5 Steps To Getting It Done

How many times have you come up with what you believe to be an exceptionally good idea, only to have little to nothing substantial come out of it? How often do you feel somewhat overwhelmed or under - prepared, even though your intentions, mindset and even your attitude is truly positive. In my over three decades of identifying, qualifying, training and consulting to well over a thousand individuals in actual or potential positions of leadership, as well as having conducted hundreds of personal development seminars, training courses, and personal one - to - one consultations, I have come to realize that rarely is it either one's intent or mindset that keeps things from happening, but rather it is our failure or inability to use the right methodology or approach to "get it done."
Therefore, for many years, I have taught and focused upon the following five steps to getting it done.

1) Focus is where it must begin! Too many people try to be the proverbial all things to all people, and thus satisfy few, especially themselves or their needs/ aspirations. When we begin with a clearcut picture of what we are trying to achieve, we maximize our potential, and become more efficient and effective.

2) Nothing happens on its own, and thus, you must start/ begin in a proactive, directed and fulfilling way. All the greatest planning will go to naught until and unless you begin to do something in your own behalf.

3) Be certain that you are going after what most motivates you, and you feel to be most important or essential. Be objective and introspective, honestly evaluating your personal goals and priorities. Be as specific and detailed as you can be, because only when you feel strongly enough, will you put forth your best efforts.

4) Plan thoroughly, taking into considerations your priorities, as well as planning for those contingencies that inevitably will cross your path. Without delay, develop an action plan that you will commit to, that will address your finest goals, priorities and aspirations.

5) Many individuals have committed to and even put into place these previous four steps, but unless and until, you truly implement your plan, and consistently do what you need to, in order to get it done, you will never achieve your stated objectives.

Obviously, you do not have to follow these five steps, unless you truly strive to be the best you can be, regardless of what that means to you personally. However, commit to this program, and you will exponentially enhance your potential.

7 METRICS For Success

Although there seems to be a somewhat inordinate amount of time, concentration and effort spent reviewing the many aspects impacting success, this concept is invariably one of the most difficult and challenging to fully understand because of the many challenges and interpretations of what goes into becoming a success. Since I have spent four decades identifying, training, qualifying and consulting to over a thousand individuals in positions of leadership, as well as conducting many seminars and individual training programs in the areas of personal development, I have thus created a mnemonic way to use 7 METRICS for Success. 

1. The process begins with identifying and considering those measurable markers that directly relate to purposeful goals and priorities. How can anyone consider anything to be in any way truly successful unless they are really meaningful because their implementation significantly matters in a way that determines whether you get it done. 

2. Those who want to become real and respected leaders must consistently proceed with a large degree of genuine empathy. Ask yourself whether your actions and plans pursue enhancing the situation, by consistently enriching the experience of those that your actions impact.

3. Everything you observe or do must be viewed and used as a teachable moment! When you predict and address trends in a timely manner, and focus directly on the proverbial taking care of business, you enhance your probability of becoming successful in your pursuits.

4. Taking care of business means very little unless it is relevant in terms of needs and priorities. Only when one simultaneously is rational in his approach, while also being reasonable (both in actuality as well as the way he is perceived by others), he risks appearing as if he is behaving in a less than responsible manner. How can you be a success if what you do is not either actually or perceived as being responsive to what others, as well as a group you serve, truly need?

5. Make sure that your ideas always align with meaningful and significant ideologies, and that you pursue them with absolute integrity.

6. In order to achieve what you aim for, you must be able to connect with stakeholders,in a genuine manner. That requires you to be able, willing and ready to make needed choices, and to create something better than presently exists.

7. This process only comes to fruition when one creates and develops a sustainable system that strengthens the group, thus propelling it forward in a positive manner.

Many claim they seek success, yet few actually achieve what they aim for. Using these 7 METRICS for Success potentiates ones possibilities.

How To Make Affirmations Work For You?

Many wise men have made similar statements about the power of positive thinking in terms of getting things accomplished. In fact, the unifying thought of all of these statements is basically that one can either think they can do something, or think they cannot, and either way they will almost always prove themselves correct. Every year, many millions of dollars are spent by individuals who wish to improve either themselves or their "lot in life," and take various versions of positive thinking courses and seminars. While positive thinking undoubtedly improves success rates and efficiency, one of the greatest techniques for enhancing one's positive attitude, and thus their success, is using Positive Affirmations.

Affirmations are positive statements that have special meaning to the individual. They are described as affirmations because unlike other statements, these statements should be made all from a positive point of view, using entirely positive wording. So, for example, if someone wanted to break their smoking habit, they would not say, "I'm not going to smoke anymore." Rather, their Affirmation might be worded, instead, "Since I am smoking- free, I breathe clean, refreshing area, and have more positive energy." As you might notice, there is no mention of the intent to stop smoking cigarettes. Rather, the affirmation is stated from the point of view that the action to stop has already occurred, and the affirmation sees and discusses the benefits. This is done to create a positive vision that motivates the speaker to take definitive action.

