Running on Empty

I had been driving a Taurus for a few years, and loving it, when one day it started doing the kind of things that the older Fords used to do when they were well used. The transmission was hit and miss, the electrical was intermittent and it was sounding quite loud from shakes and rattles. But, I was getting great mileage.

This was a time in our lives when we were foster parenting, and had 4 extra kids in our house including our own three. So, needless to say, we needed a newer, bigger vehicle. We looked around for a few weeks, did our homework and finally settled on a van that sat 8. Sound exciting? Yeah... no. It was a van! I was in my mid to late 30’s and it was certainly NOT the image I wanted for myself. But, necessity, apparently, was more important than image and self respect so we bought it anyway.

We were on our way home from the dealership, when I noticed that the gas gauge was reading half full.

“Didn’t they say they were going to fill the tank?” I asked Judy.

“Yes they did, why?”

“‘cause we’re on half tank already.”

“How is that possible?”

And so, on our very first trip, in the very first hour I came to dislike that vehicle a lot more than just the image thing. Oh, it drove like a dream. Comfortable. Solid. Amazing in the snow. Crappy with gas mileage.

I had to fill that tank often to get where I needed to go.

Isn’t life like that?

You don’t just fill your tank once and expect it to get you where you need to go forever. You have to be constantly monitoring your dials and filling your tank so you don’t run out in the middle of nowhere… or when you’re leading a team… or making a presentation… or starting a business… or dealing with clients.

We often think that just because we took a course, got a degree or built a building for a business that now everything is going to be ok for ever, amen.

It’s not.

But the great thing is, you can control this! Yes you may have a full tank of enthusiasm today, but today is also going to drain some… and tomorrow… and all that stress you’re holding on to… and those customers and… well, you get the picture.

If you’re not putting good fuel in your tank, you’re going to run dry before you know it and then you run the risk of becoming negative, whiny and very unproductive. 

So, today, check your fuel levels. Is your enthusiasm high? Are you feeling positive? Are you an encourager of others? Do you smile?

If yes, you’re doing a good job and have great mileage, If not, discover the areas that cause you the most grief, and get to work on that. Maybe it’s something simple like a "fuel filter” where you’ve been hanging around too many negative people, but whatever it is, if you don’t clean it out and make adjustments, sooner or later you’ll simply run out and be left on the side of the road to success, watching others pass you by.

Make an Impact today!

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My vision is quite simple: to make an impact on the lives of the people who have been entrusted to me: You (for reading this article), my family and my clients. 

I coach people. Direct, practical, innovative, meaningful. I coach for excellence.I love what I do... and so do my clients.

Over the years I've noticed that business coaching that was supposed to make us stronger actually took away our confidence and made us doubt ourselves. Confidence and people skills aren't developed just by measuring and planning everything, they grow through doing and learning from experience and by taking risks. People want to make a difference. Build teams. Be better understood. Live more confidently.

I am committed to creating a world where business people communicate and act with confidence to create better worlds for themselves. Worlds where they feel powerful and free to express themselves. Worlds where something as simple as conversation creates energy, understanding and impact. Worlds so exquisite, I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

If you found this article helpful, insightful or moving, please let me know, if you think it can help others, please share it with them.