Be A Thriver, Not Just A Survivor

It’s tough to be in insurance and financial planning these days. As the Great Recession continues to stumble along, many people have pulled what’s left of their assets out of the markets.  You can’t really blame them. 
 
Too many have already lost a big chunk of their money, so they’re about ready to stuff what’s left in their mattresses.  As for life insurance, well, with jobs either gone or in jeopardy, people are hesitant to make what they just might consider to be an “arbitrary” purchase.  We know it’s not, but people are afraid to take on new obligations right now.  Again, you can’t really blame them.
 
So, where does that leave you?  You are probably working longer and harder for every bit of business, and the harsh reality is that there is no easy money out there, not these days. 
 
So, you can do two things.  One is wait out the recession, adopt a hunker-in-the-bunker mentality, and hope to survive until the good times return. 
 
Unfortunately, people who do that won’t be around when the good times return.  They won’t be in the business.  Their dreams, their goals, their ambitions, their self-confidence and their very success will atrophy and disappear.  Because what they will really be doing is using the recession as an excuse for failure. 
 
Instead, you should use it as an opportunity to build toward your next level of success.  I have been watching businesses, including self-employed advisors and agents, as they respond to today’s ridiculous economy.  Here is what I am seeing:
 
The winners will be those who invest in growth and innovation.  They were doing it long before the recession hit, are doing it today, and will keep on doing it in the future, long after the recession is history.  How does that translate into what you do? 
 
So, the second option – the right choice – is take this opportunity to invest in yourself … to grow personally and professionally.  This goes beyond mandatory continuing education to keep your license.  It involves taking this opportunity – that’s right, opportunity – to add a new professional designation, identify a new market to break into, or go back and learn some new marketing and sales methods.     
 
Investing in yourself does more than prepare you for the end of the recession.  It gives you a mental toughness and focus that will help bring you out of the recession … regardless of what goes on in the economy around you.  You’ll be succeeding in the tough times.  So, when the bad times end, you won’t just be a survivor; you’ll already be thriving. 
 
What you need to do:  No one knows when the Great Recession will end.  It doesn’t matter.  There is always money to be made.  So, climb out of the bunker and look for meaningful ways to develop your professional skills.   
 
As always, work hard, make money, have fun … and keep on investing in your professional growth.   -- JRI