by Lynn Sanders | Jan 7, 2025 | Personal Stories
Happy New Year, my friends!
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your story.
What story do you tell about yourself, your business, or your cause? Is it clear? Is it compelling? Does it truly represent your mission and vision for the year ahead?
How do we unlock the power of a new year? I recommend doing that by stepping outside your comfort zone. You can choose to launch yourself into a new reality by working on your inner story first. Each day, I recommend taking early morning time to do some spiritual practice — meditate, visualize, journal…
To boost your inner strength, I’ve made a commitment to serve more difference makers this year. I’m planning to start a “Storytelling for Nonprofits” group coaching group in the next few weeks. It will serve as a guide and mastermind group to raise awareness, support and money. If that’s something you’re interested in, let me know.
For the next 30 days, I’m also launching a “Story Tips” challenge. Want to join me? It’s free. I’ll be sharing a quick 1-2 minute video tip on building your business through stories. You can choose to share a tip from your business, and then post it in the Facebook group too.
For my tips, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel – https://YouTube.com/@LynnSanders. in the Difference Makers Facebook group, you can participate at: https://Facebook.com/DifferenceMakersMedia
Authentic storytelling is not just something that comes from Artificial Intelligence. It comes from your heart and soul. It’s true to just YOU. Of course, artificial intelligences is terrific as an assistant and springboard for your work. But people also want to hear your inner stories.
And only YOU know all your stories and the lessons you learned from them.. waiting to be explored and shared with others.
To begin, I’d like to share one of my earliest memories that reinforced my joy of storytelling.
I’ve been immersed in the world of storytelling for as long as I can remember. My parents read stories to me constantly, and visiting the Chicago public library was always a treat. I loved writing poetry because it was a fast way to capture a moment, a feeling, an idea. Since I didn’t have paper handy most of the time, I’d scribble poems on paper napkins. When I was about 7 years old, I eventually got a small notebook, which became my poetry journal.
One of my early poems was called, “The Wonderball,” and I was so proud of it! My dad thought it was so good that it made me feel like a million dollars. It was a fantasy poem about seeing into the future with a magician’s ball. Now, many years later, I still love sharing stories in both my personal and business life.
Your Next Step for 2025?
Consider the story behind your “why.” Why do you do what YOU do?
Take time this January to revisit and refine your “why.”
It’s the foundation of a powerful story, and it will guide your goals for the year ahead.
Here’s to your success,
Lynn
by Lynn Sanders | Oct 26, 2024 | DMM Blog
Your Story Starts On The Inside
Growing up with a dad who was a psychiatrist and a mom who was a Sunday School teacher gave me plenty of opportunties for reflection.
Mom posted a poem in our kitchen, “Children Learn What They Live.” At an early age, I became aware of the importance of our values.
Dad encouarged the four of us kids to feel empowered by starting a tradition of family meetings. Whwenver we were concerned about anything or anyone, we could call out, “FAMILY MEETING!” And we all had to sit around the kitchen table to talk.
During Covid, I asked my three siblings if we could start online family meetings to stay in touch. They agreed, and we still meet every Sunday. I love having time to be together, and we can share whatever is on our minds across the miles.
As I’ work with a wide array of clients – large and small — I help them become aware of their words when they tell their stories, Every word we write, speak and share carries an energetic frequency. Words can attract or repel.
It wasn’t until after my mom’s sudden passing of a heart attack on December 16th, 2004, that I realized the impact of the words we tell OURSELVES.
Those words are the MOST IMPORTANT of all. That’s because we live with ourselves. When my mom passed away, I felt like a part of me had died too. I didn’t know if I wanted to continue living. How could I manage? I was saying words to myself like, “I can’t stand it..,,”
And then my back gave out. My body heard what I was saying. It got to the point where I couldn’t stand. I couldn’t walk. And I couldn’t even sit without pain. I found my way to a grief counselor, and I’d have to lie on the floor to talk.
Somehow, divine intervention happened, and I was led to an energy healer. When he asked me if I wanted to live, I answered, “I guess so.”
Then he said something that I’ll never forget.
“You can choose to be dead on the inside and alive on the outside. How do you choose to live? How do you want to honor your mother’s memory?”
At that moment, I knew what to do. I needed to start putting positive thoughts into my head. I needed to start telling mysefl positive words.
What stories do you think about yourself?
Can you tune into all the wonderful qualities that make you who you are?
How do you move in a more positive direction in crafting YOUR story?
Here’s a powerful journaling exercise, courtesy of Hal Elrod, to help you reclaim who you truly are.
- Write a letter to yourself in the 3rd person, acknowledging all that you’ve overcome.
- Remember and identify who you are when you’re at your best, so you can project that version of you into the present and future.
- Set aside time each morning for meditation, affirmations and journaling
If you’d like more help in bringing your story to life in a positive way, feel free to be in touch.
