Yet another year is behind us. If you take a moment to reflect on the year, here are some questions to ponder:
• Did you accomplish everything you set out to do?
• Sales, profits, personal growth… did you hit the mark or did you miss it completely?
• If you didn't achieve all that you wanted, do you know why?
• Were there circumstances beyond your control?
• What got in the way?
Regardless of the point, don't dwell on fixing the past – you can't! But certainly learn from the past then make a commitment to change – and do it!
As humans, our capacity to change when it is forced upon us is unprecedented; in these circumstances we change because we have no other choice. However, when we see the need for change and are not forced to we make excuses as to why "it’s OK as is." This is the tipping point and a real sign of maturity – and it's interesting how our work lives parallels with our personal lives.
Small Steps
There are times that we all feel the challenges are insurmountable. We ask, "How in the world am I going to accomplish this task?" The answer is simple – small steps (little bites). Salespeople and entrepreneurs always seek immediate gratification. Some wins come quicker than others, but generally it takes time so don't quit! Think back if you’ve ever tried to lose weight, stop smoking or break some difficult habit – it takes time and many people quit just before a breakthrough, those that don’t quit become extraordinary. Extraordinary people are those who go the extra mile, will do a bit more, stay a bit later, work a bit harder; and after all that, if they fail – they do it again and again!
Taking Charge
You are in control of you, no one else. Enough said.
Balanced Approach
One way to begin is to do what I outlined in a previous article about developing a balanced approach to life in general, and it works. I remember sharing this philosophy with my children and I received weird stares but they soon understood.
Philosophy Rule 1: I come first.
Rule 2: My wife and children come second.
Rule 3: My extended family comes third.
Rule 4: My friends come fourth.
Rule 5: My work comes last.
Simply put, when I am at the top of my game: mentally, physically and spiritually, everyone I encounter (listed above) benefits greatly! It also means that wherever I am in that moment, Rules 1 through 5; I am 100 percent committed to the task at hand.
Life and Business
There is a remarkable connection between these two; they mirror each other in many ways. If you are lazy and mediocre in your personal life, those character traits will undoubtedly manifest themselves in your business. Conversely, if you have drive, determination, and pride in what you do, are approachable, authentic, take responsibility and are open to all possibilities those characteristics shine and spill over into your personal space.
In my seminars, I often ask, "Do you have passion for what you do?" In a room of 200 attendees, perhaps I may see seven raised hands and a ton of heads that just drop. People want to be passionate about what they do. They want to want to get up for work and enjoy what they do; but in some cases, they just don't know how to get that passion back.
Many have lost that passion to become extraordinary, because, I believe, that many don't know how to handle success and feel inadequate at some level. I stumbled on an amazing speech in the movie "Coach Carter." The coach continued to ask a player, "Son, what is your deepest fear?"
At the end of the film, the player, who came to a self-realization, recited: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?' Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
It's Time
While at a trade show a few years back, a friend of mine, Shawna, approached me and I noticed how amazing she looked – she had a glow about her, a bounce in her stride, she had lost significant weight and she really did look and act differently. When I asked her what was the catalyst for her transformation, she simply responded, "It was time."
As we enter into 2016 it's now your time to make all of the changes you need now to accomplish everything you want to do moving forward. It will not be easy, change rarely is. It will take tenacity, strength, commitment to your plan, sacrifice and as Seth Godin suggests, "Become comfortable with being uncomfortable." I am excited for myself about this year knowing I can control me. Each of you has the ability to become extraordinary – so do it. It's time!
Continued good selling and Happy New Year!
For more than 30 years, Cliff has been speaking, training and consulting internationally to associations and national business groups on more effective ways to market themselves, their products and services, as well as motivating their personnel. Recognized by PPAI for his creativity, he has won the prestigious PPAI Pyramid award 25 times, and the Printing Industry's PSDA’s Peak Award for creativity five times in three years. He has also received PPAI's Ambassador Speaker of the Year Award six consecutive years and was the inaugural recipient of PPAI's Distinguished Service Award. Named one of top six industry speakers and trainers, he also was recognized by PPAI in the book, "PPAI at 100," as having a significant influence in education. He has also been recognized by Counselor Magazine as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the Promotional Products Industry. You can engage with Cliff at http://www.myengagepage2.com/cliffquicksell.