When I mentor a client, they always start out saying they are finally ready to play big and build a wildly profitable business.Then, we get to the place where they are required to take risks. Opportunity x lands right in their lap. And what often happens is — while they find x exciting — they get uncomfortable and start to shrink back. “I can’t spend that kind of money on x,” they say. Or, “I’m not ready for x yet.” Or “x is too big for little old me! Why don’t we start with y or z first?” Or, “x sound great, but let’s save it for next year.”
When we are born, we first crawl, then walk. In school, we go to grade one, grade two, grade three, and so forth. In college, we become freshmen, sophomores, juniors then seniors. In the working world, we start out as assistants and then we move up to managerial roles.
The problem is, this “grade school” way of thinking stays with us for life. And those of us who muster up the nerve to start a business don’t realize that when it comes to accumulating huge profits, this ladder-type thinking will defeat you. It feels safer, but in the end, it will get you nowhere.
What you need to do instead is leap. Leap over previous boundaries. Leap over your competition. Leap over everything! Big gains come from leaping — not ladder climbing. This will take some adjustment to your thinking.
To help my clients start thinking bigger, I recommend they read autobiographies and biographies of big-thinking entrepreneurs like Sir Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, and Bill Gates. One of my favorite stories is in Richard’s autobiography, Losing My Virginity, in which he shares how he started Virgin Airlines. He sold seats without knowing how he was going to get a plane. If that doesn’t inspire you, what will?
You’ll find that when these people came across big opportunities, they were in line with their mission, and they didn’t shy away. They jumped in all the way — even when the resources they needed to do so weren’t apparent yet.
Did you get that last part? They said yes even when they weren’t sure how they’d do it, where they’d get the money, or who could help them. And they found — sure enough as you will too — that when a big opportunity presents itself and you step up and say “yes”, and if you truly believe in your heart that this goal is yours, suddenly the universe seems to rearrange itself to help you.
And here’s the good news. You typically don’t have to go looking for these opportunities. They are usually right in front of you, or will soon drop in your lap. Once you declare you are ready, your awareness is heightened, a shift occurs, and you will suddenly see the path to all that you and your business can be.
So make the call, mail the letter, place the ad, invest in training, hire that person, and make that big move. The universe and all your rewards are waiting in 2011… if you’re ready for them.
© 2010 Ali International, LLC
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