| I remember the first time I was deployed | | | | from you) right now. I know I'll get |
| to Iraq during Operation Southern Watch. | | | | over this slump, but business is |
| I sat in an intelligence mission | | | | terrible!" |
| briefing with 50 of my fellow fighter | | | | I felt for her. |
| pilots (my wingmen) where we were | | | | Yes - business is bad all over. Look at |
| briefed on the multiple threats that | | | | the economy and it's quite clear that |
| scattered the enemy terrain in Iraq. The | | | | these are tough times. It's a huge |
| SAM's (surface to sir missiles) and AAA | | | | missile and it's pointing at us all. |
| (anti-aircraft artillery) were | | | | How we deal with this missile will |
| everywhere - each with the reach and | | | | ultimately determine whether or not |
| power to shoot us out of the sky. | | | | we'll defeat it. For it's the tough |
| I couldn't help but notice the anxious | | | | times that determine the true character |
| feeling that was in the pit of my | | | | of a winner. If you want to test the |
| stomach. The dread, panic, and fear were | | | | character of an individual in business, |
| almost overwhelming. For the first time | | | | see how they act when the sales are |
| in my military career, I was going to be | | | | down, when they're having bad month, or |
| tested in combat. It was 'go | | | | when the competition is taking away |
| time'...time to put all my | | | | their business. |
| training…the years of study, focus, | | | | Will you Forget Everything And Run or |
| sacrifice, and sweat...to the test. From | | | | Focus Energy and Accept Responsibility? |
| the Air Force academy where I learned | | | | Here are a few wingtips to help you to |
| the fundamentals of discipline and | | | | take action with courage: |
| teamwork, to the 79th Fighter Squadron | | | | 1. Flight plan your day - Get up |
| where I learned to fly the sophisticated | | | | earlier, schedule your action items, |
| F-16 and the complicated tactics | | | | reduce or eliminate your TV time, take a |
| necessary to defeat the enemy. All of | | | | course on sales. Get focused on the |
| this training would soon be put to use. | | | | preparation fundamentals that lead to |
| But deep down I wondered if I was ready. | | | | business success. |
| How would I perform under this real | | | | 2. Surround yourself with positive, |
| pressure? Would I get shot down? Was I | | | | successful wingmen - eliminate the |
| truly prepared for this ultimate test? I | | | | Naysayers and attract the "Yaysayers." |
| thought to myself, what good was my | | | | These are your comrades of confidence |
| military and fighter training if I | | | | who will lend you their wings to fly, |
| wasn't able to execute when it really | | | | but who will also hold you accountable |
| counted? I had to get focused! | | | | for your actions. |
| Despite my insecurity, the bottom line | | | | 3. Be a WingGiver - Help others. |
| was that I was ready. When I reflected | | | | Remember, there are folks like you who |
| on all of my training and preparation, | | | | are struggling (personally and |
| the more confident I became. All of my | | | | financially). Find a way to help ease |
| previous work would allow me to win in | | | | their suffering with your skill, |
| Iraq. I didn't need to be afraid. | | | | connections, and compassion |
| Each day, we're faced with missiles of | | | | 4. Be thankful - Appreciate all your |
| business and life that are being shot at | | | | blessings and take inventory where your |
| us as we execute our missions. How will | | | | life is going well, and don't focus on |
| you deal with them? Will you take | | | | the negative. |
| action, or shirk away in fear? Do you | | | | Life has its ups and downs. As soon as |
| have the foundation of training, | | | | we think we have it under control...BAM! |
| preparation and mental focus necessary | | | | Another missile gets launched at us. |
| to face those missiles with courage and | | | | Don't resist it. Rather, accept it as a |
| confidence? | | | | challenge to upgrade your flight status |
| Winners work hard and plant seeds of | | | | and strengthen your wings. Remember that |
| success long before the enemy strikes. | | | | winners deal with adversity by ensuring |
| That's why WIN stands for Work it Now! | | | | they have done the necessary work and |
| I recently received and e-mail from a | | | | relationship building before the |
| friend who works in real estate (she is | | | | missiles of life are launched. |
| a very successful time share | | | | If you wait until after the missiles are |
| salesperson). She wrote, "Waldo, I sure | | | | in the air, then it's probably too late. |
| could use a sale (and some motivation | | | | |