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Robin Sharma - The Little Black Book For Stunning Success
Robin Sharma - The Little Black Book For Stunning Success
Thank you.
© 2013 by Robin Sharma
http://www.robinsharma.com
5
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
CONTENTS STUNNING SUCCESS
www.robinsharma.com
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being playing their best game Practices that will lock you R o b i n S h a r m a’s
on the playing field of life and into your best state include a LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
assume they got lucky or were
born into their lofty condition.
morning journaling session
where you record your feelings,
STUNNING SUCCESS
thoughts, and the blessings you
What we don’t see is all the
are grateful for.
devotion and discipline that went
into crafting the extraordinary Or you may start your day with
results we see. a strong workout and an elite
What I’m suggesting is that performer’s meal.
personal and professional I often listen to music for 15
greatness takes work. I’m not minutes, as it not only energizes
someone who would ever tell me, it just makes life better. I
you that you could get to your also use success statements
dreams without having to make or affirmations to get my mind
some sacrifices and pay the price focused.
in terms of dedication and self-
control. Success and joy and inner peace
don’t just show up. You need to
The best amongst us make it all
create them.
look so easy. I call it The Swan
Effect - elite performers make Find your series of practices,
personal excellence look effortless
and seem to make things happen
perform them with consistency. The best way to
And then go out into this
as gracefully as a swan moves beautiful world of ours and shine. create spectacular
along the water. results in the most
But like the swan, what you don’t important areas of
get to see is all the hard-work
taking place below the surface. your life is through
daily practice.
The best way to create spectacular
results in the most important
THE EYES OF
areas of your life is through daily
practice.
LEADERSHIP
In my life, I have a series of The sad fact is that most people
practices that set me up for a see the worst in others - they see
great day. them through the eyes of their
own anger, fear and limitation.
Yes, sometimes life sends you
If someone shows up late for a
unexpected challenges that
knock you off track-that’s just life meeting, they impute a negative
happening. But with a series of intent on that person, saying
practices to keep you at your best, “they are so rude”.
you’ll stay in a positive state much
more often.
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ability to “detach from the noise”. you cannot lead your field and an R o b i n S h a r m a’s
Each day, “noise” such as little organization cannot get to world- LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
crises, minor interruptions and
interesting distractions beg for
class. (Hey, I never pretended
this leadership stuff was rocket
STUNNING SUCCESS
our attention. To get to your science).
own unique form of personal
and professional greatness, it’s The people I love to be around
important - no, essential - to are often those that have a
detach from the noise and stay simple, heartfelt quality: they are
“on vision”. enthusiastic.
A simple daily practice to keep you They are open to life. They are
on course to get to your dreams curious. They love to learn. They
is spending a period immersed in smile when they see me. And they
silence each morning. have a lot of fun.
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you have ever sent your parents with the belief, faith and trust R o b i n S h a r m a’s
(or a teammate or a customer or you’ve developed around them. LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
And they mostly behave in
a high school teacher who blessed
your life) accordance with the tightly STUNNING SUCCESS
cherished perceptions that you’ve
It only takes a minute to smile structured about them.
It only takes a minute to connect Tell your kid that she’s your hero
to a friend or a co-worker each morning and that kids going
to shine like The North Star for
It only takes a minute to help a the rest of her life (tell your kids
human being in need they’re amazing at least 500 times
a day; and hug them like you’ll
It only takes a minute to raise
never see them again).
your standards to world-class
Tell your teammate that you wish
It only takes a minute to go the you were half as good as them
extra mile at work and wow a and you’ve just created a space of
customer possibility for that human being
to step into (and up to).
It only takes a minute to reflect
on what you can do today to be Tell the person who serves you
better than you were yesterday your next restaurant meal that
you appreciate them and then
It only takes a minute to embrace flash the most honest smile you
change can muster (doesn’t matter if your
It only takes a minute to make a tired - leaders do what’s right
versus easy). Do so and you’ve
new choice that will lead to your
just reminded a human to be
best life.
human and spread some of your
Make the best of your stardust (and you might just get a
minutes. Each one of them free meal).
makes up your life. Tell good stories.
For every person
For every person you meet,
suggest (by your words, your tone, you meet, suggest
your behavior and your energy) (by your words, your
that you have a story deep in your
mind of how great they are. tone, your behavior
TELL GREAT See the best in people. and your energy)
STORIES Look for the greatness inside
that you have a story
them. deep in your mind of
Big idea: People step into the
stories you create for them. Remind people that they were how great they are.
People generally behave in a way meant to shine.
that meets the expectations you By the stories you tell them.
have of them. People generally
conduct themselves in alignment About their magnificence.
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS ASK, ASK, ASK DO GOOD TO FEEL
THEN ASK SOME GOOD
MORE So easy to forget this one: doing
good makes you feel good. Being
You’ll never know if you don’t kind to a co-worker not only
even try. There is giant power enables and elevates them - it lifts
in asking for what you want. All your mood. Adding outrageous
too often, our internal chatter value to a customer and making
prevents us from taking the them feel like the VIP that they
steps needed to get us to our are not only makes them your
own unique form of greatness. goodwill ambassador (spreading
We get kept small from our inner word of your services like a
imaginings-so many of which are virus) - it unlocks a wellspring
lies.
of positive sensations inside of
The best of the best, those you. Going the extra mile for
who live glorious lives – that your spouse or your child not
matter - ask like crazy. only leaves them better than you
found them - it helps you feel
They understand that it’s a habit connected to the ones you love
that must be polished for it to (which promotes happiness and
shine. And the more you do it, the
fulfillment).
easier it gets (like any skill).
