Everyone needs a little inspiration to keep their spirit up while they are working toward achieving their goals and success in life.
Moving toward this new entrepreneurial life there was an ongoing concern and struggle of leaving the old ways behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. That strange middle something of uncertainty nagging, “Did you make the right decision?” One morning in-between meetings with clients at Rembrandts Coffee House, I went across the street to see the Full Circle Exchange and soak in a little inspiration and serendipitously ran into owner and entrepreneur Mark Priddy talking with management. Hoping to speak with Mark for sometime these last few months this was a great opportunity, as he is always on the move and rarely in one place for very long. Taking advantage of this moment we spoke briefly and at a Mark Priddy pace.
Holding the door toward Eagle Road, he asked if we could get back to the coffee house and talk on the way because there was something important needing his attention at Rembrandts. Shaking my head yes, he carefully darted down the stairs and onto the sidewalk and began peering into on coming traffic waiting, creating, and hoping for a break. It did not come. We both sighed at the amount of traffic and wondered how safe this idea was. It was frustrating to both of us to be stuck. Committed to getting across the street, and holding out arms to safely communicate that we did not want to play dodge car, I stopped the cars so Mark could get into the middle of the street (he looked at the drivers who waited for us and said thank you). Stopping the traffic coming the other way we made it to the coffee house sidewalk with a comforted “whew.” Mark turned around and waving subtly he thanked two of other drivers and then thanked me.
ONE Cultivate a Teachable Spirit: The key to entrepreneurial excellence is a willingness to be malleable and learning, learning, learning from mistakes and from successes and trying new approaches and learning again. Entrepreneurs who are open to realizing what is working and what is not working, humble to understand knowledge is a gift of empowerment that comes from many people and from the most unique places, never tire of figuring out what needs to be done to move through life's traffic in the midst of your progress or vision.
TWO Stop Thinking and Start Acting: Thinking is a dead weight for entrepreneurial excellence and too much of it will sink action in a second. Mark peering into traffic and carefully taking a first step put thoughts into action and generated activity toward our goal.
THREE Open Doors with Gratitude: Open doors for clients or team members, literally and figuratively, into the direction you are headed and say thank you a lot. The action of opening doors for others is a gift of hospitality and an open door toward the mission or goal of the organization inspires others to come along side you. This simple action creates an grateful understanding of everyone around you and is a natural encouragement.
The first three steps are the most important strides in any athlete’s competition and utilizing these actions gives your entrepreneurial spirit an excellent advantage.
Dr. Tom Lobaugh
Inspiration Consultant