Recently I observed numerous adults bickering at each other over trivial issues. It was suddenly apparent that not everyone does "get wiser" as they get older. It's a nice cliché to believe in, but unfortunately, it's not always the case. Advanced age doesn't always guarantee maturity. There's a huge difference between "growing old," and "growing up." They don't always seem go hand-in-hand.
Far too often, we as adults still react to adverse situations in our lives with very childish behaviors hurting our friends, family, spouces and reputation along the way.
Why do we do this? We know better! We teach our children not to do or say the things that we ourselves continue to say and do, allowing us to become cynical, rude, bitter, critical, unforgiving, untrusting, selfish and so on.
As adults we're supposed to act, instead of react, to life's ups and downs. Supposedly using the "wisdom" that we've accumulated throughout our experiences of many years. Anyone can grow older. That doesn't take any ability at all. That happens naturally. But growing up…now that's a different story all together.
Some of us never "mellow with age." Some of us go from bad to worse, and there's nothing worse than an "immature adult."
How do we let ourselves get to this point in the first place? What makes us become so unyielding, and narrow minded, way into our advanced years? What has prevented us from learning life's lessons which should have been learned years before?
Perhaps over the course of time we have become so focused on ourselves, and our wants and needs, that if every remark isn't geared towards our personal happiness, we get upset. We've become accustomed to overlooking our own faults, and seeing through magnified glasses at the faults of others. We've become convinced that we are the good guys, and that our ideas and ways of thinking are right. No questions asked.
After years of viewing life from our "me, me, me" perspective, other disturbing factors occur. We lose track of damage that we've inflicted on others, and blow out of proportion unintentional slights we feel we've received. Our viewpoint becomes greatly distorted. We lose our humility and acquire a one-track line of thinking.
"They're wrong! I'm right! Come around to my way of thinking and then everything will be fine. I didn't do anything to you! You did this to me!" Isolating long time treasured friends over bits and pieces of trivial, perceived, wounds of the heart. Holding on to personal slights and grudges like gold. Validated or not, they become necessary ingredients for the emotional recipes we cook up in our heads - stewing and stewing, at hotter and hotter temperatures, until our pot boils over and all spill out, burning everyone in its path.
We as adults have lost our ability to reason with the heart instead of the head. We forget along the way, friends we've had for years wouldn't be there in the first place, if they didn't like us. We've learned to concentrate more on the negative than the positive - never stopping to consider that few people wake up and plan to go about their day hurting our feelings. It's seldom on anyone's "things-to-do-today" list. Yet, for some adults, we let pride get in the way of reason.
Our hearts become hardened to forgiveness. We think we've earned the right to be rude or bitter because of our age. How can we learn to once again act like the adults that we are? We can start by remembering what we were taught as children in Sunday school - "turn the other cheek, forgive others, love unconditionally, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you." For results are only accomplished by applying the principals first. Peace only rewards those who seek it. Adults only mature fully when we act like adults, instead of children. Children should only be shown how to be better adults, from the best adults that we can be. Let's all try to remember the next time we feel a harsh word or an undeserved slight from someone, that we are setting examples for future generations by how we react. Let us remind ourselves to try to be the kind of adults that we'd want our children to grow up to be: healthy, happy, peaceful adults - playful, but not childish - innocent, but not immature - helpful, but not hurtful, for the next generation truly starts with us.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Don't Overthink Problems
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn’t work due to the zero gravity and ink not being able to flow to the writing surface. They proceeded to develop a pen, at the cost of $12 million, that worked anywhere. Underwater, upside down and, of course, at zero gravity.
The Russians encountered the same problem…what was their solution?
They used a pencil.
A Japanese company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty. The problem was isolated to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For reasons unknown, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Engineers were brought in to solve the problem, which they did by devising an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed down the line to making sure they were full.
When a production worker in smaller company was faced with the same problem he didn’t get into expensive X-rays manned by personnel.
His solution?
He set up a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. As each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
So don’t over-think the problem as the solution may be a lot simpler then you realize
The Russians encountered the same problem…what was their solution?
They used a pencil.
A Japanese company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty. The problem was isolated to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For reasons unknown, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Engineers were brought in to solve the problem, which they did by devising an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed down the line to making sure they were full.
When a production worker in smaller company was faced with the same problem he didn’t get into expensive X-rays manned by personnel.
His solution?
He set up a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. As each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
So don’t over-think the problem as the solution may be a lot simpler then you realize
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
7 Tips on How to Choose a Business Partner
Approach finding a business partner as you would a combination spouse/day care provider. A partnership is a long-term covenant between two (or more) people. You will spend a lot of time planning major business events with your partner and need to be able to get along with them.
Your business is something you gave birth to and will have to nurture to help it grow and be successful. You want a partner that will approach your business with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment that you have, but who also shares the same business "parenting" philosophies and expectations.
1. Find a Partner That Shares Your Values, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Work Ethic and Vision. Of all the things to look for in a partner this is probably the most important. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with your partner to make decisions, set goals, and drive the business forward. If you partner with someone that is reluctant, combative, distracted, unintelligent or unable to consider your viewpoint it will be harder for your business to be successful.
2. Find a Partner That Can Bring Skills and Experience to The Business
A good business partner should have skills that support and compliment your own. No single person is a master of all things in business. If you have great interpersonal skills but poor business finance skills, consider a partner who understands business accounting. The more skills you and your partner bring to the business together the easier it will be to start, plan, grow, and run your business. If your partners look to you for all the answers you are not in a partnership that is structured for success.
