When we were little we would grow bigger year after year, sometimes in spurts but our bodies were always growing. It may often seem like we were not growing at all if looked at moment by moment. That's how I would feel all the time about my personal growth. Like it wasn't happening at all. In reality I was driving myself crazy by trying to evaluate my growth way way too often and too soon. I ended up working like crazy for one full year and then saw a world of change within myself and where I had my business.
The key is to manage our daily agenda without trying to see if we took that big growth spurt. Daily discipline is the simple and harsh reality of success.
1. Make your future bigger than your past!! Ever notice that the front window of your car is bigger than your rear view mirror? It's because the past can help you a little but we must have a clear vision of where we are going to be safe. The past gives you little stepping stones to your desired future. The rest of your life is ahead of you so lets go get it!!! It comes moment by moment. Keep track of these moments in real time. Meaning the moments that you are living now. The past is already written but this next moment is being written as we speak. You are the author of all future moments!
2. Always make your contribution bigger than your reward. As you start to see success you will find so many blessings that you can get caught up in all of the praise, recognition, material possessions, and income. These are all great things but these rewards will never rise above the result of your life's contributions to others. Don't think about your stuff because you will limit it all, rather think about contributing more. Leading, inspiring, giving, loving, and all the rest to benefit others. You must give before you receive. Expect to serve before feeling like you deserve some kind of reward. Ask yourself each day, "who can I help today?". All consistent success is going to come through others. Lasting a big success will never come by yourself.
3. Get results more than applause. The top producers in anything strive to get better. No matter how successful they become they raise the bar to increase their goals and performance. Be more focused on growth than just goals. I love goals, but sometimes they can be too low and slow us down or too high and de-motivate us. Growth is a long consistent process that must be the main goal as we put the measurable things into place to help us along the way. We can not short-cut our own personal growth. We are going to have to go through our growth first before our income grows.
4. Make your gratitude greater than your success. We see the value in things and people through our proactive gratitude. Once we see the value in something we treat that thing with greater respect. People and things are drawn to where they are valued most. The world is attracted to gratitude making more of everything we want. Keep some record of everything you should be grateful for and do this continually.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Chad Schapiro: End Procrastination
Perseverance is the key to all success as gas is to driving your car. There will be times when we feel like we are spinning our wheels going no where but you will always get out of that rut with solid perseverance. Without it you won't be able to even start the car.
The opposite of perseverance is procrastination. Perseverance means you will never quit, you will do what it takes in the face of every adversity. Procrastination usually means that you never get started.
People make all kinds of excuses for their procrastination. "I'm a perfectionist." "If I do anything I do it 100%, all or nothing." "Everything has to be just right before I get started." "If I struggle or am uncomfortable something must not be right." Have you heard or said these things before?
These faults are being turned into things that are supposed to sound good. The perfectionist is trying to act like they are too good to struggle. Too good to grow through uncomfortable times of learning and growing. That they have already "arrived". That even though they will go to the bathroom sometime today and it won't be 100% of the day, that they think it sounds good that that is the only way they can take on a new endeavor. This is all just fancy defense mechanisms set up to make us fee good about our weaknesses, but in the end it's just excuses. The real reason for procrastination is not these feeble attempts but rather a fear of failure. That's what perfectionism really is. What's the difference of being afraid of being less than perfect or afraid of anything else? In each you're still stuck going nowhere. We are still being dominated by a negative vision that holds us back to do nothing. It is an unfortunate and convenient tool we all use.
How do you get around it? How do you turn procrastination into perseverance? It is really very simple and painless. But like all simple things to do they are simple to not do. Lets use these 2 techniques simply and pain free to change your life.
Number 1. Break it down.
People see the task at hand and they know it will not be a quick fix so they freak themselves out thinking about the long road in front of them. It could be anything. Weight loss, painting the house, retirement planning, and of course building their home based business. The key to any of these is to break it down into manageable pieces and then knock them off one at a time. Focus on this present moment and doing the best you can not thinking about the past or what is up in the future.
Suppose I was to ask you to sign up 300 affiliates. That would make most people to afraid to even start. What if instead I told you to sign up one affiliate today? That would seem easier. In less than 1 year you would have personally signed up over 300 affiliates. Seems easier but we may still freak ourselves out because we worry about doing it each day for the next 1 year. What if I told you don't look ahead at all but just do it today, not a week, month, or years, but just today. I would think most people would feel they can accomplish or learn to accomplish that, these people would be the same people that are feel incapable of doing the whole thing in 1 year or less.
If I said the same thing to you tomorrow, don't look back or forward just focus on today. Lets focus on being productive today, do you think you could take steps towards doing it?
One day at a time is the key. Break it down to day by day increments.
The second key is also very short and simple: write it down. We know how important goal setting is and keeping up with your daily goal sheets. If you focus on very short term goals you will conquer procrastination. Just as in really dieting if you right down what you ate each day you will be much more on top of your intake the same works for this key. Write down what you are doing with each 1/2 hour of your time. I know you will be amazed at how much downtime you really have that could be used to help you become more successful than anyone you've ever known. If it is inconvenient to write it down that second wait till later but keep track of it. This does not have to be in any fancy notebook just a running report on a piece of paper or spiral notebook. Keep track of this for at least a week and you will see some areas where you can take more action.
Break it down and write it down. Simple but powerful!!!!
The opposite of perseverance is procrastination. Perseverance means you will never quit, you will do what it takes in the face of every adversity. Procrastination usually means that you never get started.
People make all kinds of excuses for their procrastination. "I'm a perfectionist." "If I do anything I do it 100%, all or nothing." "Everything has to be just right before I get started." "If I struggle or am uncomfortable something must not be right." Have you heard or said these things before?
These faults are being turned into things that are supposed to sound good. The perfectionist is trying to act like they are too good to struggle. Too good to grow through uncomfortable times of learning and growing. That they have already "arrived". That even though they will go to the bathroom sometime today and it won't be 100% of the day, that they think it sounds good that that is the only way they can take on a new endeavor. This is all just fancy defense mechanisms set up to make us fee good about our weaknesses, but in the end it's just excuses. The real reason for procrastination is not these feeble attempts but rather a fear of failure. That's what perfectionism really is. What's the difference of being afraid of being less than perfect or afraid of anything else? In each you're still stuck going nowhere. We are still being dominated by a negative vision that holds us back to do nothing. It is an unfortunate and convenient tool we all use.
How do you get around it? How do you turn procrastination into perseverance? It is really very simple and painless. But like all simple things to do they are simple to not do. Lets use these 2 techniques simply and pain free to change your life.
Number 1. Break it down.
People see the task at hand and they know it will not be a quick fix so they freak themselves out thinking about the long road in front of them. It could be anything. Weight loss, painting the house, retirement planning, and of course building their home based business. The key to any of these is to break it down into manageable pieces and then knock them off one at a time. Focus on this present moment and doing the best you can not thinking about the past or what is up in the future.
Suppose I was to ask you to sign up 300 affiliates. That would make most people to afraid to even start. What if instead I told you to sign up one affiliate today? That would seem easier. In less than 1 year you would have personally signed up over 300 affiliates. Seems easier but we may still freak ourselves out because we worry about doing it each day for the next 1 year. What if I told you don't look ahead at all but just do it today, not a week, month, or years, but just today. I would think most people would feel they can accomplish or learn to accomplish that, these people would be the same people that are feel incapable of doing the whole thing in 1 year or less.
If I said the same thing to you tomorrow, don't look back or forward just focus on today. Lets focus on being productive today, do you think you could take steps towards doing it?
One day at a time is the key. Break it down to day by day increments.
The second key is also very short and simple: write it down. We know how important goal setting is and keeping up with your daily goal sheets. If you focus on very short term goals you will conquer procrastination. Just as in really dieting if you right down what you ate each day you will be much more on top of your intake the same works for this key. Write down what you are doing with each 1/2 hour of your time. I know you will be amazed at how much downtime you really have that could be used to help you become more successful than anyone you've ever known. If it is inconvenient to write it down that second wait till later but keep track of it. This does not have to be in any fancy notebook just a running report on a piece of paper or spiral notebook. Keep track of this for at least a week and you will see some areas where you can take more action.
Break it down and write it down. Simple but powerful!!!!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Chad Schapiro: MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or most times greater benefit. We are in control of our destiny because we are in control of our attitude.
The most important person in your world is you. As it should be. Each moment you have the choice like flipping a coin whether you are going to be positive or negative. For any and every occasion you can attract what is beautiful about that moment or repel things that make you happy. Don't blame anyone else for not helping you it is your choice. Simply keep your mind on the things you want rather than the things you don't. This maybe a new habit so don't get down on yourself if you can't do it 100% of the time right away. Take steps forward like any new habit so you will do it most of the time. The key to realize is it really is simple and you can do it.
