There are those who learned computers sitting on someone’s lap and there are those of us who were the lap they once were sitting on and now we are learning from them. I admit computers entered my life in 1986. Now our children and grand children grow up with computers, not so with my age bracket.
Computers continue to be a learning experience for me. Recently I completed doing my tax record keeping and popped the cd into the tray to back up my work. Slid the tray into the laptop. Ever have the weird intuition that something was wrong? When the tray slid back out, it was empty. No cd in the tray. Tilting the computer, doing the shake, and crossing my fingers, but nothing produced the cd. It had disappeared into the unexplored cavity of the laptop. Not only did the data need to be backed up but that was the last blank cd disk.
Life has its challenges. Now I could have gone into full panic mode and gone screeching out of the driveway in a mad dash to the Geek Squad, collapsed into a fit of despondency or reached for the last of the box of Valentine chocolates. Independence is both a good thing and a bad thing. No computer was going to get the best of me if I could help it.
Second set of options were to
1. Calm down. Frayed nerve decisions are sometimes risky.
2. Read the directions in the computer manual. No, that is always the last resort.
3. Call for help. Screaming was a consideration but a phone call to my techie son seemed like a better option.
Doug, my techie son, calmly instructed me:
1. Unplug every connection to the computer
2. Remove the battery from the laptop. “Stop, please, I pleaded. How do I do that?” He explained that I should look for a thumb slide and gently remove the battery.
3. “Look for a screw or a set of screws on the side of the computer close to the cd cartridge or one on the underside of the computer around the cd cartridge area.” “Yeah, I found one on the underside of the laptop. Uh oh, it takes a very tiny Phillips head screw driver.” “Do not use a screw driver with a magnetized tip,” he strongly cautioned. “Computers do not like magnets.” The search is on through all the drawers, tool boxes and jewelry cases in search of a tiny Phillips head screw driver. Finally found one in the case of a multi purpose Swiss army knife set. Now the task is to remove the screw without stripping the threads. “Wow, it is out.”
4. “Slide the cd cartridge out carefully.” I poked and prodded, wiggled and jiggled, and even tipped and shook, but nothing happened. “Ok, the next option is to put everything back together, power the laptop on, open the cd tray and power the laptop off with the cd tray open.” “Now gently tip the laptop and do the shake, rattle and roll move until the cd slips out.” Being a lady who knows how to take instruction, and besides that I was desperate, I complied. Suddenly out slid the MIA cd disk. “Alleluia, alleluia, uh oh.” Along with the cd came the entire cd cartridge assembly. It landed on the rug, bounced once and came apart. Hmmm. “This could be a problem.” Perhaps I should have gone to the Geek Squad after all. The good news is that the cd is recovered. The bad news is the disassembly of the cd cartridge.
5. Ok, the tray needs to slide out of the cartridge with the tray up. Slide it back into the laptop, snap the front back on the cartridge, and gently turn the laptop over on its face. Now the fun of replacing that tiny Phillips head screw. Done.
6. Cross you fingers, think wonderful happy thoughts and take a big drink of espresso. Here comes the big test. Insert a cd in the tray and gently secure it in place before sliding in the cd tray. The butterflies are in total disarray; it is either nerves or the big drink of espresso. A strange whirring sound emits from the laptop. I eject the cd and gently slide it back into the laptop. Silence. The tension is worse than meeting your new mother-in-law for the first time when you know you have a spot on the front of your shirt. Could it be, yes, it is music playing from the cd. It works! “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”
7. “Thank you, Doug, does not seem like enough. If anyone ever complains or criticizes a geek from here on I’ll feel like kicking them in the shins.” A geek has just saved my laptop from eating and digesting the last cd.
Next time you see a geek, give them a hug for me. Alleluia. Not only that but I learned something in the process. We are never too old to learn new tips, tricks and techniques.
For more “geek tips” and computer victory stories, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Salute to Champions
Congratulations to Lindsey Vonn who won gold in the downhill and bronze in the super-G. Her crashes in the giant slalom and in the super-combined resulted in a broken little finger on her right hand. This spirited competitor taped her broken finger to the adjoining ring finger, donned a mitten and raced again. Even after her competitions ended, she stayed slope side to cheer her teammates and friends. She wore a smile and demonstrated genuine caring and encouragement for others. Lindsey personified the traits of a true champion. Hats off to a beautiful lady, a great athlete and a total role model.
Apolo Anton Ohno, speed skating super star. How many accolades can you possibly heap upon a superstar dedicated athlete of his 24 karat caliber? From winning US Speedskating’s 2003 Male Athlete of the Year to becoming the youngest US skater to win a World Cup title. He won “Dancing with the Stars” in May 2007. His checkered record of obstacles included death threats after the South Korea World Cup and a pesky lawsuit accusing him of fixing a race affecting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Anyone who has ever watched this amazing athlete race knows he competes flat out and wins by sheer athletic ability and keen observation of everything around him in the race. Fixing a race? Don’t be absurd; he wins fair. He concentrates, jumps over comrades who spin out in front of him, and strategizes his moves and power plays.
He won silver in the men’s 1500 m, bronze in the men’s 1000 m, and bronze in the men’s 5000 m relay. He came in second in the men’s 500 m and then a questionable call disqualified him; he maintained a smile and professional attitude as he assured the reporter that he only put up his hand to protect himself and did not push the Canadian skater at all. The judges apparently did not notice that the leading Canadian skater actually touched the skate of another skater who immediately went down. Anton was disqualified and the Canadians were awarded gold and silver even though one of them went down and did not finish. Anton was such a professional and gentleman that he smiled, refocused and went on to skate with all his heart and skill and won bronze with his young teammates in the men’s 5000 m relay. He was so happy to celebrate with his team mates after the relay medal victory.
Nordic Combined heroes, Bill Demong, Brett Camerota, Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick
Bill Demong won silver in the team 4x5 km and gold in the individual LH/10 km CC. Brett Camerota won silver in the team 4x5 km. Johnny Spillane won silver in the team 4x5 km, silver in the individual LH/10 km CC and silver in the individual NH/10k CC. Todd Lodwick won silver in the team 4x5 km. Special note that Brett Cameota was from Park City, Bill Demong was from Lake Placid, Taylor Fletcher was from Steamboat Springs, Johnny Spillane was from Steamboat Springs and Todd Lodwick was from Steamboat Springs. Kudos not only to a great Nordic combined team but also to Steamboat Springs Winter sports Club for having three of the five members of this team.
Bode Miller has his choice of colors. He won gold in men’s super combined, silver in men’s super G and bronze in men’s downhill. Think these athletes just stepped on the snow or ice and performed? Not so. Bode started skiing at the age of three. This is his third Olympic games. Bode has been a bit of a loose cannon in the past with his outspoken rakish attitude. Fatherhood seems to have matured him; we saw a calmer and more focused Bode in 2010 than we did in 2006. No matter what, the man is an incredible athlete.
American men capture gold in the 4 man bobsleigh; Steven Holcomb led Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen, and Curtis Tomasevicz to an incredible victory and gold medals.
Evan Lysacek practiced and practiced; it all paid off as he won the gold medal in men’s figure skating. Evan brought the gold back to America after its long reign in the Russian federation.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s grace, skill and finesse brought home a silver medal in ice dancing.
Hannah Kearney skied to win gold and Shannon Bahrke skied to win bronze in the women’s moguls.
Bryon Wilson won bronze in the men’s ski moguls.
Jeret Peterson flew through the air twisting and turning to win silver in the men’s aerials.
Elana Meyers and Erin Pac won bronze in the women’s bobsleigh.
Julia Mancuso won silver in ladies downhill and silver in ladies super combined.
Andrew Weibrecht won bronze in the men’s super G.
Allison Baver, Kimberly Derrick, Alyson Dudek, Katherine Reutter and Lana Gehring won bronze in the ladies 3000 m speed skating relay. Katherine Reutter also won silver in the ladies 1000 m short track speed skating.
J. R. Celski won bronze in the men’s 1500m and bronze in the men’s 5000 m speed skating relay.
Simon Cho, Travis Jayner, Jordan Malone and Apolo Anton Ohno won bronze in the men’s 5000 m speed skating relay.
Seth Wescott won gold in the men’s snowboard cross.
Shaun White rode to gold in the men’s snowboard half pipe while Scott Lago rode to bronze in the men’s snowboard half pipe.
Hannah Teter rode to silver and Kelly Clark bronze in the women’s snowboard half pipe.
Shani Davis skated to gold and Chad Hedrick skated to bronze in the men’s speed skating 1000 m. Shani Davis kept his speed and won silver in the men’s 1500 m speed skating.
Brian Hansen, Chad Hedrick, Trevor Marsicano and Jonathan Kuck skated to silver in the men’s team pursuit speed skating.
We’re not finished yet as the US Hockey team expects to skate to gold tomorrow night. What an incredible Winter Olympic games for United States. 36 medals so far and we’re not finished yet. Congratulations to a fabulous group of athletes. We’re proud of you.
For more in depth information on al of our heroes and heroines, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Apolo Anton Ohno, speed skating super star. How many accolades can you possibly heap upon a superstar dedicated athlete of his 24 karat caliber? From winning US Speedskating’s 2003 Male Athlete of the Year to becoming the youngest US skater to win a World Cup title. He won “Dancing with the Stars” in May 2007. His checkered record of obstacles included death threats after the South Korea World Cup and a pesky lawsuit accusing him of fixing a race affecting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Anyone who has ever watched this amazing athlete race knows he competes flat out and wins by sheer athletic ability and keen observation of everything around him in the race. Fixing a race? Don’t be absurd; he wins fair. He concentrates, jumps over comrades who spin out in front of him, and strategizes his moves and power plays.
He won silver in the men’s 1500 m, bronze in the men’s 1000 m, and bronze in the men’s 5000 m relay. He came in second in the men’s 500 m and then a questionable call disqualified him; he maintained a smile and professional attitude as he assured the reporter that he only put up his hand to protect himself and did not push the Canadian skater at all. The judges apparently did not notice that the leading Canadian skater actually touched the skate of another skater who immediately went down. Anton was disqualified and the Canadians were awarded gold and silver even though one of them went down and did not finish. Anton was such a professional and gentleman that he smiled, refocused and went on to skate with all his heart and skill and won bronze with his young teammates in the men’s 5000 m relay. He was so happy to celebrate with his team mates after the relay medal victory.
Nordic Combined heroes, Bill Demong, Brett Camerota, Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick
Bill Demong won silver in the team 4x5 km and gold in the individual LH/10 km CC. Brett Camerota won silver in the team 4x5 km. Johnny Spillane won silver in the team 4x5 km, silver in the individual LH/10 km CC and silver in the individual NH/10k CC. Todd Lodwick won silver in the team 4x5 km. Special note that Brett Cameota was from Park City, Bill Demong was from Lake Placid, Taylor Fletcher was from Steamboat Springs, Johnny Spillane was from Steamboat Springs and Todd Lodwick was from Steamboat Springs. Kudos not only to a great Nordic combined team but also to Steamboat Springs Winter sports Club for having three of the five members of this team.
Bode Miller has his choice of colors. He won gold in men’s super combined, silver in men’s super G and bronze in men’s downhill. Think these athletes just stepped on the snow or ice and performed? Not so. Bode started skiing at the age of three. This is his third Olympic games. Bode has been a bit of a loose cannon in the past with his outspoken rakish attitude. Fatherhood seems to have matured him; we saw a calmer and more focused Bode in 2010 than we did in 2006. No matter what, the man is an incredible athlete.
American men capture gold in the 4 man bobsleigh; Steven Holcomb led Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen, and Curtis Tomasevicz to an incredible victory and gold medals.
Evan Lysacek practiced and practiced; it all paid off as he won the gold medal in men’s figure skating. Evan brought the gold back to America after its long reign in the Russian federation.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s grace, skill and finesse brought home a silver medal in ice dancing.
Hannah Kearney skied to win gold and Shannon Bahrke skied to win bronze in the women’s moguls.
Bryon Wilson won bronze in the men’s ski moguls.
Jeret Peterson flew through the air twisting and turning to win silver in the men’s aerials.
Elana Meyers and Erin Pac won bronze in the women’s bobsleigh.
Julia Mancuso won silver in ladies downhill and silver in ladies super combined.
Andrew Weibrecht won bronze in the men’s super G.
Allison Baver, Kimberly Derrick, Alyson Dudek, Katherine Reutter and Lana Gehring won bronze in the ladies 3000 m speed skating relay. Katherine Reutter also won silver in the ladies 1000 m short track speed skating.
J. R. Celski won bronze in the men’s 1500m and bronze in the men’s 5000 m speed skating relay.
Simon Cho, Travis Jayner, Jordan Malone and Apolo Anton Ohno won bronze in the men’s 5000 m speed skating relay.
Seth Wescott won gold in the men’s snowboard cross.
Shaun White rode to gold in the men’s snowboard half pipe while Scott Lago rode to bronze in the men’s snowboard half pipe.
Hannah Teter rode to silver and Kelly Clark bronze in the women’s snowboard half pipe.
Shani Davis skated to gold and Chad Hedrick skated to bronze in the men’s speed skating 1000 m. Shani Davis kept his speed and won silver in the men’s 1500 m speed skating.
Brian Hansen, Chad Hedrick, Trevor Marsicano and Jonathan Kuck skated to silver in the men’s team pursuit speed skating.
We’re not finished yet as the US Hockey team expects to skate to gold tomorrow night. What an incredible Winter Olympic games for United States. 36 medals so far and we’re not finished yet. Congratulations to a fabulous group of athletes. We’re proud of you.
For more in depth information on al of our heroes and heroines, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Aerobic Experience Without a Gym
No equipment required. No designer latex body suit. Not even a Vic Tanny exercise tape or an expensive “pamper you until you go bankrupt” spa.
Review the components of an aerobic workout:
1. Full body sweat
2. Pulse rate of over 170.
3. Perspiring palms
4. Heavy breathing
5. The mouth opens but no intelligent verbal sound
6. Skin tone varies from brilliant crimson to ghostly white
You can gain all of these wonderful effects by running a marathon, peddling a one speed bicycle up a steep hill or being asked to speak to a group in public.
There are those who would rather be the victim of the car crash rather than the one giving the press conference explaining it .
Watch a new speaker with trembling knees walk up to the podium. Thank goodness they are not wearing spike high heels; imagine walking on stilts through a hurricane. Safety at last, they make it to the podium where they hold on with the death grip of a 4 year old the day the training wheels come off the bicycle. With a white knuckle clutch to the podium, they take a deep breath, deliver the six minute speech, collapse in the chair and let the breath out. Once we revive them after they hyperventilate, they start to relax.
Public speaking generates all of the aerobic benefits for many first time speakers. It is actually not that bad. The first time many people are asked to speak in public is quite a traumatic event. Relax; it does not have to be a miserable experience.
Some people tell you to picture the audience in their Hanes’s or their tidy whites, but at that point your lungs do not have enough air to laugh so it would be a wasted exercise.
Finding a friendly face in the audience and riveting your gaze strictly on that one person seems to produce more successful results.
Other techniques before you go on stage are:
1. Thinking about a wonderful calming scene in nature
2. Listening to soothing music
3. Hiding under the table in the room down the hall until it is too late for you to speak
If public speaking truly strikes terror in your heart to the point that you would rather go 3 rounds in the boxing ring with Bubba the Bruiser, then you are a victim of self inflicted stage fright. There are cures for stage fright. You could take a sedative and sleep through the event, run away to a remote jungle island or join Toastmasters.
Toastmasters is a safe, friendly, supportive group of comrades who share your trembling hands and racing heart but chose to learn to overcome the sweaty shakes. You will learn in a calm, encouraging and sober atmosphere. The manuals walk you through the steps in a logical, clear and informative system. You can even start with Table Topics which is an impromptu one to two minutes.
To the best of my knowledge, no one ever died of stage fright. You can do almost anything for one minute. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Whether your boss corners you in the elevator and asks for your progress on a current program or you receive the tap on the shoulder to speak at your local homeowner’s association meeting, being able to express yourself clearly is a tremendous asset.
You can enroll in night classes at your local college or university, join a networking group or practice at your local church or social organization. Every time you speak in public, you become a little more comfortable with the process.
For practical tips and techniques to ease your fear and improve your communication, come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Review the components of an aerobic workout:
1. Full body sweat
2. Pulse rate of over 170.
3. Perspiring palms
4. Heavy breathing
5. The mouth opens but no intelligent verbal sound
6. Skin tone varies from brilliant crimson to ghostly white
You can gain all of these wonderful effects by running a marathon, peddling a one speed bicycle up a steep hill or being asked to speak to a group in public.
There are those who would rather be the victim of the car crash rather than the one giving the press conference explaining it .
Watch a new speaker with trembling knees walk up to the podium. Thank goodness they are not wearing spike high heels; imagine walking on stilts through a hurricane. Safety at last, they make it to the podium where they hold on with the death grip of a 4 year old the day the training wheels come off the bicycle. With a white knuckle clutch to the podium, they take a deep breath, deliver the six minute speech, collapse in the chair and let the breath out. Once we revive them after they hyperventilate, they start to relax.
