If you’ve read any of my articles or followed me over the past several years, then it will come as no surprise to you that I live in a spectacular little Midwest town called Ann Arbor in the state of Michigan. If you happen to live here, then part of your job is being a loyal, raging fan of our beloved Michigan Wolverines. The past 7 years have been a difficult time for our storied football program, but unless you have zero interest in sports you’ve probably already heard that there’s a new sheriff (head coach) in town, and his name is Jim Harbaugh.

I can’t even begin to tell you the excitement that this change in leadership has generated here in my hometown, not to mention with my two boys. For the first time in a long time, we are extremely optimistic about the start of a new season.

At the press conference after his hiring, Coach Harbaugh was asked questions of all types most of which is handled in a manner that was fairly consistent for a seasoned professional that is used to feeding the needs of a hungry press, bloggers and social media types.

It was when asked the question of “How he planned to SELL the Michigan program to new recruits after having the program go through so many down years” that I was struck by his response, and feel may be of interest to you.

“I believe in this program and what is stands for,” Harbaugh Stated, “truly down to my core I believe in the values and what this program is built on. When you believe is something that strong, I think that the program sells itself.”

That statement has resonated with me for several weeks now because of how I believe it truly applies to almost everything.

Think about you own business and the product or service that you provide. Do you believe right down to your core that what you have to offer is exceptional? That the service you provide for your clients and customers is the best experience? That you and your brand create value for those that you serve?

Think about yourself. Do you believe down to your core that you are the very best person for the job you perform? That the service you provide creates the absolute best experience for your organization? That you and your personal brand create an exceptional value for those you serve. Would your teams, your clients, customers, family, friends or anyone else agree?

If you struggled with the answers to any of those questions then I would ask, what are you doing to build your brand, create value or provide a better experience? You get to make those decisions every day, no one else

A long time ago, I learned that the biggest objection we tend to have regarding these questions is usually our own objection. If you don’t truly believe that what you have to offer is of any value, both professionally and personally, than why should anyone else? When you truly believe in something, right down to your very core, and there is absolutely no doubt that what you provide creates value and is an exceptional experience, well there is no need to be a salesperson, because ultimately it will sell itself.

This week ask yourself:

What do I truly believe about the product or service I provide, and how is that impacting my business or myself?

How am I creating value for those that I come into contact with in my business and in my life?

What will I do to create the ultimate experience for my clients, customers, co-workers, and teams?

What type of experience am I creating for the people I care about most in this world?

Thoughts for the week:

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. –Jim Valvano

You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just one star to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.

-Richelle E. Goodrich  

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. – David Brinkley

Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.   -Jim Rohn

Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.         -Kyle Chandler

Life will hand you the same lesson over and over again until you figure our how to deal with it –Robert Bohlen

Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along. – George Herbert

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. – Thomas A. Edison

Looking forward to our next conversation