Printer Friendly Format

Balancing Act: The Newsletter (No. 146: October 2011)

Follow me on Twitter! You can find me here:
http://twitter.com/BentleyGTCSpeed

New consulting and leadership tips posted daily!

And find me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=788474935&ref=profile

Return to Top

Special Feature: It's Not Your Mother's Fault (No. 1)

(This originally appeared on my blog recently, and I’m also placing it on other platforms. It’s replacing “Techniques for Balance” this month, but it will only appear occasionally.)

Think of Cher in “Moonstruck” slapping Nicholas Cage twice, shouting, “Get over it!” or Bob Newhart in his famous skit as a therapist advising his patient, “Stop it!”

We spend inordinate amounts of money on problematic therapy sessions trying to eradicate “baggage” that we believe is affecting our ability to perform, to maintain relationships, to deal effectively with life’s vicissitudes. But we might as well hire an exorcist. (I asked the then-president of the American Psychological Association, who was on my advisory board at a former company, why there was such a high incidence of suicide among psychologists. “Because,” he replied without hesitation, “we attract many troubled people who are trying to work out their own issues.”)

In other words, their mothers were also wreaking havoc with them.

But it’s not your mother’s fault.

My observations of successful people and struggling people feature this omnipresent distinction: Successful people help themselves. They are not professional victims; they don’t present themselves as hopelessly entrapped by their nurturing; they create positive change for themselves.

Some people can stop smoking, some can’t. Some people can lose weight, some can’t. Some people comfortably address audiences, some can’t. Some people can control their nerves and fears, some can’t. The distinction isn’t in one’s DNA, or toilet training, or being part of a village to raise the child. (It takes loving parents or even a single parent to raise a child, not a village or other municipality.)

The distinction is in one’s self-discipline, organization, and resolve; in one’s self-accountability. Support systems are wonderful, as are loving families, but the primary support system is between your ears. To claim that you were scarred early, or can’t work in certain environments, or need special attention to get by, is usually just an excuse not to change, grow, or mature. You might as well say, “The devil makes me do it.”

Once you reach adulthood, with a basic education, an ability to examine the environment around you, and the advantage of witnessing what works for others (hard work, learning new skills, forging relationships, etc.), you should be able to “get over” and “stop” whatever it is that’s impeding you. If others have, you can. If you don’t and won’t, then you have only yourself to blame.

It’s not your mother’s fault.

Return to Top

Amalfi clings to the rocks above the Gulf of Sorrento tenaciously and precariously. The serpentine mountain roads feature cars with scratches on the doors and side view mirrors fastened with masking tape—obviously many times. Scooters buzz around cars on hairpin turns like mosquitos.

The calm here is quite profound. The hills, remoteness, and small spaces are of no consequence. Everyone is pleasant and helpful. Locals sit and talk. Everyone has suggestions, all aimed at improving your stay.

Last night we visited what my colleague in Milano, Angie Katselianos, called, “one of the three great restaurants in Italy,” Don Alfonso, in Santa Agata, between the Gulfs of Napoli and Sorrento. The food and service were exquisite, the owner’s son, Mario took care of the dining room, and his brother, Ernesto, was in charge of the kitchen. After our kitchen tour, we visited the 25,000-bottle wine cellar.

As I descended through volcanic rock with a guide, I couldn’t help notice the Gajas and Mouton Rothschilds stacked like wood, only to nearly bounce off a two-liter bottle of Chateau D’yquem. The quarter mile descent followed an Etruscan escape route over 2,000 years old, and terminated in a spiral staircase that led to the lowest level, 40 meters below the surface, where a cave held aging Provolone cheese.

Today we visited Pompei where my guide had me speak from a strategic spot in the amphitheater which amplified my voice through the arena, while another tour group waited and watched. It was a free speech, but not many professional speakers have had the opportunity!

The world has to be seen, heard, felt, smelled—experienced. The history and beauty can’t be fully appreciated, no matter how expensive or large the computer or television. Not only do these experiences help you to grow, they become part of you, helping your judgment and effectiveness forever after.

The Roman baths worked as well as modern ones, including steam and heated massages. Their contribution to posterity continues. Their contribution to me is priceless.

Return to Top

The human condition: Polity

“Polity” usually refers to the political units in which we live, as well as the demographic. Often, the “body politic” is used. To me, it connotes the interactions of people who live in proximity. When I was young, we had “neighborhoods” in the city, sometimes of just a block of two, and that was our polity. We often didn’t know the kids three blocks away, and we organized our games and sports amongst ourselves.

In an electronic age, the polity is often non-physical. The “neighborhood” includes Facebook and the other “kids” might be thousands of miles away, never seen in person. My observation is that many people know others on the web far better than they know their physical neighbors.

When people once gathered to hear “stump speeches” (they were often delivered from a tree stump so that you could see the speaker), there was a polity. They might not have agreed with the candidate, and they might have debated with their neighbors in the crowd, but they looked each other in the eye. Today, we have elections run almost purely by sound bite and media analysis. (The current “stump speeches” are really photo opportunities in the local diner or auto factory.)

We seem increasingly polarized today, unwilling or unable to compromise. Every instance of aberrant behavior calls for an entire law to be mandated and enforced with “zero tolerance.” I used to tug on girls’ ponytails, call other kids names, and have a small pocketknife to open my lunchbox. Doing the same today, I would have a lengthy jail record, probably not have a higher education, and be unable to hold a job. I’d be on the public dole. Thank goodness I grew up when the polity was such that every flaw in human behavior wasn’t considered a cardinal sin only remedied by the full weight of the state.

We need to be kinder to each other. I can tolerate and even argue with your positions that are antithetical to mine without disliking you as a person. I know the difference between basic principles and mere taste. Trends come an go.

