Drunk Dialing

Mobile phone + C2H5OH = Dead Career!

tough day at work...just closed a deal...end of the week

Have a few drinks last night?

Check your mobile: who did you call???

In the past five years I've worked with a surprising number of talented professionals who've blown their careers by dialing drunk: drinking socially or to unwind, then hitting their mobile, deliberately or accidentally, to vent or boast to staff, colleagues - even bosses!

Invective and self-promotion are rarely (if ever!) great ways to build or engage in working relationships... but when you add alcohol to the mix, you reveal more about yourself than you realise: and none of what they see, does you, or the relationship, any good.

If you have a propensity to fuel your mobile with dutch courage, the short-term fix is to give your phone to a trustworthy friend and get them to lock it away until you're stone cold sober. Another option is to switch to a phone provider who allows you to bar calls to specified numbers for fixed periods - before you have a drink, call the provider and bar all work numbers until 6 the next morning. It might be a bit of a hassle, but it can save your career!

The long-term fix is to deal with your alcohol problem, because yes, you DO have one!

Drink & Dial? Save it 'til you're sober!

What Leads to Success?

I had the joy of attending a fantastic Elton John concert recently and Sir Elton's energy & stamina (delivering two hours virtually non-stop while his band took two breaks!!) reminded me of the great new word - workafrolic! - coined by Richard St John. 

Here's Richard sharing his insights on what it takes to become successful.

In summary, if you want to succeed:

1. Be Passionate
   
2. Work
   
3. Focus 
   
4. Push yourself through (or get a mum! that)
   
5. Serve others something of value
   
6. Ideas – cultivate them! 
7. Persist through failure and despite

• Criticism
  
• Rejection
  
• A**holes
  
• Pressure
  

What would YOU add to the list?

If you're not familiar with TED.com please check it out - especially if you need inspiration or ideas!  There's a link in the right hand side-bar