Early this year, I needed a mental boost. Like so many of us, the COVID Era had been tough on me, emotionally. Even though I've been fine financially, not seeing friends, not going out, playing golf and basically being a shut in, took its toll.
That's when I saw the ad showing that one of my all-time favorite motivational speakers was giving a 4 day webinar. Just what the doctor ordered! I signed up for the upgraded package.
"There are a lot of times in life, when we don't need to learn something new - we just need to be reminded of something we knew" FS
It turned out to be a three day webinar. One day, the speaker didn't show up and it was basically an hours long informercial for his friends to sell their stuff. I get that everyone’s entitled to a buck but the guy was making millions off of this, so a little honesty in advertising would have been appreciated. Oh well.
The three days were great! Okay, they were nothing I hadn't read and heard a hundred times before. But there are times in life when we don't need to learn something new - we need to be reminded of something we knew.
It worked!
I was already on an upward trajectory financially but the webinar reminded of techniques and strategies that help keep me motivated, stay organized and use my time more effectively! It helped me remember very specific ways to combat lethargy and distractions.
Focus is a major key to success.
My lovely bride got so pumped up, she bought the upgrade to the next webinar that was coming a month later (like me, she just turned off the tv on infomercial day). We watched that webinar (except the now anticipated infomercial day) and again, the material was so familiar and ingrained, I could have conducted it myself. But again, it was an incredibly valuable experience and reminded me of several mental and emotional habits that help maintain success.
"A speaker who truly has his audience’s best interest in heart, will teach them to cut the inspirational umbilical cord and to do what it takes to succeed after the show is over." FS
Then I experienced déjà vu. The Cult Phenomenon.
People didn't take what they needed to go improve themselves and become healthier or more successful. They became acolytes.
Like a religious group, they followed his morning rituals, used the exact words he used and quoted his scripture, and even ate the diet he told them to eat.
It was the early 90’s all over again.
People go to a seminar and get caught up in the mass hysteria and emotional catharsis offered by a speaker who is a self-proclaimed master of manipulating emotions. This is great if the speaker has their best interest in heart - which our webinar leader genuinely did. But even the best of intentions can go awry.
A speaker who truly has his audience’s best interest in heart, will teach them to cut the inspirational umbilical cord and to do what it takes to succeed after the show is over. Work hard. Work smart. Build a high value network. Study constantly. Improve your technology and marketing. Innovate.
“He was motivated to be motivated, instead of being motivated to do the work it takes to succeed.” FS
For example, I had a friend who like so many people, became one of those self-help junkies who talks endlessly, about how their awareness is manifesting ultimate prosperity (and all the other jargon).
For several months, he had been a vegan who started every day with the right rituals and so on. He was busy explaining how much I'd missed in the last three seminars, when I asked him some questions:
ME: How have you been doing at building your network lately? Anyone worth noting? (we made a habit of introducing each other to valuable people) HIM: Not really. I’ve been pretty busy (attending seminars and doing rituals!) ME: So what about this new internet thing? I think this is going to be huge! (Yes, this was that long ago!)
HIM: I haven’t really looked into it. Probably just a fad, anyway (seriously, a LOT of people said that back in the day).
ME: Would you say you now know more about the San Diego real estate market than any realtor out there?
HIM: I know a lot and I'm a GREAT realtor! One of the best! (gotta admire his belief system!) ME: So has the market in La Jolla gone up or down in the last few months? My friend Keith says it's been flat for a while now. HIM: Oh. I don't know for sure but I can look into it for you and I'm sure I can get you a better deal than anyone out there! (again, great belief but if you can’t back it up with professional knowledge, you’re the only one believing it).
ME: So what new ideas have you come up with for marketing, lately? HIM: Nothing lately. ME: So are you making more money than you were six months ago? HIM: Not yet but I’m manifesting it and it’s on the way!
NO!
No he didn’t manifest it. Ever.
He was motivated to be motivated, instead of being motivated to do the work it takes to succeed.
He didn’t work to develop and maintain high value relationships.
He didn’t study the latest technology or even the market he was in.
He wasn’t trying to innovate.
It didn’t even occur to him that after six months, his income had actually gone down.
"Seminars alone, won’t help you succeed financially, if you don’t do the work. " FS
So yes, go to motivational seminars! But don’t become a follower.
Want great health? Melissa Wood is a great health guru by those who don’t like high intensity workouts and restrictive diets. David Goggins and others are incredibly motivating!
Want financial success? Warren Buffet, Sam Ovens and Mark Cuban all have tremendous value to offer.
Seminars alone, won’t help you succeed financially, if you don’t do the work. Study business magazines and journals relevant to your profession. Read sites like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal or for example in my case, The American Lawyer.
After a motivational seminar, don’t become a follower.
Take that motivation and go work harder. Build a high value network. Learn from multiple sources and study your profession. Keep up with tech and constantly innovate. Then you’ll become a motivated Leader. That’s even better than “manifesting ultimate prosperity”.
Frederick Shelton