Love the Opportunity
Somebody said you have to love what you do to be successful, I don’t believe that’s necessarily true. What is true is that you have to love the opportunity. The opportunity to build your life, your future, create your success and your fortune. Knocking on someone’s door may not be something you love to do, but you must love the opportunity of what might be behind that door.
For example, I came out of college and worked delivering beer for four years. This was not my dream job, but it paid the bills. I then went into the lumber business. I did enjoy the job but hated the time away from my family. I then found Final Expense. I have never loved this business but I have always loved this opportunity. I have always lived by the rule, “I was looking for a job when I found this one,” and I still do. You find a better way to make the money we do with the time commitment we have, you let me know, until then this is as good as I have found.
You need be inspired by this crazy business; even though you are making mistakes in the beginning and even though it is a little distasteful taking on a new discipline that you haven’t learned before. You don’t have to love it, you just have to learn to appreciate the opportunity, appreciate America, and appreciate the person who brought you the opportunity to get your life.
Appreciate the people who believed in you before you believed in yourself, appreciate the person who said, “Hey, if I can do it, you can do it.”
If you will embrace the disciplines associated with this great opportunity, you will soon find that your self-confidence starts to grow, that you go from being a skeptic to being a believer. And soon when you go out person to person, talking to people, you will find it to be the most thrilling opportunity in the world. Think about the opportunity with every person you meet – what could it be? Unlimited! How many agent stories have we heard about the $100.00 door knock.
As I have always said, “your best war stories, stinky houses, and crazy people are the ones you find just trying to hit your goal and finish on a sale. It’s big time stuff. And sometimes in the beginning when we are just getting started we don’t always see how big it is.
So, before you are tempted to give up or get discouraged, remember all success is based on long term commitment, faith, discipline, attitude and a few stepping stones along the way. You might not like the stone you are on right now, but it’s sure to be one of the stones that lead to great opportunities in the future. Enjoy this great opportunity, it is a wild ride!
Think about some of the times you were so close to giving up, but you made one more phone call, knocked on one more door, forced yourself to give yourself the opportunity to hit your goal and end on a sale. Think about the elation you felt, the wonderful sense of accomplishment and how it has helped you create and continue the success you now have.
Two quotes for the week:
John F. Kennedy, “When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”
Kyle Chandler, “Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.”
Good Luck & Great Selling!
Jim
