By Floyd Wickman I've always been a big fan of “the dance.”  And in these times when things get hectic, chaotic and sometimes even overwhelming - the DANCE  is a way to help manage this journey we’re on through life.

You've seen the dance – I know you have.  You've seen the top producers stride up to the stage to win their awards and accept their accolades.  But in truth, if they were to get to the stage the same way they came to their success, you’d see them take three steps forward and two steps back.  Three steps forward, two steps back.  Three forward, two back.  In other words, they kept moving ahead.  They didn't let the setbacks keep them back.  They didn't let the challenging times keep them from their destination.  They knew, as the old saying goes, “what takes you to it will get you through it.”  You can too. Do the dance.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and do it with standards high and integrity in check.  It’s easy, I know, to get caught up in the chaos these days.  Heck, turn on the news any given day and there’s plenty of reason to throw your hands in the air and say, “I give.”  So a lot of folks say – “Don’t read the paper or watch the news!”  That makes me laugh because my good friend Zig Ziglar used to always say he reads both the paper and the bible every day because he wants to know what both sides are doing!

“But Floyd….HOW?”

First, break the binds of the past.  Listen, I know about pasts.  I grew up on the lower East side of Detroit with nothing.  And I don’t know if you know what it does to a kid’s self-esteem to have to dig in the sofa for change so five kids can eat or to duck down every time there was a knock at the door for fear it was someone coming to take something away from you.  But I do know that tough beginnings can be an anchor or a rocket booster.  They can keep you mired in the muck or be the driving force to make more of your life and I can guarantee you -- 100% -- that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.

You’ll never be able to change what your father did, your mother said or the fact that you weren’t picked first in little league.  There are lessons learned from all of life’s experiences and you have a choice between taking that lesson and leaving the rest or dragging the steamer trunks of “baggage” around with you for the rest of your life.  Ditch the bags and let the lesson make you stronger.

Secondly, say goodbye to negative people.  I’m telling you they wear you down.  No one ever built a monument to a critic – so don’t let those naysayers and folks that seem to have one goal in life and that’s to dash the hopes and ideas of everyone around them do that to you.  I’m a believer in positive affirmations, and still to this day make them a part of my day, every day.  My favorite is, “I will always be guided to do and say the things that lead to my success. Everything that happens -- happens in my best interest.”   Feeding your mind and spirit with inspired thought, valuable insights, and creative skills will be the fuel you need when rocky times hit to take that step forward instead of falling back.

Third, practice. Look, great dancers (like great salespeople) don’t make it to the top and stay there on natural ability alone.  They have to practice, drill, rehearse, practice, drill, and rehearse.  They don’t rest on their laurels, wait for someone else to do the work or expect success to fall in their lap.  They keep learning.  They keep fine-tuning.  They keep seeking out new and innovative ways to do what they do better than anyone else – whether by connecting with coaches, networking with colleagues, downloading courses or attending classes.  In truth – most do all of that and more.  When you practice – the steps forward become so much easier – and the steps back fewer.  Practice.

Become a fan of the dance.  Keep moving forward every day – sometimes with baby steps – sometimes in great strides.  And know this – my team and I are always here to help where we can.  Stay connected with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floydwickmanteam, visit us online at www.floydwickman.com and let us know what we can do to help, how we’ve changed your life and how you’re managing your “dance.”