The Principle-Driven Life

I'm convinced that much of the frustration and lack of achievement in life comes from fuzzy thinking about our core principles and our first priorities.

This week I read a little manifesto by author and conservative talk-radio personality, Mark R. Levin. The book, Liberty and Tyranny, criticizes President Obama from a conservative point of view and offers alternatives Levin believes would work better. TIPS isn't about politics and I'm not going into it here, but his argument that policies and action must be based upon principle did ring a bell for me.

Very few of us routinely re-examine our core beliefs or write down the principles that guide our lives. Think about it for a moment. How often are you challenged to explain your guiding principles? How often do you write out your basic beliefs, or explain them to a friend or loved one? How often do we even think about where we're going in life or what we absolutely, positively stand for?

My grandmother used to say that if we "don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything." I think she was right. It's vital not only to "do" stuff--our world encourages lots of work, busy-ness and activity!--but to think clearly about what it all means.

It's long been known that under stress we all have a tendency to narrow our focus until we miss even the most essential things in life. When distracted and stressed by a small glitch or anomaly, airline pilots have even forgotten to lower their landing gear! Perhaps a more common example is being so busy we forget to eat lunch or being so stressed we forget to tell our children we love them. How much easier is it to compromise our basic principles in the push to make a sale?

Too often we "major in minor things" or as my friend, Michael Angier says, we "get lost in the thick of thin things." I love that phrase and hate the results!

In a world filled with hundreds of requests to spend our time, our money, our energy and our talents on other people's preferences, it is vital that we stay anchored and focused on the life we choose. I love the story that on a particularly hectic day Mahatma Gandhi once said, "I have so much to do today that I must spend twice as much time in meditation." I think he understood something we often miss.

Here are some steps that can help:

1. Define your fundamentals. If you haven't done so in a while, take time to affirm the things you know to be true. If you have a particular religious faith, what are it's core tenants? How do you see the world and your place in it? What would you fight for? What would you die to defend or stand up for at all costs? Know your fundamentals, the principles that guide your life.

2. Review them with a friend or loved one. At least once a quarter, explain your principles to a skilled listener. Invite a friendly, respectful and compassionate debate. Test your beliefs to see if they stand up to questions and if you can defend them reasonably and clearly. If you can't explain them to a child, perhaps you don't understand them as well as you think you do.

3. Keep a daily journal. I'm a huge fan of writing out our core principles as often as possible. It need not be lengthy or elaborate, but periodically take note of what you believe and how you live it in your daily life. Note where you've gone astray or violated a core value. Be honest with yourself and get back on track as soon as possible. I think it helps.

4. Match your schedule to your values. Periodically review your schedule, your checkbook and your commitments to see if they reflect your principles. Do your core values show up in the time you spend with your family? Do they show up in how you spend money and in the commitments you make to your work? If not, you want to quickly notice when you are off course, while minor adjustments are still possible.

For thousands of years, sailors have known the value of keeping an eye on the north star. They keep their hands on the tiller and check their course often. In modern life, we are rarely encouraged to do the same and it's easy to be led astray. We get so busy with our daily tasks that we easily lose our way. Don't let that happen to you! Know your guiding principles and stick to them.

How Hard Should You Work?

For years, there's been a drum-beat on the internet that people "should" work less and make more. The theory is that by being smarter and more efficient, we should make more sales, and have more profit for every hour we work.


I like the theory. I'm not sure it's that simple.

The reality is that the those who work hardest often seem to make the most money. Beyond that, it seems to me that the world actually prefers LOW prices, and that Sam Walton (founder of Walmart) did alright by lowering prices and making a bit LESS on every sale.

Now, obviously, we all want to be efficient, and we all think we're just a bit smarter than the next competitor. We are all looking for an "edge" to get ahead, and I suspect that will never change. But I also think there is an obvious edge we tend to over-look.

Customers actually LIKE businesses that go the extra mile! They PREFER companies that answer their phone. They do business with people who give SUPERIOR service, and who seem to care about customer satisfaction - actually, I like companies that refuse to "satisfy" me and seem determined to AMAZE me! And all of that requires hard, hard work.

Here's an old "law" of business: focus on the life-time value of a fanatically loyal customer. Focus on the value of a customer who sees him- or herself as your partner, rather than as just a "shopper." When your customers refuse to deal with anyone but you, your fortune is assured. How hard should you work? About that hard.


Dustin Mitchell

The Most Powerful Person In The World

Most of the world's truly great people will remain forever unknown. You and I will not hear of them and no one will write their biographies.

Sure, I love reading about Oprah Winfrey and being inspired by her life story. It's fun to follow Donald Trump's financial ups and downs, or marvel at the movies of a Steven Spielberg. But most of us will never be famous, and that has little to do with greatness.

I prefer the greatness Thomas Stanley and William Danko described in The Millionaire Next Door. I love the fact that even after the financial storms of recent months, there are millions of millionaires in world! Even better, I love that most of them started with nothing and created wealth with their own hands. Perhaps even more than that, I admire the great parents, teachers, artists, farmers and builders who have inspired me. The fascinating thing is that it's not hard to live a great life!

