![Alan Weiss's Monday Morning Memo](https://alanweiss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/monmornmemo_featured.jpg)
Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 5/22/2023
I believe it’s just fine to think well of yourself, to have high self-worth, to believe you’re exceptional. We’re all unique and have particular talents to contribute to others.
Someone wrote once that if cows and horses were asked to draw pictures of God, they would draw a cow or a horse.
President Obama has often been criticized for saying he didn’t believe in American Exceptionalism. However, what he actually said (and I’m paraphrasing) is that he did believe in it, just as Greeks would believe in Greek exceptionalism or the French in French exceptionalism. And he said he was very proud of the accomplishments of our country.
No one would rationally argue that all of us, in any country, can’t improve still more. (That’s why I think the search should be for “better practices” at all times, and not “best practices,” which tend to halt further exploration.) But there’s nothing wrong with feeling pride in individual, group, and/or social accomplishments.
There is something wrong with walking around feeling “guilty.” Guilt is something for which we must atone. The major religions even recognize formal periods for doing this, but don’t require it be constant. Guilt, along with fear and stress, “mask” talent and prevent us from doing our best and reaching our full potential.
In other words, guilt undermines exceptionalism.
Guilt has become a verb in these convoluted times: “They guilted me.” I’ve been responsible for bad behavior and egregious errors in my life, and I’ve apologized when possible, changed something where permissible, and always learned from the experience so as to be better in the future (and not repeat it).
But I don’t walk around feeling guilty and I won’t accept attempts to cite me as guilty.
I believe in exceptionalism when it means that I’m trying to make others exceptional and helping them to seek their full potential.
Consistency of performance is essential. You don’t have to be exceptional every week but as a minimum you need to be at a level that even on a bad day you get points on the board. — Sean Dyche
How glorious it is—and also how painful—to be an exception. —Alfred de Musset
My goal is always to create something exceptional that enhances cities and enriches the lives of the people who live and work in them. —Santiago Calatrava
Speaking with Alan: One of my most popular experiential events, run twice a year. Learn how to create, refine, deliver, price, and market a speech of any length. A small group practices and video tapes the components over 2.5 days. Are you charging less than a minimum of $10,000 per speech? Are you agonizing over content, or not drawing a sufficient audience? You need this session NOW! https://alanweiss.com/
Master Master Class II: This sold-out event in March was so popular that I’m running another in October in Newport. I accept 16 people in person (you may also attend remotely on our large screen) and we have 6 seats remaining! I’m creating new material, exercises, and challenges. Past “grads” get a discount. One person said, “I’ve known you for nearly 20 years, and this is the best thing you’ve ever done!” (Maybe I just wasn’t that good before!) Register here: https://alanweiss.com/
NEW! Alan’s Advisory Suite: Nine options for groups or individuals to receive “real time” coaching to build their practices and lives on a continuing basis. The strongest, best people in business, entertainment, sports, the media—all use coaches. https://alanweiss.
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? We have over 500 people from 47 countries. https://
NEW: Million Dollar Consulting® for the World ADVANCED: The new program contains over 60 videos and has 15 modules focusing on what to do in the buyer’s office, overcoming crises, financial planning, and much, much more. https://alanweiss.com/
Sentient Strategy Certification: My new book on the topic (above) has been released, so this is an ideal time to market Sentient Strategy. Write me to apply, join over 70 people certified in six countries. One-time fee of $12,000, includes 90 days of my support, free admission to all future certifications, and admission to a private web board with other Sentient facilitators. alan@
Vancouver Day: I’ll be providing a full day in Vancouver for as little as $300 (US) including lunch on September 9: How to Dramatically Increase Revenues while Radically Reducing Labor. I’ll be returning from an Alaskan cruise and need the money to pay for it! This is a rare appearance in Western Canada. https://alanweiss.com/