They Adapt, They Shoot, They Score!

I'm in the middle of reading Now...Build a Great Business by Mark Thompson and Brian Tracy, thanks to the new releases rack at my local branch of the Mohawk Valley Library system.  On pages 3 - 5, the authors describe how Disney, HP, IBM, GE, FedEx, Google and Charles Schwab all started in miserable economies, with false starts and failures.  What they all shared in driving their success against these odds was persistence, innovation, character and competence.  Their fearful competitors ran for safety and survival.  The founders of these companies instead focused on their customers (unlike their cowering and less-unimaginative competitors) and consequently met / exceeded their customers' needs.  And clearly thrived.  A true antidote to the adage "you miss 100% of the shots you never take."

Dear Colleague, after reviving their business practice while talking to 3 different organizations for almost 3 months, got the job offer they wanted this week.  Making more money than they did working the organization who laid them off just before last Christmas.  It had been the first layoff of Dear Colleague's admirable career, courtesy of this last and particularly grinding recession.

None of the 3 jobs Dear Colleague considered were advertised.  They heard about all of them thanks to their network, who in turn validated their excellent professional reputation with their support and referrals.

Last December, Dear Colleague didn't know how to network.  But they were open to learning, and they adapted and learned.  And because they adapted and learned, they now have a new job.

Last December, Dear Colleague didn't know how they were going to keep the cash flow steady.  After some lively chats with their network (including but not limited to, a few chats with me), they realized they could revive their former business practice, work as a 1099 contractor, and stoke the cash flow until they either built up their business practice to a full-time, 4-day-a-week level or get a new job in a new field, broadening their skill set and marketability in their willingness to adapt and learn.  The latter happened first.  The former is a great ongoing source:  professionally, economically, emotionally and spiritually; and is a textbook example of how Dear Colleague -- not their past or future employers -- is indeed the source of the cash flow.

Simply put, Dear Colleague adapted, learned and practiced a new game, took a surprisingly small number of shots, and scored.

May your shots be as fruitful this week, and beyond.