You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.
These aren’t my words. They were penned by Swiss research psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung nearly a century ago. But they ring as true today for everyone in a marine dealership, according to John O’Leary, who annually delivers inspiring messages to more than 50,000 people worldwide.
In his talks, O’Leary often challenges his audiences with a great question: “Can you put your name on it?”
It’s a question we should ask ourselves daily. Moreover, in every dealership, this question should go to everyone, from reception to service, sales to ownership, to assess if each can lay claim to their work with pride and satisfaction.
In his book On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, O’Leary identifies options to transform life and business. When he says to be successful, we should be living radically inspired, he means we learn from past mistakes, rise above current challenges and thrive no matter the circumstances.
One of my favorite O’Leary stories is of Brian Buffini, founder of the highly regarded business coaching firm Buffini and Co. He came to America as a 19-year-old with less than $100 to his name. He took on odd jobs selling T-shirts, working as a security guard and painting houses. The latter was something Buffini knew a lot about because his family in Ireland was in the painting business.
Buffini had painted for his grandfather. Each day after completing a job, his grandfather would walk into the room, look things over and assess the work. He’d then turn to his grandson and ask, “Brian, can you put your name on it?”
Buffini knew that in the family business the only acceptable answer was “Yes.” Indeed, if there were ever a “no,” it mandated the work be redone. The Buffini name would only go on work completed to the highest standard.
Being willing to put our name on all our work is the ultimate measure of effort. As a blogger, for example, I know my name goes on everything I write in Dealer Outlook. I’m glad, because it allows you as a reader to know my passion and enthusiasm to find and communicate ideas that might lead to more success in dealerships.
To finish Buffini’s story, he eventually got into the real estate business and was so successful that others would ask him to teach them. In time, he realized he could have a big impact teaching others how to more effectively build their businesses. Today, more than 3 million agents have taken his courses, and it is believed that one in every eight houses sold has been by an agent influenced by Buffini strategies.
So the words “You are what you do, not what you’ll say you’ll do” are worth remembering as we race through our days at work and life routines. We should choose to interact, to serve and to live so passionately that we are proud to put our name on it.
And while I’m on this subject, if you want some inspiration today, read O’Leary’s personal story of when, as a 9-year-old, an explosion left him with burns on 100% of his body. Doctors gave him a 1% chance of surviving.
Bottom line: If you don’t now count every day as a gift to be pursued with passion, get a copy of On Fire and regularly refer to it for inspiration. It just might get you there.
