Recently, I was having conversations with a couple of my clients, and an interesting pattern began to show up see if you can relate to this.
In one conversation, we were reviewing his 2024-year-end numbers. Revenues, unfortunately, were flat where he was actually down a little less than 2%. However, his bottom-line net income had more than doubled. He was up well over a hundred percent due to a lot of the efficiencies we put in place over the past year. We then reviewed 2025 numbers, for January and February. Revenues are up 35% over last year. The bottom line is up 27% over last year. Extraordinary numbers.
We talked about the salesperson that he has in place is rocking and rolling. He’s doing his affirmations in the morning, he’s getting to the gym, and he’s eating better.
And then that one word came up, but, where he started explaining whatever it was. I asked him. Why would you share all those good things that are moving you and your business forward and finish, but? He replied, “Well, it’s hard. I don’t think this can continue. I’m waiting for something wrong to show up.”
My reply was, No, no, no, no, no.
I have another gentleman I was speaking with, the same situation reveals itself. He started to tell me how, since we started working together, he’s doing his positive affirmations, he’s being more intentional, and he’s having productive conversations with his team. He shared some books with them to read, and they’re responding positively.
And then that one word came out, but. And I asked him why the but. His reply, “Well, in the past things always, sooner or later, go wrong.”
If this is you, don’t do it. When things are going well, you’re on a roll, just stick with all the good stuff. Instead of but, just say, “And it’s only getting better. 2024, we were flat in revenue, however, we more than doubled our bottom line. We’re having our best year. We’re up 35% in revenues, and 27% in our bottom line in only two months. We’re off to a great start. I have my salesperson rocking and rolling with a great attitude. I’m going to the gym. I’m eating better. My relationship with my wife is getting even better. Things are great and only getting better.”
I’m here to tell you very simply, whatever you say that is good and you end it with a but, that but is like an eraser. It wipes out everything you just said. And by the way, your subconscious mind is listening 24/7. So, if you stick that but in, your subconscious mind knows to discount everything you said previously. Your mind now gravitates to what could go wrong, instead of everything that’s going right.
If this is you, here’s the disclaimer. Don’t do it. Get rid of the but, and replace it with, and it’s only getting better.
COACH MICHAEL DILL is an Award-Winning Certified Business Coach, global speaker, and published author. He is a proud Action Coach Franchise partner as well as the President of Power & Ice Wealth Creation a strategic leadership company that works with business owners, leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to both develop a systematized and structured organization while accelerating their mindset, efficiencies, and effectiveness to grow both personally and professionally to achieve extraordinary results. He brings more than 40 years of business and entrepreneurial experience in his leadership, team training, and mentoring practice. Businesscoachmichaeldill.com