3. Look For a Partner Without A Lot of Personal Baggage
If your partner has serious challenges in his/her personal life it may carry over into the business. It is nice to be willing to give someone a chance, but running a small business takes focus, money, time, and tremendous energy. If your partner is dealing with one personal crisis after another or if your business partner is never around do to personal issues or another job you may find yourself carrying the weight of the business.
4. Find a Partner That Can Offer Resources and Credibility to Your Business
It is great to have a business partner that has financial resources, but there are other contributions a partner can bring to the business that can be just as valuable. A partner with a strong business network, industry connections, client list, or certain credentials and expertise can also increase the value of your business and improve your chances for achieving long-term success.
5. Choose a Partner That Practices Good Personal and Business Ethics
Only enter into partnerships with someone you can trust. Look for someone who values honesty and practices good personal and business ethics. A poorly chosen business partner may end up stealing from the company, taking your ideas, upsetting your clients, or breaking laws that could get your business into legal trouble.
6. Choose a Partner That is Financially Stable
Whether or not your partner contributes financially to the business is less important than if your potential partner is in dire financial straits. Someone in the middle of a financial crisis may not be the best choice to go into business with for a variety of reasons. Money, asset, and time management skills are critical for small business entrepreneurs and someone who has grossly mismanaged their personal or business finances may not have the skills, organization or discipline to make a business partnership work. Worst case scenario, they may even look for ways to steal from your business to solve personal financial problems.
7. Respect: A Necessary Element to Forming a Successful Partnership
You should never partner with someone that you do not respect. The main purpose in forming a partnership is to achieve success as a team. You may not value the opinion and efforts of someone you do not respect at least on a professional level. You also want to partner with someone that will show you respect as a partner, business professional, and as the founder of your business.
Your business is something you gave birth to and will have to nurture to help it grow and be successful. You want a partner that will approach your business with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment that you have, but who also shares the same business "parenting" philosophies and expectations.
1. Find a Partner That Shares Your Values, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Work Ethic and Vision. Of all the things to look for in a partner this is probably the most important. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with your partner to make decisions, set goals, and drive the business forward. If you partner with someone that is reluctant, combative, distracted, unintelligent or unable to consider your viewpoint it will be harder for your business to be successful.
2. Find a Partner That Can Bring Skills and Experience to The Business
A good business partner should have skills that support and compliment your own. No single person is a master of all things in business. If you have great interpersonal skills but poor business finance skills, consider a partner who understands business accounting. The more skills you and your partner bring to the business together the easier it will be to start, plan, grow, and run your business. If your partners look to you for all the answers you are not in a partnership that is structured for success.
3. Look For a Partner Without A Lot of Personal Baggage
If your partner has serious challenges in his/her personal life it may carry over into the business. It is nice to be willing to give someone a chance, but running a small business takes focus, money, time, and tremendous energy. If your partner is dealing with one personal crisis after another or if your business partner is never around do to personal issues or another job you may find yourself carrying the weight of the business.
4. Find a Partner That Can Offer Resources and Credibility to Your Business
It is great to have a business partner that has financial resources, but there are other contributions a partner can bring to the business that can be just as valuable. A partner with a strong business network, industry connections, client list, or certain credentials and expertise can also increase the value of your business and improve your chances for achieving long-term success.
5. Choose a Partner That Practices Good Personal and Business Ethics
Only enter into partnerships with someone you can trust. Look for someone who values honesty and practices good personal and business ethics. A poorly chosen business partner may end up stealing from the company, taking your ideas, upsetting your clients, or breaking laws that could get your business into legal trouble.
6. Choose a Partner That is Financially Stable
Whether or not your partner contributes financially to the business is less important than if your potential partner is in dire financial straits. Someone in the middle of a financial crisis may not be the best choice to go into business with for a variety of reasons. Money, asset, and time management skills are critical for small business entrepreneurs and someone who has grossly mismanaged their personal or business finances may not have the skills, organization or discipline to make a business partnership work. Worst case scenario, they may even look for ways to steal from your business to solve personal financial problems.
7. Respect: A Necessary Element to Forming a Successful Partnership
You should never partner with someone that you do not respect. The main purpose in forming a partnership is to achieve success as a team. You may not value the opinion and efforts of someone you do not respect at least on a professional level. You also want to partner with someone that will show you respect as a partner, business professional, and as the founder of your business.
How to avoid problems with partnerships
Many small businesses are partnerships. Yet circumstances and ambitions change, partners fall out or pass on. Without a good partnership agreement things can get acrimonious. Here’s how to protect yourself from the very start.
A partnership is a legal trading entity that is formed automatically when two or more people run a business, possibly sharing the workload and/or investing capital to get things going.
You can also find yourself unwittingly in a partnership if you run a business with somebody but don’t employ them (often the case with husbands and wives).
You don’t need a written agreement to form a partnership but it is wise to have one drawn up and checked by an attorney.
Choosing your partner
Naturally it is important to choose your partners carefully. But how well do you really know them? Will they work as hard as you? Might they run up large bills? Do you have the same long-term goals for the business and your roles in it? Do they have the same amount of time and capital to invest as you?
There are other pitfalls for partnerships. For example, there is no limit to their liability. Moreover, partners are each responsible for business debts incurred by other partners - even if these are not agreed.
However, a new type of trading status – a limited liability partnership – offers protection from personal bankruptcy and from a rogue partner acting with out authority, with all the tax advantages of trading as a partnership.
The types of partnership available
There are fives main types of partnership:
Equity partners contribute capital to the business and share in the profits and losses;
Salaried partners receive a salary but are unlikely to contribute capital;
Sleeping partners take no part in running the business, though they may contribute capital and receive a salary;
Limited partners, where the liability of one or more (but not all) partners is limited to the amount of capital they invest. Limited partners must be registered at Companies House;
Limited liability partnerships where the business, not the partners, have legal liability to third parties. This type of partnership must also be registered at Companies House.
