My Commitment to Success

From the books I read eg Built to Last, One minute Millionaire, to attending seminars of great mentors such as Robert Kiyosaki, T. Harv Eker, Blair Singer.. and learning from successful entrepreneurs, I have learnt that the basic principles to success is creating successful habits such as being punctual, keeping small agreements and being focused can help one to be successful in whatever they have set themselves to achieve.

I have always committed myself in my business as the first priority in my life. I make sure that I keep my words to the smallest agreements I made especially to my team and my clients. Being in sales for 15 years, I believe I have built a reputation within my team and my clients that I will always be there for them whenever they need me and hence, bringing in sales has been effortless especially with my existing clients as the trust they have in me have made that possible. I am always committed to be early to all my Agency meetings or appointments and will always be prepared even to the smallest presentations I ever have to make. I am grateful and thankful for the successful friends I have around me that has been an inspiration to be what I am today.

But lately, I began questioning myself for the team I am surrounded with. What's wrong with people these days? Everyone wants success but yet so many are struggling to even make RM2000 per month income with their low commitment to success and yet they wonder why when all they need to do is just do the basic principles to success. Seriously, how can one be getting what they want when they can't commit themselves to give priority to the things that can give them the cash that they want??? When there's a meeting, team members seem to take turns not to be in meetings or turn up late in appointments and every reason given for not turning up and late seems to be so insignificant. Yesterday night, one of my agents called me to let me know that she can't come for this tuesday meeting for some function that has nothing to do with her business and yet, this is one of the agents who complains to me that she has not enough monthly income to support her expenses.

 My commitment to my business is that, I'll always be ready to do whatever it takes to be successful. One of the things I committed is that whenever company have any grand functions I will make sure I'll be there as I know that whatever company has prepared, it is to help us to be more successful and so far, none of the grand functions I have attended have failed me. I remember beginning this year, company had an annual function in Hatyai, Thailand. I was 3 months pregnant and on the day before going to Hatyai, I realize I was bleeding and quickly visited my Gynae. My doctor advise me not to go as I was going through a miscarriage and flying to Hatyai is a very very bad idea. Due to my commitment, I asked my doctor if there's anything I can do to prevent the miscarriage as I will still go no matter what. Doctor shook his head and prescribed me some medicine and warned me not to move about so much and be ready to be hospitalised if needed. I went and thank God, even though i was still bleeding when I was there, the miscarriage occurred only when I came back. I know this is dangerous but I also know that  I am very committed to becoming successful. One should do whatever it takes to be successful. Every reasons given for not being successful can also be reasons why they have to be successful.

This morning, something strike me!!! There's nothing wrong with some of my team members. If my people are not doing well, it's my fault!!! They made me realized that I have not been very committed to business and the results I have aimed to achieved. What happened to my commitment to help others to achieve their goals? Who am I to tell them to be committed to their results when I have not been doing so. If I am the only one who has been making the money in my team, isn't it my responsibility to help the rest to do so? If the current team members are not committed, isn't it my responsibility to bring in new members who are committed? What happened to some of the things I have been sharing to others that I have not been practicing? I have learnt over the years that there are things that is within my control vs things that are not within my control eg if it rains, I can't control the weather but if I still need to make appointments to see my clients, I can control by using an umbrella to avoid the rain. I can't control the behaviours of my team members but what I can control is bringing in more committed new members.

Today's new goal is bring in 10 new committed member into my team before September 2011 and I will do whatever it takes to do so. I am grateful and thankful of the learning I gain from these people. I am also grateful and thankful as I will bring in more successes this year....

Do you know what happened after the Tortoise won the Rabbit in the race?

Have you heard of the story of The Tortoise and The Rabbit? They story ended with tortoise winning the race as the rabbit slept in the middle of the race because the rabbit was over confident of winning the race. The morale of the story was not to be over confident and take things for granted even when you are very good at what you do. Always be prepared to be on your toes in whatever you do in a race if you objective is to win the game. That was the first part of the story I heard when I was a child. 

Few years back, I learnt that there were four parts of the story. The classic was just the first part where the tortoise won the race. After the tortoise won the race, it got the rabbit thinking hard. Rabbit started to review back his doings and realized that his biggest mistake was being overconfident and slept in the middle of the race. After much thinking, the rabbit decided to change himself and went asking the tortoise for the next race. Tortoise agreed and the went for another race. This round, the rabbit didn't sleep in the middle of the race and rabbit won the race. The morale of the story : If you are able to learn from your mistake and change for good, you can still win the race.

After losing the 2nd race, the tortoise went back and started reviewing the race. He thoughts for many days and knowing he can never outrun the rabbit, he have to think of other ways to win the race. Finally an idea struck him and he went looking for the rabbit for another race. The tortoise challenged the rabbit for another race with the condition that he gets to set the route of the race. Being confident as usual, the rabbit agreed to the race. When the race started, the rabbit ran as fast as he can and didn't stop for any rest. After awhile, he stopped. There was a river and the rabbit couldn't swim. As the rabbit is thinking all ways to cross the river, the tortoise cam slow and steady; swam over the river and won the race. The morale of the story, no matter how disadvantage in a situation you are in, as long as you are willing to think and strategize, you will also win the race.

After sometime, the rabbit and tortoise kind of became very close friends and they decided to have one more race. This time, they decided to collaborate. Using the same route, the rabbit carried the tortoise with his fastest speed and ran until they came to the river and then, the tortoise carried the rabbit across the river and they both finish the race at the fastest speed they have never thought of. The morale of the story, if you can collaborate and have great team work, you will be able to win big in your race. 

Today I felt very happy. I finally saw my team coming together after obstacles and challenges I faced and somehow, reminded of this story. I can feel the essence of my team members and with the teamwork they are showing now, I believe we will win big. I thank you Universe for the blessings...