Don't Forget Your Tiara

Have you ever walked into a situation and wondered, “Wait… am I even in the right place?”

That happened to me the other day.

I had been invited to a business networking event, and as I walked from my car into the building I found myself alongside three Disney Princesses.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Three ladies fully dressed as Anna, and Elsa from Frozen, and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty… had also just parked and were walking into the same event.

With the poofy wigs, colorful dresses, and the sing-songy Princess voices to match.

As I tried to politely hold the door for them I said, “I feel severely under dressed…I should have never left home without my tiara…”

They giggled, and a passing bird almost burst into song on their shoulders.

It turns out the Princesses and I were headed in the right direction because the event was with a group of business people who had donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.

And that day we were going to make a little girl’s dream come true.

I don’t know how many three year old’s can say they are cancer survivors, but I’m sure that number is pretty small.

Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at 8 months, this little girl from our community had been through more intensive medical treatments in her brief 2 years of life than most adults experience in a lifetime.

Instead of dresses, playing make believe, and putting her hair in pink bows, much of her life had been filled with hospital gowns, IV drips, and going bald.

Definitely not like any Disney movie I’ve seen before.

As her family walked in the room filled with music, balloons, and of course the Disney Princesses twirling around them… the Make A Wish foundation announced that she was going to have her wish granted:

She was going to Disney World with her family.

As her parents tearfully shared more of her story, the room fell silent as we witnessed grit, stubbornness, and determination… things we normally associate with super heroes in capes… all packaged in the form of a three year old little girl.

As they left with additional gifts and candy, we were all grateful to have played a small part in their happily ever after.

What does this have to do with influence and success?

I was reminded of the quote by John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach for UCLA:

“You can’t live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

― John Wooden

When I think of the most successful and influential people I’ve ever known, they were consistently people who focused on giving.

Especially to those who couldn’t repay them.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever taken the time to reflect on the incredible privileges you have, but a normal Tuesday for you is the envy of someone else in the world.

The fact that you are reading this means you are literate, educated, and have the disposable time to read.

The fact that you are reading this on a screen means you have access to technology like computers, smart phones, and electricity.

You might be in an office, in your car, or maybe at your kitchen table… which all imply you have a place of work, a vehicle that you own, and a roof over your head.

And to say nothing of the abundant wealth you have in relationships, health, or other things.

Natalee Champlin, a dear friend and mentor of mine, succinctly asks audiences, “Can you imagine being so poor that all you had was money?”

So today, take a moment to notice what’s good.

Appreciate the things you once prayed and hoped for.

And if you really want to live a perfect day… as Coach Wooden said… find someone who can’t repay you and do something kind for them anyway.

The smartest people in the room are always the kindest, and know the true secret to any success is making life better for those around them.

That’s how we bring a little bit of “happily ever after” into the world.

Even if you left your tiara at home.

-Christian

CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the 2X #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com