Words of wisdom from my friend, Lou Cassara...

"As a professional, you are paid to communicate. Your ability to earn money is in direct proportion to your ability to communicate your value."

"The most important question asked on a regular basis – Who are you? – is far too often misunderstood and discounted. The question is asked at parties, business meetings, and the Little League game – What do you do? In reality, people are asking why they should consider talking to you."

What do you do? A question only you can answer and, in my experience, the most important question you will ever answer. It presents an opportunity to express yourself or depress yourself. You can attract or repel. You can be interesting or boring.

Somewhere, somehow, somebody determined you should answer this question with a label and nothing more...I am a funeral director, I am a banker, I am a sales rep, I am an attorney. I believe answering with a label sends a message that you do not see the value in who you are and what you do...labeling yourself is diminishing and unfulfilling.

As Lou goes on to say, "If you respond in a compelling manner and state a cause for your work, it becomes a powerful magnet that draws other people to you."

You don’t have to pitch yourself; you only need to communicate the magic of your vision expressed through your words.