THE POWER OF ASSUMING SUCCESS (RATHER THAN ACCEPTING DEFEAT)
Posted by dreamersmith 11 years, 6 months ago to Business
One cannot find success nor happiness upon the back of another.
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best, Mike
Best always, Mike
A person is promoted to the level of their incompetence, as I recall or something akin to that. Seems to be more like the survival of the unfittest. Our present government is an excellent example of incompetents surviving and even prospering.
Fred
You are correct in your understanding of the book. Yes, a good number of conscripts as well as some volunteers were not what I would consider crack troops. As to the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong being able to retreat into safe zones is also true. That's what I was referring to when I wrote that it was the politicians who lost the war, not the troops. Our political leadership declared North Vietnam off limits with an occasional exception. You read more about the conduct of the war and the bombing of Haiphong in particular at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_L...
Fred Speckmann
commonsenseforamericans@yahoo.com
The thing that stands out the most is that, at least by my understanding of this book, the VC could retreat to the north or other VC territory and usually be safe. They usually choose the time and place of battle, and did so to their advantage. A basic concept of war is that you need to grab the initiative, make the enemy respond to you instead the other way around. This one book makes it sound like the VC did things, and the US would respond. When the US went to attack, some of the troops were conscripts hoping to do their yr of service w/o seeing too much danger. It all sounds like a formula to lose.
Bravo, what could anyone add to your words?
Fred Speckmann
commonsenseforamericans@yahoo.com
About your Vietnam example, while I understand your point, I need to make a correction of fact. The united States never lost a battle, except the battle of desire to win. The troops always believed we could win but were sold out by their politicians. The sellout began under president Johnson and was completed under president Nixon once he realized that he had lost the support of the public. In fact there were two reasons for the loss of that support. It was the beginning of politicians not supporting their troops and do everything necessary to achieve victory. That would have included totally destroying the war making capabilities of the enemy by bombing North Vietnam which we were capable of doing. The ultimate result was what we see today, the non-support of our troops after committing them to battle. Our troops are capable of defeating any enemy, it's our politicians of both parties that are the defeatist and defeat becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The net result, thousands of troops killed and maimed for nothing.
Fred Speckmann
commonsenseforamericans@yahoo.com
For anyone who would rather not read the brief essay in that awful format, here's the text from it: [see attached reply]
2. The Victory of the north Vietnamese. They should have lost, but they believed in success and worked until they got it. It doesn't matter that the US abandoned south Vietnam for the NVA would have continued to fight whether we had or not, beliving their cause was right and just.
Note: I'm not saying the NVA were right or just just that they believed and they won, just as we did in the revolutionary war.
Why are some people invigorated by a seemingly insurmountable task while others seem paralyzed by the same situation? Some see the opportunity to make progress towards the completion of a project while others shut down unless they see an immediate conclusion well within their reach. Other than the obvious propensity towards taking risks, there is one underlying characteristic differentiating the two attitudes – the ability to question “why not?” before acting rather than needing to understand “why” before formulating a plan and moving forward.
Everyone comes to a fork in the road – a decision point that forever changes what they have done, redirecting all efforts and activities towards the accomplishment of what they have yet to become. Many attempt to “define” this moment through resolutions to change but find that shifting directions is a process rather than an event. We cannot “will” ourselves to eliminate years of bad habits in one moment – it takes time to undo what we often do to ourselves. “If only…” will never define “what is…” When we trap ourselves within the world of excuses by asking what might have happened “if only” we had acted differently, we lose sight of reality. Dwelling upon things NOT accomplished will never initiate change – it only reinforces your limitations (rather than celebrating your abilities).
Some individuals act in accordance with established policy, practice or procedure whether or not that may be the best way to do something. Others constantly question what they are asked to do as a means to test and temper the validity of an action prior to its being taken. What good does it do to advance an idea unless it makes a difference? One will never experience their full potential by seeking comfort within a world defined by other’s expectations. Life is not a spectator sport – it requires careful consideration, intelligent planning and intentional action. Most successful individuals establish basic tenants for their life – rules they use to hold themselves accountable for their own actions. While everyone lives by some set of values and ethics, some of the rules that provide the “highest return on investment” would include the following:
* It is OK to make a mistake BUT do not repeat the same mistake. It is OK to make a wrong decision – any well-thought out decision is better than no decision. Learn from your errors, using them as a springboard to propel you forward. People will usually work with you as long as you continue to show measurable progress or growth.
* Focus on things you can control. Identify obstacles that are within your sphere of influence and actively seek to eliminate whatever hurdles you can by giving them up to someone who has the ability to influence them. Likewise, seek to find the factors you cannot influence or control and give them up immediately.
* Lying, cheating, or stealing is intolerable. If you are the best performer or individual with the highest results… but those results came through dishonesty or at someone else’s expense… you will not be respected, credible NOR working (or participating in an ongoing relationship) for very long.
* Results are recognized – effort is merely a means to the end. Seek not praise for working hard or contributing greatly – let recognition come your way through the results your effort achieved. Do not begin your new year THINKING about change – take intentional actions to initiate change.
* All individuals may speak, question, and have a voice in any decision but that does not mean all votes are equal. Life is not a democracy. Input is valued but an individual responsible for the ultimate success of any endeavor must – and will - make the final decision. Do not confuse “equal” with “equitable” as you seek to identify and establish new points from which you can leap forward during the coming year.
There is nothing that “cannot be done.” While some solutions may not be cost-effective, or are simply impractical or beyond our ability to implement, “I can’t,” “It’s not possible,” and other self-condemning attitudes are not acceptable. Well thought-out solutions to issues you may encounter while doing your job (or during life in general) are not reasons for celebration, they are simply expectations of the way you should continually exhibit and utilize your abilities.
As the curtains of time fall on another year, focus upon the things you have experienced rather than the things that “COULD have been accomplished IF ONLY you had not run out of time.” Somehow, building from a foundation of “what is” seems much more relevant to life than hiding behind “What could have been.” Seeking “what has yet to happen” provides a much better foundation upon which to build than does “Why try?" The sands of time can either flow unobstructed to their logical end OR they can break out of their paradigm to become something never before imagined.
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