Up-Level Your Life Now
Published July 27, 2011 | 
Three reasons to stop procrastinating and go for it
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Republican politician Newt Gingrich is known to tell a story about a lion and a field mouse; a lion can use his hunting skills to easily capture a field mouse with ease any time he desires, but at the end of the day, no matter how many mice he’s gotten, he will still be starving.
What Newt’s story means: sometimes despite the risk and the work needed, it’s worth our time to go for the antelope.
Are you still chasing your mice, playing it safe and finding convenient reasons to wait to chase your antelope? Are you starving to make the impact you are born to make?
What wall of your comfort zone will you need to bust through in order to leap to the next higher level of your life?
It could be that you need to reach beyond your current circle of influence by connecting with those that play one or two levels up from where you are right now. Or, it might be that you need to step up your visibility and create a more public image to draw a larger following of your own. Most likely you need both. We all do.
While nothing is more powerful than a face-to-face meeting with those whom you want to influence or collaborate with, it is sometimes impossible to find the time, or the access in the case of a high-ranking personality, to arrange an in-person meeting.
The solution is video and visual media.
Putting yourself and your service, product or company in a pitch video can be the door opener to sponsors or investors and sharing your knowledge by informative videos in the form of tips, FAQs, and how-to’s in your field of expertise. Even stepping out as a guest expert on TV, will get you recognized as an expert and a leader in your field.
If placing yourself out there as the star of your video presentation has you feeling uneasy and anxious, you may be looking at your biggest hurdle to getting your antelope!
Here are three things to help you take action now:
Video trumps written word. Reality is, people click on a video three times more than an article link on Facebook or in email. You want your message to reach your tribe. Delivery in a format we prefer seems to be a no-brainer.
The time is now, or you may not have a “later.” If this next prediction scares you, good. Last month a New York-based media research firm estimated that if you do not utilize video on your website with in the next 17 months, your video-friendly competition will pull so far ahead it might be impossible to catch up. Seem harsh? Remember how quickly we adjusted from VHS quality to DVD? Don’t be the one with the outdated delivery system.
Help is out there. For many people, putting themselves out there as the star of their pitch video, interview circuit, or even website greeting is outside of their comfort zone. Experts can feel like a fish out of water when it comes to talking to, or in front of, a video or TV camera, and that’s understandable. After all, the people we see as most at ease on TV have been trained for years to appear that way. Well, the pressure is on, and the good news is that that training is available for you, Find someone to work with you who not only knows the basic skills of on-camera training but who can understand your brand and help you to shine with all of your strengths and uniqueness like no one else can.
Your antelope is in sight. Go for it.
Be a Quitter! Eliminate Negative Self Talk Now!
Published June 13, 2011 | My husband has a little plaque in his office, a gift from his father, with the words, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win!” We have all heard it. In fact, years ago that saying was uncontested, considered true as the gospel.
Well, times change, and our understanding of how we can best succeed evolves constantly. Currently, one of the most important shifts is a newfound understanding and appreciation of the word “quit”.
No longer are these four letters taboo in the realm of success, particularly when it comes to building your platform as an expert, host, speaker, teacher or coach… now, quitting is absolutely necessary.
All of us, in one way or another talk to ourselves; our inner voice speaks in the background of every situation and conversation. Our inner voice can be very fond of critiquing, sometimes harshly, each of our decisions. That’s when I call that voice the “Negator.”
What is necessary is to quit listening to it! We all have a Negator. His job, at one point might have been to keep us “safe.” By telling us that we cannot accomplish something, (that we are not worthy, talented or smart enough, whatever it might be), he was keeping us from being hurt. His mantra might be “better safe than sorry.”
Once we understand the job of the Negator, it can be a lot easier to say, “Thank you, but I am ok, now let’s get on with it!” And then quit feeding him!
Take away all of the language that gives the Negator strength: this means words like, “could,” “would,” “but,” “hope to,” ”can’t,” “not enough…” and “I wish.”
Feed your consciousness instead by speaking words like, “will,” “when,” “can,” “shall,” and “yes!”
