Wednesday, July 13, 2011

You Said WHAT? Tips to Overcome Limiting Self Talk




We all suffer from limiting self-talk from time to time.

The difference between people who are successful, and those who are not, is that successful people acknowledge their 'inner gremlins' almost immediately and shout them down before they've had the chance to flex their muscles and gain any momentum.

Today's self-sabotaging self-talk is:

"I don't know enough."

Statements like these are relative. The question is, "When will you EVER know enough?"

I am sure you've heard the phrase: life is a journey, not a destination.

Quite frankly, if we all knew 'enough' from birth, the world would be a very boring place; there would be nothing new to learn.

What the word 'enough' implies is that in comparison to - everyone else on the earth, in your company, in a particular meeting - you do not know as much as them.

Well, I guess that's possible. Maybe they've been in the job for 10 years more than you. Or even 2 years more.

Maybe they have lived longer and therefore (possibly... and only possibly) have experienced more than you. Perhaps they have swum with sharks or have 3 grandchildren... perhaps.

The point is, it doesn't really matter. We are all here to learn. Even when you're 65years old, you should still be learning.

None of us, even Albert Einstein, have all the answers. We are all still learning - that's what makes life so fascinating.

Here's a suggestion. Instead of questionning whether you know 'enough' ask yourself what you do know.

What experience do you have?

What value can you add?

What ideas or opinions can you share?

See every experience as an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions; listen to alternative perspectives; offer value; and learn... and you won't go far wrong.

-RW

Do People Have A Perception of You That You Are Proud Of?



Companies invest a fortune in their brands. Why do they do this? Because they know and understand that the brand is not a tangible thing, but rather, it is a mental construct that exists purely in the minds of its consumers.

What companies invest their marketing dollar in is the opportunity to build a perception that their brand is:

a) superior to its competition

b) differentiated in some beneficial way and

c) is the most desirous product of its kind on the shelf.

People-brands, just like consumer brands, take time and investment to establish in the minds of the people around them.

Do the people around you - whether at work or socially - have a perception of you that you are proud of? And if not, why not?

Your personal brand is a vital part of your armoury. And you have the power to create a phenomenally powerful personal brand if you choose to.

What is important to note is that it is not neccesarily what you think you are projecting, but what the people around you see and experience of you for themselves that matters.

Here are some questions to help you:

1. How do you want people to regard you? As a strong decision maker? An office gossip? A solution-orientated thinker? A strategic visionary? A dictator? What you say is only part of the story... your actions say much, much more to the people around you.

2. So decide on the actions that are needed to support you. You may need to change some behaviours if the image people have of you is not the one you want.

3. Review your consistency. None of us would buy Coca Cola if every time we bought a can it tasted different. Consistency matters.

Be really honest about how your emotions; moods; or day of the week might affect your consistency. Being inconsistent will make the people around you feel uneasy, which is not a positive feeling to instill in others.

- RW

You Said WHAT? Tips to Overcome Limiting Self Talk



We all suffer from limiting self-talk from time to time.

The difference between people who are successful, and those who are not, is that successful people acknowledge their 'inner gremlins' almost immediately and shout them down before they've had the chance to flex their muscles and gain any momentum.

This month's self-sabotaging self-talk is:

"I'm not old enough to be taken seriously."


Age, like many things, is relative. Whilst some people see themselves as too young, others see themselves as too old. Or too fat. Or too intelligent. Or not having enough education. Or not being good enough...

The list is endless.

One thing is certain: if you run a belief like this it will continually hold you back. Well, at least until you're old enough not to have to worry about it any more :)

But life's there for the taking and so simply biding time to get to the 'right' age (whatever that may be) could mean wasting a lifetime.

Consider this. How old do you have to be to be 'taken seriously'?

Consider this. Are there fabulously successful, wealthy, happy people who are in fact very young?

As with many limiting decisions we make, this kind of belief focuses on what we feel we are lacking.

Which is completely unhelpful.

So let's focus on what you do have to be taken seriously. What skills, attributes, attitudes, behaviours do you have in your arsenal of tools that will help you to be taken completely seriously?

Once you know, go and put all your energies into those skills and act the age you want other people to regard you as.

- RW

Raise Your Profile - Connect with Connectors!





They say it's not what you know, but who you know.

The reality is, you need both! However the kinds of people you choose to socialise with, both personally and professionally, can have a profound effect on you and your opportunities - both from a detrimental stand point and a hugely positive one.

Ideal people to know are 'Connectors'. These people know people. But more importantly, the most effective ones also like people.

So why is that so important?

If you take a genuine interest in people, it naturally attracts more people to you: people like being in your company because they feel wanted and special.

So seeking Connectors who just know a lot of people isn't enough. You need to seek Connectors whose 'following' really like being around that individual.

So what can Connectors like this do for you?

Well firstly they'll be interested in you and what you want to achieve. Which is always nice! Secondly they'll do what they can to help (if they like you) and thirdly, opportunities will flow because people will be keen to help you... as ultimately, their actions will help out their Connector too.

Take action now and think about the Connectors you have around you!

- RW