Take Advantage of Your Opportunity

When opportunity comes around, I have learned that there are three types of people: People who make things happen, those who watch things happen and unfortunately, there are people who wonder what happened.

At the age of 18, I was offered an opportunity in direct sales with PF Collier Inc. This was a position that was considered true sales. I had to learn how to sell encyclopedias door to door all based on commission. When I got the position, I was extremely excited because I knew the opportunity was going to be an amazing one for me if I worked hard at it. When I went home and told family and friends about it, I got a completely different response; most of them were negative and discouraging. I had to make a decision that either I was going to listen to them or I was going to show them. Thankfully, I chose the latter and made the decision that I was going to be successful—I enjoyed great success for almost 20 years in that industry.

None of us are immune from obstacles and challenges in life. I came into the Merchant Service industry after a very difficult time and was basically starting over again. That did not discourage me at all, I understand that in life everyone will have difficulties. We can allow them to defeat us or we can allow the hard times to mold us and make us better and stronger people.

For me, this industry was a second chance in life and I was extremely grateful for it. I understood that success doesn’t come easy. It takes a lot of hard work, consistency, and persistence. I have found where people make a mistake is that when they receive an opportunity, their philosophy is that they are going to give it a try. Let me make this crystal clear. When someone has the attitude that they are going to give it a try, they are doomed for failure. When it comes to success, you have to make a 100% commitment and you have to make the decision that you are never looking back and you are never giving up no matter what.

Twenty years later, I can say that I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Some people may say that I am lucky. For me, I have found that the harder I work, the luckier I become.

One of my favorite quotes from Zig Ziglar is “You can have everything you want in life if you help other people get what they want in life.” I have an extreme passion to help people succeed, to help people achieve their dreams and to teach them the necessary skills, especially in our industry, to become a top performer. There is no secret to success. It takes setting goals and working your tail off to achieve them.

You have an amazing opportunity staring you right in the face, and you can accomplish some remarkable things. The opportunity is incredible and the opportunity is unlimited. Wherever you are right now in life, today is the beginning of your new adventure. The question is “What are you going to do with the opportunity that is right in front of you?” Let me encourage you to take complete advantage of it starting today. Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Never settle for less, you are designed for greatness. There is a reason you have this opportunity. This is my statement for you…. Go for it!

Have a super successful week.

RICH NORTON
Regional Sales Manager RMSNPC
www.RetrieverMerchantSolutions.com