A blog hosted by me, Gene Ramsay, for the purpose of asking questions, providing answers, guiding, and entertaining. I serve to be a friend to many and a hero to a few.
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The 2016 AAHU (Alabama Association of Health Underwriters) conference, entitled, "Big Wheels Keep on Turning" was a great success. Great speakers and vendors and supporters throughout. We could not have asked for a better day.
In the aftermath, I was struck with a few things. One major thing was I was personally sworn in as the Alabama State Vice President serving with our new President, Robert Goodman. I was honored when he asked me to be a part and then after I was hit with what that means...at least to me. I am humbled, to say the least. During the conference I was struck with a few other things. The support we have from companies and people from all over the state of Alabama, the past of this organization and where we may be going, and where I can fit in and do my part.
We can't and don't do it alone. As you looked around the ballroom where we had our one day meeting, I was keenly aware of the vendors and people who agreed to support the cause of the conference and what AAHU means. Each table represented invested time and money to be a part of the event that led to meeting new brokers, their competition, and the people in their state who care about being a member of a great organization like AAHU and NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters). I don't think everyone realizes that all of its members PAY to be a part of our group. We pay a monthly due and for those monthly meetings and this annual state conference, we also pay a fee. These vendors pay to have a space to set up and shake hands and make connections that may or may not build their business throughout the year. The key thing is we all see the value in what we are doing and who we are as a collective. While there may competitors right next to each other all over the ballroom, when this conference happens we are all one collective supporting what it means to be a professional in a profession that is as personal as any out there. Benefits are not just a quick decision process, and all this work we do together stresses that and for those moments we are all on the same page.
The past can and should be repeated and honored. We all want to talk about the future. We feel we have to change this or that or we are not growing. In many ways, this is more than a true statement. There is no greater harm to the future than a hum drum attitude and a process that gets stale and uneventful. However, in this industry. In my industry, I am keenly aware of what good business and good people are all about. That became crystal clear as we honored Bill Miller in 2016. Bill and I were not what you would call "buddies". I knew of Bill. I had seen him at various events and the annual conference each and every year. We were always cordial and polite as we shook hands when we saw each other. Bill was involved in an accident that confined him to a wheelchair back a bit ago. We would get updates on his progress and would take the time, as a group, to pray for him and his recovery and all the things you do for those who are hurting. Come to find out, Bill didn't let this situation mess him up for any longer than he had to to heal. His colleagues and family and friends say he couldn't wait to get back to his business and serving his clients. I was inspired by that. I learned this year that he was an integral part of the continuing education those in my industry in Alabama have to go through to stay current and properly licensed to do what we do for our clients. I was touched when AAHU honored Bill with an honorary lifetime membership into AAHU, even if his years of service had not quite been met. His example and influence is, and will be, felt throughout the state of Alabama and I am proud to know him even more than casual "hello friends". My point is that the past is important because some of those good old values are still the same and still very much needed. The attitude and drive of those who have paved a way for us should be honored and replicated for those coming after us. This industry doesn't end with me. It will go on and I hope I can leave a legacy that is anywhere close to what others have done in their lives and careers.
Who am I? As I was sworn in to be Vice President of AAHU, I can't describe what I felt other than a combination of responsibility, a little fear, a sense of expectation, and a drive to be the best VP I could be in the next two years. I've been honored in different positions before, but the sudden weight of the state brought me to a place of hope in myself that I could do the service to the level I expected of myself, regardless of what others thought or felt. I can't thank Robert Goodman enough for asking me to serve with him. It's one thing when your clients and your friends and family appreciate you. It's a totally different feeling when it's a colleague. It says they see something in you that they want to partner with and utilize to help them in their journey and I am all too happy to do just that. We are not even a week in to our new roles and Robert and I are working on a game plan for the rest of the year and into our two-year service in our planning. That is exciting. We are on the same page. We want to make a difference and we want to serve the state of Alabama and those in our industry to the best of our abilities and "leave it all on the field". That's an exciting feeling to be a part of.
Only time will dictate where this road leads me, but I am certain the road will stay under my feet because it has been paved long ago and by many more people than me. My part will be to travel it and maybe pave some new places our day and time will allow us to do now. My wheels will keep on turning. I'm along for the ride and I can't wait to see what we see and do all we can.
