FailingCompany - Back to the Basics

I wrote about running your own race last week. Feel free to go back and read it now. Basically, running your own race means choosing to compete only against yourself. Your goal is to advance yourself and achieve the goals important to you vs. constantly comparing yourself to the success of others. There's a deeper component to that, which is choosing your own path.

We sometimes find ourselves comparing our success to those of others, which was the point of last week's article. Yet, we never really stop to ask ourselves if the things that another person achieved really matter to us. Maybe they are really great at stuff that we don't care about. For example, maybe someone you know is an incredible musician and has achieved a level of fame that makes you envious. If you think about it, maybe you have no desire to be a musician. You're envious of the fame, but not the means to get to that fame. If you tried to be a musician, you'd likely fail because there's no passion.

It's up to you to decide what will make you happy both personally and professionally. Your path will be unique to you and many simply won't understand. The successful corporate executive who spends weekends on the golf course making deals will generally not understand if you choose to become a plumber or electrician. Both are admirable professions, but the corporate executive has no passion for that, so he or she simply can't understand. As a result, you can't blame them if they don't support your choices. You may have to walk your path alone for a while until you find your tribe, those people who are heading to the same or similar destination as you.

I've struggled with this a lot in my career. I spent most of my time in the corporate world, yet I get more satisfaction working with my hands. I'd rather be working on a classic car than at a business networking event. If I tried to achieve my success through networking, it would be very challenging. The same goes for golf. I'd much rather hit a hiking trail than a golf course. Nothing wrong with golf, but it's never interested me. As such, comparing success in my life to someone who loves networking or hitting the links would be an apples-to-oranges comparison. I gain nothing from it.

You need to focus on laying out your own path in life and sticking to it. Ending up in a different spot than someone else doesn't mean you're less successful. Rather, it means that you're just different. You may be every bit as successful where it matters, which is your own personal happiness and satisfaction in life. What's the point of being considered successful if you hate what you do to get there?

Here's another example. I've been fascinated with the Appalachian Trail for years now. I plan to hike it when my daughter is older. Most people that I know would tell me that I'm crazy. Id' be bombarded with questions like why would I want to go live on a trail like a homeless person for 6 months. What will I do for work? Is it even safe? These are all reasons to try and persuade me to follow their path and achieve their definition of success rather than my own.

I could listen to these people and choose to do something more "civilized" instead, like joining a country club, moving into a golf community or spending my time learning about stuff that is of no interest to me. That wouldn't be my path and I know I'd end up miserable and not very successful. Instead, I've learned to keep this goal to myself and only talk about it with people who can genuinely appreciate my goal and support me in attaining it. That's what you need to do too. Chart your own course and find those who will support you along the way.

The next time you find yourself too focused on the success of those around you, take a step back and think about the path they traveled to get there. Is that the path that excites you? Do you have the talents and skills to walk that path? Or, would you be absolutely miserable walking that path? Maybe their success doesn't seem so important to you after that. Then, it becomes easier to refocus on your path to your end goal. Otherwise, you may veer from your path chasing success only to find yourself lost in the woods!

Having a little trouble finding your own path with your business? Did you wander off your path chasing success and need some help finding your way back? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Do you have someone in your life that just seems to have everything go perfectly. They get promoted regularly or their business just keeps growing, they have the perfect family and kids, drive the cool cars, take amazing vacations or maybe they seem to be able to do anything. You look at them and think that they are living larger than life.

You can't help but play out their perfect life in you head over and over again. Then it hits you hard. Deep down inside you the jealousy begins to build, and you realize that you're envious of that person. It's all you can think about. You may be very happy for their success but can't help but compare your life to theirs and it just doesn't stack up!

I've definitely found myself in this spot. It's easy to beat yourself up for not being more successful when you succumb to comparing yourself to others. I've always been told that there will always be someone bigger, stronger, smarter, more successful in life. It wasn't meant to make me feel hopeless, but rather to remind me that comparing myself to others is a no-win situation. Nothing good comes from it. You're just wasting valuable time and energy. Yet, I find myself doing it regularly! Don't beat yourself up if you do too.

I think the key to dealing with a situation like this is to remember that focusing on the other person and criticizing yourself does nothing to move your forward or make you better in any way. It becomes a distraction when you dwell on it too long. Why take the focus off of your goals to think about this? If you can't immediately use it as motivation to propel you forward, then you need to find another tactic to break the vicious cycle.