Not only do good things happen
And so they ask. For the
to good people (life’s got this
support and help they need at
really fair accounting system;
work. For the understanding
Nature must have an MBA in
they may seek at home. For
a break they need for their accounting), but people who
business. For a better table do great things get to feel great
at their favorite restaurant. feelings.
For a better seat at a sold-out This isn’t some “soft” idea (and
concert. if ideas like these are so “soft”
And because they ask more, why are they so very hard to do?;
the get more (success always anyone can be cranky or unkind
has been a numbers game). or mediocre.
Nothing happens until you ask. Being positive and kind and
People are not mind readers. They excellent takes a lot more
need to know what’s meaningful discipline and power).
to you, and if you ask nicely, they
just might say yes.
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No, this thought I’m sharing That best practice will make you R o b i n S h a r m a’s
isn’t “soft” at all. It’s a practical, soooo much better at work, at LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
powerful insight that will lead you
to real results - in your business
home, with self.
STUNNING SUCCESS
life. In your personal life. And in Some Practical Strategies:
your inner life. • When you are in your car/
Do good for people. in a taxi, keep the radio off.
Use that time to renew. To
Do good work. observe. To introspect.
Think good thoughts. • Take 15 minutes before you
sleep to immerse yourself
And be good to yourself. in peace. Just chill. Get
Good things will happen. comfortable with no noise.
Get comfortable with
Okay, I’ll stop using the word yourself.
“good” now...it’s just that it feels
so...good. Oops-did it again. • Make your home a
Sorry. :) sanctuary. It’s a wild world
(jungle?) out there. Create
a deeply peaceful home
environment. Reduce clutter.
Cut back on the noise. Get
one of those mobile water
FIND POCKETS OF fountains.
• Take a daily vow of silence.
PEACE This one isn’t just for
monks. It’s for smart
Noisy world we live in. People execs, entrepreneurs,
talk loudly on cell phones. Ring businesspeople. Big idea
tones can be heard in once serene here: talking consumes a ton
restaurants. Most cars have radios of energy. I can’t believe how
on. Most homes have TVs on. I saw much some people talk. All
a man chatting on his Blackberry day long. On their mobiles.
while eating his oatmeal yesterday. At the water cooler. On the
Not good for digestion. train home. Exhausting just
watching them. Be silent
Each of us - I suggest to you -
for 15 minutes a day (at the
must find “pockets of peace”.
very least). You’ll have more
Time for what I call “The 3 Ss”:
energy. More peace. More
Silence, Solitude and Stillness. joy. Better performance.
At least, find some time (say 15 So chase - no, hunt peace down.
minutes a day) to be quiet. Fight the noise. Get away from
the maddening crowds - at least
Think. Reflect. Be. for a bit. You’ll be glad you did.
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R o b i n S h a r m a’s #6. An early morning workout himself away from the screen to
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR burns off your stress. look at the human being standing
STUNNING SUCCESS And it increases your
perspective. Problems just
in front of him.
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• gets transferred (the first But they also appreciate that with R o b i n S h a r m a’s
sales person had all the rewards comes responsibility. LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
passion of an old shoe box) And so they work hard to build
an enterprise that is good. And
STUNNING SUCCESS
• Be better than anyone else in honorable. And makes a positive
your field at what you do (so difference in this world we are
read up on the product, learn stewards of.
daily, develop yourself/skills
and always be improving) So gigantic kudos to Warren
Buffett. And to Bill and Melinda
• Treat your customers like Gates (whose foundation is
they are visiting royalty. making important strides in the
Simple strategies. But remember: war against HIV and malaria).
what separates the best from the And to all those other leaders who
rest is their consistent adherence to not only take care of themselves
a few simple best practices that over but use their gifts to elevate
time evolve into spectacular results. others. You inspire us. And you
make a difference.
And also remember, everyone is
selling something.
WHY BE GREAT
KUDOS TO Sure it takes effort/discipline and
WARREN BUFFET gigantic focus to get to world-
class (and live your greatest life).
Sure leadership is about doing
Love it. The world’s second
what’s right versus easy. And
richest man, Warren Buffett,
I agree that success requires
just earmarked over $30 Billion
sacrifices. So why do it? Because
to donate to the charity of the
it’ll make you feel good. Which
world’s richest man, Bill Gates,
makes it all worth it.
and his wife Melinda. Social
responsibility is alive and well. The big idea: Playing below
There is hope, on our small planet. your potential makes you feel
The New Breed of Leaders bad about yourself. Operating
understand that there’s below your potential
nothing wrong with making diminishes your self-respect.
money. They get that building a Limiting what you can do/be/
highly profitable (and excellent) have sucks the energy out of
organization is part of the great your spirit and knocks the
game off business (and definitely passion out of your heart.
one way to keep score).
R o b i n S h a r m a’s Climbing your personal and Life can be hard. We all have
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR professional mountaintop makes our good seasons as well as our
STUNNING SUCCESS you feel good about yourself.
