THIS is how you cash in on opportunity!
"Opportunities are like coupons! You get them all the time, but the key to success is cashing in on them." -- Alfred E. Blake IV
Have you ever watched coupon wars and lamented to yourself I would have a better chance of dunking with a broken ankle and a sole less pair of sneakers than being able to save that much on my groceries? As Entrepreneurs, coupons or opportunities are ALL AROUND! Are you cashing in?
So once in the supermarket, as I watched in amazement a real life extreme couponer...with the same amazement of watching an anaconda swallow a wild boar and seeing a real live unicorn jump over a fence... I observe. I can't believe I just witnessed this amazing feat! You deserve an award for that.... Yes those were my exact thoughts and words.
I am a subscribing member of the carpe diem club so I seized the opportunity to interrogate this unsuspecting shopping hero of mine.. I said.... Um excuse me miss... you don't know this, but you are my HERO! She looked at me in shock and said how so? I said you saved over 100 dollars and will be eating forever... you have the cure to world hunger... or maybe at least the way to afford entire series of Breaking Bad. I applaud you for your effort and superpowers bestowed upon you.
As flawed human beings we have the ability to save time and heartache but often times do not Cash in on our coupons. We subscribe to a few self-limiting and debilitating beliefs that slow us down. We are either too lazy to cash in or too proud. Part of leadership is the ability to utilize and leverage the resources that you have in your grasp.
I have three lessons to share from my interaction with the coupon superhero which will assist you in cashing in on your leadership coupons.
1. Use what you have to get what you want! - What you have is more than sufficient! Have you ever said to yourself, I just don't have what it takes? I am not built for this, my skills are not sufficient. You may not have that desired skill set, but you have something unique and exclusive to you. What was apparent about this lady was she used what was/is available to all of us with a computer and $1.50 for a Sunday newspaper (That has all the coupons you could want!). Do you have the above listed items? The same applies to your characteristics. Many of the most successful people you know have battled depression, doubt or ignorance.... But they used what they had to convert those unwanted qualities leadership treasures. It is a simple task. One thing that helps is taking the time to spend with yourself to reflect and introspect.
2. Let your leadership light shine- As a leader, there will be masses of people that watch your every move. Some will not like your decisions and will scoff at you because they aren't doing what you are doing and it is taking the spotlight away from them. Or your excellence may be forcing them to be better. Everyone does not want to become better... because it takes incessant determination, intention and a lot of sacrifice.
3. Just ask- If you see someone who is leading and you admire them.... JUST ASK. What do you have to lose? You have a whole lot to LOSE if you just sit there in your conservative know-it-all, too proud to ask pose and fail to inquire. TRUST I've been there. Most people are more willing to help than you know. Just tell them I sent you.