How many books about goal-setting have you read? It’s a basic principle of success but sometimes I think that the most successful are the people who write those books. We can’t seem to get enough of them, as if somehow reading something is a magic elixir that will overcome the hard work it takes to really make a success of yourself.
My latest hero: Andy Chambers.
Andy owns his own construction company here and he’s so respected that he quickly rose through the NEFBA ranks to its presidency. These aren’t good times, as we all know, and it takes a strong person to head up a major association these days.
Andy took on the challenge. He’s been super-active; every time I’m at a real estate or builders meeting, he’s there. He has a rah-rah attitude that he backs up with a “do it” persona.
Now, we find out that he reads those books about success and learns something. Every book I’ve read includes what may be the very basic: determine what you’re going to do (set goals), figure how to do it (determine the objectives) and then do it (work hard.)
The President’s Project is textbook. You can get all the success books you want and you won’t find a better guide.
Desire: Andy wanted something that would be a signature of his term as president.
Opportunity: a wood association was looking for someone to build a special home.
Goal: be chosen to build the home.
Objectives: list everything needed down to the smallest nails, then figure out how to get the people and products needed.
Work hard: get the house built.
That’s what he has done and I encourage you to venture over to the Murray Hill section of Jacksonville. It’s on Green Street, which is a few blocks from that area’s landmark, the Dreamette ice cream shop. (If you haven’t been to the Dreamette, that makes your visit doubly worthwhile.)
What you’ll find - in addition to great peanut better milk shakes - is perhaps the most modern, yet unassuming, home in Northeast Florida. Andy couldn’t have built a fancy place because it would have looked odd, given the neighboring homes, but what’s not apparent is the best of the best. You’ll wish you had that stuff in your home.
You’ll read more about the President’s Project on this page and I leave you with two thoughts:
1. Learn how Andy did it - it beats reading another book.
2. Have a peanut butter milk shake.
— Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection.