Letter on the Third — March 2024
Dear Datamax Family,
Want to run a marathon? Face your fears via bungee jump? Earn Presidents Club? Become a certified Master Level Technician? There are countless ambitions and goals out there, with what is often an uncertain journey ahead. There’s one guarantee, though: To accomplish anything in life or in business, you’re certainly going to have to step out of your comfort zone.
There are many times throughout my career that I’ve done just that. For one, consider a Chicago native like myself moving to Little Rock, Arkansas to head up a business not knowing a soul. I learned a lot about myself from 1985 to today. However, there are really two instances that I’d like to share, and more importantly, what benefits arise from getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, and ultimately becoming what I like to call an unconscious competent.
It forces you to face your discomfort.
As I mentioned last month in our annual meetings, In 2022, I was asked to participate in the Dancing With Our Stars event, benefitting the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The annual fundraiser gathers state business leaders and celebrities to compete in a dance competition in front of a live audience. I had never danced in my life.
I’ll never forget the first day I met with my dance partner. I was overwhelmed, I really was. But we started with the basics of a Salsa routine, one move at a time. Maddie didn’t just throw me into the pool and tell me to swim – she took me step by step at a pace that was manageable. In the end, I learned a skill that I never would have obtained had I not faced my discomfort. I would also add that we raised more than $300,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
It builds teams and camaraderie.
In 1999, I was asked to chair Little Rock’s Riverfest, at the time Arkansas’s premier summer event offering arts and music on the banks of the Arkansas River. Talk about a big task: There were more than 1,200 volunteers and the festival annually attracted around 250,000 people. The fundraising I could handle – in many ways it was similar to my role at Datamax, building relationships and selling the impact of the event. What I couldn’t handle? The music. I’ll never forget, someone mentioned to me that we had Collective Soul on the ticket. My response? “Who the heck is Collective Soul?”
Given my lack of popular music knowledge, I didn’t go at it alone. I leaned on my son Cody and I reached out to younger volunteers, asking questions like “What do you think of about the band the Screaming Cheetah Willies?” As you face challenges, you’ve got to have people who can help lead you through the process. Together, you’ll build camaraderie and achieve what is ultimately a team goal.
It opens doors for your future.
There’s no way around it: To grow as an individual, you’ve got to embrace your fears. If you’re weary of cold calling, know that you get better with repetition. If you’re struggling with billing, take the time to learn the database. And if you’re not already, get involved with your community. Join boards, volunteer your time, or attend that Chamber mixer after-hours. You’ll be surprised by what doors will open for you. Before you know it, you’ll escape your unComfort zone and become an unconscious competent.
The Best is Yet to Be.
Your Raving Fan,
