This is a guest post by Brent Kelly from Pure Fit 360. Brent is also an independent insurance agent finding his art and story. It is with great pleasure that I share with you Brent’s process for growth. Enjoy.
We all want success. For some of us, we want it so bad it hurts.
We get an idea, have a passion, long for a dream, but have no real direction. We are like an energetic toddler filled with abundant enthusiasm, but our arms are just flailing around.
I fully believe that we are all created to do something great and make a difference in the world. I am currently reading Seth Godin‘s, “The Icarus Deception,” and much like Seth, believe that we are all artists. We all have something to say, something to do, and most importantly something to create.
This blog post isn’t about abandoning your inner spirit and only following what other people have to say.
I want you to create.
I want you to be unique.
However, there are accomplished people in different areas of your life that you can and should learn from. As some would say, they have been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.
The formula is really simple. Find out what successful people do and be a sponge to soak up information.
Learn from People You Know
I bet you know many successful people in different areas in your personal life. You may be married to one. I am sure your parents or siblings have successful traits. I discover new ideas every day from my young children. Learn from all of them.
I am sure you know co-workers, business colleagues, or the local sports coach that have achieved success in certain areas. Learn from them.
There are people who have found tremendous success in specific walks of life. Some people are terrific with money. Others are great with kids. There are entrepreneurs and business leaders who know what it takes to get things done. Learn from them.
Whatever talents you are looking to improve, find individuals that have achieved some level of success in those areas and learn from these people.
Don’t be intimidated by successful individuals. They probably achieved much of their success by helping others and most didn’t get where they are now by being mean. Often times, they would love to help you. Invite them for a cup of coffee or lunch. They could be too busy, but most likely, you will be surprised how many are willing to help.
Give them a phone call or send them an email. Try this approach.
“Mr. or Ms. successful person, my name is {insert your name} and I have been extremely impressed on how you have handled/complete/achieved/attained {why they are awesome} and wondered if I could buy you coffee/lunch sometime. I am always trying to improve myself and love to learn as much as I can from highly successful people.”
Could they say no or laugh at you? Maybe, but it would really be hard to be rude to someone who just gave you a huge compliment. Think about it. Go find the leaders and achievers in your area and pick their brain.
Don’t limit yourself by geography either. Technology has given us Skype, Facebook chat, Google Hangouts, and more. One of my content marketing/insurance/idea mentor is Ryan Hanley. I have learned a tremendous amount of information from Ryan even though he lives almost 1,000 miles away.
Learn From Books
I have read a bunch of books from a multitude of authors. I have read financial books, marriage books, marketing books, parenting books, spiritual books, and many more. These are people who have had tremendous success in a certain field and are willing to share their advice for usually $20 or less (or free if you visit your library). How amazing is that?
There is one common theme that I have found from these successful authors. They have made a bunch of mistakes over their lives. They have failed and failed again. Here’s the best part……they also figured out what worked.
Let other people’s failures help you get you where you want to go faster.
The great part about learning from books is that you get to choose the topic. Whatever you are struggling with or desire improvement, books can provide a solid resource to educate and inspire. The author may not an expert in all things, but they have serious credibility on the topic they are writing on. Take advantage of this knowledge.
It has been said that not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.
I think you can learn an incredible amount from trial and error. I know from first-hand experience. We all learn from our mistakes, but why not shorten the learning curve a little. Life is too short.
Your Choice
One of my favorite quotes comes from Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. He said:
“The only difference from where you are right now and where you will be in five years is the books your read and the people you meet.”
Where do you want to be in five years?
Who has been a mentor to you? What books have changed your life? I would love to know. Leave a comment below.
Brent Kelly is an insurance advisor with Clemens Insurance in Bloomington, IL. He blogs about insurance topics at www.brentmkelly.com. He is also the founder of Pure Fit 360. Pure Fit 360 is designed to inspire and motivate individuals on physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual fitness. You can check out his blog at www.purefit360.com.
Yup when you are down and out, one should read lot of autobiographies and inspirational books that can kindle our mind to do something innovative.
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I have always believed that you can learn a lot from people with experience, may it be a bad experience or not. This is why I love talking to older people who have already gone through a lot to reach what they have become.
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Very well said! I also do believe that success is in all of us, and it is for us to discover how to get there. Learning from others is one of the best way that a person can be successful. But I also think that making others your inspiration may help each and everyone of us to achieve success in a certain field. Your tips are great and they surely helped a lot of individuals. Thank you for the information.
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All,
Great feed! Thanks for the original thought. The best advice I ever received was from a former sales manager when he asked if I was ready/willing to sell for him. He asked, “can you be coach able and teachable?” I think a lot opus get comfortable and then stop growing.
What spoke to me most was the learning from our children. They are such raw clean slates and a mirror to the power of learning and the inevitability of change.
Keep em coming!