One of our greatest gifts we have in life is our ability to work. We often look at it in such negativity but the reality is without it we would not be nearly as happy. Serving people is a deep part of our makeup as humans. That is expressed through our work. It doesn't mean you will always feel like you are helping others, in fact you may really help them after you've gotten good enough at the business to make 5k-10k per month or so, but at that moment you will realize that you can give them a world of change. In the meantime while you may not be at that income level you are like the doctor who is in undergrad learning to become someone who can serve people in the future. Who does their best to help out now wherever possible but understands they are only limited by there experience not ambition for making a difference.
When we don't feel like a success don't be surprised. Everyone in every field has felt that, especially when they were new. The reality is we need to develop an inspired dissatisfaction. Where we are motivated to change and grow to move ahead. Keep on working, your answer is in the future of your potential, how soon do you want to get to it?
Set high goals and then work on a burning desire to hit them. Your desire will not come from the reward at the end but in the satisfaction you learn to develop within yourself at becoming a goal seeking machine. Someone who thrives better at seeing a plan, working that plan, and achieving that plan. Anything else is really not in our nature and that's why we become dissatisfied and depressed.
We are put here to make things happen!!
The most important person in your world is you. As it should be. Each moment you have the choice like flipping a coin whether you are going to be positive or negative. For any and every occasion you can attract what is beautiful about that moment or repel things that make you happy. Don't blame anyone else for not helping you it is your choice. Simply keep your mind on the things you want rather than the things you don't. This maybe a new habit so don't get down on yourself if you can't do it 100% of the time right away. Take steps forward like any new habit so you will do it most of the time. The key to realize is it really is simple and you can do it.
One of our greatest gifts we have in life is our ability to work. We often look at it in such negativity but the reality is without it we would not be nearly as happy. Serving people is a deep part of our makeup as humans. That is expressed through our work. It doesn't mean you will always feel like you are helping others, in fact you may really help them after you've gotten good enough at the business to make 5k-10k per month or so, but at that moment you will realize that you can give them a world of change. In the meantime while you may not be at that income level you are like the doctor who is in undergrad learning to become someone who can serve people in the future. Who does their best to help out now wherever possible but understands they are only limited by there experience not ambition for making a difference.
When we don't feel like a success don't be surprised. Everyone in every field has felt that, especially when they were new. The reality is we need to develop an inspired dissatisfaction. Where we are motivated to change and grow to move ahead. Keep on working, your answer is in the future of your potential, how soon do you want to get to it?
Set high goals and then work on a burning desire to hit them. Your desire will not come from the reward at the end but in the satisfaction you learn to develop within yourself at becoming a goal seeking machine. Someone who thrives better at seeing a plan, working that plan, and achieving that plan. Anything else is really not in our nature and that's why we become dissatisfied and depressed.
We are put here to make things happen!!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Bust Through The Comfort Zone
I have found that success in life is very similar to building muscle in the gym. If you are doing what you are comfortable with or can do easily you never will grow. You will never expand to reach your full potential. Growth only occurs in life when you are pushing yourself to something new. This could mean learning a foreign language, learning to play an instrument, conquering your fears or pursuing your life long dream of building a business, writing a play, authoring a book or talking to people that you normally would shy away from.
In order to reach higher levels of growth in our business we cannot expect to keep doing what we are already doing. Growth in life is going to come when you are pushing yourself to lift the weights of life that you can only lift with a spotter. This means that you should not be afraid to team up with others and rely on them in your effort to grow. If you are going to build muscle in the gym you are going to need to do two things: #1 Lift more weight; #2 Have a Spotter.
The answers for success in life are very similar. Sometimes a spotter in life could be your expert you work with. There is absolutely no doubt that they will push you to lift more weight and be there to spot you when you feel that you can't get the weight off your chest. They can see what is easy not to see about ourselves.
In order to reach higher levels of growth in our business we cannot expect to keep doing what we are already doing. Growth in life is going to come when you are pushing yourself to lift the weights of life that you can only lift with a spotter. This means that you should not be afraid to team up with others and rely on them in your effort to grow. If you are going to build muscle in the gym you are going to need to do two things: #1 Lift more weight; #2 Have a Spotter.
The answers for success in life are very similar. Sometimes a spotter in life could be your expert you work with. There is absolutely no doubt that they will push you to lift more weight and be there to spot you when you feel that you can't get the weight off your chest. They can see what is easy not to see about ourselves.
