02/17/2022
Do you want to make a lot of money?
Would you like to have a debt-free, high net worth existence?
Many of our members at Twin Cities Toastmasters are already there. I direct this post to an employee who is wondering why he hasn’t been recognized as valuable to the company. Or, it could apply to the business owner who isn’t quite where he wants to be.
I understand.
In the past I’ve been stuck, so to speak, as an employee and as a business owner. What held me back? Probably the same things that could be holding you back right now.
You see, too many people are either too lazy to work or don’t want to do complicated, difficult things for extended periods of time.
Others are mired in negative belief systems that show up as fear. Fear of what others will think of them. Fear of criticism. Fear of looking foolish.
Sometimes negative beliefs show up as guilt. Guilt over making money. Guilt over asking people to pay you money. Guilt of doing better than your peers, friends, and parents. And then, some people simply lack confidence; as in, “Sure, others can do it but I can’t because …..”
A big ego can hold you back, too. For instance, a consultant who says, “I have a degree so I shouldn’t have to do marketing.” Or, “I shouldn't have to sell people on why they have to do this.” These big-headed people see selling as dirty, dishonest work that is beneath them.
Then on the other hand, there could be a lack of sincere ambition and a lack of clarity in your goals and what you want.
People manage to shoot themselves with different bullets. Hanging out with broke people who say the system is against you and there’s no use in trying to better yourself is not the way to succeed.
If you want to change all this you have to surround yourself with ambitious, driven, successful people. Do you have a friend, boss, co-worker, or even a competitor who is successful?
Most people are willing to talk with you and share their success if you are someone trying to better your business or your position within a company.
If they ask you, “Why are you interested?” All you have to say is “I think you have been successful and I want to learn. I want to have a more profitable business.” Or, “I want to be a more valuable employee. Or, I want to be a better speaker.”
If you don’t have any of these mentors or role models available to you, there are other ways to learn. Twin Cities Toastmasters is one place where you can learn to a successful.
You have to dump those negative beliefs. Just like I had to do when I left a “secure” corporate job to go in business for myself. People in the corporate world just rolled their eyes when I said I was starting a consulting firm to serve the timber business.
So, if you’re an owner of a small, growing company going to a seminar on how to market your business or how to negotiate a contract or if you join your local Toastmasters club, like Twin Citites Toastmasters, you might get a lot of funny looks.
The same is true if you’re working for someone else. Most of those looks will be behind your back because those people are the very ones who lack courage and are going nowhere. And they have many of those negative beliefs I mentioned earlier.
The point is to learn and absorb. Then act.
While the naysayers are wasting their time watching Netflix, getting lost on the Internet, and engaging in other garbage distractions, by joining Twin Cities Toastmasters, you’ll be doing something positive to improve yourself. As a result, you’ll eventually see an improvement in your income, a debt-free existence, and a better lifestyle for you and your family.
What’s holding you back?
Vic Hemard, ACS, ALB
V-P Public Relations
Twin Cities Toastmasters
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