Many of you know I attended Tory Johnson’s Spark and Hustle conference in Los Angeles( in cities all over America in 2011). This last week has been a flurry of positive energy, ideas, creativity, opportunity and growth. Ok I did more than attend, I spoke, but I am not one of those speakers to roll in an hour before my presentation and leave as soon as it’s over! (Yes, I posted my presentation on YouTube in 3 parts, thank you Laurie Hurley for recording!) I hang out, network and participate. I learn. Even with my success, I take advantage of EVERY opportunity to LEARN. Then I evaluate what I need to do to make it happen.
There were some huge TAKE A WAYS even for me:
1-I share my personality, but not enough of my story. See, our stories matter, not for pity, for relate-ability.
2-I do not BRAG enough about what I have achieved. Tory herself stood on stage and said we as women need to get over this and shout our success from the mountain top! See, our successes are what often get us the press, the “foot in the door” to the places that help us get to the next level. Being proud of that success is critical. And we can share it in a loving way! HEY, by the WAY, I spoke on Tory Johnson’s, of Good Morning America, Women for Hire, and Spark and Hustles stage! 🙂
3-Like minded people REALLY matter. We need to surround ourselves with people that will push us to the next level! People who will not let us feel sorry for ourselves. People who will remind us we CAN do anything we set our minds to.
These are 3 CRITICAL pieces that we often forget about as business people. Many of you probably need to think about them as well.
Tory closed the 3 days and told EVERY person in the room to get their Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook Business page accounts up this week (boy, did I love hearing that. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel as to WHY you need them) See, later in the week she will send an email to the participants asking for them, and she will share and ask that we support each other by liking, connecting and following back! AWESOMENESS!
Then I thought wow- why are WE not doing that? You are each amazing people, and we could support each other’s goals by liking our business pages, connecting on Facebook, and following each other on Twitter.
So here is the challenge – Become a WarriorPreneur! See, my subscription for my ebooks etc. is – over there on the right? Join. When you do you will receive an email that will share with you how I am supporting your FACEBOOK PAGE and YOU (your Twitter account) on Twitter. I ask that you stay a WarriorPreneur in exchange for what I will do for you.
I am about giving to and BUILDING community – let’s see if we can build it bigger in 2011.
Are you in for this challenge? Let’s find out how many incredible people we can support this way- I’m in! Are you? If you are already participating, what do you think?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I am taking the challenge! I have to agree with you that one huge takeaway was surrounding myself with like-minded people that propel us. Yes – too often we get stuck in rut with others that do challenge us – like you do! Thanks, Rachel
I actually think surrounding yourself with people that challenge you is a GOOD thing, they never get me stuck in a rut. Becasue they are link-mined people that challenge me. Not nay-sayers that don’t care about the same things I do.
oh thanks – I just realized that I forgot a “not” before challenge in speaking about those that we get stuck in a rut with! I fixed it! I meant to say that we get stuck with those that do not challenge us! with you – that is not the case! love your challenging!
I am taking the challenge! I have to agree with you that one huge takeaway was surrounding myself with like-minded people that propel us. Yes – too often we get stuck in rut with others that do challenge us – like you do! Thanks, Rachel
I think it’s such an awesome idea! I’m in as you know – first as always! I think I share my story, I’m learning to brag about my achievements even though it’s not very ‘British’ and I am surrounding myself with like minded people. Learned most of this from you though ;). So exciting that you are doing this.
Louise Edington
Facing Fears For Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
I think it’s such an awesome idea! I’m in as you know – first as always! I think I share my story, I’m learning to brag about my achievements even though it’s not very ‘British’ and I am surrounding myself with like minded people. Learned most of this from you though ;). So exciting that you are doing this.
Louise Edington
Facing Fears For Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
It was an awesome event that sparked my blog, my discussion w/my husband about NOT working for him and lots of other stuff. Being challenged, bragging about my achievements and forging ahead w/confidence was cemented in my brain. I am definitely a Warrior adn look foward to all of us connecting our SoMe for even more support, attainment of knowledge and let’s not forget – some great virtual friendships, too.
