This email crossed my computer screen today and touched my heart as it moved through. Normally I have the fastest delete button in Colorado. Junk mail does not get a second glance.
A Ranger in Lanseria, S. Africa has an incredible relationship with lions, hyenas and cougars. The Ranger is assigned to protect the animals in the wildlife refuge from poaching. Everyone has declared through the ages that animals know who likes them. Animals have an instinct to know who cares about them and who will harm them. These pictures reveal the close relationship between their human protector and themselves. Hyenas have the reputation of being vicious, yet they cuddle up to him as if they were tabby cats. Lions hate water and yet they are in deep water with the Ranger in very trusting poses.
How do we relate to the people in our lives? Are we giving, caring and protective or self-centered and “what’s in it for me?” So often in corporate cultures and business in general, the tendency toward competitive behavior wins out over cooperation.
This attitude of “what’s in it for me” has become so prevalent that people laughingly state, “The radio station most people have tuned in 24/7 is WIIFM.” How about you?
Something good exists in every situation. During a natural disaster such as a hurricane or a national disaster such as September 11 at the Twin Towers in New York, Americans all pull together to help each other. The current economic collapse has caused many people to reassess their priorities. We have all become so accustomed to “things” that we forget to be tender and caring. During a disaster, the focus becomes more on giving than getting.
This Ranger put his own life at risk to care for his furry friends. The animals knew and responded. Small children and animals seem to be especially sensitive to vibrations of genuine caring. Being considerate and caring does not mean allowing others to walk all over you. What would it really hurt for you to open a door for someone who has their hands full? What about giving a smile or a kind word to a colleague? Why not tell a friend or co-worker that you like their outfit? Why not take an extra minute to hug your kids and pat the dog?
During the pioneer days life was simple and neighbors helped each other. When did we get so busy that we stopped caring about each other?
Serotonin is the “feel good” chemical produced in the brain naturally and artificially reproduced in all of the mood enhancing drugs. It is a known fact that doing something good for someone else raises the serotonin in the brain of the person performing the good deed. It also increases serotonin in the brains of people receiving the act of kindness. It is also known to increase the serotonin in the brains of people observing a kind gesture.
The story and pictures of this amazing relationship between man and wild animals warms our hearts and hopefully inspires us to re-examine all of our own actions and motives. Do something good for someone today with the absolute knowing that they could never re-pay you. Even better, do not expect them to repay you.
Life is truly about giving value to help others. It makes you feel good, makes them feel good and sets a dynamite example for everyone.
Send me your comments and stories in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com. Request a copy of these incredible pictures.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Dealing With Insults
Ouch! What do you do when a young colleague delivers a zinger?
Choices:
1. You can lash back with one of your own.
2. You can quietly slink away into an emotional corner.
3. You can resolve to get even
4. You can pick your ego up off the floor and commit to prove your value
On a call earlier today, a young “hot shot” uttered the emphatic line, “If a really old 50 year old woman can do this then so can everyone else.” He continued totally oblivious to the fact that one person on that elite management team call was 65.
In theory a filter exists between the thoughts and the verbal utterance of speech. Not always. Everyone has at one time or another spoken in haste and regretted the words. Words of anger or during high stress sometimes regretfully slip out. Profound sincere apologies soothe ruffled feelings; however, once the words break free into earshot, they can not be retracted. It is like hitting the “send” button on an email and instantly realizing the error. Too late. The “Undo” button does not work for “Message sent successfully.”
Even if no one else on the call registered the words, as the 65 year old person on the call, the words stung. What action comes next?
1. Lash back? Emotional retorts tend to transfigure the insult from a mosquito to a bumble bee sting. Everything becomes amplified and uncomfortable for everyone on the call. Emphasizing the degree of hurt rarely solves the issue. If you must present a verbal slap, at least do it off line.
2. Sulking in a “pity party” closet wastes time and accomplishes zero benefit. Give yourself five seconds if you must and move on with your day. Harboring hurt feelings is similar to dragging around baggage from your childhood. So what if your sister was given a prettier doll on her fifth birthday than you received. Get over it. Lugging around a sack of perceived injustices only slows you down on your journey toward success.
3. Resolve to get even. “Vengeance is mine,” said the Lord. He instead suggested forgiveness. Bullies in the school yard and people who are angry at life fight back with vengeance. You are a much bigger person than that. Being reluctant to forgive others can be an indication of not forgiving yourself. Even if you have a perfectly legitimate reason for being angry or hurt, indulging in those emotions wastes perfectly good time and energy.
4. Your ego is scattered on the floor in multiple pieces. Get a dustpan, super glue and put the puzzle together again. Taking positive action starts the healing process.
One young mother of five active little ones said,”I really would like to have a nervous break down, but I just don’t have the time.” It is almost impossible to be depressed and active at the same time.
Find your passion. Determine exactly what you want. Design a plan on acquiring that goal and go for it. When you are busy moving step by step up your career mountain, you will not have time to look back down the hill.
Various techniques exist for removing old emotional baggage.
Make a list of every injustice in your life. Crumple the list into a ball and throw it in the garbage. Throw the list in the fireplace, assuming you do not have a gas sealed fireplace. Put the list in a bucket and fill the bucket with water; leave it there until the paper dissolves.
In ancient times when the troubles of the village were overwhelming, a healthy male goat was brought into the temple. The priest put his hand on the head of the goat and recited a long list of woes. The goat was then released to run away. The modern term “scape goat” originated in this manner.
The only healthy solution is to reassemble your ego and move forward with your life. The original incident was not about you. It is only an insult to you if you accept it as such. You have a choice to accept it or move forward with your life with even more determination.
For more specific tips and techniques in dealing with life’s little dilemmas, send me your comments in the “contact Elaine” section of http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Choices:
1. You can lash back with one of your own.
2. You can quietly slink away into an emotional corner.
3. You can resolve to get even
4. You can pick your ego up off the floor and commit to prove your value
On a call earlier today, a young “hot shot” uttered the emphatic line, “If a really old 50 year old woman can do this then so can everyone else.” He continued totally oblivious to the fact that one person on that elite management team call was 65.
In theory a filter exists between the thoughts and the verbal utterance of speech. Not always. Everyone has at one time or another spoken in haste and regretted the words. Words of anger or during high stress sometimes regretfully slip out. Profound sincere apologies soothe ruffled feelings; however, once the words break free into earshot, they can not be retracted. It is like hitting the “send” button on an email and instantly realizing the error. Too late. The “Undo” button does not work for “Message sent successfully.”
Even if no one else on the call registered the words, as the 65 year old person on the call, the words stung. What action comes next?
1. Lash back? Emotional retorts tend to transfigure the insult from a mosquito to a bumble bee sting. Everything becomes amplified and uncomfortable for everyone on the call. Emphasizing the degree of hurt rarely solves the issue. If you must present a verbal slap, at least do it off line.
2. Sulking in a “pity party” closet wastes time and accomplishes zero benefit. Give yourself five seconds if you must and move on with your day. Harboring hurt feelings is similar to dragging around baggage from your childhood. So what if your sister was given a prettier doll on her fifth birthday than you received. Get over it. Lugging around a sack of perceived injustices only slows you down on your journey toward success.
3. Resolve to get even. “Vengeance is mine,” said the Lord. He instead suggested forgiveness. Bullies in the school yard and people who are angry at life fight back with vengeance. You are a much bigger person than that. Being reluctant to forgive others can be an indication of not forgiving yourself. Even if you have a perfectly legitimate reason for being angry or hurt, indulging in those emotions wastes perfectly good time and energy.
4. Your ego is scattered on the floor in multiple pieces. Get a dustpan, super glue and put the puzzle together again. Taking positive action starts the healing process.
One young mother of five active little ones said,”I really would like to have a nervous break down, but I just don’t have the time.” It is almost impossible to be depressed and active at the same time.
Find your passion. Determine exactly what you want. Design a plan on acquiring that goal and go for it. When you are busy moving step by step up your career mountain, you will not have time to look back down the hill.
Various techniques exist for removing old emotional baggage.
Make a list of every injustice in your life. Crumple the list into a ball and throw it in the garbage. Throw the list in the fireplace, assuming you do not have a gas sealed fireplace. Put the list in a bucket and fill the bucket with water; leave it there until the paper dissolves.
In ancient times when the troubles of the village were overwhelming, a healthy male goat was brought into the temple. The priest put his hand on the head of the goat and recited a long list of woes. The goat was then released to run away. The modern term “scape goat” originated in this manner.
The only healthy solution is to reassemble your ego and move forward with your life. The original incident was not about you. It is only an insult to you if you accept it as such. You have a choice to accept it or move forward with your life with even more determination.
For more specific tips and techniques in dealing with life’s little dilemmas, send me your comments in the “contact Elaine” section of http://www.elaine4success.com/.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Let the Coffee Cool
You sit down at your keyboard ready to produce. You wait, fingers poised ready to strike the keys. Nothing happens. Enter the villain – writers block.
Ever start to write an article and a blank piece of paper keeps laughing at your frustration about how to start? Every writer has had writers block. Every composer has had song writer’s block. Every painter has stared at a blank canvas. Relax.
We have all faced this foe. The best way to slay the villain is not a stake through the heart. Crazy as it may seem, just start writing. Many famous authors have started writing gibberish until an idea and a pattern start to form. Don’t be surprised if you throw away the first two or even three paragraphs before you actually start composing worthwhile prose.
Remember the goal is to write something which will provide value; write something which will help the reader. Write something the reader will want to read. Quality, not quantity is the object.
Think about a book you just read, a CD you enjoyed, a quote which impacted your mindset, or something which happened in your daily life which teaches a lesson. Ideas are everywhere; we simply need to tap into them.
Once you have written the article, walk away from it. Let the coffee cool before you go back to re-read and edit. This cooling off period allows your mind to clarify your main point. Don’t be surprised if you delete entire sentences, rearrange words or even exchange a word for another more specific word. Letting the coffee cool improves your finished product.
If you are writing a major sales letter, not only walk away, but also have someone else read the copy. As Dan Kennedy, renowned copywriter said, “I can read my own material a hundred times and never see a typo. Let me read someone else’s work and the errors leap off the page at me.” We unintentionally read what we intended to write rather than the actual letters on the page.
Book publishers all employ extremely detail oriented editors to catch all of those little typo errors, incorrectly used words and unclear statements. Early in your writing career having a personalized professional editor probably will not be possible.
You do still have resources at your fingertips. If you are using Microsoft Word, click on the “Tools” tab and check the spelling and grammar. Also in the “Tools” tab is a “Language” tab offering: a translation, thesaurus, hyphenation, and the ability to set the language. Be careful as some of the grammar seems a bit out of context to the thoughts of the composer.
Finding a writing buddy with whom you can exchange work can be extremely beneficial. If you are working on a major project, I suggest various writers groups. Meetup is an organization which exists in many larger communities. It has numerous groups including writing groups. A few of them have a membership fee; however, many are “no charge” networking, learning and sharing groups. Membership consists of people sharing a common goal of assisting each other in moving forward with a similar interest.
There are several writing books which are also excellent resources.
“Hypnotic Writing’ by Joe Vitale
“The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” by Joseph Sugarman
“Writing Skills” by Learning Express – Elementary but Excellent for a new writer.
The key points to remember are:
1. Just start writing without any editing.
2. Let the coffee cool; let the writing sit for awhile and go back and edit later
3. Write something of value people want to read; write something to help people.
4. Use your software editing tools
5. Find a friend or group of friends to assist you in increasing the quality of your writing.
Write and keep writing. If you would like additional resources or coaching, enter your information in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Ever start to write an article and a blank piece of paper keeps laughing at your frustration about how to start? Every writer has had writers block. Every composer has had song writer’s block. Every painter has stared at a blank canvas. Relax.
We have all faced this foe. The best way to slay the villain is not a stake through the heart. Crazy as it may seem, just start writing. Many famous authors have started writing gibberish until an idea and a pattern start to form. Don’t be surprised if you throw away the first two or even three paragraphs before you actually start composing worthwhile prose.
Remember the goal is to write something which will provide value; write something which will help the reader. Write something the reader will want to read. Quality, not quantity is the object.
Think about a book you just read, a CD you enjoyed, a quote which impacted your mindset, or something which happened in your daily life which teaches a lesson. Ideas are everywhere; we simply need to tap into them.
Once you have written the article, walk away from it. Let the coffee cool before you go back to re-read and edit. This cooling off period allows your mind to clarify your main point. Don’t be surprised if you delete entire sentences, rearrange words or even exchange a word for another more specific word. Letting the coffee cool improves your finished product.
If you are writing a major sales letter, not only walk away, but also have someone else read the copy. As Dan Kennedy, renowned copywriter said, “I can read my own material a hundred times and never see a typo. Let me read someone else’s work and the errors leap off the page at me.” We unintentionally read what we intended to write rather than the actual letters on the page.
Book publishers all employ extremely detail oriented editors to catch all of those little typo errors, incorrectly used words and unclear statements. Early in your writing career having a personalized professional editor probably will not be possible.
You do still have resources at your fingertips. If you are using Microsoft Word, click on the “Tools” tab and check the spelling and grammar. Also in the “Tools” tab is a “Language” tab offering: a translation, thesaurus, hyphenation, and the ability to set the language. Be careful as some of the grammar seems a bit out of context to the thoughts of the composer.
Finding a writing buddy with whom you can exchange work can be extremely beneficial. If you are working on a major project, I suggest various writers groups. Meetup is an organization which exists in many larger communities. It has numerous groups including writing groups. A few of them have a membership fee; however, many are “no charge” networking, learning and sharing groups. Membership consists of people sharing a common goal of assisting each other in moving forward with a similar interest.
There are several writing books which are also excellent resources.
“Hypnotic Writing’ by Joe Vitale
“The Adweek Copywriting Handbook” by Joseph Sugarman
“Writing Skills” by Learning Express – Elementary but Excellent for a new writer.
The key points to remember are:
1. Just start writing without any editing.
2. Let the coffee cool; let the writing sit for awhile and go back and edit later
3. Write something of value people want to read; write something to help people.
4. Use your software editing tools
5. Find a friend or group of friends to assist you in increasing the quality of your writing.
Write and keep writing. If you would like additional resources or coaching, enter your information in the “Contact Elaine” section of www.Elaine4Success.com.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Show Up For Your Future
Show up! The first requirement in order to make progress in life, is to show up. In order to go up the corporate ladder, the earnings ladder or the personal development ladder, you have to show up. You may not be the best athlete on the field or the best trumpet player in the band, but unless you show up and perform to the very best of your ability, you will never move up in the lineup.
Be “in the right place at the right time” only works when you show up. Everyone talks about the “lucky breaks.” Lana Turner was discovered sitting on a counter stool in a soda fountain. Celine Dion was discovered singing in a tent in the rain. A famous field goal kicker was discovered playing sand lot football with his buddies.
First they had to “get up,” and take action by “showing up.” Life will not come searching for you. Take the responsibility for your own future. Show up! Take an active part in your life. Either you show up and take responsibility for your life or by default you are giving control of your life to someone else.
You do not have to do anything. You do not have to get out of bed in the morning, pay taxes or prepare a sandwich for yourself. Some people never do. News Flash! If you do not take any action, you have no right to complain about your lack of results.
The first manual to be completed in Toastmasters is the Competent Communications manual. There are 10 speeches emphasizing 10 different elements to be accomplished in order to earn your cc designation. Unless you show up at the regular meetings, you will not be scheduled to speak up. It is only fair that the members who show up and participate receive the coveted speaking roles. Yes, a rotation exists; however, with 34 members in the club and 3 speaking slots per meeting, preference goes to those who show up on a consistent basis. Show up in order to speak up.
Voting is a privilege extended to Americans. The economy in America is turbulent and unpleasant for most Americans right now. Unfortunately, the forecast does not hold any jubilant indications. Whether you like the President or not, we live in the greatest nation on the earth. We have the right to cast our vote each four years to help select our Presidential leadership. If you don’t show up and vote, you have no right to complain. We have more freedom of choice in the United States than any other country. Either show up and speak up, or shut up.
At the beginning of the economic decline in 2008, DuPont responded aggressively to the economic meltdown. Chief executive Chad Holliday met with the company’s top leaders and economists to form a crisis plan. Within ten days they had sixty thousand employees meeting with their managers. Everyone was asked to identify three action steps they could immediately implement to conserve cash and reduce costs. Who said major companies could not move quickly? DuPont acted quickly and produced positive results. They initiated an extremely important move; they included their employees is solution-oriented thinking. They asked their employees to show up and take part in saving their own jobs.
Amazon employed a similar technique by calling all of their managers together with the statement, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” Amazon took positive steps to increase market share and improve the bottom line. While most other companies were whining about a terrible Christmas revenue in 2008, Amazon wore a smile a mile wide. Amazon showed up and took positive action.
Where are you in your life right now? Are you sitting on the sidelines? Are you showing up and taking an active part in creating the life you desire and deserve? For specific action steps to improve your life, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Be “in the right place at the right time” only works when you show up. Everyone talks about the “lucky breaks.” Lana Turner was discovered sitting on a counter stool in a soda fountain. Celine Dion was discovered singing in a tent in the rain. A famous field goal kicker was discovered playing sand lot football with his buddies.
First they had to “get up,” and take action by “showing up.” Life will not come searching for you. Take the responsibility for your own future. Show up! Take an active part in your life. Either you show up and take responsibility for your life or by default you are giving control of your life to someone else.
