Sometimes we can fall into a rut where we’re doing the same things at the same time every day and watching the same television programs every evening. When this occurs, life can become a little stale or even boring. One inexpensive and enjoyable way to pull yourself out of such a rut is to take a walk with someone. According to an article by Jancee Dunn, which appeared in the New York Times, “Some of my most rewarding conversations have happened while on foot. The exchanges seemed to flow more easily, as if our steps were setting the tempo for our speech.” She goes on to point out that: “Research shows that it can be less stressful to talk to someone when you’re walking side by side with minimal eye contact, than conversing face to face.” These types of conversations serve to lighten our load, lift our spirits, and deepen our connection with the person we’re walking with. You’ll be getting some exercise, deepening social connections, and having fun. Now that’s a rut worth falling into.
Our family vacationed in Southwestern Michigan where my wife and I grew up for years. I would buy gas, bottled water and sodas at a Shell station which also had a convenience store. One of the ladies who worked behind the counter was especially friendly and we struck up a casual friendship. I would refer to her as “Smiley” and she referred to me as “Hon” until she learned my name was Ross. After a while, as I left, we blew each other kisses. Several weeks ago, my wife and I went back there for a week with our family—it had been at least four years if not more since we had gone back. I was buying gas at that same Shell station. After I filled my tank, I went into the store to see if my friend was still working there. When I looked across the counter, I didn’t see her. I went over to the candy section to see if I could find a maple Bun Bar for my wife. I must have walked up and down that candy section for at least five minutes when I heard a voice say, “Are you looking for something in particular?” I turned and it was my friend. She said, “I thought that was you. Your name is Ross, right?” She came out from behind the counter, we gave each other a very heart-felt hug and proceeded to catch up on what had gone on in each other’s lives. What a thrill the experience was and thinking about this meeting still warms my heart—as I think it will for a long time.
In life, one step leads to another, but you have to take that first step before it can lead to another. Sometimes our dreams appear so far away that they seem out of reach. When this happens, it’s important to remember that every journey has a starting point that begins with that first step. Dreams are rarely achieved by taking giant leaps. Rather, they are achieved by taking one normal size risk-free step at a time. So, if you’re harboring a dream, now is the perfect time to act on it. Get out there and take that first step and then another…. You’ll find the whole process quite liberating because with each step, your dream becomes closer and closer to being a reality.
I have always appreciated the phrase “stop and smell the roses.” Not long ago, I was out for a morning walk while feeling a bit frustrated because a project I was working on wasn’t progressing the way I wanted it to. As I continued to walk, my nose picked up the aroma of something sweet. The further I walked, the stronger it got. I soon came to someone’s yard that had a good-sized lattice structure of star jasmine in full bloom. The fragrance was amazing! I stood there for several minutes and inhaled the sweetness over and over deeply. As I did, I could feel the tension I was experiencing start to leave my body. When I returned home, my mind was clear, and my body was relaxed. When I returned to my project, things progressed far more smoothly than they had before I took my walk. So, the next time you’re feeling a bit frustrated with something, get outside and take some time to appreciate the beauty around you. You’ll find that doing so will set the tone for the rest of your day.
Several years ago, when I was conducting a seminar in Atlanta, one of the participants stood up and asked, “how come there aren’t more millionaires?” As I mulled this question around in my mind, it began to occur to me that the reason there aren’t more millionaires, or highly successful people in any endeavor for that matter, is that most people don’t recognize the important role that personal relationships play in being successful in any profession. As a result, these people don’t devote any time or effort toward developing these necessary relationships because they don’t see the need. Without these relationships, however, they are unable to enlist the active support of other people on their behalf and so are destined to go through life trying to do everything by themselves.
On my return trip from Atlanta to Phoenix I had to change planes in Dallas. As I took my seat, I recognized the person sitting next to me. His name was Bill King and he was the owner of a very successful chain of brake repair shops known as Bill King’s Brake-0. I had seen him many times in his television commercials.
As the two of us got to know each other, Bill King began to share with me his philosophy on success. At one point, he leaned back and said, “Ross, let me tell you from personal experience that the road to becoming a millionaire is so simple that it boggles most people’s minds.”
I thought to myself, “Mr. King you keep talking, because I am taking notes!”
He went on, “If you develop a sense of trust with your employees (relationships) and take good care of them, your employees will take good care of you. Furthermore, if you develop a sense of trust with your customers (relationships) and take good care of them, your customers will take good care of you.” He then said, “If you want to make a million dollars a year, you need a million friends each turning a dollar a year for you. Or, you need a half-million friends each turning you two dollars per year and so forth. If you work this process long enough, you’ll eventually develop enough friends who each generate the right amount of revenue on your behalf. Once that happens,” he concluded, “becoming a millionaire is a piece of cake.”
I remember saying, “No wonder wealthy people don’t seem to work so hard!”
Bill King laughed at my remark because he had just spent several days participating in a celebrity golf tournament. He did say, however, that developing all these necessary relationships doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, and it involves a little effort. On the other hand, it has a virtually guaranteed payoff.
So, invest in relationships with the people who stand between you and success or failure and take good care of them and they will take care of you.
