I just got back from a speaking engagement in New York City! This wasn’t just any speaking engagement – this was the culmination of 2 years in a program that was all about the “book, the look and the talk”! It was about Mastery.
Most entrepreneurs get into business, get comfortable in their field of expertise and never bother to learn another new thing – either with respect to content or skills. And I know the reason that happens for many people – they really are just totally and absolutely COMFORTABLE!
That doesn’t sit well for me. I have an enormous appetite for learning – always have, always will. In this new economy, it is easy for the customer to shop around and compare. I have no intention of being left in the dust. Clients want to work with people who have success stories – who are fresh, current, leading edge.
I do know that one of the reasons many entrepreneurs stay in their comfort zone is because of F.E.A.R. Let’s examine the steps I took to make major leaps in professional development over the past 2 years! Because if I can do it – so can you.
- RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR ON-GOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Many entrepreneurs feel that they ‘have arrived’ when they make a certain amount of money, or have a certain number of clients, or have ‘x’ number of products to sell. There really is no stopping point in this ‘game of entrepreneurship’. It’s an ever-changing world and we’ve got to stay on top of things. Professional Development needs to be included in your budget each and every year – and you’ve got to keep growing and becoming your best self.
ACTION STEP: Identify an area where you would like to ‘master’ a skill you already have. In my business, I ‘hire to the gaps’ – and work on developing my strengths. What is that for you? For me, it was professional speaking. Get comfortable being uncomfortable ……meaning that, as you work on growing your skills, there will be many times and situations where you will feel uncomfortable. Get over it! Get over yourself! The benefits far outweigh the (temporary) pain, LOL.
- WORK WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST!
Do not ‘cheap out’ here. You deserve to work with the best. Do not let that old self-talk get in the way – you know what I mean – ‘I can’t afford it!” In the world of business, you want to BE among the best. Why take the slow train? World class mentors not only teach you how to get where you want to grow – but, in my opinion, it’s also about who KNOWS you! I just completed a program with a world-class speaker known as the ‘Pitbull of Professional Development’ – a NYT and WSJ best-selling author, a TV personality. And now he knows ME and he knows what I have to offer. That is so worth the price of admission!
ACTION STEP: Seek out the best in the world. Find the way to work with them. Get into a program that offers you exclusive interaction and support from them. A bonus point from all of this is that your clients are paying attention – they know who you are working with. Your credibility will go through the roof. Get comfortable being uncomfortable with this whole prospect.
- DO THE WORK.
I am constantly shocked at the number of entrepreneurs who sign up for something, pay the fees and do not do the work – and do not show up. You’ve got to SHOW UP to become world-class. In any area of professional development, there is work to be done. More money to be spent. You may need to travel extensively. SHOW.UP! And you’ve got to show up when it comes to completing assignments, participating on group calls – through to the final steps in whatever program. Be your best self. Dress your best self. Act like your best self. Always.
ACTION STEP: There are going to be times when life may get in the way of what you’ve committed to. Deal with it. Get comfortable being uncomfortable again. Life is always going to be happening. You might as well learn to deal with it now. Make a commitment to some professional development for the rest of this year – where can you up-level? Do it today!
When I signed up for the Hell Yeah Super Star/Mastery program, and went to the first few training sessions, I thought I would be sick. Seriously! Sick to my stomach. I had become quite comfortable in the way I gave presentations on stage – and to think that I would be in front of 2 world-class coaches, with my presentation stripped down to bare bones – to be built back up again – I was totally UNCOMFORTABLE! There were many times I just didn’t want to show up, or look up, or get up – but I did. EVERY TIME!
I was SOOOOO UNCOMFORTABLE!
Flash forward to now – and I have completed the Mastery Level. And I deliver at the Mastery level. And it was all very much worth it! What are YOU waiting for?
WHEN YOU GROW, YOUR BUSINESS WILL GROW.
WHEN YOU GROW, YOU WILL ATTRACT QUALITY CLIENTS.
WHEN YOU GROW, YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.
WHEN YOU GROW, YOU WILL BE YOUR BEST SELF.
WHAT SKILL WILL YOU UP-LEVEL TO BECOME YOUR BEST SELF?
Please share your thoughts!
