Are you an influencer? Do you think you are an influencer? Are you succeeding or are you failing?
Va’eira’s tale involves one of the world’s greatest influencers hitting a road block. He, at the outset of his campaign, cannot influence anybody. Somehow, this disappointing start does not stop his success. His disastrous encounter was tantamount to one’s first woodpress post in wordpress that yields no clicks, likes or follows.
In Va’eira, Moses is charged by God to free the Children of Israel from their Egyptian Bondage. He has his meet and greet the Children of Israel which was a catastrophic failure. How can an individual offering fantastic news lose his audience?
The Torah captured the failure: “Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel, but they did hearken to Moses because of [their] shortness of breath and because [their] hard labor.” Exodus 6:9
Influencers, bloggers and promoters should appreciate Moses’ moment. Sometimes an audience is not capable or not ready to hear or read what you are offering. There are times when people are too busy or exhausted and are unable to consume what you are offering. There are times when holidays or societal conflict that take precedent with respect to information consumption. How did that post do on the day of a Superbowl? In essence, sometimes the audience is not ready to connect with you.
Moses, suffering from his influencing fail, expressed his concern to the Master of the Universe. Beyond the Children of Israel, Moses was also asked to convince the Pharaoh to let the Hebrew slaves go. In this moment, Moses says to the Master, “Here, the Children of Israel didn’t listen to me, and how will Pharoah listen to me? And I’m of uncircumcised of lips!” Exodus 6:12.
This befuddling passage brings with it important meaning to an influencer. Taking this passage under a legalistic analysis, one can say that Moses is saying, “hey, how am I going to get this deal done when my supposed client isn’t on board with what I’m doing?” In other words, Moses understood that he, at that point, had no credibility or connection with either party.
Moses, the seemingly failing influencer, did have something. Through his determination, he continued forward despite the dreary outlook. He was versed on the game plan and moved forward. Further, he appreciated that he needed to make connections with the parties he desired to influence. He knew that this matter was going to be a struggle.
In the end, history will show he succeeded. With a solid plan, one should not be afraid of roadblocks. Sometimes, it is a matter of finally reaching those who aren’t readily reachable. Sometimes, patience is the pathway for success
Be well!!!
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