To understand further how affirmations can assist one in taking action to improve or encourage a specific action or course of action, or to get someone to expand his "comfort zone," let's assume that an individual is very uncomfortable speaking in public. The usual self talk that people use would be "I want to be a better speaker," or "I am going to be a better public speaker." However, when using Affirmations, a suggested statement might be something like, "I enjoy the excitement of getting in front of a group, addressing them, and motivating that group to listen to me and my point of view, and then take action." Do you see the very important difference in the way these statements are structured?

Many individuals have told me prior to one of my seminars that they can't do affirmations because it seems too strange, odd or phony to them. I tell them to try the following exercise for a week, and see the changes it will make in their life. Think about ten things you'd like to do better. Write down ten Positive Affirmations. Commit to read these Affirmations at least three to five different times during the day and night, and each time repeat each affirmation at least five time. Read these in front of a mirror. Be sure that the Affirmations are items that are truly important to you at this time. Observe the changes in the way you view things, go about things, approach things and do certain things.

Those who commit to Affirmations will see numerous life changing improvements, simply because they commit to them fully, and believe they can.

How You Can, Versus, Why You Can't!

How do you face the inevitable obstacles that we each face every day? Is your initial reaction to adopt the negative perspective of focusing on the reasons that you might fail and what might go wrong, or do you take the positive path of seeking what you need to do to assure that you can? This difference in approach often impacts our results as well as our effectiveness, because one methodology propels us forward and enhances our potential, while the other one is self - defeating, demoralizing, and a sort of self fulfilling negative prophesy.

1. Do you perceive obstacles as problems or as challenges? This perception often is the most significant precursor in determing our inevitable results, because merely focusing on something as a problem conjures up an unpleasant image that makes most of us want to avoid and escape from. On the other hand, when we conceive of things as challenges, it helps us to expend our energies expeditiously and efficiently. The visualization of a challenge is productive because it creates a positive mindset, and challenges are often viewed as an adventure, while problems are considered a sort of disaster.

2. Why you can philosophy uses our energies in a productive and proactive manner, while the why you can't approach generally produces worry and anxiety! We must realize that worrying about things and having anxiety never solves anything. All these behaviors do is bring on additional stress, which, for those who ponder on the negative, is counter - productive and self - defeating.

3. Do you learn from your stress, or do you let stresses control and manipulate you? Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Hans Selye describe the two types of stress as positive stress (he labelled it as, eustress) and negative stress. While eustress is valuable and enriching, negative stress is debilitating and destructive. It is how we react to stressful circumstances that determines our end result! Stress used productively moves us to greater heights, because it teaches us how to do things better and more effectively. On the other hand, when stress is permitted to control us, we achieve less, and attempt less, often giving up and giving in to obstacles that we face.

Each of us control our destinies to the degree that our mindsets place in either the position to succeed or to not only fail, but to contribute to that failure. Only an absolute commitment to a can - do philosophy and performance enhances us!

5 Components of Marketing Yourself

Most would agree that marketing is perhaps the most, if not one of the most essential ingredients for success in nearly every field of endeavor. Why do you think that the largest and most successful corporations spend so much time, effort and resources on marketing themselves, and attempting to create a specific and unique brand, that creates an attractive niche and compelling story? Since all of us, regardless of what we do, are involved in some sort of selling, it is important to understand what is needed to successfully market ourselves. Whether someone is a doctor, lawyer, salesperson, teacher, or stay - at - home mom, success requires selling every day. We either sell a product, a service, or ourselves, but we do sell! Since the advent and increased popularity of the internet, however, many people have abandoned the previous fundamentals of marketing, and begun to rely exclusively on the Web. However, success means using a broad - based, multi - media campaign, where we maintain a common focus throughout, in order to distinguish ourselves, thus creating a niche that develops our personal, quality, respected brand. While there are many possible components, those who seek to effectively market themselves should both understand and utilize these five components listed below.

1. Don't abandon direct mail and snail mail. There are still many individuals who prefer being contacted that way, and effective mailing pieces that enhance our brand, are key. However, cost containment requires doing this wisely, so make sure that you study the best and most effective way to use this, including your mailing list, types of piece, etc.

2. Use email and texts judicially and wisely. Under - utilization will have no impact, and overuse will strike many as a form of spam. Make sure that you use these forms when appropriate, but don't become overly reliant on them.

3. While a strong Social Media presence is wise and needed, don't fall into the trap of assuming that because you posted something here, there is widespread communication going on. The most effective usage is generally having links to compelling information, so that others will be interested. Don't either over or underpost, and remember that you must use these in coordination with the overall brand you wish to create and develop.