You do not have to do anything. You do not have to get out of bed in the morning, pay taxes or prepare a sandwich for yourself. Some people never do. News Flash! If you do not take any action, you have no right to complain about your lack of results.
The first manual to be completed in Toastmasters is the Competent Communications manual. There are 10 speeches emphasizing 10 different elements to be accomplished in order to earn your cc designation. Unless you show up at the regular meetings, you will not be scheduled to speak up. It is only fair that the members who show up and participate receive the coveted speaking roles. Yes, a rotation exists; however, with 34 members in the club and 3 speaking slots per meeting, preference goes to those who show up on a consistent basis. Show up in order to speak up.
Voting is a privilege extended to Americans. The economy in America is turbulent and unpleasant for most Americans right now. Unfortunately, the forecast does not hold any jubilant indications. Whether you like the President or not, we live in the greatest nation on the earth. We have the right to cast our vote each four years to help select our Presidential leadership. If you don’t show up and vote, you have no right to complain. We have more freedom of choice in the United States than any other country. Either show up and speak up, or shut up.
At the beginning of the economic decline in 2008, DuPont responded aggressively to the economic meltdown. Chief executive Chad Holliday met with the company’s top leaders and economists to form a crisis plan. Within ten days they had sixty thousand employees meeting with their managers. Everyone was asked to identify three action steps they could immediately implement to conserve cash and reduce costs. Who said major companies could not move quickly? DuPont acted quickly and produced positive results. They initiated an extremely important move; they included their employees is solution-oriented thinking. They asked their employees to show up and take part in saving their own jobs.
Amazon employed a similar technique by calling all of their managers together with the statement, “There is a big recession coming. Let’s miss it.” Amazon took positive steps to increase market share and improve the bottom line. While most other companies were whining about a terrible Christmas revenue in 2008, Amazon wore a smile a mile wide. Amazon showed up and took positive action.
Where are you in your life right now? Are you sitting on the sidelines? Are you showing up and taking an active part in creating the life you desire and deserve? For specific action steps to improve your life, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sacrifice Some of the Now for the Future
An ambitious young married man loved to go party with his new bride. They enjoyed socializing and entertaining. Friday night date night meant a romantic evening out at a special restaurant and perhaps the theater after dinner. Saturday night typically involved gathering with friends for a jovial evening of companionship over dinner. Both he and his bride thoroughly enjoyed a robust social life.
It came as a shock to her when he declared an end to their social whirl. He decided to learn every aspect of the insurance business. He started studying all of the books of top producers, attending sales training seminars, masterminding with other insurance salesmen who were consistently receiving performance awards. “What are you doing? What happened to our fun life together,” she whined.
Ever been in that situation? When you change goals and career directions, your friends and family do not automatically jump on board with your life path.
Decision time. Are you willing to sacrifice some of the now for the future? Pay me now or pay me later. Either you invest the time and efforts now in order to earn a better future or play now and suffer at retirement time. Whether you make it as a conscious decision or drift along and let time decide for you, the choice is made. Choose consciously now or choose by default.
Fortunately for this young bridegroom, his wife understood his plan for their future. She agreed to sacrifice some of their now in order to create a far better future. Without the support of your spouse or significant other, the follow through becomes more difficult. Not impossible but more challenging.
Ski resorts are filled with talented people who left school or left careers for a season of powder pleasures; some of them never left. Bartenders and waiters abound who were a year or two short of completing their degrees. Beach towns abound with aging surf board addicts. They are living in the now and by default throwing away any future potential.
Gorgeous George was a famous example of a handsome hunk who lived the resort life for years. Finally his eyes opened to the difference between himself as a “resort flunkie” and the wealthy members he served. George went back to school, applied himself and became incredibly successful. He made the decision to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Our young bridegroom applied himself for six years. He studied and applied the knowledge until he became vice president of the insurance company. Now he and his wife enjoy an even more lucrative social life with peers who also chose to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Where are you on your journey? Are you still living with the party lights and warming a bar stool at Mahogany Ridge, the local mahogany topped bar? Either you sacrifice some of the now for a wonderful future or play now and suffer the consequences later.
Picture your life five years from now. Picture your life twenty years from now. If you continue exactly as you are right now, will you have the life you want in five or twenty years?
Every successful person in any industry has sacrificed the momentary pleasures of their early career years for the long term benefit of a successful career.
Decide exactly how you would like for your career to develop. Make specific decisions and commit to follow through to completion. Sacrifice current pleasures for the future benefit.
Contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for specific techniques to direct your life in a positive path.
It came as a shock to her when he declared an end to their social whirl. He decided to learn every aspect of the insurance business. He started studying all of the books of top producers, attending sales training seminars, masterminding with other insurance salesmen who were consistently receiving performance awards. “What are you doing? What happened to our fun life together,” she whined.
Ever been in that situation? When you change goals and career directions, your friends and family do not automatically jump on board with your life path.
Decision time. Are you willing to sacrifice some of the now for the future? Pay me now or pay me later. Either you invest the time and efforts now in order to earn a better future or play now and suffer at retirement time. Whether you make it as a conscious decision or drift along and let time decide for you, the choice is made. Choose consciously now or choose by default.
Fortunately for this young bridegroom, his wife understood his plan for their future. She agreed to sacrifice some of their now in order to create a far better future. Without the support of your spouse or significant other, the follow through becomes more difficult. Not impossible but more challenging.
Ski resorts are filled with talented people who left school or left careers for a season of powder pleasures; some of them never left. Bartenders and waiters abound who were a year or two short of completing their degrees. Beach towns abound with aging surf board addicts. They are living in the now and by default throwing away any future potential.
Gorgeous George was a famous example of a handsome hunk who lived the resort life for years. Finally his eyes opened to the difference between himself as a “resort flunkie” and the wealthy members he served. George went back to school, applied himself and became incredibly successful. He made the decision to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Our young bridegroom applied himself for six years. He studied and applied the knowledge until he became vice president of the insurance company. Now he and his wife enjoy an even more lucrative social life with peers who also chose to sacrifice some of the now for the future.
Where are you on your journey? Are you still living with the party lights and warming a bar stool at Mahogany Ridge, the local mahogany topped bar? Either you sacrifice some of the now for a wonderful future or play now and suffer the consequences later.
Picture your life five years from now. Picture your life twenty years from now. If you continue exactly as you are right now, will you have the life you want in five or twenty years?
Every successful person in any industry has sacrificed the momentary pleasures of their early career years for the long term benefit of a successful career.
Decide exactly how you would like for your career to develop. Make specific decisions and commit to follow through to completion. Sacrifice current pleasures for the future benefit.
Contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com for specific techniques to direct your life in a positive path.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Identify Your Unique Brand
Remember the theme song from Rocky, theme song from Bonanza, theme songs from your favorite commercials? Theme songs are brands; these are unique identifiers of a specific product, person or production.
Sports fans wear the team colors of their favorite team. One man in Michigan was such an avid fan of University of Michigan that he actually decorated his Christmas tree in maize and blue. Team colors represent another way of branding.
Companies use colors to brand themselves. IBM was noted as Big Blue. Colors in the logo identify specific companies. Cascade comes in a green box; Ivory soap arrives wrapped in a white cover with blue writing. Colors form an image in our mind of a company or product.
Logos are another identifying factor. Big G forms the association of General Mills. The letter L in a circle on a vehicle represents Lexus. Automobile manufacturers all have a logo which identifies the company. Branding is critical.
Comedians have a tag line which brands them. When you hear the line, “Take my wife, please,” you automatically associate the name Henny Youngman. Henny was the king of the one liner. Rodney Dangerfield coined the line, “I don’t get no respect.”
Avis car rental capitalized on being number two by saying they try harder because they are number two. Enterprise car rental focuses on the customer service of personalized pick up and delivery.
Branding comes in many forms. Logos, music, colors and one liners are all forms of branding. Every speaker, writer, performer or business person adopts their own individual style and market niche. Identifying and monetizing your brand becomes your unique selling position. Advertising frequently refers to this as your USP; your unique selling position identifies you and differentiates you from everyone else.
Identifying and promoting yourself is critical. Think about your strength, your individual qualification which sets you apart from everyone else. What special talent, ability or experience do you possess which will entice people to choose to work with you? Everyone has something they do better than everyone else. Find your special niche. You have something to contribute. Maybe you are an excellent writer. Perhaps your special field of knowledge and interest is computers. Web design may be one of your attraction points.
Your branding may relate to your former career. Former corporate executives speak the language of experience of other executives; develop your brand around attracting those who relate to your background. A former marine focuses on attracting other marines; they identify with similar training and mindset. One truck driver started writing articles about long haul problems; he speaks to the pain of other truck drivers who also want to be off the road and at home with their families.
Develop your personal brand, your unique selling position. There is something special about you which attracts others to work with you. Every entrepreneur, company and individual performer seeks their special niche. You have often heard the expression, ”get rich in a niche.” Identifying and promoting your individual brand represents step one in your marketing and business plan.
Home based businesses such as network marketing and MLM entrepreneurs are even more concerned with branding because their product is identical to everyone else in the same company. Does that mean it is impossible to create a niche for yourself in network marketing or MLM? Absolutely not. Developing yourself as an individual brand, an individual leader becomes even more important in home based businesses.
Every actor and actress seeks something which sets them apart from all of the others. This same principle applies to every entrepreneur and every business. Find your brand. Identify your unique selling position and promote it consistently throughout all of your marketing.
Identify your brand and monetize it. Your bank account and income statement will thank you. If you want specific personalized suggestions on identifying your brand, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Titles:
Personal Branding is Key
Personal Branding is Your USP
Your Brand is Your USP
Identify Your Personal Brand
Keywords: home based business, network marketing, MLM, entrepreneur, personal branding, Unique selling position, USP, www.Elaine4Success.com, Elaine Love
Sports fans wear the team colors of their favorite team. One man in Michigan was such an avid fan of University of Michigan that he actually decorated his Christmas tree in maize and blue. Team colors represent another way of branding.
Companies use colors to brand themselves. IBM was noted as Big Blue. Colors in the logo identify specific companies. Cascade comes in a green box; Ivory soap arrives wrapped in a white cover with blue writing. Colors form an image in our mind of a company or product.
Logos are another identifying factor. Big G forms the association of General Mills. The letter L in a circle on a vehicle represents Lexus. Automobile manufacturers all have a logo which identifies the company. Branding is critical.
Comedians have a tag line which brands them. When you hear the line, “Take my wife, please,” you automatically associate the name Henny Youngman. Henny was the king of the one liner. Rodney Dangerfield coined the line, “I don’t get no respect.”
Avis car rental capitalized on being number two by saying they try harder because they are number two. Enterprise car rental focuses on the customer service of personalized pick up and delivery.
Branding comes in many forms. Logos, music, colors and one liners are all forms of branding. Every speaker, writer, performer or business person adopts their own individual style and market niche. Identifying and monetizing your brand becomes your unique selling position. Advertising frequently refers to this as your USP; your unique selling position identifies you and differentiates you from everyone else.
Identifying and promoting yourself is critical. Think about your strength, your individual qualification which sets you apart from everyone else. What special talent, ability or experience do you possess which will entice people to choose to work with you? Everyone has something they do better than everyone else. Find your special niche. You have something to contribute. Maybe you are an excellent writer. Perhaps your special field of knowledge and interest is computers. Web design may be one of your attraction points.
Your branding may relate to your former career. Former corporate executives speak the language of experience of other executives; develop your brand around attracting those who relate to your background. A former marine focuses on attracting other marines; they identify with similar training and mindset. One truck driver started writing articles about long haul problems; he speaks to the pain of other truck drivers who also want to be off the road and at home with their families.
Develop your personal brand, your unique selling position. There is something special about you which attracts others to work with you. Every entrepreneur, company and individual performer seeks their special niche. You have often heard the expression, ”get rich in a niche.” Identifying and promoting your individual brand represents step one in your marketing and business plan.
Home based businesses such as network marketing and MLM entrepreneurs are even more concerned with branding because their product is identical to everyone else in the same company. Does that mean it is impossible to create a niche for yourself in network marketing or MLM? Absolutely not. Developing yourself as an individual brand, an individual leader becomes even more important in home based businesses.
Every actor and actress seeks something which sets them apart from all of the others. This same principle applies to every entrepreneur and every business. Find your brand. Identify your unique selling position and promote it consistently throughout all of your marketing.
Identify your brand and monetize it. Your bank account and income statement will thank you. If you want specific personalized suggestions on identifying your brand, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Titles:
Personal Branding is Key
Personal Branding is Your USP
Your Brand is Your USP
Identify Your Personal Brand
Keywords: home based business, network marketing, MLM, entrepreneur, personal branding, Unique selling position, USP, www.Elaine4Success.com, Elaine Love
Monday, January 25, 2010
Logs on the Fire
Nothing warms the heart and the spirit as much as a warm fire on a cold, snowy day. Snuggle up to the hearth when the lifts close at any ski resort. Everyone congregates by the fire to share a beverage and remove the chill from happy but tired muscles. The fireplace constitutes the magic gathering place to share tales of the epic run through the trees. Enjoy the laughter as someone relates the dollop of snow falling off a tree branch and connecting with pinpoint accuracy directly through the collar of the ski jacket and down the back. Burr, that cold chill drove straight to the core. Stopping in deep powder is not an option unless you want to pole your way out of the forest.
Tales around the fire inspire laughter and good natured teasing about getting stuck in a tree well. Gathering around the fire means camaraderie and fun.
Fire also means a backyard barbeque in the summertime with friends and neighbors gathered to play and share. Gathering around a fire as a child roasting marshmallows or making smores means tasty fun. In case you did not make smores as a child, place a toasty warm marshmallow and a block of Hershey’s chocolate between two graham crackers. Yumm. Smores represent backyard or camping fun for children and adults.
Fire symbolizes warmth, fun and passion. The fire of passion in your soul for your goals intensifies the likelihood of achieving those goals. Without a passionate fire burning in your soul to achieve those goals, you have significantly reduced the likelihood of achievement.
Steve Jobs, the icon and founder of Apple Computers, credits his passion as his key to success. “You’ve got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to Love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
Fire in the physical flame or metaphorical fire in your passion for your life constitutes the difference between success and failure. Every successful person owned, lived and breathed their passion. Olympic athletes, concert master musicians, inventors and corporate moguls were all consumed with passion for their chosen mission in life.
Finding your passion, designing a plan to achieve it and following through no matter what the obstacle makes all the difference between success and failure. There may be a temporary burst of flame and fortune, but never a lasting roaring fire unless you are deeply passionate about your goals.
Stoking that flame by continually adding logs is essential. Add a log by reading good books of successful people who have achieved similar goals in your field of endeavor. Add a log by listening to educational, inspirational and motivational leaders in your industry. Add a log by surrounding yourself with like minded goal oriented people. Add another log by focusing on your goal to the exclusion of distracting activities and people.
There will be people around you who throw buckets of water or even a garden hose on your dreams. They discourage and ridicule your goals all with the supposed intention of doing it “for your own good.” It is easier for well intentioned friends and family to douse your flame of desire than to discover and fan their own flame. It is easier to drag the Joneses down to a lower level than rise to meet them on a higher plane.
Constantly fan your flame of desire by giving yourself positive affirmations. Constantly fan your flame by celebrating every little success on the way to the major goal. Constantly write and re-write your goals to keep re-affirming your long range objective.
Believe in yourself and your goal so firmly that you never allow that passionate flame of desire to flicker and reduce to an ember. Without a roaring flame of passionate desire in your heart, soul and actions, you will flicker and fail.
Fire means warmth, fun, passion and success. Keep your flame burning brightly. Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com for inspiration, encouragement and assistance in achieving your goals.
Tales around the fire inspire laughter and good natured teasing about getting stuck in a tree well. Gathering around the fire means camaraderie and fun.
Fire also means a backyard barbeque in the summertime with friends and neighbors gathered to play and share. Gathering around a fire as a child roasting marshmallows or making smores means tasty fun. In case you did not make smores as a child, place a toasty warm marshmallow and a block of Hershey’s chocolate between two graham crackers. Yumm. Smores represent backyard or camping fun for children and adults.
Fire symbolizes warmth, fun and passion. The fire of passion in your soul for your goals intensifies the likelihood of achieving those goals. Without a passionate fire burning in your soul to achieve those goals, you have significantly reduced the likelihood of achievement.
Steve Jobs, the icon and founder of Apple Computers, credits his passion as his key to success. “You’ve got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to Love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
Fire in the physical flame or metaphorical fire in your passion for your life constitutes the difference between success and failure. Every successful person owned, lived and breathed their passion. Olympic athletes, concert master musicians, inventors and corporate moguls were all consumed with passion for their chosen mission in life.
Finding your passion, designing a plan to achieve it and following through no matter what the obstacle makes all the difference between success and failure. There may be a temporary burst of flame and fortune, but never a lasting roaring fire unless you are deeply passionate about your goals.
Stoking that flame by continually adding logs is essential. Add a log by reading good books of successful people who have achieved similar goals in your field of endeavor. Add a log by listening to educational, inspirational and motivational leaders in your industry. Add a log by surrounding yourself with like minded goal oriented people. Add another log by focusing on your goal to the exclusion of distracting activities and people.