Polity is forever.



UPCOMING EVENTS

ALAN WEISS IN SYDNEY

November 16-17, Sydney, Australia

A “mini-Consulting College,” with a quarter century of consulting success presented in terms of thought leadership, Million Dollar Referrals, exploiting the two sales you make with a proposal, remote coaching and consulting, setting the highest fees of your life and getting them before the project begins, and much more. First 25 people get a free, third morning with a personal debrief by Alan. Dinner for 12 the first evening sold out. If you attend from outside of Australia/New Zealand, I’ll buy dinner on Friday! The one-time opportunity of a lifetime.

Last chance to register!


THE MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING® 20TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

January 12, 2012

Join me in Miami on January 12 and/or 13 to learn what I would counsel if I had written this 20-year best-seller today. Join me for new intellectual property, different ways to look at what you thought you knew, a free reception, and a great learning experience that includes the power of language and influence. November 15, 2011 cutoff for discounted participation. Never before and never again, don't miss this.


MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING® COLLEGE

October 31-November 4, Castle Hill Inn, Newport, RI

Participate in the finest development anywhere for consultants and related professionals. Visit the pages above for testimonials and photos. Join 200 elite consultants worldwide who have participated. I have not scheduled any Consulting Colleges for 2012 because this will be my third in 2011. We currently have 11 participants from 5 countries!


THE ART OF THE REFERRAL WORKSHOP

November 30, 2011
Rhode Island (venue to be announced)

Base on my new book Million Dollar Referrals and a wildly successful teleconference, this day will enable you to create ongoing solicited and unsolicited referral business; learn and apply the best language to maximize referrals: provide profiles of your ideal referrals. We’ll video the predominantly live, practice work, and you’re free to record all of your personal sessions. This is the only one scheduled. Huge discount if you attended either of my teleconferences on referrals.


SPEAKING WITH ALAN

December 14-15, 2011
Alan's Home, East Greenwich, RI

We have space for only 2-3 more people in this 4-5 person session which provides six months of growth in two day. Create a powerful speech, practice it, set the right fees, and establish a marketing plan. Extensive prep work. All meals, lodging, local transportation included. A unique, intensive opportunity with ongoing and detailed feedback from Alan.


HOW TO ACQUIRE CLIENTS AND VALUE BASED FEES

January 12, 2012
Washington, DC (venue to be announced)

By special arrangement with Alan, Seth Kahan, Master Mentor and Mentor Hall of Fame member, presents a full day on these two powerful topics. Attend a day of intense learning with a master presenter.


ALAN'S THE FRIDAY WRAP� for 2012

Join me for a 15-minute Friday audio, a 10-minute monthly video, and a full day of workshops during the year. Charge yourself up each week with pragmatic and direct advice, including questions from the wrappers. We had over 40 people from all over the world join us in Las Vegas in 2011.

Special: $750 for the public after December 1; $600 prior to December 1; renewals from 2011 wrappers, only $450 prior to December 1.


FREE CONSULTING NEWSLETTER:
THE MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING® MINDSET

Gaining 1,000 subscribers a month. A quick-hit primer and booster on the essentials of consulting marketing and delivery.


Digital Empire Creation
Provided by Chad Barr and his team

In response to many of his clients' requests, Chad Barr, who has helped craft and create Alan Weiss's digital empire, has developed an exciting and stimulating intellectual property creation program to help you create your own digital empire and achieve huge success.

 

Return to Top

I was rehearsing for my speech years ago for the management of the Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City. As we performed the lighting and sound checks I found myself dancing around monitors set flush with the stage. My mike was live for the sound test.

“Who the heck puts computer monitors on a stage that you can step on and fall through?!” I ask, reverberating through the theater. After everyone stops what they’re doing, the total silence is broken by a disembodied voice from the distant booth far in the rear saying, “Those are there to scroll Mr. Sinatra’s lyrics when he performs here this weekend. Any other questions?”

“Ah, no,” I mumbled as the spotlight continued to follow me around the stage.

Balancing Act® is our registered trademark. You are encouraged to share the contents with others with appropriate attribution. Please use the ® whenever the phrase "Balancing Act" is used in connection with this newsletter or our workshops.

Video Rant

See Writing on the Wall, featuring Koufax the Wonder Dog.

Visit my blog

Two new podcasts every week. Special cigar smoking room.

Join the Friday Wrap�

Weekly, 15-minute podcasts with segments on current business events, new intellectual property, and some humor. Monthly, ten-minute videos on business and self-development. And a full-day, free conference in mid-year (May 9). Three full work days—24 hours—of programming for a few dollars an hour in investment. Get this weekly booster shot right away. You’ll get all the archived material dating back to January.

2011 Teleconference Series

I've designed the next teleconference series around most frequently requested topics. Some topics, such as "Power Language," I'll take to the next level. New ones, such as "Story Telling," I'll deal with from the ground up. This is approximately ten hours of high-end development available live, on recording, and by download, all for a single investment.

Shameless Promotion

East Greenwich, RI
Scheduled on demand

One-to-four people participate in a rigorous two days of promotional "mayhem," in which we create assertive and powerful approaches to mold thought leaders, "go to" people, interviewing targets, and objects of interest. The second course is now completed, and we ensure compatibility by vetting applicants. Nothing else like this if you seek to "rise above the noise." One to four people, scheduled at mutual convenience. The third one has recently been formed.

Make the decision. You’re not defusing a bomb. You won’t blow up if you cut the wrong wire. —AW


E-mail [email protected]
P.O. Box 1009 � East Greenwich, RI 02818-0964 � Telephone: (401) 884-2778 � Fax: (401) 884-5068

All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2024 Summit Consulting Group
ISSN 1934-3116