Are You Crazy....or Just The Bravest Person??
I have been asked this question so many times and the truth of the matter is, sometimes I’m not sure. My entire career has been as a self-employed entrepreneur. I have been in the Sales arena for almost 30 years and that in itself is craziness. My thought was always that there is no room for failure and my outcome was totally dependent on me. I knew I had great work ethics and I always travel the high road so that added to my persona. People knew they could not only count on me but they could trust me.
I started a great career in Insurance in the 90’s. It was a time of change. Everyone was looking at managed care, translation welcome to the HMO’s and I lived in the HMO capital of the world. I came into this industry not knowing a thing about insurance and when I left I was training others about it so it does go in a full circle.
Being self-employed, I always knew that my success or failure was entirely up to me. As I mentioned earlier, failure was not an option. I had two children to support and they relied on me. My team viewed me as a leader and they too relied on me. So my fate was already set in stone. I learned what I could from the resources available to me but many things I had to figure out as I went along. As I advanced through the ranks, I took those lessons that I valued and brought them with me. The ones that served absolutely no purpose, other than never using them again, did not. I prided myself with being fair but expecting a lot....because I knew what the opportunity was.
A decade later, I was asked to take on a Corporate position with the home office to help build a training department. The truth was we had about 200 offices and everything was being taught 200 different ways. There was no consistency anywhere. The only thing that was consistent was the inconsistency and that was the truth. A few months later, the Product Training Department was in full swing. Everyone was amazed that not only was the field on the same page, the home office was as well. It was a win-win situation for all.
Of course, there was still a problem. My expertise was not being utilized. I was a salesperson at heart and was told not to do any sales training. I found myself blurting sales tips out here and there and finally was asked to build a Sales Training Department and all was good. During the next year or so, the non-existent sales training became one of the most positive pieces of the Company. There was an internal University, sales training materials and an advanced training class that everyone wanted to attend. Again, life was good....or so I thought.
Our Company, like so many other Health Insurance Companies, was feeling the pinch of Health Care Reform. There were massive layoffs and most everyone was doing the job of two or three. You could feel the tension and if anyone from HR even walked through the hall, you would swear the Angel of Death was approaching. It was not the most exhilarating atmosphere, but we all did our best to be positive and nothing other than that was ever translated to the field agents or leaders, no matter how close you were to them.
My Sales Training Department was huge...translation, it was me. I knew I could be on the list of those to be promoted out of their position and I was prepared. The training I built could go forward easily without much more than a hiccup. Don’t think you are indispensable because no one is. I was prepared. I asked on numerous occasions if I was on the next “list” but was told, my name had not appeared on any list. I was prepared.
At this point, I knew I was starting to shut down. I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be but I loved the field so much and didn’t want to abandon them. I was them. I did what they do. They trusted me. I was stability for them in these uncertain times. But I was also not being fair to me. I had to decide what was Phase III or IV or V for me. It was time to start over again.
I gave my resignation to the SVP and then to the VP. They were not happy and wanted to figure out a way to encourage me to stay. It wasn’t the money. It isn’t always about the money. But in this economy, money does speak volumes. It was time and no matter what they would have or could have come up with for me, I was finished and needed to go. Of course my notice spanned over 8 weeks but that is a different story and that is how my blog began. I was walking away from a lucrative position and going to....? I didn’t have a real plan, only an idea but that was enough for me for now. I needed to move on and so I did.
The moral of the story is that there is life and success after a life changing experience. I am living proof. I have never felt so good or have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people as I have now. My friends in the field are still my friends. It only took them a minute or two to realize it wasn’t about them, it was about me. So many people tell me I am the bravest person that there is. I’m not, I just did what worked for me. No more no less.
If I had to give you seven ideas about BEing Courageous they would be:
• Know Yourself-no one knows you or understands you the way you do
• Explore Options-there isn’t just one idea or concept that you are good at
• Be Prepared-for as many things as possible whether financially or emotionally
• Be Open to all possibilities-when one door closes another one opens
• Take Care of Yourself-you might believe everyone else will, but you need to first and foremost
• Travel the High Road-don’t compromise on your integrity or reputation-you only get one shot
• Be a little Crazy-it sets you apart from the rest of the world
So was I crazy or brave? I think a little of both. It takes a little craziness to be braze and lot of braveness to be crazy. That’s what makes the world go ‘round. Remember, you are not alone in this crazy world. Others will seek you out and tell you that you changed their lives and you didn’t even know it. That’s a different kind of crazy...the best kind.
Let's Connect!
Selling in a Skirt's Facebook Fan Page
