What Voice Are You Listening To?

"Nobody can tell me what to do! I don't care what anyone else thinks! It's my life, I'll live it the way I want!" Have you ever caught yourself thinking this way, or even saying these things out loud? Have you caught yourself saying, "I can't. I'm not good enough. I don't have the skills."

When you only listen to yourself, you limit your possibilities. Your surroundings provide you with the motivation you need to succeed. If you listen to a committee of one, you are going to struggle to push ahead. If you listen to negativity, it will hurt you as well. Think about everything that goes into your head and heart as food. It is food for your mind and soul. What are you feeding on?

I attribute everything I have achieved  to the mentors I have had in my life. I first listen to that still small voice of my God and Savior. Then I take the council of my pastor and mentors. I choose to surround myself with people on the same journey as me, so it is easy to ask them what to do. The most valuable lessons are when you learn from someone else mistakes. They don't cost you nearly as much.

Salesman or Problem Solver?

Are you a great salesperson or are you a problem solver? What is the difference? Is one better than the other. Does one make you more money? Does one create better customers and relationships?

Think of it this way. A salesman calls you to sell you something, without knowing if you need it. You walk on the car lot to get an oil change and walk out with a new red F-150. You now have buyer remorse. Did the salesman win? Will you refer your friends and family to that person?

When you are problem solving, your focus will be different. Your focus is to ask good questions. You seek to learn about your client. Your job is to find out what their need is and help them find the answer. When you help someone solve a problem, you are valuable to them. Your relationship is different. They are happy with their purchase. They tell other people about you. In the end you still got paid, but your business will grow much faster than a salesman's. You will attract customers instead of chase them.

Work-Life Balance

Is work-life balance a myth? Could there possibly be a balance? If so, what would it look like? What would the ratio be? How can you possibly operate at the highest level and still find time for your family, church and even yourself?

I do believe that a work-life balance in the sense of having exact ratios that you split all activities up everyday, is a myth. It is impossible. Things happen. Everyday is different. There is a way to get your life back. It is not perfect, but it will work.

You need to time block. Put all of the activities you want to do in your calendar. Put in your work time, family events and personal time. If you don't write it down it certainly won't happen. Will it be perfect every week? Of course not. Over a period of time you will start to see more balance in your life because it is happening on purpose.