If Not You, Who?

Dear High Achiever:

I’M CERTAIN you’ve heard this quote before, especially if you are in sales or have ever been to a motivational seminar. Ironically, I’ve never asked the audience at one of my seminars these two questions …so here they are for you in writing.

If not you, who?

If not now, when?

These are two good questions to ask yourself if you are a person who desires to make the most or your life … experience all it has to offer … and want to contribute in helping others make the most of theirs.

I’ll let you in on a secret…

You are not like most people!

How do I know that? Because you are reading this FYI/TGIM. And I would guess that you subscribe to other personal or professional development newsletters and are a student of personal growth.

• You are in a unique and special category of people. You represent one tenth of one percent of the population that cares about self improvement and personal growth.
• You’ve taken personal responsibility in accessing information that can help you become more as a human being.

But information is only potential power. It’s what you do with the information that becomes real power.

Which leads me to my third question…

What Personal Accountability Strategies Do You Have In Place?

My guess would be zero.

On a scale of 1 to 10: Where would you rate YOU for personal accountability? You know what I mean, the kind of accountability when no one is watching. I’m referring to the kind of accountability that you share with the people closest to you. Not the stuff you share with your acquaintances and people at work that you embellish on to make you look good.

What’s your real number? And what area or areas of your life do you have to take it up a notch or three?

For example: Think about when you see someone in life doing exceptionally well. (I know this is relative; we all have our own opinion of “exceptional” and “well.”)

So, let’s say when you see someone who seemingly has it all together mentally, spiritually, physically, financially, in their marriage and family, their life just seems to have balance and harmony. What do you think of this person?

I think they have a high level of personal accountability, accompanied by personal responsibility. They most likely take consistent action to improve their life and take personal responsibility in finding the information they need to achieve their desired outcome. They’ve answered the core questions: the “who?” … the “when?” … and their personal accountability rating is a 10.

But here’s another not-so-little insight: I’m around some super achievers and nobody has it all together. I can count on one hand people I know that have answered and mastered all three questions and every area of their life.

So not everyone has it all together. That’s why professional athletes, business executives and soccer moms have trainers, mentors and coaches.

Yes – You are the one who is responsible for your life. And you are the one who has to do it now because the clock is always ticking. And you are the one who has to hold yourself accountable for your actions. But the good news is…

You don’t have to go it alone. You don’t have to take the journey toward Self Growth by yourself.

In fact, you shouldn’t. I always emphasized and agreed with the philosophy that “personal development is an inside job.” But that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize all the resources that are available to you.

FYI Takeaway: Since you are already an active student of self improvement, you probably realize you have unlimited outside resources to get the inside work done.

FYI ACTION IDEA: Use them!

FYI IDEA IN ACTION: One of the key motivators for me initiating the upcoming Achievement Breakfast Club event is to create a forum for like-minded personal development enthusiast to meet, learn and become more by sharing energy, experiences and ideas for Self Growth. When one or more gather with similar intentions there is energy, enthusiasm and a synergy that is very powerful.

I have a name for it: I call it Energy Transference. At my seminars, I have the privilege of being on stage and I see it happen right in front of me. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Enthusiasm takes energy, and when two or more people combine their energy and enthusiasm, amazing things happen.

I want to recommend two Action Items for you to consider if you know you need to take your personal accountability up a notch.

Action Item #1: Do everything in your power to make it to the Achievement Breakfast Club get together on November 12th. Details and registration information will be emailed to you in just a few days.

Action Item #2: If you are interested and willing to make an investment of time and resources to make 2009 Your Best Year Ever! — let’s set up a time to talk.

Shameless commercial (sort of). I say “sort of” because you know these no-charge “FREE” FYIs and TGIMs are, and will continue, to be here to Inform and Inspire you throughout the days and years ahead. And at the Empowerment Group we’re actively fine-tuning the Best Year Everprogram in its many forms and variations to make its guidance affordable and available to you.

But if the challenges of today’s FYI have Informed and Inspired you at a higher level–

Maybe it’s time for you to go the distance. Contact me about becoming your Personal Success and Accountability Coach. I only have room for a few clients and if you are compelled to take your life and career to the next level we should schedule a complimentary Discovery Call.

Take Action: Don’t settle for less than you deserve in this life. YOU are the person and NOW is the time to make this Your Best Year Ever!

Go Out and Make This Your Best Year Ever!