The legal position
Partnerships are covered first by terms set out in a partnership agreement. If there is no written agreement, or particular points are not covered in it, the relevant partnership Act come into effect.
The Acts are quite arbitrary and their provisions may not always seem fair. For example, the Partnership Act 1890 states that partners are entitled to share equally in the capital and profits of the business. But, if one partner has put more time or capital into the business than the other(s), you probably wouldn’t want to share profits equally.
And under this Act, a partner can withdraw immediately, without giving notice. This could be awkward because they may insist on the return of their capital contribution, which may force the business to close down.
So you may want to over-ride the rules in the Act to reflect your situation now and in the future. This is why a good agreement is so important.
Ten things partnership agreements should contain:
1. The basics
The partnership’s name, address and the nature of its business. When it started and when will it end - if applicable.
2. Money
How much capital each partner invested.
3. Profits and pay
How profits and losses are to be shared. Will partners also receive a wage? How will additional investments affect shares? How can these rules be changed if, say, one wants to work part-time?
4. The bank account
The details of the partnership’s bank account, including:
Who can sign cheques;
When two or more signatures are required on cheques;
How much money each partner can withdraw a month. Consider limiting this, as you don’t want to find you have run out of working capital.
5. Division of responsibilities
Who does what? What can and can’t partners do without each other’s consent, including what commitments or expenditure can be made?
6. Time off
Specify precisely the length and frequency of holidays.
7. Incapacity or death
What happens if a partner is temporarily incapacitated through long-term illness, say? They will still be entitled to a share of the profits so it’s sensible to stipulate a time limit. What happens if a partner becomes permanently unable to continue through ill health, insanity or death? A wise precaution is for partners to take out life insurance on each other to provide a fund to buy out their share.
8. Withdrawal
How much notice must partners give if they want to withdraw? How will the other partner(s) finance buying their share? Can the leaving party sell to an outside party?
9. Disputes
Settling disputes in court is expensive. You can probably avoid this by including a clause stating that all disputes will be resolved by arbitration. If you belong to a trade or professional body, they will nominate an arbitrator, or disputes can be referred to the Institute of Arbitrators.
10. After a partner leaves
It is important to specify in the agreement what is to happen if a partner leaves, or if you dissolve the partnership, vis-à-vis assets, goodwill and capital contributions. This is a complicated area and one in which you will need good legal advice.
There are other provisions you may like to include in your agreement (some may relate to the specific type of business). If a partner leaves the partnership, for instance, you may wish to take steps to prevent them setting up in competition - although these may be difficult to enforce.
Never too late
The chances of a business partnership surviving increase greatly if everyone knows exactly where they stand, both in the good times and in the bad. If you are in a partnership and have no partnership agreement, sort one out today, even and especially if you are married to your business partner.
A partnership is a legal trading entity that is formed automatically when two or more people run a business, possibly sharing the workload and/or investing capital to get things going.
You can also find yourself unwittingly in a partnership if you run a business with somebody but don’t employ them (often the case with husbands and wives).
You don’t need a written agreement to form a partnership but it is wise to have one drawn up and checked by an attorney.
Choosing your partner
Naturally it is important to choose your partners carefully. But how well do you really know them? Will they work as hard as you? Might they run up large bills? Do you have the same long-term goals for the business and your roles in it? Do they have the same amount of time and capital to invest as you?
There are other pitfalls for partnerships. For example, there is no limit to their liability. Moreover, partners are each responsible for business debts incurred by other partners - even if these are not agreed.
However, a new type of trading status – a limited liability partnership – offers protection from personal bankruptcy and from a rogue partner acting with out authority, with all the tax advantages of trading as a partnership.
The types of partnership available
There are fives main types of partnership:
Equity partners contribute capital to the business and share in the profits and losses;
Salaried partners receive a salary but are unlikely to contribute capital;
Sleeping partners take no part in running the business, though they may contribute capital and receive a salary;
Limited partners, where the liability of one or more (but not all) partners is limited to the amount of capital they invest. Limited partners must be registered at Companies House;
Limited liability partnerships where the business, not the partners, have legal liability to third parties. This type of partnership must also be registered at Companies House.
The legal position
Partnerships are covered first by terms set out in a partnership agreement. If there is no written agreement, or particular points are not covered in it, the relevant partnership Act come into effect.
The Acts are quite arbitrary and their provisions may not always seem fair. For example, the Partnership Act 1890 states that partners are entitled to share equally in the capital and profits of the business. But, if one partner has put more time or capital into the business than the other(s), you probably wouldn’t want to share profits equally.
And under this Act, a partner can withdraw immediately, without giving notice. This could be awkward because they may insist on the return of their capital contribution, which may force the business to close down.
So you may want to over-ride the rules in the Act to reflect your situation now and in the future. This is why a good agreement is so important.
Ten things partnership agreements should contain:
1. The basics
The partnership’s name, address and the nature of its business. When it started and when will it end - if applicable.
2. Money
How much capital each partner invested.
3. Profits and pay
How profits and losses are to be shared. Will partners also receive a wage? How will additional investments affect shares? How can these rules be changed if, say, one wants to work part-time?
4. The bank account
The details of the partnership’s bank account, including:
Who can sign cheques;
When two or more signatures are required on cheques;
How much money each partner can withdraw a month. Consider limiting this, as you don’t want to find you have run out of working capital.
5. Division of responsibilities
Who does what? What can and can’t partners do without each other’s consent, including what commitments or expenditure can be made?
