A hole punch is extremely important in doing anything that concernsfinish work. The hole punch allows us to hone in on the exact spot. I suspect for most of us it would be very difficult toplace a hole any closer to the target than we could with the use of this simple little tool. When we want to concentrate on perfecting our aim,we are able to with preciseness like with no other tool in our tool box. It is rather amazing that something so simple could get us so close to our goal. This relates to our businesses, because it will be our simple tasksdone well that will simplify our success once we master them. Our success will not be easy, but the principles of success are basic, much likethe rules of our life.

This is a special time in your businessand a special time in the history of our nation; it is like nothing I have ever seenbefore. It is because of this unique position that you make some very importantdecisions for the health of your business. We all need from time to time tostep back and look objectively at our business and decide if we are headed inthe right direction in order to keep our goals on track. We can be on the righttrack and yet not making progress with our business because we must rememberthat all activity does not signify progress or success.

We will all have particular niche marketsthat we are involved in, but our business can change, and as a result, we mustmake market adjustments that are well focused. If we are on target to position ourbusiness for the best results, then we will always be observing opportunities thatwill afford us growth and progress with our business. In the next three articles, weare going to search for direction in positioning our business to seek the best nichemarkets for our business. Keep in mind that there will be many adjustments withanswers to the same question: “What is the best niche for my business to focuson?” Of course, the answer is likely to be different for most of us, but let’s look atthe opportunities available to us.

SUCCESS SIMPLIFIED?

In my third book, Success Simplified,co-authored with Stephen Covey, I have devoted a great deal of my print to tellingabout my Uncle Morris who found his niche in life after a number of differentattempts. The book is a collection of attitudes about success, and there arecertainly a lot of different approaches to accomplish success. And of course, success comes in many different packages, and itis not the same for everyone. One could say that they are successful, raising a greatfamily or working at the same job all of their life. We all have to define what ourgoals are and then set out to accomplish our goals to our own satisfaction.

My uncle had to combine two distinctattributes to find his niche. First, his reputation for hard work and honesty coupledwith his knowledge of a lifetime of being a farmer led him to his extremely successfulniche in the real estate business selling farms. But he had to experiencefailure before he could find his center and enjoy the true success of recognizing hisreal niche.

Most of you who have attended myseminars or have read my articles over the years have heard how my uncle soldreal estate and had a difficult time until he found his niche and what worked forhim. He didn’t find his center in residential, industrial or commercial, but when itcame to selling farms, he was spectacular and amassed a small fortune in aboutseven years while he was in his mid-50’s.

The point is that when we locate whatworks and then concentrate on expanding our efforts, we can succeed. Don’t give up,because anything is possible if you stick with it and really want it. It must be aburning desire that is inside you that must be satisfied; it is that passion that keepsyou going when nothing else will substitute. This passion to succeed with yourgoal might not sustain another person in the same way as it does you, but it isn’ttheir goal; it is most definitely a personal passion that burns within. While it is goodto share your thoughts and goals with others, don’t feel bad if others don’t havethe same passion you have for your goal.

YOU CAN BUILD A BETTERMOUSETRAP, AND IT IS NEVER TOO LATE

The great news is that you can changeyour future and the future of your business if you really want to; it is never toolate. One person who comes to mind who decided he wanted to change things late inlife was Colonel Harlan Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. He took his firstSocial Security check and started selling his chicken franchises. Most people don’tknow that Colonel Sanders was not born a Kentuckian. He was born in Clark County,Indiana, just outside Henryville, Indiana, which is about 20 miles north of Louisville,Kentucky. I happen to know this because our horse trainer has his trainingbarn on the same road where Colonel Sanders is buried at a little church. Thatroad is the Henryville-Otisco Road just east of Henryville, Indiana.

Colonel Sanders certainly foundhis niche in life and made everyone remember him with his flamboyant dressin white suits, Southern-style bowties, and of course, his goatee. He sold his chickenat a time when everything was right for his style, and he sold it on an honor systemwhere he would trust others to pay him for the franchise; I wonder if that wouldwork today. He started his first restaurant in the small community of Corbin,Kentucky, proving that where you start and what you start with does not have tobe great, but you must have that passion and desire to succeed. Remember ColonelSanders started with his first Social Security check, selling a common item, friedchicken, in an obscure location in the hills of Kentucky. And now it is known all overthe world and has more franchises worldwide than any other brand.

If a sixty-five-year-old man couldaccomplish his passion, I suspect we all have a chance at accomplishing our passion.Colonel Sanders concentrated on a particular niche market and then made aunique attempt at improving it with an unforgettable flare; he left you with thefeeling it was the very best, because he told you it was “finger-licking good.” Was it thechicken or the way he sold it to the world?