Our language is so very powerful, and our inner conversations create our beliefs and therefore our actions.
If you are preparing to be a presenter, coach, trainer or media star, or even a performer, the action steps that you take are directly fueled by your inner sense of self, and by replacing all negative phrases with positive ones. Always. Not just at the time of day when you say your affirmations but become aware of every time that you push yourself away from your goals by using words that do not fuel your forward movement.
If you find this task too challenging, a coach can help. I work directly with my clients’ beliefs and strategic visioning before we even get into logistics of on-camera work. When I know that they can clearly see themselves living in their gifts, reaching their goals, then I know that we can work at an incredible pace to bring those beliefs into reality.
Don’t waste another moment feeding your Negator. You have a purpose that is much bigger than he can see!
Five Ways to Knock Out the Performance Jitters
Published May 10, 2011 | 
Feel like you’re never going to stop those shaky knees and pre-performance nerves? Here are a few ideas to help you get past the debilitating effects of the jitters:
1. Appreciate them. I know it sounds crazy, but acknowledge the nerves as though they are an old friend, and know they are there because you care about what you are doing. That’s a good thing. Those swirling butterflies in your tummy can be asked to fly in formation and energize you… that way they work in agreement with your goal. You might actually visualize this and get the feeling that those butterflies are your support team, and NOT there to derail you at all!
2. Another visual exercise: Imagine a time when you were totally confident. Put yourself back in that time, and remember every sight, smell and thought in your head at that time. Once you can experience that memory fully, move the feelings of that time into the future time of your presentation. Picture yourself standing with that confidence you know you had in the past. If you did it once, you are perfectly able to feel it now. Really lock in that feeling, like an athlete would in an important race, and then anchor it in somehow, maybe by a physical touch on your tummy, or some other part of your body. Touching that spot before you step up to speak should trigger that sense of confidence automatically.
3. Avoid physical stumbling blocks; work out to relax your muscles, and skip the caffeine (seriously). Coffee can make a brain short circuit when under stress, so it’s just not worth it. And eat a balanced meal before you are asked to present or be on set, to properly fuel your brain.
4. Do your homework. The biggest stress factor is to not be prepared. If you feel the need to consult with a coach to prepare do so. It pays to make the most of every media and speaking opportunity and if you need help in prepping the perfect message, then seek it. It is a wise investment. Leveraging the opportunities is the goal! Don’t play it small.
5. Remember the big picture. By focusing on your big picture you will be outside of yourself and into the projected outcome of your intention. Instead of thinking about your knocking knees, you will be picturing the school you want to build, or the sales you want to reach, or the lives you want to save. It’s hard to think of yourself when you are focused on what you can do for others.
Jitters need not be a bad thing at all. Once you don’t see them as a problem, they may just quiet down completely!
The Battle of Negative Body Image
Published April 30, 2010 | 3 Ways to “Get Over It!”
The issue of negative body image seems to be, quite frankly, beaten to death. Resurrected, and beaten again.
Everywhere we look, we see headlines condemning the media for creating this obsession with our bodies, and yet, the headlines themselves are developed from the same source that put the retouched photos, and deathly thin models in the spotlight in the first place. It seems this could go on in perpetuity; a vicious cycle of deliberate image distortion and glamorization of extreme low body weight leading to damaged self esteem in women, and then we are fed a remedy of nurturing-sounded magazine articles on how to “love ourselves as we are,” only to turn the page to another photo-shopped 30 year-old selling wrinkle cream.
The cycle begins again.
Psychology Today refers to studies that show women in their 40’s to have a grasp on this cycle. We recognize it as an evil strategy to sell magazines, weight loss formulas and anti-aging skin care. If the studies say this, then why is it I find so many of my women clients still dealing with the body and age issues? Must I assume that I have an unusual cross-section of society? Do I deal with misfits?
