Fail Fast

To really suceed you have to fail!

Uncomfortable

Get uncomfortable!

We have a saying in our home and in our business:

**** Comfortably Uncomfortable! ****We want to be comfortably uncomfortable.

I firmly believe a huge reason why people settle for mediocrity and far less than their best is because they won't get out of their comfort zones. In fact, I am seeing his issue run rampant today more than ever. Think about this: Take an apple. Where is that delicious juicy red apple located? By the safe big trunk of the tree? Or out on the skinny branches?

I think we need to get out on the skinny branches and INTENTIONALLY get uncomfortable! I think we can take a lesson from Simon Cowell and American Idol. The American Idol contestants that "play it safe" by singing a predictable song get the wrath from Simon and kicked off. Well, same is true for us...No need to play it safe and do the same thing over and over all the while clinging to our comfort zones. That way of life just doesn't produce amazing results! In fact, it is a sure formula for medium living.

I have been accused to get out on the edge a little too much but nonetheless, I try to get uncomfortable! It's well worth the risk!

Washington DC

Washington DC for most of this week. 3 speeches in 2 days. DC is simply amazing!

Coming back to Austin...also AMAZING!

We are practicing what we preach in our seminars:

• WOW Experience is the standard (being good is just not good enough anymore...have to be excellent!)
• ROIR...Return on Investment Relationally! It's all about relationships!
• Meet more people...I have 40 plus business cards in my pocket from great relationships I met this week. Question: What would your business look like if you just met one person each day?
• Be Different. Different sells. (not better)
• Lots of business out there....but the question is are you getting it?
• Have Fun! if you can't have fun, do something else.
• Pay Attention...

LOVE SOUTHWEST! Just study what they do and follow...(don't charge you for bags...no wonder they dominate!)

Pay Attention! Part 3

Great advice from one of my mentors today:

*** Remember to Pay Attention! ****

So true... what would things look like if we all just paid attention?

• New Business
• Amazing Relationships
• Maximize Time
• Creativity and Innovation
• Fun and exciting
• Stable and calm
• Boundless Opportunities

I have to do a much better job of paying attention!

Crisis

The above graph is an example of the type of results a business will experience when operating under Crisis! The same life results can be expected in a life of crisis as well.

You just can't perform under crisis (long term)

So if you are experiencing crisis right now, you have to fix it! And this means change. It also means spending money to get some help. It's hard and tough work. I see too many out there that are hoping the crisis goes away and ignoring it. That is the wrong approach. Tackle crisis head on....start today.

"But I can't afford Chris."

You can't afford NOT to do it is my reply.

In the marketplace and In life....

When the lights turn on and the game plays out there are only two types:

• Non-Performers
• Performers

Be honest with yourself...Which one are you?

Enough talk: Take Action!

Notes from this weekend

I spend a ton of time on this one word: Why? But I am finding out that this really not my job to be consumed with Why? By nature, I am curious. I am type A. I want control. So I constantly asking and questioning... Why?

Well, I am learning (the hard way but healthy) that Why is not for me to figure out. As a Christ follower, I am getting a heavy needed slap upside my head on the words "complete submission". My son Teddy is very curious and an expert question asker. The boy rattles off more questions in a day than should be allowed by law. And sometimes I get frustrated by all the Whys...Well, I do the same thing.

Why did this happen? Why am I going through this? Why can't I get that? Why should this take this long? Why isn't my plan the best? Why do I have to? Why Why Why....Stop it Chris! That's not your job and role.

Below are examples of points I have now grasped:

• It's not my plan is that perfect...in fact my plan is full of flaws
• It's not my role to figure out Why?
• It's not my job to question everything.
• It's not good for me to control.
• I have a limited perspective and simply can't see the whole picture

The lessons I have learned are tough; they sting! Here is the list from my notes on this process:

• Put ego on the shelf. I am not that smart
• Your plan won't work and is flawed
• You have a very limited lens of which you can see the big picture...like looking at the state of Texas through a straw
• Trust God. Always.
• Faith can't be just some great word to be loosely thrown around. Chris you better really understand and work on this word Faith.
• Being comfortable is not the goal. Being comfortable can't be the focus. Making a difference is the goal. And you can't be comfortable all the time and make a huge difference. That formula doesn't work.

You have a front row seat to this work in progress....terribly messy but real.

7 reasons people settle for medocrity

We have a major problem that we see all over the place: Settling for Mediocrity!

• Mediocrity in business
• Mediocrity is relationships
• Mediocrity in income
• Mediocrity in life plans
• Mediocrity in school
• Mediocrity in careers

We can do better. We need to do better. We were not made to settle for mediocrity.

Here are 7 reasons why people are settling:

1. Lack of a clear vision
2. Lack of goals setting
3. Lack of effective partnering
4. Lack of resources and poor time management
5. Lack of handling adversity correctly
6. Lack of work ethic
7. Lack of sustainable passion

Take each one of these and work on them individually. Spend the time and effort on each one and the payoff will be huge!

Adversity...

One of the things all of us are guaranteed in this life is adversity. The degrees of adversity is different for all us...but we all will experience adversity.

*** But with every ounce of adversity comes an equal if not increase in assets!

It's hard to embrace adversity and enjoy tough times but in reality, we should. Why? Because behind it and disguised is an amazing asset. You may be going through really tough times right now; many are experiencing just that at this moment. But please understand, better days are ahead and you have a ton of assets coming your way!

We talk to many struggling people in the marketplace on a daily basis. It's tough out there right now. But all of this adversity we are experiencing is making us better. Behind the tough times curtain, is a wonderful treasure full of assets.

• Embrace Adversity
• Look for the assets
• Learn from tough times; get better even went it stinks
• Keep positive
• Stay focused

Stand out

If there is nothing special about your work, then there will nothing special about your pay either.

Stand out...
Be Different
Be Unique
Take Road Less Traveled
Try it
Innovative and Creative
Be Interesting
Be Entertaining

3 questions we must be able to answer in a clear, compelling, and motivating manner:

1. What do you do?
2. What makes you unique?
3. Why should I do business with you?

Come on now! Let's get going on separating ourselves in the marketplace by being different! Boring stinks. Boring is out.

• Today is the time to stand out from the pack and make a huge splash!
• There is big $$ out there for those who are different
• Inspire me as your customer
• I crave interesting and entertaining as your customer....give it to me!