The following post contains basic information from the movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with regard to the labeled villain Kylo Ren. The following should not be considered "spoilers" but I want to be sure you know I will be referencing the movie in my examples.
If we are honest and open with ourselves, we can learn anything from any source. Many times our best inspiration comes from things and entities one might consider "negative". That is the case here with a few points I would like to make about the newest villain in the Star Wars saga, Kylo Ren. Kylo has some great traits we can all consider and add to our "light or dark side". Use this information carefully.
1 - Focused purpose. Most of the characters we see in movies that are villains have an uncanny knack of being single-minded and focused on their grand plan, no matter what it is. Kylo Ren is no different. When we first meet him in the movie he is looking for something to help him find someone (I still want you to see the movie...LOL). He comes off his ship with the single purpose. He is so intent on finding what he needs that he even resorts to some extreme violence to get his hands on it.
Now, I don't want anyone feeling like their focus should be so intent that they would harm anyone to get what they want. We have enough trouble in the world without someone else causing pain. But, the concept of having a goal and doing our best to make every act we take to move us one step closer to that goal a reality is a great way to live. Kylo Ren has a single mission...for now. Once he gets to that point he will most likely have another single focused mission that leads to bigger and better things.
We can become so distracted with so many things around us. Social media. Games. Basic issues of life. They are everywhere. We can all take a lesson from Kylo Ren and stay as focused on our goals and missions so that every morning we rise and search the galaxy of our lives until we find it and move forward. What are you searching for? What do you want so badly you'd go to any length to achieve/acquire it? Find it and get focused like Kylo Ren.
2 - Passion. Anyone who has seen this Star Wars episode sees Kylo have, what many would call, a couple of "hissy fits". He gets a step in the right direction and due to circumstances things don't go as planned and he loses it. That lightsaber comes on and he trashes everything in the area where he is. Now, we can look at this intense villain and see that and think he is just showing an extreme amount of immaturity. I will argue, for the sake of this blog post, that what he is showing is a byproduct of his commitment and passion.
We've all seen things in life that lead us to believe we are one step closer to something amazing. All the pieces are in place. We've done the best job we could do. We're looking ahead to the next phase of the plan and BOOM! Something happens that upends us and our grand plan. Maybe we break down and cry. Maybe we punch a wall. Maybe we press the situation even harder to force the issue to happen our way. No matter what the action, it all points to a reaction and the passion we have for the outcome and the goals we have. Right? We don't see it right away, but when we calm ourselves we realize that our "rocket fuel explosion" is a byproduct of us seeing the end in our sights and outside forces we did not count on upend it and leave us grasping at air.
We all need that kind of fire and passion in what we want and we need to show that. It needs to consume us. Maybe not to the point of slashing a lightsaber into a star destroyer console, but a passion the world can see and know that we are headed in a direction.
3 - Prayer/meditation. Whether Sith or Jedi, a theme resonates through the movies of Star Wars that there is a higher power to help guide direction and purpose. We often see that these characters have quiet moments of reflection. They move away from others and find a place of seclusion where they can commune with something bigger than they are. Kylo Ren may feel like he is the ultimate power, but he purposefully takes time out to commune with his own thoughts and feelings as he gives himself time to reconnect with his true calling and purpose.
We have all felt the pull of things outside of our goals and ideals. Some of us can throw it off and deal with it. However, the strength in those moments of doubt can come from time in quiet reflection. Whether our method is focused breathing, or prayer, or a solitary walk, we can get the relief from the chaos this life can throw at us with those moments where we reconnect with ourselves, our mission, and the things that truly matter to us.
4 - Unrelenting. I know we have already mentioned Kylo's passion and focus, but his relentlessness is insane. In every instance in the movie, he shows up with a stride and attitude of power. He does his thing and then hits a roadblock. He has his "come apart" and then the next thing you know he's found another way to get what he wants and here he comes again. Think Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner.
What moments in our life do we drive and drive and keep hammering away and then we have a roadblock and we have that moment of wanting to throw our hands up and say, "Well, I guess it's over"? It's the easy way. Just walk away and work on something else or hide and wait until the loss doesn't sting as much any more. I find that people who do that don't really have the conviction in their cause and goals and giving up under an explosion of excuses is the ripcord they use when hit with adversity. Maybe the right answer is to keep going. Many times it's the fact that we keep "showing up" that makes the difference. Be unrelenting and keep after it like Kylo Ren.
