The Annual IFA Convention might as well be the Super Bowl for the franchise industry, attracting a wide range of participants from the industry – from franchisors and suppliers to franchisees and behind-the-scenes PR folks like Fish. Thousands from across the globe convene for this annual event. As a first time IFA attendee, I felt fortunate to be amongst such remarkable leaders and players within the franchise industry. However, one “player” in particular stood out to me. As a keynote speaker for this year’s convention: Deion Sanders, aka “Prime Time” or more recently as “Coach Prime,” serving as the head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder, shared his invaluable insights for success with the franchise community.
As the only athlete to play in both the Super Bowl AND World Series, Sanders certainly earned his nickname. His MVP personality shined as he captivated the audience of over a thousand, leaving me clinging on to his every word and advice. For the sake of time, (and word count) I’ll boil it down to three points that resonated with me and can be applied not only to personal growth but also career development – unlocking one’s full potential.
1. Be where your feet are.
Sanders emphasized the importance of being truly present in the moment, irrespective of physical location – whether working from home, in the office, or at the dinner table with family. It’s easy to become sidetracked or unmotivated if our mind is hung up on an action of the past or worrying about the unknowns of the future. When our minds wander, we fail to be fully present, impeding our ability to achieve success. Remaining focused on the present moment where we stand allows us to maximize our potential.
2. You control your thoughts.
Despite facing moments or hours of adversity, Sanders emphasized that we retain control over our thoughts. We have the power to determine whether negative thoughts or actions influence our day’s outcome. It’s an important lesson for when we find ourselves facing obstacles in our jobs or at home. Shifting our perspective can ultimately determine whether we have a ‘good’ or ‘ bad’ day.
3. Find your rabbit.
Sanders shared an analogy from his upbringing in Florida, where rabbits were used to motivate greyhounds in races. He challenged the audience to identify their own ‘rabbit’ – the driving force that propels them to work harder, think deeper, get up earlier, persevere. Finding the very thing that will keep you motivated on a consistent basis will help drive you to success. For Deion, his ‘rabbit’ was his mother, and every game he played was dedicated to her and his goal of providing for her.
Prime Time’s motivational speech set the stage for an exceptional convention, as the franchise world geared up for a weekend filled with insightful discussions about where the industry is headed. For those fortunate enough to attend in person, I am confident that we can apply these invaluable lessons within our lives, keeping the franchise industry growing.
