Ebb & Flow

In golf, most instructors will tell you to not get overly excited when you hit a good shot or when things are going good and to not get too discouraged when things aren’t going well. I think the same is true in so many areas of life. Especially in business and investing. Things are cyclical. Business is that way. The stock market is a good example. Some get overly excited when things go well, rather than sitting back and wait until things even out.

This week an NFL head coach made a revealing statement which speaks volumes. He said, “I think the coach gets too much credit when things go well and too much criticism when things go wrong.” The same is true in sales management. I thing managers work hard and try and steer things in the right direction, but they cannot totally control what someone else does.

I also was copied on an email where someone having success momentarily for a number of obvious reasons and he said, “I will not be denied.” Let me say this; ANYONE can have initial success, especially when business partners hand you business. When you have success, remember that business is cyclical and so are sales cycles. So I have little respect for someone who lets temporary success go to their head. I think it is interesting to see these same people fall on their face and can’t understand why all of a sudden the well has dried up. Humility is a quality they may never possess. And the ironic thing is, the success may not have really been anything to do with their own ability, but the timing, position, etc. may have been factors in helping them achieve fleeting success. So don’t be one of these dime a dozen people that come and go every year in a sales organization.

Here are some things to help even out the ups and downs that occur in a business environment.

• Keep a level attitude; don’t buy into the highs and lows. Keep an even temperament. When things are going well, take it in stride. When thing are getting tough, keep doing the right things and know that your next deal is right around the corner.
• Keep focused on the highest payoff activities; Focus on the activities that generate the most results. Spend time on the things that will get you business and not ones that detract from where you want to go.
• Focus on others; don’t focus on how great you are. Focus on what you have to give and help others achieve as well. You must invest in other people rather than yourself and your results.
• Keep sowing; Not matter it your situation is feast or famine, keep sowing faithfully like there is nothing coming in tomorrow and you need each deal
• Keep smiling; You attitude is key and you should always have a level of confidence in yourself. So whether you are up or down, do it with style and class.

You may not always be able to control everything about your situation, but you can control how you handle it personally. Like life, business is cyclical and will have its ups and downs. Handle it with class, consistency, character, and a champion. Nothing is more unappealing than a sore loser, or a loser who succeeds. Be better than average by displaying class in everything you do.

To your success!

Ignite your passion!