Are You In Need of Inspiration?

What inspires you?  Perhaps for you, it’s architecture, nature, or maybe other people.  This past month I had the honor of having a new NSA member approach me and tell me that I inspired them… Me!  Can you believe it?  My immediate question back to them was “In what ways?”  (Darn that coaching background!  I couldn’t just accept the compliment.) They told me that I inspired them because I am always positive, upbeat and that they just enjoyed hearing my story and being around me (Again, I had to ask myself if they were really talking about me?)

I tell this story not to brag, although it is pretty cool huh?  Instead, I tell it because inspiration is all around us at NSA!  Let’s face the facts… This can be a pretty lonely business existence. The majority of us are solopreneurs where we work by ourselves, for ourselves.   Furthermore, telling your story can bring you to areas of the country that you never imagined (Can you tell me what I was doing in Fargo, North Dakota in December?) and stay in hotels that boggle the hospitality mentality (The front desk was appreciative that I actually took the time to bring them the 1970’s pair of Hush Puppy shoes that were under the bed!) Something has got to keep you going, and that something for me is our members. 

So if you’re like me and find inspiration in other people, odds are that there is an NSA member that has a story to tell that will inspire you.  Whether it’s talking to someone that’s climbed to the top of Mount Everest (There is an NSA Sammy Speaker-Palooza Membership Desk setup at base camp!) or someone who works in the poorest parts of Washington DC)  This month I followed-up with a guy that inspires me.  His name is Omekongo Dibinga, and I met him in Orlando at the NSA Winter Meeting (Check him out at www.omekongo.com).  He’s not a CPAE, nor does he have the CSP designation.  But what he does have is vision.  Here’s why this guy’s vision inspires me… When I first met him, he said that “My sole purpose is to change the world!”  This set the tone and raised the bar for me throughout the entire meeting.  I was, and still am inspired by him (Again, this guy’s sole purpose is to CHANGE THE WORLD!) 

So what inspires you?  The odds are that there is someone you could reach out to that is an NSA member.  Because you’re a member, you have access to such inspiration right at your fingertips.  I encourage you to go to the web, find that person and reach out today!  Inspiration is closer than you think…

From the NSA NTX Membership Desk,

Sam Palazzolo, MBA, CPLP

Pathos Leadership Group

www.PathosLeadershipGroup.com

Sam Palazzolo, MBA, CPLP

NSA North TX

I recently took the advice of Seth Godin (author of “Tribes,” “Purple Cow” and “Permission Marketing,” to name a few).  He recently said that right now, in order to weather the current economic storm, businesses must look at each of their expenses and cut out the wasteful ones.  So I sat down and analyzed my business, one painful expenditure at a time.  I ultimately came to the NSA and NSA North Texas expenses.  I looked at these expenses and, like Seth suggested, asked myself if this was truly a waste.  I came up with two conclusions.

First, I just returned from the NSA Winter Convention in Orlando, so the expenses were still fresh on my mind.  (They’ll have a little more “sting” when the bill arrives next month!)  The convention was a great opportunity to see old friends, meet new ones, bring my kids with me (my daughter celebrated her 8th birthday there.  She celebrated with Mickey; I celebrated my 8th birthday with my Uncle Mike… but that’s a different story!)  and to learn new ways to take my business to the next level.  I set a goal for myself to leave with no less than six $10,000 ideas.  I left the first day with nine, thanks to Jeff Magee, CSP!  Was this expense worth it?

Second, I reviewed the NSA North Texas expenses associated with the meetings and sitting on the board.  Even though I purchased a “Value Pass,” the membership and meeting expenses are high in comparison to the other associations of which I’m a member.  (But I do get to attend a special session later this year!)  I reviewed my notes from each of the presenters who have presented thus far: Michael Port, Scott Halford, Jill Konrath, Chris Clark-Epstein, etc.  What value did I receive from each that directly impacted my business bottom line?  I also looked at my time spent on the board.  This is time away from my clients, students at the university where I instruct and my family.  Was this expense worth it?

I had a conversation with a “prospect” or potential member of the group, which cleared up all the analysis that I was trying to perform.  She asked, “What is the best part of being a member of NSA?”  I told her the answer was simple for me, it’s a place where you can learn how to best structure your business because everybody shares!  So whether you take Seth’s advice or mine, determine if the expense of your membership is truly bringing value to your business bottom line.  If you’re like me, this is a no-brainer!

From the Membership Desk at NSA North Texas…

Sam Palazzolo, MBA, CPLP

President & Chief Influence Officer

Pathos Leadership Group – Home of the Influential Edge!

www.PathosLeadershipGroup.com