Episode 20: When One Connection Matters More Than a Hundred Sales

A powerful hotel encounter reminds Pam that success isn't measured in book sales but in meaningful connections. When a hotel employee named Tyra wondered how Pam maintained joy despite past hardships, it became the highlight of her trip—far outweighing the modest sales at the Texas Country Reporter Festival.

• The Plus One Theory focuses on taking small, intentional steps beyond your perceived limits
• Sometimes success isn't measured by sales or followers but by one meaningful connection
• Sharing your story matters because it can be someone else's survival guide
• Sympathy gives you care, but belief gives you energy and purpose
• Even at 58, Pam realized she should have been sharing her story all along
• Journaling heals and could be the beginning of a book that helps others

Hop over to PamDwyerSpeaker.com to sign up for my newsletter, get book announcements, and grab incredible monthly giveaways. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that they are enough exactly as they are.

Transcript

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Welcome to Plus One Theory

Speaker 1 0:13

Hey friends , welcome back to the Plus One Theory podcast . I'm your host , pam Dwyer , and if you're new here , welcome . I'm so happy you're here . Here's the quick rundown for today . The Plus One Theory is all about taking one small , intentional step beyond what you think you can do in kindness , in healing , in energy and in growth . And quick disclaimer I'm not a doctor or a therapist . I'm just a real person who's lived a lot of life , learned a lot of lessons , sometimes the hard way , and I'm passionate about sharing what's helped me with you . If you're listening today because someone sent you this episode , you're in the

Unexpected Connection at Hotel

Speaker 1 0:57

right place . Today I want to talk about how one small moment , one unexpected connection , reminded me why sharing your story matters more than you think .

Speaker 1 1:09

We were in town for the Texas Country Reporter Festival , tim and I , where I was set up to sell my book from the Piney Woods . We were at the hotel and I asked the front manager if they ever hosted author signings which I typically do , especially if they're super kind like he was and he said that they did book fairs once a year . And the young lady working with him , tyra , asked for the name of my book . Right there , she pulled it up on Amazon . And , yes , I told her to make sure that she ordered the second edition because , well , my first attempt was not as good . Tyra looked at me and said I wish I could come to your booth , but I'm working tomorrow . Y'all her excitement and encouragement meant so much to me I couldn't leave it there . So I ran upstairs to our room and grabbed a signed copy of my book and gave it to her personally . She looked me in the eyes and she asked how are you so full of joy when all that has happened to you is so terrible ? And right there I told her about the plus one theory , about using pain as fuel and taking small steps towards healing and purpose pain as fuel and taking small steps towards healing and purpose . She had the most amazing look in her eyes , like she had hope for something I didn't even know about . Her manager took a picture of us together to share on their social media and it just lit my heart up . One simple moment , one small kindness , and it changed my entire trip . Now let's be real . The festival itself ,

Festival Results and Pet Turtle

Speaker 1 2:49

I sold drum roll , please . Seven books and I made poor Tim haul a hundred of them to our booth . He really does love me All day .

Speaker 1 3:03

I told my story , though I told my story and I met amazing people and I shared kindness , and still the sales table was pretty quiet . But you know what ? That wasn't the point . I had family and friends show up to visit and support me . They lived in the area there , so they came by to support me . That mattered more than the sales , and the highlight was at the end of the day .

Speaker 1 3:29

We packed up about an hour early and I saw a man walking a pet turtle on a leash right past my booth . I'm talking like a full-sized turtle , not a tiny one . It was faster than you'd think too . Who knew turtles could hustle like that ? And all these people were gathering around . They were so amazed at this turtle walking around like a dog on a leash and I thought to myself man , I should just put one of my books right up on a shelf . And I thought to myself I should just put one of my books right up on a shelf and I might sell maybe , maybe , one more book .

Speaker 1 4:02

Sometimes your success isn't . You know . When I finally left the festival sweaty , tired , a little , sun fried I kept thinking was this even worth it ? We drove five hours , hauled 100 books and only sold seven . And then it hit me it was worth it .

Success Beyond Numbers

Speaker 1 4:26

Because sometimes success isn't measured by book sales or followers or crowds . Sometimes it's measured in one moment . One moment you make someone smile , we become a vessel . Sometimes we're the vessel God uses to tell someone get up , and sometimes someone else is the vessel reminding us to keep going when you're feeling like you're failing or it's all for nothing . Stop and ask yourself am I expecting sympathy when what I really need is a belief ? Sympathy gives you care , and that's beautiful , don't get me wrong . It's beautiful , but belief gives you energy and purpose . You don't just need someone to pat you on the back . You need someone , or maybe you need to be someone who says I believe you're not done yet . I believe there's still a mission in you . I believe the story isn't over . Even when we can't see the outcome , our faith , our kindness and our perseverance places seeds that God is watering in us and through us . You don't have to change the world today , but you can change one moment for someone else or even for yourself . Remember that the plus one theory is just one small act of kindness , one small word of encouragement and one step of faith in the messy middle . Your story is someone else's survival guide . Your resilience is the light someone else needs to see . Keep showing up , even if it feels small , even if it feels unseen , because what you're doing matters .

Speaker 1 6:10

I can't tell you how many times I was speaking to and it was younger people and they said how did you ever figure out you wanted to write a book ? You know , I have a pretty incredible story , but

Your Story Matters

Speaker 1 6:22

I would never write a book . And I look at them and I ask them why , why wouldn't you share your story ? Even if it just helps one person today or tomorrow sharing your story , it matters . And of course , they would look at me in disbelief and I would remind them that I am 58 years old and I finally realized that I should have been doing this all along . And I encourage them to do it now , while they're young , so they can enjoy the benefits of helping people , the benefits of the plus one theory .

Speaker 1 7:02

So get out there , tell your story , whether you are speaking it or writing it . Or my favorite suggestion is to get a journal and just put your thoughts and your feelings down on paper . Who knows , it could be the beginning of an amazing book that you publish one day and it will heal you Journaling heals . If today's episode touched you or if you're ready to live your own plus one life , please hop over to Pam Dwyer speakercom , sign up for my newsletter , check out my new book announcements and grab some incredible giveaways we have going on every single month . And , hey , share this

Episode Wrap-up and Call-to-Action

Speaker 1 7:45

episode with a friend who might need a little reminder today that they are enough exactly as they are . Your next plus one could change a life , starting with your own . So stay strong , stay kind and keep your heart open and always remember , add a little more love , a little more belief and a little more light everywhere you go . See you next time , friends .