GET INSPIRED
20 SECONDS
OF
Courage
BY ALICIA SIMON
T
alking to random strangers is oddly one of my strengths.
I find it intriguing to strike up a conversation about
nothing with someone I don’t know. However, without
fail, the moment I’m inspired to share doTERRA with a stranger,
the voice in my head begins shouting reasons I shouldn’t.
Believe it or not, it’s even worse with those in my closest
circles—my family and friends.
How many people have you started to talk to about doTERRA,
but within seconds that inner voice talked you out of it? That
voice may have said, “They won’t be interested,” “The last
person rejected me,” “They’re too busy,” “I don’t have time,”
“I don’t have any samples or business cards on me,” “I’m not
properly dressed,” “I need to create a spreadsheet of all my
contacts first” or, “I have no idea what to say.” This voice will
stop you from talking to anyone—friends, family, and especially
those that are not-yet-friends.
Now consider this: How would your life be different if the
person who introduced you to doTERRA allowed their inner
voice to stop them from sharing with you? What life change
are you withholding from the person with whom you refuse
to share? What if you hold the key to unlocking that person’s
financial freedom?
Whenever I allow that inner voice to hinder me from speaking
up and sharing with someone, I know there’s something
within me creating feelings of fear and inadequacy. I distinctly
remember a time in our business when my personal contact
list was dwindling fast. Every time I set out to find new contacts,
I was stifled by that inner voice. Once I realized what was
happening, I spent an afternoon in self-evaluation, finding
answers to the following questions:
1. hat do I have to lose? I have nothing to lose. At the end
W
of the day, I will still have my faith, my family, and doTERRA.
2. hat do I have to gain? If I set out to make a new
W
connection, I may gain a new friend.
62
dōTERRA ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP I JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
3. What do I have to give? I have the gift of my friendship, my
leadership, and safe, natural, effective health solutions.
4. Who needs it? In my opinion, everyone.
5. hould I take it personally if they say no? They are not
S
saying no to me, and they may not even be saying no. They
may be saying, “Not right now,” “I need more information,”
or “I need a heart connection first.”
6. m I prepared? I am if I have the mindset (I am growing
A
daily through personal development), the toolset (I am
stocked with samples, handouts, websites, business cards,
invitations, etc.), and the skill set I need (I am plugged into
and learning a proven system with ingenious mentors and
an account manager).
7. hat’s driving me? Am I moved by my why, or am I moved
W
by a fear of losing something or not measuring up?
8. hat are my intentions? Am I trying to meet a twoW
contacts-a-day quota or am I sincerely looking to change a
life?
When I completed my self-evaluation, I real ized it was my
limiting beliefs and fear that were blocking my new connections.
A friend shared this quote: “Fear gives a commentary on what
you see before you even live it. Fear finds evidence to support
what it wants you to believe. Fear lies.” It was up to me to
change my beliefs, to feed my faith and starve the fear. I had
to reprogram what the inner voice was saying to this: “I have
nothing to lose and everything to gain. I have been entrusted
with a priceless gift, not to be clinched tightly in closed fists, but
shared generously with everyone. No matter what happens, I
am prepared, and I am ready to make a new friend today.”
One of my recent devotions used a phrase from the movie We
Bought a Zoo that challenged me to be fearless in sharing my
faith with everyone I meet. Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon,
says to his son, “You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds
of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing
bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
On a Friday morning flight, two years ago, I decided to exercise
20 seconds of courage and interrupt a conversation two ladies
were having in the seat in front of me. One of those two ladies
was doTERRA Blue Diamond, Sharon McDonald. What if I hadn’t
said a word? What if instead, I just sat there and allowed my inner
voice to keep me in silence? I did speak up and something
great came out of it. Had it not been for 20 seconds of insane
courage, I might not be in doTERRA today. I might not have the
pleasure of beautiful connections to amazing men and women,
a growing team of outstanding leaders, and I might not have the
pleasure of changing lives and homeschooling our little ones
every day, side-by-side with my husband. Simply 20 seconds of
courage changed our lives forever. What will it do for you? S
www.doterra.com
63