"The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you know nothing about."~Wayne Dyer
Are you rejecting new learning opportunities? Why? Always Be Learning, always. Even if something doesn't fit in what you are doing, do you reject it out of hand? Many people do and lose the chance for learning.
What about those four worst words in the English language, "I already know that." How many times a day do you say that? Why? A mentor told me a long time ago that you could hear something 99 times, but the 100th time, it makes sense! Maybe you were not ready for that truth yet, maybe you knew it a little but not on the level that you needed to know it.
Stop rejecting something you know nothing about. This is your chance for new learning. You can always always learn something if you are open to learning it.
"The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you know nothing about."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What Are You Expecting?
"We tend to get what we expect."~Norman Vincent Peale
What are you expecting? Good things to happen? Bad things to happen? Nothing to happen?
We don't get what we want or need, we get what we expect. This is so simple to do, but because of that it is also simple NOT to do. Expect good things to happen to you! Most of the time we are too busy to create our expectations and we just go along for the ride. STOP IT! Expect good things to happen to you! TODAY!
When you are on the way to an appointment, what are you expecting? When you are going to a networking event, what are you expecting? Are you expecting good things to happen or are you expecting nothing, so that when nothing happens, you aren't disappointed?
Isn't it interesting that when we lower our expectations, they are met? What if you raised your expectations, what would happen then???
"We tend to get what we expect."
What are you expecting? Good things to happen? Bad things to happen? Nothing to happen?
We don't get what we want or need, we get what we expect. This is so simple to do, but because of that it is also simple NOT to do. Expect good things to happen to you! Most of the time we are too busy to create our expectations and we just go along for the ride. STOP IT! Expect good things to happen to you! TODAY!
When you are on the way to an appointment, what are you expecting? When you are going to a networking event, what are you expecting? Are you expecting good things to happen or are you expecting nothing, so that when nothing happens, you aren't disappointed?
Isn't it interesting that when we lower our expectations, they are met? What if you raised your expectations, what would happen then???
"We tend to get what we expect."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Lead or Follow?
"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd."~James Crook
Are you willing to turn your back to the crowd? Are you willing to go at it alone? Why not? They say there is safety in numbers but are you being authentic, are you being yourself if, you know you should be leading but you're just following?
It's a scary place to be when you are leading, not for the faint of heart. But when you do lead, you get a feeling of exhilaration that really can't be duplicated. Has the fear of something kept you from leading? Next time that fear arises, feel the exhilaration that leading can give you and work right through that fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
A leader must turn his back to the crowd if he expects to lead. You can't lead by consensus (or by polls...) But a leader must also make sure that those he is leading, are continuing to follow him/her. If they will not follow, then the leader must change course so that they will follow.
"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd."
Are you willing to turn your back to the crowd? Are you willing to go at it alone? Why not? They say there is safety in numbers but are you being authentic, are you being yourself if, you know you should be leading but you're just following?
It's a scary place to be when you are leading, not for the faint of heart. But when you do lead, you get a feeling of exhilaration that really can't be duplicated. Has the fear of something kept you from leading? Next time that fear arises, feel the exhilaration that leading can give you and work right through that fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
A leader must turn his back to the crowd if he expects to lead. You can't lead by consensus (or by polls...) But a leader must also make sure that those he is leading, are continuing to follow him/her. If they will not follow, then the leader must change course so that they will follow.
"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd."
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wishes, Not Goals
"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it."
Are you aiming at nothing? Are you working your goals, because everybody has goals, right?
Wrong! Most people have wishes, not goals. What's the difference? Wishes are what people talk about all the time. Goals are written down and systematically worked on until completion.
When was the last time you looked at your goals? Really. Were these goals that you made at the start of the year? Last year? 5 years ago? Everybody says that they have goals, but they are in a drawer in your desk. You know right where they are! You have goals! NOT!
Brian Tracy says that you should write your goals down EVERY DAY, and do that until you can do it from memory. Are you doing that? What would happen if you did that? Would you get closer to making your Goals come true?
Take your goal list out and start every day by writing them down on a new sheet of paper. WRITE them down, don't just type them on your computer. Something happens to us physically when we write them down and our goals become part of our DNA and they become a part of us, physically and mentally.
Try it for a week. I'll bet you will be amazed at the results.
"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it."
Are you aiming at nothing? Are you working your goals, because everybody has goals, right?
Wrong! Most people have wishes, not goals. What's the difference? Wishes are what people talk about all the time. Goals are written down and systematically worked on until completion.
When was the last time you looked at your goals? Really. Were these goals that you made at the start of the year? Last year? 5 years ago? Everybody says that they have goals, but they are in a drawer in your desk. You know right where they are! You have goals! NOT!
Brian Tracy says that you should write your goals down EVERY DAY, and do that until you can do it from memory. Are you doing that? What would happen if you did that? Would you get closer to making your Goals come true?