5 - Battling when injured. When you see Kylo for the first few times he looks very imposing in his long and flowing robes and mask. He speaks and his mask makes him sound very ominous. He takes that mask off and suddenly he looks normal. Nothing fabulous. No scars. He's rather ordinary. That mixed with the occasional tantrum he has and you feel like this guy will go down at the first fight he actually gets in with anyone of any consequence. At a point in the movie he is shot by a blaster. It stings. It hurts. He bleeds. Our heroes try and escape through the woods and guess who is waiting for them. That's right, Kylo Ren. No mask. Hurt. Angry. Determined. He could have easily sent a trooper team to go after them, but he went and faced them himself. Before and during the lightsaber battle, we see him grit his teeth and punch the injured spot over and over until blood comes out of it. He goes from ordinary to extraordinary and you are suddenly worried for the heroes that they may not make it out of this alive.
We hear about athletes all the time "playing hurt". Some football players have even claimed to play with broken bones that happened during the game because they refused to be sidelined. We may not face physical injury and have to pull ourselves up and fight, but life has a way of hurting us. Have you ever had a client leave you? That stings. Have you ever had a family member pass away unexpectedly? That's a game changer. Every job and life out there has moments that feel about as good as a blaster fire to the body. You go down. You look inside and you're reeling. You're thinking, "I'll just lay here until help arrives." Most people would understand if you did. You got shot for goodness sake. You're hurting. They comfort you with all the cliches they can throw at you. They mean to be comforting and tell you it's ok to sit and wait until the pain subsides. Unfortunately, that's not what is always needed. Sometimes we have to play hurt. Sometimes we have to dig down deep to do what we know we should do after countless shots that are meant to take us down. Kylo Ren basically said, "I will not let a blaster hole in my body stop me from my end game." There are times where we have to be more like Kylo Ren and be willing to keep battling when injured.
6 - Practiced power. Kylo Ren didn't merely wake up one day with his abilities in the Force or his lightsaber skills. This power he possesses comes at a price. The price of dedication and correction and learning that, if he wants to be a powerful leader, he must endure and even look forward to.
I am not going to lie. I want to wake up some mornings and have it all right there. Full bank account. Every thing in my home perfect and fixed. My car washed and shiny and working like I just drove it for the first time. I want my relationships to all be happy and conflict free and I want to do it all because I deserve it (so I think in those moments). Reality checks come often in real life and if that day did come where everything was handed to me perfect and in order, I'm pretty sure I'd be in a state that doesn't care much about the things of life because I would (most likely) be dead.
We all have a power within us to do what we do and be who we are to be in this world. We did not just fall into that person. If we are honest with ourselves, we don't really believe that we will have everything we need handed to us. We also know how much work it took to get us to where we are now. Just like Kylo, we have to work on our power. We have to practice...daily. No matter the things in our lives, hitting the pause button is not an option and we better be taking our moments to practice to master the power within ourselves so we can constantly be growing and getting better at who we are.
7 - Conflict. Kylo Ren may be labeled as the "bad guy", but we find out throughout the movie that he struggles with who he is. He struggles with his plan and his goals and all the inner "stuff" we all have. He comes to a point where he flat out admits that his torn up inside. He knows what he has to do and he can't find the strength to make the next move.
We've all been there. Pick your situation where you made a checklist of pros and cons and that's the moment in life much like what we are addressing here. We may not be working to conquer a galaxy, but it can seem that big when it's in our face and we are the one having to choose what we do next. Conflict is a part of life as well. We have choices. We can do one thing or another. We can examine consequences or not. The moment of truth is coming and it's up to us and we have to make the move. We have to "pull the trigger" and we want someone else to swoop in and make this moment disappear or to just do it for us. The key is we can't run from conflict. We have to be set in our mind and allow the conflict to either change our thinking or we can stay on course and continue. We all have our moments of conflict, just like Kylo Ren. Work through it and it may not change a universe, but it can rock your own world pretty well.
8 - Listening to people. Kylo Ren has a lot of moments in the movie where he interacts with others. He has very few that he genuinely listens to and that is both part of his strength and his weakness. He listens to his leader. He doesn't listen to the commander of the battleship. He listens to Rey (the female "hero"). He doesn't listen to Han. It's all part of what makes him who he is. It's part of what we are as well.