6. Time off
Specify precisely the length and frequency of holidays.
7. Incapacity or death
What happens if a partner is temporarily incapacitated through long-term illness, say? They will still be entitled to a share of the profits so it’s sensible to stipulate a time limit. What happens if a partner becomes permanently unable to continue through ill health, insanity or death? A wise precaution is for partners to take out life insurance on each other to provide a fund to buy out their share.
8. Withdrawal
How much notice must partners give if they want to withdraw? How will the other partner(s) finance buying their share? Can the leaving party sell to an outside party?
9. Disputes
Settling disputes in court is expensive. You can probably avoid this by including a clause stating that all disputes will be resolved by arbitration. If you belong to a trade or professional body, they will nominate an arbitrator, or disputes can be referred to the Institute of Arbitrators.
10. After a partner leaves
It is important to specify in the agreement what is to happen if a partner leaves, or if you dissolve the partnership, vis-à-vis assets, goodwill and capital contributions. This is a complicated area and one in which you will need good legal advice.
There are other provisions you may like to include in your agreement (some may relate to the specific type of business). If a partner leaves the partnership, for instance, you may wish to take steps to prevent them setting up in competition - although these may be difficult to enforce.
Never too late
The chances of a business partnership surviving increase greatly if everyone knows exactly where they stand, both in the good times and in the bad. If you are in a partnership and have no partnership agreement, sort one out today, even and especially if you are married to your business partner.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
How To Stop Harassing Phone Calls From Creditors
Harassing phone calls by credit card companies or debt collection companies can greatly alter your quality of life. It is very easy to COMPLETELY STOP ALL HARASSING PHONE CALLS.
The next time your credit card company or debt collector calls, pick up the phone, allow them to identify themselves and tell them the following:
"Thank you for calling. In accordance with the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act, I am giving you notice to stop calling
me in regards to this matter as I am only accepting
communication concerning this account in writing."
This should be the end of the conversation. They may ask you to put
your request in writing and fax it to them
(make sure you get the fax number!).
Go ahead and write a simple letter using the wording above and fax it to them. You will not hear from them again by phone.
Should the they continue to speak with you, annouce once more: "I am giving you notice to cease and desist calling me on this matter in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.", then simply hang up.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is something you should read and become familiar with. It is quite brief and easy to read.
Good Luck!!
The next time your credit card company or debt collector calls, pick up the phone, allow them to identify themselves and tell them the following:
"Thank you for calling. In accordance with the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act, I am giving you notice to stop calling
me in regards to this matter as I am only accepting
communication concerning this account in writing."
This should be the end of the conversation. They may ask you to put
your request in writing and fax it to them
(make sure you get the fax number!).
Go ahead and write a simple letter using the wording above and fax it to them. You will not hear from them again by phone.
Should the they continue to speak with you, annouce once more: "I am giving you notice to cease and desist calling me on this matter in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.", then simply hang up.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is something you should read and become familiar with. It is quite brief and easy to read.
Good Luck!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Top 5 Reasons Most People Fail
“Fail” is a 4-letter word – I call it the ultimate “F” word. In writing this I wanted to identify the Top 5 reasons people fail and never reach their goals. You may find that some of these or even all five of these, relate to your life and what you have experienced. In order to help, following each reason, are some questions you can ask yourself and attempt to turn these issues around. If you can do that you will start to experience real progress in your life – not just movement that seems to get you nowhere. As you read these, be honest with yourself. Take the time to ask yourself the questions and think about alternate ways of doing things so that 2010 will be a year of massive goal ACHIEVEMENT for you!
Reason #1: People don’t take action. This sounds obvious doesn't it. Surely we all know that we have to take action in order to get somewhere. Even so, you would not believe how many people I talk with who sit there and wonder why their life doesn’t go the direction they want it to. The thing is that they often don’t know what action to take, OR, they aren’t being honest with themselves about whether they really are taking action. Some people are just so pessimistic that they are paralyzed.
Here are some questions to consider: If you had already achieved your goal, what actions would you have taken to get there? What do you feel inspired to do right now? What are 20possible actions you could take? Which ones are the most inspiring? Will this action I’m considering benefit me and/or my business? How do I know? How can you make a game out of taking action?
One of my mentors and I created this plan for myself. I am alternately cursed and blessed by being an incredible idea generator. What I’ve realized is that I get so juiced by creating new ideas that I have to pay attention to actually taking action. My plan is to see how short I can make the time span from the time I get an idea to the time I take an action – any action – toward its completion.
Reason #2: People are afraid. They might be afraid of failure, or of success. And sometimes they are afraid of both. It's a bit of a catch-22.
Usually when we are afraid to go for our goals, it is because of a belief we have about what it means to achieve it, or to go for it and not quite in order to make it. Unfortunately those beliefs are usually based on stories from our past, or even on complete falsehoods. Sometimes fear is created by those around us.
So the solution is to get really honest about the truth of the situation. Ask yourself questions that give you a different perspective: What is scary about having this goal come true for me? What is scariest about going for it and not making it? What am I really afraid of? Where does it come from? Is my fear REALLY true? What’s the real truth about this situation? Do I actually want this goal?
Reason #3: People have poor internal programming. Think of yourself like a computer – whatever you put in affects what you get out. As you set goals and think about achieving them and the actions required to achieve them, what thoughts are you “putting in”? What is the internal dialogue you have running? What do you imagine will happen?
All of these things – thoughts, words, and your imagination – affect your real results. I won’t go into tons of detail here, but here are some questions to stimulate some positive internal programming:
If this goal were already achieved, how would I feel? What would be different in my life?
