Clint Powell
On my way to self-discovery (which is about 48 years in the making now) I am starting to learn the power of self-talk. Not what you do at the traffic light when someone has cut you off and you are role playing what you would say to them if you didn’t think you would go to jail. And…not the kind of self-talk you do after your kids back talk and then leave the room – you know – the ‘do not tell me you will clean your room when you have more time. I brought you into this world and I can take you out. You’ve lost your mind if you think I am gonna let you just live in filth! I will…’ And then you realize that no one is in the room to hear this beautiful declaration of parental independence.
No – I am talking about the self-talk we say quietly to ourselves as we build, manage or run a business. Things that go through our head as we encounter opportunities – challenges – successes/failures – obstacles – calendars – etc… The things we let run through our head unchallenged can lead to our habits, our perspectives and our attitudes, which all can directly affect our relationships, our customers, employees and eventually our bottom line.
So here it goes – according to Clint:
That’s Just The Way I Am
I am not saying we do not need to recognize our weaknesses and strengths and then focus on our strengths – that is after all where our money and growth will probably come from. But simply acknowledging our weaknesses and chalking them up to our DNA is not acceptable. You should know ‘you’. But you should also put things in place to make sure that those natural tendencies do not hinder your business. Not good at numbers – get someone who is. Sales aren’t your strength – find someone to help. This also doesn’t mean that you should stop trying to improve and grow, but we all have things that just seem like it’s swimming upstream. Accept it – but then put in safeguards.
This Too Shall Pass
Accepting our reality of where we are in life and business is important. If not we can waste a lot of energy trying to deny or work against our circumstances. I totally believe in living in the moment and accepting it. We have all heard that ‘this too shall pass’ so relax. True. But, the question is where will you be when it passes? Will you still have same habits, same growth patterns? Sometimes it’s important to acknowledge where you are – accept it - but then while you are in that moment use some energy on growing and learning so you are at a better place after it passes. It is possible to live and learn from the moment you are in. Don’t just wait while it moves – spend time growing.
I Am Self Made
No one is self-made. No one. It kills me when I hear someone say I pulled myself up from my boot straps, I am just too independent or I am a self-made person. That negates all those who have helped you along the way. I don’t know anyone who can or should honestly say that. Now you may have endured – pushed through – sacrificed – worked hard – etc.… However someone is always helping you. Always. First job – buying you those boots with the straps – giving you guidance – believing in you when no one else did – giving you the opportunity to lead – supporting you during growth times or hard times. If you believe you are an island unto yourself it will not be long till that theory will be tested. You better acknowledge those who have helped and while you’re at it, return the favor to those around you.
I Am Too Busy
Too busy to focus on my marketing – my business plan – my employees? If you find yourself too busy to pull out of the business and work on it consistently, you have system and process issues. Being too busy to put your business in the best position to succeed should not be acceptable. Think of this – that is one of the only jobs you and only you as a manager, business owner or commissions sales rep can do. If you do not do those things – who will? You are your most important calendar invite to accept, keep it.
I Failed
The only way we fail is if we fail to learn. If we fail to pick up and move forward. If we fail to pass along our lessons. If we sit in the moment of disappointment and do not get up and take that one step necessary to get us past it. We fail if we say we fail. We go through a lot in life and failure can seem final – but more times than not failure is just another brick life hands out to help us build the next success. Failure is not a feeling or a circumstance – it is a mindset. Change your mindset – change your future. You got this.
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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.