Recently, I watched Walk the Line, the biography of Johnny Cash, and how close he came to wasting his talent. It made me think of Elvis Presley, John Belushi, Howard Hughes and the thousands of others who made small decisions that led them tragically astray. What's the difference between the sadness of Marilyn Monroe and the greatness of Mother Theresa?

We all have greatness within us. Every one of us is born to make a difference, to play our part, and transform our corner of the world. We may not become famous, but we can live with joy and gusto and greatness. Why do so many of us settle for small problems, and small lives?

I think too many of us fail to seize and use our personal power.

Because we are not "powerful" on the world stage, we forget that we have tremendous power in our choices. We may not be rich or famous, but we have the power to smile, and to persist. We have the power to live with dignity and integrity and ambition. We have the power to be loving, to be kind, to be generous. We have the power to create and live our own lives.

My sense is that it helps to have a big dream. One of my best friends in the world and my personal mentor, Dan Gaub, always told me that if I was going to dream, I might as well dream BIG dreams. I am convinced that what we expect in life really does matter. I think it helps to expect the best and focus our thoughts, our attention and our intention on big dreams.

But I also think it's vital that we not be distracted or get lost in our own dreams. It's nice to aim high, so long as we realize that even the biggest dreams happen one step at a time. Donald Trump's fancy skyscrapers are build one rivet at a time. Oprah built her empire one meeting, one interview, one decision at a time. "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.”

Use your power! Hug someone, or call a friend. Spend an hour reading a good book or getting some exercise with your kids. Do it today, not tomorrow or "someday." Take action and use your power to skip desert or to make one more sales call. Take some action to move your life in the direction you want to go, and do it today.

Both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson have been credited with the insight that our greatest fear is not that we are powerless, but that (in fact!) we are powerful beyond measure. Whoever said it first, I think it's true.

You are powerful beyond measure! You have the power to change your world any time you wish. Use your power! Give a smile to someone who needs one. Get up a bit earlier, or work a bit longer. Put legs under your dreams and make them happen. Begin today, one step at a time.

Make it a great week!

Dustin Mitchell

Your 2009 Stimulus Plan Is Approved!

I've been fascinated (and a bit disgusted) watching our American "leaders" squabble over how much money they'll spend to "stimulate" us. Mary will tell you that as I watch the shenanigans that pass for "debate," I get plenty stimulated! Unfortunately, that sort of stimulation rarely leads to anything productive.

I have a better idea.

I believe the politicians are trying to do the right thing, and I wish them well. But I'm not willing to wait and I'm definitely not going to count on their generosity for my well-being! I've always believed my success is primarily up to me, in good times and in bad.

If you agree with that, let's get to work! Every crisis has winners and losers. Some people look at a crisis and become victims. They wait and wonder and hope for someone to make things betters. Others figure "if it's to be, it's up to me." They take action, find solutions and inevitably they emerge from even severe economic turmoil in a much stronger position.

In a crisis this severe, many things are beyond our individual control and we may all be battered and wounded. We may get kicked around or be knocked down, but I plan to survive and my intention is to thrive!

Here are four things I notice about the winners in life:

1. They Know Their Direction in Life. Winners are rarely lost or confused. They know their core values, they are clear about their priorities. They have found the "north star" that guides them and they keep moving forward. Not everyone takes the time to clarify their values and these people are "blown off-course" or "knocked down" when storms hit. Winners take time to ponder their values and set their priorities. They know their course in life and rarely lose their way.

2. They Have A Plan. Winners never settle for "hope" or even a "vision" of the future. They create blueprints and lists. Personally, I like the word "strategy." They know HOW they will achieve their goals. They know the steps, the resources and time it will take. Too many of us confuse "effort" with "progress." Winners never make that mistake. They have a well-designed plan and they follow it to the top.

3. They Have A Team. Winners know that successful people don't get there by themselves. Winners have coaches and partners, advisors, mentors, teachers and colleagues. At the very least, they have cheerleaders to celebrate their success and comfort them when they stumble. Winners know that bad things happen and they build alliances, networks and teams so they can triumph in tough times.

4. They Take Reasonable Risks. They take action. They invest and they follow-through. While others wonder "if it will work," winners jump in with both feet. They make decisions, they sign contracts, they take action and they "go for it." There are very few sure things in life and the winners know that sometimes you have to take a (reasonable) chance, try something new or be different to achieve more than average success.

If you want a stimulus plan in 2009, get your ass in gear and build your Market America UnFranchise business! Eventually the politicians will decide what they think will work, and eventually it will get implemented, and eventually it will lift the economy and (hopefully) we'll all benefit. But no government "stimulus plan" will ever compare to the PROVEN business system that J.R. Ridinger developed for us!!! Take the action needed to create success RIGHT NOW!

Don't wait for "them" or for "someday!" Create and approve your own stimulus plan. Be sure it reflects your values. Take time to create a plan or blueprint, and check with your team to be sure people are with you. Then, take risks and go for it! I guarantee no government bail-out will ever be half as stimulating as creating the life you truly, always wanted!

With love and respect,

Dustin Mitchell
St. Louis, MO
Miami Beach, FL



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