks.

2. Be content.

3. Before you make any move, always ask yourself, “What will investors think?”

4. Avoid change.

5. Be totally inflexible-stay on the course no matter what.

6. Rely totally on research and experts to make decisions for you.

7. Be more concerned with status than service.

8. Concentrate on your competitor instead of your customers.

9. Put yourself first in everything you do, ahead of your customers and suppliers.

10. Memorize the formula “TGE..That’s Good Enough” to set a selling on quality.

Enough said. If we want to achieve something, do not be afraid of failure, take the risk, remind ourselves of “Keough’s Commandments of Losing” and shut up! ^_^

Reference: ‘How to give a damn good speech?’ by Philip R Theibert