There will be people around you who throw buckets of water or even a garden hose on your dreams. They discourage and ridicule your goals all with the supposed intention of doing it “for your own good.” It is easier for well intentioned friends and family to douse your flame of desire than to discover and fan their own flame. It is easier to drag the Joneses down to a lower level than rise to meet them on a higher plane.
Constantly fan your flame of desire by giving yourself positive affirmations. Constantly fan your flame by celebrating every little success on the way to the major goal. Constantly write and re-write your goals to keep re-affirming your long range objective.
Believe in yourself and your goal so firmly that you never allow that passionate flame of desire to flicker and reduce to an ember. Without a roaring flame of passionate desire in your heart, soul and actions, you will flicker and fail.
Fire means warmth, fun, passion and success. Keep your flame burning brightly. Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com for inspiration, encouragement and assistance in achieving your goals.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Statue of Responsibility
New York has its Statue of Liberty. California should have a “Statue of Responsibility” standing as a greeting.
Dave Ramsey, recently featured on the cover of Success magazine, described his credentials as a PhD in DUMB. Dave said, “My wife and I graduated from college broke and started buying and selling real estate. Since that was the beginning of the ‘go go 80s’ we owned 4 million dollars of real estate and about a million net worth by the time I was 26. We borrowed too much money. Our bank was sold to another bank and they called our notes. We spent the next 2 ½ years losing everything. We were sued and foreclosed upon. Soon we had a new baby, a marriage hanging on by a thread and bankrupt. I know what dumb looks like up close and personal.” Dave took responsibility for his success and then his failure.
Now he has the privilege of take credit for his renewed and intensified success. You can also.
We know our economy is a disaster right now and everyone points the finger at someone else as the responsible party. We blame our parents, our boss, the president, the economy, the congress, or the dog catcher. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher and icon in the personal development industry, was 25 when he met with his mentor, Earl Schoff. Earl asked Jim to make a list of his problems and the causes of those problems. Earl reviewed the list carefully and with a puzzled expression and a furrowed brow said, “Jim, there is one problem with this list. . . You are not on it.”
You are responsible for your own choices and thus your own results. Playing the blame game instead of taking responsibility just prolongs the agony.
Dave Ramsey, Jim Rohn, and every successful leader accept responsibility for all of their choices – good or bad. We teach children to be responsible for their choices and yet once we become adults, it suddenly becomes some else’s fault. Abigail Van Buren said, “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
The issue is not the economy, the political party in office or even your environment; it is clearly your responsibility for your choices. You chose to go to school or not, to study or not, to do your best at work or do the minimum and just skate by.
There are three classifications of employees. These classifications extend beyond employees to almost every phase of life.
White Knights – The white knights go above and beyond their duty assignments. They take total responsibility for every aspect of their professional and personal life. They are always the first ones to lend a helping hand to others. They arrive early and stay a little late. They do their best at all times.
Milk Toast – The milk toast is more typical of the average worker. They show up on time but not a minute early. By 5 o’clock and 30 seconds they are gone for the day. They do their job but nothing extra. Frequently it is just enough to get by. Milk toast workers do not cause any discord but neither are they the cheerleaders of the team.
Red Ants – Red ants are always stirring up trouble. They are the whiners and complainers. Every company and every organization has a few such irritants. Nothing ever quite pleases them. Bottom line is “fire the red ants.” If one of these happens to be in your circle of friends, minimize time with them. Rarely will you change the attitude of a red ant; they will drag you down to their level. Red ants never take responsibility for anything.
You will become the average of your five closest associates. Spend time with White Knights and your life will become more responsible and profitable. Spend time with Red Ants and you will sink down to the grumbling depths.
You are responsible for your choices. You are responsible for your results. For personal assistance on reaching your highest potential, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Dave Ramsey, recently featured on the cover of Success magazine, described his credentials as a PhD in DUMB. Dave said, “My wife and I graduated from college broke and started buying and selling real estate. Since that was the beginning of the ‘go go 80s’ we owned 4 million dollars of real estate and about a million net worth by the time I was 26. We borrowed too much money. Our bank was sold to another bank and they called our notes. We spent the next 2 ½ years losing everything. We were sued and foreclosed upon. Soon we had a new baby, a marriage hanging on by a thread and bankrupt. I know what dumb looks like up close and personal.” Dave took responsibility for his success and then his failure.
Now he has the privilege of take credit for his renewed and intensified success. You can also.
We know our economy is a disaster right now and everyone points the finger at someone else as the responsible party. We blame our parents, our boss, the president, the economy, the congress, or the dog catcher. Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher and icon in the personal development industry, was 25 when he met with his mentor, Earl Schoff. Earl asked Jim to make a list of his problems and the causes of those problems. Earl reviewed the list carefully and with a puzzled expression and a furrowed brow said, “Jim, there is one problem with this list. . . You are not on it.”
You are responsible for your own choices and thus your own results. Playing the blame game instead of taking responsibility just prolongs the agony.
Dave Ramsey, Jim Rohn, and every successful leader accept responsibility for all of their choices – good or bad. We teach children to be responsible for their choices and yet once we become adults, it suddenly becomes some else’s fault. Abigail Van Buren said, “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
The issue is not the economy, the political party in office or even your environment; it is clearly your responsibility for your choices. You chose to go to school or not, to study or not, to do your best at work or do the minimum and just skate by.
There are three classifications of employees. These classifications extend beyond employees to almost every phase of life.
White Knights – The white knights go above and beyond their duty assignments. They take total responsibility for every aspect of their professional and personal life. They are always the first ones to lend a helping hand to others. They arrive early and stay a little late. They do their best at all times.
Milk Toast – The milk toast is more typical of the average worker. They show up on time but not a minute early. By 5 o’clock and 30 seconds they are gone for the day. They do their job but nothing extra. Frequently it is just enough to get by. Milk toast workers do not cause any discord but neither are they the cheerleaders of the team.
Red Ants – Red ants are always stirring up trouble. They are the whiners and complainers. Every company and every organization has a few such irritants. Nothing ever quite pleases them. Bottom line is “fire the red ants.” If one of these happens to be in your circle of friends, minimize time with them. Rarely will you change the attitude of a red ant; they will drag you down to their level. Red ants never take responsibility for anything.
You will become the average of your five closest associates. Spend time with White Knights and your life will become more responsible and profitable. Spend time with Red Ants and you will sink down to the grumbling depths.
You are responsible for your choices. You are responsible for your results. For personal assistance on reaching your highest potential, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty proudly stands in New York Harbor as a beacon of hope. Even the title of the statue, “Liberty Enlightening the World” depicts freedom. Look at her carefully. We pay so much attention to the way we dress and the way we wear our hair, yet this symbol of inspiration barely affords a second glance by Americans.
Why should you care? What does a statue mean to your current life and economic situation? Regardless of your political views, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have more opportunity, more freedom and more income per citizen than any other nation in the world.
If your heart is heavy and your bank account is light, it is time to reverse the weight. There is hope and there is help. Read these words and think about your blessings and potential instead of your possible lack.
Madame Liberty wears a stola, a radiant crown and sandals. She tramples a broken chain under her feet. She stretches her right arm high in the air as she hoists her torch high in the air. Madame Liberty's welcome to visitors and immigrants symbolizes freedom and hope for a better future in a new country. America’s forefathers founded our very nation on the principles of liberty and freedom; they stepped up to this mission at the very peril of their own lives and fortunes.
Read the inscription,
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
When we see the starvation, lack of clean water, and lack of medical attention in most third world countries, we cringe. When we turn on the faucet and see the gush of abundant clean water, do we feel grateful or take it for granted?
Not enough money right now? We can get a second job, start a home based business, and find a way to be more valuable at our current job to earn a raise.
Get a second job. No one said it had to be a glamour job. Look at your options. Your second job may be on a grounds crew at a golf course, landscaping or construction crew. Yes, it is physical work but it may also be on weekends when you are not working your current job. Food service places frequently need additional help. This does not have to be a long term solution but it may ease your short term financial crunch.
Home Based Businesses. Home based businesses abound and can be started for an extremely small investment. Maybe you produce crafts or bake something wonderful which could be sold at a farmers market or roadside stand. Perhaps you are talented at woodworking or as a handyman. Home based opportunities are everywhere when you look openly for them and are willing to work.
Improve your current job. Where do you have abilities which would benefit the company? Help organize the storeroom, improve efficiency on a paperwork task, or assist co-workers to improve the overall function of your department. Talk to your supervisor. Ask where you could contribute extra effort to improve your department or even another department in the company.
The key to any of these actions is to not only instigate new ideas and effort but also follow through. Starting something and not following through is worse than not starting.
Be thankful that we have the freedom to take action to make our lives better. Our forefathers paid a dear price for our freedom. Immigrants suffered horrid conditions in order to experience the freedom so openly available to us.
I know first hand what it feels like to be so broke that I had to look up to see the financial basement floor. Swallowing pride and working hard to achieve is worth the effort. Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. Let me help you brainstorm ideas to improve your life.
Why should you care? What does a statue mean to your current life and economic situation? Regardless of your political views, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have more opportunity, more freedom and more income per citizen than any other nation in the world.
If your heart is heavy and your bank account is light, it is time to reverse the weight. There is hope and there is help. Read these words and think about your blessings and potential instead of your possible lack.
Madame Liberty wears a stola, a radiant crown and sandals. She tramples a broken chain under her feet. She stretches her right arm high in the air as she hoists her torch high in the air. Madame Liberty's welcome to visitors and immigrants symbolizes freedom and hope for a better future in a new country. America’s forefathers founded our very nation on the principles of liberty and freedom; they stepped up to this mission at the very peril of their own lives and fortunes.
Read the inscription,
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
When we see the starvation, lack of clean water, and lack of medical attention in most third world countries, we cringe. When we turn on the faucet and see the gush of abundant clean water, do we feel grateful or take it for granted?
Not enough money right now? We can get a second job, start a home based business, and find a way to be more valuable at our current job to earn a raise.
Get a second job. No one said it had to be a glamour job. Look at your options. Your second job may be on a grounds crew at a golf course, landscaping or construction crew. Yes, it is physical work but it may also be on weekends when you are not working your current job. Food service places frequently need additional help. This does not have to be a long term solution but it may ease your short term financial crunch.
Home Based Businesses. Home based businesses abound and can be started for an extremely small investment. Maybe you produce crafts or bake something wonderful which could be sold at a farmers market or roadside stand. Perhaps you are talented at woodworking or as a handyman. Home based opportunities are everywhere when you look openly for them and are willing to work.
Improve your current job. Where do you have abilities which would benefit the company? Help organize the storeroom, improve efficiency on a paperwork task, or assist co-workers to improve the overall function of your department. Talk to your supervisor. Ask where you could contribute extra effort to improve your department or even another department in the company.
The key to any of these actions is to not only instigate new ideas and effort but also follow through. Starting something and not following through is worse than not starting.
Be thankful that we have the freedom to take action to make our lives better. Our forefathers paid a dear price for our freedom. Immigrants suffered horrid conditions in order to experience the freedom so openly available to us.
I know first hand what it feels like to be so broke that I had to look up to see the financial basement floor. Swallowing pride and working hard to achieve is worth the effort. Come join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. Let me help you brainstorm ideas to improve your life.
Friday, January 22, 2010
At Last! A Success Formula Which Works!
The view from the top of the mountain inspires the heart and fills the soul with gratitude. You have climbed over the boulders, stepped in and around the holes in the path, and pushed your way through the thickest brush. No obstacle stood in your way for long. You were on a mission.
You were assaulted by negative friends, family and co-workers; they told you to “get real,” “stop dreaming,” and “get a job and forget this nonsense of having your own business.” You endured the challenges of learning marketing. You experienced small successes, only to drop back into the learning curve again and again. You persisted through it all. Success is yours now.
What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Your baby, your new business, rests happily in your arms. Savor the sweet aroma of victory. Celebrate your success. Treat yourself; you deserve a reward for all of your consistent and persistent effort.
This tiny new enterprise is now yours to nurture and grow into everything you dream it can be and more. Expand your goals and vision to reach higher and higher.
Remember launching your first kite? You ran and ran while it dragged on the ground. You ran harder and it came up 5 feet then 10 feet and dropped back to the ground. You summoned all of your energy and ran even faster until the kite came up 10 feet, then 20 feet, then 50 feet and finally 100 feet. Your business kite encountered the same cycle.
Your business kite is now flying high; it is soaring above the treetops and reaching for the clouds. Keep feeding the kite string, just as you keep feeding your new business more marketing. Nurture your new business with the nutrition of marketing, innovative ideas, enthusiasm, and consistent goal oriented action.
Just as you were tempted to stop running when the kite bounced back on the ground, so you were tempted to stop when your new business hit a snag. Now you are so thrilled that you persisted. Your business kite is flying. You are now standing on the top of the mountain with your soul soaring above the clouds.
So many people are tempted to stop at the first difficulty, but not you. You have a passion for your new business. You are passionate about your goals. So what if you stubbed your toe when you were running. You stood up, dusted yourself off and started running again.
When asked the secret to your success, you reply, “Choose a goal you are passionate about achieving and then remain consistent and persistent.” Success really is that simple. Only by choosing a goal you are passionate about achieving will you be able to endure the negative talk from others and the negative self talk. Only with a passion for achievement will you persevere through the inevitable obstacles. Every business encounters obstacles. When your “why,” your passionate reason for reaching for the goal, is more compelling than any potential obstacle, you will persevere. When the “why” is limping along you will give up easily. Unless your “why” remains powerful, your “what” will not matter. You will very rarely ever achieve a goal unless you are absolutely passionate about your success.
For more personalized goal setting and goal achieving assistance, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com. For help in determining your passion, contact me.
You were assaulted by negative friends, family and co-workers; they told you to “get real,” “stop dreaming,” and “get a job and forget this nonsense of having your own business.” You endured the challenges of learning marketing. You experienced small successes, only to drop back into the learning curve again and again. You persisted through it all. Success is yours now.
What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Your baby, your new business, rests happily in your arms. Savor the sweet aroma of victory. Celebrate your success. Treat yourself; you deserve a reward for all of your consistent and persistent effort.
This tiny new enterprise is now yours to nurture and grow into everything you dream it can be and more. Expand your goals and vision to reach higher and higher.
Remember launching your first kite? You ran and ran while it dragged on the ground. You ran harder and it came up 5 feet then 10 feet and dropped back to the ground. You summoned all of your energy and ran even faster until the kite came up 10 feet, then 20 feet, then 50 feet and finally 100 feet. Your business kite encountered the same cycle.
Your business kite is now flying high; it is soaring above the treetops and reaching for the clouds. Keep feeding the kite string, just as you keep feeding your new business more marketing. Nurture your new business with the nutrition of marketing, innovative ideas, enthusiasm, and consistent goal oriented action.
Just as you were tempted to stop running when the kite bounced back on the ground, so you were tempted to stop when your new business hit a snag. Now you are so thrilled that you persisted. Your business kite is flying. You are now standing on the top of the mountain with your soul soaring above the clouds.
So many people are tempted to stop at the first difficulty, but not you. You have a passion for your new business. You are passionate about your goals. So what if you stubbed your toe when you were running. You stood up, dusted yourself off and started running again.
When asked the secret to your success, you reply, “Choose a goal you are passionate about achieving and then remain consistent and persistent.” Success really is that simple. Only by choosing a goal you are passionate about achieving will you be able to endure the negative talk from others and the negative self talk. Only with a passion for achievement will you persevere through the inevitable obstacles. Every business encounters obstacles. When your “why,” your passionate reason for reaching for the goal, is more compelling than any potential obstacle, you will persevere. When the “why” is limping along you will give up easily. Unless your “why” remains powerful, your “what” will not matter. You will very rarely ever achieve a goal unless you are absolutely passionate about your success.
For more personalized goal setting and goal achieving assistance, contact me at www.Elaine4Success.com. For help in determining your passion, contact me.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
3 Secrets to Success
Steamboat Springs, Colorado is the home of more Olympians than any other ski resort in United States. In 2006, Steamboat sent more athletes to compete in the Olympic Games than some small countries.
Todd Lodwick, Nordic combined;
Johnny Spillane, Nordic combined;
Ryan St. Onge, aerial;
Tommy Schwall, ski jumper.
The 2010 games are only three weeks away. Once again Steamboat has major competitors on the team.
Todd Lodwick, Nordic combined;
Johnny Spillane, Nordic combined;
Rebecca Sorensen, Skeleton.
Ryan St. Onge will also compete in aerials; however, this time he lists Winter Park as home.
Becoming an Olympic athlete requires hours and hours of focused practice. Many of these athletes have trained seriously since they were little tots. Jeremy Abbott, Aspen figure skater, started skating when he was two; he competed starting at age four.
When the other kids were out playing hop scotch and Red Rover, these aspiring hopefuls were practicing their skills. Success requires focused practice and constant improvement.
A violin virtuoso was greeted backstage after performing a magnificent concert. The fan said, “I would give my life to play like that.” The master replied, “Madam, I did.”
Whether you are competing in the Olympic Games, practicing to be a masterful musician or conducting your own business, you must have passion, persistence and consistency. Every successful endeavor requires long term dedication.
Passion for your pursuit is essential, not optional. Without a passion for your career, it becomes nothing more than a pleasant hobby. Treat your activity like a casual hobby and it will pay you in proportion to your effort. Entitlement attitudes rarely, if ever, achieve success. Decide what you are willing to forfeit in order to attain your goals.