Boost your self-respect. Heighten
difficult ones. But hard times
bring many blessings. Like:
your self-image. Fills you with
energy and faith. And joy. • Strength of character
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Be with people greater than you And I’d rather reach high and be R o b i n S h a r m a’s
and you will become a greater disappointed than not even try to LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
person. reach. And when I fall, I get back
up, dust myself off - and I start
STUNNING SUCCESS
Fill your home with great books again. Wiser. Stronger. And more
and you will rise to meet the committed. Just like you.
promise (and possibilities) they
offer.
Eat great/healthy food and your
physical life will reflect that
association.
Place yourself in and around THE IMAGINATION
the best. And you’ll become it.
ECONOMY
We all know that ideas are the
currency of success these days.
To win in your marketspace, it’s
mission-critical to out-think,
FAIL TO WIN out-innovate and out-create your
competition. The person with the
The very nature of dreaming big biggest ideas then blended with
dreams and stretching yourself the best execution will lead the
beyond the normal is dangerous. field.
One must be
Dangerous in the sense that you Brings me to Ryanair.
leave safety, you leave routine,
willing to risk
you leave the common world Ryanair is a VCC (Very Cool greatly to reach
Company). It is Europe’s most
where unhappy people smile giant
profitable airline (about $400 your personal
smiles when they are asked to
pose for a picture (feeling a little million in profit so far this year) mountaintop and
at a time when other airlines
poetic on this hot summer’s day).
are sinking with high fuel prices
your authentic
And as you leave your cocoon (JetBlue - another VCC that I used definition of
of comfort, you will certainly to rave about in my leadership success.
fail more than your neighbors presentations - lost money this
and those who live a life called year for the first time ever).
Ordinary. But one must fail to
win. In the past 12 months Ryanair
has flown 35 million passengers
One must be willing to risk at an average ticket price of
greatly to reach your personal just over $50 USD. And - get
mountaintop and your authentic this - 25% of its flights are free.
definition of success. Seriously.
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enslaved by all things material. So yes, own things (it’s a very R o b i n S h a r m a’s
Enjoy them. Just don’t get caught human hunger). Get the shiny LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
in the trap they often set. objects of allure that call out for
your attention. And once you own
STUNNING SUCCESS
So that begs the question: them – enjoy them. But don’t let
“Where does real and them own you. Possess them. But
sustained joy/happiness/ don’t be possessed by them.
fulfillment come from?”
Here’s a quick list, based on my
current level of understanding
(big idea: we cannot see any
higher than the level of our
understanding; the more we GREATNESS BY
understand, the more we will
see...like scaling a mountain): EVOLUTION
Where Does Real and
Sustained Joy/Happiness/
VERSUS
Fulfillment Come From? REVOLUTION
• Spending your life in
pursuits that realize your Most training programs don’t
potential and awaken your have lasting impact. Most
talents (growing) seminars provoke only micro- We become
change. Most inspirational or
• Transcending our fears and leadership books get us excited excellent by doing
letting go of limiting beliefs only until we wake up the next excellent things.
morning and reality intrudes on
• Achieving worthy goals and
our idealistic vision. Over and over and
creating success on our own
terms (rather than according Why does this all happen?
over until they
to the definition of success become a part of
of those around us) Because too many training
programs, seminars and books are our wiring.
• Rich and meaningful attempting to cause a revolution
relationships rather than nurture an evolution.
Big idea there.
• Elevating in self-knowledge
If you go to a seminar and hear
• Adding value to others (from
a ton of lessons that you know
clients and co-workers to
will take your career and your
people in our communities)
life to your NLG (Next Level of
• Making a positive difference Greatness; please forgive my
and having an impact on the acronyms...just a mood I’m in
world around you these days - let’s hope it will pass),
it’s easy to get caught up into
“revolution mode”.
R o b i n S h a r m a’s There’s so much to transform Day by day, step by step, you can
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR and so little time to do it in. And move towards your own personal
STUNNING SUCCESS human beings don’t like to change
(scares us). So we drift into
mountaintop. You (and your
organization) really can be, do
overwhelm. And we don’t even and have a lot more than you’ve
start. ever imagined. The life you are
living today can be radically
I suggest to you that there’s a different from the life you can
better way to get to worldclass have 3 or 6 months from now.
within the important areas of
your life: evolution. I see it happen all the time, with
my clients. And you’ll get to
Small baby steps. Daily the professional and personal
and continuous micro greatness you deserve through an
improvements. Steady and evolution. Not a revolution.
consistent elevations in the
way you work, lead and live.
Dad always said slow and steady
wins the race.
Every dream started off small and
grew step by step. YOU FIND WHAT
One hundred and twenty years YOU SEEK
ago, at Jacobs Pharmacy, a
customer paid Doc Permberton Every second you spend thinking
five cents for his sugar in a glass about what you don’t want in
concoction that you may have your life is a second denying focus
heard of (it’s called Coke and is and energy from getting what you
Business doesn’t enjoyed more than a billion times
do want.
need more copycats. a day around the world). Every minute you worry about
what’s not working is a minute
Business needs more Evolution versus revolution. drawn away from creating what
Dreamers. will work.
Sam Walton started with a single
store and didn’t even get to And every hour spent reflecting
the big box idea until he was in on the disappointments of the
business for about thirty years. past is an hour stolen from seeing
the possibilities that your future
Evolution not revolution. holds.
