Absolute Preparation

I was discussing what it takes to be successful (as usual) with a former associate, and he was telling me about a program he watched on the Discovery Channel about the Navy Seals. The program went into detail about the intensive training they go through and how efficient they are at their jobs. They obviously understand and believe that absolute preparation is the key to success.

The leader of the Seals commented that, although they work very hard, their true advantage lies in the fact that their competition is so mediocre, at best. In essence, what he was saying is that, it is not that they are so good but that the competition is so bad.

In today's world of mediocrity, poor self-discipline, inefficiency, etc., the opportunity to excel for anyone who is willing to work is greater than ever. I once heard someone say that if you are just a good person you can beat fifty percent of the competition, and, if you are a good person and work really hard, you can beat ninety percent of the competition. That last ten percent is a dogfight.

When I heard that, I was deeply inspired. Even though I wasn't doing very well at the time, I felt that if I continued to work hard and treated people like I wanted to be treated, I could really excel. I also felt that if it came down to the last ten percent, I would be willing to fight until I was the last dog standing. I believed that whatever I may have lacked in talent could certainly be made up for with drive, persistence and determination. Like organizations such as the Navy Seals, we are looking for people who want to win, want to be the best, who can't stand mediocrity and who want to be the top dog. People who have the drive, persistence and determination to do what it takes to succeed.

Today, Helping Build Wealth is on the verge of becoming one of the great companies in financial services. I think it's because people who want to win are attracted to other people who want to win, particularly people who want to win doing it right. In a world where the competition is thinning, our opportunity is increasing.

Barney Hellenbrand
CEO
HBW Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.