Skiing all day in deep powder is a heavenly experience. If your income and future relate to skiing, fabulous; enjoy your day and perfect your technique. If your goal is to be a famous heart surgeon, skiing is a distraction. Anything which takes you away from your goals constitutes a distraction. Everyone has choices. Choose to play now and you will not achieve retirement income for later.
A coaching client recently complained that his business was failing. As he continued to speak, the reason became obvious. Working for six months at the business and taking off six months to swim and scuba was a recipe for disaster. Another coaching client declined a wonderful two month European tour in order to focus on his business.
Choose to remain extra focused right now in order to be able relax later.
1. Determine a goal and a career focus which truly ignites your passion. Lukewarm goals and desires NEVER propel you past the inevitable rough spots in your success path.
2. Remain consistent and persistent in your pursuit of the coveted goal. Constantly learn and apply the knowledge acquired. Read books of other people who have succeeded at your chosen career. Attend live events and network with other successful people in your chosen field. Practice over and over again until the skill becomes ingrained into your subconscious. Visualize yourself performing and achieving your goals. Constantly examine your performance and make the appropriate adjustments to improve. Choose your time priorities carefully.
3. Dedicate your time, effort and resources to constantly improving the skills you already possess and acquiring the new skills to make yourself even better.
Success only involves luck when you consider that good luck is when opportunity meets preparation. Olympic athletes and musical masters practice several hours per day for years for their few moments on stage in the spotlight. Successful business owners follow exactly the same pattern of behavior. Talent helps but talent alone will not take you to the podium time after time. Financial resources may speed the learning curve by placing you with the best coaches, teachers and educational materials.
You are responsible for the application of your talent, resources and effort. The final determination of success always rests at the feet of the person with passion, consistency, persistence and focused unswerving dedication.
For assistance in determining your passion and keeping you on track, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Todd Lodwick, Nordic combined;
Johnny Spillane, Nordic combined;
Ryan St. Onge, aerial;
Tommy Schwall, ski jumper.
The 2010 games are only three weeks away. Once again Steamboat has major competitors on the team.
Todd Lodwick, Nordic combined;
Johnny Spillane, Nordic combined;
Rebecca Sorensen, Skeleton.
Ryan St. Onge will also compete in aerials; however, this time he lists Winter Park as home.
Becoming an Olympic athlete requires hours and hours of focused practice. Many of these athletes have trained seriously since they were little tots. Jeremy Abbott, Aspen figure skater, started skating when he was two; he competed starting at age four.
When the other kids were out playing hop scotch and Red Rover, these aspiring hopefuls were practicing their skills. Success requires focused practice and constant improvement.
A violin virtuoso was greeted backstage after performing a magnificent concert. The fan said, “I would give my life to play like that.” The master replied, “Madam, I did.”
Whether you are competing in the Olympic Games, practicing to be a masterful musician or conducting your own business, you must have passion, persistence and consistency. Every successful endeavor requires long term dedication.
Passion for your pursuit is essential, not optional. Without a passion for your career, it becomes nothing more than a pleasant hobby. Treat your activity like a casual hobby and it will pay you in proportion to your effort. Entitlement attitudes rarely, if ever, achieve success. Decide what you are willing to forfeit in order to attain your goals.
Skiing all day in deep powder is a heavenly experience. If your income and future relate to skiing, fabulous; enjoy your day and perfect your technique. If your goal is to be a famous heart surgeon, skiing is a distraction. Anything which takes you away from your goals constitutes a distraction. Everyone has choices. Choose to play now and you will not achieve retirement income for later.
A coaching client recently complained that his business was failing. As he continued to speak, the reason became obvious. Working for six months at the business and taking off six months to swim and scuba was a recipe for disaster. Another coaching client declined a wonderful two month European tour in order to focus on his business.
Choose to remain extra focused right now in order to be able relax later.
1. Determine a goal and a career focus which truly ignites your passion. Lukewarm goals and desires NEVER propel you past the inevitable rough spots in your success path.
2. Remain consistent and persistent in your pursuit of the coveted goal. Constantly learn and apply the knowledge acquired. Read books of other people who have succeeded at your chosen career. Attend live events and network with other successful people in your chosen field. Practice over and over again until the skill becomes ingrained into your subconscious. Visualize yourself performing and achieving your goals. Constantly examine your performance and make the appropriate adjustments to improve. Choose your time priorities carefully.
3. Dedicate your time, effort and resources to constantly improving the skills you already possess and acquiring the new skills to make yourself even better.
Success only involves luck when you consider that good luck is when opportunity meets preparation. Olympic athletes and musical masters practice several hours per day for years for their few moments on stage in the spotlight. Successful business owners follow exactly the same pattern of behavior. Talent helps but talent alone will not take you to the podium time after time. Financial resources may speed the learning curve by placing you with the best coaches, teachers and educational materials.
You are responsible for the application of your talent, resources and effort. The final determination of success always rests at the feet of the person with passion, consistency, persistence and focused unswerving dedication.
For assistance in determining your passion and keeping you on track, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Criteria of a Business
Keep your fork; the best is yet to come. Remember your mother saying that when you were growing up? Mmmmm. Just inhale that delicious aroma. Savor the taste. Can’t you just taste it now? Dessert. Every child’s delight. Who are we kidding? Every adult loves dessert. How many of you have a favorite dessert? This question is not directed at your waistline, it is directed at your taste buds.
My mother was a combination of Martha Stewart, Julia Child and Betty Crocker when it came to baking. She knew how to perform magic with a few mixing bowls and an oven.
When Mom said, “Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.” We knew it was true.
Launching your own business requires a winnowing fork and a tuning fork, not a dinner fork, but the best is yet to come.
Compare the new business to a cake. Before you start gathering ingredients, decide what flavor cake you choose to make. Do you have the ingredients on hand or do you need to go shopping? A cake requires basic ingredients: flour, shortening, sugar and eggs, plus special additions for the special flavor variety.
The ingredients of a new business are just as basic.
Decide what kind of business you wish to open. Are you seeking a franchise, a brick and mortar or a home based business? Franchises are typically a quarter million to three quarters million to buy the rights to the business and even more money for the physical location. A home based business has the lowest start-up cost, usually less than twenty thousand and a lower overhead since it is home based. Typical brick and mortar businesses have a slightly lower initial cost than a franchise but probably require the cost of a physical location.
Do you have the skills necessary or do you need to seek a coach to assist you? Franchises provide training and business plans. New brick and mortar business provide neither training nor a business plan. Home based businesses may provide some training if they are part of a network marketing company or MLM; however, since it is your own business, you still have 100% responsibility for you business plan and your results.
How many hours a week do you plan to devote to your new venture? Franchise or brick and mortar will require closer to sixty hours per week at the specific business location. Home based businesses can be conducted on a part time or full time basis; ten hours per week is minimum and twenty to thirty is more realistic.
How much investment will be required and do you have not only the minimum start up capital, but also extra income to support yourself in the interim? Any business will require development time. Purchasing a franchise or existing business will provide some existing customer base due to the name recognition; however, building a business requires time and effort.
Free marketing trades off low cost for slow speed of locating customers. If you want large quantities of customers within a short period of time, you will need marketing dollars. Regardless of cost or speed, every business requires marketing and customers. A plethora of marketing methods, techniques and cost factors are available. Balance your marketing budget with the speed and quantity of customers desired. Add in your marketing expertise in order to estimate the total cost and time.
Have you written a business plan which incorporated the SMART criteria?
S – specific
M - measurable
A - attainable
R - relevant
T - timely
Gather all of the ingredients; combine them in proper proportions and develop the new creation. Select the proper location and target customer.
With your cake, you selected the proper size pan, prepared the pan properly, preheated the oven to the proper temperature, placed the cake inside the oven and checked it frequently.
Your business requires your time, constant attention and total dedication. Unlike a cake, the business requires tweaking and shaping on a frequent basis.
Once the cake is baked, you may decorate it.
Your business may take months or even years to bake. Decorating the business with flourishes and fanfare may consume several years. With consistent, persistent and focused action, it is possible.
Anticipate the delectable morsel of cake on your dinner fork. Use your winnowing fork and your tuning fork to create the profits of a well designed and managed business.
Keep your fork; the best is yet to come.
For a complete personalized goal setting and goal achieving plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
My mother was a combination of Martha Stewart, Julia Child and Betty Crocker when it came to baking. She knew how to perform magic with a few mixing bowls and an oven.
When Mom said, “Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.” We knew it was true.
Launching your own business requires a winnowing fork and a tuning fork, not a dinner fork, but the best is yet to come.
Compare the new business to a cake. Before you start gathering ingredients, decide what flavor cake you choose to make. Do you have the ingredients on hand or do you need to go shopping? A cake requires basic ingredients: flour, shortening, sugar and eggs, plus special additions for the special flavor variety.
The ingredients of a new business are just as basic.
Decide what kind of business you wish to open. Are you seeking a franchise, a brick and mortar or a home based business? Franchises are typically a quarter million to three quarters million to buy the rights to the business and even more money for the physical location. A home based business has the lowest start-up cost, usually less than twenty thousand and a lower overhead since it is home based. Typical brick and mortar businesses have a slightly lower initial cost than a franchise but probably require the cost of a physical location.
Do you have the skills necessary or do you need to seek a coach to assist you? Franchises provide training and business plans. New brick and mortar business provide neither training nor a business plan. Home based businesses may provide some training if they are part of a network marketing company or MLM; however, since it is your own business, you still have 100% responsibility for you business plan and your results.
How many hours a week do you plan to devote to your new venture? Franchise or brick and mortar will require closer to sixty hours per week at the specific business location. Home based businesses can be conducted on a part time or full time basis; ten hours per week is minimum and twenty to thirty is more realistic.
How much investment will be required and do you have not only the minimum start up capital, but also extra income to support yourself in the interim? Any business will require development time. Purchasing a franchise or existing business will provide some existing customer base due to the name recognition; however, building a business requires time and effort.
Free marketing trades off low cost for slow speed of locating customers. If you want large quantities of customers within a short period of time, you will need marketing dollars. Regardless of cost or speed, every business requires marketing and customers. A plethora of marketing methods, techniques and cost factors are available. Balance your marketing budget with the speed and quantity of customers desired. Add in your marketing expertise in order to estimate the total cost and time.
Have you written a business plan which incorporated the SMART criteria?
S – specific
M - measurable
A - attainable
R - relevant
T - timely
Gather all of the ingredients; combine them in proper proportions and develop the new creation. Select the proper location and target customer.
With your cake, you selected the proper size pan, prepared the pan properly, preheated the oven to the proper temperature, placed the cake inside the oven and checked it frequently.
Your business requires your time, constant attention and total dedication. Unlike a cake, the business requires tweaking and shaping on a frequent basis.
Once the cake is baked, you may decorate it.
Your business may take months or even years to bake. Decorating the business with flourishes and fanfare may consume several years. With consistent, persistent and focused action, it is possible.
Anticipate the delectable morsel of cake on your dinner fork. Use your winnowing fork and your tuning fork to create the profits of a well designed and managed business.
Keep your fork; the best is yet to come.
For a complete personalized goal setting and goal achieving plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Leadership is Empowering Others
Empower others with your thoughts and actions. Regardless of your economic status, educational status or career, everyone responds favorably to kind words. Empowering others benefits both the giver and the receiver.
Toastmasters is a speaker’s organization. Picture a new speaker hesitantly rising and making the eternally long walk from their chair to the podium for their ice breaker speech. Walking those eight to ten feet feels like a marathon distance. Facing the group for the first time as the spotlight centers on them causes every internal butterfly to fly in a different direction. Butterflies rarely settle into formation for the ice breaker speech. Gripping the podium with a death grip and hiding behind it with notes shaking has been known to happen to more than one newbie. Four to six minutes may feel like a lifetime. The custom is to give a standing ovation after an ice breaker.
Watching this new speaker emerge and stand confidently and relaxed in front of the group during future speeches thrills both the speaker and the audience. Empowering someone to learn a new skill and progress rewards the entire membership. Feedback after each speech, evaluation, emphasizes all of the strong points and encourages slight areas on improvement. Empowering someone to build on their strengths and develop new skills rewards the evaluator as well as the speaker.
Butterflies gradually learn to fly in formation. Leadership is empowering others. As a leader you have the opportunity to guide and empower others to develop current talents to new heights. The greatest joy for a leader is seeing others grow and blossom.
True leadership can be related to the size of the empowerment desired. A brief word feels like a helicopter, just a touch and go. It comes and goes in a flash. Investing a little more time and effort feel like a STOL port, a short take off and landing runway. Major ventures require a runway similar to the size required for a 747. Mentoring and empowering someone from infancy to maturity in a sport or career requires a 747 runway.
Empowerment can be a 20 yard sprint, a 5K run or a marathon. Whether you choose to invest your time and effort for a brief start and stop, 3.1 miles or 26 miles all depends upon the impact you desire to provide.
Empowerment, like inspiration, motivation or education, must find a willing receiver. Our job as leaders is to provide the empowerment. The employee’s role is to be open minded enough to receive the encouragement and take action.
A college professor one told a young student, “You can have ten years experience or one year’s experience ten times.” The professor, like the mentor or evaluators in a Toastmasters club, provides the encouragement and empowerment along with suggestions for growth and improvement. The student must also be willing to receive and take action. Without receiving and taking action, the words are leaves blowing in the wind.
Effective leadership is empowerment. Few things warm the heart of a leader more than seeing someone respond in a positive way to growth potential.
Examine your leadership skills and practices. Are you a helicopter, a small private plane or a 747? What is the scope of your mentorship? How long a runway do you require to launch your program? Leadership is empowering.
Select your candidates carefully. Select those who will be receptive to growing to their potential. Empower those who are ready, willing and eager to accept the challenge.
Leadership is empowerment; join me at www.Elaine4Success.com and allow me to assist you in reaching your potential.
Toastmasters is a speaker’s organization. Picture a new speaker hesitantly rising and making the eternally long walk from their chair to the podium for their ice breaker speech. Walking those eight to ten feet feels like a marathon distance. Facing the group for the first time as the spotlight centers on them causes every internal butterfly to fly in a different direction. Butterflies rarely settle into formation for the ice breaker speech. Gripping the podium with a death grip and hiding behind it with notes shaking has been known to happen to more than one newbie. Four to six minutes may feel like a lifetime. The custom is to give a standing ovation after an ice breaker.
Watching this new speaker emerge and stand confidently and relaxed in front of the group during future speeches thrills both the speaker and the audience. Empowering someone to learn a new skill and progress rewards the entire membership. Feedback after each speech, evaluation, emphasizes all of the strong points and encourages slight areas on improvement. Empowering someone to build on their strengths and develop new skills rewards the evaluator as well as the speaker.
Butterflies gradually learn to fly in formation. Leadership is empowering others. As a leader you have the opportunity to guide and empower others to develop current talents to new heights. The greatest joy for a leader is seeing others grow and blossom.
True leadership can be related to the size of the empowerment desired. A brief word feels like a helicopter, just a touch and go. It comes and goes in a flash. Investing a little more time and effort feel like a STOL port, a short take off and landing runway. Major ventures require a runway similar to the size required for a 747. Mentoring and empowering someone from infancy to maturity in a sport or career requires a 747 runway.
Empowerment can be a 20 yard sprint, a 5K run or a marathon. Whether you choose to invest your time and effort for a brief start and stop, 3.1 miles or 26 miles all depends upon the impact you desire to provide.
Empowerment, like inspiration, motivation or education, must find a willing receiver. Our job as leaders is to provide the empowerment. The employee’s role is to be open minded enough to receive the encouragement and take action.
A college professor one told a young student, “You can have ten years experience or one year’s experience ten times.” The professor, like the mentor or evaluators in a Toastmasters club, provides the encouragement and empowerment along with suggestions for growth and improvement. The student must also be willing to receive and take action. Without receiving and taking action, the words are leaves blowing in the wind.
Effective leadership is empowerment. Few things warm the heart of a leader more than seeing someone respond in a positive way to growth potential.
Examine your leadership skills and practices. Are you a helicopter, a small private plane or a 747? What is the scope of your mentorship? How long a runway do you require to launch your program? Leadership is empowering.
Select your candidates carefully. Select those who will be receptive to growing to their potential. Empower those who are ready, willing and eager to accept the challenge.
Leadership is empowerment; join me at www.Elaine4Success.com and allow me to assist you in reaching your potential.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Savor the Taste of Success
Every disciplined effort yields multiple results.
When you are knee deep in the swamp with alligators nipping at you from all directions, it is difficult to remember that your purpose was to drain the swamp.
Each disciplined effort provides a snowball effect. Each one builds on the next until the desired outcome materializes. In the meantime, reach back into your memory banks and recall one or more of your most treasured success feelings. Feeling is the operative word. People respond to feelings more than logic. Recapture that feeling of exhilaration when you achieved a major goal. Internalize that feeling so well that you can recall it at a moment’s notice. Knowing how to celebrate your success and potential helps with the times when things are not going as well as you desire.
Everyone has down times emotionally and financially. Allowing yourself to wallow in self pity never creates a positive outcome. Reach back into prior success and recapture that positive feeling.
Create new software for your self talk and the language you use to others. Broke sales people reek of the scent of failure. Your thoughts, feelings and attitudes reflect in your words and vibrations. It is imperative that you internalize feelings of success.
