Written by Joniel Gyles

I recently watched a six-figure earning, multiple award-winning author, speaker, minister, and entrepreneur on YouTube. I remember her saying (not word for word), “Many people when they meet me, the first thing they ask for is a picture. Wanting a picture is fine, but they never ask for anything beyond a picture. They don’t ask business questions or anything. What is the point of a picture that has no value when you could get something of value from that same encounter?” This was a huge eye-opener for me. It’s not every day that we get to meet icons, individuals who have distinguished themselves by excellence in their respective fields to a point where impact and influence flow naturally. Luckily for us, technology has given us front-row seats to watch and learn from past icons, as well as those living among us.

From my observations icons:

See opportunities in everyday encounters:

The legend goes that Isaac Newton discovered gravity after being hit on the head by an apple. He was reportedly sitting under a tree when the apple fell on him. Newton could have simply made apple pie and called it a day, but the incident piqued his curiosity and led him to conduct further investigations. The gravitational theory he formulated and his other scientific contributions are evidence that some of the most extraordinary ideas and discoveries originate from ordinary everyday experiences. Therefore, we should see opportunities in our everyday encounters and not dismiss them as insignificant.

“They are confident in their abilities and who they are”

“Know thyself” – know who you are, and what you stand for, and walk boldly in that truth. Don’t try to live on land when you were born a fish; it’s ridiculous! You will always sell yourself short if you don’t know the immense value you possess. To the insecure, confidence may seem like boasting, but be confident anyway. However, always remember that there’s a thin line between confidence and arrogance.

they don’t need to toot their own horn

There is an old saying that “good wine needs no bush.” You might be wondering what bush has to do with wine, just as I did when I first saw the proverb. The short answer is nothing. Simply put, it means that a good product needs no advertisement. For example, Lamborghinis are so exceptional that their reputation precedes them. Have you ever seen an advertisement for a Lamborghini? No, and yet most people know what a Lambo is and the experience it offers.