Spontaneity & Flexibility

Here are four keys to be Spontaneous:
1. Preparation
2. Observation
3. Courage
4. Practice

1. Preparation:
What?
Prepare to be Spontaneous? Not fly by the seat of your pants?
Have you ever visited a comedy club and observed how the stand-up comic has an “off-the-cuff” ad lib for nearly anything that comes up?
The comic seems to be very spontaneous. But in reality, the comic is often making the “spontaneous” remark for the 50th or 100th time! He / She is “seasoned”.
? Are you a seasoned networker? What do you say “off-the-cuff” when asked about your business?
Do you have a prepared reaction when a unexpected conversation occurs.


Here is the point:
If you are armed with answers, the audience / contact will be won over when they see the problem hasn’t “gotten the best of you”.

Quote to think about:
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech”. – Mark Twain

2. Preparation should also include studying your audience / prospects.
Who, What, Why and How do they need to receive information from you?
When Lance and I are sharing a concept together, I usually sit back and take notes while Lance shows the presentation. I will note, when people are attentive and like the info, when they sit back and feel comfortable and when or if they cross their arms and scowl. When Lance is finished and I have a chance to make comments, I will try to go over the good and then address where I think they lost it.

3. Here is another tip:
Any off-the-cuff remarks that are inappropriate (even if you get a laugh) will never get you to your hopeful end result! Never degrade a person, de-edification can never be restored.

A friend of mine Peggy Ashby talked about sailing. Most people think that sailing is a very spontaneous sport, not so… It seams to be such a leisure sport, yet preperation is key: winds, currents, time of year, food, time allotment all have to be planned and prepared for before you "Sail Away."

2. Observation:
Always have your eyes open to who surrounds you and what their needs are. When you walk into a home, look around. People’s homes have many clues on “Why, they should get involved in your business”.
Point:
At a food or wine tasting, it is a good idea to listen and observe as people taste the product your introducing, that way you can address it, or remind them of their liking before they leave you.
Point:
“You will only get your own answers by having your own experiences”

3. Courage:
There is no doubt about it, stepping out of your comfort zone takes guts! But the more you do it, the more comfortable you will become. It is worth the risk!!!
My friend Johana Matthews and I talked about her competitive ice skating experiences and how her impromptu skating seccions not only made her feel free, they gave her confidence in her choreographed routines.

4. Practice:
A great way to practice your spontaneity is to talk with your friends and family, cold contact, put a business sticker on your car, wear a business shirt, hand out a business card, send a e-mail, add a testimony during a conversation, put up a product table at a local bazaar or school function and perform presentations.
Point:
You can’t fail, you can only fall forward! You will learn to come up with the answers yourself. This is your business, don’t build it in fear, just “fail, then learn what you need to know, so that you can confidently build your future”.
By using keys of preparation, observation, courage and practice you’ll become more spontaneous. You will add a freshness to your tastings and you WILL add people to your business 

Flexibility

Quote:
“If it has to be your way every time, eventually you won’t have anyone to argue about it with”.
We talked about the book “Cinderella Syndrome”- How everything is “supposed” to be, ha ha!
I have a friend that turned 40 and decided she was done serving her husband, kids, friends and family. She decided that everything was going to be her way, that this is now alot about 'Me, or My needs." Today she is alone and gets her way every time!

What in your life has to be your way?
1. Husband / Wife stuff?
2. Business?
3. Friends?
4. Kids?
5. Activities, Fitness, Work?
6. Etc….

“Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.”
- Khalil Gibran

Benefits of Selflessness:
1. Conquers Pride
2. Expands our Mind
3. Promotes True Friendships
4. Selflessness is Attractive