We're all human and have emotions, so it's ok to let yourself feel those emotions for a few minutes. Then, here's the key next step. You need to shut it off asap. Try reminding yourself that you're not really competing with them. In reality, you're only competing with yourself. As long as you are making progress, growing personally and professionally, and achieving your goals, then you should feel proud. You're a success by your own definition. Who cares what other people are doing!

It's also good to try to disconnect from the situation and observe it objectively. What can you learn from that person that may help you achieve your own goals a little faster? Did they manage their career in a different way than you? How did they raise their kids differently for them to be so great? How does he treat his wife, or she treat her husband that led to such a great relationship? Study it like an academic exercise to dissect it and see what you can learn. Then implement some changes in your own life to mimic what they did. Remember, success leaves clues! Use them!!

Another little thing that I find helpful to get myself re-grounded is to remind myself that nobody is perfect in EVERY aspect of their life. Maybe their public facing life is amazing but inside they are miserable. Perhaps their career is sky high, but they never have time for their family. Maybe they drive the cool cars & take amazing vacations, but their health is failing? Sometimes studying the situation objectively sheds light on those areas of their life that aren't so hot, but often you'll never really know. So, it's good to imagine what it could be and use that to help you move on.

We don't wish any ill will for that person and finding some imperfection in them to make us feel better isn't the goal. Rather, it's to remind us that they are human and on their own journey in life, just like you. We all have our own unique talents, successes and failures in life. We are all running our own race. Remembering that helps you to drop it and get focused on your goals again, which is far more productive.

This is also why it's good to write your goals down and keep a record of all the goals that you've achieved while running your own personal marathon in this life. Whenever you realize you're beating yourself up, simply pull out the log and review some of your success. These are things that you probably didn't even think you could do at one point, yet now they are just another notch in your belt. You'll quickly realize that you've been very successful at achieving your own goals, which are really the most important to you anyway!

I know this was a bit of a deviation from my normal writings, but I felt compelled to write it. We all encounter people who have already achieved what we want so badly in life and that can easily get us down. That's normal. Hopefully, you can use some of my thoughts and ideas to turn that situation into fuel to push harder on achieving those goals that are so very important to you!!

Recently found yourself more motivated than ever to crush some goals, but need a little help? Maybe you let yourself wallow in self-pity too long, got behind on some things and now need help digging out? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Have you ever been in a meeting or on a conference call where the entire group didn't know what to do? Then comes that awkward silence when the room or line goes silent because everyone is afraid to speak. It's more common that you'd like to think. Why is that?

Most people are followers. Being a follower is safe. You aren't responsible for the decisions and can just say that you are doing as you are told. No pressure or stress. It's the easy way out. Most people are desperately looking for a leader.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this, as every company needs employees who can follow direction and execute on tactical plans. However, every company also needs people to step up and take charge. Projects need to get led, decisions need to be made, and direction must be set. People who are willing to do this are a much rarer breed. Being the person who is willing to step up and do these things creates huge opportunity! Be the leader!!

This is exactly the type of person who is often found running their own business or at least a side hustle. They can't stand sitting around waiting to be told what to do. They have to be making things happen in order to achieve their goals. If they aren't making things happen, then they will be looking for the next best thing, whether it's starting another business or building plans to expand their current operations.

These are also the type of people that, if working for someone else, are most likely to leave if they aren't well stimulated and rewarded. They know they are valuable and know that their skills are easily transferable. Sadly, there are a lot of insecure leaders out there who feel threatened by these hard chargers. They do the exact opposite of what these employees need and try to lock them in a cage vs. giving them room to grow. As a result, leaders run off great talent and then wonder why their business is suffering.

If you're a leader and have a superstar on your team, then consider yourself lucky. Take some time to reflect on how you manage her / him? Do you give them the freedom to perform at a high-level? Or, do you find yourself being overly critical of their ideas, suggesting different approaches or generally tying their hands in some way? Be honest with yourself!

If you can answer yes to any of the question above, then this is a time for an ego check. You're going to lose that person if you don't change your management style asap! You need to reward them rather than constrain them. Make them your right-hand person if appropriate but recognize that YOU need to change if you find them valuable to your operations! If you already give them room to grow and fully support them, then congrats. You're also a rare breed of leader!

