A New Start, Around the Corner

I couldn't decide which phrase I liked better: getting a fresh start, or turning the corner. So, I decided to use both.

Now, what am I referring to? I'm, of course, referring to my professional life. For about two years, I've been a struggling Aflac agent. They're a great company, and I respect them and the way they do business. But, the work simply hasn't been paying the bills on a consistent basis.

So, I made a decision a little while ago that I needed to branch a bit, find more income, and find steadier income.

And ... here's where I stand.

Tyler Betts is still an Insurance Agent, ready to meet your needs. I'm now contracted with three companies, with a fourth to possibly come.



So, for all of your insurance needs, be they Life, Disability, Gap, Dental, or whatever, I can be your one-stop shop. Remember that!

And, I've also started a full-time job that is not 100% commission.



Can you hear me now? Good, because I've also got a job working base + commission for a Verizon Agency. So, come to me with all of your cellular phone and wireless needs!

Got that? Insurance and Wireless ... when you need any of them, come to me!


Because, really, this is a new start. A new corner I've turned. A new page in my life.


And I will find success.

Pride

So, right now, I've got the news on (mainly because Rachel had it on and I'm too lazy to look for the remote to flip over to the SportsCenter). And they just did a piece on insurance companies that are using dedicated schemes and plots to rip people off (especially Seniors).

And I know that I have an uphill battle to fight in the world of perception. Salesmen in general aren't always thought of highly, and insurance salesmen in particular are thought to be among the worst. So, I know I have to work hard with my own personal ethics to make sure I combat those perceptions.

But beyond that, I can have pride in my company. Check out the following two links, especially the second one.

Link 1
Link 2

Yeah. It's nice to work for a company you can truly take pride in for the right reasons.

1%

So, a little while back, I made a post about what I want. And I listed off several things. But I also named a #1 thing. And that was a signed and completed M0138 form. That form would create my first official group with Aflac.

Well, yesterday, I did an enrollment to finalize my first official group with Aflac. And, man, did it feel good.

I finally feel like I've got momentum and confidence in the field. It certainly wasn't an easy group to get (cold call, plenty of objections, etc), but it's done. My first group.

My first SSC told us that to really have a good career with Aflac, you need 100 groups. That means I'm 1% of the way there. Only 99 more to go!

99 more groups to get on the wall, 99 more groups to get ... I get one signed up, then enroll them ... (you know how the song goes) ...

Here's to more success.

(BTW, I leared while searching for that picture that August 5th is International Beer Day. Who wants to celebrate with me?)

Watch your glass

I tend to think of myself as an optimist. I think it's one of my better traits. I always look at potential and possibilities when faced with a set back. It certainly helps to be this way in the world of Insurance Sales.

I think, however, I would help myself further if I took time to actually celebrate the good things in my life. To think about what is making my glass half-full instead of half empty. It's so easy in life to focus on the things that frustrate us, and gloss over the things that make us happy and help guide us through the day.

I don't bust my hump trying to get new groups and sell insurance policies because I want to come home to a messy apartment that's too small for all the stuff we've accumulated. I do it because one day I want Rachel and I to own a beautiful house.

I don't pour my sweat, tears, and blood into Sigma Theta Epsilon because I want to bicker about policy or have frustrations with other members. I do it because I love to see potential transformed into an honest Christian man, ready to be a clergy or lay leader.

I don't put my effort into jOURney because I want to be disappointed when the worship space is less than half full. I do it because I know there's a need for this kind of church, and I know the impact it's already having life-by-life.

And yet, I never really sit down to meditate on things like this. I sit down and grab my hair and try to figure out how I'm going to pay the bills, how I'm going to manage stress, and if the projects I love and care about will ever thrive like I know they can. But I don't sit down and be honestly thankful that I have a fairly spacious apartment to come home to, that I have worthwhile organizations to volunteer for, and taht I have a job that allows me to have a flexible schedule and the possibility for rags to riches.

And I think ... I need to do this more.

No, I don't think that. I know it.

And then, I can become a real optimist.

No more will I see my glass as half-full. I'll see it as on the way to being overflowing.

What do you want?

What do you want?

Seems a simple and innocent question. But think about it with me a little harder. What do you want? I'm not asking what would you like to see happen. What would you like to have. What are some things that would be nice.

What do you want?

I ask this because of something I just read in a book I'm reading by Frank Bettger. In the book, he says a man will move heaven and earth to get what he wants.

So, when you think about what you want, in this context, the question changes just a little bit. What are the things that you want to come about that you are willing to go through fatigue, embarrassment, suffering, pain, struggles, etc. for? What do you want? What do you really, really want.

I mean I'd like the Indians to win the World Series. I'd like my close friends and family to help me in accomplishing my goals, and to hold me accountable. I'd like the Cavs to make a miracle trade. I'd like CC Sabathia to sign a nice extension with the Tribe. I'd like to play through all the Zelda games back-to-back-to-back-... Etc. etc. etc.

But these are not things I want. Not as I've defined it. These aren't things I'll move heaven and earth to accomplish. They're not all things I have direct control over.

But there are a lot of things I want, as I've defined it above. And I have some-to-all direct control over those things. And, to help me get the things I want, I'm compiling a list.

I want to lose sixty pounds.
I want to be a homeowner.
I want to be a daddy.
I want Sigma Theta Epsilon to grow both in the refinement of men, and in the number of men we refine, and in the number of places we refine men.
I want jOURney to become a standard bearer of what a 21st century church can do.
I want to earn awards in Ohio West that no one else is earning.
I want my District and Regional Sales Coordinators to earn awards.

But I have a #1 on this list. Because lists like this need a #1. ANd it's something that will trigger some of the other wants.

I want to get a signed and completed M0138.5.


So, what do you want?

Hidden Blessings

It's really easy to say "God knows what's best for me".

It's a decent bit tougher to live it.

About 18 months ago, when I realized that a career in academia via mathematics was not the life for me, I started to look for jobs. Like, serious looks. Putting out resumés to company after company. A few jobs I thought I could do. A few jobs I knew I was qualified for. A bunch of jobs that would have paid the bills. A career job or two that I really thought I would have enjoyed and thought I was qualified for. I looked at jobs near by. In Findlay, in Ohio, in the Midwest, in the country.

Yet, none of them panned out.

And I doubted myself. I doubted my choices. I doubted a lot of things. I wondered what was wrong with me.

I finally found a job. With Aflac. It's still isn't at the point where I've got a steady paycheck. Rachel and I still struggle to find enough money to pay all the bills every month.

But I wouldn't trade my current situation for any of the jobs I applied for earlier. Definitely not the ones that would have moved me across the country. not for any salary. The friendships I've made are worth far more than any paycheck. If I get one of those jobs last summer and move to Iowa or Arizona or Montana or something like that ... Rachel and I never get involved in Five02/jOURney, which means we miss out on great friendships with awesome people like Ryan, Andrea, Reece, Trevor, Lori, Cathy, Jim, and so on and so forth. I probably never would have gotten as intimately involved with the fraternity as I am now; I probably would have never run for reelection. That means we wouldn't have the awesome friendships we've developed. We wouldn't have had the amazing fun we had this past weekend. We wouldn't have our upcoming trip(s).

I laughed when I was younger when people would insinuate that money couldn't buy happiness. I thought they were nuts. I figured you'd always be able to prioritize around work, and be able to have money and fun. And maybe you can. But I wouldn't be willing to risk it. I'm not trading my joy for anything.

And I do have faith. Faith that a career with Aflac is exactly where God wants me. Faith that it will work out. And that it will lead to Rachel and I having our dreams come true: owning a home, raising a family, traveling, having money to help others, etc.

But in the meantime? I'll gladly trade the uncertainty in my bank account for the character and friendships I've developed.

Thank you, God, for know what was best for me.

It's Not A Sprint, It's a Marathon

I'm not one for clichés. Sometimes, however, they prove to be important. And the cliché referenced in the title of this entry is a lesson I'm currently learning in a couple of places.

First and foremost is with my career in Aflac. I'm off to a pretty slow start. Myself, my district, my regional, my wife, and just about everyone I know would like to see my writing more premium at this point in time. But it hasn't happened. For a number of reasons. Bad luck, bad timing, sometimes bad technique. And it would be easy to get discouraged.

Today was a good day, though. I saw six employees at an account in Tiffin, and we signed up five of them. The first time I can actually call something a "good day" in terms of premium production. And I was able to reflect on my previous endeavors. And I noticed I'm typically a "slow starter". My first five semesters at ONU, here are the grades I got in core courses for my major: B, B, C, C, B. I didn't get an "A" in a computational mathematics course at ONU until Spring Semester of my sophomore year. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I like to look at that and say that pretty soon, I'll break through and start succeeding at Aflac, too.

The ONU mathematics courses aren't the only thing that indicate me as a slow starter, either. I got two "C"s in my undergraduate Real Analysis courses, before breaking through for a "B" and an "A" in my 500 level Real Analysis courses at BGSU (just don't ask me about the 600 level stuff). I got a very low grade on my first Abstract Algebra course as an undergraduate, before turning that course into the highest "A" in the class, followed by that professor taking me under his wing for two independent study courses in Abstract Algebra that followed that, and two "A's" in my 500 level courses at BGSU. Heck, it's laughable how many times I screwed up early on trying to court Rachel!

So, I'm encouraged that I can take a step back, look at my Aflac career, and recognize it for what it is: a marathon, not a sprint. I want to be in it for the longhaul. I want the 10+, 20+ year career with Aflac, not the 2-year cash flow, followed by burn-out. I want to learn the good habits that will get me through slow months later on.

Oh, right ... I said there were a couple of places I was learning this lesson. The other is dealing with grief.

I initially thought this was a sprint. I moved on quickly a couple of years back when Grandpa and Erin passed away. I pre-dealt with the death of my grandmother. And I thought I mourned and quickly moved on with JZ, too.

I've recently found out that it wasn't so easy with JZ. I've had plenty of "rough days" recently, with memories flooding me, and emotions overwhelming me. It's opened up the floodgates to grief from Grandpa and Erin, too, that I thought I was past.

Rachel and I were working on the office over the weekend, trying to get it set up for reorganization. I stumbled upon the bulletin from Erin's memorial at ONU, and then almost broke the plaque my mother bought for my wedding that was in memory of Grandpa. I couldn't even identify all the emotions that swarmed over me, I just know I didn't like them.

I guess this is good though. I guess the first step in really dealing with my grief is to recognize that I have to give it some level of priority and actually deal with it, not expect it to pass because I want to move on. I just hoped this would be a sprint, but unfortunately, I'm learning it's a very, very long marathon.

It might even be a triathlon.

I hope not. I don't know how to swim.

Maybe I got one ...

Well, I asked for a break, maybe one is on the horizon. Just not sure it'll be soon enough to count for my next quota deadline.

Kris and I got a call from someone looking to add Aflac to their portfolio. That's right. Not a referral, not a warm reception ... someone actually asked us to come out by calling us. We gathered information on them, and it looked like a 30-40 man group. Pretty decent size, definitely worth pursuing (of course, I think any sale is worth pursuing). So, we get there, and we're going through the presentation, and find out the group is actually about 100 employees locally, and about 350 employees nationally.

So that's pretty sweet. Here's hoping it works out. T'would be a decent payday, to say the least.

On a related note, I'm growing more and more comfortable presenting the products every day. I'm interjecting more in presentations, and adding small insights that are helpful. Very cool to see actual growth in myself like that.