Absolutely not! The women that come to me are brilliant: confident in their expertise, knowledgeable in what they can offer to the world and very respected in their fields. Yet, some will still find themselves sucker-punched by self-esteem issues as they head into the often-competitive platform of media that can launch them into the level of success that they know they deserve. This happens even though these women have triumphed over tribulation. They are fighters.
So, how does a good fighter deal with a sucker-punch? There may be a moment to recompose, but once she’s got a good recoil, that responding punch will knock the socks off of anyone, or anything that tries to tell her she can’t accomplish something!
The issue of negative body image seems to be, quite frankly beaten to death. Resurrected, and beaten again.
Everywhere we look, we see headlines condemning the media for creating this obsession with our bodies, and yet, the headlines themselves are developed from the same source that put the retouched photos, and deathly thin models in the spotlight in the first place. It seems this could go on in perpetuity; a vicious cycle of deliberate image distortion and glamorization of extreme low body weight leading to damaged self esteem in women, and then we are fed a remedy of nurturing-sounded magazine articles on how to “love ourselves as we are”, only to turn the page to another photo-shopped 30 year-old selling wrinkle cream.
The cycle begins again.
Psychology Today refers to studies that show women in their 40’s to have a grasp on this cycle. We recognize it as an evil strategy to sell magazines, weight loss formulas and anti-aging skin care. If the studies say this, then why is it I find so many of my women clients still dealing with the body and age issues? Must I assume that I have an unusual cross-section of society? Do I deal with misfits?
Absolutely not! The women that come to me are brilliant; confident in their expertise, knowledgeable in what they can offer to the world and very respected in their fields. Yet, some will still find themselves sucker-punched by self-esteem issues as they head into the often-competitive platform of media that can launch them into the level of success that they know they deserve. This happens even though these women have triumphed over tribulation. They are fighters.
So, how does a good fighter deal with a sucker-punch? There may be a moment to recompose, but once she’s got a good recoil, that responding punch will nock the socks off of anyone, or anything that tries to tell her she can’t accomplish something!
How do we knock the demon of damaged-self-image down? Here are a few suggestions:
- Know that the woman that you think is younger, more fit or more beautiful than you thinks less of herself than you can imagine. I’ve been her. Trust me. She may very well be intimidated by your experience and doubting herself much more intensely than you know.
- You are not your thighs: Know that when you walk into a talk show set, or into an interview to pitch your product, the show producers are rooting for you! For gosh sakes, they want to know that you will be the guest that will make their audience happy so they get cudos for doing a good job! Looks alone won’t cut it in this department! You need to know your stuff, be entertaining and effective in your message. Bring them what their audience wants to hear. Know that if you do this, no nip or tuck will ever be good enough to allow someone else to stand in your way.
- Know that you are stronger than your negative thoughts. OK, this may sound like a quote from one of the nurturing magazine articles that I mentioned before, but I like this advice, and I’m stickin’ with it! Successful people are programmed to survive, and survival can depend on letting that negative stuff get pummeled by positive thought. It might take a surge of mental effort, but the more you practice, that positivism can work like a laser beam at dismantling the bomb of negative self image.
Consider yourself armed and ready. This battle is won. Your adoring audience awaits you. Give them what they came for, and so much more, of course!
You are Not Your Logo!
Published April 22, 2010 | Find your authenticity and stand out from the crowd.
When did I become obsessed with note cards? I know no one else that can spend 30 minutes contemplating stationery; evaluating each available design and qualifying them by the projected emotional reaction each card will evoke when opened by the recipient. I eliminate them one by one, “ too corporate,” “not professional enough,” “ too girlie”…. This process took over half an hour!
It might be understandable if I was in a stationery store the size of Bev Mo, but I was in front of a 3-foot wide stand in a bookstore. A guy at the café table right behind me ordered his latte, drank it, and finished his magazine by the time I decided between the Chinese flower and the French lettering!
So what was my deal? I now know that every time I send a note card, it is a representation of my brand, much like a business card, but I wanted it to seem personal, no logo, or tag lines… yet it should have the feeling that I might have designed it. I wanted “authentically me.”