Imagine yourself (or your business) with the goal already achieved. Imagine it in Technicolor. Describe your experience to someone else (or yourself) as if it were already true. How did it feel taking the steps to achieve it? What did you learn? What did you like best?
Reason #4: People’s environments don’t make success automatic. Most of us have been taught to use willpower to get ourselves to do what needs to be done. While that can work short term, it is also draining and doesn’t usually sustain the change or action. Instead, think about designing your environments to get you to do what you know/think you ought to be doing.
In your physical environment – What are the obstacles/distractions that make it hard for you to follow-through? How could you change or remove them?
In your support/administrative environment – What sort of prompts or triggers can you set up to remind you and nudge you to follow-through on things?
What about your human environment? Who do you surround yourself with? Are the people you hang out with naysayers who don’t achieve their own goals, or are they people who set goals, think about what they want out of life, and then take action toward them.
What other “environments” can you think of? How would you redesign them to support you better?
Reason #5: People give up too early. Yep, while most of us like to think of ourselves as persistent, the truth is most of us give up just before we’re about to have a breakthrough. We let discouragement, lack of immediate gratification and obstacles become barriers, rather than using them as launching pads for the next approach.
What if your last discouragement actually holds within it the key to getting what you want? How important is this goal to you? If it is a “must”, then you can’t give up. That doesn’t mean you beat your head against the wall doing the same thing over and over again, but it also means you find another approach.
How will this action benefit you and/or your business?
If this “challenge” is actually the foundation of an even better solution or goal, what would that be?
What if all of this is perfect and teaching you exactly what you need to know? What would you do then?
What will the rest of 2010 hold for you? How will you take action, transform the fear, and program yourself and your environment so that you will exponentially increase your chances of achieving your goals?
To your success
Reason #1: People don’t take action. This sounds obvious doesn't it. Surely we all know that we have to take action in order to get somewhere. Even so, you would not believe how many people I talk with who sit there and wonder why their life doesn’t go the direction they want it to. The thing is that they often don’t know what action to take, OR, they aren’t being honest with themselves about whether they really are taking action. Some people are just so pessimistic that they are paralyzed.
Here are some questions to consider: If you had already achieved your goal, what actions would you have taken to get there? What do you feel inspired to do right now? What are 20possible actions you could take? Which ones are the most inspiring? Will this action I’m considering benefit me and/or my business? How do I know? How can you make a game out of taking action?
One of my mentors and I created this plan for myself. I am alternately cursed and blessed by being an incredible idea generator. What I’ve realized is that I get so juiced by creating new ideas that I have to pay attention to actually taking action. My plan is to see how short I can make the time span from the time I get an idea to the time I take an action – any action – toward its completion.
Reason #2: People are afraid. They might be afraid of failure, or of success. And sometimes they are afraid of both. It's a bit of a catch-22.
Usually when we are afraid to go for our goals, it is because of a belief we have about what it means to achieve it, or to go for it and not quite in order to make it. Unfortunately those beliefs are usually based on stories from our past, or even on complete falsehoods. Sometimes fear is created by those around us.
So the solution is to get really honest about the truth of the situation. Ask yourself questions that give you a different perspective: What is scary about having this goal come true for me? What is scariest about going for it and not making it? What am I really afraid of? Where does it come from? Is my fear REALLY true? What’s the real truth about this situation? Do I actually want this goal?
Reason #3: People have poor internal programming. Think of yourself like a computer – whatever you put in affects what you get out. As you set goals and think about achieving them and the actions required to achieve them, what thoughts are you “putting in”? What is the internal dialogue you have running? What do you imagine will happen?
All of these things – thoughts, words, and your imagination – affect your real results. I won’t go into tons of detail here, but here are some questions to stimulate some positive internal programming:
If this goal were already achieved, how would I feel? What would be different in my life?
Imagine yourself (or your business) with the goal already achieved. Imagine it in Technicolor. Describe your experience to someone else (or yourself) as if it were already true. How did it feel taking the steps to achieve it? What did you learn? What did you like best?
Reason #4: People’s environments don’t make success automatic. Most of us have been taught to use willpower to get ourselves to do what needs to be done. While that can work short term, it is also draining and doesn’t usually sustain the change or action. Instead, think about designing your environments to get you to do what you know/think you ought to be doing.
In your physical environment – What are the obstacles/distractions that make it hard for you to follow-through? How could you change or remove them?
In your support/administrative environment – What sort of prompts or triggers can you set up to remind you and nudge you to follow-through on things?
What about your human environment? Who do you surround yourself with? Are the people you hang out with naysayers who don’t achieve their own goals, or are they people who set goals, think about what they want out of life, and then take action toward them.
What other “environments” can you think of? How would you redesign them to support you better?
Reason #5: People give up too early. Yep, while most of us like to think of ourselves as persistent, the truth is most of us give up just before we’re about to have a breakthrough. We let discouragement, lack of immediate gratification and obstacles become barriers, rather than using them as launching pads for the next approach.
What if your last discouragement actually holds within it the key to getting what you want? How important is this goal to you? If it is a “must”, then you can’t give up. That doesn’t mean you beat your head against the wall doing the same thing over and over again, but it also means you find another approach.
How will this action benefit you and/or your business?
If this “challenge” is actually the foundation of an even better solution or goal, what would that be?
What if all of this is perfect and teaching you exactly what you need to know? What would you do then?
What will the rest of 2010 hold for you? How will you take action, transform the fear, and program yourself and your environment so that you will exponentially increase your chances of achieving your goals?
To your success
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
An Asset Building Company With A Revenue Producing System
It's not often that I talk about a multi level marketing company as I am more about promoting systems to build company’s, however, I have one to talk about today.
