I had some interesting speaking engagements recently, and it brought to mind this saying: Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, and mirror what you admire.
In Pennsylvania, I was speaking to those who are planning on running for public office. I teach Your Campaign Speech and how to engage your audience to listen to your message. And in Maryland, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the Spouse Program for members of Congress. I must say they were both wonderful groups to spend time with, and my thought for today is a direct result of what I saw that week. If you’re in public office or would like to be, if you run a corporation, or plan to run a non-profit that can survive in these tough times, you need to learn the skills that will set you apart from others. At the top of that list is the ability to speak, be heard, and be seen in both quiet and noisy environments. Otherwise, friend, you’ll never reach the finish line in the tough race for success.
Many of the folks with whom I work discovered that success in life or, politics, or business is dependent on attracting what they expected, reflecting what they desired, becoming who they respected, and learning to mirror what they admired. You know, when you think about it, it’s an interesting thought that you can attract what you expect.
Every day, I expect good things to happen. I look at the bright side, not because I’m a Pollyanna, but because I dislike the darkness of negativity. By changing myself to be more positive (even when I don’t feel like it) or to be kinder than I feel, I have reaped rewards. Rewards such as being around people who also expect great things, with a positive bent, can help us become better, stronger, and kinder than perhaps our natural nature would allow. Change is good – hard but good for most of us.
If you were to attract what you expect, what would happen? I think it goes to the heart of expectation. What great or small expectations do you have for yourself or for others?
How do you see yourself – not your glorified ego self but really your true self – you know, the one that shows up when you’re doing nothing or in your spare time or when you least expect it – because if you see yourself as a helper, healer, or hero – you become that and more…
I believe that by making a personal list of expectations that are reasonable and doable (in a structured time frame), it is a good thing since it can serve as a guidepost to your personal success, whatever that may look like. It’s the plan you can follow through sunshine and stormy weather.
Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, and mirror what you admire.
Not only will you attract what you expect, but the good news is that, in parallel with your expectation, comes the realization that you and I will reflect what we desire.
When you have a clear visual, mental, or physical goal in mind, it becomes much easier to achieve. Now, how does one reflect what they desire? There are all sorts of ways. It can be determined by how you dress, what car you drive, or where you live. There is an old adage in politics: to get where you want to go, office-wise, dress the part. Because once you begin to reflect on what you desire, for some strange reason, the stars align, and you’ll be able to step up into the place, office, or position you worked for. It’s easy to see that if you start to dress like a CEO, golf pro, or fashionista, you’ll start to see yourself in that position, and others will take notice of the new you.
When you have a heart for your work, place of worship, or even your favorite charity, it becomes a part of you, and people will start to see you in that light of leadership.
So, if we attract what we expect and then reflect what we desire, the old saying suggests that you’ll become what you respect.
So, I have to ask, whom do you respect? I love the word Respect and am disappointed that it seems to have lost its luster in today’s ego-driven world. Thank goodness Aretha Franklin keeps it alive.
Respect is such a wonderful thing because it sets the bar high. I have great respect for some individuals in public office because I know their hearts; I also respect a few leaders in ministry because I am challenged by their message, and there are some in business who, by being honest and fair, have earned my respect. I have respect for many in leadership, primarily because of the position, rather than the person who holds it at the time, but the position itself is worthy of respect.
We try to teach our kids to respect their elders and be kind to their siblings because if you’re going to become what you respect, we need to set the bar as high as we can and encourage those we love and mentor to reach and exceed it.
How do you become what you respect? I believe the foundation is that you must be an honest person, one who keeps your word – even if it costs you money, time, business, or friends. To be known as honest and fair is the most respectful accolade that you could ever receive.
You know, I believe that generosity, manners, diplomacy, goodness, fairness, and kindness are born of respect for others, including animals.
Respecting yourself enough to keep you in good stead with your family and, friends, and community…is a worthy goal.
I always find it interesting that somehow we all seem to know the person who cheats, steals, or lies – and we are many times not shaken because that is what we have come to expect from that person – simply because 1. They don’t respect themselves, so keeping their word is of no use 2. We don’t respect them because we know them… and rarely will a leopard change its spots. When you lose the respect of others, it is very difficult to regain it. So, your best bet is to pay attention, repair repairable mistakes, ask forgiveness, pay that debt you owe and, clean up your act now, and do right…
Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, and become what you respect; you’ll mirror what you admire.
“Mirror what you admire”. Wow, I love that.
If you admire good manners, consider mirroring them by learning which fork to use in social settings.
If you admire intelligent conversation, pick up a book and start reading and listening to well-known thought leaders, or learn from the great thinkers of the past.
If you admire those who keep themselves up and are healthy, push away from the table and get yourself to the gym and turn your roly-poly body into a rock – then you’ll be strong and feel great…
If you admire those who can sing or dance or paint or speak, get going on your practice (it doesn’t happen overnight)
If you’re going to mirror what you admire, you have some work to do – but the good news is… since you now notice what you need, it will make the journey so much easier.
For your success, I encourage you to attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, and mirror what you admire.
