A Pop Quiz

Have you heard the story of a social work student who was taking a pop quiz and breezing through all the questions, until she came to the last question. “What is the name of the cleaning lady on the floor of the class room?” The young sociology student was aghast. How would she know the name of the cleaning lady? And how could it count on a quiz toward her sociology degree. The teacher answered. You are going to meet many people in this world all of whom are very important. As a sociologist your business is people. You should know the names of all people who serve you.

The young lady learned the name of the cleaning lady, Dorothy. And she never forgot the lesson.

Quote of the Day
"Have patience with all things, but mostly with yourself."
-- St. Francis de Sales

What would you do?

I confess twice a year I buy a lottery ticket. I do not buy the tickets with any hope of winning. I buy the tickets to exercise my dreaming power. What would I do if I had $42,000,000? After you traveled. After you bought the car, house and steak dinners and took care of your family, what then would you do?

This is a great question. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? This is a question I ask myself all the time. I would drive a Mitsubishi 3000 GT. I would live in a nice brick house. I would live debt free. I would become a millionaire. I would travel when and where I please. I would work in a profession that helps people and makes a difference. What would you do? I even have a dream book that spells out all of these dreams and 30 more.

After 10 years of dreaming like this I have accomplished many of my dreams. I do drive a Mitsubishi 300 GT. I do live debt free except for a mortgage on my house. I do go to Europe every other year and I’m going on a cruise in July. What type of dreams would you like to follow?

Quote of the Day
The art of life lies in the constant readjustment to our surroundings - Kakuzo Okakiwa

Too Low - Too Slow

Dr. Robert Schuler used to ask people not to set their dreams too low or too slow. In other words Dream High. You can do far more than you think you can. You can do far more that you ever dreamed possible. But first you must dream great dreams. Then you must put those dreams into action. I recommend that you triple the size of your dreams. If you want to be a millionaire, dream of being a triple millionaire. If you dream of being a millionaire by age 65, plan on doing it by age 45. Yes dream higher than you think is possible.

I like the story of a young boy cutting across the field and being chased by a bull. He decided to jump for the limb on the tree in the field. In his excitement he misses the limb, but he caught it on the way down.

Dream High even if you miss you will have accomplished more than if you dream low.

Quote of the Day
"Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me?" -- Brian Tracy

50 Words

What are the 50 characteristics that employers want from an employee? These 50 were compiled by Zig Ziglar…
Honest
self-starter
humble
Balanced
positive
focused
Encouraging
punctual
dependable
Team player
knowledgeable
persistent
Optimistic
proud
humor
Prompt
fair
forgiving
Consistent
flexible
faith
Conviction
integrity
a learner
Enthusiastic
communicator
energetic
Creative
responsible
hardworking
Organized
caring
loyal
Good finder
intelligent
speaks well
Has goals
appearance
empathy
Wisdom
courage
good character
Good self image
tough
passion
Disciplined
good listener
good habits
Considerate
resourceful

Guess what. These are the same things employees want from their employers. Go through the list and rate yourself honestly on each one. Can you improve? Can you really ask people to be these things if you yourself are not willing to be these?

Quote of the Day
You must act as if it is impossible to fail. - Ashanti Proberb

What Committee

What committee are you on? In every company and every organization there are official committees like board of directors, finance, and marketing committees. But there are also some unofficial committees. Committees like…

Yes Yes committee…
They say yes to everything no matter what it is. They usually don’t do anything. Their yes is for you to do something.

I’m against it …
This committee is the exact opposite of the yes committee. No matter what you bring up they are against it.

We tried that once, it never worked.
This committee tries to put a stop to everything. They think they have seen it before.

Unforgiveness committee.
This committee never lets us forget and move on Let’s go back to the way it used to be. This is the committee that really tries to move everything back the 1950’s.

If the president would just get it right.
This committee is always blaming the president and the leadership no matter who it is.

We need people on the committee of “Let’s think this through and do the right thing for all people and give the leadership a break once in a while” committee.

What committee are you on?


Quote of the Day
"The wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." -- Francis Bacon

But still I can do something

Here is a great poem by Edward Everett Hale that inspires me...

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do.

I applaud people who do things. I believe there are too many people sitting on the sideline complaining and putting down the work of others. These people often put down anything that anyone else does. In fact I believe there is a bias against action.

So if you are one of those people who is doing something. Keep working... Do all you can NOW! My hat is off to you. If you hear people putting you down and laughing at your mistakes, just know that you are not alone and you're doing something right if people are talking about you. Here is a phrase for you to use when someone is laughing at you...

"A mistake at least proves someone stop talking long enough to do something."

Quote of the Day
The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind" -- William James

Procrastination, Part 2

Here are some more ways to stop procrastination:

• Force yourself to get started.
• Create a self-monitoring system.
• Establish deadlines for yourself.
• Learn to value your time.
• Avoid telephone calls that interrupt your flow of work.
• Anticipate your needs.
• Have projects that can fill up the vacant moments you have.

Quote of the Day
"Be courageous! Have faith! Go Forward!" -- Thomas A. Edison

Seek Guidance

“Today I will seek guidance” is the 10th principle taught by Og Mandino in his book “The Greatest Salesman in the World”. You cannot live here on your own resources. Seeking guidance from the Creator of the Universe and those people who have been down the road before you is one way to do more with the life you have been given. Og suggests…

Seeking help is instinctual to all humans.
Seek help from God and others.
Focus your request on what you really do want.
Ask for guidance, not material things.
You will get all you want and need, if you have the wisdom to help enough other people get what they want.

Quote of the Day
"Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success." -- Rob Gilbert

I will act now.

Do it now is the old NIKE adage. But it is a very very good plan. When you have an idea, rush into it. Do it now. Og Mandino calls this his 9th principle in his book, “The Greatest Salesman in the World”. He gives 5 ideas to help us accomplish this…. Actions will turn your dreams into action. Act now.

Conquer fear with action.
Action will energize your world.
Act despite uncertainty.
Eliminate procrastination.

Quote of the Day
"We must leave our mark on life while we have it in our power" - Isak Dinesen

Dreams too Low

Dr. Robert Schuler used to ask people not to set their dreams too low or too slow. In other words Dream High. You can do far more than you think you can. You can do far more that you ever dreamed possible. But first you must dream great dreams. Then you must put those dreams into action. I recommend that you triple the size of your dreams. If you want to be a millionaire, dream of being a triple millionaire. If you dream of being a millionaire by age 65, plan on doing it by age 45. Yes dream higher than you think is possible.

I like the story of a young boy cutting across the field and being chased by a bull. He decided to jump for the limb on the tree in the field. In his excitement he misses the limb, but he caught it on the way down.

Dream High even if you miss you will have accomplished more than if you dream low.

Quote of the Day
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." - Plutarch

ANYWAY

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
~LOVE THEM ANYWAY~

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
~DO GOOD ANYWAY~

If you are successful, you win false friends and enemies.
~SUCCEED ANYWAY~

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.
~DO GOOD ANYWAY~

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
~BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY~

Quote of the Day
You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. - R. Tagoren

Homeboy Industries….

Father Gregory Boyle is a priest in downtown LA. He has a slogan that says, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” He has organized former gang members into owning and running inner city businesses…

Tattoo removal Screen-printing tee shirts Job training Counseling A bakery A café

And he is making a difference. These young men are working, staying off drugs, building up equity in their businesses and staying out of prison.