On an unrelated note, I'm totally excited to start working on the program book for STE. I'm overloading myself with ideas, and I need to schedule some time soon to work on putting the ideas in writing and moving forward with them. It's an exciting overwhelming!

Frustration

All I need is one break.

Honest, that's it.

Something in this industry to go my way.

Thought I had one coming. Thought I had a slam-dunk, first account lined up today. Just had to figure out when we were going to cross the t's, dot the i's, and move forward.

But, I got another "I'm not saying no, I'm saying not right now".

And it's frustrating.

I just need a break.

So, if you're reading this and you are a small business owner, or you know a small business owner ... can you help a brother out?

Updates

Let's see ...

Still very excited about Aflac. Still loving the company, and really loving my direct superiors. Had my computer training on Monday, and even though it was a waste of my time, at least I'm certified to sell through an official Aflac laptop now. Still looking for my first sale though. So if you have any warm leads ...

Still serious about writing a book. Leaning towards an attempt at an epic fantasy novel. I've started outlining the tale, named the major character, and started to shape how it might tell through the lore of fantasy some of my personal religious beliefs.

Still very excited about Journey. Seems like every week I go, or anytime I do anything related to it, my excitement grows. I honestly feel as if we're part of something much bigger than just what can happen in Findlay. Almost like we're following in the footpaths of Martin Luthor. And that's exciting, even if it is a bit hyperbolized.

It's Gonna Work

Last night, the Journey begun. For real this time. After years of ground work, tears, prayers, and visions and months of sweat equity and trial runs, we flung open the doors of jOURney last night for our public launch.

And we only had 14 empty seats.

And I'm trying really really hard to not read too much into one night. But I'm excited. People seemed receptive of the style, of Trevor's leadership, and of R.C. Foshizzle's worship leading, and of the experience as a whole.

I really think it's gonna work.

And I'm excited to see it work.

I honestly feel like God has plucked me from a situation that could have been very good (St. Marks) and placed me into a situation that is perfect for me (jOURney).

Also, in the past ten days, I've officially started my agent career with Aflac. Been through product class, basic sales school, and a training day in the field prospecting with my district supervisor.

I really think this is gonna work, too.

And I'm excited to get to work on it.

I honestly feel like God has calld me out of a situation I really would have enjoyed (academics in mathematics) and placed me in a situation outside of my natural comfort zone and natural strongsuits, but placed me in a position to succeed in ways larger than I ever imagined.

And, it turns out that not only was Aflac an answered prayer for me, I was an answered prayer for some folks there, too. And that's an awesome feeling to have.

So, let me know if I can practice my sales pitches on you, if you know any small business owners, or if you want to direct buy some Aflac products!

In other news, I miss Z, I need to find a CPA, and I can't believe it was Tom Brady and not Peyton Manning who threw a game ending INT to end his team's season. Maybe this year will be different.

I think this year's gonna work.

And I'm excited for it.

We have good friends

So, yesterday, I'm at home working on a few things (chief among them, I believe, was Kansas clinching the Big 12 North title on my current season of NCAA Football 2005 for the Nintendo Gamecube with a thrilling come-from-behind 36-35 victory over rival and then-#5 Missouri), and Rachel calls to talk to me about Small Group. Our Small Group meets on Thursday evenings, but a few of our members had other obligations last night, and it was supposed to be myself and my wife, Terry and his wife, and Karen.

Karen had a scheduling mishap, which was what Rachel was calling to tell me. So that left us with a choice, to either cancel group for the evening, or just have a really small group with just the two couples. I thought it would be good to see Terry and Caddie, but we ultimately left it up to them.

A call came while Rachel was still at job #3, and Caddie asked that we refrain from eating supper until Small Group, so we could have a meal together. So that was fine, as we usually don't have time to eat until after Small Group anyways. What happened next completely blew me away.

