The Only Way to Fail is……..

It’s the last few weeks of the quarter in my sales job.  As of last week I was on target to hit what we call in my business, FAME.  Hitting FAME qualifies me, as a manager, for a bonus.  And, each quarter that you qualify, the bonus is exponential.  And if you hit 4 FAMES and your quota, you can get a very big bonus.

Each quarter counts.  This is the first quarter of the year so it sets the tone for the rest of 2018.  And, not hitting it results in a lot less potential bonus money.

Last year, I was way behind the first quarter because my father passed away in January.  My team had a lot to make up for, but we did it.  We hit FAME quarters 1, 2 and 3.

But in the fourth quarter I missed it.  I had counted on some people that got sick or went away during that time.  In the end, I was $36,000 short.  And missed out on a big bonus.

I learned my lesson.  Don’t count on anything or anyone.  Expect the best, but have back-up plans for the unexpected.  Have a plan B, C and D in place so you are not left in the hole.

This year, I am struggling again.  A big account that we were counting on was postponed until next quarter.   I am creating my back up plans every day.  I am visualizing success and contacting all of my clients.  I am in touch with my agents and plotting out the numbers and where the premium can come from.  I am not letting my thoughts of resignation or dispair take over my brain.  I breathe at night to release the anxiety that keeps me awake.  I go over and over the numbers and see us winning in my mind.

In my workshop over the weekend, we discussed success and failure.  “The only way to fail is to stop playing.”  Focus on the game rather then winning or losing.  OK.  I am playing.  I have not given up.

Another game I play is “weight watching”.  Today at our local WW meeting, Zach, our inspiring leader, did not make it in because of the snow.

When I was walking in, I saw one of the other customers getting into her car.

“There’s no meeting,” she muttered.  She didn’t look happy.

“Come back,” I said.  “We can have our own meeting.  Where two or more are gathered,……….., it’s a meeting.”

We sat down and started talking.  Pretty soon there were five of us.  I got up and stood in front of the room.

We discussed issues that we were having and thought of possible solutions.  The half hour passed quickly.

“What are your closing words?”  Lynn asked.  Zach always has an empower quote at the end of our meetings.

“Hmmmm,”  I thought.  “Let’s see…….You all are fine just as you are.  You don’t need to be fixed.  If you don’t like something about yourself, don’t make it wrong.  Then you will be stuck.  Just choose one different action you could take this week.  And try it.  The only way to fail is to quit.  And you haven’t.  Acknowledge yourselves for just showing up!!!!!”  We gave ourselves a hand.

My daughter had come in during our “meeting.”  She is home on spring break.  She needed to get weighed to maintain her lifetime status.  She was sitting in the back of the room, watching.

“Mom, I’m proud of you,” she said when we left.

“For what?” I asked, distracted while I sipped my coffee.

“For running the meeting.  You didn’t have to do that.”

“It just seemed like the right thing to do.”  I told her about the girl that was going to leave.

“You did a great job.”

“Really?  I didn’t know if I was saying the right stuff.”

“You did.  It was great.  You could be a leader.”

I’ve thought about it.  But I never did anything about it.   Cause I made up that they didn’t make alot of money.

But I love to make a difference for people and inspire them to live their dreams.  So I will think about it.  Because it was fun.  And Haley’s words made me feel good.

And while I could get down on myself because I’m not at the numbers for work that I need yet and I’m not really happy with the number on the scale, I can still feel good if I want to.

I’m boldly playing both games AND, leading from the front.

And that to me,  means  success!!!!!