Last week I talked with two guys, both in the landscape business. The first complained bitterly about customers who were hard to please, did not pay their bills on time and didn’t understand the big picture of landscaping. He went on to say his machines would break down through no fault of his own and that he was filing bankruptcy that day.
The next morning I spoke with Noe, the guy who has taken care of my landscaping and lawn maintenance for the last 15 years. He told me how great business was, how he had just raised prices by 10% and no one left him and how much he enjoys his
customers. He went on to tell me that a customer has offered to build him a new building for his equipment in exchange for ongoing landscaping work. He asked me my thoughts about building 4 apartments on the second floor to rent to his own workers as another source of income. We also discussed the new carport he’s going to be building for me – with stone pillars and an attached patio.
Both of these business owners are in the same business, in the same town, with the same seasonal changes, and having access to exactly the same resources.
This reminds me of the story of two shoe salesmen traveling to a foreign country to sell shoes. The first salesman called immediately and said, “Get me the next flight home. No one here wears shoes.” The second salesman called back and said, “Send me our entire inventory. No one here wears shoes.”
Success is very much an inner game. Circumstances never determine our success or lack thereof. Your attitude and mental preparation are far more important than the “economy” or “being in the right place at the right time.” Look for opportunities that others around you do not see.
So, how’s business?
Thanks Dan. I appreciate the reminder about success being an inner game. Your story about two guys in landscaping reminds me very much of higher education, which is my “day job.” So much time is spent in colleges and universities complaining about low enrollment, lack of student prep for college, budgets, and so many other things. We tend to be so ingrained in our thinking (especially in the academic world) that I wonder what opportunities we are missing all around us?
Kent – wow, certainly a worthy question. I think we’re preparing to see a massive shift in how we view “education.” Colleges and universities better be ready to adapt or they will be left as empty shells of an obsolete model.
Thanks for this comment, Kent! I too work in higher education, and I had a lousy summer as we faced the reality of low enrollment combined with funding issues. From this situation came an opportunity to rebuild. The numbers still aren’t where we’d like, but this forced all of us to re-examine our approach and take a different angle to maintaining enrollment. Most meaningful change comes from external pressure to change.
Andy, that is a great insight. We don’t change until we feel enough pain that we MUST change. So many people in higher ed. see all the changes happening and assume they are bad. Honestly, I think all the upheaval happening is probably the best thing to happen to education in a long time because we are re-examining outdated ways of doing pretty much everything we do in higher ed., ha ha.
My business is picking up. I anticipate having the best year I’ve ever had by the time December 31st rolls around. And I expect an even better year next year.
Dan, I see this even in my own position. People aren’t happy with anything because they are unhappy themselves. It’s definitely an internal thing.
As for me, I…LOVE…What i do! Your book and coaching has took me out of unhappiness cycle and well into a happiness cycle. My wife, Cynthia, is no longer working because we make enough money to support our lifestyle with one job (Cynthia never really wanted to work and preferred to stay at home). I’ve recently got a new position in my job, I’m no longer a street officer, instead, I’m a detective in the Special Victim’s Unit with my primary role as the Crime Stoppers Coordinator. This is a big change from my original position as a microbiologist.
I’m so glad I took that Financial Peace Class in 2009. That class introduced me to your book and to you! Thanks, Dan!
Elmer – that sounds great. Thanks for the update and congratulations on taking massive action to create the work and life you love!
It’s all a matter of perspective, and like you said Dan, our attitude and mental preparation are far more important. I just posted this recently: Feeling encouraged. Just got off a coaching call with a client who bought my $7500 coaching package last month. I asked him how he was feeling about the coaching process, and what I could do to add even more value to him. He responded by saying that “In just the first month of coaching, I’ve gotten every penny’s worth of my investment. I have clarity about my life now and the courage to live my passion.” Wow! To God be the glory.
Great examples of perspective. I can add another anecdote of 2 brothers from a poor village who were the first to travel to the big city. The members of their community waited anxiously to hear from them. One wrote how he can’t wait to get back home because in the big city people die everyday. The other wrote how hard it will be leave the big city where the people live in the moment, eating, drinking and being merry. The first brother ended up living right across from the city’s main cemetery and the other found a place right in the heart of the city with its hustle and bustle and signs of life. Again, an example of what we choose to see. But also where we place ourselves; not only externally but internally as well. And as you write:”Success is very much an inner game.” The interaction between the two however (external and internal) can influence the outcome.