Amp It Up!

The Gutter Man

nobody@vox.com(Amp It Up!) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:05:26 -0700

A gutter installer named Rick came by my house to give me an estimate at 7:30 this morning. He was a pleasant man, and his business was just a few blocks from my house.

The first thing he asked me was, "How did you hear about us?"

(If I could get my all my business coaching clients to do that, I would be so happy!)

I told him that first I'd found him on Google, and then I saw him in the Yellow Pages. On Google there was just a simple listing, and I told him he would be doing his business a favor if he put up a website. That way, he could tell his story to the people who used the Internet to look for services. He agreed that he needed one, but he was just not an Internet person. I told him I could recommend a designer, and then all he would need is the copy and some pictures. He asked me for my card, and read my title.

"Chief Amplifier?" he said. "What's that?"

I said, "I help individuals and businesses discover new possibilities for themselves and amplify those possibilities into reality. For businesses owners, that means I do things like help develop a growth strategy, design new profit centers, open new sales channels, and ultimately, help the owner put together an exit strategy, so he or she can stop working and go on to something else."

He laughed, in an "I wish" sort of way. "I don't think I'm gonna stop working any time soon. I'm raising three kids. I just don't see it."

I smiled, and said, "It could happen. You just need a vision and a plan."

But I could tell he didn't believe me. And I wondered if Rick would ever get his mind out of gutters and set his sights on the stars.

To get free tips on accessing possibility and amplifying it into reality, visit www.KimMarcille.com, and sign up for my newsletter.

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QotD: Happy Voxiversary!

nobody@vox.com(Amp It Up!) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:21:29 -0700

Today is Vox's first anniversary since the official launch. What's the best experience you've had on Vox in the past year? Getting comments that I've helped someone, or had a positive impact on someone's frame of mind on a particular day. That has to be the best.

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Quote of the Day

nobody@vox.com(Amp It Up!) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:23:36 -0700

"Those who possess great skill are uniquely aware not only of what they do know but also of what they do not yet know. This awareness can lead to underconfidence."

Joyce Ehrlinger
Department of Psychology
Florida State University

I love this quote. According to Ehrlinger's research, it turns out that people with less skill are paradoxically more confident about their capabilities.

So when you're feeling less than confident about creating the life of your dreams, you can remind yourself that it's because you're greatly skilled and well-adjusted. And then go do the work anyway.

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How Are You Measuring Yourself?

nobody@vox.com(Amp It Up!) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:12:48 -0700

Okay, so today my mom called me again to ask about what to bring to dinner at our friend Candace's house. (Candace sprained her ankle.) Yesterday, she reported that Candace had told her on Sunday that she was making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Mom had planned to bring pasta with meat sauce. Was that too much pasta in a few days? Did I have any other ideas? But nothing with chicken that would have to be re-heated. And nothing that Tom would have to cook on the grill. And something the teenaged boys would eat. And...you get the idea.

I sent mom several recipes off the Internet that had no chicken in them and travel well, since she'll be driving down for dinner. A quick pop in the oven was all they needed. They were too Betty-Crockerish, she said. How about quiche?

My mom is a very smart woman. On Saturday, she delivered a talk to Lupus patients covering the latest possible medical information they could have on how to care for themselves. (My mother has Lupus herself.) And yet, despite her vast wisdom, she hung herself up for three days about what to bring for dinner at Candace's house. She was struggling because she didn't want to do the wrong thing. She didn't want to appear uncreative, or make people eat something they'd be bored with, or whatever.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Candace is going to be so thrilled with my mom's presence, she won't care what's for dinner. Her husband Tom will be so happy not to cook, he'll gladly eat whatever she brings. And the boys will wolf down whatever it is, and be gone from the table 5 minutes later. Yet in my mom's mind, the whole night will be a bust if she brings the wrong thing to eat. She doesn't want to disappoint The Tribe. (More on The Tribe later.)

Are your measurements of yourself balanced? Are you so concerned with what others think that you don't leave any breathing room for yourself? When you're panicked about a decision, think about it from the other side: what's REALLY important here? Is this the most important thing? Or am I missing the big picture?

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