Did the title of this article make you stop and look? I’ll bet the reason you are at least going to spend a few minutes reading this, is to see if this might apply to you.
How exactly do I make more money? One word: Investment.
I think all of us understand that an investment should make us money. And we probably know that the better investments make more money. So, how does this apply to you?
My challenge to you is simple. Invest in yourself. Now wait, before you move on to the next page, let’s talk about this. Do you want to be in the Top 1% Earners in our industry? If not move on to the next page and look at the pictures. If you want to make thousands of dollars more in your lifetime let’s spend a few minutes talking about how you can do it.
I have spent over 30 years leading my team to be the best; what others would call experts. This term (experts) only applies to the best of the best. These are the people in any industry that people admire and, wait for this, PAY MORE FOR.
I am a learner. I have invested (there’s that word “investment”) a lot of time learning. As a matter of fact, earlier today, like every other day, I spent time learning. This morning, while on the way to work, I spent 45 minutes listening to 2 podcasts. On the way home tonight, I will spend another 45 minutes listening to an audiobook; simply learning.
I am a true believer that the more I learn, the better I will be and the more I will earn. Truly it works. How do I know? Well, I now make a lot more than when I started in this business and my team is one the highest paid in the industry. It pays to invest in learning.
At this point you are asking, “Where do I start?” Let’s look at a few places that will help you invest in yourself.
Product Knowledge.
Make it a point to learn about 1 product you use every day! This type of information is easily found online. Everyone has a computer and there are people in our industry who will teach you if you ask.
Business Knowledge.
Online again. There are hundreds of podcasts you can subscribe to that will teach you about business principles. As an example, I am currently learning about investing in real estate. I listen to Bigger Pockets and the Real Estate Guys every week. At 61 years old, I’m still curious about learning. I want to invest in myself and I want to make more money.
Another area that you can invest in is books and magazines. I read every day. I don’t read for fun. I read to learn. I have subscribed to 20 Business Journals in the markets where we have branches. I read, every week, to keep up with and learn about the markets we do business in. I am also reading a business book at any given time. As a business leader, I enjoy any John Maxwell book, but I also read others. Make Today Count is one of my favorite books. Most recently, I read Relentless; another excellent book.
Let’s wrap this up. The one thing you need to do now is… decide. Do I want to “Make MORE Money,” or do I want to keep doing the same things I have been doing? Remember, if you do the same things you have been doing, you will get the same results now and 20 years from now.
Written by David Williams is Vice President of Horizon Forest Products.