Herman’s Book of Values
Good Rules to Achieve Pride of Accomplishment
By Herman Stern
Good Qualities that Help Bring Pride in Achievement
BE STRONG IN CHARACTER
Without strength of character, we are a ship without a rudder, lost in the sea of no return. Character is developed in our early years through guidance of parents, teachers and the early cultivations of religious training and reverence to God. Your character is manufactured by the performance of daily duties and especially through self-discipline. It was Abraham Lincoln who once said, “Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
BE SINCERE IN PURPOSE
Every mission or service we are called upon to perform must be based on real sincerity of purpose. Otherwise we cannot do our best to the satisfaction of those we serve as well as achieve price of accomplishment ourselves. Every task worth doing is worth doing as best we know how.
DEVELOP CHARMING PERSONALITY
The first impression you make on those you meet is the most important point of contact. Charming manner coupled with sincerity gives us the “in” that is needed to establish the basis for a natural approach. Be sincerely interested in your customer.
Be confident yet humble. And be yourself – don’t try to stereotype your approach after someone else. Capitalize on your individuality and charm.
BE AFFABLE
The ability to get along with fellow workers and associates, whether on a business level
or in social and civic activities, is a valuable asset and a firm stepping stone to advancement. Not all people of great potential have achieved this measure of success because of their inability to work as a team.
BE ENTHUSIASTIC
Enthusiasm! You better develop it if you don’t have it because it’s one of the major factors of success in any undertaking no matter how well you know a job. If we cannot tell our story with genuine enthusiasm, we are losing our greatest selling punch. Without enthusiasm for life and your work, you will find it difficult to be an enthusiastic salesman. There’s a saying made popular by Dale Carnegie that has worked miracles with people – “Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic.” Say it to yourself daily and you’ll marvel at the results.
DEVELOP INITIATIVE, BE RESOURCEFUL
Initiative coupled with resourcefulness is a basis to improve confidence and to insure
advancement in your work. They’re the push button to success and inspire us to greater
accomplishments. Many a sale can be served because of these qualities and more new
sales can be made if initiative and resourcefulness are practiced daily.
LEARN TO CONCENTRATE
Concentration is necessary whether we are engaged in stockkeeping, merchandising or selling. We must concentrate on the work at hand with our undaunted attention or we cannot achieve the best results.
BE OBSERVING
As recipients of God’s gracious gifts, we have the power of observation – through seeing and hearing. The power of seeing affords us the opportunities to perform the tasks before us. And by hearing and observing our associates who have proven their ability to perform well, we can strive to equal or exceed their accomplishments.
BE THOROUGH
Thoroughness of performance, no matter what the task, is essential for success. It allows efficiency in the highest degree. It makes us feel proud of our work and sets the pattern of efficiency for others around us.
DEVELOP CONSTRUCTIVE IMAGINATION
We have millions of brain cells, yet we use only a small percentage on new ideas. Think big! Think outside of the box! You haven’t begun to scratch the surface! Exercise your imagination and the creative process will reward you richly.
BE INDUSTRIOUS
An industrious individual is one who is devoted to his work, who does more than is expected of him. Doing more than is expected of us not only is a more certain road to advancement and material gain, but it brings personal satisfaction, a spiritual stimulant so beneficial to our welfare.
BE THOUGHTFUL
A great goodwill builder knows how much it means to be considerate of others – to treat them as we wish to be treated – to perform little acts of kindness beyond what is expected. Thoughtfulness pays dividends. Practice it.
STRIVE FOR A HAPPY HOME
Good home environment is the anchor to lasting success. No matter how well we know our job, we cannot do our best without a wholesome home environment. Our employer, our associates and the public at large all judge us by the standards we set in our homes and by the responsibility we assume in furthering community life – for the good of society on a religious, civic, social and charitable basis.
FIGHT PROCRASTINATION
Many a career has been spoiled and more jobs lost by putting off until tomorrow that which should have been done today. Procrastination is the stifler of ambition, the recipe for failure.
BE HUMBLE
Good people are humble. Humble in the eyes of God, humble in their relations with associates and friends. It is the real test of character. “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abused; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”
IMPROVE YOURSELF CONSTANTLY
Constantly strive to better yourself through reading, studying and concentration. Seek out and absorb knowledge in every way. The university of learning is at our disposal every day throughout our entire life. Take advantage of it.
BE UNDERSTANDING
Respect the views, practices and habits of others. Be more than tolerant, be understanding. In dealing with people, learn to respect and understand their position. Judge an individual not on his race, creed or economic standing; judge him for what is in him.