Let’s see if this makes as much sense to you as it does to me.
When I hear 6 and 7 figure earners start talking about a company with high potential, I SHUT UP, STOP WHATEVER I AM DOING AND LISTEN!!
Why? because just like me, they have hundreds if not thousands of opportunity’s roll across their desk every year. When they drop what they are doing and dive head first and balls out in a new company, it only makes sense to duplicate what they are doing.
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” -Wayne Gretzky
You see, if your going to be great, you have to be a visionary or at least get to know a few. You have your opinions and I will have mine, but I am going to always listen to people who are where I want to be in life and who I can model myself after.
The Numis Network is the first company ever in the network marketing industry to distribute gold and silver numismatic coins.
Numismatic Coins are the most sought after and some of the most valuable coins that you can own.
Most of the 5,000 + MLM company’s out there deal in consumable commodities. Juices, Make-up, Food Items, Lotions, Potions and Pills. There is nothing wrong with it, but it’s a highly saturated market and quite honestly, I never see the value in the product.
If an 18-wheeler pulls up to your house with a load full of Make-up and Juice and you have to take it all, would you take it? I am talking about a semi stuffed with juice and make-up. Probably not right? Or you would have to think about how you would get rid of it all, especially before the juice spoils in 90 days. sounds like more than a hassle than its worth.
Ok. now let me give you this scenario.
An 18 Wheeler pulls up to your house and is packed with Gold and Silver coins and you have to take it all. CHA-CHING!Unload that baby!!
You would make space anywhere you could to get it all. Then before the truck pulled away, you would be checking under and between the drivers seat, the engine compartment and gas tank to make sure you got it all.
Gold and Silver are an asset, unlike the juice and makeup which are a liability. I have never heard of Numismatic Gold and silver spoiling.
I think you get the point. So it’s not far off, I actually have UPS deliver my Numismatic coins every month and I look forward to receiving them. It’s not a “O geeze, another case of juice? I still have 100 cases in the garage and I cant even get rid of them.”
Numismatic Gold and Silver coins are a much safer investment of time and money.
We have not only an asset building company, but a revenue producing system.
To get some more info simply visit:
www.numisnetwork.com/scott
www.numisone.com/scott
Let’s see if this makes as much sense to you as it does to me.
When I hear 6 and 7 figure earners start talking about a company with high potential, I SHUT UP, STOP WHATEVER I AM DOING AND LISTEN!!
Why? because just like me, they have hundreds if not thousands of opportunity’s roll across their desk every year. When they drop what they are doing and dive head first and balls out in a new company, it only makes sense to duplicate what they are doing.
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” -Wayne Gretzky
You see, if your going to be great, you have to be a visionary or at least get to know a few. You have your opinions and I will have mine, but I am going to always listen to people who are where I want to be in life and who I can model myself after.
The Numis Network is the first company ever in the network marketing industry to distribute gold and silver numismatic coins.
Numismatic Coins are the most sought after and some of the most valuable coins that you can own.
Most of the 5,000 + MLM company’s out there deal in consumable commodities. Juices, Make-up, Food Items, Lotions, Potions and Pills. There is nothing wrong with it, but it’s a highly saturated market and quite honestly, I never see the value in the product.
If an 18-wheeler pulls up to your house with a load full of Make-up and Juice and you have to take it all, would you take it? I am talking about a semi stuffed with juice and make-up. Probably not right? Or you would have to think about how you would get rid of it all, especially before the juice spoils in 90 days. sounds like more than a hassle than its worth.
Ok. now let me give you this scenario.
An 18 Wheeler pulls up to your house and is packed with Gold and Silver coins and you have to take it all. CHA-CHING!Unload that baby!!
You would make space anywhere you could to get it all. Then before the truck pulled away, you would be checking under and between the drivers seat, the engine compartment and gas tank to make sure you got it all.
Gold and Silver are an asset, unlike the juice and makeup which are a liability. I have never heard of Numismatic Gold and silver spoiling.
I think you get the point. So it’s not far off, I actually have UPS deliver my Numismatic coins every month and I look forward to receiving them. It’s not a “O geeze, another case of juice? I still have 100 cases in the garage and I cant even get rid of them.”
Numismatic Gold and Silver coins are a much safer investment of time and money.
We have not only an asset building company, but a revenue producing system.
To get some more info simply visit:
www.numisnetwork.com/scott
www.numisone.com/scott
Numismatic Coins – The Rare Coins With High Value and Quality
Coins are used as a form of money in transactions of various kinds, from the everyday circulation coins to the storage of vast numbers of bullion and collectable coins. https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
In the present day, coins and banknotes make up the cash forms of all modern money systems. Coins made for circulation (general monetized use) are usually used for lower-valued units, and banknotes for the higher values; also, in most money systems, the highest value coin made for circulation is worth less than the lowest-value note. One of the rare coins are the Numismatic coins.
https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
Collecting rare coins is both a fascinating and worthwhile hobby. But did you know that this same hobby is also a rewarding investment?
Numismatic coins are rare coins that often collected for their value and high quality. They are usually traded and sold at various exchanges and auctions.
If you are looking a different type of investment, then perhaps you should try your hand in numismatic investment.
To learn more about this visit, https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
Here are some tips and info about numismatic investing:
• Numismatic rare coins are commonly made of gold or silver. They are used for investment rather than for day to day commerce or trading.
• Numismatic coins are considered as a good financial asset. This is because, rare coins always escalate in value. They are immune from both bankruptcy, inflation, and even from dilution.
• Numismatic coins are also very easy to handle. However, it is important to make sure that you are aware and knowledgeable when it comes trading. This will ensure that your asset will continue to increase.
