By Jim Bruckbauer
As the newest member of Whittaker Associates, I feel very privileged and blessed to have an opportunity to use my talents and abilities. In Michigan’s tough economic climate, some employees are now tightening their grips on their career plans. As I reflect on my transition to my new position, I can’t help but think about the process I went through to fully understand the job search and focus my attention on choosing my own career path.
Napoleon Hill’s famous book, Think and Grow Rich, may sound like another get-rich-quick book, but it’s really a tried and true textbook on goal-setting and personal development, especially in one’s career. In his section on marketing our personal skills, Hill suggests we can adopt the “QQS” formula to present ourselves effectively. This formula claims that Quality, plus Quantity, plus the proper Spirit of cooperation equals perfect salesmanship of services. Let’s look at the three parts as defined by Hill:
QUALITY of service shall be construed to mean the performance of every detail, in connection with your position, in the most efficient manner possible, with the object of greater efficiency always in mind.
QUANTITY of service shall be understood to mean the HABIT of rendering all the service of which you are capable, at all times, and with the purpose of increasing the amount of service rendered as greater skill is developed through practice and experience. Emphasis is again placed on the word HABIT.
SPIRIT of service shall be construed to mean the HABIT of agreeable, harmonious conduct which will induce cooperation from associates and fellow employees.
(Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich)
The greatest determining factor in connection with the position and duration of employment is usually one’s Spirit. One’s Spirit may make up for what a person lacks in Quality and Quantity; however, nothing can be substituted for harmonious conduct.
Although Hill’s principles seem timeless, I think in today’s job market we can add a forth element to the equation, Passion. Many thoughtful employers will tell you that passion and eagerness to learn can substitute for Quality and Quantity in one’s skill set.
The start of a New Year is a great time to look at your work of the past year and rate your practice according to the formula. Then try to begin applying the formula to your work routine as a habit.