Author: Garth Beyer

When you owe an apology, it’s like a wall is up that prevents you from doing generous work again.

Or maybe it’s a weight that keeps you from getting to the work that’s meaningful.

Or maybe it’s a chain that holds you back from doing something with all of your heart.

An apology that owed doesn’t earn interest, doesn’t allow you to move forward and doesn’t allow the best of your work to shine.

The longer we wait, the taller the wall gets, the heavier the weight, the tighter the chain.

Stay Positive & Let’s Move Forward

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Very few artists remain known because of how much they did.

A few authors, a couple of painters and maybe an ad guy.

Beyond that, the quantity, the hours and the tallies don’t always add up to a meaningful impact.

But the “how” in what we do often does.

Stay Positive & More Here

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Have you ordered from somewhere that had an excellent delivery-driver and within weeks they were gone?

Most likely, they were promoted.

And they were promoted because they cared.

And it doesn’t take much for people to notice they care (because so few do) and reward them.

Caring is the single most significant attribute that sets the great apart from the not-so-great.

The same can be said for any level position, any line of work, any connection with a club, community or friend.

Care.

That’s all it takes to leap up the ladder.

Stay Positive & Start Any Time (But Please Don’t Stop)

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The others in the room are super important. They’ll show you when you’re exciting them and when you’re boring them.

The more you pay attention to them, the more you can change up your show and connect with them on a deeper level.

Just as important as reading the room, is to read yourself.

Are you looking down because you’re unsure of which direction to take in your communication rather than looking people in the eye?

Is your breath slow and steady or all over the place?

Sometimes the best action you can take for others is to read where you are and adjust.

It’s incredible how quickly the audience will reflect your passion, energy and breathing.

Stay Positive & Your Influencing From The Second You Step Up

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Attitudes certainly matter. That’s why many places tell you to leave the ego at the door. Attitudes can make a meeting enjoyable … or not.

Answers are pretty important to bring to the room, too. Most of the time, that’s why everyone has gathered – to either share an answer or discuss one.

The most important thing you can bring to the room, however, is a question.

Not 20 questions and not a question that has been answered in the project brief, but a meaningful question. A question that pushes on what’s possible, that factors in more empathy for the target, that challenges the status quo and that makes people feel.

It’s tough to come up with these kinds of questions. That’s why they’re most important.

Stay Positive & Prep For The Meeting Appropriately

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There’s not much more debilitating than self criticism, the lizard brain, the little voice in your head that tries to rationalize all the reasons why you’re not good enough, won’t succeed and shouldn’t even try.

They key to overcoming it isn’t an external force, however.

It’s not more praise from others or a guarantee or reassurance.

The only way to drown self criticism … is to drown it … with positive speak.

Not fluff or hopes or overused mantras that may or may not be true.

Instead to drown it with another realistic story of your obligation and opportunity and the magic that always arrives when we do something that we’re initially self critical about.

Stay Positive & Somehow It Always Works Out

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While at a running event, lines were building for three porta potties.

People were frustrated,  impatient, and quite frankly, really needed to go.

Pain narrows the mind, though. Being upset is like putting on peripheral visors. We miss a lot when we’re distressed.

Turns out a glance down the pathway from the porta potties, about 50 yards away, there were roughly 15 more porta potties with no line whatsoever.

We could take the frustration out on the organizer. Things could have been designed better. There could have been better signage.

But easier, and more likely of reaching a solution, is to cast a net around the possible. There’s often other opportunities nearby, sometimes as close as 50 yards.

Stay Positive & Toss The Visors

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