With the first six months of 2016 coming to a close, I took to my journal to reflect on accomplishments achieved so far. The most important part of this exercise is identifying what I have learned.
The lessons have been bountiful and humbling at the same time. I've decided to share my lessons on the blog so they might serve you, too.
- After a breast cancer scare and a emergency retina repair surgery for my husband in March, I am reminded that the greatest of all blessings is good health.
- Sometimes, a quarter turn of a message can make a world of difference. I shifted much of my marketing messaging to focus on guiding aspiring speakers to get ready for opportunity before opportunity knocks early this year. I still speak from my expertise as a business bio expert, though the slight messaging shift has made a world of difference in my business results. This audience urgently desires to get booked and often can monetize their messages in the moment with their powerful and authentic offers made from the stage. That makes getting to return on investment on my training so much more immediate for them and so rewarding for me.
- I love when clients succeed. Broadcasting their brilliance via my ezine and other means is the best demonstration of what it is to be a champion of others' success. Everyone wins.
- Stop telling stories that are no longer true. “You are not a speaker” has been my inner dialogue. However, this year, I have given the same talk 22 times to appreciative audiences. Whether I was invited to share it via teleclass, webinar or live or created my own opportunities to share it, I am a speaker.
- Sharing stories is so much more memorable and compelling than sharing action tips and information. Going forward, I am going below the surface to share the vulnerable stories and powerful insights from the wisdom of hard won experience instead of speaking just ‘from the neck up.'
- With the right speaker and authentic championship, filling a room doesn't have to be hard. I have heard many people say that it is hard to fill live events. I have been reluctant to host my own as a result. In March of this year, I played a major role in filling a hotel room with 38 awesome guests who could be in the house to benefit from one of my most trusted and admired business colleagues. The guests raved about the value, and a meaningful group of those guests decided to invest more deeply to get even more support. I may very well host my own local and live events and workshops after all!
- SHOWING UP IN PERSON is fun and rewarding. I've relied on teleclasses and webinars to deliver my message over the last few years. What a thrill it is to look into the eyes of those I meet and know in my heart, head, and gut whether the message is landing squarely. I can't wait to speak live and in person to even more groups this year and next in my own backyard and beyond.
- Boundary setting is a beautiful thing. That means “No” can be a complete sentence. Not all invitations are “YES” decisions. Not everyone who wants to be a partner, co-collaborator, or referral source is a fit to play that role. That is OK.
- Give your clients and best partners the benefit of the doubt. When people have the CONTEXT over time to value a pattern of ongoing contribution, service, and championship, there is GRACE in that. There should always be room for the benefit of the doubt.
- People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It stings when things don't last. As long as I go deep to find the blessing in each transition, I can be twice blessed.
What are your biggest lessons so far for 2016?