Positive self talk always focuses on “I can,” “I am,” “I am in the process of,” “I earn,” I will,” and “I have achieved and I will again.” Set your goals and focus on each one as already accomplished. Attach the feeling of success to each goal. Visualize the goals as already accomplished and savor the feeling you will have with that accomplishment. Feel the success and experience it with all five senses. Put a picture of the success as if it is already achieved front and center. Keep your focus on the goal and wading through the temporary swamp will feel so much easier.
Success is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration. As Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, was told when he was 25, “lack of money is not the problem. Lack of an idea to create money is the problem.” Focus on your natural creativity and discover that idea. If you already have the idea, then focus on the positive achievement.
The bigger the idea, the longer you will need to develop it, shape it and bring it to fruition. Little ideas only need a helicopter pad; here it comes and there it goes. Test your ideas on paper until you are clear, and then test it on other like-minded, progressive thinkers. They may offer tweaks which will speed your progress.
Never give up on yourself and a well thought out idea. Keep shaping and molding the thought until it yields positive results. Hold on to the positive feelings of success every step of the journey. Believe in yourself and your dream.
Why invest the time and effort in yourself and your dream?
You strengthen your character
You stay focused on results
You make better decisions
You build self confidence
You heighten your awareness
You create excitement
You enjoy and achieve your potential
Write five compelling reasons why you will never give up on yourself and your dreams. If your “why” is not big enough, your “what” will not matter.
Remez Sasson said, “People with a positive frame of mind think about possibilities, growth, expansion and success. They expect happiness, health, love and good relationships.”
Savor the feeling of success. Be able to internalize that ecstasy at a moment’s notice. Attitude is not just a state of mind; it is a reflection of what you value. You will succeed. Remain consistent, persistent and focused on your future.
For specific goal setting exercises and examples of positive self talk, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
When you are knee deep in the swamp with alligators nipping at you from all directions, it is difficult to remember that your purpose was to drain the swamp.
Each disciplined effort provides a snowball effect. Each one builds on the next until the desired outcome materializes. In the meantime, reach back into your memory banks and recall one or more of your most treasured success feelings. Feeling is the operative word. People respond to feelings more than logic. Recapture that feeling of exhilaration when you achieved a major goal. Internalize that feeling so well that you can recall it at a moment’s notice. Knowing how to celebrate your success and potential helps with the times when things are not going as well as you desire.
Everyone has down times emotionally and financially. Allowing yourself to wallow in self pity never creates a positive outcome. Reach back into prior success and recapture that positive feeling.
Create new software for your self talk and the language you use to others. Broke sales people reek of the scent of failure. Your thoughts, feelings and attitudes reflect in your words and vibrations. It is imperative that you internalize feelings of success.
Positive self talk always focuses on “I can,” “I am,” “I am in the process of,” “I earn,” I will,” and “I have achieved and I will again.” Set your goals and focus on each one as already accomplished. Attach the feeling of success to each goal. Visualize the goals as already accomplished and savor the feeling you will have with that accomplishment. Feel the success and experience it with all five senses. Put a picture of the success as if it is already achieved front and center. Keep your focus on the goal and wading through the temporary swamp will feel so much easier.
Success is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration. As Jim Rohn, noted business philosopher, was told when he was 25, “lack of money is not the problem. Lack of an idea to create money is the problem.” Focus on your natural creativity and discover that idea. If you already have the idea, then focus on the positive achievement.
The bigger the idea, the longer you will need to develop it, shape it and bring it to fruition. Little ideas only need a helicopter pad; here it comes and there it goes. Test your ideas on paper until you are clear, and then test it on other like-minded, progressive thinkers. They may offer tweaks which will speed your progress.
Never give up on yourself and a well thought out idea. Keep shaping and molding the thought until it yields positive results. Hold on to the positive feelings of success every step of the journey. Believe in yourself and your dream.
Why invest the time and effort in yourself and your dream?
You strengthen your character
You stay focused on results
You make better decisions
You build self confidence
You heighten your awareness
You create excitement
You enjoy and achieve your potential
Write five compelling reasons why you will never give up on yourself and your dreams. If your “why” is not big enough, your “what” will not matter.
Remez Sasson said, “People with a positive frame of mind think about possibilities, growth, expansion and success. They expect happiness, health, love and good relationships.”
Savor the feeling of success. Be able to internalize that ecstasy at a moment’s notice. Attitude is not just a state of mind; it is a reflection of what you value. You will succeed. Remain consistent, persistent and focused on your future.
For specific goal setting exercises and examples of positive self talk, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Learning Curve for Success
Life has a learning curve. Every new activity requires new skills.
Babies encounter a tremendous learning curve. They learn to crawl, feed themselves, walk, learn a language and figure out how to tie their shoes. Our learning curve continues throughout school and starts to level off in college. In many cases, the learning curve comes to a screeching halt upon acquiring our first job.
It is astounding how many people never read a book after high school. Of the number who even start reading, a significant percentage never progress beyond the first chapter. To add insult to injury, most of them are proud of the fact that they do not read.
The average CEO in America earns 439 times the income of the average hourly employee. The typical CEO reads at least 4 books a month. Even though the only difference between the CEO and the hourly employee is not just the number of books they read, it is a significant factor. CEO’s continue on the learning curve. They are constantly improving themselves.
If you tour the historic homes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison and any other historic icon, you will find a library. Leaders are readers. Leaders continue on the learning curve throughout their entire life.
Most metropolitan areas include at least one institution of continuing education. Now with the addition of the internet, access to online universities abounds. Continuing education becomes easier and easier with each passing innovation of technology. No legitimate excuses exist for stalling out on the learning curve. Ah, but you say, “There isn’t any money for classes.” Public libraries are free and even the library card is free.
“No time,” you cry. How much time do you spend watching television? Situation comedies on television add nothing to your education.
How much time do you spend commuting to and from work? Use your car as a rolling university. Yes, libraries even have educational cd’s available.
If you truly desire a turning point in your life and your finances, get back on the learning curve.
Single and seeking a companion? Why not meet someone else who is raising their awareness; seek a companion who desires to make progress with their life. You will be more interesting to them if you are expanding your learning curve. They will be more interesting to you they are moving their life onward and upward.
Opportunities abound for the ambitious person who expands their learning curve. By contrast, zero positive opportunities are afforded to the person who stops learning, growing and advancing mentally.
Children are encouraged to attend classes, do their homework and succeed in school. What is the magic age where people stop caring and growing? Leaders continue to learn and grow. Leaders prosper.
Your turning point in life starts the day you jump back into the learning curve with a vengeance. Being persistent and consistent with the improvement of your learning curve yields positive results in every aspect of your life.
For specific information on improving your learning curve, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Babies encounter a tremendous learning curve. They learn to crawl, feed themselves, walk, learn a language and figure out how to tie their shoes. Our learning curve continues throughout school and starts to level off in college. In many cases, the learning curve comes to a screeching halt upon acquiring our first job.
It is astounding how many people never read a book after high school. Of the number who even start reading, a significant percentage never progress beyond the first chapter. To add insult to injury, most of them are proud of the fact that they do not read.
The average CEO in America earns 439 times the income of the average hourly employee. The typical CEO reads at least 4 books a month. Even though the only difference between the CEO and the hourly employee is not just the number of books they read, it is a significant factor. CEO’s continue on the learning curve. They are constantly improving themselves.
If you tour the historic homes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison and any other historic icon, you will find a library. Leaders are readers. Leaders continue on the learning curve throughout their entire life.
Most metropolitan areas include at least one institution of continuing education. Now with the addition of the internet, access to online universities abounds. Continuing education becomes easier and easier with each passing innovation of technology. No legitimate excuses exist for stalling out on the learning curve. Ah, but you say, “There isn’t any money for classes.” Public libraries are free and even the library card is free.
“No time,” you cry. How much time do you spend watching television? Situation comedies on television add nothing to your education.
How much time do you spend commuting to and from work? Use your car as a rolling university. Yes, libraries even have educational cd’s available.
If you truly desire a turning point in your life and your finances, get back on the learning curve.
Single and seeking a companion? Why not meet someone else who is raising their awareness; seek a companion who desires to make progress with their life. You will be more interesting to them if you are expanding your learning curve. They will be more interesting to you they are moving their life onward and upward.
Opportunities abound for the ambitious person who expands their learning curve. By contrast, zero positive opportunities are afforded to the person who stops learning, growing and advancing mentally.
Children are encouraged to attend classes, do their homework and succeed in school. What is the magic age where people stop caring and growing? Leaders continue to learn and grow. Leaders prosper.
Your turning point in life starts the day you jump back into the learning curve with a vengeance. Being persistent and consistent with the improvement of your learning curve yields positive results in every aspect of your life.
For specific information on improving your learning curve, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
How to Get Your Life on Track
Every life has a few turning points. As humans, we have the unique ability to make a decision, act on it and turn on a dime. Animals are governed by impulse and instinct. Salmon return home to spawn, Geese fly south in the winter. Genetic code dictates and they obey. A lion couldn’t suddenly choose to be a vegetarian anymore than a cow could choose to win on a race track against thoroughbred race horses. Only a human can make a decision and change anything and everything about their lives. Press the reset button and do it over. Call a mulligan. Press ctrl, alt, delete, wipe the slate clean and start over.
Successful people will tell you, “I remember the exact moment when I made the decision.” “That was the decision that turned my life around and started it all.” “I’m so grateful I made the decision.” You’re screaming silently in your head, “tell me what the decision is and I’ll make it too.” An alcoholic remembers the turning point when they decided “no more.” They stopped drinking or popping pills or whatever their poison of choice.
For Andy Andrews it was being handed 3 biographies when he was twenty three years old. Winston Churchill, Will Rogers and George Washington Carver were the first three of some 200 biographies Andy read. Andy’s turning point was deciding to read those books and start getting his life back on track.
Some people reach that turning point at 15, others at 50, others over and over in life and some never at all.
Now is your turning point; your challenge is now.
Statistics show that we only use a minute fraction of our brain power. Why would you leave a fortune lying there dormant? Why struggle when the solution is on your finger tips? You are far more capable, powerful, and talented than you realize; certainly more gifted than you have utilized to date. Draw a line in your mental sand. Cut off the past and begin anew. Courage represents the only thing separating you from your grandest vision, your dream of a better life. Take a deep breath, swallow your nervous butterflies or better yet, spit them out, and muster the courage to forge ahead.
2010 is a new year, a new decade, make the most of it. Glance back over your shoulder for just an instant and glimpse your last ten years. Were they everything you ever wanted them to be? Unless you choose a turning point right now, your next ten years will be the same or possibly less fulfilling. Is that a risk you are willing to take?
For some people, the turning point is a look in the mirror. For others it is balancing the bank account. For others it may not be their choice at all; “sorry but we are downsizing and your job is being eliminated.” Divorce creates many turning points. Medical reports force turning points. Why not decide to take charge of your life and your future?
There is a country song about skydiving, going 8 seconds on a bull name Fu Man Chu, and climbing to high peaks.
Decide to make January, 2010 as your turning point. Decide to make the most of your potential and your life. Every one of us was granted at birth with a wonderful creative mind and intelligence beyond our wildest dream. Every one of us possesses a skill or talent superior to anyone and everyone else. Never ever allow anyone to make you ever feel inferior again. You are unique; you are special. You are a wonderful creation.
Dive into your soul and discover your passion. Decide right here and now to go for the gusto and life the next ten years are the beginning of a fabulous future. Regardless of your age, you have the power to decide and take action.
Today is your turning point.
For help discovering your passion and your potential, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Successful people will tell you, “I remember the exact moment when I made the decision.” “That was the decision that turned my life around and started it all.” “I’m so grateful I made the decision.” You’re screaming silently in your head, “tell me what the decision is and I’ll make it too.” An alcoholic remembers the turning point when they decided “no more.” They stopped drinking or popping pills or whatever their poison of choice.
For Andy Andrews it was being handed 3 biographies when he was twenty three years old. Winston Churchill, Will Rogers and George Washington Carver were the first three of some 200 biographies Andy read. Andy’s turning point was deciding to read those books and start getting his life back on track.
Some people reach that turning point at 15, others at 50, others over and over in life and some never at all.
Now is your turning point; your challenge is now.
Statistics show that we only use a minute fraction of our brain power. Why would you leave a fortune lying there dormant? Why struggle when the solution is on your finger tips? You are far more capable, powerful, and talented than you realize; certainly more gifted than you have utilized to date. Draw a line in your mental sand. Cut off the past and begin anew. Courage represents the only thing separating you from your grandest vision, your dream of a better life. Take a deep breath, swallow your nervous butterflies or better yet, spit them out, and muster the courage to forge ahead.
2010 is a new year, a new decade, make the most of it. Glance back over your shoulder for just an instant and glimpse your last ten years. Were they everything you ever wanted them to be? Unless you choose a turning point right now, your next ten years will be the same or possibly less fulfilling. Is that a risk you are willing to take?
For some people, the turning point is a look in the mirror. For others it is balancing the bank account. For others it may not be their choice at all; “sorry but we are downsizing and your job is being eliminated.” Divorce creates many turning points. Medical reports force turning points. Why not decide to take charge of your life and your future?
There is a country song about skydiving, going 8 seconds on a bull name Fu Man Chu, and climbing to high peaks.
Decide to make January, 2010 as your turning point. Decide to make the most of your potential and your life. Every one of us was granted at birth with a wonderful creative mind and intelligence beyond our wildest dream. Every one of us possesses a skill or talent superior to anyone and everyone else. Never ever allow anyone to make you ever feel inferior again. You are unique; you are special. You are a wonderful creation.
Dive into your soul and discover your passion. Decide right here and now to go for the gusto and life the next ten years are the beginning of a fabulous future. Regardless of your age, you have the power to decide and take action.
Today is your turning point.
For help discovering your passion and your potential, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Perspective on Success
Attention Entrepreneurs!
Anything which gets in the way of your goal constitutes a distraction. Medical school is an extremely worthwhile and valuable activity, but not unless you are choosing a career in the medical profession. If your goal is to become a network marketer, medical school is a distraction.
Focus on your goals. Focus on your strengths. Regain perspective in your life.
Look seriously at your perspective on your life and your business. Today’s activities determine tomorrow’s success. Your greatest moment, your greatest achievement, your greatest adventure can be and should be in the future. The future is within your control. The past by the very nature of it being the past can not be changed. The new you strains to be created. New potential, new achievement and new experiences await you. Each new dawn brings wonder and joy. The future hold excitement if you allow it.
Yesterday remains a memory. Learn from it, yes, but leave it behind you. Look ahead to what you can be tomorrow. Where are you going with your life?
There was a passage in “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews about two men sitting on the beach eating. When asked what he was eating, one man answered, “Vienna sausages and sardines.” When asked where he was eating, he replied, “I’m sitting in the sand.” “Ah,” his companion replied, “it is all in your perspective. I am dining on surf and turf with an ocean view.” Perspective makes all the difference.
What perspective governs your life? Are you grateful for the blessings, advantages and talents you possess or grumbling about the challenges you face?
Life hands each and every one of us opportunities every day. How we choose to view those opportunities determines the difference between the successful and the failures. Viewing a new business striving for success can be frustration and stress or excitement about the potential. Check your perspective.
I’ve been to many hospitals and each time I hear the new baby pronounced as a boy or a girl. Never have I heard a new baby pronounced as an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is a learned skill. Yes, there are some of us who are psychologically unemployable. We have that intense inner burning desire to create and take control of our income and our future. We are the leaders. We are the risk takers.
An entrepreneur has a different perspective on life. We take charge. We take action. Our perspective is that life is fun. Life and business are challenges to be internalized. We dine on surf and turf with an ocean view. We see the potential in every opportunity.
Entrepreneurs have an excited perspective on life and business.
You are extraordinary. Touch base with your perspective in every situation. Never allow yourself to feel inadequate. One of the problems of living in the greatest nation in the world is that our perspective of entitlement gets skewed. We take our advantages for granted. Because our entire experience has been in a nation of abundance, regardless of our personal circumstances, we have more freedom and potential here than any other nation in the world. Our perspective gets tainted. We expect good opportunities to flow to us in such abundance that we do not always dig deep in our being to discover our own talents and strengths.
Dine on surf and turf with an ocean view. Use a positive perspective in every aspect of your life. Tap into your passion. Discover your talents and strengths.
Depending on your perspective, life can be a thrilling adventure or drudgery. You choose. Opportunity is a choice. Entrepreneurialism is a choice. Your perspective is a choice.
For more insight into your passion, talents, strengths and perspective, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Anything which gets in the way of your goal constitutes a distraction. Medical school is an extremely worthwhile and valuable activity, but not unless you are choosing a career in the medical profession. If your goal is to become a network marketer, medical school is a distraction.
Focus on your goals. Focus on your strengths. Regain perspective in your life.
Look seriously at your perspective on your life and your business. Today’s activities determine tomorrow’s success. Your greatest moment, your greatest achievement, your greatest adventure can be and should be in the future. The future is within your control. The past by the very nature of it being the past can not be changed. The new you strains to be created. New potential, new achievement and new experiences await you. Each new dawn brings wonder and joy. The future hold excitement if you allow it.
Yesterday remains a memory. Learn from it, yes, but leave it behind you. Look ahead to what you can be tomorrow. Where are you going with your life?
There was a passage in “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews about two men sitting on the beach eating. When asked what he was eating, one man answered, “Vienna sausages and sardines.” When asked where he was eating, he replied, “I’m sitting in the sand.” “Ah,” his companion replied, “it is all in your perspective. I am dining on surf and turf with an ocean view.” Perspective makes all the difference.