Chad Schapiro: The Key Question You Should Ask
The key question you should ask is "What is the most valuable use of my time, right now?" This is the question that dominates time management. This is the key to overcoming procrastination and becoming a highly productive person. Every hour of every day, there is an answer to this question. Your job is to ask yourself the question, over and over again, and to always be working on the answer to it, whatever it is. Do first things first and second things not at all. As Goethe said, "The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least." The more accurate your answers to this question, the easier it will be for you to set clear priorities, to overcome procrastination and to get started on that one activity that represents the most valuable use of your time.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Enjoyment Is Between The Ears
I have been reminded that enjoyment does not come from any outside situation but rather inside ourselves. One would think that spending time in Disney would be one of the most fun and exciting times in ones week, month, and perhaps year. It has become even more apparent to me that working with others to help them realize truly who they can be and how to reach their full potential is more fun than anything Mickey can provide.
It really is on the inside where all enjoyment starts and ends. Keep that in mind as you do your work. Don't look at it as "work" but rather an expression of yourself giving others the opportunity to change their lives. Look at this moment as you have control, not the outside. You can make this moment feel good, exciting, fullfilled. The same way you control the feeling of this moment you also control the next one and the one after that, and so on....
The key is putting as much happiness together as possible so that we can spread that love to the others around. When we have something in our possession and overflowing then we have ample enough to give to others, and soon realize it never depletes but only expands by giving it away. We sow the seed of hope and love to others and we will allow them to see the vision that much more. When they see the vision and they take action with you you will then reap the rewards. When these rewards come fully into play is not up for you to decide.
You only control this moment and where it rests is between your ears. Of course following this same advice I will enjoy Mickey more than any kid could!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Feel Like A Winner
I believe we would all agree that having a winning feeling is the first thing to achieving outstanding results. A person can't possibly expect to win if they're constantly focusing on failure! The real secret here is to capture that winning feeling of success as often as you can to create the environment necessary to succeed.
If you've been a little down in the dumps, feeling insecure or perhaps not feeling as confident in your ability as you'd like, I have a great tip for you. My suggestion to anyone looking for a success track to run on, or to a person who is looking to get back on one, is to start capitalizing on short-term victories. That means specifically focus on tasks you can achieve daily. The principle is to start with an adversity over which you can succeed, and gradually take on more and more difficult tasks. Nothing succeeds like success.
Another technique used by many people in developing or maintaining a winning feeling is what we call the reflection method. Think back during a time where you were really successful at something... we all have times to which we can relate. It could have been a sale, learning something tough in the past, a contest, or anything. Each one of us can reflect back on a moment in time to recapture that winning feeling.
Professional sports coaches often replay winning games of the past for their team prior to a big game to stimulate and create a winning feeling!
If you've been a little down in the dumps, feeling insecure or perhaps not feeling as confident in your ability as you'd like, I have a great tip for you. My suggestion to anyone looking for a success track to run on, or to a person who is looking to get back on one, is to start capitalizing on short-term victories. That means specifically focus on tasks you can achieve daily. The principle is to start with an adversity over which you can succeed, and gradually take on more and more difficult tasks. Nothing succeeds like success.
Another technique used by many people in developing or maintaining a winning feeling is what we call the reflection method. Think back during a time where you were really successful at something... we all have times to which we can relate. It could have been a sale, learning something tough in the past, a contest, or anything. Each one of us can reflect back on a moment in time to recapture that winning feeling.
Professional sports coaches often replay winning games of the past for their team prior to a big game to stimulate and create a winning feeling!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Earn While You Learn
1) SALES-I began my journey with sales, which of course dynamically changed my life back at age 18 trying to get people to invest in the stock market. The first year I didn't make any real money but learned about rejection. Prior to that I was a delivering pizza, bagging groceries, doing small jobs prior. I knew how to do those things, but it didn't pay well. But sales altered the course of my life, learning to present a valid product in the marketplace, talk about its benefits and get somebody to say "yes." Learning that it was ok to go though thousands of "no's" until someone said "YES". And then give them good service.
2) RECRUITING-Then came recruiting, how to expand my business, build an organization. We have all heard the question, is it better to have one person selling a $1000 or have 100 people selling $10? If you ask me, I'll take the 100 at $10. Recruiting, the ability to multiply your efforts, once mastered, is one of life and leadership's greatest time management resources. I then knew that my success had nothing to do with how many sales I could make. But came in leading and recruiting others.
3) ORGANIZING-Then I learned organizing. Keeping your own schedule can be difficult at times, but now you are having to balance multiple tasks and people to get maximum results. But you will find that the payoff is massive once you have learned to maximize each moment. Many of the skills necessary to make incredible income but the don't have enough time actually using those skills. Organizing their business and life allow more time in the important areas.
4) PROMOTION-Next is promotion. First it's this Tuesday, then it's Thursday, then it's the end of the month, the cruise promotion, etc.....You never know when it's going to click for someone to want or need to be a part of what you are doing, so having the offer or the special or the contest going when they're ready can make all the difference.