In our country we have the ability to produce answers for the problems we face.

Quote of the Day
Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the down. - unknown

Cavett Robert

Cavett Robert was a great salesman and the founder of the National Speakers Association. He used to close all his speeches by quoting the poem, “The Lamplighter.” He felt that all leaders, dreamers and speakers should be lamplighters. Lighting the lamp so others could see more clearly.

My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky.
It’s time to take the window to see Leerie going by.
For every night at tea time and before you take your seat
With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street.

No Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea.
And my papa’s a banker and as rich as he can be.
But I when I am stronger and can choose what I’m to do.
O’ Leerie, I’ll go round at night and light the lamps with you.

For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door.
And Leeri stops to light it as he lights so many more.
And oh! Before you hurry by the ladder and with light;
O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him tonight!

Here’s hoping you will be a lamplighter in the hearts of little children and in the minds of others you meet.


Quote of the Day
Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action. - Benjamin Disraeli

50 Words

What are the 50 characteristics that employers want from an employee? These 50 were compiled by Zig Ziglar…

1. Honest
2. self-starter
3. humble
4. Balanced
5. positive
6. focused
7. Encouraging
8. punctual
9. dependable
10. Team player
11. knowledgeable
12. persistent
13. Optimistic
14. proud
15. humor
16. Prompt
17. fair
18. forgiving
19. Consistent
20. flexible
21. faith
22. Conviction
23. integrity
24. a learner
25. Enthusiastic
26. communicator
27. energetic
28. Creative
29. responsible
30. hardworking
31. Organized
32. caring
33. loyal
34. Good finder
35. intelligent
36. speaks well
37. Has goals
38. appearance
39. empathy
40. Wisdom
41. courage
42. good character
43. Good self image
44. tough
45. passion
46. Disciplined
47. good listener
48. good habits
49. Considerate
50. resourceful
    

Guess what. These are the same things employees want from their employers. Go through the list and rate yourself honestly on each one. Can you improve? Can you really ask people to be these things if you yourself are not willing to be these?

I will multiply my value 100 fold.

Og Mandino’s great book “The Greatest Salesman in the World” asks the question, “Are we not more than a grain of wheat?” A grain of wheat can multiply itself 100 times. Can you multiply your value, your good, 100 times? Og and I think so… here are some ways.

1. Recognize your capacity.
2. Choose your future.
3. Plant yourself in fertile soil.
4. Take note of what you read, watch and work.
5. Set goals.
6. Avoid fear and stumbling.
7. Compete with yourself.
8. Announce your vision.


Quote of the Day
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure. -- Colin Powell

Poem

Here is a poem that makes me think. I don’t agree with everything it says (I think you can be rich and wise) but it does make me think.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve
–I was made weak, that I might learn humility to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things
– I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy
–I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men
-I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
–I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for
–But everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all people, most richly blessed!

Anonymous

Quote of the Day
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement. - Hsun-tzu

Laugh at the world

“No living creature can laugh except man.” I will laugh at the world is the 7th principle in Og Mandino’s best selling book, “The Greatest Salesman in the World”. Og gives us 6 ways to accomplish this.

1. Laughter can help your immune system.
2. Laugh at yourself.
3. Laugh and say, “This too shall pass”
4. Enjoy today.
5. Let laughter help develop perspective.
6. Avoid self-pity or self-aggrandizement.

This perspective can help you in your career, home life and personal life.

Quote of the Day
We are told never to cross a bridge till we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have "crossed bridges" in their imagination far ahead of the crowd. --The Speakers Library

To Design a Life

Too many of us are living our lives based on the circumstances that have come our way rather than choosing the circumstances we want in our lives. I have encouraged people for years to design a life rather than existing in one that happens to hit us. You can go out and make the life you want. It may take a while but you can do it! Here are some questions that will spur your thinking...

1. What would be the perfect job for you?

2. Where would be the perfect place for you to live?

3. What type of cash flow would you like to have?

4. What type of education would you like to have?

5. What would you like to do to make a difference in this world?


Quote of the Day
To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it. -- Bunker Hunt

Greet this day with...

Greet this day with love in my heart

“The Greatest Salesman in the World” written by Og Mandino has 10 principles for becoming a great person, spouse or salesman. The 2nd principle in his famous book says, “I will greet this day with love in my heart.” Why would you tell a salesperson to greet the day with love in your heart? Well if you as a person greet each day and each person with love in your heart, you will have a much better chance of working with that person and with helping them and you. Og gives some keys for greeting each day with love in your heart:

Show gratitude in everything and every person.
Find good in others, even your enemies.
Connect emotionally with everyone you meet.
Choose to respond to a situation instead of emotionally reacting.
Love yourself. You are a good person.

Quote of the Day
There is no progress without some discontent and discomfort.
Only by great risks can great results be achieved. -- Xerxes

Tenacious or Stubborn?

"The difference between tenacity and stubbornness is that one comes from a strong will and the other from a strong won't." -- Anonymous

Yes, Yes, this is so good. A stubborn person is one who keeps saying, "I won't do this" or "I won't do that". They usually get in the way of themselves and other people. They also get in the way of your company if you let them.

A person of tenacity is one who by choice will not let something go. They want to do things. This is the person you want on your team. They will keep doing things until they win.

Which are you - tenacious or stubborn? I am trying to move from stubborn to tenacious.

Today I begin a new life.

Og Mandino wrote a huge selling book entitled, “The Greatest Salesman in the World.” In it he describes 10 principles for becoming a great person, spouse or worker. The first of these principles states, “I will make and keep commitments.”

When I am coaching people, one of the first things we cover is how to set yourself apart from others. One way is to do what you say you are going to do. If you say you are going to be somewhere, be there. If you say you are going to be somewhere on time, be there at that time. If you cannot arrive to a meeting on time, you cannot complete a project on time. If you cannot complete a project on time, we cannot trust you with leadership and other activities.

Making and keeping commitments is the first and best way to be respected, be professional and set yourself apart from other people.

Quote of the Day
He who would learn to fly must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. - neitzsche

Mark Sanders is a CPA

Mark Sanders is a CPA who runs a hand surgery center in Louisville Kentucky. He is one of those steady consistent doers of the corporate society. But Mark has deep desire, a dream from childhood, to ride horses. Recently he bought a cutting quarter horse and started the sport of cutting and roping. All little boys dream of growing up to be a cowboy. Mark is proving that all dreams even those of little boys can come true.

What does following simple little dreams do for you?

One, it helps keep us young.

Two, it helps to expand our minds. Every time you learn something new you expand your breadth of knowledge and your education.

Three, it introduces us to new people and new experiences.

Four, it reminds us that life is for living not just doing and getting.

The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind. -- William James.

Skydive

At 14,000 feet the door opened… My instructor yelled “GO!” and we fell out of a perfectly good airplane. My instructions were simple… arch my back, keep my feet together and enjoy the ride. We were in free fall for only a few seconds, the shoot was pulled and we began to float down. A pull to the cord to the right and we would spin slowly to the right. It was a perfect day, the sun shinning in a deep blue sky, we could see for 50 miles. It was a perfect day to complete a life long dream.

