Yesterday I started the process of calling radio stations to get interviews about my book Live with Intention. I ordered a system from Joe Sabbah that included everything I needed to get started: an instruction book, audio CD and a list of 1000 radio shows, their contact people and phone numbers. I got my script together (which he laid out for me in the book) and called the first station on the list. I actually got through to the host/producer (which is quite miraculous) and read off my script (I'm sure it sounded a little staged!). Then she said "My demographic is 18-24 year old males and we talk about sex and NASCAR." Not quite the fit for my book!!!
This conversation made me realize that I needed to research the stations/shows before blindly calling them and come up with a system to keep track of calls made, follow up and shows booked. So after a bit of resistance and realizing that the whole thing was going to be a little more challenging that I thought, I got stuck for a bit, not really wanting to make any more calls. Then I did some research, resisted a little more, built up my confidence and made the next call. And what do you know? Within 2 minutes I had booked my first interview! All that anxiety and worry for nothing! So what did I learn from the experience? Well, first of all, I am not crazy about making phone calls. But more importantly I can do it and do it successfully. It may require a little more work than I anticipated, but it's definitely worth it and in alignment with what I'm about! My goal is to help millions of people to live with intention, passion and purpose and my book is the perfect tool to get them going in that direction, so sharing my book nationally on radio shows is a great way to fulfill that mission.
When you're faced with a similar situation where you're feeling anxious or resistant about doing something, remember your overall purpose for doing it and know that you can be successful. Overcoming that resistance and busting through that terror barrier will cause a breakthrough and a shift in your thinking.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Millennials Conference
Wow! It's hard to believe that it's been a week since I was in Toronto at the Millennials conference and that I'm just not writing about it! It was an amazing experience and I had several immediate take-aways as well as some that are still brewing in my mind.
The first take-away is: There is some discretion about the bottom line birth year of the Millennial generation. I knew this before attending the event because each time I researched Millennials I would get a different span of dates. A psychology professor from Western University brought the issue up in the first presentation of the day. He showed a chart that outlined Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials. They all had definitive starting and ending dates. BUT between 1972 and 1982 there was a big gap. Since I was born between those years, I was curious as to which generation I was in so I approached the professor with my question. He said that the consensus is that people born between 1972 and 1982 either identify with Generation X or Millennials. I thought that was fascinating and true! And I'm definitely a Millennial.
The next take-away is: Consumer Marketers are completely stumped about how to capture Millennials as their loyal customers. They have some ideas as to what they need to do, but overall, they are mind-boggled!! I think that is pretty cool. Companies are having to experiment with different strategies to see what works and what doesn't. Sometimes the fail miserably and sometimes they become the next cool company.
The next take-away is: Millennials don't think you're cool just because you put up a MySpace and Facebook page. It seems as though many companies think that if they simply enter the world of Millennials that they will automatically capture them as consumers....WRONG! They will actually see right through your strategy and think you are very un-cool. Don't do this!!
My final take-away for right now is: Millennials don't know that they are Millennials!!! Most of them are unaware that they have been labeled as a generation, and for the most part, they don't like to be labeled at all. Each Millennial is just being his or herself in his or her world. The best way to work with or market to a Millennial is to be real, open-minded and optimistic.
The first take-away is: There is some discretion about the bottom line birth year of the Millennial generation. I knew this before attending the event because each time I researched Millennials I would get a different span of dates. A psychology professor from Western University brought the issue up in the first presentation of the day. He showed a chart that outlined Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials. They all had definitive starting and ending dates. BUT between 1972 and 1982 there was a big gap. Since I was born between those years, I was curious as to which generation I was in so I approached the professor with my question. He said that the consensus is that people born between 1972 and 1982 either identify with Generation X or Millennials. I thought that was fascinating and true! And I'm definitely a Millennial.
The next take-away is: Consumer Marketers are completely stumped about how to capture Millennials as their loyal customers. They have some ideas as to what they need to do, but overall, they are mind-boggled!! I think that is pretty cool. Companies are having to experiment with different strategies to see what works and what doesn't. Sometimes the fail miserably and sometimes they become the next cool company.
The next take-away is: Millennials don't think you're cool just because you put up a MySpace and Facebook page. It seems as though many companies think that if they simply enter the world of Millennials that they will automatically capture them as consumers....WRONG! They will actually see right through your strategy and think you are very un-cool. Don't do this!!
My final take-away for right now is: Millennials don't know that they are Millennials!!! Most of them are unaware that they have been labeled as a generation, and for the most part, they don't like to be labeled at all. Each Millennial is just being his or herself in his or her world. The best way to work with or market to a Millennial is to be real, open-minded and optimistic.
Monday, March 3, 2008
The fleeting present moment
I am reading Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth and being reminded once again of the importance of living in the present moment. It truly is all that we have. Most people spend their present moments thinking about the past or worrying about the future. But all the miracles of life are happening right now. Being in the present moment correlates with being grateful. And we all understand that in order to live our best life and to create what we want for ourselves that we must appreciate where we are and what we have right here and now. Even if you're not at your best for whatever reason, being aware of how you feel in the moment brings your awareness to the present. True happiness is remembering the essence of who you are and enjoying every precious moment. Here is a great quote from the book: "The joy of Being, which is the only true happiness, cannot come to you through any form, possession, achievement, person or event--through anything that happens. That joy cannot come to you--ever. It emanates from the formless dimension within you, from consciousness itself and thus is one with who you are." Wow! Remember that the next time your thoughts remove you from the present.
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