A free gift for you.
This morning, I brainstormed a new business idea with a friend. His first reaction was, "I don’t have an audience to sell to. Who’s going to listen to me?" I realized then that if we meet every opportunity with an objection, we’ll never get started. I remember feeling the same way at the beginning: If only one person showed up, would I cancel my program or press on? Would it be worth speaking if there was just one listener? And, do we really measure the worth of our work by the number of people listening?
When we read the stories of successful people, they usually start with almost nothing—no audience, no recognition. But, step by step, day by day, they grow. Their early attempts are often imperfect, even “sucky,” but they improve over time. Growth takes patience.
As if in answer to my thoughts, this morning I received an email from Alexandra Franzen sharing a story about a man named Robert. Robert was scheduled to run a workshop, but a heavy winter storm hit, closing the roads. He was afraid no one would come. Still, he told himself, “The show must go on.”
In Alexandra’s words: “He stepped out on faith and told his team, ‘We just need to show up. The rest, we can figure out when we get there.’”
On the morning of the workshop, snow covered the ground. The city was silent; the streets, empty. Robert felt anxious, wondering if anyone would brave the weather to attend. Maybe no one would show. Maybe all 50 families would ask for refunds. Maybe coming all this way was a mistake.
He and his team arrived early and began preparing. They set up the registration table, laid out t-shirts for the kids, and, a few minutes before the workshop was set to start, Robert gathered his team for a moment of calm. Taking three deep breaths, he offered a simple prayer: “If we touch just one life today, it is enough.”
Then, they opened the doors. Would anyone be there? To his surprise, kids and parents arrived despite the weather. His message had reached them.
This story reminded me of a time when a friend held his first talk and I was his only audience. I also served as his evaluator, but he was so discouraged by the turnout that he gave up. I wonder how things might be different for him today if he had continued.
This reflection comes as I prepare to launch my own program. What if no one signs up? How long should I persist before giving up? Those familiar doubts—the imposter syndrome, the inner voice saying, “I’m no good at this”—creep in. But another voice reminds me not to give in. This is why I wrote this book: as a reminder of my mission and to encourage other aspiring entrepreneurs like you.
The book’s title is: If I Touch One Life Today, It Is Enough: How Small Beginnings Lead to Big Impact. At 6,800 words and 50 pages, it’s a short read, meant to inspire and be completed in under an hour.
Let this book be a reminder not to get discouraged and not to quit too soon.
Message me now to get a free copy of my ebook.
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