I was TERRIBLE at Everything I Ever Tried

Business consulting success

Written by: Gary Weldon

That may sound like a self-deprecating comment, but it’s not. I truly was awful at every job I have ever started. But that’s okay, at least for a little while. Understanding you might not be great at something at first is the beginning to the pathway to greatness. It’s the yellow brick road to something better. Go ahead, jump in! Don’t wait for all the stars to align. Don’t wait for the right time to take action. Just do it. Successful people start projects without all the answers, take jobs they aren’t qualified for, and start companies without having all the pieces in place. Their ability to take risks, and not worry about failing, is what sets successful people apart from everybody else. If you think that’s crazy, you’ll want to keep reading.

I started my career in the Marine Corps (can I get an Oorah?!) I remember being introduced to their “70% rule”. The 70% rule states that you implement a plan when everything points to at least a 70% chance of success. The other 30% is held in reserve so that you can improvise for, adapt to, and get over any situation. If an organization as successful as the United States Marine Corps embraces the fact that it’s more important to act than to wait for a perfected plan, I feel it bears some weight.

The 70% rule states that you implement a plan when everything points to at least a 70% chance of success.

The other 30% is held in reserve so that you can improvise for, adapt to, and overcome any situation. If an organization as successful as the United States Marine Corps embraces the fact that it’s more important to act than to wait for a perfected plan, I feel it bears some weight.

My first job out of the Marine Corps was as a laborer at a sawmill. It was the lowest possible position and I wasn’t even qualified for it. I remember pestering the front office lady every day for a month and a half about a position. When a position opened, they advertised it as “Experienced Planerman Wanted.” A Planerman is a highly sought after apprenticeship program. It’s almost always only for those with years of experience in multiple facets in the sawmill. Regardless, I was granted an interview. I wasn’t sure if the front desk lady wanted to make an example out of me or truly thought I had a chance. Either way, I’ll never forget the interview with the hiring manager: The Foreman. It went something like this:

Foreman: “How many years’ experience do you have as a Planerman?”

Me: “None.”

Foreman: “Have you ever work in a mill?

Me: “Nope.”

Foreman: “Then why should I hire you?”

Me: “Because I’m the hardest worker you’ll ever meet.”

I was accepted into the program, on graveyard clean up duty. Not the most glamorous position, but I didn’t care. I was in the program. I worked my tail off. And you know what? Hard work gets noticed. Over the next few years, anytime someone called off work, I was the go-to guy that would fill in. No matter what they asked me to do, I would always answer in a positive and affirmative manner. One time, I got asked if I can drive a forklift. I responded, “I can learn!” I knew I could figure it out. I approached all these new challenges with a little bit of ingenuity and the mindset that any mistakes were part of the learning process. By the end the program, I knew how to do everything in the whole mill. I was graduated as Plant Quality Control and Relief Supervisor. I credit it all to my willingness to throw myself at any opportunity.

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

– Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson’s quote is actually quite insightful. He’s saying that no matter how great your plan is, you will always need to improvise. You will always face adversity. Embrace that and be flexible.

Throughout my career, I have held positions in engineering, factory production, consulting, sales management, finance, hotel operations, warehouse operations, and as an entrepreneur. What do all these positions have in common? Nothing. Well, other than the fact that I was willing to give something a shot because I had at least a 70% chance of success. I knew I might be really bad at something, but I could learn and grow. For me, the rewards for taking a shot and being outside my comfort zone far and above outweighed the risks.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.”

– Michael Jordan

With each new career opportunity, I was humble and admitted when I failed. But I always had a willingness to learn from my mistakes and try again. When you learn on the job, there’s always a chance of failure. You may not learn as fast as your boss wants, but that’s the risk successful people take! It’s what makes them great. The funny thing about failure is that people notice and they want to see how you react.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

– Winston Churchill

People see when you admit failure, even when you gave it your best shot. People see when you ask for help, not because you want them to do it, but because you want to learn how to do it. Learning comes from a place of humility.

I feel that people are inherently good and want to help. Actually, I’ve found that it’s against human nature to consciously decide not to help someone, especially when they are trying to help themselves. It’s kind of like trying to be mad at someone that has a genuine smile showing. It has been my experience that I was always able to find someone that was willing to mentor me along the way which made the transition to a new field easier. Nobody ever begrudged my success because I was always willing to help others succeed at the same time.

“You can have everything in life you want, if you just help enough people get what they want in life.”

– Zig Ziglar

So, while everyone else is busy waiting for the perfect time to act, or waiting until they have the right education, skills, connections, qualifications, or money, take the shot! Dare to go for it. Step outside of your comfort zone. Be willing to be an amazing failure, because that’s how you become an amazing success. It’s completely okay to be terrible at something, but learn and adapt. Along the way, you will find others that are also completely outside of their comfort zone. These people are the ones that realize success is synonymous with persistence and resilience. I want to be surrounded by those types of people.

“A failure is not always a mistake. It may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying,”

–B.F. Skinner

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying”

–Michael Jordan

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination, alone are omnipotent.”

–Calvin Coolidge

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.