Leading Forward

No Employees Wanted

We received two separate email requests for help last week which highlight the same challenge from two different perspectives.  The first email was from a home business owner who is frustrated by a stunning lack of success despite having what he describes as 'the perfect system for people to plug into.'  He is desperately searching for people who will 'simply duplicate' his plan building a successful team and 'huge income stream.'

The other email came from another unsuccessful home business owner who stated that she just needs somebody to tell her 'exactly what to do' and to 'hold her accountable' for doing it.  She feels strongly that the lack of clear direction from her upline is preventing her from 'reaping the benefits' and 'making real money.'

It might seem obvious that we should simply arrange for these two people to get together and await their stories of success.  It doesn't work, and here's why.  A home business has no employees. 

If you're advertising for people to fit in to your duplicatable system, you will attract people with an employee mindset - not entrepreneurs.  Likewise, if you are looking for someone to provide you with a script and necessary supervision, you're not an entrepreneur looking for a home business, you're an employee looking for a job.

A good question to ask prospective business partners is not, "Would you like to own your own business?" but rather, "Do you regularly do more than is asked of you?"

Employees are not successful in home businesses, because they only do what they have to do when they have to do it.  And they very quickly realize that they don't have to do anything.  They love the idea of being their own boss, and giving themselves the day off.  These are the people who are always 'getting ready' for just the 'right time' to really get it going.  Not right now, but soon...after the next training webinar...after the convention...when the kids are out of (or back in) school...when they have the script to overcome objections memorized.  Never.

If you are someone who understands and appreciates the immense power of your personal gifts...If you are not satisfied doing just what you are told...If you have a passion for creating something remarkable for your family...If you can share your enthusiasm with others in a sincere desire to serve...If you embrace the synergistic power of relationships between business partners, then you are an entrepreneur who will enjoy tremendous success as a home business owner...with no employees.

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

Yet

Our 10 year old daughter just used a three-letter word correctly, and we couldn't be more proud of her!  She understands the immense power behind that simple word.  Here's how the conversation went:

Frustrated 6 year old son: "I can't do it."

Wise 10 year old daughter: "It's not that you can't do it.  It's that you can't do it yet."

What a huge difference that tiny word makes!

Yet places your current situation in the proper context.

Yet demonstrates your certainty of the future.

The official dictionary definition of the word "yet" reads like a page right out of any self-improvement book:

used to stress that it remains possible that something will happen
or that you are still determined to do something despite present difficulties

Your detailed visions of tomorrow and your determined actions today will empower you with the courage of your convictions.  Here's a quick exercise to get you thinking and moving forward:

First, write down in complete sentences all the remarkable things you haven't accomplished in your life.  Then, go back and add the word 'yet' at the end of every sentence.  Now, feel the power and energy of dazzling possibilities that await your action.

Are you Leading Forward yet?

Deb and Brad

Are We Only or Incredibly Human?

When did being human become something less than miraculous? 

From Olympic athletes to earthquake rescue teams, the human body and spirit are amazing.  We consistently demonstrate our remarkable abilities to dream, create, and serve.  Yet, we keep the expectations for ourselves and others painfully low by repeating the oxymoronic term "only human."

We wrongly feel better about our mediocre accomplishments by passing off other's success as miraculous.  As if achieving greatness is some unexplainable freakish anomaly.  From Mother Teresa to Michael Jordan, we build up their celebrity status to ensure they are not compared to the rest of us.

Only when someone makes a colossal error in judgment (read: Tiger Woods) do we welcome them back and relate to them as only human.  Then, we breathe a sigh of relief.  All that effort and the success it created was really making us uncomfortable.  It's just not natural.  In fact, it's super-human.

Why not raise the bar for everyone?  Isn't it time to expect more?

Why not refer to the gold medal winners as only human?
The rescuers in Haiti & Chili...only human.
The teachers whose advice changed the course of your life...only human.

It's time to celebrate then release the dazzling potential for greatness inside each of us.  For that is truly what it means to be human.  We are not only human - We are incredibly human!

The next time you hear about someone breaking a world record, or serving a charity, or saving a life, or simply caring more than most, smile.  And know that you share the same gifts.  You are, in fact, incredibly human.

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

Building a Bigger Blue Zone

We've been reading some fascinating research on the 'Blue Zones' of the world.  These are small areas, scattered across the globe, where the residents routinely live much longer and much healthier lives than average Americans.  The researchers have identified certain traits consistent with all Blue Zones.

While most of the findings are unremarkable, such as diets consisting of natural whole foods, two ideas relate directly to your entrepreneurship.

First of all, the world's healthiest, happiest, longest-living people view work much differently than most.  They see work, not as a job, but as an essential part of growing.  They find joy and fulfillment in working really hard to make things better.  In fact, most of these cultures have no word in their language for retirement.  Why would you want to stop building, learning, and creating?

The second common trait found in these communities is a sense of purpose and belonging.  These people do not toil as individuals solely for their own gain.  They view everything they do in the context of family and community.

As a home-business owner, you offer both of these essential components to others.  You provide an opportunity for people to take control of their work success, making their efforts more meaningful and joyful.

You also welcome new partners into your supportive community.  People can find connections, build relationships, and serve communally adding purpose and social responsibility.

As you share your business with others today, do so with the confidence that you are not only helping them today, but for many many years to come.  You have found, not just a fountain of wealth, but also a fountain of youth!

Keep leading forward!

Deb and Brad

 

The Change Puzzle

It's a puzzle.  Why is it that certain individuals and groups are able to move, grow, and create new levels of success while the majority remains stagnant?  Those movers and shakers learned from Peter Senge who, quite literally, wrote the book on organizational change.

Senge identified the six essential pieces that combine to bring about authentic change.  Here's the equation:

TRUST + VISION + SKILLS + RESOURCES + RESULTS + ACTION PLAN = CHANGE

Because each piece is necessary, leaving out any one stops your group's forward motion and derails your plans for success.

Without trust plans are sabotaged.

Without vision there is confusion.

Without skills anxiety grows.

Without resources people are angry.

Without results change is sporadic.

Without an action plan there are only false starts.

Look at your team and ask yourself if you have put all of the pieces in place to complete the puzzle.  To empower.  To not only embrace change, but create it, relish it, and use it to drive your business.

Keep connecting and Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad