SERVING YOUR TRIBE
Hey everyone, I hope you’re having a great day and doing what makes you happy.
You know, sometimes we forget that living a life we love is the most important thing. I forget it too sometimes.
Recently, after a training I conducted, a young woman approached me. She said, “Dan, this was the best training I’ve ever been to. You did an awesome job connecting with everyone in the room, especially me. Usually, as a young woman in a room full of guys during training, I feel out of place. But today, I felt like I truly belonged here. Thank you!”
So, what’s your response?
Just a simple “thanks”?
After a bit of an awkward silence, I could tell she didn’t just come to say that. There was more to it. So, I asked her why she attended the training.
She gave the usual answer: “My boss made me. Lol.”
After some more casual chat, she was still there, so I kept asking. Finally, she started opening up.
“Dan, you know I work in an industry full of guys, and sometimes, being a young woman, I feel a bit out of place. Do you have any suggestions that might help me feel more comfortable?”
I sure do!
As a leader in our industry, our team consists mostly of women, and I must say, they are all fantastic. We all work hard.
If someone isn’t doing their fair share, they will realize it quickly. They need to step up or find another path. But I’ll save that for another article post.
The advice I gave her is something I learned a few years ago and wished someone had told me when I was 22.
I told her that, in today’s world, your gender doesn’t decide what you can achieve in any position. Maybe it mattered a lot in the early 1900s, but not anymore.
The only thing stopping you from being super successful is your mindset.
I thought she might give me a look or roll her eyes, like most people do when I give a simple answer.
But instead, she stopped for a moment, thinking about what I said. She replied, “That’s so true. I haven’t spoken up for myself. To be completely honest, I don’t have any clear goals in my life to guide me.”
We talked a bit more, and I learned more about her situation. I enjoy doing this because it lets me understand all the details.
Everyone faces situations that make them doubt or feel uncertain.
After a bit, she wondered if I had any tips on changing her mindset and moving ahead.
I suggested a couple of life-changing books that had a huge impact on me, such as Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” and, of course, Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
Before she left, I asked her about her dreams and where she saw herself going. In simpler terms, I wanted to know her goals and what she felt her purpose in life was.
She replied, “I don’t know.”
So…
We went through a simple process for setting small goals that I often use.
By the end, she felt like a completely different person and had a fresh perspective on where she wanted to go.
Setting goals, as Napoleon Hill puts it, gives us a clear sense of purpose. When we have a purpose, figuring out the path becomes a lot easier.
Here’s how I told her: Imagine you hop into a car and start driving without knowing where you want to go. You might be moving, but if it’s in the wrong direction and you realize it after two days, you could end up farther from your destination than if you had stayed put.
Does that make sense?
As leaders, our role is to assist others in discovering their purpose and passion.
Not ours, but theirs!
As a leader, do you encourage others to improve, even if it’s not personally beneficial for you?
I’m really thankful she stepped out of her comfort zone to talk with me. That’s why I always stick around after every live event, making sure I’m available to everyone who attended.
You never know who God might connect you with or how you could support them!
An update on Jill (not her real name): We talked again recently after she read both books, and she shared the goals she set for herself.
Now that she has a clear destination, I motivated her to make tough choices that will lead her to that final goal.
I also urged her to dream bigger! Many times, we don’t think as big as God’s plans for us.
God doesn’t pick those who are already qualified; He makes those He calls qualified. We all have a calling, but it’s up to us whether we accept the task and take action or stay on the sidelines.
I’m happy to share that we are in talks to have her join the Eclipse DOT team! I’m thrilled at the prospect of welcoming her into the Eclipse family!
But the decision is hers!
Just like the decision to change your life, it is yours! Will you make the change and get in the game, or will you sit on the bench, waiting for someone to tell you to get in?
Take that chance and get out there.
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