Giovanni Van Baal’s Post

"Thanks" - it's not just a word, it's the secret ingredient to success. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's a principle I've lived by, always making sure to express gratitude to those who've lifted me up. But not everyone gets it. There have been introductions that I’ve made that have secured million-pound contracts and sometimes, that simple 'thank you' never comes. It's astonishing how some overlook the power of two words that can make someone's day, or even shape a career. Remembering and acknowledging the help you've received isn't just polite, it's a cornerstone of building lasting, successful relationships. In this whirlwind life, control can seem like a foreign concept, but here's something you can always manage - your gratitude. So, why not pause, reflect, and let those who've supported you know just how much they mean? Got someone in mind? Reach out, and say thanks. It might just be the most rewarding message you send today! #lifelessons #thankyou #relationships #buildingrelationships

🕰️ Story Time: Some time ago, during a 1:1 meeting, my then boss was reviewing the responses received via LinkedIn. I vividly recall his words: "Why do you always thank people when they respond? Don't thank them, go straight to the point and show them how you can help solve their main problems." I remained silent for at least a minute as he finished reviewing. When he finally concluded, I responded: "Each one of us is fighting different battles day after day. Maintaining our humanity is what makes us better individuals and, in turn, is what transforms sales into long-term relationships with people, not just objects or contracts. Besides, we should be grateful because that person took a minute of their valuable time to do so." Nowadays, our most precious asset is TIME. So, be thankful. ⏳🙏

Have you made some lifelong friends at work? I sure have! I often come across posts suggesting that making friends at work isn’t wise, but from my experience, some of my strongest friendships have been formed in the corporate world and had a positive impact on my career. -Yes, it takes time to get to know people. -Yes, sometimes you may trust too quickly and get burned. -Yes, I know we're there to do a job, but if we spend most of our waking moments each week at work, why not have some fun while we're there? I’m grateful to my work friends, some of whom have been in my life for 30+ years now. They have: -Provided a soft place to fall on a hard day. -Been a sounding board to work through issues. -Offered honest, heartfelt feedback about my blind spots (seriously, my friends hold nothing back, and I am so grateful for this). -Brought fun and light-heartedness every day. -Shared resources I may not have found on my own when I needed help. -Supported me as I've ventured into my own business, celebrating wins, listening to struggles, and referring their connections to me. A few have even started working with me. -Helped create so many fun memories as we spent time off together. I'll have to share some of these stories with you all another day. There have been some doozies, including being lost on a river for HOURS one day... For those who have made true friends at work, TAG your friends and share one thing about your relationship that you are most grateful for. Let’s celebrate the joy of work friendships together! (Pictured below are just a few of my close "work" friends made throughout the years...and yes, one photo was taken in a cemetary. It was listed as one of the "Top 10 things to do in Greeley CO" 😂 . )

In a world of unknowns You can always be certain of 3 things 1. Your attitude 2. Your empathy 3. You gratefulness Keeping your mind well by maintaining a good attitude, even neutral, will prove beneficial as the days move along. Having empathy for others. Being able to understand anothers situation. The benefits far outweigh any negative. Lastly, practice gratefulness everyday. Make a list of 5 things each day. You'll be amazed at all the little things there are to be grateful for. In a business of transactions, take some time each day to step back and really see your team, your customers and yourself! (the pic is Saint and I watching the birds - grateful I eat more than seeds!)

“You should be thankful for what you have.” “You should be okay with where you are.” I’ve heard these phrases time and time again. Whether it’s from friends or family, I’ve heard it from them. These responses made me doubt myself Is it me? Should I be more grateful? Do I expect too much? But I learned over time that those responses were short-sighted. They were typical responses from those who may not understand you. And the truth that I later found out is, Being happy with what you have, shouldn’t stop you from going after what you want. Think about this: You’re happy in your current role. You appreciate your team. And you enjoy the work you do. But deep inside, you know there’s more. You want to have more responsibility. You want to impact more people. You want to grow to your potential. It’s a feeling of tension and friction, pulling you in opposite directions. But the truth is, the feeling can work in the same direction. Being grateful fuels the journey to unlocking your potential. You can be happy and want more: it’s not a binary decision. Don’t let others make you feel guilty for wanting more. Embrace the duality of being happy and being driven. The sooner you realize you can have both, the less hard on you can be on yourself. ♻️ If you enjoyed this post, reshare it with your network to help someone today.

Celebrating another happy client moment! 🎉 We're humbled by their kind words and grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact. Here's to more milestones and achievements together! #ClientAppreciation #digitalmarketingagency #performancemarketingservices

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? For me, it's not about the number of teams I've built or the revenue growth I've achieved. While those are important, what I'm most proud of is the deep trust I've built with my colleagues. I've had the privilege of working with some incredible professionals multiple times throughout my career. Being someone people can trust with their careers, their companies, and take a leap of faith for is the true measure of success. So, what are you proud of? Share your accomplishments in the comments below. #professionalaccomplishments #trust #success

Be Thankful for What You Can Do: The Key to Building a Good Reputation Learn why being grateful for your abilities and not ignoring people can greatly impact your reputation. Discover the importance of providing quality service and why it's essential to take pride in your work. #ThankfulForAbilities #BuildingReputation #QualityService #TakePrideInYourWork #ServiceExcellence #Professionalism #GratitudeMatters #WorkEthics #BusinessSuccess #CustomerSatisfaction

Leaving money on the table is not the same as undervaluing your product/service. In business and with clients, I leave money on the table all the time because I see more value in providing an outstanding experience than attempting to extract every penny out of every transaction. The latter experience leaves your clients feeling depleted not just financially, but emotionally as well. They might not realize it in the moment, but it’ll subconsciously stick with them as they decide whether to work with you or refer you to their friends in the future. The former has the opposite effect. Going above and beyond without charging extra leaves your clients feeling not just satisfied, but grateful. Grateful for your work. Grateful they chose you over the competition. Grateful for the value you’ve provided. And the amazing part about gratitude is that it’s usually accompanied by loyalty.

Today, I want to share a story about a dear friend of mine Rudy Rubio III who just celebrated his 4th anniversary at New York Life. Over the past 3 years that I've known him, I've seen him grow, develop, and continuously radiate positivity. He's always smiling and has something encouraging to say. On his milestone anniversary, I reached out to congratulate him and asked, "What has helped you with your success the most? What has kept you in the game through the tough days/weeks/months?" His response was inspiring: "I’m not going to lie, I’ve considered a different career PLENTY of times during my time at NYL, but I realized I ONLY felt like that when business wasn’t good. It’s always a temporary feeling. When I get back to basics of how I’ve been successful during the good months, I realize that it’s just my activity and trusting in God. The harder I work, the luckier I get. And I know God will take care of everything." This got me thinking. We've all heard the saying, "Nothing worth having comes easy." But what do you look for in a career? Is it the impact? The culture? The money? Whatever your driver, what keeps you going when things are tough? Are you like my friend, Rudy, and go back to the basics to evaluate your activity? Or perhaps you have your own system? What makes you push that little extra? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I'll share mine there too! 😊 #CareerGrowth #Motivation #Perseverance #WorkHard #NewYorkLife #Inspiration