Here’s How to Separate Your Laundry Business from the Other Stores in Your Marketplace
Of all the endeavors that people participate in, very few of their performances can realistically be described as “iconic.” That’s true in sports, business, professions, and tens of thousands of other human activities.
That’s just the way it is. Statistically, the world works on a bell-shaped curve. In other words, less than 3 percent of those in any endeavor – including the vended laundry industry – are truly what could be referred to as “iconic performers.”
Let’s use sports as an example. There are a lot of basketball players, but LeBron James is iconic, as was Michael Jordan. There is no shortage of professional football players, but Tom Brady is iconic. I’m certain you get the point.
When I attended Michigan State University, I was the student manager of the varsity tennis team, and the difference in ability between the players was quite obvious to me. Of the 10 or so players on the team each year, only one player went on to become one of the best college coaches the sport has ever known. He also was clearly the best player on the team.
It’s interesting to note that on the wall in our locker room at the time was a large sign that read, “The difference between good and great is continuous extra effort.”
I can make a case that this same formula for extreme success can be applied to the operation of your self-service laundry business.
Perhaps you’ve heard of a gentleman named Robin Sharma. If not, let me tell you a little bit about him. He began his career as a litigation attorney in Canada. However, he decided to switch occupational gears and began to write books and give motivational speeches. Today, in his 50s, he is regarded as one of the top speakers on leadership and personal mastery.
As a speaker, Sharma has the rare ability to electrify an audience by delivering uncommonly original and useful insights that lead to individuals doing their best work. Thus far, he has sold well over 15 million books on business leadership and other related subjects in more than 75 countries.
In his article “The Last Days of Average,” Sharma exposes nine differences between those who are just average and those who are true iconic performers. Using these differences, you can create your own formula for greatness.
Below are Robin’s nine key points. In addition, I explain how you can apply them to owning and operating a vended laundry business in a more iconic way:
1. “Average performers love to talk about others. Iconic producers are obsessed with discussing their dreams.”
2. “Average performers adore leisure. They know all of the hot television shows, spend their finest hours playing or watching sports, and are the first among their friends to secure the latest gadget. Iconic producers are vastly different – their addiction is to learning. They invest in books, go to conferences, mastermind with masters, and do whatever it takes to make their tomorrows better than their todays. The more you know the more you can achieve. Knowledge is the greatness creator.”
3. “Average performers resign themselves to mediocrity, thinking that the elite are somehow smarter and cut from a different cloth. I call this ‘The Myth of Genius.’ Don’t buy into it. Iconic performers have a different perception. They understand that genius and legendary is not the result of divinely orchestrated talent. Nope. It’s a lot more about focus, discipline, sacrifice, suffering, stamina and ridiculous amounts of hard work. They understand that rising to world-class is never easy. But it’s always worth it.”
4. “Average performers disrespect time. You often will see them waiting for hours for a great table in a cool restaurant. They shop when everyone else shops. They are often late and known for procrastination. Iconic producers understand that time is a blessing and use their best hours for their most important pursuits. They have a clear plan for the next period of years. They schedule their days, knowing that structure is the doorway to financial freedom.”
5. “Average performers use ‘victim-speak.’ Everything is a mess or trouble or a problem. The words you use drive the energy you feel. And, to rise to exceptional, you need to tap into your natural reservoir of massive energy. So, iconic producers leverage their words to raise their games. Their language inspires and reveals the fact that deep within they view themselves as captains of their fate, versus powerless little pawns.”
6. “Average performers stop when scared. Iconic performers press ahead when stricken by fear, while understanding that persistence is the DNA of becoming a game-changer. That bravery is the result of practice, versus a natural gift.”
7. “Average performers follow the crowd. Their dominant focus is to fit in, be liked and receive tribal acceptance. Iconic performers care not what others think. They’ve developed the confidence to think for themselves. They set their own dreams, run their own values and march to their personal drumbeat. That not only causes rare-air success. It produces enduring happiness.”
8. “Average performers are pleasure-driven. Everything they do is about fulfilling their desires and feeling good in the moment. Iconic performers are purpose-driven. They’re fueled by that single, gorgeous vision of a bigger future that keeps them up late and gets them out of bed early. They viscerally understand that the secret of passion is purpose.”
9. “The average performer is pure consumer. It’s all about buying and having things. Their self-identity is based on brands, labels and badges of the moment. Iconic producers care little about stuff. What stokes their fire has less to do with being a consumer and a lot more to do with being a maker. For them, their compelling cause is about using their creativity, energy, talents and time to produce value that not only delivers their personal dreams but makes the world a greater place.”
Clearly, each and every one of the nine items outlined above can be applied to becoming iconic in any business or endeavor – including, but certainly not limited to, the self-service laundry business. As a laundry owner, using this formula will provide you with a roadmap to finding the answers to those questions I know you quietly ask yourself: How can I stand out in this business? How can I make more money? How can I achieve a greater degree of happiness and fulfillment?
Sharma’s formula is by no means for everyone and it’s likely that you’ll have to alter your life and attitudes somewhat in order to properly drill down into it. But it’s worth the temporary discomfort. This is a formula for success.
Will it be easy? Of course not! All great accomplishments come at a price – there are just different ways of paying for them.
