Tiger Trent

“Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word” John Maxwell

Entrepreneurial Journey

The power of encouragement cannot be overstated when it comes to the progress I've made in my life and career. As I embarked on my professional journey in my 20s, fate introduced me to a remarkable early mentor named Bob Hamilton. With a wealth of experience and a decade or two ahead of me, Bob had started his own insurance and benefits practice after a successful stint as a New York Life agent. Graciously, he agreed to be an early mentor.

Through Bob, I had the privilege of meeting Dick Cobb. Dick had a profound impact on the trajectory of my life. Not only did he provide a job at New York Life, but he also became my sales manager and an incredible source of inspiration. He was exceptional as a motivator and mentor. He would have earned a spot in the Hall of Fame for encouragement. Every week, we would have performance review and planning sessions (PRP), which Dick handled with a unique blend of accountability and encouragement. My relationship with him was an absolute blessing.

Working at New York Life and building a clientele was no easy task, but thanks to Dick's influence, I was able to achieve early success and establish a solid book of business. This was a turning point in my life, as it taught me the importance of developing daily and weekly habits and understanding the great influence they can have on personal and professional growth.

Lessons from the Trent Family

I grew up in Rose City, North Little Rock, Arkansas. When I was seven years old in 1970, I became a part of a pee-wee football team. Let me share some interesting tidbits from that time. In those days, we played with full pads. There was this one drill that seems quite crazy looking back from today's perspective. We would split into two lines, charge at each other, and collide head-on (of course, wearing helmets but still...). Moreover, I still remember our bright yellow jerseys with Superwood written on them, the lumber company that sponsored our team.

The first year I started playing holds a special place in my heart, as it brought about unforgettable memories and experiences that truly shaped my life. And in this incredible journey, my father, Howard, played a significant role. He made it a priority to attend nearly every single one of our practices. Despite being the smallest kid on the team by far, it never affected my confidence on the field. I can still vividly remember my father's unwavering support, always reminding me of my exceptional talent, speed, and passion for tackling. He even took it to the extreme by claiming that the whole town of Rose City was abuzz with talk about me, giving me a sense of invincibility. It was his brilliant idea to give me the nickname Tiger Trent, a name that perfectly captured my fierce determination.

Looking back, I know I wasn't as skilled as he made me out to be, but his words of encouragement truly changed the game for me. I may not have been the fastest or most talented, but I had a love for hitting, tenacity, and fearlessness. Throughout my life, my father has consistently provided me with this kind of motivation. The influence of his encouragement has been and continues to be enormous. It not only bolstered my self-assurance during my early years and beyond, but also guided me through challenging times in 7th grade. Moreover, it instilled in me the importance of uplifting and standing by others, a principle that remains close to my heart even now.

Wisdom

During my twenties and thirties, one book that had a profound impact on me was Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." I always make it a point to revisit it every couple of years, gaining fresh insights each time.

Below is an excerpt that espouses the power of encouragement:

We all crave appreciation and recognition and we'll do almost anything to get it. But nobody wants insincerity. Nobody wants flattery. Let me repeat. These principles will only work when they come from the heart. I'm not advocating a bag of tricks. I'm talking about a new way of life. Talk about changing people. If you and I will inspire the people with whom we come in contact through a realization of the hidden treasures they possess, we can do far more than change people. We can literally transform them.

We all possess powers of various sorts which we have which we habitually fail to use. And one of those powers probably not being used to the fullest extent is the magic ability to praise people and inspire them with the realization of their latent possibilities. Abilities whether under criticism; blossom under encouragement.

Trent Takeaways

Increasing your contributions to others is essential for lifetime growth.

Encouragement empowers, uplifts, transforms lives.

How can you make others feel important (MOFI) today?

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