Take your goal list out and start every day by writing them down on a new sheet of paper. WRITE them down, don't just type them on your computer. Something happens to us physically when we write them down and our goals become part of our DNA and they become a part of us, physically and mentally.
Try it for a week. I'll bet you will be amazed at the results.
"A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
"I will not be governed by the tyranny of immediacy."~Mary Anne Radmacher
Are you governed by the tyranny of immediacy? Do you allow others immediacy to govern you? Why? What do you get? Take control your life and stop that NOW!
In today's microwave society, we want everything 2 minutes ago. We have lost the ability to have delayed gratification and are constantly seeking immediate gratification. Why?
The problem with immediate gratification is that as fast as it comes, it's gone again that fast and then we need to find another source of gratification. It's a vicious cycle that never ends until we step back and slow down and stop the tyranny of immediacy.
Very often it's our friends and clients who try to impose the tyranny of THEIR immediacy on us. We need to learn to politely tell them that that we run our own life and that their issue while important, it doesn't rise the OUR immediacy level. Don't allow them to give your their issue.
Here's a challenge for today, don't allow the tyranny of immediacy to win even once today.
Good Luck.
"I will not be governed by the tyranny of immediacy."
Are you governed by the tyranny of immediacy? Do you allow others immediacy to govern you? Why? What do you get? Take control your life and stop that NOW!
In today's microwave society, we want everything 2 minutes ago. We have lost the ability to have delayed gratification and are constantly seeking immediate gratification. Why?
The problem with immediate gratification is that as fast as it comes, it's gone again that fast and then we need to find another source of gratification. It's a vicious cycle that never ends until we step back and slow down and stop the tyranny of immediacy.
Very often it's our friends and clients who try to impose the tyranny of THEIR immediacy on us. We need to learn to politely tell them that that we run our own life and that their issue while important, it doesn't rise the OUR immediacy level. Don't allow them to give your their issue.
Here's a challenge for today, don't allow the tyranny of immediacy to win even once today.
Good Luck.
"I will not be governed by the tyranny of immediacy."
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Your Intensity
"Do whatever you do intensely."~Robert Henri
Are you living full out? Are you giving 100% to everything in your life?
Why not? Why are you coasting? What is stopping you from giving 100% percent?
We have this mistaken idea that if we coast today, we can make up for it by working harder tomorrow. The problem with that is like John Wooden says, "If you give 50% today, you cannot give 150% tomorrow, because we only have 100% to give each day."
We hear constantly about how someone is giving 110%, but that's just wrong! We can't give more than 100%. They might be giving 90% after they had coasted when they were only giving 70%. Or maybe they upped their effort from 50% to 70%.
Think about how many times you had more to give and didn't. Why? Stop coasting today!
"Do whatever you do intensely."
Are you living full out? Are you giving 100% to everything in your life?
Why not? Why are you coasting? What is stopping you from giving 100% percent?
We have this mistaken idea that if we coast today, we can make up for it by working harder tomorrow. The problem with that is like John Wooden says, "If you give 50% today, you cannot give 150% tomorrow, because we only have 100% to give each day."
We hear constantly about how someone is giving 110%, but that's just wrong! We can't give more than 100%. They might be giving 90% after they had coasted when they were only giving 70%. Or maybe they upped their effort from 50% to 70%.
Think about how many times you had more to give and didn't. Why? Stop coasting today!
"Do whatever you do intensely."
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Your Choice, Yes it is!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
YOU get to choose! We've always known it. We read these books when we were kids and we read them now to our children. Why have we forgotten that it IS OUR CHOICE??? Why do we allow others and their issues get in the way of OUR choices?
What choices have you ceded to someone else? Why? Was it just easier to let them choose? Or did you do it so there would be no tension? Guess what? When you give your choices away, there will always be tension until you make the choice to make the choices...(think about that one for a while)
Choices will be made, with or without you but know that when they are made without you, you have no recourse other than to change that choice or go along with it. In fact, not choosing is making a choice. When those choices are made on your behalf, realize that no one cares about you or your needs. They will make the choice for the stand point of their needs and wants.
Remember, you can steer yourself in any direction YOU CHOOSE!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
YOU get to choose! We've always known it. We read these books when we were kids and we read them now to our children. Why have we forgotten that it IS OUR CHOICE??? Why do we allow others and their issues get in the way of OUR choices?
What choices have you ceded to someone else? Why? Was it just easier to let them choose? Or did you do it so there would be no tension? Guess what? When you give your choices away, there will always be tension until you make the choice to make the choices...(think about that one for a while)
Choices will be made, with or without you but know that when they are made without you, you have no recourse other than to change that choice or go along with it. In fact, not choosing is making a choice. When those choices are made on your behalf, realize that no one cares about you or your needs. They will make the choice for the stand point of their needs and wants.