Public speaking generates all of the aerobic benefits for many first time speakers. It is actually not that bad. The first time many people are asked to speak in public is quite a traumatic event. Relax; it does not have to be a miserable experience.
Some people tell you to picture the audience in their Hanes’s or their tidy whites, but at that point your lungs do not have enough air to laugh so it would be a wasted exercise.
Finding a friendly face in the audience and riveting your gaze strictly on that one person seems to produce more successful results.
Other techniques before you go on stage are:
1. Thinking about a wonderful calming scene in nature
2. Listening to soothing music
3. Hiding under the table in the room down the hall until it is too late for you to speak
If public speaking truly strikes terror in your heart to the point that you would rather go 3 rounds in the boxing ring with Bubba the Bruiser, then you are a victim of self inflicted stage fright. There are cures for stage fright. You could take a sedative and sleep through the event, run away to a remote jungle island or join Toastmasters.
Toastmasters is a safe, friendly, supportive group of comrades who share your trembling hands and racing heart but chose to learn to overcome the sweaty shakes. You will learn in a calm, encouraging and sober atmosphere. The manuals walk you through the steps in a logical, clear and informative system. You can even start with Table Topics which is an impromptu one to two minutes.
To the best of my knowledge, no one ever died of stage fright. You can do almost anything for one minute. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Whether your boss corners you in the elevator and asks for your progress on a current program or you receive the tap on the shoulder to speak at your local homeowner’s association meeting, being able to express yourself clearly is a tremendous asset.
You can enroll in night classes at your local college or university, join a networking group or practice at your local church or social organization. Every time you speak in public, you become a little more comfortable with the process.
For practical tips and techniques to ease your fear and improve your communication, come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Life Is Easy Now
Remember When. . .
I heard all about my parents walking to school through the snow. At least they didn’t claim it was twenty miles uphill each way. Personally, I rode the noisy school bus for an hour, each way, everyday, so I had it better. Now the kids have their own car or at least Mom or Dad running shuttle service. With each generation life gets easier. At least that is the way it is designed to be. Not to say that each generation does not have new issues, just different. Sometimes we forget how easy we have it now.
Maybe you really have it rough and have to ride your 21 speed mountain bike to school. Try doing those Colorado mountain hilly roads on total pedal power; you go only go as fast as you can pedal and no gears at all. We laugh about feeling so sorry for those who only have a 10 or 15 speed bike instead of a 21 speed. The seats are far more comfortable now too. Bike shorts? Forty years ago those cushy shorts were not even a glimmer in the merchandising eye. Sometimes we forget how easy we have it now.
The ipod you can’t leave home without which is glued to your body like another appendage was not available ten or 15 years ago. Carrying the family radio on your bike or shoulder would not work well. Remember when we carried huge “boom boxes?” Now you carry your entire music library in your pocket. We forget how easy we have it now.
Cell phones? Some of us grew up with crank phones. Yeah, I was a long short and a long through early grade school. Moving up to a rotary dial phone was an upgrade. Cordless phones, not a chance. We had to sit right there by the phone to talk. We fuss about privacy now. That old crank, rotary or even the early push button phones were party lines; zero privacy for the calls. We forget how easy we have it now.
“Reach out and touch someone” actually meant making an effort. Using the voice recognition dialing on your cell phone does not take much effort. Automatic programming of the phone number in the phone? Give me a break. We had to actually remember the number or carry a little paper book with the numbers.
Multiplication, long division and addition were actually functions of the mind. Kids have the computer or calculators to do it all for them. We actually had to use our head to compute math problems. Imagine that, thinking. Computers did not exist for us and we whine if you do not have the latest high speed, lightweight, high resolution graphics laptop. We forget how easy we have it now.
Imagine having to look at a set of encyclopedias or search through the Dewey Decimal System in the library in the quest for the right reference book for your term paper. If you were lucky, the book you needed had not been checked out by someone else who did not have to return it until after your paper was due. Now we look it up on Google with the touch of a key or the click of the mouse.
Preparing the papers by writing them out by hand or typing them on a ribbon typewriter was another treat which modern kids have never experienced. The ribbon got tangled or the keys jammed together and you had ink all over your fingers. Yes, each letter was on a separate metal arm which flew up and struck the ribbon. When you hit 2 or 3 keys at once they all flew up together and jammed. We had to separate them with our fingers resulting in ink all over our fingers.
Oh the joy of having the ribbon run out in the middle of typing the paper and it was too late to get to the store to buy another ribbon. Not only that but the teacher expected the paper to be neat and not have forty million strikeovers, misspelled words or ink blotches.
Want more than one copy; we had the joy of carbon paper. When we typed the wrong letter, we had to go back and correct each sheet. Want to move a paragraph, start all over typing that page. We forget how easy we have it today.
WE have spell check loaded on our computer and even a thesaurus at the touch of our keypad. We don’t even have to know how to spell or use a dictionary. We forget how easy we have it these days.
No matter what happens with the economy, political leaders or minor inconveniences, remembering how easy we have it today in comparison to the past puts a new perspective on life.
For more fun and historic comments, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
I heard all about my parents walking to school through the snow. At least they didn’t claim it was twenty miles uphill each way. Personally, I rode the noisy school bus for an hour, each way, everyday, so I had it better. Now the kids have their own car or at least Mom or Dad running shuttle service. With each generation life gets easier. At least that is the way it is designed to be. Not to say that each generation does not have new issues, just different. Sometimes we forget how easy we have it now.
Maybe you really have it rough and have to ride your 21 speed mountain bike to school. Try doing those Colorado mountain hilly roads on total pedal power; you go only go as fast as you can pedal and no gears at all. We laugh about feeling so sorry for those who only have a 10 or 15 speed bike instead of a 21 speed. The seats are far more comfortable now too. Bike shorts? Forty years ago those cushy shorts were not even a glimmer in the merchandising eye. Sometimes we forget how easy we have it now.
The ipod you can’t leave home without which is glued to your body like another appendage was not available ten or 15 years ago. Carrying the family radio on your bike or shoulder would not work well. Remember when we carried huge “boom boxes?” Now you carry your entire music library in your pocket. We forget how easy we have it now.
Cell phones? Some of us grew up with crank phones. Yeah, I was a long short and a long through early grade school. Moving up to a rotary dial phone was an upgrade. Cordless phones, not a chance. We had to sit right there by the phone to talk. We fuss about privacy now. That old crank, rotary or even the early push button phones were party lines; zero privacy for the calls. We forget how easy we have it now.
“Reach out and touch someone” actually meant making an effort. Using the voice recognition dialing on your cell phone does not take much effort. Automatic programming of the phone number in the phone? Give me a break. We had to actually remember the number or carry a little paper book with the numbers.
Multiplication, long division and addition were actually functions of the mind. Kids have the computer or calculators to do it all for them. We actually had to use our head to compute math problems. Imagine that, thinking. Computers did not exist for us and we whine if you do not have the latest high speed, lightweight, high resolution graphics laptop. We forget how easy we have it now.
Imagine having to look at a set of encyclopedias or search through the Dewey Decimal System in the library in the quest for the right reference book for your term paper. If you were lucky, the book you needed had not been checked out by someone else who did not have to return it until after your paper was due. Now we look it up on Google with the touch of a key or the click of the mouse.
Preparing the papers by writing them out by hand or typing them on a ribbon typewriter was another treat which modern kids have never experienced. The ribbon got tangled or the keys jammed together and you had ink all over your fingers. Yes, each letter was on a separate metal arm which flew up and struck the ribbon. When you hit 2 or 3 keys at once they all flew up together and jammed. We had to separate them with our fingers resulting in ink all over our fingers.
Oh the joy of having the ribbon run out in the middle of typing the paper and it was too late to get to the store to buy another ribbon. Not only that but the teacher expected the paper to be neat and not have forty million strikeovers, misspelled words or ink blotches.
Want more than one copy; we had the joy of carbon paper. When we typed the wrong letter, we had to go back and correct each sheet. Want to move a paragraph, start all over typing that page. We forget how easy we have it today.
WE have spell check loaded on our computer and even a thesaurus at the touch of our keypad. We don’t even have to know how to spell or use a dictionary. We forget how easy we have it these days.
No matter what happens with the economy, political leaders or minor inconveniences, remembering how easy we have it today in comparison to the past puts a new perspective on life.
For more fun and historic comments, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Everyone Likes Choices
Everyone likes choices. We have resisted being told what to do since we were small children. We not only want our own way but we want the freedom to decide for ourselves. Ever remember your parent saying, “You will do it, or else.” Regardless of whether the task was doing homework, cleaning your room or being nice to your little sister, there is something in our human nature that resists being told what to do. We have all been there.
Some things you either choose to do or pay the consequences. Its time for one of those joys right now. Taxes. Now the IRS is on most people’s ‘least favorite’ lists; they are on a parallel with having a siren and red and blue lights flashing behind you on the freeway. Or maybe you would prefer a root canal. All three of these receive a groan and a few choice words.
The IRS is not simply writing a check. Oh no, they make you suffer first and then write the check. Every one of us promises that next year we will keep up with the books every week. Each expense will be in its properly labeled and dated folder. Not only that but it will be recorded in the computer for easy totaling and access.
We know we should, but how many really do it every week?
Employment with a CPA firm brings many challenges. The most impressive client was a well dressed, impeccably groomed man. He entered the office with poise and professionalism; he even spoke very politely with excellent grammar. He requested to have his taxes prepared. No problem, we are a CPA firm; ‘taxes are us.’ When asked if he had all of his documents with him and organized, he replied, “absolutely, I have them right here.” Seeing a lovely leather briefcase in his hand was a promising sign. “How much will it cost?” The minimum fee was quoted with the stipulation that it could be more depending on the scope of the work.
He was asked if he would like to wait and speak with the CPA in a few minutes or leave the records and return for a scheduled appointment at a later date. He preferred to schedule an appointment for next week. Once the appointment was scheduled, his records were requested.
He excused himself, stepped out of the office, and returned with five paper grocery bags each overflowing with miscellaneous documents. He calmly asked, “Here they are, when do you think you will have everything finished?” “You must be kidding” flashed through my mind, well, those words in combination with other words.
Record keeping usually involves a bit more organization than Safeway paper bags. People wonder why the bill is so high. Hmmm. Hiring a good bookkeeper would be more efficient and less expensive than CPA rates.
If you have not organized your records, now is a good time to start. Actually, 13 months ago would have been the ideal time to start. We can not go in reverse, but starting now is wise.
QuickBooks Pro, Quicken, or Excel spreadsheets are a few suggestions for organizing your records electronically. Even a lined yellow tablet and lead pencil are better than the Safeway bag system.
Buy a box of manila folders and label each one. You can label by month or by type of item i.e. insurance, medical, miscellaneous, automobile, taxes. When you pay a bill, write the check number, date and amount paid on the bill and drop it in the folder.
If you are self employed, none of your business expenses will be deductible without proper records. Either keep proper records or shake in your boots and be prepared to write a big check if you are ever audited. IRS agents are not known for their lighthearted sense of humor. Another hint – IRS likes paper. The more specific proof and written records you can provide to the IRS, the happier they are. Excellent record keeping is not optional. Of course you could take your chances just as you do with the lottery.
The difference is that if you do not win the lottery, you simply do not win. If you gamble with IRS audits and lose, the IRS adds penalties and interest. Pay me now or pay me later takes on a life of its own.
Bottom line, keep detailed records and back each one up with lots of paperwork.
You have choices.
1. You may choose not to follow good accounting practices now and pay a huge sum to the CPA to prepare your taxes.
2. Ignore the entire issue and hope you never get caught. Be prepared for a roommate named Bubba in a barred room for which you do not have the liberty of self check out.
3. Hire a bookkeeper.
4. Keep organized records yourself.
You do have choices. If you would like specific, easy to follow organization tips and techniques to make 2010 easier than 2009, join me at www.Elaine4Succes.com. The Entrepreneur’s mentor makes your life easier and more profitable.
Some things you either choose to do or pay the consequences. Its time for one of those joys right now. Taxes. Now the IRS is on most people’s ‘least favorite’ lists; they are on a parallel with having a siren and red and blue lights flashing behind you on the freeway. Or maybe you would prefer a root canal. All three of these receive a groan and a few choice words.
The IRS is not simply writing a check. Oh no, they make you suffer first and then write the check. Every one of us promises that next year we will keep up with the books every week. Each expense will be in its properly labeled and dated folder. Not only that but it will be recorded in the computer for easy totaling and access.
We know we should, but how many really do it every week?
Employment with a CPA firm brings many challenges. The most impressive client was a well dressed, impeccably groomed man. He entered the office with poise and professionalism; he even spoke very politely with excellent grammar. He requested to have his taxes prepared. No problem, we are a CPA firm; ‘taxes are us.’ When asked if he had all of his documents with him and organized, he replied, “absolutely, I have them right here.” Seeing a lovely leather briefcase in his hand was a promising sign. “How much will it cost?” The minimum fee was quoted with the stipulation that it could be more depending on the scope of the work.
He was asked if he would like to wait and speak with the CPA in a few minutes or leave the records and return for a scheduled appointment at a later date. He preferred to schedule an appointment for next week. Once the appointment was scheduled, his records were requested.
He excused himself, stepped out of the office, and returned with five paper grocery bags each overflowing with miscellaneous documents. He calmly asked, “Here they are, when do you think you will have everything finished?” “You must be kidding” flashed through my mind, well, those words in combination with other words.
Record keeping usually involves a bit more organization than Safeway paper bags. People wonder why the bill is so high. Hmmm. Hiring a good bookkeeper would be more efficient and less expensive than CPA rates.
If you have not organized your records, now is a good time to start. Actually, 13 months ago would have been the ideal time to start. We can not go in reverse, but starting now is wise.
QuickBooks Pro, Quicken, or Excel spreadsheets are a few suggestions for organizing your records electronically. Even a lined yellow tablet and lead pencil are better than the Safeway bag system.
Buy a box of manila folders and label each one. You can label by month or by type of item i.e. insurance, medical, miscellaneous, automobile, taxes. When you pay a bill, write the check number, date and amount paid on the bill and drop it in the folder.
If you are self employed, none of your business expenses will be deductible without proper records. Either keep proper records or shake in your boots and be prepared to write a big check if you are ever audited. IRS agents are not known for their lighthearted sense of humor. Another hint – IRS likes paper. The more specific proof and written records you can provide to the IRS, the happier they are. Excellent record keeping is not optional. Of course you could take your chances just as you do with the lottery.
The difference is that if you do not win the lottery, you simply do not win. If you gamble with IRS audits and lose, the IRS adds penalties and interest. Pay me now or pay me later takes on a life of its own.
Bottom line, keep detailed records and back each one up with lots of paperwork.
You have choices.
1. You may choose not to follow good accounting practices now and pay a huge sum to the CPA to prepare your taxes.
2. Ignore the entire issue and hope you never get caught. Be prepared for a roommate named Bubba in a barred room for which you do not have the liberty of self check out.
3. Hire a bookkeeper.
4. Keep organized records yourself.
You do have choices. If you would like specific, easy to follow organization tips and techniques to make 2010 easier than 2009, join me at www.Elaine4Succes.com. The Entrepreneur’s mentor makes your life easier and more profitable.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Are You Connected?
Three factors control your connection. The same principles apply in social organizations, personal and professional interactions. Sometimes you are the disconnect; sometimesthe audience members are detached from you or your message. Generally this communication misfire is a combination.
Yes, God gave us two ears and one mouth. Are you really listening to the other person? Are you listening to both their words and their tone of voice? Ever heard someone answer the question, “How are you?” with the most deadpan, monotone “fine.” Listen to only the word and you go on as if everything is wonderful. In this case the tone of voice screams so loudly that the word is insignificant. When you are truly listening to both the words and the tone, you feel the problem. Immediately call a halt to further conversation. Something is not ‘fine’ with this person.
Most people listen for a break in the conversation in order to interject their input. Listening for a word, any word, from the other person qualifies a change of speakers in the conversation. Genuine listening is a silent form of flattery. Listening only for a gap between words or a sound of some sort from the other person does NOT qualify as genuine listening.
The first key to connecting with the other person is genuine listening.
The mumbled ‘fine’ indicates a mental or emotional preoccupation. This person is obviously not fine and not connecting with you at this point. Your timing for a discussion with them may not be ideal. If you are ready, willing and able to listen to them with an open mind and an open heart, your timing may be perfect. If you choose to push your own agenda at this moment, you will fail. The timing is far less than ideal. Pushing your own agenda when the other person is not mentally available to receive is like throwing feathers into the wind; you have zero chance of success in having your message hit the target.
Schedule a time to discuss your agenda item later when both parties are receptive. Your courtesy will be appreciated and your odds of success will be vastly improved. Change the time and perhaps even change the setting. Some discussions are better face to face than email or telephone. If you must discuss delicate matters on the telephone, asking if this is a good time to talk before you launch into the meat of the discussion improves the chances of success. Timing for a face to face discussion or even a telephone discussion is critical. Email timing is not as significant since people have the flexibility of opening and answering the email on their own time preference. Being cognizant of the other person improves the flow of effective communication. Simply asking, “Is this is a good time to talk for a few minutes?” Or ask, “When would be a good time for us to discuss ______?”
