Attention Wanna-bes: Exploring the Drive to Succeed

It’s no secret that as businesspeople, we want our businesses to be more than what they currently are. We want our businesses to be larger, we want more clients, we want to provide a higher level of service, we want to utilize the newest technology, and we want to work in more spacious, well-appointed facilities. We want to be recognized and respected as the professionals that we are and for the outstanding service we offer our clients/customers. We want to be respected for the professional knowledge we possess and the way we work with our clients/customers. We want to be recognized for what we offer our industry as a whole. We want a sense of belonging, and we want the self-satisfaction that comes with accomplishing all of these things.
To a large degree, we are a collection of “Wannabes.” The term “Wannabe” (from the more formal and less colloquial “want to be”) is typically used as an insult or a word to describe someone who is acting like something they’re not. The Urban Dictionary describes “Wannabe” as follows:
Wannabe: Poser, follower, a charlatan of sorts. One who copies or imitates all or most of the aspects dealing with their idol. They may wish to have certain clothing, skills, vocabulary, etc., of their idols instead of their own. Most likely, a “Wannabe” is lacking in self-confidence and is looking for guidance.
I would suggest that everyone is a “Wannabe” to some degree, perhaps in different ways and to different degrees–and that’s not a bad thing. I’m a “Wannabe.” There are things that I want to accomplish, skills I want to improve or acquire, things I want to experience, and places I want to go. We all want to be something that we’re not and accomplish things we haven’t, and that’s a good thing. Your industry, whatever it might be, is in its current position because of “Wannabes” in the past.
When you look around, you’ll find businesspeople whose businesses are more than what they’ve ever been. There are businesspeople whose businesses are larger, have more clients, and provide a higher level of service than ever before. There are businesspeople who utilize the newest technology and practice in more spacious and well-appointed facilities. Many businesspeople are recognized and respected as professionals in their industry and across industries. Many businesspeople are respected for the professional knowledge they possess and the way they serve their clients/customers. They are recognized for what they offer their industry as a whole. They have a sense of belonging and enjoy the self-satisfaction that results from having accomplished all of these things and more.
The businesspeople who have accomplished all of this are leaders who lead by doing, by accomplishing, and by setting an example. It’s interesting that when you talk to these leaders, they’re all still “Wannabes”–they’re people who want to accomplish more than they have and are willing to share their experience. I challenge you to find these people–look for businesspeople who are setting a strong example, who are recognized as professionals in their industry, and who are more than what they’ve ever been. Watch, listen, and follow them. Then take some time to decide for yourself what you “wannabe.”

About the Author

Dr. Walt West combines his 27 years of private practice experience with a business philosophy and management style that reveals the fundamentals of owning, managing and leading a successful private practice. http://www.practicemanagementacademy.com

Posted in Management skills