View from the Summit

There is no question; the number one challenge to your success is doubt. More often than not I hear, “I’m afraid of this or that”. You can fill in the blank. There could be a litany of reasons that you are fearful and for the sake of time, let’s agree that fear is real. If you predict a certain outcome and the results appear less than desirable, we instantly become anxious. I understand this feeling well and have dealt with the repercussions of anxiety many times in my personal and business life. As I grow in maturity, I’ve discovered that the majority of my fears never materialize. When I logically think through the potential downside, it historically doesn't end up as bad as the picture I conjured up in the beginning.

This morning early, just after Starbucks opened, I was standing in line waiting to order my plain black, tall coffee. There was a lady two people ahead of me in line that was getting on my last nerve. She was asking a million and one questions. I was in a little bit of a hurry, and I didn’t want to spend the whole day in line. She was asking, “what is the difference between this and that”. I’m like, seriously? It’s a cup of coffee; you’re not going to be making mortgage payments here. I’m not sure about my mood, except I’m an off the chart “D” personality on the DISC profile. Well, I needed to get a grip on my attitude.

Thank goodness, now the line is moving… When the next guy made his order, food and all, I thought, can you not eat breakfast at home?!  It sounds like I need a venti double espresso fast, or maybe not.

Before I kill somebody,

I need to do something nice,

and I need to do it fast. 

Having laser focus as an entrepreneur often is a difficult task. What do you do when all appears foggy? Are there times in your business or personal life that you simply need a lighthouse? When a decision is needed, and all you hear are crickets, where do you turn?

I have been faced so many times over the course of my career with multiple options, but no clarity. Many times a wrong decision could cost thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. More damaging than the loss of profit or savings would be choosing the wrong person and ruining a relationship forever.

When you come to the fork in the road, do you analyze the pros and cons of your selected destination? I find more often than not a sense of self-preservation and personal interest have an enormous impact on our choice. Human beings, in general, are self-serving. If you will inventory your motives, and ask tough questions, you might turn right when you were headed left.