Owning your Authority

Perry Marshall wrote an article titled “Owning your Authority” and of course I had to go read that one because it was talking about something I believe in. That is, that people should take hold of their own authority and use it in their business and personal lives.

He said: “We’re afraid to fire the employee who isn’t performing. Afraid to say no to the pushy time-share salesman. Afraid to tell our co-worker that the guy she’s dating is a total sleazebag. Afraid to step into the world and assert what we know, what we can do.”

Of course his article was about promoting and marketing your products or services but I am more interested in the ideas on how we could own our authority on a daily basis in our daily lives.

A telemarketer called me yesterday. He knew my name because I had bought a product from his Internet company. He said he wanted to talk to me about my “on-line business” and began asking me several personal questions, which were really none of his business. I guess most people just start blabbing back to him revealing all of their problems with their Internet business and that gives him the opening to sell his coaching package, which I happened to know is very pricey and they try to convince you to put it on your credit card, calling it “investing in yourself.”

I basically told him I was not interested and I did not want anyone “looking over my shoulder” (which were the words he used,) while I worked on my Internet business. I told him for me, it was just sort of a hobby. (Which for now, it is, as I am busy with other things.)

I have studied a lot about what is going on in Internet marketing and I have seen most of the better hype. I get tons of so-called “news letters” which are mostly sales letters and spam trying to get you to buy something. Most of it is useless drivel and most of it is annoying. There are a few newsletters I do like to read. There is Drayton Byrd and Perry Marshall who actually give out a lot of good information. And of course there is Steve Pavina.

Back to the title “Owning Your Own Authority.” When you do, it feels good. You are a decision maker who knows where you are going, knows what you want, and you are familiar with the detractions. You are a person who knows how to say ‘”No” and how to pick and choose what your are doing, and how much you will be paid for your services. You don’t let people lead you around by the nose, distract you, and you are not just drifting. You are not waiting to be “discovered.” You are not thinking that it is all about you. You realize that nobody cares about your website. You don’t go around thinking you are a celebrity, but you do know who you are.

When you own your own authority you know what you believe, you know what you can do, and you know where you are going. You are the final authority in your life and in your decision making. Even if you believe in a higher power, you have your own personal understanding and relationship with that and you don’t allow anyone to manipulate you or your life with guilt or fear. The buck stops with you, because you are responsible and you have accepted that responsibility.

Try it, you’ll like it.