Runaway Train
Now and then you learn something about life that changes you forever. The lesson comes in many forms. Sometimes the lesson comes from someone who has walked life’s path and taken the wrong turns but learned from the experiences. Sometimes the lesson comes through adversity. You hit rock bottom and decide that something has to change…and it does! Well, get ready for a lesson! A lesson that if applied will change your life in ways you could never imagine. The lesson is simple, to the point, and not that difficult to apply, but then all of the greatest lessons are only a grasp away!
Is your life a runaway train? Do you finish the day and ask, what did I accomplish? Has your job and personal life qualified you to work at the local fire department? If your day is spent just breaking even, putting out endless fires, and never reaching the goals and dreams that truly excite you, there is a simple answer. It is so simple that few are willing to believe it works! They spend energy and emotion on why they cannot get off the treadmill while creating the treadmill.
What is the answer? It is simple, take a few minutes every morning to decide to manage your life instead of your life managing you. This article was inspired by a story of a client who called his business coach and said his life was totally within his control despite his production levels being at an all-time high! He had decided to manage his clients and not let them manage him. He told them when he would call back, what service levels they could expect, and the results he expected for the value he delivered. He could have hoped for all these things but instead, he made them happen. The result? The fires begin to die out, clients began to expect what he had told them to expect, and his life became fun again!
Here are the simple steps for anyone who wants to take control again, who wants to move ahead and feel like his or her life is reaching the goals and aspirations deserved.
- Know what you want and let others know what you want! If you will return most calls by the end of the day, tell your clients so they do not expect a call within the hour. If it is an emergency tell them what to do for faster service. If they abuse that privilege, train them, or fire them.
- Learn to say “no” politely and positively. “I am honored that you asked me to help you with that task, but I would not want to do it unless I had the time to do my best for you. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to help at this time, but thank you so much for asking.” Most people who are firefighters are afraid to say no!
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