“You get noticed by playing on your quirks. What you think are your weaknesses are actually your greatest strengths.” Cindy Ashton (14:56-15:02)
Cindy Ashton is principal and chief executive officer of Minerva Enterprises, a company helping thought leaders develop their presentation skills so their messages connect, attain impact, and drive results.
Minerva is on a mission to bridge the major pay gap for women in the speaking industry. It’s led to a new movement with the hashtag, #ourvoicetoo, reminding us that for women speakers, it’s our time and our voice, too.
How to Get Noticed and Paid for It!
Born with heart failure and structural damage to her body, Cindy experienced a lifetime of chronic pain and illness. She knows firsthand that when you try to advocate for yourself with an invisible illness or pain that people can’t see, you aren’t always heard.
“When pain is physical and obvious, people can take action. But when it’s not, you have to speak up.” – Diane Forster (9:15-9:24)
Fifty percent of Americans live with some kind of chronic condition, and Cindy wants to raise awareness about invisible illness and pain.
Getting Noticed When You Don’t Fit the Mold
The other challenge Cindy faces is that she doesn’t fit in the box. She believes that most people don’t fit in the box, and the ones that do fit in the box feel trapped. So, when we don’t fit into the standard mold, how do we get noticed?
Stop following the formulas out there about how to be successful. We’re told to emulate others. But that won’t work for us because they’re not us. When you consider the most well-known influencers in the world, they’re quirky, weird, and free. We also need to play off our quirks.
“Too many people limit themselves because they force themselves into blueprints.” – Cindy Ashton (25:00-25:07)
You are more than your story.
Ask yourself, “What point of view do I have that’s born from who I am and is radically different from anyone else’s?” That’s what will get you noticed and create a lasting brand.
Instead of trying to be authentic, be real.
Being real means going beyond our stories and creating a point of view that changes the world for our audiences. It’s about working through our inner crap so we can be present and comfortable with every part of ourselves.
People create personas of what they think they should be while claiming it as their real selves. But when we’re truly our real selves by embracing all of who we are, it’s easy to connect with other people in a way that is real and truthful and makes an impact. And that’s when we’ll get noticed.
Each week, we provide you with a mantra meditation, a fun, transformational way to apply the concepts in each episode. Tell yourself the story of what you want, without all the limitations, and watch your life change! Listen to this week’s mantra meditation to grow in self-love. Letting go of the expectations of others and growing in the confidence and love of who you are and all that you are capable of, is the only way to truly move forward in success and fulfillment. Each day, we are surrounded by people who are doing the best that they can. Listen in to this week’s mantra meditation, embrace self-compassion, and extend compassion to your relationships.
How to get involved
- For more information about working with Diane and to gain access to valuable resources visit dianeforster.com.
- You can contact Diane for coaching information at info@dianeforster.com.
- To learn more about the EED Process discussed on today’s episode, get Diane’s book, I Have Today.
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To find out more about Cindy’s Presentation Skills Training: www.Minerva.ceo
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To find out more about Cindy: www.CindyAshton.com
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