4. What is the feeling someone gets when they look at your Website? How easy is it to locate, and what does it say about you? Does it enhance your brand? Does the message being sent say what you are trying to communicate? Have you looked into SEO (Search Engine Optimization)?

5. Far too many individuals today build artificial walls by relying too heavily on these methods, while ignoring or nearly ignoring the all - essential methods of professionally using the telephone, and getting out and being face - to - face, with your potential constituents, stakeholders or desired audience. Therefore, it is very important to become professional in these methodologies.

Don't use one of these components, while overlooking others. Those that want to market themselves to their fullest potential, and thus get the best results, need to use the discipline to use all of these.

Just Because It's New, Doesn't Necessarily Mean, It's Better!!

With all the new technology and technological advances, many people seem to believe that because it is newer, it must therefore be better, or more enhanced. While that is true when it comes to certain technologies, there are still certain examples when newer is not better. Examples mostly include industries where technology and service are either combined, or need to go hand in hand, such as telephone service and airline travel. While there certainly have been significant technological advances in both of these circumstances, it can be argued that the overall experience has not been improved significantly, if at all. In addition, if you are in a service - industry, such as Real Estate, financial services; health services; etc, while you need to employ the newest, best technologies, it is essential, to never forget to provide the highest personal, customer/ client services!
 
1. Once upon a time, we had one telephone company which supplied our telephone equipment, maintained our internal and external wiring, and provided generally reliable service. Those classic black phones may not have been terribly stylish, but few of us even remember one of them not functioning. If we had any difficulty, we made one call to one company, and the problem was soon resolved. Today, land line telephone service is outnumbered by voice over internet services (VOIP), as well as by wireless/ cellular service. Our telephone equipment rarely lasts too many years, and it is next to impossible to find anyone to service it, and it is generally cost prohibitive to repair, so we simply purchase another telephone. It seems to me that there are far more dropped calls today, or some other static, interference, or trouble with our lines. Many people have abandoned land lines completely, depending entirely on their cell phone, but we all have experienced cell phone dead zones at one time or another. Relatively speaking, it is true that this competition and the enhancements has brought about lower pricing, but at what sacrifice. And, have you tried to get through to your telephone provider? How much of our time is wasted simply waiting to be connected with a real human being? With all the sophistications and enhancements, have you noticed better customer service, because I have certainly not?

2. In the latter part of the 1970's, the airline industry was deregulated, with the expressed intent of trying to provide more competition, and thus, lower pricing for the consumer. While pricing was immediately lowered, have you flown recently? Spirit Air actually charges for carry on bags, while almost all domestic carriers have some sort of fee for checking bags. Meals on a domestic flight, forget about it! Legroom on most carriers is almost non existent. Customer service seems almost an anachronism! Most remarkably, with all the technology, it actually takes longer on many routes today than it used to.

While technological enhancements are nice, they are not always that essential. Yes, many smart phones have lots of applications, but many of those come at some cost, either for the app itself, the data used, the type of phone needed, etc. And, no matter what cell phone or computer or tablet you have today, chances are it will be either outmoded or run of the mill pretty soon! Let's celebrate technology, but put these advancements into perspective! NEVER FORGET TO CHERISH THE CUSTOMER!!

 

6 Basics To Giving A Winning Presentation

Whether you are focused on being the most impactful and effective leader, or are involved in sales (whether you are selling a product, a service, or yourself), there will be several occasions where you need to make some sort of presentation to others. Many individuals have some sort of fear, or phobia, regarding speaking in public, and there is a need for these individuals to first address these areas, in order to permit them to overcome their fears, and step forth and transmit the needed, necessary, or required message. However, there is the need to not merely give some sort of presentation, but rather to have both the willingness and ability to give a truly winning presentation.You can use these guidelines, whether you are presenting to an individual or couple, a smaller group, or a large group. Therefore, these tips should be valuable to most people, especially those in service areas, such as Real Estate, investments, medicine, dentistry, etc, as well as anyone in sales. Here are 6 Basics to Give a Winning Presentation.

1. Before even starting to prepare to present, it is essential to learn about and know the group that you are presenting to. This will permit you to optimally relate to, and tailor your presentation to what your audience deems most relevant.

2. Do your homework, and be prepared! Go far beyond a merely surface understanding of either your audience or the subject matter. Learn thoroughly, plan comprehensively, and become completely comfortable with the subject matter (in - depth). Remember that your audience may be in a different place than you are, and so avoid assuming that they have your grasp or passion for the subject area.

3. Explain upfront (at the beginning) what you are about to present. Most listeners will better grasp what your point is when they better see what you are hoping to explain, and the logic behind your presentation. It is imperative for a speaker to get others to buy into your perspective in a manner that grabs their attention in a meaningful manner.

