Sitting in my usual church service this past Sunday, our pastor delivered one of his most incredible sermons so far and it wasn’t specifically focused on faith or religion. The talk was about being sincere in our welcoming. He explained that even if we are busy or don’t think we’ll care about the person we’re saying hello to that they might not need us, we might be in need of them.
Looking back at Sisarina’s first 20 months in business and finding myself at the start of a new year I noticed a pattern of being too busy to be sincerely welcoming. Hosting events, going to events, running a business, trying to have a personal life, finding time for me – all of these things take so much of my energy that I don’t feel I can add one more thing to my life. Given that my self-appointed role in life is to be a connector you’d think I was great at this.
CONFESSION:
I’m great at connecting people to each other but have always stood back & allowed that to happen instead of also trying to connect those people to myself. I have a few really close friends who I know a lot about. At the same time, I know a little bit about a lot of other people.
CASE STUDY: The Power of Sincere Welcoming
At one of my first #DCTweetup events I met a woman of a very different background, belief system and ethnicity from myself. She was Orthodox, loud and seemed like she had the world in her hand. Powerful woman business owner. I didn’t think we had anything in common but I decided to be sincere.
A year and a half later, our businesses are partnering, we go out to dinner together, buy each other gifts, go running together and share life. I had no idea when I met her that we had anything in common but I now realize that I needed her just as much as she needed me.
TRANSFORMATION:
“Everyone wants to be transformed. No one wants to change.” – Frederica Mathewes-Green
This is the year of intentionality. After almost two years of trying different things and moving in different directions, there is much more clarity in my business at Sisarina. I have a focus, I have a client base, people know who I am, things we’ve tried are working – time to leverage that and really grow. In order to grow, I must make the change to be more sincere in my welcoming. To take the time with those I might not think I need in my life. That will be where I, as a business owner and a friend, start to be transformed.
To be intentional about our welcoming, we have to:
- really, truly listen to others
- not think about the next thing we want to say but listen
- be open to allowing others in our lives
- be open to being a part of others' lives
- walk up to those who don't fit our 'ideal' friends/clients
- get to know those who make us cringe
- stop pushing others away
GOALS:
My goal for this new year is to be sincere in welcoming others into my life and truly listening to find out who they really are. I hope that you will share this with me & Sisarina.
Personal Goals:
- To sincerely welcome more people into my life and not only connect them to each other but connect them to myself.
- To take a greater step toward being an individual friend and confidante.
- To find connections with those who I have any bad feelings toward.
- To really, truly listen... even if I have something to say.
Business Goals:
- To sincerely welcome clients, partners, potential clients, and affiliates into Sisarina no matter what has happened or what will.
- To take a greater step toward being a positive and uplifting service provider no matter the status of a project or client’s attitude.
- To stop thinking about the next thing I will say and really listen to others.
NEXT STEPS:
When we are sincere and welcome others into our lives and our businesses we find out that we needed them much more than they needed us. A huge part is the receiving, but giving back to your clients/partners/affiliates makes all the difference in how sincere your welcome is. Find out why those around you are placed in your life or business.
How will you be more sincere in your welcoming?