5) RECOGNITION-Then it's the recognition. Some people work harder for recognition than they do for money. It's the chance to belong. Getting people to do something that ordinarily on their own, they wouldn't think of doing. They could, but they don't think of it. You come along with a little promotion for this month or this quarter and everything changes for them, and I found that paid big money. It made them feel like the little successes mattered more than they would have without my encouragement.
6) COMMUNICATION-Then I learned communication. How to do the training, how to do the teaching, and probably the greatest gift of all is learning how to inspire with words. Inspire people to see themselves better than they are; all of those gifts, all of those skills. Being the voice that tells them they have made a wise decision and here's why. That they can become all they ever dreamed of and more!!! AND SO CAN YOU!
2) RECRUITING-Then came recruiting, how to expand my business, build an organization. We have all heard the question, is it better to have one person selling a $1000 or have 100 people selling $10? If you ask me, I'll take the 100 at $10. Recruiting, the ability to multiply your efforts, once mastered, is one of life and leadership's greatest time management resources. I then knew that my success had nothing to do with how many sales I could make. But came in leading and recruiting others.
3) ORGANIZING-Then I learned organizing. Keeping your own schedule can be difficult at times, but now you are having to balance multiple tasks and people to get maximum results. But you will find that the payoff is massive once you have learned to maximize each moment. Many of the skills necessary to make incredible income but the don't have enough time actually using those skills. Organizing their business and life allow more time in the important areas.
4) PROMOTION-Next is promotion. First it's this Tuesday, then it's Thursday, then it's the end of the month, the cruise promotion, etc.....You never know when it's going to click for someone to want or need to be a part of what you are doing, so having the offer or the special or the contest going when they're ready can make all the difference.
5) RECOGNITION-Then it's the recognition. Some people work harder for recognition than they do for money. It's the chance to belong. Getting people to do something that ordinarily on their own, they wouldn't think of doing. They could, but they don't think of it. You come along with a little promotion for this month or this quarter and everything changes for them, and I found that paid big money. It made them feel like the little successes mattered more than they would have without my encouragement.
6) COMMUNICATION-Then I learned communication. How to do the training, how to do the teaching, and probably the greatest gift of all is learning how to inspire with words. Inspire people to see themselves better than they are; all of those gifts, all of those skills. Being the voice that tells them they have made a wise decision and here's why. That they can become all they ever dreamed of and more!!! AND SO CAN YOU!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Allow Setbacks To Motivate You
Many times, we look at high achievers and assume they had a string of lucky breaks or made it without much effort. Usually, the opposite is true, and the so-called superstar had an incredibly rough time before he or she attained any lasting success.
The feelings of doubt, worry, lack, or any other negative helps create and maintain the problem. It may motivate you more toward your own goals to know that some of the most famous and well-known people in modern times had to overcome as difficult obstacles as anyone before they finally reached the top. It takes persistence and total commitment to your goals, but it's possible! In fact to not do it would be a disservice to who you really are!
The feelings of doubt, worry, lack, or any other negative helps create and maintain the problem. It may motivate you more toward your own goals to know that some of the most famous and well-known people in modern times had to overcome as difficult obstacles as anyone before they finally reached the top. It takes persistence and total commitment to your goals, but it's possible! In fact to not do it would be a disservice to who you really are!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Chad Schapiro: How To Make It Happen
When we first put OurGV together it was not by accident. We followed a proven system that has been around for years and still follow that system to this day. We first laid down goals that we wanted to accomplish with the business. Then we laid out the plan to make those come about. We studied the plans of other successful businesses and kept to their successes and learned from their mistakes. We knew there would and will be problems as we go forward and look forward to overcoming them all. The most powerful time was the beginning, taking the first step!
No matter who we are I truly believe you can make it happen as long as you're willing to follow these steps:
1. Promise (Your Goal). What do you truly want? Commit to it. Not some wishy washy sometimes up sometimes down kind of commitment. But really claim it as yours and do what needs to be done, both the easy stuff and the difficult, to get it done. Get detailed on it, surround yourself with it, and start moving towards this mighty goal.
2. Plan (as detailed as possible). Are you following the plan? The plans that are laid out to help you are not meant to turn you away in fear but rather to lead you to where you are going. Choosing to not follow it will leave you with your past results, and failure by your own mistakes instead of learning from the mistakes of others.
3. Problem. There will be problems every step of the way. These will have to be overcome! It is not a question of whether or not there will be problems. When they come go kick their butts and rise above them. Look out for the next one and go beat that one too!
4. Power in the first step. The hardest time to beat any problem will be the first move to action. You can do it. Once you start moving forward you will find it easier. Take that step!
No matter who we are I truly believe you can make it happen as long as you're willing to follow these steps:
1. Promise (Your Goal). What do you truly want? Commit to it. Not some wishy washy sometimes up sometimes down kind of commitment. But really claim it as yours and do what needs to be done, both the easy stuff and the difficult, to get it done. Get detailed on it, surround yourself with it, and start moving towards this mighty goal.
2. Plan (as detailed as possible). Are you following the plan? The plans that are laid out to help you are not meant to turn you away in fear but rather to lead you to where you are going. Choosing to not follow it will leave you with your past results, and failure by your own mistakes instead of learning from the mistakes of others.
3. Problem. There will be problems every step of the way. These will have to be overcome! It is not a question of whether or not there will be problems. When they come go kick their butts and rise above them. Look out for the next one and go beat that one too!
4. Power in the first step. The hardest time to beat any problem will be the first move to action. You can do it. Once you start moving forward you will find it easier. Take that step!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Chad Schapiro: What is success?
What is success? Many times people have some incredible fancy descriptions of the definition of success. Webster has it as "a favorable result, the gaining of wealth, fame, or power." I heard a much better definition. SUCCESS IS BETTER THAN IT WAS! I love it! You are a success if you have gotten into better shape than you were, made more phone calls than you did last week, didn't get down on yourself as much as before, or any other step forward that is now better than you were in the past. The reason why I love this definition is because there is no end to the journey. We always are going to be striving for better than it was in all areas. There is someone in the world that would look at your area of concentration and think you are already a success, and there are others in this world that could look at things you feel are successful and they themselves would not settle for that within their own lives. In this sense we learn that we can and will always be striving forward but true success is living up to the better than it was idea as we grow.
How do we have success in a given area come to us sooner than later?:
1. FOLLOW- Not some of the ideas but all of them. It is so funny to watch us all pick certain ideas that we are comfortable with and neglect the ones that are hard for us. We then think we are right on track with following even though we are leaving out gaping holes in our journey to success. We need to really learn and master the given area. This means changing out of what we do now that makes us feel so comfortable. If we already did it all correctly then wouldn't we be a success now?
2. REMEMBER THE HARD TIMES- We have been through ups and downs already. When we remember the times when we were down but found our way it can only build our confidence when we encounter the inevitable difficulties of the future. We often forget that it was you who made it through the past. It was you who had the strength and character to dig your way out. Don't forget!
3. REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES- Many of us have had great times in our life as well. Times when we succeeded and produced. We forget those times and like to get down and magnify things that make us feel weak. Hold on to that one little success story. Allow that to be who you are. Focus on it so it attracts more just like it to you. Pretty soon you'll have them overflowing.
4. GIVE THANKS- Spread the gratefulness around to anyone and everyone. Allow others to share in how good you feel. This again will only attract more into your life.
This past Superbowl in football was a good sign of someone who went through adversity and succeeded. Tony Dungy is the coach of the Superbowl Champions Indianapolis Colts. Last year his son committed suicide. He stayed focused and following the pattern of successful people in the past that had gone through tough personal times. Looking back at the tough times and the good times he had allowed him to handle the incredible loss he felt for his son. In the end he gave his faith the credit for helping him through and winning the championship only 1 year later.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Get After It!!
I once saw a demonstration at a conference where the presenter held up a a ten dollar bill and said he was selling it for one dollar for the next 10 seconds. The whole audience just stared at him for the first 8 seconds, until one person caught on and ran up and bought a $10 bill for only $1. Next, he held up a $20 and again, sold it for a $1 for the next 10 seconds. It still took almost the full 10 seconds before someone took the initiative to get out of their seat and take the free money. The rest of the audience just sat there. For some reason, most people are OK being the ones who sit around and watch everyone else actually do things. Who are you going to be today? The masses that sit in their seats, or the guy who simply walks up and takes whats waiting for you?
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Chad Schapiro: Friends...not Sales
After you’ve launched your business, the day will come when it is time to start knocking on doors and selling. Calling leads, warm market, referrals and the like.
When that day comes, your first inclination will probably be to dash out to buy every book you can find about selling. If you can absorb all the powerful advice they contain from their powerful-looking authors, you will be signing people up quickly, right? Well maybe yes. But probably not.
You see, attempting to identify the traits of the perfect salesperson is a waste of time. All you need is to understand your own strengths and perfect them. I’ve been the top salesperson at every company where I’ve ever worked. I’ve won awards, grossed the highest profits and opened a lot of doors. And I did this by being true to myself - by understanding my instinctive talents and strengths and by becoming friends with everyone around me.
