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