The first thing we have to realize is that we need others. Opinions. Thoughts. Advice. It comes at us when we ask and many times when we don't ask. The point to take is that we have an opportunity to listen to everyone or no one. The lesson from Kylo is for us to be careful who we listen to and the conclusions we make from that. Not everyone on our lives have our best interests at heart and some have only the best we may not even be able to see yet. The choice to listen or not is ours. The choice who we choose to listen to or not is also ours. Be mindful. While I may not personally agree with who Kylo chose to listen to, he listened to those who were on point with his goals and drive. Find those people in your life and keep listening. I'll take it one step further. Listen to everyone. You never know when that nugget of verbiage makes an impact on your life you...and no one else...saw coming.
I hope there is something you can take from this article. I did quite a bit of inner inventory as I worked on it and I am certain I will keep doing that as the years go by. Kylo Ren may be considered a villain or a monster (as Rey calls him), but as with many things in life we can learn from him and take some valuable things with us that will make us better versions of ourselves. So, be well. Have a super day and week and May the Force Be With You.
The YouTube video below is an edited clip of the final battle where we see Kylo Ren showing his ability to "play hurt" and keep coming.
I have been juggling this first of the year post in my head for some time. I am going through a process of a new planning session and some great ideas for an exciting 2016 that involves my current clients and (hopefully) a new crew of people to help. In that time, something happened that really hit me to the point where I have thought about little else and felt it was important enough to mention.
I was visiting a men's clothing store the other day and I noted a gentleman who I have seen there quite awhile. He was working and helping customers, but I noticed he was not wearing his usual suit and tie. He sported a look that said (to me) that it must be his off day or he came in to get his check and decided to stop and help someone in need or a client he usually helped.
When he was finished, I asked him about his new casual look. I expected to get the response similar to what I was assuming. Instead I got a response that made me cringe. He proceeded to tell me that the company told them that at the first of the year suits were no longer required. He said they told him to do this because the clientele would most likely not be wearing a suit when they came in and that they should have a more relaxed atmosphere and feel in how they dressed. He then told me he has worn a suit every day for the many years he has been there and to be dressed this way didn't feel like he was at work. He didn't like it one bit. I would have taken it as a "old dog, new tricks" kind of thing but to be honest...I didn't like it either.
I go into this store that has nice suits and good men's wear and I want to see people who wear what I'm looking at and know what they are talking about. I don't want to see a person who looks like they are ready to hit the links in a few minutes. I wondered why this bugged me so much and then it hit me...
They were lowering their standards to suit other people.
Now, I understand this is a retail store and they want to attract clients, but to what end and at what sacrifice? I then mentally transferred this to you and me. So many times we may feel that we need to be someone for someone else. In certain cases that is true but more often than not that is seen in our actions toward others and as long as we remain true to our selves and our standards we are OK.
Think about it this way: You find a person you want to get to know. Dating, friends...whatever. You come to them as yourself. You have a set of values and ideals and they do too and the connection begins. While there may be adjustments to one another, we do have standards that make us who we are and these are those things we don't compromise on. Integrity, honesty, etc. We don't lower those standards for anything.
Unfortunately, the world around us keeps lowering the standards. Whether it's in schools or in expectations of winning and losing, to even how we dress. It's a slippery slope when we start lowering a higher standard and level of thinking. Some people allow themselves to be effected to the point of lowering their standards just to "get the deal" or be accepted or whatever. I control one person...me. I am responsible for one person...me. If I compromise on me, then am I not a lesser me?
My main point is clear...don't lower your standards. Don't compromise those things that matter to you. Others may make fun of what matters to you or whatever, but these are your standards. Don't change them for others. If you compromise in any area, compromise up (if you get my meaning) to a better level of yourself. Never compromise down.
My mentor and friend Brendon states it best in his 12 minute video. Take the time to listen and maybe learn something new to better you in 2016:
Do you like your benefits advisor? Are they professional and a part of your "team"? If so, let me tell you one big way you can show them how much you appreciate them...don't sign anything without consulting your benefits advisor first.