Remember, you can steer yourself in any direction YOU CHOOSE!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
Monday, September 21, 2009
It's the Will
"It's the Will, Not the Skill."~Jim Tunney
Jim Tunney, former NFL referee wrote a book called: It's the Will Not the Skill. Isn't that the truth? When it comes to achieving significant things in life, the determining factor is almost always the will to achieve.
In any situation where one person's motivation to succeed is is greater than another person with higher skill, but less motivation, the one with the will will be the winner. You see skill is simply latent ability.
Until the will activates it, nothing happens. And having the will causes you to overcome resistance, bounce back from setbacks, rebound from failure and persist till you win.
So don't worry if you don't yet have the skill to do what you desire, the desire alone is enough to get you started. Then as you develop the skill, or connect to the skills of others, you increase your capacity to succeed.
It is the will, not the skill that will get you what you want.
"It's the Will, Not the Skill."
Jim Tunney, former NFL referee wrote a book called: It's the Will Not the Skill. Isn't that the truth? When it comes to achieving significant things in life, the determining factor is almost always the will to achieve.
In any situation where one person's motivation to succeed is is greater than another person with higher skill, but less motivation, the one with the will will be the winner. You see skill is simply latent ability.
Until the will activates it, nothing happens. And having the will causes you to overcome resistance, bounce back from setbacks, rebound from failure and persist till you win.
So don't worry if you don't yet have the skill to do what you desire, the desire alone is enough to get you started. Then as you develop the skill, or connect to the skills of others, you increase your capacity to succeed.
It is the will, not the skill that will get you what you want.
"It's the Will, Not the Skill."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Trust
"Gaining trust is like filling a bucket one drop at a time."~Todd Duncan
"When you communicate in Trust, putting customers needs first and demonstrating a genuine desire to help, customers reply in Trust through positive responses- repeat sales and solid referrals. And remember, to retain fluency in any language you must not only master it, you must also use it regularly."
Are you using your trust regularly? Are you putting their needs first? Really? Even if it means that you don't get the business?
It may take us years to fill our "trust buckets" but only a few moments to drain it all out...
Remain authentic and your "trust bucket" will fill often. Go away from your authenticity and your "bucket" will start leaking...every time. Stay true to who you are
"Gaining trust is like filling a bucket one drop at a time."
"When you communicate in Trust, putting customers needs first and demonstrating a genuine desire to help, customers reply in Trust through positive responses- repeat sales and solid referrals. And remember, to retain fluency in any language you must not only master it, you must also use it regularly."
Are you using your trust regularly? Are you putting their needs first? Really? Even if it means that you don't get the business?
It may take us years to fill our "trust buckets" but only a few moments to drain it all out...
Remain authentic and your "trust bucket" will fill often. Go away from your authenticity and your "bucket" will start leaking...every time. Stay true to who you are
"Gaining trust is like filling a bucket one drop at a time."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
It's Your Success, Don't Be Cheated Out Of It
"No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Are you cheating yourself out of ultimate success? Why? Success is up to you, don't cheat yourself out of it. Just do it.
You have everything right now that you will ever need for success. You don't need another self-help seminar, another book, whatever. You need to believe in yourself and go for it. It might not start out right, but when you keep trying, you will make it right.
Who told you that you need more of this or that before you can have your ultimate success? How did they sell you on that story? How's that working for you???
Everything that you need for success is NOW within YOU! All you have to do is let it out!! Can you do that or will you stay chained to your old thoughts that you "aren't good enough, need more time, aren't ready yet???
Break those chains a little today and just say, "I will do it." "I will not cheat myself out of my ultimate success!! Say it again! "I will not be cheated out of my ultimate success!"
"No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."
Are you cheating yourself out of ultimate success? Why? Success is up to you, don't cheat yourself out of it. Just do it.
You have everything right now that you will ever need for success. You don't need another self-help seminar, another book, whatever. You need to believe in yourself and go for it. It might not start out right, but when you keep trying, you will make it right.
Who told you that you need more of this or that before you can have your ultimate success? How did they sell you on that story? How's that working for you???
Everything that you need for success is NOW within YOU! All you have to do is let it out!! Can you do that or will you stay chained to your old thoughts that you "aren't good enough, need more time, aren't ready yet???
Break those chains a little today and just say, "I will do it." "I will not cheat myself out of my ultimate success!! Say it again! "I will not be cheated out of my ultimate success!"
"No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Limitations
"There are no limitations to the mind other than those we acknowledge, both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought."~Napoleon Hill
What limitations have you acknowledged? Why? Did someone tell you you couldn't do it so you agreed with them? Did you try once and it didn't work so you quit and said, "I can't do that?"
Do you agree that the only limitations to your mind are those that we acknowledge? Why or why not?
When we acknowledge our limitations, we give them more power than they should have.
Go about your day today and think of NO LIMITATIONS! Can you do it? Even for an hour? Half a day? The whole day?
Just try it!
"There are no limitations to the mind other than those we acknowledge, both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought."
What limitations have you acknowledged? Why? Did someone tell you you couldn't do it so you agreed with them? Did you try once and it didn't work so you quit and said, "I can't do that?"