The second key to connecting with the other person is timing.
Connecting also requires the proper delivery of the message. Voice inflection or tones also convey messages. The exact same words receive totally different significance depending on the manner in which they are delivered. As noted earlier “fine” implies one meaning as a word and a totally different impression depending on whether it is delivered with a cheerful smile or a blah monotone.
The delivery of the same words will receive totally opposite results with different tones and facial expressions. A frown and clenched teeth delivery of, “We need to talk” will strike trepidation in the mind of the receiver. Saying “We need to talk” with a glint of a smile in the eyes and a mischievous lilting tone conveys a totally different impression. Delivery of the message depends on not only the words but also the tone of voice and manner of speaking. The tone and manner of delivery can easily overshadow the actual words.
Listen to the words and tone of voice as someone responds to you. Be courteous of the timing of your message to be certain the recipient is ready to receive. Deliver your message in a manner in which it will be received as you intend for it to be received. Listening, timing and delivery all affect the quality and reception of your message.
For additional fine points on connecting with your audience, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Yes, God gave us two ears and one mouth. Are you really listening to the other person? Are you listening to both their words and their tone of voice? Ever heard someone answer the question, “How are you?” with the most deadpan, monotone “fine.” Listen to only the word and you go on as if everything is wonderful. In this case the tone of voice screams so loudly that the word is insignificant. When you are truly listening to both the words and the tone, you feel the problem. Immediately call a halt to further conversation. Something is not ‘fine’ with this person.
Most people listen for a break in the conversation in order to interject their input. Listening for a word, any word, from the other person qualifies a change of speakers in the conversation. Genuine listening is a silent form of flattery. Listening only for a gap between words or a sound of some sort from the other person does NOT qualify as genuine listening.
The first key to connecting with the other person is genuine listening.
The mumbled ‘fine’ indicates a mental or emotional preoccupation. This person is obviously not fine and not connecting with you at this point. Your timing for a discussion with them may not be ideal. If you are ready, willing and able to listen to them with an open mind and an open heart, your timing may be perfect. If you choose to push your own agenda at this moment, you will fail. The timing is far less than ideal. Pushing your own agenda when the other person is not mentally available to receive is like throwing feathers into the wind; you have zero chance of success in having your message hit the target.
Schedule a time to discuss your agenda item later when both parties are receptive. Your courtesy will be appreciated and your odds of success will be vastly improved. Change the time and perhaps even change the setting. Some discussions are better face to face than email or telephone. If you must discuss delicate matters on the telephone, asking if this is a good time to talk before you launch into the meat of the discussion improves the chances of success. Timing for a face to face discussion or even a telephone discussion is critical. Email timing is not as significant since people have the flexibility of opening and answering the email on their own time preference. Being cognizant of the other person improves the flow of effective communication. Simply asking, “Is this is a good time to talk for a few minutes?” Or ask, “When would be a good time for us to discuss ______?”
The second key to connecting with the other person is timing.
Connecting also requires the proper delivery of the message. Voice inflection or tones also convey messages. The exact same words receive totally different significance depending on the manner in which they are delivered. As noted earlier “fine” implies one meaning as a word and a totally different impression depending on whether it is delivered with a cheerful smile or a blah monotone.
The delivery of the same words will receive totally opposite results with different tones and facial expressions. A frown and clenched teeth delivery of, “We need to talk” will strike trepidation in the mind of the receiver. Saying “We need to talk” with a glint of a smile in the eyes and a mischievous lilting tone conveys a totally different impression. Delivery of the message depends on not only the words but also the tone of voice and manner of speaking. The tone and manner of delivery can easily overshadow the actual words.
Listen to the words and tone of voice as someone responds to you. Be courteous of the timing of your message to be certain the recipient is ready to receive. Deliver your message in a manner in which it will be received as you intend for it to be received. Listening, timing and delivery all affect the quality and reception of your message.
For additional fine points on connecting with your audience, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Teamwork Empowers Leaders
Michael Jordan is a super star basketball player but he is one of the team. As incredible an athlete as he is, he can not play for the entire team. John Elway has an excellent passing arm; however, unless he has someone to catch the pass, the play will not progress. Even the best quarterback can not play every position on the team simultaneously.
Team building means a diverse group of individuals with different talents and interests coming together for the good of the entire group. The entire team unites in a common goal for the benefit of all. No one super star stands out to the exclusion of the whole.
Amazon called the management team into the office at the beginning of the recession and informed them, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” The mastermind session began immediately. Net result was that while everyone else was whining about a reduction in sales, Amazon’s profits were up. Team work saved the bottom line.
Mastermind groups have collaborated since at least the early days of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Even though the terminology and format of the Greek forum was different, mastermind groups have existed in one form or other for centuries. Teamwork is not a new concept. A brainstorming group is a form of team each contributing ideas and efforts for the benefit of all the members.
Mastermind groups, brainstorm groups and teams all have leaders. An immature leader will say, “I’m going to the top, you can follow me.” A more mature leader say, “I will empower you to be the best you choose to be and we will all go to the top together.”
Forming a winning team consists of several basic elements.
1. Select team members with different skills, knowledge, and experience. Bringing together different personalities and talents means more variety in the points of view and more creative stimulation. A group of all analytical detail oriented engineers would benefit from a free spirited creative team member. A group of all ‘big picture’ thinkers would establish the dream but not have anyone to carry out any of the implementation details. Not only select a variety of personalities and talents, but assign the correct responsibility to the ideal candidate. An accountant would be excellent for Treasurer of the group but probably not ideal for the public relations ‘center stage’ spokesman.
2. Constant follow up checks insure that the team stays on track. Comparing actual results with goals pin points the timeline on the path to the goals. Even a rocket ship on the way to the moon needs to make course corrections frequently.
3. Establishing parameters clarifies rules, procedures and boundaries. Fewer problems will occur when each member knows the guidelines and responsibilities from the beginning. Problems always occur; however, they can be minimized. Knowing from the start who has the authority to make the final decision, eliminates unnecessary debate.
4. Develop a reasonable plan for implementation. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. Goals must be SMART if the achievement plan has any success potential. Be specific in the steps necessary to accomplish the plan.
5. Assign specific roles and responsibilities. Expect each team member to handle their role. Provide extensive training to insure that each team member has the pertinent facts to be able properly accomplish their role.
6. Establish controls. How will the progress be monitored to determine if the goals are being achieved in the desired timeline?
7. Build team trust. Expect to be able to rely on each other. Be willing to lend a hand to each other. Always be respectful of each other’s time and ideas. All members of the team will not agree 100% with every decision. Once a firm decision is made, accept it and move forward. Communicate openly and honestly but courteously with each other.
Responsibility of the team leader changes as the team members become more accomplished at handling each of their tasks. Be versatile with releasing control once it is no longer needed on each small task.
Teamwork is essential to the effective management of any organization. Select a diverse group with a common goal. Assign the appropriate role to the best candidate for each duty. Define the responsibilities and parameters. Train the team members; design a specific workable plan and use appropriate follow up checks. Maintain open communication and mutual respect.
This provides a general outline; however, for individualized specific teamwork plans, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Team building means a diverse group of individuals with different talents and interests coming together for the good of the entire group. The entire team unites in a common goal for the benefit of all. No one super star stands out to the exclusion of the whole.
Amazon called the management team into the office at the beginning of the recession and informed them, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” The mastermind session began immediately. Net result was that while everyone else was whining about a reduction in sales, Amazon’s profits were up. Team work saved the bottom line.
Mastermind groups have collaborated since at least the early days of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Even though the terminology and format of the Greek forum was different, mastermind groups have existed in one form or other for centuries. Teamwork is not a new concept. A brainstorming group is a form of team each contributing ideas and efforts for the benefit of all the members.
Mastermind groups, brainstorm groups and teams all have leaders. An immature leader will say, “I’m going to the top, you can follow me.” A more mature leader say, “I will empower you to be the best you choose to be and we will all go to the top together.”
Forming a winning team consists of several basic elements.
1. Select team members with different skills, knowledge, and experience. Bringing together different personalities and talents means more variety in the points of view and more creative stimulation. A group of all analytical detail oriented engineers would benefit from a free spirited creative team member. A group of all ‘big picture’ thinkers would establish the dream but not have anyone to carry out any of the implementation details. Not only select a variety of personalities and talents, but assign the correct responsibility to the ideal candidate. An accountant would be excellent for Treasurer of the group but probably not ideal for the public relations ‘center stage’ spokesman.
2. Constant follow up checks insure that the team stays on track. Comparing actual results with goals pin points the timeline on the path to the goals. Even a rocket ship on the way to the moon needs to make course corrections frequently.
3. Establishing parameters clarifies rules, procedures and boundaries. Fewer problems will occur when each member knows the guidelines and responsibilities from the beginning. Problems always occur; however, they can be minimized. Knowing from the start who has the authority to make the final decision, eliminates unnecessary debate.
4. Develop a reasonable plan for implementation. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. Goals must be SMART if the achievement plan has any success potential. Be specific in the steps necessary to accomplish the plan.
5. Assign specific roles and responsibilities. Expect each team member to handle their role. Provide extensive training to insure that each team member has the pertinent facts to be able properly accomplish their role.
6. Establish controls. How will the progress be monitored to determine if the goals are being achieved in the desired timeline?
7. Build team trust. Expect to be able to rely on each other. Be willing to lend a hand to each other. Always be respectful of each other’s time and ideas. All members of the team will not agree 100% with every decision. Once a firm decision is made, accept it and move forward. Communicate openly and honestly but courteously with each other.
Responsibility of the team leader changes as the team members become more accomplished at handling each of their tasks. Be versatile with releasing control once it is no longer needed on each small task.
Teamwork is essential to the effective management of any organization. Select a diverse group with a common goal. Assign the appropriate role to the best candidate for each duty. Define the responsibilities and parameters. Train the team members; design a specific workable plan and use appropriate follow up checks. Maintain open communication and mutual respect.
This provides a general outline; however, for individualized specific teamwork plans, join me at http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Firm Decisions Win
“Decisions are easy when your values are clear.”
You can’t steal second base with your foot firmly planted on first. Once you make affirm decisions, the forces of the universe seem to move to make things happen.
Living in Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for 29 years and loving the skiing, the people and the healthy life style provided a wonderful comfortable life. “Hi, saw your corvette at the gym today. Still working out every day?” Baby (the corvette) receives waves and smiles where ever she goes. Oh, the locals are quite friendly to her owner as well. Steamboat represents such a warm, friendly atmosphere that it becomes impossible for Baby or her owner to go anywhere on any day or at any time of day incognito.
The thought “move to Castle Rock” reoccurred night after night. “I don’t know anyone in Castle Rock. I’m comfortable here. I can’t afford to buy another house. This is a lousy time to apply for a new loan,” she protested. Finally in utter frustration to stop the persistent dream, she placed an ad to rent her mountain home. Immediate and excellent response from eleven qualified rental candidates. Well meaning realtor friends cautioned, “Don’t ask more than 2,000 per month because anyone with more than 2,000 per month will buy not rent.” She selected a delightful young professional couple with one small child. She interviewed them at he home and at their home. Great housekeepers. Very personable and excellent references. They agreed on 3,000 per month and signed the rental contract.
Once a firm decision was made, everything started to fall into place. She called a Castle Rock realtor and explained exactly the size, location and price of the home she desired. “Oh, and it has to close and be ready to move in within 30 days.” The realtor laughed, “That is four impossible things. What do you want me to do,” he complained. “Start looking,” she replied. Within thirty days she was moved in to that exact home.
Once a firm decision is made, the universe seems to spring into action to make all the pieces slip into place in the puzzle. The key is always to make a firm decision. You can not move forward with your feet implanted in concrete in the past. Forward thinking and forward motion require remaining light on your feet and ready to spring forward.
“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear,” Publilius Syrus. Once you make an iron clad, no turning back, decision, the wheels of progress start turning.
The key to forward motion is always a firm decision. When you know exactly what you want and are acting in total integrity, you will receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, often said that when riches start flowing to you, they will flow in such abundance that you wonder where they have been hiding all these years.
“We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision,” Gary Collins. Without a firm decision you will wander aimlessly. With a firm decision you will progress. If you make a decision, you control your future. If you choose to do nothing, you are by default giving the control of your life to someone else.
A wise person seeks counsel to assist in making a wise decision, but a wise person never avoids making a decision out of fear of failure. Nothing moves forward without a firm decision. If you would like assistance in sorting through your options to make a wise decision, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. It is your life, decide wisely.
You can’t steal second base with your foot firmly planted on first. Once you make affirm decisions, the forces of the universe seem to move to make things happen.
Living in Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for 29 years and loving the skiing, the people and the healthy life style provided a wonderful comfortable life. “Hi, saw your corvette at the gym today. Still working out every day?” Baby (the corvette) receives waves and smiles where ever she goes. Oh, the locals are quite friendly to her owner as well. Steamboat represents such a warm, friendly atmosphere that it becomes impossible for Baby or her owner to go anywhere on any day or at any time of day incognito.
The thought “move to Castle Rock” reoccurred night after night. “I don’t know anyone in Castle Rock. I’m comfortable here. I can’t afford to buy another house. This is a lousy time to apply for a new loan,” she protested. Finally in utter frustration to stop the persistent dream, she placed an ad to rent her mountain home. Immediate and excellent response from eleven qualified rental candidates. Well meaning realtor friends cautioned, “Don’t ask more than 2,000 per month because anyone with more than 2,000 per month will buy not rent.” She selected a delightful young professional couple with one small child. She interviewed them at he home and at their home. Great housekeepers. Very personable and excellent references. They agreed on 3,000 per month and signed the rental contract.
Once a firm decision was made, everything started to fall into place. She called a Castle Rock realtor and explained exactly the size, location and price of the home she desired. “Oh, and it has to close and be ready to move in within 30 days.” The realtor laughed, “That is four impossible things. What do you want me to do,” he complained. “Start looking,” she replied. Within thirty days she was moved in to that exact home.
Once a firm decision is made, the universe seems to spring into action to make all the pieces slip into place in the puzzle. The key is always to make a firm decision. You can not move forward with your feet implanted in concrete in the past. Forward thinking and forward motion require remaining light on your feet and ready to spring forward.
“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear,” Publilius Syrus. Once you make an iron clad, no turning back, decision, the wheels of progress start turning.
The key to forward motion is always a firm decision. When you know exactly what you want and are acting in total integrity, you will receive blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, often said that when riches start flowing to you, they will flow in such abundance that you wonder where they have been hiding all these years.
“We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision,” Gary Collins. Without a firm decision you will wander aimlessly. With a firm decision you will progress. If you make a decision, you control your future. If you choose to do nothing, you are by default giving the control of your life to someone else.
A wise person seeks counsel to assist in making a wise decision, but a wise person never avoids making a decision out of fear of failure. Nothing moves forward without a firm decision. If you would like assistance in sorting through your options to make a wise decision, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. It is your life, decide wisely.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Superior Customer Service
Is Your Customer Service Really Serving?
Great companies always possess exceptional customer service. All things being equal, people do business with the people they trust and the people who make them feel valued. If you were given a choice and in this age of the internet, we all have a plethora of choices, would you pay the same or maybe even a little more to be guaranteed excellent customer service?
One of the three biggest questions anyone has in starting a new business is, “will you be there after the sale?” Customer service is imperative, not optional.
When was the last time you did a blind test of your own customer service? Call and purchase something from your own company. Call and speak to your own customer service. Granted, if you are a sole entrepreneur or a new owner of a network marketing business, this will be challenging. If you are that new or that size company, you probably have more time to focus on exceptional service to each of your clients. The old golden rule “do unto others and you would have them do unto you” never goes out of style.
Business week compiled a list of the top 25 customer service companies. Shop one or two of those companies and test their customer service against your customer service. No one ever thrills 100% of the people 100% of the time; however, that remains a worthy goal.
Hold training for your employees to determine how well you rank on the ten basic rules of customer service.
1. Exceed the customer’s expectations by striving for a positive experience for each one.
2. Educate yourself on your products and services in order to convey the information clearly and succinctly. Don’t build the watch when they ask you for the time.
3. Listen to your customers and learn what they need and want. It is not about what you sell, it is all about what they need to solve their immediate issue or desire.
4. Courtesy and respect are never out of fashion. Demonstrate by your words, tone and actions how much you value their business and value them as a person.
5. When you are wrong, admit it. When they are wrong, find a way to allow them to save face and go forward to work together. Sometimes it takes more finesse but it always costs less to keep a customer than go find a new one.
6. Follow up and do what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
7. Be honest about what your product or service will or will not do. Honesty up front saves problems later.
8. Give your customers the benefit of the doubt; it may be a simple misunderstanding. Handle it with courtesy with sincere questions.
9. Happy customers tell three people and unhappy customers tell ten people. Your reputation is always your golden asset; protect it.
10. The easier it is for your customers to purchase from you, the more likely they are to purchase now and return in the future. Eliminate cumbersome hoops whenever possible. In this day of credit cards providing a “buy now” clickable link increases sales.
Customer service beings in earnest the minute they decide to purchase from you. If anything, be more available after the sale than you were in the process of seeking the sale. Remember the best leaders are servant leaders and the best companies value their employees and customers; they not only value employees and customers but demonstrate that attitude constantly. Treat each customer as if your business depended on their continued loyalty; it does.
