You know those moments ….

Those moments you are so centered that your purpose is crystal clear.

Those moments of clarity, that you are certain your path forward is destined to succeed.

Those moments of growth for yourself personally and your business, knowing that you are building the capabilities that the future will demand.

And those moments of confidence, when you just know the entrepreneurialism and professionalism of your organization is building for long-term success.

Self Talk

As reassuring as these moments are ….

I’ve learned they are not always with us.  In our survey of 200 distribution executives we heard from so many distribution leaders questioning those very things.  They shared some of their self talk.  Self talk such as:

• Lacking the vision to maintain pace with rapid change
  
• Questioning if parts of their business model are viable
  
• Uncertainty about the decisions being made
  
• And that relevance in the long term is keeping them up at night

And … they also shared that they know there is MORE TO DO. 

They have an appetite for solving the hard issues in front of them.  And they are energized to finish the job before transitioning leadership to the next generation.

This is after all, their life’s work.

Stay Focused For The Long-Term

Over the last five posts you have learned a success path for securing your life’s work.

First you must define your purpose by leveraging a compelling set of values and beliefs to inspire hunger for meaningful contribution.

Next, align your team around a clear path forward.  You’ll want to identify the strategies that will lead customers to a better future while energizing your team.

Third, you need to focus on growing your personal and business capabilities.  You’ll optimized organizational skills, competencies and processes to serve tomorrow’s customer.

And fourth, you need to insure leadership is focused on sustaining long-term generational results.  You will strategically position the company for the next generation and make decisions and investments accordingly.

The path obviously requires focus and effort.  A lot of focus and effort.

Yet it is in loyalty to your employees, dedication to the business, and love of family that drives the commitment … before turning the business over to the next generation, to ensure it is positioned for long-term success.

After all, your life’s work will be left to these others to continue on.  And knowing that they are all proud to have made the commitment like you to build a legacy that is worth preserving … that’s pretty cool in my book!

What’s Next

As I review that survey mentioned earlier .. this number jumps out at me…

80% of leaders in distribution, despite some of that self talk … 80% approach the day with energy, focus, and purpose.  While they might get pulled into some questioning self talk and into the crises of the day (or hour 🙂 ) they know strategically they have more work to do and are energized by this.

These distribution leaders told me:

• “I have learned to love change.”
• “I know I have a lot to do before I retire and am energized by the changing landscape.”
  
• “I’m encouraged by the next generation leaders and have the confidence they will handle the future successfully.”

These are folks focused on their life’s work.  And I have to tell you, I LOVE this!  I get ENERGIZED by this!

If you are thinking about preparing your business for transition of leadership to the next generation, I encourage you to look into My Life’s Work and joining the intimate group of big dreamers, strategic thinkers and committed difference makers who are age to prepare their businesses and the next generation for unprecedented success.

My Life’s Work is the world’s only program for distribution executives ready to secure their life’s work.  Through a series of innovative quarterly coaching retreats, you are provided a system to set your business trajectory for relevance, profitability, and success before transitioning to the next generation. 

Visit The My Life’s Work website for all the details.