The Romans gave us a wonderful expression … ceteris paribus … which roughly translates as “all other things being equal.”
The idea springs from our natural desire to figure out what the truly “active ingredients” are in any success formula.
All other things being equal, why it is that some people are sought after and get paid very well for their services, while others who offer the very same services merely scrape by?
Is it their intelligence? Their knowledge? Their credentials? Their experience? Is it that they’re with a well-known firm? Is it their geographic location in a market that just pays better?
It can be any or all of those. But you can be smart, highly educated, experienced, and in the right place, and still not be achieving the level of success you want.
And the fact is, “all other things” are seldom equal, so it’s hard to isolate one or two key elements that are determinative.
The formula that makes one person successful might be very different from the formula that makes another stand out from the crowd
BUT … what I keep noticing in my coaching and consulting is that there IS a common thread.
And it isn’t so much what you know or what you do as how you do it … how you approach life, how you interact with other people, and how much good energy you bring to the party.
Personal energy … it’s a somewhat abstract concept, but we all know it when it’s there … and when it isn’t. We know when it’s good and when it’s bad.
We all respond better to someone with happy energy, for example. We all know people who love what they do. Their happy energy is attractive. People are naturally drawn to them. We also all know people who hate what they do. Their energy? Not so attractive.
Healthy energy is attractive. If you’re feeling great physically, your emotional and mental state reflect that.
People with happy, healthy energy are naturally going to be more upbeat, can- do folks, and they’ll naturally draw people to them.
And when people are drawn to you energetically, they’re far more likely to want to work with you.
Often, professionals think they need to earn yet another credential or learn to like sales and marketing before they’ll be able to attract clients and be fully successful.
Of course you need to be capable. Yes, you need to get out there, build relationships and market your services.
But you know what? The real difference-maker just might be what you bring to the table in every interaction you have, every challenge you face, every door of opportunity you walk through.
Why not make it the happy, healthy, upbeat, can-do you … every time … and see how much of a difference that makes?
Just see if the positive personal vibe you’re putting out there doesn’t make everything work better, flow more easily, and bring in more business.
So, how do you do this? How do you generate a you with great personal energy?
First, get healthy.
Second, get happy. Happiness is always a choice. Choose it … often.
Third, put yourself in a positive state of mind by focusing on what’s working, what you’re capable of, how much you have to offer, what you’re grateful for, and how lucky you are to be able to serve people.
Fourth, put yourself in a positive state of body by not only getting healthy, but by standing tall, wearing a smile, moving with purpose, speaking with enthusiasm … and just generally acting as if you’re confident and up to any task. Exude positive energy.
And what’s the downside of consciously working to put your best self out there?
There is none.
Actually, get the energy thing right and it won’t even matter if all other things are in fact not equal.
You might have less knowledge and experience than others. You might be have fewer advantages, but you’ll have something that serves not only as an equalizer, but as a profound advantage in your life and work.
You’ll have personal magnetism.
And that’s a very good thing.