4. Be thorough, prepared, interesting, insightful and compelling. Avoid appearing unprepared, detached, or simply going through the motions! Break the presentation into short intervals that relate to the agenda, stay on track, avoid digressing, and attempt to make the presentation as proactive as possible, especially by eliciting and inviting participation and involvement of audience members. Always include and leave time for Questions and Answers, so that you can best serve and relate to the group and their needs/ priorities. Remember to practice and prepare for this perhaps - most important segment/ component.

5. Tell them something new (or in a different way). Very little is as destructive to the quality or effectiveness of a presentation than being perceived as wasting their time.

6. Sum up (bring the pieces together), and make them leave satisfied! Avoid making the presentation either too short or too long! End with a call to action that compels the audience to get more involved, or to want to serve in a meaningful manner. Remember that your purpose as a speaker (presenter) should be to get those leaving the presentation to feel their time was well spent.

For many people, giving a presentation is challenging, and often even problematic. Hopefully, by following these six basic suggestions/ guidelines, the process becomes a somewhat easier and less stressful one.

When Life Hands Out Lemons, Wise Men Make Lemonade!

We all experience periods of bad times as well as periods of good. Individuals who adapt to misfortunes by learning from these experiences, and somehow benefiting, are generally both the happiest and the most successful. The adage, "Life is not a bowl of cherries" tells us that not everything will always work out the way we hope, or even anticipate, and to understand that limitation in order to best adapt to circumstances.

Many people seem to enjoy complaining that life is unfair, and hasn't dealt them a fair hand. Realistically, life doesn't "deal," it simply offers us opportunities to either take advantage of, do nothing, or use poorly. There is never any guarantee in anything we do, but our "odds" of succeeding are distinctly enhanced when we take advantage of possibilities, improve our abilities, and upgrade our skill-set, rather than say, "I can't do that." Many individuals seem to prefer making excuses than taking the necessary actions to enhance skills that might be lacking (or need upgrading).

Obviously, not everyone can do writing or mathematics easily. All too many of those individuals, either due to frustration, inadequate training or education, or a "mental block," simply give up, and stop attempting to write or use mathematics, unless absolutely necessary. Others recognize their limitations, and use the opportunities offered to enhance their training, learn other skills, take training, or discipline themselves, and do to this added commitment, become "above par" in these areas.

A great example of using ones limitations, and "making lemonade when life deals you lemons," is how one might adapt to difficulty in "keyboarding." Unfortunately, many, if not most individuals, handle this "obstacle" by using "avoidance techniques," and by avoiding using the keyboard, often neglect necessary tasks and duties, such as doing school or work assignments, as well as enjoying activities that comfort with using the keyboard would afford them. The individual who wants to "make lemonade," on the other hand, would find an alternative way of handling this circumstance. One such alternative might be installing and using "voice recognition software, such as Dragon 10. In that way, the obstacle of the use of the keyboard, whether due to a physical reason, a lack of patience, or some other disruptive "force," can not only be as productive as someone comfortable with the keyboard, but in many ways even more productive. This program permits one to use e-mail, word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheets, etc., via the use of voice commands, instead of keyboards. The programs are easy to install, and easy to use, yet, of course require the individual to become familiar with the many features to fully take advantage of the program. For example, it is estimated that someone can "type" something approximately four times as quickly using voice commands than using the keyboard. Therefore, the individual who takes advantage of this alternative is using a potential obstacle, and instead of merely complaining about it, finds "another way" to function effectively.

In many areas of everyday life, we find tons of obstacles where we have choices - - either complain and be negative, or "think outside the box" and find a better way. Successful individuals do not give up, but rather find ways to get things done. Most things are possible if one thinks positively!

What's Your Elevator Speech?

It is generally believed that the most meaningful single component that determines the potential strength of the American economy is related to the health of small business and small business people. This includes consultants, real estate professionals, accountants and CPA's, physicians and dentists, small law practices, salespersons, commissioned individuals such as stock brokers and insurance agents, etc. These are often highly competitive industries, where there is a need for an individual or small business person to differentiate himself, develop a personal niche, and maintain and develop the ability to effectively and seamlessly communicate why others should utilize his services. In other words, he develops an elevator speech, which in thirty seconds or less, whets the appetite of those around him, motivating them to ask more, and creating a mystique or aura where he sticks out in a positive and productive manner.

1. How do you interest others without appearing to simply trying to sell something? How do you make your message both compelling and interesting, showing a positive message where others not only listen and hear, but pay close attention and retain what the messenger is trying to convey? How is it possible for anyone to have an effective elevator speech unless he maintains a positive mental attitude combined with actual self - confidence? What do you say that differentiates you from the rest of the pack? Do you believe your own words? Are you capable of seamlessly promoting yourself in an impactful and meaningful manner?

