Becoming Visible
This weekend I did something that I have never done before. I was invited by my dear friend and colleague to participate in a 3-day virtual event called “Collaborate.” If you would like more info about this event visit my website and I'll send you a link. At first, I was not feeling it because the schedule for each day was 9-10 hours a day. OY!! Talk about overzoomed!! However, because the friend that invited me is a networking genius and helps people become more visible to their ideal clients, I just said “yes.”
It was my New Year's intention in 2020 to become more visible so I could help more people, and to find the right and perfect partners to help me do so. Well, as most of us do, I made these big declarations and promptly forgot all about them as the year progressed.
Tony Robbins
After my sweet mother's death in 2015, I went through tremendous grief and 4 years of what feels a lot like hibernation now. I lost purpose and the thing that gave me the greatest joy, singing, just wasn't the same without her. She was my voice teacher, best friend, accountability partner and so much more...right...and MOTHER. I knew at some point I would start singing again but until then, I wondered what else I could do. One lonely night, as I flipped through Netflix (who had become my best friend and confidant during this time), I came across Tony Robbins' documentary "I'm Not Your Guru." Two things happened after I watched. I was inspired to action and found a problem that I wanted to help people solve.
Nothing was inspiring me in those days, so I took action by looking up the training center that Mr. Robbins mentioned during the documentary. The Robbins-Madanes Training Center is the official life-coach training of Tony Robbins. I got enrolled and started studying one of my favorite subjects: people. Why they do the things they do, which may or may not serve them. How to help them change their state of mind so they become more resourceful and resilient. AND I got to study the man who coined the phrase "life coach" and all the seemingly effortless techniques called "Strategic Interventions" he uses to empower people.
Now for the second piece: I found a problem that I wanted to help people solve.
It occurred to me that I had been introduced to Mr. Robbins and his magic 20 years before. One of my favorite people, who was always looking for new strategies for self-help and empowerment, had these video tapes (remember those?) of this great guy called Tony Robbins. So I started watching and I just couldn't hear him even though he was yelling.
You see the way he was using his voice was so distracting I could not focus on his content (which was life altering.) In "I Am Not Your Guru," it was revealed that his voice was basically in shreds because of how busy he was and how much he used his voice. There was even a clip of him doing vocal exercises that I knew were not as effective as what I had been taught as an Opera Singer.
Then I got it—the problem I wanted to help people solve. I wanted to help speakers, leaders and coaches use their voice in a powerful but healthy way so their BIG messages could always be heard. So I got to work building coaching programs, and applying the techniques I had under my belt to my work with singers and actors.
Coaching and teaching? Huge transforming results!
Business and acquiring clients in my new target market? Not so much.
I was the best kept secret in New York City! So this year, I made some BIG declarations to become more visible so that I can help more people.
Now, back to the event this past weekend. Turns out it was all about meeting heart-centered entrepreneurs who were interested in becoming partners in business. There were over 300 participants. About six to 8 times a day they placed us in "Connection Circles," (Zoom breakout rooms) with 8-10 people. In the Connection Circles, each person had two minutes to explain what we did, and discover if we wanted to connect to discuss partnership--kind of like Match.com for business owners!
I had an absolute blast!!! Most of you know I am famous for saying, "I love meeting new people! It's like opening presents." Well, I got about 50 presents over the weekend. Fifty connections that I get to have lovely conversations with (and possibly partner with.) This only child doesn't have to go it alone anymore. WHOOHOO!
On the 3rd day, it dawned on me that I had just fulfilled my intention for 2020. I AM becoming more and more visible so that those who need me and my work can find me. And when I really looked at the last six months and started counting my blessings, I realized I had created at least 3 important new partnerships even before the Collaborate event!
As I write, I am feeling such gratitude and an overflow of bounty. I hope you can feel it too. We are so much better together. It seems a bit of a paradox, during our time of social distance and isolation, to experience so many new connections. And remember, as I remind myself everyday about my mother, even though it might appear as though a loved one is far away, their energy and essence is always available. Separation is but an illusion.