In August of 2018, I received a contract from a client that added enough to our backlog to meet our expenses through March of next year. In other words, if we don’t sell one more project, I’ll be able to pay all of Vector Firm’s expenses, including payroll, contractor agreements, and two quarterly dividend distributions through next March. That’s a good feeling for any business owner.
During my run one Tuesday morning, I felt myself bargaining. Even though I have no joint or back pain, my mind was considering less impactful exercise. After all, I’m approaching fifty and should start slowing down. I don’t need to push myself like this, do I? These thoughts were running through my mind as I was working through mile two of a three-mile run. I didn’t know why.
Even though running is hard for me, my life is better when I’m running. My immune system is better. My discipline is better. My energy is better. I enjoy the mornings on the road by myself before anyone else is awake. Like I said, my life is better when I run. So, why was I bargaining for more relaxed but less rewarding mornings?
With about five minutes left in my run, I realized what happened. I’m enjoying success right now. If we don’t sell anything, we’ll still be doing alright through March of next year. I’m not on the edge. I don’t have to push it. I’ve got a buffer. I can relax … and that would be the worst thing for me to do.
When you’re enjoying success and have a little breathing room in life, push it even harder. There are two reasons for this:
- It’s a better way of life. I’m most alive when I’m pushing it. A former boss of mine used to ask us all the time: “Why does Bill Gates go to work every morning?” I’m not going to answer that for you because the answer is unique to each of us. (If you’d like, modernize this question with Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos.)
- Any baseball player will tell you that their success rate is much better following an at-bat in which they got a hit; there is no better time for a sales person to give a presentation than after a huge win; and pushing it when you don’t need to push it leads to happiness and success that one never imagined.
So, to finish the title of this post … When you’re enjoying success, don’t settle. In fact, after taking a breath and celebrating your victory, double-down on your efforts and push it even harder. For me, I’m going to spend the next few months working very hard on our program that helps system integrators integrate digital marketing and modern-day sales, promoting our sales academy (www.vectorfirmacademy.com), and reconnecting with former clients. I’m going to work like crazy the rest of the year, and I’m going to enjoy every minute.