With benefits changing because of the government involvement, many vendors of varying specialties have decide they are benefits professionals. Within that light, some payroll companies have gotten involved in acquiring an "authorization" from a business they service or a new business they are walking into for the first time. This authorization is presented in such a way that makes it seem like they are acquiring it so they can "check out your benefits" and get you quotes (which your benefits advisor should be doing anyway). What they don't tell you is that by signing that authorization form for them to "take a look", you have just signed over all the benefits in your company to them. Your benefits advisor has now been removed. No more service. No more payment to them. Nothing, They are gone.
How does this happen? The person with your attention asking for this authorization form is leaving out the fact I have mentioned above. They may look at it as, "Hey, if they don't ask I'm not going to offer it". Companies and even professionals on many levels are getting business through "omission". It's really kind of sad. I hope you can tell that I'm not a fan of that process and look at that as a big question of ethical practice.
Next time around I will address these companies who come to you to make your benefits administration and enrollment automated. It's a huge danger and many business owners are negating their relationship with their existing benefits professional out of ignorance to what the rules in signing things are in insurance.
So, to be clear and wrap this up...please...if you like your benefits advisor, don't sign anything without checking with them first.
In my work with clients, I am always asking questions about life insurance. It's a "thing" with me because it is the only sure thing we will all face at some point. Death is no respecter of persons. It doesn't care your race, age, or level of happiness. Death is a part of life (deep, huh?). In my discussions with people, I usually bring up children. Those that tell me they have children, I ask the question, "Do you have life insurance on your kids?" It seemed like an innocent enough question but as the time goes by I am finding many people get uncomfortable with the question. I've had clients tell me they wouldn't get life insurance on their children because it was as if they were hoping for them to die or wishing bad "mojo" on them. I've also had clients who felt it unnecessary because they (as parents) would be all their children needed to keep them safe. I never speak against people and their feelings or their reasoning behind making decisions like this with these as reasons, but I have also been face with some realities that makes the question even more important...no matter how uncomfortable it is for me to ask. I have three strong reasons for every parent (or person who knows people with children) to consider acquiring life insurance for children.
1 - No discounts at the funeral home. I have said in meetings before that there are no discounts for a smaller casket. It may sound cruel or too direct, but some of my clients and companies need a dose of reality as they feel "they got this". Funeral homes and certain states MAY have a set up to get financial assistance in certain cases. As a rule, the funeral for a child is expected to be paid for like any other funeral. Most people I know don't have thousands of dollars for a funeral just sitting around in a savings account. Funeral homes stay in business because it is just that...a business. The good news is, having a policy in place will make a horrible situation slightly better when it comes to making those final arrangements with the funeral home.
2 - It's the cheapest it will ever be. Life insurance is priced based on health, tobacco use, and mortality. Mortality is that table that tells us how close to death people are (on average). It makes sense that a child will be in premiere health and they are (on average) far away from that age of mortality. That means the risk of them dying soon is almost non-existent (according to the numbers) and life insurance companies will write that all day. Now, I don't think price should be a consideration when it comes to common sense, but we all have budgets and things to consider. The better news is that when they are at their young age, any kind of policy is available for a steal.
3 - Stuff happens. It's a safe bet that you could open a paper to the obituary section and find the announcement of a young child having passed away. It saddens us. It destroys a family. We read of stories of negligence, accidents, and unexpected situations that take a young life. The reality is that life happens. Death happens. Parents are very dutiful in protecting their families by getting life insurance for themselves if something unexpected happens. They owe it to themselves to do the same with a small policy to cover the "what if" that happens to children almost daily.
PERSONAL STORY:My dad did this for me. When I was 2 years old, my dad got a small whole life policy in my name with a face amount of $20,000.00. The following year, I was diagnosed with an incurable kidney disorder. In life insurance terms that means I am not insurable under most circumstances. He passed this policy on to me when I got married so I would have a base to start with to leave my new bride in the event something happened. I paid a whopping $10.00 a month for this policy while I held it. Since then, I have found other means for life insurance, but this was crucial for me. Thanks dad.
This post is not meant to be a downer. The goal is to be a call to all responsible adults who have children or grandchildren or friends with children. No one wants to think about the death of a child but it can happen. In most cases a policy that can cover children would be less than $20.00 a month. This amount would get more than enough to cover final expenses so the financial aspect of a devastating event like the loss of a child would be handled.
If you find yourself in the need to consider life insurance for those who count on you to provide them with their daily needs for survival (pssst, grandparents can do this too), call me (205-370-8453). Email me (gene@generamsay.com). Text me (205-370-8453). We'll talk options and pick what is right for you.
In this time of uncertainty over health care reform, we have seen some substantial changes. No one really knew what to expect as lawmakers themselves admitted that they wouldn't be able to tell the full impact until the law was in place and rolling right along. Within the landscape of all of this, we see many people being helped by the new laws. These are the people who needed health insurance. The aged and the chronically ill were no longer being told "no" and they are now getting the proper care they need to either get better or at least deal better with the issues they face. Children are now getting the care they need within the plans being offered. Children being able to have their teeth taken care of and/or get their eyes checked regularly. (There is nothing in place to help the obesity problem in our country, but that's for another blog). Since the law went into effect, we see so many people seeing the flaws in the process. Everything from out of sight premiums to their primary care physician no longer in the mysterious "network" within the public exchange plans being offered. When flaws show their ugly heads, everyone has a way to "fix it". Many in Washington, DC are still fighting for repeal of the whole thing. They are still saying, "It's not too late". Other are saying it's fine but that some things should change and adjust to make it better. Who is on the right track? What will make this process best for everyone? Well, let's look at both sides and then you can decide. REPEAL IT! Those who shout "repeal" are wanting to scrap the whole thing and make it their own. I can think of millions who signed up because they needed proper care for health concerns and before the law came into effect, their pre-existing condition kept them from that. Sure, they could get seen and treated if it was a severe accident/emergency, but we're talking about an illness that could slowly kill them over time without treatment. What would a repeal do for those people? I'd like to think I look at everyone when it comes to making sweeping decisions. I'm certain that one of the reasons the ACA came into effect is for these people and it is helping them. I don't want to think that those people would be negatively impacted by a full on repeal of the law. A full repeal would effect others as well, but that's what we have to consider (in my opinion) when we talk about scrapping a plan and starting over. However, you want to start a repeal process? SOAP BOX...Stop calling it "Obamacare". That's not what it is. It's PPACA, which is short for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
FIX IT! Have you ever had a car start "acting funny" on you? You're not sure what's wrong but you know something is. So, you take it to the mechanic and they run some tests and diagnostics to see if they can pinpoint the issue and fix it. The ACA "fix" option is kind of like that car. It has so many working parts and I'm sure we all have our particular thing we'd like to see adjusted. Fixing it could be the better option (SOAP BOX...let's PLEASE stop calling it "Obamacare". That's not what it is. As far as "fixing it" goes, let's start there. OFF SOAP BOX). The shell itself is in place. We've got the framework for something special that could be amazing for millions and now we need to find ways to make this as painless as possible. The biggest issues you hear are certain doctors not being in the network of the public exchanges, premiums are too high, medications are not part of the plans, and the fines and fees associated with being required to have health insurance that meets the guidelines set out by the government. Do I have answers to all these things? No. Are there people out there who could put some great ideas on the table to consider what options there are in fixing some of these things? Yes. Maybe even you and me. At the end of the day I see a "fix" mentality being a better idea for everyone. So many people, including myself, have had to adjust how they do things because of the requirements of the law. Business owners, individuals, insurance carriers, and even the government entities like the Department of Labor and the IRS. I'd like to believe that in the end we all would like something we can be proud of and know that it is helping people in the right way fro them without being a burden on those who may not need it or are fine with just having "the basics" met for them. The key for you is to be sure you have people around you and that you can contact to help you as things change (and they will change). You will need to be informed and keeping up on your own may not be in your job description. That's where people like myself come in. I stay informed so that when you have a question about your health plan situation, I can be there to help and guide. I don't want to see anyone struggle with this process. That's why with my colleagues and self-study on what's going on with this every day I know we can (at least) keep people aware and informed and be there when others need us. If you need some options and answers now, I am a phone call/text away (205-370-8453) or you can email me at gene@generamsay.com. Top image comes from here. PPACA image comes from here.
Since taking on a leadership and recruiting/training role with my main insurance carrier I do business with, I have scheduled interview after interview. I've talked and emailed with countless people and the percentage of people that actually step up to be a part of an amazing industry and process is very small.
Now, in hindsight, I don't really want every person I talk with to join my team. There needs to be a desire to do things for others and there should be a connection with me and the business integrity I attempt to implement in my business. Many people don't hold that same value and I'm glad I see that early on and we are able to part ways on good terms. However, the people that seem solid and ready to go and who say, "This sounds amazing" and then they disappear? What's up?