TJL
Hey Ryan,
In June 2012 I got a job at my families Independent Insurance Agency as the Social Media leader. I dont consider myself an expert, but I was raised on social networks. I thought HEY, Im a FUN guy, people usually like my status’s, this will be easy! Not exactly! It’s hard promoting something like Insurance on Facebook. I discovered your blog in July and have been reading it ever since! I can really relate to what you do, you being in the same shoes as me, using social media to spread the ideas of your family owned Independent Insurance Agency, and I appreciate all the advice you give and the risks you take. I like what Brent is saying here because I’m trying to learn from all you guys, Insurance was the farthest thing from my mind up until June. Now, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned. I really want my family’s industry to stand out. I’m all about doing what no one else is doing, but I feel in the Insurance Industry there are lines that are hard to cross. We have a YouTube series where we make videos and try to add a little bit of humor to. If you’d like to check out our latest one, you can view it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVOi-i7RlEo. How do you deal with your creative ideas in your agency? Have you ever thought of something that would be really great to put out there, but management thought your idea was “too risky”?
Peter,
That video is freaking awesome dude… I love creativity. How are you getting the videos out to clients and potential clients?
I just shared the video on our page with a link page to your Facebook page. I think it’s genius.
Also I’m all for pushing the limits. Ask for forgiveness not permission.
Great to connect dude,
Hanley
Peter, that video is awesome. So much different than what’s out there, but also educational. This is great stuff. Keep learning from everyone and you will be rock star.
Brent Kelly wants you to check out… You Are a Role Model So Act Like It.
Glad you liked the video, saw that you shared it on Facebook and I was so psyched. We try promoting the video on our Facebook, we also have a e-mail list of all our clients and send out blast e-mails, but that has showed to not really be the greatest technique. Out of 1400 e-mails being sent, maybe 20 will get clicked. We’re still trying to figure out how to reach a wider audience, but like I said before, people aren’t really rushing home to watch a video about Insurance. How do you spread your Insurance blogs?
Hi Brent, thanks for the reminder on constant learning. I’ve asked a managing consultant at my work to be my mentor this year and he was so flattered. I think one of the key things with busy mentors is to have a bit of a structured approach otherwise they don’t know what to expect. We meet once a month for an hour or so and i bring a list of things that i would like to discuss. This has worked really well and i feel like I’m learning specific things that i need to.
I’m reading the Icuras Deception at the moment but feel like i need to lay down after each page.
Ryan I’m going to try your 2 posts a day for a month starting next week. I feel slightly scared but excited to bush myself. I really enjoy your blog, which considering you’re in insurance surprised me!
Thanks guys, great content!
Suzie
Suzanne,
You’ll kill it… With that kind of enthusiasm… Love it.
Also I get the bit about being in insurance all the time, sometimes it surprises me too.
Thanks,
Hanley
Suzie,
“The Icarus Deception” is really good, but it is not an “EASY” read. I think that’s a good thing.
Brent Kelly wants you to check out… You Are a Role Model So Act Like It.
Ryan,
I completely agree with you. I learn from people’s books, blogs, videos, webinars, podcasts and speeches. I woudn’t be where I am without them. Not to throw a wrench in the works but I’ve had some long drives lately so I’ve learned from podcasts more recently than books – I’d say Mixergy, BlogCastFM and SocialPros have been the big ones lately. On the book side, I’m enjoying Scott Stratten’s The Book of Business Awesome. I’m actually looking for the next book to inspire me though!
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Tom,
I’m assuming the Content Warfare Podcast is one of those as well (especially episode #10?)… I’m kidding.
I haven’t gotten into Mixergy yet, but I’m religious on BlogCastFM and Social Pros…
I just finished LinchPin by Seth Godin. If you haven’t read that yet it’s pretty awesome.
Thanks for stopping by buddy.
Hanley
I specifically didn’t say that because I didn’t want to suck up! And yes, #10 is probably your (our) best work ever.
In addition to the awesome Content Warfare Podcast, I also enjoy The Mad Marketing Podcast and Pat Flynn’s (and my own “on hiatus” podcast”). I’m still discovering new ones – haven’t listed to the Social Media Examiner one or some of the other new ones…
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Tom,
haha, very nice…
Six Pixels of Separation with Mitch Joel is awesome that’s a new one I’m listening to.
Social Media Examiners is really good, the last two with Mark Schaefer and Joe Pulizzi were valuable as hell.
I’ve been consuming so many podcasts lately. Love them.
Hanley
I love, love, love podcasts. There is such good variety and content and they are the perfect traveling companion.
My favorite podcasts right now (beside the Content Warfare Podcast:) are Entreleadership, Seth Godin Start Up School, This is Your Life by Michael Hyatt, Duct Tape Marketing, Social Media Examiner, and 48 Days.
I listen to 90% of these through the Stitcher app. Love that app.
Great list Brent. Some new ones for me to try!
Tom
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Great post Brent. I must say that I get frustrated as I have read tons of books and feel that I should be further ahead in the game of life than I currently am.
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Wade,
I hear your frustration. There are many things I want to do and accomplish and some days it feels like I will never get there. I am learning to be patient and just try to move the ball forward each day. There is no magic pill. Just hard work, determination, and attitude. You will get there. Thanks.
Brent Kelly wants you to check out… You Are a Role Model So Act Like It.