Right now you have a choice to make.
A choice you’ve been ignoring so well that you didn’t know you had it.
Two options:
1) Be Safe! Follow the “rules” of being mild-mannered and non-confrontational. Appease the masses by being what they want you to be.
If you’re happy where you are now, this could be decent.
Expect more of the same generic rewards for your generic effort.
OR…
2) Be Yourself! Do the things you want to do, in the way that you love to do them. Build your business as an extension of your true identity and values.
You will offend people, and you’ll be considered controversial.
When you defy social norms and low expectations that’s what happens.
However, if you’re a true leader, this is part of the process.
You’re leading people who believe what you do, so you’ll weed out the posers and galvanize the supporters who want to make a difference with you.
Yesterday was Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Day. His life is testament to choosing himself.
That sounds strange to read doesn’t it.
He isn’t taught as someone who put himself first, he was for the people right?
He was selfless!
WRONG!
He was selfish. All visionary leaders are, they have to be because they stand for something they believe in. Something only they can see.
Dr. King put himself, and his priority of values first.
He wasn’t selfless, he was unapologetically proud of his ideals. He was righteous in spite of the terror it caused him, his family, and his brothers in sisters.
His ideas were bigger than him, and any man. He knew that and so did his supporters.
Then… he lead by those ideals.
Ideals that resonated with people across the globe, who also rose to the radical notion of non-violence as a tool to resist the injustice oppressing Black people in America.
We talk about Dr. King.
We celebrate the day every year.
But have you honored his choices with action to match.
I challenge you to stand for something today and forevermore.
I Dare You to Choose Option TWO.
Be yourself and stand for the ideals you believe. Make your work a clear extension of that.
This means saying YES to you and your priority of ideals, and NO, loudly, to everything and everyone who doesn’t champion those ideals.
When it comes to business, it’s all about relationships.
Some free relationship advice:
People like and trust leaders who are honest, straight-shooters.
That means, if they see you online or at an event being one thing, they’ll expect to see you in that same way on the street, at a bar, with other clients too.
The moment you appear to be other than what you put yourself out to be, the moment you lose their respect.
You’ll be seen as ALL talk.
No walk.
That damage is irreparable.
So follow the mantra of the year– Pay Yourself First.
Do right by you, and your unwavering beliefs.
I only want to support the second group.
I have no advice for “playing it safe,” “being mild mannered,” “non-confrontational” or even how to “appease the masses.”
If that’s what you want, please unsubscribe now. (embedded link).
I’m only going to scare and disappoint you moving forward.
Otherwise, stay tuned, because I’m going to start showing you specific ways you that move people with your unique, 1-in-7-billion voice.
Strategies that probably take little effort compared to extra work you’ve been doing to avoid “rocking the boat.”
Time to relax a little and be provocative.
That’s what I call “Relationship Marketing.”
Be well,
Max!
P.S. I’ve shifted my February schedule around a bit, and have two spots available to partner with you. I’m ready to manage your email branding and writing so you too can stand out by being yourself like Dr. King.
He used a podium and a microphone, I’ll help you use email and and your own words that move people just the same.
Sign up for a FREE 15 minutes with me to see if we’re a good fit to help you achieve your goals this winter.