Do you agree that the only limitations to your mind are those that we acknowledge? Why or why not?
When we acknowledge our limitations, we give them more power than they should have.
Go about your day today and think of NO LIMITATIONS! Can you do it? Even for an hour? Half a day? The whole day?
Just try it!
"There are no limitations to the mind other than those we acknowledge, both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Astonish Yourself, Often!
"If we all did all of the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves."~Thomas Edison
Are you living up to your full potential? Most of us are not. When was the last time you sat down and did a personal assessment? Why?
What is working well in your life? What is not quite right yet? Where do you let yourself down? Where do you fail to live up to your own dreams, goals and ambitions? We expect everybody else to live up to their potential, why shouldn't we?
Buried within our minds is the great unknown...That we are capable of things beyond our wildest dreams, if we only reach out and take a chance of making them happen! Do you realize that you can have everything you want, when you want it? It's a matter of choice, not chance.
"If we all did all of the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves."
Are you living up to your full potential? Most of us are not. When was the last time you sat down and did a personal assessment? Why?
What is working well in your life? What is not quite right yet? Where do you let yourself down? Where do you fail to live up to your own dreams, goals and ambitions? We expect everybody else to live up to their potential, why shouldn't we?
Buried within our minds is the great unknown...That we are capable of things beyond our wildest dreams, if we only reach out and take a chance of making them happen! Do you realize that you can have everything you want, when you want it? It's a matter of choice, not chance.
"If we all did all of the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves."
Monday, September 14, 2009
Keeping Your Limitations
"When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them."~Peter McWilliams
Are you arguing for your limitations? Why? Is it safer than letting those limitations go and having new experiences? Is it because the pain caused by those limitations is familiar and easier to deal with than the unexperienced feelings that you will have when you let them go?
You don't serve the world playing small, being less than you should be. Abraham Maslow said that "If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you'll be unhappy the rest of your life." Is that what you want your life to be? Unhappy? Less than you are capable of being? Not becoming all that you can be?
We all want to be more than we are right now. Some of us will do what it takes, go through the fear that is holding us back and be all that we were meant to be and some of us won't. Don't get caught wishing that you should have done something when you knew that you could.
Stop arguing for your limitations and cast them off you so that the real, authentic you can come out and serve the world! What are you waiting for? Do it NOW!
"When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them."
Are you arguing for your limitations? Why? Is it safer than letting those limitations go and having new experiences? Is it because the pain caused by those limitations is familiar and easier to deal with than the unexperienced feelings that you will have when you let them go?
You don't serve the world playing small, being less than you should be. Abraham Maslow said that "If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you'll be unhappy the rest of your life." Is that what you want your life to be? Unhappy? Less than you are capable of being? Not becoming all that you can be?
We all want to be more than we are right now. Some of us will do what it takes, go through the fear that is holding us back and be all that we were meant to be and some of us won't. Don't get caught wishing that you should have done something when you knew that you could.
Stop arguing for your limitations and cast them off you so that the real, authentic you can come out and serve the world! What are you waiting for? Do it NOW!
"When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them."
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Become a Beginner
"You can learn new things at any time in your life if you are willing to be a beginner."~Barbara Sher
Are you willing to be a beginner? Are you willing to submit yourself in order to learn something new? Most people will say, "sure, I can be a beginner" but when put to the test, revert back to their old "I already know that" routine.
Allow yourself the pleasure of not having to know it all and learn some new things!! Our current business society says that you should always know everything and never show weakness or lack of knowledge...How's that working for ya???
Do you know how freeing it is to say, "I don't know that, can you tell me more?" Do you know what it does for the person who you say it to? It's huge. A validation for them and an opportunity for you to let someone else teach you!
Most people won't allow that to happen, to let someone else know that they don't know something. Think about your favorite/hated politician. What would happen if they were being authentic and said that they didn't know something...instead of obfuscating, spinning, etc? Wouldn't you feel better that they at least had the guts to be truthful? In today's politics, the other side would crucify him for stupidity or something worse.
Don't be a politician. Be yourself, and if you don't know something, take the opportunity to be a beginner! Always be learning. You are never too old.
"You can learn new things at any time in your life if you are willing to be a beginner."
Are you willing to be a beginner? Are you willing to submit yourself in order to learn something new? Most people will say, "sure, I can be a beginner" but when put to the test, revert back to their old "I already know that" routine.
Allow yourself the pleasure of not having to know it all and learn some new things!! Our current business society says that you should always know everything and never show weakness or lack of knowledge...How's that working for ya???
Do you know how freeing it is to say, "I don't know that, can you tell me more?" Do you know what it does for the person who you say it to? It's huge. A validation for them and an opportunity for you to let someone else teach you!
