Clint Powell
The 17 things I learned in 2016. Hopefully they will help me move on to bigger and better in 2017 – you may find some meaning in them as well. So here goes:
1) You can’t change ‘them’ – You can’t change people. Stop trying…but also stop denying that we do influence and affect people. You are not responsible for their choices and actions…but you do contribute.
2) You will change when you want to – When you get tired of feeling how you feel and living like you’re living…you will do what it takes to change it. Period…until then…just keep complaining.
3) Cash flow is king – Of all the numbers you can look at and monitor…this one is the most important to track and trend. Cash flow buys you time to work on other issues or problems…no cash…the clock is ticking.
4) Friends are the real treasure – When it hits the fan a lot of people who say they will be there no matter what run, get busy, or have other agendas…if you have a handful of folks who run toward the trouble with you…appreciate and remember them.
5) There is a God and I am not Him – Many times in 2016 I was ticked at God for business and personal issues. What I was reminded of - it’s His timeline and He knows better. Stop telling God what your miracle should be or should look like…He is in the miracle and life business…not me or you.
6) Listen – To clients, kids, family, friends, and prospects. Not just wait your turn to respond or counter…but listen to understand. Big difference.
7) Live in the moment – Plan for next week…look forward to that vacation next year…go ahead and say yes to that date next month. But, please, please live in the moment you are in. This laugh…this cry…this hug…this kiss…this moment is all you have. That is why it’s important to be as positive as possible in it. Enjoy life….the ride will end much sooner than any of us want it to or think it will.
8) Change is acomin’ – You may not want it to. It may not be the change you were expecting. It may be good or bad, but make no mistake about it…change is coming. Work on your mind, spirit, and body to prepare so you can help those around you and navigate as best possible. The healthier you are…the better you will deal with it. Change is the variable…you are the consistent…so work on you now. Change is acomin’ to your life and business.
9) Yes you can – I don’t know what ‘it’ is, but I am sure that a lot of people reading this have something they want to try…a decision they are scared of…a goal that has eluded them. I am here to say – you can do it. Do not wait till Monday or next month. Take that first step now…tell someone about it…make that call…ask that question…start that process. You can do it.
10) Fly with eagles – Who you associate with matters. Hang out with complainers...negative people…those who would rather tell you why not rather than why…who get mad at every little thing…then your ceiling is low. Hanging out with uplifting positive folks is the way to go.
11) Help – Helping others is vital to your health. I know it sounds selfish and I guess it is…but unless you are helping someone else make their life better your world is never as big as it could be. Could be a homeless person, needy family or a young person trying to get a foot in the door in your industry or a friend starting up a business. Help when you can.
12) Mercy and Grace – We all need mercy and grace and if you think back on this year I bet you can find where you have been given something you didn’t deserve or didn’t get what you did deserve. So, the biggest lesson: You better be handing it out as much as you need it.
13) Life is too darn short – Go for it now. Hurry up and: relax, enjoy that steak, eat that donut every now and then, kiss slowly, ask for the business you don’t think you will get, make that move, start the saving account, hug your kids, go on that vacation, hire that person who will free up your time, hang out with your friends, put in that process at work that will help you run more efficiently, start getting to know your employees, hold hands, spend some weekends around campfires and hiking trails and others never get out of bed…hurry up and live the life you want to. We do not get a redo at this.
14) Write it down – It’s not a goal till you write it down and share it with someone whom you have given permission to hold you accountable.
15) Set boundaries – Especially if you are a giver…taker will never set limits for you. Setting boundaries is good for your self-respect and will earn the respect of others. This is not only for your personal life, but with business partners, boses, vendors, etc... Healthy boundaries are good. .
16) Go ahead and give them a hug – Whether it’s a friend, your mom, dad, sister/brother, kid, or neighbor. Never miss the opportunity to hug those who mean something to you. One day you will miss that beard on your check or the smell of their cologne/perfume…you will miss the smile they have when you step away…you will miss the noise in the house. You will wish they were around for the inconvenient stop by.
17) Don’t be a jerk – I don’t care if you’re rich or poor…white or black…boy or girl…liberal or conservative. Not concerned about you’re viewpoints…what I am concerned about is this…do not be a jerk. And if you are going to be one…don’t be one around me. Lesson I learned – life is too short to deal with it.
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Clint Powell is owner of Connect Marketing, an advertising agency in Chattanooga. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman College. He has spent years in radio advertising sales and management, built and sold a billboard company and works on a contract basis with other ad agencies writing ad copy and helping formulate strategies. Clint has worked with hundreds of local and regional companies over the years and helped them develop advertising campaigns. He believes that life is all about connections and spends his time connecting businesses and business owners to solutions. He sits on the board of Y-Cap (YMCA Community Action Program) and helps with several other non-profits. Clint currently resides in East Ridge with his wife and three children. He also host a weekly radio show focused on business and marketing – Marketing Mix Radio on US 101 The Legend @ 96.1