During my recent trip to Dallas Texas, I was a HOT coach. I touched down at 10 am and it was already 95 degrees! My first order of business was to get to my room to cool down. Upon arrival, I sadly discovered that the AC was turned off!
I turned it on and set the thermostat to 72 degrees. By the time I got back to my room during the early afternoon, the outside temperature was 107 degrees! Since my thermostat was set for 72, the room temperature adjusted down to the pre-set level.
The following morning, I was up at 4 am and the temperature outside had dropped to 65 degrees. The temperature in my room eventually leveled up to 72 degrees because that was the level my thermostat was preset for. So, here’s the question: what temperature is your success thermostat set for?
Your success will adjust down or level up depending on where you have it set. In his book The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to The Next Level, Gay Hendricks referenced a study that found that 60% of all lottery winners blow their winnings within two years. They may have won millions of dollars, but their thermostat adjusted down to their preset level.
I’ve even seen this play out with a shop owner. His thermostat is set for $3,000 per week in Gross Profit Dollar (GPD) lift. He may have a $13,000 lift week, but eventually, he will adjust down to his original setting.
Likewise, a shop owner who is preset for $10,000 can have bad weeks of low lift, but she will eventually level up according to her setting.
So, what can you do to become a “hot shop owner” whose thermostat is set at a high temperature? Stay with me to learn the details.
Join a “Hot” Group
I had this goal to run an eight-minute mile. No matter how much I practiced by myself, but couldn’t get there.
It wasn’t until I joined a running club that comprised of members who had already run an eight-minute mile, that I was able to do the same. Once I joined the right group, the goal became achievable!
Are you running with the right group?
Since it’s hard to get “hot” in isolation, the fastest way to become a hot shop owner is to consistently associate with others who are hotter than you!
Initially, my thermostat was set to achieve a nine-minute mile. I noticed that the “eight-minute milers” had certain habits, routines, and rituals that were different from mine. I didn’t experience similar success until I implemented the same strategies.
What’s In It For You?
Your “eight-minute mile” may be hiring the right service manager, finding the right technician, or keeping the people you hire.
You are living with the results that your thermostat is set for. For example, “C” player habits will fail to attract “A” player hires. The good news is that you don’t have to run by yourself!
I challenge you to go to your next Shop Owners Class, 20 Group Meeting, and SuperConference breakout, with the purpose of seeking out those who are playing the game at a higher level than you.
You will find that the high performers you meet will have specific habits with regard to recruiting, networking, ad placement, and company culture. You can experience similar success by implementing the same strategies.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. If you intentionally and consistently associate with shop owners who have accomplished the results you desire to achieve, you will get better faster.
If you commit to consistently practicing their processes, you will become hotter than an early afternoon in Dallas!
P.S. Email etwiggs@autotraining.net to receive a checklist of the 7 Habits of A Hot Shop Owner.