I read this morning where over the last 5 years Nevada, California, and Florida have dropped from the top of the real estate world to the bottom. Five years ago Nevada and Florida finished first and second with California finishing a respectable 11th. Not so this year, with Nevada in the 51st spot, and California (50th), Florida (49th) close behind. In all three states the unemployment rate is in double digits. The state with the strongest economy? North Dakota (but one has to ask who would want to live there?).

Also, I heard that BP CEO Tony Hayward is to step down. He has been in the crosshairs of criticism surrounding his handling (or lack thereof) of the BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. There was considerable resentment expressed when he went sailing in his yacht at the height of the disaster in the gulf and was "too busy" to show up for a Congressional inquiry concerning the disaster.

Finally, last month the USC Trojans were hit with football sanctions and banned from postseason play, stripped of the National Title and must vacate their entire 2005 season. Not only that, but Reggie Bush has had his Heisman Trophy taken away and Mike Garrett is replaced as the athletic director. At one time the USC Trojans were the envy of the NCAA football world because of their success. Now, they are struggling to build back their reputation at #1.

We all know companies, sport's teams, politicians, churches, and individuals who were once "top dog," "the best of the best," and then suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the heap. Actually, that's not true. When someone falls from the top to the bottom it doesn't happen "suddenly." There is a process, a step by step process if you will. Here is how it likely happens...

1. Arrogance and pride. Achieving the status as number 1 brings with it superiority and the 'entitlement' of success. Once success is achieved there becomes a sense of 'this is the way it will always be.' "We are so great we will stay this way and nothing can bring us down."
2. Greed. Why is it the more we have, the more we want? Greed builds a desire for selfishness, ungratefulness, and as Jim Collins writes in his book, How The Mighty Fall, an undisiciplined pursuit of more. He refers to it as "Packard's Law," where a company is more likely to die of indigestion from too much opportunity than starvation from too little." In other words, their eyes are bigger than their stomachs.

If this is how you fall, how do you avoid or minimize your chances of falling to the bottom? Two steps to follow, three points to keep in mind...

1. Don't forget what life is really about. It's not about you, so get over yourself. It's not about building bigger barns, bigger companies, bigger pocket books, bank accounts, or bigger economies. It's not about how much you accumulate. Your stuff is not actually your stuff. We all leave behind the same stuff...all of it. So, preserve your core, your purpose, your values. It's okay to become bigger, more successful, make more money, and impact the world, just don't forget or compromise life and the real value of what got you to where you are.
2. Hold on to things loosely. If you learn to hold on to things loosely it doesn't hurt near as bad when you have to let go. Life is not about the accumulation of things. Life is more than what is necessary to sustain it. It's about what we build with people, where we put our trust, and what we value at the core as companies and individuals. Winning alone is called losing. I like what John Ortberg titled his book, When The Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box.

 Finally, here's an illustration of holding onto things loosely. Sometimes it will even save your life!