You Don't Have To Be Perfect To Start

Now that Covid-19 is upon us, the future has probably never looked so uncertain. We are all anxiously awaiting getting back to 'normal,' but no one is quite sure what that means anymore. Life, as we knew it, has changed. If only we could look into a 'crystal ball' and predict the future-- but we can't.

While this is understandably challenging and unsettling to most of us, it can also be exciting. Because if the future is genuinely uncharted, then we can set our course. That means we can challenge the status quo-develop new ideas, try new things, explore new opportunities.

How many times have you had an idea and thought about doing something new and stopped yourself because someone said, "you shouldn't?"

"You can't-you're not good enough" ...

"you don't know enough," ...

"it's too risky " ...

When I came to this country 20 years ago without even speaking English, and got involved selling insurance, people told me, you can't do it, you don't even speak English, you shouldn't be going into sales..., when I started to write my bestselling book, the "No Excuses Mindset, 20/20", people said "get real, who is going to buy it?", "you're not good enough"..., when I began my public speaking career with my mentor and friend John C. Maxwell, some friends said, "English isn't even your native language, who is going to come  listen to you?"

Now the insurance business I started 20 years ago is one of the top offices in the country. My book has been a best-seller three times on Amazon. In my public speaking, I have shared the stage with many great leaders and spoken to groups internationally of more than 4,000 people. The point of all this is not to impress you but to impress upon you that I prevailed... because I never listened to all the people who said to me, "you can't."

There is probably no better time than now to try something new-in fact, many of us may have to now, whether we want to or not.

This is when entrepreneurs and forward thinkers thrive. They seek and discover new solutions to problems, whether it is a new technology, product, or service-and you too can do something with this opportunity. It's better to listen to the voice within you and tune out the noise around you. Everyone is waiting for the perfect time and testing the waters to see what the future holds before they try something new.  

DON'T WAIT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO START. YOU only need TO HAVE "FAITH" TO TAKE THE "FIRST OF MANY STEPS."

  

HERE IS HOW TO GET STARTED:

1.   WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Everyone is trying to figure things out, and no one has all the answers.No one knows what the future holds or how things will be going forward. From CEO's to new employees, we are all sharing and learning collectively. We are all 'growing' through this together. We will have to adapt to the changes.

2.   ARE YOU BEING PASSIVE OR PROACTIVE? Now is not the time for leaders to be passive. This is a time of change. Now is the time for leaders to step up and be proactive about working together with people to find solutions and answers to the challenges that present themselves. Our communities, our families, our business owners, all need the benefit of strong leadership. The way to keep up with change is to be proactive and get in front of it so that you can stay ahead of the game. The world needs leaders more than ever.

The game has changed, are you changing?

3.   IF YOU DON'T START YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET THERE. You and I are building our future and no one else.If you get an idea and don't act on it, you'll lose it or forget it. For example, if you put a resume out there, and don't follow up on it, you're not going to get a job. Lost ideas become lost opportunities. In order to move forward, you have to take advantage of the opportunity. Find it or create it. You can't live in the past; we're not going in that direction.

4.   THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION. As the saying goes, "iron sharpens iron." Collaborating with like-minded people will help get you through this crisis faster and better. People need to work together cooperatively now, more than ever. But be selective about who you spend your time with. Find people who challenge you to grow, and don't be afraid to question each other. Seek people whose strengths are different than yours, and vice-versa. Collaborate with people you learn from, who bring out the best in you. This way, you up-level each other's game and elevate each other.

5.   THE POWER OF FAITH. None of us have that elusive crystal ball, and nobody knows what the future holds, but you must go forward anyway. Have faith that things will get better. Be confident in the future, and believe in yourself, even though you can't see what lies ahead. Faith is the bridge to going from good to great, from scarcity to abundance, from limited to limitless. When people say something negative, having faith and confidence in yourself is a game-changer. Faith and confidence are what make it possible to persevere. The key is to listen to your inner voice and believe that better things are coming. Achieving anything worthwhile in life is never easy.

The future is already here. The opportunity is now. In this era of Covid-19, we must be prepared to jump on the opportunity when it presents itself. You have to be prepared for the opportunity.  If you are proactive and prepared, you will see that opportunity shows up. And that is when you get lucky.

 Live With Passion! Farshad Asl www.farshadasl.com