It is nothing new that today's world moves so fast that your head has the potential of spinning out of control even before your first foot hits the floor. It is also nothing new that today's generation is stuck with a "I" problem. Just look around on websites, advertising, social media sites and listening to general conversations. We see it everywhere we go. "My needs are more important than yours", "I will get something for myself first" or "forget about you, I matter more". The signs are everywhere and all you need to do is stop and look around from time to time.

Can this "I" problem sink you? Eventually it will sink you to the depths of the deepest ocean, people are much smarter than we think. When I was in my early days of business, being attentive to the needs of my clients was always the number one priority. But with success, I eventually fell trap and was stuck in this "me first mentality". Fortunate for my team this focus on "me first" came at the top of the economic roller coaster. With the help of some great peers and wonderful mentors, I was lucky to have these friends shake me vigorously before the recession hit full stride.

Do these tendencies show their ugly head from time to time? Absolutely, no one is perfect. Perhaps for me, I am more aware of this behaviour and can takes the steps to correct it. My business coach at one time told me "the difference between someone who gets it and someone who doesn't is that the person who gets it is observant of their own behaviours.

Some of my loyal "Social Media" followers are perhaps asking, how does this apply? Think about this, when you write on your blog, share information on Twitter or post an update on Facebook...are you bragging or sharing?

When you turn your I's to You's great things can happen. Here are a few places to look to see if you are a YOU or I focused.

1. Look at your website - Is it I or We. Are you preaching to the client on how great you are or are you speaking to them directly, engaging with the reader of your blog or website content. Do your sentences start with I or We? Are you addressing a person directly, drawing them in, speaking to them at their level.
2. How do you speak to people - When you speak with your colleagues, is it always "I can do that" or "Let me see what I can do". Imagine what could happen if you change your I's to You's?
3. Your needs or my needs - My wife would tell you otherwise I am sure, however what matter most? Your needs or the needs of the person you are dealing with? If you follow the airplane approach of putting your mask on first this can confuse even the smartest person. You need to look after yourself that much I can tell you is true, however you must never demonstrate this in front of the person you are working or dealing with.

I guess all I am trying to share with you today is that you need to ensure the other person is made to feel important. That you actually care about them first. That your needs come second to theirs and that you are engaging with them and not always focusing on your needs.

I hope I managed to share this effectively with you? It is a hard topic to write about and something I am always trying to improve on.