3 Keys To Be More Effective Working With People

Recently I had the privilege of reconnecting with a friend whom I first met in grade school. She’s had quite a journey since we were last in touch, and now coaches high-level executives, CEOs, and other prominent figures in business, healthcare, politics, and the arts.

As we caught up on our lives and what each other has been doing, I had the chance to interview her a bit more about her work, and I was deeply impacted by both what she said, and what I felt as she said it.

Here are 3 of the lessons I learned from her that can assist us all in advancing our business and our lives as we interact with others:

Go For It

Get the “ask”

1) Life is short — so go for it. Get the “ask”. Whether it’s inviting someone to share a project or vision, to coach you or be coached by you, to partner with you, or simply to try something, my friend said she’s learned that “if I don’t ask, nothing is going to happen. I might as well swing for the fences; at worst I may eventually have to pick up the bat.”

Be intentional

2) I noticed that she is very intentional. In her case, prayerfully so. She prays before contacting someone, and when she notices someone who’s work or contribution she appreciates, she’s very intentional about reaching out to them, letting them know how much she appreciates their work, and then taking that additional step to say “I would love to coach you.”

Sound a bit forward?

What was intriguing was her genuine appreciation for people and her genuine confidence that she could add value.

And rather than worrying what they’d think, or being caught up in conflicting feelings about wanting something from someone or trying to get someone to do something, she was completely focused on her appreciation for them and her desire — and competence — to serve and contribute value to them and their work.

How could this be applied even if you’re not a coach?

Perhaps you have something that could teach people how to do something better, or a product you market that could improve their lives.

Yet you, like most of us at one point or another, may still feel a little awkward because if they chose your program or your solution, you would be receiving something in return.

What if you could become so comfortable, so confident, and so appreciative like my friend that you had no problem letting people know you had something that could serve them, and that you would love to connect them, open a possibility for them, or serve them with what you had to offer?

Now before you say, “I’m just not like that” — my friend wasn’t that way initially, either.

She learned.

She grew.

She cultivated her mindset and her skills, and I’m glad she shared
them so openly with me the other day.

My clients can tell I love them

3) Here’s the final point — it builds on the other two. My friend said, “My clients can tell I love them.”

She has a genuine desire to see these high-profile people — people that many of us might feel intimidated by — have the support they need to function and serve at their best, and her genuine love for people comes across, especially since it’s not “muddled” by her worrying about what they might think.

So there you have it.

Three powerful insights I both learned and felt in talking with my friend about her work.

Chew on these a bit, and ask yourself, how can you apply them to your own life and work with people?

Can people feel your confidence, your appreciation for them, and your genuine desire to serve them?

Let me know any questions or insights this triggers in you — I’d love to hear your comments and feedback below!

Here’s to creating a life you love!

Ben

What’s On Your “Intention List” Today?

Today I have two questions for you that can significantly impact your effectiveness and enjoyment of today as you create a life you love:

1) What’s on your “intention list” today?

By “intention list”, I’m actually referring to something different from your “to do list”. Your “to do list” may include all kinds of tasks, major and minor, that you have on your list to get done, but your “intention list” refers to the “big things”, the most important things that you want to sow in your business, your health, your relationships, your life today to have a fulfilling day and move your life forward.

Perhaps it’s a blog post or video you want to create, 3 new connections or appointments you want to set, or a key meeting or presentation you have today.

On a personal note, it may be a walk or connection time with a loved one — your spouse, partner, son, or daughter; dinner together as a family; or reading to your kids before bed.

What are the few “big things” that you really want to sow today to create a fulfilling day?

Put these on your “intention list” — and ideally set a time or at least a segment of your day when you plan to carry out each intention.

You can always adjust as you go through your day, but it will make a big difference to be clear on your intentions and have an initial plan for when you’ll accomplish them.

Otherwise you have more of a “wish list” than an “intention list”. 🙂

Next to assist you with choosing what to put on your “intention list”, here’s the second question:

2) What would be “enough”?

See yourself at the end of today — looking back on today, what key actions, accomplishments, or experiences — what key sowing — would actually be “enough” and feel good when you reach the end of your day?

This is key from two perspectives: first, it helps you clarify what really is important to you today and second, it helps you decide ahead of time what would be “enough” so you can actually feel good as you navigate your day and particularly when you wrap up your day tonight.

Otherwise we have a tendency to just keep going from task to taskt to task, always having more to do, and never feeling at peace.

So practice these two questions today:

1) What’s on your “intention list” today?

and

2) What would be “enough” so you could feel happy and fulfilled at the end of your day?

