3 Success Principles That Have Reshaped My Business
Below I am reprinting a letter I received from one of my good friends and online mentors, Jim Gras. I found this letter inspirational and would like to share it. I have known Jim since last year, and during that time he has been a constant inspiration for me, because he is a person who leads primarily by his example. Jim is a full-time marketer who has been in Val Smyth’s inner circle of friends for many years now, and was recently featured in Val’s MIMOnlineMagazine.
3 Success Principles That Have Reshaped My Business
Over the past 15 years I’ve immersed myself in learning. Because my business is marketing, I have attended many and spoken at marketing seminars when I was younger. But I also make plenty of time to read books, attend seminars, and listen to audio programs on personal development as well.
Why?
You should actually work harder on yourself than you do on your business (or job). I first learned that from Jim Rohn, whom some call the father of personal development. Some call him America’s foremost business philosopher. I just call him brilliant. (Jim was one of Tony Robbins’ first mentors, too.)
There are three success principles I’ve learned over the years that I wanted to share with you. I call them my “a-has” because they put my attention on areas I’d never thought of. And following these guidelines has helped me skyrocket my business.
1. You are the average of the five PEOPLE you hang around the most.
When I first heard this quote from Jim, it struck a big nerve in me. Robert Allen says something similar, that your bank account balance is typically the average of the five people you hang around the most. (Yikes!)
I realized I needed to surround myself with people whom I wanted to be like. I still love my old friends, but I make a specific effort to be around people who take risks, think big, and talk about great ideas instead of the latest celebrity gossip, the price of gas, or how much they hate their clients.
What first opened up my circle of influence was attending seminars. I continually go to seminars on marketing, business, and personal development. There are so many great seminars going on every month all around the country, at all price points. You have no excuse not to get out there and meet people who are playing big!
2. Your HABITS create your future (and your fortune).
I like to talk a lot about this. Your daily habits create your long-term results. Your habits today will determine your outcomes tomorrow. If you want to be a millionaire, you’ve got to have millionaire habits. If you want to be a great leader, you must have the habits of a great leader. If you want to get in shape, you’ve got to have the habits of a fit person.
What new habit can YOU put into place right away?
I wanted to put into place a millionaire habit. Because I detest budgets (and enjoy spending), I needed an easy way to save money. So now I have a set percentage of my inflow automatically go into a savings account that I don’t touch.
3. Make sure your ENVIRONMENT supports you in playing big.
A few years ago I had the chance to hear a dynamic woman named Artemis Limpert speak. In her talk, she pointed out that when you have a pet fish that’s sick, you treat the water — NOT the fish.
Your success depends more on your environment than you know, but it’s extremely important that you give yourself an environment that supports you at the level you want to BE at. (Note that I did NOT say the level you are at now!)
There are 3 areas of your environment you should pay close attention to:
First, your physical environment. Do you love your office? Do you have enough space to work and plan? Are you surrounded by attractive things? Do you have a nice view or at least a beautiful piece of art to look at? I paid a pretty penny for my condo, but I can’t tell you how inspiring it is every day to look out at the all the golfers or take a short walk or drive to my peaceful ocean, sailboats, blue sky, and the sand. It fuels me.
But you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your environment. Little touches like candles, flowers, music you love, and photos of friends and family can go a long way. (Even if your office is the kitchen table!)
Second, your emotional environment. Are you getting the support you need from your family and friends? It’s up to YOU to ask for what you need.
If they cannot provide it, find a Mentor or coach, a mastermind, or a support group. I find it wonderful to have our Fast Track mastermind group for support. I can bounce ideas off them, ask for help with problem solving, share my victories, and sometimes just vent!
Third, your intellectual environment. Jim Rohn says, “Are you feeding your brain protein every day, or are you just giving it candy?” Most Americans sustain their brains solely on candy - that is, useless television shows, news, and gossip. Are you stimulating yourself with big ideas and new learning? Again, check out a seminar, take a Veretekk class, or buy some books or audio programs. (I love listening to programs on CD or iPod, so I can learn while taking a walk or driving my car or relaxing on a plane.)
REMEMBER, “THE MORE YOU LEARN THE MORE YOU LEARN”
Remember - 97% of the people marketing today are full of excuses and live their lives thru tragedy and self created disappointment!
Don`t let this be YOU! Make it Count!!!!
Best Regards,
Jim Gras
800-897-6458