138. Building a Business That’s an Expression of You
May 30, 2023
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Vasavi Kumar, a genius at helping people express their most truthful, authentic, and creative versions of themselves, joins Ajit in a discussion about evolving from coach to thought leader, the power of authenticity in speaking, and taking bold moves in pursuing a speaking career. They also explore the idea of changing beliefs and the impact of evoking emotions in presentations.
Being authentic and embracing growth allows for a deeper connection with the audience.
Prioritizing presence and mindset and developing empowering thoughts and rituals enhance speaking performance.
Challenging socially constructed goals and limitations can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Deep dives
Learning the Value of Authenticity
One of the biggest lessons I've learned from my journey is the importance of being authentic. While I always knew that intellectually, actually embodying it is a different story. It takes self-acceptance and forgiveness to truly be yourself and not worry about the acceptance or rejection of others. Seeing Vision, the founder of Mindvalley, embrace his ever-evolving self has inspired me to do the same. I now understand that I don't have to rush to be a perfect version of myself, but rather focus on continuously growing and discovering new versions of me. This mentality has allowed me to be unapologetic and vulnerable on stage, sharing my journey and connecting with my audience in a more authentic way.
Preparing for Presence
Before stepping on stage, I prioritize my presence and mindset. This involves understanding that the only moment that matters is the present moment. I let go of concerns about past talks or future outcomes and fully focus on the present. I also have specific rituals that energize me, such as enjoying a particular type of coffee, listening to music that puts me in a positive state, and finding a moment of calm and presence. Additionally, I organize my mind by choosing more productive thoughts and beliefs that empower me as a speaker.
Growing Out Loud
I am grateful to Vision, who has taught me the power of growing out loud. He continually reminds me that it's okay to share what I'm working on and be vulnerable with my audience. This permission to embrace my growth and share it openly not only benefits my own personal development, but also creates a deeper connection with my audience. I no longer feel the need to present a perfect image, but rather show up authentically and continually evolve as a speaker and as a human being.
Lessons from Overcoming Challenges
One powerful lesson I've learned is the value of embracing challenges and using them as catalysts for growth. I remember a time early in my career when I was given a significant business target, despite having limited experience. I faced criticism and pressure when I fell short of the goal, but instead of giving up, I reached out for help, sought out additional training, and immersed myself in learning. Through persistence and resourcefulness, I was able to uncover a successful marketing campaign that helped me exceed my target. This experience taught me the importance of resilience, strategic problem-solving, and the willingness to seek guidance and support.
Importance of Setting Bold Goals
One of the main insights from the podcast episode is the significance of setting bold goals. The speaker shares an example of a successful campaign that generated $100,000. They emphasize that achieving such a goal became possible because they were unaware of the fact that nobody in the company had accomplished it before. This lack of context allowed the speaker to believe in the goal's achievability and focus on developing an effective strategy. The key takeaway is that many goals and limitations are socially constructed, and by challenging these beliefs and setting bold goals, one can expand their capabilities and achieve extraordinary results.
Power of Speaking and Storytelling
The podcast delves into the power of speaking and storytelling as essential skills that can benefit a wide range of individuals and industries. The speaker explains how effective communication impacts various aspects of life, such as improving relationships, engaging with children, and growing a business. They stress that speaking is not just about the stage but also about everyday interactions. Effective speaking involves being authentic, knowing how to engage an audience, and using storytelling techniques to connect with people emotionally. The podcast encourages individuals, even introverts, to recognize the benefits of becoming better speakers and storytellers, as it can lead to personal growth, enhanced connections, and success in various endeavors.
Evolving from coach to thought leader: listen in on Ajit’s personal journey towards his fullest self expression.
I’m joined by my dear friend Vasavi Kumar, the host of Say It Out Loud podcast, who is a genius at helping people express their most truthful, authentic, and creative versions of themselves.
In this episode, I share the behind the scenes of my own evolution as I went from coach to speaker on YouTube, my podcast, and stages. It didn’t start out pretty and I had a lot of skills to learn. If you’re a coach looking to build your online presence, personal brand, and thought leadership career - then this podcast episode is for you.
Key Insights:
Why Ajit believes that everyone should become a speaker
How to map out a talk even if you’ve never done one before
The path to becoming authentic and why every identity is lovable
The impact of Vishen's journey on Ajit's own path
Unveiling the magic and energy of Evercoach events
Advice for new coaches on kick-starting their public speaking journey
Guidance for introverts aspiring to pursue a speaking career
How to build anchors into your storytelling if you’re someone who rambles
Ajit’s list of resources to build your speaking confidence and presence
Thank you so much for checking out this episode of Master Coaching with Ajit. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast app, and don’t forget to subscribe to enjoy every new episode, every single week.
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