A couple of weeks ago, I was finishing up my workout by doing some cable-fly’s, and a group of gorilla sized men surrounded me because they wanted to ‘work-in’ on the machine. I normally ignore this group of grunting behemoths, but that day they were cheering me on. “C’mon, bring it back!” “Push it through!” “That’s it, only four?”
I have been lifting weights for five years, and have gotten some great results (of course…). I usually don’t have a workout partner because my schedule sometimes forces me to workout at extremely early or late times. As a result, I sometimes lose track of how hard I’m pushing myself during a workout. Those guys totally challenged me to see my workouts from a new perspective, and also taught me the value of having a team around me for support.
I met a prominent Indianapolis lawyer in an elevator in April. After our conversation ended, he gave me his card and instructed me to follow up with him. So I did. Two weeks later, I was waiting for him in his office, at the top of a skyscraper, and he rushed in 20 minutes late for our meeting. He sat down hurriedly, looked at me, and said, “What would you like to accomplish today. I have 7 minutes.”
Talk about being put on the spot. So, I mumbled a couple of things, and he interrupted me by saying, “I’ve done some checking up on you. You’re doing some things, but you can do better. Here is what I expect from you…”
Wow. My expectations of myself have never been lifted so high in such a short amount of time. I realized that having a mentor who is willing to challenge me, and is dynamically more successful than me, is crucial to my success.
I also just signed up for sales coaching. I already know most of what is being taught, and could teach the class myself. The power of my time with the sales coach is reflection. I am paying for time to think about how and what I am doing to build my business, and I have a qualified person to reflect my challenges to. If I want to grow as an intra-preneur, I have to have time to reflect and someone to reflect to.
If your business is struggling at this point in the year, here are 3 keys to resurrect it ASAP:
1. Find a team – Don’t go at this alone. Join a trade association, form a referral team or accountability group. There is strength in numbers.
2. Get a mentor – Find someone who will push you and who’s RAS is set much higher than yours (for more on the RAS, email me at jamar@goreachmore.com).
3. Engage a Coach – A structured program that will help you build your business is invaluable. Google “Executive Coaching” for a list of some of the best.
Jamar Cobb-Dennard is the Vice-President of Business Development for Reachmore, which provides leadership coaching for small business and executives. Email Jamar at jamar@goreachmore.com for the latest on Reachmore’s newest seminar, Launch.
