July 2024 - Official Website Brian Parsley Motivational Speaker

29 Jul

July 29, 2024July 31, 2024Brian Parsley Lies, Success

Unraveling Your Own Narratives: Why Your Stories Prevent Your Success

We all do it—lie that is. It’s a habit as old as humanity itself—comforting, messy, and ultimately self-destructive. Before we get too deep, let’s be clear: this isn’t some preachy guilt trip. It’s about understanding, and making better choices.

At its core, lying is a survival tactic. Just like dodging those saber-tooth tigers back in the day, we lie to avoid pain. Sometimes it’s about protecting our egos – think claiming that fancy degree or bragging about your connections. We all play that game on some level!

Then there’s the “social lubricant” lie, the one aimed at protecting feelings – that ugly sweater your friend loves? You smile and lie through your teeth. But these little deceptions build walls, not bridges.

When’s lying okay? Some argue it’s fine for self-protection, but here’s the thing: the easy way rarely leads to the right place.

But the truly destructive lie is the manipulative one – the salesperson pushing that ‘miracle’ cure-all knows what they’re doing. That’s not just dishonest, it destroys trust at the root of any relationship.

Culture plays into this too! Some places view a bit of deception as normal, others are stricter. But one thing’s universal lying erodes bonds, creates anxiety within the liar, and risks real damage to your reputation.

So how do we change? You won’t magically stop lying after reading this, but acknowledging the habit is step one.

Next time you want to dodge the truth, pause. Ask: “What am I REALLY protecting? What are the consequences of this lie versus being honest?” Often, it’s about convenience, not true protection.

So, say it straight! Yes, it might be awkward at the moment. But isn’t that better than lasting guilt and regret?

We’re all gloriously flawed. This blog series won’t make you perfect, but it WILL give you tools:

Uncover the “why” behind YOUR lies.
Understand how dishonesty hurts relationships AND yourself.
Learn to have tough conversations honestly, yet kindly.
Explore how to rebuild trust, whether you’ve lied or been betrayed.

This won’t always be comfortable reading – change rarely is! But if we can’t get real about this, how can we grow?

Let’s untangle the stories we tell ourselves, the ones holding us back. Because real success, that lasting kind, is built on a foundation of honesty – especially honesty with ourselves.

Brian Parsley

As a co-founder of The Constance Group, I’m at the forefront of revolutionizing sales and leadership strategies worldwide. Our difference? The proprietary “Sales Funnel©” methodology—an innovative approach that significantly enhances selling processes, complemented by our programs in leadership, negotiation, and sales development.

Our distinct edge lies in our personalized approach. Prior to any keynote or workshop, I personally collaborate with stakeholders and attendees to develop a tailored, impactful program. This commitment goes beyond content delivery; it’s about crafting actionable insights that participants can immediately leverage for real-world impact.

Rooted in behavioral science, our strategies offer profound insights into human behavior, empowering your team to navigate complex scenarios with positive outcomes. Our sessions are designed to be engaging and memorable, mixing potent messages with humor and narratives that not only resonate but also inspire lasting change.

22 Jul

July 22, 2024July 23, 2024Brian Parsley Purpose

What’s Your Purpose?

Do you ever look around and think, “Is this IT?” Like everyone’s on autopilot, grinding away for the weekend, then doing it all over again. That’s living without purpose, and it’s a recipe for feeling empty inside, no matter how much junk you buy to fill the void.

Here’s the thing they don’t tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way. Your purpose won’t magically appear written in the sky.You’ve got to DIG for it.

Roadblocks to Finding Your Purpose

Fear of Failure: “What if I try for something bigger and fall flat on my face?” Yup, that’s scary. But staying stuck where you are is its own kind of failure.
Comparison Trap: Seeing people on social media with their “perfect” lives makes you feel like crap. Remember,that’s a highlight reel, not reality. YOUR purpose doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
“I Don’t Deserve It” Syndrome: This one runs deep. Maybe you were told you weren’t good enough, or life beat you down. But here’s a mind-blower: having a purpose helps you PROVE to yourself that you DO deserve better!

