Don't Confuse the End With The Means

First question, is it really worth it? Second, why do we work so hard? (Ask why to your answer 7 times and see if it changes). Lastly, what is the most important thing in your life?

I was inspired from Darren Hardy of Success Magazine in the most recent October publication. He made these comments, "If I asked you what the most important thing in your life was, you'd promptly reply with "my family", "my children", "my spouse." But are you actually living that way? We say our family and relationships are most important but our values are demonstrated not by our words, but by our deeds; not by what we say, but what we do."

In interviewing Zig Ziglar, Mr. Hardy asked, "what the greatest secret to his success was?" Mr. Ziglar responded, "I made sure I had home court advantage. Because what happens at home has a dramatic impact on what you're going to be able to do out in public. So I'll always put my family first." (Remember the old saying, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"?)

What we do is a means to an end. We do what we do with the idea in mind that the end product will justify the means in how we got there.

The means to an end is an idiom. For practical purposes it is a phrase that means something you do is not as important to you as what you hoped to achieve once you have done it. If you do confuse the means with the end, it is no longer an idiom; which makes you out to be an idiot.

Check out this month's Success Magazine (www.successmagazine.com).

Posted on Tue, October 12, 2010 by Ron Beasley filed under

Strategy,

3 comments (Add your own)

1. Burton wrote:: Thanks Dr Ron - great words. Nothing more important than keeping our priorities straight. Thanks for the reminder!
Tue, October 12, 2010 @ 8:16 PM
2. Ryan wrote:: A man I know finally has come to terms that he does work too much. His goal over the past few weeks is to turn off his phone when he gets home and he has all emergency calls forwarded to his house number. What has he experience? He has a more loving wife, less stress at work, and adequate rest from day to day.

My president likes to say that even though the company never closes to our clients – that doesn’t mean he has to answer his phone.

Conscious neglect not only can help you but it also can set an example for those you work with and those you work for. No one that I know says they wished they had worked more while on their death bed. Or as my father says, what good is gaining the world if you have no one to share it with when you get there.

Thanks for the advice and I enjoyed the blog.
Wed, October 13, 2010 @ 9:42 AM
3. Derrek Ostrzyzek wrote:: Thanks Dr. Ron. Very interesting questions that spun me in circles answering each question with a question of my own. Specifically your second question. Why do we work so hard? I answered your question with a question of my own. Why wouldn't I work so hard? What satisfaction can you possibly get knowing that you only applied yourself 50% or 70%? For me whether it be digging ditches, sweeping floors, pushing grocery carts, playing sports I always strive to be the best I can be. When you lack the effort in your performance, people notice. When you apply a 100% effort into your performance, people notice. We live in a world where we are judged, labeled, catagorized and rewarded based on our performance. So why do we work so hard?
Tue, October 19, 2010 @ 7:47 PM

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