• Both collectors and investors of numismatic coins should conduct business only with trustworthy and registered dealers. Remember that these items are valuable, it is only fitting that you transact only with registered dealers.
https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
To your success!
In the present day, coins and banknotes make up the cash forms of all modern money systems. Coins made for circulation (general monetized use) are usually used for lower-valued units, and banknotes for the higher values; also, in most money systems, the highest value coin made for circulation is worth less than the lowest-value note. One of the rare coins are the Numismatic coins.
https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
Collecting rare coins is both a fascinating and worthwhile hobby. But did you know that this same hobby is also a rewarding investment?
Numismatic coins are rare coins that often collected for their value and high quality. They are usually traded and sold at various exchanges and auctions.
If you are looking a different type of investment, then perhaps you should try your hand in numismatic investment.
To learn more about this visit, https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
Here are some tips and info about numismatic investing:
• Numismatic rare coins are commonly made of gold or silver. They are used for investment rather than for day to day commerce or trading.
• Numismatic coins are considered as a good financial asset. This is because, rare coins always escalate in value. They are immune from both bankruptcy, inflation, and even from dilution.
• Numismatic coins are also very easy to handle. However, it is important to make sure that you are aware and knowledgeable when it comes trading. This will ensure that your asset will continue to increase.
• Both collectors and investors of numismatic coins should conduct business only with trustworthy and registered dealers. Remember that these items are valuable, it is only fitting that you transact only with registered dealers.
https://www.numisnetwork.com/scott
To your success!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
To The World and One Person
Remember: To the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Self Confidence
You probably already know that the most successful people in the world have incredible levels of self-confidence. These people have accomplished great levels of success and happiness in their lives and seem to be unstoppable in everything that they do.
The fact is that when you develop unshakable self-confidence your whole world will change for the better.
When you posess this inflexible ideal of self, you will have the confidence to take whatever steps necessary to make more money, have a better life and enjoy a higher standard of living. You will be more successful, powerful and persuasive to other people. And you will become more popular and likable to all of those around you.
Start today to develop a realistic confidence in your own ability, power and judgement. Assure yourself that you have, within you, the ability to succeed and accomplish anything.
To your success
The fact is that when you develop unshakable self-confidence your whole world will change for the better.
When you posess this inflexible ideal of self, you will have the confidence to take whatever steps necessary to make more money, have a better life and enjoy a higher standard of living. You will be more successful, powerful and persuasive to other people. And you will become more popular and likable to all of those around you.
Start today to develop a realistic confidence in your own ability, power and judgement. Assure yourself that you have, within you, the ability to succeed and accomplish anything.
To your success
Monday, January 25, 2010
Clarify Your Values
Decide What You Stand For
What are your values? What do you stand for? What are the organizing principles of your life? What are your core beliefs? What virtues do you aspire to, and hold in high regard when you see them demonstrated by others? What will you not stand for? What would you sacrifice for, suffer for, and even die for? These are extremely important questions that are only asked by about three percent of the population, and that small minority tends to be the movers and shakers in every society.
Write Out Your Key Values
When I first began clarification of my values, I wrote out a list of qualities that I aspired to. I think I eventually came up with every virtue, value or positive descriptive adjective that referred to personality and character in the dictionary. And I agreed with all of them. I felt that they were all important and I wanted to incorporate every single one of them into my character.
Focus on Very Few Core Beliefs
But then reality sets in. I realized that it is very hard to learn even one new quality, or to change even one thing about myself, let alone dozens of things. So I scaled down my ambitions and began narrowing the values down to a small number that I could manage and work with. Once I had settled on about five core beliefs, I was then able to get to work on myself and start making some progress in my character development.
Select Your Five Key Values
You should do the same. You should write down the five values that you feel are the most important for you to live by. Once you have those five values, you then organize them in order of priority. Which is the most important value in your hierarchy of values? Which would be second? Which would be third, and so on?
Learn to Make Better Decisions
Every choice or decision you make is based on your values. Whenever you decide between alternatives, you invariably choose the alternative that you value the most. Because you can only do one thing at a time, everything you do is a demonstration of what you consider to be the most important at that moment. Therefore, organizing your values in an order of priority is the starting point of personal strategic planning. It is only when you are clear about what you value, and in what order, that you are capable of planning and organizing the other activities of your life.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:
First, clarify your core beliefs and your unifying principles. Write them down and compare your life today with the values that are really important to you. How are you doing?
Second, organize your values in order of their importance to you. Which of your values is most important? Which is second? And so on. Do your current choices reflect this order of values?
What are your values? What do you stand for? What are the organizing principles of your life? What are your core beliefs? What virtues do you aspire to, and hold in high regard when you see them demonstrated by others? What will you not stand for? What would you sacrifice for, suffer for, and even die for? These are extremely important questions that are only asked by about three percent of the population, and that small minority tends to be the movers and shakers in every society.
Write Out Your Key Values
When I first began clarification of my values, I wrote out a list of qualities that I aspired to. I think I eventually came up with every virtue, value or positive descriptive adjective that referred to personality and character in the dictionary. And I agreed with all of them. I felt that they were all important and I wanted to incorporate every single one of them into my character.
Focus on Very Few Core Beliefs
But then reality sets in. I realized that it is very hard to learn even one new quality, or to change even one thing about myself, let alone dozens of things. So I scaled down my ambitions and began narrowing the values down to a small number that I could manage and work with. Once I had settled on about five core beliefs, I was then able to get to work on myself and start making some progress in my character development.