How to Find Your “Why”

It ain’t about sitting in meditation until the answer arrives (though that might help). Here’s the messy but effective way:

Notice What Makes You Tick: When do you lose track of time? When do you feel fired up, even if it’s about something that pisses you off? These are CLUES.
Remember Your Kid Self: What did you dream of before life started telling you to be “realistic”? Those dreams often point towards your core values.
Experiment! Try new stuff, volunteer, learn a skill… don’t expect instant revelation, but something might spark that “aha!” feeling.

Purpose = Power

Purpose isn’t just about feeling good (though hey, we’ll take that too!). It gives you:

Resilience: Tough times happen. Purpose is what pulls you through, because you know there’s something bigger you’re working towards.
Focus: Instead of wasting energy on stuff that doesn’t matter, you can make choices that align with your why.
Confidence: Pursuing your purpose PROVES to yourself that you’re capable, worthy, and damn right deserve a life that lights you up.

Time for a Challenge

Pick ONE thing this week you’re going to do differently – even a small thing – to nudge yourself out of the same old routine.
Share it in the comments! Let’s ditch this feeling of being lost, and start building lives with meaning, one step at a time.

Brian Parsley

15 Jul

July 15, 2024Brian Parsley Action

Quit Complaining, Start Choosing: Why Living by Default Sucks

Let’s be honest, we all complain sometimes. Bad day at work? Whine session. Someone cuts you off in traffic? Time to vent! Life not playing fair? Yep, that deserves a good moan. But here’s the thing: complaining doesn’t change a darn thing. It just drags you down.

Think about how that feels. A little rant might seem harmless, but then it turns into another, and another… until you’re stuck in the “everything sucks” loop, focusing on what’s wrong instead of what you can do. That’s living by default – letting life just happen to you instead of taking charge.

Autopilot Alert

Sound familiar? Maybe you self-soothe with a little too much: food, drinks, a shopping spree. Did it fix the problem that made you stressed? Or did it just create another one (hangover, empty wallet, guilt pile)? I’m not judging! I’ve been there. But hiding from problems isn’t living, it’s delaying the inevitable. So, what’s the alternative?

Choices = Power

Quitting the complaining and actually choosing is scary at first. But that’s where the good stuff happens. Instead of ranting about your job, what if you updated your resume? Instead of moaning about a fight with a friend, what if you reached out to make amends? Those choices might be uncomfortable, but they’re ACTIONS towards a solution.

Here’s the deal: Life is going to throw you curveballs. That’s out of your control. But how do you react? That’s on YOU.

Finding Your Anchor

Think of it like this: you’re on a boat in a storm. If you’re just drifting, no anchor, no plan… it’s chaos! Waves toss you around, maybe you even sink. But your PURPOSE is that anchor. It keeps you grounded, even in the storm.

What’s your purpose? Being a great parent? Building an awesome career? It can be anything, but figuring it out gives you that North Star to guide your choices. When a tempting distraction comes along, you can ask “does this move me closer to my purpose, or further away?”

Small Choices, Big Impact

Don’t get overwhelmed – this isn’t about changing your entire life overnight. It’s a mindset shift. Instead of “this sucks, what am I gonna do?” it’s “Okay, this is the situation, what’s ONE choice I can make right now to make it a tiny bit better?”

Maybe that’s turning off social media when you’re feeling down, or choosing a salad instead of fries. Those little wins build up.

Challenge Time

Here’s where I want YOU to get involved:

Think of one area of your life where you complain way more than you take action. Be honest!
What’s ONE small choice you can make TODAY to break out of that rut?
Share in the comments! Let’s support each other in ditching the default life and choosing a better path.

Brian Parsley

11 Jul

July 11, 2024Brian Parsley Gratitude, Happiness

Why “Thank You” Isn’t Enough: Showing Gratitude That Matters

We all know we should be grateful, right? But when you hear the word “gratitude”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Appreciating what you have, noticing the good stuff? That’s a start, but let’s dive deeper. Because honestly, it’s easy to slip into focusing on what we don’t have, wishing for more, and forgetting to be thankful for what’s right in front of us.

Here’s a hard truth: life isn’t fair. There will always be people with more than you, people with less than you. That doesn’t mean you should feel guilty or depressed, but focusing on that isn’t productive. One of the greatest ways to feel genuinely grateful is to give back, to be generous towards others.

