Richard Sweum: The Sweet Fear of Success!
As a consultant and as a sales professional, time and time again I have had the opportunity to watch people get in their own way. Many times, the biggest obstacle to success that I see people experiencing is their own selves. Whether it is self destructive behaviors, inability to focus on behaviors and thoughts that align with higher productivity, or an unavoidable desire to "tinker" with what works/refusal to mess with what isn't working!
I even observed it in my Fantasy Football league experience this year. I had the team, the potential points, the weak opponents, but my tendency to out think the probably constantly put me on the underside of the point spectrum. If I would have stuck with what had worked the first four games, I would have likely won my league...but I simply couldn't resist the temptation to tinker, over analyze, fiddle with the line-ups...and as a result, no playoffs for me.
Whenever I am asked to evaluate a business model, I quickly turn to the actual...there usually is a significant gap between what is represented in the model and what is taking place on the shop floor. I think there might be a book on this already, but you show me a successful company and I'll show you someone who danced with the girl they came with! If that is true 100% of the time, then the real trick is finding the right girl and staying the course. Not looking over your dance partners shoulder and wishing that you were dancing with someone else, dancing a little differently, OR wishing you were at home watching TV.
This is a bit of an unorganized ramble, but there is power in a ramble...you might just find something that fits your situation. The most obvious "tell" that indicates whether you are on the success road OR on some other road leading away from optimum success is the evaluation of your previous years business model and plan. Reflection causes fear...because we all to one degree or another create our own realities...and we don't like to see a reality that is in disagreement with our beliefs! What do you need to change about our business and what do you need to change about you! Have someone hold your hand if you are too scared to look back. The capacity for change is the greatest attribute you can take with you into the new business year. Don't be scared, and most importantly, don't be scared of the success that change brings!
Richard Sweum: The Sweet Fear of Success!
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