Feel free to share one or more of your answers in the comments below, and here’s to creating today as the next step in creating a life you love!

Ben

Are You Being Challenged To Change?

Last night I attended a Louisville Bowspring class, and got to chat with the instructor a few minutes afterward. She’s someone who’s taught yoga for years and had quite a following locally, yet when she started following her intuition and introducing ideas and practices that her students and community weren’t used to, they started to look at her differently and withdraw.

She then faced a challenge — whether to pioneer forward into the “uncertain territory” she felt drawn to, or to remain with the practice and accolades she currently enjoyed.

Which would you choose?

Fortunately for the new community which has sprung up around her and greatly benefited, and for her spirit which clearly now loves the direction she’s heading, she chose to pioneer and step forward into the “unknown”.

Change can be challenging because it does bring us into new territory, and sometimes those around us don’t understand and feel threatened or frightened by the change they see in us.

Nevertheless, as we step forward with courage and trust into the unknown, we can become part of creating something wonderfully new.

Are you being challenged to change?

Would love to hear your own insights and experiences in the comments below!

P.S. Want further encouragement and an example of how I myself navigated change that involved my very identity as a physician? You may enjoy reading: Is Your Identity Holding You Back?

How To Invite When You’re Not Yet “At The Top” Yourself

Here’s a key tip for those of you expanding a home business or marketing online, and particularly those of you in a networking business where you invite people to partner with you. The question is, how do you invite people to join you when you’re not “at the top” yet yourself?

Two words: vision and commitment, and a”Climbing Mt Everest” example that’s greatly assisted me.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you’re currently looking to expand and play a bigger game yourself, come explore a possibility with us. We look forward to meeting you!

Fun Video Montage from Paris

Ben Paris Leader75

For those of you who might enjoy this “personal” glimpse of a business from home that can expand internationally, here’s a video montage I put together from my first trip to Paris & Lyon a few years ago, experiencing the gift of a business that opens up connections with people we might otherwise have never known, with wonderful places and experiences and the ability to touch many lives…and be touched by them.

This is the kind of fun, freedom, and experience I’m passionate to assist you to create as well.

Enjoy!

P.S. Ready to explore what’s possible for you in a business from home? Hop over to Work With Ben — see you there!

How To Create Your Future — “Future Letter” Exercise

Are you seeking to create another level of excellence, achievement, business growth, or other “results” in the coming year?

Here’s an intriguing exercise I discovered in the Zanders’ book The Art of Possibility that I applied to the business arena — and the experience was very profound and personal. It’s a whole new way to look at goal-setting for the coming year, and can complement the more “traditional” methods, bringing your whole being, and who you want to become, into play.

Those I’ve shared this “future letter” exercise with have found it inspired them to write their own letter. So now I’m sharing this intriguing exercise with you.

Enjoy creating your own future, and who you’re choosing to become this year, and feel free to share your own experiences, results, or a link to your own video in the comments below.

I look forward to hearing from you!

P.S.  Looking to build your own future with a business you can begin part-time from home? Hop on over to Work With Ben

How To Get Your Subconscious to Work For You

Want a quick tip for getting more done with less effort? Here’s a bonus that’s had a profound impact in my own life and could make a key difference for you. This is a fun way to get your subconscious mind to work for you so you can manifest with more ease and with less dependence on raw willpower.

Try it today — and let me know your own experiences in the comments below.

Enjoy!

How Do Others Feel After They Interact With You?

Here’s a tribute to a key mentor and something very special I observed and learned from him that we can all put into practice to bless others, surround ourselves with possibility, and create a life we love.

Whether you’re working with patients, clients or customers, business partners, family, ministry partners, a home business, or any other arena where you interact with people, here’s a key question to ask:

How do others feel after they interact with you?

May Mayer’s example be an inspiration to us all.

P.S. Is there someone in your life who’s been an example and inspiration to you? Feel free to share your own stories and tributes in the comments below. If you’ve created your own video tribute, would love to see it!

Goals Day 9 — Until…

Today we wrap up this daily series on Goals, or How To Create What You Want With More Ease, with Day 9 — Cultivating the trait of “Until…” This one trait builds powerfully on all the ones that have come before.

To your success!

Ben

P.S. Are you in transition or looking to expand your income or your life in new ways? Explore Work With Ben

Goals Day 8 Two Traits to Cultivate For Long-Term Success

Continuing our daily series on Goals, or How To Manifest What You Want With More Ease This Year, here’s Day 8: Two key traits to cultivate for long-term success.

Enjoy!