Yesterday, I had a very busy Sunday afternoon with my boy. It was an unusual sports extraveganza... one indoor soccer game and three basketball games all in ONE day. While Matthew did well and had a blast, I on the other hand was flat out exhausted by the early evening. Since I was mentally and physically fried, when we arrived home last night I turned on the TV, turned on the fireplace, turned off my brain, lay down and chilled out. I had to re-charge my battery.
As usual, I began channel surfing like crazy and instantly started to mellow out. I know...a strange ritual to unwind. My channel flipping drives my family nuts but brings me much peace and a real sense of power. Like most men, I tend to have attention-deficit disorder when it comes to cable TV. Last night, I was jumping rapidly between a NASCAR race, an NBA game, a few cable news channels, and yes, even the Academy Awards.
I think I have only seen the Academy Awards two or three times in my life. I'm not a huge fan of movies and generally could care less about what most actors and actresses think and say. So I'm not sure what captured my attention this year, but I did flip back and forth and caught most of the big Oscar winners giving their acceptance speeches. Each movie actor, actress, director, etc. held up his or her newly won golden Oscar statue and with great emotion and tears in their eyes, began to sincerely acknowledge and thank all the important people in their lives and those related to that particular movie project.
Overall, they thanked the Academy, their parents, spouse, kids, influential teachers, co-stars, fellow nominees, God, directors, producers, movie studios, agents, screen writers, the entire cast, crew, and on and on. They genuinely expressed appreciation for all the people who believed in them and/or helped make the movie project happen. While the Academy Awards are a bit self-indulgent and self-congratulatory, they do allow movie professionals to honor outstanding achievement and afford the winners the opportunity to count their blessings, give thanks, and show appreciation. That's always a good thing. And after all, maybe it was that honest and heartfelt "attitude of gratitude" that drew me to the show last night. Again, counting your blessings is always a good thing.
As a business coach, that annual recognition and appreciation process got me thinking. What if a business owner received something similar to an Oscar for outstanding performance? What would the owner say? Whom would they acknowledge? Whom would they thank? How would they express their appreciation?
As your virtual business coach, let me be the Business Owner Academy and award you with a golden Oscar for your outstanding role and achievement as a business owner. Because of your success, you are now holding the heavy Oscar in your hand and standing in front of your peers, family and the world. You are in the spotlight. They are recognizing and honoring you for outstanding performance and achievement.
Now for some business coaching questions: How would you feel? What would you say? Whom would you thank? Who believed in you? Who contributed to your success? Who made a real difference in your business career and success? Who nurtured your early interest in business? Who truly supported your entrepreneurial dream? Who inspired you to be an entrepreneur? Who has been there for you in good times and bad? Who challenged you and coached you? Financed you? Advised you? Feel free to write down all these names and then study the list. No man or woman is EVER a success on their own. Look at all the people who contributed to your business, dream, and journey and who helped you stay in the game. It does take a village of people to develop a successful business.
During these challenging economic times, more than ever, it's healthy to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the people who made such a difference in our businesses and lives. To acknowledge what is working well in our businesses and lives. To take time to count our many blessings. To jot down a list of people we should acknowledge and thank. To have an "attitude of gratitude". And yes, to write a hand-written thank-you note to some of these people who were instrumental in your being a business owner...before it is too late.
Congratulations on your Oscar. Now the big business coaching question...where will you put it?
Daniel M. Murphy
President, Founder & Business Coach
The Growth Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System