Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 03/7/2022
A lot of people will tell you to “manage your battery” and “harness your energy” so that you can stay fresh and creative and active. It’s a position that maintains you alone are the generator of your vigor and positivity and “shame on you” if you aren’t able to spew forth power in some geothermal eruption, a human “Old Faithful” geyser. (Note: There is, in actuality, a super volcano under Old Faithful which, if it erupts, would spew dangerous gasses for at least 500 miles. I am not making that up.)
I’m here to tell you that your energy level depends to a great degree on who is around you—to and with whom you speak, listen, view, and otherwise interact. In my lengthy (and quite anecdotal) study having coached thousands of entrepreneurs and executives, there are people who pump you up and people who deflate you: energy-spewers and energy-suckers.
In terms of positivity, I’m not talking about the people who tell you to trod hot coals, collapse in hot tents, fall into each other’s arms, or build sand castles when the tide is out. All of that is ephemeral and evanescent. I am talking about people whose own enthusiasm and energy are contagious, who give you strength and hope and power just in their propinquity, in reality or remotely.
The energy suckers are those who always want to take and never give. They want you to do their failure work. They take your time and steal your ideas. They are the neediest of the needy with the least justification. They simply don’t accept their own accountability.
I was in the water in Nantucket once and found myself amidst thousands of tiny fish, perhaps two inches long. I didn’t think this was a threat until they all industriously began nibbling on me, and I realized I had better get the hell out of there. At least piranha finish you off quickly.
Keep this in mind: Those remoras sucking the detritus and food leftovers from the shark’s skin and teeth are doing positive work in a symbiotic relationship. If they weren’t, well, to quote “Mack the Knife”: “Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear, and it shows them pearly white….” There wouldn’t be any remora left in the world if they weren’t contributing to the shark’s well being. Nature at work.
Your life was meant for more than being a life-long doormat for deadbeats, losers, gossipers, nay-sayers, dream-crushers, energy vampires, users, abusers, ragers and passive-aggressive backstabbers. —Bryant McGill
It is indeed as if we were living in a world of zombies and vampires, where each one of us becomes one of them, after being bitten and contaminated with the negative energy of those that already have such nature. —Daniel Marques
You can argue that I’m wrong, you can demand more money, you can challenge me to a duel. But if you keep wasting my time I’m going to turn the dogs loose. —Alan Weiss
Return to Australia: I’ll be making my 19th trip in October, this time to Brisbane, to present a week of unique offerings from passive income and global “reach” to a new strategy approach. Join me and your peers for my latest value to grow your business and decrease your labor facing our “new realities.” There is limited seating capacity: https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/australia2022/
Million Dollar Consulting® for the World: I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? milliondollarconsultingcourse.com We have over 500 people from 45 countries.
The Role Play Workshop: Join me in Dallas on April 29 in an intimate setting for a day of role play where we exchange roles and practice from “both sides.” We’ll deal with sales meetings, referral requests, networking discussions, expansion business, advisory offers, overdue payments, rejecting scope creep, and whatever else is on your mind. We’ll also be adjusting language to reflect today’s new realities in terms of technology, remote meetings, social mores, economics, strategy, and much more. For example, do you realize there’s a vast difference between “budget” (always strained) and “money” (always available)? alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/role-play-workshop/
Beyond Thought Leadership: Six “stars” from my community from five countries will be interviewed by me in this live, 2.5 day experience. I’ll be introducing new IP, case studies, and role-plays. And the final interview will be with me. This is one-time only, it was difficult to organize. Limited participation, in Miami in November, register now, no one else can offer this experience for your growth.alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/beyond-thought-leadership/
Ferocious Time Management: I’m tired of wasting my time hearing people tell me they have no time!! In a rare appearance in San Diego, I’m going to help you ruthlessly organize yourself so that you have time to close business, deliver a remote speech, create a book outline, and learn to tame wild beasts before lunch. Seriously, time is “elastic,” and you can stretch it to accommodate what you need to accomplish. Moreover, most people work too hard to achieve too little. Discretionary time is wealth, not money, but we’re prone to work so hard chasing money that we erode our wealth. Create greater output in a 20-hour week! alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/ferocious-time-management/
By Invitation Only: This year I’m accepting six people for a 2.5-day meeting, June 14-16 in the Caribbean, and 12 people for a 2.5-day meeting September 6-8 at a resort of the group’s choosing. I have two seats open in June and eight in September. We stay at great resorts, work for a half-day on personal and business issues with peers, and socialize with great meals and wonderful surroundings. Spouses and partners are welcome but not mandatory! Write me to apply and/or visit here: alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/developmental-experiences/invitation-only/
