“EdgeUtainment“ E-message
January 2008
Welcome to the world of “EdgeUtainment!” “EdgeUtainment” was created to provide you with the combination of education & entertainment. Now you can access great life changing lessons with comedy, humor, inspiration & motivation, making it usable and unforgettable! So get ready to gain the competitive Edge through “EdgeUtainment!”
Are You Willing To Do What It Takes?
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit’. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”. – Muhammad Ali
As children we all had a dream of what we would be when we grew up. The list included professional athlete, brain surgeon, actor, singer and that’s just to name a few. I, myself, was no different. I dreamed of being a professional basketball player and of one day being in the NBA. Well, for those of you who know me, you probably know that I never achieved that goal. For a long time I justified my failure with numerous excuses. I’m too short, too slow, my coaches didn’t give me a fair chance, etc. Well, now I look back with a different perspective…one that I’ve learned is applicable to anyone working toward greatness in any area of their life…especially in your own business. While I dreamed of being in the NBA and even envisioned myself there, I was missing one key ingredient. Are you curious? A reference point!
I had no reference of what it took to be that successful. Think about it. What was my reference point? All I got to see were the players at their peak enjoying the fruits of their labor, basking in the fame of fortune and living a glamorous lifestyle. I never got to see the struggles, the trials and tribulations, the barriers and odds that had to be overcome. I never saw the long, hard hours of practice and grueling training and, because I was totally unaware of that part, I didn’t understand what it took to be successful. Well, I didn’t let that happen to me twice in my life and that is what I attribute to my success.
Pay close attention because many of you may be falling into this same trap. While it may be nice to see the wealth, lifestyle and happiness that can be achieved and while it is extremely important to visualize yourself there, you must have a clear reference point of what it took to achieve these things. You must start there!!
Every individual who has achieved greatness worked diligently at perfecting their skill. They did not wait until the big game or the big performance to practice. They sacrificed an enormous amount of time, energy, and finances mastering their skills. Day in and day out they kept their focus and they practiced, practiced, practiced!!! How many years of golf lessons and how many golf balls did Tiger Woods hit before he played professionally? How many times did music groups or actors take lessons and rehearse before they were high profile performers? How many years of school and residency did a brain surgeon have to endure before his/her first operation? Do sports teams only play games or do they practice before games? In other words, even the best at their particular craft still practice. So the question is, do you want to achie! ve greatness like the examples above? If the answer is “yes”, then you must practice; you must commit to training and execution of what you learned at those trainings. That is the reference point; that is what it takes…what you will have to do to get your results. Unfortunately, what I see is that most people want the accolades of the commitment, dedication and hard work without ever doing those things. If that is the case, you may as well quit now.
Greatness comes only to those who are courageous enough to face their fears and willing to meet the resistance that is ahead of them. When you workout in the gym, you can only build muscle and strength through the lifting of resistance. If there is no weight, there is no resistance; therefore, no result. While I feel very blessed to have achieved the level of success I have achieved, I also know I did not make it because I was lucky. I practiced every single day; that’s right…24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It was a constant and never-ending commitment and evolution of personal growth. I worked harder on myself than anything else…exactly the way I should have practiced my basketball skills.
I practiced my business presentations, overcoming objections and my closing skills. I read my notes everyday and listened and watched audio and video programs and, most importantly, went to training program after training program after training program. Was it financially a stretch? YES! Did I have to sacrifice other things to make it happen? YES! Was it worth it? Would I do it all over again? YES, YES, YES!!! Finally, when I came back from those seminars, I put those lessons into action. Of course it was uncomfortable and different because it was not my way or what I might say, but I was willing to do what people who had used these exact met! hods had done to achieve their wealth. Believe me, at first it was rough and I made a lot of mistakes, but with practice application and action and by getting out there and just doing it, before long I had it down.
Now, the real question is, are you ready for true greatness or are you going to miss this opportunity like you missed your childhood dream? We can’t change the past, but we certainly can create the future! Don’t look around at everyone else. Step up and lead!! Get passionate about your success and your future. Breathe it, eat it, drink it, sleep it, live it!! Then, and only then, will you be a true champion.
The game is on the line. There are 3 seconds left. You’re behind by 1 point in the NBA championship in the final game for all the marbles. Are you ready? Did you prepare for this moment? The question is, when your time comes, will you be ready?
In the words of Winston Churchill – “To every person there comes that special moment when he is tapped on the shoulder to do a very special thing unique to him. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared for the work that would be his finest hour.”
Practice, Practice, Practice – Apply, Apply, Apply – Action, Action, Action – Results, Results, Results.
Remember when you’re not practicing, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet them, they will win… unless you’ve prepared to be a champion!!!
Live with Zero Doubt!
Gregg Amerman