1-800-ignore

Rebuilding a career, a business, or a life challenges us all at one time or another. In times such as these, with uncertainty all around us, it’s even more trying. The news media is constantly streaming crisis, catastrophe, and criticism at the people on this planet. Regardless of where you live and what you might do, there is no escaping the negative feedback…

After deciding to pursue that “American dream” over 10 years ago, abandoning the “security” of the corporate world, I’ve been hit with quite a bit of bad news myself. Some of it self imposed, some from outside influences, unfortunate circumstances, or bad business partners. Regardless, as my late Grandmother wrote to me during my college days…

“Life is difficult at best”…

As I walked through the days, months, and years on this path I had decided to take, it seemed a distraction, detour, or discouragement met me at every turn. Any entrepreneur will proclaim, motivation is everything. Your “dream” must keep you moving forward, while “ignoring” the detractors and the inner demons in your own mind. Doubt, disgust, depression, are common emotions produced by counter productive thoughts that we all experience. Much more so for the “solo pilot” on a bumpy course towards financial freedom.

Its been documented that you learn the most from your failures. I should have a PhD at this point, with all the ups, downs, and disappointments I’ve experienced, just in the last few years. From success in medical device sales, to success in independent sales, to several failed relocation’s, to branding a nationally distributed consumer product, to starting all over again, its been quite a ride…

If there is one thing I take away from it all, its this simple thought, condensed into one of my favorite sayings:

“1-800-IGNORE”

By definition, if it deters attention from your goal, block it out, “ignore” it! If its something you don’t do well, delete, delegate, or “ignore” it and move on to what you can do, now! You cant be all things to all people anymore than you can be a one-man show. Marketing expert and author Marcus Buckingham says it best in his book, “The one thing you need to know – About great managing, leading, and success”(2005);

“Focus on those activities that strengthen you and
avoid those that weaken. Your ability to filter out tasks you dislike and focus on the specific things you do well, will dictate much of your sustained success”

Its tough enough to keep your chin up in this day and age, so if you cant control it, IGNORE it! Focus on that which you can control, your attitude, simple pleasures, your schedule, your time. Get organized; clean you desk, your office, your house, your car. Its amazing what taking control of the intangibles around you can do for your sense of success. If the bill collectors keep calling, and you cant do anything about it right now, put them on your “1-800-IGNORE” list and focus on making money so you can pay them and get rid of the debt!

We cant control the weather, the economy, the government (other than voting the bums out!), the stock market, or other people. So in order to keep your dream alive, as well as your peace of mind, remember to use that God given ability inherent in us all. If you cant use it now, control it, or need it…Ignore it!