To this:
It may not happen exactly like this, but you have increased the
chances that it will and you will feel differently in your
anticipation of the day than you would if you thought the first
way. Managing your thinking process is at the heart of being
able to manage yourself. Many of the subsequent sections will
address how to do this.
It is valuable to explore the beliefs from which you operate not
only as an individual but as an organization. For example, if part
of a company appraisal scheme is to review performance against
a manager's ability to discipline (as I experienced in one
company), there is a belief that discipline will be necessary in the
organization. When you see a van or lorry with the inscription “If
you have any problems with the way this vehicle is driven please
phone...,” the belief is there are drivers who will drive badly.
However, beliefs that support appraisal schemes that
work—and by that I mean ones that result in motivated staff
who are constantly learning and improving their contribution to
the business—consist of the following:
❏ People have all the resources they need to achieve what
they want. Leaders in business who hold this belief are
WRITE YOUR OWN LIFESCRIPT: BELIEFS OF EXCELLENCE 255
Arrive
on time
Good,
amiable
atmosphere
in office
Compliment
for report you
wrote
Have lunch
with
colleagues
Finish off
some key
tasks
Arrive home
relaxed and
satisfied
Ready for an
evening out