I've navigated plenty of speed bumps on life's road. My father's death led me to an entirely different career than my planned one. My business burned to the ground. Unscrupulous partners left me with a $15 million dollar debt. My doctor diagnosed me with a disease that a year earlier would have meant probable death.
Some people call it adversity. I call it life. I'm going to share with you my philosophy for dealing with the downs that will no doubt accompany the ups. Some will make you want to smack your forehead because they are so obvious. But as I mentioned earlier, the key to business is taking in more than you pay out, and scores of business fail every year because they forget simple things like that.
Finally, I've got to say that I'm skeptical of anyone who claims to have the magic solution to your life. These things have worked for me, but they might not work for you. It's important for you to know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and devise a success strategy that fits your personality.
Here is my top-ten list of adversity-busters:
Don't panic. When something unexpected comes your way, shouting, "Oh my God, I'm ruined!" is not conducive to handling the situation. Remain calm and you'll send a message to your brain that you might be able handle the situation after all.
Take the emotion out of it. To come up with a rational solution, you have to have a rational approach, and that's hard to do while your blood is boiling.
Build and use your networks. Develop and maintain a diverse group of associates and friends. Take the initiative in keeping in touch. If you only contact someone when you need their help, they'll cringe when your number comes up on their caller ID.
Be polite. The bank teller you cursed at might be the vice-president in charge of granting you a loan in a few years.
Get a plan down on paper. Review and list your assets and resources, then make a plan, Figure out what you need to do, and break it down into small steps if the big picture overwhelms you. Pay attention. It's been proven that what people call ESP is often just a finely tuned sense of what is going on around them. Once Carol Burnett woke up in the middle of the night and decided to move to the other side of the bed to sleep. Shortly after there was an earthquake and a very large, heavy big-screen TV fell from a shelf on to her bed, where she usually sleeps. In her sleep her subconscious sensed small tremors that led to big ones, and she paid attention.
It's not unusual for me to make a serious business decision after only a few minutes. I get a certain feel about whatever it is I'm considering, and I go with it. I'm not saying don't be careful, but be aware of the things your mind is trying to tell you. This works whether you're dealing with adversity or on the lookout for new opportunities. If I hadn't paid attention when I saw an ad for franchising a new, fledging rental car business, I would have missed out on Budget Rent-A-Car, which turned out to be even more lucrative than the car business.
Don't waste time looking back. Every second you spend thinking "If only?" or "I should have?" is a second you could spend developing another opportunity. Maybe somebody told you to invest in Microsoft 15 years ago and you didn't. So what? Dwelling on the past paralyzes you in the present.
Know thyself. Understand your strengths and weaknesses.
View your challenges as opportunities. Earlier in the book I talked about what my stepfather said when my business burned down. He told me it was the best thing that could have happened to me, because I could make a fresh start. That's the attitude I took. He was right.
Ask for help. Be smart about it when you do. I asked Kansas City businessman Frank Morgan for a $15 million loan and he gave it to me. But first he made sure I knew my business. Give people a reason to help, and they usually will.
Good luck out there on the highway!
Jerry Green owns WHB810, America's largest all-sports radio station. His new biography, "Autos to Airwaves, Mantle to the Mob," is available at http://www.moonbookstore.com.
Starting out in the car business, Jerry owned a Playboy Club, one of the original Budget Rent-a-Car franchises, and a series of banks before venturing into the world of media.
While I was growing up, my dad repeatedly told me... Read More
Shyness is nothing to be ashamed of and you can... Read More
You've heard me talk in previous articles about Deliberate attraction.... Read More
If you read personal growth or self-help books at all,... Read More
Most business people would rather have customers seek us out... Read More
What I am about to tell you will take a... Read More
And the real sad part is that the people involved... Read More
Do you know anyone that everyone seems to be drawn... Read More
A man is captive within himself. He dwells in a... Read More
What's In a Name?How often have you thought about the... Read More
Recently, at a public function where I was the Toastmaster,... Read More
If you can do anything in this time in your... Read More
Australians are losing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue... Read More
There are times in life when we wish to create... Read More
This is the third of seven articles in our continuing... Read More
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect... Read More
In studying wealth, we learn the power of using our... Read More
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if... Read More
How much happiness is there in a piece of paper... Read More
In earlier articles, I've often spoken about the supreme importance... Read More
Would you like to get lucky? There are at least... Read More
How would you like to have what you want AND... Read More
Five-year-old Katie asked for a coin for her to throw... Read More
Want to be the best in your field?Edward W. Smith,... Read More
Do you feel all alone and out of sorts on... Read More
I am a physicist by education, and a practical business... Read More
For years it seems as though the secrets to obtaining... Read More
You've got a lot to store in that brain of... Read More
Do you ever wonder why great things happen to some... Read More
Last week I was driving along one of the major... Read More
Just about everybody gets them...I had them just recently...Yup, I... Read More
1. The most important one: Have at least one person... Read More
"The speed of electromagnetic energy signals is 186,000 miles per... Read More
In your journey through life are you the "driver" or... Read More
Each person has her or his own place and purpose.... Read More
This is the sixth article in our "True Power" series.... Read More
I bet you're like me - you want results now,... Read More
Have you been struggling with making ends meet? Are you... Read More
Most people have some aspects of themselves that they would... Read More
"Imagine a funeral. The preacher's giving the eulogy. And suddenly,... Read More
If we could choose right now, this moment, how we... Read More
In life, few people ever step up to live their... Read More
Last Sunday I was sitting in on a class we... Read More
The pupils of the eyes will dilate (enlarge) up to... Read More
I hear of so many people using affirmations as the... Read More
Do you know that many people feel they cannot achieve... Read More
The full moon in September is often bigger and brighter... Read More
If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would... Read More
Growing up, we all had a mental picture of the... Read More
Self consciousness is an essential part of being human, but... Read More
That which you desire to remove from your life is... Read More
Do you hear yourself saying? When I have enough money,... Read More
Ever been in a meeting with something important to say... Read More
Few people are prepared for the responsibilities and tasks involved... Read More
If you are not manifesting success and prosperity or whatever... Read More
Wildflowers grow from mere dust to reach their full potential.Wildflowers... Read More
"You can create what you want in life; first you... Read More
Would you like to get lucky? There are at least... Read More
Do you know anyone that everyone seems to be drawn... Read More
Have you ever thought much about how some of your... Read More
Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become... Read More
Feeling trapped by lack of funds? We can learn from... Read More
If you've done any reading on the subject of marketing,... Read More
You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you... Read More
Re-entering the dating scene is rather scary, but as a... Read More
Millions of people face huge changes in their lives during... Read More
Attraction |