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.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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.
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