Adjust Your Sails Quote

Adjust Your Sails Quote

What River Flows Through Your Life?

There is a river that divides our country, and it’s not the mighty Mississippi. It’s the river of DeNial and it has the power to keep us from moving forward. Many of us continue to hold onto the set of beliefs that once brought success. But given today’s economy, those same beliefs may now cause us to miss the truth, and prevent us from achieving our goals.

To name a few examples, people floating along the DeNial River mistakenly believe that

• Our economy is the same as the economy of our parents and grandparents;
• Our present society has the same norms and values it once had;
• Existing legislation and regulations will guide our institutions, governments and regulatory bodies to overcome today’s challenges and opportunities;
• We can manage our personal investments the same as we have always done in past years; and
• We can succeed by simply running our businesses the same as past years.

Once we acknowledge that the DeNial is the second biggest river in America…we are then in position to move in a more positive direction. I am reminded of the quote attributed to James A. Garfield “the truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”

Each of us has to realize that we live in a changing world…and that we have a responsibility to change in order to align with it. 

There have been countless books written on the importance of adjusting our mental roadmaps to be in alignment with the physical realities of our present day society. A few of my favorites are; Our Iceberg is Melting, The World is Flat, and Who Moved My Cheese. All of these books point to the fact that our world as we know it…has changed. Those who adjust to this change will survive. Those who leverage this change will thrive. Those who fail to acknowledge this change will float away on the DeNial River.

What can each of us do to leverage this change to our advantage?

First, look around you and ask yourself this question. How have the changes over the last 12 months affected me personally? This “personal inventory of change” will awaken your thinking and make you realize that not only you…but every person in your sphere of family, friends and colleagues has been impacted in some way. We realize all of you have already experienced, to a degree, this reality check…but we are asking you to examine this in more detail and look for the “not so obvious” implications of all this change.

Second, with the reality of the above…you are now in a position to seek opportunities inside the present social/economic climate. Ask yourself, am I headed in the right direction, with the right people, the right associates, the right suppliers? Acknowledging change, examining the personal implications to you or your company, and mentally exploring the alternatives are foundational to moving forward in an altered direction. Mind you, we are saying altered direction…we are not advocating for letting go with both hands to get a better grip.

Although there is much that is right about our society, country, government, businesses and our personal lives, the present day climate dictates that we adapt. Those who make modifications will be the real beneficiaries for years to come. Some may ask, why use the word beneficiaries? Doesn’t that word imply somebody has died in order for others to benefit? Exactly! We are now living in a new generation and those who acknowledge the passing of the last societal/economic generation will be in a position to be true beneficiaries of change.

Third, align with other people and organizations that have placed themselves in the natural flow of our new economic climate. Aligning with others who are paddling like crazy against today’s current is going to wear you out in a hurry. Conversely, aligning with people, companies and organizations that have adjusted to this new mainstream will expedite your success and ensure that you or your company reaches its full potential.

Fourth, with your DeNial blinders off…you are now in position to see the opportunities that exist around you — albeit they may look different and may even have a new set of metrics, norms and values that measure levels of success. For instance, society, families and companies may place an equal or greater emphasis on maintaining a secure financial position, than securing personal possessions and driving business growth for growth sake. Economic disruption has placed a higher emphasis on having financial reserves to weather storms. More today than ever, life and business are not a constant, inclined upward path to infinite success.

And finally, we suggest that you look at new methods, applications, markets, and ways to achieve success. This time period demands that individuals, organizations and companies take their games to a different level. Expecting the same results by utilizing the same methods is a recipe for extreme angst, stress and fatigue. Acknowledging change, seeking new opportunities, and leveraging your strengths inside these new opportunities, will make you and your company a true beneficiary of this new generation.

Living on the DeNial River will render you powerless. But addressing present day reality and seeing to it that you make the most of the opportunities that exist inside this ever-changing economy will benefit you for years to come. In the words of Harry S. Dent it is time for you to “reset your sails” so you can take advantage of the winds of change and navigate the largest river in America….the River of Accountability.

About the Author

Mike LeMaster is the president and Founder of Revenue Advisors, LLC and Sales Coaches International, LLC. His companies work with clients to realize greater revenue results by merging market driven innovation with traditional means of generating revenue. For further information visit www.revenue-advisors.com, or contact Mike at 630-552-0747 or at ml@revenue-advisors.com.

Is there any inspiring quote or stories to share?

Just wondering if any of you got any inspiring quote or stories to share regarding success, life and stuff? Maybe you could intepret the way you understands the quote.

To get things rolling, I share with you all one which inspires me.

“The Pessimist complains about the wind; The Optimist expects it to change; The Realist adjusts the sails” – William Arthur Ward

My intepretation of the quote – ~Though sometimes things will happen that you did not plan for, that you did not cause, that you did not anticipate. But you can fight against them and adjust to them and continue on your way. For everything that can bring you down, there’s a positive response that will lift you above it. The challenge of successful living is to find that empowering response, and steadily follow it toward where you want to be! ~

This always picks me up :
Yesterday is History, Today is Reality and Tomorrow is a Possibility!’

Its a simple phrase, but when you think about it- yesterday iS HISTORY– there is NOTHING you can do to change whats done. After you finish ranting and raving -Let go. Also let go of your regrets and anger. Do not live in the past.

Today IS REALITY- there is a lot you can do now, THIS is within your control. So do something meaningful with your today!

Tomorrow is a POSSIBILITY – Never say things are impossible. Anything can STILL happen tomorrow especially if you have worked on your ‘today’:)