For the list of the 25 best companies for customer service and tips and techniques to improve your customer service, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Great companies always possess exceptional customer service. All things being equal, people do business with the people they trust and the people who make them feel valued. If you were given a choice and in this age of the internet, we all have a plethora of choices, would you pay the same or maybe even a little more to be guaranteed excellent customer service?
One of the three biggest questions anyone has in starting a new business is, “will you be there after the sale?” Customer service is imperative, not optional.
When was the last time you did a blind test of your own customer service? Call and purchase something from your own company. Call and speak to your own customer service. Granted, if you are a sole entrepreneur or a new owner of a network marketing business, this will be challenging. If you are that new or that size company, you probably have more time to focus on exceptional service to each of your clients. The old golden rule “do unto others and you would have them do unto you” never goes out of style.
Business week compiled a list of the top 25 customer service companies. Shop one or two of those companies and test their customer service against your customer service. No one ever thrills 100% of the people 100% of the time; however, that remains a worthy goal.
Hold training for your employees to determine how well you rank on the ten basic rules of customer service.
1. Exceed the customer’s expectations by striving for a positive experience for each one.
2. Educate yourself on your products and services in order to convey the information clearly and succinctly. Don’t build the watch when they ask you for the time.
3. Listen to your customers and learn what they need and want. It is not about what you sell, it is all about what they need to solve their immediate issue or desire.
4. Courtesy and respect are never out of fashion. Demonstrate by your words, tone and actions how much you value their business and value them as a person.
5. When you are wrong, admit it. When they are wrong, find a way to allow them to save face and go forward to work together. Sometimes it takes more finesse but it always costs less to keep a customer than go find a new one.
6. Follow up and do what you say you will do when you say you will do it.
7. Be honest about what your product or service will or will not do. Honesty up front saves problems later.
8. Give your customers the benefit of the doubt; it may be a simple misunderstanding. Handle it with courtesy with sincere questions.
9. Happy customers tell three people and unhappy customers tell ten people. Your reputation is always your golden asset; protect it.
10. The easier it is for your customers to purchase from you, the more likely they are to purchase now and return in the future. Eliminate cumbersome hoops whenever possible. In this day of credit cards providing a “buy now” clickable link increases sales.
Customer service beings in earnest the minute they decide to purchase from you. If anything, be more available after the sale than you were in the process of seeking the sale. Remember the best leaders are servant leaders and the best companies value their employees and customers; they not only value employees and customers but demonstrate that attitude constantly. Treat each customer as if your business depended on their continued loyalty; it does.
For the list of the 25 best companies for customer service and tips and techniques to improve your customer service, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Economy or Confidence
Chaos reigns supreme in the American economy. Financial woes are shaking the foundation of the global economy as well. Global currency is about as stable as a kernel of corn in hot oil in a pop corn popper. Trying to anticipate and manage the fluctuations in the market right now is similar to asking fireflies to fly in formation. Impossible.
You are walking across a bed of cactus with your bare feet wondering if you will still have a job next week. What will you do if they give you the pink slip and escort you out of the building? Do you start looking for another job just in case? Do you buckle down and work even harder to prove you are worthy of keeping your job? Do you start your own part time business now, just in case?
Put your nerves in a straight jacket and take a deep breath.
Do you really enjoy your current job? What is it about the job that really inspires you? What would you change if you could? Seriously analyze the “yeah I really like this” and “yikes I would love to change that” parts of the job.
1. If the answer becomes crystal clear that there are far more elements that you would change than you like, it is decision time. How feasible is it to change some of the elements you do not like to become more enjoyable? In a perfect world with all options available to you, what would you really like to be doing?
2. If the answer is that you love your job, then the answer becomes very easy. Find ways to be more valuable to your company. Think innovatively and progressively. Increase your net worth to the company.
3. If the answer is “no, I’m only here for the paycheck” then it is time to explore other options. Do you like having a job?” Would you prefer to control your future and operate your own business? Do you have an entrepreneurial itch which has been begging to be scratched? Has that tiny red spot become a widespread patch of poison ivy which screams “get me out of this job and let me create my own enterprise?”
Once the decision has been firmly implanted in your soul to start your own business, what is stopping you? Oh you say, “The economy is really shaky right now. It’s a bad time to start a new business.” Horse feathers. 16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones average started in an economic downturn. Economy becomes an excuse not a reason.
Could the real reason be a lack of confidence? Your own personal butterflies are seriously out of formation. You are not certain if you will be able to succeed. Remember when you received your first bicycle? Were you afraid to ride without training wheels in case you fell over? Did it stop you? No. Well, if it did then maybe a business of your own may not be a good idea. You probably forced your hands and knees to stop shaking, gripped the handle bars with a death grip and took off down the hill. So what if you fell a few times in the process, you probably eventually mastered riding without hands. You did not let fear paralyze you.
What happened to that childish daring spirit? Millions of people successfully operate their own businesses. It becomes a matter of confidence and determination triumphing over childish fear.
A troubled economy frequently becomes an advantage because start up costs may be down. Help becomes more readily available because people are seeking part time or full time additional income. Some people simply have more available time to give you helpful hints during a down economy. You may even have more time now. You certainly have more motivation if you are concerned about losing a job. The sooner you get your own business on a solid financial footing, the less you have to be concerned about the loss of a job.
Buck up your courage and do what you have always wanted to do. If you have a dream to have your own business, how many more years do you want to slip by before you start taking charge of your future?
For specific tips and techniques on selecting the right business for you and assistance in putting them into a workable plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
You are walking across a bed of cactus with your bare feet wondering if you will still have a job next week. What will you do if they give you the pink slip and escort you out of the building? Do you start looking for another job just in case? Do you buckle down and work even harder to prove you are worthy of keeping your job? Do you start your own part time business now, just in case?
Put your nerves in a straight jacket and take a deep breath.
Do you really enjoy your current job? What is it about the job that really inspires you? What would you change if you could? Seriously analyze the “yeah I really like this” and “yikes I would love to change that” parts of the job.
1. If the answer becomes crystal clear that there are far more elements that you would change than you like, it is decision time. How feasible is it to change some of the elements you do not like to become more enjoyable? In a perfect world with all options available to you, what would you really like to be doing?
2. If the answer is that you love your job, then the answer becomes very easy. Find ways to be more valuable to your company. Think innovatively and progressively. Increase your net worth to the company.
3. If the answer is “no, I’m only here for the paycheck” then it is time to explore other options. Do you like having a job?” Would you prefer to control your future and operate your own business? Do you have an entrepreneurial itch which has been begging to be scratched? Has that tiny red spot become a widespread patch of poison ivy which screams “get me out of this job and let me create my own enterprise?”
Once the decision has been firmly implanted in your soul to start your own business, what is stopping you? Oh you say, “The economy is really shaky right now. It’s a bad time to start a new business.” Horse feathers. 16 of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones average started in an economic downturn. Economy becomes an excuse not a reason.
Could the real reason be a lack of confidence? Your own personal butterflies are seriously out of formation. You are not certain if you will be able to succeed. Remember when you received your first bicycle? Were you afraid to ride without training wheels in case you fell over? Did it stop you? No. Well, if it did then maybe a business of your own may not be a good idea. You probably forced your hands and knees to stop shaking, gripped the handle bars with a death grip and took off down the hill. So what if you fell a few times in the process, you probably eventually mastered riding without hands. You did not let fear paralyze you.
What happened to that childish daring spirit? Millions of people successfully operate their own businesses. It becomes a matter of confidence and determination triumphing over childish fear.
A troubled economy frequently becomes an advantage because start up costs may be down. Help becomes more readily available because people are seeking part time or full time additional income. Some people simply have more available time to give you helpful hints during a down economy. You may even have more time now. You certainly have more motivation if you are concerned about losing a job. The sooner you get your own business on a solid financial footing, the less you have to be concerned about the loss of a job.
Buck up your courage and do what you have always wanted to do. If you have a dream to have your own business, how many more years do you want to slip by before you start taking charge of your future?
For specific tips and techniques on selecting the right business for you and assistance in putting them into a workable plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Skiing Lost A Legend
Skiing lost a legend. Billy Kidd lost a close friend. The world gained an example of courage, positive attitude and a “can do” spirit.
Jimmy Heuga passed away in Boulder at the age of 66. He left a legacy for the skiing world, Olympic record books and a tender spot in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd made Olympic history as the first two American skiers to medal in the same event in the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. Jimmy Heuga earned the bronze medal and Billy Kidd earned the silver medal. The two men have competitors and friends since their early days on the CU ski team in the early 1960s.
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/feb/08/skiing-star-ms-champion-jimmie-heuga-dies/ displays a wonderful article of the close friendship and historic pictures. Steamboat was my home for 29 years. Billy Kidd is one of the finest, most gentle and professional men I have ever had the privilege to meet. Jimmy Heuga embodied so many wonderful character traits; no wonder these two men were such dear friends.
When we look at Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer and his comeback to victory, we smile in tribute. Lance continues to work for a cure for cancer. Jimmy Heuga held his spirits high and continued to work to eradicate the disease of multiple sclerosis. These men set the example for all athletes and all people to follow.
“In Steamboat there is a tradition of touching the tip of your ski pole to the nose of the statue of Buddy Werner at the top of Buddy’s Run. This tribute honors a great skier and a great man. Jimmy, you touched our hearts and we salute you with our ski poles; we pay tribute to a great skier and a great man.” (Article in Wolf Creek Examiner)
In this day of economic unrest, professional athletes in trouble with the police, and whining by the citizens, this display of courage, professionalism and living out loud represents an example we can all embrace with pride.
Looking at the discipline, endurance and dedication of true gentlemen and athletic heroes such as Jimmy Heuga, Lance Armstrong and Billy Kidd bring a smile of pride to all of us. These men not only stood in the limelight but stand tall in the eyes of all as examples.
Gratitude swells in our hearts as we appreciate our wonderful country, our abundance, our health and opportunities to live and achieve. Regardless of our current circumstances, we still possess an abundance of opportunities to achieve and leave a positive legacy.
When we examine the physical and mental endurance required to live with or overcome serious disease, it dissolves any possible excuse any of us may have for whining about our minor inconveniences.
Where are you in your life, health, career and finances right now? Do you have the desire, drive and mental metal to reach deep inside yourself and overcome your circumstances the way Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong did? These men were winners in every sense of the word. They won in their sport, they won in their battle with disease and they won in the battle to rise above circumstances to leave a legacy of which they can be proud.
Start by being grateful for what you do have. Form a plan to achieve everything you dream and desire. Take action to make it happen. “Everything you need is already inside you,” said Anthony Robbins. It is up to you to do something positive with those gifts.
The gauntlet is down. Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong set the bar high by living out loud and setting the example. Can you reach deep inside yourself and do more with your life?
If you want assistance or inspiration, send me a comment in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Jimmy Heuga passed away in Boulder at the age of 66. He left a legacy for the skiing world, Olympic record books and a tender spot in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Jimmy Heuga and Billy Kidd made Olympic history as the first two American skiers to medal in the same event in the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics. Jimmy Heuga earned the bronze medal and Billy Kidd earned the silver medal. The two men have competitors and friends since their early days on the CU ski team in the early 1960s.
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2010/feb/08/skiing-star-ms-champion-jimmie-heuga-dies/ displays a wonderful article of the close friendship and historic pictures. Steamboat was my home for 29 years. Billy Kidd is one of the finest, most gentle and professional men I have ever had the privilege to meet. Jimmy Heuga embodied so many wonderful character traits; no wonder these two men were such dear friends.
When we look at Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer and his comeback to victory, we smile in tribute. Lance continues to work for a cure for cancer. Jimmy Heuga held his spirits high and continued to work to eradicate the disease of multiple sclerosis. These men set the example for all athletes and all people to follow.
“In Steamboat there is a tradition of touching the tip of your ski pole to the nose of the statue of Buddy Werner at the top of Buddy’s Run. This tribute honors a great skier and a great man. Jimmy, you touched our hearts and we salute you with our ski poles; we pay tribute to a great skier and a great man.” (Article in Wolf Creek Examiner)
In this day of economic unrest, professional athletes in trouble with the police, and whining by the citizens, this display of courage, professionalism and living out loud represents an example we can all embrace with pride.
Looking at the discipline, endurance and dedication of true gentlemen and athletic heroes such as Jimmy Heuga, Lance Armstrong and Billy Kidd bring a smile of pride to all of us. These men not only stood in the limelight but stand tall in the eyes of all as examples.
Gratitude swells in our hearts as we appreciate our wonderful country, our abundance, our health and opportunities to live and achieve. Regardless of our current circumstances, we still possess an abundance of opportunities to achieve and leave a positive legacy.
When we examine the physical and mental endurance required to live with or overcome serious disease, it dissolves any possible excuse any of us may have for whining about our minor inconveniences.
Where are you in your life, health, career and finances right now? Do you have the desire, drive and mental metal to reach deep inside yourself and overcome your circumstances the way Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong did? These men were winners in every sense of the word. They won in their sport, they won in their battle with disease and they won in the battle to rise above circumstances to leave a legacy of which they can be proud.
Start by being grateful for what you do have. Form a plan to achieve everything you dream and desire. Take action to make it happen. “Everything you need is already inside you,” said Anthony Robbins. It is up to you to do something positive with those gifts.
The gauntlet is down. Jimmy Heuga and Lance Armstrong set the bar high by living out loud and setting the example. Can you reach deep inside yourself and do more with your life?
If you want assistance or inspiration, send me a comment in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
How much Information is Enough?
Don’t you just cringe when you ask a question about an internet business and they say, “just sign up, we’ll tell you what to do later.” Some are almost that bad. There are websites on the internet today which do not tell you what kind of business it is or anything about it.
Caution about getting involved with a business which will not provide any information.
As a potential business purchaser, you have a right to know:
1. The name of the parent company
2. The main product – not all of the details, but the type of product. Is it a juice, telephone card, financial education, marketing education, cosmetics etc.
3. The type of business – franchise, MLM, Network marketing, affiliate program . . .
4. Do you earn from your first sale or have to pass up sales
5. How long has the company been in business
These are basic pieces of information to which you have a right before you invest your hard earned money.
Most people are concerned about:
1. Can I do it?
2. Will you be there after the sale?
3. Is it real? Is it legitimate?
After you filled out your information on the web site, did you receive a telephone call? If they called, where they high pressure sales or genuinely interested in you and your needs? If you did not receive a phone call, was there a number where you could contact them and speak to a live person? In the old days, ten or twenty years ago, you may have been sent to a pre-recorded message on an 800 line and asked to leave your contact information. That technique is rarely used now. Quite frequently now, you may receive a pre-recorded message sent directly to your telephone without your request for the call. That is regarded as a form of telephone spam rather than internet spam email.
How much personal attention do you desire? If you are the type of person who enjoys speaking with a real live human, then you can either call or respond to those who telephone you. Providing a telephone number on the web site is an indication that the owner of the web site is open to speaking with you and providing information to you.
The next step after the initial contact will probably be an email directing you to either a conference call or a web site for more information. This may be a personal email or an auto responder email. How much real information is provided in the email? Once again, have you been provided with contact information to speak directly with the sender?
When you attend the conference call or web site, how much information do you receive in addition to the enthusiasm and sales pitch? If it is all rah rah and no specific product or company information, be careful. The company name should be given for your reference.
Look up the company to determine if it has an excessive number of complaints. Any company which has been in business for 5 or more years will probably have a few grumblers. It is impossible for any person or any company to make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.
Attorney general complaints are more significant than blogs or whiner chat rooms. Look at the source of the information in the complaint. Better Business Bureau is not a real government bureau; it is a “for profit” company. Much like the Federal Reserve is not actually federal; it is a private profit corporation.
There are a tremendous number of honest, ethical companies available for starting your own business. Being an entrepreneur is a wonderful, exciting and extremely beneficial venture. The important factors are to select the best business for you; select a business which fits your interests, your passion, your goals, your investment and your future income. Ethics and integrity must be present.
The more open and informative the business, the greater the opportunity for you to make a solid decision about what is best for you.
If you would like assistance in sorting through the information and guidance on selecting the best business for you, send me a note in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Caution about getting involved with a business which will not provide any information.
As a potential business purchaser, you have a right to know:
1. The name of the parent company
2. The main product – not all of the details, but the type of product. Is it a juice, telephone card, financial education, marketing education, cosmetics etc.
3. The type of business – franchise, MLM, Network marketing, affiliate program . . .
4. Do you earn from your first sale or have to pass up sales
5. How long has the company been in business
These are basic pieces of information to which you have a right before you invest your hard earned money.
Most people are concerned about:
1. Can I do it?
2. Will you be there after the sale?
3. Is it real? Is it legitimate?
After you filled out your information on the web site, did you receive a telephone call? If they called, where they high pressure sales or genuinely interested in you and your needs? If you did not receive a phone call, was there a number where you could contact them and speak to a live person? In the old days, ten or twenty years ago, you may have been sent to a pre-recorded message on an 800 line and asked to leave your contact information. That technique is rarely used now. Quite frequently now, you may receive a pre-recorded message sent directly to your telephone without your request for the call. That is regarded as a form of telephone spam rather than internet spam email.
