Distraction-Proof® Advisor Ideas

When I came to the U.S. and first started driving, I was struck by that little phrase on the rearview mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”

Now, this is hugely helpful when you’re driving. Unfortunately, many people live their lives like this, especially when it comes to negative circumstances or lousy memories that they conjure from the past — memories from way back of comments that have been said to them that have really impacted them negatively. They become very adept at bringing these forward and really having them top-of-mind when they’re trying to embark on something new.

Having been a jail chaplain, having been a pastor, and also now working with advisors in a coaching capacity, I’ve met a spread of people who have words that have been drilled into their minds and now sit there, waiting for opportunities to pop up. These are often things that have been said years and years ago: negative comments from a parent, disparaging remarks from a co-worker. It’s as though they were said yesterday, and people remember them when they’re about to take that next step toward greatness, toward really pursuing achieving something they have never done before.

We need to reset that.

So, when you’re embarking on something new,

1. Let go of that baggage of commentary from the past, which has absolutely no bearing on what you’re about to do today.
2. Consider those times where you’ve been hugely positive, where you’ve had an amazing outcome from the endeavor that you’ve embarked upon. What did it feel like immediately afterward?
3. Leave those lousy experiences way back in the past. You’ve done the work, and you’ve earned the right to expect success. Advise appropriately and really get excited about what’s coming down the track towards you and your growing business.

I look forward to bringing you another Distraction-Proof Advisor Idea next week.