How a Random LinkedIn Connection Altered My Life

It was April 24th, 2020, when I connected with Dale Goldstein. In all honesty, Dale was just a random LinkedIn connection that I made as part of my strategy to search for like-minded people to add to my community. On any given day, I make 8-10 new LinkedIn connections.  But this one was different.

After receiving my standard introduction message through LinkedIn InMail, Dale replied with an interesting proposal. Here is the message I received:

Hi Lori,

Thanks for contacting me. Here’s what I do: www.awakentheheart.org. Might you be interested in doing a trade?

Blessings,

?Dale

Let’s stop here for a moment. I want you to ask yourself honestly. If you received a message like this on LinkedIn, how would you respond? Would you entertain the idea? Ignore it? Politely decline?

I have about as much time as any other busy business owner, but I approached Dale’s message with curiosity, but more importantly, a servant attitude. This guy needed my help. I had no idea what he wanted from me, or what his idea of “doing a trade” looked like for him. But I cared enough to find out.

So I replied to Dale and said, “What would you envision that trade looking like?”

To this, he responded with, “Well, you would help me with my business, which I am clueless about, and I would help you move through whatever barriers you may have to getting what you really, REALLY want (what is that?). Dale”

As I revisit this initial exchange with Dale, tears come to my eyes. Had I ignored Dale, or made excuses as to why I was too busy to help him, I would not have received the life-altering gift I did.

Dale and I scheduled our initial Zoom meeting. Due to technical challenges, it took us three times to finally connect. Dale showed up with a smile and energy that warmed my heart immediately. The best word to describe Dale is “zen” – a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort.

We spent 30 minutes getting to know one another and sharing our life and business stories. I was fascinated by Dale and his accomplishments. During our call, Dale told me that he would send me a copy of his book “Heartwork – How to Get What You Really, Really Want.” But here was the caveat. Dale made me promise him that I would read the book. I’m an honest person. I told Dale that it is not uncommon for me to start a book, read one-third to one-half, and then move onto another book. He decided to gift me with his book anyway. In addition, Dale and I agreed that he would provide me with one of his “heartwork” sessions in exchange for my marketing and business strategy advice. Sounded like a good deal to me.

Dale and I scheduled my “heartwork” session for the following week and I continued on with normal life. A few days later a box arrived. I immediately remembered the book Dale was sending me. I was expecting a regular paperback book. What I received took my breath away. Dale’s book was a full-color hardback book with the most beautiful photos. Now I fully understood why he wanted me to promise him to read it. And I fully intend to.

A week passed and I spent a lot of time contemplating what I “really, really wanted.” I knew it wasn’t material things, business growth, or any of the normal things people think they want. What I thought I wanted was a better relationship with my teenage son, as he transitioned out of the nest into college. That is the mindset I had when I showed up for my “heartwork” session. I was nervous but courageous and willing to do the work to get what I want.

We chatted on the surface so Dale had some context for what I was struggling with. Then the magic happened. Dale took me on a deep journey into my heart. We opened up the pain, the loss, the desire, and most importantly the love. I cried and cried until I reached a place of peace. The visualization exercises he performed with me made a profound impact on my heart and life. It was the catalyst for the change I needed. Words cannot describe this “heartwork” session – words come from the mind. And this change came from deep inside my soul.

Of course, I returned the favor to Dale in the only way I knew how – through my business knowledge and experience. But for me, nothing I give can compare to the life-altering gifts he has given me. I have continued to read Dale’s book and dive deeper into my soul’s work. Through his book and another “heartwork” session with Dale, I have learned what I really, really want is “self-forgiveness and self-love.” As I birth my lastborn into this world, I want to know that I did my very best to be the mother he needed. I want to forgive myself for the mistakes I made and love myself for all my gifts and flaws.

So you might be wondering after reading this long story, what does any of this have to do with your business or marketing? 

There are two morals to this story:

1. Treat every connection you make with kindness, respect, and curiosity. We are all human beings out here doing our best to grow our business and connect with people who need and want our services. You ever know. You could run into a life-altering connection yourself. Or maybe you will be exactly what someone else needs.
2. If you are running a heart-centered business, then your business is your soul’s work. And if you don’t clean house on your own soul, then how can you be your best for people who need you? Life is all about healing our heart and soul so we can be the best versions of ourselves.

Lori Young is the founder of Amazing OBM, a boutique content marketing agency serving heart-centered entrepreneurs. We help coaches, healers, spiritual gurus, and personal transformation experts grow their business by spreading their expertise in the world.