What perspective governs your life? Are you grateful for the blessings, advantages and talents you possess or grumbling about the challenges you face?
Life hands each and every one of us opportunities every day. How we choose to view those opportunities determines the difference between the successful and the failures. Viewing a new business striving for success can be frustration and stress or excitement about the potential. Check your perspective.
I’ve been to many hospitals and each time I hear the new baby pronounced as a boy or a girl. Never have I heard a new baby pronounced as an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is a learned skill. Yes, there are some of us who are psychologically unemployable. We have that intense inner burning desire to create and take control of our income and our future. We are the leaders. We are the risk takers.
An entrepreneur has a different perspective on life. We take charge. We take action. Our perspective is that life is fun. Life and business are challenges to be internalized. We dine on surf and turf with an ocean view. We see the potential in every opportunity.
Entrepreneurs have an excited perspective on life and business.
You are extraordinary. Touch base with your perspective in every situation. Never allow yourself to feel inadequate. One of the problems of living in the greatest nation in the world is that our perspective of entitlement gets skewed. We take our advantages for granted. Because our entire experience has been in a nation of abundance, regardless of our personal circumstances, we have more freedom and potential here than any other nation in the world. Our perspective gets tainted. We expect good opportunities to flow to us in such abundance that we do not always dig deep in our being to discover our own talents and strengths.
Dine on surf and turf with an ocean view. Use a positive perspective in every aspect of your life. Tap into your passion. Discover your talents and strengths.
Depending on your perspective, life can be a thrilling adventure or drudgery. You choose. Opportunity is a choice. Entrepreneurialism is a choice. Your perspective is a choice.
For more insight into your passion, talents, strengths and perspective, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Choose Goals With Passion
Determine what it is that makes your blood boil with passion. What is so important to you that you are eager to leave it as part of your legacy? Goals are more than dreams with a deadline, goals must inspire passion.
Entire sections of libraries are dedicated to goal setting. 99% of America makes a New Years resolution and breaks it within days, weeks or a few months. Why? You write down what you think you should want to do instead of what you passionately commit to do. I encourage you to choose a revolution, not a resolution. When you commit to a revolution, you’re all out committed.
Do you even know your most profound passionate desires? Have you buried them so deeply in your sub conscious that it requires a jackhammer to extract them?
Stop reading right this second and grab a tablet and pencil, pens run out of ink at the most inopportune times. Set a timer on your i phone or microwave or even your watch.
• Write as fast as you possibly can for ten minutes. Write everything you would love to do, places you want to go, achievements you desire.
• Dream, fantasize and free flow write
• In a perfect world with no restrictions. I would like to . . .
• DO NOT ANALYZE, JUST WRITE
When the timer rings, sit back and take a sip of water. Catch your breath. Now look at what you have written.
Break your goals into 4 categories: Personal Growth, Professional, Financial, and Fun. Within each category, break them down into time frames of 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 10 years.
Check your heart. If they don’t make your heart beat a little faster and put a warm fuzzy smile in your soul, consider crossing them off the list. Luke warm desires bake a cake of disaster.
For each of your top 3 goals in each category write 5 compelling reasons why you will persist until the goals are achieved. If your “why” is not big enough, your “what” will not matter.
Within the 1 year category, break the targets down into time circles. On the outer ring write 1 year, the next smaller ring is 9 months, then 6 months, then 3 months, 1 month, one week and the bulls eye (center) is today. You should have 7 circles.
Targets do not inspire you? Make a Wheel of Fortune. Draw a circle the size of a tangerine in the center of a sheet of paper. Draw 6 spokes out from the circumference of the circle. On each line write one of your top 6 goals from any of the 4 categories. For instance if one of the goals was a new home, then add a picture of that ideal new home at the tip of the line. You mind thinks in pictures, give your sub conscious mind a picture to enhance the thought.
Tonight and every night write a list of 5 action steps to be accomplished the next day to move your life and your business forward. First thing every morning, review that list and check the items off as you complete them each day.
Develop a specific routine for the first activities each morning. Call it your Early Morning Success Routine. Select three to five activities you will absolutely complete upon awakening every morning.
1. Review your top 5 action steps for today
2. Read 30 minutes of educational, inspirational or personal development material
3. Write affirmations and or goals in your journal. Writing increases the emphasis
4. Morning exercise – strengthening, toning, cardio, stretching
Each evening perform your Late Night Success Routine. The subconscious mind is most receptive immediately before drifting off into an alpha state and immediately upon awaking from an alpha sleep. Use these critical times of the day for optimum positive impressions on your subconscious mind.
1. Write the top 5 action steps to be performed the next day
2. Write in your success or gratitude journal
3. Read 30 minutes of educational, inspirational or personal development material
4. You may also choose to say your prayers of thanksgiving for the day
For a complete personalized goal setting and goal achieving plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
Entire sections of libraries are dedicated to goal setting. 99% of America makes a New Years resolution and breaks it within days, weeks or a few months. Why? You write down what you think you should want to do instead of what you passionately commit to do. I encourage you to choose a revolution, not a resolution. When you commit to a revolution, you’re all out committed.
Do you even know your most profound passionate desires? Have you buried them so deeply in your sub conscious that it requires a jackhammer to extract them?
Stop reading right this second and grab a tablet and pencil, pens run out of ink at the most inopportune times. Set a timer on your i phone or microwave or even your watch.
• Write as fast as you possibly can for ten minutes. Write everything you would love to do, places you want to go, achievements you desire.
• Dream, fantasize and free flow write
• In a perfect world with no restrictions. I would like to . . .
• DO NOT ANALYZE, JUST WRITE
When the timer rings, sit back and take a sip of water. Catch your breath. Now look at what you have written.
Break your goals into 4 categories: Personal Growth, Professional, Financial, and Fun. Within each category, break them down into time frames of 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 10 years.
Check your heart. If they don’t make your heart beat a little faster and put a warm fuzzy smile in your soul, consider crossing them off the list. Luke warm desires bake a cake of disaster.
For each of your top 3 goals in each category write 5 compelling reasons why you will persist until the goals are achieved. If your “why” is not big enough, your “what” will not matter.
Within the 1 year category, break the targets down into time circles. On the outer ring write 1 year, the next smaller ring is 9 months, then 6 months, then 3 months, 1 month, one week and the bulls eye (center) is today. You should have 7 circles.
Targets do not inspire you? Make a Wheel of Fortune. Draw a circle the size of a tangerine in the center of a sheet of paper. Draw 6 spokes out from the circumference of the circle. On each line write one of your top 6 goals from any of the 4 categories. For instance if one of the goals was a new home, then add a picture of that ideal new home at the tip of the line. You mind thinks in pictures, give your sub conscious mind a picture to enhance the thought.
Tonight and every night write a list of 5 action steps to be accomplished the next day to move your life and your business forward. First thing every morning, review that list and check the items off as you complete them each day.
Develop a specific routine for the first activities each morning. Call it your Early Morning Success Routine. Select three to five activities you will absolutely complete upon awakening every morning.
1. Review your top 5 action steps for today
2. Read 30 minutes of educational, inspirational or personal development material
3. Write affirmations and or goals in your journal. Writing increases the emphasis
4. Morning exercise – strengthening, toning, cardio, stretching
Each evening perform your Late Night Success Routine. The subconscious mind is most receptive immediately before drifting off into an alpha state and immediately upon awaking from an alpha sleep. Use these critical times of the day for optimum positive impressions on your subconscious mind.
1. Write the top 5 action steps to be performed the next day
2. Write in your success or gratitude journal
3. Read 30 minutes of educational, inspirational or personal development material
4. You may also choose to say your prayers of thanksgiving for the day
For a complete personalized goal setting and goal achieving plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Winning Choices
The economy is really getting people down right now. Even worse, it is income tax time. How many of your really enjoy the IRS and tax time? Unless you are a CPA, probably not. How would you like a fun suggestion?
Find the humor in situations. Restore the creativity and levity to life. Make a specific decision to enjoy life. Choose to have a positive attitude and an enjoyable life.
The operative words for success are “Winning Choices” rather than taxes, government policies, jobs or taxes. It’s not the economy; it’s our choices in dealing with the situations of life. Make no mistake, by choosing to take action or sit back and wait for others to make the choices for us; we are creating our personal economy. Choose or by default some one else chooses for you.
There are so many choices out there. The internet has been a blessing and a curse. The World Wide Web has brought you a tangled web of choices; so many that you may not know where to turn. The people who thrive especially in a bad economy are the people who make winning choices and follow them through. Failures will procrastinate.
I thought about talking about procrastination earlier but decided to put it off until now.
Success belongs to those who take action. Would a baby ever learn to walk by laying there and saying “you do it for me.” Would you have learned how to swim, ride a bike or catch a ball by sitting on the sideline?
Wining choices. How can you tell if it is a winning choice or a losing choice until you make a choice and take action? Mistakes are a part of life.
Tom Watson, American golfer, said, “If you want to increase your success rate, double your rate of failure.”
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved,” by William Jennings Bryan, American politician and orator.
Now about that fun approach to paying taxes which was mentioned earlier . . .
Want a fun way to pay your taxes? Life revolves around creativity.
Dear Internal Revenue Service:
• Enclosed you will find my 2005 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today newspaper, dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat.
• I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued at $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued at $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the “Presidential Election fund,” as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5” Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U. D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5” Phillips Head screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.
• It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.
Sincerely,
A Satisfied Taxpayer
(Author unknown)
This approach is not necessarily recommended for you to do, but it does present a fun thought. . . It’s not the economy which is getting us down and keeping us down. It’s not our even our taxes or our income, it’s our choices.
Determine what it is that makes you blood boil with passion. What is so important to you that you are willing to stand up to your mother-in-law and declare it? Well, maybe that’s unrealistic, but be willing to use it as an example for your kids. Do you want to leave it as part of your legacy.
For fun and information about making your life more productive and creative, join me at wwwe.Elaine4Success.com.
Find the humor in situations. Restore the creativity and levity to life. Make a specific decision to enjoy life. Choose to have a positive attitude and an enjoyable life.
The operative words for success are “Winning Choices” rather than taxes, government policies, jobs or taxes. It’s not the economy; it’s our choices in dealing with the situations of life. Make no mistake, by choosing to take action or sit back and wait for others to make the choices for us; we are creating our personal economy. Choose or by default some one else chooses for you.
There are so many choices out there. The internet has been a blessing and a curse. The World Wide Web has brought you a tangled web of choices; so many that you may not know where to turn. The people who thrive especially in a bad economy are the people who make winning choices and follow them through. Failures will procrastinate.
I thought about talking about procrastination earlier but decided to put it off until now.
Success belongs to those who take action. Would a baby ever learn to walk by laying there and saying “you do it for me.” Would you have learned how to swim, ride a bike or catch a ball by sitting on the sideline?
Wining choices. How can you tell if it is a winning choice or a losing choice until you make a choice and take action? Mistakes are a part of life.
Tom Watson, American golfer, said, “If you want to increase your success rate, double your rate of failure.”
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved,” by William Jennings Bryan, American politician and orator.
Now about that fun approach to paying taxes which was mentioned earlier . . .
Want a fun way to pay your taxes? Life revolves around creativity.
Dear Internal Revenue Service:
• Enclosed you will find my 2005 tax return showing that I owe $3,407.00 in taxes. Please note the attached article from the USA Today newspaper, dated 12 November, wherein you will see the Pentagon (Department of Defense) is paying $171.50 per hammer and NASA has paid $600.00 per toilet seat.
• I am enclosing four (4) toilet seats (valued at $2,400) and six (6) hammers valued at $1,029), which I secured at Home Depot, bringing my total remittance to $3,429.00. Please apply the overpayment of $22.00 to the “Presidential Election fund,” as noted on my return. You can do this inexpensively by sending them one (1) 1.5” Phillips Head screw (see aforementioned article from USA Today newspaper detailing how H.U. D. pays $22.00 each for 1.5” Phillips Head screws). One screw is enclosed for your convenience.
• It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.
Sincerely,
A Satisfied Taxpayer
(Author unknown)
This approach is not necessarily recommended for you to do, but it does present a fun thought. . . It’s not the economy which is getting us down and keeping us down. It’s not our even our taxes or our income, it’s our choices.
Determine what it is that makes you blood boil with passion. What is so important to you that you are willing to stand up to your mother-in-law and declare it? Well, maybe that’s unrealistic, but be willing to use it as an example for your kids. Do you want to leave it as part of your legacy.
For fun and information about making your life more productive and creative, join me at wwwe.Elaine4Success.com.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Success is a matter of firm decision. It is a matter of commitment. It is a matter of being willing to stake your actions and your resources, not just your words. Your level of commitment determines your results.
Cortez was a very wealthy man in Spain. He heard about a fabulous treasure deep in the heart of Mexico which had been held by the same army for over 600 years. He sold everything he had and borrowed more from the Spanish government in 1519 to buy 11 ships, 600 men and 20 horses. Everyone is all excited to go get the treasure until they get out to sea on the way to Cuba and some begin to whine. “I didn’t know it would be so far.” “I didn’t know I would have to work for it.”
Cortez knew that with the right help, he could take the treasure so he drilled the men on the beach for weeks after they landed in Mexico. The morning of the battle he called them together for a final pep talk. You remember pep rallies in high school. . . Cortez stood on a platform and the men expected him to say, “We’re going in to battle and if we win, we’ll meet back here on the beach for a party. We’ll bring in cake and punch and music from a local catering company. If it gets too tough we’ll meet back here and go to the boats to talk over our next approach.” Instead he leaned in and said “Burn the boats.” They said, “Excuse me.” Cortez said, “Burn the boats. If we are going home, we are going in their boats.”
An amazing thing happened. The men fought really well and took the treasure. Cortez raised their level of commitment.
If you expect to thrive in a tough economy, you must be ready to burn the boats. You must be ready to keep running until the kite flies. Swing for the fence and keep swinging.
Step one in any situation includes comprehensive analysis of the problem. Solving a problem without clearly identifying the problem and the causes constitutes an exercise in futility.
Employment uncertainty? With major companies closing their doors, downsizing or sending jobs overseas, many people suffer from the fear of job loss. Even though those fears may have justification, the very act of indulging in fear intensifies the issue. The subconscious mind accepts and works to manifest whatever you think about; bringing your thoughts into reality is the job of the subconscious mind. Knowing that you create your own reality means that you also have the power to change and improve your reality. Fearing a job loss and dwelling on that fear only increases the probability of unintentionally creating that very occurrence. The problem is therefore intensified by your very fearful thoughts. Job loss becomes a result of your thoughts. The problem is really not a job loss but your very thoughts of fear of a job loss.
Problem = Fear of a job loss rather than an actual job loss. If you create the thought in the first place, you have the power to change the thought to a more positive and constructive thought.
Fear represents a destructive use of our creative abilities. Winners, successful people, experience fear but they never allow it to stop them. Concentrating on fear means focusing on the negative rather than the positive. Winners acknowledge various outcomes exist and then go to work with a laser focus on creating the positive result they desire.
Be willing to be creative: creative with your business, creative with your finances, creative with your life.
Wouldn’t it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could press “Ctrl Alt Delete” and start all over?
We know our economy is a mess right now and everyone points the finger at someone else as the responsible party.
How come we choose from 2 people for President and 50 for Miss America?
For a personalized positive approach to your life, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Cortez was a very wealthy man in Spain. He heard about a fabulous treasure deep in the heart of Mexico which had been held by the same army for over 600 years. He sold everything he had and borrowed more from the Spanish government in 1519 to buy 11 ships, 600 men and 20 horses. Everyone is all excited to go get the treasure until they get out to sea on the way to Cuba and some begin to whine. “I didn’t know it would be so far.” “I didn’t know I would have to work for it.”
Cortez knew that with the right help, he could take the treasure so he drilled the men on the beach for weeks after they landed in Mexico. The morning of the battle he called them together for a final pep talk. You remember pep rallies in high school. . . Cortez stood on a platform and the men expected him to say, “We’re going in to battle and if we win, we’ll meet back here on the beach for a party. We’ll bring in cake and punch and music from a local catering company. If it gets too tough we’ll meet back here and go to the boats to talk over our next approach.” Instead he leaned in and said “Burn the boats.” They said, “Excuse me.” Cortez said, “Burn the boats. If we are going home, we are going in their boats.”
An amazing thing happened. The men fought really well and took the treasure. Cortez raised their level of commitment.
If you expect to thrive in a tough economy, you must be ready to burn the boats. You must be ready to keep running until the kite flies. Swing for the fence and keep swinging.
Step one in any situation includes comprehensive analysis of the problem. Solving a problem without clearly identifying the problem and the causes constitutes an exercise in futility.
Employment uncertainty? With major companies closing their doors, downsizing or sending jobs overseas, many people suffer from the fear of job loss. Even though those fears may have justification, the very act of indulging in fear intensifies the issue. The subconscious mind accepts and works to manifest whatever you think about; bringing your thoughts into reality is the job of the subconscious mind. Knowing that you create your own reality means that you also have the power to change and improve your reality. Fearing a job loss and dwelling on that fear only increases the probability of unintentionally creating that very occurrence. The problem is therefore intensified by your very fearful thoughts. Job loss becomes a result of your thoughts. The problem is really not a job loss but your very thoughts of fear of a job loss.