How much personal attention do you desire? If you are the type of person who enjoys speaking with a real live human, then you can either call or respond to those who telephone you. Providing a telephone number on the web site is an indication that the owner of the web site is open to speaking with you and providing information to you.
The next step after the initial contact will probably be an email directing you to either a conference call or a web site for more information. This may be a personal email or an auto responder email. How much real information is provided in the email? Once again, have you been provided with contact information to speak directly with the sender?
When you attend the conference call or web site, how much information do you receive in addition to the enthusiasm and sales pitch? If it is all rah rah and no specific product or company information, be careful. The company name should be given for your reference.
Look up the company to determine if it has an excessive number of complaints. Any company which has been in business for 5 or more years will probably have a few grumblers. It is impossible for any person or any company to make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time.
Attorney general complaints are more significant than blogs or whiner chat rooms. Look at the source of the information in the complaint. Better Business Bureau is not a real government bureau; it is a “for profit” company. Much like the Federal Reserve is not actually federal; it is a private profit corporation.
There are a tremendous number of honest, ethical companies available for starting your own business. Being an entrepreneur is a wonderful, exciting and extremely beneficial venture. The important factors are to select the best business for you; select a business which fits your interests, your passion, your goals, your investment and your future income. Ethics and integrity must be present.
The more open and informative the business, the greater the opportunity for you to make a solid decision about what is best for you.
If you would like assistance in sorting through the information and guidance on selecting the best business for you, send me a note in the “contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
When the Wheels Come Off
What do you do when the wheels come off of your world?
A friend of mine lost a fifty thousand dollar contract recently. When you consider that is more money than most people throughout the world, including the United States, earn in a year, the significance is enormous. He had been working on this major project for over ten months and he was eager to deliver the finished product and collect his fee. Imagine his excitement when he called the company declaring that the work was completed a few weeks ahead of schedule and he was ready to present what he believed was an exceptional product. Bringing a major project in early as well as above and beyond the scope of the contract, feels exhilarating. He was prepared to coordinate schedules with all of the major executives with his schedule. Imagine his shock when he learned that the company was bankrupt and he would not only not be presenting the project but would not be paid.
A flood of emotions flow through your body like electric shock waves. Anger, shock, grief, confusion, and hurt rise and fall like tidal waves until your energy is depleted and you sit stunned and exhausted. A year’s income, a year’s work all evaporated before your eyes.
What do you do? You can scream, cry, pout or even throw things; however none of those do any good. You can go drink but that is never a solution either. Give yourself a few minutes to regain your composure and figure out what happens next. If the company truly is bankrupt and closing its doors, you are probably not the only broken contract and not the only impending lawsuit. Suing in this case would probably be pointless; the only one who usually wins in these situations is the attorney.
An attorney in Steamboat Springs had the picture of a cow on his wall. One person was pulling the head of the cow by the halter, the other pulling the tail of the cow and the attorney sitting there milking the cow. Both ends of the lawsuit lose and the attorney mils the situation. Alternative dispute resolution frequently benefits both parties in the lawsuit more than litigation. A lawsuit would not be recommended in this case.
Look at the work and determine what good could result from it. Could he write a book, teach a seminar, or sell it to another company. A full year’s work must be worth something to someone. Put your thinking cap on and go for it.
Life occasionally hands us a brutal slap in the financial face. Maybe yours was a job loss.
If you are like most people, you have been employed in more than one job throughout your life. Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the center from the top of the paper to the bottom. Start making a list on the left side of the paper of everything you ever liked about any job you ever had. Start making a list on the right side of the paper of everything you ever disliked about any job you ever had. Take a fresh new sheet of paper and list everything which would be ideal for you in a new career. Note that I did not say new job; many people find this is the perfect time to start a business of their own.
After all, you can not possibly be terminated from a company you own without your consent. In a perfect world with zero limitations, what would you enjoy doing for a career? No, do not analyze or go negative, just think and write possibilities.
This technique is a variation of the Ben Franklin problem solving method.
This is exactly the advice given to my friend who lost the fifty thousand dollar contract fee. Look for all of the positives, the known negatives and the potential desirable outcomes. From this method will emerge a pattern; from the pattern will emerge a solution.
We always have a solution just around the corner; our responsibility is to look for it, find it and implement it.
If you lost you job, then determine all of the positives, negatives and desirable outcomes. Now when you go forward to seek a new career you have more experience in selecting the ideal position for you. That is a tremendous advantage to having a few years experience. We have the knowledge to know what we like and what we don’t like. As a professor of mine once said, you can have ten years experience or one year’s experience ten times. You have the benefit of ten years experience. Next time you will make an even better choice.
Maybe this is the perfect time to launch your own business and create the future you desire. Fulfill everything on your ideal career list. Work in your area of strength and passion. Creating your ideal future is far more fun than creating the future of someone else’s dreams.
If you would like assistance in determining your passion, your ideal future career, write me a note in the ‘contact Elaine’ section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
A friend of mine lost a fifty thousand dollar contract recently. When you consider that is more money than most people throughout the world, including the United States, earn in a year, the significance is enormous. He had been working on this major project for over ten months and he was eager to deliver the finished product and collect his fee. Imagine his excitement when he called the company declaring that the work was completed a few weeks ahead of schedule and he was ready to present what he believed was an exceptional product. Bringing a major project in early as well as above and beyond the scope of the contract, feels exhilarating. He was prepared to coordinate schedules with all of the major executives with his schedule. Imagine his shock when he learned that the company was bankrupt and he would not only not be presenting the project but would not be paid.
A flood of emotions flow through your body like electric shock waves. Anger, shock, grief, confusion, and hurt rise and fall like tidal waves until your energy is depleted and you sit stunned and exhausted. A year’s income, a year’s work all evaporated before your eyes.
What do you do? You can scream, cry, pout or even throw things; however none of those do any good. You can go drink but that is never a solution either. Give yourself a few minutes to regain your composure and figure out what happens next. If the company truly is bankrupt and closing its doors, you are probably not the only broken contract and not the only impending lawsuit. Suing in this case would probably be pointless; the only one who usually wins in these situations is the attorney.
An attorney in Steamboat Springs had the picture of a cow on his wall. One person was pulling the head of the cow by the halter, the other pulling the tail of the cow and the attorney sitting there milking the cow. Both ends of the lawsuit lose and the attorney mils the situation. Alternative dispute resolution frequently benefits both parties in the lawsuit more than litigation. A lawsuit would not be recommended in this case.
Look at the work and determine what good could result from it. Could he write a book, teach a seminar, or sell it to another company. A full year’s work must be worth something to someone. Put your thinking cap on and go for it.
Life occasionally hands us a brutal slap in the financial face. Maybe yours was a job loss.
If you are like most people, you have been employed in more than one job throughout your life. Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the center from the top of the paper to the bottom. Start making a list on the left side of the paper of everything you ever liked about any job you ever had. Start making a list on the right side of the paper of everything you ever disliked about any job you ever had. Take a fresh new sheet of paper and list everything which would be ideal for you in a new career. Note that I did not say new job; many people find this is the perfect time to start a business of their own.
After all, you can not possibly be terminated from a company you own without your consent. In a perfect world with zero limitations, what would you enjoy doing for a career? No, do not analyze or go negative, just think and write possibilities.
This technique is a variation of the Ben Franklin problem solving method.
This is exactly the advice given to my friend who lost the fifty thousand dollar contract fee. Look for all of the positives, the known negatives and the potential desirable outcomes. From this method will emerge a pattern; from the pattern will emerge a solution.
We always have a solution just around the corner; our responsibility is to look for it, find it and implement it.
If you lost you job, then determine all of the positives, negatives and desirable outcomes. Now when you go forward to seek a new career you have more experience in selecting the ideal position for you. That is a tremendous advantage to having a few years experience. We have the knowledge to know what we like and what we don’t like. As a professor of mine once said, you can have ten years experience or one year’s experience ten times. You have the benefit of ten years experience. Next time you will make an even better choice.
Maybe this is the perfect time to launch your own business and create the future you desire. Fulfill everything on your ideal career list. Work in your area of strength and passion. Creating your ideal future is far more fun than creating the future of someone else’s dreams.
If you would like assistance in determining your passion, your ideal future career, write me a note in the ‘contact Elaine’ section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, February 5, 2010
3 Solutions For Success
A fresh approach changes the direction of your results. “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought,” Henri Louis Bergson.
Everyone reaches a point in life where they feel stuck. The creativity does not flow and the spirit is restless. Wayne Dyer, world renowned author, lecturer and philosopher, once said that it is impossible to be depressed and active at the same time. The greatest cure for being stuck, restless or depressed is always action. Go do something. Write, read, walk, bake cookies or clean the garage. Go do something.
Better yet, when you are restless and discontent with your current situation, go do something wonderful for someone else. Doing something good for someone else not only makes them feel better but it also improves your attitude.
When your results are not progressing the way you desire, the 3 areas to investigate are:
Attitude
Philosophy
Activity
Your attitude reflects your perspective toward a situation. It is how you feel about the events in your life. A positive attitude will always help you do more than a negative attitude.
"A 'positive attitude' is definitely one of the keys to success. My definition of a positive attitude is a simple one: Looking for the good in all circumstances. Catherine Pulsifer
Your attitude reflects in everything you do whether you realize it or not. Your attitude about yourself, your work and your life in general projects into everything you say and do. When things are not going your way, look inside rather than outside.
Your philosophy is your pursuit of knowledge through study and self discipline. Jim Rohn was 25 when he realized that the problem with his finances was not the economy, the government, the taxes or any external force but his philosophy of life. He changed his philosophy and began disciplining himself to study successful people. He read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Clason. He adopted their philosophy of handling money, business and forward thinking mindset. This subtle change in philosophy created a major shift in his earnings and the way he managed his money.
Philosophy quotes can be very obtuse and vague. Oscar Wilde said it best, “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I m saying.” One of my favorites of Oscar Wilde is “I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.”
Break philosophy down into simple terms. Change your perspective about a situation; study and develop a new view of life. According to Wayne Dyer, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. This is philosophy 101.
Once you change your attitude to reflect more of the positive approach and change your philosophy to study and gain new perspective, your activity will automatically change.
Get in the habit every night of making a list of five things to move your business. Let your subconscious work on the solutions while you sleep. Be absolutely certain to complete your five major action steps every day. Every activity must move you closer to your goal.
Decide with pin point accuracy your exact goals. Know precisely what you consider as success: personal, professional, and financial. Focus every activity each day with laser beam accuracy toward the achievement of those goals.
With a crystal clear philosophy, a positive attitude and laser focused accuracy in all of your activities, it would be impossible to miss your goals.
When your life stalls out or misses its target, reassess your attitude, philosophy and accuracy. Changing one or a combination of those three factors will turn your life upward.
If you would like assistance with attitude, philosophy, or activity, write a comment in “contact Elaine” in www.Elaine4Success.com. Your future is guaranteed.
Everyone reaches a point in life where they feel stuck. The creativity does not flow and the spirit is restless. Wayne Dyer, world renowned author, lecturer and philosopher, once said that it is impossible to be depressed and active at the same time. The greatest cure for being stuck, restless or depressed is always action. Go do something. Write, read, walk, bake cookies or clean the garage. Go do something.
Better yet, when you are restless and discontent with your current situation, go do something wonderful for someone else. Doing something good for someone else not only makes them feel better but it also improves your attitude.
When your results are not progressing the way you desire, the 3 areas to investigate are:
Attitude
Philosophy
Activity
Your attitude reflects your perspective toward a situation. It is how you feel about the events in your life. A positive attitude will always help you do more than a negative attitude.
"A 'positive attitude' is definitely one of the keys to success. My definition of a positive attitude is a simple one: Looking for the good in all circumstances. Catherine Pulsifer
Your attitude reflects in everything you do whether you realize it or not. Your attitude about yourself, your work and your life in general projects into everything you say and do. When things are not going your way, look inside rather than outside.
Your philosophy is your pursuit of knowledge through study and self discipline. Jim Rohn was 25 when he realized that the problem with his finances was not the economy, the government, the taxes or any external force but his philosophy of life. He changed his philosophy and began disciplining himself to study successful people. He read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Clason. He adopted their philosophy of handling money, business and forward thinking mindset. This subtle change in philosophy created a major shift in his earnings and the way he managed his money.
Philosophy quotes can be very obtuse and vague. Oscar Wilde said it best, “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I m saying.” One of my favorites of Oscar Wilde is “I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.”
Break philosophy down into simple terms. Change your perspective about a situation; study and develop a new view of life. According to Wayne Dyer, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. This is philosophy 101.
Once you change your attitude to reflect more of the positive approach and change your philosophy to study and gain new perspective, your activity will automatically change.
Get in the habit every night of making a list of five things to move your business. Let your subconscious work on the solutions while you sleep. Be absolutely certain to complete your five major action steps every day. Every activity must move you closer to your goal.
Decide with pin point accuracy your exact goals. Know precisely what you consider as success: personal, professional, and financial. Focus every activity each day with laser beam accuracy toward the achievement of those goals.
With a crystal clear philosophy, a positive attitude and laser focused accuracy in all of your activities, it would be impossible to miss your goals.
When your life stalls out or misses its target, reassess your attitude, philosophy and accuracy. Changing one or a combination of those three factors will turn your life upward.
If you would like assistance with attitude, philosophy, or activity, write a comment in “contact Elaine” in www.Elaine4Success.com. Your future is guaranteed.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Psychology of Colors Marketing
From across a crowded room your eye catches a flash of hot pink. A smile eases its way across your face and you carefully weave your way through the crowd. Something about that flash of color beckoned you with an irresistible magnetism. You were compelled to learn more about its origin. The irresistible mystery of that flash or color inspired you to investigate.
Colors speak to us on a subliminal level as well as overt appeal. What do your colors say about you? Your marketing colors speak volumes about your quality, your product and your personality. Colors, logo and succinct well chosen words in your web site banner or marketing brochure either immediately catch the eye or bye bye potential customer. You have mere seconds to catch the eye or the lightening quick back button or delete button is pushed.
Colors, logo and headline either speak “come here, there is something important here” or you lost your chance just as certainly as not following your instinct to investigate that flash of hot pink. Create a positive eye catching magnetic pull. Instill a subconscious desire to learn more. The best web page content in the world is worthless unless you attract your ideal customer to click the link and stay on your page long enough to actually read the words. The mind thinks in pictures and colors. Never underestimate your initial impression.
What colors and image represent your company, products and culture? Study your psychology of colors marketing image. Examine some industry leaders.
IBM was known as big blue. Blue represents the expanse of sky and sea indicating wide spread market share. Blue is linked to consciousness and intellect and suggests precision when promoting high-tech products. Further note the prominence in blue for men’s shirts in corporate America; blue projects more of a masculine image. The origin of the term “Big Blue” could have come from the color of their 1960s mainframe computer, the loyal true blue customer or the company dress code. The name fit and it remained intact.
IBM’s logo is simple, clear and representative of International Business Machines. Currently the logo is the simple white letters with thin black lines on a solid black background. Simple crisp and clean.
General Mills chose a simple cursive G in green. Green represents nature and freshness with a strong emotional correspondence to safety. Freshness, assurance of health and safety are all excellent qualities for food products. Notice that green frequently also represents the safety of drugs and medical products. Shades of green are also very significant. Darker green us associated with greed or jealousy; yellow-green tends toward sickness or discord; olive green is traditionally the color of peace. Note that General Mills chose a leaf green, the color of a healthy young leaf.
The cursive G of the logo is warm, welcoming, and friendly. Note the difference in the Green Bay Packers bold print G showing strength and masculinity.
Colors and logo form a strong image of the company and products.
McDonalds golden arches flash the image of joy, happiness and energy. Yellow arches beckon children with their cheerfulness; yellow is a very lighthearted childish color. Ronald McDonald the clown follows through the image with happiness, play and pied piper welcome. Absolutely nothing strong and masculine about a clown’s image; yellow would never be recommended for a strong male image.
The golden arches logo is once again clean, crisp and simple. They are easy to identify from a distance and convey a “come on inside” image.
These are only three examples of the color and logo conveying the perfect image for the company and products. Consider the psychology of colors in your advertising materials.
What image do your colors and logo project about you? Colors absolutely have a specific psychological impact. Are your marketing colors and logo conveying the psychology you intend?
For a specific analysis of your current marketing colors or to design the appropriate colors to depict your intended image, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Colors speak to us on a subliminal level as well as overt appeal. What do your colors say about you? Your marketing colors speak volumes about your quality, your product and your personality. Colors, logo and succinct well chosen words in your web site banner or marketing brochure either immediately catch the eye or bye bye potential customer. You have mere seconds to catch the eye or the lightening quick back button or delete button is pushed.
Colors, logo and headline either speak “come here, there is something important here” or you lost your chance just as certainly as not following your instinct to investigate that flash of hot pink. Create a positive eye catching magnetic pull. Instill a subconscious desire to learn more. The best web page content in the world is worthless unless you attract your ideal customer to click the link and stay on your page long enough to actually read the words. The mind thinks in pictures and colors. Never underestimate your initial impression.