The Everest climbers don’t jump What I’ve discovered in my own
up to the summit. No, they climb life is that I see more of what I
it bit by bit. look for. Clarity precedes mastery
(big idea there) and the more
Evolution not... You get my point. clearly I look for what I want, the
more powerfully I generate that
result in my life.
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By setting clear goals in the Apple came up with the gorgeous R o b i n S h a r m a’s
important areas, I see more of (and now ubiquitous iPod). Now LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
what I’m searching for. By looking
for the best in others, I generally
there are so many products with
the letter “i” in front of it I’ve lost
STUNNING SUCCESS
find it. track. Too much copying. Not
enough leading.
And by looking for the good
things in my life and expressing A well-respected business leader
gratitude for my blessings told me about a CEO who did
(rather than thinking about any something that made me smile.
problems), I see more of what’s He hired a young wonderkid fresh
good. out of business school - a kid who
was not only brilliant but thought
Your thinking will create your differently and wasn’t afraid to
reality. Your thoughts form your voice his eccentric thoughts. The
world? Why? Because you will mandate of the new hire? Sit
never act against your thinking. on the company’s management
Every action is the offspring of a team and consistently challenge
thought. And your actions create ideas that fostered the status
the professional and personal life quo. This man was paid to push
you find yourself in today. the envelope. To evangelize
innovation. To make things better
by being unorthodox in a world What I’ve
where most of us are afraid to discovered in my
leave the crowd.
own life is that I see
CONVERSATIONS So today, have conversations with
people who are Originals. Strive more of what I look
WITH ECCENTRICS to leave the Safe Harbor of The for. Clarity precedes
Known. Make things better. Play
bigger. And dream.
mastery (big idea
Only leaders (and we all can Lead
Without Title) who are willing to
there) and the more
think differently can out-innovate clearly I look for
everyone around them. Thinking what I want, the
the same thoughts produces the
same results. Leadership is all more powerfully I
about being The Brave Creative NEXT LEVEL generate that result
out in front in your marketspace
(and your career) versus doing LISTENING in my life.
things the way everyone else does
them. People ache for great listening.
Do you give it to them? I so
Business doesn’t need more passionately believe that one
copycats. Business needs more of the single best things you
Dreamers. can do to get your relationships
(both professional and personal)
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picked up. The limiting beliefs left is The Extraordinary. Just R o b i n S h a r m a’s
you have accumulated. The false something to think about. From a LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
assumptions that divorce you
from your most authentic - and
man who wants you to shine.
STUNNING SUCCESS
staggeringly brilliant - self.
Self-remembering (and personal
leadership) is a journey. Took you
many years to forget the personal
greatness that you once knew as a THE BRILLIANCE
kid (before the disappointments
and negativity of the world began OF DIVERSITY
to blind you to the truth of your
bigness). You may have been Imagine living in a world where
thinking you have been designed every movie you see has the same
for mediocrity for 30 or 40 or 50 story line. Imagine if the only
years. So that reconnection with choice of drink was water and
your best won’t happen in a week. the only flavor of ice cream was
chocolate (okay maybe that one
But chip away - bit by bit- at wouldn’t be so bad). Imagine that
everything that is not that work every conversation with every
of art – day by day. You know that person made the same point.
small, daily improvements stack And imagine that every day had
into massive results over time the same ending and that every
(that idea just might transform thought reflected the same idea.
your life so please let it linger). There’s a point I’m getting to. Just maybe your
Please stay with me.
The difference between a job is not to become
remarkable life and a mediocre When I go into organizations
one is not nearly as large as you to help inspire, develop and
someone other than
might imagine. Nope, we all elevate employees so they play at who you currently
pretty much start out with the
same raw stuff. Most of us are cut
world-class levels (and I’ve been are. Just maybe, the
crisscrossing this planet on this
from the same cloth. We all can Leadership Crusade for nearly ten Main Aim is to access
be a hero if we choose. And it just years now), I often see mission and remember and
isn’t that hard. statements espousing a respect
for diversity. “We at ClientCo
reconnect with the
Greatness comes by doing a few
small and smart things each and value differences and cherish best that already
every day. Comes from taking diversity.” And, most of the resides within you.
little steps, consistently. Comes companies I work with actually
from a making a few small chips do. But here’s my question: Do In this very moment.
against everything in your you? Right here. Right now.
professional and personal life Do you really get the brilliance of
that is ordinary, so that a day diversity? When you really think
eventually arrives when all that’s about it, it’s the people who see
the world through a different set
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS
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R o b i n S h a r m a’s Full schedule like you and me. Well, good things happen to
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR But he finds time to put people people who do good things (key
STUNNING SUCCESS first. Gets the fact that the way
you treat your people is the way
thought to remember).
they’ll treat your customers. The Four Seasons, now one of the
Understands that when people planet’s most successful hotel
feel great about themselves, they chains, recently received purchase
do great work. offers from the likes of Bill Gates
and other heavy-hitters. Friends
Oh, you may have heard about and colleagues of Izzy Sharpe
the company he runs. It’s called said things like “he deserves all
Starbucks. the great things happening to
him”. Stands to make hundreds of
This guy’s amazing. millions. His reputation continues
According to the latest issue of to soar. Fitting way to tie up his
FORTUNE, on a good day he Cinderella Story.