I enjoyed reading this, Ann. I have seen and felt a change in the energy around me as I continue to work to surround myself with happy go-getters. There are many nay-sayers in my life – delete, ignore, goodbye! Thanks to you, Ann, for creating a place where I continue to learn!
Ann,
I absolutely loved this post! I keep scrolling back through it to make sure I take each keypoint to heart and follow through. I also joined Warrior-Preneur and am looking forward to reading and learning! I also love love love the idea of supporting each other. Why not share and support? I mean really, there isn’t a single reason. Not doing it is selfish, plain and simple. Let’s build each other up! Woo hoo!
Carrie Hansen
http://www.studio-c-design.blogspot.com
I subscribed to the Warrior Preneur a while ago and enjoy reading the newsletters! There is so much yet I need to learn and need to change my way of thinking about who I am and what I am doing and how I can be of value to others…I love your energy, Ann, and how encouraging and supportive you are — also am amazed, and truly in awe, of all the fantastic women I am meeting through you and Blogger Monday, and now the Warrior Preneur page. It is my goal to put this all together and be able to figure out how I fit in and how I can contribute and grow…a little overwhelming at times, but exciting! I just hope I can keep up!
Ann, you are the best. And you really are a go giver. I love your enthusiasm and your diligence to giving us the best of yourself and your knowledge. I have learned so much and am grateful for all that I have. I am a follower of I think every page you have! Thanks for your on going support.
I have recently come to the conclusion that I will only do business with people that I like and trust. So much of the time we focus on being like and trusted (and that is important) but why don’t we extend that to our clients as well? My circle need not be so large that I let everyone in and my definition of success is tied more to how much I enjoy my day and the people in it than how much money I make. Making money is important but not at the expense of my day, month or god forbid year. Finding like minded people is critical to my success.
Darcie Newton
Discipline for profit, none for jammy zins, triple creme brie or memorable necklaces
http://www.mywealthspa.com
Hi Ann,
I love hearing that you are still taking in the info on top of sharing so much info – awesome 🙂 I also resonate with your take aways, especially when it comes to who we surround ourselves with…so important!!!
Brandy Mychals
Communications Coach
Creator of Split Second Perceptions
You, my friend, are a dynamo of possibility and aligned action! I could rave about how you are a masterful connector, a non-conformist who calls it as you see it, and all that. But here’s the thing I want to respond to from this post:
We (most of us) do not tell our stories in ways that honor us, serve others (as they see themselves reflected or find courage to tell theirs), and create what Malcolm Gladwell refers to as “stickiness.”
When I wrote my book Sacred Truths, the writing was easy, unveiling, fluid, except when it came to telling the reality of My Story. I wrote, rewrote, edited, deleted a lot as the book came together. I cried a lot of tears, stomped around the house, sat in contemplation and found the voice and courage to tell an aspect of my life’s story in a way that truly honors me, the woman who’s lived it; and that (I hear) opens the hearts of readers who see and feel the beauty that lies in them (under the veils.)
Shine on!
Tambra
http://SacredTruthsBook.com
I’ve been participating in the challenge and it’s been fun and exciting! I’ve resisted just liking people’s pages because I knew them and likewise asking them to like my page just because they know me. But why not? Especially if you are the connector, we must be like-minded, right? I think I sometimes do all 3 steps above, but like you, I share my personality more than my story. I do brag in certain areas, but not always – we all need to proclaim our accomplishments. Thanks, Ann.
Pat Zahn, Photo Solutions Superhero
http://www.PatZahn.com
Good post Ann, great info. It’s so true, I have a HUGE problem bragging about myself. I talk about myself a lot (I feel) but I think it’s mostly neutral or whoas me stuff.
I’m up for the challenge, I did it, I want to be a go-giver, of course I already liked you and your page though. 🙂
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com
omg! HOW I NEEDED TO HEAR THESE TODAY!!!
Another great post Ann. I love Tambra’s comment on sharing our stories. We need to share our stories to give us a face. People connect to a face, especially to do business. But throwing our stories out there is not the way to do it. Our stories need to reflect on how they changed and molded us as a person, not as a “poor me” story and not as a “what is”. Talking about what is can get us stuck there, rather than where we are going. But the stories are the foundation of where we are going.
