Tuesday Tuneup- #76
Leassons learned from my first year
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Today’s edition is extra special as it was exactly one year ago that I left my job, hopped in an RV, and started my company.
First and foremost… I want to thank my wife for her extraordinary support, encouragement, and friendship. It’s no easy task to have your husband quit his job, homeschool your kids from the road, and then return to him working long hours. Yet she was always there—encouraging me, brainstorming with me, hearing my frustrations, celebrating the wins, and holding down the fort. Melissa… thank you.
Secondly, thank you—my readers, connections, and friends—for the support, the friendship, and the guidance over the last year. The uplift you’ve given me is remarkable and I appreciate you all.
My goal when I started Billion Dollar Contractor was simple. There are a lot of world-class contractors who work day and night, who grind through the rain and dark… who deserve to WIN. I was on a mission to help them do just that.
Although I’ve learned an uncountable number of lessons over the last year, here are five that stand out and still hit home 365 days later.
#1 – Commit, Start, Suck, Figure it out, and Get Better.
If you want to do much of anything… the formula above is how it’s going to go 100% of the time. Doesn’t matter who you are, what your skill or experience level is, or how “gifted” you are… starting something new is hard.
As somebody who gets a “behind the scenes” peek at how boardrooms and CEOs operate, I can tell you it’s consistent at all levels. Doesn’t matter if you’re brand new, a seasoned pro, or run a Top 10 contractor in the USA… everybody goes through the same process.
So, stop worrying and complaining about your problems. Commit to changing them, take action, realize you’re going to be bad at first. Figure out how to get better every day and grow. A month—let alone a year from now—you’ll be in a completely different place.
As far as worrying about criticism or negativity… don’t! Winners understand the process and will cheer you on. Everyone else is stuck complaining about their life and won’t understand.
#2 – Never sacrifice reputation.
If my kids read this one day… never… sacrifice… your… reputation. Never.
If you’re going to do something, it’s OK to commit, start, suck, figure it out, and get better. Just work your ass off to make it happen.
It’s never OK to half-ass something and put your name on it. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, and realize that sometimes the best way to win is to walk away.
The best way to market yourself and have an endless supply of customers is to simply do what you say you’re going to do. And if you can’t do that… then don’t take the work.
#3 – Resourcefulness is required.
Back to #1… everybody has to figure it out at some level. Even Fortune 500 companies are trying new things every day. Once you realize this, you see there’s a lot of opportunity and resources all around you—you just need to pick them up.
How do I get more customers? What can I bring to the table? What can I do to stand out? What problem can I solve extremely well?
These aren’t problems… they’re opportunities. Everyone is asking the same questions. So be resourceful and realize that you can help other people solve their problems by solving your own. For example, by doing a partnership with another company, you help them stand out from the crowd while also getting exposure to more customers. Win-win—and zero dollars spent.
Think outside the box.
#4 – Simplicity, Momentum, and Balance are underrated.
Enough said. These things are easy to take for granted if you don’t constantly pay attention to them. Write them on a sticky note and put it on your desk. Ignore them, and you can lose your business, yourself, and your life.
#5 – There is no perfect time.
Depending on who you ask, I either picked the best or the worst time to start a business that primarily helps SOLAR contractors. Twelve months ago, the industry felt unstoppable… today it’s in chaos.
There was no way to foresee what would happen and honestly… it doesn’t matter. We kicked ass, took names, and made the best of it. We went from ground zero to a profit level that fewer than 2% of companies hit in their first year.
Here’s a list of other things we keep “waiting for the right time” for… only to realize that day never comes:
Buying a house
Having kids
Moving
Getting a new job
Buying crypto, stocks, or any other investment
Getting in shape (as soon as the kids go back to school)
Learning to play guitar, dance, garden, speak a new language, etc.
Taking the vacation
The point is: just do the things… and guess what… it all works out. Your parents dealt with hardships, yet here you are with the free time to read a newsletter on a Tuesday.
“Someday” is not a day of the week. Unfortunately, waiting for a “sign it’s the right time” usually means some tragic event has already forced your hand.
So don’t wait for the nervous breakdown or the major health crisis to make a change. Make it now… because today is the right time.
#6 – BONUS: Be Grateful.
Life is short. Someday it will be over and all that will be left are the times, memories, and stories you’ve shared with others.
So smile, laugh, say thank you, wear your favorite sweats, drink your cup of coffee, tell the funny story, and do what makes you the best version of yourself. Today is a gift you get to share with the world.
Because there will always be new mountains to climb, fires to put out, the never-ending to-do list, and calls to make.
Be grateful for the life you have today, not the one you think is waiting beyond some imaginary goal line. If you can do that, you’re already one of the most successful people I know.
Until next Tuesday.
Happy Selling