Bridging the Gap!

Ok...let's face it...there are many things we can control and many we can't. One thing we can't control is the level of our experience at this point in time. There is a positive though...there are two good times to do something...when you should have and NOW (this is welded in my mind from years listening to my dad...thanks dad)!

So...How do we address this idea of not having the benefit of 20 years experience in our field? How can we overcome this setback in the world of selling? Is it even a setback?

These are the questions we will address in my next few entries...

When I graduated from Texas Christian University I decided to go into business with my dad...

I'll give you a few minutes to get all of the stereotypes off your chest... (most of you are probably calling me an SOB aka Son Of the Business)

To disclose all information though...I was excited about working with my dad not because I felt that it would be smooth sailing but more because I knew my dad could push me harder than anyone else! He knows my potential more than anyone and I knew he would push me to accomplish what I was capable of.

Now back to my introduction into the world of business...

I graduated in December of 2007 and in January of 2008 I was fully engaged in the development of one of the biggest projects our company had ever taken on. It was overwhelming at the beginning because I felt like I was the black sheep of the group...like I didn't belong in the same room with the experts.

I have never had serious issues with self-confidence but I was experiencing a big case of it at this point in time. After 5 straight days of developing material for this massive sales training, my dad recognized that something was up with me. He pulled me aside and asked why a talkative individual like myself had only said a few words the entire week.

Now...I could have done this one of two ways...

1. I could have come right out with my feelings of insufficiency within the group

or

2. I could try and act like nothing was up and have my dad call me out on my attempt to mislead him!...and then eventually tell him my thoughts.

So...I bit the bullet and told him that I didn't feel worthy to be contributing information along side people that were clearly more knowledgeable than I was. This turned out to be one of the most important conversations I would ever have with my dad...in a business sense!

My dad asked me..."Do you want to become an expert? Do you want to be as credible as them? Are you comfortable with being good or do you you want to be the best? If you want to be the best then you must OWN the solution! Not just kinda know it or know it pretty well...but know EVERYTHING about it! If you want to be the expert in a certain field you must constantly search for more information and become innovative with your own ideas! This comes when you make up your mind to be constant learner...and that means books, audios, seminars, online classes, workbooks, interviews, etc. You must make a habit of doing what others won't do. When you decide that you are willing to do these things...that is when you will be confident to stand in front of people and share your thoughts!"

What a piece of advice that was...That day was the start of my journey to bridge the gap between myself and my mentors!

In the next entry we will discuss my initial steps to achieving my potential in the world of business and selling!