I don’t get it. I really don’t get it. Why do some of you get with it and most of you just sit on your hands? Is change really that hard? I’ve been where you are and I know the challenges you face every day, but for the life of me I don’t know what you are afraid of.
Are you somehow convinced that the old fashioned way will make a comeback and you want to be ready for it? (Like some of those ugly ties in your closet.) Are you afraid if you implement change that some of your old cronies will quit? Is it the fear of rejection by those who have been with you for so long? Do you think if you make changes that your business will be worse than it is now?
I’ve tried my best to run all kinds of scenarios through my mind as to why you won’t do what’s necessary to improve your business and I’ll be darned if I can figure it out. I realize what you see every day and what I see as an outsider are two different things, but the part I also get to see, that you don’t, is there are people doing it every day. They are getting with it, making changes and making things happen.
I believe the core of your problem is your “mental anchor.” You have a “mental anchor” of FEAR.
The FEAR Anchor:
- If I change I will be in a situation I’m uncomfortable with thus feeling a sense of inadequacy.
- If I change I’m setting myself up for failure.
- If I change I give up my core beliefs.
- If I make changes others will think I’m creating an unstable environment.
- If I change I will create more problems than I will fix.
- If I change I’m creating unnecessary pain and aggravation for myself.
How do you free yourself from this “mental anchor” and move forward?
- You have to become a believer in yourself and your God given talent to make it happen.
- Become confident by doing as much research as possible but on the other hand don’t over analyze things. Talk to others who have made successful changes. Listen and learn.
- Create your game plan.
- Develop “buy in” from your key players before you launch your plan. The more you can make them think it’s their idea the greater your chances for success.
- Set Target Goals.
- Once “buy in” is created then you have to set up accountability standards to ensure the team is moving forward on the plan and accomplishing the target goals.
- Don’t let minor setbacks throw you off. Be flexible with your plan and keep pushing forward.
Fear is not a bad thing, but when you let fear become the anchor to your progress it carries a heavy weight that will eventually sink you. So cut the line to the “mental anchor” and sail away to the best year you’ve ever had in the car business. Thanks all I’m gonna say. Tommy Gibbs
Ok, I lied that’s not all I’m gonna say. I went to the gym this morning after writing the first part of this. My gym is located right beside a marina. As I was running on the treadmill (ok, lied again, I was walking) I was looking out the window watching a duck swim around. Suddenly he swam towards the dock, looked up, flapped his wings and attempted to get up on the dock. His attempt was not successful and he fell back in the water. He then swam around in a circle, approached another part of the dock, attempted to fly on it and again fell back into the water. I watched him do this 10 times before he ever made it on to the dock, each time attacking a different part of the dock. Once on the dock he stood up very straight and poked his chest out and just stood there as if to say “see me, I can do it, I’m not a quitter, I keep trying until I figure it out” So, you can be a duck or a cluck. The choice is yours.
Tommy’s Tips:
Cut the “mental fear anchor” loose.
- Believe in yourself and develop game plan.
- Don’t give up, keep trying, you can do it!