Auto Repair Shop Owner's Daily Dose 67: Get into Winning Mode

Get into Winning Mode by Rick White, President 180BIZ

Lately, I’ve been talking about getting out of survival mode and into winning mode. I’ve talked about going from “not losing” the game to “winning” the game. Have you ever watched a football game where the team was winning? The team was going strong for several quarters and then suddenly they flipped. They were no longer pushing for a win. They were protecting themselves from a loss. It’s amazing how many teams lose when they go into protection mode just because of that mindset shift. So starting today, I want you to get out of survival mode and get into winning mode.  Start thinking growth. Start thinking about abundance.

Then, look at your team to determine if they are all the right players.  Do you have the best bench? That's a baseball term. Do you have the best bench to play the game of business in your market? If you don't, it's time to make a change. As I talk to people about getting bigger and starting to think abundance and goals I hear them reply with “What if…”  I have to tell you, if you want to erode your confidence, and anybody's confidence, just start asking “What if…” questions like:

• What if we slowed down?
• What if it doesn't pick up?
• What if customers don't come back?
• What if I hire somebody and I can't keep them busy?
• What if I hire somebody and they're a bad fit?

“What if…” questions are a real problem for business. I’ll say it again. There's nothing that erodes your confidence faster than “What if…” questions. And that's why I created this morning’s Morning Moment. Stop talking about “What if…” in a negative way and flip it positively.

• What if it doesn't work out?  Flip it to ask, What if it does work out?
• What if they’re a bad fit? Flip it to ask, What if they’re the best person I ever hired?
• What if I don’t have enough business for the techs? Flip it to ask, What if I need more techs?

It’s a decision on what you pay attention to.  Stop asking “What if…” questions and start telling yourself what is.  Remember, setting a goal is what creates certainty in your life. It’s about you pushing for it, you believing in it, you knowing that you're going to get it no matter what in a moral, legal, ethical way. You're never going to get the business of your dreams or the money in the bank that you want or the lifestyle that you want for you and your team, for your family, for your kids if you have the survival mentality. 

I grew up in a very tight environment.  I'm not blaming anyone. My mom and dad did the best they could with what they had. But I'm telling you right now, you are the one that determines your altitude, how far you go, how high you climb, and how high you fly. It’s 100% up to you. You want to do everything you can to build your confidence up, not tear it down. So instead of “What if…,” you tell yourself WHAT IS.  Tell yourself what was. Go back and look at past victories. That's where you build your confidence up. There is so much potential just bursting to come out of you.

 I am disappointed to see people live small.  Do not let fear, do not let doubt dictate your destiny. Define what you're capable of. Fear is going to be a constant companion. Embrace it. Recognize what it's there to do. It is there to protect you. But look at it and realize that your fear is not logical. My fear is not aware of everything that's going on. Embrace that fear.

Next, know what your goals are. Know what you're going to do to push yourself, your team, and your business so that you are truly serving your community in ways that it has never been done before. So, no more “What if…” questions. And tell yourself that you refuse to live small. You must refuse to get to the end of life with potential still left in you. I want you to get to the end of life with nothing left but a smile for a life well-lived.

So, go make a difference today and make some money. Have a good day. God bless.