Hello again everyone!
Are you living your life like a pole vaulter? By the time you are finished reading this I hope you will be able to answer “no” to that question. Let me explain…
It’s a fact that the majority of people operate well below their intended potential. Why is that? It’s simple – most people haven’t been pushed to do anything more, and most people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. In fact, from childhood, we are surrounded by countless situations in which it’s ok to be average. In school, a C is considered a passing grade, so for many kids, a C is all they will shoot for. What would happen if there wasn’t an in between – if you either got an A or failed? Do you think there would be more students that failed? Society surely does, but I tend to disagree. I think you would find that more students would work harder, put in more effort to get the A because for the first time in their lives they were pushed to do it; simply being average was no longer enough.
But it’s no wonder that as adults many people are content to go through life doing only the bare minimum and nothing more – that is how we are programmed as children. And while you can certainly get by in life doing the bare minimum, who wants to just “get by”? To be truly successful in anything – your job, your marriage, ACN – you must have high expectations of yourself and those around you. You must remain unsatisfied. Now this doesn’t mean you create an environment in which your family or your team doesn’t feel as if anything is ever good enough. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
Take for example the pole vaulter on the track and field team. The pole vaulter isn’t trying to go four feet above the bar; they are just trying to clear the bar. See people will only go as high or work as hard as they are pushed to go. So you can go through life as the pole vaulter simply trying to just clear the bar or you can create an environment in which you are challenged every day, an environment in which your personal bar is set higher every day.
And if you are waiting around on someone else to set high expectations of you, to expect more out of you, then you are going to be waiting around for a long time. Your number one competitor should be yourself. You have to set high expectations for yourself and you have to hold yourself accountable to those expectations. If you are constantly letting yourself off the hook, all you’ll ever have is a life full of holes.
See, just because you might only be working your business on a part-time basis doesn’t mean you should only give it part-time effort – because if you do, you shouldn’t expect anything more than part-time results. If all you have to give to your business right now is a few hours a day, then give it 100% for those few hours. But beware…setting high expectations doesn’t by any stretch mean being unrealistic. Perhaps you are hosting 3 PBRs a week and you want to grow your business. You shouldn’t immediately shoot to host 10 PBRs a week – that probably isn’t realistic. Instead, try to host 5 PBRs a week. Raise your expectations and proceed slowly and strategically to achieve your goals.
So back to my original question. Are you living your life like a pole vaulter whose main objective is to simply “clear the bar”? Or are you living your life looking above and beyond the bar? Ask yourself, am I lowering my expectations to match my performance or am I raising my level of performance to meet my expectations? If you aren’t expecting the absolute best from yourself, no one else will! Don’t be afraid to aim high. Sure, you might miss once in a while, but if you never aim, you wont ever hit the mark!
For those of you in Korea and the Pacific, I know you are just coming off incredible national events – which should serve as a catalyst to kick your business into high gear. For those of you in North America, I look forward to seeing you next week at the Charlotte event – where I can assure you we will be raising the bar even higher.
Until next time,
Greg
Thank you for such wonderful insights. Timing is perfect for me and I’m sure so many others. Gems of wisdom I am applying now.
Excellent message, Mr. Provenzano. It’s like we always say in our business….”Aim for the eagle, you’ll bag the pheasant and you won’t eat crow!”
Lo importante es que no pares, que no te canses, que no abandones. Aunque tus pasos son pequeños y tus progresos parecen insignificantes, si estas en tu camino nada no te puede parar.
This is just what I needed to hear!!! THANK YOU!
Thanks Greg! I found myself “lowering my expectations to match my performance” and I stalled. In fact my motivation went down, and my performance went down with it. Thanks to this amazing insight (As well as many more that you share with us on a regular basis) I am raising my performance! The timing is perfect, God Bless!
Greg,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do aim higher each day. Goal setting is what I have recently started doing when I wake up in the morning.
It’s tough, and it always turn out to be rewarding at the end.
Andrew
I love how inspiring and uplifting everyone I. ACN is! I am so very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization and family!!
Thanks for sharing this….really inspiring and motivational!
Yes, the pole vaulter is trying to just clear the bar, but for the most part this is because it’s the highest level he or she has reached thus far. Once they have cleared the bar, thru hard work and dedication, the bar is raised. They then strive to reach a higher level, just as those working to reach a higher level in ACN
Arthur, I’m with you on the pole vaulter’s perspective. I have not been a pole vaulter, but have seen the determination in everything about them to strive for even just a small amount of improvement. I might suggest to be just like them and keep striving for a greater height even if the amount is small. In the end it is the sum of every effort that matters.
Thankyou thankyou Iam so grateful to be with this company, it has transformed our lives to become better and not to settle for mediocure, to add value in other peoples lives. Thankyou once again!
Thaks a lot From Spain , This bussines is the best ever. i can belive how can think in Telecomunications and Energy WIHT NETWORK MARKETING, is simply pump.
Network Of Juan Antonio Rodriguez
Raising the bar Mr. Provenzano!!!
BAM, you’ve done it again..thanks ACN!!
And Europe….
See you in October
Mr Provenzano, your words are always encouraging and insightful! So thankful to GOD for this awesome company started by you and the other co-founders.
Continue to be used as a vessel to bless others through yours words and this company and GOD will continue to do more than you could ever think or imagine!
BOM BOM BOM… ACN, the 21th century company
Thank you Mr. Provenzano!!
Thoughts well expressed and words well used by a true leader. Thank you Sir.
Thank you, Mr. Provenzano and the other co-founders for following the heart of God and letting us be a part of this “Great Opportunity” Showing us we are eagles, who are born2soar!!!!!! Yes, the sky is the limit….
Outstanding reminder for ACN and all of life. Thanks Mr. Provenzano. It will be a privilege to meet you and your partners in Charlotte.
Hi Mr. P. Just want to say that I am so very impressed with all of the training, tips, and amazing support that is given by ACN to all of its IBOs. Thanks and see you in Charlotte.
NO holes here!
Bessings friend.
Thank you, Mr. Provenzano
What you expect is what you get ! Aim High enough and You WILL hit a star !
Thanks for all you do Great motivtion Thanks For this wonderful busness!!!!
Thanks for those thoughts, and your help in where we need to focus! I need to raise my expectations on myself, and not waste time, or allow others to take me
away from what needs to get done today. Thanks Harvey
Please translate in italian language please! It’s important for us. Thank you President!
Love this.. one if my biggest things in life .. I have never been satififed with anything we never grow in life if we accept things as they are at face value .. no one person has all the right answers in life for you .. you have to answers in all forms and directions for your growth .. love your company .. can’t wait to grow to the top and make it up on stage with you.. .. Corporate America didn’t work for me I love your philosophy .. thanks for creating