Every day is the election that matters.
You don’t have to wait for a start date.
You don’t have to wait for things to change every four years. Or four months, weeks, or days. You can elect a better world now. To change your career or health or performance or attitude. Not from the outside, but inside. Not from them, but me. Not by waiting, but acting.
In March 2020 my entire business plan was suddenly squeegeed out of existence. From fully booked for the next year to zero events for the foreseeable future. Which meant not only no money but no ability to pursue personal goals like my love of travel and photography and collecting stories.
What could I do?
I called for an early election.
I remembered that for things to change, now not someday, I have to cast my vote. So I sat down, took out a pen and wrote out the reminders of how to create an #AlwaysInspiring path through life:
“I elect to do the work necessary to grow myself every day.
I elect to put the time, effort, investment into learning new tools and trying new ideas.
I elect to work ethically, carefully and diligently with clients and friends, and make new ones daily.
I elect to create, contribute and cultivate relationships with respect and integrity and honor.
I elect to manage myself, govern my actions and be a good neighbor, corporate partner and peer.
I elect to spend wisely, save diligently and prepare for good days and bad.
I elect to learn the facts, listen to experts and be open to the opportunities and different paths.
I elect to be a good member of my family, a reliable friend to my sphere and a decent contributor to the general society.
I elect to do these things, whether others do them, without the power to make them,
or even get upset if they refuse to -
Because I elect to!”
Yesterday, as I approached my 200th virtual presentation since March, I started to tally the results of my election. My business was stronger than ever - more resilient because the virtual model has doubled my base and tripled my audience. Even when I get back on the road, I will have deepened my model’s resilience and reach. My health has been safe and strong throughout very stressful times. I’ve caught up with more people and been there for more meaningful moments, if only by video, than had I been up in the air every day. I’m doing some of my best work - on deeper topics with leaders and bigger issues with students than simply more deals - gratefully working with people who have also elected to grow beyond the past’s obsession with winners and losers.
The real winner though, is me:
By sticking to it and getting through it,
In the best of times or most challenging,
We can all elect a new Precedent.
There’s always one vote that counts.
And there’s a new election every day.
Make sure to show up -
And make your future heard.