SALES AND MARKETING
ONE-MINUTE MOTIVATION
Lessons From Autumn Leaves
Choose to let go of the ‘dead leaves’ and clear the way for growth.
As fall approaches, we can learn great
lessons by simply observing how
nature works. As you drive around, notice the autumn leaves just beginning to
change all around you. The leaves slowly
fade after a brilliant display of color and
finally fall from the trees.
There are at least three lessons we can
learn from these leaves:
• Personal development and growth is
a constant, cyclical process. Just as there
are seasons in nature, so will there be seasons in your life. At times, you will find
yourself challenged and excited, bursting
with energy and seizing new opportunities to expand your business. On other
occasions, your circumstances will seem
frozen like a cold winter’s frost. But remarkable advisors view all “seasons” or
circumstances as opportunities to grow.
Whether it’s spring or winter, they keep
pressing forward.
• You have to clear the way for your
growth. Without the loss of old growth,
new growth isn’t possible. Ask yourself: Are you hanging on to the “dead
leaves” of disorganization or procrastination? Are there obstacles in your work?
Set aside an afternoon and analyze your
life. Write down your current daily habits and your attitude. Review your time-management skills. Even basic choices of
what we eat daily and how much exercise
we get can have an enormous impact on
our growth. For many, getting rid of the
“dead leaves” is a simple decision of
Allyson Lewis, CFP, CIMA
choice. Choose to be different tomorrow
and choose to let go of the dead leaves.
• New leaves don’t just appear; they
grow over time. After the long winter
months of bare branches, you will notice tiny buds on the trees around you as
spring approaches. As the days lengthen
and the sun shines more strongly, buds
turn to flowers, and plants and trees are
in full foliage. But the plants that grow
CHANGE HAPPENS
IN AN INSTANT;
IT HAPPENS THE
MOMENT YOU DECIDE
TO CHANGE.
the most consistently are those that are
watered and fertilized and cared for over
time. Ask yourself: Are you taking care of
yourself? Are you regularly reading and
learning? Are you actively being mentored? Are you learning new ideas and
concepts about your industry?
Choose to grow
So, what’s the next step? You can read
this article and choose to do nothing, and
your life at work and at home will continue on the same path that you have been
on for the last several years. Or, as a wise
man once told me, “You can’t choose to
AdvisorToday.com
Visit http://www.advisortoday.com/resources/home_motiva-
tion.html to read more motivational and inspirational articles from
producers and performance coaches.
remain the same and expect your life to
change. If you want your life to be different, you must be different!”
This fall, as you watch the leaves
change colors, make time to reevaluate your goals and objectives. No matter which “season” your life is
in, keep taking productive
steps. Ask yourself
three simple questions:
1. Where am I today?
2. Where do I want to be
in the future?
3. How will I get there?
Then,
choose to let
go of the “dead
leaves” in your life and
begin taking steps to prepare yourself for growth.
You can start by reestablishing
your purpose, creating concrete
written goals and objectives for
“new growth,” and start implementing the daily activities that will allow you to become the person you
want to be.
As we say, “Change
happens in an instant;
it happens the moment
you decide to change!” Make
that decision now and welcome the next season into
your life.
Allyson Lewis, CFP, CIMA, is the author
of The Seven Minute Difference. She is a financial advisor and has trained thousands
of advisors. For a free copy of
“ 10 Tips for Remarkable Advisors,” visit www.TheSevenMinute
Difference.com.