So why do I pursue silly dreams like skydiving. One is to help keep me young. Two it helps to expand my mind, three it introduces me to new people and new experiences. Four it reminds me that life is for living not just doing and getting.
What is it you have always wanted to do?

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. --William Feather

What committee are you on?

In every company and every organization there are official committees like board of directors, finance, and marketing committees. But there are also some unofficial committees. Committees like…

Yes Yes committee…
They say yes to everything no matter what it is. They usually don’t do anything. Their yes is for you to do something.

I’m against it …
This committee is the exact opposite of the yes committee. No matter what you bring up they are against it.

We tried that once, it never worked.
This committee tries to put a stop to everything. They think they have seen it before.
Unforgiveness committee. This committee never lets us forget and move on

Let’s go back to the way it used to be.
This is the committee that really tries to move everything back the 1950’s.

If the president would just get it right.
This committee is always blaming the president and the leadership no matter who it is.

We need people on the committee of “Let’s think this through and do the right thing for all people and give the leadership a break once in a while” committee.

What committee are you on?

The Job You Want

“Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.”

This statement makes so much sense to me in the day of casual dress Fridays, which has spilled into all parts of the week in corporate America. Dressing for the job that you want will give you a slight edge in getting the job over people who are just dressing to fit their current needs.

It seems to me that many of us in our late 40’s can dress in ways that make use look 36 or 56. In my opinion, we will all get to 56 soon enough – we should try to look as young and fresh as we can. Here are some tips…

If you have suits or dresses that are over 5 years old, it is time to replace them. No matter how good you think they look, you have worn them enough. Replace them.

Wear items that look sharp not old. A new item costing the same money can make you look 36 or 56. Cute is not the criteria. Sharp and professional are the criteria.

Copy the good habits of people who have the jobs you want. This is called bench marking in corporate lingo.

If you are ever speaking to any audience, always dress better than your audience.
I wear a lot of black pants with nice, different and new shirts.

White starched shirts carry a lot more power than any other combination. This is especially true when you are talking money with anyone.

I know you can add to the list.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. --William Feather

A dream of more friends…

In a recent publication of Psychology Today, it was written, “people feel happier with a group of friends than with a spouse or child.” I don’t know if this is true but I do think it is true that friendship is very vital for happiness. Here are some ways to increase your friendships…

Get where people are. The more groups you belong to the better chance you will have to find friends.

Carve out time to spend time with friends.

Find activities/hobbies that you can do with other friends. Ball games, golf, cards, church, eating out, exercise, serving on committees or boards.

Be generally interested in the other people – their work, family, meaningful things.

Drop friends that are harmful to you and seek out others.

In order to have more friends be a good friend.

Quote of the Day
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me?" -- Brian Tracy

The destiny of an alligator

Man is man because he is free to operate within the framework of his destiny.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Can you tell me the destiny of an alligator? Can you tell me the destiny of an ant? Well animals live by instinct. However, we as humans are the only ones free to understand our destiny and to choose to follow it or not.

I believe that some people are chosen by God at birth to follow certain paths in life and it becomes very clear to them and the world. People like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi. And yet for some people, destiny is not as clear and we are allowed to choose our destiny.

Don’t let this opportunity escape from you. Follow the dreams you have inside of you. It is an extremely rare opportunity.

Quote of the Day
The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind. - William James.

He who cannot change the very fabric of his/her thinking will never be able to change reality, and therefore, will never make any progress. -- Anwar Sadat

I have written for years in both of my books that our thoughts and then our words shape reality. When you say to yourself, “I am fat,” your mind will respond, “OK, I’ll keep you fat.” When we think, “I want to go on a vacation,” our mind suddenly goes into gear and starts to think about ways we can go on vacation. These thoughts precede our actions and can shape our actions. And our actions shape our world and ultimately the world in which we live.

So what are you thinking? Is your thinking open to new ideas? One of the things I do is constantly put new thoughts and ideas into my brain by education. I go to seminars, read books, watch educational seminars and informative television all in a way to keep my thinking fresh and dynamic.

Place positive thoughts into your mind about where you want to go. It is amazing how this will make a difference for you.
“I weight 160lbs in a firm healthy body,” is a great affirmation.
“I earn $100,000 a year working 30 hours a week,” works well also"
“ I make a difference through my family, work, etc”

If I could give you one thing that would help you…

… feel better
… lose weight
… improve your heart
… improve your blood pressure
… improve your flexibility
… improve your attitude
… live longer

would you be interested? Of course you would. Well that one thing is exercise. I have, like many people, been putting this off for decades but the benefits are enormous. You have to start somewhere. Trying walking to your mail box and back. I bet you can do that. Then walk to the 2nd mailbox, then to a 3rd mailbox. Slowly you will build up your ability to move. Then you can pick up basketball or softball as an exercise. You can start small but it is important to get started.

I have been going to a new gym for 4 months now. I can tell you the benefits are worth the effort.

Quote of the Day
Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will. - A.W. Tozer

The one thing….

If I could give you one thing that would help you…

… feel better
… lose weight
… improve your heart
… improve your blood pressure
… improve your flexibility
… improve your attitude
… live longer

would you be interested? Of course you would. Well that one thing is exercise. I have, like many people, been putting this off for decades but the benefits are enormous. You have to start somewhere. Trying walking to your mail box and back. I bet you can do that. Then walk to the 2nd mailbox, then to a 3rd mailbox. Slowly you will build up your ability to move. Then you can pick up basketball or softball as an exercise. You can start small but it is important to get started.

I have been going to a new gym for 4 months now. I can tell you the benefits are worth the effort.

Quote of the Day
When work is a pleasure, life is a joy. When work is duty, life is slavery. -Maxim Gorky

If they wrote a book

Do you remember the US Army commercial that says, “If they wrote a book about your life would it be interesting enough for anyone to read?” I love this question and I love this ad. It is a great question for you and I to ask? “If they wrote books about our lives, would anyone read them?”

Life is for living not enduring… When is the last time you…

• Shot the white water rapids?
• Visited a winery?
• Wrote a book?
• Built a house?
• Circled the earth?
• Visited a foreign country?
• Made a friend from another country?
  

Life is for the living…

Quote of the Day
No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit. -Helen Keller

Things we think we can’t do

Lacy – My Niece

My nice Lacy recently came to visit for a week and was assigned to help me with chores one afternoon. We went to move a table and this 12-year-old girl told me she couldn’t do it. But I encouraged her to try and to keep moving and she was able to help me move the table. She begged and begged to ride the riding lawn mower, but when she saw how big it was and how loud it was she said, “I don’t want to. I can’t.” But I asked her to ride it just 3 feet and push the brake. She did and loved it. She mowed the whole back yard. Then I told her to put the mower in gear #6 and she went crazy “No, I can’t do that.” But she did and you could see her smile from ear to ear and she played with the mower.

A little girl said, “I can’t.” But when she tried it she loved it and was pretty good at it. Life is like that for you and I as well. Things we think we can’t do we often can if we will try just a little.

What are you afraid of that you need to explore once more?

Quote of the Day
"I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific" -Lily Tomlin

Discover the best in others

“When we see to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” - William Arthur Ward

It is easy to see someone’s faults. But the truly great among us seek the best in others. This becomes a habit and often people will follow your lead and seek the best in you as well.