Most people won't allow that to happen, to let someone else know that they don't know something. Think about your favorite/hated politician. What would happen if they were being authentic and said that they didn't know something...instead of obfuscating, spinning, etc? Wouldn't you feel better that they at least had the guts to be truthful? In today's politics, the other side would crucify him for stupidity or something worse.
Don't be a politician. Be yourself, and if you don't know something, take the opportunity to be a beginner! Always be learning. You are never too old.
"You can learn new things at any time in your life if you are willing to be a beginner."
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Be Irreplaceable!
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."~Coco Chanel
Are you irreplaceable to your customers? Really? What is it that you give them that other people in your business can't give them? Think about that for a while...What do you provide that no one else can provide? Until you have figured that out, you will continue to be a commodity in everyone's eyes. Do you see the product that you sell as a commodity? That's too bad if you do...
You ask, 'How can I be irreplaceable?' Good question! Think about that for a while and I'm sure that you could come up with many ways that you could become irreplaceable. But start out with being authentic to who you are. Most people in business are "acting as business people," not being who they really are. Are you? Do you do things because that's what "business people" are supposed to do?
"When everyone thinks the same, no one is thinking." This applies to doing the same thing as well. Look at the car ads in the newspaper (for those of you younger readers, newspapers were sheet of paper printed on that would bring the news from yesterday to your house...)
You could just change the name of the dealership on the top of the ad and no one would know the difference! What a bunch of sheep! "When everybody thinks the same, no one is thinking."
Think about being irreplaceable. I guarantee you that if you think about being irreplaceable for one hour a day, for a week, you will develop so many good ideas at being irreplaceable that you could double your business in 6 months!
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."
Are you irreplaceable to your customers? Really? What is it that you give them that other people in your business can't give them? Think about that for a while...What do you provide that no one else can provide? Until you have figured that out, you will continue to be a commodity in everyone's eyes. Do you see the product that you sell as a commodity? That's too bad if you do...
You ask, 'How can I be irreplaceable?' Good question! Think about that for a while and I'm sure that you could come up with many ways that you could become irreplaceable. But start out with being authentic to who you are. Most people in business are "acting as business people," not being who they really are. Are you? Do you do things because that's what "business people" are supposed to do?
"When everyone thinks the same, no one is thinking." This applies to doing the same thing as well. Look at the car ads in the newspaper (for those of you younger readers, newspapers were sheet of paper printed on that would bring the news from yesterday to your house...)
You could just change the name of the dealership on the top of the ad and no one would know the difference! What a bunch of sheep! "When everybody thinks the same, no one is thinking."
Think about being irreplaceable. I guarantee you that if you think about being irreplaceable for one hour a day, for a week, you will develop so many good ideas at being irreplaceable that you could double your business in 6 months!
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."
Friday, September 11, 2009
Define Your Own Goals
"Never fail to define your goal, or someone will do it for you."~Micheal Levine
Have you defined your goals or did someone else? Are You doing what you want to do? Really??
We can reach our goals but they need to be crystal clear. If you are unsure of anything, you will not reach them. Why is it that most people will spend more time planning out their vacation than they will spend planning out their life?
In fact, most people don't really know what they want out of life. When asked, they say, this or that, but no real idea of what they really want. Sometimes what they say they want is dictated to them by a parent, spouse or friend, but it is not really what they want, but someone told that they would be good at this or that.
Here's another thing, that someone you allow to define your goal really doesn't have your best interests at heart. They may say they do, but they don't. They don't because they don't really know what you think and what you believe.
Define you goals. Find your Why? Create your future.
"Never fail to define your goal, or someone will do it for you."
Have you defined your goals or did someone else? Are You doing what you want to do? Really??
We can reach our goals but they need to be crystal clear. If you are unsure of anything, you will not reach them. Why is it that most people will spend more time planning out their vacation than they will spend planning out their life?
In fact, most people don't really know what they want out of life. When asked, they say, this or that, but no real idea of what they really want. Sometimes what they say they want is dictated to them by a parent, spouse or friend, but it is not really what they want, but someone told that they would be good at this or that.
Here's another thing, that someone you allow to define your goal really doesn't have your best interests at heart. They may say they do, but they don't. They don't because they don't really know what you think and what you believe.
Define you goals. Find your Why? Create your future.
"Never fail to define your goal, or someone will do it for you."
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I Know That!
"You can never learn less, you can only learn more."~
R. Buckminster Fuller
Do you realize that you were created as a learning machine? That if you allow yourself, you could be constantly learning? What is something that is stopping you from learning?
It's those 3 most dreaded words in the English language..."I know that." Or, "I already know that."
Each time you use those words, you are cutting off learning. Even if you do already know that, let the experience continue, because there is always something that you may have not known about if you don't cut yourself off from learning. Always!
An old mentor of mine once told me that you could hear something 99 times, but on the 100th, as long as you were listening, it might make more sense to you, allow for deeper understanding, or just plain hit you right between the eyes with the truth that you thought you already knew!