What colors and image represent your company, products and culture? Study your psychology of colors marketing image. Examine some industry leaders.
IBM was known as big blue. Blue represents the expanse of sky and sea indicating wide spread market share. Blue is linked to consciousness and intellect and suggests precision when promoting high-tech products. Further note the prominence in blue for men’s shirts in corporate America; blue projects more of a masculine image. The origin of the term “Big Blue” could have come from the color of their 1960s mainframe computer, the loyal true blue customer or the company dress code. The name fit and it remained intact.
IBM’s logo is simple, clear and representative of International Business Machines. Currently the logo is the simple white letters with thin black lines on a solid black background. Simple crisp and clean.
General Mills chose a simple cursive G in green. Green represents nature and freshness with a strong emotional correspondence to safety. Freshness, assurance of health and safety are all excellent qualities for food products. Notice that green frequently also represents the safety of drugs and medical products. Shades of green are also very significant. Darker green us associated with greed or jealousy; yellow-green tends toward sickness or discord; olive green is traditionally the color of peace. Note that General Mills chose a leaf green, the color of a healthy young leaf.
The cursive G of the logo is warm, welcoming, and friendly. Note the difference in the Green Bay Packers bold print G showing strength and masculinity.
Colors and logo form a strong image of the company and products.
McDonalds golden arches flash the image of joy, happiness and energy. Yellow arches beckon children with their cheerfulness; yellow is a very lighthearted childish color. Ronald McDonald the clown follows through the image with happiness, play and pied piper welcome. Absolutely nothing strong and masculine about a clown’s image; yellow would never be recommended for a strong male image.
The golden arches logo is once again clean, crisp and simple. They are easy to identify from a distance and convey a “come on inside” image.
These are only three examples of the color and logo conveying the perfect image for the company and products. Consider the psychology of colors in your advertising materials.
What image do your colors and logo project about you? Colors absolutely have a specific psychological impact. Are your marketing colors and logo conveying the psychology you intend?
For a specific analysis of your current marketing colors or to design the appropriate colors to depict your intended image, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
3 Keys To Success
Surveys of major corporative executives and business icons revealed three major keys to business success.
Ever known anyone who was absolutely brilliant but spoke in technical terms so far above most of the audience that they might as well have been speaking Greek? Speaking in insider acronyms or industry specific jargon is only effective with a very select audience. Everyone else mentally checks out within the first five minutes. The easy assumption seems to be that because the speaker knows the terminology, everyone should.
Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple are both incredibly bright men and very technology savvy; however, their presentation style varies radically. One of the things Toastmasters teaches and every successful presenter knows is the importance of connecting with your audience. Effective communication is not optional. You may have the best book, the best web site, the best scientific proof; however, if you can not communicate it to audience in a language they understand and relate to, you have nothing more than a pretty document. Information only becomes valuable when it reaches out beyond the originator. Society receives no benefit from a closet report.
The first key to success is valuable information communicated effectively.
Problems exist everywhere. Personal problems, business problems, and social problems permeate our lives. Having the ability to solve problems is a tremendous asset. Solving problems in a cost effective manner is an even bigger asset. Add on solving problems while increasing morale and reducing employee turnover and you qualify for the executive washroom benefits package. Major executives must possess the ability to solve problems. The more “buy in” they receive from employees at all levels coupled with increases to the bottom line, the higher the bonus check.
If the company profits are to soar, you not only need the best pilot at the controls but also the right people in the right seats on the plane. Planes only fly effectively with the best people in the control tower and the right people on the ground crew. No major corporation ever soars effectively without a team effort. Problems will occur. It may be a lightening storm such as the economy tanking or ice on the wings such as a change in consumer demand for the products or an earthquake destroying the landing strip such as a union strike. Problems occur. The more effectively and swiftly these problems are solved, the more valuable the problem solver.
The second key to success is swiftly and effectively solving problems.
Ever see an employee evaluation which stated “does not work and play well with others.” Actually that phrase may have appeared on a kindergarten report card. Some never managed to acquire that attribute. In the problem solving section we described the importance of team work. Team work is not only the responsibility of the team leader, but also every member of the team. A wonderful team can easily come apart at the seams with one itchy, nit picky red ant. Working and playing well with others means everyone, just a few or when convenient. That attribute is extremely important for the team leader. The old expression about herding cats or organizing butterflies to fly in formation has direct impact on the team leader. A disorganized, dictatorial or micro manager team leader will not inspire his group to cooperate and play well together. Michael Jordan is a world acclaimed basketball player but Michael alone would not make an effective team. He frequently passed the ball to other players; he knew how to work and play well with others.
The third key to success is working and playing well with others.
Master the art and skill of effective communication, problem solving and team work and you will absolutely prosper in business and in life.
For specific tips and techniques for effective communication, problem solving and team coordination, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Ever known anyone who was absolutely brilliant but spoke in technical terms so far above most of the audience that they might as well have been speaking Greek? Speaking in insider acronyms or industry specific jargon is only effective with a very select audience. Everyone else mentally checks out within the first five minutes. The easy assumption seems to be that because the speaker knows the terminology, everyone should.
Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple are both incredibly bright men and very technology savvy; however, their presentation style varies radically. One of the things Toastmasters teaches and every successful presenter knows is the importance of connecting with your audience. Effective communication is not optional. You may have the best book, the best web site, the best scientific proof; however, if you can not communicate it to audience in a language they understand and relate to, you have nothing more than a pretty document. Information only becomes valuable when it reaches out beyond the originator. Society receives no benefit from a closet report.
The first key to success is valuable information communicated effectively.
Problems exist everywhere. Personal problems, business problems, and social problems permeate our lives. Having the ability to solve problems is a tremendous asset. Solving problems in a cost effective manner is an even bigger asset. Add on solving problems while increasing morale and reducing employee turnover and you qualify for the executive washroom benefits package. Major executives must possess the ability to solve problems. The more “buy in” they receive from employees at all levels coupled with increases to the bottom line, the higher the bonus check.
If the company profits are to soar, you not only need the best pilot at the controls but also the right people in the right seats on the plane. Planes only fly effectively with the best people in the control tower and the right people on the ground crew. No major corporation ever soars effectively without a team effort. Problems will occur. It may be a lightening storm such as the economy tanking or ice on the wings such as a change in consumer demand for the products or an earthquake destroying the landing strip such as a union strike. Problems occur. The more effectively and swiftly these problems are solved, the more valuable the problem solver.
The second key to success is swiftly and effectively solving problems.
Ever see an employee evaluation which stated “does not work and play well with others.” Actually that phrase may have appeared on a kindergarten report card. Some never managed to acquire that attribute. In the problem solving section we described the importance of team work. Team work is not only the responsibility of the team leader, but also every member of the team. A wonderful team can easily come apart at the seams with one itchy, nit picky red ant. Working and playing well with others means everyone, just a few or when convenient. That attribute is extremely important for the team leader. The old expression about herding cats or organizing butterflies to fly in formation has direct impact on the team leader. A disorganized, dictatorial or micro manager team leader will not inspire his group to cooperate and play well together. Michael Jordan is a world acclaimed basketball player but Michael alone would not make an effective team. He frequently passed the ball to other players; he knew how to work and play well with others.
The third key to success is working and playing well with others.
Master the art and skill of effective communication, problem solving and team work and you will absolutely prosper in business and in life.
For specific tips and techniques for effective communication, problem solving and team coordination, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Push Emotional Buttons
It is just one of those days. Murphy’s Law declares that what could go wrong, will go wrong. Parkinson’s law states that Murphy was an optimist. When one of those situations slaps your face and kicks your emotional equilibrium out of the park, sit back, take a deep breath and use a tension release system.
Abraham Lincoln perfected a system of expounding on his thoughts without regard to what anyone might think about his language. Political politeness never entered the consideration. He wrote a letter with full open expression of his thoughts. Frequently these letters were addressed to various Union officers who made tactical battlefield errors resulting in tremendous loss of life. Each letter was written in detail, folded, placed in an envelope and deposited in the steamer trunk mailbox. None of these letters ever reached the recipient or the US Postal system. The Lincoln “letter to the steamer trunk” system provided an effective venting system without harming anyone.
Ed Tate, professional speaker and coach, introduced the “scream at a chair” system. Imagine the object of your displeasure seated in the chair; rant and rave to your heart’s content. This method is best used out of earshot of your neighbors or any household members. This is particularly unsuitable in the vicinity of small children or animals. This method is far less expensive and less messy than throwing china against a wall.
My personal favorite emotional release technique is physical. No, not throwing china. Go for a run, go for a long walk, take a bike ride or go to the gym and lift weights. Physical activity releases negative pent up energy in a positive way. Physical exercise burns calories as opposed to eating a pound of chocolates or a gallon of ice cream which adds calories.
Rent a funny movie, listen to your favorite comedians’ CD or watch their DVD. Laugh. Laughing is another way of releasing tension. If you plan on hysterical laughter, once again you may choose to be out of hearing distance of your neighbors. Though they will not call the gentlemen with the pristine white straight jackets to come get you for laughing too much, doing this too frequently may raise eyebrows.
None of these tension relievers will cause the nice officers with the flashing lights atop their vehicles to give you a breathalyzer or take you to a cozy enclosure with a roommate named Bubba.
Everyone experiences having their emotional buttons pushed. Sometimes our family, friends and co-workers perfect the technique of knowing exactly where to insert the emotional electric shock barb.
Science has not discovered the exact location of a filter between the thoughts and the outward sound of the knife sharp words. In fact, the possibility exists that some people may have a faulty installation of that filter. Not everyone came equipped with a “think before you speak” mechanism. Some people seem completely oblivious of the necessity for such a filter. Some people are simply oblivious to the feelings of others; they either do not care or are unconscious of verbal impacts.
Remember, it is not about you, it is their issue. Unfortunately you are left to deal with the wounded ego.
It is not a matter of IF your emotional buttons will be pushed, but when. Reacting openly and with hostility to the perpetrator of the verbal zinger only extends your pain. The more public attention you draw to the insult, the more impact it has on everyone. Let it go and use the Lincoln letter, scream at a chair, physical exercise or laugh system to relieve your tension and restore your sanity.
Once you are in a calmer mindset, you will be better equipped to handle the situation in a manner that you will not regret later. Fortunately you received the filter from thoughts to words as original installation.
In case your filter has a faulty installation, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for a filter implementation or repair.
Abraham Lincoln perfected a system of expounding on his thoughts without regard to what anyone might think about his language. Political politeness never entered the consideration. He wrote a letter with full open expression of his thoughts. Frequently these letters were addressed to various Union officers who made tactical battlefield errors resulting in tremendous loss of life. Each letter was written in detail, folded, placed in an envelope and deposited in the steamer trunk mailbox. None of these letters ever reached the recipient or the US Postal system. The Lincoln “letter to the steamer trunk” system provided an effective venting system without harming anyone.
Ed Tate, professional speaker and coach, introduced the “scream at a chair” system. Imagine the object of your displeasure seated in the chair; rant and rave to your heart’s content. This method is best used out of earshot of your neighbors or any household members. This is particularly unsuitable in the vicinity of small children or animals. This method is far less expensive and less messy than throwing china against a wall.
My personal favorite emotional release technique is physical. No, not throwing china. Go for a run, go for a long walk, take a bike ride or go to the gym and lift weights. Physical activity releases negative pent up energy in a positive way. Physical exercise burns calories as opposed to eating a pound of chocolates or a gallon of ice cream which adds calories.
Rent a funny movie, listen to your favorite comedians’ CD or watch their DVD. Laugh. Laughing is another way of releasing tension. If you plan on hysterical laughter, once again you may choose to be out of hearing distance of your neighbors. Though they will not call the gentlemen with the pristine white straight jackets to come get you for laughing too much, doing this too frequently may raise eyebrows.
None of these tension relievers will cause the nice officers with the flashing lights atop their vehicles to give you a breathalyzer or take you to a cozy enclosure with a roommate named Bubba.
Everyone experiences having their emotional buttons pushed. Sometimes our family, friends and co-workers perfect the technique of knowing exactly where to insert the emotional electric shock barb.
Science has not discovered the exact location of a filter between the thoughts and the outward sound of the knife sharp words. In fact, the possibility exists that some people may have a faulty installation of that filter. Not everyone came equipped with a “think before you speak” mechanism. Some people seem completely oblivious of the necessity for such a filter. Some people are simply oblivious to the feelings of others; they either do not care or are unconscious of verbal impacts.
Remember, it is not about you, it is their issue. Unfortunately you are left to deal with the wounded ego.
It is not a matter of IF your emotional buttons will be pushed, but when. Reacting openly and with hostility to the perpetrator of the verbal zinger only extends your pain. The more public attention you draw to the insult, the more impact it has on everyone. Let it go and use the Lincoln letter, scream at a chair, physical exercise or laugh system to relieve your tension and restore your sanity.
Once you are in a calmer mindset, you will be better equipped to handle the situation in a manner that you will not regret later. Fortunately you received the filter from thoughts to words as original installation.
In case your filter has a faulty installation, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for a filter implementation or repair.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Survive, Strive, Thrive
Life comes in phases – baby to young adult to senior citizen. Business displays the same phases.
Survivors are people whose attitude of minimum effort allows them to just survive; they choose to do as little as possible to get through life. You will find these people on the welfare roles. An upscale version of this appears in the cute kid who expects life to hand them everything they want with zero effort on their part. You know the female who seeks a sugar daddy or plays the “I’m cute so give to me” attitude. Guys are not exempt either even though there are less in the “I am handsome and full of muscles so give me’ category. America has unfortunately encouraged an entitlement society.
Survivors take from society rather than contributing to its growth.
Our ancestors were hard working industrious people. They were strivers. Prospectors who mined for gold endured extreme weather, shortages of food, and rudimentary shelter. Early settlers in the West endured dust storms, insect devastation of crops, Indian attacks, as well as the most basic of living conditions. Our ancestors who crossed the ocean in steerage compartments were directed past the machinery, down deep stairways into the enclosed cramped quarters of the lower decks; they lived or died in the absolute minimal accommodations. Today these pioneers are the single mothers who scrape by to care for their children by working two jobs. The strivers are the people, young and middle age, who attend night school or study at the library to advance their knowledge and value in the workplace. The strivers are the ones who sacrifice the weekend party to learn and grow and provide a better future for themselves and their families.
The strivers are the ambitious determined citizens who will not settle for just getting through life; they are committed to improving themselves. Strivers contribute to society. Our nation was founded by strivers. If we are to emerge from our current economic dilemma, it will be due to the strivers. Entrepreneurs are strivers. Entrepreneurs contribute to the improvement of conditions for the entire society.
As an entrepreneur’s mentor, there is a responsibility to encourage strivers. Entrepreneurs work closely with coaches and their entrepreneur’s mentors to constantly tweak and improve their performance. Entrepreneurs constantly strive for improvement. Our nation was founded by and for entrepreneurs. Our forefathers did not risk their lives and all of their worldly possessions to beget a nation of survivors and folks who expected a hand out.
The quarrel is not with those who genuinely need and deserve assistance; the verbal “kick in the pants” is directed at the capable but lazy. Entitlement mentality people frequently have the ability but not the motivation to get off the couch and earn their way forward.
America doffs its hat in respect to the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur’s mentor becomes an honor and a valuable use of time in extending wisdom to assist others in moving forward.
Thrivers have arrived. Thrivers epitomize the result of striving and accomplishing. Thrivers earned their success through concentrated focused goal oriented efforts. Look throughout history at the successful leaders in every aspect of society. Every one of them endured challenges, setbacks, and adversity; each one of them persevered through the speed bumps of life. The thrivers are the strivers who remained steadfast to their goals until they arrived.
Thrivers earned their reward. Most thrivers were entrepreneurs. Whether they chose a career in business, one of the performing arts, education or science, they dedicated themselves to their future.
Question yourself if you have chosen to be a survivor and draw from society rather than contribute to it.
Be proud of yourself for being an entrepreneur and a striver. Celebrate your success as a thriver. America grew to be the greatest nation through the efforts of the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Be proud to be a striver and a thriver.
For more inspiration and guidance on how you can be a striver and thriver, an entrepreneur, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Survivors are people whose attitude of minimum effort allows them to just survive; they choose to do as little as possible to get through life. You will find these people on the welfare roles. An upscale version of this appears in the cute kid who expects life to hand them everything they want with zero effort on their part. You know the female who seeks a sugar daddy or plays the “I’m cute so give to me” attitude. Guys are not exempt either even though there are less in the “I am handsome and full of muscles so give me’ category. America has unfortunately encouraged an entitlement society.
Survivors take from society rather than contributing to its growth.
Our ancestors were hard working industrious people. They were strivers. Prospectors who mined for gold endured extreme weather, shortages of food, and rudimentary shelter. Early settlers in the West endured dust storms, insect devastation of crops, Indian attacks, as well as the most basic of living conditions. Our ancestors who crossed the ocean in steerage compartments were directed past the machinery, down deep stairways into the enclosed cramped quarters of the lower decks; they lived or died in the absolute minimal accommodations. Today these pioneers are the single mothers who scrape by to care for their children by working two jobs. The strivers are the people, young and middle age, who attend night school or study at the library to advance their knowledge and value in the workplace. The strivers are the ones who sacrifice the weekend party to learn and grow and provide a better future for themselves and their families.
