Roadblocks and Detours

For every failure, there's an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.” Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash (May 12, 1918 – November 22, 2001) was an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. Early in her career she was National Sales Director for several direct sales organizations. Frustrated when passed over for a promotion—in favor of a man that she had trained—Ash retired in 1963 and intended to write a book to assist women in business. The book turned into a business plan for her ideal company, which began with boxes of bottles and jars labeled "Beauty by Mary Kay." That was a very successful detour.

Do you think that everything will go exactly as planned today? There will be lots of moving parts that will make up your day – alarm clocks, all that goes into getting yourself and others ready and out of the house, your car, traffic, railroad crossings, red lights, parking spaces, information about and stuff you need for your assignments, computers and the glitches that so often happen, co-workers, schedules…this list can go on forever. Just imagine if one of these things doesn’t work exactly as planned – and since most are inter-dependent, if one has a problem then the rest might start to unravel too. To make it through successfully you need back up plans, a flexible and positive attitude, a clear head and lots of common sense, and a constant eye on your objective. If something can go wrong, it will (that’s Murphy’s Law); but like Mary Kay’s lost promotion, most of those failures can be turned around. A can-do attitude earned her the recognition as America’s greatest woman entrepreneur. Take a line or two from her script and find all the detours you need to be successful today.

Whistle While You Work!

“Enthusiasm is the way you trigger other people’s emotions so they instinctively help and support you.” Paul Meyer

I have no idea who Paul Meyer is, but he’s right when he talks about inspiring others to helping and supporting you. Stop and think of the people you’ve worked with, or played with on a team, or went to a party with. All that stick out in your memory are those who did those things with a smile on their face, a positive bounce in their step and a winner’s mentality no matter what.

What’s on your schedule today? Probably more of the same from last week and yesterday – and often that’s not enough to spark your enthusiasm. Sure, you may want to get them done but will you do it with the gusto and attitude to make others want to join in and work hard with you? Whistle While You Work is a song written for the 1937 animated Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It’s a catchy tune that should be taught to and practiced by all of us; the message is a clear as the title. Grumpy people, unfocused work, a who-cares attitude and a less than committed outlook won’t win games, help teams or win at anything. Think about the people you’re around every day – what is it that makes you admire some and not others? It’s the attitude – and it can’t be taught. But it can be practiced, learned and perfected – by you. Start now to have that smile on your face, that bounce in your step and that whistle in your work. You’ll work happier and better, and those around you will appreciate you a whole lot more. Try it today!