You can get regular tips, stories and strategies by opting in for my free story guide at: https://DifferenceMakersMedia.com.
You can also feel free to schedule a complimentary chat through my website. For those who want more indepth support, check out: https://asklynnsanders.com/CraftYourStory
Here’s to YOUR stories making a difference!
With Love,
Lynn
by Lynn Sanders | Sep 16, 2024 | DMM Blog, Personal Stories
Every morning (well, almost every morning), I consciously choose to start my day with six spiritual practices that set the tone for a GREAT day.
These practices are referred to with the acronym of SAVERS. They continue making a difference for my inner state and how I approach life. And I’m not the only one. These guidelines were developed through the wisdom of Hal Elrod, internationally best-selling author, speaker, and founder of The Miracle Morning. Hal faced two different near death experiences, and the SAVERS kept him going strong on the inside.
The SAVERS represent::
- Silence
- Affirmations
- Visualization
- Exercise
- Reading
- Scribing
It’s incredible how much clarity and inspiration can emerge when we dedicate time to nurture our mindset. The SAVERS awaken me to making the most of each day, because I become more conscious of my values.
Often, we’re focused on the gaps in our lives—what we haven’t achieved, what didn’t go as planned. Those negative thoughts can easily take over, but the truth is… they don’t have to. When we know our values, and live in alignment with those values, then we can feel good about ourselves. Even when things don’t go as planned, we can turn to a positive affirmation… and shift our thinking into a positive state.
For instance, last week, I was facing technical issues a day before my book launch party. My new zoom subscription suddenly required a password, and no one had been told of that password. Meanwhile, several people were having difficulty in locating the zoom link on my Eventbrite page. My anxiety level started rising. In my mind, all kinds of negative thoughts were popping up.
But then — like sun breaking through the clouds, something good happened. Unexpected clarity and encouragement. And from an unexpected source…. my mom’s spirit on the Other Side. Yes, I know that may sound strange to some of you, but to me, it was a blessing.
You see, I awoke on the morning of the book launch with a forgotten poem that my mother used to post in our kitchen. I hadn’t thought of in decades, and yet it was suddenly in the forefront of my mind. While I didn’t remember every word, I did recall enough of the lines to do a quick Google search and find this classic poem by Walter Wintle.
Its words were exactly what I needed to hear. They reminded me that we create our own reality with our thoughts, and I was determined to make that book launch a positive and memorable experience. Written at the turn of the century, this message is forever relevant…
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.
For out in the world, we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will—
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late, the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
This poem gave me the boost I needed that day.
Our thoughts shape our destiny. And we get to choose those thoughts.
Sure enough, the book launch party was a success. It all began with one powerful thought: “I think I CAN!” For a peek at our festive gahtering, filled with uplifting, compelling stories, you can visit: https://bit.ly/BookPartyVideo
For those who’d like to empower youth, check out my new best-seller on Amazon: Adventures In Ecuador: Diary of a Volunteer. https://bit.ly/AdventuresBook
Here’s to your success,
Lynn
P.S. Get the 7 Keys To Build Your Business WIth Your Story at:
https://DifferenceMakersMedia.com
by Lynn Sanders | Sep 4, 2024 | DMM Blog
My dad’s health was declining, and I knew I needed to visit him in Florida while I could.
When I got to his condo, I noticed my brother and his wife, sitting nearby. I approached them with my blue “Who I Am Makes A DIfference” blue ribbon, and they shooed me off. They didn’t feel comfortable. Especially because it seemed silly, inconsequential, unnecessary.
Everyone was in such a somber mood. My dad wasn’t talking anymore.. He just responded to questions with a “yes” or “no.” I wanted to get the group smiling. I keep a stack of blue ribbons in my purse to lighten people’s spirits, and I definintely wanted to use them with their permission.
I turned to the caregiver, hovering beside my dad. She allowed me to honor her with this ribbon, a globally recognized tool to unite humanity through the power of love. She listened to me, as I acknowledged her kindness, compassion and dedication to my dad. I spoke freely from my heart, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
“You’re going to meke me cry,” she said. I smiled as I placed the ribbon above her heart.
I then turned to my dad’s wife, Hana, who had been my dad’s loving companion ever since my mom passed away so suddenly. Hana’s smile was so bright as I honored her. As I placed the ribbon over her heart, she exclaimed, “You made my day!”
Then it was time to honor my dad. I leaned close to him in his wheelchair, and showed him the blue ribbon. His eyes followed me intently.
“I have a gift for you,” I said. “It’s a blue ribbon that says, “Who I Am Makes A Difference.” Then I started reflecting about why he meant so much to me.
