You get what you accept … (“Had enough with the, “sure … ok,” answers you give?)

You know what I mean … those requests that come from “on high” that you always seem to agree to.  The request that knawels at your conscious because you know you’re better than what’s being asked of you … because it takes you in a different direction than what you dream of being.

Excuse my frankness, but, “You get what you accept.”

I know there are many of you who can honestly say yes to “those requests” and back up your answer through an increased joy in your quality of life or business success; Both financially and productively. Some of you are also saying yes but your “feel good” attitude towards your answer is short lived when you look at the prospects of how your life can truly be.  It’s about being completely authentic to your natural talents and delegating your non-talents so well that you refuse to accept anything less than the best for yourself.

The top performers – don’t settle. They are unreasonable in their expectations, regardless of what the culture says. They force life to work with them on their terms, not the other way around. They know what they are good at and what they like to do and they refuse to allow themselves to get into work or roles, or relationships for that matter, that force them to be unhappy being something they are not.

Years ago, after I left the Marine Corps as a fighter pilot in the mid-70’s I took a job with Ross Perot who was the new owner of duPont Glore Forgan (a NYSE securities firm) – I was called a Financial Representative but in reality I was a salesman.  After an extensive six month training program and passing all required licenses I began my career as a stock broker.  In my mind I felt a calling similar to what I think new attorneys feel, go out and help people succeed (financially) … right wrongs … make the world a better place.  What I met was a stern sales manager who micro-managed my days (and evenings) demanding me to meet quotes of various products he wanted sold.  I was good at sales, I met those quotes, even exceeded them … but inside I knew I was selling financial products to people because I needed to sell them, not because they needed to buy them!  I spoke with my father about this and he said something I’ve never forgot, “son, you get what you settle for … you get what you accept!”

Anthony Robbins, in Awaken the Giant Within, recalls the point in his life when he stopped accepting what he got. “I remember feeling like my life didn’t matter, as if the events of the world were controlling me. I also remember the moment my life changed, the moment I finally said, ‘I’ve had it! I know I’m much more than I’m demonstrating mentally, emotionally and physically in my life.’ I made a decision in that moment which was to alter my life forever. I decided to change virtually every aspect of my life. I decided I would never again settle for less than I could be.”

Not only is this a great example of someone who decided to stop accepting what he got, but it also shows the importance of realizing that you are actually in control. When Tony realized that he was in control of his success and destiny his belief switched from believing that the world controlled him, to believing that he controlled him. He realized he was in the driver’s seat.

I firmly believe that you must take ownership of this changing paradigm.  In today’s intellectual economy, companies need to realize that no one rides a bus anymore. Today, top performers don’t want to ride the company bus with a ticket provided for by the company (and all its attendant strings), they want a company car, so to speak – and they want to drive it themselves.

A significant part of achieving much higher performance levels is realizing that you don’t have to settle. We don’t live under a totalitarian regime. You are not forced into one role or one job for life. You are free to do whatever you want, wherever you want, and as more organizations become enlightened and start to realize that top performers want to lead their own lives, they too will allow you to control more of your own destiny within the company.

So, if you are unhappy with where you are in life, just remember – you get what you accept. As for me, my father’s words will always play an important part in my life, but in some ways he probably regrets them because when I did take them to heart I realized that I was being inauthentic and once I decided to stop accepting that – I quit.

As always …  here’s “to your continued success,” – Willard Kille