Did you survive tax day?  I sure hope so!

Anyways, I traveled last weekend for a friend’s wedding.  An exhausting weekend, but a ton of fun for sure.

If you haven’t read my prior post about it, you can check it out here.

And of course I got hit with the Terrible Trifecta of TSA screening, flight delays, and screaming babies.

Traveling . . . you know the drill.

There were those standard pre-flight safety instructions on every leg of my trip, too.

You know those?  Where the flight attendants talk to you about exit rows, seats that transform into floatation devices, and oxygen masks?

Well, something about the oxygen mask spiel caught my attention this time around.

The instructions before my flights (and they’ve been this way for as long as I can remember) are explicit: put the oxygen mask on yourself before trying to help anyone else.

Put your oxygen mask on first!

This might seem selfish at first, but it gives you the best chance to do as much good as you can in a disaster.

And that’s how it goes with business, too.

I’m a firm believer in making yourself strong before reaching out to prospects or potential business partners.

You make yourself “strong” in the business world by constantly seeking out ways to provide more value.

You set aside time each day to generate ideas.

Research your next product idea.

Study the latest marketing trends.

And not wasting a second resting on your laurels or past successes.

This is tough for people who tend to put themselves last on their own priority list.  I’ve spent a lot of time down there myself.  It’s something I’m still working on; I can’t tell you how much time I’ve wasted doing things I’d rather not be doing . . . just because someone else wanted them done.

You might feel guilty at first, but if you want to do your best you need to start putting yourself first right now.

Paradoxically, worrying about yourself first gives you the best chance to provide ridiculous value to your prospects.  Massive value . . . to the point you’re giving 10 times more than what you’re receiving.

And the time you spend away from your business will be that much more fulfilling for you.  You’ll be able to escape the “gray zone” – and actually enjoy time away from work – once you’re satisfied you’re doing everything you should be to succeed in your business.

Yesterday was tax day.

That was the government’s turn.

Today (and every other day from now on) is yours.

P.S.  What have you done to increase your ability to provide value in your business?  What do you do now?  I’d love to hear your ideas.  Leave me a comment and let me know.

P.P.S.  “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein