“Although I’m blind, I can see far and wide; even though I’m disabled, I can climb high mountains.” –Shirley Cheng

What comes before a successful businessman, a successful doctor, or a successful teacher? A successful human being. In order to be truly successful in life, you need to first establish three essential spiritual principles–your core values, gratitude, and faith–and these gems will help you create a successful you.

Values

What qualities do you hold highest? What traits do you want to have and be associated with? Think of what qualities are important to you, and then hold firm to them. Your values are what you will base your life’s decisions on, and they will guide you in the right paths in life. two plus two equals four. If you think that two plus two equals everything and anything, you are bound to encounter problems in your life.

You will make goals around your core values. For example, my value is goodness, so I make goals that will accomplish my value. I will be satisfied with having achieved that value if nothing else.

Nothing in life is ever guaranteed; everything you own–your car, your house, and even your friends and family–can be taken away from you. But nothing can take away your values if you do not let them. No one can destroy your values unless you destroy them yourself.

Gratitude

Before we run into any obstacle, we first need to prepare ourselves for negative or challenging situations. We need a cushion on which we can fall back when we run into life’s hardships. Think about the acrobats performing in circuses; while they dazzle their audiences with their skills and agility, they have nets underneath them to catch them in case they ever fall. This is the kind of protection we need to have in life, so we will not get badly bruised once we crash down. This cushion in life should be gratitude. Appreciation is the essential net to cushion us against ordeals, from everyday obstacles to life’s traumas.

Start everything with appreciation. Before you do anything new, say anything new, go anywhere new, meet anyone new, first appreciate your current state in every aspect. This acts like a cushion in case what you do brings you to your original state. So if you could be thankful for now, when you return to now, you will be thankful that you have not lost anything and will be grateful for anything you do gain. So it is vital to appreciate your situation at every stage of your life.

Faith

The most important ingredient to success–and this is what really takes me far in life–is the deep, unwavering faith in God.

it is the faith in God that has allowed me to move forward, one sure step at a time, as I know He is there guiding me, supporting me, and loving me. Keep your faith in God strong and sturdy, and your steps will be strong and sturdy in turn.

Besides the three important principles, my golden rule to be truly successful is: Do your best in everything you do. Many people do a mediocre job and expect to be successful; they depend on luck to get them successful. But in the long term, luck will not bring you far.

In life, no matter what position you are in–a teacher, a doctor, a parent, a child, a grandchild–do your best in being your best. And make the most of what you have. If you only have a spoon and a fork, use the fork to comb your hair and use the spoon to play music. Hey, some people do not even have a spoon and a fork. In my case, I lost my eyesight, but I still have my fingers so I can type; I still can hear, and I am still alive. I use all those wonderful factors to become an award-winning author, motivational speaker, published poet, and advocate, and I continue to love the life I live.

About the Author:
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author of seven books, contributing author of twelve, and a parental rights advocate, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. http://www.shirleycheng.com

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Boost employee retention, employee engagement, and diversity by hiring people with disabilities. How people with disabilities can gain joy on the job. Accommodations for people with disabilities usually cost $50 or less & help is available to employers. Company and social gains are immense. Linda Turner, VP for Human Services at Goodwill Industries, is interviewed by Doris Helge, Host of the “More Joy on the Job Radio Show.”

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HOW TO DECREASE EMPLOYEE RETENTION & PRODUCTIVITY PROBLEMS

The next time you hear managers complain they can’t recruit or retain good workers, tell them to hire people with disabilities. When supervisors moan about employee absenteeism, low productivity, or lack of creativity, ask them, “Do you hire people with disabilities?”

From entry level to professional positions, workers with disabilities have fewer job changes and absences than their peers without disabilities.

Employee retention is more important than ever. Labor shortages of up to 10 million workers have been forecast.

Are you concerned about safety, liability, or performance of a worker with a disability? You can breathe a sigh of relief. Safety records of workers with disabilities equal or surpass the records of non-disabled workers.

BOTTOM-LINE REASONS TO BE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE

Improve customer loyalty

Companies who hire people with disabilities gain customer loyalty. Local communities support visible efforts to support citizens with disabilities. Maybe you’ll reach the end of your life without having difficulty seeing, hearing, or remembering, but most of us won’t.

When you hire people with disabilities, local support for your business grows rapidly. Many of your customers have invisible disabilities — arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart trouble, back injuries, etc.

Boost innovation and creativity

Your organization also gains a significant new source of creativity that affects your profit margin. People with disabilities have become master innovators and problem solvers during their interactions with a world that isn’t always user-friendly. People with disabilities will subtly open your eyes to more effective ways to serve all of your customers. Your product line may become more creative.

ARE ACCOMMODATIONS EXPENSIVE?

Are you worried you can’t afford expensive accommodations needed for people with disabilities? Most modifications cost under $500. The majority carry no price tag. It costs nothing to modify a schedule so your new employee can use public transportation. Most business owners can offer flex time at no additional cost.

If sophisticated accommodations are required, financial resources are often available through your state office of vocational rehabilitation.

SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU

How to find qualified people

Now that you’re enthusiastic about the benefits you’ll gain and less concerned about potential problems, how can you find qualified people who have disabilities?

If you don’t know where to find local resources, contact the National Business and Disability Council (NBDC) at (516) 465-1519. They have many information services, including the NBDC Yellow Pages. NBDC also provides a National Resume Database so you can identify job applicants with disabilities who have at least two years of college or more or equivalent technical training, verified by an independent source.

Staff training and supervision

NBDC services don’t end with applicant referral. They can help you create a win-win work environment in which all of your staff — including you — feel comfortable and supported. They have the experience you need to ensure adequate staff training and accountability.

DO IT FOR YOU

Hire people with disabilities . . . but don’t do it for “them.” Do it because you want to learn more about life from people who have used their challenges to develop their character in ways most of us haven’t yet imagined.

I once directed the American Council on Rural Special Education and co-founded the National Rural Independent Living Network. Because I conducted national research, I was frequently asked to testify to the U.S. Congress. Each time, I struggled to adequately represent a constituency that awed me with their capabilities, no matter what disability label they’d been branded with.

People with disabilities inspire us to achieve our true potential. Christopher Reeve inspired us with his optimism and his determination to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Hire people with disabilities and enjoy more smiles from your employees and customers.

This strategy for joy on the job was identified as part of the “Happiness at Work Factor Studies” that led to the publication of “Joy on the Job.”

Go to http://MoreJoyOnTheJob.com to download free articles so you can boost employee retention and motivation and enjoy more happiness at work. Download free chapters from Dr. Helge’s books and hear “Joy on the Job” podcasts at http://www.JoyOnTheJob.info

Doris Helge, Ph.D. is an executive coach, award-winning speaker, and corporate trainer. She is author of “Joy on the Job,” “Transforming Pain Into Power,” and other books published in many foreign languages.

You may reprint the above article as long as it remains intact and proper attribution is given to Doris Helge, Ph.D. (c) 2008.

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