Wednesday, February 2, 2011

ProStar Coach - What Necessity Mothered This Invention?

"Necessity is the mother of invention." Some say Plato first said this, but in fact no one knows for sure who did. But now people say it all the time. And it's true.

Having recently invented ProStar Coach, I'm keenly aware of the necessity that inspired me.

One thing I’ve learned over and over as a small business entrepreneur is that most things worth doing are hard. It’s hard to get people to contribute their best work and cooperate as a team. It’s hard to go against the grain and create a new product. It’s hard to compete in the marketplace. It’s hard to deal with the surprises that come up in any given business week. It’s hard to survive the downturns in the economy.

And not just for business owners and top managers. It’s hard for everybody who’s trying to find a good job, succeed in it, have a family and enjoy life. The myriad challenges that people have to deal with are mind-boggling.

I’ve always been fascinated with why certain people strive, achieve and succeed—and others don’t. Why are some people life-long learners, while others roll their eyes at the idea of self-improvement?

And what can I do to help?

For many, the world of work is a dreary aspect of life, and not everyone is striving and achieving on a path to success. Some people don’t make good career choices, and they end up in jobs they don’t like. Some people don’t work well with others. Some lack perspective. Others aren’t motivated to learn. Many aren’t inclined to give their best work every day. They dislike their bosses and do only what they’re told to do. And even then, they don’t do it very well. In tough times, they get laid off. Afterward, to get by, they end up doing work they like even less.

I’ve also come to accept that not all business executives feel it’s important to develop their people. Maybe they don’t believe that to get results, managers have to lead. Maybe they don’t appreciate how learning works or what it takes for an employee to change a work habit. Maybe they feel that investing in learning and development won’t make much difference, and that money is more wisely invested elsewhere.

These realities sound grim, but they're part of the reason I've been working so hard these past five years on an online self-directed, self-development system. It's not a cure for people who've lost the desire to improve themselves. It's for the other folks - help for all the high-achievers and lifelong learners out there...

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2010. Building Personal Strength .

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