A little over a year ago, I was going through the tail end of a long divorce. We were down to the point where the court ordered an evaluation of my business. I had to give up all sorts of financial information pertaining to my company and expenses. When I say “it was rigorous,” it was. They looked at everything but the inside of my a$$hole. No sh!t [see what I did there?]
After a month or so, my attorney called me up and said “Hey man! Good news about that evaluation. Your business is basically worthless. If you die tomorrow, no one is going to keep paying you. You can’t put a price on your ability to get business. You’re the worth, not your business. This means you don’t owe any additional to your ex.“
I was shocked to realize everything I worked for was 30 days away from being worthless.
Sure, it was good news, as far as the amount of money I had to pay to settle. But it was horrible news as far as how solid my business model was. Then I started thinking of every kickstarter I’ve ever been invited to by one of my friends who got fired or hurt and couldn’t pay their bills 60 days later. I was scared for my kids, and those who rely on me. A lot of people pay their bills based on my performance. #responsibility
That conversation stuck with me. It’s on my mind every day still. I’m too egotistical to have something that dies with me. I’ve always thought of building a legacy like the great Zig and Jim Rohns of the past. Their businesses didn’t die with them. I had to make sure mine didn’t die with me.
This was just the slap in the face I needed. I was working my a$$ off every day, but it died with me. After a few days of speaking to mentors and advisors, I came up with some ideas to help me add some passive streams of income into my business plan. As usual, I went to work immediately.
I got my sh!t together and changed the entire situation.
Around six months after my divorce, my plans all started falling into place. I had built 16 streams of income. The only problem was that 14 of them relied on me to run them. The other two were the least income-producing streams I had. Dammit! Back to work.
A year after, I had 27 streams of income of which 13 do not require me to be alive. These streams will pay off whether I go to work tomorrow or not. They are 100 percent passive. They are also secured and long-term. This doesn’t mean I no longer have to work. It means I’m building balance in my income portfolio.
I’ve also built divisions within Hardcore Closer exclusively dedicated to selling my digital products. Just like you can buy books and audios from Jim and Zig, you can do the same and more from me. These are legacy streams that can easily be sold off by my heirs when the need arrives.
I had one chance to get all I could get.
The other thing that really struck me from the conversation with the attorney, was the what if I die tomorrow factor. It was the cold water wake up call that made me realize I’m not getting any younger. If I’m gonna answer the calling in my life, time’s running out.
Think about it, everything on this planet is out to kill you. Animals, food, ladders, cars, shoes, you name it, you can die from it. People can die from drinking too much water. Who am I to think I’m invincible? I’m not 20 anymore. It’s time I get my act together. I’ve got kids and contractors who depend on me.
Knowing all this, I work my a$$ off every day. Not Monday through Friday. Every day. I’m here to get ALL I can get, while I can still get it. Nothing is forever and death is certain. These two factors alone should be enough motivation to provoke us to get all we can get, by working as hard as we can. Sadly, they aren’t in most cases. We will actually do what we can, to avoid facing these two truths.
I owe it to those who rely on me.
If you’re in a commission only job, especially one without residual payouts, you owe it to yourself and everyone who relies on you, to work your ass off every single day. My coach used to tell me “practice like you play” and I believe the same thing applies at work. Except at work, every day is game day. Practice takes place after hours.
Not to be cliché but you only live once. You only have one shot to get all you can get. If you spend that shot aiming at some bullshit, it’s your fault if you strike out at some point. I had a friend get hit by a car, crossing the street at 7 am, on the way to work. He’s now in a wheelchair the rest of his life. I’m sure he wished he had made the most of what he had while he had it. You truly don’t know what you got until it’s gone.
You deserve to work hard. You deserve to do your 100 percent absolute best to serve everyone you can. You got into sales to help people. So quit bullsh!tting and help as many people as you possibly can, because you never know when the time comes that you can’t help anymore.
Lastly, if you’d like to find out what products, programs and events we have available for you, get in touch at www.breakfreeacademy.com/entourage. All I ask is that you ONLY contact us if you are ready to take action and make an investment in yourself. This blog is read by 10,000 people daily so we want to make sure we serve those who are 100 percent ready first. Thanks for cooperating. Also, don’t forget to share this with your friends and fellow salespeople.
