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No Excuse
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January 27, 2015

  

Wow!  Thanks for your great response to my last newsletter, "How Bad Do You Want It?" It clearly struck a chord. So, I decided to continue with this theme as you begin to consider and reconsider what resolutions are worth your time, energy and perhaps money this year.

 

I recently read this in the book, "Lead with a Story."  

 

When Bob McDonald joined the U.S. Military Academy at West point in 1971, he quickly learned there were only four acceptable responses when addressed by a superior officer. Those were "Yes, sir"; "No, sir"; "I don't understand, sir"; and "No excuse, sir."

 

As he explained it, "Imagine I've shined my shoes, my trousers are pressed, and I go out to formation. While in line, one of my classmates rushes past and steps in a puddle, splashing mud all over my shoes and trousers. Then an upperclassman walks by and notices. 'McDonald! Why are you in formation with mud all over your shoes and trousers?'

"As a West Point cadet, I go through all four possible answers in my head. 'Yes, sir' would just restate the obvious, so that doesn't seem appropriate. And it would probably get me yelled at even more. I couldn't say 'No, sir' because it was clearly true. I'd get thrown out of the academy for lying. 'I don't understand, sir' would just make me look stupid. As a new cadet I was doing enough of that already. The only answer I had left was the fourth one, and it's the most powerful one of all- 'No excuse, sir.' Even though something happened to me that was outside my control, I wasn't supposed to make any excuses. I was supposed to say, 'No excuse, sir. It won't happen again.' That's how a West Point cadet takes responsibility, which is an important part of character."  

 

It's a lesson Bob McDonald never forgot throughout his career. As the CEO of Procter & Gamble, he was responsible for setting stretch goals for the company. He made sure that everyone knew the "No excuse, sir" response is a clear indication of commitment and responsibility. 

Think about the goals you set and never achieved, like reaching a revenue number, losing those last 10 pounds, improving your work-life balance, getting that promotion, or finding that perfect-for-you partner. It's easy to blame it on someone else, genetics, the economy or even fate. Or you can choose to empower yourself and make no excuses. 

 

While some things happen that are out of our control, it's how we choose to respond to it--by giving up or giving more--that will determine our success.
 

Share your wisdom on my Facebook Page or reply back to me. I love hearing from you!

 

To Your Wisdom, 

Tricia

770.565.1231

www.triciamolloy.com

  

PS: If this message resonates with you, please share it by forwarding it or clicking on the social media buttons above. 

  

  

Have You Heard What They're Saying?
 
"Simple but brilliant! That's Tricia Molloy's 'Work-Life Balance Wisdom' program. 

 

"Tricia spoke to more than 600 AT&T employees at our headquarters in Dallas and via webcast to AT&T offices throughout the country. She got us to think about our lives in a different way. Her empowering message struck a chord with so many of us, regardless of our level or lifestyle. We followed up the event with a book giveaway to encourage participants to improve their balance by making conscious choices-like cleaning out technical clutter and using positive affirmations. 

 

"Even a respected senior executive who is known for her commitment to balance said she learned some new strategies that she'll apply right away."
Tiffany Jenkins, Director of Audit Services
AT&T 

 

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Tricia Molloy is a leadership speaker on work-life balance and professional development through wise business practices.

Her Working with Wisdom programs, CRAVE Your Goals!, DESIGN Your Ideal Life! and Work-Life Balance Wisdom, inspire people to be more positive, proactive and productive so they can achieve their priority goals faster and easier.

They are available as employee development talks, workshops and webinars, and conference keynotes. Join organizations like Kimberly-Clark, IBM, The Home Depot and the Project Management Institute and benefit from these innovative programs.

Tricia also offers one-on-one Wisdom Mentoring for women entrepreneurs and professionals.
    

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