Encourage Mentors

Business was OK but not particularly exciting. We were generating too few new customers. Our approach was stale. I'd become weary and stuck. But within weeks and without any overt marketing effort, prospective clients I hadn't heard of and to whom we'd never promoted ourselves were lining up for our services.

People I'd never met wanted to join our organisation, make networking suggestions, offer support and encouragement, collaborate on books and projects, and learn from our experience. Former clients I'd not heard of for months or (in some cases) years, decided they needed our skills and services and most surprisingly, services we'd designed but never promoted.

How did this happen and what made it possible . . ?

Lethargy had crept upon me slowly and was connected to the death of a key colleague months earlier. I hadn't realised how difficult his absence was and consequently, how much of a push (push-push-push!) our marketing had become. Too focused on the door just closed, I couldn't see any that might open. Eventually I stopped struggling with it and took a six-week break in which virtually all business marketing efforts were put on hold.

Because I didn't know what else to do, in that time I increased the efforts I put into practices in the "What to do when you don't know what to do" category, many learned from my own mentor over the years: focusing on my personal Bigger Picture, stilling my mind, listening to my heart, nurturing friendships and myself, paying attention to the detail of everyday things around me, and creating space in which I might become aware of and be led to unrealised potential.

Eventually I became very calm, focused and contemplative. I achieved a better work-personal life balance. I slept better, stopped trying to create new ways of gaining business and trusted more often that I'd done enough of that. I doubted myself less and valued my inner wisdom more. I reached out to others (not just clients) who needed support. I began to "shine" again.

At once, (though it took me a day or two to make the connection), my recovered energy was reflected in existing and prospective clients' activities. The most surprising opportunities presented themselves daily. I had the very best ideas without trying; new products, improved services and better strategy were coming out my ears. I was cree-ate-tive!

How does this happen? What's the important lesson? (I've learned it many times before and although I forget it often, its re-discovery is always a joy.) The river never needs pushing! Anxiety about its flow does nothing to increase it. When I try too hard to "make things happen" and become anxious about the possibility that they won't, my creative energy becomes dull and blocked. Somehow, I swear, this is transmitted to unconscious processes in the hearts and minds of my market, and customer interest in my business dwindles.

When instead I focus on my fundamental purpose and on giving service rather than seeking business; on polishing-up my inner self; when I keep my personal energy bright; when I remain open to possibilities I cannot dream of or plan for; when I allow the space for the unknown potential and direction to unfold so that I can learn what life is trying to teach me and lead me towards; when I trust that if I prepare myself in these ways opportunities will then become available . . . they do!

It was another useful reminder that anxiety is fear, which impedes the flow of energy; that fear is the opposite of love; that service is a practical way to give love which brings love and service in return; that I must always start with myself so that I have something to give others; and that trust is an antidote to anxiety.

Need any help to enhance your energy, polish your perspective or your plans? Clarify competencies? Sort out stress? Dust off dreams? Clean windows of opportunity? Probe problems? Habituate helpfulness? Right your relationships? Transform your team?

Try our mentoring services. The answers that can be provided depend on the questions you ask. Start wherever you're at. We'll help you take it from there. Talk to Tom Watkins in the first instance.

"The way you think not only affects your own life,
but others around you - it affects your world.
You have the power to change the world you live in."
David Gau-Ghan

La viva vivida en temor es la viva medio vivida
(A life spent in fear is a life half-lived)
(Spanish Proverb)

Select and contact a Mentor if you'd like to discuss these ideas or want support to make progress with your own issues.

The Lesson of the Year!