FACE THE FACTS

There are only a few questions that I believe you should make a habit of asking yourself. “Habit” is the key word here. You must have the discipline to regularly ask yourself the questions that you don’t want to ask yourself because you’re afraid of the answers.  Most of us take the easy way out and repeatedly lie to ourselves. When we are forced for some reason to unveil or admit to a “personal growth “opportunity it’s just to easy to blow it off, walk away and ignore the potential implications.  Admit it! It’s much easier to look in a mirror and lie to ourselves and avoid the challenge than it is to accept what the truth might be. What we need is some real (and necessary) old fashioned personal and honest evaluation and self talk.

Now calm down! I’m not talking about therapeutic, clinical evaluation and years of therapy.  What I am talking about is just taking the time every once in awhile to take a deep breath and as Zig Zigler used to say, “Give yourself a check up from the neck up!”  It’s a simple personal assessment, the kind of assessment that I believe will certainly extend your career and possibly your life.

One of the primary questions that should be at the top of this list should always be, “AM I (STILL) ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WHAT I’M DOING TODAY!” It’s the question that challenges our enthusiasm for our career and life. Harvey Mackay, the noted author, columnist, speaker and businessman says, “One of life’s great tragedies is the curiosity, enthusiasm and excitement about life that we are born with, seems to erode as the years go by.” He goes on to say, “When the challenges of life get in the way, it’s easy to spend more energy on putting out little fires than on sparking enthusiasm for overcoming the challenge.”

We’re not talking about fanatical, wide eyed, standing on chairs, screaming from the mountain top kind of enthusiasm. What I’m talking about is that natural, confident look and feel; that aura that radiates from anyone who loves, really loves and believes in what they are doing; about to do and why they are doing it.

More than anything else, I believe that people buy from and work with people who are enthusiastic about what they represent. The day is over when people will ONLY buy for “the solution”. Today there are too many choices and options; too much uncertainty; too much change. So the difference in making the sale of a product; service; idea; or yourself , is quickly becoming whether our prospects and customers believe in your enthusiasm. I guarantee you that they are asking their own ultimate decision making question of, “Who among my choices do I really feel and believe, is the most enthusiastic about their own products or service?”

A number of years ago, Henry Ford, a guy who did pretty well for himself, probably summed the importance of ENTHUSIASM up the best when he said, “You can do anything if you have enthusiasm…Enthusiasm is the spark in your eye, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of your will and your energy to execute your ideas. Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it, there are only alibis.”

So what’s your story? The question of enthusiasm might be more important today than ever before. However, the question is time tested and applied for generations. It is one of the keys to success of any kind. Believe me, if you don’t believe, everyone can tell…and someone is always watching.

If you need some help with enthusiasm for yourself or your company, give me a call. This is what I do and I’m open for business and ready to assist you to take it to the next level.

 

As always, BE GREAT

Coach Dan