Sales is about having a good time and making as many friends as possible. So enjoy what you do. Because when you do, it shows and customers will buy, for a very simple reason:
People Want to Do Business with Their Friends
This is really simple. To make more sales, make more friends. That’s it. Just be likeable. If you do, your customers will buy from you over the next guy. I guarantee that even if you’re more expensive than the next gal or guy, they’ll be happy to pay for what you are sharing.
If you’re not likeable, then you really shouldn’t be in sales. You need to be in accounting or some other job where it doesn’t really matter if you’re liked.
Once you’ve established friendship, you’ll establish trust. You’ll be seen as an advisor. As a consultant. And you need to become a consultant to your affiliate. Not a salesperson. Not a rep. Not an account manager. A consultant. And the first step in becoming that trusted advisor, that consultant, is to first to become a friend.
The bottom line is that people do business with people they like and people they trust. The product or service is often secondary.
So talk friendly, not professionally. Listen to people and help them solve problems. If you are a real friend, you might never have to think about the word “selling” again.
When that day comes, your first inclination will probably be to dash out to buy every book you can find about selling. If you can absorb all the powerful advice they contain from their powerful-looking authors, you will be signing people up quickly, right? Well maybe yes. But probably not.
You see, attempting to identify the traits of the perfect salesperson is a waste of time. All you need is to understand your own strengths and perfect them. I’ve been the top salesperson at every company where I’ve ever worked. I’ve won awards, grossed the highest profits and opened a lot of doors. And I did this by being true to myself - by understanding my instinctive talents and strengths and by becoming friends with everyone around me.
Sales is about having a good time and making as many friends as possible. So enjoy what you do. Because when you do, it shows and customers will buy, for a very simple reason:
People Want to Do Business with Their Friends
This is really simple. To make more sales, make more friends. That’s it. Just be likeable. If you do, your customers will buy from you over the next guy. I guarantee that even if you’re more expensive than the next gal or guy, they’ll be happy to pay for what you are sharing.
If you’re not likeable, then you really shouldn’t be in sales. You need to be in accounting or some other job where it doesn’t really matter if you’re liked.
Once you’ve established friendship, you’ll establish trust. You’ll be seen as an advisor. As a consultant. And you need to become a consultant to your affiliate. Not a salesperson. Not a rep. Not an account manager. A consultant. And the first step in becoming that trusted advisor, that consultant, is to first to become a friend.
The bottom line is that people do business with people they like and people they trust. The product or service is often secondary.
So talk friendly, not professionally. Listen to people and help them solve problems. If you are a real friend, you might never have to think about the word “selling” again.
Chad Schapiro: The "Best" Test by Chris Widener
Some time ago, I spoke to a group of salespeople in Kansas City as they kicked off their new team. It was exciting to see them get excited about making a difference through their work.The topic they assigned me was "Simply the Best." So as I prepared, I asked myself, "What characteristics would help someone pass the "Best" test? That is, what are the characteristics of those who become the "best" at what they do? Here are the thoughts I shared with them:
The Best are Optimists.
You can't get to the top if you don't think that there is a top or if you think you can't make it. One characteristic of those who reach the peak is that they always believe that things can get better or be done better. This pushes them on to be their best.
The Best have Vision.
They can see ahead of the pack. Their eyes aren't locked into the here and now. They see the bright future and what things will look like when they reach their destiny. While working hard for today, they live for the future! They do what Stephen Covey calls begin with the end in mind.
The Best Relentlessly Pursue Excellence.
The status quo is not for them. They want to be the best and experience the best. And that means giving their best. They go the extra mile so that in everything they do, in everything they say and think, they are striving for excellence.
The Best have a Life Long Habit of Personal Growth.
They don't want to stay at the level they are at. They want to grow in their work, their intellect, their spirituality, their relationships, and in every area of their life. And they discipline themselves to put themselves in situations wherein they grow. Personal growth doesn't "just happen." You choose to grow.
The Best Understand that They will be Pushed by the Competition - and They Welcome It.
Like the lead runner in the race who has someone on his heels, the best know that the competition is right behind them. They love it though because they know that the competition keeps them from becoming lazy and resting on their laurels. Instead, the competition pushes them to go faster and to achieve more - to remain the best by forging ahead.
The Best have a Quest for Leadership.
Someone has to lead - it may as well be the best! Those who attain it get there because they want to. They want to lead and help make a difference. And they want to be equipped with the skills necessary to lead others on to a better place.The Best Leave a Legacy. They aren't in it just for themselves, though they will surely reap the rewards of being the best. Rather, the build things that last beyond themselves, things that can be enjoyed by others as well.
