In the year 2007, I qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, not knowing what it was. I attended the 2008 Toronto Meeting for the first time and did so every year thereafter. However, Miami Beach 2019 is one that I will always remember; “Qualifying Member” did not feature on my badge. This was a big deal for me as it also barred me from participating in any MDRT committee, one of which I was the sitting chair.

2018 was the worst-producing year of my career, when my decision to lead a team of advisors took its course. It witnessed some radical changes in my life and none more impactful than the progressive realization that the road to management was no easy one for a top-producing agent.

A bit irrational at times, I found myself complaining, being bitter, blaming my company’s process to appoint its managers, blaming the persons I selected to join my team, blaming all the time it took from me. In this blame storm churned an inherently negative mood, which largely became my personality in 2018, but I stopped short of blaming the main culprit ― me!

After a highly emotional meeting debating the qualifying criteria with the vice president of sales for my company, the reality sank in. I had not qualified for MDRT, plain and simple. This rocked my world! It, however, was the disappointment I needed to bounce right back.

The Gregg of 2018 had snowballed downhill into a creature losing control of the original moorings and disciplines that made him a top producer. Hidden behind the excuse of the challenging road to management were unproductive interests that became ingrained habits that stole time and drew me further away from both my aspirations of leading a team and leading the production board, in many cases, removing my abiding presence from my family, my clients and even me. I was not even present for myself. I was indeed lost!

What changed?

Bigger thinking as the prelude to bigger production

I began on a course of transformative thinking. These words became my mantra: “If you want to go big, stop thinking small.”

I reminded myself of it every day, subliminally and audibly affirming my belief. I subscribed to many YouTube channels and revisited MDRT Whole Person resources that promoted a positive mindset, holistic development and a balanced lifestyle and listened to them in the mornings. If I had to achieve more, I had to first change my thinking. With that decision made, I set a professional goal that I would be Court of the Table by end of year, and I believed it with every ounce of my being. It was a goal I had wanted for many years but never achieved. I then planned my work and worked my plan.

Physical fitness

“Mens sana in corpore sano” is Latin for “A healthy mind in a healthy body.”

I remembered this Latin phrase I learned at 9 years of age, and never before was it as pertinent in my life. Having a healthy body supports an agile mind, and an ever-changing, demanding world will always be outdone by an agile mind.

Being diagnosed hypertensive and placed on medication at age 31 bothered me. With a changed mindset, I had to address my physical wellness and make my body the host of the mind, healthier. Running became my path to achieving this. I ran more than 600 miles in 2019, and this was the basis of losing 30 pounds, reversing hypertension and stopping medication after two years. To complement my running, I alternated gym and run days, and overall became stronger, fitter and healthier. The support of my wife and son was critical in helping me through the tough first few weeks, and they must be thanked for this.

Spirituality (the power of now)

Often, spirituality is considered in a religious context, and while that dimension is also useful for this purpose, I refer here to the consciousness and awareness of our emotions and our thinking that directly influence our reality. I realized that often I just thought too much, which paralyzed me from action. Daily silent meditation (something I learned from the white space session at the 2017 Orlando Meeting) helped me immensely to become more connected to my source and more resolute and pointed in my actions.

In turn, it gave way to gratitude for life, wellness and all the wonderful opportunities I have ― to enjoy the moment; to be creative; to serve my family, my clients and the wider community. The spirit centers the mind and physical efforts along a common plane and enhances creativity, effort and the will to succeed.

By the end of the year, almost all of my personal and professional goals were met. I completed five courses of professional study, was officially appointed a sales manager after three years of formation and none more cherished than my first Court of the Table honor, and, in the process, also became my company’s agent of the year for 2019.

So, here are five simple steps to Court of the Table:

1. Get at least seven hours of sleep and wake by 4:30 a.m. to have a sharper mind and more productive days.
2. Choose a physical activity that promotes cardiovascular wellness, and commit three to six hours per week to it with discipline and consistency. More energy and focus will be the result.
3. Feed the mind: Read literature and watch videos pertinent to professional development; MDRT Whole Person resources are ideal here.
4. Develop spirituality ― the study and practice of consciousness and awareness. This will better help in understanding yourself, your place and purpose in life.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 with an unfettered commitment and belief, and results will surely come.