This works for family, friends, co-workers and especially with your spouse.

Quote of the Day
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. --Anatole France

What life is made of...

“Sometimes I would rather that people take away years from my life than take away a moment.” -- Pearle Bailey

Moments are what life is made of. Can you remember the sight of your first child? Can you remember the “I do” at your wedding? Can you remember the first time you understood your father? Can you remember receiving your first paycheck?

Create more moments in your life and the life of your family.

If your company or association has seminars, banquets or conventions, I would love to talk with you about how I can be of help to you and your people. conway@dreamhigh.com

Quote of the Day
A man's heart changes his countenance, either for good or evil. -The ancient text

What we repeatedly do...

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle

In our church there were two ladies coming down the stairs. One lady was yelling at her kids who were in roughed up clothes and running in all directions. The other lady and her 2 kids were coming down the stairs, but they were dressed neatly, talking quietly. What is the difference, I wondered to myself? It was just the expectation. Just the habit…

I agree with Aristotle… we are what we do, excellence, being on time, paying our bills is little more than just a habit.

Is there a habit you would like to change?

Quote of the Day
We know what we are, but know not what we may be. - Shakespeare

Become like the people you hang around

Mark Twain once said…
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. The really great people make you feel that you, too, are great.”

It is a fact – you become like the people you hang around. If you hang around people who belittle others you yourself will fall into that habit. Hanging around such people will also do harm to your self-esteem.

The really great people will always build you up. And this is the trait you and I can cultivate. It is also very good for us to hang around great people who build us up.

Take a clear inventory. Who among your friends builds you up and who tears you down?
What kind of friend are you?

Take care of your friends and they will take care of you.

Quote of the Day
A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing. -Oscar Wilde

Knowing what you’re doing

“Success is knowing what you’re doing, loving what you’re doing, and believing what you’re doing.” - Napoleon Hill

This seems like an easy test to see if you are where you’re supposed to be.

1. Do you know what you’re supposed to do with your job, hobbies, etc.
2. Do you love what you are doing?
3. Do you believe that what you are doing is helping people and making a difference?


Quote of the Day
Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers. -Henri F. Amiel

Learn something new…

Most people as they get older get stuck in their ways. They truly believe they have heard it all before, they have seen it all before and the way they are doing things is the best and the only way to do things. This is one sign of getting old.

One way to overcome this sad sickness is to learn something new. Learn something you never thought you could do. Some people try to learn something new every day.

This helps you in a lot of ways:

1. Learning helps you to admit that you don’t know everything.
2. It helps you to humble yourself to another person.
3. It helps your brain to keep active.
4. It introduces you to a new circle of people.

I am currently trying to learn more about Internet marketing. I am hoping to learn Spanish real soon. And I am trying to finish my master’s thesis. I always try to understand different forms of music and different political perspectives.

Here’s to your learning…

Quote of the Day
One ought to hold onto one's heart; for if one lets go, one soon loses control of the head too. --Nietzsche

Cleaning the house…

It has surprised me how hard it is to keep my house clean. Clutter and dirt seem to accumulate everywhere no matter what I do. I have to work several hours a month just to keep the clutter from piling up.

I think it may be true also that clutter seems to pile up in my personality. There are things that I need to do to keep the anger and emotional baggage out of my life. And I think it takes several hours a month to do this. If you are like me you may be ignoring these issues and it is time to deal with some of them.

Are there people you are angry with that you need to find a way to deal with? I am currently having trouble with socialists who want to put down our country.

Are there situations you need to resolve?

Is there a project you need to finish or abandon?

Is there an anger that flairs up at times that you need to understand where it comes from?

Do you have unfinished business with your money, past, childhood, religion?

I have got to hurry up and solve these items the yard needs mowing.


Quote of the Day
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. --Mark Twain, [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

The most powerful word

“The most powerful word in the English language is Rolodex.” Harvey McKay

Harvey McKay says that the more people you know and the more people who know you the more business you can do. And he ought to know, he has built several multimillion-dollar companies. So how powerful is your rolodex? Here are some names you need to cultivate for your network…

1. Family…. Immediate family, extended family and those friends who are as close as family.

2. Friends… people you simply like to hang around…

3. Business people… people you do business with and who can send you business.

4. Suppliers… business people like printers, graphic artists, etc. but don’t forget those service people for your home, plumbers, repair people, etc.

5. Millionaires… Yes this is crazy but make sure you know the names and addresses of people who are more accomplished than you. You become like the people you hang around so hang around people who are worth more and are more accomplished than you. I myself am looking for serious Christians who are worth $5 million.

Charlie Tremendous Jones said it best… “You will be different a year from today by the books that you read and the people you know.”

Quote of the Day
The easiest kind of relationship for me is with ten thousand people. The hardest is with one. - Joan Baez

Dream a little higher

Time to Dream High…

Listening to a CD of a speaker recently he said he needed $236,000 to remodel his kitchen. Instead of taking the money out of his net worth, he decided to create a product he could sell in 24 hours and earn $236,000.

Yes, this man did create product and sold $236,000 dollars worth in 24 hours. He of course is very creative and has a lot of things in place that will allow him to do that, but the thing that is impressive to me is that he actually thought about earning $236,000 in 24 hours. Few people I know can even entertain the thought.

I have heard Ted Turner say he tries to earn one billion dollars in the first 30 days of each year. Whether you can do it or not, it liberates the mind… it expands the mind and it expands the spirit just to think about doing it.

Perhaps it is time for you and I to dream a little higher…

Quote of the Day
Each man has his own vocation; his talent is his call. There is onedirection in which all space is open to him. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Only 3 types of people

Joke…. Paul Harvey told this one today…

“There are only 3 types of people in this world…people who can count… and those who can’t."
Make sure you laugh today…

Quote of the Day
The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change nothing. -Lady Nancy Astor

The best runners in the world

Roger Bannister….

Roger Bannister was on of the best runners in the world. He knew, like all the medical experts in the world, that a human could not run a mile in less than 4 minutes. He and a dozen of other top runners tried but didn’t break the 4-minute mile.

But on May 6th 1954 Roger ran very well. His coaches, sensing the break may occur, held up a time sign telling Roger that he was on pace for running his standard mile when in reality he was on pace to break the 4 minute barrier.

Not knowing he couldn’t do it, Roger ran a mile in 3:59.4. He and his whole team celebrated a world record, because his mind could not get in his way.

What barriers do you know cannot be broken, but they possibly could be broken if your mind could get out of the way?

Double your income?Pay off your bills?Sing at a Jazz Club?Retire early?

Quote of the Day
"I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me." -Anna Quindlen

The bravest of us all

“Do not disregard the individuals, for they are the bravest of us all.” – Devon de Lena

Did you love the western TV shows with the lone maverick leading the charge for justice? Do you love the James Bond or Mission Impossible movies of the lone crusader at his or her best?

In business however we never like people who are too different. We say, “March to the beat of a different drummer,” but we really mean not too different. What can we learn from those who are out of the main stream?

1. We can admire their passion and try to generate some of that passion for our projects.
   
2. We can put them in charge of projects they can do by themselves and show off their talent by completing the job on time.
   
3. The maverick usually looks at things differently; we can tap into this creative perspective so we can learn more about our work, customers, procedures etc.
   
