Wisdom
For The Ages
By Gerry Foster
Copyright
2003 by Gerry Foster
After all these years coaching and consulting,
teaching and training, speaking and preaching in the service
marketing field, I still don't think I know the secrets to
goal achievement. My company's track record looks more like
a never-ending roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs,
twists and turns, than a nice smooth ride. Nonetheless, one
of the nice things about this journey has been the buried
treasure I've discovered along the way. Little gems and nuggets
I've been able to pick up that got me through the rough spots.
I cherish this treasure because when I started
out in 1985, all I really wanted to do was serve, do interesting
work, and earn a good living. Little did I know how challenging
it would be to "make it" as an entrepreneur.
At times, I found marketing my services to be
very frustrating. It was much like learning to ride a bicycle
as a kid. I'd practice, I'd fall off, I'd get back on, and
I'd fall off again. I'd get back on, I'd fall off, and I'd
get back on again. But then "all of a sudden" I
got what balance was and the whole thing suddenly came together.
What a phenomenal experience that was.
Just like learning to ride a bike, the marketing
of my services sort of came together "all of a sudden."
I got over the bumps and bruises caused by falling a few times,
but when I finally got the hang of it - creative ways to grow
my business were made possible that were never possible before.
See, you must understand something. Although
I had two college degrees in business marketing (with honors)
along with ten years of sterling corporate marketing experience
(including a stint with The Procter and Gamble Company), I
was your classic shoe cobbler. You know, the guy who made
shoes for all his customers but he never made any for his
own children.
For years, I stumbled, fell off, and got my
nose bloodied more than I probably needed until I finally
got the hang of it.
So for those of you who want access to that
kind of "all of a sudden" experience, here are some
Mastery Marketing® gems just for you - some rules - lying
scattered about, that are easy to spot and pick up.
Mastery Marketing® Gem #1:
Have A Unique Purpose and Passion.
Why did your God put you here? God has each of us here for
a unique purpose in life. You are not here by accident, taking
part in a dress rehearsal as you wait for the curtain to come
up. You have to believe that God has a plan and a destiny
for your life, which includes what you do for a living.
What is your work all about? How are you making
a difference in the lives of others and a contribution to
society itself? God wants to get a blessing through you so
He can get a blessing to you. If you want to receive those
blessings, connect your work to a higher purpose or calling
- a calling that adds meaning to your life and has a positive,
lasting impact on yourself, your clients, and those around
you.
From purpose, we know what it means to feel
motivated. Having a meaningful life motivates us to do well.
We know how it feels to be pumped up to compete effectively
in the marketplace, because purpose makes us better equipped
to make smart decisions about ways to expand our businesses
and careers.
The point is that when we talk about purpose,
the why - the how to - will reveal itself. Please don't say
the reason why you do the work you do is to put a roof over
your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back. In
other words, just to eat and pay bills. God didn't put you
here just so you can select from a menu. He has a divine assignment
for you - an opportunity to use the skills, talents and abilities
you've been blessed with to help build lives that produce
eternal influence for His kingdom.
The greatest tragedy for many service providers
is living their entire life doing work that has no eternal
value. Think of purpose as a guiding light, a reason-to-be,
your north star that will direct your life course. Think of
it as the compass, the magnetic pull that will guide you to
a definite, distinct destiny.
A good way to put it is that purpose allows
you to make a course adjustment in your life.
See, it doesn't matter where you are, how old
you are, what bad choices or mistakes you've made in the past,
that star will steer you to where you want to be. What matters
most now is how determined you are to get there. The sea will
part for the person who is willing to make a course adjustment
and move forward in the right direction. The world stands
aside for the person who knows exactly where he or she is
going.
And what about your passion? What gets your
juices flowing? What lights you up and puts a smile on your
face when you go to work each morning? One of the hallmarks
of purpose is that it leads to accomplishment, because of
the passion of the visionary. Think about some of the most
recognized visionary people in our culture: Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller, Thomas Jefferson,
Florence Nightingale, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Mother
Teresa, and Bill Gates.
What each of these incredible men and women
had in common besides great skill and discipline was passion
- passion for coming up with a better way of doing something,
or bringing forth a new way of thinking and behaving, or generating
a technological, political, or social breakthrough.
Think about some of the visionary people you've
worked with, or read about or met. Have you ever wondered
why they were so successful and effective in life? Have you
noticed that they had a unique purpose they were passionate
about? I mean, weren't they the ones who spoke about what
their commitments were - people who were about making a difference
and contributing to others so they could reach their full
potential?