The door bell rang at about 6:15, and Terry stood on our door with a box, and asked the simply question "do you have room in your fridge for a ham?" I could only mutter a simple yes, as astonishment took over my mind at the love being shown to us in this simple and small way. This was followed by a trip around the back roads of Findlay to Tony's Restuarant, a local place, where Terry and Caddie treated Rachel and I to dinner (mmm ... steak sub was excellent, and Rachel tells me the chicken pot pie soup was, too).

As dinner was wrapping up, they asked if we had any plans. Rachel's big plan was to catch up on some of the ironing, and my big plan was to watch the Browns-Stillers game. Terry mentioned that if those weren't too pressing, they'd enjoy treating us to a viewing of "The Nativity Story" at the theatre. Blown away again by generosity and love, Rachel and I accepted, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the movie.

We have such great friends. And such a great God who has put us in position to live life with them. I literally was crying today as I was driving and reflecting on the agape shown to us last night. Love given without any expectation of a return. Thank you Terry, thank you Caddie, and thank you God.



Oh, and for those of you who have been praying about this, I have an announcement to make ...

I Have A Job!!!

Dear Sir, You Suck

This is getting old. And I'm sick of it.

"You Suck" letters coming in from companies I've applied to.

You know the type. They say, Dear Sir, You suck. Now, leave us alone. Thanks, Management.

Well, actually, it's more like:

Dear //name//,

Thank you for your interest in becoming //job title// at //company//. We were pleased to get to know you and to interview with you. However, we are pursuing the opportunity with candidates who are //more qualified/more closely fit our qualifications/more experienced// than you.

Thank you again for your time, and good luck in your future endeavors,

//Interviewer//

Blah!

I hate these letters. I hate them like Anakin Skywalker hates Tusken Raiders.

I got one today. Not that it's anything new, but it came from American Family, a job I was really hopeful about, and optimistic about, and even got my hopes and dreams wrapped around.

The whole process sucks.

Why can't a motivated young man with a college degree get a job?

I'm done with the whole thing. So frustrating, so irritating, so depressing. I'm done. I'm just done.

That didn't last long

So, Monday morning I went to work, and they told me that they had several machines down, and so I had the day off (since there was no work), and to check back the next day. That was fine, I hadn't really had a day off in two weeks, since the job was M-F and my weekends were spent travelling both weekends.

So, I'm thinking, sweet. I can do things I haven't been able to do. Like nap. And go to the five02 Monday lunch. And so I do. And then I get a message on my machine from the staffing agency that the factory I was assigned to was "reducing their force", and that I was a part of it.

So, back to being unemployed already, I guess.

But it's not all bad. I made enough to pay the bills for the rest of the month, and I was getting a little depressed working there.

So, now it's back on the trail, looking for something. Planning on going to the mall soon ... I'm sure this time of year *someone* there is looking for help.

wow

God really does enjoy to make us work our way into His will, doesnt he? I finally publicly admit that I need to be just looking for a tide-me-over job to help Rachel and I get to our careers in ministry quicker, and boom ... I have a retail job Interview Wednesday at 1.

God's pretty sweet like that

C-Bus

So, I'm in C-Bus for the week, taking pre-liscensing courses for the job I'll be starting soon.

The pros of being in C-bus:

• RadioU (new Skillet, Demon Hunter, and Pillar songs ROCK, and I get to hear LA Symph, something I NEVER get back home)
  
• One step closer to employment
• Access to Skyline and Chipotle (haven't had any yet though)
  
• Mountain Dew in the fridge

The Cons of being in C-bus:

• Rachel's not here :(
• Classes are LONG and BORING (8 hours a day)
• No money for Skyline and Chipotle, even though their pretty close
• Traffic

Still, all-in-all not a bad trade-off. can't wait to get back to Findlay, but I'm really enjoying RadioU and really enjoying the thought of "hey, I could go get Skyline if I want"

Oh well.