I finally found my perfect cards. I was pretty darn happy, too that I feel so clear on my brand these days that I was able to make that decision with such accuracy.
I was not always clear on my brand. In the very beginning of my business I remember when I couldn’t tell people exactly what made me different. It took some work, but I got clear in my brand, clear in my message, and increased my business and back account.
Are you clear in your brand? Does your visual brand match what you have in print? In other words, when you speak about your business, on TV or in person, do you create the response that you want? Do people act on your call to action? Do they see the value in what you know, and what you do?
If not, look to see if your authenticity is showing….
The Boring Lawyer
I met a man the other night that was nervously preparing to talk to a group of professionals about real estate law. “What I do is boring,” he said… Well, good grief, it will be if he walks in with that attitude!
He really likes what he does, but doesn’t feel comfortable speaking in front of people or cameras. So, he feeds his fear of speaking, (which is a fear of rejection, really), by suggesting that his material is boring, and they will never like him! He has built in his excuse for failure!
I saw a better presenter in this guy:
My suggestion was for him to bring a story; He mentioned he is very fond of his dogs, so I proposed he start his presentation with story that includes them. He feels comfortable with that topic, and he will seem more approachable when the group sees a personal side to him. instead of a stiff lawyer that they might expect to see. I helped him find a thread in his story that took him into his first point of his presentation. He got very excited about this idea!
Now, he won’t just be the “lawyer that had the PowerPoint presentation on disclosures,” but he will be “the owner of the Frisbee dog they can see at the park on Saturday mornings! Oh, yeah, and he really knows his stuff when it comes to disclosures… I should give him a call… I liked him!”
What’s happening here? He is allowing his authenticity to show, and he standing out from the crowd.
Stories are one of the most memorable ways to create your visual brand, and show your authentic difference from your competition. Having a stable of stories can be ammunition in the interview circuit, too! If you need help getting those stories down, grab a coach and get them ready. It will pay off in the end. Literally!
Then you can “thank” your coach with a nice note card!
Fear is Your Co-Pilot: Ways to harness your fear and gain that edge with your audience!
Published April 15, 2010 | I saw a painful surveillance video the other day showing a thief attempting an escape from police by climbing a ten-foot ladder. He plummeted to the ground on the first attempt. The sirens grew louder and he tried again, and fell. In fact, he fell five more times to the cement floor of the store he had attempted to rob before he made his escape. It was almost comical, and the news anchors joked about his tenacity. In his case, fear of getting caught and facing jail time fueled him, and he succeeded in eluding the police. While I certainly don’t condone thievery, I thought, “Lucky thief,” and noted that his fear worked to save him.
That same night, I listened to a preacher talk about busy-ness in our lives. He pointed out that this franticness that so often can overtake our lives is fueled by fear. Especially in the current economy, the fear of not being able to pay the bills or the mortgage can be suffocating, and so folks will work themselves nearly to death, sometimes at the loss of their marriage, health and happiness. Fear can destroy lives and opportunities.
If I were to ask you to think back, I am sure you can remember distinct moments when fear was empowering and you accomplished something great and other times when it held you back, or hurt you. Fear is always there. It is a part of life.
Fear is primal. Humans like every mammal have the instinctive reaction of flight or fight when faced with a possibly dangerous situation. This inherent mechanism is essential for survival. It is our ability to analyze the actual level of danger in a given circumstance that will enable us, as humans, to use fear to our advantage!
Public speaking and now, television cameras can cause intense fear. For years, surveys on common fears show that public speaking is second only to the fear of dying!
If your knees shake before you are about to walk on stage and the butterflies in your stomach feel more like angry wasps, then you may be feeling the primal response to fear, and it’s time to make that reaction work to your advantage.
Mentally:
- First, in all probability, no one is going to die from speaking in front of people, or a camera. Flight is not necessary. Check that off!
- Next, those knocking knees are a result of energy that is surging through your body, and energy is contagious, and therefore great to have when you are seeking to connect with an audience, so embrace that sense of being so wonderfully alive!
