Build a Good Team and Handle Your Fears

Have you ever thought about what it’s going to take for you to live a long, healthy life? You’re going to need a “personal success team.”  Who is on your team already? Your spouse, family, friends, doctors? You’ll need good people to help you medically such as competent doctors for all areas of physical issues you may have. You will also need trustworthy financial and legal consultants, such as a good CPAs and attorneys for your business and your estate. You also need to consider your spiritual and social needs. Do you have the support of a religious leader? Do you have a group of long-term friends? Do you have a happy marriage or relationship?

If you write a list of your current team members, you may find some weaknesses or gaps in your team. Knowing this can help you strategize how to strengthen your personal success team.

Heidi: I like the idea of a “personal board of directors”. Treat yourself like an entity that needs the support of the best available advisors. If you ask people to be on your personal board of directors, often they are flattered and glad to help.

Sam: Relationships are your most important asset. Create them with those you want to support and trust—and who feel the same way about you…

So…who is on your team?

President Kennedy said, "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."  Who do you need to negotiate with so that you feel less afraid? 

Heidi: I know an attorney with remarkable “people skills.” He asks each new client, “What are you most afraid of in this case?” The answers are sometimes surprising, but they help him provide his services very effectively. I have found that if I ask myself the question, “What am I most afraid of?” honestly, I get to the heart of the real problem--and thus find a better solution--a lot faster.

Sam: The things I have been most afraid of never happen. I have found the effort devoted to fear is better spent on accomplishment of goals. As mentioned in our book, “TheSmartestWay to Save,” worrying about what others think about us is a waste of time. They are busier worrying about what people think about them rather than what they think about you.     So…what are you afraid of?

 (Written by Samuel K. Freshman and Heidi Clingen, authors of TheSmartestWay™ to Succeed Series and TheSmartestWay™ to Save—Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It.)