Newsletter for March 2004:
Where Exactly Are You Going
Contents:
- This Months Thought
- Where, Exactly, Are You Going?
- Quotes of the Month
- Strictly Business: Who Are Your Customers?
- Humor: Idiots on Parade
This Months Thought
Are you sailing in the direction you want to go? Are you deploying your assets, your time, your energy and your intelligence to create the life you truly want? If not, don't blame the conditions. Instead, challenge yourself to become a more skillful sailor.
Where, Exactly, Are You Going?
It's often said that, "No wind blows in favor of a ship without a rudder." No matter what the conditions, a ship without a skilled crew, proper equipment, and reliable maps, is doomed. All three elements are essential, and sailing the "ship of life" works much the same way.
This week, I talked with a man who argued that crashing on the "rocks" is not his fault. He's a real estate agent, and he's nearly bankrupt. He blames his failure on the markets, the banks and economic conditions, but admits he's made no real effort to adapt to changing conditions. He's like a Captain sailing into the teeth of a storm because "that's the route we took last time and it worked out alright." He's doomed.
Am I being unfair? Perhaps. He's a good person and deserves better than he has received in life.
At the same time, however, we are each responsible to play the cards life has dealt us. We are responsible to do what we can, to develop and use effective strategies. We are responsible for our actions and, largely, for our results.
We have the tools to live amazing lives. We are wealthy beyond measure. The world's great books, museums, art, music, wisdom and resources are at our disposal. There are people who can teach you anything you wish to learn. You can move, change jobs, learn new skills, and change your life. You can do less, or do more. You can go back to school, make new friends, and add beauty, music and inspiration to your life.
It has never been easier to create a beautiful sitting room, read a great book or enjoy a superb wine. Conversations are as rich, deep and inspiring as we make them - or as boring, shallow and repetitious as we permit.
Can you transform your life in a day? There is some debate about that, but my personal answer is, "Not likely." My experience suggests that most of us won't, and shouldn't, run away to Paris, or abandon our responsibilities. Most of us cannot rebuild our lives on a whim.
But, day by day, we CAN move in the direction of our dreams. We can, day by day, take action to remove the clutter, frustrations, and annoyances of life. We can learn from our mistakes and mis-directions. We can clean up, fix up, and enrich our lives.
Others have, and so can you. One of my inspirations is Oprah Winfrey. I love that her personal battles have been so public, and that she never gives up, never quits, and never loses. In my book, she's a winner.
Another inspiration for me is a guy named Jim that I recently read about. Jim was born with several limitations, in part because his mother drank while she was pregnant. Jim will not likely become rich, well educated, or famous. But he keeps his apartment clean, he works hard and takes pride in his life and his friends, and at age 42, he recently graduated from the 6th grade. I'm impressed by him and I think that he exhibits tremendous courage.
Jim knows who he is, he has goals, and he uses everything he has to reach them. I count that as extraordinary success!
Are you sailing in the direction you want to go? Are you deploying your assets, your time, your energy and your intelligence to create the life you truly want? If not, don't blame the conditions. Instead, challenge yourself to become a more skillful sailor.
Quotes of the Month
"A dream is a wish your heart makes." -- Annette Funicello
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." -- Doug Firebaugh
"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well." -- Josh Billings
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -- George Bernard Shaw
Strictly Business: Who Are Your Customers?
We laugh at the compliment that someone could "even sell ice in Alaska", but in fact, that is rarely true. No matter how good the ice, in some markets, it's a tough sell.
In their enthusiasm, entrepreneurs often fail to ask hard questions about who is going to buy their products, and whether there are enough customers willing to buy at a reasonable profit.
Some great products are simply no longer in demand. Buggy whips and horse blankets come to mind. Other products are highly prized, but are out of reach for most people – luxury yachts and private aircraft might be examples.
I believe Psychologists provide a tremendous service but many of the people in that profession are impacted by a perceived value. No one questions that most therapists are superbly trained, and that many people could benefit from their skills. The problem is price, availability and perception of value.
In a society where "talk is cheap", and there continues to be a bias against counseling, many therapists cannot fill their practices and make a living. Both the therapists, and our society, suffer as a result, but from a business standpoint, the problem is clear.
Not enough customers value the service highly enough to buy it. Period.
As a business owner or manager, here are four questions you should ask at least once a year, or every time you review your business strategies:
- Who, exactly, are my primary customers?
- Where are they and how can I reach them?
- Do they understand and need the benefits I provide?
- Are there enough of them and will they buy at a price that permits a profit?
Unless you can answer these questions, the best products and services in the world will not be enough to make your business successful. Focus on the customer!
Humor: Idiots on Parade
Examples of the foolish things even smart people do and say never cease to make me smile.
Sighting #1:
I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the township office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road. The reason: too many deer were being hit by cars and he didn't want them to cross there anymore.
Sighting #2:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg.
Sighting #3:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."
Sighting #4:
When my wife and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the technician, "It's open!" To which he replied, "I know - I already got that side."
Rodger Blaker is a Life Coach who supports people in their desire to bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com
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