What Does President Lincoln Know About Pool, Spa and Pond Repair and Service Companies?

It is hard to consistently generate great content. Today I ran across something in honor of President's Day that moved me. This blog is taken from an email I got today from Larry Szala of Central Roofing in Gardena, CA, centralroof.com. Larry agreed to let me share it. I've adapted it for our niche but it can really apply to any endeavor. It is about motivation.

February is the month we celebrate two great Presidents, George Washington & Abraham Lincoln. Most would agree they are two of the greatest Presidents we have ever had. A look at Lincoln’s life before 1860 would make most give up in life and settle for mediocrity.

A few facts about our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln: Many professional and personal losses, including a nervous breakdown early in his career.

1. Lost his mother at age 9
2. Lost his first job then lost a run at State legislature in 1832
3. Lost his business
4. Lost his sweetheart
5. Lost a run for a US Senate TWICE in 1854 and again in 1858.
6. Lost a nomination for Vice President
7. Lost two of his four sons

So what motivated Lincoln to push on to greatness? Despite these and other setbacks in his life and with only one two-year term in the US House of Representatives, Lincoln took his positive attitude and strong determination to run for and become our 16^th President in 1860. Lincoln never lost sight of his goals; never let personal loss, personal problems or any circumstances deter him from his positive attitude and focused determination. And as they say the rest is history.

So what does this bit of history mean for you and your pool, spa and/or pond company?

Inspiration: Most leaders and those who work for you will feel and sometime succumb to feelings of loss and defeat in the workplace. When that happens don’t let the setbacks and excuses be the reason for your business slowing down. You can personally choose and motivate those around you to have a positive attitude and the resilient determination to overcome any obstacles that will lead to success! 

Use Abraham Lincoln’s life to motivate and inspire your employees so they may envision themselves succeeding in spite of setbacks. Another great example of how attitude and determination can work for anyone that is willing to choose so is Kerri Strug’s story. Kerri was a member of the US Olympics team 1996 and this is part of her story: “Kerri, listen to me, you can do it!" said USA coach Bela Karolyi as Kerri Strug readied for her second and final vault during the team competition at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The only problem was that Strug had felt a pop in her ankle on her first vault and could barely walk, let alone sprint down the runway and fling herself up and over the horse to land with great purpose on only one good leg.  Somehow Strug gritted her teeth, thinking that the team's gold medals all depended on this final vault (in actuality they didn't, but no one knew that at the time), and got the job done with a solid landing before collapsing in pain onto her hands and knees. Strug, suffered two torn ligaments in her ankle but left the floor with courageous effort and a gold medal plus a rousing ovation from a packed house!

Strong determination and a positive attitude has helped Advantage Manufacturing grow from a small family business in pool, spa and pond products to become one of the most respected names in our industry. Our success over the past 23 years is predicated on our determination to provide the highest quality and customer satisfaction. Check out what our customers say about us @ advantageman.com or call us at 800-636-8866

I leave you with my favorite quote about attitudes. 

 “The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past.  We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.” --Rev. Charles Swindoll

 Well said Larry. I will leave you with my favorite Lincoln Quote; 

"Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds up to be."

 

Written by:
Lyann Courant
CEO, Advantage Manufacturing.
Feel free to share and reprint as long as you attribute it to Larry. Thanks.