Personal Gravitas could just be your greatest reputational asset.

However, it is a somewhat misunderstood term. Moreover, there is still some contention as to whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. What we do know is this:

In the same way, those people with a depth of character, a serious credibility and a compelling personality seem to...

• Rise to the top of their professions.
• Assume positions of major influence.
• Accelerate their career.
• Acquire the best reputations.
• Attract the best ventures and opportunities.
• Exert the greatest influence.
• Add the most value.
• Make the biggest difference.

If you want to rise to the top, you require the capacity to network with higher level people, have higher level conversations and ask higher level questions. You need higher level insight and you need a higher level reputation. If you don't do it on purpose, you run the risk that it might not happen by accident! What are you doing to increase your gravitas? Here are five things you can get started with:

1. Read Read Read! Work on your knowledge, because when applied it gives you wisdom and power. Both are facets of gravitas.
2. Network Network Network! No good being a well-kept secret. Get out there and make connections. Gravitas is often acquired though association. 
3. Take a Step Back! Those with personal gravitas seem to speak less, listen more, observe plenty and take things in. They don't feel the need to speak all the time. 
4. Ask Insightful Questions! Make people think, keep them sharp and make them clarify things. This makes you look sharp and insightful - two critical elements of gravitas.
5. Take the Gravitas Survey! Go to http://www.personalgravitas.com/shape.html and join hundreds of other prominent business figure, thought leaders, commentators and experts who are offering their insight and understanding to the gravitas debate.

When you get gravitas, incredible things begin to happen!

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"Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.

In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you."

Oscar Wilde (Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic, 1854-1900) 

A good mentor of mine taught me that the best thing you can do for the poor is not to be one of them. Always stuck with me, that. As we begin to learn that China has done more for their poor by giving them jobs than Africa has done by giving their poor aid, one naturally asks 'how can I make a difference?

I once went out with a very rich woman when I lived in Hong Kong. She taught me that money gives you choices. Trouble is, not everyone knows both how to make it, and how to use it. That's why I'm speaking at the Wealth Thing Seminar on 5th July, and I invite you to join me. 

From property to investing to internet marketing, you'll meet some of the world's best experts to give you insight, opinion and a truck-load of wealth tips so you can make your own difference.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a wealth expert. I'm going to learn too. I'll simply be giving my insight into what really matters both as you create wealth and once you attain it. Your relationships! 

 For more details and to book your place, click here. I'll see you there!

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'You become effective when you become selective.'

Ever wondered why you don't get the results you want from your networking? Or why you don't get the referrals you want? It's because you get distracted! You live in a world of rapid change, overloaded demands and conflicting priorities. It's no wonder you don't build sufficient momentum in any one particular direction before being pulled away to another.

Just like the light from a torch shines everywhere but not very far, so your energies are dispersed very quickly when you spread yourself in too many directions. Contrast that to a laser beam that focuses a huge amount of energy in one particular direction. It can cut through steel! 

Nothing is as potent as a focused life! 

Prolific Christian author Bob Gass says that the men and women who make the biggest difference in life are the most focused:

Gass also quotes poet William Matthews:

If you know what you want, simply get moving on anything, however small, that will take you in that direction. Even better, get working on that task, that conversation or that event that will have the biggest impact on making your goal happen.

Trouble is, focus is difficult for most people. Even me. Which is why I practise it like a skill and work it like a muscle. Yes, I have off-days. But I know it's a discipline that I practise every day. Do you?

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