personally signs 500 birthday Lessons I took away from these
cards for his employees. Spends recent events:
45% of his time traveling to
Starbucks stores. 1. Stay true to your vision/
dream: There’s something
Puts on an apron And when he gets there, guess to be said for just staying
and works shoulder what he does? at what you are trying to
to shoulder with Puts on an apron and works achieve well past the point
shoulder to shoulder with the everyone else gives up. Life
the baristas. baristas. Engages his people in rewards the (unreasonably)
Engages his people conversations. Evangelizes his devoted.
message and reinforces his vision.
in conversations. Builds culture – and makes his
2. Stay true to your values:
In a world of fast-buck
Evangelizes his “partners” feel special. Puts artists and people playing
message and people first. And so they help him the short-game, Izzy
win.
reinforces his vision. took the long-view. Built
high-trust relationships.
Builds culture – and Protected his brand.
makes his “partners” Underpromised and
overdelivered. Didn’t care
feel special. Puts
people first. And so
LEAD LIKE IZZY if others were unethical -
stayed true to himself.
they help him win. Isadore Sharpe started a little 3. The little things amount
company called The Four Seasons, to big things: Izzy’s
with a single little hotel, in 1961. dream started small. But
Did deals based on a handshake. he tended to it daily. Small
Spoke his truth and kept his daily elevations compound
word. Did great work and offered into massive results over
great value.
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35
R o b i n S h a r m a’s But we get what we give. Today, I want to offer you the
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR words of James Allen who wrote a
Not later but now.
STUNNING SUCCESS And if not now, then when?
superb little book called As a Man
Thinketh many years ago.
They will help you enormously as
you catch your dreams and step
up to the poetic possibilities your
life is meant to be:
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R o b i n S h a r m a’s Instead, figure out your Big Bets. to scream) to discover what’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR keeping them small. They ask
Get to know what you’re really
STUNNING SUCCESS good at. And then have the force
themselves what are the beliefs
that they are running that
of will to go there. allow them to get so provoked
You’ll be dazzled by the rewards. by this person. They have the
outright bravery to go deep and
see the fears that that person
triggers versus making it all
about the other person being
wrong/incompetent/ignorant
LEVERAGE HARD or whatever other labels we
generally use to avoid looking
Get to know what RELATIONSHIPS in the mirror and assuming
personal responsibility. And the
you’re really good great ones use what they learn
Big Idea: Your most challenging
at. And then have relationship carries with it the
to build greater self-awareness,
authentic power and personal
the force of will to seeds of your greatest growth. The
understanding.
go there. relationship that tests/frustrates/
irritates you the most actually is Please remember that as you
one of your greatest blessings. become a more extraordinary
human being, every element of
Why?
your outer world must change
Because it reveals to you the accordingly. Just has to.
very beliefs/fears and false
So the more remarkable you
assumptions that most limit
become, the more remarkable will
you. Get that and you can step
be the professional and personal
into your NLG: Next Level of
life you’ll create.
Greatness.
Inner improvements create outer
What I’m suggesting to you is that
See, the only way a - if you choose to do so - you can
ones.
business can become leverage your hardest relationship No two people see the world in
great is to be BIW: into your greatest success. precisely the same way. How
could we, as each of us have had
Best in the World at The people you can’t stand can
different experiences on the
actually transform your life.
what you do. And help you become happier,
journey through our days?
healthier and more successful. What a word or an event means
to you might mean something
Unbelievable isn’t it?
totally different to me. What a
The best in business and in life gorgeous opportunity, then, is
use that aggravating relationship the intersection of two people
(the one that presses all their who view the world differently.
buttons and makes them want We can embrace that connection
www.robinsharma.com
39
Not only that - but it will change There will never be a perfect time
who we are. We will never be the to be the greatest you.
same as we stretch and expand Actually, there will never be a
from what we discover in that better time than today to make
difficult interaction. We will be the improvements you need to
stronger/wiser/bigger/better. And make to be the leader/human
that’ll revolutionize everything. being that you’ve always dreamed
Forever. of being.
So, why wait?
Your most
Do It Now.
challenging
relationship carries
THE ONE LEAP with it the seeds
It’s stunningly interesting to of your greatest
me how we have the power
to - over the hours of this very
ACHIEVING growth. The
relationship that
day - make a decision/choice/
commitment that can transform
LONGEVITY AND tests/frustrates/
our professional as well as our
personal lives forever.
GREATNESS IN irritates you the
This day can be the first day
BUSINESS most actually is one
of your new life. The day that of your greatest
In my leadership development
changes everything. The day you
work with companies like IBM, blessings.
stopped playing small and stood
up for the poetic possibilities FedEx and Nike and as an
your life was meant to be. I get executive coach to many of the
excited just thinking about that. superstars in business, I have
Seriously. been blessed to have been able
R o b i n S h a r m a’s to closely observe the traits that seductive. It can make one
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR the best use to get better - and complacent and inefficient
STUNNING SUCCESS achieve longevity within their
careers and within themselves.
and stale. Too often, once
a person (as well as an
organization) becomes
Here are some of their successful, the very things
personal practices for that created that success
sustainability: get neglected. The best
1. They have a lust for businesspeople have a
learning: There is a hunger to make their
cure for anti-aging that todays better than their
actually works - it’s called yesterdays. They have a
lifelong learning. To ABL staggeringly large appetite
(Always Be Learning) is for pushing the envelope.
to stay young forever. They stretch their personal
The best in business have frontiers by taking risks
boundless curiosity and and by running to their
open minds. And this fears and by improving
allows them to work and every area of their lives.
live with a childlike sense Relentlessly. And this
of wonder as well as access serves to keep them young
the world-class levels of at heart. And at the cutting
creativity that fuels their edge for years.
professional success. They 3. They know that health
read constantly. They listen
My Dad shared an to books on CD. And they
is wealth: At a leadership
seminar I delivered in Delhi
Indian saying with understand that everyone to executives, a participant
me as I grew up that they meet knows at least handed me a piece of paper
one thing that they don’t.
still lives within my So they ask good questions
that said: “Health is the
crown on the well man’s
imagination: “when (like any good leader). head that only the ill man
In this world of dazzling
you were born, you change and stunning
can see.” Big idea. We take
our health for granted until
cried while the world opportunity, ideas are the we lose it. And if we do,
rejoiced. Live your commodity of success. we spend 24/7 trying to
And a passion for learning get it back. It’s fascinating
life in such a way that makes you a human idea to me how, while we are
when you die, the factory. young, we are willing to
world cried while you 2. They devote to NSI: A sacrifice our health for
mantra of many world- wealth and yet, when
rejoice.” class businesspeople is we grow old-we become
Never Stop Improving. As willing to give up all of our
I’ve written in my book The accumulated wealth for one
Greatness Guide, nothing day of good health. Getting
fails like success. Success is into workclass physical
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41
condition will make you plus time equals mastery. Please R o b i n S h a r m a’s
more creative, energetic, think about that. What you LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
concentrate on, you cannot help
focused and happy. Make
that leap today. but get great at. The more you STUNNING SUCCESS
focus, the better you get.
4. They find a Cause: In The
Greatness Guide, I write Focus on being superb at what
that the real secret to you do and, over time, you will
immortality and longevity be known as remarkable.
is to find a cause that’s Focus on your health and, of
larger than yourself and course, in time - it will get to
then have the courage to splendid.
donate your life to it. That Focus on developing your kids
cause might be being an and you cannot be denied
extraordinary leader who having great kids.
creates an extraordinary
organization that creates Focus on your inner world and
extraordinary value people will eventually call you
for it’s customers. That wise.
cause might be to be a Focus. Focus. Focus...on your
person devoted to leaving burning priorities.
everyone you meet better
than you found them. That Say no to everything else. Life’s
cause might mean being short. You only get one shot at
a manager that develops great. Will you accept The Call? Or
the highest potential of his let the opportunity slide by you. Your most
people and evokes their Like too many amongst us.
greatness.
challenging
relationship carries
My Dad shared an Indian saying
with me as I grew up that still with it the seeds
lives within my imagination: of your greatest
“when you were born, you cried BUILD YOUR growth. The
while the world rejoiced. Live
your life in such a way that when POWER relationship that
you die, the world cried while you tests/frustrates/
rejoice.” Life’s counter-intuitive. The
things that we most resist carry irritates you the
the seeds of our greatness. most actually is one
The stuff that makes us feel
uncomfortable makes us stronger.
of your greatest
And the things that are hard to blessings.
FOCUS TO WIN do help us get to our authentic
power. Difficult is Good.
In The Greatness Guide I share a
simple formula for genius: focus
R o b i n S h a r m a’s Wowing a customer when you just And, how large a footprint will
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR can’t smile another smile makes you leave behind - such that the
you more powerful. Being honest generations who will follow you
STUNNING SUCCESS when it’s easy to lie builds your will know that you’ve been here?
character. Being excellent on a And made your mark.
job/project/task when no one’s
watching grows self-respect and
inner resolve and personal honor.
The hard stuff is the great stuff.
It’s the very building blocks of a
brilliant life. THE GIANT LEAP
The easy road gets you to a place
called disappointment and regret. Small steps are big steps. Little
Please trust me on that: I spend decisions can, over time, cause
my life traveling the planet and stunningly wonderful results.
working with people/companies Tiny changes lead to real and
so my ear’s close to the ground. sustained transformation. It’s
Doing what you know you are all about evolution rather than
called to do is the secret of revolution. I know you know that.
success/mastery and inner peace.
It’s so exciting to me to think
As my friend Nido Qubein once that-this very day-can serve as a
said: “The price of discipline is less springboard to an extraordinary
than the pain of regret.” I wish I’d professional and personal life.
said that :) One decision you make over the
coming hours could be the giant
leap that launches a tidal wave of
greatness that leads you to a place
well above your boldest dreams.
Remarkable isn’t it, this thing
HOW BIG ARE called choice? And everyone of us
YOUR SHOES? can exercise it. Yes, every single
one of us.
That little first step Just read a Harley Davidson ad. No decision is unimportant.
sends a clear signal to The main line: Every action leads to a reaction.
life that you want to Each move we make creates a
“Leave Behind Shoes No Man consequence and ripples across
change and have the Can Fill.” our destiny. Getting up earlier
courage to make the Love it. when you feel like sleeping is
the giant leap that begins a new
first move. How big a life are you living?
habit called early rising. Coming
How bold a dream are you up with a better way to think/
dreaming? feel/behave at work is the giant
leap that creates a new inner
How remarkable a person are you
pathway called excellence and
becoming?
