The leader must decide when to hold on, and when to let go. The decision isn’t always easy, especially when there’s a lot at stake.

Take for instance the boss that must choose to keep or fire a lazy employee. On one hand, the employee isn’t doing the job and is costing the company. On the other hand, the boss may not feel comfortable firing the employee, especially if they’re friends.

Each time we make a decision, we must deal with the consequences of that decision. We must behold the possibilities and beware the risks.

How do we determine the right course of action?

A good rule of thumb is to keep the winners, and ditch the losers.

A time-tested principle of investing tells us to focus that which is growing, or profiting. At the same time we must get rid of those things that do not show growth, or show the most potential for failure.

Take relationships for example. It’s probably a good idea to nurture relationships with people who are genuine, trustworthy, and loyal, and who value you and your success. Keep the people that support you, and that make you a better person.

At the same time, you should walk away from those that do not value you, and want to bring you down. Steer clear of relationships that you know will end in disaster, and people that you know are “unsavory” characters.

If you’re looking to advance in your career, look for opportunities that you can enjoy and grow from. Invest your time in business activities that will lead to your well-being.

As well, ditch the jobs or careers that don’t interest you, or that make you miserable.

When you invest in winners, you are more likely to see a return on your investment down the line.

You’ll enjoy closer relationships, a stronger career, and greater wealth. When you get rid of the losers, it frees up more time to invest in the winners, and ultimately achieve massive amounts of success.

Are you always going to win? No.

But, keeping and investing in winners has great potential to turn you into a happier, healthier, and wealthier person.

When I come home, he whines and jumps at the door. He scurries through the house and picks up a tennis ball in his mouth. He wags his rear-end from side to side, and practically jumps out of his skin as he claws at the door to greet me.

And, no, I’m not talking about my cousin Cole.

It’s my family’s dog Biscuit, and he knows how to make an impression on people.

What about the impression Biscuit made on Christmas morning?

We woke up Christmas morning 2009 to find my cousin’s stocking on the floor — the contents scattered around the room.

Something had destroyed the stocking and left shiny silver chocolate candy wrappers scattered around the room.

Over in the corner, slinking down to the floor in shame, was our dog Biscuit.

He had knocked the stocking off the fireplace, tore out the stocking stuffers, and pulled out the sealed zip-lock bag of candy at the bottom.

Then, he ripped the bag to shreds and indulged himself in chocolate.

No, Biscuit didn’t go belly up.

The family watched as he threw up the Christmas chocolate all over his brand new doggy bed.

This is the same dog that ripped open a present under the tree, chewed through the box, and scarfed down a whole layer of chocolate covered cherries just 2 weeks prior.

This is the same dog that just the day after Christmas hopped up onto the computer table while the family was out shopping, and gobbled up 3 caramel chocolates, packaging and all!

This is the same dog that I found on top of the dining room table with a ripped open bag of powdered hot chocolate…

After scarfing down a pound of chocolate, it’s a miracle that he’s still with us today.

But, one thing’s for sure: he knows how to make an impression.

The Secret to Biscuit’s Success

The easiest way to make an impression on people is to:

1) Do something extraordinary.
2) Include people.

If you want to make a great first impression: smile and shake the person’s hand. Listen to them and ask questions about them. Be genuinely interested in them and what they have to say.

You don’t have to “go crazy” when you greet someone – but showing a little concern for another human being goes a long way. It’s something they will remember.

And, you don’t have to make yourself sick on chocolate, and make others clean up the mess.

Though, I’m sure it will leave a lasting impression if you do.

The other day, a mother and her 5-year-old daughter walked into the store. The little girl followed her mother around, helping her carry items, and listened to her mother talk her way through their grocery list.

When the mother and daughter were ready to check out, the little girl helped set the items up on the counter. The mother looked down at her daughter and said, “You can go ahead and pick something out of the ice cream cooler.”

The little girl smiled, and walked over to the cooler. She slid the lid back and pulled out a popsicle. She walked back to the counter and looked her mother in the eyes, making sure she looked back, and said, “Thank you so much, Mommy.”

The mother looked down and smiled, perhaps a little embarrassed by her daughter’s display of affection.

The little girl placed the popsicle on the counter, and I rang it up. Before I could hand it back to her, she lifted the shopping bags from the revolving cart and said, “I’ll carry the bags out to the car.”

I handed the mom the popsicle, and the mom handed it to her daughter.

I said, “Wow. Now that’s something.”

The mother said, “I’m very lucky. She’s an amazing little girl.”