25 Lessons – Lesson Four: NATO

How often have you posted on social media and despaired at the lack of likes and comments?

How did you feel when you pitched an idea at a team meeting and didn’t get the applause and pats on the back that you felt your brilliance merited?

Do you feel ridiculously nervous when trying to close a sale, to the degree that you find yourself negotiating your own price down on behalf of the client, so desperate are you to win their business?

Baiju Solanki introduced me to the brilliant acronym NATO when I attended his Change Your Game business accelerator in 2019 and 2020. NATO stands for ‘Not Attached To the Outcome’ and its impact frees you up to try things without being beholden to their success.

When you don’t rely on your actions having a specific impact, you feel liberated and able to take bolder steps. Try different posts without worrying about whether or not people will engage with them; share new ideas in the knowledge that one of them will resonate – or lead to a discussion that produces the desired impact in time; be prepared to walk away from a client who doesn’t value what you have to offer and value yourself instead.

Let go of expectation, focus on taking action and see where it leads you.