We all admire people who stand in their vision
- walk in purpose - and are willing to be held accountable
for being true to who they say - and who God says - they are.
There is a certain kind of charisma associated with these
people - people who have the know-how and power to give rise
to the possibility of a better life to others, their country,
and even the world.
Most often we think these are people of enormous
wealth and power. Or we think they're special or gifted. Or
we think they're the ones with the most talent, the best looks,
the right credentials, the most contacts, or the highest IQ.
None of this really matters. Those who are looked
upon as masters, vocationally, come from a variety of fields
- from the hair stylists, to the teachers and engineers, to
the CEOs and managers.
All of us have the power to bring about a breakthrough
in our lives, businesses and careers - to make something possible
that was never possible before.
All it takes is something to be passionate about.
For passion is the bridge between purpose and
accomplishment. It moves purpose out of the spiritual and
ephemeral, and into the physical and life changing.
Mastery Marketing® Gem #2:
Keep The Faith.
Are you willing to trust what you cannot see? To the degree
that you always have enough encouragement to reach your final
destination, any purpose will materialize. Think of it this
way. The captain of a ship cannot see his (or her) destination
after he sets sail. But he knows he will reach his destination
if he keeps doing certain things a certain way everyday. The
power of faith is the only thing he can count on to get him
through storms and rough seas.
It is akin to planting seeds for a harvest.
A farmer can't simply plow a field and expect a harvest. He
has to plant the seed, give them the nourishment they need,
and diligently nurture the crop. Of course, in due time, the
seeds will break open, flourish, and give the farmer a harvest.
So, my friend, find your faith. Believe in your
version of a higher power with genuine conviction, and move
forward...but only YOU can do it. Faith will give you the
right foundation when you feel as if the bridge is out. It's
a long way down, the water is deep, and you need that inner
strength to get you across to the other side. Just know that
faith is the single most important ingredient for pulling
you through any endeavor.
Mastery Marketing® Gem #3:
Serve.
Martin Luther King once said, "If you want to be important,
recognized or great - wonderful. But recognize that he who
is greatest among you shall be your servant. Everybody can
be great because everybody can serve - you only need a heart
full of grace. A soul generated by love."
What a powerful message to live by. Extend the
boundaries of and demand creation for what can be, not simply
extend what is. Focus on maximizing client value and contribute
profoundly to the welfare and well being of others. Remember
that you reap what you sow. Every word you speak, every emotion
you display, and every action you take are little seeds that
you are planting. In order for them to come back as a bountiful
harvest, take the attention off yourself and always focus
on doing good works for others.
Mastery Marketing® Gem #4:
Be Distinct.
"The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further
than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to discover
places no one has ever been before … You have two choices
in life: you can dissolve into the mainstream, or you can
be distinct. To be distinct, you must be different. To be
different, you must strive to be what no one else but you
can be." - Author unknown
Is there anything you do that no one else can
do quite the way you do it? And if you didn't do it, would
it be solely missed? That is your gift.
Now, is that gift (i.e. your special skill,
talent, or ability) unique and/or difficult to copy? Will
it ignite interest in a prospect's head (intellectual appeal)
and heart (emotional appeal)?
The bottom line is that you must determine what
truly separates you from your competition, and give people
a valid reason why they should favor you over the competition.
You won't get hired if prospects perceive you
as being the same as everyone else who does what you do. Whether
you like it or not, if you provide a service, you are in sales.
Which means you need to enjoy the thrill of the chase. Because
if you don't find a way to stand out positively and distinctively
- with differences that are looked upon as being uniquely
valuable and essential to prospects - the storms and rough
seas will be hard to navigate.
Mastery Marketing® Gem #5: Be
Grateful
"I'm so grateful I never have bad
days. I have nauseated days and frightened days. Tired days
and hurting days. Long days and short days. Silent days and
alone days. Mouth-sore days and swollen-hand days. Bald days
and diarrhea days. Rainy days and sunny days. Cold days and
warm days. But no bad days. I'm so grateful."
— A cancer victim (from the book The 22 Laws of Wellness
by Greg Anderson)
Don't sweat the small stuff. The good and bad
times will pass. The key is to stay at the table and play
the hand you've been dealt.
Look at it this way: Any day above ground is
a good one!
Peace.
Please contact me directly by phone at 949.499.1174
or by email at gerry@masterymarketing.com
if you would like to receive any of these gems.
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