Tweet

Success Will Always Cost You

Written by: Jamie Broughton

Article Overview: Are you really good at what you do? Look out; success is both a blessing and a curse. Today’s article sheds light on the blinders success can give us and how to lift them. Enjoy.

Success Will Always Cost You

Simon, my eldest son, had been going to Nursery School for 4 months when I learned a valuable lesson. I took him on his first day but I hadn’t dropped him off since. Due to our family routine it’d become April’s job.

Today however, it’s my task again. I get him all strapped into his booster seat (also known as “the throne” because he sits so high he seems to rule the place) and we head out together for our 5 minute journey, which I’m certain I remember.

Imagine yourself driving in a car with a 3 year old. It goes without saying you’re in charge, right? After all, you’re the one with the experience, the judgment, the skill, the practice, correct? Think again.

We enter the school zone. The place is a zoo – school buses zooming in and out, parents dropping off kids, children walking, shouting, and laughing. It’s a virtual sea of stimulation to navigate.

Simon is jabbering away about something in the back as I’m trying concentrate on all that’s going on. The car entrance to the school is coming up on the right. It leads into a single-row parking lot that runs parallel to the main road, and I’m scoping ahead for a spot to park.

Then I hear: “Stop Dad.”
Then quicker and slightly louder: “Stop Dad.”
In the midst of it all I disregard him. “He probably thinks I’m going to miss the turn,” I say to myself.
With increasing volume, “Stop, stop, STOP Dad!”

At that moment I catch a glimpse of a stop sign as I drive past it. My heart races at my error and I take the quick right-hand turn into the entrance.

“Son of gun, I can’t believe I didn’t see the sign,” I think, angry at myself for missing it and imagining what could have happened.

My insurance paperwork says I’ve been driving for 21 years now. It also says I’m a very good (although occasionally fast) driver. Basically, I have tremendous experience and I know what I’m doing.

Yet unconsciously, it was THAT driving experience that stopped me from taking Simon’s comments seriously. I made assumptions about what he was saying:

“He’s too young. He’s just playing around. He thinks I’m going to miss the entrance but I know I’m not.”

Frankly, I didn’t listen.

It simply didn’t occur to me to consider his perspective. As a result someone could have been hurt.

Coaching Fieldwork:

Success always costs us. The more successful we get at something, the more entrenched (unconsciously) we become in THAT approach – “THIS is the way it’s always been done; I prefer it THAT way etc.” While experience is obviously useful, it’s dangerously limiting as well.

Where would you like to improve things in your company or area of responsibility? Instead of relying on your past approach – experience - “stop, stop, STOP” and ask the people who are closest to the issue: your managers, your reps, your customers. What are THEIR ideas?

Related Articles
  Low Cost Franchises Offer Way to Own Your Own Business
  Alpha – Beta – Theta of Food Costing
  A Cunning Cost Cutting System for the Busy Business Owner
  Understanding Banner Advertising
  Best Practices

Article Tags: 4 months, assumptions, booster seat, car entrance, driving experience, eldest son, family routine, glimpse, heart races, insurance paperwork, judgment, midst, minute journey, nursery school, parking lot, school buses, school zone, stop sign, virtual sea, zoo school



Related Forum Posts
No fee biz banking - I miss Bizsmart - it was a great no fee banking option for businesses but I guess the company wasn't making much returns and had to shut down. Are there any other no fee or Low Cost Business banking options still available in Canada?
Research & Dev Tax Credit - at No Cost (Canada) - Brian, I have a colleague that can provide you guidance and even assist in maximizing a R&D Tax Credit from the Government of Canada (If you are Canadian). All this at No Cost to You. I know her well and have referred other people to her. She's got plenty of experience in the field. If you're interested (anyone else on this forum too) just send me a PM and I will share her details with you.
Re: When did your entrepreneurism start? - I sold my science fair project when I was 9 year old after I won 2nd place. Created crystals from lumps of salt that collected on a string. Cost less than a penny to make and got $1 a piece for them. Not bad profit margin but was too young to realize I was ripping anyone off at the time.
Picking a corporate lawyer - Hi Everyone, I was just curious to know what's the most important criteria a small business owner should look at when choosing a corporate lawyer? -Cost/hr? -Location? -Reputation/Referral? -Experience? -Personality? How did you pick your lawyer? And what's a fair price to pay per hour? Thanks
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!! - Success = Thinking (Head) + Heart (Feeling / Interest) + Hand (doing/ action). Success - H3 Robert


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Substance Abusing Employee

Mistakes Made by New or Inexperienced Sales Staff

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.