The point of this blog post is to give you 4 focal points of clarity in your FreeAgent pursuit. The headline was meant to get your attention, pure and simple. And I'm tying in being a successful athlete and being a successful free agent. Though…it is actually a true statement:
I became an elite level cyclist in 1989 and turned pro in 1991 about the same time Lance did. I raced against him in many national level races and a handful of pro races in the United States. And sure, beat him in some races. Which puts me alongside…who knows…a few thousand other guys? And it surely wasn't in the Tour de France. I was never quite at that level.
But the point here is that being a successful free agent is very similar to being a successful athlete:
1. Do the same thing over and over and over and over…
Being a pro cyclist is not easy at all. But you know what 85% of it is? Doing a LOT of pedaling, pretty much every day. You can have the best genetics, the smartest tactical mind, the discipline and will of Zeus…but if you don't ride your bike 400-500 miles per week on average, it won't matter.
In folk's self-employment pursuits, this fact is seldom understood. But today…those who are succeeding do the same things over and over and over. Every day I'm posting a blog or recording a podcast or holding a member class or helping guide my members at FreeAgentAcademy. It's an endurance event.
You have to find the core areas of your business:
2. Know your primary role and stick to it
How often in sports do the athletes change positions or roles? Just about…never. In your business, though initially you may wear a lot of hats, you must find your primary role…where you most shine, and maximize it.
With self-employment, guess what…my strength is NOT in teaching the how-tos. It's not even in coaching overall. It's in inspiring…calling folks to action. I'm the 'voice' of free agency most of all. The encourager and communicator. I then utilize a bevy of experts that not only know the how-tos better than I do, but are more passionate about them.
We need to find out as quick as possible what role you serve best in your business, even if you are the sole employee (see #3 below).
3. Have a team
Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Rugby, Volleyball, Hockey, Cricket are all in the top ten most popular spectator sports. Why? Teams. They produce the best performances, the best stories and we are drawn to the truth of teamwork. Community. If you are watching the Tour de France right now, you know that nobody would win diddly on their own. It's a team sport.
Most of our FreeAgentAcademy members are 'solopreneurs,' which means no employees. And more and more, today's celebrity entrepreneurs are citing…little to no employees. But there are some semantics in that. Anyone making any money has a team. I have zero 'employees.' But I cut checks to over 10 individuals each month, plus a bevy of other providers. And I share leadership with 12 people. Then I have accountability partners in my work and life. So approximately 25 people are on my team. If you are going it alone, prepare for failure. If you think "who the heck could I get to join me" then prepare for good news! $10 will get you into FreeAgentAcademy.com today. You get 15 days to check it out, but what you'll find is…instant team. Or, contact your local chapter of SCORE. Or understand the aspects of your business where you can partner with others. Either way…understand the vital necessity of having a team to provide strength and skill where you are lacking, and to provide you validated encouragement.
*Here is part of my core team of leaders...'Professors' at Free Agent
Academy: Andy Traub, Pierce Marrs, Chuck Bowen, me, Jimi Gibson, Justin Lukasavige...up front at our May 'Intensive' Event.
4. Know what your win is
A bike race has a finish line. Football has the end-zone. Basketball has...a basket.
What is your win, and what are you doing daily to score? If this sounds basic, it apparently isn't…as many aspiring free agents spend not just hours, but days, weeks and months…being very busy but never focusing on getting a win. And some don't really know what it is!
So for you:
I became an elite level cyclist in 1989 and turned pro in 1991 about the same time Lance did. I raced against him in many national level races and a handful of pro races in the United States. And sure, beat him in some races. Which puts me alongside…who knows…a few thousand other guys? And it surely wasn't in the Tour de France. I was never quite at that level.
But the point here is that being a successful free agent is very similar to being a successful athlete:
1. Do the same thing over and over and over and over…
Being a pro cyclist is not easy at all. But you know what 85% of it is? Doing a LOT of pedaling, pretty much every day. You can have the best genetics, the smartest tactical mind, the discipline and will of Zeus…but if you don't ride your bike 400-500 miles per week on average, it won't matter.
In folk's self-employment pursuits, this fact is seldom understood. But today…those who are succeeding do the same things over and over and over. Every day I'm posting a blog or recording a podcast or holding a member class or helping guide my members at FreeAgentAcademy. It's an endurance event.
You have to find the core areas of your business:
- Creating and refining your product or service
- How you are attracting an audience
- How you are selling and gaining customers and clients
2. Know your primary role and stick to it
How often in sports do the athletes change positions or roles? Just about…never. In your business, though initially you may wear a lot of hats, you must find your primary role…where you most shine, and maximize it.
With self-employment, guess what…my strength is NOT in teaching the how-tos. It's not even in coaching overall. It's in inspiring…calling folks to action. I'm the 'voice' of free agency most of all. The encourager and communicator. I then utilize a bevy of experts that not only know the how-tos better than I do, but are more passionate about them.
We need to find out as quick as possible what role you serve best in your business, even if you are the sole employee (see #3 below).
3. Have a team
Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Rugby, Volleyball, Hockey, Cricket are all in the top ten most popular spectator sports. Why? Teams. They produce the best performances, the best stories and we are drawn to the truth of teamwork. Community. If you are watching the Tour de France right now, you know that nobody would win diddly on their own. It's a team sport.
