If I Were Starting Over, I’d Solve This Riddle First

We all think, from time to time, ‘if I knew then what I know now…..’

Most people believe the information we’ve accumulated about company’s, pay-plans and people would make a huge difference if they could turn back the clock.

Sometimes it’s a single event and we get into the ‘IF ONLY‘ mode.

If only I had stayed with company XYZ
If only I had left company XYZ

If only I had put Bob frontline
If only I had put Bob downline

If only I had zigged
If only I had zagged

Well, you get the point. ‘IF ONLY‘ thinking insures our fate would be pretty much the same because there is one and only one word that would actually make a difference. While experience is a great, if not slow and brutal teacher, it is not our experience, in and of itself that changes anything.

Our destiny does not get shaped by what we know.

Huh?

Unrealized genius and unfulfilled talent are common place. And, we all know lots of people who can pontificate endlessly and brilliantly about our industry but they never build groups of substance. Yet someone with zero experience comes in and just grows.

What is the difference?

I know what the critical difference is and it ain’t what anyone knows that makes a difference if we could turn back the clock.

It’s one thing. Little riddle for you.

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.

Half of the things you do you might as well turn over to me
and I will do them – quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done and
after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of great people, and alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine though I work with the precision of a machine
plus the intelligence of a person.
You may run me for profit or run me for ruin –
it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me, and
I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

Habit.

Turning back the clock and starting over would make zero difference…….. if my habits stay the same …..the results will be the same.

Let’s take our REAL inventory.

How many NEW PERSONAL contacts did we make this last week?

End of inventory.

Winners seem to have developed the habit of taking care of first things first.

Our destiny does not get shaped by what we know.

It’s a great day to start over and do the one thing winners do daily.

It’s a habit.

Keep the main thing the main thing…..

because it’s the main thing and….

if we do…… regret and ‘if only’ never darken our doorways again.

believe
mark januszewski
World’s Laziest Networker