When “Thank You” Becomes Automatic

We toss around “thank you” all the time. It’s polite, it’s expected. And that’s fine! Good manners matter. But sometimes, “thank you” feels like a reflex, not a truly heartfelt expression. Think about it – a mumbled “thanks” at the grocery store, a routine “thank you for your business” on a customer service call… maybe even a flat “thanks” from your boss that leaves you wondering what exactly it was for.

Don’t get me wrong, keep saying “thank you”! But I believe real gratitude goes beyond that. A simple “thank you” can become an easy way out of genuinely showing how much we appreciate someone.

Gratitude = Action!

See, gratitude isn’t just a feeling to have tucked away inside. If you’re grateful but never express it, what’s the point? Everyone craves hearing “I care about you”, and feeling appreciated is no different. But like any meaningful message, it’s got to be about more than just the words.

So, How Do You Do It?

Here’s the challenge: there’s no one-size-fits-all way to express gratitude! But here’s a good starting point:

Pick Someone Specific: Not a vague “I’m grateful for my family”, but a single person – a friend, coworker, mentor, whoever.
Make a List: What do you appreciate about them? How have their actions helped you? What about their personality makes your life better? Don’t just list generic qualities, dig for the specifics.
Communicate It! This is where you need to know your audience. A heartfelt letter might be perfect for some, while others would prefer a face-to-face chat. No generic ‘gratitude texts’, please!

Don’t Wait

Remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”. I learned that the hard way…my Grandma Parsley was my idol. I loved spending time with her and when I was 18, I was supposed to stay with her for the weekend and I went out of town instead. Unfortunately, she passed before the next time I saw her. I never got to share with her how grateful I was to have her in my life.

We take so much for granted. The beauty of a sunrise, the smell of good food, even the voices of those we love… things we only seem to fully appreciate once they’re gone.

My Challenge to You

Don’t wait until tomorrow to act on your gratitude. Don’t just feel thankful, do something about it! Share that appreciation with the people who make your life better.

Let me know in the comments – have you ever had a time when someone’s expressed gratitude in a way that really resonated with you? I’d love to hear your stories!

Brian Parsley

01 Jul

July 1, 2024Brian Parsley Loyalty

What Does Loyalty Really Mean? It’s More Than Just Rewards Programs

Let’s be honest, the word “loyalty” gets thrown around a lot, right? Companies want your “brand loyalty”, stores bombard you with loyalty programs… but what does it really mean?

Is it about buying the same brand of shampoo over and over, or is there something deeper going on? Because let’s face it, most of us would switch to a better shampoo if one came out, loyalty points or not!

Hold up a minute – are you truly loyal to that new phone, or is it actually the super-helpful salesperson who convinced you? Real loyalty goes way deeper than stuff. We’re loyal to our families, our friends, the causes we believe in… and even our favorite sports team, even if they have a losing season.

Think about the people in your life who have your back no matter what. Who do you trust with your deepest secrets? Chances are, you don’t sit there analyzing your loyalties every day. It just kinda happens, right? But think about this – how do you build that kind of loyalty with others?

It’s not about manipulation or expecting something in return. True loyalty develops over time through trust, respect, and being there for someone when they need you.

My friend and I have what I call a “low maintenance” friendship. But when his wife got sick, I was on speed-dial to watch his kid while he took her to appointments. There was never a question, I just did it. I would have canceled anything for him, and I know he’d do the same for me in a heartbeat. That’s loyalty.

So, how do you earn that? Here’s the not-so-secret secret: do what you say you’re going to do.

Simple, right? And yet so many people mess it up, in both personal and professional relationships.

Bottom line, loyalty gives you a sense of belonging, a safety net for tough times. Knowing that you have people to count on, and that you are that person for others… that feeling gives life purpose!

Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

Honesty first: With yourself and those around you.
Act in someone else’s interest, not just your own: True loyalty is about putting others first sometimes.
Keep your promises: If you say it, mean it.
Be present: Really listen, offer support, remember important details in someone’s life.

Now, there will probably be times when your loyalties are tested. What if you get an amazing job offer but your current team can’t survive without you right now? What if your family member does something you completely disagree with?

There’s no easy answer. Ultimately, you have to follow your heart. But the stronger your relationships are built on genuine loyalty, the easier those tough choices will be to navigate.

Let me know what YOU think about loyalty. Have you ever had your loyalty tested? Share your stories in the comments!

Brian Parsley