B wants to go even though it’s raining. We put on our rain boots, take jackets, grab two umbrellas, and go out.
The first house B goes to, he gets an order.
Then at the next house, someone answers the door and doesn’t order something. His first taste of rejection. How does he respond?
As we walk down the driveway, B says, “That was for nothing.”
I reply, “Don’t say that. That’s not nice. Not everyone is going to buy something for you, and that’s okay. If it’s something they want, they will. If not, we keep moving onto the next house. There are plenty of houses for us to go to.”
As we go to a few houses where people don’t buy something, he has the same response. So I have to remind him to not respond that way and how it’s okay that they didn’t get something. There are a lot more houses.
The more houses we go to, the more B gets the hang of what to say and do. That night we get several orders. YAY!
The next night, we plan to go, and the weather is worse. I say to him, “It’s pouring out. Do you really want to go?”
He says, “Yes, mama, I have a goal to reach.”
Part of me is like, “Proud of my boy for doing what it takes to reach his goal.”
The other part, the more dominant part, of me is like, “Ugh. Really, we gotta go even in the pouring rain?!”
If he can do it, I can do it! We get in the car and go out in the downpour.
As we get out of the car, he intentionally jumps in the biggest puddle he sees and starts laughing.
I say, “Blaise, don’t do that.”
He replies, “Why not?! It’s fun.”
I say, “Your feet will get wet, and you’ll get cold. Then you’ll want to go home. And I don’t want you getting sick.”
Ignoring me, he says, “It’s fun,” and jumps into another huge puddle.
At that point, I give up warning him, because his socks are already soaked, as are mine, and I’m not even jumping in puddles.
Then it does look like fun, so I start doing it with him. Jumping in puddles and laughing.
We run as fast as we can to the first door. Someone answers, and says, “If you’re out in this weather, you deserve an order.”
We run to the second and third houses. Thankfully, the weather hadn’t cooled down too much, so it wasn’t too cold outside.
About an hour after we start, the downpour stops, and it’s just raining. As we stand at the next door waiting for someone to answer, B sees water falling off the roof onto the ground. The water pauses and then starts back up again. B has an idea.
He jumps back and forth trying to avoid the water hitting him in the face and says, “Mama, look. This is fun. I’m pretty good at this game.”
I reply, “Yes, you are.”
Someone answers the door, and at this point he has it down. After he hands her the catalog and she says, “What are you selling,” B says, “We have a little something for everyone.”
Every person who answers the door buys from him. They made comments like, “You must be determined to reach your goal being out in this weather,” “Wow, I wish I had this ambition,” and “He’s really inspiring, setting a goal and doing what it takes to go after it.”
B wasn’t letting anything stop him that day.
The next day is Saturday, and it’s raining. We spend several hours going door to door, with very little luck. We only get two orders in two hours. We call it a day and head home. Maybe it was the time of day. Maybe it was because it was Saturday and not many people were at home.
I feel frustrated that we spent so much time and got such little results. We still have a long way to go to reach B’s goal. After only two orders today, does B give up? Does he push through to meet his goal?
Find out what happens and if B reaches his goal in Part 3 by clicking here >>
Here are the top 5 lessons from a 5-year-old that’ll grow your business.
1. Do whatever it takes to reach your goal
Often times we have excuses on why it can’t happen or won’t work out. I got busy. I didn’t have time. This other thing came up. Excuse, excuse, excuse. If you were honest with yourself, did you do everything you could and then do some more? Stop with the excuses. It comes down to you not wanting it badly enough. If you did, you’d find a way to make it happen. If you want a different car, the latest phone, or a new game badly enough, you find a way to get it. Figure out what isn’t working and tweak and adjust, so you make massive progress.
2. Things come up, don’t let that stop you from getting where you want to be
Whether it’s rain, picking up your sick child from school, or an unexpected client meeting, things come up. Be flexible. Be willing to go with it. Then do whatever it takes to continue to take action to get you where you want to be. Maybe you didn’t get the promotion you wanted. Apply for another one. You weren’t asked to lead the team. Volunteer to lead the meeting. You didn’t close the deal. There are hundreds of other deals you can close. Don’t let anything stop you. Believe it’s possible then take action on it. That’s when it becomes reality.
3. Have a positive attitude even when things don’t work out
There’s a lot of times when things don’t work out when or the way we want them to work out. If you have a negative attitude any time that happens, it can affect the rest of your day, your interactions with others, and your relationships. It can keep you from closing that big deal you’ve been working on for six months. Don’t let one thing create a negative ripple effect.
There are more prospects, deals, leadership roles, positions, career paths, or ideas. What did you learn from the situation that didn’t work out? Use that lesson moving forward, so you can better position yourself next time.
4. Have fun
No matter what you’re doing or where you are, have fun. Laughter is good for your heart and fun reduces stress and increase focus. When you get busy or stressed, the first thing you take out of your life is fun. And that’s the ONE thing you need to combat being busy or stressed. Where can you have more fun at work? How can you add fun into the little, mundane, or boring things? Maybe it’s popping in your favorite music, dancing your lunch hour away, or celebrating others’ successes more. The more fun you have, the more you’ll enjoy work, and the more others will enjoy being around you.
5. Step outside your comfort zone
It’s easy to stay inside your comfort zone. Doing the same things in the same ways you’ve always done. This also leads to burnout faster. When you do something new or different, it allows your brain to think in new ways. It lights up your brain and challenges your mind. And the most amazing thing happens…you grow. As a leader, in your job, as a person. The more you step outside your comfort zone, the more you’re giving yourself permission to grow into a bigger, bolder, better you! So whether it’s your idea or someone lovingly pushes you outside your comfort zone, open your arms to the opportunity, and say, “Bring it on,” because when you do, you’re also saying “I want to grow.”
Jessica Rector’s mission is simple: transform lives. With a BBA, MBA and BS, Jessica started, hosted, and produced her own TV talk show in Los Angeles with just an idea to help others which launched jessICAREctor International. Through her own experiences, research, and strategies, she helps you turn inner communication into outer success through her proprietary process Tame Your Brain Game. As a thought leader, keynote speaker, and #1 best-selling author, Jessica consults with companies, trains teams, and speaks at conferences, conventions, and organizations helping you disrupt your status quo thinking. Jessica is a Contributor for The Huffington Post and has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Business Journal, and Market Watch. Get Jessica’s new book, Tame Your Brain Game at jessicarector.com. Follow her on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.
