Perspective, Prosperity, Planting and Harvest
When I congratulate a newer student or seminar attendee on their wise decision to pursue, acquire, and more importantly IMPLEMENT on new knowledge there are times when the person says, “I have not made any money yet, but I will! and this is the right attitude to have. But I also quickly remind them that not all success can be measured in Present Bank terms.
It is a fact that many millions are made long before collected just as seeds are planted seasons before the harvest. But, when I was a kid (we had 6 gardens that my parents and my 4 other brother and sisters all worked in to help keep food on the table) it was hard to see the value of the planting¦it just seemed like it was hard and unrewarding work. I vividly remember the other kids in the neighborhood getting to play while ‘the Winstons were working in ‘The Garden. The neighborhood kids would ride their bikes by “The Garden and ask my parents if we could come and play¦and the answer my Dad would give was “Yes, when we are done¦.The work never seemed to get done.
I know that is what many new entrepreneurs feel like and to an extent they are right. The work never is done, but just like working in the garden as long as you plant, till, and tend properly the harvest will come.
Dan Kennedy, my mentor shared with me recently that “Whatever new knowledge, self-awareness, competence and confidence youve “banked during 2007 likely has greater value than however much money you actually deposited this year – providing, of course, you do not permit it to lie dormant.
The knowledge you possess has ‘stored value that can be accessed just like going to the vault and withdrawing funds. But, you must access that information and act on it to create the future you desire. Can you really afford to allow it to lie dormant?
But as we come to the close of an amazing year of ‘ups and downs and ‘zigs and zags Id like to encourage you, By all means, to take a little time to look back and reflect on your personal, professional and financial growth. I also want to challenge you to celebrate your achievements. Even the small victories! (Believe me, I need to learn this lesson myself!) Celebrating your own victories is essential because regrettably, gratitude and praise from others is rarer and rarer, loyalties became extinct just prior to the dinosaurs and if you choose to hold your breath awaiting civilities you are en route to ‘code blue.
Heres the reality. You MUST give yourself your own gold stars.
Know also that I am excited for and proud of you. I do pay attention. I do read the emails and faxes you send me, I do appreciate what is required of you to move forward, and I am proud of the many of you who are taking actions to achieve so much. Be proud for yourself.
Take time over the holidays, year end, and year start to not only think, but Think BIGGER, DREAM Bigger, think more ambitiously, make no little plans, make no big compromises.
Take Action! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
“Take Action, But Dont Let Actions Take You!
“Think Big¦Dream Bigger!
Leave A Reply (4 comments So Far)
Jim
1604 days ago
Happy New Year Thad!
Greg Finzer
1603 days ago
Thad,
I would go further with that and not just look back on 2007 but write down all your successes and failures no matter how small. If you have done a lot of small tests in a year, as you should, you may not remember in years to come. If you don’t remember the history of your business you may repeat the same costly mistakes again.
Which products, services, marketing worked in 2007? Which ones failed? Why? Write them down now.
Greg Finzer
CEO, Kellerman Software
Jim Troth
1603 days ago
I use the last week or so of the year to reveiew what I have accomplished during the past year, did I reach the goals I set, and where can I improve?
My home inspection business increased by 80% this past year, despite the market. My goal was for 100% growth, very ambitious. If the market was “normal” I definitly would have achieved the goal.
Despite not reaching the goal, my year was successful. I will make sure to note what worked and to continue with those things in 2008, plus adding a few more marketing actions and to continue my growth of knowledge in marketing.
Stephen Evanko
1602 days ago
Again, very interesting. You must reward yourself and your actions-even if they don’t show immediate results. You are taking action and moving-energy creates energy.
My personal email signature this month ends with “celebrate your successes!” Notice that it is a command-something you are told to do. People will do more when told what to do. Notice I also said successes. Why stop (or settle) at just one?
Isn’t life a series of little successes that snowball into the one big breakthrough. I’m on the verge of mine. Are you? If not, start celebrating-that means you have actually done something!!