High Wire, No Net

The dance entrepreneurs dance, often.

Relationships Matter Now has a long time project going away in the next 60 days.

When we first got the news, it was terrifying. No lie. Since this company became my full-time focus in November 2011, there has always been that anchor project/client that just hummed along while we continued to build presence, reputation and steady business.

Make no mistake, we've been in terrifying territory before. This time, we'd been preparing for the day - building business and revenue to replace this project should it disappear. And we strategically made moves that prevented us from keeping this assignment.

Yet, when the call came, it still landed roughly.

While we have solid business to carry us into the 3rd quarter of 2014, there is still a tinge of terror thinking about a pipeline that dries up in October. Yet, there is a feeling of freedom and possibility that comes with operating without a net.

It is clear in my own ideation. I can hear it each time I talk individually with my 4 team members. Innovation occurs best when there is no net.

When you know that every step you take has to have purpose and intention, it is easy to be creative. When you don't have the certainty of "something," you create THE THING that carries you into your next phase.
When tomorrow is today, you generate the energy, ideas and follow-through you never knew you had.

We are operating without a net and producing some of the best work we ever have produced.


We were prepared for our "no net" experience.

We've built the model. We run the model. We tweak the model.

We've communicated what we can do for our clients. Many times, many places.

We've done excellent work with the clients we have and created a circle of reciprocity.

What are you doing today to prepare you for when you have "no net"?

Got Excellence?

Composure

Creativity

Knowledge

Those are a few of the many things I plan to "put on" this very important week in my life.  As I prepared for this week, it occurred to me that the experience I want to have this week is not unique to this week.  Whether or not I have a meeting on Park Avenue, I want to experience fulfillment, triumph and peace.

What can I do to bring that about in my life regardless the circumstance?

Reflection and Refocus.

I can reflect on what I want to experience and refocus my energy to manifest it. My relationship with excellence is healthy and vibrant. I have found a way to bring my "A" game to my daily life and it is paying dividends. Yes I am so stoked for my big days but they are really not that different from my every day.

Your "A" game is not just reserved for big meetings or significant family events. Whatever it is that you want to experience on the most important days, can be harnessed and manifested every day.

Now I get how that sounds and you may be asking - if you use your "A" game everyday, then what do you pull out for the huge events? Your "A"game.

Excellence is not something that can be dusted off and used "as necessary." In my experience, your best game is the one you practice often. So if you need your "A" game for that big meeting next month on Park Avenue - you'd better start using it today.

Bring your "A" game to the soccer field when you take your kids for their games.

Bring your "A" game to the weekly status call.

Bring your "A" game to your morning greeting with your spouse or significant other.

Bring your "A" game to the next conversation with your parents.

Excellence must be practiced on the regular or it will not show up when you "need" it.

What is your relationship with excellence? How can you make it better?