Most of our FreeAgentAcademy members are 'solopreneurs,' which means no employees. And more and more, today's celebrity entrepreneurs are citing…little to no employees. But there are some semantics in that. Anyone making any money has a team. I have zero 'employees.' But I cut checks to over 10 individuals each month, plus a bevy of other providers. And I share leadership with 12 people. Then I have accountability partners in my work and life. So approximately 25 people are on my team. If you are going it alone, prepare for failure. If you think "who the heck could I get to join me" then prepare for good news! $10 will get you into FreeAgentAcademy.com today. You get 15 days to check it out, but what you'll find is…instant team. Or, contact your local chapter of SCORE. Or understand the aspects of your business where you can partner with others. Either way…understand the vital necessity of having a team to provide strength and skill where you are lacking, and to provide you validated encouragement.
4. Know what your win is
A bike race has a finish line. Football has the end-zone. Basketball has...a basket.
What is your win, and what are you doing daily to score? If this sounds basic, it apparently isn't…as many aspiring free agents spend not just hours, but days, weeks and months…being very busy but never focusing on getting a win. And some don't really know what it is!
So for you:
- What are the core aspects of your business that you need to (or will need to once you launch) do over and over and over, day in and day out?
- What is your primary role that you need to focus on and maximize?
- Who is your team...or could be?
- What is your win (and what daily steps must always be taken to ensure you are making scores?)?
Proud to be a member of your team brother. Very grateful I don't have to pedal though.
Posted by: Andy | July 21, 2010 at 01:58 PM
Im more proud to have you here as a leader...and to call you friend. I dont pedal much these day either...traded in the bike for trail running shoes. Much more primal...
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 21, 2010 at 02:17 PM
#1 reminds me of the 10,000 hour rule that Malcolm Gladwell talks about in Outliers. You get good by doing, and you get really good by doing a lot. Most people quit by that point.
Posted by: Justin Lukasavige | July 21, 2010 at 03:26 PM
Justin - absolutely...10,000 hours. Not brilliance, but hard work.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 21, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Great post. I'm diggin' #4. If you don't know what your win is, how will you know you've won? I'm making a list of my win dreams right now...
Posted by: Jimi | July 21, 2010 at 04:19 PM
One thing on the win list...work with really cool people who I can score great leather products from...check off.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 21, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Gee, that was subtle...
Posted by: Jimi | July 21, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Its all about slight of hand, eh?
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 21, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Kevin,
The marathon part was something I just realized. I found I was losing myself trying to build my business. I forgot why I want to start my own business in the first place. I have totally revamped my approach and now I am making it more fun to develop and be me.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
Posted by: Josh Bulloc | July 21, 2010 at 05:46 PM
Wow, one of the best ever. I think I've said that alot...
Just GREAT, true, concise info.
Some really smart, fine man I know always says -
'Truth is easy; application is brutal.'
So now for us to go do the brutal part...
Posted by: Teri Miller | July 21, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Great Post Kevin!
For me #1 is the key, we have to look at each time we launch out and 'do' as the catalyst for growth in many different ways.
Honored to be serving along side this great team!
Posted by: Deb Ingino ~ Strength Leader | July 21, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Looks like I need to figure out a way to starting putting more time in. At my current rate it will take me about 30-40 years. Yikes! :-)
Posted by: Chrishotz | July 21, 2010 at 07:21 PM
As an entrepreneur I'm extremely competitive. Same thing in sports. If I biked I'd be all about "yeah, I beat Lance quite a few times." As a free agent I'm all about "I beat apathy, discouragement, or laziness today". I'll fight those guys every day and do just like you said- put in my hundred miles on the bike before I sit down.
Great post! You've found your core purpose as our cheerleader and you're doing a great job at it.
Posted by: David Powers | July 21, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Good wisdom Kevin. It sounds like a formula for discernment, take a look at - Proverbs 2:1-6, Proverbs 3:1-6, and Philippians 1:9-10 (from last nights Bible study). Pretty clear about,practice, practice, practice, know your stuff, know who you can trust, know where you are going and what you are going after and how to get it done. Keep your eyes on the goal! Imagine that,Road to becoming a disciple follows the same road as success in sports, business, family, life, etc. - who could have thought that up? Oh yeh the one who breathes out stars, controls the kings heart like a water course, and knows every hair on everyone's head etc, etc, etc. I think I will do more than just listen. I will diligently work to live each aspect and day of life following these truths.
Posted by: Mike Evans | July 21, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Amen Justin. To spend 10,000 hours on anything means you need to rule out a lot of things that compete with that one thing.
Posted by: Chuck | July 22, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Mike - hey, thanks for this. Good wisdom for us all...so stoked to be
with you on the journey.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:28 AM
David, your quote I beat apathy, discouragement, or laziness today is
stellar. Thank you. Cheerleader. Ive been called that before, but it
does chafe my masculinity a bit with the images it brings to mind...
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Chris, check out this podcast Justin and I did: http://kevinmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/04/free-agent-underground-20100421-make-a-sacrifice.html
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Deb - Honored to be with you too Deb...immensely.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Love - I was mainly just trying to remind you of my past athletic
prowess and how you dug me when you first saw me in cycling attire...
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Josh - that my brother...is great to hear. Thanks.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | July 22, 2010 at 10:48 AM