- Remind yourself that you are darn good at what you do, and what you know. Faith can dispel fear… have faith in yourself! IDEA: create a little cheer, as you might if a small child needed to be encouraged. Now repeat that positive reinforcement to yourself and be as accepting of those encouraging words as a small child would be! If a child really wants something, they get it, right? Now, go for it!
Physically:
- The extra energy you are feeling in your tummy and limbs needs to be burned off a bit… find what works for you; it may be jumping up and down, or touching your toes and stretching with vigor. One speaker shared with me just last week that she would do a routine of movements to relax and focus her before every speech, sometimes in the restroom, to the dismay of other patrons!
- Breathe. Take air deeply in through your nose and concentrate on filling the lower lobes of your lungs. Exhale through your mouth, keeping the breath even. Force the breath out until there is nothing left. Repeat as necessary.
- Still have extra energy “on stage”? Try this trick, (it works best if you are standing): Your weight should be grounding you in your back leg, with one foot slightly forward, kind of like a dancer’s first position. In this solid stance, you can burn some energy off by tensing the buttocks muscle attached to that back leg and then release. No one will know, and the largest muscle in the body will burning the edge off that energy!
Make friends with Fear. It will always be there, but it need not control you. It can be a reassuring presence to energize you, and give you that edge that you need in order to be your best when you are delivering your message, or your story.
There is nothing that Fear and Faith cannot enable you to do.
Perfection Is Overrated!
Published March 5, 2010 | Find the freedom that comes from giving you a break
Are you a perfectionist? If your automatic response is “no!” I invite you to take a closer look; there is a well-meaning perfectionist in every one of us!
Wanting to be the best, and see things executed to the highest level of quality is a good direction to set your business compass but, I see this quest for perfection keeping people from reaching their true potential nearly every day.
Sometimes the perfectionist inside of a very talented client will keep her from even getting in front of a camera, until she “can lose these ten pounds, then, I’ll do this!” Weeks, months or even years can go by and many opportunities to promote and grow her brand recognition are lost.
Other times the perfectionist side of a person can manifest a near obsession with the “perfect take”: “I have to eliminate that stutter, and the blinking, and hit that key point harder…” It may sound constructive self-criticism, but I have seen hours wasted and temperaments tested by this type of paralyzing thought. It does not make for a positive experience; Trust me on this, I’ve done it myself!
The antidote to perfectionism paralysis is a new perspective! Here’s when I discovered mine:
It was a few years ago; a conversation on stardom is taking place in my favorite acting class (I know, no surprise there!) My acting coach points out that the most famous movie stars capture our hearts because of their imperfections. We love to watch our heroes overcome obstacles despite their imperfections in their films, and that is why we cannot get enough of them. It’s their brokenness, and not their perfect-ness, that draws our empathy.
Consider Sandra Bullock, nominated now for an Academy Award for The Blind Side. For years she was known for her clumsy girl-next-door appeal in her films, and in her interviews, she openly jokes about herself and even snorts with laughter. Not perfect by the old charm school standards but this imperfect appeal has carried her latest movie to the box office success of $249,000,000 and still counting!
Even our leading men have a brokenness that is far from perfect… think of your favorite, is it Russell Crowe, or Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner or Robert Downey Jr? Chances are, you will see there is vulnerability there that hints through every performance and that is what we connect with. It’s not the perfect looks, and it’s not the perfect clothes, or body… it’s the human-ness.
How does this relate to you, if you just want to talk about your passion for your business, and not be a movie star, you ask? Because it is this empathy of the human sprit and the reassuring comfort of familiar imperfections, (especially, in those that lead us!) that bonds us. Understanding that concept makes it so much easier to allow for a few flaws in your program, or a stutter, or those extra pounds that only you see anyway! Perfection is overrated and exhausting to try to achieve… so tell your inner perfectionist to head to her trailer and get her stuff… she’s outta here! It’s time for you to enjoy not having her nagging on your shoulder!
Now get out there and enjoy being real, and feeling that connection with the people that you want to influence. Enjoy your freedom to be!
