Personal Success

Personal Success Test

— The Key To Success Is Doing What You Like Doing Best

Does something like this fit into your plan?

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BACKGROUND

Successful people focus on what they do best and utilize strategic relationships for the rest. Many business owners and company managers get themselves into trouble by trying to do everything themselves.

In addition, many may operate their businesses profitability only to discover that there are financial problems at home. In your business, you are solely responsible for your personal success and career development (and that of any employees).

With the help of a psychologist, we put together a series of questions that successful people are able to address on an on-going basis. We then directed them toward the trucking industry.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

We have listed some of the key ones for you to ponder, along with some sample answers. There are no right or wrong answers, just personal ones to you. See how you do.

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QUESTION 1
What is my work experience and what does it tell me about my expectations?

This is similar to a job application or a resume. So, take the last half dozen places you have worked and run through the following list. This will tell more about yourself than about the company you worked for.

Expectations are important to know, as most switch jobs for not having those personal expectations met.

The reason for the risk question is subtle. Being a businessperson is a pretty big risk. The amount of gain you get from any endeavor should be proportional to the risk. Where you took the greatest risk, you will see where you probably gained the most knowledge.

NOTE: Look for trends in responses from “expectations through luck in job”

Chronological Experience Questionnaire

Start off with your most recent employer / contract then work backwards in time.

Employer ___________________________________________________________
Date started _________________________________________________________
Date left ____________________________________________________________
Type of business ______________________________________________________
Title or job __________________________________________________________
Money (start/end) ____________________________________________________
Expectations ________________________________________________________
Responsibilities ______________________________________________________
Successes __________________________________________________________
Failures ____________________________________________________________
Most enjoyable ______________________________________________________
Least enjoyable ______________________________________________________
Personal focus _______________________________________________________
Bosses strength ______________________________________________________
Bosses weakness _____________________________________________________
Why changed _______________________________________________________
Biggest decision _____________________________________________________
Best decision _______________________________________________________
Worst decision _____________________________________________________
Luck in job ________________________________________________________

QUESTION 2
What does success mean to me?

This is a tough one. It is an underlying reason why we work. Webster’s dictionary says it means “to turn out well; or “to attain a desired objective.” This means different things to different people and is very personal. Here are some possibilities: money, house, boat, motorcycle, own boss, love, children, travel…

QUESTION 3
What skills / special knowledge do I possess that I want to use?

This is to help you think about your work and schooling background, and identify what skills you may be able to carry into your business. The answers you may consider are things like: driving, planning, mechanic, computers, training, crunching numbers…

QUESTION 4
What am I good at, not so good at, and like doing the most personally (and in business)?

Over the last several years, we have surveyed the marketplace asking what operators like doing the best, all of the way to what they enjoyed least. Successful people generally focus on what they do best and utilize relationships for the rest.

Look through the following “Survey of Likes / Dislikes” for possible answers for you.

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IT STARTS WITH WHAT PEOPLE LIKE DOING THE MOST

* DRIVING (TRAVEL AND SIGHTSEEING)
* PLANNING FOR ON TIME TRIPS
* FUEL (HOW MUCH AND WHERE TO PURCHASE)
* ON ROAD COST MANAGEMENT (TOLLS, FOOD, ETC.)
* ROUTINE SERVICE PLANNING
* LOADING / UNLOADING MANAGEMENT (LOAD PLACEMENT)
* SCALING OUT THE UNIT
* FILLING OUT LOGBOOKS
* TRIP SHEETS / INSPECTION FORMS
* TIRE NEGOTIATION / REPLACEMENT
* REPAIR DECISIONS / NEGOTIATION
* PALLET NEGOTIATION / MANAGEMENT
* UNLOADING COST NEGOTIATION
* FILLING OUT EXPENSE REPORTS
* ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FOLLOWUP
* CDL LICENSING TESTING / HAZMAT
* BI – ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
* RANDOM DRUG TESTING
* INSURANCE COVERAGE NEGOTIATION
* FINANCING BACKGROUND AND PROCESSING INFORMATION
* LICENSING OF EQUIPMENT
* PERMITTING OF EQUIPMENT
* ROAD AND FUEL TAXES PREPARATION / PAYMENT
* BOOKKEEPING / ACCOUNTING
* RETIREMENT PLANNING
* HANDLING LEGAL ISSUES
* CITATIONS / COSTS
* TAXES / IRS

ENDING WITH WHAT PEOPLE LIKED DOING THE LEAST

Performed by:
TBA Transportation Business Associates
Copyright © 1996-2010 – Denver, Colorado
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QUESTION 5
What type of people do I like to work / play with?