The strivers are the ambitious determined citizens who will not settle for just getting through life; they are committed to improving themselves. Strivers contribute to society. Our nation was founded by strivers. If we are to emerge from our current economic dilemma, it will be due to the strivers. Entrepreneurs are strivers. Entrepreneurs contribute to the improvement of conditions for the entire society.
As an entrepreneur’s mentor, there is a responsibility to encourage strivers. Entrepreneurs work closely with coaches and their entrepreneur’s mentors to constantly tweak and improve their performance. Entrepreneurs constantly strive for improvement. Our nation was founded by and for entrepreneurs. Our forefathers did not risk their lives and all of their worldly possessions to beget a nation of survivors and folks who expected a hand out.
The quarrel is not with those who genuinely need and deserve assistance; the verbal “kick in the pants” is directed at the capable but lazy. Entitlement mentality people frequently have the ability but not the motivation to get off the couch and earn their way forward.
America doffs its hat in respect to the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur’s mentor becomes an honor and a valuable use of time in extending wisdom to assist others in moving forward.
Thrivers have arrived. Thrivers epitomize the result of striving and accomplishing. Thrivers earned their success through concentrated focused goal oriented efforts. Look throughout history at the successful leaders in every aspect of society. Every one of them endured challenges, setbacks, and adversity; each one of them persevered through the speed bumps of life. The thrivers are the strivers who remained steadfast to their goals until they arrived.
Thrivers earned their reward. Most thrivers were entrepreneurs. Whether they chose a career in business, one of the performing arts, education or science, they dedicated themselves to their future.
Question yourself if you have chosen to be a survivor and draw from society rather than contribute to it.
Be proud of yourself for being an entrepreneur and a striver. Celebrate your success as a thriver. America grew to be the greatest nation through the efforts of the strivers, the entrepreneurs. Be proud to be a striver and a thriver.
For more inspiration and guidance on how you can be a striver and thriver, an entrepreneur, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Good Heart and Good Intentions
This email crossed my computer screen today and touched my heart as it moved through. Normally I have the fastest delete button in Colorado. Junk mail does not get a second glance.
A Ranger in Lanseria, S. Africa has an incredible relationship with lions, hyenas and cougars. The Ranger is assigned to protect the animals in the wildlife refuge from poaching. Everyone has declared through the ages that animals know who likes them. Animals have an instinct to know who cares about them and who will harm them. These pictures reveal the close relationship between their human protector and themselves. Hyenas have the reputation of being vicious, yet they cuddle up to him as if they were tabby cats. Lions hate water and yet they are in deep water with the Ranger in very trusting poses.
How do we relate to the people in our lives? Are we giving, caring and protective or self-centered and “what’s in it for me?” So often in corporate cultures and business in general, the tendency toward competitive behavior wins out over cooperation.
This attitude of “what’s in it for me” has become so prevalent that people laughingly state, “The radio station most people have tuned in 24/7 is WIIFM.” How about you?
Something good exists in every situation. During a natural disaster such as a hurricane or a national disaster such as September 11 at the Twin Towers in New York, Americans all pull together to help each other. The current economic collapse has caused many people to reassess their priorities. We have all become so accustomed to “things” that we forget to be tender and caring. During a disaster, the focus becomes more on giving than getting.
This Ranger put his own life at risk to care for his furry friends. The animals knew and responded. Small children and animals seem to be especially sensitive to vibrations of genuine caring. Being considerate and caring does not mean allowing others to walk all over you. What would it really hurt for you to open a door for someone who has their hands full? What about giving a smile or a kind word to a colleague? Why not tell a friend or co-worker that you like their outfit? Why not take an extra minute to hug your kids and pat the dog?
During the pioneer days life was simple and neighbors helped each other. When did we get so busy that we stopped caring about each other?
Serotonin is the “feel good” chemical produced in the brain naturally and artificially reproduced in all of the mood enhancing drugs. It is a known fact that doing something good for someone else raises the serotonin in the brain of the person performing the good deed. It also increases serotonin in the brains of people receiving the act of kindness. It is also known to increase the serotonin in the brains of people observing a kind gesture.
The story and pictures of this amazing relationship between man and wild animals warms our hearts and hopefully inspires us to re-examine all of our own actions and motives. Do something good for someone today with the absolute knowing that they could never re-pay you. Even better, do not expect them to repay you.
Life is truly about giving value to help others. It makes you feel good, makes them feel good and sets a dynamite example for everyone.
Send me your comments and stories in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com. Request a copy of these incredible pictures.
A Ranger in Lanseria, S. Africa has an incredible relationship with lions, hyenas and cougars. The Ranger is assigned to protect the animals in the wildlife refuge from poaching. Everyone has declared through the ages that animals know who likes them. Animals have an instinct to know who cares about them and who will harm them. These pictures reveal the close relationship between their human protector and themselves. Hyenas have the reputation of being vicious, yet they cuddle up to him as if they were tabby cats. Lions hate water and yet they are in deep water with the Ranger in very trusting poses.
How do we relate to the people in our lives? Are we giving, caring and protective or self-centered and “what’s in it for me?” So often in corporate cultures and business in general, the tendency toward competitive behavior wins out over cooperation.
This attitude of “what’s in it for me” has become so prevalent that people laughingly state, “The radio station most people have tuned in 24/7 is WIIFM.” How about you?
Something good exists in every situation. During a natural disaster such as a hurricane or a national disaster such as September 11 at the Twin Towers in New York, Americans all pull together to help each other. The current economic collapse has caused many people to reassess their priorities. We have all become so accustomed to “things” that we forget to be tender and caring. During a disaster, the focus becomes more on giving than getting.
This Ranger put his own life at risk to care for his furry friends. The animals knew and responded. Small children and animals seem to be especially sensitive to vibrations of genuine caring. Being considerate and caring does not mean allowing others to walk all over you. What would it really hurt for you to open a door for someone who has their hands full? What about giving a smile or a kind word to a colleague? Why not tell a friend or co-worker that you like their outfit? Why not take an extra minute to hug your kids and pat the dog?
During the pioneer days life was simple and neighbors helped each other. When did we get so busy that we stopped caring about each other?
Serotonin is the “feel good” chemical produced in the brain naturally and artificially reproduced in all of the mood enhancing drugs. It is a known fact that doing something good for someone else raises the serotonin in the brain of the person performing the good deed. It also increases serotonin in the brains of people receiving the act of kindness. It is also known to increase the serotonin in the brains of people observing a kind gesture.
The story and pictures of this amazing relationship between man and wild animals warms our hearts and hopefully inspires us to re-examine all of our own actions and motives. Do something good for someone today with the absolute knowing that they could never re-pay you. Even better, do not expect them to repay you.
Life is truly about giving value to help others. It makes you feel good, makes them feel good and sets a dynamite example for everyone.
Send me your comments and stories in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com. Request a copy of these incredible pictures.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Dealing With Insults
Ouch! What do you do when a young colleague delivers a zinger?
Choices:
1. You can lash back with one of your own.
2. You can quietly slink away into an emotional corner.
3. You can resolve to get even
4. You can pick your ego up off the floor and commit to prove your value
On a call earlier today, a young “hot shot” uttered the emphatic line, “If a really old 50 year old woman can do this then so can everyone else.” He continued totally oblivious to the fact that one person on that elite management team call was 65.
In theory a filter exists between the thoughts and the verbal utterance of speech. Not always. Everyone has at one time or another spoken in haste and regretted the words. Words of anger or during high stress sometimes regretfully slip out. Profound sincere apologies soothe ruffled feelings; however, once the words break free into earshot, they can not be retracted. It is like hitting the “send” button on an email and instantly realizing the error. Too late. The “Undo” button does not work for “Message sent successfully.”
Even if no one else on the call registered the words, as the 65 year old person on the call, the words stung. What action comes next?
1. Lash back? Emotional retorts tend to transfigure the insult from a mosquito to a bumble bee sting. Everything becomes amplified and uncomfortable for everyone on the call. Emphasizing the degree of hurt rarely solves the issue. If you must present a verbal slap, at least do it off line.
2. Sulking in a “pity party” closet wastes time and accomplishes zero benefit. Give yourself five seconds if you must and move on with your day. Harboring hurt feelings is similar to dragging around baggage from your childhood. So what if your sister was given a prettier doll on her fifth birthday than you received. Get over it. Lugging around a sack of perceived injustices only slows you down on your journey toward success.
3. Resolve to get even. “Vengeance is mine,” said the Lord. He instead suggested forgiveness. Bullies in the school yard and people who are angry at life fight back with vengeance. You are a much bigger person than that. Being reluctant to forgive others can be an indication of not forgiving yourself. Even if you have a perfectly legitimate reason for being angry or hurt, indulging in those emotions wastes perfectly good time and energy.
4. Your ego is scattered on the floor in multiple pieces. Get a dustpan, super glue and put the puzzle together again. Taking positive action starts the healing process.
One young mother of five active little ones said,”I really would like to have a nervous break down, but I just don’t have the time.” It is almost impossible to be depressed and active at the same time.
Find your passion. Determine exactly what you want. Design a plan on acquiring that goal and go for it. When you are busy moving step by step up your career mountain, you will not have time to look back down the hill.
Various techniques exist for removing old emotional baggage.
Make a list of every injustice in your life. Crumple the list into a ball and throw it in the garbage. Throw the list in the fireplace, assuming you do not have a gas sealed fireplace. Put the list in a bucket and fill the bucket with water; leave it there until the paper dissolves.
In ancient times when the troubles of the village were overwhelming, a healthy male goat was brought into the temple. The priest put his hand on the head of the goat and recited a long list of woes. The goat was then released to run away. The modern term “scape goat” originated in this manner.
The only healthy solution is to reassemble your ego and move forward with your life. The original incident was not about you. It is only an insult to you if you accept it as such. You have a choice to accept it or move forward with your life with even more determination.
For more specific tips and techniques in dealing with life’s little dilemmas, send me your comments in the “contact Elaine” section of http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Choices:
1. You can lash back with one of your own.
2. You can quietly slink away into an emotional corner.
3. You can resolve to get even
4. You can pick your ego up off the floor and commit to prove your value
On a call earlier today, a young “hot shot” uttered the emphatic line, “If a really old 50 year old woman can do this then so can everyone else.” He continued totally oblivious to the fact that one person on that elite management team call was 65.
In theory a filter exists between the thoughts and the verbal utterance of speech. Not always. Everyone has at one time or another spoken in haste and regretted the words. Words of anger or during high stress sometimes regretfully slip out. Profound sincere apologies soothe ruffled feelings; however, once the words break free into earshot, they can not be retracted. It is like hitting the “send” button on an email and instantly realizing the error. Too late. The “Undo” button does not work for “Message sent successfully.”
Even if no one else on the call registered the words, as the 65 year old person on the call, the words stung. What action comes next?
1. Lash back? Emotional retorts tend to transfigure the insult from a mosquito to a bumble bee sting. Everything becomes amplified and uncomfortable for everyone on the call. Emphasizing the degree of hurt rarely solves the issue. If you must present a verbal slap, at least do it off line.
2. Sulking in a “pity party” closet wastes time and accomplishes zero benefit. Give yourself five seconds if you must and move on with your day. Harboring hurt feelings is similar to dragging around baggage from your childhood. So what if your sister was given a prettier doll on her fifth birthday than you received. Get over it. Lugging around a sack of perceived injustices only slows you down on your journey toward success.
3. Resolve to get even. “Vengeance is mine,” said the Lord. He instead suggested forgiveness. Bullies in the school yard and people who are angry at life fight back with vengeance. You are a much bigger person than that. Being reluctant to forgive others can be an indication of not forgiving yourself. Even if you have a perfectly legitimate reason for being angry or hurt, indulging in those emotions wastes perfectly good time and energy.
4. Your ego is scattered on the floor in multiple pieces. Get a dustpan, super glue and put the puzzle together again. Taking positive action starts the healing process.
One young mother of five active little ones said,”I really would like to have a nervous break down, but I just don’t have the time.” It is almost impossible to be depressed and active at the same time.
Find your passion. Determine exactly what you want. Design a plan on acquiring that goal and go for it. When you are busy moving step by step up your career mountain, you will not have time to look back down the hill.
Various techniques exist for removing old emotional baggage.
Make a list of every injustice in your life. Crumple the list into a ball and throw it in the garbage. Throw the list in the fireplace, assuming you do not have a gas sealed fireplace. Put the list in a bucket and fill the bucket with water; leave it there until the paper dissolves.
In ancient times when the troubles of the village were overwhelming, a healthy male goat was brought into the temple. The priest put his hand on the head of the goat and recited a long list of woes. The goat was then released to run away. The modern term “scape goat” originated in this manner.
The only healthy solution is to reassemble your ego and move forward with your life. The original incident was not about you. It is only an insult to you if you accept it as such. You have a choice to accept it or move forward with your life with even more determination.
For more specific tips and techniques in dealing with life’s little dilemmas, send me your comments in the “contact Elaine” section of http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Let the Coffee Cool
You sit down at your keyboard ready to produce. You wait, fingers poised ready to strike the keys. Nothing happens. Enter the villain – writers block.
Ever start to write an article and a blank piece of paper keeps laughing at your frustration about how to start? Every writer has had writers block. Every composer has had song writer’s block. Every painter has stared at a blank canvas. Relax.
We have all faced this foe. The best way to slay the villain is not a stake through the heart. Crazy as it may seem, just start writing. Many famous authors have started writing gibberish until an idea and a pattern start to form. Don’t be surprised if you throw away the first two or even three paragraphs before you actually start composing worthwhile prose.
Remember the goal is to write something which will provide value; write something which will help the reader. Write something the reader will want to read. Quality, not quantity is the object.
Think about a book you just read, a CD you enjoyed, a quote which impacted your mindset, or something which happened in your daily life which teaches a lesson. Ideas are everywhere; we simply need to tap into them.
Once you have written the article, walk away from it. Let the coffee cool before you go back to re-read and edit. This cooling off period allows your mind to clarify your main point. Don’t be surprised if you delete entire sentences, rearrange words or even exchange a word for another more specific word. Letting the coffee cool improves your finished product.
If you are writing a major sales letter, not only walk away, but also have someone else read the copy. As Dan Kennedy, renowned copywriter said, “I can read my own material a hundred times and never see a typo. Let me read someone else’s work and the errors leap off the page at me.” We unintentionally read what we intended to write rather than the actual letters on the page.
Book publishers all employ extremely detail oriented editors to catch all of those little typo errors, incorrectly used words and unclear statements. Early in your writing career having a personalized professional editor probably will not be possible.
You do still have resources at your fingertips. If you are using Microsoft Word, click on the “Tools” tab and check the spelling and grammar. Also in the “Tools” tab is a “Language” tab offering: a translation, thesaurus, hyphenation, and the ability to set the language. Be careful as some of the grammar seems a bit out of context to the thoughts of the composer.
Finding a writing buddy with whom you can exchange work can be extremely beneficial. If you are working on a major project, I suggest various writers groups. Meetup is an organization which exists in many larger communities. It has numerous groups including writing groups. A few of them have a membership fee; however, many are “no charge” networking, learning and sharing groups. Membership consists of people sharing a common goal of assisting each other in moving forward with a similar interest.
There are several writing books which are also excellent resources.
“Hypnotic Writing’ by Joe Vitale
“The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” by Joseph Sugarman
“Writing Skills” by Learning Express – Elementary but Excellent for a new writer.
The key points to remember are:
1. Just start writing without any editing.
2. Let the coffee cool; let the writing sit for awhile and go back and edit later
3. Write something of value people want to read; write something to help people.
4. Use your software editing tools
5. Find a friend or group of friends to assist you in increasing the quality of your writing.
Write and keep writing. If you would like additional resources or coaching, enter your information in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Ever start to write an article and a blank piece of paper keeps laughing at your frustration about how to start? Every writer has had writers block. Every composer has had song writer’s block. Every painter has stared at a blank canvas. Relax.
We have all faced this foe. The best way to slay the villain is not a stake through the heart. Crazy as it may seem, just start writing. Many famous authors have started writing gibberish until an idea and a pattern start to form. Don’t be surprised if you throw away the first two or even three paragraphs before you actually start composing worthwhile prose.
Remember the goal is to write something which will provide value; write something which will help the reader. Write something the reader will want to read. Quality, not quantity is the object.
Think about a book you just read, a CD you enjoyed, a quote which impacted your mindset, or something which happened in your daily life which teaches a lesson. Ideas are everywhere; we simply need to tap into them.
Once you have written the article, walk away from it. Let the coffee cool before you go back to re-read and edit. This cooling off period allows your mind to clarify your main point. Don’t be surprised if you delete entire sentences, rearrange words or even exchange a word for another more specific word. Letting the coffee cool improves your finished product.
If you are writing a major sales letter, not only walk away, but also have someone else read the copy. As Dan Kennedy, renowned copywriter said, “I can read my own material a hundred times and never see a typo. Let me read someone else’s work and the errors leap off the page at me.” We unintentionally read what we intended to write rather than the actual letters on the page.
