“It is through the strength of what is genuine that meaningful connections build into relationships.”
Nothing else will stand.
People can sense a facade from miles away. So, authenticity is important.
“You can only lean against something strong” – Tamsen Webster.
Draw People with Genuine Conversation
When approaching someone you wish to join your team, use your service, or become a long-time client, have a genuine conversation.
As Shawn Q said in a powerful forum,
“Don’t be a salesperson be a professional. Professionals create an experience a client will never forget.”
Communicate Effectively
Treat people with respect.
Treat them as individuals, who have their own unique experiences, likes, loves, and interests. People are not cookies. So don’t use cookie cutter approaches.
Be genuinely interested.
But, listen above all.
Find out who the person is you want to welcome on to your team, to become your client, that you wish to serve.
“Make having a conversation with you irresistibly valuable.”- Shawn Q
How you Communicate can Draw people or Push Them Away
Be careful with how you communicate.
Remember It’s not only what you say, but it’s how you say it.
“The words you use in your communication will determine the chances of your next meeting with the person!” – Anuj Jasani.
You want the next meeting because that is why you are there in the first place. So, with every person you meet, be intentional. Be true. Above all be you!
And if you really want to draw people,
Do not sell serve
Don’t tell ask
Do not push Help
Do not control Lead – Shawn Q.
You will be surprised who you will draw.
This is a guarantee!
People are drawn to the light, so be the light they need!
When we talk about preparing for success, we are talking about cultivating an atmosphere internal and external to increase the potential of succeeding.
This process is non-negotiable.
Priming the Pump
Some may remember the term to prime the pump.
Those who aren’t familiar perhaps want to know what does the phrase priming the pump means? Essentially it means pumping the water to remove all old sediment and residue before filling your glass.
We must prime the pump to get the best water.
We must rid ourselves of the sludge that clogs up the pipelines and slows down our progress, if not outright stops it. Sometimes this requires a reset or grounding.
Reset and Grounding: Precursor to the Cleanse
Get rid of all the impurities; the impurities of thought and the environment.
Wipe the slate clean.
What is the slate?
Your slate is your mind!
You see, what an individual thinks they become. Remember the power of words.
So as creative spirits, we have the power to call things into existence using our tongues.
Therefore don’t bite the poisoned apple (it’s toxic)
Good Fruit vs. Rotten Fruit
Good fruit arises from good seeds.
Poorly established seeds render rotten fruit or no fruit.
To get rid of toxic elements, you must take yourself through a process of Detox.
What is a Detox?
Detox is the process of purification. It is the elimination of toxic elements that are harmful to an organism’s state.
Why Detox?
Before you can dive headfirst into strategizing and planning you must set yourself up to win. This requires developing behaviors consistent with success ( the right mindset)
So to do this, you must detox.
What does Cleansing entail?
Look at everything you are allowing into your life.
Determine if the seeds that fall into your consciousness’s soil are negative or positive.
Are those things empowering or destructive?
Do they charge you or drain you?
Do you leave with more than what you arrived with?
If those things are positive, empower, drive, encourage, and grow you, then keep them and use those things to improve you daily.
If those things are negative, discouraging, draining, subtracting, or adding nothing, then you must detox from them ASAP.
“What’s the most effective detox program? Distancing yourself from self-destructive thoughts, behaviors, and people.” ― Charles F Glassman
Why the urgency?
The seeds you allow to take root, as they are watered, grow until they are full-grown and almost impossible to root up.
The more you stay around the negative influences, the more negative you will become.
Though you may not realize it, that poisoned seed will poison the entire tree rendering it suitable for nothing.
“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life” – Robin Sharma
Final Words On Detoxing
As you are in the dream building process. Take inventory and take it well.
Examine everything in your life.
Some things will be harder to detox from than others, but there are ways it can be done!
Please take this seriously; your fulfillment depends on it. Give your dreams a chance to live.
A Mind-blowing reminder
In one of his messages, Les Brown offers this very eye-opening story.
He asks his listeners to imagine that your life is drawing to a conclusion. Imagine as you lay on your bed ready to pass from this life around your bedside is every dream that never got its chance to see fulfillment.
Imagine them standing there in all their fury and sadness. because the only one who could allow them to live did nothing or did the least.
How does that make you feel?
So please don’t let your dreams die.
There is someone incredible out there waiting for the vision you hold within you.
We are not living in a cinematic rendering of “Field of Dreams:” Building is no guarantee, but promotion is everything.
Promotion is the name of the game
As said so many times before, goal achievement/fulfillment occurs as part of a process. Therefore, one must take many steps to get from A to Z. It’s not as easy as the Jackson Five would belt “1,2,3.”
My Word
My goal is to present you with a series of tips and tools that are essential factors in the process of fulfilling your wildest dreams. And as an aside, I also aim to cheer you on. My goal is to serve as your biggest fan as you work to fulfill those dreams.
I Have a Secret and Cannot Keep it.
I want you to know one vital ingredient to the process of achieving success.
What is that, you may ask?
One word says it all, promotion.
This is not for everyone!
Many goals do not need visibility to achieve.
Surely one doesn’t need to put themselves out on a limb to meet the goal of becoming an early riser.
Rather this is for those who dream of launching a business, performing, landing a dream job, finding a partner, finding a solid peer group, or the like. This message is for you.
Promote yourself.
