They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results. I would like to extend that definition to business owners: The definition of insanity is doing the same things, expecting excellent results and being frustrated when you are still operating in a state of mediocrity.
I have an example of a woman who wanted excellence, a business makeover (if you will), and to achieve this excellence she decided to do things differently, and now it is paying for itself with dividends that are both rich in experience and her bottom line.
Her name is Ana Maria Sanchez. (Note/Disclaimer: Ana Maria attended Bestseller in a Weekend in April 2011. She also attended my extended program, Bestseller Business Blueprint, and now is a member of my Bestseller Profit Mastermind. I might be a wee bit biased, but I’m so proud of her!)
Biased or not – the proof is in the pudding! Since launching her book on September 28, 2011 and becoming a bestseller on Amazon, Ana Maria’s entire business shifted. The following has occurred since publishing her book:
- Interviewed on Local Cable TV (in San Jose and other bay area locals)
- Increased visibility attracting more TV producers and event planners attention (increased inquires and bookings)
- Signings and presentations at book stores including Barnes and Noble, East West Bookstore and Moonfrye (Holistic/Spiritual bookstores in SF Bay area)
- Booked for a broadcast Channel 2 Interview
- Classes fill up quicker and programs are selling out.
If you are looking for a business makeover, I suggest the following:
- Visualize the person you want to be. What does he/she look like? Sound like? What is she wearing, doing, saying? Write it down and set the intention to be that person.
- Align yourself with people you want to be like (or who can get you there). We are the average of the 5 people we hang out with. If you want to be a speaker, connect with speakers. If you want to be a bestselling author, hang out with other bestsellers. If you want to have a 6-figure business, connect with those people. You net worth is your network. Even paying to be around these type of people is well worth it. Hiring mentors with a significant following and network is a wise investment.
- Act. Use the principles you discover from your new network or mentors and act. Find the resources to write your book, or start that business, or travel around the world. You have the same amount of hours in the day as the Oprah, Bill Gates, and x [add your ideal mentor here], so there are no excuses in creating the ideal life you want.
- Timeline. When do you want to be that person? When will you contact that mentor to work with them? When will you act? A goal is a dream with a deadline. Nothing happens without scheduling in. So take your dreams and schedule them on your 12 month wall calendar.
If we are not always changing, we are not growing. Stretch yourself more in 2012. Leave the before and chase the after.
