When you read this affirmation out loud what does it mean to you? I'm putting this out there as a subtle reminder that you are an important cog in the machine that is Grant County Business and Economic Development. If you are a business owner in Grant County or if you dream about starting a business, I want you to understand that you must never underestimate yourself or the impact that your presence brings to our community!

Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar: You are in a meeting or having a conversation with several of your colleagues and the following dynamic is happening; One person is speaking overtly and dominating the conversation, another person is engaging the first guy and asking questions or prompting the group for responses. One person in the group is sporadically interjecting with chuckles or quiet words but isn't really saying much. Finally, one or two people are simply listening and observing the conversation. Which role do you occupy in this conversation?

In a business or community setting, every role is vital to the success of the whole and it's not just the boisterous ones whose ideas get heard. I've been in many business meetings where the quiet observer is making the biggest impact on the group. I believe, as is most often the case, the person who is last to speak brings a new idea to the conversation. This is usually because the quiet ones are usually "taking it all in" and not simply trying to get their opinion heard! No matter where YOU fall in this scenario your presence in the conversation is your power!

Woody Allen once said that "80% of life is just showing up," and I believe this maxim to be correct. Showing up tells the world that you have agreed to get out of bed, make yourself presentable, tackle the long commute to the office and join in the meeting. In other words, you have decided to make your presence known! For someone like me, "making yourself presentable" is challenging enough!

The modern-day entrepreneur has competing demands placed on him or her each and every day. The life of an entrepreneur is stressful, on the average day, and when you throw a global pandemic into the mix there is no such thing as an "average" day. The key is simply showing up! When you show up you are able to contribute to the conversation. When you show up you are able to accept the validity of alternative ideas and you are more able to validate your own ideas. Nothing good happens when you don't show up. Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, stated that, "you miss 100% of the shots that you never take" and when you fail to try, you place the emphasis on the word "fail!"

This month, in the United States of America, we have been given the gift of new beginnings. We have started a New Year after what many will characterize as an abysmal year. We will have a new presidential administration, which will, if nothing else, bring a new set of ideas and perspectives to the operation of the greatest country in the history of the world. If there is ever a good time to start a new business or develop a side hustle or another stream of income this year is the time to do it!

I'm calling this year "Twenty-Twenty WIN" and, with the right planning and mindset you can make this year the most successful year of your life. In Twenty-Twenty WIN (20/20WIN) the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce looks forward to helping you retool your existing business. We look forward to helping you launch your new business and we especially look forward to helping our community support all of the businesses that make up our county.

I'm challenging you to share your thoughts with me about this week's article. Tell me about the power that YOUR presence brings to the world.

This year I will be presenting my point of view to you in the form of REFLECTIONS which will help you explore your thoughts and feelings; AFFIRMATIONS which will help you cultivate a positive mindset so your best self, and your business thrive; and ACTIONS that are intended to help you get things done. I'm using an "impact deck" from BestSelf.Co as a basis for my article and I believe it will add luster to this weekly column. Tell me what you think!