There is a reasoning that “you are” who you hang out with. In addition, it is an indicator of your personality. For some this is a scary prospect. What we are really looking to identify here is the environment you like to be in. Here are some possibilities: loner, conservative, optimists, shop personnel…

QUESTION 6
What will I focus on in the operation of my business?

If you are noticing, we continue to narrow the questions down. The reason for this question is to get you really thinking about your previous answers and to set your goals for the future. If your list gets too long, prioritize them. Some obvious answers are: Driving (too easy), utilization, fuel cost, bookkeeping, extra drops, repairs…

QUESTION 7
How much money do I need to make?

The first answer here is always “lots.” Not knowing the answer to this question leads to many problems, especially personally. Many people need to know this to compare it to their net business income. If this is too high, you will not be happy no matter where you are working. It can also lead to both bankruptcy and divorce.

We have put together a simple form that you can use to add up your costs at home. It is the same type information requested by personal financial planners.

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HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO MAKE
(Spending Needs and Habits)

LIST OUT THE MONEY YOU NEED FOR THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES:

HOME MONTHLY DOLLARS

MORTGAGE / RENT
$______________________________________________________
MORTGAGE (OTHER)
$_____________________________________________________
REAL ESTATE TAXES
$_____________________________________________________
HEALTH INSURANCE
$_____________________________________________________
DISABILITY INSURANCE
$_____________________________________________________
LIFE INSURANCE
$_____________________________________________________
PHONE
$_____________________________________________________
WATER
$_____________________________________________________
POWER
$_____________________________________________________
FOOD
$______________________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT
$_____________________________________________________
CAR PAYMENTS
$_____________________________________________________
PICKUP PAYMENTS
$_____________________________________________________
BOAT PAYMENTS
$_____________________________________________________
OTHER VEHICLES
$_____________________________________________________
VEHICLE INSURANCE
$______________________________________________________
CREDIT CARDS
$_____________________________________________________
ALIMONY / CHILD SUPPORT
$_____________________________________________________
RETIREMENT (IRA / 401K)
$_____________________________________________________
SCHOOLING (PRIVATE / COLLEGE)
$_____________________________________________________
NORMAL DAILY CASH EXPENSES
$_____________________________________________________
OTHER / MISCELLANEOUS
$_____________________________________________________
FEDERAL TAXES
$_____________________________________________________
STATE TAXES
$_____________________________________________________
LOCAL TAXES
$_____________________________________________________
TOTAL HOME
$_____________________________________________________

NOTE: AGAIN, IF THE TOTAL NEEDED FOR HOME EXCEEDS THE NET FROM YOUR BUSINESS, YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY WHOEVER YOU ARE WORKING WITH
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QUESTION 8
What would my business associates say about me?

This is also a question related to resume type issues. Anytime you use a business or individual as a reference, you need to have a good understanding as to what they are going to say about you.

For example, you would like: the bank to say you don’t overdraft…credit cards are paid on time…revolving credit lines are revolving…past loans paid…good worker…honest…on time…what we have covered previously…

QUESTION 9
What are my plans / goals for the future (10-20 years)?

This is a purely personal question. It is also a good one as most psychologists say that if you don’t have plans and goals, you greatly increase your chances of social type problems (drugs, alcohol, etc.).

It is also a big cause of problems after retirement (you’ve seen people die because of no plans, goals, etc.). Some possibilities: grow company, fancy truck, house, marriage, kids, toys…

QUESTION 10
List my personal considerations?

The most important thing that most psychologists will tell us is the importance of balance in life. What you should think about here is the “other than work” issues, which we have alluded to earlier. These include: family, friends and personal activities – spouse, kids, boating, clubs…

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We are told to ask ourselves these questions on an on-going basis. The answers may change a little, but it helps to clear up the direction we are heading.