Book publishers all employ extremely detail oriented editors to catch all of those little typo errors, incorrectly used words and unclear statements. Early in your writing career having a personalized professional editor probably will not be possible.
You do still have resources at your fingertips. If you are using Microsoft Word, click on the “Tools” tab and check the spelling and grammar. Also in the “Tools” tab is a “Language” tab offering: a translation, thesaurus, hyphenation, and the ability to set the language. Be careful as some of the grammar seems a bit out of context to the thoughts of the composer.
Finding a writing buddy with whom you can exchange work can be extremely beneficial. If you are working on a major project, I suggest various writers groups. Meetup is an organization which exists in many larger communities. It has numerous groups including writing groups. A few of them have a membership fee; however, many are “no charge” networking, learning and sharing groups. Membership consists of people sharing a common goal of assisting each other in moving forward with a similar interest.
There are several writing books which are also excellent resources.
“Hypnotic Writing’ by Joe Vitale
“The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” by Joseph Sugarman
“Writing Skills” by Learning Express – Elementary but Excellent for a new writer.
The key points to remember are:
1. Just start writing without any editing.
2. Let the coffee cool; let the writing sit for awhile and go back and edit later
3. Write something of value people want to read; write something to help people.
4. Use your software editing tools
5. Find a friend or group of friends to assist you in increasing the quality of your writing.
Write and keep writing. If you would like additional resources or coaching, enter your information in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Show Up For Your Future
Show up! The first requirement in order to make progress in life, is to show up. In order to go up the corporate ladder, the earnings ladder or the personal development ladder, you have to show up. You may not be the best athlete on the field or the best trumpet player in the band, but unless you show up and perform to the very best of your ability, you will never move up in the lineup.
Be “in the right place at the right time” only works when you show up. Everyone talks about the “lucky breaks.” Lana Turner was discovered sitting on a counter stool in a soda fountain. Celine Dion was discovered singing in a tent in the rain. A famous field goal kicker was discovered playing sand lot football with his buddies.
First they had to “get up,” and take action by “showing up.” Life will not come searching for you. Take the responsibility for your own future. Show up! Take an active part in your life. Either you show up and take responsibility for your life or by default you are giving control of your life to someone else.
You do not have to do anything. You do not have to get out of bed in the morning, pay taxes or prepare a sandwich for yourself. Some people never do. News Flash! If you do not take any action, you have no right to complain about your lack of results.
The first manual to be completed in Toastmasters is the Competent Communications manual. There are 10 speeches emphasizing 10 different elements to be accomplished in order to earn your cc designation. Unless you show up at the regular meetings, you will not be scheduled to speak up. It is only fair that the members who show up and participate receive the coveted speaking roles. Yes, a rotation exists; however, with 34 members in the club and 3 speaking slots per meeting, preference goes to those who show up on a consistent basis. Show up in order to speak up.
Voting is a privilege extended to Americans. The economy in America is turbulent and unpleasant for most Americans right now. Unfortunately, the forecast does not hold any jubilant indications. Whether you like the President or not, we live in the greatest nation on the earth. We have the right to cast our vote each four years to help select our Presidential leadership. If you don’t show up and vote, you have no right to complain. We have more freedom of choice in the United States than any other country. Either show up and speak up, or shut up.
At the beginning of the economic decline in 2008, DuPont responded aggressively to the economic meltdown. Chief executive Chad Holliday met with the company’s top leaders and economists to form a crisis plan. Within ten days they had sixty thousand employees meeting with their managers. Everyone was asked to identify three action steps they could immediately implement to conserve cash and reduce costs. Who said major companies could not move quickly? DuPont acted quickly and produced positive results. They initiated an extremely important move; they included their employees is solution-oriented thinking. They asked their employees to show up and take part in saving their own jobs.
Amazon employed a similar technique by calling all of their managers together with the statement, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” Amazon took positive steps to increase market share and improve the bottom line. While most other companies were whining about a terrible Christmas revenue in 2008, Amazon wore a smile a mile wide. Amazon showed up and took positive action.
Where are you in your life right now? Are you sitting on the sidelines? Are you showing up and taking an active part in creating the life you desire and deserve? For specific action steps to improve your life, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Be “in the right place at the right time” only works when you show up. Everyone talks about the “lucky breaks.” Lana Turner was discovered sitting on a counter stool in a soda fountain. Celine Dion was discovered singing in a tent in the rain. A famous field goal kicker was discovered playing sand lot football with his buddies.
First they had to “get up,” and take action by “showing up.” Life will not come searching for you. Take the responsibility for your own future. Show up! Take an active part in your life. Either you show up and take responsibility for your life or by default you are giving control of your life to someone else.
You do not have to do anything. You do not have to get out of bed in the morning, pay taxes or prepare a sandwich for yourself. Some people never do. News Flash! If you do not take any action, you have no right to complain about your lack of results.
The first manual to be completed in Toastmasters is the Competent Communications manual. There are 10 speeches emphasizing 10 different elements to be accomplished in order to earn your cc designation. Unless you show up at the regular meetings, you will not be scheduled to speak up. It is only fair that the members who show up and participate receive the coveted speaking roles. Yes, a rotation exists; however, with 34 members in the club and 3 speaking slots per meeting, preference goes to those who show up on a consistent basis. Show up in order to speak up.
Voting is a privilege extended to Americans. The economy in America is turbulent and unpleasant for most Americans right now. Unfortunately, the forecast does not hold any jubilant indications. Whether you like the President or not, we live in the greatest nation on the earth. We have the right to cast our vote each four years to help select our Presidential leadership. If you don’t show up and vote, you have no right to complain. We have more freedom of choice in the United States than any other country. Either show up and speak up, or shut up.
At the beginning of the economic decline in 2008, DuPont responded aggressively to the economic meltdown. Chief executive Chad Holliday met with the company’s top leaders and economists to form a crisis plan. Within ten days they had sixty thousand employees meeting with their managers. Everyone was asked to identify three action steps they could immediately implement to conserve cash and reduce costs. Who said major companies could not move quickly? DuPont acted quickly and produced positive results. They initiated an extremely important move; they included their employees is solution-oriented thinking. They asked their employees to show up and take part in saving their own jobs.
Amazon employed a similar technique by calling all of their managers together with the statement, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” Amazon took positive steps to increase market share and improve the bottom line. While most other companies were whining about a terrible Christmas revenue in 2008, Amazon wore a smile a mile wide. Amazon showed up and took positive action.
Where are you in your life right now? Are you sitting on the sidelines? Are you showing up and taking an active part in creating the life you desire and deserve? For specific action steps to improve your life, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sacrifice Some of the Now for the Future
An ambitious young married man loved to go party with his new bride. They enjoyed socializing and entertaining. Friday night date night meant a romantic evening out at a special restaurant and perhaps the theater after dinner. Saturday night typically involved gathering with friends for a jovial evening of companionship over dinner. Both he and his bride thoroughly enjoyed a robust social life.
It came as a shock to her when he declared an end to their social whirl. He decided to learn every aspect of the insurance business. He started studying all of the books of top producers, attending sales training seminars, masterminding with other insurance salesmen who were consistently receiving performance awards. “What are you doing? What happened to our fun life together,” she whined.
Ever been in that situation? When you change goals and career directions, your friends and family do not automatically jump on board with your life path.
Decision time. Are you willing to sacrifice some of the now for the future? Pay me now or pay me later. Either you invest the time and efforts now in order to earn a better future or play now and suffer at retirement time. Whether you make it as a conscious decision or drift along and let time decide for you, the choice is made. Choose consciously now or choose by default.
Fortunately for this young bridegroom, his wife understood his plan for their future. She agreed to sacrifice some of their now in order to create a far better future. Without the support of your spouse or significant other, the follow through becomes more difficult. Not impossible but more challenging.
Ski resorts are filled with talented people who left school or left careers for a season of powder pleasures; some of them never left. Bartenders and waiters abound who were a year or two short of completing their degrees. Beach towns abound with aging surf board addicts. They are living in the now and by default throwing away any future potential.
Gorgeous George was a famous example of a handsome hunk who lived the resort life for years. Finally his eyes opened to the difference between himself as a “resort flunkie” and the wealthy members he served. George went back to school, applied himself and became incredibly successful. He made the decision to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Our young bridegroom applied himself for six years. He studied and applied the knowledge until he became vice president of the insurance company. Now he and his wife enjoy an even more lucrative social life with peers who also chose to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Where are you on your journey? Are you still living with the party lights and warming a bar stool at Mahogany Ridge, the local mahogany topped bar? Either you sacrifice some of the now for a wonderful future or play now and suffer the consequences later.
Picture your life five years from now. Picture your life twenty years from now. If you continue exactly as you are right now, will you have the life you want in five or twenty years?
Every successful person in any industry has sacrificed the momentary pleasures of their early career years for the long term benefit of a successful career.
Decide exactly how you would like for your career to develop. Make specific decisions and commit to follow through to completion. Sacrifice current pleasures for the future benefit.
Contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for specific techniques to direct your life in a positive path.
It came as a shock to her when he declared an end to their social whirl. He decided to learn every aspect of the insurance business. He started studying all of the books of top producers, attending sales training seminars, masterminding with other insurance salesmen who were consistently receiving performance awards. “What are you doing? What happened to our fun life together,” she whined.
Ever been in that situation? When you change goals and career directions, your friends and family do not automatically jump on board with your life path.
Decision time. Are you willing to sacrifice some of the now for the future? Pay me now or pay me later. Either you invest the time and efforts now in order to earn a better future or play now and suffer at retirement time. Whether you make it as a conscious decision or drift along and let time decide for you, the choice is made. Choose consciously now or choose by default.
Fortunately for this young bridegroom, his wife understood his plan for their future. She agreed to sacrifice some of their now in order to create a far better future. Without the support of your spouse or significant other, the follow through becomes more difficult. Not impossible but more challenging.
Ski resorts are filled with talented people who left school or left careers for a season of powder pleasures; some of them never left. Bartenders and waiters abound who were a year or two short of completing their degrees. Beach towns abound with aging surf board addicts. They are living in the now and by default throwing away any future potential.
Gorgeous George was a famous example of a handsome hunk who lived the resort life for years. Finally his eyes opened to the difference between himself as a “resort flunkie” and the wealthy members he served. George went back to school, applied himself and became incredibly successful. He made the decision to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Our young bridegroom applied himself for six years. He studied and applied the knowledge until he became vice president of the insurance company. Now he and his wife enjoy an even more lucrative social life with peers who also chose to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Where are you on your journey? Are you still living with the party lights and warming a bar stool at Mahogany Ridge, the local mahogany topped bar? Either you sacrifice some of the now for a wonderful future or play now and suffer the consequences later.
Picture your life five years from now. Picture your life twenty years from now. If you continue exactly as you are right now, will you have the life you want in five or twenty years?
Every successful person in any industry has sacrificed the momentary pleasures of their early career years for the long term benefit of a successful career.
Decide exactly how you would like for your career to develop. Make specific decisions and commit to follow through to completion. Sacrifice current pleasures for the future benefit.
Contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for specific techniques to direct your life in a positive path.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Identify Your Unique Brand
Remember the theme song from Rocky, theme song from Bonanza, theme songs from your favorite commercials? Theme songs are brands; these are unique identifiers of a specific product, person or production.
Sports fans wear the team colors of their favorite team. One man in Michigan was such an avid fan of University of Michigan that he actually decorated his Christmas tree in maize and blue. Team colors represent another way of branding.
Companies use colors to brand themselves. IBM was noted as Big Blue. Colors in the logo identify specific companies. Cascade comes in a green box; Ivory soap arrives wrapped in a white cover with blue writing. Colors form an image in our mind of a company or product.
Logos are another identifying factor. Big G forms the association of General Mills. The letter L in a circle on a vehicle represents Lexus. Automobile manufacturers all have a logo which identifies the company. Branding is critical.
Comedians have a tag line which brands them. When you hear the line, “Take my wife, please,” you automatically associate the name Henny Youngman. Henny was the king of the one liner. Rodney Dangerfield coined the line, “I don’t get no respect.”
Avis car rental capitalized on being number two by saying they try harder because they are number two. Enterprise car rental focuses on the customer service of personalized pick up and delivery.
Branding comes in many forms. Logos, music, colors and one liners are all forms of branding. Every speaker, writer, performer or business person adopts their own individual style and market niche. Identifying and monetizing your brand becomes your unique selling position. Advertising frequently refers to this as your USP; your unique selling position identifies you and differentiates you from everyone else.
Identifying and promoting yourself is critical. Think about your strength, your individual qualification which sets you apart from everyone else. What special talent, ability or experience do you possess which will entice people to choose to work with you? Everyone has something they do better than everyone else. Find your special niche. You have something to contribute. Maybe you are an excellent writer. Perhaps your special field of knowledge and interest is computers. Web design may be one of your attraction points.
Your branding may relate to your former career. Former corporate executives speak the language of experience of other executives; develop your brand around attracting those who relate to your background. A former marine focuses on attracting other marines; they identify with similar training and mindset. One truck driver started writing articles about long haul problems; he speaks to the pain of other truck drivers who also want to be off the road and at home with their families.
Develop your personal brand, your unique selling position. There is something special about you which attracts others to work with you. Every entrepreneur, company and individual performer seeks their special niche. You have often heard the expression, ”get rich in a niche.” Identifying and promoting your individual brand represents step one in your marketing and business plan.
Home based businesses such as network marketing and MLM entrepreneurs are even more concerned with branding because their product is identical to everyone else in the same company. Does that mean it is impossible to create a niche for yourself in network marketing or MLM? Absolutely not. Developing yourself as an individual brand, an individual leader becomes even more important in home based businesses.
Every actor and actress seeks something which sets them apart from all of the others. This same principle applies to every entrepreneur and every business. Find your brand. Identify your unique selling position and promote it consistently throughout all of your marketing.
Identify your brand and monetize it. Your bank account and income statement will thank you. If you want specific personalized suggestions on identifying your brand, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Titles:
Personal Branding is Key
Personal Branding is Your USP
Your Brand is Your USP
Identify Your Personal Brand
Keywords: home based business, network marketing, MLM, entrepreneur, personal branding, Unique selling position, USP, www.Elaine4Success.com, Elaine Love
Sports fans wear the team colors of their favorite team. One man in Michigan was such an avid fan of University of Michigan that he actually decorated his Christmas tree in maize and blue. Team colors represent another way of branding.
Companies use colors to brand themselves. IBM was noted as Big Blue. Colors in the logo identify specific companies. Cascade comes in a green box; Ivory soap arrives wrapped in a white cover with blue writing. Colors form an image in our mind of a company or product.
Logos are another identifying factor. Big G forms the association of General Mills. The letter L in a circle on a vehicle represents Lexus. Automobile manufacturers all have a logo which identifies the company. Branding is critical.
Comedians have a tag line which brands them. When you hear the line, “Take my wife, please,” you automatically associate the name Henny Youngman. Henny was the king of the one liner. Rodney Dangerfield coined the line, “I don’t get no respect.”
Avis car rental capitalized on being number two by saying they try harder because they are number two. Enterprise car rental focuses on the customer service of personalized pick up and delivery.
Branding comes in many forms. Logos, music, colors and one liners are all forms of branding. Every speaker, writer, performer or business person adopts their own individual style and market niche. Identifying and monetizing your brand becomes your unique selling position. Advertising frequently refers to this as your USP; your unique selling position identifies you and differentiates you from everyone else.
Identifying and promoting yourself is critical. Think about your strength, your individual qualification which sets you apart from everyone else. What special talent, ability or experience do you possess which will entice people to choose to work with you? Everyone has something they do better than everyone else. Find your special niche. You have something to contribute. Maybe you are an excellent writer. Perhaps your special field of knowledge and interest is computers. Web design may be one of your attraction points.
Your branding may relate to your former career. Former corporate executives speak the language of experience of other executives; develop your brand around attracting those who relate to your background. A former marine focuses on attracting other marines; they identify with similar training and mindset. One truck driver started writing articles about long haul problems; he speaks to the pain of other truck drivers who also want to be off the road and at home with their families.
Develop your personal brand, your unique selling position. There is something special about you which attracts others to work with you. Every entrepreneur, company and individual performer seeks their special niche. You have often heard the expression, ”get rich in a niche.” Identifying and promoting your individual brand represents step one in your marketing and business plan.
Home based businesses such as network marketing and MLM entrepreneurs are even more concerned with branding because their product is identical to everyone else in the same company. Does that mean it is impossible to create a niche for yourself in network marketing or MLM? Absolutely not. Developing yourself as an individual brand, an individual leader becomes even more important in home based businesses.
Every actor and actress seeks something which sets them apart from all of the others. This same principle applies to every entrepreneur and every business. Find your brand. Identify your unique selling position and promote it consistently throughout all of your marketing.
Identify your brand and monetize it. Your bank account and income statement will thank you. If you want specific personalized suggestions on identifying your brand, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Titles:
Personal Branding is Key
Personal Branding is Your USP
Your Brand is Your USP
Identify Your Personal Brand
Keywords: home based business, network marketing, MLM, entrepreneur, personal branding, Unique selling position, USP, www.Elaine4Success.com, Elaine Love
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