Too few of us take time to notice who we are in our position, instead we focus solely upon the 'what's' and 'how's'. Big mistake!

As a physician for example, you may master medical procedures yet unless you are 100% approachable, your patients may not return. Patients have options and they need to know you care. Don't fool yourself, your competitors are eagery waiting in the wing.

Approachability means not only knowing their medical history in your two minute glance at their chart, but showing warmth, pronouncing their name correctly, asking and answering many questions, talking at a pace that they can easily understand.

Another example of being approachable is to be aware of your use of professional jargon. CPA's, Realtors, attorneys even coaches have it. This can be confusing and intimidating to outsiders. It's not their job to learn our lingo, rather our job to communicate in clear, easily understood terms.

Think of the last time someone went out of their way to be approachable to you. How did this impact you? In a time when few service providers take time to even look you in the eye, this tenderness stands out.

Time doesn't allow approachablity in all instances. Be discerning. Know that there are varying levels. If your child comes in with a scraped knee, you are there for her. If an associate or even superior occupies too much of your time with irrelevant matters, declare boundaries.

Take time this week to focus on who you are in your interactions. What level of approachability works best? Ask those around you for feedback. Be open to their suggestions. What intriguing results might you produce by making one slight change in this area?

Enjoy your discoveries and have a great week!

Welcome All New Subscribers As always, it's great to be in touch with our subscribers in 'eight' countries!! Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, USA. If you receive these 'Thoughts' and live in a country that I have not mentioned, please let me know so I can salute you.

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Permission is granted to either reproduce copy or distribute "Your Success Thought for the Week of May 18, 2005" so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached. The author is Ann Golden Eglé, Golden Visions Success Coaching, LLC, 541.385.8887, 1972 NE 3rd St, Suite # 307 Bend, Oregon 97701, www.GVSuccess.com