So here's the six million dollar question....."What ever possessed us to get into the "car business" in the first place"? Was it our passion for the automobile way back when Henry Ford rolled out that first Model T?....or was it the "need for speed" that drove us into the passion to go faster and faster? just maybe, we liked working on our cars in the back yard on those warm Sunday afternoons.
I think it was a little of all the above, but as a business owner, it was probably one of the easiest businesses to own as it really didn't take much of a business mind to sell cars and parts to turn a profit.
Wheeling and Dealing became an art form and anyone with a little business savvy and a little capitol was in business. Plus, with cash flow in excess amounts in the millions, who wouldn't want to own a new car dealership?
So, motivation in the early years wasn't hard to determine, but as the years passed...it wasn't so easy any more. Many generations upon generations of owners were folding up and big corporation entered the once known "mom and pop" business.
So what's the motivation today? Why venture down that road with far more risk than ever before and even more important...why take the risk?
The automotive industry is still a major part of our economy and there still remains that ultimate desire and passion for the automobile! Actually, this desire seems to be bigger than ever before as banks get larger, homes get bigger, "motivation" lead by this desire. It's also bigger and more competitive than ever before.
People seem to want more and more and the "need to succeed" is in my opinion higher than I've ever seen in my lifetime. So where does all this "motivation" come in?..Same as it always has, from within each one of us.
Ever wonder why we see more and more motivational speakers or books today than ever before? I believe it's because we need to be driven to succeed. I'm not talking just being a little successful, we need to be motivated to be the best we can be.
If I was to ask most of our "Smart Parts' Readers just how many books, articles, blogs or any topic related to or about motivation, I would probably get many responses like..."Haven't we heard enough about motivation already?"....and quite honestly, I would have to agree.
Even though often heard, lectured and spoken by many prominent individuals, motivation can take on many different definitions and terminologies. As a matter of fact, if you were to "google" the word Motivation by Wikipedia, you will actually go insane with the number of definitions!
Here's my point, each one of us has to find that "Inner Driving Force" that makes us tick and drives us to levels beyond our goals and expectations. One of my favorite "motivating" quotes is actually anonymous to my knowledge, unless someone could correct me and it's called......
The Bottom Line
Face it; nobody owes you a living,
What you achieve or fail to achieve in your lifetime,
is directly related to what you do, or fail to do.
People don’t choose their parents or childhood, but
you can choose your own direction.
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome, but
that too is relative to each individual.
Nothing is carved in stone; you can change anything in
your life; if you want it bad enough.
Winners have no excuses. Those who take responsibility
for their actions are the real winners in life.
Winners meet life’s challenges head on, knowing there
are no guarantees, and give it all they got.
And never think it is too early to begin, time plays
no favorites and will pass whether you act or not.
Take control of your life. Dare to dream and take
risks.
--Anonymous
I believe that each one of us has that "motivational" driving force that can make the difference between success or failure. I also realize that we are not all the same and what motivates one individual doesn't necessarily motivate the next individual. What's most important is what motivates YOU!
Here's where my challenge comes in for all you "Smart Parts" Readers out there. I'm going to list my "Top 10 Daily Motivational Habits" that I use on a daily basis. Just because these are my own personal ten motivational items, yours could be totally different.
I would even go out on a limb here and challenge all dealers and dealer managers to come up with ten motivational items that can be done consistently each day. Then, after thirty days, measure your results to your prior results before starting the "TOP 10 Daily Motivational Habits"
Here are my TOP 10 Daily Motivational Habits:
1.) Wake up each day with a positive attitude. It's a choice and I choose to make something positive happen, no matter how big or how small.
2.) Have and live a purpose driven life!...there is a purpose you are here and there are people who are counting on you to make a difference in their lives. Believe in yourself!
3.) Have a Daily Action Plan each day and write it down!
4.) Have a "Road Map" to each Daily Action Plan. How are you going to get there?
5.) Write down your goals in life! Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Annually and Overall Lifetime Goals.
6.) Hold Yourself Accountable...There will be "Bends In The Road", but stay Accountable.
7.) Challenge yourself before challenging others, Judge yourself before judging others.
8.) Surround yourself with "goal-oriented" people and lead by example.
9.) Share what you have learned, our goal as managers is to develop individuals
10.) Learning never stops, never be too humble to to learn something new.
Don't go through each day like it's "Ground Hog" Day all over again! Each day is new and and has new opportunities. 2014 is winding down fast and before you know it, you WILL be asked by your owners and dealers...."What's you forecast for next year.....same as the last"?
That's my Top 10!.....What's Yours!
I'll leave you with some of my own personal favorites from one of the best motivational speakers of all time!
“Motivation and
bathing are not permanent. That’s why we need both every day”…- Zig Ziglar
“You are designed for accomplishment,
engineered for success and endowed with seeds of greatness”- Zig Ziglar
“You can have everything in life you want,
if you will just help enough other people get what THEY want”….Zig Ziglar
“Life is tough…but when you are tough on
yourself, life will be infinitely easier on you”…..- Zig Ziglar
The Definition of “Average”
Is
When After All Has Been Said and Done…..There is Usually More Said Than Done… - Dave Piecuch, ACG
Dave Piecuch is the Vice President of Automotive Consultants Group Inc. and is the Head Coach for Smart PartsTM. The only "Results Based" High Return Training, Coaching, and Consulting company in the world! Dave can be reached at Cell 786-521-1720 or E-mail at dave@smartservicetraining.com Vist our Website at www.smartpartstraining.com