4. Mavericks can often fail, so we can learn how not to do something.
   
5. Mavericks are often not afraid to fail and will try an unorthodox approach to a problem that no one else will do. Let them take the chance of failure with a new idea. To be fair, if it works you need to let them take the credit as well.
   

Mavericks can be hard to manage, but they can be assets to the organization…

Quote of the Day
"When we are writing, painting or composing, we are, during the time of creativity, freed from normal restrictions, and are opened to a wider world, where colors are brighter, sounds clearer and people more wondrously complex than we normally realize." - Madeleine L'Engle

Beliefs guide our lives

“You can have anything you want if you will give up the belief that you can’t have it.” –Robert Anthony

I truly believe that we all carry around in our heads beliefs that stop us from moving forward. If we can get past these beliefs we can achieve far more.

Instead of holding a belief that a person should “pay their bills” (which will lead to people making payments all their lives), why not hold the belief that, “I pay off my bills” which will lead to the elimination of bills?

Instead of holding a belief of “owning a car” why not hold a belief that “I own my dream car debt free”? This belief is harder to achieve and may take you a little while to achieve but it is a better place to aim.

Instead of knowing that recruiting is hard and close to impossible, why not carry the belief that “there are many good people out there and we only need to find a few of them.” This will make recruiting much easier.

Beliefs guide our lives… Let’s believe and dream higher…

Quote of the Day
"Technique alone is never enough. You have to have passion. Technique alone is just an embroidered pot holder." - Raymond Chandler

How much we can accomplish....

“I think it is interesting how much we can accomplish before we find out we can’t do something.” Leslie Groves

Cliff Young showed up to run in a 600-mile race in Australia. In overalls and rubber galosh boots this 50-year-old man got in line with 19-year-old taunt body kids. He looked like a simpleton in the wrong line. The kids had studied with professional trainers, nutritionists and scientists who knew that a body needed to run 18 hours and sleep 6 hours. Cliff Young did not know this. Shuffling his feet Cliff ran while others slept. He won the race and beat all other competitors by a day and a half. He did not know the scientific facts all others knew. And he broke all the records and all the knowledge known to that point.

What facts have you locked into that are completely wrong?

The next year and every year since the young competitors have beat the record of Cliff Young.

Forwarding this blog to someone you know is always appreciated.

Quote of the Day
"How comes it...that no man living is content with the lot that either his choice has given him, or chance has thrown in his way, but each has praise for those who follow other paths?" - Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus 65-8 B.C.

Dreams do come true

Jim Carrey…

While living in a 2-bedroom apartment with no money, Jim Carrey dreamed of the day he would earn millions of dollars as a comedian. He went so far as to write himself a $10,000,000 check. This became his goal or dream. After 4 years of hard hard work he received his first check for $10,000,000. He has gone on to cash many such checks.

This sounds like an easy success story. But most people will overlook some very obvious steps that Jim and all dreamers follow…

1. Have a definite dream.
2. Make sure the dream is measurable.
3. Make sure the dream you are following is what you were meant to do.
4. Work like a dog. 10 – 12 hours a day is normal.
5. Use the talent God has given you…

Writing a fake check does not make you a millionaire, but dreams do come true. It is finding the mechanism that will work for you that is the trick.


Quote of the Day
"The secret of creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." - Albert Einstein

Homeboy Industries….

Father Gregory Boyle is a priest in downtown LA. He has a slogan that says, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” He has organized former gang members into owning and running inner city businesses…

Tattoo removal
Screen-printing
tee shirts
Job training
Counseling
A bakery
A café

And he is making a difference. These young men are working, staying off drugs, building up equity in their businesses and staying out of prison.

In our country we have the ability to produce answers for the problems we face.


Quote of the Day
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

See it was possible

Her grandfather was a slave. Owned by another person. This week she moved into a quarter of a million dollar 5 bedroom, 2 ½ bath with a 2 car garage brick home. She stood with tears in her eyes as she thanked me for helping her dream and accomplish this dream. “It was a dream I never thought was possible! You helped me see it was possible.”

Can you imagine moving from slavery to a quarter of a million dollar home in 2 generations? Dreams do come true.

1. Get a dream book.
2. Get a picture of your dream.
3. Write down a plan of action to accomplish that dream
4. Write down 3 affirmations for your dreams… I am… I see… I feel…
   

You will be amazed at what can happen.

Quote of the Day
"Life hasn't always smiled on me, but I have always smiled on life." - Raoul Dufy

Would you know a diamond

“You wouldn’t know a diamond if you held it in your hand…” -- Steely Dan

Would you know a diamond if you held it in your hand? The better way to ask this question is ‘would you know a great idea if it were presented to you?’

I believe all of us have a million-dollar invention or book or business idea in our heads or presented to us at least once in our lives but we often miss it. Some of us have hundreds of million-dollar ideas presented to us in our lifetimes.

Is there a way to practice seeing diamonds?

Is there a diamond you are overlooking right now?

Quote of the Day
Money never starts an idea. It is always the idea that starts the money. -- Owen Laughlin

Lost from inaction

“ More money has been lost from inaction than from wrong action.”

This is so true. You can recover from bad action, but those who do nothing take the biggest risk…

What is the project you have always wanted to do? Why not try to get it done this month?

What is the long-range plan you need to work on? Can be it done this year?

Is there someone you need to love more?

The world is waiting….

Quote of the Day
"Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen

Try teaching it to someone else !

“When one teaches… two learn.” Robert Half

It has been said for a long time, if you want to learn something thoroughly try teaching it to someone else. I have found this to be so true. Every time I teach I learn far more than any of my students.

This happens for several reasons…

1. You must learn the subject from beginning to end from history to future possibilities.
2. You must put complex ideas into simple language for others to learn.
3. You must organize your subject.
4. You must repeat the material several times…

Find something you want to learn and try teaching it to a novice. If you have a loving spouse they may be willing to listen to you teach your new subject. Believe me I have a very loving wife.


Quote of the Day
What I like in a good author isn't what he says, but what he whispers. - Logan Pearsall Smith

My mother broke her leg….

Recently my mother broke her leg walking out from work. The sun was in her eyes and she miscalculated how many steps there were. At 63 she is recovering slowly but she is expected to make a full recovery.

Upon reflection my mother said, “If I am going to break my leg I would rather do it while learning to ride a horse than by falling down some steps.”

I don’t know how practical this thinking is but it makes a great point. If something is going to happen to you it might as well happen to you while you are doing something you enjoy or doing something exciting or going after a great dreams.

This reminds me of a couple of quotes…

“I’d rather burn out than rust out.”

Or my buddy Rich Wilkins says, “I have concluded that no matter what you do, people are going to talk about you. If you do good they are going to talk about you. If you do bad they are going to talk about you. I’ve concluded that if they are going to talk about me, they are going to talk about me doing good.”

Keep dreaming my friends… it is what keeps us alive.

Quote of the Day
"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few." --- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Pay a professional?

Robert Schuller has always said, “I never do anything I can hire a professional to do.” I admire this philosophy and it makes sense on some level. But I have found it impossible to pay for professional services every time I do something. This is especially true if you are young or starting a business. Here is the rule I use.

If you have the ability to earn more money per hour than you are paying someone else, then hire professional services. If you can do the work and save $35 - $50 an hour, then do the work yourself.

