by Ann Evanston | Dec 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
I have two best girlfriends that I adore. We’ve known each other for 30 years. One, who this story is about, is much like me in personality: bold, sassy, strong and loving and always willing to tell it like it is.
Physically though we are very different. She is 6 foot tall with a huge head of curly blond hair.
This year when starting my e-book series Unscripted, she reached out to help find women to write stories. Of course I told her she should write one! As we were talking she shared a very interesting story. She said:
“Ann, I have never told you this so let me finish. This week I took a group of women to see Wonder Woman. They’re all women I’ve worked with over the years on body image (my friend is a fitness coach). I wanted them to see this strong, powerful woman on the big screen. As I watched I could only think about myself and something you have called me all these years.
For 25+ years you have always introduced me as ‘the blonde Amazon.’ I can always hear you saying; ‘meet my girlfriend Erica, the blonde Amazon.’ And I hated it. It took me back to childhood always being the tallest, or ‘biggest’ as it was described, girl in class. I was the giant! I never got upset because I knew you meant it out of love, but deep inside it was always painful when you said it.
Watching the movie I realized what a great complement it actually was. I am tall and strong and powerful. So now I am owning blonde Amazon.“
Several months later I get a text from her and she says you have to see this as you are a huge part of it. She sends me this picture:
I actually had tears well in my eyes! In starting a new business, that is what she chose to name it.
There is nothing more beautiful than fully owning who you are. All of you.
by Ann Evanston | Dec 5, 2017 | Uncategorized
The mindset of receiving feedback is pretty simple: always say thank you. Live with the idea that all feedback, yes even poorly given and critical feedback is a good thing. Then you always say thank you. If you believe that feedback is important for growth and development, then you always say thank you.
It’s simple mindset of demonstrating that you’re open to what someone has to say. The beauty of feedback is just because someone gives it doesn’t mean you have to implement what they shared. That’s your choice after reflection.
When you believe that any feedback is better than no feedback it’s easier to not defend why you did what you did, and just say thank you.
Then you become known as a person who is open and receptive to feedback, you become more influential with others. They feel at ease.
by Ann Evanston | Aug 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
I’m always looking at common characteristics of influential people. One thing that always holds true is that they are “yes people”. Influencers understand that opportunity can come from anywhere. They are open to possibilities, new relationships, and easy wins.
In order to do this they have to think in terms of “how can I make this a yes for everyone involved?”
People who struggle with achieving more of what they want in life often come from a skeptical or “no” approach. They hold the characteristics of distrust. They often say they are just too busy and cannot right now.
Interestingly, when I look at business owners that have hit the seven figure plus benchmark….they are still open to possibilities, conversations in new relationships, and easy wins.
Then let me reinforce this again. They are running seven figure businesses. They are not “too busy.”
So what is your mindset when someone approaches you with a new connection, opportunity, or potential win?
[Tweet “Influential people are open to possibilities, new relationships and easy wins.”]
by Ann Evanston | Jun 11, 2017 | Relationship, Uncategorized
I so enjoy what I do, and my life. I have had a period of eight engagements over about five weeks where I was honored to speak with groups of women about influence, personal power, and self-worth. The greatest compliment I get is how good I am at tapping into each individual and their needs while presenting.
The coolest thing about these dates? All in San Francisco. Yes, “local” for me. That though is not what makes them coolest. It’s the fact that I get to BART (our train/subway system here in the Bay area) with my husband into the city.
Typically I just drop him off at the station, and pick him up at night. These days we chat while waiting for the train, get on and read. This is cool, still not the coolest thing though.
I get off one stop before him. He always gives a kiss and says: “love you babe, have a great day.”
But that’s not the coolest thing.
The coolest thing?
No matter what, when I glance back through the window, he is always looking at me…and he waves. It makes my heart swell every time.
That’s the coolest thing.
[Tweet “what’s the coolest thing about your life?”]
by Ann Evanston | Jun 6, 2017 | Mental Mind Shifts, Self-worth, Uncategorized
Bragging. That word gets such a strong reaction from many women I know. Somehow it has become bad to brag….especially when I speak with women. Ok, ok, I know, the definition of the word doesn’t seem positive. At the same time, the importance of doing what the word is asking of us is very important for our success and career goals.
I was once teaching a women’s conference where participants were asked to share one personal and one professional achievement. Many women struggled, the most common achievement was the same, safe wheel house. My kids, my degree. ( If I asked, could you brag about something not related to your kids or schooling?)
One woman actually said she could not do the activity. When encouraged, she started to cry.
Both are examples of having a negative mindset about self-promotion…..bragging.
It’s time to change our mindset about bragging. Why?
🏼 you cannot assume people know
🏼 you want people to be aware of your achievements and accomplishments
🏼 just putting your head down hoping to be recognized won’t work long term
🏼 by sharing you attract more opportunity and successes in you life and career
[Tweet “Own your accomplishments! Speak up and share.”]
So how can you embrace bragging positively?
- Change the word: proclaim, proud, speak up, sell (oh that one scares you? LOL), publicize, qualify, “own it”!
- Build self-worth: when you speak of yourself confidently, and share, others view you in high regard.
by Ann Evanston | Jun 2, 2017 | Influence Factor, Speaking Strategy, Uncategorized
I think as speakers, our being open to the diversity of style is so important. I started speaking in the 1990s when the majority of speakers were white males, over 50 in blue suits. I was actually TOLD : “if you want to be successful you will wear a suit, with hose, and closed toed shoes. And do something with that hair.”
That’s totally unacceptable. The greatest speakers come from a real space. When I converted to my kick ass high heels, jeans and tank tops on stage everything changed for me. When I wasn’t afraid to let a swear word (or three) slip, greater audience connection happened!
I also remember an NSA phase. Every speaker had an acronym that became their motivational speech, and they all had the same business card design and presentation style.
That becomes inauthentic. If it isn’t you, why do it…audiences saw through it, and it got tired fast. Some speakers are now even afraid to call themselves motivational after that!
[Tweet “If it isn’t you, it becomes inauthentic and others see through it.”]
Our world, especially with our young people, has drastically changed. How they speak, and how certain words can take back power, especially swear words are not dirty anymore. Hell yes!
I am thrilled that I am surrounded with a bunch of open, diverse, dynamic event planners and speakers that embrace all differences and styles. Wow, that’s an amazing place to be! Do you embrace diversity when you see speakers, or have judgement on “what’s professional?”
