Find Out What Success Means to You

Why isn't my agency selling more? Why don't my producers use the software I have invested with to make more sales? Why are my bills so high? Why? We hear these woe's from agents all the time. We hear them from coworker and friends at happy hour, we speak these words to our financial councilors. But what is the real issue?

I have decided to conquer my fears for 2008. Yes, I know this sounds ambiguous and way to open ended, we are all afraid of lots of things and once one is conquered, another surfaces. Yes, I would agree with that. I picked up a book though that is revolutionizing how I think about getting what I want. "The Secret of Letting Go" by Guy Finley. This book has a fabulous first chapter in which helped me to see things clearer. I am a strong individual and I do think that I am stronger than the average female. I thrive on the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". But really, it's looking your fears in the eye that makes us stronger. Survival does not. Because I am here, because I am working hard to run my own businesses and profit, does not make me strong...it makes me a survivor. The fears will never go away if my goal is survival.

I am not an ambitious person. I want a good life with a good salary, and I want to provide for my children all the things that a good life would offer. I don't need fancy cars; I don't need exotic vacations (even though it would be nice). I need my business and the people who breathe the life's breath into it to thrive. That is success to me. So conquering each road block and facing another has been exhausting. BUT, this is the nature of running a business. It will never go away.

So, as a business owner, what am I trying to share? Well, business owner to business owner, sometimes businesses do not turn out as planned. Sometimes it is whether or not we adapt that makes the difference. Change, evolve, and embrace the FACT that if you are running this agency and if you are making this move professionally, the success is up to you. Let the business thrive where it thrives, watch where success lies and follow it. Don't try to pigeon hole success and tell it what to be. Let it grow and show you where it thrives. There, you will find success.

I have tried to create plans and tell the businesses I run what to be, but ultimately, all I have caused is strife and frustration at not achieving what I wanted. When I release, that is when I find that my employees, my product, and my focus are stronger than I ever realized. Strength is eternal. We have to identify what we fear. What holds you back? If we say we are afraid...that is not enough. What are you afraid of? Failure? Rejection? Start by identifying what you are not afraid of, then call your fears what they are. Using the overall blanket of fear is not getting over that fear. Calling the fear by name and not letting it control you will free you and let you identify it for what it is. This is the first step of really seeing yourself as a boss, and for seeing what you are building your business to achieve. You maybe looking for success, but what does that mean to you and what fears may keep you from achieving it? Give yourself permission to be free of the stress and strife of making the business be what you want...follow the success that it is. You may have to make really hard choices. You may have to venture into areas that are new to you. But when you emerge, you will be better for the experience. Follow your business model, stick to deadlines, build your agency and take care of your employees, and allow yourself to find what success means to you.

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