What is the rule you use?

Quote of the Day
"Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice; journalism what will be read once." - Cyril Connolly

Keeping in touch with friends

Are you like me and have friends in a lot of different areas of life? I have friends at work, church, networking clubs, Toastmasters, National Speakers Association and many other places. I have found it hard to keep in touch with everyone and I know I will lose friends if I don’t keep in touch with them. So I do two things. I send out this email every week and I also have professional singer songwriters from Nashville come up and do house concerts at my house. I invite all my friends and charge just enough to pay the singer. It is an easy way to stay in touch with everyone from different parts of life.

Friends are hard to find… Create a way to stay in touch… Here are some ideas…

1. Backyard barbeque
2. Send Christmas cards
3. Derby Party
4. Formal dinners
5. Newsletters
6. Emails
7. Post cards


Quote of the Day
"It is only through hard work that I can give an impression of ease and simplicity." --- Henri Matisse

Do you have a marketing Plan?

Whether you are in sales or management or just working in your church you need a marketing plan to sell yourself and your ideas to other people. Here is a very simple plan that works…

1. Get a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of 1,000 people. a. These can be suspects if you are a sales person or a list of movers and shakers in your company, church or city. b. You can get lists from directories or the library.

2. Select a list of 100 that you will contact. a. This list can be of people you know or people you have a connection with.

3. Call all these people with a 3-call system…

4. 1st call… just introduce yourself

5. 2nd call…let them know you haven’t forgot them.

6. 3rd call… present your prospect or idea for them to buy

7. Now make sure you contact them by phone, post card or email 6 times a year.

This way you are systematically keeping in touch with people. When people are ready to buy they will have your name and phone number.
Marketing can be simple but most of all it must be done!

Quote of the Day
"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after." --- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Only those who dare to fail

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” -– Robert Kennedy

When is the last time you failed? I do not believe you should ever go out and try to fail. But I do believe that if you are not failing some then you are not reaching enough. A certain amount of failure will certainly show that you are reaching for your potential. If you are succeeding all the time then perhaps it is time to stretch just a little more. You might be surprised that you can achieve more than you are currently doing. You might be surprised by how much you can grow by trying new things.

Quote of the Day
"Do you want to be the statue or the bird?" -- Frances Weaver

Fulfillment for talented people

Here is a prediction that I have been making for years, in my seminars…

“The companies of the future will be places of personal fulfillment for talented people who can contribute to the good of the organization. These companies will be led by strong leaders with vision and a commitment to practical actions.” -- Conway Stone

What I mean by this is simple… Talented people will never join a large company with the intention of making a career and being there for 30 years. Talented people will be looking for companies where they can make a contribution, where they can make a difference and where they can advance and grow. They will be looking for companies that will make them better and as soon as they get all they can out of the company they will be moving on.

Your future company must be a place of self-fulfillment for talented people. It must be exciting, challenging and make a difference. And people must be able to grow. And you must expect them to leave when they have reached their potential with your firm.

Get ready! It’s already here…


Forwarding this newsletter to someone you know is always appreciated.


Quote of the Day
It's kind of fun to do the impossible. --- Walt Disney

The best way into the future

"The Indian scout was sent ahead to view the horizon. We need more horizon leaders looking for the best way into the future.” -- Conway Stone

It is hard to be a leader. People like to laugh at you. They criticize everything you do and don’t do. Often you will have a vision or an idea that is ahead of where people are and they have trouble following you. People say, “It’s Ok to march to the beat of a different drummer.” What they really mean is “as long as it is not too different.”

Yet the world needs horizon leaders. People willing to look over the horizon and help us move forward. We need people who can organize people and projects, who can raise money and start businesses. We need horizon leaders. And there are great rewards. You can look back and see what you have done. You can help people grow. You can make a difference.

Quote of the day
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." --- Mark Twain, [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

Make your choices well

“Choice and death are two side of the same coin. Each choice we choose involves the death of a thousand of other opportunities. Therefore, choose carefully and let the other options die.” -- Conway Stone

When you choose to do one thing you are by definition choosing not to do 16 other things. You cannot sleep late and attend a 6:00 am meeting at the same time. One of those choices must die. If you choose one job then the option to choose another job dies. Choice and death are two sides of the same coin.

Make your choices well. They create your future.


Quote of the Day
We know what we are, but know not what we may be. --Shakespeare

Looking at his library

“You can tell a lot about a man by looking at his library. You can tell even more about the man who has no library.” -- Conway Stone

There is no substitute for reading. Reading…
1. Expands the mind with new ideas
2. Makes you more creative
3. Increases your vocabulary
4. Makes you more eloquent
5. Helps you to picture and visualize things.

Here are some tips:
1. Find a book with short chapters. I am currently reading a “Bible for Busy People.” It has the Old and New Testaments and a devotion and question all on 2 small pages. I can read that much.
2. Find a place to read at least 10 minutes a day. The bathroom works, so does the exercise bike.
3. Find things you enjoy reading – novels or magazines work.
4. You can cheat and use audio books. This is fine but not as good as reading.

Quote of the Day
Men of reason have endured; men of passion have lived. --French Philosophy

Bigger than ourselves

“Plant tress under which you will never sit.” -- Conway Stone

One of the deepest desires in people is to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. That is why team sports, music groups and even church are so important. We are part of something we cannot do by ourselves. In estate planning there is a big desire for people to leave their money so they can have an impact beyond their years. So tap into that desire now while you are still young. Plant trees under which you will never sit. Teach a child who will live longer than you. Coach a team of young children who will carry your values long after you are gone. Give money to an endowment that will send kids to college for the next 100 years. Did you know $25.00 a month for 30 years if it grows at 6% will equal $25,000? This you can do.

Quote of the Day
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, "What's in it for me?" -- Brian Tracy

Contemplation without action

“Contemplation without action is to be unjust to yourself.” – Conway Stone

Often we think about a dream or business or project we want to do. It is easy to spend all of our time thinking and studying on the idea. This type of contemplation is good to a point, but at sometime we must act.

The philosopher once said there is great genius in starting.

So write out the first 3 steps you must do to begin your dream. (The first step is to get a piece of paper so you can write down the next two steps.) This beginning with just a small step will get you moving. Once moving you can accomplish and one accomplishment will lead to another.



Forwarding the URL for this blog is always appreciated.


Quote of the Day
He who would learn to fly must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. -neitzsche

Choosing Well

“Success is achieved by choosing well.” -- Conway Stone

I am not the first person to say this. The little everyday choices we make either lead us to or take us away from our goals and success. We must make good choices in order to succeed. You no doubt have people in your family that have made bad choices and have lived difficult lives because of them. Here is a quote from a famous speaker…

“Ask yourself this question the next time you have to do something ‘How would the person I would like to be do what I am about to do? How would the person I would like to be answer this phone call?’” --Jim Cathart


Sharing this blog with someone else is always appreciated

Quote of the Day
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement. Hsun-tzu

Like a country at civil war......

“If you desire one thing and expect another, you become like a country at civil war – two sides warring with no one winning.” -- Conway Stone


When we set a goal but in our heart of hearts we do not expect to achieve it, we are creating conflict within ourselves. This happens all the time and it stops us from moving forward. If you can align your goals and your expectations you will become a person not at civil war but with integrity. This will make you very hard to beat.