2. Why is an elevator speech so important for someone to develop? This thirty second opportunity comes about often, not solely in an elevator, but in brief meetings in the supermarket, at cocktail parties, and in any social or business gathering? What is your brand, and why is your brand one that others should care about? How do you differentiate yourself? One example could relate to, for example, a real estate agent, who might be asked some version of the question relating to why one should use him rather than others. The individual who does not hem or haw, wax philosophical, get hung up on cliches or empty rhetoric, and simply claims he'll do the best job for them, will rarely attract much positive attention. However, on the other hand, the individual who clearly and without hesitation states emphatically that while there are many real estate agents available, and even confidently states that many of them do a decent job, avows confidently that they lack one key ingredient that he possesses. Therefore, each individual must ponder what makes him different, unique and someone others need!

Think about the impact of your elevator speech! Does it motivate others to care more, think more, and understand why you are someone they should seek out and do business with?

Do You Effectively Budget Your Time?

Do you discover that you often have difficulty getting accomplished what you had hoped to achieve during the day? Are you often overwhelmed by the volume of things you feel you need to do, and then disappointed when you don't get them done? When introduced to a new idea or task, is one of your first thoughts that you don't have any time to do anything more? We must all take to heart the adage that both the wealthiest and most successful individuals each have the same 24 hours in their days, but the difference is how effectively they utilize their time. Isn't it interesting that so many people realize the need to manage their money and other aspects of their lives and careers, but neglect focusing on themselves and how they can achieve more and be far happier (and less stressed) simply by paying attention to how they manage and utilize their time. Time management means creating a time utilization action plan and adhering to certain specific disciplines:

1. Focus on you and what your true needs are: Are you as happy and content as you'd like to be? Do you feel fulfilled by the end results and what you can accomplish? Do you get done as much accomplished during the course of a day as you'd both like and need to?

2. Discipline: Are you willing to do what you need to do in order to develop more efficiency, and to do so habitually? Will you introspectively examine what process you are following, and commit to do things that enhance both your efficiency and effectiveness? Since we all know that some people are able to get more things done than others, doesn't it make sense to use a different approach or techniques?

3. Vision and goals: Time management begins with knowing and focusing on your priorities and what you wish to accomplish. Commit to following the adage of, "Don't sweat the small stuff," and focus on your goals.

4. Action plan with contingencies: Analyze what needs to be done, strategize, and create an action plan that you follow. This plan must pre - plan contingencies, or what is often known as having a backup plan or Plan B. By seamlessly do so, you become better able to manage your time efficiently.

5. Learn how to multi - task: Use even small intervals of downtime to begin to plan additional aspects or items you wish to get done.

6. No blame of others or yourself: Blame never achieves anything, is non - productive, and wastes time. Focus on what needs to be done from this point on, and on who might have done better in the past.

7. Can't change past, or even the present: So, pay attention to what you'll do from this point forward, and stop wasting time and effort on negative energies.

Nearly everyone can do a better job managing his time. Why shouldn't you do that for you?

Is Your Goal Drive, In Neutral, Drive, Overdrive, or Reverse?

While much has been written and discussed about how essential meaningful goals and goal setting are to one's potential for achieving success, much less has been said about how our attitude and approach dramatically impacts our eventual results. We need to introspectively examine and evaluate what gear we are in when we strive to reach these levels. Some individuals appear to do nearly anything they can to merely tread water, thus preferring their personal equivalent of neutral gear, taking few risks, and achieving their own level of mediocrity. Others push their personal gear to drive by focusing and aiming in a forward direction, even if they do so slowly and gradually. More motivated individuals generally place their efforts into overdrive by funneling their efforts in a proactive manner, and are generally superb planners and contingency planners. Of course, those individuals that are generally considered either more negative or less ambitious get stuck in reverse and rarely progress, often continuously slipping backward in a less than stellar manner.

1. Are you satisfied with merely putting your efforts into neutral and taking no risks? Are you dominated by your fears, or do you realize that those who focus on taking no risks generally are risking the most, because they rarely become capable of keeping up when they need to evolve, and fail to do so? How can anyone ever achieve or even seek progress towards meaningful goals if they refuse to be proactive in that quest?

2. It's rarely enough to merely place your effort into drive because that will generally only tend to keep you from slipping behind. This gear is the equivalent of a partial effort, because it is less than completely focused and thus rarely helps one progress forward.

3. Greatness in terms of goal achievement or even true pursuit means you must put yourself into overdrive and put forth a concerted effort in your desired direction. The individuals willing to do this stress effective planning, and realize that it is rarely sufficient to only make basic plans, but that achieving means being prepared for contingencies by also formulating meaningful and well developed backups, as well.

4. Far too many individuals end up being forced into reverse because they spend so much time running around in circles, often without focusing on important and meaningful goals. When this occurs, the individual often will lose ground in a counterproductive or even, unproductive manner.
What is your goal, and what gear are you in? Do your hopes and wishes coincide with the actions that are driven by the gear that you put your efforts into?

It's your life, and thus, your decision! What you decide is best for you, and what you are willing to do! Will your goals and dreams force you to expand your comfort zone, and go into overdrive, or are you satisfied, where you are? It's up to you!

Do You Feel, You Deserve To Win?

With so much of our focus so often on winning, have you ever examined whether you really feel that you deserve to win? Or, do you settle for merely being in contention, settling for good - enough, as compared to personal excellence? While each of us may have different perceptions of what winning means, invariably it is dependent on a combination of our attitude, self - confidence, self - belief, values. integrity and persistence. Unless, and until, anyone really believes that he is worthy of, and deserves to win, accomplishing the same is nearly an impossibility.

1. How often have you heard or read something about the need to focus on maintaining a positive attitude? With all that attention, one might come to believe that there is no longer any need to focus on it. However, the reality is that a true positive attitude is personified by our everyday, consistent and persistent actions and behaviors, and not merely by an accumulation of empty rhetoric and verbiage. Maintaining an attitude of positivism means abandoning not only negative words, but negative thoughts, including the pessimistic outlooks associated with questioning whether something is possible, and continuously questioning whether one might succeed.

2. If you want to win, begin by believing in your knowledge and abilities. Understand that there is a significant difference between bragging and confidence, and that being confidence means addressing personal fear and overcoming them, by expanding our comfort zones and seeking continuous self - improvement.

3. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you can achieve what others often may not be able to do? Do you feel that merely because others continuously tell you that you can't do, or it can't be done, or that's not the way it's done or the way do things, that you have enough inner strength and fortitude to move forward and use your personal assets and individual differences to accomplish and persist when others might give up, or not even attempt. Are you satisfied with being ordinary, or to strive to be extraordinary?

4. What are your personal values, and do they jive with, and synergistically work with your strengths, to make you a better and more meaningful person? Is one of your priorities creating better and more meaningful value to all around you, and serving the greater good? Are you unwavering in your commitment to absolute integrity in all aspects of your life? Will you persist and persevere, when others merely give up and surrender?

When you become comfortable enough with yourself to truly believe that you deserve superior results, and you combine that with the commitment to do be great, that belief, in and of itself, will often drive you forward to do things differently, approach life more confidently, and expand your comfort level in a meaningful manner. When you really believe you deserve to win, you propel yourself closer to actually winning.

Aways Learn the Basics, & Use The Fundamentals!

Most of the best managers and leaders do not find it necessary to reinvent the wheel to be effective managers and leaders. Rather, they study and learn, and train themselves to fully understand and appreciate all the basics and necessities of leadership and being an effective and competent manager.
The best athlete generally is the one who has best learned the basics, and repeats those fundamentals, over and over again. When you hear a commentator say that a golf has such great form, or a great swing, it is generally not accidental, but rather stems from continuous repetition and training, and using the basics to the optimum degree and benefit.

Just as very few people are born professional top athletes,even fewer individuals are born leaders. Competent, able and effective management, and responsible, action oriented leadership, stems from someone learning the basics, and practicing them repeatedly until they become second nature. Often, the difference between the most successful, effective manager, and the also-ran is merely that one trained and learned and incorporated those basics into is everyday performance and behavior, while the other did not.

Different business organizations have approached management development in different ways. While some strongly believe in advancement from within, others seem to favor going outside their organization for their top leaders. In my three decades of training leaders and consulting to businesses, I have come to believe that when a business consistently seeks top leadership from outside its organization, that is, at least to me, an admission of failure in its own management and leadership development and training program. If a quality management and leadership training program were intact and fully operational, wouldn't it make sense to move people up the organization, firstly as a motivational tool, but even more importantly, because someone from within an organization should have a better understanding of the organization, and the transition would seem to be far more seamless. Organizations that seek outside top managers often explain that away by saying that they are seeking the most qualified individual, and someone from outside the organization might bring a fresh perspective. However, what does that say about the organization, if the need for a fresh perspective outweighs developing one's own leaders.

The actual reason, I believe that many organizations seek outside leaders is often political, and not necessarily in the best interests of the organization. Some of the most successful of today's businesses, such as Google, often give large bonuses to their employees to insure maintaining their top people. That is the same reason that many brokerage houses have traditionally given such large year-end bonuses to their top people. Quality, professional real estate agents, develop skills, techniques, etc, which they may tweak, but otherwise use consistently!

Your Decision - Good Enough, or GREAT?

Most of us, at many different points in our existence, end up having to make the very personal decision whether to end up settling for doing the easier or comfortable route, rather than taking the often more challenging route or path, which is to pursue greatness, in every action and mannerism of our being. The more comfortable approach, for many, is to take that path of least resistance, because it affords us what we perceive as less risk, and thus permits us to hide within our self - limiting comfort zone. Therefore, we must face the facts that it always a choice we make, whether to opt for good - enough, or to aim for truly being, performing and behaving GREAT!

1. Greatness always begins with having goals, and pursuing the best course in a goal - based, directed manner. Good may be better than poor, but is rarely the proper or sufficient course for anyone who wishes to enhance, expand and live up to his potential.

2. Avoid taking the easier course merely because it is easier or more comfortable. Rather, one's pursuits must be consistently responsible and responsive, in nature. Positive thinking, attitude and outlooks are helpful and needed, but must never merely be rose - colored glasses in nature, but rather must be in sync with reality! In addition, avoid expecting others to do things merely because you think or hope they will, but rather maintain the highest personal expectations, while expecting reasonable actions and responses from others. One nearly always makes a greater impact when he behaves in a rational and relevant manner.

3. Enjoy what you're doing, and you'll always perform to a far higher degree of energizing and effective manner. One's personal goals must consistently focus on enhancing quality in everything he does and gets involved in, and remembering that broadening one's personal outlook and perspective, by being empathetic in nature, and perceoving things from the perspectives and needs of others.

4. Greatness demands an absolute commitment and adherence to the following formula: Aptitude + Attitude + Attention = Best performance. It's your personal decision, whether you seek to be normal and pursue being somewhat mediocre, or demanding your personal best in everything you do.

5. Take steps toward timely action, aim for the most terrific way to proceed, try more and harder than other do, and treat whatever you do or pursue as yor top priority.

Never make excuses for aiming for less than your best. Rather, understand that it's always your decision, and thus, it's up to you!

6 Ways To Stop Sweating The Petty Stuff

Wouldn't it be far more productive and efficient, and much less stressful and wasteful, if, each of us, could better focus and prioritize our actions and activities? Many individuals find this extremely challenging to do so, and often get bogged down by minutia, and end up paying far more attention to minor or lesser issues, while often ignoring the bigger, and/or more important issues! Only when we make a conscious effort to avoid this often-self-destructive behavior/action, do we best position ourselves, to become far more proactive, and doing so begins with the mindset that it is essential and urgent to stop sweating the petty stuff!

1. Focus on bigger picture: What is your predominant, self-motivating inner, vital and vibrant vision, in terms of the essential meaning, and/or priorities of your life? Make every effort to put things into perspective, and differentiate between an annoyance, that might be only fleeting or relatively insignificant (in the bigger picture), and always ask yourself, if the battle is worth getting upset or involved in! When you stop wasting time on minor stuff, you enhance your potential and personal efficiency.

2. Care deeply about your personal goals, and priorities: It is important to differentiate between things that matter to the masses, versus those most significant to you, and to become cognizant of your personal feelings, beliefs, and code of ethics, etc.

3. Use positive affirmations: One of the most effective tools to become personally stronger and more committed to become better/more effective, is using affirmations on a regular, consistent basis. Your Affirmation List must contain approximately ten concepts/ideas, that you feel most strongly about. These may be attitudinal or action-oriented, but, either way, must be stated in the present, and positive manner. For example, someone who wishes to feel better, or less overwhelmed by addressing groups and/or giving a public speech, should say, "I get my audience to care deeply about the priorities or positions I feel strongly about," rather than, "I'm going to give a better speech," etc. Put your positive statements in writing, and read them, privately, and in front of a mirror, at least twice-a-day, preferably first thing in the morning, and before you go to bed.

4. Work on your attitude: Our attitudes often dictate how we approach matters and/or issues, and, we generally only develop a helpful attitude. Don't assume you can enhance your attitude in anything other than a fully committed way, and work on this all-essential component, on a regular, consistent basis. Remove those negative words or expressions from your vocabulary and replace them with ones that better serve you. Some of these include: replace I'll try, with I will; problem with challenge; can't, with either can, or even better, will; Do my best, with get it done, etc.

5. Find ways to relax, relate, and be patient: Reduce your stress level, and try to clearly focus on remaining clear-headed and calm! Relate to others, in an attempt to maintain your ability to proceed, without prejudgment. Don't jump the gun, in making up your mind, and/or responding, but rather proceed in a patient, quality way, where you might be less likely to open up some sort of figurative Pandora's Box.

6. Know/choose your battles: Avoid the tendency to be all over the place, but rather know what you feel most strongly about, and draw your personal line in the sand!

Obey, consider, and pay attention, to the adage, which instructs us not to sweat the petty stuff! You'll become more efficient, effective and productive, when you prioritize those items most important to you!

All Consultants Are NOT Created Equal!

Every year, thousands of corporations, organizations, and individuals enlist the services of either an individual consultant, team of consultants, or a consulting firm, to address items that their leadership (or they) envisions need addressing professionally, by an impartial eye. Unfortunately, however, nearly anyone can represent himself as some sort of consultant, either in a specific area, or in a variety of areas, and while some of these individuals are excellent, and provide a fabulous, valuable service, others use consulting as a rouse to sell some sort of product or service. Major areas that consultants are called in regarding include, but are not limited to: business, financial, fiscal, and budgetary items; strategic planning; event planning, negotiations, coordination and organization; Board training and evaluation; business planning; real estate; etc.

