While doing a crossword puzzle the other day, I laughed when I suddenly realized how much doing it was like starting and running my own home business. Here's what I discovered:
- one usually starts slowly and then gains momentum. Some people, however, have a God-given knack or gift for doing crosswords or running a business. Be patient even if it looks daunting at first.
- sometimes nothing happens for a long time and then, voila, a break leads to a flood of success.
- getting one thing right usually leaves clues to doing other things right. Part answers should be appreciated because they are better than no answers and they can provide clues to even bigger answers.
- inter-relationships are important in both situations. Letters relate to each other the way business people can relate to each other.
- small and large groups are important in order to achieve success. Crossword puzzles have clusters of words that support each other. Groups of business people do the same thing.
- testing ideas and doing trial runs are important to see what works and what doesn't. Sometimes risky moves can have big payoffs.
- one has to have a good depth of knowledge and experience to maximize chances of success at both. Study and learn at each step in the experience of success and failure.
- playfulness and the ability to see situations from different perspectives are important.
- sometimes what you may see as the first, or obvious solution may not be the best one. Be open and flexible.
- it is important to have a strong vocabulary in order to express oneself clearly.
- both are individual, personal challenges to succeed at a difficult task.
- confidence builds as one works at it and causes the pieces to fall into place.
- if you give up, you will never know if you could have done it.
- sometimes it is necessary to go to an expert or do research for definitions and help.
- cheating usually leads to failure.
- guessing and pretending to know is okay once in a while but over the long haul it is better to be knowledgeable about what you are doing.
- studying the job at hand, remembering and practice increase the chances of future success.
- both can be started and completed by adults and even children.
- there are many other people who do the same thing but never meet each other. Many can, however, be contacted to share ideas.
- there are many related exercises, help books, courses, clubs, meetings and conferences that you can enjoy and from which you can learn how to be really good at what you do.
- both can generate a sense of challenge and competition.
Contact me for professional development with a difference. I specialize in skills training. Participants in my workshops WILL be more creative, perceptive, better communicators.
Otto Schmidt, Education Consultant, speaker, author - "Accent on Essential Life Skills" - http://accentonskills.com/aelsbook.htm
Accent on Skills Consulting, Toronto, ON 416-226-2332 o.schmidt@accentonskills.com
Visit my website http://www.AccentonSkills.com for further information on booking custom-designed workshops for your team, employees, administrators. Choose from 48 personal, empowerment skills.
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