IBD 10 Tips to Success

Investors Business Daily is one of my favorite papers, but I have to pretend that the editorial page doesn't exist.  Members of the Tex tribe probably wouldn't mind most of what they put up, but two pages of "Obama is a Socialist Country Killer" gets to be a bit much sometimes.  Capitalism is made of win for these guys.  But seriously, if you want to learn a pretty solid system on how to pick stock winners, read this paper.  Start with the weekend edition which comes out on Saturdays.

One of the cooler things on IBD is the Leadership & Success column. The paper claims they've spent years studying great leaders, innovators and managers and have determined that most show a particular skill set that has helped them achieve their goals.   The paper cycles through these daily and throws up a couple of profiles of people who exhibit that day's trait.  Here's the list:

1. HOW YOU THINK IS EVERYTHING: Always be positive.  Think success, not failure.  Beware of a negative environment.
2. DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
3. TAKE ACTION: Goals are nothing without action.  Don't be afraid to get started.  Just do it.
4. NEVER STOP LEARNING: Go back to school or read books.  Get training and acquire skills.
5. BE PERSISTENT AND WORK HARD: Success is a marathon, not a sprint.  Never give up.
6. LEARN TO ANALYZE DETAILS: Get all the facts, all the input.  Learn from your mistakes.
7. FOCUS YOUR TIME AND MONEY: Don't let other people or things distract you.
8. DON'T BE AFRAID TO INNOVATE; BE DIFFERENT: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
9. DEAL AND COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: No person is an island.  Learn to understand and motivate others.
10. BE HONEST AND DEPENDABLE; TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: otherwise, Nos. 1-9 won't matter.

It's a pretty good list but looking at it daily has me wondering/ contemplating if people really live deliberately/ the practicality or efficacy of cultivating personality traits.