I love business and I love what I do. What I don’t love, and truthfully, don’t even like, are the people who really don’t get what running a successful business is all about.
Sure, they may think they do, but when they are asked to do something that is inconvenient, they throw up their arms and say, “This isn’t fair. It shouldn’t be this hard.”
The fact is, business is hard. And sometimes downright difficult.
We applaud those who are succeeding, often saying how lucky they are. Others go on to say, “I would do anything to have what you have.”
I’m not sure when I first heard a very successful person say, “No you wouldn’t, because if what you say is true, you would be doing it.”
There are so many people who are not willing to put in the time, money or effort to create a successful business, but continue to flounder around with a sense of entitlement that often gets them nowhere but broke.
Recently, I hosted a colleague of mine on a complimentary webinar where she shared a ton of great information on automated sales funnels.
My featured expert, who happens to make over a million and a half dollars a year in her business, went above and beyond giving idea after idea, sharing formulas and showing exactly what needed to be done to have a profitable funnel.
People loved it. That is until a few of them found out the replay would only be available for a short period of time.
- “How rude.”
- “That’s unprofessional.”
- “What poor customer care.”
These came from a handful of people, some who were on the call and wanted to watch the replay at their convenience and those who didn’t show up and “assumed” the replay would be available for a longer period of time.
Granted, the majority were very appreciative of what they did receive, but the few who complained left me scratching my head saying, “Really?!?!
Actually, I was flabbergasted. Rather than saying, “Thanks for your incredible information. I will do what it takes to watch the replay before it comes down,” there were those who preferred to blame my featured expert for the fact they couldn’t get the information.
This is not an isolated incident. Not long ago I had an open Q&A call on a Saturday. When I announced the open call I made it clear it would not be recorded and the only way to get questions answer was to be on the call. I assured everyone I would be available for a couple hours to answer as many questions as possible.
The majority of people were very appreciative, but like Susan, I got slammed by those who felt I was not being reasonable by providing a replay.
One woman went as far as to bitch me out for having the audacity to offer this on “her” Saturday!
Really?!?! It was my Saturday too.
Here’s a reality check. You have to show up to your success. If something doesn’t fit in your schedule, so be it. You either adjust your schedule or you don’t. It’s really that simple.
Mind you. I’m definitely a believer in customer care. I’m also a believer in being honest about the fact that building a successful business does require sacrifices.
In years past when someone offered a free training the majority of people who registered showed up. Now, well now, there are so many people who just assume that they can show up when they want.
If you want success you best be willing to show up at a higher level.
For those who are showing up and reaping the benefits, congratulations! For those who blame everything and everyone but themselves, it’s time to put your big girl/boy pants on and buck up. Game on.
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BTW – Who knows if there will be a replay. <grin>
May I say ‘Amen!’? Success is up to the seeker to craft. “Opportunity” may knock at an inconvenient time yet has no idea that it’s doing so. It’s simply there, take advantage or take responsibility. You can hope the stars will re-align some other time but don’t bitch at opportunity because you had the misfortune to be previously engaged!
It has been said that luck is when opportunity and preparedness meet. And it’s about jumping in even when things are not perfect. And it will never be perfect but it can be darned exciting.
Kathleen,
You hit it on the head. Being in businesses for over 25+ yrs. I too have had some ballbusters for bosses but those are the ones I learnt the most from. Keep trucking!
I’ve been in business for nearly 20 years and as you, Abi, some of the greatest lessons have come from the toughest bosses, clients, vendors, etc. And, it’s all about commitment.
The people who say “I don’t have time” remind me of the people who don’t have time to exercise or eat healthy foods. We’re all given the same 24 hours. It depends on how badly you want to be healthy or run a business. Everyone has 5-10 minutes (or an hour) to choose to do something different rather than fall into the same patterns. Also, the people who say “I don’t have time” sometimes don’t respect other people’s time.
So true Kristin. It is about showing up.
In this world it seems to be a word called
entitlement. I want it when I want it kind of
thing. It’s sad that we see so much of what
you are talking about. I’m 59 and in my day
if you want to be successful you show up, do the work, and jump hoops! I still do, but
it’s surprising how many think I want it when
I want it. Won’t do the work, and most of all
have a sense of entitlement without earning it!
We are very close to the same age and yes, in my day, which is yesterday, today and tomorrow, you show up, do the work and jump hoops. Thanks for sharing Debi. Much appreciated.
Well said Kathleen. I’m always so surprised when people don’t appreciate free things and have an idea that you can have instant success online with no investment in your education. You would not expect to become a professional of any type without investing in training. Why should online business be any different? Thank you for being a positive role model who provides great content and is honest that there are no easy buttons when it comes to online success.
You are spot on Lynne and yet, there are so many people who feel they are the exception to the rule and shouldn’t have to invest in themselves.
Kathleen,
Great article! I recently conducted a webinar about marketing your business with Pinterest. I had a lot of people show up, and out of those I did get a few requests for the webinar to be up longer (I had it up for 4 days!) because I shared so much great stuff, they wanted to review it. My thought to that was, buy my Business Marketing With Pinterest training solution and you’ll get all of that and more!
