Game of Thrones has become an incredible cultural phenomenon all around the world. Everyone can’t stop talking about Tyrion’s wit, Daenerys’ dragons, and Jon’s parentage. The biggest breakout star of season six may not have been a main character, but she stole every scene where she appeared.
Played by British child actress Bella Ramsey (the irony of her last name is not lost on any Game of Thrones fan), Lyanna Mormont is the young head of the proud House Mormont. They may not have the Internet in Westeros or on Bear Island and she may have zero interest in affiliate marketing or blogging, but Lyanna Mormont can teach us a lot about what it means to make money online.
If you haven’t watched season six yet, be warned that there may be some spoilers below.
Surround Yourself with Trusted Advisors
The reason why the 10-year-old Lyanna sits at the head of House Mormont is because the rest of her family has died. Her parents are gone. Her siblings are gone. Most other 10-year-olds would be devastated, but you’d never know it by looking at Lyanna.
This is a two-part lesson that applies to anyone interested in making money online. First, any past grievances or challenges are no excuse for your lack of determination and lack of success. You must always move forward, regardless of circumstance.
Second, if you’re new to any arena (or even if you’ve been around for a while), you need to tap into the expertise and wisdom of those who came before you. Lyanna may be the head of the house, but she has trusted advisors who she leans on for information and advice.
Just Get Down to Business
In the scene where Lyanna meets with Jon Snow, Sansa Stark and Ser Davos Seaworth, you can see a stark difference in how these individuals approach the exchange. Sansa in particular tries to be friendly and jovial, but Lyanna will have none of it.
She’s not interested in small chat and pleasantries. She wants to know what they want and why they’re there. Similarly, in your adventures with Internet marketing, don’t allow yourself to get too distracted by matters that don’t matter. Get down to the business at hand and focus on what is truly important.
Actions Speak Louder than Words
Over the course of the few episodes where she appears, Lyanna Mormont does not have too many lines. What she does have is a scene-stealing scowl.
You can see the dedication and determination in her eyes. She could have spoken up and said something prior to the Battle of the Bastards, but she didn’t need to. Her face said it all.
Likewise, it doesn’t matter if you talk up a big game about what you plan to accomplish with your online business. If you don’t step up with your numbers and actually perform, none of that will matter. Even if you only bring 62 soldiers into the fray.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Your Hands Dirty
When you consider some of the other lords and ladies that occupy George R.R. Martin’s fictional universe, practically all of whom are decidedly older than Lady Lyanna, they’re not necessarily so apt to throw themselves into the battlefield. They play the theoretical game.
That won’t do. If you want to be successful in any game, be it the game of thrones or the game of Internet marketing, you have to be prepared to get elbow deep in the grime. Lyanna went out for that meeting with Ramsay Bolton with the above scowl on her face. She didn’t need to, but she was there.
Step up. Be present. Take matters into your own hands.
Act As If
When a little 10-year-old girl can command the attention of a room filled with hardened soldiers and middle-aged lords of major houses, that’s saying something. Or rather that’s her saying something.
You would think that almost anyone, let alone a little girl, would be incredible intimidated by such a situation. Not Lyanna. And you shouldn’t be either. If you ever meet up with supposed big time gurus, don’t play the shy fanboy. Act as if you are their peer, because you are.
Because Bear Island knows no king but the King in the North whose name is Stark.