While in graduate school, I studied archetypes, and found them fascinating. In my business I even developed my own Warrior types. I recently went through an experience to re-connect with my own personal archetype. Here is what came out front:
Many assume that I am not a mother. I am a mom. I understand the power of life swelling inside me. But that is not what makes me a mom. I am a mom because I have supported and helped countless women find their voice, their dream, their life for them. I have stood by and championed them when no one else would.
I have created discipline and structure when they really didn’t want it. I have been a voice for them when no one else was a voice for them. I have taught women how to be the best women they can be. I know I am sometimes the woman she hates! I am the one that often says the things and does the things that most embarrassed her or pushed her towards the greatness that I know she had – even when she wasn’t ready.
I often find myself on the sidelines cheering them on celebrating and clapping and doing it silently because they are embarrassed when I jump in too much.
I have felt the pain and the loss when a she no longer wants that support. When they feel that they can do it themselves even though I know they need more time.
I have felt the ever deepening joy that comes from watching her walk into her life and ready to make choices and to grow and be the best woman she can be, all the while feeling deeply sad that she no longer needs me. I know what it means to be so proud overwhelming with pride and success of someone I have nurtured for time.
I know the power purpose and passion that has been given to me. I know that my calling is mother hood.
Studying your archetype can bring clarity to your purpose and Influence Factor. What is your archetype?
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 was moved by Steelo’s story, last night while watching Dancing with the Stars. If you missed it, take a peek here:
What makes someone give up? Was their heart never really in it to begin with? Was it never really their passion? If Steelo’s story was yours would you fight like he has to do what you are doing now?
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 moving through a new phase in completing my book, The Influence Factor: the editing phase. Yes, I have an editor, but I STILL have to review notes and changes and approve them or rewrite. It is a tedious process, that is for sure!
As I was going through a chapter today, I reread a section where I share that becoming a copycat won’t create your influential voice. This is counter intuitive to what many teach us. “Don’t reinvent the wheel.” “Find someone in your field that does it well, and do what they do.”
I am sure many of you have seen it:
1-a new manager that starts to look and sound like another leader in the organization
2-a speaker that shares the same points as one they admire
3-a teenage girl trying to be like the “popular” girl
4-a customer service rep that is so scripted they cannot hear what your need is
I could go on and on.
Reality is this. Copying works short term. Originality works long term. Copying is easy, originality takes more work. When you step into the real YOU, you step into your ability to share your influential voice. Your originality. Your view of the world. I get it. People copy because they don’t know HOW to be their best selves. Some would say the world teaches us how to copy. Interesting.
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!”
When I speak, I often ask about good networking versus bad networking habits. I beleive in networking, I am actually really shy, I mean really! Going to a networking event and putting myself out there with people I don’t know is scary! Today, while networking, I took the leap and joined a group of people. It was a bit safe because the leader of the group had already said two of us needed to meet. As I listened to the conversation about netwroking, I asked several questions and listened, before ever sharing what I thought. After doing so, I said: “for me networking is really about finding the place I can create relationships, versus generate a lead. Isn’t it for you?”
One woman in the group said: ” well you are jumping into this conversation a bit late.”
What would you do in this situation?
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 finished my book today! Well, the manuscript! It’s off to the publisher for the next phase of analyzing, fine-tuning, and perfecting those words on paper. Some of you have been with me on this journey of writing. Last fall I started a personal 30 day writing challenge. I wrote every morning for 30 minutes whether I wanted to or not! That writing led to the self-discovery of why I have not published my own book yet.
Yes, I know there will be critics of my book. Of all kinds. Some would say the first level of critic will start in this next phase with the publisher. My guess? Critics will be everywhere, heck they always are huh?
I am publishing with a company called Our Little Books. I am confident some will say I didn’t not write a REAL book! So what if it’s only 8000 words! It’s thoughtful, provocative, and something that I have talked and believed in from many, many years of my work.
This book for me will lead to a series of books. It has allowed me to take my formula, clearly define what I do by writing this first book, and apply it to other situations in the world. As a matter of fact, I am already using it while I speak again (Did “The Influence Factor in Social Media” last week- rav reviews! That will be one of the future books for sure!). This is helping me help my clients like I used to in the old days! I truly owe that to this process. I cannot say enough about the 30 day writing challenge. Now this idea came from Dan Kennedy who writes every day for an hour. I continuously meet and work with clients in my one on ones, who struggle with getting content out. If they would just write for 30 minutes a day, I think they’d be blown away. Honestly, without that, I am not sure I’d be saying I wrote a book.
I believe they would find the power of their voice. They would discover that they have quality content to post in social media regularly. They would realize how influential they are when they just get down and write from their heart. They would develop the Influence Factor, and increase success in so many ways. Every person I interviewed for my book writes regularly! Now doesn’t that say something about how to create influence in your life? It definitely worked for me! Now it’s time to go celebrate that manuscript.
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 wrote a blog about Influence and quoted Chris Brogran and stumbled upon it today. As I read it I realized I recently learned this lesson the hard way.
Brian Tracy talks about the “Law of Unintended Consequences.” As a coach leading other coaches I completely backed away from all my own networking. My intention, my goal in doing so, was to allow them to step into the light, to grow and be seen. I truly thought I was doing something good. But my unintended consequence was that I was no longer relevant, my tribe thought I no longer cared. I failed to stay present.
By failing to stay present, to meet new people to introduce to my tribe, I also lost my Influence Factor. This is a devastating reality for someone who does it so naturally. I am committed to, and working hard to get it back. I will never make this mistake again.
What am I doing to remain present and relevant?
1- I joined networking group, and have been consistently committed to showing up EVERY week since, Jan 1st. I do this regardless of my schedule, how much I need to get done, and how overwhelmed I might feel.
2- I have also committed to one in person meeting for an hour with 1 to 3 people every week that are new to my circle and life. My goal is to build relationship, and truly listen.
3- I am setting a minimum of 2 30 minute 1:1 phone calls a week with someone I have “met” recently in person, or online.
4- I am reconnecting with my tribe, participating in their lives and successes, and sharing in their celebrations.
Chris Brogan’s quote is a powerful one, one I will never forget. One I will be sure to balance with serving others and taking care of myself. I don’t care what you do as a career, this ability to know people, to build your network is critical to having influence. SOME selfishness is critical, because it strengthens what you have to give. Without it, who will you influence? Yourself?
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!”