I also had a number of people who didn’t make the webinar (and I had 3 different sessions) ask me if I could still provide them with private access to the replay so they could watch it when it was convenient for them.
I think if someone has the opportunity to choose from 3 different webinar sessions available, 3 replays available for a minimum of 3 days and still hasn’t “shown up” – they never will.
Looking forward to your event!
You are right Becky. Or they may think, if I can watch this enough times I will figure out everything and never have to invest. Those who are unwilling to invest (whether it be time, money or energy) are not willing to succeed. Thanks for your comments.
I enjoyed your article Kathleen… and your video. I am relatively new to the online world of marketing and am enjoying learning every day. I can’t believe that people would be selfish enough to complain about access time for webinar replays. If people want to access these, then they should adjust their working times. Time zones can make things difficult, but if you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way.
Before we had Internet, before we had teleseminars and webinars to the extent we do today, before we lived in a virtual world, we found a way to show up or we missed out. Simple as that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Liz.
I totally agree with you, Kathleen. I’ve had clients who drop out after the first month with me because they think it’s too hard. They don’t want to do the foundation work or market, they just want to coach. I don’t think they realize that being an entrepreneur is hard work. I was so impressed with the amazing amount of content that Susan gave in the recent webinar. Many times these webinars are during my client appt. times and if there is a deadline for the replay, I make sure I listen to it (or at least open the tab so it’s there for me). What are these other people thinking?!!
I appreciate you for standing your ground, Kathleen.
Love your comments Jeannette. With your question “What are they thinking?” with some folks, I don’t think they are thinking the process through. Or, they have never offered any of these types of events so they have no idea what goes into them.
As I mentioned on a Facebook thread, even when something is free, there are expenses involved. Whether it be having a team member (or members) working on the back end or costs associated with running an event, either virtually or in person, there are definite costs.
Years ago, I did a lot of live events in Salt Lake City that were free to the public. Although free to the public, not free to me or my business.
It always amazed me when someone would come to the event (that often had dozens and even hundreds of participants) and they would be handing out flyers and other marketing materials.
Most would respect the fact this was my event and it took effort to get people into the room. Occasionally, someone would respond to my teams request to take their flyers off the chairs with, “why? It’s not hurting anyone.”
Actually, that’s what a sponsor pays for the opportunity to do.
Thanks so much for your input Jeannette.
Kathleen,
I have been in business for over thirty years, and I have to tell you it is not easy to become successful and stay successful. It takes continuous effort, and to rest means harder work later.
Your entire post intrigued me, because I know exactly what you mean. It is not for the timid or one who is not serious, and will not invest what it takes. You cannot let the thoughts of others dissuade your efforts.
Thanks for the great share!
Thank you for your comments Diane. What I really appreciate is your comments on the fact that it takes effort to become successful, and equally important, effort to stay successful.
Many people are under the mistaken notion that once you achieve a certain level of success you don’t need to do much else.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually, the more successful you become, the bigger the risks you must take.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathleen,
It’s so true… you have to do the work of having a business that so many won’t do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter, helpful.
Hi Kathleen,
Sometimes it is still so hard to believe that people have the nerve to complain or gripe when they are given so many opportunities but they do not take action.
I am ashamed and I have to admit, I was one of those people at a time but I knew it was my fault, not theirs.
Goes to show you will never please everyone.
Have a great day. Monna
Admitting when we do something is the best way to get on the best course for what we want. Yes, I too have been guilty of things that today I wouldn’t dream of doing.
thanks for sharing Monna.
Kathleen,
I am always impressed with your level of honesty when you express what you believe is going on and what you have personally experienced. The world has certainly changed and many more people have an attitude of expectancy and demands for what they want. I have had clients who expect me to be available to see them because “they” have time, regardless of whether I have the time available. There seems to be only a small portion of the overall population that is willing to work hard, put in the time and energy and do the nitty gritty work required. I have met many people who have outright told me about themselves “I wouldn’t do that. I would just pay for it.” But to build a business you cannot just pay for others to do it for you. You need to get your hands dirty and do a lot of the work yourself, especially before you really build something sustainable.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Outstanding points Dr. Erica. And yes, we do have to get our hands dirty. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
This definitely hits it home for me. The people who make the most excuses wonder why they never get what they want in life. What it all boils down to is making that decision. You make a decision, you follow through, you get what you want! Thank you for the great post!
I really like this, “You make a decision, you follow through, you get what you want!” Very well said. Thank you Nate.
I have received the benefits of many a free webinar. Most marketers give great value even when the intention is to promote a product or service. I am always astounded when I hear about people feeling entitled and being so rude. Yours was not an isolated experience. I am filled with compassion for you, your guest and also for all the complainers who have not yet learned of the deliciousness of gratitude and joy.
So true on this not being an isolated incident. Sometimes we just have to scratch our head and say, “Really?” Thanks for your comments Mary.