Losses Into Lessons – Four Fail Safe Strategies
This article is written specifically for individuals who have a burning desire and a willingness to do the work in order to achieve at the Ultimate Level. I always laugh when you see a speaker ask this question; “How many of you really want to win?” I’ve often wondered if the speaker really expected someone to stand up and shout out, “Not me man, I want to lose!” So let’s accept that we all want to win. That’s really not the point, in my opinion. The key is simple: Wanting to and be willing to and actually doing what you must in order to be the best requires completely different levels of commitment. This article is about what you do after your losses. How do you respond?
“The key is not the will to win… everybody has that; winners know it is the will to prepare to win that is important.” – Bobby Knight
Now it is time for some “Straight Talk” from me directly to you. Are you happy where you are in your career today? Are you achieving at the Level that fulfills you personally? Do you feel you are coming close to reaching your personal potential? Do others look up to you and admire whom you are and what you do as a sales associate, sales manager, parts counter associate, technician, General Manager or Dealer? Are you considered a Leader at your Dealership? What about in your State, Region, Country or Industry? How far up the ladder of success must we climb before you become unnoticed? How far must we take the questions before your impact becomes so distant no one even knows your name? Tough but fair questions for those who want the Highest Level of Success Possible? One more question; “Can you live with the pain of not fulfilling yourself?”
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” - Lance Armstrong
Now it is time to explore the “Loss to Lesson” Formula for success. I have shared this with many people and I will tell you only 2% take massive action and utilize the process. I am very proud of this select group of people because they are the students of mine who have accomplished miraculous achievements in many areas of their lives. From a struggling sales person on the verge of quitting, who owns a Dealership today, to a Dealer, who had rampant turnover because he was abusive to his people, who now owns multiple franchises and has garnered the love and respect of his people, to many stories of fathers and mothers who had let their careers rob them of the joy of being real Parents to their children, who today have reconnected with their families and found immense happiness. This formula works if you follow the steps consistently and Take Action.
“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” - Benjamin Disraeli
Loss To Lesson Formula:
Change Your State: Anytime we experience a loss, set back or disappointment it is only natural that it will affect our outlook and our emotions in a negative manner. For this reason, it is critical that we manage our state so we can be more effective and efficient. Negative emotions rob us of our capacity to perform at a high level. The key is to interrupt the negative pattern and change your state into a positive emotional platform. Immediately after the loss do something that stokes your emotions in a positive way and then move on to Step two.
Reduce the Loss to Writing: First things first, you need to go purchase a hard cover journal unless you are organized and savvy enough to do this on your computer. Any time you experience a loss of any kind, a set back or disappointment, at the end of the day right a one-paragraph explanation of what happened. The key is to be brutally honest with yourself about what happened and why? Our goal is “To Kill the Loss Monster while it is little” and actually turn the experience into a Learning Event.
Question Up The Event: The next part of the formula is to answer these questions about the events or circumstances that created the loss, set back or disappointment. What did I do well this time? What will I do differently better next time in order to produce the desired result? What will I never do again in order to produce the results I desire? What is the most important thing I have learned from this experience and how will I use it to produce better results in the future? Remember, when you ask better questions, you always get better answers.
Take Massive Action Now: From the empowering questions and supporting answers you will find pearls of wisdom. These pearls of wisdom will allow you to reduce your future mistakes and avoid the pitfalls that created previous losses. Unlike most people you will actually benefit from your losses because you will see the power of the lessons contained within each loss. The key is to Take Massive Action on what you Learn from the Loss.
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I loved this article… Can you re-post this link on twitter this is the perfect time for a New Year Resolutions type article.
People are feeling losses in this economy. It may help them to know they will be able to not only learn from them but also to be grateful for them. Encouragement is the Key in a tough year.