We love the fancy new gadgets and all the news of Google and Apple on the airwaves. It’s part fashion and slight advantage if we can know and use the new technology coming out. At least it feels that way.
I know my gadgets have their place, but they pale in comparison to what is truly an asset in my life and yours. I see people and organizations hiding behind the technology, marketing or stuff that makes them feel engaged.
However, anyone can buy this stuff. Just pull out your wallet. It’s not hard, at least not for most people.
Your greatest asset in today’s rapid moving economy is your belief system. The technology will only amplify who you are. Your belief system is the core of what allows you to go out there and make things happen and get things done. It has to be protected and nurtured.
As we are interacting with people in business and life, we are engaging each other’s belief systems. Their convictions, confidence and leadership come into play. Deals are made based on what each person believes about themselves and the other person. Wouldn’t it make sense to be careful of protecting this asset with more care than your iPhone? Here are some ways to prioritize and protect your greatest asset:
- Read every day. If you don’t read, you don’t know anything. You are the same person you have always been. Reading expands your thinking and engages your belief system. You have to wrestle with the concepts an author has thoughtfully laid out. Carry a Kindle and make it your best friend. Read in blocks of time and in between events. It will help you grow.
- Take responsibility. There’s plenty of opportunities to lead. It may be small if you are not used to leading. I like to always push myself and assume new leadership roles. It forces me to grow and put together the pieces for others. When everyone is stepping back on a project, step forward. You have to know what you are doing and what you want. Then lay it out for others to follow easily.
- Put yourself out there. There’s plenty of ways to make your ideas known. Social media and blogging are both accessible and has built-in distribution. Take a position on a topic and start putting your thoughts out there. Grow a dialogue. Don’t stand in the middle. Don’t be well-rounded. Be sharp, cornered and full of conviction. Let others challenge your ideas. It will force you to refine or establish your belief system.
- Risk something personally. If you are a mere talker, this will be scary. Taking action on something you believe is liberating. You have to commit. As you commit, your belief grows, one step at a time. The world has plenty of gaps to fill. Find one and go after it with abandon. It will test and push your belief about yourself.
Who you are is far more important than what you have. Take care of your greatest asset and ensure it is front and center in your mind’s eye. I can assure you that the world will open up with opportunities for the person who knows what they believe and where they are going.
What next step are you willing to take?