Why is Promotion Necessary
Much as we desire it to be so, our lives do not mimic the movie “Field of Dreams.” Just because you build something doesn’t mean someone will come.
IF you want people to come, take notice, buy, listen, or give you a shot; put yourself in a position to be noticed.
Remember, there are multitudes of people desiring the same things you want. The competition is thick.
So, you must set yourself apart.
You must stand out.
Promote yourself!
Isn’t Self-Promotion Egotistical?
Many people poo-poo self-promotion writing it off as an ill of the wayward ego. This is not the case.
Without a doubt self-promotion can be egotistical, but it doesn’t have to be.
Simple promotion involves inviting the world in to hear your story. It turns the light towards you so that others know you are occupying the stage.
Self-promotion is sticking your courage to the sticking post and proving you deserve what you worked so hard for.
Do I Really Need to Promote Myself?
The answer is YES!
Be assured in this age of mass media, convoluted press junkets, and a sea of information, refusing to make yourself visible is one way to ensure you will drift into obscurity.
People can’t buy what isn’t on the shelf; they can’t eat what hasn’t been served.
You have got to get the book off the computer and in front of publishers. Get the food off the stove and in front of customers/ chefs. Take that audio/video file and submit it. Take your speaker notes and get on stage.
A little Story to Drive home the point
There once was this fantastic singer. She had quite a few pieces floating around in the universe. She was doing the work. Even after all the work she put in, she was still performing on small stages. That didn’t stop her; she kept putting her stuff out into the universe. Then, one day, the scales tipped in her favor by grace, divine favor, or chance.
A record executive who happened to be looking herself up on social media stumbled upon this artist’s work by accident. She was amazed when she listened to her work and called her immediately. She wanted to work with that artist.
It Could Have Been the Other Way
Now imagine if the talented young lady had kept all her songs in her notebook beside her bed.
What if the tracks stayed on her computer for her close friends and family to enjoy?
Well, then there would be nothing in the universe to be found. And she would have missed a massive opportunity.
But by putting her stuff out and promoting it, the opportunity came to her.
She built it, she promoted it, and then the opportunity followed.
A Word to You: Don’t Sleep on the Promotion
Step out, let people know who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Show the gatekeepers you are there and demand to be seen. Then, if you have put in the work and are prepared, all that is left to do is step out.
“In the end, a vision without the ability to execute it is a hallucination” -Steve Case
Once you step out you will be glad you did. Even if you don’t land on the moon, as one would say, you will more than likely land amongst the stars, which is a whole lot better than sitting on your couch wishing.
A Charge to Follow
My charge to you is to promote yourself.
Take massive action.
Wait, this doesn’t mean throwing yourself haphazardly onto the stage.
It means setting a firm date to walk out. Then hold yourself to it.
“Take a tiny step outside of your comfort zone. When you are used to that take another!”
Remember, your dreams will not work unless you do!
A Relational Tidbit on Opportunity
I mention Les Brown a lot. I often refer to him because I am engaged and engrossed in his work and message. In his book “The Greatness Within You, “ Les recounts a life-changing experience.
Les was attending a conference. At the conference, many got up to deliver their message. He relays the robust nature of the forum. However, one speaker, towards the end, bored him beyond rationality. He was tempted to leave as many of his cohorts. But, right before he made the decision, the speaker said something life-changing.
That statement changed his life. Perhaps it will change yours too.
The speaker looked out at those gathered and spoke these words,
“The reason I’m standing up here and you are seated out there is that I represent the thoughts you have rejected for yourself!’
Now that is a powerful gut punch!
Final Word on Opportunity
So, by all means, stop rejecting opportunities. Stop rationalizing; no opportunities exist. No longer mull over what is not out there. And reframe your self-talk. Tell yourself there is something out there for me; I will take massive action to find it. If I don’t see it, I am going to create it.
Why? “Because there is someone out there incredible waiting for you!” (Shawn)
Recently I asked a critical question, how H.O.T are you.?
Some may have found the recent article speculative, but there was a lot to be gleaned by the end. As people who want to succeed on our own merits and obtain long-lasting success, authenticity is essential and being Humble, Open, and Transparent is a massive part of that.
The Story Within You.
Remember, all, contain a story inside of us. Some may contain short stories. Other’s contain poems, moving odes, and sonnets. A few of us have epics or copious novels. And those stories may be dark and tragic, while others may be profound and moving.
One thing is sure we all have a story. And that story is only yours to tell. Only you’ve been through those experiences. No one’s walked in your shoes, whether they be stilettos, sandals, or steel-toed boots. They are your shoes.
Being Vulnerable is Hard (Your Story is Key)
I understand it’s hard.
Sometimes your story may seem irrelevant. Vulnerability isn’t easy. But you can do this.
A Recent Experience
This week, I sat in on a virtual seminar hosted by an exceptional professional named Shawn Quintero. On day two, he said something that was gold. He said,
“Somewhere there is someone incredible out there waiting for you to show up.”
They are waiting for you to tell your story. Your story may change their lives. It could be the one to save countless lives.
“Someone out their incredible is waiting for you to share your story!” (Quintero)
Another Perspective on Telling Your Story
Les Brown is a fantastic orator, writer, and businessman. But, more than anything, he is a tremendous person. Brown shares so many powerful things in his book that he breathes life. That is the very meaning of inspiration.
Inspiraelevation 