I know what my answer was... and it was WRONG! I'll bet yours is too!

You did all the right stuff, went to school, got a job, worked hard, moved up to a responsible position. Family, home, vehicles, a few recreational toys, etc, etc. Life was pretty good. You still had some dreams, and a plan. Then all of a sudden the economic world had a different plan for your career! Suddenly that job isn't as much fun as it used to be and becoming less stable.

Always the leader... you started a business of your own. Outside your comfort zone... but you put destiny in your hands!

Let's review:

You've worked hard creating You. A good manager, supervisor, spouse, mother/father, friend... the 'school of hard knocks taught you well and there's proof by your success! But...that was 'before'!

In the beginning you were young and eager to listen, to learn, to work hard studying your mentors. You're not young any more...and you've noticed that some of that energy and excitement has faded. Listening skills? Oh ya, you hear, but are you listening? Is there a better way? Is there any reason to try a better way? You're the decision maker. In the book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Zen Master, Shunryu Suzuki wrote, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few."

For someone whom has achieved a certain level of success it's incredibly hard to remain coachable. The goals are the same, but the processes aren't... and they're constantly changing! The challenge of today's market place is not just to get our product or service to our customers first; rather it's a challenge to determine Whom our customers are? Where they are? and How they prefer to buy?

Web pages, Twitter, Face Book, texting, e-mail, Pay Pal, eBay, Craigslist; just some of the hundreds of tools that our businesses and customers rely on daily.

Are you ready? Are you teachable? Are you coachable? Remember your goal. Focus. Take a long hard look at yourself and determine if you're ready to re-invent yourself. Probably several times!

The good news?

If you're honest with yourself, you know you have some work to do.

You're the CEO of your new young company. You need to become a sponge to information. Books, magazines, news articles, CD's, internet newsletters. Ask for help. Get outside your business, your interests, your age group.

Willingness to learn, Openness to be coached, Receptive, Humble, Eager...

Most importantly...put the ego on the shelf and don't take yourself too seriously!

You need the vision of a Warren Buffett (that's Warren, NOT Jimmy!) and the wide eyed curiosity of a child to survive!

Enjoy the trip.

It's not the destination... it's the journey!

God's Speed.