(originally published May 13th, 2005)

Today was the meeting of a consultant’s group I belong to. The idea of this meeting was to allow any of our members who wanted to talk a little bit about their business to the group the opportunity to participate and share.

In one sense, the meeting was a flop, as only one person who’s not a board member showed up. In another, it was just fine, because those of us who were there got to learn way more about each other than we would have gotten to know with only five minutes.

Still, it highlights the difference between people who say they want success and are willing to put themselves out there, versus those who say they want success but don’t do the things they need to do in order to get there. Because, whether you’re an independent business person, or someone who works in a traditional business for someone else, you have to be willing to be outstanding, to give your best regardless of what anyone else is doing, to be comfortable shining and being outstanding.

What are you willing to do to be noticed, to reach for your goals and dreams?