Happy Mothers Day? Can you imagine a job description for that kind of role. You’re expected to do everything for everyone and not complain. Be accessible 24/7, no holidays (even when you are on holidays) and do all those jobs no one wants to do. And the pay…ZERO. Mums are amazing with many being the glue in the family and I’m sure you’ll agree, we all have precious memories of our mums growing up. Thank you mums.
I’ve spent much of this week on the phone with clients and wanted to share some fresh insights with you. But first, I have a question: Have you ever failed before? Have you noticed how rejection can breed an obsession to prove people wrong. One of the fears of many successful people is that one day they will get caught out and people will realize they aren’t really that smart.
This “obsession” drives them to work harder to prove their critics wrong. What’s that ‘hunger’ or ‘desire’ that drives you each day? When you discover that, you will find a very important component of your personal brand. That’s what I love about working with private clients. It’s not about “creating a brand” but drawing the essence of the brand out from within them. Real brands have authenticity, passion and purpose. What’s your personal brand?
Be careful when a coach or expert wants to brand you because it makes them feel significant when they take you and brand you. However, what I’ve found is that they will always brand you less than what you are because they don’t like it when you shine beyond them. There’s very few coaches that allow their students to “outgrow” them because their ego derives great significance from your recognition. The problem is that many coaches are searching for significance and validation themselves in all the wrong areas. You will know you have achieved ultimate significance when you have done something meaningful. That’s why I love the mastermind environment because it’s selfless. There’s no hidden agenda, no egos, just a roomful of people who want to help you pursue your vision.
Rejection is difficult to accept for some people. I know I had a big issue with it growing up. That’s why I never dated any girl at school because the “fear of rejection” was worst than death. (Reminds me of a line from mum, ‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!’) Maybe you were excluded in some group at school, or someone rejected you on a date, or maybe your amazing offer wasn’t taken up by your target market. It’s important to remember whatever happened was a result or event and does not dictate your life. As I posted on my wall recently, “Focusing on your failures leads to a culture of fear…remember the truth, there’s no failures, only lessons and feedback.”
You must respect your personal journey and all the lessons, experience and skills you acquire along the way. I’ve seen too many people want to be the next guru tomorrow and are disappointed because what was sold to them wasn’t what was delivered. The reality is if you dig deep into any overnight success, it took many years and hundreds and thousands of dollars and years to achieve success. You can’t buy it after 90 minutes or for any price, doesn’t matter how high it is. It’s a process and a journey that will only magnify who you already are.
I never forgot one of my earliest mentors said to me that your biggest problem is someone else’s greatest dream. There are no problems without solutions. That’s why I recently took calls from CWC members and had a great time helping people move towards those critical “next steps”. This has forced me to question marketing and business advice I had got in the past because as the market matures, you must respect the customer and their needs. I’m sick of hearing experts refer to customers as a “herd” and it’s absolutely disgraceful that some leaders continue to use this terminology in the new economy. We are dealing with human beings.
Another alarming trend is the “raise your price” advice. Many people listen to this without thinking and while the results can be spectacular initially, there comes a point when supply is greater than demand. The alarming trend is that people are raising prices without increasing value which is out of gradient and sets you up for a fall. Never ever raise prices unless you are going to increase value. If you want to be great in this new economy, give more value through serving many in your niche and not the mass.
I hope you have enjoyed this issue, until next time.
Remember, nothing is missing…you are rewarded in public for what you practice continuously and relentlessly in private.
Simplify Your Life,
CHEN
P.S Conversation with Chen members can call between 9 – 11am for strategic advice this Wednesday. You will need to send me your mobile number via private message on Wednesday morning and you will get 15 minutes with me. I’m testing a new service out so take advantage of this while it lasts.
P.S Last call for Masterminds…Gold Coast is almost full and places are opening for Sydney. For more information, please go to:
