Take a Persistence
Inventory
The book, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill has sold
more than 50 million copies since it came out in print. It’s a great read with
a lot of practical advice on how to mix up your own magical formula for
success.
I’m a sales professional, and I’m well aware that my
paycheck is directly linked to my willingness and ability to persist. Hill’s
“Persistence Inventory” is a useful way to take stock of what I’m doing, and
what I need to do better.
Or as Hill puts it, “These are the weaknesses that must be mastered by
all who accumulate riches.”
Napoleon
Hill’s Persistence Inventory:
1. Failure
to recognize and to define clearly exactly what one wants.
2. Procrastination,
with or without cause.
3. Lack
of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.
4. Indecision.
5. The
habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the
solution of problems.
6. Self-satisfaction
(which can be tough to recognize at times
in my opinion!)
7. Indifference,
usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather
than meeting opposition and fighting it.
8. The
habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable
circumstances as unavoidable.
9. Weakness
of desire, due to the choice of motives that impel action.
10. Willingness
to quit at the first sign of defeat.
11. Lack
of organized plans, in writing, so you can analyze your thinking.
12. The
habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or grab opportunity when it appears.
13. Wishing
instead of willing.
14. The
habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches.
15. Searching
for all the short-cuts to riches, trying to get without giving a fair
equivalent in effort.
16. Fear
of criticism so you don’t create plans and put them into action.
As you think
about these items, I challenge you to answer the core question Hill asked in
his book: Can you imagine yourself as a millionaire?
And what
would you need to do differently when you’re selling to achieve that?
►Learn More about Napoleon Hill at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Hill
