“Chicken Soup for the Soul” was just beginning to go B-O-O-M! Surprisingly, it had been met with resistance from the public, along with 144 publisher rejections, before finally hitting pay dirt- and acceptance. Well…almost.
“My goal is to create a million millionaires.” Mark V. Hansen was able to share small details with me: someone outside his circle and not in his employ. “I have seen what making money can do for the economy, and it’s the best goal I can think of to generate more jobs and prosperity everywhere.” It was hard not to admire the HUGE vision this man held throughout the ‘battle’ to get their first book published.
Sales afforded him an entirely new lifestyle, and, when he shared it on stage for the very first time, I was sitting in the audience. He’d been a guest on my talk show, “The BIG Yes!” so I knew he’d come from humble beginnings, often joking that his VW Beetle had ‘permanent air conditioning’ (broken windows.) He would park it two blocks from his sales appointments to conceal his present ‘status’ in life.
And now, building a home next to Bill Gates on Maui, he wondered if it sounded bad to talk about it. “Honestly, now: did it sound like I was bragging or was it OK to tell everyone that? Should I have left out the details about overlooking the ocean? Was it too much?”
I was inspired as hell and told him so. Their ‘trek’ to the top had been difficult, at best; this was the “cherry on top” of their long haul. He earned everything he had, and it was inspiring to see what remains possible for anyone of us. He knew that in his head, but he hesitated.
Was this the dreaded “grandstanding”?
“Your goal is to make a million millionaires, Mark. So speak on it! Show us how it’s done!” I meant every word, and hope he continued to share his up-and-coming story of rags-to-riches, leading the way for both the aspiring and the inspired.
The appointment of feature contributor to an award-winning magazine, TODAY, brought up the same concerns for me: is it tooting our own horn or celebrating a win? After all, our supporters carry perpetual pom-pom’s, standing on-the-ready to cheer us UP and ONWARD, right?
Soooo…why do we hesitate? When did it become a bad thing to celebrate?
Let’s cut that crap out, together, shall we? EACH of us has worked far too hard for God-knows how long to finally get to ‘here.’
If you have ‘neighbors’ that would frown, then move.
The definition of “Brandstanding” continues with this example: Kevin used to sound like he was an arrogant guy trying to push his product but now because he shows us what the product is about and how it helps us, it is definitely elevated to brandstanding for all the right reasons.
So go ahead, step-up, speak-out, share your good fortunes and blessings with the world. You are an inspiration even though ‘they’ don’t know of all the perspiration behind “your moment in the sun.” Enjoy it! Share it! Stand out with your brand out, baby. And tell your tribe ‘cuz they can’t wait to shake those pom-pom’s in your honor.
Go ahead & swing a little higher. You earned it.
If enjoying ‘your moment in the sun’ means bragging about what you have achieved, it does not give you any kudos or gravitas. Nor do I believe that fortune and fame make you happy. I remember once reading about Bill Gates’ house overlooking a magnificent lake or riverside view but which the family barely ever enjoyed because the windows were kept shut to avoid the gawking of tourists as well as paparazzi taking photographs. I don’t know whether the Gates family still lives in the same house and quite frankly I don’t give a toss.
Lonnie, can I just say your energy in your words is electric. I can just see you helping those step up and own their goods. I get what you are saying and I think you have to be pretty grounded and solid in yourself to “own” it and also keep going with an
unshakeably vision in mind. Who feeds your thoughts including yourself makes a difference. Other’s will have there ideas – always. Pretty cool -brandstanding and grandstanding – standouts for the day.
Excellent, Lonnee. I believe it depends on the “real” intentions of the person. Because there will always be someone who questions or criticizes what you do. But it also can really help boost self-confidence.
If we continue to look at – and review – our intentions, this is how we keep it in a good place.
Lonnee, I enjoyed reading your encouraging message and also loved the two words used, Grandstand and Brandstand – absolutely brilliant and yes, I believe that we are allowed to blow our own horn, as no one else will do it for us.
On the flip side, I would like to ask a general question, “What is your greatest achievement”… and I am sure this question will be answered in as many different ways as the people who answer it. It is unique to each person.
I personally do not necessarily see “achievements” associated with money or fame…it can be very simple, and for me, one of the greatest and most significant moments in my life was when I was able, or should I say, was instrumental in making a very seriously injured child smile, our fingers interlocked ,as she passed away into glory. This was in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey.
Was that an achievement or was it a privilege?
Can I boast about it or should I point out the importance and the power of sharing a smile, a tender touch, a special understanding, forgiveness, showing compassion, empathy ???
Touching someone, in however a small way – is in itself an achievement we can be proud of. I have learned that the Purpose of Life is Not Happiness – It’s Usefulness and Ralph Waldo Emerson expresses it beautifully,
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Hadn’t heard the term “brandstanding” before, Lonnee, but I love it, so thanks!