 Coachability
The Seminar Source Newsletter
Speak Well and Get Clients Now!
August 10, 2008
Issue #10
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Greetings! I almost forgot to write my newsletter -- shore distractions, gorgeous fall-like weather, the phenomenal Olympics opening, Michael Phelp's first race in about an hour . . .
The Olympics are about "perfection," yet for most of us "imperfection" isn't such a bad thing, and that is what my story today is about--imperfection. I wish I could credit an author, but this was a "forward" e-mail I received some time ago. Enjoy!
IMPERFECTION
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course , the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'
'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Happy, Happy,
Gail
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Feature Article: Element #4 in
"WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SEMINAR BUSINESS"
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by Gail Cassidy
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WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, part 4:
In previous issues I've written about how important it is to possess tremendous "Knowledge," unlimited "Enthusiasm," and an upbeat "Attitude" in order to succeed in the seminar business. If you are missing any of these elements, you may want to reconsider incorporating seminars into your business.
PASSION!
The fourth element is "Passion," a key element for success in any business.
QUESTIONS:
BELIEF IN THE PRODUCT/SERVICE
Ask yourself how strongly you feel about the subjects (or products) you intend to speak on? Sales is not my forte, yet many years ago when I worked for IBM, I could have sold the Selectric Typewriter to anyone. Why? Because I so believed in the product, in the company, in the training, and in the quality of the product. Are you as passionate about your product or service?
HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY SPEAKING TO GROUPS
Are you passionate about your product/service that you are can overcome any stage fright you may have for the good of your audience?
ARE YOU AWARE OF YOUR ACTUAL PASSIONS IN LIFE?
What subjects do you read about when you have spare time? When you go into a bookstore, which section do you automatically go to? What do you most enjoy learning about? When you read the newspaper, which section(s) do you always read? (I never read the sports section, so you know what my passion isn't.)
What magazines would you choose to read on a long airplane trip? What genuinely interests you, not because you should know the information, but because you truly want to know the information?
CONCEPT OF TRANSFER
A child can master a course in study skills but be unable to apply those skills to history, English, or other subjects. Why? Because the concept of transfer is the most difficult theory to "get."
Using the concept of "transfer," take a look at your passions in life and see how they relate to the product/service you speak about or give seminars/workshops on.
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP?
Can you take the passion you feel for what you are most interested in outside of work and apply it to the seminars/workshops you give?
"Passion" is excitement. It's belief. It's ardor, zeal, fervor, exhilaration, vitality, eagerness, and so much more.
But most important, passion is contagious. Your audience will "catch" it, so make sure it's there!
Think about this relationship. If you are passionate about what you do, your audience will be too. That's a promise!
NEXT WEEK we'll discuss Mentoring. I'm looking for school districts where I can initiate a Mentoring Club. If you know of a school needing those services, please let me know.
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Gail Cassidy
Coachability.com
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