Select Your Five Key Values
You should do the same. You should write down the five values that you feel are the most important for you to live by. Once you have those five values, you then organize them in order of priority. Which is the most important value in your hierarchy of values? Which would be second? Which would be third, and so on?
Learn to Make Better Decisions
Every choice or decision you make is based on your values. Whenever you decide between alternatives, you invariably choose the alternative that you value the most. Because you can only do one thing at a time, everything you do is a demonstration of what you consider to be the most important at that moment. Therefore, organizing your values in an order of priority is the starting point of personal strategic planning. It is only when you are clear about what you value, and in what order, that you are capable of planning and organizing the other activities of your life.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:
First, clarify your core beliefs and your unifying principles. Write them down and compare your life today with the values that are really important to you. How are you doing?
Second, organize your values in order of their importance to you. Which of your values is most important? Which is second? And so on. Do your current choices reflect this order of values?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Excellence Combined With Integrity
How to set standards for excellence and back them with total integrity.
A Commitment to Excellence
Leaders have specific responsibilities and must fulfill certain requirements. One requirement of leadership is the ability to choose an area of excellence. Just as a good general chooses the terrain on which to do battle, an excellent leader chooses the area in which he and others are going to do an outstanding job. The commitment to excellence is one of the most powerful of all motivators. All leaders who change people and organizations are enthusiastic about achieving excellence in a particular area.
Be the Best!
The most motivational vision you can have for yourself and others is to "Be the best!" Many people don't yet realize that excellent performance in serving other people is an absolute, basic essential for survival in the economy of the future. Many individuals and companies still adhere to the idea that as long as they are no worse than anyone else, they can remain in business. That is just plain silly! It is prehistoric thinking. We are now in the age of excellence. Customers assume that they will get excellent quality, and if they don't, they will go to your competitors so fast, your head will spin.
Have A Vision of High Standards
As a leader, your job is to be excellent at what you do, to be the best in your chosen field of endeavor. Your job is to have a vision of high standards in serving people. You not only exemplify excellence in your own behavior, but you also translate it to others so that they, too, become committed to this vision.This is the key to servant leadership. It is the commitment to doing work of the highest quality in the service of other people, both inside and outside the organization. Leadership today requires an equal focus on the people who must do the job, on the one hand, and the people who are expected to benefit from the job, on the other.
The Most Respected Quality
The second quality, which is perhaps the single most respected quality of leaders, is integrity. Integrity is complete, unflinching honesty with regard to everything that you say and do. Integrity underlies all the other qualities. Your measure of integrity is determined by how honest you are in the critical areas of your life.
Integrity means this: When someone asks you at the end of the day, "Did you do your very best?" you can look him in the eye and say, "Yes!" Integrity means this: When someone asks you if you could have done it better, you can honestly say, "No, I did everything I possibly could."Integrity means that you, as a leader, admit your shortcomings. It means that you work to develop your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. Integrity means that you tell the truth, and that you live the truth in everything that you do and in all your relationships. Integrity means that you deal straightforwardly with people and situations and that you do not compromise what you believe to be true.
Action Exercises
First, identify the area of your work where excellent performance can contribute the very most to productivity and profits. Focus all your efforts in this area.
Second, do your very best on every task. Imagine that everyone is watching even when no one is watching. Imagine that everyone in your company was going to do their work exactly the way you do yours.
Never compromise your standards!
A Commitment to Excellence
Leaders have specific responsibilities and must fulfill certain requirements. One requirement of leadership is the ability to choose an area of excellence. Just as a good general chooses the terrain on which to do battle, an excellent leader chooses the area in which he and others are going to do an outstanding job. The commitment to excellence is one of the most powerful of all motivators. All leaders who change people and organizations are enthusiastic about achieving excellence in a particular area.
Be the Best!
The most motivational vision you can have for yourself and others is to "Be the best!" Many people don't yet realize that excellent performance in serving other people is an absolute, basic essential for survival in the economy of the future. Many individuals and companies still adhere to the idea that as long as they are no worse than anyone else, they can remain in business. That is just plain silly! It is prehistoric thinking. We are now in the age of excellence. Customers assume that they will get excellent quality, and if they don't, they will go to your competitors so fast, your head will spin.
Have A Vision of High Standards
As a leader, your job is to be excellent at what you do, to be the best in your chosen field of endeavor. Your job is to have a vision of high standards in serving people. You not only exemplify excellence in your own behavior, but you also translate it to others so that they, too, become committed to this vision.This is the key to servant leadership. It is the commitment to doing work of the highest quality in the service of other people, both inside and outside the organization. Leadership today requires an equal focus on the people who must do the job, on the one hand, and the people who are expected to benefit from the job, on the other.
The Most Respected Quality
The second quality, which is perhaps the single most respected quality of leaders, is integrity. Integrity is complete, unflinching honesty with regard to everything that you say and do. Integrity underlies all the other qualities. Your measure of integrity is determined by how honest you are in the critical areas of your life.
Integrity means this: When someone asks you at the end of the day, "Did you do your very best?" you can look him in the eye and say, "Yes!" Integrity means this: When someone asks you if you could have done it better, you can honestly say, "No, I did everything I possibly could."Integrity means that you, as a leader, admit your shortcomings. It means that you work to develop your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. Integrity means that you tell the truth, and that you live the truth in everything that you do and in all your relationships. Integrity means that you deal straightforwardly with people and situations and that you do not compromise what you believe to be true.
Action Exercises
First, identify the area of your work where excellent performance can contribute the very most to productivity and profits. Focus all your efforts in this area.
Second, do your very best on every task. Imagine that everyone is watching even when no one is watching. Imagine that everyone in your company was going to do their work exactly the way you do yours.
Never compromise your standards!
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