The Best are Adept at the Two Most Important Pieces of Time and Personal Management: Prioritize and Execute. Just like weight loss boils down to eat right and exercise, personal management boils down to prioritize and execute. First, prioritize your activities. The important stuff goes on the top. Then, execute: do them. The best have habits and discipline that get them to the top by doing the best things and doing them first.
The Best Focus on Building Relationships.
Success does not come alone. Everyone who achieves much does it with the help of countless others. How do the Best get others to help them? They treat them right. They embrace them and help them. People become the best because they help other people, and people like them.
The Best Make no Excuses.
When they fail they admit it and move on. They get back up and do it right the next time. They let their actions speak loader than their words. They stand tall and do the right thing the next time. No excuses, just results.
The Best Understand that the Good is the Enemy of the Best.
Yes, they could say, "this is good." But that would mean they have settled for less than the best. Many people think that good is good. Good is not good. Good is the enemy because it keeps us from the best. Choose your side: the good or the best. The Best choose, you guessed it, the Best.
The Best Dare to Dream. While others live the mundane and settle into a life they never bargained for, a rut, the Best dream of a better life. And then they take the risks necessary to achieve their dreams. They live by Teddy Roosevelt's quote: Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs though checkered by failure, then to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilit that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Want to be the best at what you do? Take inventory on the above characteristics and then start moving to bring your life in line with the characteristics of the "best." Then when you get to the top you will know that you have passed the "Best" test.
The Best are Optimists.
You can't get to the top if you don't think that there is a top or if you think you can't make it. One characteristic of those who reach the peak is that they always believe that things can get better or be done better. This pushes them on to be their best.
The Best have Vision.
They can see ahead of the pack. Their eyes aren't locked into the here and now. They see the bright future and what things will look like when they reach their destiny. While working hard for today, they live for the future! They do what Stephen Covey calls begin with the end in mind.
The Best Relentlessly Pursue Excellence.
The status quo is not for them. They want to be the best and experience the best. And that means giving their best. They go the extra mile so that in everything they do, in everything they say and think, they are striving for excellence.
The Best have a Life Long Habit of Personal Growth.
They don't want to stay at the level they are at. They want to grow in their work, their intellect, their spirituality, their relationships, and in every area of their life. And they discipline themselves to put themselves in situations wherein they grow. Personal growth doesn't "just happen." You choose to grow.
The Best Understand that They will be Pushed by the Competition - and They Welcome It.
Like the lead runner in the race who has someone on his heels, the best know that the competition is right behind them. They love it though because they know that the competition keeps them from becoming lazy and resting on their laurels. Instead, the competition pushes them to go faster and to achieve more - to remain the best by forging ahead.
The Best have a Quest for Leadership.
Someone has to lead - it may as well be the best! Those who attain it get there because they want to. They want to lead and help make a difference. And they want to be equipped with the skills necessary to lead others on to a better place.The Best Leave a Legacy. They aren't in it just for themselves, though they will surely reap the rewards of being the best. Rather, the build things that last beyond themselves, things that can be enjoyed by others as well.
The Best are Adept at the Two Most Important Pieces of Time and Personal Management: Prioritize and Execute. Just like weight loss boils down to eat right and exercise, personal management boils down to prioritize and execute. First, prioritize your activities. The important stuff goes on the top. Then, execute: do them. The best have habits and discipline that get them to the top by doing the best things and doing them first.
The Best Focus on Building Relationships.
Success does not come alone. Everyone who achieves much does it with the help of countless others. How do the Best get others to help them? They treat them right. They embrace them and help them. People become the best because they help other people, and people like them.
The Best Make no Excuses.
When they fail they admit it and move on. They get back up and do it right the next time. They let their actions speak loader than their words. They stand tall and do the right thing the next time. No excuses, just results.
The Best Understand that the Good is the Enemy of the Best.
Yes, they could say, "this is good." But that would mean they have settled for less than the best. Many people think that good is good. Good is not good. Good is the enemy because it keeps us from the best. Choose your side: the good or the best. The Best choose, you guessed it, the Best.
The Best Dare to Dream. While others live the mundane and settle into a life they never bargained for, a rut, the Best dream of a better life. And then they take the risks necessary to achieve their dreams. They live by Teddy Roosevelt's quote: Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs though checkered by failure, then to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilit that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Want to be the best at what you do? Take inventory on the above characteristics and then start moving to bring your life in line with the characteristics of the "best." Then when you get to the top you will know that you have passed the "Best" test.
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