This week we have focused on SELF-DEVELOPEMENT … political (HERE), professional (HERE) & today we will touch on personal self-development.

These are huge topics so we are only barely touching on each area … and we hope none of this offends anyone … but if we are not honest with ourselves and grounded in “who” we need to be in order to be successful, fulfilment of our MISSION is going to be twice or three times as hard if even possible at all … so take each topic and do some more research and self-reflection.

GRASSROOTS LOBBYISTS

Like it or not, WE are “grassroots lobbyists” for our mutual shared principles … #1 The Bible, #2 The US Constitution & #3 The Platform. We are not “paid” lobbyists, but we need (in some respects) to act like lobbyists.

Take the good that makes paid lobbyists successful, but dump the bad (which is generally that they will do anything … including destroying America & children … for MONEY).

Politicians and elected officials listen way too much to “Paid Lobbyists” and not “The People” because lobbyists are “professional” (they don’t act like children, yell and scream, or get into physical altercations) … and lobbyists “dress & act for success” in that they are prepared, know their facts, coherent in their presentations, are practiced at public speaking, look put together … act fun and enjoyable to be around. They basically do the things necessary to SELL their paid agenda, whether it is good for our citizens or just good for them and their masters. They are basically SALESMEN … and some are very good at it.

[NOTE: Paid Lobbyists will also on occasion do unethical or even illegal things to “sell” their paid agenda. WE won’t do that … but be aware it exist because when strange things happen, there may be other reasons why and we need to dig deeper to figure what is going on.]

The problem with lobbyists is they are generally NOT PRINCIPLED … they don’t care if what they are “selling” is good or bad … they just want to sell it for the MONEY. For that point alone politicians and elected officials should reject most of what lobbyists say … but until WE step up our game and can replace these paid lobbyists (and political consultants – but that is a different discussion) as a valued resource to elected officials, WE THE PEOPLE will continue to lose.

So … let’s step it up!!!

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

First of all do understand we are not suggesting you need to change who YOU are. We all have to be genuine to who we are … we have to be “real” … but we also would not go to an interview wearing sweaty gym clothes either, would we?

And realize too, a 1,000 farmers who produce our food coming to the State House straight from the fields to grassroots lobby for a bill also sends a positive and powerful message. Be purposeful.

So, above all be yourself … but at the same time be and look professional … and that starts with how you present yourself visually and dare we say it, with proper hygiene … lol. We know a particular RINO that wears a suit constantly, but a breath mint would go a million miles (not to mention he is a rather violent guy).

1975: Dress for Success (HERE)

FIND YOUR STYLE

Know too that we do not all have to look like clones of each other … different people have different styles … and different degrees of acceptability outside the general norms.

Congressman Jim Jordan for example is known for not wearing his suit jacket. TRUMP on the other hand has his standard put together look. It is however all within an acceptable norm (except for Democrat Senator John Fetterman), and interestingly enough most legislative bodies have “RULES” as to dress code. Maybe we will look into detailing that later.

Just find your professional style within the range of norms of our “grassroots” community … as you are not just representing yourself … you represent the MOVEMENT. Don’t make all of our jobs harder.

Know as well we do fortunately have a much wider range of “dress for success” within the grassroots community … because we are “real” … but if you look like you just crawled out from underneath your house having been working on the sewer system … or like you are going out “clubbing” afterwards … you might want to rethink your attire … or just stay home 😉

PERSONAL GROOMING is included in all this as well … so shave, get a haircut, whatever … unless you are one of our Bikers For TRUMP types and that “is your look” … you all get a pass … lol. Whatever your do, just be purposeful about it.

Remember … you represent all of us & the movement … so let’s dress for success and win this thing!

ACT FOR SUCCESS

The dress code / image is just half of the story for success. How you “act” says everything as well.

Do you eat with your fingers … or a fork & knife? Do you pick your nose in public? Do you chew with your mouth open? Sure, we are being extreme to make a point … but good manners say everything about a person.

Whether we like it or not … you could have the cure to cancer or the best bill ever, but if the person you are “selling to” wants nothing other than to get away from you as fast as possible … you will never get your MISSION over the finish line.

1985: Letitia Baldridge’s Complete Guide to Executive Manners (HERE)

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Finally … KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. You are trying to “sell” our currently elected officials on following our Principles … and what “sells” to a 75 year old elected official that has been in office for 30 years is very different than what “sells” to a 30 year old freshman legislator.

So consider what dress and actions works for both? Which ones of us should talk with Legislator A vs. which ones should speak with Legislator B? What gets us to a win?

The monied special interest lobbyist principals that employ the paid lobbyists will hire a certain lobbyist for Group #1 … and a different lobbyist for Group #2 … so this is not unusual and is in fact smart business.

So don’t forget to think strategically as well and know your audience when “selling” the grassroots agenda.

Yes – we are WINNING!