In a series of short books, all aimed at self help for a successful career, author Tom Jones takes you on a journey into his wonderful military career and touches on the key components of workplace stress and the troubles that stress and fear has on the working class striving to succeed and achieve in the workplace.
How to use Courage when you feel like a Coward, is the first in a series of short books called "Key Battles in the War against Workplace Stress" and begins with an introduction like no other. It begins with a brief, yet descriptive walk through life in the US Military from private to military police, onto commissioned officer and then having pleasantly relived his entire military career by seeing a single photo taken of him decades earlier by his mother.
He talks about the seven fundamental values of a soldier. And these seven values don't come naturally to most. They are taught by superiors, learned over time and hopefully perfected to enhance or complete a successful career. But in my opinion, these seven fundamentals could also be practiced in every day life as well.
Some people struggle with trying to juggle private life with their work, and can't seem to focus on being the controller in the act of balancing the two very well. They worry about job security, bills, their relationships, children and finances and slowly find themselves becoming overwhelmed by the growing numbers of responsibilities that are piling up on them.
Let's face it! Not being able to control these responsibilities in the correct order of importance lures in even more problems, stress and struggles for the long term. Sometimes, living one day at a time and focusing on each task at hand individually, while keeping a keen eye on the ball, may be all it takes to help you slowly build up the courage and the confidence it takes to stand up proud with your chin up and your chest stuck out and face your problems like a captain on a troubled ship.
I think Mr. Jones does a great job in helping his readers develop the skill in determining "when" is the right time to act on a hunch and take charge of a situation or a task, when it calls for the very courage that he teaches, but no one else has. Well, if you're reading this - you are the one who needs to lead them. You are the one who needs to take charge of a failing situation and come through. Sure! You'll probably make a few of your colleagues angry or even jealous. But job security is more important right now than it has ever been. If they were truly engaged and were "focusing" like Tom tells us, and kept their eye on the ball - they'd be the ones with the new promotion, raise or accolade.
Tom knows the importance of being able to put all of your worries and doubts aside and take on challenges that arise that are either planned for or show up without warning. In the end, the results clearly detail how the challenges were handled and how the duties of a team were carried out, and how a well thought out plan was executed - or not. Without courage, a leader cannot lead, a soldier cannot defend, a game cannot be won, goals cannot be met and most often, a promotion cannot be realized.
If you are like most people, and sometimes find yourself trying to avoid confrontation or ridicule for trying new things, or face problems all of the time and aren't sure of how to handle them, maybe you just need a helping hand. Courage, when used appropriately can be a stepping stone, a courageous life that reeks of victory and success is truly a milestone.
Take the first step at being the controller of your destiny, by learning how to take control of even the smallest of situations. This book, the first of seven on helping you achieve success...