Read time: 2 minutes

Imagine you're starting an exciting new venture, but the competition around you calls you...

Unpolished, weak-hearted, outspoken.

Ouch. Right?

But what if that supposed weakness could become your secret weapon?

Lincoln’s witty wisdom

Back in the day, a certain Abraham Lincoln faced a similar hurdle.

When running for president, his critics made fun of his looks. They called him ugly. (Harsh, much?)

But Lincoln, the man who became one of America's most respected presidents, wasn't about to let them get him down.

He understood something fundamental about success:

Don't let others define you. Define yourself with intent.

Instead of falling to their level, Lincoln gave a witty response. It perfectly conveyed his confidence and spoke volumes about his character. He wrote a letter to his critics with a single, brilliant sentence:

"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"

(mic drop!)

This simple yet powerful line did two things:

• First, it deflected the negativity with humour, disarming his opponents.

• Second, it highlighted his honesty and authenticity. He new his qualities were more valuable than his looks.

So this goes to show, your perception is priceless both in life and business.

Embrace your unique perspective

Despite living over 150 years ago, today Lincoln's wisdom rings truer than ever.

The thing is, your perception shapes your reality, and in business, this is gold.

Think about it...

What sets you apart from the competition isn't just the services you offer, it's:

• How you present them.

• How you navigate challenges.

• How you interact with clients.

So, what you see as a disadvantage might be your secret weapon.

Maybe you're not the most tech-savvy freelancer, but your knack for personal connection? That's priceless.

Perhaps you're a coach who's struggled with imposter syndrome, but guess what? Your journey gives you empathy and authenticity that your clients crave.

It's all about flipping the script. Instead of focusing on what you lack, celebrate what makes you unique.

Your quirks, your experiences, your perspective - they're your superpowers.

It’s all about your perception

Lincoln didn't shy away from his appearance. He used it to connect with voters on a deeper level, showing his wit and resilience.

So, those things you see as your weaknesses? They can become your greatest strengths.

Here's how:

• Too much competition? → Don’t try and be better, create your market of one.

• Lack experience? → Bring a fresh perspective that your competitors lack.

• Intimidated by tech? → Leverage personal connection to build deeper relationships.

• Unpolished? → Resonate with your authentic voice to cut through the generic noise.

• Limited resources? → Adopt a creative approach that makes use of what you have.

• Self-doubt holding you back? → Turn it into resilience by learning from every setback.

• Feel invisible? → Hustle harder and prove them wrong.

Because guess what?

You can reframe what people perceive as negatives into powerful advantages.

The key? How YOU see yourself.

That's the reality you project to the world.

Moral of the story:

Don't let others define you. Define your own brilliance.

Own your 'weaknesses' and turn them into your superpowers. The world needs your unique spark.

So, start focusing on your present perception and take small steps to shape your narrative.

And on that note:

Until this time next week,

Ryan