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Health & Fitness

Why Are Some People So Much More Successful Than Others?

How business owners can help their chances at success.

I just spent the weekend in West Palm Beach, FL,  my good friend, Bob Burg, put on The  Big Event 2011.  I had such an inspiring weekend, and I met a group of Young Entrepreneurs that I was going to write about as soon as I got home, but then I got a phone call and all that changed. A friend of mine, who owns a franchise, called me to ask about my weekend.  As I started “gushing” about what a super, fantastic, motivating, unbelievably awesome weekend I just had, I said to her, “I really wish all of my business buddies from around here would realize how great this conference is and go next time.”  AND THEN she said this, “maybe next year if my business is doing better.” I’m not revealing her name because I don’t want to embarrass her, but to be honest, she could have been anyone of my local business buddies male or female.   I have heard this from so many of them. It is one of the many excuses business people tell themselves, because they don’t think they should spend the time or money on self-development.  They take class after class to be skilled at what they do professionally, and then do nothing to feed their “business mind.”  They don’t “get it.”  If you improve what is going into your mind, it absolutely will, in turn, improve your business.  I have heard all of the excuses. Oh, and I have answers too.

  1. I don’t have the time – You have the same amount of time I have.  You know me, 2 franchises, a coaching/speaking business, volunteer on a business association board, 3 kids and a husband.
  2. I don’t have the money –  I didn’t always HAVE the money to attend conference, but I did it anyway, because I COULDN’T AFFORD NOT TO.  I know some of you won’t understand that, but sometimes you have to rely on faith, I worked that much harder to make up the money I spent.
  3. The motivation doesn’t last – Well of course it doesn’t last, that is why I take the time to regularly attend conferences that help keep myself motivated.   When YOU are self-employed YOU are responsible for motivating yourself.
  4. …..and my favorite, I would do it if my business was doing better – All I can say here is, “Catch-22”.

All of these excuses actually mean the same thing. It is all the same way of saying, “I am not willing to invest in my success.” 

The four Young Entrepreneurs that I am going to write about ages 17-21, drove 3000 miles from Boise, ID to West Palm Beach, FL, to be at this event.  They slept in one room, they networked with people 2-3 times their age, they attended every speaker presentation, and they talked to people who made several million dollars a year.  These four young entrepreneurs definitely invested in their success this past week. While at The Big Event, one of the tweets I sent read:  “I learned today: it's lonely at the top, because so few people "get it," but it sucks at the bottom because it's so crowded.”  I think it was speaker Randy Gage that said that.  It pretty much sums up what I am talking about, and so few business people understand the concept that they need to feed their mind. There are many many people out there making a ton more money than you or me.  They know what works, they have great insight, read their books, take their courses, sign up for their websites, but most importantly HEAR what they have to offer you.  I have taken the time to do the research.  I have spent the money to know that who I choose to follow is worth giving my hard earned money to. 

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So I am asking you, do you want to join me on my climb to the top or should I just send you a postcard when I get there?

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