Category Archives: Motivational Arsonist

We Made You

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Posted by Terrica on June 10, 2009 – 4:35 PM
Filed under Motivational Arsonist

When you walked through the door
It was clear to me (clear to me)
You’re the one they adore, who they came to see (who they came to see)
You’re a … rock star (baby)
Everybody wants you (everybody wants you)
Player… Who could really blame you (who could really blame you)
We’re the ones who made you


I never thought I would quote an Eminem song when talking about  business, but hey– it is what it is.

Our industry is a creative one– from photographers to florists, planners to musicians and designers, we sell our personalities and talents.  Some of us become insanely successful and popular, and in high demand by doing so.  But it takes you back to that old saying “you’re not good until someone else says you’re good”.

So when someone says that we’re good–do we begin to believe our own hype, or do we remember the focus and motivation for our work:  clients, colleagues, raising the bar for the industry, etc.?  When you’ve “made it”, you can’t cherry pick your fans, supporters, or clients, because all of them have helped you get where you are.  To remain cold, indifferent or utterly ignore them  in favor of others who have “made it” is a sure fire way to get “unmade”.

The same thing goes for our clients– we’ve seen it before:  a client comes in with a wedding that we simply adore.  Another one…not so much.    They both helped you pay your mortgage, buy that new gizmo or new pair of shoes.  They deserve equal treatment. I really feel this is true when  it comes to industry colleagues supporting each other.  Our industry is already competitive enough– support and compliments do not come easy. If we are to change the climate of our industry, we need to appreciate them as well as the people they come from:  not just from the successful industry vet, but also from the person that just started their business two minutes ago.

People not only pay attention to how well you do, but also what you do (and for that matter, what you don’t do).  The ride up front is always better when you’ve been in the back.  Remember where you are and where you’ve come from.  Know that you stand on the shoulders of others that worked very hard to make our industry and services mainstream.  Thank and engage those that support you– they don’t have to.  But also take time to support someone else.

The Power in Saying Someone Else is Good

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Posted by Terrica on June 5, 2009 – 9:30 AM
Filed under Motivational Arsonist

This post is something the ladies will be able to understand more than men (even though from my own personal observations, men suffer from this, too…only worse)

Sometimes, women have a nasty habit of giving a compliment with a smile and taking it right back with a snide remark that immediately follows.  For example, one woman will say “I love her jeans…but she’s too big for them”. We place ourselves, our likes, dislikes and insecurities in the other person’s shoes.  Instead of giving a genuine compliment—appreciation for something well done, we look for something wrong to feed our own natures. 

There is nothing wrong with saying someone else is better or is doing well.  Woman A will not tell Woman B (or even Woman A’s friends) that she is beautiful.  To do so would mean that Woman A would have to acknowledge that she herself is not as pretty or is inferior.

Wrong.

To notice and appreciate the good in others means you recognize the good within yourself.  Sometimes there is no hang up, no negative flaw, etc.  Sometimes a person is just that good or better.  Our desire to find something wrong with others says more about us than it does about the person we choose to criticize.

Our industry is demanding and it is tough.  I encourage and challenge you to recognize the good in someone else today.  You never know where a person is within their lives or struggle—your word of encouragement or appreciation could mean the world to them…and to you.