The Desert of Arizona
Sun Hitting 75 degrees
I was on the phone yesterday getting interviewed by someone who’s writing a book for consultants.
The conversation turned to a topic that I’ve experienced myself over the years. That is the discovery that a large part of getting great clients and enjoying this business comes down to what you think about yourself. Really, it’s how you FEEL about yourself.
Early on in my career, my goal in client work was the pursuit of acceptance, validation and being liked.
My behavior showed that.
Unfortunately, that led me to be who I thought the client wanted vs. the REAL Jason. Eventually, resentment would build. I thought it was resentment towards the client, now I understand it was resentment towards myself. That’s what happens when you betray yourself over and over again.
Eventually, I’d blow up the whole situation and go looking for a new client. All because I didn’t feel comfortable being me, speaking my mind. I was too concerned with what they would think.
I’m getting over that.
I talk about this self-image/self-worth issue all of the time because, given the training we’ve all received, I think it is THE issue for a lot of people. How can you sell yourself when, deep down, YOU wouldn’t even buy you?
How do you solve it?
Well, it’s hard to change the way you FEEL about yourself. I don’t really know that you can just will yourself to do it.
That said, it IS possible to act in spite of those feelings. You commit to the BEHAVIOR that represents your Big Self.
You just will yourself to DO IT. You say what you mean, you’re clear, despite your fear, you don’t hold back.
Eventually, that behavior habit “rewires” your feelings. ACT like your Big Self long enough and you’ll actually catch yourself BELIEVING in you.
I know today is Valentine’s Day and all, but being that my goto move is to zig when people zag, I’m going to have a Love Yourself Sale. 25% off anything at Art of Clients through the end of the weekend. Use coupon code LOVEYOURSELF. Here’s the page with everything that’s available.
Some hard nosed business folks might read this and think it’s all a bit of fluff. That’s OK, this isn’t for them. You know if it’s for you because you know that how you view yourself is holding you back.
The good news is that you can do something about it.