Archive for the 'Nabobs' Category

Arnold had created a masterpiece. It was a remarkable piece of engineering, with its white plastic body taking on an interesting configuration. It was this configuration which made it different from all the rest. Arnold held his creation up to the light. It had taken months of measuring and tweaking to get it just right. Now he would only need to find a manufacturer and he would be successful… yes successful beyond his wildest dreams.

Just then he felt a twinge in his right shoulder. He glanced over at it but it appeared to be nothing. Again a twinge of pain only this time much stronger. He still didn’t see anything but it seemed now like a voice was talking in his ear. The voice seemed to be talking about the piece of plastic in his hand. “You’ll never get anyone to make it to your standards,” whispered the voice. A few seconds passed and another quiet outburst, “It could crack and hurt someone”. The voice was relentless. It seemed to get more fearful every moment.

Arnold brushed his shoulder and the pain and the voice seemed to go away. Suddenly he noticed a heaviness on his left shoulder. Again he looked but could see nothing. It was if a little fat animal was sitting on his shoulder. This time a faint intonation came to his left ear. “You don’t want to worry about this plastic part today… after all the game is coming on in a few minutes”. Arnold thought to himself, “I do want to worry about it today. If I don’t get it to market someone else will.” He brushed his left shoulder and he could swear he heard a thunk on the ground.

Arnold didn’t realize it but he was being attacked by the Nabobs of Negativity, those invisible little men that sit on your shoulder and talk into your ear. He had just experienced the Nabob of Fear and the overweight Nabob of Procrastination. Luckily he had brushed them off and he would experience temporary relief.

Facing an onslaught of negativity, Arnold found himself in a quandary. Would he go ahead with his manufacturing plans? Or would he be defeated by the ever so soft negative voices? Would he have enough faith in himself and his plans to go through with the process? Luckily for us, Arnold brushed the Nabobs off and succeeded in getting his Ipod holder for cars to the market. Now thousands of Ipod owners will have a place to put their players when driving and Arnold will be counting his royalty checks.

This is the story of a Purple Cow and Faith.

Arnold knew he had something remarkable, but like so many of us, had doubts and second thoughts about the process.

In his book, “Becoming a Person of Influence,” John Maxwell states that most people have trouble believing in themselves. They see a difficulty in every possibility. John goes on to surmise… “For most people, it’s not what they are that holds them back, it’s what they think they’re not.”

In Seth Godin’s book “PurpleCow, Transform your Business by being Remarkable”, Seth gives us a definition of this purple beast. “Cows, after you’ve seen one, or two, or ten, are boring. A Purple Cow, though…now that would be something. Purple Cow describes something phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat out unbelievable.”

Do you have a purple cow idea, product or service? Do you have enough faith to take it to market?

In our next installment we’ll address the next obstacle… Convincing other people to have faith in you. Selling your idea to your spouse, loved ones, business partners and the world.

The third tenet in John Maxwell’s book “Becoming A Person of Influence” is Faith. The following is an outline from his book that was used in a small group setting and some topics that were discussed. I’ve included some of my comments. Think back in your life and go over the outline for yourself. You may discover like I have, the traits that make up a real person of faith.

1. Most people don’t have faith in themselves

This is so true. I really struggle with those negative nabobs that always tell me that “I can’t do something”. Its funny how past failures can cloud present actions. Even though I might have a 90% chance of doing something successfully, that negative 10% will always nag at me.

2. Most people don’t have someone who has faith in them

This is a pretty negative world and the naysayers and negative nabobs abound. Negativity and gossip spread like wildfire. In life there are always numerous reasons someone can’t do something with very few positive affirmations. To me a true friend is someone who puts aside jealousy and has faith in another person.

3. Most people can tell when someone has faith in them

When you find that positive, affirming person you know who they are. In my life my dad always had faith in me. He would always come up with some reason that I could do it. When I think back to all of the seemingly impossible things I have accomplished in my life, there was always someone there who believed in me. Sometimes it was a teacher, sometimes it was a friend, sometimes it was a family member. There was always someone!

4. Most people will do anything to live up to your faith in them

When I was in outside sales, the owner of the company (Winzer corp.) had faith in me. He would always set my goals a little higher than I thought I could reach. His distance vision was a little further than mine. He always had a positive but realistic attitude. It was amazing how those distant vistas that he saw came into view at the end of the month. Klaus was an amazing person. He only had one hand, but the one he did have was always patting you on the back, encouraging you to go further. His encouragement led me to the top 5 in sales for the country. What seemed impossible became reality with his vision.

7 ways to become a believer in people.

1. Believe in them before they succeed: Your attitude is contagious

2. Emphasize their strengths: Give them a reason to succeed

3. List their past successes: Point out their positive accomplishments

4. Instill confidence when they fail: Pick them up when they fall

5. Experience some wins together: Be a team player

6. Visualize their future success: Light their path with your vision

7. Expect a new level of living: Expect great things!

When you believe in people, nothing is impossible!

In the last few days you have seen different examples of the Nabobs of Negativity. These insidious little creatures roost on your shoulders and whisper in your ear. They are so quiet you may not even realize they are there. So what is the solution?

Brush the nabobs off…

Your success depends on it!

Have you ever been around people that are always negative? It seems like everything they say is depressing and they always bring you down. They may be suffering from the Nabob of Negativity. This little guy is the most contagious of all Nabobs. He has millions of relatives and they are really happy to jump on your shoulder at a moments notice. If this nabob is not controlled quickly he will bring his relatives to roost on everyone in an office or group. Gossip will spread these little guys faster than wildfire.

Once they have multiplied they are very hard to eradicate. You must act on this nabob quickly and decisively. If this nabob is on your shoulder along with the nabob of procrastination all hope may be lost. Time is of the essence.

Eradicate this pest as soon as you can… remember success begins today!

This little guy is one of the most dangerous of all Nabobs. He is especially prevalent at Toastmaster meetings. He can keep you from doing just about anything. His fearful whisperings are mostly lies, but he always adds just enough truth to make his rants believable.

Rid yourself of this little monster at your earliest convenience.

The truth will set you free!