Around the holiday season it seems all the blockbuster movies come out. Maybe it’s because we have more time to go to the movies. A great movie depends upon a lot of things, great actors, scenery, special effects, and a great plot. Probably more than any one thing, a great script is the basis of every powerful production. We all have our favorite movies and in most cases the dialog carried us from one scene to the next. If most people were able to choose what part they would play in a movie it would be one of the actors. If it were life, that might be the worst role to assume. In a movie, actors simply do what they are told, they follow the “script.” Do this in life and it will lead to disappointment since there are two script writers in life, chance and circumstance. Most of us let these brilliant writers control our life movie. We often feel that chance and circumstances of the economy, the weather, the corporation, even our loved ones put us in a role we often are not happy portraying.
If you could choose any part in the “movie of your life,” It should be the screen writer and the director! Think about it, if you were allowed to write every scene of your life and then direct the outcome you would have a life that would truly be a blockbuster rags to riches story! The reality is you do have this power! Most people let the world control them as if they had no input. From bad bosses to poor use of time they feel trapped but don’t have to be. I was on an airplane five years ago and struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to me. I always ask the same opening question on airplanes (writing my own script!), “Are you going home or leaving?” The answer doesn’t matter. If he/she says home, I ask questions about home. If the person says they are leaving I ask about the final destination and what the person does for a living. This gentleman worked for a small technology company and when I asked him if he enjoyed the work he said yes. Then came the blockbuster question that creates drama, excitement and a blockbuster life. What’s your biggest dream regarding what you do. He paused for a moment and replied, “My dream has always been to work for IBM!” My reply was “why don’t you?” A number of excuses followed from “I don’t know anyone at IBM” to “I don’t know where to get started!” For the next forty five minutes in flight I walked him through the basics of goal setting and “baby steps.” Baby steps is dividing actions into small manageable steps. In his case the steps were to update his resume, do research on all the divisions of IBM, find out about their hiring practices, review his own strengths and weaknesses, and call for an introduction meeting (not an interview).
We parted ways and I gave him my card. I made a positive statement, “When you get the job with IBM call me so I can congratulate you!” Three months later, the call came. He not only got the job but had very quickly been promoted based on his expertise and attitude!
Are you to busy playing the part of the beaten down supporting actor or actress? Are you satisfied having a minor role in your own movie? Then it is time to start writing a blockbuster hit worthy of an academy award as not only best actor but best director and screen writer! Writing your own script in life is simple and can be broken down into several steps:
Decide the outcome of your life movie. “Average guy aspires to greatness and through great adversity achieves his dreams!” What is it you truly want with all your heart and soul? It is easier to reach great dreams than only average ones. Why, the are not only inspirational but others will support us when the dream is awesome! An average outcome is paying off debt, a great outcome is tripling your income! An average outcome is more time with family. A great, inspiring outcome is that trip to Hawaii for two weeks! Deciding your outcome is nothing more than written goals with action steps attached. These goals must be well written and worthy of a great movie. Here is an average script: “I will increase my income for 2010.” Here is a great script: “I will double my income by working fewer hours smarter and focusing only on high yield prospects. If you want to increase your income, it will not be by working harder but by focusing on high yield activity. You can call on twenty Realtors or find five that are top producers, the choice is yours!
Start directing your own movie instead of letting circumstance and chance be your directors. This means taking massive, consistent, passionate, high yield action. The person who is not directing their own life movie is checking emails every ten minutes, finding reasons to avoid important tasks like learning new technology and not making sales contacts or nurturing and growing new relationships. The man or woman who doubts his or her own abilities, who thinks he or she is doomed for failure or worse mediocrity will live off excuses and dreams that never were. The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw said “Some men see things as they are and say “why?,” I dream of things that never were and say, why not?”
In this year’s loan officer newsletter I will be writing motivational articles of people who said “Why not?” It is time to start being that director and screen writer who has the dream of not just an Oscar winning performance by the lead actor or actress (you!), but also the Oscar for Best Director and Best Script. I can’t wait to see your movie! Have a fabulous 2010 and always remember, “Live to Win!”