Problem = Fear of a job loss rather than an actual job loss. If you create the thought in the first place, you have the power to change the thought to a more positive and constructive thought.
Fear represents a destructive use of our creative abilities. Winners, successful people, experience fear but they never allow it to stop them. Concentrating on fear means focusing on the negative rather than the positive. Winners acknowledge various outcomes exist and then go to work with a laser focus on creating the positive result they desire.
Be willing to be creative: creative with your business, creative with your finances, creative with your life.
Wouldn’t it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could press “Ctrl Alt Delete” and start all over?
We know our economy is a mess right now and everyone points the finger at someone else as the responsible party.
How come we choose from 2 people for President and 50 for Miss America?
For a personalized positive approach to your life, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Life Off Track
What is most important to you right now? More money, more freedom, more security?
When your life jumps off track, how do you restore your sanity? Einstein describes insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Success in a Tough Economy depends on persistence and consistency more than any other time. Everyone can succeed in a flourishing economy. Only the determined and resilient survive in a tough economy.
Remember being a kid with your first kite? Your dad said, “I have something new and fun for you. It’s called a kite and it will fly.” You looked at it a bit skeptical. It was only paper and sticks. Your dad helped you put it together, attached the string and told you to run. You could not imagine that it would fly but you wanted to trust your dad. He told you, “run!” You ran and it dragged on the ground behind you. You were so discouraged but you really wanted to believe your dad. Your friends were laughing at you and your dad kept saying “run.” You ran as hard as you could and the kite came up 5 feet and then 10 feet and then bounced back on the ground. Your dad kept yelling “run, don’t stop or you’ll have to start all over.” You ran and it sent up a few feet and bounced back on the ground. Your friends are laughing so hard they are rolling on the ground. You want to believe but the kite is still bouncing on the ground every few feet. Your dad keeps yelling “run.” You keep running and finally it goes up 10 feet and then 15 feet. You’re getting tired so you slow down and the kite drops to the ground again. You start running again harder and the kite finally goes up 15 feet and then 20 feet then 50 feet and you let out more string and it goes up 100 feet. Finally it is up 200 feet and you stop running and let out the string. The kite keeps going up and you aren’t doing anything but letting out string. Your friends finally stop laughing. Your dad pats you on the shoulder as you pant to catch your breath. The kite is flying. Dad was right. Keep running!
In a tough economy, only the persistent who keep running will ever get the business off the ground. Once you create momentum, the kite really does fly.
Regardless of your political views, the American economy is a mess right now. How come we choose from 2 people for President and 50 for Miss America?
In this time of economic turbulence, many people are off track with their lives. How far off track depends on how quickly you recognize a problem exists and take appropriate action. How badly do you want not only to survive but to thrive?
1900-1922 A world shattered
1929-1937 Great depression
1937-1938 Recession
1973-1979 From crisis to crisis
2008-? Here we go again – down & down
But there’s hope
Look who started in a bad economy . . . 16 of 30 of the companies in the Dow Jones Industrial average started in a bad economy
1902 – 3M
1906 – Kellogg
1906 - Honeywell
1907 – Alcoa
1908 - General Motors
1916 - Boeing
1923 - Disney
1925 - Caterpillar
1929 - United Tech
1939 - Hewlett-Packard
1975 – Microsoft
1970’s – Apple Computer
1975 - Chili’s
1976 – Famous Amos Cookies (division of Kellogg)
1978 - Home Depot
1980 – Applebee
1983 - AT & T
1983 - SBC Communications
Napoleon Hill said, “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win, essential to success.”
Time has come to start running and launch your kite – your own business. Over 69 per cent of all new businesses will start this year as home based businesses. Microsoft started in a garage.
For specific information on your personal economic recovery plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com today.
When your life jumps off track, how do you restore your sanity? Einstein describes insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Success in a Tough Economy depends on persistence and consistency more than any other time. Everyone can succeed in a flourishing economy. Only the determined and resilient survive in a tough economy.
Remember being a kid with your first kite? Your dad said, “I have something new and fun for you. It’s called a kite and it will fly.” You looked at it a bit skeptical. It was only paper and sticks. Your dad helped you put it together, attached the string and told you to run. You could not imagine that it would fly but you wanted to trust your dad. He told you, “run!” You ran and it dragged on the ground behind you. You were so discouraged but you really wanted to believe your dad. Your friends were laughing at you and your dad kept saying “run.” You ran as hard as you could and the kite came up 5 feet and then 10 feet and then bounced back on the ground. Your dad kept yelling “run, don’t stop or you’ll have to start all over.” You ran and it sent up a few feet and bounced back on the ground. Your friends are laughing so hard they are rolling on the ground. You want to believe but the kite is still bouncing on the ground every few feet. Your dad keeps yelling “run.” You keep running and finally it goes up 10 feet and then 15 feet. You’re getting tired so you slow down and the kite drops to the ground again. You start running again harder and the kite finally goes up 15 feet and then 20 feet then 50 feet and you let out more string and it goes up 100 feet. Finally it is up 200 feet and you stop running and let out the string. The kite keeps going up and you aren’t doing anything but letting out string. Your friends finally stop laughing. Your dad pats you on the shoulder as you pant to catch your breath. The kite is flying. Dad was right. Keep running!
In a tough economy, only the persistent who keep running will ever get the business off the ground. Once you create momentum, the kite really does fly.
Regardless of your political views, the American economy is a mess right now. How come we choose from 2 people for President and 50 for Miss America?
In this time of economic turbulence, many people are off track with their lives. How far off track depends on how quickly you recognize a problem exists and take appropriate action. How badly do you want not only to survive but to thrive?
1900-1922 A world shattered
1929-1937 Great depression
1937-1938 Recession
1973-1979 From crisis to crisis
2008-? Here we go again – down & down
But there’s hope
Look who started in a bad economy . . . 16 of 30 of the companies in the Dow Jones Industrial average started in a bad economy
1902 – 3M
1906 – Kellogg
1906 - Honeywell
1907 – Alcoa
1908 - General Motors
1916 - Boeing
1923 - Disney
1925 - Caterpillar
1929 - United Tech
1939 - Hewlett-Packard
1975 – Microsoft
1970’s – Apple Computer
1975 - Chili’s
1976 – Famous Amos Cookies (division of Kellogg)
1978 - Home Depot
1980 – Applebee
1983 - AT & T
1983 - SBC Communications
Napoleon Hill said, “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win, essential to success.”
Time has come to start running and launch your kite – your own business. Over 69 per cent of all new businesses will start this year as home based businesses. Microsoft started in a garage.
For specific information on your personal economic recovery plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com today.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Fountains of Life
Fountains inspire and delight us with their beauty. Streams of glistening water particles catch the sunlight and sparkle like fine crystal. The purity and intricate design of the spray fascinates us and mesmerizes us. The fountains throughout Europe are particularly ornate and plentiful.
Fountains present an image of serenity. How much of your life resembles a fountain? Are you sitting back as a casual observer watching the hours and days shoot up as streams of potential only to fall into the pool of water at the end of the day and dissolve into oblivion? Each hour possesses its own magic potential and yet we let it slip away almost unconscious of its passing.
Each one of us receives 24 hours per day. How we manage those hours determines the results of our day and ultimately our life. We profess the goal of happiness and yet far too often we sacrifice the long term happiness by indulging in momentary pleasure. Aristotle declared that the ultimate purpose of human life was to achieve your own happiness. I agree. The pointed question is what you are willing to sacrifice right now in this moment in order to achieve long term happiness.
You hear the auto mechanic or even your doctor say “pay me now or pay me later.” Focused concentration on your goals today will require some temporary lack of fun. Nothing worthwhile is delivered to you on a golden platter. You must work for it.
Either you eat nutritious food, exercise and maintain excellent physical and mental health now or pay the penalty of enormous medical bill later. Pay now or later. Either you perform minor routine maintenance on your vehicle or pay large repair bills later.
Vehicles and health represent essential elements of life for most people, but the most important element of career is swept under the door mat. How happy are you with your career? Do you truly feel fulfilled or are you just getting through the days in exchange for a pay check, a check which probably does not even cover your basic needs.
Gaze at the fountain again, are you allowing your life to shoot up as you awaken every morning and fall into oblivion every night? Unless your thoughts, feelings and actions are aligned, your life is slipping into obscurity as the droplets of water from a fountain.
Stephen Covey said, “Be sure that, as you scramble up the ladder of success, it is leaning against the right building.” When you reach the end of your days, will you sink into the “what if I can” thoughts or the “win or lose, I reached for all of my dreams” feeling? Everyone has been given a dream. Whether or not you stuff it in a corner or fill it full of hopeful warm loving intention is totally your choice. More people regret not having even tried than pedal to the metal effort regardless of the outcome.
As we begin this New Year, new decade and new week, listen intently to your intuition, your “whispering inner voice.” Determine what is truly important to you and design a plan to bring it into reality. Dare to dream big dreams. Dare to stretch for something which makes your blood churn with a red hot heat of passionate desire.
Bring that fountain of beauty and majesty into your soul and thrill to the excitement of new challenges and new potential. Allow the particles of enthusiasm to shoot up through your heart and mind and spread out to every part of your body.
Fountains represent beauty and potential or waste. You choose one or the other every day – by design or default.
To explore your true potential and goals, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Fountains present an image of serenity. How much of your life resembles a fountain? Are you sitting back as a casual observer watching the hours and days shoot up as streams of potential only to fall into the pool of water at the end of the day and dissolve into oblivion? Each hour possesses its own magic potential and yet we let it slip away almost unconscious of its passing.
Each one of us receives 24 hours per day. How we manage those hours determines the results of our day and ultimately our life. We profess the goal of happiness and yet far too often we sacrifice the long term happiness by indulging in momentary pleasure. Aristotle declared that the ultimate purpose of human life was to achieve your own happiness. I agree. The pointed question is what you are willing to sacrifice right now in this moment in order to achieve long term happiness.
You hear the auto mechanic or even your doctor say “pay me now or pay me later.” Focused concentration on your goals today will require some temporary lack of fun. Nothing worthwhile is delivered to you on a golden platter. You must work for it.
Either you eat nutritious food, exercise and maintain excellent physical and mental health now or pay the penalty of enormous medical bill later. Pay now or later. Either you perform minor routine maintenance on your vehicle or pay large repair bills later.
Vehicles and health represent essential elements of life for most people, but the most important element of career is swept under the door mat. How happy are you with your career? Do you truly feel fulfilled or are you just getting through the days in exchange for a pay check, a check which probably does not even cover your basic needs.
Gaze at the fountain again, are you allowing your life to shoot up as you awaken every morning and fall into oblivion every night? Unless your thoughts, feelings and actions are aligned, your life is slipping into obscurity as the droplets of water from a fountain.
Stephen Covey said, “Be sure that, as you scramble up the ladder of success, it is leaning against the right building.” When you reach the end of your days, will you sink into the “what if I can” thoughts or the “win or lose, I reached for all of my dreams” feeling? Everyone has been given a dream. Whether or not you stuff it in a corner or fill it full of hopeful warm loving intention is totally your choice. More people regret not having even tried than pedal to the metal effort regardless of the outcome.
As we begin this New Year, new decade and new week, listen intently to your intuition, your “whispering inner voice.” Determine what is truly important to you and design a plan to bring it into reality. Dare to dream big dreams. Dare to stretch for something which makes your blood churn with a red hot heat of passionate desire.
Bring that fountain of beauty and majesty into your soul and thrill to the excitement of new challenges and new potential. Allow the particles of enthusiasm to shoot up through your heart and mind and spread out to every part of your body.
Fountains represent beauty and potential or waste. You choose one or the other every day – by design or default.
To explore your true potential and goals, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Fountains of Marketing
From a visual and aesthetic view, a fountain possesses grace, beauty and artistic appeal.
Viewing your business as a fountain implies you are all over the place without any specific focus. First you go this direction and then reverse ninety degrees. Even though there are many different approaches to the same business, attempting to pursue each separate direction simultaneously spells disaster. Successful business ventures require focus.
Apply this concept to marketing your business. Dabbling in pay per click, Google or Yahoo becomes a fast way to spend tremendous amounts of money. Google advertising requires concentrated analysis and focus. Your keywords must match the copy in your ad as well as the web site to which they lead. Most internet patrons possess a lightening quick “delete” button as well as a “rapid fire” back button reflex. Unless you are leading the clicker in precisely the path they desire and expect you are instantly history. You are ejected faster than an umpire ousting an argumentative player from a ball game. “You’re outta here.”
Not only does the internet patron reject you, but so does Google. Google changes their algorithms every four to six weeks. Since the FTC landed solidly on Google’s case in about October of 2008, they have been warning web site owners on a regular basis. This “slapping” procedure by Google has intensified to epic proportions throughout 2009. Unless the keywords tie perfectly to the ad and to the web site, Google unceremoniously ejects the web site. A slap is minor; Google simply suspends web sites now. No appeal, no discussion, no traffic, you are gone.
The multidirectional fountain approach may have worked in early 2008 and previously, but not any more. Keep it tight and consistent or forget it, you are off of Google.
Take a hint from Google; they are teaching a solid lesson. Learn one form of marketing. Become an absolute consummate expert at pay per click and give the internet searcher exactly what they desire and expect to see. Follow exactly the same theme from beginning to end. Google is sophisticated and precise. The learning curve becomes more extensive and more expensive for Google because you are aiming your marketing arrows at a moving target. Dabbling with Google becomes a rapid way to lose money. Learn it or don’t do it. Dabbling in Google is like dating a harem; sooner or later you are in big trouble.
Google represents only one form of marketing. If you currently have a less generous marketing budget, consider articles, blogs, press releases, social network sites and video. Once again each of these requires focus. Spreading your time, energy and marketing dollars by dabbling in several forms of marketing simultaneously yields more expense and frustration than positive results.
Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, Direct Matches, Digg, Delicious and Squidoo are only a few of the plethora of social networking websites. Each of his has their own special niche. Each requires a slightly different technique in order to maximize the potential. The one element in common is that they are social networking sites. Attempting to approach them as a bull in a crystal factory and immediately hammer people with your business opportunity will also trigger the rapid fire back button or the lightening strike of the “delete” button. They are social sites. Once a rapport has been established and interest generated, mentioning your business opportunity becomes acceptable and perhaps even welcomed. Skill and patience are necessities with social sites. Another good news aspect of social sites is the low to zero cost.
Google and Web 2.0, social networking sites, present opposite ends of the expense spectrum. Just like the fountain sprays water in 180 or 360 degrees, so marketing falls into each stream of the display. The secret is to pick one stream and perfect your skill before moving on to another stream of water from the fountain. Focus and concentrate.
Fountains represent lovely visual appeal but utilizing that approach as a new marketer yields financial disaster.
For additional tips on marketing and specific focus on each method, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Viewing your business as a fountain implies you are all over the place without any specific focus. First you go this direction and then reverse ninety degrees. Even though there are many different approaches to the same business, attempting to pursue each separate direction simultaneously spells disaster. Successful business ventures require focus.
Apply this concept to marketing your business. Dabbling in pay per click, Google or Yahoo becomes a fast way to spend tremendous amounts of money. Google advertising requires concentrated analysis and focus. Your keywords must match the copy in your ad as well as the web site to which they lead. Most internet patrons possess a lightening quick “delete” button as well as a “rapid fire” back button reflex. Unless you are leading the clicker in precisely the path they desire and expect you are instantly history. You are ejected faster than an umpire ousting an argumentative player from a ball game. “You’re outta here.”
Not only does the internet patron reject you, but so does Google. Google changes their algorithms every four to six weeks. Since the FTC landed solidly on Google’s case in about October of 2008, they have been warning web site owners on a regular basis. This “slapping” procedure by Google has intensified to epic proportions throughout 2009. Unless the keywords tie perfectly to the ad and to the web site, Google unceremoniously ejects the web site. A slap is minor; Google simply suspends web sites now. No appeal, no discussion, no traffic, you are gone.
The multidirectional fountain approach may have worked in early 2008 and previously, but not any more. Keep it tight and consistent or forget it, you are off of Google.
Take a hint from Google; they are teaching a solid lesson. Learn one form of marketing. Become an absolute consummate expert at pay per click and give the internet searcher exactly what they desire and expect to see. Follow exactly the same theme from beginning to end. Google is sophisticated and precise. The learning curve becomes more extensive and more expensive for Google because you are aiming your marketing arrows at a moving target. Dabbling with Google becomes a rapid way to lose money. Learn it or don’t do it. Dabbling in Google is like dating a harem; sooner or later you are in big trouble.
Google represents only one form of marketing. If you currently have a less generous marketing budget, consider articles, blogs, press releases, social network sites and video. Once again each of these requires focus. Spreading your time, energy and marketing dollars by dabbling in several forms of marketing simultaneously yields more expense and frustration than positive results.
Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, Direct Matches, Digg, Delicious and Squidoo are only a few of the plethora of social networking websites. Each of his has their own special niche. Each requires a slightly different technique in order to maximize the potential. The one element in common is that they are social networking sites. Attempting to approach them as a bull in a crystal factory and immediately hammer people with your business opportunity will also trigger the rapid fire back button or the lightening strike of the “delete” button. They are social sites. Once a rapport has been established and interest generated, mentioning your business opportunity becomes acceptable and perhaps even welcomed. Skill and patience are necessities with social sites. Another good news aspect of social sites is the low to zero cost.
