The 3 P’s of Success

The 3 P’s of Success is the sixteenth in a series of articles to help you reach your goal. What are your goals? I know you thought about it! You know, it is your dream, wish or resolution you made! Before you can get to where you want to be, you need to know where you are going. You wouldn’t get on a bus, train or plane without knowing where it was going.

Background

Much of my youth was spent working in my parent’s businesses (retail/manufacturing), selling candy for the 4-H Club (4 years), renting parking spaces(3 or 4 years), winning blue ribbons (2 years) and selling home products business door to door (commission).  This varied background taught me so much about the business of hard work and making a profit.  The only real profit was achieved in my home product business.  I was the country’s youngest (17 years old) dealer.  I earned enough profit (commission) that summer to fund my spending money for my freshman year in college.

My youth was filled with playing board games, cards and a lot of sports.  This experience taught me a lot about strategy.  Was it playing monopoly, chess, cards or sports, I do not know!  I know that it elevated my skills to another level.  It helped me a better problem solver and planner.  These could be a twofer, but I choose plan as the skill that helped me achieve success more than problem solver.  It was a very close call.

Do you remember well meaning adults asking you what you want to do as a career?  I remember my parents asking and nudging me to be a doctor, lawyer or CPA.  As a young person, you want to please your parents, but you should please yourself first.  Why?  Goals or Career choices should always be personal!  You should always choose something you feel strongly about.  After all, you will be doing it for a very long (40+ years) time.  If you make it important to you, you are more likely to achieve success.

Profit

Profit is the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market. Another definition is the financial benefit that is realized when the amount of revenue gained from a business activity exceeds the expenses.  Profit = Total Revenue – Total Expenses.  Generating enough revenue to exceed expenses is the number one goal for any business.  Controlling expenses is another way to reach profitability.  It is just another way of looking at profit. 

Plan

Plan is a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.  Another definition is a scheme, program or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective.  Planning is the second part of any goal setting activity.  A goal without a plan is just a wish!  Planning occurs in many different ways in your life.  It may be your education, budgeting, saving for a goal, home, car, travel, or just knowing what you are doing tomorrow.  Planning is not spontaneous; it will help you achieve your goals.

Personal

Personal is affecting or belonging to a particular person rather than anyone else.  Goals such as success are something that is very personal.  You may achieve success as part of a team, but it is your contribution that you should think about.  Success in business is dependent on your personal goals.  I am referring to your particular goals.  What do you really want out of life, work and social situations?  What are you prepared to do to achieve it?  If your goals are not personal and meaningful to you, you probably won’t achieve it.

Final Thoughts

This is the sixteenth article in the series about success; I expect to publish throughout 2012. There will be twenty-six (26) of them, one for each letter of the alphabet. The 3 P’s of success are profit, plan and personal. I think everyone wants success in life; business and career; however it takes a concerted effort to reach success. The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda sums it up much better than I can!

I started this series because I run into so many people who have difficulty reaching success. They want to know my secrets! So I thought I would share them in a format that will be most helpful. I also think this format may make it more interesting and easier to use. My goal in these articles to provide useful and interesting information that will help you succeed. The 3 P’s of Success is now a series.

Photo by:  pheezy