How’s Your Driving?

My Grandfather was a natural born salesman and successful small business owner. For more than 40 years he owned a grocery store and meat market (that he started by borrowing 50 cents from his mother) and whistled while he worked. (Really!) He clearly had a success-minded approach to business and he thrived. But, as a product of the Great Depression, fears of not having ‘enough’ to get by were ever present.

I remember he was always trying to save money on gas and car expenses. He lived in a small town and had timed all the stoplights so he would never have to use his brakes (in case you didn’t know, accelerating from a complete stop uses too much gas and stopping wears down your brake pads!). As he approached a red light he would slow down to a crawl so that just as we reached the light—Bingo! it turned green!

He was also famous for his ‘speed up-slow down’ driving. We’d be picking up speed, finally coming somewhere close to the actual speed limit and he’d suddenly take his foot off the gas and coast. Or worse, he’d tap his brakes. Speed up, slow down. Speed up. Slow down. Now, we always got to where we were going but it sure was a bumpy and frustrating ride!

In my Grandfather, this way of driving was simply part of his quirky charm. But I ask you—is this how you are driving toward your career, business or personal goals?

Do you alternate between putting on the gas and going for it, only to suddenly hit the brakes? Are you driving with one foot on the gas and one on the brakes? Do you pick up speed and then quickly find a reason to slow waaay down? If you answered yes, you are probably shifting between two conflicting mindsets—between scarcity and success. And that always makes for a bumpy, slow and frustrating ride.

We’re generations beyond the Great Depression. Yet, the scarcity/lack mindset is alive and well. We are bombarded by messages that reinforce that there isn’t “enough”. “There isn’t enough time in the day”. “It’s a really tough job market. You better take what you can get.” “I don’t have what it takes.” “Grin and bear it.” And my personal favorites—“Beggars can’t be choosers!” and “Money doesn’t grow on trees!” The scarcity mindset triggers our fears and causes us to hold back, ‘play it safe’ and put on the brakes.

On the other hand, a success or abundance mindset is exactly the thinking that fuels “The American Dream”. You see the possibilities in every situation. You look between the barriers for the opportunity. You become naturally creative and curious. You believe “If they can do it, so can I”. You recognize that you have all the time you need to do the things that matter.

Does that mean you’re blind to the realities of the situation? Absolutely not! But, you don’t let the realities hold you back from moving forward. You find a way. You stay focused on the goal and find a path that will take you there. It may mean making many course-corrections. It may mean getting the support you need. It may mean practicing patient persistence.

As with my Grandpa, most of us find both mindsets at play in our lives. In one area of we may be success-minded, while in another we operate from scarcity. Make it a point this week to notice how you are approaching your work, your business and your personal life. And ask yourself: How’s my driving?

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© 2006, Shawn Driscoll, Succeed Coaching & Development. This article is provided courtesy of Shawn Driscoll, Career Success Coach and owner of www.succeedcoaching.com. Professionals: upgrade your work life today! We provide products and services to help you succeed at work, in business and in life. Sign up to receive your free Success Wise ezine—and get success tips, inspiration, and resources to skyrocket your success—at www.succeedcoaching.com.