Make Your Life a Constant Attraction

I won't date myself too much, but I do recall a time, before the advent of on-demand films, DVDs, VCRs, and (dare I say it....?) places like Blockbuster Video (!!!) you could plunk down a few dollars and go see a movie in a theater on the big screen, what was called the "silver screen" way back in the day. (yes, that was before my time...I'm not THAT old). I point this out because there's a portion of the program that flashed across the screen before the main feature would be presented. Do you remember what it was called? Nowadays they may something like, "Coming Soon to a Theater Near You," but back in the day it was shortened to two simple words:

COMING ATTRACTIONS

As I recall, the soon coming features would also be shown on the marquis outside the building, or on a display not far away from the movie house. Previews of the upcoming features would be shown, lasting about five to ten minutes before the main feature would be aired. Whether you realize it or not, this was a clever way to let movie patrons know they'd have a good reason to come back to the theater, to see another movie. In plain English, it was the theater's way to...ATTRACT ATTENTION to their business without saying so directly.

And did it work...?  ABSOLUTELY...!!!

It seemed like every few weeks or months there would be reports a record breaking opening night sales at the box office. In fact, there was so much interested drummed up for certain features, people would camp out overnight for hours at a time waiting in line for the ticket windows to open so they could be sure to get themselves a ticket or two (or more) to see their favorite film on opening night.

Here's the question I have for you:

Do people flock to the movies for the concessions, for the atmosphere, for the chance to sit in a dark room for 1 to 3 hours? Do they show up to get out of the house, to go on a date, to spend time with their families? You can make a case for these, or any other reason as to why people go to a theater, and in some ways you may indeed be correct. But that's not the main reason why people go to the movie theater, is it? What do you suppose is the main reason that people go to the movie theater...?

TO SEE THE MOVIE, OF COURSE...!!!

That's not hard to figure out; if it is then you're not paying attention. Simply put, there's something about the movie itself that attracts people to the theater: comedy, romance, action, suspense, horror, fantasy, science fiction, or some combination thereof is what gets people's attention. It's the movies themselves that drive all the activities: the concessions, the arcade, the atmosphere...none of that would happen at all if the movies weren't any good. Just like the theaters, you have to have something to offer, some reason as to why people should pay attention to you. You must become a continual work in progress, an ongoing "coming attraction," so to speak. Just as with the movie house (yes, I'm dating myself a bit), you must give people a reason to want to come to you, to be drawn to you. Theaters know they need to advertise what they have on the inside to give people a reason to come to them.

You need to do the same thing, to develop yourself in such a way that what is in you comes out as naturally as breathing, like night follows day. Continually work to improve your knowledge, your wisdom, your insights, your perspective, your viewpoint, even your opinion. When you do, you can share what you have learned in such a way that people want to hear more from you and know more about you. Make sure you do so with a humility of spirit and you become a magnet to which people are naturally drawn, like a moth is drawn to a flame. You give them just enough knowledge to make them curious about you, but not too much that you overwhelm them or turn them off.

You can become your own feature film and preview of future attractions all at once. I once heard someone say that if you live like wildfire, people will come and watch you burn. Neil Diamond sang about turning on your heartlight. Even the Bible talks about letting your light shine (Matthew 5:16). It all means the same thing: if you want people to approach you, they need to know what you have on the inside.  And when they look inside the see the real you, make sure they see this as your main feature:

CONVICTION: a strong persuasion or belief, the state of being convinced 

It is your sense of conviction, straight from the heart, that makes you the most attractive to like minded people. Nurture and cultivate your conviction, and you will become attractive. Even if everyone doesn't agree with what you say, they will respect your for having something to say, along with the willingness to stand by it.  Here's a thought from a man from a man who became a legend in his profession, so much so that his name is spoken with reverence more than forty years after his passing. The championship trophy given to the winning team at the end of each football season bears his name. Whether in sports or any other field, his words ring true and profound:

"Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength in the world behind him. It's something we call HEART POWER (emphasis mine). Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success." - Vince Lombardi

It is the gift inside you, the knowledge, the passion, the conviction, that draws people to you and keeps them coming back for more. As you continue to refine your nature and character, you will more easily be seen as the Coming Attraction to which people will flock with anticipation, the one whose presence they enjoy, and the one of whom they will say they can't wait to find out what you will do next, because they know whatever you have up your sleeve, it will be special.

That's all for now. Until we meet again remember:

Keep it simple... See ya!