Five Ways to Streamline Your Race to Success
Published February 26, 2010 | Keep the resistance to a minimum by incorporating these elements
The Olympic sled racers inspire me. How meticulously they must train to eliminate every bit of resistance in order to win, and victory often is determined in mere portions of a second!
To be a champion in our chosen field, we should be meticulous, too, with our words. Every time we have the opportunity to talk about our expertise, we are either creating a flow of energy around us that will streamline our path to our goals, or it will create resistance that we must then work to overcome.
Streamlined sounds much better, doesn’t it?
It is impossible to eliminate all the bumps in the track, but if you include these basic elements when you talk to the media, mingle at networking events or get interviewed those bumps can propel you forward or hardly slow you at all.
- Share your passion. Why do you love what you do? Denis Waitely has counseled winners in every field from Apollo astronauts to Superbowl champions, and he says, “Chase your passion, not your pension….” If you live your passion, then share it! When you speak of your work with passion, people will be naturally drawn to you. On the other hand, if you appear to be speaking from a place of lack (looking for a form of payment; a next client or a next contract – “your pension”) they will sense it and move away emotionally, if not physically.
- Find your common ground. What will help your audience understand you? (keep in mind your “audience” may be one, or millions of people, but the same principle applies) Have you been where they are in their life, maybe dealing with a problem that needs to be overcome, or do you share a common interest? If they identify with you as a like individual, then they will find it easier to empathize with you, and want to hear what you have to say.
- Show your uniqueness. What makes you different and better than anyone else? Is it in your history? Sharing an experience that sparked your passion can be a great way to set yourself apart. For example: A famous actress designed a line of silver jewelry for a well-known chain of stores. You may have seen the commercials over the holidays. Her jewelry was memorable because of the heartfelt story of her mother that she told in the commercial, and how the designs reminded her of her mother’s words of wisdom. The unique story of her designs made them a hit with consumers.
- Solve their problem. You may not have a white horse, but you may appear to be a knight in shining armor if you offer a solution to a major problem! What problem do you solve with your business? Keep your senses alert for any indication of a struggle that your expertise might help to soothe.
- Practice “situational awareness”. Ok, I admit, I made up the term, but I use it all the time; obviously, your delivery style will be different if you are speaking about hepatitis to a tattoo convention, or to a group of doctors. What may not be obvious to some, however, is the difference in delivery needed in different mediums: Just today, Cindy Rakowitz, A very successful publicist in Los Angeles referred to the different demeanor that may be advised for a print interview verses a television show. Gestures and voice must be altered in order to handle electronic media, like teleconferencing. Know what is appropriate for the venue in which you stand. I see train wrecks every day with talented people that don’t practice “situational awareness!” It can be painful.
- *( Here’s a bonus) Keep your ultimate audience in mind. Who in the world do you most want to influence? Remember the “act as if’ game? It applies to your performance every time you mention what you do, and share your story. If you expected a room of 300 and there are only 20 seats filled, share with them as if they are your ultimate audience. You never know whom you will be affecting, and how close that ultimate experience might be!
Flip the Switch: Let the Light You Shine Dispel Your Fears
Published February 17, 2010 | We have heard the phrase, “God doesn’t make junk,” but do we realize how divinely equipped we each are? Do we wake up in the morning and see a reflection of God’s best work in our mirror, or do we focus on the negative? Do we see only the things that we would like to improve in our lives instead of the gifts we innately have? So often, we see only those few pounds of weight that never seems to leave us or the friend that doesn’t call anymore or that big break that never seems to come. We can magnify these negative things until they become beliefs, and fear is nourished by negative beliefs.
I have caught myself being pulled into that way of thinking, but my higher consciousness, or, as I like to say “my smarter self,” knows nothing positive will come of it. That’s when I remind myself that we are all “divinely and wonderfully made.” Until I accept this as fact, I am starving the Spirit and standing in my own way.
