Chuck Coté

No-Nonsense Wisdom That Works!

Expect The Best Newsletter

February 2006

Created for people who want valuable ideas and insights

to help them get results - personally and professionally!

Please feel free to forward this issue to clients, associates, family and friends.

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Daily Messages

Encourage: to inspire with courage, spirit or hope.

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

- T. S Eliot

“You can achieve excellence or make excuses, but you can't do both.”

- Chuck Coté

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Expect The Best

and                  

Take Responsibility for Getting It!

Some people think knowledge, skills, talent, and ability are the key factors in success.  My research and experience proves otherwise.  I've known many people who didn't have these traits and some even faced serious problems or incredible adversity but achieved excellence anyway.

Two things separate them from everyone else.  First, they dream big dreams, incredible dreams, the kind most of us had as children.  The second difference is not only do they dream big; they go after their dreams.  Whether they know it or not they use my simple yet powerful principle … Expect The Best and take responsibility for getting it. 

Let me tell you a story of someone who used this principle to reach a very lofty goal. 

        While I was Executive Vice-President at Pendell Printing Inc. the Vice-President of our Printing Division was promoted within our parent company and we needed to fill that position.  Ken was one of the candidates who applied for the job. 

      When Ken came in for his interview, his name with the title Vice President, Printing Division was already printed on his résumé packet.  After I went through the normal interview questions I asked him why he was so confident that he had already printed his name and new title on his packet.  Ken smiled, looked me in the eyes and said, "Chuck, I’ve prepared and rehearsed for this job for three years and now I'm ready to do it." 

      When we made the final selection, Ken was our choice.  The day after we made the formal announcement he stopped by my office and asked if we could talk.  He then told me his amazing story. 

Three years earlier Ken was a department manager at Pendell but he dreamed of becoming much more.  He went through a seminar we did that challenged people to Expect The Best and take responsibility for getting it.  Ken left that seminar and envisioned that someday he would be the Vice President of the Printing Division.  It was a big goal and he went for it - in a big way.

After the seminar, Ken took one of the Vice President’s business cards, cut out the VP’s name and taped that card over his own business card.  The new one now had Ken’s name with the title, Vice President, Printing Division – the position he wanted. He carried that card in his wallet and looked at it every day and imagined what it would be like to be the Vice President.

      He visualized the duties he would be performing.  He saw himself at meetings presenting ideas and information to plant personnel, conducting tours with customers and leading meetings to solve company problems.  He visualized everything he could about the job over and over, every day for three years.

      Ken was passionate and motivated to reach his goal.  He knew that he had the knowledge, skills and attitude that would benefit the company, its customers and employees.  The promotion was going to benefit him as well.                 

      However, he soon realized he needed more education and experience to be promoted to the VP position.  He began leadership and management classes, enrolled in a public speaking course and volunteered for special projects that gave him more exposure and background in different areas of the company.  Ken also went back to college to finish his bachelor’s degree.  Going after his goal stretched him - personally and professionally. 

      Along the way, Ken encountered numerous challenges and setbacks but never gave up. He focused on the opportunities not the obstacles.  His perseverance and commitment paid off because … three years later he was living his dream! 

      What’s the point of the story?  Ken is an outstanding example of someone who decided to Expect The Best and take responsibility for getting it.  He had a Picture of Success and did whatever it took to get it.                 

Let me make one thing very clear; I do not believe just think positive and everything works out!  In fact, I think it’s a great fallacy.  What I believe is you have to do more than just think positive - you must take action to achieve your goal! 

      Let’s look at what Ken did to make his dream a reality.

He started with my principle of Expect The Best and take responsibility for getting it!  Then he answered the Four Driving Questions to help him become more focused, more passionate, more effective and more committed to being successful.

Question # 1: What is it you want to achieve?

Describe exactly what you want as if it’s already reality.  You create a crystal, clear Picture of Success and then vividly imagine it as if it’s already accomplished.  Incredible momentum is created when you focus on the positive expectation of what you want.  Expect the Best and see and feel and imagine it as if you have already achieved it.

Question # 2: Why do you want to achieve it?

Answering this question “ignites the passion” you need to achieve a goal. Real motivation comes from within and most people can't get motivated enough to reach a goal because they haven't determined why it’s so important to them. 

With the first two questions you have used the creative and visionary right side of your brain.  Now the logical and pragmatic left side of your brain needs to kicks in.

Question # 3: How will you achieve it?

Even though you now know what you want to achieve and why, you must take action to get it.  Dreams without action are worthless! Taking action produces results.

In going after your goal though, you will soon discover that trial and error, mistakes and missteps are part of the process along the way.  That’s when you need the final question.

Question # 4: What if you run into obstacles, setbacks or problems?

Even though you know what you want, why you want it and how you will get it, you will run into obstacles, setbacks and problems.  Count on it!  Perseverance and commitment are the critical factors in producing positive results despite negative challenges. 

What are your big dreams and how are you going to achieve them?

Expect The Best and take responsibility for getting it!  It worked for Ken and it can work for you too!

“The great danger for most of us

 is not that our aim is too high and we miss,

but that it is too low and we reach it.”

- Michelangelo

 “A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved.

He inspires the power and energy to get it done.”

- Ralph Lauren

Need someone to rekindle the passion and dedication in your employees, team members or associates?  Looking for a speaker who is entertaining, inspiring and energizing?  Then go to Chuck’s web site www.chuckcote.com and review his speaking information and programs or call him at (989) 837-3553.

OK Coté Recommended Read

Each newsletter I want to recommend a book that I think is worth your time and money.  

Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, M.D. is an excellent guide to helping you turn back your biological clock.  No, it’s not about the fountain of youth.  But it is easy to understand and filled with no-nonsense advice on how to live with more physical, mental and emotional energy now and into your seventies, eighties and beyond.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants sensible and straightforward ideas and insights on how to live a long, healthy, happy and productive life. 

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Coming Soon …

Chuck Coté

Expect The Best

TeleSeminars

What the heck is a TeleSeminar and why would I be interested in one anyway? 

A TeleSeminar is one of the fastest and most innovative methods to gain valuable information without leaving the comfort of your home or office. It’s a seminar you participate in by phone.  No hassles!

In a few weeks I will begin offering Expect The Best TeleSeminars.  By subscribing to my newsletter you will be the first to receive an invitation and registration details.

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Final Note from Chuck

This is the first edition of the Chuck Coté Expect The Best Newsletter   My purpose in writing it is simple and straightforward: to give you No-Nonsense Wisdom That Works!  Works how?  It gives you information you can use to make a difference in your life and the lives of the people around you. 

When I went through my cancer battle in 2000, we e-mailed OK Coté Updates to family, friends and clients. They looked forward to the updates because they were entertaining, inspiring and uplifting.  Since then, many people have requested updates highlighting what I speak and write about. 

You are receiving this issue because you are on my e-mail list and this was the best way to get it to you – for now.  I don't like SPAM or other e-mail intrusions and I'm sure you don't either.  Even though my newsletter is free, you will not receive another one unless you sign up for it!

THANK YOU for reading my newsletter!  Please send your feedback or comments to: mail to:okcote@chuckcote.com.

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