I'm continually attending conferences to improve my business game. As a professional marketer and sales consultant, I've had my share of horrible conference experiences; moments where I'd rather be getting a root canal then listening to the speaker. Today's speaker, Jason Crittenden, was not in this category (thankfully).
Instead the conference room was filled with eager entrepreneurs who needed what Jason had--knowledge. We scribbled notes, jotted down one-liners, grasped at business tips, begged for insider information, and, in the end, left with a little pep in our step and hope for a better tomorrow.
I left with a spiral notebook filled with a lengthy to-do list of marketing and sales strategies and ideas, but, this isn't what I wanted to share with you. I wanted to share with you the brief moments of insight I gained as a student, not in business, but in life.
1. Stop Stopping
Jason explained that he often tells his family this saying--stop stopping. It's an easy concept to hear, but not so easy to implement. It's about not giving up after the first failed attempt or the hundredth or the thousandth; you keep moving forward, you don't give up. Stop stopping in its simplicity is actually quite profound. Keep pushing towards your goals.2. Grace isn't something you think about until you need it.
Being a little kinder and gentler to people is necessary, especially right now. Give people a little grace in their imperfections. In your haste to grow your business, or be a mom, or run the committee, or manage the team, you must remember to give grace, because one day it will be you on the other side of the table.3. Your Truth Belongs to You
Jason spoke of a some advice he received from a revered business leader that didn't sit well with him. He decided that just because that truth belonged to this man, it didn't have to be his truth. This spoke to me in volumes, as it should, I hope, to you as well. You are unique and just because someone else says it can't be done or you can't do it or it has never been done before, doesn't mean that's your truth. Powerful.4. Remember People's Birthdays
This little nugget of advice is perfect in business, but it also filters into our everyday life. It doesn't take much effort to wish people a happy birthday, but maybe, take the time to go one step further. Think outside the box. I loved this advice today, and, although it was meant as a business strategy, I really could appreciate its usefulness in my day-to-day life. Make people feel special.5. Be the Light
I've talked about this numerous times in my blog and my Instagram posts, but it was refreshing to hear someone else use this quip: Be the light. Life can be a troubling sea of problems for some, being a light through the darkness can make all the difference. There is enough negative energy in the world, but there can never be enough kindness. Choose to be better. Choose to be kinder. Choose to be the light.
