Giving Myself An "F"

Continuing on my path down memory lane when starting my business, I was reminded today of another thing that I wish I had learned sooner. 

In the early stages of the business, I was focused on trying to help others understand what I had to offer. 

I worked on lots of tag lines. 

I went to tons of events and presented elevator pitches. 

I made sure to explain in detail all of the things I had done prior to starting my business to show how much I had already done. 

And.... 

None of it really mattered to anyone I met. 

In some cases, I would get a polite smile or nod and in others, I'd get the brush off. 

In fact, the more I kept trying to tell people about my value, the more they would question it. 

Then one day, I discovered something that turned it all around. 

Not only did doing this one thing change how my business was perceived, but it strengthened all of my relationships and made me much better at giving and getting referrals. 

So what did I do? 

I gave myself an "F" 

I stopped trying to explain to people what I did and instead started explaining what I did FOR others. 

I changed all of my language to be about how I helped others achieve their goals and in a very short time, I started reaching my own goals. 

I stopped asking people to explain what they did when it came to referring business for them and started asking them to explain to me what they did FOR their clients. 

Adding that "F" has been one of the best things I have ever done. 

These days, I use this concept all the time with clients when it comes to being more referable. 

Because it really doesn't matter what you do (sorry) it matters what you do FOR your clients. 

Over to you? 

Have you given yourself an "F"? 

It may just be the best way to move to the head of the class. 

Excelsior! 

P.S. I write a daily email that teaches you how to make your brand referable, your messages memorable, and your ideas unforgettable. Want it? Go HERE