I have written a lot about habits, routines, and plans – they are powerful! One of the struggles I have had in the past is two-fold. First, I have struggled to stay the course when life changes and thus my routine changes, not by my choice. Second, when a routine is stale and needs to be refreshed, I hold on too long and burn it out before I notice I need a refresh and change my routine proactively. These are areas I am working on...I know I am not unique in this area.
Change is an inevitable part of life. Transitons commonly lead to pitfalls, letting go of good habits. The routines that once served us well might start to slip away as we navigate through unfamiliar territory and shifting seasons. I have learned some strategies over time to help me correct course and adhere to the routines that serve me well…I am NOT perfect at it but I thought I would share what has been helpful to me. Embrace Flexibility, when life throws curveballs, rigid adherence to routines can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, practice flexibility in your habits. If your usual morning workout routine becomes unfeasible due to a new schedule, consider an evening workout or a shorter routine. Adapting your habits to fit your new circumstances will make them more sustainable. Know your "Why,” remind yourself why you started a particular habit in the first place. Whether it's maintaining a healthy diet or dedicating time to a creative pursuit, reconnecting with your motivations can reignite your commitment. Your "why" provides a strong foundation to weather the storms of change. Set Realistic Goals, during times of transition, your time and energy might be stretched thin. Set realistic goals that you can accomplish. If you can't dedicate an hour to reading every day, aim for 15 minutes. Small, achievable steps maintain momentum and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Create Anchor Habits or Stacking Habits, I do this all the time! A simple example is putting my collagen next to my coffee each morning, so I don’t forget or making sure I am meeting a friend to work out, so I don’t bail. Anchor & Stacking habits provide stability and a sense of control. Seek Accountability, inform a friend or family member about your desire to maintain certain habits, or heck, even hire someone to hold you accountable (I have done this plenty). Accountability partners can remind you of your commitments, especially when change makes it tempting to veer off course. Practice Self-Compassion, remember, you're only human. Instead of beating yourself up when you fall short, practice self-compassion. It’s not if you fail, its how you handle yourself after…I just wrote a blog on that not long-ago HERE. Stay Patient and stick with it, establishing new routines amid transitions requires patience. Understand that it's okay to take things one step at a time. Consistency is key, and even small efforts add up over time. If you want to learn more about staying consistent with your Habits, one of my favorite books is Atomic Habits by James Clear, it’s on Amazon HERE. Embrace the fluidity of life! B.
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I have been through a lot of sales training in my 23 years in insurance. When I first started out working for an agency, I cold called (it was awful)...I was just 20 and the rejection at that age was tough for me. At the same agency I ran telemarketing teams to get warm leads transferred to me, I worked leads that were purchased as well. I’ve seen endless scripts; I’ve learned lots of tactics. NONE were a good fit for me. In fact, it would have gathered that I was not good at sales if my measuring stick was comparing my outcomes to how effectively I used the scripts and sales tactics. It was not authentic to me - it's not 'my how.'
When I ventured out on my own in 2010, I used none of what I learned. My opinion is that most sales training is antiquated and geared to sales hunters. I also believe that the best salesperson….is not a salesperson! You see, people now are savvy to sales…the moment they sense they are being sold to, they are gone. I get it, me too! I believe there are two kinds of salespeople, farmers and hunters. Most sales training is geared to hunters, and if you are a farmer, it’s easy to think you are not great at sales and often you are encouraged to go into service rather than sales. I am a sales farmer. I build and leverage relationships, real ones, not relationships where I have an ulterior motivation. I want to bring value, I want to be your advocate, I look at my profession as a helping profession. I build trust and authentic relationships – and business comes because of that. It may be a slower build, but it is SO rewarding. It also builds a culture of amazing clients…culture is more than just your team; it extends to the clients you attract and retain as well. Sales farmers are relational, not transactional. At Aspire, we are farmers… If you are a farmer, don’t let anyone tell you that sales is not for you, and we have room at our table for you! B. In a world that often glorifies individual achievements and entrepreneurial triumphs, it's easy to buy into the notion of "self-made" success. I mean, it sounds sexy and certainly feeds the ego.
I have been getting a fair amount of attention after being on the cover of Rough Notes Magazine, many of the comments from others are around the success I have seen thus far. It’s true, I started from nothing and have worked hard to build over the last 13 years. However hard I have worked; I would not be where I am now without some very impactful people along the way. My husband, Adam, is the Integrator to my hyper Visionary self, without his strong sense for numbers and organization around finances, our picture would look different. Adam adds a counterbalance to me that I need which allows me to cultivate my God given strengths. My parents have been an integral part helping with our kids, it has allowed us to focus without fretting or clock watching. We would not be where we are now if it was not for their unwavering support. Three women who have been wildly impactful for me while I learned the ropes of insurance over the last 23 years – Sue Schneider, Laural Haessly & Suzie Higgins-Donovan. They poured into me and I soaked it up like a sponge. When I started the agency, I had SO many people advocate and pull for me, starting with Matt Amack. I have mentors and friends who encourage, challenge, and hold me accountable, like Carey Wallace, Chris Paradiso, Michelle O’Connor, Dawnyel Smink….and so many more! This isn’t supposed to be a ‘thank you’ blog to impactful people in my life…my point is this… Behind every success story lies a network of individuals, mentors, friends, and family members who have contributed to the journey. These individuals provide emotional support, guidance, and often the resources necessary for someone to pursue their dreams. The myth of self-made success fails to acknowledge the countless individuals who offer a helping hand, provide advice, and create an environment conducive to growth. A successful individual is most often the product of a community that nurtures, challenges, and empowers them to reach their potential. While personal determination, hard work, and resilience are undoubtedly crucial components of achieving success, the idea of being entirely self-made is a fallacy. Let's embrace the truth that success is a collaborative endeavor, reminding us of the power of connection and the importance of uplifting those around us. B. A few months ago, I ended up on the phone with this financial advisor whom I had been introduced to because he had an idea to share. He spent no time asking me any questions but spent quite a bit of time sharing his accomplishments and offering me unsolicited advice, although he had no context for the advice…he does not know anything about me. To be honest, he spoke down to me.
Frankly, it was a rather stunning exchange (of course on zoom), I chose to just listen and try to contain some shock I was feeling internally from showing on my face…no really, it was to that extent. At the end of the zoom, we cordially ended, and his last words were “Let’s go make more money.” In this 15 minutes, I learned SO much and I wanted to share my 2 main take aways.
I was thankful after I was off this call, not just because the call was done…but the reflection afterword was powerful. I chose NOT to treat someone in a disrespectful manner that I was treated in, I held myself to a higher standard and I also chose not to be offended, that would have been a waste of energy. Additionally, my why has nothing to do with money, I tell my team all the time, we just need to make the next right choice and the money will be there – that has proven to be true. Much Love, B |
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