Want it fast? Want to be turning profits quickly and gaining momentum each month?
Then you want to pay careful attention to who you listen to for business advice. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received is:
Who do you listen to? You listen to people who have physically done it. That have it, kept it and are expanding it.
Brilliant when you think about it. Let me give you some examples for clarity and then some steps:
Taking financial advice from a broke financial planner.
Listening to your family member who has been married three times about relationships.
Hiring an overweight dietitian to meal plan for you.
Now these might seem really easy to spot but you would be amazed if you sat and asked yourself this one simple question:
Who am I listening to right now about money and business that does not have – physically have – what I desire?
Now education is important – street cred is critical. Have you ever met someone who was really good in school and broke in their personal life? Have you ever met someone with a Grade 8 education that was a billionaire? I have. The best part about it is that they are all family. So I have been blessed with growing up and watching both ends of the extremes.
My mom’s family was dirt poor, and they had 13 kids. I think only three graduated from high school and that happened way after the fact through night school. My dad’s family was not extremely wealthy but lots of University Degrees floating around that gene pool.
Here is what is fascinating about that. We had a family reunion one year that invited both sides. My mom’s side and my dad’s side. The “poor kids” showed up with the fancy motorhomes, Hummers, Harley’s. Bags of extra food to share, things for the 300 kids that were running around like rampant street gangs with chocolate smeared everywhere – it was fun. There was an energy to them, they were vibrant, laughing and full of life.
The “educated kids” showed up in 70’s RV’s with the bumper stickers worn off, old vehicles and some came with no food, hoping that someone would feed them and their kids. They all spent their time in the hall playing Dungeons and Dragons.
So based on what people “had” I spent the weekend picking brains. The wealthy were all business owners, so my question was – “What are the top three things that you do that make you profit?” I then shut up and wrote everything down that they said. I asked questions if something wasn’t clear and made sure I had easy action steps. Then I implemented. Then I collected data on what was implemented. Then I revised and tweaked.
I would like to point out that none of them own health and wellness centres and none of them were therapists. But what they did have was brilliant business formulas that could be applied to any business, so I listened to them.
So what do you do when you do not have family available that have what you desire? You ask questions of successful business owners to see where they are at, what they have actually accomplished and then you approach them for counsel.
Here is how my conversation goes:
“Hi, it’s Tracy Blehm from Lasya Healing Centre. I just love what you have done with your company and I was wondering if I could have some of your time to ask you about how you did it? I know that it was hard work and that your time and knowledge are valuable. Can I buy you lunch, ask you these 3 questions – insert your list of questions here – or can I pay you for an hour of your time?”
If it is lunch – let them pick the date, time and place. Be early. Bring a notepad and pen. Do not go past the one hour mark, stick to those questions. Ask clarification questions but DO NOT add a bunch more. Listen. Thank them immensely from your heart and follow up with a card – mailed and handwritten to show even more appreciation.
This is a surefire way to have them meet with you again, share even more, recommend you and refer to you as they see – physically – that you are a go getter.
So have fun. Ask questions and be careful who you listen to so that fast easy business success is yours!
