Writen by Rick Stephens
I was watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy the other night and one of the characters had received a check from a patient that had died. The amount of the check was $8,700,000. Throughout the entire show her roommates kept encouraging her to deposit the check but she kept procrastinating taking it to the bank. Although she kept telling people she was now a millionaire, she was not. Being a millionaire was certainly within her reach, but she just never could take the final step necessary to make it real. When the show ended, she placed the check on a bulletin board and left it there. Her millions, though only a trip to the bank away, were nothing more than a piece of paper with a stick-pin in it.
It occurred to me that many business owners do the same thing everyday. Their dreams are right in front of them, simply a trip to the bank away, but for some reason they just don't take the final step necessary to make it real. They would rather procrastinate than do what is necessary to reach their goal. Maybe it's the fear of success that prevents them from taking the step. It could be that they don't understand how close they are, or maybe they would rather imagine the dream than live it.
Here's an example. I spoke to a business owner last week who was ready to retire and move out of the day to day operation of his business. We discussed how to do that. We could locate a talented manager to run the business, start examining the books to get a better handle on income and expenses, begin reducing unnecessary inventory, work on reducing long term liabilities, and properly valuate assets. Within a year or so, the business could be sold and a nice retirement for the owner would be realized. The owner leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head, in that posture one takes when they daydream. In a minute or two he looked at me and said, "Well, perhaps I'll take a look at doing that next year." At that moment, though his retirement was only a drive to the bank away, he pinned the check to the bulletin board, and went on with his normal routine.
What about your dream? Are you taking it to the bank, or is it pinned to a bulletin board?
To Your Success -
To receive a free copy of the audio CD "The 5 Foundations to Business Success" go to http://rgstephens.com and sign up to be on our mailing list. For information on our e-mentoring program go to http://rgstephens.com/mentor.php Rick Stephens is a recognized business advisor and consultant. He specializes in working with small to mid-sized business owners to strengthen their business processes and ultimately grow their business. Rick has been accredited by the Institute for Independent Business, an International accrediting body for senior executives. Rick holds an MBA from the LeTourneau University located in Longview, Texas. Rick Stephens is the Principle Advisor of the Consulting firm RG Stephens & Associates located in Plano, Texas. Rick offers business owners the opportunity to meet confidentially to discuss any business issue they may be experiencing. His initial meeting is always free and without obligation. Call him at 972-578-7895. |
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