It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. -- Sir Edmund Hillary

It is our expectation that drives

Here is a quote for you on success…

“He who expects much receives much.
He who expects little receives little…
He who expects nothing is seldom disappointed”

It is our expectation that drives much of what we receive in this world. If you expect to fail it is much easier to fail. If you expect to succeed it is much easier to succeed. Expectation is something we can change easily. With your next project start thinking positively. Start expecting success. It will help.


Quote of the Day
Be courageous! Have faith! Go Forward! --- Thomas A. Edison

Disagreement with their times.

"Every Dreamer works in violent disagreement with their times.” -- Conway Stone

I think this is true. Galileo, Henry Ford, the inventor of the steamboat, the inventor of the computer chips were all laughed at when they started. Yet they held true to their convictions and did the work they were sent here to do.

“It takes great courage to faithfully follow what we know is true.” – Sara Anderson

Quote of the Day
You must act as if it is impossible to fail. - Ashanti Proberb

Keep the dream alive…

“We must nurture our dreams like we would a child. They are God-given and just as precious. Without ambition how would a child learn to ride a bicycle, play an instrument or whistle? We deny the spirit of God when we as adults settle for less than our dreams!” -- Conway Stone


I have a friend who says, “We don’t get what we expect, we get what we settle for.”


Keep the dream alive…


Quote of the Day
Most dreams of glory are safe because we never venture to put them into practice. -- Charles Curothey

What is your dream?

Here is quote I wrote about dreams…

“They may kill the dreamers, like they did Kennedy, King, Ghandi and Lincoln. But I am convinced that as long as you and I follow our God-given dreams, they will never kill the dream.” -- Conway Stone

What is your dream?

Keep it alive.

It is very important.

Quote of the Day:
Tomorrow belongs to those who have vision today. -- unknown

People of vision and courage

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.” Anonymous

I have always admired leaders who have a vision of where they want a group to go and who build a team of people who can make the vision a reality. Often the leader is scoffed at in the early stages. Often the original team will abandon the leader during the process, but a leader has to stay the course.

The world is crying for leaders. We need people of vision and courage. Please join the ranks, lead a project at work. Volunteer with boy scouts or somewhere and practice your leadership skills. The world needs people who can get things done.

Quote of the Day
The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. ---Vincent T. Lombardi

What you can change…

A great psychologist, Martin Seligman who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, has written a book entitled, “What you can change… and what you can’t”. I don’t know if I agree with him but here is his list found on page 5 of the book. Do you agree?
What you can change…

1. Panic can be unlearned.

2. Moods that cause your physical health problems can be controlled.

3. Depression can be cured by changes in conscious thinking and helped by medication, but cannot be cured by insight into childhood.

4. Some sexual dysfunctions i.e. frigidity, impotence can be unlearned.

5. Optimism is a learned skill. Once learned it can increase achievement at work and improves your health.

Here are some things Dr. Seligman believes cannot be changed…

1. Dieting almost never works.

2. Alcoholism cannot be changed easily.

3. Homosexuality does not become heterosexual.

4. Reliving childhood trauma does not undo adult personality problems.

I’m not sure I agree with Dr. Seligman on everything here, but he is a researched psychologist and his opinions should be respected. What do you think? What can be changed and what cannot?

By the way, Dr. Seligman has a book entitled “Learned Optimism” that is worth reading.

Quote of the Day
The art of life lies in the constant readjustment to our urroundings. -- Kakuzo Okakiwa

Exercise…

Oh you hate to see this one coming… But there is no way around it. If you are going to be healthy you must get your body moving. Some people will claim you can simply walk in the evening and that will be enough. I would disagree. To lose weight you must increase your muscles and the only way to do that is to move some weight around. I have recently joined a gym and have been every day for 3 months. (Check with me and see the next time we meet and see if I am still going.) Here are some tips for getting back to exercise.

1. Start slowly. Start by walking 10 minutes. Then increase every 2 weeks until you are doing 30 to 40 minutes.

2. Find a time you can do it. I have 2 friends who meet every morning at 6:00. I have found that I can go to the gym in the late afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00. Make sure you have a time that will work for you.

3. Find something you enjoy. I would prefer softball or volleyball. But the gym I have started attending has nice carpet, soft music, new equipment and personal TV’s on every bicycle and treadmill. It is a fun easy place to go.

Remember, something is better than nothing and more is better than less in this case.

Quote of the Day
Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success. -- Rob Gilbert

How to work a room…

Networking is one of the best ways of marketing your business these days. With all the con artists these days people would just rather work with someone they know. When you walk into a networking event like a chamber event or small business luncheon or Convention and Visitors Bureau most of the time you will know very few people, but you have spent a lot of time getting there and paying for the event… so what do you do? Here are some tips…

1. Make sure you have plenty of business cards… Nothing says unprofessional as, “Well I just ran out of cards…”

2. Make sure you have a line about what you do in one or two sentences. When you are asked what do you do and you ramble for 6 minutes, no one will talk to you again. They again think you are unprofessional. Be ready to state what you do in 2 sentences… “I am a professional speaker. I speak at banquets, seminars and conventions.” See how quick and easy that was. Or you can say, “I work with individuals and small businesses who want to grow and make changes.”

3. Make sure you dress simple, neat and clean. The professional look is very important. And always dress for the job you want not the job you have.

4. Scout for a friend. If you live in a small city or have been to networking events before chances are you know someone in the room. Just walk up and stand next to your friend. Eventually they will turn to you and introduce you to the person they are talking to.

5. Look for the host of the event. At every networking event there is a sponsor. A CPA firm or Law firm. They are easy to spot because they have their name on a big sign somewhere. Simply go up and thank them for hosting the event. This is simple courtesy and will get you introduced to a couple of new people.

6. Usually there is a loud, young and good-looking person who just started in sales. You can spot them walking up to everyone and passing out lot of business cards. It is real easy to say to that person, hey I’m collecting business cards. They will be glad to talk to you.

7. Look for wallflowers. If you look around the room, you will see several people standing along the edge of the room. They are a little shy about meeting people, but they paid a lot of money and time to be at the event. Walk up to them and extend your hand and say hi. They will respond. This also works well with any minorities in the room.


Quote of the Day
The greatest discovery is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind. -- William James.

4 Types of Prospects

My friend Marc LeBlanc describes 4 types of prospects

The Achiever: This is the person who is focuses on what will happen once they buy your product or service. They are looking for a partner, a team player and a resource. If you can provide this you will have a lifetime client.

The Thinker: is someone thinking about buying your product. The best thing you can do is offer them information. Don’t try to sell. They cannot buy until they do their due diligence.

The Doer: This is someone who has made up his or her mind and is ready to buy your product or service. What these people need here is the process. Tell them how they can buy, what a reasonable order is and what will happen once they say yes.

The Struggler: is someone who is momentarily struggling with buying your product. They will say, What is the price? What kind of deal can I get? Give them information that will ease their pain. Make sure they know what will happen after the sale. But most of all do not get caught up in their struggle. It is easy to become like them.


Quote of the Day
"Truth is the most valuable thing we have." -- Mark Twain

How is your marketing? PT II

Here is a 2nd part of a list of current marketing techniques that many companies are using today. How many of them is your company using? Which one can you start using today?

