What is the number one product you sell…You!

We work on creating the best products or services, but are we working on improving the most important part of that – the vehicle by which we offer those products and services (again, that’s YOU!)? Are we working on us?

We need to work on many things in relation to improving ourselves:

  • Learning what we’re good at and using these strengths OFTEN!
  • Learning what we’re not great at (weaknesses) and finding ways to get better (or hire out if this doesn’t matter)
  • Get to know your values (hopefully you’ve done some exploring with this, as your business and brand are likely based on your values as well)
  • Get to know yourself, become comfortable with yourself, and be proud of yourself. This means be AUTHENTIC. Don’t try to be Lisa, or Shantae, or Lou (though they’re pretty awesome). Embrace the awesomeness that you bring.
  • Along the same lines…learn how to be the professional version of you when you’re working.

What are some of the most important skills regarding business…SOFT SKILLS!
(AKA: people skills – interpersonal skills: ie – communication; emotional skills – regulating your emotions; adaptability; leadership; problem-solving; assertiveness; ability to receive feedback; etc).

I don’t want to buy a product or service from someone who is rude or cold or abrasive/offensive/obnoxious, or withdrawn or disconnected or apathetic.

I want to have “a guy” or “a girl” for each of the important areas in my life: a hairdresser, plumber, the guy I know will do the job well and with whom I have a good relationship. I want someone with whom I have a professional relationship.

5 quick actions business owners can take to get better at being themselves in a healthy, professional way:

  1. Go to therapy! Get help learning your strengths and weaknesses and find out where you struggle and how to improve. Learn how you can be authentic (the real you and not what others want you to be). 
  2. Attend workshops, classes, etc. about the issues you need help with/areas you want to grow in. 
  3. Read books, watch videos about these issues (again, check with me and I’ll help with this). 
  4. Get a journal, Bruh! Take time to write about feelings you’re experiencing. Write about things that might bother you, what may have contributed to these feelings, etc. This is a great place to also write out things like your life dreams and goals. Treat it as your aspirational playground – again, getting to know yourself better and exploring your dreams and goals (No limits!). 
  5. Spend time freshening up your brand once you’ve spent more time getting to know you and recognizing if your brand really represents you or not.

There is nothing so freeing as being authentic, and people (including customers) are very attracted to real, genuine people.

The more you get to know you, embrace you, and like you, the more confident you’ll be and the better you’ll be at providing great services and products.

This marketing minute brought to you by My Little Ikigai Journal.

***I’ll do mini workshops whenever desired to help with some of these skills.

Today’s Marketing Minute is brought to you by Regina Howland, Beyond Sessions Mental Health Counseling Services.

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik