Taking Ownership and Responsibility

Taking ownership and responsibility is a great deal in business, relationships and other aspects of life. If we want to make things better, it is our responsibility to do so. It reminds me of an old saying, "If it's meant to be, it is up to me.”

​When our marketing consultants are making calls to contracted advisors and our good prospects, we often hear the same refrain. The answer comes after we ask if we can be of service, work up a case, assess or provide info. We often hear... "Nothing is cooking right now.” We then will ask, "When do you think you will have something cooking? Something where we can vie for the business?” Sometimes, they don't know.

When we ask about their marketing plans, many don't have a plan nor do they have any budget towards it. When we ask how they feel about next year, many will speak of feelings of dread and fearing the ends of their careers. I am still scratching my head! We have the products that Americans need. We have a dwindling field force and most of the competition is in our minds. So, what should advisors with this attitude do? Simple, take responsibility.

I recently read a quote by an unknown author regarding responsibility. "The power to fulfill our dreams is within each of us. We alone have the responsibility to shape our lives. When we understand this, we know that nothing, and no one, can deny us greatness. We are the ones pushing ourselves forward or holding ourselves back. The power to succeed or fail is ours alone.” 

Call me a simpleton, but that actually sums it up. I knew this from the time I started selling life insurance on a straight commission basis while in college. Talk about competition! There were agents on every corner. But I went to meetings, read motivational books, had a schedule, developed a regular prospecting program. Then I replicated this when I built an agency, and then later served as president of US life companies in America. It is simple, but hard. 

If this commentary is hitting you right between the ideas, don't feel as though you are alone. We have some answers. There are no quick fixes, but plans that have worked for hundreds of advisors and agents across America. If you want some solutions, please call us and speak to one of the marketing consultants. But, if you are not ready to take ownership and responsibility, then we wish you a happy retirement... for some an early retirement.

I want to leave you with one other quote that I have always liked, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves." Thanks for your time and your business. 

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Until next time… good selling!
​
Raymond J. Ohlson
Founder & Retired CEO
Ohlson Group
​1-877-844-0900