Twenty years ago, my wife and I went to a Jack Canfield seminar on becoming successful. Jack’s book, Chicken Soup for the Soul had launched his speaking and training career. Audiences were hungry to hear his secrets. We also wanted to know how and be trained to develop our own Midas touch.
The key takeaway for me was an experience I’ll never forget.
Jack was walking in the audience and stopped to talk with a young woman.
“Are you glad you’re here?” he asked her.
“Yes!” she excitedly gushed.
“Are you learning something useful?”
Again, she excitedly responded, “Yes! This is great!”
Jack proceeded to tear into her. Dismissively belittling her in front of the audience. “How do you feel now?” he asked her.
Crying, sobbing, she tried to respond but couldn’t get a sentence out.
Jack said, “There’s only one thing for you to be thinking at this moment: What’s his problem?”
Jack went on to make his point, telling her and the audience, she made a choice by accepting his words as valid. She had relinquished her personal power to him. She had absorbed his words, his message – but that was on her! Her responsibility to herself is fulfilling her gatekeeper role.
Visualize trying to get in to see the President. Can you just walk in unannounced? No. There’s someone blocking you, checking your credentials. The President must agree to see you, or you are not taken seriously.
I have the privilege and responsibility to be my own gatekeeper.
I choose which messages I receive and which I disregard as just meaningless noise. They have no effect on me.
So do you! Each of us does! It’s our responsibility to safeguard our focus, happiness, and peace of mind.
I know we did!
How do I do that?
I don’t take anything that anyone – regardless of who they are – says or does as personal!
If I didn’t say it, do it or think it, – it’s not personal to me! It’s only personal to the one who did!
I refuse to relinquish my personal power to anyone else! For a deeper look, check here.
I advocate and encourage you to do the same!
Until next time,
Joe
Btw, Pam and I concluded the young woman worked with Jack, ensuring the audience got his message.