What you do off the job ultimately plays a major role in how far you go on the job. Every athlete, singer, dancer, entertainer, outstanding attorney, physician, speaker, professor, etc., clearly understands this fact of life. When everyone, regardless of occupation, understands this basic fact, they will make more progress in their personal, family and professional lives.
Having been in the personal growth, development and training business virtually all of my adult life, I'm convinced that most training is effective and will increase productivity at least temporarily. However, in addition to improving performance between eight o'clock a.m. and five o'clock p.m., what that individual does between five p.m. and eight a.m. will determine their long-term success. A good night's sleep vs. staying up all night on a drinking spree will produce different results the next day. Extend it over a long period of time and it will produce dramatically different results in the career of that individual. I frequently point out that the few minutes a person spends on the night before the day before vacation as they plan their work for the next day substantially increases their productivity. Obviously, what they did off the job (planning the next day) is what I'm referring to.
Over the long haul, however, it really does become a question of character. Do you accept responsibility for your own performance? Are you studying, reading, learning, listening for new ideas and information that will ensure your employability for the future? Do you accept responsibility for your performance on the job?
On the other end of the scale, if planning and preparing improves your performance on the job, doesn't it make sense that if you plan your family, exercise, recreation and vacation time that you will have better family relationships which, incidentally, have a direct bearing on your job performance? In short, all of life works together. Develop your character by developing your knowledge and skills, and I definitely will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator. He authored 33 books and produced numerous training programs. He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.