1. Publicity: -- If you don’t want to pay for advertising you can get a lot of free advertising by creating publicity. To get publicity you have to do something news worthy like open a business. Or you can write articles that will get your name in the right places.
   
2. Advocate: -- Find 25 people who love you and what you do. Send them a sample of your product: a post card, your latest brochure or even flowers. Make sure they know what you are doing and how they can sell you.
   
3. Database:-- Get a list of your best clients, prospects, network friends and family and keep in touch with them 6 times a year. When they are ready to buy they will remember you.
   
4. E-zine: -- Collect 1,000 email address and write something of value that you can send to them once a week. This will provide something of value and keep your name in front of a lot of people.
   
5. Website: -- Make sure you have a great website and make sure it has stuff of value that people will want to come to.
   
6. Mag-a-logue:-- This is a magazine you write that has many articles about your business and industry that people will want to read. Then instead of selling advertising space, you advertise your own products and services. This will only cost you time and the cost of printing.
   
7. Blog:This is the electronic web version of a journal. You can publish articles for the people you want to reach. I have a blog and you can read it online at: http://thedreamersedge.blogspot.com/

Conway


Forwarding this newsletter to someone you know is always appreciated.


Quote of the Day
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Gandhi

How is your marketing?

Here is a list of current marketing tips that many people are using today. How many of them is your company using? Which one can you start using today?

1. Direct Mail -- Mail 1,000 pieces of mail a month for 12 months. This will get your name to 12,000 people in the next year.
2. Telemarketing -- Using the 3-call system get a list of 1,000 suspects, call 100 per week.
3. Networking -- Attend one event a week. Start with your chamber and then visitor bureau.
4. Trade Show -- Display your product or service at 6 trade shows a year.
5. Free Service -- Donate your services to a non-profit or even a company to show what you can do.
6. Puppy Dog Close -- If you have a product that you can loan to someone for 3 days and let them fall in love with it, most of the time they will buy your product.
7. Advertising -- Billboards, magazine add, even classified ads can get your name to many potential clients.

Conway

Quote of the Day
"Be courageous! Have faith! Go Forward!" -- Thomas A. Edison

Which came first thinking or acting…

There is a big debate among psychologists as to how people change… Do you change your mind and then change your action or do you change your actions that will eventually change your thinking?

My research says that it is easier to change your thinking and belief systems which will then change your actions. Yet, I want to say to you that we need to work on both!

Work on changing your belief about something… while at the same time work on changing your actions. By doing both you can make changes faster and avoid the endless debate that engages the intellectuals.

Conway


Quote of the Day
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."
-- Sir Edmund Hillary

What brings happiness?

Happiness...

A psychology professor, in college, told me that people are basically seeking happiness. So the question is what brings happiness? Here is a list based on some of the best research. Maybe you would like to add to the list:

1. Loving and being loved
2. Family
3. Friendship
4. Meaningful work or hobby
5. Cash flow
6. Freedom to travel and eat out when you wish
7. Reflection on a good life

The pursuit of money alone will not bring happiness. It does help us to do the things we want to do, but love, family, friends, laughter are what bring happiness. I think Zig Ziglar said it best, "I like what money can buy, I love what money cannot buy. Money can buy you a house, but it cannot buy you a home. Money can buy you a bed, but it cannot buy you a night's rest. Money can buy you a partner, but it cannot buy you love."

Quote of the Day
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. -- Martin Luther King Jr.

I am only one

Here is a great poem by Edward Everett Hale that inspires me...

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do.

I applaud people who do things. I believe there are too many people sitting on the sideline complaining and putting down the work of others. These people often put down anything that anyone else does. In fact I believe there is a bias against action.

So if you are one of those people who is doing something. Keep working... Do all you can NOW! My hat is off to you. If you hear people putting you down and laughing at your mistakes, just know that you are not alone and you're doing something right if people are talking about you. Here is a phrase for you to use when someone is laughing at you...

"A mistake at least proves someone stop talking long enough to do something."
Conway

Quote of the Day
Opportunities are seldom labeled. We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -- Gandhi

Collecting Moments

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
- Cesar Pavese

One of the things you need to collect in your life are moments. It is the meaningful moments that make life worth living.... Can you remember

• The moment you first saw your mate?
• That great sunset you once saw?
• The first time you held your child?
• The first time you held your grandchild?
• The first spiritual connection you had?
• The connection you had with a stranger when...?
• The first time you made love to your love?
• Your first kiss?* When you learned to drive?
• When you bought your first home?
• When you went on that dream vacation?

The Moments of life make it worthwhile... create more moments... collect more moments.

Qote of the Day
Life is built of things we do; the only constructive material is positive action. Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it.
-Samuel Butler

What are you afraid of today?

How many things have you once feared and then once you studied and played with them, your fear went away, i.e. computers, DVD players, traveling to New York, shaking hands with the president?

What are you afraid of today where if you spent a little time with it, the fear would go away?

• Learning a new language.
• Working with an Hispanic workforce.
• Learning a new job.
• Changing jobs
• Living in a world with terrorism.
• Living with globalization

Life is changing... There are many things to fear as we get older.

• Study the fear.
• Face the fear.
• Play a little with the fear...

Often the fear will go away...
Here is an old quote I heard as a child...
"Fear knocked at the door... faith answered... and no one was there."

Quote of the Day
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." -- Marie Curie

A dream of more friends...

A dream of more friends...

In a recent publication of Psychology Today, it was written, "people feel happier with a group of friends than with a spouse or child." I don't know if this is true but I do think it is true that friendship is very vital for happiness. Here are some ways to increase your friendships...

1. Get where people are. The more groups you belong to the better chance you will have to find friends.
2. Carve out time to spend time with friends.
3. Find activities/hobbies that you can do with other friends. Ball games, golf, cards, church, eating out, exercise, serving on committees or boards.
4. Be generally interested in the other people - their work, family, meaningful things.
5. Drop friends that are harmful to you and seek out others.

In order to have more friends be a good friend.


Quote of the Day
Mistakes are stepping stones to success. -- Charles E. Popplestone

The Dream to Lose Weight

Every American I have ever met has had a dream of losing weight. Here are some ideas to help you get to your ideal weight...

1. Set a realistic not an ideal weight to reach.
2. Write an affirmation stating what your ideal weight is. Do not talk about losing weight, no one wants to lose anything. Talk in the positive. "I weight 165 pounds in a firm healthy body." Repeat this affirmation twice a day.
3. Pare down your activities so you can exercise. Exercise 30 minutes every day. Start by walking, then running just a few yards while walking.
4. Find a hobby that requires running. Softball, racquetball, tennis.
5. Find a healthy diet to eat. Weight Watchers, South Beach and Mediterranean diets are some of the better ones. But remember to eat less sugar, less starch and more vegetables, fruits and grains.
6. Exercise portion control. When my wife and I eat out, we've come to realize that most entrees are large enough for 2 people. So, we split entrees most times. We save money and avoid weight gain.
7. Drink water. 8 glasses a day.
8. Take vitamins.
9. Hang around people who eat and exercise regularly.
10. Take the long view. Try to get into shape over a two-year period, not a two-week period.

This plan works. There are other plans that work. Find a plan and make work it.

Quote of the Day
To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it. -- Bunker Hunt