How often do you say that, "I know that." Make it your goal to take those words, in that sequence, out of your vocabulary. It inhibits learning, stifles the mind and just makes you plain boring...
Always take the opportunity to learn more...because you can't learn less.
"You can never learn less, you can only learn more."
R. Buckminster Fuller
Do you realize that you were created as a learning machine? That if you allow yourself, you could be constantly learning? What is something that is stopping you from learning?
It's those 3 most dreaded words in the English language..."I know that." Or, "I already know that."
Each time you use those words, you are cutting off learning. Even if you do already know that, let the experience continue, because there is always something that you may have not known about if you don't cut yourself off from learning. Always!
An old mentor of mine once told me that you could hear something 99 times, but on the 100th, as long as you were listening, it might make more sense to you, allow for deeper understanding, or just plain hit you right between the eyes with the truth that you thought you already knew!
How often do you say that, "I know that." Make it your goal to take those words, in that sequence, out of your vocabulary. It inhibits learning, stifles the mind and just makes you plain boring...
Always take the opportunity to learn more...because you can't learn less.
"You can never learn less, you can only learn more."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Are You Driving Your Business?
"If you aren't driving your business, you will be driven out of business."~BC Forbes
Are you driving your business or is it on cruise control or auto pilot? If so, is that good? Or are you headed somewhere you don't want to go?
You must keep a close eye on the road ahead and be ready for any sudden changes or turns. If you are on cruise control, you will miss opportunities and soon go off the road. Read that again, you will miss opportunities and go off the road.
Do you think that the banks and car companies that we had to bail out had their business of cruise control? Duh. They were "too big to fail" and were run that way, rather than being run like a company that could go bankrupt. Think about the Walkman. What a great invention...See any around anymore? Sony didn't drive the business and continue to create new products after that.
Do you think that a company like Apple is driven? I'd say yes. constantly striving for new and better versions of what they have already created as well as brand new products that exist only in the minds of their engineers!
Drive your business every day! Don't ever fall into the 'cruise control' trap. Continue to try to find new ways that you can deliver your products and services.
"If you aren't driving your business, you will be driven out of business."
Are you driving your business or is it on cruise control or auto pilot? If so, is that good? Or are you headed somewhere you don't want to go?
You must keep a close eye on the road ahead and be ready for any sudden changes or turns. If you are on cruise control, you will miss opportunities and soon go off the road. Read that again, you will miss opportunities and go off the road.
Do you think that the banks and car companies that we had to bail out had their business of cruise control? Duh. They were "too big to fail" and were run that way, rather than being run like a company that could go bankrupt. Think about the Walkman. What a great invention...See any around anymore? Sony didn't drive the business and continue to create new products after that.
Do you think that a company like Apple is driven? I'd say yes. constantly striving for new and better versions of what they have already created as well as brand new products that exist only in the minds of their engineers!
Drive your business every day! Don't ever fall into the 'cruise control' trap. Continue to try to find new ways that you can deliver your products and services.
"If you aren't driving your business, you will be driven out of business."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Live in the Moment
"If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year. Today should always be our most wonderful day."~Thomas Dreier
Are you putting off enjoyment of life until you get......whatever? Why? Today is the only day that we have and tomorrow is promised to no one, yet we continue to put off our happiness until later. Why? Do you think that when you get that new car, then you will enjoy life more? Or that new house? Or all those other toys that we want? We Americans have been great at putting off happiness until we GET something. And then realizing that whatever it was, didn't bring us the happiness we wanted
Today should always be our most wonderful day! Live in the moment and be fully there. There's a great quote that says "Where ever you are, BE there." Most people are always looking back or looking ahead and are unable to be in the moment. If you are able to be completely in the moment, your life will change dramatically! Try it the next time you have a meeting. Be only there. Don't think about your next appointment, but be fully invested in the person you are meeting with. You'll be amazed at how much better the meeting will go and how you may be able to serve them in ways that you had no idea of...until you were present.
The Law of Authenticity says that "The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself." When you meet with people, give them that gift and your life will change for the better.
"If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year. Today should always be our most wonderful day."
Are you putting off enjoyment of life until you get......whatever? Why? Today is the only day that we have and tomorrow is promised to no one, yet we continue to put off our happiness until later. Why? Do you think that when you get that new car, then you will enjoy life more? Or that new house? Or all those other toys that we want? We Americans have been great at putting off happiness until we GET something. And then realizing that whatever it was, didn't bring us the happiness we wanted
Today should always be our most wonderful day! Live in the moment and be fully there. There's a great quote that says "Where ever you are, BE there." Most people are always looking back or looking ahead and are unable to be in the moment. If you are able to be completely in the moment, your life will change dramatically! Try it the next time you have a meeting. Be only there. Don't think about your next appointment, but be fully invested in the person you are meeting with. You'll be amazed at how much better the meeting will go and how you may be able to serve them in ways that you had no idea of...until you were present.
The Law of Authenticity says that "The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself." When you meet with people, give them that gift and your life will change for the better.