So, for all the people out there looking to do something for yourself, make the kind of living you'd like to based on the effort you are willing to put forth all while helping people protect themselves and their families...here's where I put the cards on the table and let you see three great things and three challenges to what I do every single day. I've been doing this over 5 years and still wake up each morning hoping to make a positive difference in people's lives. Whether it be with some much needed insurance benefits, helping a company owner make some tough decisions, or I'm interacting with a person looking to join me in these endeavors and make a living for themselves they can call their own. Here's what it's all about and it's all about what angle you're looking at it all from:
CHALLENGES:
1 - You earn what you make. An early question I get asked is, "What can I make?" or "What does it pay?". I get that. I was that way when I started down this road. What I am offering is a commission only job. Those words scared me and I'm sure they can scare anyone looking to make money who have never looked in this direction. However, I jumped into this business on faith and I wake up every day doing the same. I know that if I don't make positive moves toward reaching out to other potential clients, servicing existing clients, and planning my own day as carefully as I can that I run the risk of making nothing at all in a given week.
2 - You will meet new people every day. Whether it's by phone or email or walking in a door, you will be meeting new people every day and you will be talking to them about things they can do to protect themselves and their family. You will be offering solutions, options, and answers to people who may or may not be interested in what you have to say or offer. Those new people say "No" and "Not today" and "Call me back later" all the time. It's the part of the game that can be frustrating. Sometimes just the thought of having to be confident in front of a stranger can be intimidating.
3 - It's got your name on it. So many times a person goes to work for a company. Things are all about "company policy" and what others are telling you to do. That's not the case in this business. You are your own boss. You are your business and brand. You mess up, it's got your name all over it and that frightens people. I understand that. There will be days that you will soar and other days you can't do anything right and you want everyone you know to forget your phone number and email address. You will become what you make yourself to be and no one will just pay you for "trying".
AWESOMENESS:
1 - You earn what you make. With all the challenges in this business, when you get a "Yes" from a potential client and you start that process of changing lives and advising and becoming something to those people you are helping, it means the world. Guess what...you also get paid to do that. How much depends on the job you do and the team you surround yourself with, but some days you'll think about it and think, "Wow, I just made $100.00 an hour" (for example). Take that with the good feelings of helping others do right by themselves and family and you get something you can't make up. The key to succeeding in this business is believing enough in what you do and offer that each day is a new opportunity to change lives...including your own, for the better.
2 - You will meet new people every day. People and connections is what makes this world and being human so amazing. Even people looking at the 4 walls of a cubicle have interactions with others and it's sometimes the high point of their day. The best news is you are hunting constantly for new people to meet with, talk to, and help each and every day you choose to. Now, as with any single person they have a right to like what you have to say and they have a right not to. It's the way the world works. Getting more "No" than "Yes" can start to hurt if you let it. The good news is, you can rest on the fact that what you do has effected millions in a positive way each day and you get the opportunity to do that. Without people, no one gets anywhere. Think about this...even the person in the cubicle needs people to make a living. No one gets anywhere or makes a dime without someone else. It's just not possible any other way.
3 - It's got your name on it. When people join my team, the first weeks are all about learning and growing and understanding the business and the product. It's about getting comfortable with sales calls and visits and finding a groove that suits them. Once they are ready to head out on their own, it's all them. Sure, I'm still a part of the process but I'm in a support role and leadership position to help when things get tough or when assistance is needed. Anyone who joins my team works WITH me...not FOR me. Big difference and it's a good thing. I want people to build something for themselves no matter what direction my life takes. The good news is, in this industry you can make it whatever you want or need it to be.
So, who is ready? Who has what it takes to stop living for a paycheck and work to make a living equal to the work you are willing to put in? Are you a good candidate to contact me? One phone call and one interview will tell you. The next step is yours...and the next...and the next. Each day, one more step and one more opportunity to serve others and make a positive difference in people's lives.
Not working right now? Looking for a "job"? Contact me at 205-370-8453 (text or call) or email me (gene@generamsay.com) and let's talk. It's only scary if your perspective is wrong. Please don't be afraid to fail. Join with me and make a difference in the lives of others, and your life too:
