By John Paschall, President/CEO

Rising Above Mediocrity

I recently heard John Maxwell, motivational speaker and life coach, say, “Our real focus should not be on managing time but on managing ourselves.”  Makes sense.  Time has been moving forward 24 hours a day, seven days a week long before we were here.  So let’s turn our focus this month toward that idea of managing self.

We have often heard that one definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing over and over, but expecting better results.  The fact is, if we keep doing the same thing we have always done, we will keep getting the same (or worse) results we have always gotten.  No, if you and I intend to do something great: build a successful business, loving relationships, a great marriage, positive kids, etc. we have to come to grips with some tough realizations.

Success Comes from Failures

The truth is, you and I will not succeed every time we try something.  In fact, Zig Ziglar says, “Only those who have failed in life, can be the ones who ultimately succeed.”  Who are the failures we are talking about?

         Abraham Lincoln – lost numerous elections, failed in business, and lost his fiancée’, before becoming President of the United States.

         Walt Disney – went bankrupt and had a nervous breakdown before building, “the happiest place on earth” – Disney World, and creating his classic movies.

         Thomas Edison – failed 10,000 times in the effort to create the incandescent light bulb (aren’t we glad he didn’t quit?)

         Babe Ruth – struck out more times that almost any baseball player in history and overcame being an orphan to become arguably, the greatest player in Major League history.

They all understood that by learning from your failures and continuing to try, one can eventually succeed in one’s endeavors.  Fear of failure prevents many people from even trying and thus relegates them to a life of mediocrity.  “What if I fail?” they say.  What if you don’t even try?

Success Requires Change

To achieve anything worthwhile in life requires growth, stretching, and change.  To get an “A” in that tough class, to build a successful business, to achieve lasting relationships – all of these require us to change and to get better.  Sure, I know that change is tough and uncomfortable – but so is unemployment and bankruptcy!  Every day, we are either getting better or worse at what we do and who we are – there really is no status quo.  The question is: Today, am I getting closer to achieving my goals or closer to unemployment and bankruptcy?

What does this mean in practical terms?  John Riggins, CEO of the BBB in Fort Worth, Texas is the man that gave me an opportunity to enter the world of the Better Business Bureau and has taught me most of what I know about this organization.  He has been in the BBB system over 25 years and has incredible knowledge and wisdom as a leader.  He trained me to never go to any meeting or event where I represented the BBB that I did not come back with something of value.   I carry that mission even today.  Every time I leave the office to go to a meeting or event, out of respect for my team that makes it possible for me to be out in the community, I make it a point to not return without a new idea, a new potential partnership, a new business lead…something.  The point is to get better and do better EVERY day.

What does that mean for you in your business?

Be Better Than Mediocre

At this point, you may ask, “Is all of this necessary?  Can’t I just go to work, do my job, and then go home?  Do I need any of this?”  No, you don’t need any of it – you can easily be mediocre without it.  “Mediocre?” you say. (I can hear the emotion in your voice even now.)  “Look, friend, I’m not mediocre, I am the president of my company!” or “Look, I’ve got two college degrees!” or “I have been number 1 in sales for the last two years!”  Well, bully for you!  I still would submit – mediocre, maybe.

You see, real success is not measuring at what you have done in comparison with others.  You might have 10 times their knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources.  Real success is looking at what you have done in comparison with what you are CAPABLE of doing.  Aha!  There is a difference, isn’t there? “To whom much is given, much will be expected.”

What have we been given?

*  We live in the greatest nation in the world – people are lined up by the tens of thousands to get in.

*  We live in the greatest state in America – Texas now consistently ranks as the best state for business.

*  We live, according to Ted Poe, our U.S. Congressional representative, in the energy capital of the United States.

*  We work with some of the brightest, most capable, and most caring people around.  I know this for a fact – I see 11 of them every time I walk through the doors of the BBB.  I work with 30 of them on our Board of Directors.  1800 of them work with us daily as Accredited Businesses.  I meet them every day on the streets and in the businesses of Southeast Texas.

The fact is you and I have everything we need to rise above mediocrity.  

Now the task is to do it – starting today, right now.

Have a great month and keep building your better business!