How To Go From Zero To Hero In Less Than A Second

How To Go From Zero To Hero In Less Than A Second

By

Eric M. Twiggs

“Only small differences in ability translate into large differences in results.” Brian Tracy

What separates the best of the best from everyone else?  I pondered this question as I listened to a press conference interview of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, after one of his races.  Johnson is the winningest driver on the NASCAR circuit and has won the driver of the year award five times.  However, in this race he finished in second place to his arch rival Jeff Gordon.   

The reporters asked Johnson the following question: “What was different about his car and yours today?”  Johnson surprised me with his response: “a tenth of a second is what separates a zero from a hero. A half a tenth faster and you’re going forward, and a half a tenth slower, you’re going backwards. I just couldn’t get that half a tenth today.”

I didn’t give his response much thought, until I saw the difference in prize money between a 1^st and 2^nd place finish. 

For example, the winner of the 2016 Dayton 500 received $1,587,000 compared to the second-place driver getting $1,157,000.  In other words, a tenth of a second on this day would cost the 2^nd place driver $430,000 in prize money!  How much is that missing tenth of a second costing you?

Have you been searching for the silver bullet?  That one big idea that will instantly change your business forever? The data from Daytona tells us that a small edge can be worth more to you than a big idea. 

You may be a tenth of a second away from hiring your replacement in the business.  You may be a tenth of a second away from being able to pay off your line of credit. You’re only a tenth of a second away from having the right cars in your bay. 

The key to going from zero to hero is to focus on gaining that slight edge instead of the silver bullet. 

So, what can you do to gain that slight edge?  Don’t drive off before I explain. 

Sharpen The Axe

I sat in on a recent shop Owners Part 1 class and saw Dave and Jan Murphy sitting near the front of the room, frantically taking notes.  Their shop, Murphy’s Auto Care, was recognized at the Super Conference as the Shop of the Year.  They are the best of the best.

Now why would these advanced owners be spending their time at an entry level class?  They were sharpening the axe.  Abraham Lincoln put it this way: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” 

The Murphy’s sharpen the axe by being committed to continuous learning, which gives them that slight edge.   When speaking with the Murphy’s or any of the top shop owners, I have never heard the following four words” “I already knew that.”

Instead, they attend classes, read books, watch webinars, and participate in their 20 group. 

It’s a proven fact that the best performers in the ATI program, also have the highest-class completion and webinar participation percentages on our Learning Management System Dashboard. 

In his book Million Dollar Habits, Brian Tracy reports that a 3% difference in performance in a key area that’s sustained over time, can give a person the necessary edge to dominate their field.  So, what are you doing to sharpen the axe? 

If you believe you already know it all, you’re right because you won’t learn anything new!  Sharpening the axe can help you to find that tenth of a second you’ve been looking for.

Focus On Your Blind Spots

Toastmasters International is an organization dedicated to helping its members improve their public speaking skills.  During the meetings, a member will give a prepared speech and an assigned evaluator gives them feedback on how they did.   

Several years ago, I was an active member who had just given a seven-minute speech.  Afterwards, my evaluator told me: “Eric, you used the filler word ‘uhmm’ seven times during your presentation!”   

I didn’t believe her!  She had to be wrong because I didn’t hear myself using fillers!   I felt confident about my conclusion until I saw that one of the member’s video recorded my entire speech.  I watched the video in horror as I realized my evaluator was correct. I did say “Uhmm” seven times!   Using fillers was a blind spot that I was unaware of.   Becoming aware of this habit, gave me an edge as I entered future speech contests.   

According to research that was conducted by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, we all have blind spots that we’re unaware of, but others outside of us can see.  This explains why the top performers in every industry hire a coach to bring this to their attention, which gives them that slight edge.   The key is to focus your blind spots. 

I recommend getting the following people in place to help with this effort:  1.  Your Coach  2. Your accountability partner 3. Your 20 group members. I would then ask the following question: “What three things are getting in the way of me achieving my goals?”  Acting on the answers can give you that edge you’ve been seeking.

Summary

So, there you have it.  Sharpening the axe and focusing your blind spots, will take you from zero to hero.  Jimmie Johnson is a great driver because he has a team of people helping him with his race.  You may not have a pit crew, but you do have the ATI Team to help you gain that edge you need in your race for Top Shop!

Eric M. Twiggs

The Accountability Coach

www.autotraining.net

PS:  What else do the Top Shops do to gain an edge?  Email etwiggs@autotraining.net  to receive a checklist of the seven habits of highly effective shop owners