Earlier this year, Gloria Vanderbilt died, and as I’ve committed myself to do, I read at least one really good article about the deceased and their unique story. Every single time, I am rewarded with inspiring stories, ideas, legacies and sometimes just a few words that have a profound affect on my daily life.
Of course, you could spend the entire year reading about each individual and diving deep into their histories and the legacies they have left behind for us, but that’s just not possible, so I stick with my one article commitment and read about those individuals that are intriguing to me in some way or another.
There is one simple idea that Gloria Venerbilt left with us and that resonated with me completely. It is this…
“Every single person you meet is fighting a great battle. So, be kind.”
On the surface, this seems a simple idea. One that should be easy to implement.
And yet…
We so often get busy with our own ideas. Our own agendas. Our own belief systems and positions. We get so busy moving forward that we forget to stop, breathe, reflect, and just be present. Be kind.
More importantly, we forget that every human connection we make on a daily basis is beautiful in its own way. Even the tough ones that make you silly with sarcasm and sardonic behavior.
In the midst of all this we forget completely the battles others face, because we ourselves are fighting so hard to keep from falling apart.
Stop yourself and listen.
Pay close attention to those with whom you come in contact each day. Plug-in to the universal truth that we are all connected in some way. The more present you can be with that idea, the more connected and powerful we become.
You will grow personally and professionally a lot faster by helping others grow along with you. In fact, this is one of the best ways to grow your small business and your career. This is also a big part of my mission here on The Ash Flash and in the work I do as a business to business salesman.
When you help others grow. Inspire them. Educate them. Make them feel good about doing business with you and work to really connect with them, both you and your customers win.
The problem is that most businesses get far too caught-up in their day to day struggles and their dire need to make sales right now, and then quickly lose sight of this idea. This opportunity to truly serve.
There are two keys to this….
First, and most important, no matter the context or the topic is this…
If your marketing stinks and you have lead-generation problems, the realities you face as a result of this problem will always limit your ability to truly connect with your customers in the way I’m describing here, because you will always be struggling to find the next one. You will find yourself constantly looking outward instead of also looking inward and cultivating the moment. Cultivating your best customers so that they ascend the ladder of your products and services, spend more money with you, praise your good work publicly and refer more customers more often.
As a side note, referrals don’t happen automatically either. You have to train your customers to do this for you. Generally, it won’t happen automatically. You need systems in your business for everything.
So, how do you foster a business and career culture that promotes cultivation of your customers and all your best relationships?
Stop hedging. Be authentic. Be smart about not overextending yourself, and be strategic in how you go about growing your business. Yes. Those are generalities, but the idea is that if you have a great product that solves a pressing problem for a specific group of individuals, you need to stay focused on that process and on that process alone and expand slowly, quietly, and carefully so as not to disturb the flow of your work, so that you can truly connect with those you serve, and be completely present for the next big idea when it arrives.
In order to make all this happen you have to go all in. You have to give this work and your process everything you possibly have to give and at all times. I won’t kid you. It’s not easy and it’s not always fun.
If you can live a life where the people and the customers you serve who know you the best, like you the most, you will have achieved this careful combination of grit and growth. You will have achieved the ability to be yourself and be successful. Still, it will likely take you longer than you think it should to get there.
The problem is that we all have a constant tendency to hedge, and offer concessions that don’t necessarily jive with our true selves, but that get us by in the moment because when we do this, we can avoid the emotional pain that is often the direct result of sticking to our beliefs.
Here on The Ash Flash it is my goal to be as honest with you as I possibly can, while also providing you important and insightful perspectives that will challenge you to adopt this kind of belief system and this kind of approach to running your small business and running your life. If you are interested in being a part of this community, I encourage you to subscribe to the email list as a first step. Once you are officially a part of the tribe, you will begin to receive additional information and communications from me that may just help you achieve far more than you ever thought possible.
-John
PS Interested in having a conversation about just how you might implement this idea in a strategic way?
Send an email to: johncashworth(at)gmail.com and we’ll start a conversation. It is very likely that right at this moment there are many things I can help you achieve. That’s the magic Johnny Renaissance and my passion for life and true and lasting authenticity.