Are you a superstar employee? It's ok, I'm sure you know if you are. You don't have a big ego for admitting to yourself what everyone else already knows. What I want you to know is that you are incredibly valuable. Chances are, you've been like a caged lion most of your career. If possible, spend time with your leader and help them understand what you need to flourish, which will in turn help their business flourish. If you can't have that conversation, then it's ok to look elsewhere. Find the right opportunity and you may just skyrocket to amazing heights!

Also, superstar employee, you're not crazy. If you're like me, then you've had leaders and coworkers who dismiss so many of your ideas that you begin to feel like you're crazy or completely incompetent. You may have even gotten to the point where you just keep your thoughts to yourself, take your orders and go about your day. The problem isn't you. It's those around you who don't see things the way you do and feel threatened by it. Sadly, nobody can fix this but you. You need to find the place where your ideas are appreciated, and you feel like you're making a valuable contribution.

If you're running a business and need great talent, look for these people. You 'll likely find them leaving a high-paying corporate job or trying to get their own company off the ground. They will often be humble despite being such strong performers, so don't let that make you skip them over. Consider the humbleness a bonus. Hire them, share your vision with them and set them free to do what they do best.

If you're a superstar employee, then look for a smaller business with a vision that aligns with your own. It's more likely that the owner / leader is more willing to let you work that way you want than what you'd find in a larger corporate environment. It just may be a match made in Heaven!

Short on superstar employees at the moment and need help running a few things? Maybe you're an ex-superstar employee who has decided to do your own thing and needs a temporary team to make it happen? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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It's hard to believe that another Independence Day has come and gone here in the US. For those of us living in the US, we all know the story of our Independence Day. It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. Such a brave act by those who placed their signature on the document. They were literally putting their lives on the line.

What would make someone put their life on the line by signing a document. We've all read the reasons in the history books, but I believe there is a more fundamental reason at play. Each signer completely valued and believed in himself. Sure, they believed in the cause, but they had to believe that they were worth a better life and had what it took to succeed. If they didn't believe that deep in their core, they wouldn't have signed.

Fast forward 147 years and the country looks vastly different. What's stayed the same? The fact that you MUST believe in yourself and know your worth if you want to succeed at anything in life. I mean unshakeable belief! I talked last week about how energy was contagious. If you don't value yourself, no one else will value you either. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either. However, fully believe in yourself and doors magically open. Your belief about yourself is energy, and energy is contagious!

Have you ever found yourself taking on some new endeavor only to find that nobody around you thought you'd succeed. In fact, they didn't take you serious at all. Maybe they even made fun of you. You probably find yourself wondering why everyone is betting on you failing. It's because you don't fully believe in yourself and you're subconsciously broadcasting that to everyone around you. You may think you believe in yourself, but odds are there is a part of you deep down that doesn't think that you are good enough. This is what others pick up on and reflect back to you.

It's ok to not know everything when you start a new endeavor. That's expected and there's really no way around it. The key is to have a positive inner dialog about the situation every single day. Tell yourself that you'll figure it out and that everything will work out perfectly. You must develop an unshakeable belief that you will do what it takes to succeed. Otherwise, your endeavor will be like pushing a boulder up hill. There's a good chance that you'll slip, and that boulder will crush you!

How many men would have put their lives on the line to fight for our country's freedom if the founding fathers didn't exude confidence and absolutely know that what they were doing was the right thing? Not very many. We'd still be an English colony. Let that sink it. It wasn't signing some document that set the wheels in motion. It was the complete and total confidence deep within each signer that communicated to the masses that this was doable and that they would help lead the way!

Program your brain to be comfortable not knowing the answer and having to go figure it out. Follow that up with decisive action to do just that and go figure it out. That will build an inner confidence that others will pick up on without even realizing it. You'll start to see people offer to help you figure things out rather than criticize you. They'll begin to encourage you to keep going. Others will even secretly wish they had your courage so they could follow their own dreams! All by changing your thoughts and beliefs.

Have you already developed an unshakeable belief in yourself and need some help executing on your vision? Maybe you need some folks on your side to help you get a few wins to help level up your confidence? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Do you find yourself surrounded by negative people? Do you always seem to have things go wrong for you? Perhaps you always ask yourself why things go well for everyone else but not you. Maybe you just have bad luck?? Sound familiar?

