Page 11 - 2018-BMR-December

Road Signs For Personal Success

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

As we traverse our personal and professional journeys, we
are constantly adjusting to make certain (metaphorically) we 5 Persistence alone is omnipotent.
stay on course and avoid as many of those pesky potholes Nothing can take the place of time on task. Those who
along life’s highway as possible. We heed various “road signs” achieve their goals know one of the most important aspects
to aid in arriving at our chosen destination safe and sound. of the process is to emphatically stay the course. Each
Below are ten suggested “road signs” to help us along the challenge offers an opportunity to discover a way to embrace
way…adjust accordingly: reality and creatively find ways to come to workable
resolutions. Simply never give up, or more appropriately:
Maturity is the ability to understand how our Give up giving up.
1 behavior impacts those around us. It’s not what you CAN do, it’s not what you will

The profound wisdom in this statement is the key to 6 DO, but it’s what you DO DO that counts.
success for so many people, and unfortunately it is the From potential to intention to follow-through: We get
reason so many fail. Before taking action, simply stop and trapped into thinking intention is outcome; we deceive
think, “How will this impact all those around me?” That is ourselves into thinking by merely intending to do something
ultimately the essence of caring. we have accomplished our goal. Even the plan to do it is still
The question isn’t, “Can one person make a not the key. The payoff is in the doing of it.
2 difference?” The question is, “What kind of

difference will one person make?” 7 Learn to agree to disagree.
We all make a difference. Our very presence in any Allow others to have their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions,
situation is part of the present-moment tapestry. Something and don’t make them wrong in the process. We grow by
as simple as saying “Thank you” will make a difference, and learning and accepting the knowledge and experiences
side-stepping a compliment will make a difference as well. others bring to the table. Embrace unknowing and respect
What kind of difference do you want to make? those who see things differently...there is little time for
If we accept less than excellence, that’s exactly disagreement...just agree to disagree.
3 what we will get. Argue for your limitations and you get to

Our mind leads us in the direction of our most dominant 8 own them.
thoughts. Do we see ourselves achieving excellence in all Self-fulfilling prophecy. There are reasons and there are
aspects of our lives? What is our self-talk telling us to do? results; choose results. We often limit our own possibilities
Successful people believe they will be successful, and it all by convincing ourselves we don’t have what it takes. Yet
starts with: We become what we think we are. if you look at so many of our heroes, they are/were just
ordinary people who refused to accept any limitations.
4 We are contagious. Become your own hero.
Everything from our attitudes to our work ethic is Don’t complain to someone who can’t fix it; don’t
contagious. Thus, the statement: We become like the 9 listen to someone complain unless you can fix it.
people we hang around. Not only are we susceptible to This pointless exercise consumes an inordinate amount
mirroring the personalities of others, but others are equally of time in our lives. Why would someone complain to a
as susceptible to who we are. The ultimate question is: Do plumber about a toothache? This is true of everything that is
you want people to get what you have? part of our daily routine. Communicate with those who can
make a positive difference. Simply avoid negative rhetoric
and gossip.

Bandmasters Review • December 2018 9 Texas Bandmasters Association