Dennis Moseley-Williams

In business and in life, we go from feelings of being bored to feelings of being overwhelmed. As an Advisor, you dislike both. There are times when you feel you have called everyone, the portfolios are all fine and you are at a loss as to where your next ticket or new client will come from.  Then one day, it all changes.

Your phone starts to ring, you have a few issues to deal with, portfolio reviews, appointments, a compliance issue and next thing you know, you can’t figure out how you will get it all done. You have gone through this cycle countless times and you know you will work your way out but is there a better way? The short answer is yes!

When we imagine (perceive) that we are overwhelmed by outside events (the tough choices, situations, ways to make money, dealing with the rude big client, etc.,) it is an illusion because the brain does not function that way. Only a thought repeated and believed can produce a feeling of overwhelm. In a simple life in which you only do what’s in front of you, there can be no overwhelm ever!

That is the life that is yours to create. It never just arrives. It must be created. The next time you feel that overwhelmed feeling, write down all of the things you have to do or that are on your mind. Prioritize the list. Then just do the most important item on that list until its fully completed.  Check it off and feel the joy and the relief. Then move on to the next item.

That is the non-linear time management technique that is best. The one that destroys the feeling of overwhelm. The one that creates the life we want and can enjoy. By staying in the moment. In action. Not the distorted future created by our minds.

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” - Mark Twain (1835-1910)

One of the few shows I watch is Dancing With The Stars.  My hat goes off to the stars that put fear aside to dance with professionals in front of a live audience and millions of viewers. They talk about how the experience was one of the most gratifying in their lives because they were out of their comfort zone. They struggled but they grew. On Monday’s show, one of the judges told a contestant to stop being a pretender and start being a contender. “Man up” he told the person. That was a powerful statement and made me reflect on my own life.

I could think of times when whether it was as an Advisor, Manager or even a husband that I was just going through the motions. I took the attitude that it was “good enough”.  I told myself I was “all in”, but I knew I wasn’t. Sure it was better than most but not to my potential. Like going to the gym and seeing the wallflowers that are socializers. They spend two hours talking rather than lifting weights or breaking a sweat. I am sure you see it as well in your office. These are the complainers and the victims.

I realize that if I have committed then I have to contend. Jack LaLane said that every time he hit the gym he trained as if he was preparing for the Olympics. He died at 96. Walter Chrysler once stated the key to success was enthusiasm. He later corrected his statement and said that more than enthusiasm is excitement.  Excitement is contagious.

From this day forward, get excited about everything that you do. Do a little extra because I am convinced that doing a little extra each day will reap huge rewards over the long run. Perform and live up to your potential. Let’s stop pretending and start contending. Take pride in the things you do. It’s all about attitude and effort: not about time. Play like a champion today. Then, do it every day thereafter!