I'm OUT, Are You?

Have you ever watched the show called, “The Shark Tank?”? If you have, you are familiar with the concept of investing.? The show allows entrepreneurs to come and pitch their product or service and ask for the investors to invest in their “opportunity.”? For some it works wonders and you have seen some of their items in stores today, or you might hear about their success story on social media.? We all love to see the success stories and the investors sharing their insight and financial backing into the entrepreneur’s dreams and vision.? Unfortunately, not all of the ideas pitched are invested in.? There are many shows where they hear the dreaded two words, “I’m OUT.”? That means that they could not come to agreement that was mutually beneficial, or the investor did not believe in the direction or opportunity that was being pitched to them.? We can learn a lot about the failure.? I know it is hard to imagine, however the investor’s statement speaks volumes.? Let’s take a look at three things we can learn when you are “OUT!”

O-Other???????????????????????????????????

Other opportunities will come.? As hard as it might seem in the moment, when all the excitement is causing the adrenaline to surge in our body, we want to say yes.? Our heart says yes, and we love the opportunity, however we need to say, “no.”? But wait, why?? I have shared frequently, that everything that glitters is not gold. Sure, it looks like fun, and it looks like it is interesting, but does it align with who you are and what your goals are?? The return on you saying yes is less than the return if you focused on what you are currently working on.?? Do you have any “opportunities” that you are working on and the return is not worth your time?? Is it in your personal or professional life?? Maybe both?? We have to be selective in what we choose, just like the investors.? There are times where there are great opportunities, however the investor says they are OUT because it does not align with their specialty or business acumen.? What are you investing in that does not align with who you are and what you are passionate about??

U-Understand??????????????????????

Understand your abilities and skillsets.? There are times when you might agree to participate or volunteer (occasionally you might get nominteered or voluntold to participate) in a project that you are not passionate about, however your organization or leadership thinks it is a good opportunity for you.? Those happen, and hopefully they allow you to grow and gain insight into the project or area of the task.? For those other opportunities that cross your desk or screen, do they align with who you are?? Does it make sense?? The bigger picture is do you now what your skillsets are and what your best abilities are?? Do you really know?? There are times when our passion (even though we do not accel at it) allows us to grow and be an asset to the team.? Other times, it can be detrimental to the project or team.? We have to know what is best for the team and for us.? If you were asked to list the top three attributes about you and the top two to three areas of expertise were, what would you answer?? If you don’t know that, you might want to spend some time figuring that out before you volunteer to invest in the next project or opportunity.

T-Trust????????????????????????????????????

Trust your gut.? As hard as that seems, your gut is a great resource, however I am not sure how scientific it is.? Sometimes we shy away from butterflies and it may cost us an opportunity to grow.? Other times it may feel like excitement and it is your gut telling you that it is not a good idea.? We need to know the difference between butterflies and red flags.? Time will tell you the difference, we just have to recognize the difference between the two.? Do you know the difference?? How are you able to manage the excitement and curiosity versus the workload and the investment it takes to commit to a project or task?? How many projects are you working on right now?? Take some time to write down those in your personal life and also at work.? Are you able to be fully committed to them all?? If the answer is, “no,” you might be stretched too thin.? If the answer is, “yes,” you appear to be managing your personal investment well.? The final way to ask is to ask those closest to you.? Ask them if they feel you are managing your personal investment in the different areas of your life well.? Then..?? Get ready for the answer.? Make sure it is someone you trust, and if you don’t get the answer you wanted to hear, take some time to meditate and search yourself internally.? Your time is best spent on what you are passionate about. May be time to tell some projects that you are OUT.

You might not find yourself on Shark Tank, however you are an investor.? You are investing your time, energy, focus, insight, wisdom, and resources into the projects or tasks you are working on.? Are you working in your “zone?”? Are you working in your “space” like the investors in Shark Tank?? If you are ready for a new opportunity, understand that other opportunities will come. You have to be patient for one that aligns with who you are.? You know who you are and you know what you are passionate about.? Understand your abilities and your skillsets.? This will help you stay in your lane and focus on the types of opportunities that are best for you.? When a new opportunity or project arises, you need to trust your gut.? Stay within yourself and listen to those who you trust around you.? You want to get a good return on the investment of your time, focus, energy, and resources.? Manage your time well and even if it looks like fun, tell them you are OUT if it is not for you.?

Stay safe and stay well!

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