Punctuality
Making a late payment and showing up late are essentially the same thing. When you show up late, you are not only wasting other peoples time (bringing down moral) but giving the impression that you are incompetent. My coach used to say "Being 15 minutes early is better than being 5 minutes late." Sometimes you can't help it and when that happens just take responsibility for what happened, nobody likes excuses. Time is money, how are you spending yours? No one ever got fired for being early. Appearance
Most of the time a simple costume is all the audience needs to believe in a character. In our society we all label/judge people based on the clothing they wear or don't wear. Don't let your fashion choices send the wrong message about you. Take pride in your appearance and remember that someone is always watching. Make sure that when you engage in a job or activity you at least look the part. People always judge a book by its cover. Often times what you see, really is what you get. Just ask this guy.
Willpower
Self discipline is like a muscle, you have to work it out regularly to see any real results. You can improve your willpower in a short amount of time just by forcing yourself to do things that you don't really like. Once or twice a day just for practice exercise your will by doing the dishes, grocery shopping instead of getting Wendy's, updating your resume, making phone calls you have been avoiding, working out, getting up early, staying late etc... Do the things that most people wouldn't. After a few weeks you wont even miss TV.
Organization
How are you supposed to get anything done if it takes you ten minutes to search for important files or rummage through your toolbox? In that movie "Limitless" the first thing that Bradley Cooper does after taking NZT is clean and organize his entire place so that everything is either out of the way or easily accessible. The feeling of satisfaction that accompanies a cleaning and organizing session will really inspire you. With a clean home/office/locker/desktop you will be more prepared to get things done efficiently. Assertiveness
Sometimes saying YES too often can sabotage your productivity and mental clarity. "Can you help me plan this party?" "Do you think you can do a double shift tomorrow?" "I really need someone to help me move, are you free?" If your not careful, your whole month will be planned for you. Value your own time and make sure to prioritize yourself first before you take on projects for everyone else. Assertiveness goes a long way with pushy sales people too. "Do you want to open a blah blah blah card for No fees? It will just take a minute." The answer is "NO!!!!!!"
"Sir are you sure? it's a really great card." I said "NO!"
Warm up
You can't just show up and expect to do a good job. No matter what your activity is, there are things you can do beforehand to put you in a optimal performance zone. Writers may read, Athletes stretch and run, salesmen can initiate conversations, divers hold their breath. Do whatever you need to do to put yourself in the right state of mind. They call it cold feet for a reason, be ready for action from the moment you show up. For most jobs this means COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Empathy
Understand that you are not the most important person in the world. Notice what other people have going on and realize that they have feelings too. Its almost the opposite of assertiveness, put yourself in the other persons shoes. If someone looks busy or upset, you should probably show concern or at the very least leave them alone. If someone takes extra time to help you even though it may cost them in the long run (like an extra attentive server during the dinner rush) Show your appreciation for their service. If only teens and parents could learn to empathize with each other.
Humor
If not for humor I would already be dead and gone. It is this single facet of my personality that I attribute most of my happiness to. In most any scenario you will usually be able to locate something funny about the situation. The funniest things are usually unintentional and come at someone Else's expense. Don't take yourself too seriously. Expect that if you shave your eyebrows off, people will laugh at you. Laugh with them.
Your Word
Hold yourself accountable for the things you say. If you tell a friend that you will pick them up from the airport then forget to set your alarm they are not going to be very happy with you. Use your words to reinforce your goals. Tell people what you are going to do so that they will hold you to it. "I'm gonna quit smoking." "I'll believe it when I see it." Some people love to remind us of what we said we were going to do.
Attention To Detail
Most bosses expect you to do the job they hired you to do. It's going the extra mile and doing the little things your boss never mentioned that will stand out. Having the foresight to do things when they need to be done and not just when someone tells you to. Double check all your work to make sure its correct and then move on to the next task. Be a self starter not a jump starter. Dale Fanella
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