I hate to break it to you, but the problem is you. To be more specific, it's your thoughts. Let me explain. You see, thoughts are things. More specifically, like all things, thoughts are made up of energy and that energy is transmitted out for others to receive. They are like a beacon or homing signal and they seem to attract into our lives other people with similar thoughts. They also seem to attract situations into our life that will resonate with our existing thoughts, thus reinforcing more negativity in our lives.

Every thought, being energy, resonates at a specific frequency. That means that other energy resonating at that same frequency will be drawn to us by our thoughts. Think negative thoughts and you'll see negative people show up in your live and experience negative events more often. Your energy is magnetic. I'm no quantum physicist, so feel free to go do the research yourself if you want to know the details. Just know that if you change your thoughts, you can change your life.

For some of you, this is old news. I actually hope it is, because that's not the main point of today's article. Here's the twist. Looking at the situation from a different perspective shows that your energy is not only magnetic, but it seems to be contagious. Two sides of the same coin in a way, but it can be a powerful way of applying the power of thought in a practical way.

Perhaps things are in a death spiral in your business. Everyone is in a bad mood and totally unmotivated. One bad thing seems to happen after another, and the team just can't catch a break. Things seem hopeless. The good news is that you can break the cycle. You can be the catalyst for a complete turnaround, and you don't need lots of investment capital or an Ivy League MBA to do it. You just have to think!!

You're probably saying that you think all day long. You're tired of thinking! True, but you're not thinking the right thoughts. Start monitoring WHAT you think and rescripting it in real time. For example, you may find yourself thinking "I'm so sick of problems" all day long. What you're doing is attracting more problems into your life to make sure that your thought is true for you. Those problems often come in the form of other people or bad situations, all resonating at the same frequency of your negative thought.

Try rescripting your thoughts in a positive manner, such as "I love how opportunities come our way all day everyday". If that's too much of stretch at first, then start with something like "I love how problems just seem to solve themselves quickly and effortlessly." Do this consistently all day every day without fail. Share this concept with your teammates too. What will happen is that the collective energy of the team will slowly but surely become much more positive. That will attract more positive people to interact with and positive circumstances to reinforce the teams' new positive thoughts. A positive reinforcement loop. It's magic!

Well, it's not really magic, but it sometimes feels that way. Just like the key to any good magic trick is to practice it tirelessly until it looks real, the key to creating contagious positive energy is also tireless practice. It's not a once and done thing or even just an all-day for one day thing. It's every single day. It'll feel weird and untrue at first, but eventually you'll feel more positive about things and that will rub off on those that work with you. They'll feel more energized as a result!

This isn't a replacement for all the other good things that you need to do like having a vision & strategic plan, tactical plans, proper delegation, having the right people on the bus, etc. Think of this more like the communication lines within your business. If you are negative, then the lines are full of noise, your voice sounds garbled, and your message doesn't get transmitted clearly. However, if you're positive, then the communication lines are crystal clear, the message is transmitted effectively, and the conversation is pleasant. Ever been so frustrated with a bad connection on a phone call that you just hung up?? How effective was that call?

Still skeptical? Why are the great motivational speakers so popular? It's not usually what they are saying, as it's mostly the same content with their own twist on it. Rather, it's their energy. They come into the room or walk on stage with bubbling over positive energy. By the end of the seminar, they have their audience feeling like they can conquer the world. Their energy was contagious and infected ever person in the audience.

That conquer the world feeling dies off after a few days and most people aren't much more successful after the seminar than before. Not because the content wasn't good. It was probably very good content. It's because they aren't connected to that positive energy anymore. Take just about anybody from one of those seminars and let them work side-by-side with the motivational speaker every day for a year and they'd probably transform their lives and their business.

That energy from the motivational speaker works just like fuel for an engine. A full tank of quality fuel lets the engine run at peak efficiency. Put stale gas in the same engine and it barely runs! Let the tank run dry and the engine quits. You need to become a continuous flow of quality fuel for your team!

If you're totally sick of the problems, then do the inner work to change your thoughts. Follow that up with infusing as much positive energy into your team each day as you can muster. Support and encourage them. Ensure that you're all on the same bus heading to the same destination. Some may not want to get on the bus and will choose to leave your team and that's ok. Other's will stay and may transform into rising stars. Over time, you'll see far fewer problems and many more successes.

Have you started infusing your team with positive energy and now need some help knocking out some projects? Maybe you need some experts to help with some particularly challenging items while your team transforms? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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