Google and Web 2.0, social networking sites, present opposite ends of the expense spectrum. Just like the fountain sprays water in 180 or 360 degrees, so marketing falls into each stream of the display. The secret is to pick one stream and perfect your skill before moving on to another stream of water from the fountain. Focus and concentrate.
Fountains represent lovely visual appeal but utilizing that approach as a new marketer yields financial disaster.
For additional tips on marketing and specific focus on each method, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Step Up and Take Action
Do not be a sideline observer in your life. Membership in Procrastinators
Anonymous buys you a ticket to NoWheresville.
Normally there are 4 seasons in the year: Spring, summer, fall and winter. Consider the fact that some people have created an entirely different season which lasts all year long. This new season is called “Freebie” or “Do it for me” or “wait for someone to do it for me.” Now if you are fortunate enough to be part of the lucky gene pool and relatives will give you a handout, then you are part of the privileged minority. 99% of the population does not qualify for a free ride in life.
Sitting back and waiting for someone else to do it for you becomes an exercise in frustration and blame. First of all, they will do whatever they choose on their time frame. They are fee to not only stop at any time but they are actually free never to start in the first place. Who do you believe will do a better job of designing the life you want, you or someone else?
Now if you have a bit of a control issue that is a problem. Refuse to give someone else total control of your life. Sugar daddies may be fine for some people, but life with a sugar daddy comes with steel cable attached. Sugar daddy holds the cable and calls the tune. The only way to call your own tune, make your own decisions and reap the rewards of success is to do your own work.
Ouch! That word, work, throws chills up and down the spine of the members of the Freebie group. Before you start shivering uncontrollably, lets ponder a few points.
When did you stop standing up on your own two feet? It had to be sometime after you were a baby. You are walking, right? Did you stop when you started to school and found out that the teacher assigned homework? You did graduate from elementary school, right? At what point in life did you decide to stop exerting effort?
In network marketing there are so many who sign up and even purchase a product, but then they sit back and expect someone else to do the marketing for them. They expect their sponsor to hold their business hand by setting up the back office for them, writing all of the advertising for them, making the telephone calls for them and closing the sales for them. Wait a minute. What is wrong with this picture? If the sponsor is going to do all of the work, then the sponsor has a right to all of the income. Enthusiasm for a new business becomes a blame game and whine session when the money does not flow into the bank account.
Network marketing presents a fabulous opportunity to earn an excellent income with a low start up cost and low overhead, but it does require work. Any worthwhile business requires work. Every business requires some learning curve. How long or how difficult the learning curve depends on each individual. The drive, determination to succeed, the prior background and the current skill sets all influence the length of the learning curve.
The absolutely most important ingredient of success relates to determination to succeed. How hard are you willing to work? How badly do you desire success? How coachable and trainable are you? What work are you willing to do?
Network marketing, or any worthwhile goal, requires effort. Success never falls in your lap without work. Procrastinators anonymous members, freebie club members and the idle sideline observers are destined to failure. The members of the “blame someone else” club are equally doomed. Failure is not you sponsor’s fault, your parents fault, the economy, the politicians, or your circumstances in life. Look in the mirror.
Success belongs to the person who digs in, learns, works and persists until the goal is achieved. History abounds with examples of people who lacked education, who were born into poverty, who suffered numerous defeats on their journey and who overcame tremendous odds. The main ingredient in the success cake of life is taking action on a consistent and persistent basis. The people who achieve tremendous success in life never sat back and waited for someone else to do it for them. They took action.
No matter what your current circumstances, bar none, if you want success badly enough and are willing to work hard enough and long enough, you will be successful. Make 2010 the beginning of your new successful life.
For a personalized success action plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Anonymous buys you a ticket to NoWheresville.
Normally there are 4 seasons in the year: Spring, summer, fall and winter. Consider the fact that some people have created an entirely different season which lasts all year long. This new season is called “Freebie” or “Do it for me” or “wait for someone to do it for me.” Now if you are fortunate enough to be part of the lucky gene pool and relatives will give you a handout, then you are part of the privileged minority. 99% of the population does not qualify for a free ride in life.
Sitting back and waiting for someone else to do it for you becomes an exercise in frustration and blame. First of all, they will do whatever they choose on their time frame. They are fee to not only stop at any time but they are actually free never to start in the first place. Who do you believe will do a better job of designing the life you want, you or someone else?
Now if you have a bit of a control issue that is a problem. Refuse to give someone else total control of your life. Sugar daddies may be fine for some people, but life with a sugar daddy comes with steel cable attached. Sugar daddy holds the cable and calls the tune. The only way to call your own tune, make your own decisions and reap the rewards of success is to do your own work.
Ouch! That word, work, throws chills up and down the spine of the members of the Freebie group. Before you start shivering uncontrollably, lets ponder a few points.
When did you stop standing up on your own two feet? It had to be sometime after you were a baby. You are walking, right? Did you stop when you started to school and found out that the teacher assigned homework? You did graduate from elementary school, right? At what point in life did you decide to stop exerting effort?
In network marketing there are so many who sign up and even purchase a product, but then they sit back and expect someone else to do the marketing for them. They expect their sponsor to hold their business hand by setting up the back office for them, writing all of the advertising for them, making the telephone calls for them and closing the sales for them. Wait a minute. What is wrong with this picture? If the sponsor is going to do all of the work, then the sponsor has a right to all of the income. Enthusiasm for a new business becomes a blame game and whine session when the money does not flow into the bank account.
Network marketing presents a fabulous opportunity to earn an excellent income with a low start up cost and low overhead, but it does require work. Any worthwhile business requires work. Every business requires some learning curve. How long or how difficult the learning curve depends on each individual. The drive, determination to succeed, the prior background and the current skill sets all influence the length of the learning curve.
The absolutely most important ingredient of success relates to determination to succeed. How hard are you willing to work? How badly do you desire success? How coachable and trainable are you? What work are you willing to do?
Network marketing, or any worthwhile goal, requires effort. Success never falls in your lap without work. Procrastinators anonymous members, freebie club members and the idle sideline observers are destined to failure. The members of the “blame someone else” club are equally doomed. Failure is not you sponsor’s fault, your parents fault, the economy, the politicians, or your circumstances in life. Look in the mirror.
Success belongs to the person who digs in, learns, works and persists until the goal is achieved. History abounds with examples of people who lacked education, who were born into poverty, who suffered numerous defeats on their journey and who overcame tremendous odds. The main ingredient in the success cake of life is taking action on a consistent and persistent basis. The people who achieve tremendous success in life never sat back and waited for someone else to do it for them. They took action.
No matter what your current circumstances, bar none, if you want success badly enough and are willing to work hard enough and long enough, you will be successful. Make 2010 the beginning of your new successful life.
For a personalized success action plan, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Life is a Postage Stamp
Choose to be a forever stamp or a holiday stamp. Before you wrinkle your nose, squint your eyes or furrow your brow deciding that I’ve lost my mind, consider the function of a postage stamp. Unless you are a philatelist, the only function of a postage stamp is to stick to the envelope or package. This requires endurance.
This tiny piece of adhesive backed paper must remain so solidly affixed that it survives the shuffling and friction against other pieces of mail in the postman’s bag or truck, close encounters in various mail rooms as it gets sorted and rerouted and back out for delivery. Consider the obstacles and near brushes with death encountered by this tiny little rectangle of paper.
Forever stamps retain their usefulness even after postage rates increase. Holiday stamps have a fixed value and are most frequently used only for Christmas cards and other holiday mail.
Relate your decisions and resolutions to the sticking power of a postage stamp. How determined are you to stick to your goals and resolutions until you reach your destination? The persistence of a holiday stamp means that you give up before the holiday ends. A holiday stamp looks festive, appealing and appropriate for a few weeks before it starts resembling stale cut out sugar cookies.
Whether your new goal was to lose weight, launch a physical fitness program or establish a new business, it absolutely requires more than a casual effort for a few weeks. What are you willing to do to achieve your goal?
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players to grace a court, was cut from his high school team. Practice, hours of practice, transformed him from that temporary defeat to an ace of the courts.
Bart Starr, most valuable player in the first two super bowls, sat the bench until his senior year in college. Bart was drafted into the NFL in the very last round of the draft. Not only that but he was given jersey 44, not even a quarterback number because he was not expected to make the team.
Norman Vincent Peale’s book, The Power of Positive Thinking, received rejections from publishers, his peers, and the public.
Andy Andrews published a book of 52 letters of now famous people who persisted through multiple failures to achieve their fame. “Storms of Perfection” became Andy’s own battle of persistence. He received 600 rejections before he received the 52 letters in the first book. Publishers refused to publish it. "Storms of Perfection" is the only book I know about which sold 100,000 copies before it ever graced the shelves of a book store.
Common denominator among all of these examples and hundreds of others was persistence. Each one of them possessed a dream which was more powerful than the obstacles and rejections received.
Persistence, consistent forward motion and sticking to the goal until it became a reality. Success does not always go to the swiftest, the strongest, the richest or someone from the lucky gene pool. Success is awarded to the last man standing. Hang in there long enough with forward motion and determination; success will yield to you.
The next time you hit a speed bump on your success path just remember the postage stamp. Choose to be a holiday stamp or a forever stamp. Success is rarely if ever an accident or a lucky break. Success is a decision followed by consistent and persistent action.
For the complete article and more fun and inspirational stories, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
This tiny piece of adhesive backed paper must remain so solidly affixed that it survives the shuffling and friction against other pieces of mail in the postman’s bag or truck, close encounters in various mail rooms as it gets sorted and rerouted and back out for delivery. Consider the obstacles and near brushes with death encountered by this tiny little rectangle of paper.
Forever stamps retain their usefulness even after postage rates increase. Holiday stamps have a fixed value and are most frequently used only for Christmas cards and other holiday mail.
Relate your decisions and resolutions to the sticking power of a postage stamp. How determined are you to stick to your goals and resolutions until you reach your destination? The persistence of a holiday stamp means that you give up before the holiday ends. A holiday stamp looks festive, appealing and appropriate for a few weeks before it starts resembling stale cut out sugar cookies.
Whether your new goal was to lose weight, launch a physical fitness program or establish a new business, it absolutely requires more than a casual effort for a few weeks. What are you willing to do to achieve your goal?
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players to grace a court, was cut from his high school team. Practice, hours of practice, transformed him from that temporary defeat to an ace of the courts.
Bart Starr, most valuable player in the first two super bowls, sat the bench until his senior year in college. Bart was drafted into the NFL in the very last round of the draft. Not only that but he was given jersey 44, not even a quarterback number because he was not expected to make the team.
Norman Vincent Peale’s book, The Power of Positive Thinking, received rejections from publishers, his peers, and the public.
Andy Andrews published a book of 52 letters of now famous people who persisted through multiple failures to achieve their fame. “Storms of Perfection” became Andy’s own battle of persistence. He received 600 rejections before he received the 52 letters in the first book. Publishers refused to publish it. "Storms of Perfection" is the only book I know about which sold 100,000 copies before it ever graced the shelves of a book store.
Common denominator among all of these examples and hundreds of others was persistence. Each one of them possessed a dream which was more powerful than the obstacles and rejections received.
Persistence, consistent forward motion and sticking to the goal until it became a reality. Success does not always go to the swiftest, the strongest, the richest or someone from the lucky gene pool. Success is awarded to the last man standing. Hang in there long enough with forward motion and determination; success will yield to you.
The next time you hit a speed bump on your success path just remember the postage stamp. Choose to be a holiday stamp or a forever stamp. Success is rarely if ever an accident or a lucky break. Success is a decision followed by consistent and persistent action.
For the complete article and more fun and inspirational stories, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Snow is White Gold
Flakes of white drifting down and covering the ground create an entirely new meaning living in a ski resort.
The long time ranching families shrug and declare,” we always get snow. The only questions are when and how much.” Snow means winter moisture to ranchers. Timing really is not an issue.
Timing to the ski resort and to the avid winter ski enthusiast is of paramount importance. Steamboat Springs ski resort typically opens slightly before Thanksgiving. When the temperature hovers around the 60 degree mark during October, the palms of the ski resort owners and key department supervisors begin to perspire. You see mounting tension as the temperature refuses to plummet. Staring at green grass on the slopes with only a few weeks until season opening strikes terror in the hearts of the owners. Well, more likely terror as they visualize their bank accounts bathed in red ink.
Steamboat installed snow making equipment in 1980 to stave off a disastrous ski season. The drought of 1977 forced the resort to close for a few weeks. No snow = no skiers = no revenue. Every effort commenced to avoid a similar economic disaster in 1980. The Industrial Company received the coveted contract to install the noisy cannon sized guns which transformed water into frozen particles resembling snow. In reality the product of those noisy massive guns resembled tiny granular ice chips. The good news was that the “corn snow” served the purpose of filling in the bare spots and allowing the mountain to function for winter sports.
Snow was more than desired, it was coveted as prevention of an economic disaster for the entire resort. Merchants relied on the fluffy white gold to bring tourists. Steamboat began its transformation from a ranching and mining community to guest oriented services on July 6, 1958 with the ground breaking of the first few trails. The merchants in the 1960s through the 1980s relied heavily on the tourist trade for the bulk of their annual income. Summer tourism at that point was minimal at best.
A skimpy snow year equaled little if any net profit for the year. Snow quickly transformed from a four letter word to “white gold.” As the ski area flourished, so did the merchants in downtown Steamboat as well as Ski Time Square at the base of the mountain. The ski resort, the merchants and the winter “slat rats” eagerly anticipated the white landscape.
The enthusiasm was almost palpable as the new “ski bums” arrived in town. A full season pass adorned the necks of the privileged and was displayed as a fine piece of jewelry. Actually with the 2009-2010 cost of a season pass at Steamboat retailing at $1299, it is equivalent to a fine item of jewelry.
The buzz intensified to the sound of a swarm of bees as the temperature dropped and snow flakes drifted to the ground. Normal night owls and bar stool warmers rushed home to bed in order to awake early. The goal became to arrive at the gondola fully dressed and ready for action before the line formed. Grab your water bottle, power bars, and anything else you might possibly need for the day. Arrive at the gondola in time to press your nose to the glass doors eagerly waiting on the massive bull wheels to turn moving the gondola cars up the mountain. The first ones to set skis or snow board to the slopes outside the gondola at the top of the mountain relished the fresh powder.
Snow became the delight of the ski resort, the merchants and the winter sports enthusiasts.
Anyone who has lived in a ski resort for even a few seasons never views snow the same again. Snow was almost revered as the white gold it represented to all those who relied on it for fun and financial security.
The long time ranching families shrug and declare,” we always get snow. The only questions are when and how much.” Snow means winter moisture to ranchers. Timing really is not an issue.
Timing to the ski resort and to the avid winter ski enthusiast is of paramount importance. Steamboat Springs ski resort typically opens slightly before Thanksgiving. When the temperature hovers around the 60 degree mark during October, the palms of the ski resort owners and key department supervisors begin to perspire. You see mounting tension as the temperature refuses to plummet. Staring at green grass on the slopes with only a few weeks until season opening strikes terror in the hearts of the owners. Well, more likely terror as they visualize their bank accounts bathed in red ink.
Steamboat installed snow making equipment in 1980 to stave off a disastrous ski season. The drought of 1977 forced the resort to close for a few weeks. No snow = no skiers = no revenue. Every effort commenced to avoid a similar economic disaster in 1980. The Industrial Company received the coveted contract to install the noisy cannon sized guns which transformed water into frozen particles resembling snow. In reality the product of those noisy massive guns resembled tiny granular ice chips. The good news was that the “corn snow” served the purpose of filling in the bare spots and allowing the mountain to function for winter sports.
Snow was more than desired, it was coveted as prevention of an economic disaster for the entire resort. Merchants relied on the fluffy white gold to bring tourists. Steamboat began its transformation from a ranching and mining community to guest oriented services on July 6, 1958 with the ground breaking of the first few trails. The merchants in the 1960s through the 1980s relied heavily on the tourist trade for the bulk of their annual income. Summer tourism at that point was minimal at best.
A skimpy snow year equaled little if any net profit for the year. Snow quickly transformed from a four letter word to “white gold.” As the ski area flourished, so did the merchants in downtown Steamboat as well as Ski Time Square at the base of the mountain. The ski resort, the merchants and the winter “slat rats” eagerly anticipated the white landscape.
The enthusiasm was almost palpable as the new “ski bums” arrived in town. A full season pass adorned the necks of the privileged and was displayed as a fine piece of jewelry. Actually with the 2009-2010 cost of a season pass at Steamboat retailing at $1299, it is equivalent to a fine item of jewelry.
The buzz intensified to the sound of a swarm of bees as the temperature dropped and snow flakes drifted to the ground. Normal night owls and bar stool warmers rushed home to bed in order to awake early. The goal became to arrive at the gondola fully dressed and ready for action before the line formed. Grab your water bottle, power bars, and anything else you might possibly need for the day. Arrive at the gondola in time to press your nose to the glass doors eagerly waiting on the massive bull wheels to turn moving the gondola cars up the mountain. The first ones to set skis or snow board to the slopes outside the gondola at the top of the mountain relished the fresh powder.
Snow became the delight of the ski resort, the merchants and the winter sports enthusiasts.
Anyone who has lived in a ski resort for even a few seasons never views snow the same again. Snow was almost revered as the white gold it represented to all those who relied on it for fun and financial security.
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