Overnight Success Stories

If you know me, you know how much I love the theater. I was in my element last week when I saw Suffs on Broadway, which is a musical based on the American women’s suffrage movement.

And if you really know me, you know I see the lesson in everything. So much of what we experience in one aspect of life applies to another. The storyline of a production one hundred years in the making had much to offer.

Of the many topics explored, one stood out to me because I found it rather relevant to the business world these days — the young guard vs. the old guard.

What happened when the more radical activists came up against those who’d been around awhile? The youngsters were all fired up while the more experienced among them tried to temper enthusiasm with established wisdom.

Sound familiar?

We’ve all heard some version of “this is how we do things around here” before. I don’t know about you, but it always seems stagnant and backward to me.

In many work environments, senior leaders often shut down innovative ideas, viewing them as disruptive and stifling potential winners.

If you think I’m saying out with the old, in with the new — bring the bulldozers — think again.

Instead, I say assume equality, but respect seniority. Here’s what I mean.

You’re better off knowing when to work within the rules and when to break them.

When I was on The Oprah Winfrey Show earlier in my career, I was told Oprah doesn’t like a weak guest. I was told to get in there and stand my ground without stepping on her toes.

I had to assume equality, but respect seniority. I was able to break through fear and intimidation to work alongside her and establish my own ground.

Where are you trying to break through the status quo?
How will assuming equality help you?
How will respecting seniority help you?

Answering these questions can take you a long way toward where you want to go.

Like it or not, we’re all in the game of sales.

If you want to be successful at anything at all, you have to be able to make the sale.

Looking to land your dream job?
You’ll need to sell yourself as the right person for the role.

Eager to sign your next ideal client?
You’ll have to sell yourself and your service as a solution.

Want people on board with your big idea?
It’s up to you to sell it as something worth buying into.

However, one of the biggest challenges that I see clients struggle with is that they avoid (and dread!) the difficult task of making that phone call or presentation that will begin the process of making a sale.

If you can’t motivate yourself to take the necessary action, let’s fix it.

Hmm…🤔

OK, let me save you some time: You’ve got to get over yourself!

I’ve heard it all, excuse after excuse — you’re shy, nervous, unsure, fear rejection, have imposter syndrome, worry you might fail.

You have to get over yourself!

Easier said than done, but here’s how you do it.

Think of something bigger than you. Instead of focusing on yourself and what could go wrong, focus on what could go right.

Do you create stellar results for your clients?
Focus on the transformation.

Does the company you want to work for have an important mission?
Focus on the good.

Would your kids benefit from your big pay raise?
Focus on your family.

Have you always longed to support causes that matter to you?
Focus on raising those funds.

Winning isn’t about you.

This may sound counterintuitive, but the bigger your desire, the larger your apprehension – the less it should be about you.

Here’s what I mean.

Early in growing my coaching business, a whirlwind of opportunities came my way: radio, television, partnerships, and more.

Even Oprah called! It happened fast, it was intense, and I found myself standing in a spotlight far brighter than expected.

I almost got in my own way; I nearly started selling myself short.

There was only one thought that kept me going with grace: “This is bigger than me!”

Coaching was an emerging profession on the cusp of helping millions. I had an opportunity to represent it on a national stage, and I knew it could uplift my colleagues along with me.

Instead of letting doubt sabotage my contributions to our progress…

• I focused on the good that could come from this work.
• I got over myself.
• I stepped out there to sell coaching as an effective tool for personal and professional growth.

Remember, when you need to get over yourself, you need to focus on something bigger than you.

Whenever you feel uncertainty start to creep in, cut it out and stop the nonsense. You can get it done.

Find the mission, identify a sense of purpose, and sell, sell, sell!