In the insurance agency business or any business for that matter, there is always a level of commitment. Take the fable of the chicken and the pig. In a breakfast plate made up of ham and eggs, both animals were involved. However, the chicken contributed but the pig committed. Meaning the chicken laid the eggs and lives to move on to other things. The pig gave his life for the ham on that plate. If a business is to succeed we must commit like the pig not contribute like the chicken.

The dictionary defines contribute as give (something, esp. money) in order to help achieve or provide something. When building and running an insurance agency or business certainly we must contribute our time, resources, money, energy and ideas to have any shot at having the business be a success. But is that enough? Can we just work a 40 hour work week and be satisfied with our contribution to our insurance agency or business? Certainly it is possible but it is not probable to achieve a high level of success.

The dictionary defines Commit as pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy. To pledge or bind one’s self to a course of action to succeed at all costs to the insurance agency or business is bigger than our selves. It will require more than just the contribution of time, resources, money, energy and ideas. It becomes a part of who we are.  It becomes a labor of love. The feeling of giving birth to the business and do whatever is necessary for it to succeed. That is a level of commitment I am speaking about.

Take the story of David Blaine a world renowned magician and endurance artist. He started as a street magician with “close up” tricks. He is now famous for some of his world known endurance stunts of stamina since the great Houdini. He has been buried alive, lived underwater, frozen in ice and hung in a glass box over London’s River Thames for 44 days. He has been televised internationally and written about in multiple publications. He could have contributed to the magic world and stayed with “close up” tricks and made a nice living. But he choose to commit to his craft and become world famous. Practically anyone you mention the name David Blaine will usually comment about one of his famous endurance stunts that leaves people in absolute amazement. David will train for months with grueling long days and nights to perform just one stunt one time. It is his level of commitment not his contributions to magic that has made David Blaine a brand of household name.

It is our burning desire to our business, insurance agency or craft that builds a brand, a name recognition that carries us to the goal line of success. We must commit to our success, to our endeavors, our craft, our skills in order to achieve our successful business. After all it is our baby, right? Push a little harder, work a little longer, think a little more cleaver than your competition to achieve where you want to be. Be sure and spend as much time working on your business as you do working in your business. Here’s to success!

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” –Vince Lombardi

Image courtesy of rakratchada torsap at freedigtalphotos.net

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Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger and team leader with over 26 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.