by Ann Evanston | Aug 8, 2017 | Mental Mind Shifts
How often do you ask yourself: “what do I believe?” Do you tend to take for granted that you know what you believe? Are you running under an assumption that your values and beliefs systems are heightened in everything that you do?
I think that when we don’t consciously connect with what we believe we can fall into traps, or unhealthy patterns, or bad habits, and hidden beliefs. For example,
🏼If you wake up extremely tired after a bad night sleep, do you ask yourself: “what do I believe about my situation right now?”
🏼If you need to start a new project do you ask yourself: “what do I believe about achieving my result?”
🏼If you’re having some troubles in your relationship, Do you ask yourself: “What do I believe that will create success with the person I love?”
I could give more examples, the point is you have to connect energetically to what you really want. If they are negative, rethink to positive, connect to your values, change the negative thinking. What do you believe? Right now? About what you are planning? Without that conscious connection your subconscious mind, and all habitual patterns of behavior will continue, and you will get what you’ve always got.
So several times a day, pause, ask: “What is my goal or intention right now?”
[Tweet “Consciously connect by asking several times a day: “what are my beliefs in this moment.””]
by Ann Evanston | Aug 4, 2017 | Influence Factor, Speaking Strategy
I love telling stories and teaching others how to be great storytellers. It is an outstanding way to become more influential. Stories make us think and feel. Stories place us into soul and out of our ego.
Storytellers are relate-able and like-able. Storytellers inspire and influence. Storytellers our leaders. And storytellers know how to move people, create change, and make a lasting impact.
There is a simple 4 part method I teach for writing the kind of story that does that for those for listening, or read it…the audience. Because ultimately telling a story is about them….not you. This will support you in crafting that.
Here it is:
1-What do you want them to know. This is basically the situation. What is important is the right amount of detail to create a sensory experience. Too often new storytellers give WAY TO MUCH DETAIL. Detail that doesn’t create a sensory experience. Sensory experiences allow the audience to see their lives, or someone they know in the story.
You want your details to connect to our senses: what is the scene? Can we smell or taste anything? Is there something about the space that creates energy, positive or negative? Are there others involved? Are you doing something we need to understand high level context?
2-What do you want them to feel? Inspirational stories connect us emotionally…positive and negative. Without knowing how you want the audience to feel, you will continue to give more detail of your experience versus creating emotional vulnerability.
3-What do you want them to believe? Belief is about connecting the audience to the deeper meaning of telling your story. Are your values in question? Is there a struggle we can consider? What is your internal dialogue? Are there choices you are debating?
4-What is the point? Ultimately, for a story to inspire and motivate, to heal and transform, there must be a relate-able “wrap up.” What was your lesson? What do you want them to know? What can others do if they understand and empathize? How can they grow as a result of your story.
[Tweet “Influential people learn the craft of telling powerful stories!”]
When you get ready to prepare a story, think about these four things. Possibly even journal on them. These method could go in order, more often they are woven throughout the story. Start practicing this as you speak and write stories and you will see how others are moved and inspired!
by Ann Evanston | Aug 1, 2017 | Warrior Spirit
A great friend and colleague, Jennifer Urezzio, runs a Facebook group called “Spiritual Renegades”, and she recently asked us what that phrase meant to us. Here is my response:
I am a spiritual renegade first and foremost because my soul, my heart, my connection to deeper meaning guides me always. No one, or thing, or institute can tell me what is “right for me”. I am also a spiritual renegade because I DO NOT like being told what do to or HOW to do it! (lol ) Even when I take a class and the leader says: “close your eyes and breathe” …..well if you are a spiritual renegade you KNOW my first thought! “Hell no! I will not close my eyes and breathe!!!!” hmmmmm…
See spiritual renegades, what I have called Warrior-Preneurs, have a spark of individuality and rebellion. It takes great courage to be one. It takes deep love and respect for others who are not. It requires strong self worth. It needs the power of patience.
[Tweet “Individuality and Rebellion are characteristics of Warrior-Preneur!”]
Spiritual Renegades have often always been rule breakers (or benders….) even when little. They have always known they were different. And they have worked on themselves to keep that spirit alive in them. Hats off to you!
by Ann Evanston | Jul 31, 2017 | Business Strategy, Relationship
Last month I shared with you that I have started “Champion Salons.” A Champion Salon is an amazing way for you to expose your business to the power of giving to others. In networking and relationship building, we often forget that it’s more about how you give rather than what you get. The Law of Reciprocity is the practice of give first, and within giving, reciprocation happens for you. Champion Salons practice that model, and also allows you to gain exposure for your business in new ways.
[Tweet “As entrepreneurs, practice yes and watch the opportunities increase!”]
One of the most important things to participating in a Champion Salon is coming without any judgement. This means you will have greater exposure if you:
🏼 share without worrying if it’s a “right fit” or not
🏼 let go of perceptions that your list or connections care or not
🏼 don’t worry if your network can afford it or not
🏼 remove mindsets that you don’t have a strong enough network
🏼 end thinking there isn’t enough to go around
🏼 resist thinking you don’t have time
🏼 honor that you want support and can ask for what you need
I find for many entrepreneurs this isn’t easy. In my Champion Salons we work to break though and achieve that together. We inspire yes. We motivation visibility. We increase potential for everyone involved. Ready to play?
by Ann Evanston | Jul 30, 2017 | Relationship
I never eat barbecue potato chips. I never buy barbecue potato chips, if I’m at a get together or somebody else’s house and there’s a bowl of barbecue potato chips out I never eat them.
I pretty much have convinced myself that I don’t really like barbecue potato chips. Why put something in my mouth that I don’t like? I like barbecue, I make great barbecued spareribs, it just must be the barbecue potato chip that’s the problem.
For a new recipe I wanted to try, I had to buy some barbecue potato chips. Of course, I didn’t need the whole bag for the recipe. For some damn reason I put one chip in my mouth. Now I know why never eat barbecue potato chips! I LOVE them. OMG. I. Can’t. Eat. Just. One.
Now I know, I don’t hate them. They just have too much power over me!
That’s when a relationship is unhealthy.