Thanks! (oh lol, I suggested you to talk about your story a couple of years ago!!)
Candace Davenport
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message
I love how you share your take-aways with us and are always open to learning and growing. It’s invaluable to me to have a group of dynamic and inspirational women through Warrier-Preneur and SNCC who cheer me on to the next level. Whenever I see someone else doing something I know without a doubt that I am capable of doing it too in my own way.
I smiled at Louise’s comment about blowing your own horn not being very British but it’s somethiing that can be changed by throwing a switch. I’m now committed to taking every opportunity to do some ‘bragging’ and dust my story down.
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.wordpress.com
Hi Ann,
Thank you for passing along these three powerful suggestions! You’re creating a vibrant, energetic group, and together we’re lifting ourselves by our bootstraps. Thanks for creating those “bootstraps” and helping us learn how to seize them.
Your latest tactic, of everyone “LIKING” and commenting for each other, will surely be adopted widely, but by that time I expect we’ll already be forging ahead with yet a newer tactic. In the meantime, we’ll all be more “findable” in Facebook and Google.
One of your suggestions especially resonates with me: to share my personality and my story. I’ve found that people like to do business with people they like, and this suggestion can do wonders for making us more “likeable”. Most of the people in your group offer a personal service, and who we are, as people, makes ALL the difference to our clients.
For example, the supermarket offers many different packages of bread, and I don’t know any of the people who bake any of them. Right now bread is just a commodity to me, and they’re all the same. But if I ever bought bread, I’m sure I’d be inclined to buy a loaf made by someone I liked, or even knew.
Each of us will benefit from your suggestions, and I’m looking forward to your next. By the way, a few years ago, there was a craze for posting “25 Interesting Things About Me” on their Facebook profiles. I wrote a list and received lots of interesting comments. Couldn’t reviving this practice help us “personalize”?
Robbie
I personally think that thing is too long Robbie! Most people want little bits here and there and filling that out takes time. And we buy our bread from a guy we love at the farmers market…
Thanks, Ann. Makes sense, and I’ll comply. I wrestle with wordiness all the time, and need to become a more ruthless editor. This many words could have made a short blog, I guess, in the format of a letter to you. Right?
I was speaking to the “25 things question” you asked –it’s too long
Ann you lead with grace and inclusiveness I have come to place above all else. Changemakers, like you and Tory, feed our souls.
Women have been hiding behind a veil of politeness for far too long. I am proud to stand tall, next to friends and fellow Warriorpreneurs to wear the badges we have won by blood sweat and tears.
Soon we will hear all our voices lifted in a roar so load, the glass ceilings will shatter!! The walls will tumble.!!! I am ready.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending Lifestyle and Laughter
http://LYShome.com
Fabulous post, Ann! I am especially resonating with the statement about sharing our story. I have been resistant to doing that because I have believed in the past that it is perpetuating the bad things that happened, not realizing that I survived them and they are part of what makes me good at what I do. You have inspired a few blog topics with that point alone! I am all signed up, an have liked as many pages as I have been able to find on your FB page and will continue to let my voice be heard on Twitter, FB and blogs like this.
Thanks again!
Jillian
http://www.jilliansboudoirphotography.com
Magnificent! I’m in for the challenge. I think I’m connect with you everywhere not sure though cause your blowing up so fast I can’t keep up.
Lisa Ann Landry
I’m an exuberant force of light…& empowerment …..come light up your life!
http://www.imagedevelopmentgroup.com/index.html
Ann.. thanks for the reminder about speaking about our stories and our successes. It was such great timing for me to hear about the “personal stories” part. Helped me make a decision about whether or not to include something in an upcoming video! You’re a love… JuliAnn
Wow! I feel your dynamic energy , Ann! Your posts are always great, but this one has am extra Charge!!! Thanks for the reminder- ” be surrounded by like minded people, that push us to the next level”- I sacretely believe in this!
These are very important points. I need to have more personal stories at my fingertips to share.