Be Gracious, BUT.................

I've been in business for over 35 years, of which 25 have been owning/co-owning several of my own.  I never stop asking questions and I strive to learn all I can.  If I ever think "I got it" I quickly find I have a long way to go!  With this in mind; I decided to share something very valuable I have learned along the way.  I believe it is essential to any successful endeavor!  

When we meet someone for the first time remember these two things; it's always a "two-way street” and "I have an opportunity to learn something".  If we don't see it that way, then we must believe we have nothing to offer....... Now that comes off like desperation and often is.  Let me tell you; desperation is not attractive to anyone!  I've done it myself and I have witnessed this many times lately when making introductions for others.

It doesn't matter if the person is a prospective customer, a vendor or someone you meet in your personal life. Any potential relationship has value and should be mutually beneficial. If we pay attention; we will learn something from EVERYONE who crosses our path. It may be for an hour, a day, a year or a lifetime; every encounter reaps what you sow. 

How we "perceive ourselves" will determine what we take away from the meeting, or more importantly, what the other person takes away from you. Do we show true interest in the other person, do we listen, do we ask questions and do we exude confidence in our answers or the conversation in general?  On the other-hand, do we exude "quite" desperation?  If you believe the person you are meeting is more valuable than you, that you just “HAVE” to make a connection; you are sure to come off as "desperate" as you feel.  This will inadvertently cause you to be distracted, fail to hear anything and constantly over-analyze everything you say. If that happens, people will see it and feel it.  This will almost surely quench any potential relationship and stop it "dead in its tracks".  

If all of that is going on in your head than you certainly will miss the second part; "the opportunity to learn something from the exchange"!  If we have all that garbage floating around in our head how can we pay attention?  And if somehow we were listening, if possible; we end up thinking "this doesn't apply to me" or "he/she doesn't know what they're talking about".  Now the tragedy becomes two-fold; we also learned nothing!  Therefore we come to the conclusion; what was the point in meeting at all?  This infamous saying bears repeating: "We have only one chance to make a first impression"! 

On the other hand, If we believe everyone has something valuable to offer, including myself; we, and they, may come away with only 3 words that sink in and turn a light on in our spirit........ You never know; those 3 words could change your life! 

We only have one life...... Make it count, make a difference!