What would you set out to do this year if you knew absolutely, without a doubt, you could not fail?

Seems like a simple question doesn’t it? But I’ve noticed that many folks avoid giving a definitive answer. Just today I was facilitating a group of writers and speakers and this question was on my agenda to ask. Ask it I did… answer it they didn’t! I should have pushed for the answer for the good it would have done them and me! It would have also forced me to answer that question.

Today wasn’t the first time I’ve noticed it not being answered. I often wondered why this question is avoided! I believe it’s because we don’t dare dream. We don’t dare step out of our comfort zone to stake a claim on something big. Are we so conditioned to not stretch that we’ve become complacent or worse… apathetic about our own future?

Some place that you trust, a journal, a planner or just a plane ol’ spiral notebook, take a few minutes this week and write down some goals that you know would stretch you to achieve. Don’t judge the list, write the list! Ask yourself, “What if I couldn’t fail, what would I set out to do?” and write. I know that as soon as you do, you’ll say to yourself, “I can’t because…”, “I shouldn’t because…” . Let me say again… “Don’t judge the list, write the list!”

Something one of my mentor’s, the late Jim Rohn, used to say. “Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.” He also used to say, “If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you.” I challenge you to set some “real goals!” Make em BIG! Then set about; doing what you need to achieve them, becoming who you need to be to achieve them.

There are 2 “C” words that, on the surface, don’t have much in common except the “C” and the “ence” at the end of each word. The two words are Competence and Confidence. These 2 words are like the Chinese concept yin and yang from Asian Philosophy. Where, as Wikipedia says, the concept is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn.

This concept became clear when working with one of our clients “Raymond” as he talked to another person, “Rodney” of the same profession. Raymond has a successful practice where he routinely and successfully conducts a certain procedure. (Facts are omitted because they don’t add to the purpose of the story.) Rodney wanted to conduct this procedure in the worst way but alas, he didn’t and most likely couldn’t. It’s not that he’s incompetent as a matter of fact he might be just as technically proficient at Raymond. The fact is he isn’t confident in doing the procedure… so he only wishes.

Here’s the lesson: When you are good at something, do it! Do it a whole bunch! If you want to be good at something, do it! Do it a whole bunch! Do it with perfect practice and deliberate intent. It’s only in doing that you get confidence. Confidence increases your competence and (You guessed it) Competence increases your Confidence!

First let me say I love Bananas Foster! I really do! there used to be, maybe still is, a quaint little restaurant on the North side of Chicago, in Andersonville on Balmoral Avenue, called the Dellwood Pickle and they make the absolute best Bananas Foster I have ever eaten. So, when I see or hear that Bananas Foster is on the menu at any restaurant I visit, I must give it a try.

Recently, my family and I visited a newly opened restaurant and when asked what was on the dessert menu and I was told Bananas Foster, I was thrilled. Here comes the lesson… Nine times out of ten when I get the Bananas Foster it’s a real disappointment because I am comparing it to the Dellwood Pickle’s, which I had at least 15 years ago. Mostly when the disappointment occurs it’s not the quality of the food it’s the recipe, the way it’s made.

Well this time, at the newly opened restaurant, it was the quality. The bananas were black and completely over ripe. As a matter of fact, I couldn’t believe the wait staff actually brought it out! It made me think… in my business what deliverables are not what I would be absolutely proud of when delivered? You see, the Dellwood Pickle knew they had something special in their Bananas Foster and that’s why they made it table-side with flair for every order.

Here are some take away ideas for all of us to remember.

• Be sure what you offer is what you want the customer/client to receive.
• Always check in to make sure there isn’t something you’re being compared to that isn’t there now… i.e. The Dellwood Pickle’s Bananas Foster.
• Make sure everyone on your team know what is expected and absolutely what is unacceptable (i.e.. No black bananas!)
• From time to time, check with the client your team is working with to make sure all is well.
• If you have checks and balances in place to make sure you deliver what is promised every time, you will have customer who are loyal to you for a long, long time!