A GREAT BOOK
by Michelle Hanson
How many of you have read a book that just makes sense to every aspect of your life? I love reading books that make you nod your head, and say “That’s it! It makes perfect sense!” The “Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn, is one of those books. It is a small, quick-read book, but has a very powerful message. Fred is a postman that made a huge impact on the life of a professional speaker, so much of an impact that he wrote a book about him.
Without giving all the details, (because I want you all to read it) I want to tell you some of the principles that I learned from this book. These are principles, I believe that we can use in our work, our family life, relationships everywhere.
Principle #1 EVERYONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional. What difference can you make in the lives of others? Are you sick of living in mediocrity? Shake things up a bit. If we quit always thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others, joy sets in. How can you help the people you meet and see every single day? Are there things at your job that would make a difference for your clients or customers? Trust me! Martin Luther King Jr. said “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” If you give it your very best, you will see a difference in your relationships, at your job, everywhere! Most of all you will gain confidence and a positive outlook.
Principle #2 SUCCESS IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS
The difference Fred made in the life of the professional speaker was the relationship they had. Fred did his very best to make sure his mail was always delivered correctly and neatly. More importantly he grew a relationship with the speaker from the start. Service becomes personalized when a relationship exists between the provider and the customer. When your job involves interacting with other humans, your product or service is only as good as the relationship on which it’s sold. You may have an amazing product, but if you have poor customer service, you may as well have sold a broken product, because that customer will never return. This same principle can be used in our marriage, and other relationships as well. If we want a great marriage and calm, peaceful home, we have to work on those relationships, they don’t just happen.
Principle #3 YOU MUST CONTINUALLY CREATE VALUE FOR OTHERS AND IT DOESN’T HAVE TO COST A PENNY
Have you ever watched reality TV where they completely makeover someone’s house and wish you had the money to do something like that? YOU CAN! You don’t have to have any money to make a difference in someone’s life. Giving someone a compliment, help with a project, play cards with an elderly person, just be a shoulder to lean on. More times than not people just want to be listened to and shown compassion. There are numerous ways to make a difference! It starts with a little imagination. What can you do to add value to the life of the people around you?
Principle #4 YOU CAN REINVENT YOURSELF REGULAR
If Fred could deliver mail in such a way that it made such a huge impact in the life of Mark Sanborn, the writer of this book, than what can you do to bring originality in the your workplace, your life at home, and the life of the people you encounter every day? Stop waking up with a “oh, hum, another day” attitude. Think positive! “What difference am I going to make today?”
I want to challenge you to think outside the box and strive for more. There is a whole wide world out there waiting for you. Don’t live in mediocrity. Build relationships, value them, and you will be successful in everything you do.