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Always play the Odds

Written by: Bill Truax

Article Overview: Goal Achievement is Simple but not Easy. I have observed that most people have no idea how to set a Goal so goal achievement is not possible. The first thing to do is have everything you can control working for you, you will have enough working against you. These are the obvious easy things to do that are often overlooked, yet they make a mountain of difference. And they are the necessary first steps.

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Always play the Odds

Since we are pursuing the achievement of Goals for every phase of our lives and since we also know that focus and commitment are required, let's make it a little easier by "playing the odds."

We all have a pretty good idea what this means. I want you to focus on the behaviors that will most effectively get you to your Goals. Make sure that you have all the things that you can control working for you.

Take 100% control of your life so you can achieve every Goal you have. Always play with the odds in your favor.

Here is one example I am following right now.

As I mentioned in a recent e-mail, the single most important asset we have for accomplishing our Goals is us, our bodies and minds. Therefore, we should play the odds in our favor and behave in a way that best protects and strengthens our bodies and minds.

There are 4 areas that stand out in this regard. Weight, exercise, habits, and sleep.

Since the Internet has virtually all the information in the known world immediately available, we know what we should weigh. I am 6 feet tall, with medium bone size, so the most I can weight for my health is 190 pounds by one of the many websites and my body fat should not exceed 18% - Period.

So that is my body weight and fat Goal. Not around 195 or so, and 20 some percent - 190 pounds with 18% body fat! I have 7 pounds to lose and will then check my body fat when I am at 190.

Remember, whenever some one is given a range of choices, they will choose the easier. If you tell a sales person to make 5-8 Prospecting calls a week, how many do you think they will make? That's right – 5. The Sales manager will expect 8. So no ranges of weight find your healthy weight and get to it.

Next is exercise. I already workout 5 days a week so I am on track there. If you are not, start. It doesn't have to be a workout for Olympic competition, but appropriate for your weight, body fat, and health Goals.

Habits. Here I am referring to smoking, drugs and drinking. We all know that smoking and drugs are just stupid, so if you use them, quit. When it comes to drinking, more than one glass of wine a night for a woman and two for a man has been found to be too much.

Sleep, here is where people can really make a remarkable and immediate improvement in life. I am sure that you have heard all the talk about how sleep deprived we are. Doctors say that we need a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night starting before midnight.

If you are like me and like to watch the news and then the first half hour of Leno, but then have to get up at 6 AM, you are in trouble. That was me. So I now am in bed by 10 or 10:30 at the latest.

Since I have started getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night the world seems to have changed. I can not believe how much of a difference it makes. We expect it of our pilots and truck drivers, why not give ourselves the benefit of this medical marvel called sleep – and it is free.

So there you have it. Play the odds. If you want to be a Goal achiever, have everything you can control working for you.

Just look at all the super stars. They control their weight and conduct, why shouldn't we do the same. Think of the people we admire, how many are overweight, smoke, drink too much, are out of shape and half asleep? None.

You are smart enough to know these things. However, I am continually amazed at the medical professionals who are fat and smoke a terrible role model.

Fat guarantees heart disease, stroke, intestinal problems, diabetes, artery disease, hip, knee, and other joint problems. Smoking and drugs are just dumb. These are playing the odds against you.

So take control of You. You all know what to do, so just go out and Do it.

Protect your most important and valuable asset – You!

Sell Well and Often,

Bill

© Copyright 2009 WJ Truax

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Home > Sales > Bill Truax > Always play the Odds
Article Tags: body fat, bone size, choices, drugs, e mail, exercise habits, health goals, olympic competition, playing the odds, regard, sales person, sleep, weight exercise, what this means, workout

About the Author: Bill Truax
RSS for Bill's articles - Visit Bill's website

Bill Truax is a Cleveland, Oh based speaker and consultant. He specializes in two skill bases. First, Goal setting and achievement motivational presentations. Second, Prospecting and making cold calls in the commercial/industrial market place. He has been involved in sales, sales training and consulting since 1972 and has trained thousands of people in the skills of goal achievement. Bill has written 4 books on Prospecting as well as skill based training programs on public speaking and manners, courtesy, and etiquette for the business professional. He has written dozens of articles on Goal setting and achievement and Prospecting Take aways from Bill's programs are the skills and abilities to set and achieve all your goals, increase your sales, acquire more prospects and customers, dramatically increase time efficiency and have a lot more fun on the job. visit www.blitzcall.com

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More from Bill Truax
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