I lost $15,000 in 60 Seconds on a Tuesday
And why I'm glad it happened
It was the summer of 2017, a Tuesday to be exact, and it was hot. I mean sweating through your shirt, dripping from your brow hot.
The type of hot you only get in Birmingham, Alabama. Stifling, soul-crushing hot.
Add to that, I felt the same fire and fervor in my heart.
I had to leave the office. Finding repose in the sauna-like retreat of my Kia Forte.
I needed to think.
During the previous month, I closed 21 deals. A company record.
The growth forced our company to make new hires.
Move towards scale.
And the same growth prompted a major change in my compensation plan.
$15,000 gone overnight. (Or so it seemed)
I felt like quitting.
It didn’t feel right.
This shouldn't have happened, I thought.
Why are they punishing me for doing well?
I was angry, confused, rattled.
"This makes no sense to me," I said out loud.
I called a mentor. Someone I knew could help.
I asked him what I should do. How to respond. Was this right, wrong, was I missing something?
And he gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received.
"Josh, don't be the guy who makes money the ultimate thing. Do you want to be in a leadership role in your company in 5 years? How you respond now will impact your growth track in your business. And some things cannot be undone. Trust me"
He was right.
I went back to my team the next day. Made my case. And found a middle ground. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't easy. It wasn't what I had in mind. But it happened.
And I'm glad it did.
I was an unknown account executive at an unknown startup in an unknown city.
What if I had blown up? Quit? Put my foot down and said, "F-this?"
Would I be in the position I am today?
Leading three departments. Serving on the leadership team. Co-setting the direction and trajectory for our strategy and growth.
I can't imagine I would be.
Before writing this, I asked permission to share this story.
Because it matters.
It matters for anyone who needs to slow down. Invite others in. And keep the long-term perspective in mind.
The way you respond to challenges now -- will impact your future. It may be a year, five years, or ten years down the road -- I don't know. But IT IS going to impact your life.
And that's why I'm encouraging you now.
When faced with YOUR specific challenge.
The one that burns. Stings. Bites.
Don't fight. Don't explode. Don't say something you can't take back.
Breath.
Invite others in.
Take your time.
And keep the future in mind.
Now and for the long-haul.
Until next time, #KeepImpacting
-Josh
Hyper-actionable tips for growth:
1) Take 5 minutes to make a list of 3-5 people you can talk with in the moment of adversity?
2) Recall a time where rash behavior/decisions affected your future life? What would you have done differently?
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