I’m at the local coffee shop where I do most of my writing.
A grandma is treating her granddaughter, probably 10 years old, to breakfast at the table behind me.
But Granddaughter is paying a price for this ‘free’ breakfast. She’s got to listen to Grandma.
“Your biggest meal should be your breakfast. Then you work off the calories throughout the day…”
“My friend Judy eats fruit and fruit juices for breakfast. Then she’ll have a carbohydrate meal, like sushi… When you come this summer, I’ll introduce you… She exercises…”
She then went on to talk about table manners. And how to treat other people.
Five minutes into the lesson, something began to nag at the edge of Grandma’s consciousness. She could sense that her message wasn’t being received as she intended.
So, hardly pausing for a breath, she assured Granddaughter “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
And then quickly returned to her agenda.
“When you see a person who has a quality that you admire, decide to incorporate that into yourself. Into who you are. And you can become like that person.”
To top it all off, she advised her granddaughter, who seemed more interested in her omelet, that she should focus on improving herself because “You can’t change anyone in life. You can only change yourself.”
All in all, this was good advice. But will it be effective? Does Grandma realize just how hard she is trying to change her young granddaughter?
Does she realize how she would influence Granddaughter far more if she was living the example rather than talking about her friend Judy?
It’s always easier to help others when you’ve got that particular area of your own house in order first.
If you’re trying to help others improve their businesses or lives, but you’ve got lots of work to do yourself on many of the same issues, NOTHING will do more for your own impact than to get your own house in order.
You can’t change anyone in life. They can only change themselves. And they do it when they’re inspired by your example. Not by empty words.
If creating a steady, consistent, predictable flow of your own ideal clients is an important step for you, then this is your immediate next step.
Dov Gordon
