Power of Influence

Ever react to something and realize that reaction was a learned behavior?

It can be good, it can no so good, but it is how people know you.

Here's my experience, I am who I am today, mostly because of influences.

My approach to business, family and personal relationships, even community involvement is and has been influenced by those I observe or those who decided to invest in me.

Every day we have the chance to be influenced by someone, or to influence someone.

Influence is a powerful tool. So powerful that we now have multi-millionares who do nothing but influence us on social media.

Their influence is superficial. A workout that will have us fit in 7 days. A personal care product. An adult beverage. Commercial influences motivate us for a moment of pleasure.

The Influencers I want us to focus on can change our lives forever.

Some years ago, a friend of mine told me that I changed his life (for the better). I was a little shocked to hear that. We discussed this over some BBQ and as we parted I began to think about the many influences in my life.

The things I learned or absorbed that impacted me on how we raised our family, how I go about business and deal with employees, how I engaged with community and charity.

I then made a list of the events and people that changed my life, or the little things that I observed in others that I wanted to be part of who I am.

Then I began to reach out to people who I could find and tell them how they impacted me, how their influence changed my life.

As I dove deeper into my influencers, it motivated me to be more intentional about who I influenced and how I influenced them.

We are all being influenced, or influencing folks every day.

If this resonates with you, let's take a journey together.

Make a list of the things that make you different or special.

Did you overcome some obstacle?

Did you breakthrough at work?

Is their something unique about your family?

Do your friends "count on you" for something?

Start the list today, add to it daily for about a month,

Think about the people who influenced you, who have had a big impact on your life. What did you learn from those people?

Then, think about how you applied what you learned in your life.

Write their names down and how they influenced you.

Pick a few influencers and reach out to them, tell them how they changed your life.

Over the coming weeks, I will publish a few examples of the people or the moments in time that provided a powerful influence in my life.

My list includes family, teachers, co-workers, associates, even world class athletes.

We'll also talk about our influences and how we build on these influences.

"No Man (or Woman) Is an Island"

I also want to learn from you.

As you take this journey, feel free to connect with me through my email; sknott@stantheconsultant.com through my website https://www.stantheconsultantcoach.com or on Linkedin.