"7 Days of Power Earning with Sophisticated Woman and Mama": Day Five

"Get in the Game"

There are two games in life: Playing to Win and Playing NOT to lose. Most people are playing the latter. Playing NOT to lose is about avoidance. We're so afraid of taking risks, failing and looking foolish that we never position ourselves to win. You simply can't succeed if your chief intention is to play it safe.

Here are some suggestions for getting in the game:

1) Jump In. Set an intention and become ruthless about reaching your goal. If you want to make $50K next year, don't accept an offer for a job paying $35K. Be willing to stick to your guns and keep looking---OR if you're considering the $35K job be willing to make up the difference with a part-time job, or make sure the position pays a commission.

2) Be Persistent. Whatever it takes, on a daily basis move your money agenda forward. This includes making sales calls, networking, speaking, blogging, getting involved with company or community groups. All of your efforts should be tied to a profit mentality---gaining skills or contacts that can make you more money. Most important, don't make excuses why you can't regularly take steps toward your money goal.

3) Create Opportunities for Yourself. Follow through on chance occurrences. How often have you met a potential contact, had a fruitful conversation, asked for his/her business card and then failed to call the person? Similarly how many times have you sat in a business meeting and realized that there was a need or an untapped market that wasn't being addressed by the group....but you remained silent? In each instance, through follow-up there was a chance to advance your own money interests. A new higher paying job opportunity may have been created by cultivating a new acquaintance or by crafting a new project or job for yourself in your current company.

4) Ignore the naysayers. There is always someone in your life, a friend, a spouse, a co-worker or a boss who will tell you that you can't accomplish what it is you want to do. They'll lay out your lack of qualifications, your temperment, your family situation or the fact that it's never been done the way you intend as reasons why you should stop trying. Most naysayers mean well, but they only know what they know...they don't have the definitive truth about you, your goals or the various pathways to your goal. The only thing that can prevent you from achieving your goals is you. Every day people beat the odds and defy conventional wisdom. Be willing to thank the naysayers for their counsel and concern, but keep moving in the direction of dreams.


YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

How are you keeping yourself out of the game?
Review the four points and determine how your current actions are keeping you stuck in a low paying position.

--are you making excuses, such as the economy is bad for why you are not pursuing a higher paying position?

--are you only taking sporadic actions toward your money goal?

--are you failing to recognize opportunities for career advancement?

--are you letting naysayers dissuade you about your goals?

What can you do instead in these areas to get closer to your money goals?


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