At home with my buddy Scotch – he usually doesn’t look this disgruntled.

This week I walked into a store and the lady instantly knew I was a winner. How could I tell? Before I opened my mouth, she smiled and said, “I can tell you’re a winner.” She has been working at the same company for over a decade and before the owner passed away, she was very close with him. He told her to look for the winners in life as those are the people you want to work with. I guess this lady has seen enough losers and winners in her lifetime to figure out who’s a winner and who’s a loser.

In my line of work, I regularly meet up to 20 people a day. The experienced get it and they know what I’m about as soon as I walk in the door. The others don’t and that’s fine as I’m not for everyone. And YOU don’t have to be for everyone.The biggest reason people know I’m a winner is I’m relatable. I stand out and they feel that I’m not trying to be something I’m not. I’m very honest and open about who I am and what I do.

In this day and age people can see through bullshit in a second. As a society we’ve been abused by the capitalism machine. As a result, the amount of BS messages we’re inundated with is overwhelming. The funny part is, the internet has somewhat levelled the playing field. The world is now open to the malicious practices of corporations whether it’s the abuse of animals in the food processing industry to the self-made YouTube video of someone testing the bogus claims of a product. Reviews and eyes are everywhere. BS meters are at an all-time high, so don’t try to run from this…embrace it.

When I walk in with my bow tie and smile on my face people know that I’m probably there to sell them something. Some are welcoming, some are not, but that’s life. However, I don’t BS my way through things. I don’t throw cheesy sales lines down their throat or pretend to be this high-rolling business professional. I’m down to earth and a bit vulnerable, but that’s okay because I’m human.

How relatable and human are you?

Last week I had a phone call with a woman from the left coast and I asked the question, “What do you like to do on Saturday morning in your free time?” She responded with, “I don’t know what that has to do with business.” Wow! Great personality lady. I told her I asked the question because I wanted to know she was human. That she was a person with a pulse who wasn’t just a robot who’s focused on WORK WORK WORK all the time. I nearly hung up the phone on her as I’m not prepared to deal with someone who’s business business business all the time.

Before I landed my current gig I took a different approach to the application process. I knew I could get the job as it was another position within my company. However, I knew I was applying to someone who was very savvy and had a low tolerance for BS. So, in my cover letter I mentioned one of the reasons I’m successful is because of the chip on my shoulder as a result of my father abandoning me when I was born. I didn’t know and I still don’t (even though he reached out to me years ago) really know who he is. I have a name and a letter and that’s it. This changed the game for me in the application process. The hiring manager instantly knew I was relatable and someone who didn’t hide behind BS. I was vulnerable and I wasn’t afraid to unload a huge personal detail in my life. I also did a couple other things that really separated me from the pack, but that’s what I do. I never settle for good enough.

Enough about me.

What can you do to make yourself more vulnerable? You might not have a story like mine, but you have something. You may think you’re the most boring person in the world and that’s fine. If you are the most boring person in the world OWN IT. Mention that in everything you do. You’ll be surprised at the responses you get.

The same goes with your marketing (personal or business). Are you BSing your way through it? Are you relatable? Are you real? Are you a winner or a loser?

How many times have you heard, “We have the best service and lowest prices.” Maybe you should start highlighting your vulnerabilities. “Hey, we’re in a terrible location, but you’ll find us.” Take what you think as disadvantage and turn it into an advantage. Maybe you have a really ugly mole on your face. OWN IT! Say, you’re Mr. or Mrs. Mole. Or maybe you’re really shy. OWN IT! Don’t be afraid of it, it may turn out to be the best quality you have.

Until next week…BE REAL!

Love you,

Jordan