 William Ballard - Founder & CEO of William Ballard & Associates, LLC By William Ballard Ever feel like you’re running on a treadmill when it comes to your career or business—moving, but not really getting anywhere meaningful? Do you ever wonder why some people seem to leap ahead while others can’t break through, no matter how hard they hustle? Well, you’re not alone. Most folks spend their lives chasing after the next “level,” thinking if they could just get that promotion or land that big client, they’d finally make it. But here’s the kicker: success isn’t just about going up. It’s about expanding in all directions—up, out, and deep down. That’s the heart of my Business Philosophy. It’s not about climbing a ladder with endless rungs. It’s about embracing the full dimensionality of your potential--Height (skills), Width (relationships), and Depth (values and inner growth). This isn’t just theory—it’s the framework I’ve used to help entrepreneurs, writers, and small business owners transform their lives and organizations. Ready to stop living in two dimensions and step into a world where you can truly soar, grow, and achieve greatness? Let’s dig in. Why Most People Are Stuck: The Trap of Chasing “Levels" Let’s face it—most of us have been sold a bill of goods about how career advancement works. The world says, “Climb the ladder! Get to the next level!” That’s fine and dandy, but it’s also painfully one-dimensional. It’s like trying to play chess with half the board missing. The Money Mirage Too many people chase professions for the paycheck, not the purpose. They think, “If I just get into tech, or law, or the medical field, or whatever else is hot right now, I’ll make bank.” But here’s the harsh truth: money is a lousy motivator if your heart’s not in the game. You can fake passion for a while, but eventually, the lack of genuine enthusiasm will catch up with you. That said, money follows energy. Energy comes from passion. And passion? Well, that’s a fire you can’t fake for long. The Blind Spots There’s an old saying: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Most people never venture beyond their comfort zone to discover what’s truly possible for them. Maybe you grew up believing there were only a handful of acceptable careers. Maybe you never had a mentor who showed you that you could be more than what your environment suggested. Here’s the deal—the world is bigger and more complex than you’ve been led to believe. And until you start exploring it in three dimensions, you’ll always feel boxed in. William Ballard's Business Philosophy: Success in 3DSo, what’s different about my Business Philosophy? Instead of thinking in terms of “levels” (up, up, and up), we look at dimensions:
Let’s unpack what this means for you—practically, professionally, philosophically, and personally. Height: You’ve Been Given Permission to Soar The Skills Gap Nobody Talks About Everyone loves to talk about “following your passion.” That’s all well and good—until your passion outpaces your skill. I mean, I’m passionate about the game of basketball, but you won’t see me in the NBA. Why? Because no matter how much I love the game, my skill set just isn’t up to snuff at that level. Here’s the gritty truth: passion without skill is a recipe for frustration. But skill without passion? That’s a fast track to burnout. Bridging the Gap To soar, you’ve got to bring your skills up to meet your passions or discover where your skills can ignite a new passion. It’s not either/or—it’s both/and. That’s why the first dimension of my Business Philosophy is all about honest self-assessment and targeted skill development. How to Develop Height in Your Life and Business
Example in Action Suppose you’re passionate about writing, but your grammar is a mess and your storytelling is flat. Instead of blindly “following your passion,” commit to daily writing practice, study the craft, and seek out honest feedback. Over time, your skills will catch up to your passion—and that’s when the magic happens. In fact, I remember when I was in high school, I had an English teacher ask me: "William, have you ever thought about writing as a career?" Of course, I responded by saying, "No, I haven't. I'm more focused on basketball and eventually going to the pros." Now, I was decent at the game of basketball in high school. However, when I entered college I quickly learned that no matter how hard I worked at the game of basketball, I'd never be able to play at the level of the pros. In other words, I had to do some deep, serious soul searching. Nevertheless, while in college I had a English professor ask me the same question as my English teacher in high school: "William, have you ever thought about writing as a career?" At that point, I responded by saying, "No, I haven't, but I'm curious to learn more." And then that professor became a mentor and a coach of mine. You see, at that time, writing was also a passion of mine, but because of my limited knowledge in the field, I put all of my energy into something I did know (the game of basketball), which was something that eventually became outside of my wheelhouse of skills. But through the guidance of my new writing mentor and coach, I eventually found out exactly what field I was designed for. Width: You’ve Been Given Permission to Grow The Power of Relationships If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. There’s a reason every major success story involves a network of supporters, advisors, and collaborators. As Dr. John C. Maxwell says in his book, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork (AFF), “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” Your net worth will always be highly dependent upon your network—plain and simple. Why Width (Relationships) Matters In business and life, isolation is a killer. The most successful people aren’t just skilled—they’re connected. They know how to build and nurture relationships that open doors, offer support, and spark new ideas. You might have the best product or service on the planet, but if nobody knows you exist, you’re still stuck in the basement. Building Relationships That Matter
Example in Action Let’s say you’re a freelance copywriter trying to make your mark. You could spend all day cold pitching, or you could invest in building relationships with marketing professionals, business owners, and other writers. That said, I'd encourage you to join industry groups, attend events, and offer your expertise freely. Once you do those things, watch how opportunities start to multiply. Depth: You’ve Been Given Permission to Achieve Greatness The Value-Driven Life Here’s where most business philosophies fall flat: they treat success as purely external—a matter of skills and connections. But real, lasting greatness starts on the inside. You’ve probably heard, “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Well, I'd take that one step further and say: if you don’t know what you believe, you’ll never find a purpose worth pursuing. The Heart of Depth Depth isn’t just about introspection. It’s about rooting your actions, decisions, and business practices in values that matter. In fact, it's the tallest trees that always have the deepest roots. It’s spiritual, ethical, and deeply personal. It’s what keeps you steady when the winds of change threaten to blow you over. How to Cultivate Depth
Example in Action Maybe you run a business, and you’re tempted to cut corners to boost your bottom line. But your core value is integrity. You choose the harder road, treat your clients fairly, and build a reputation that lasts. Over time, that reputation becomes your greatest asset. I learned this lesson when I first step into network marketing. I joined a company that was built on the foundational principle of "Never Comprise Integrity for Growth." Integrity was a core value that I could relate with deeply. And I've taken that principle with me into every new venture I create. William Ballard's Business Philosophy in PracticeStill with me? Good. Let’s get practical. How do you actually apply my Business Philosophy—Height, Width, and Depth—to your work and life? 1. Audit Your Current Position
2. Set Dimensional Goals
3. Measure and Adjust Regularly review your progress in all three dimensions. Are you soaring (Height), growing (Width), and becoming greater (Depth)? If you’re stuck in one area, don’t panic. Just dig in, get curious, and adjust your approach. Why “Dimensions” Beat “Levels” Every Time Let’s put it bluntly: Life isn’t a video game. You don’t just level up and win. Real growth is messy, multidimensional, and often non-linear. By thinking in terms of dimensions, you unlock new ways to expand—upwards, outwards, and inwards—all at once. The Pitfalls of the “Next Level” Mindset
The Power of Three-Dimensional Growth
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