If you're going to do it, do it well - EddieFrancisNOLA's Blog

Why people refuse to invest in improvement escapes me. I have run across folks who want to start public relations firms but can't write simple press releases. I wish I had a dime for every joker who wants to be an author but can't write his/her way out of a paper bag (I hate to break this to folks but writing well consists of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition, not the intention or creativity of the writer). And, boy, do I love these little record companies that list "School of Hard Knocks" as their education on social media profiles because they likely believe that college is the least of their learning experiences.

These kinds of folks are telling the world that they think it's easy. Unfortunate. While they're sitting around giving "All ya gotta do" speeches, other folks are planning, investing, and (wait for it) LEARNING what it takes to do what they want to do well. I wish I could limit this to high school kids who wants to be nurses but can't spell "anatomy" but the adults can be ten times worse!

People want results but not the tedious work that comes along with it. If you believe my opinion is harsh, I believe that failing because of the refusal to learn is even harsher. Here's what folks need to understand:

1. If you don't want to hear critiques about your product or service, just give up. No one achieves excellence by ignoring feedback. It's not about fairness, it's about limiting your weaknesses.

2. Get a mentor. Great mentors come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Identify someone successful within your reach and ask that person for help. Closed mouths don't get fed. One more thing---LISTEN.

3. Read. Need I say more? Actually, yes, I need say more. Don't just read articles and opinions, read actual education materials about your field or industry.

4. Value the educational process. OK, here's where I'll piss a lot of folks off. Going to college or taking extra classes won't hurt. For whatever reason, it's been planted firmly in our heads that going the extra mile to learn is like drinking a gallon of poison. Educational attainment beyond high school can be a long, tedious, aggravating process. Most agree with that, present company included. What we lack is patience; and while we're lighting cigars and being "'hood rich", our competitors are grinding it out to achieve long term success.

5. Play the numbers game. Corporate America is successful because corporate managers care primarily about the bottom line. Business leaders have different ways of satisfying their bottom lines but they pay the most attention to the numbers. Numbers aren't the only thing but they tell a significant part of the story.

An old man once told me, "Nothin' good comes easy" and I've never forgotten that. This blog entry is as poignant as any I've written because I am writing it during an extremely difficult professional episode. What I do know is that I will not get over any hump of any kind if I don't take the time to dig deep for the desired results. Channeling the wise words of Boogie Down Productions, "You must learn!"