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43
mastery. Treating people with but simply for the joy of work R o b i n S h a r m a’s
more respect/kindness and itself and to better answer the LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
understanding is the giant leap call to service that I feel so clearly
that will soon install a routine in my own heart. Beginning on STUNNING SUCCESS
called humanity. January 1, 2007 my salary will be
reduced to $1...”
That little first step sends a clear
signal to life that you want to There’s a sea change in the
change and have the courage to corporate world. So many
make the first move. people want to be a part of a
good company. Ethics are back.
The first move is always the Creating rich value for customers
hardest. is back. Being good is back.
Everything’s easier after that. What will you do today to
Step by step, changing and grow this revolution?
elevating your game gets easier.
You become more confident. The
new habits and internal pathways
become more familiar. And you-
almost invisibly-become greater. The easy road gets
And more brilliant. And more of IT’S ALL ABOUT you to a place called
the person you were born to be.
Told you it’s exciting. GROWTH disappointment
and regret. Please
Just read a quote that provoked trust me on that:
me. “Growth is the only evidence
of life.” Pretty smart words. They I spend my life
came from John Henry Newman. traveling the planet
A GOOD CEO You know I adore the whole and working with
Just read a letter excerpted
notion of growth. To me, people/companies
that’s why were here. To grow
in Fast Company. From John and expand through the work so my ear’s close to
Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods. we do, the actions we take and the ground. Doing
He writes: the lives we lead (don’t just
live your life - lead it).
what you know you
“The tremendous success of
Whole Foods Market has provided are called to do is the
Growth matters. It’s what
me with far more money than ultimately makes us feel fulfilled. secret of success/
is necessary for my financial
security or personal happiness...I
Energizes us (even when it’s mastery and inner
uncomfortable - and most growth
am now 53 years old and I have is). Makes us who we truly are. peace.
reached a place in my life where I
no longer want to work for money
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45
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
PROBLEMS ARE NO TRY NO WIN STUNNING SUCCESS
SERVANTS Such a simple idea: you can’t win
if you don’t try. So often, we get
We all face challenges. It’s the a big idea. One that will get our
human condition. Everyone,
on this very day, is dealing with
careers to the next level. One that Live full out. Vow to
will get our lives to the next level.
something they wish they weren’t One that will really set us soaring. be brilliant at your
dealing with. Some have lost a
But then guess what happens
work. Devote to
loved one. Others are facing an
illness. For others, it’s a money next? The voice of fear takes over. getting into world-
issue or a frustration at work. We start selling ourselves on class health. Take
Yes, it’s no fun. all the reasons why we’ll fail. positive risks to grow
Eventually, that beautiful/
But just maybe every problem big/bold idea seems silly/ into your greatness.
you encounter is an opportunity unattainable/foolish. And so we Love like there’s no
in disguise. And if you’re wise don’t act. We don’t even try.
to that, you can leverage the tomorrow. And enjoy
challenge for even greater success. Imagine Tiger Woods wanting every moment.
to win but not even playing the
In some ways, leadership is a tournament. Imagine the great
mind game. Positive thinking is manager wanting to lead her
a lot more important than the team to world-class but not even
cynics would suggest. showing up. Imagine the brave
inventor wanting to change
The founders of Google used
positive thinking to overcome
the world. Yet not even doing Respect you. So long
anything. Nothing happens until
their early setbacks and to stay
you move (tattoo that line on
as you are living by
true to their vision.
your brain cells if you really want your values, being
Sam Walton used positive to win). And you’ll never win if authentic, running
thinking to build an empire. you don’t even try.
your own race and
And the best managers use Enough said.
positive thinking to help their
doing your dreams,
teams see that what ordinary who cares what
people view as stumbling blocks, anyone else thinks/
the best amongst us see as
stepping stones. feels/says about you?
Because problems are servants.
And they truly can serve you well.
If you choose to let them.
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS HONOR IS HIP YOU’RE AN ARTIST
Was at the Picasso museum in
In this age of foul-mouthed
Barcelona a few weeks ago. The
rock stars, famous for being
experience deeply influenced me.
famous celebrities and uber-
I saw how he was not afraid to
greedy CEOs who take home
deconstruct and then reinvent
huge rewards while the shares of
his art over the course of his life.
their companies hit rock bottom, I saw the way he dared. I saw his
there’s a new way to be cool/hip/ devotion to excellence - and being
fashionable. Be honorable. an outright original. Picasso has
Used to be that things like inspired me.
honesty, giving your best at work, So here’s what I think. At work
treating everyone you meet fairly, each day, we are all artists.
and being a RGP (Really Good
Person) were considered boring/ My brushes and paints happen
unsexy/bland. No longer. to be my words. My canvas is
my books and the audiences I
In an age where too many people have the privilege to share my
don’t discover what leadership leadership message with.
and life’s about until it’s too late,
rising above the crowd to shine But I’m an artist. I honestly feel
with a blazing sense of integrity, that.
authenticity and Rare Honor is I create. I express. I provoke.
cool. Super cool. Hip.
So today, live your And so can you.
