Three Years Later – Thank You

Three years ago, I wrote the blog post below after leaving corporate America. It was scary but then, most things worth pursuing come with some risk.

With my third year coming to a close, as I look at where I am personally and professionally, I’m where I’d hope to be when I first set out. What makes it more gratifying is doing it during a worldwide pandemic. Talk about a monkey wrench being thrown into your plans!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to give THANKS again.

I’m THANKFUL to God because, had I known a pandemic was coming I don’t think I would have had the confidence to step into the unknown. Faith is taking steps into the unknown and trusting. He never disappoints.

I’m THANKFUL for my wife Jane for all her love and support. Doing this is so much easier when someone believes in you. She is pictured below with our daughter Abigail.

THANKS to Barbara Grassey for helping to bring my books to market, to Michael Franzese for his creative help with my books and branding, to Katlynn Henry for her creativity developing many of my marketing materials.

THANKS to all of you who bought my books, read my posts, had me on your podcasts, who’ve hired me, and for those who’ve said a prayer or two for me along the way.

I’m THANKFUL for and appreciate all of you.

The First Day of My New Career and the Rest of My Life

Today is the day – the first day of my new career and the rest of my life!! In September I announced a huge change was coming and it’s finally here. After 28 ½ years I’ve left State Auto Insurance to pursue Influence PEOPLE as my fulltime endeavor.

When I decided to make this move back in September my feelings were primarily a mixture of fear and excitement. As each day passed and I began to see the future more clearly the fear subsided, and my excitement grew. While there are no guarantees in life all I see is opportunity ahead.

One thing that’s really stood out with my career change is this – if you truly come to like and enjoy the people you support (principle of liking) and do whatever you can to help others (principle of reciprocity) you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many people will want to help you before you even ask.

Not only is this a career change, but it’s also a life change. I told my wife I’m going to look at everything I do – when I get up, how I work out, where I do my work, when I work and so on – and see what changes I want to make. I feel like I’ve moved into a new house and the opportunities to make it my dream home are endless.

With Thanksgiving soon upon us this is a good time to give several big THANK YOUS.

To all the State Auto employees, former employees, and agents who have reached out to ask how they can help me – THANK YOU! Your willingness to support me gives more even more confidence that I’ve made the right decision.

To my friends at INFLUENCE AT WORK – Bob, Greg, Bobette, Cara, Eily and Jandy – THANK YOU for your support and encouragement.

To all of you who’ve been loyal readers of Influence PEOPLE over the years – THANK YOU! When I started blogging nearly 10 years ago, I never imagined I would gain a following across the country and around the world. You also give me confidence in the choice I’ve made.

One last time – THANK YOU!

Brian Ahearn, CPCU, CTM, CPT, CMCT

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE, LLC. An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, coach, and consultant, he’s one of only a dozen people in the world personally trained by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.

Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE: Powerful Everyday Opportunities to Persuade that are Lasting and Ethical, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by BookAuthority. His second book, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller in several categories. His next book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, will be available by year-end.

Brian’s LinkedIn Learning courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by more than 400,000 people around the world.