skyeadvisory

In life, sometimes, you have to ‘fake it until you make it’ because PERCEPTION IS REALITY.

A conversation we think will be heavy and hard, turns out to be light and easy [and vice versa].

Someone makes a big deal out of what we think is a small issue.

Breakdowns happen.

It’s HOW we handle them that ultimately defines us — and informs other people’s perceptions of us.

One of my personal favorite mottos is — “who we are in the face of adversity is what defines us”. 🚀

It’s true.

Life [and business] can be REALLY HARD.

And when it is, it’s always an OPPORTUNITY to pause and ask ourselves, “Who am I showing up as right now? How can I share the version of myself that I most want other people to see?”. [and save the messy stuff for my confidants, mentors and friends].

Reflect on these two questions.

And then go BE IN ACTION.

Because perception IS reality. ☀️

You’re judging me right now and I’m judging you too. It’s not malicious. It’s human nature. ✨

Whether we like it or not, we are constantly being judged - and we are judging others.

In the business world and when we’re networking, much like dating, we determine whether we even LIKE someone within the first 5 minutes of meeting them.

If we LIKE them, we begin to assess the extent to which we feel we’ll come to KNOW - and TRUST - them… and therefore what caliper of client/contact we feel comfortable to refer to them.

Bottom line: we refer business to people who we KNOW, LIKE and TRUST.

Hot Tip: To build trust, consider these basic points…

- Was I on time to our 1st meeting?
- If I was running late, did I communicate?
- Did I dress professionally (as though this person, who I don’t know, may refer me the biggest client of my career)?
- Did I follow up in a reasonable timeframe (24-48hrs)?
- Did I listen intently to them (phones away)?
- Did I ask questions about how I might help them and their business?
- Did I smile and engage with a positive demeanor?

Above all, take some time in the weeks ahead to consider the ways you can ELEVATE your professional presentation in the world — especially when you’re meeting new people.

You never know WHO is going to connect you to your next great opportunity! Keep your eyes (and mind) wide open!

One of my favorite quotes…
“Chance is always powerful. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish.” — Ovid 🐠

Two small words that made a big difference in my (business) life: GIVERS GAIN. 🍍

This is the simple philosophy of BNI (Business Network International) - one of the largest networking organizations in the world.

It’s also a mindset.

A mindset that ultimately makes you money.

When you walk into a meeting or networking event, it’s typical to think “what can I GAIN from all of these people?”. It’s not typical to think “what can I GIVE to all of these people?”.

Yet, this basic mental shift is what makes all the difference in ATTRACTING what you want - versus scavenging for you want.

You see, the “Givers Gain” motto does not always prove to create directly reciprocal results — in other words, it does not mean that if I give to Sally, Sally will definitely give to me.

But if I give to Ashley, Ashley may give to Micah, and Micah may give to me.

Put another way: What goes around comes around.

And it starts with asking the question… “How can I be of service?”✨

***

In the weeks ahead, I invite you to be mindful of your thinking and expectations (around receiving) on business networking calls or in meetings/events you attend.

Ask yourself, “How can I add the most VALUE to this other person? How can I GIVE MORE to these people?”

Please report back with your results! 💥