So today, live your truth. Play
truth. Play your best your best game. Listen to the Each day you step into the place
trusted voice that resides deep where you work, you have the
game. Listen to the opportunity to nurture - and
within you. And show some
trusted voice that genuine leadership-both at awaken - the artist that inhabits
you.
resides deep within work and at home. People will
love you for it. We all have a core craving to
you. And show some express who we are and to create
And I’ll think you’re hip.
genuine leadership- something special. Part of being
both at work and at human. I encourage you to satisfy
that urge by being the Picasso of
home. People will love Human Resources or the Dali of
you for it. Sales. Be the Renoir of Real Estate
or the Michelangelo of Medicine.
Step out into the world each day
and create your masterpiece. The
world will be better for it.
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47
R o b i n S h a r m a’s Everyone laughed at Apple and Here’s a tool you can integrate
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR their vision not only for the iPod into your work and personal life
STUNNING SUCCESS but to be a leader in the music
industry.
today.
Throughout your day, keep
But who cares what the critics asking yourself: “How can I
think - leadership is about make this better?”
boldly trusting your instincts,
chasing down your goals and Apply it to your work. Apply it
doing what you think is right. to your relationships. Apply it
to your Self. As I wrote in The
And they did. Greatness Guide: “Small daily
improvements over time lead to
Since 2003, they have sold over 3 stunning results.”
billion songs at 99 cents each.
The business lesson?
No risk, no reward.
From a music magazine.
LEADERSHIP IS
ABOUT CLARITY
Just read a line by famed designer
THE COURAGEOUS Karim Rashid: “I think we should
always be looking 15 minutes
QUESTION ahead.” I suggest we should
always be thinking 15 years
Companies don’t get better if they ahead.
fall in love with their success. Clarity precedes mastery and
The best ones never feel they are it’s impossible to create an
truly successful. The brilliant outcome/goal/result that you
Clarity precedes ones know that they can always can’t even see.
mastery and it’s improve. Humility is part of their
cultural DNA. The best businesses I’ve worked
impossible to create with are so beautifully clear on
an outcome/goal/ Same for human beings. The where they’re going and what
Great Ones are all about NSI: their brand stands for and the
result that you can’t Never Stop Improving. They want type of people they want to
even see. to improve the way they think. populate their place.
The way they feel. The way they
behave. The way they execute. The The most successful people know
way they communicate. The way exactly what success means to
they live. them and what their mountains
look like.
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49
And each day, step by step, So the soft stuff is really the R o b i n S h a r m a’s
they steadily near that once-far hard stuff. And the new model LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
destination. of leadership really is all about
mastering the skills people in the
STUNNING SUCCESS
You can too. past judged as soft. And those
leaders that cling to the old ways
of being will get left behind. By
the leaders willing to do what’s
hard.
SOFT IS HARD
Please don’t tell me being kind
and learning to listen and
building out your vision and
things like working on your
TO ACT IS TO LEAD
character are soft. Nope. They are
hard. And that’s why so few of us
As I wrote in Who Will Cry When What takes genuine
You Die?, “The smallest of actions
do them. is always better than the noblest power is to be open.
Anyone can act tough. of intentions.” Leadership is a lot To care about others.
more than just dreaming up big
What takes genuine power idea. It’s about acting on them.
To learn from those
is to be open. To care about around you. To be
others. To learn from those What separates the ordinary ones
around you. To be human. from The Great Ones is a simple human.
fact: the best of the best execute
Same for things like listening and brilliantly around their most vital
vision and character-building. priorities.
Getting good at those things
takes a ton of courage. In a leadership presentation I just
gave to BP, I called the concept
Why? BRBO: Best Resources on Biggest
But who cares what
Because we need to develop Opportunities. the critics think -
humility and be willing to admit Leadership is, in so many ways, leadership is about
we are far from perfect. And that
we need to change. And change is
about getting good stuff done. boldly trusting your
Not started. Not in process. Done.
scary. Because it causes us to leave instincts, chasing
So today, make a decision that
the comfort zone we have always
will revolutionize your career/
down your goals
known. And sail out into the blue
oceans. life/self: never leave the site of and doing what you
an opportunity without doing think is right.
something to seize it.
And be less about talk - and more
about DO.
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS THE BIG QUESTION 13 CHALLENGES
You know this but it may be Part of the value I hope to add
valuable to remember that to you is to be a catalyst for
adversity introduces us to positive change in your work and
ourselves. We get to see what we personal life. To gently push/
are made of. Our strengths. And move and challenge you. To
our weaknesses. get better. To grow more. To be
Hard times always pass but serve great - regardless of your title or
us so well. To open us. Deliver your background or your current
wisdom. And teach us compassion reality.
and understanding. All core traits
for you – a Leader Without Title.
Here Are 13 Challenges I Offer
Here’s a question that may help
you as you navigate change and Champion a child
challenge: Encourage a co-worker
“What’s The Lesson Here?” Read a great book
Leverage your setbacks to make Do something that frightens
you more knowledgeable. Better. you
Wise. The best leaders do. Write a thank you note
As I shared in The Greatness Do something kind for a
Guide: “He who experiences most stranger
wins.”
Wow a customer
Learn something new
So today, make a Let go of a resentment
decision that will Do better work
revolutionize your Be more passionate
career/life/self: never Speak truthfully
leave the site of an Stand for excellence
opportunity without
doing something to
seize it.
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51
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS
R o b i n S h a r m a’s
LITTLE BLACK BOOK FOR
STUNNING SUCCESS
www.robinsharma.com