With today being the first day of 2016 it is traditionally a day of reflection, as well as, a day to commit to new and better actions for the new year. It is an exciting time. The part, however, that can become disappointing is when no one shares your excitement or even wants to hear what you have to say.
Everyone wants to have a voice. Why wouldn't others want to hear it? Especially those that love and care about us? There are a few reasons that crossed my mind, just this morning, as I pondered this. And I believe it starts with assessing "why" we are communicating our goals in the first place and why we even chose those goals.
A couple of brief reasons why no one listens to you could be:
What you say - Are you communicating your goal to people who have no interest in your end goal (i.e. your why)? Often it is not necessary to communicate the goal at all. Simply go out and execute it. However, if you want people to buy in, communicate why you are making these plans before you communicate what the plans are. Watch Sinek's video to see great examples of this.
How you say it - Are your words being presented kindly, with good intent, and in a good spirit? Again, ask yourself why you are saying what you are saying? No one wants to listen to someone when they question their reason for speaking in the first place.
Your credibility - Are you saying the same thing you said last year and the year before? Even the people who love us the most can grow tired of hearing us talk about the same thing but not seeing us make any progression toward the goal.
If you want your day of reflection to count and you want people to listen to you, start with "why." Why are you reflecting? Why are you choosing the goals you are choosing and why are you voicing them in the manner you chose? The answers to these questions are within you alone. Once you grasp on to why you truly do what you do, you will see the difference in how people respond to you and how others are inspired by you.
"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it."
Great blog! Love the idea of searching and expanding on how you can find a why so you can express it to others. Most of the times in my life where someone listened to my why is because I understood why they would want to listen to me first. Finding out how your audience thinks and what matters to them, builds your credibility in their eyes, helps you express how to say it (because they will help you how they want to hear it), and makes you communicate it authentically. Thanks for the insight!!
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