“Come on, ease on the down the road. Pick your left foot up when your right foot’s down. Come on legs keep moving, Don’t you lose no ground. You just keep on keepin’ on the road that you choose. Don’t you give up walking ‘cause you gave up shoes.” The Wiz, 1976
Saturday, I had my official book launch for Entrepreneurial Elevation, 31 Strategic Lessons and Life Stories. It was my first opportunity center stage to discuss my business and background. When I was given the mic I stumbled despite all of my preparations. Here’s my lessons learned and steps that I’d recommend to others to replicate.
1. Reclaim My Time and Protect My Efforts:
As a mom and an entrepreneur, my efforts and time are prime real estate in that my bandwidth can only handle so much at a time. Whether it’s your calendar, connections or your health you have to take measures to reclaim and protect them. Don’t let every activity be worthy enough for your calendar. Choose strategically where you will make an appearance. You should be able to promote your business and learn some valuable information when you reserve time on your calendar. I’ve had situations where every webinar or workshop was enticing but I had to be realistic about my bandwidth and my efforts. Your connections too (friends, family, and acquaintance) can be time sucks also so pick them wisely. Believe me, I’ve had to nix several connections over the past 6 months because they deliberately disrespected my time, resources and efforts. Bye, Felicia. Many times connections not focused on their own goals will hang around to distract you from yours. As JayZ says, “Loiterers should be arrested” One to the Next One, 2009. Don’t forget your health because you can’t do either if your health is in the poor. Pick up a regular exercise routine, develop healthy eating habits and an appetite for reading. I know you’ve seen the memes that read, Leaders are voracious readers. Two years after my business launched I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and determined to be pre-diabetic. A close connection mentioned a plant-based diet and I have been on this path ever since. No cholesterol and no pre-diabetic indications. In fact, my blood work this past May was that of a 16-year-old as my doctor reported. My grandma used to say the bought wisdom is better than taught wisdom. Lesson learned-Be strategic in your efforts. #Strong
2. Just Keep Swimming:
Listen, Momma, I was prepared with my elevator pitch. It was concise and with a consistent message. But when I walked on stage and saw the audience everything went out of my mind. I haven’t had an experience such as that since high school. Nevertheless, I spoke off the cuff with a smile and no one was the wiser. But as soon as I left the stage, my mind began to work and regroup my efforts. I thought strategically about my best qualities and how to have them reconstitute my efforts for this very important day. It was time for table discussions, 3 mins a piece at each table. It was time to regroup. I was not going to lose this opportunity. There’s never a lost opportunity just missed opportunities. Meaning, if you keep swimming you will see an alternative option to accomplish your goal around the corner. Just keep on keepin’. #Resilient
3. Accentuate the Positive:
Bing Crosby had a great lesson in this song. Eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative. Even when you stumble about keep shining. I’m here to tell you that to keep going in the face of disappointment and failure remaining positive is more than a notion. My table talks were nice! If I do say so myself. Once it was time to speak at tables I felt more comfortable with connecting with others about my business goals and experience. I was able to answer specific questions and speak directly to each attendant. One of my best qualities is a personal connection. I owe that to my Southern upbringing and my dear old grandma who was also an entrepreneur. I planned to blow the table talks out of the water. This was my time to shine and I had 20 mins instead of 5 to put the word out! I used every minute to connect even when waiting patiently for my co-author was speaking. Even when it was time to sign/sell our books, I connected with each person by asking their name so that I could personalize my book signing. One young man mentioned that I was the first person to ask him his name. I told ya, personal connection is one of my best qualities. I used it to shine on! #Luminous
Truly,
DBC
Mother of Pearls
DBC
Mother of Pearls
Get your copy at PayPal.me/BCC2019
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