In my profession, I help people overcome one of the biggest fears known to man: the fear of public speaking and its dear cousin: fear of speaking on camera. Fears are created and conquered in the mind first therefore; the biggest obstacle to overcoming the fear of speaking on camera or in public is the belief that we are not ready. It is my job, and my good pleasure, to show people that if they have the desire to share their message with an audience, then they are probably already divinely equipped to do just that.
When we stand in our own way, we stand in the way of what could be God’s plan for us. So, what does standing in our own way really look like in the mind? Here are few things I’ve learned along the way in overcoming my own obstacles and in working with others:
- Fear of not being accepted, based on how we look.
- Fear of not being accepted, based on the message we are bringing.
- Fear of not being perfect in our presentation, and guess what? Not being accepted.
We have all heard the acronym, “F.E.A.R. as False Evidence Appearing Real.” So here’s the good news about conquering those fears we’ve been discussing: they are all false until you believe them!
Previously I mentioned my belief that if we have the desire to share a message about something, then there is already a natural ability given to us to connect to exactly the audience that needs to hear it. I absolutely believe in preparing your skills as a communicator, and that there is great value in researching your target audience… this way you are sure to be reaching those that are most ready for what you are offering. These are things that a professional media trainer or coach can assist with. While there is true value in learning the art of speaking, the foundational strength to any charismatic communicator is the passion for their subject and the authenticity with which they share that passion. Any training on the art of presenting is icing on the cake, but the batter is made of basic ingredients: passion and authenticity.
Here are a few tips to consider when preparing for an opportunity to speak that may help alleviate some fear and increase confidence:
- Show your passion: If you are not passionate about the subject you are speaking about… find a way to be passionate about it or think about speaking on subjects that bring you more joy.
- Be a giver: Find confidence in what you are offering. Know that you are bringing something good to others, and you will be enriching their lives. Show them how your life has been changed by your service, your journey, your product, whatever it is at the heart of your message. By sharing what comes form your heart, you will connect to theirs.
When you allow your passion, and your purpose to be a gift to others, you have no room for the negative thoughts that create fear. One of my business coaches said, “When you enter a dark room, and flip a light switch, the light dispels the dark with out us even questioning how.” You are divinely equipped so, flip the switch and allow your true light to dispel your fears.
"How May I Be Of Service?”…A different approach to self-promotion
Published February 4, 2010 | Service. I used to look at the word differently. Of course, I appreciated great service when I received it in a restaurant or hotel, but I didn’t associate the word with service to others in regards to what I can do for them. My appreciation of service has become more pronounced because of my venture into the entrepreneurial world; as I observe the most successful and charismatic public figures, I can’t help but observe that I am undeniably drawn to those that give back. I am particularly aware of those that first serve the world with their talent and then share those blessings in charity.
We all know people like this. When asked to picture someone that fits this description, you may immediately think of someone in ministry or military, but how about the business professional that actively looks to serve?
War hero, Nathan Hale said, “I am not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary for the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary.”
What vital service do you provide? How can you help people? How do you find the recipients that your talents would best serve?
Service. Imagine if you were to approach every opportunity to promote what you do with that in mind first? We may consider it a lovely thought, but can it be manifested into reality? It makes sense, that as a business professional, your focus might be on the possible rewards from a media opportunity, large networking function or an important studio pitch meeting. But when you enter those events with a new mindset of servitude, the payoff can be amazing on a personal and professional level.
Think about this: Have you ever met someone that you admired, and they asked about you? A friend once related a story about a major recording star that he shared a moment with. The country-music artist had a song that my friend had associated with the loss of his daughter. He met the star, and the thing that amazed him most about Garth Brooks was not his obvious talent, but his attitude of servitude. Songwriting is an expression of emotions that others may not be able to articulate and can sometimes heal the soul. Garth embraced that.
What talents do you possess that might lead to a healing or a breakthrough for someone?
A prosperous life and financial resources can be a great reward, but our eyes needn’t always be on the reward to receive it. If we focus on serving others first, we might temporarily lose sight of the reward, but when the time is right-it is all that more glorious!