"If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year. Today should always be our most wonderful day."
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Law of Authenticity
"The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself."~The Go-Giver
What does being Authentic mean? It means "not false, or copied, genuine, real."
What does Genuine mean? It means "is not counterfeit, free from pretense."
What does Real mean? "Actual rather than imaginary."
The Law of Authenticity works in all areas of your life. Business, family, all areas. You just don't become authentic when you are doing business, it is something that needs to be LIVED.
Authenticity not only improves your financial balance sheet, but it improves your life's balance sheet. How often do you think in terms of your Life's Balance Sheet?
Whatever it is that you sell, you can excel by adding value. Think about that. How can you add value to what you sell? Maybe you can add value by being a friend, showing that you care about someone, making people feel good about who they are?
At your next networking meeting, instead of asking people what they do for work, ask people "Who are you?" See what kinds of reactions you will get from them. Nobody asks about them, only what they can do for people. The old "What's in it for me" syndrome.
Like the book says, "What I'm here to sell you on is yourself." No mater what your training, no matter what your skills, You are your most important asset. People skills are required and the foundation of people skills is who you are. The most valuable thing you have to give to people is yourself. Want people skills? Then be a person. Be yourself. It's called Authenticity!
"The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself."
What does being Authentic mean? It means "not false, or copied, genuine, real."
What does Genuine mean? It means "is not counterfeit, free from pretense."
What does Real mean? "Actual rather than imaginary."
The Law of Authenticity works in all areas of your life. Business, family, all areas. You just don't become authentic when you are doing business, it is something that needs to be LIVED.
Authenticity not only improves your financial balance sheet, but it improves your life's balance sheet. How often do you think in terms of your Life's Balance Sheet?
Whatever it is that you sell, you can excel by adding value. Think about that. How can you add value to what you sell? Maybe you can add value by being a friend, showing that you care about someone, making people feel good about who they are?
At your next networking meeting, instead of asking people what they do for work, ask people "Who are you?" See what kinds of reactions you will get from them. Nobody asks about them, only what they can do for people. The old "What's in it for me" syndrome.
Like the book says, "What I'm here to sell you on is yourself." No mater what your training, no matter what your skills, You are your most important asset. People skills are required and the foundation of people skills is who you are. The most valuable thing you have to give to people is yourself. Want people skills? Then be a person. Be yourself. It's called Authenticity!
"The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself."
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What's Your Limit?
"The sky is not the limit. The limit is what you set."~Buzz Aldrin
What is your limit? Are you allowing someone else to set your limits for you? Why? And if you're setting your own limits, are they high enough or are they just a little out of reach, so that with a little effort, you can reach them?
I constantly ask people what their BHAG is. (Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal) The reply I get most of the time is something that is a little out of reach, but wholly doable. Why? A BHAG should be something that is impossible to reach! First start doing what is possible and soon you will be doing the impossible...But it will never happen if your goals are too easy.
We often limit ourselves by what we think, what we do and how we do it. Change that thinking right now! Realize that it is your choice to set your limits high or low. While you will get some satisfaction by reaching a goal, if it was too easy, you will regret not challenging yourself enough to stretch yourself. Get out of that comfort zone and GROW!
"The sky is not the limit. The limit is what you set."
What is your limit? Are you allowing someone else to set your limits for you? Why? And if you're setting your own limits, are they high enough or are they just a little out of reach, so that with a little effort, you can reach them?
I constantly ask people what their BHAG is. (Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal) The reply I get most of the time is something that is a little out of reach, but wholly doable. Why? A BHAG should be something that is impossible to reach! First start doing what is possible and soon you will be doing the impossible...But it will never happen if your goals are too easy.
We often limit ourselves by what we think, what we do and how we do it. Change that thinking right now! Realize that it is your choice to set your limits high or low. While you will get some satisfaction by reaching a goal, if it was too easy, you will regret not challenging yourself enough to stretch yourself. Get out of that comfort zone and GROW!
"The sky is not the limit. The limit is what you set."
Friday, September 4, 2009
"Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy."~Anthony Robbins
What are your beliefs doing to you? Creating or destroying? It's your choice! You get to decide! Did you realize that? The decision is your and your alone. Not your parents, teachers, peers or family members. Too many people cede their beliefs to other people and can't understand why their life isn't going the way that they want it to.
A belief is "an opinion or conviction." What are the beliefs that allow you to create? What are the beliefs that cause you to destroy? Think about those for a while. Focus more on those thoughts that allow you to create while minimizing the beliefs that cause you to destroy.
Here's the thing. We just can't get rid of those destroying thoughts unless we replace them with creating thoughts. It's like if I tell you to not think about a pink elephant. You can't help but think of a pink elephant. You can't get that thought out of your mind. How do you get it out? Think of a blue elephant instead! Replace the destroying thoughts with creating thoughts.
Beliefs have the ultimate power to shape your life and your world. Make them good ones.
"Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy."
What are your beliefs doing to you? Creating or destroying? It's your choice! You get to decide! Did you realize that? The decision is your and your alone. Not your parents, teachers, peers or family members. Too many people cede their beliefs to other people and can't understand why their life isn't going the way that they want it to.
A belief is "an opinion or conviction." What are the beliefs that allow you to create? What are the beliefs that cause you to destroy? Think about those for a while. Focus more on those thoughts that allow you to create while minimizing the beliefs that cause you to destroy.
Here's the thing. We just can't get rid of those destroying thoughts unless we replace them with creating thoughts. It's like if I tell you to not think about a pink elephant. You can't help but think of a pink elephant. You can't get that thought out of your mind. How do you get it out? Think of a blue elephant instead! Replace the destroying thoughts with creating thoughts.
Beliefs have the ultimate power to shape your life and your world. Make them good ones.
"Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Is Your Dream Near-Fetched?
"Who wants a dream that's near-fetched?"
~Howard Schultz
Are your dreams limited, near-fetched? Why? Dreaming is for releasing your imagination and letting go wherever it wants to go. Most people when asked what their dreams are say something that they think the can accomplish, not some outrageous vision of a greater future for themselves.
Why is that? When we were kids, we thought that we could do anything we wanted, be anyone we wanted to be. What happened? "Life" happened. And well-meaning parents and teachers told us that we couldn't do what we wanted to do. Did this happen to you? What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you close to it? Are you even in the same industry?
Learn to dream dreams that are far-fetched! That is what they are there for. Live on the edge and let go the conventional dream for real dreams. Dream like you were a kid again and you will become more authentic!
"Who wants a dream that's near-fetched?"
~Howard Schultz
Are your dreams limited, near-fetched? Why? Dreaming is for releasing your imagination and letting go wherever it wants to go. Most people when asked what their dreams are say something that they think the can accomplish, not some outrageous vision of a greater future for themselves.
Why is that? When we were kids, we thought that we could do anything we wanted, be anyone we wanted to be. What happened? "Life" happened. And well-meaning parents and teachers told us that we couldn't do what we wanted to do. Did this happen to you? What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you close to it? Are you even in the same industry?
Learn to dream dreams that are far-fetched! That is what they are there for. Live on the edge and let go the conventional dream for real dreams. Dream like you were a kid again and you will become more authentic!
"Who wants a dream that's near-fetched?"
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Quality of Your Relationships
"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships."~Anthony Robbins
Think about the quality of your relationships...Do you have many deep relationships or are they mostly "drive-by" relationships, really acquaintances. What are you giving to create these relationships? Anything, something, just enough to get out of it what you want? In our current "microwave"society, we don't really bother to develop deep relationships any more...and that's to our detriment.
How can you increase the quality of your relationships? Can you? Do you think that you can? Friendship is the connection between people based upon trust and mutual affection.
The key to quality relationships is that you take an active commitment to each relationship. It requires effort, not just the normal "How are you" question, but asking it and really wanting to know the answer. Really caring. We all have experienced it when someone asks how we are and really doesn't care when we start to tell them...That is not an active commitment, that's just shallow.
How many of your relationships are like that, shallow?
"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships."
Think about the quality of your relationships...Do you have many deep relationships or are they mostly "drive-by" relationships, really acquaintances. What are you giving to create these relationships? Anything, something, just enough to get out of it what you want? In our current "microwave"society, we don't really bother to develop deep relationships any more...and that's to our detriment.
How can you increase the quality of your relationships? Can you? Do you think that you can? Friendship is the connection between people based upon trust and mutual affection.
The key to quality relationships is that you take an active commitment to each relationship. It requires effort, not just the normal "How are you" question, but asking it and really wanting to know the answer. Really caring. We all have experienced it when someone asks how we are and really doesn't care when we start to tell them...That is not an active commitment, that's just shallow.
How many of your relationships are like that, shallow?
"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships."
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities."~Robert H. Schuller
What possibilities are you still locking up? Why? What would happen if you just let them go and play out the way they were designed to?
Imagine those locked up possibilities as coming true. Could it happen? Would it happen? Can you make it happen?
By allowing those imprisoned possibilities to be free, you are becoming more authentic. You are becoming more you...more "you"nique. Those possibilities are who you were meant to be.
Don't allow fear to keep you from where you are supposed to be. There may be things holding you back from your "best you" but those are just things.
Become your "best you."
"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities."
What possibilities are you still locking up? Why? What would happen if you just let them go and play out the way they were designed to?
Imagine those locked up possibilities as coming true. Could it happen? Would it happen? Can you make it happen?
By allowing those imprisoned possibilities to be free, you are becoming more authentic. You are becoming more you...more "you"nique. Those possibilities are who you were meant to be.
Don't allow fear to keep you from where you are supposed to be. There may be things holding you back from your "best you" but those are just things.
Become your "best you."
"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities."
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