Grow, Go, and Sow – Now is the time!
"For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again."
You are reading the words of a man that has not eaten solid food in the last two days. I must admit I had a small celery stalk at my Mom and Dad’s yesterday, but aside from that, it’s been water and a cleansing solution that tastes like ass.
My Queen and I do this occasionally, take nine days out of our life, fast, eat minimally to reset our minds and body, it’s usually pretty difficult, but this time it’s been “reasonable.” If you are looking for a way to kick start your health, I can verify this program works. This morning I’ll get a treat with my first “shake” and then a “shake” for lunch, then we are meeting my family for some hibachi grill tonight. That will be our first real meal in 3 days.
I stopped by and chatted with my parents yesterday. They are snowbirds that just returned from Florida. My father and I began talking about the agency he bought in the early 1070s that I later bought in 1996. When he started, he had $100,000 of premium paying an average of 25% commission. My Queen and I have taken that base and grown it slightly. It’s fun to be able to carry the torch of something my father built.
Our daughter who is joining our firm in the coming weeks sent me a note yesterday. She asked for some podcasts that would help her prepare for her new role at our company. I am excited to get to work with one of our kids and continue our father’s vision. I think in time, she, like her mother will be a force to be reckoned.
A friend sent me a note last night; he is looking for a way to better manage his sales force. I’m going to meet with him and outline our sales program, how we track, manage, and predict our sales for the coming year. I’m learning about leading and trailing indicators, it’s important to track both. He’s a long-time client, so my normal fee will be waived for a cup of coffee. I love helping others create policies and procedures that I know will help them grow their companies.
I have never been more optimistic about our opportunity to grow and create a company that will last for many years into the future. I liken our last few years work to that of building a machine that now runs very well. Our machine needs constant tweaks, but overall can run on the systems we built these last few years.
The current economic environment is allowing our firm to take advantage of the positive economic conditions; we are putting money back for a rainy day and have maybe found another agency acquisition opportunity. Our team is solid, our vision is focused, we are executing our plan, and I’m working with the love of my life.
If you own a business and are not thriving, it’s time for a gut check. Now is the time to grow; now is the time to add staff and expand into other markets. Eventually, there will be a downturn and that downturn will act as a forest fire eliminating the little trees that are struggling to survive. Grow your company using the sun and rain of these economic conditions, but make sure you are saving for the droughts and floods that are sure to come.
By nature, I’m an optimist; I see the cup as half full, I see the beauty in the ugly and the opportunities when others see challenges. I get up early and work hard every day and am convinced if you create a plan and work that plan you too can achieve any level of success you choose. Stop looking at the negative and search for the positive. We did, we do, and for us, it has made all the difference.
I live a very blessed life with three successful kids, 80-year-old parents that act like they are 60, a family that provides love and understanding and a Queen that supports my quirks, nuance, and crazy ideas. If your life is not what you want, make a change, make a few changes, to get the life you desire. Life is short, get to work, follow my lead. I’m living my best life.
"For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again."