In my mind, I was remembering the year after my mom passed, and my dad had gone mentally off-balance. His anger was at himself, but he couldn’t face those recriminations, so my husband and I became scapegoats. Dad and I didn’t speak for at least a year. Forgiveness took time. Yet the sadness remained etched into his face. Hana had been a blessing to ease his pain. I didn’t want to dwell on those unhappy times.
So I focused on the good he did for me: supporting our family, caring for me as I grew up, taking me to Riverview when I was small. I asked if he’d accept my gift, and he nodded “yes.” He heard every word.
“May I have permission to place it on you?” He nodded “yes” again.
We both knew that love was the most important thing to remember. As I gently secured the ribbon over his heart, a small tear fell from his eye, sliding down his cheek. Everything was still. Dad motioned with his hand, beckoning me to move even closer.
With a great deal of effort, he spoke in a raspy, whispery, slow voice – “May I – kiss your – cheek?”
“Of course,” I answered softly. Dad’s head leaned towards me. In that instant of his kiss on my cheek, I was thinking – this might be the last time I ever see my dad again. A wave of sadness swept over me.
Yet in almost the same instant, another thought arose. If that’s the case, I’ll be glad that I have this memory – of honoring dad.
I then kissed dad’s cheek too. For a minute, we were swept up in a timeless love. No words needed to be spoken. I mentally took a picture of that moment, savoring the sweetness of just us together.
Over the year, my dad’s health worsened. Before I could catch a flight out to Florida, he passed away… alone in the hospital due to Covid. My brother Mark was able to sneak into his room just once, to see him for a few minutes. By that time, my dad was mainly unconscious.
In that final week, I was so sad that I didn’t get to see dad again. I felt some consolation in knowing that at least we shared a precious memory. That moment of us wrapped in a cocoon of memories filled with love. I’ll never forget it.
“Who I Am Makes A Difference” Blue Ribbons have touched over 50 million people worldwide in 12 languages, and the mission is to reach one billion people. Most people are never honored for simply being who they are. It takes just a minute to honor someone and uplift their life. The ribbon has even saved lives.
It certainly made a difference for my dad and me. A final tribute to my his life. And my acknowledgement of gratitude.
For those who want to learn more about this amazing empowerment tool, visit: https://blueribbons.org.
You may never realize the power of your words… or the power of a “Who I Am Makes A DIfference” blue ribbon unless you go out of your comfort zone, and decide to honor someone. It can make all the difference in your life.
.
by Lynn Sanders | Jul 4, 2024 | DMM Blog
Whenever you communicate, your feelings get transmitted along with your words.
Be conscious of your feelings when you reach out to someone new.
Are you connecting from an authentic feeling of wanting to serve? Or do you feel propelled to take action due to feeling needy?
Whether you say anything or not, people will pick up on your feelings and thoughts. So put yourself in a mindset of giving. You’re here to solve someone’s problem. You don’t need this exchange to be a sale. You’re here to serve.
The Irish poet, William Butler Yeats in 1823 expressed it best, “There are no strangers here: Only friends you haven’t met yet.””
If you’ve hesitated to follow up frequently, you’re not alone. Statistics prove that a “sale” typically occurs after 5-12 times of contacting. You heard me correctly…. 5-12 times of being in touch!
How often are you in touch with your ideal clients?
My friend and colleague, Bob Burg, an incredible speaker, internationally recognized best-selling author and trainer has this to say from his book, Endless Referrals…
” All things being equal, people do business with people they know, like and trust.”
That’s more relevant today than ever. With the whirlwind of negative stiff happening in our world, you need to BE THE ONE. Step out with kindness. Cultivate relationships built on trust. Be available.
While most people only follow up two or three times, you can follow up regularly. Demonstrate that you care.
The success you seek is in the follow-up. Nancy Matthews, one of the co-founders of The Women’s Prosperity Network, offers a 12-Step Follow-up System. Here are the first three tips…
TIP #1: Call to simply say, “Hi!” If you consider each person as a friend or a future friend, it’s natural to want to know how that he/she is doing. When you reach out to find out what they are up to, they will inevitably respond with – “What’s new with you?”
That’s your opportunity to share your news… Here’s a simple example.. “I’m doing great! One of the things I’m most excited about is a new program that I’ve launched ____________. (Then, you fill in the blanks.)
TIP #2: Email (or mail) something that matters to THEM (your prospect). For example, I want to congratulate you on your _________. Or “I just saw this article and thought of you…”
TIP #3: Send a card with a personal message. People rarely get letters or cards in the mail anymore. I use the excellent service at Mailbox Power. You can automate your cards for birthdays and holidays, as well as customize cards for any occasion. Here’s my link to learn more: https://mailboxpower.com/lynnsanders
Remember this: People don’t care about how much you know, until they know how much you care!
Think of follow up as keeping in touch with a friend — or “friend-to-be.”
That makes it a LOT easier!
To Your Success,
Lynn