1. Your preliminary discussion with any honorable consultant should be a getting- to- know- you type of meeting, and should be free of charge to the organization. Observe whether the consultant listens and asks pensive and examining questions, more than he speaks and tries to sell himself. Do not be overly impressed by fancy brochures and literature, or even elaborate presentations. You should be looking for a consultant that does not try to use a one- size- fits- all approach, but customizes his service directly to your needs and your organization's idiosyncrasies. Don't be overly impressed by fancy rhetoric or techno- jargon, because it often has little true value.

2. When a consultant is used for event services, he should guarantee his services will do several things for your event. Firstly, he should take away the hassles and headaches. Secondly, he should be able to negotiate in all related areas and foresee your needs. He should be someone who does his homework before he begins to negotiate, in order to find out what is needed and what the priorities and objectives of the event are. He should gather historical information, in order to gather am historical perspective and better understand the group's heritage and needs. He should never impose his will, but also stand up for what he believes should be done, and be able and willing to explain why. His negotiations should save considerably more money than the total of his fee and reimbursable expenses. He should fully explain his fee up front, and explain what he will do, how he will work intimately with the group's organizing committee, and make relevant suggestions.

3. Beware of any consultant who makes too big a deal about making governance changes, in order to address systemic problems and challenges facing the organization. While in a mostly healthy organization, certain governance models might work better for a specific group, governance should only become a priority during a healthy or relatively healthy stage, and not when there are other challenges. These governance recommendations are usually followed, in gradations and steps to follow, by meetings that you are charged for consultant's time, training sessions (also at a charge), and often with a beautifully prepared governance manual, that often is less valuable to the stability and well being of the organization than the paper it is printed on, etc.

Always ask a prospective consultant about his fees, thoughts, methods, approaches, and what he feels he might be able to do for you, before you agree to his contract. Many organizations have cost themselves dearly by not carefully considering all of the ramifications. While many consultants are great and provide a wonderful service, like in everything else, there are always some "bad apples."

If All Else Fails, It's Time to Make A Suggestion!

You've attempted everything you know to convince someone. You have utilized and employed every technique and methodology to try to make your point in a convincing, winning way. You have used the "Five Steps" method of answering objections, and been effectively listening to the other party. Yet, you still are unable to "close the deal." What should you do next?

The typical reaction is that most individuals simply give up their efforts, figuring that they have done everything they could, and still not succeeded. However, in most cases, they probably have not. When you've tried everything you know, and retried in the proper manner, and still do not get the reaction you are looking for, and desire, yet you are convinced that your point is well considered, thought out, and the correct approach, there still is one additional technique to employ. At this stage, you should simply say, "May I make a suggestion?" Once you say that, it is essential that you stop speaking.

ueWhile many individuals find it relatively simple to decline an offer, or at the very least, either procrastinate, delay, or stall, almost no one will respond negatively when you ask that question. However, this technique will only be effective if you steadfastly obey the "ZTL" method. "ZTL," or "zip the lip" means that you say nothing until the other individual responds. The basic rule of this philosophy is that whoever speaks first after a question, loses this part of the "game."

Once you get an affirmative response to, "May I make a suggestion?" which you will, even if the other party doesn't want you to, is that you must take advantage of the opportunity. The best method is to begin to ask probing questions, like, "I am a little confused because most people I've explained this to decide to pursue it further. What exactly is it about this idea that keeps you from acting?"

Once you say that, once again employ "ZTL" and wait for an answer. Listen intently, and respond to the individuals concerns. Often a stumbling block is that people tell you that "I want to think about it," which really, in most cases, is little more than either a delaying tactic, or a pleasant way to say no. Answer each and every question and concern concisely and precisely, in a calm and patient manner. It is important to eventually re-close on an action regarding the concept or idea. In my 4 decades of training, I have witnessed some fabulous presentations that did not achieve the desired result simply because the presenter did not close and re-close.

Your final suggestion is the "sample order" approach, recommending an individual try something in a very limited manner for a specific period, and if it is not everything you say, then terminating the relationship. You must, however, always be open and honest in your presentation, or you will never have a satisfactory relationship in this situation.

Is It Antisocial, or Social Media?

There can be no denying that social media has exploded upon the horizon, and that nearly everyone has at least some passing understanding or knowledge about some aspect of this arena. Business media discusses the financial aspects, and conversations have gotten to the point of not merely looking at it as a fad, but rather how the model might be better monetized, adapted for mobile sites, and used more extensively in fields as diverse as politics, news, business reporting, and in a variety of cross promotions. How often have you observed either a television program, a news report, or a multitude of other things discuss either their Twitter hashtags or asking you to Follow them on Facebook? While social media, if used proficiently, can be both effective and engaging, in many other cases it appears to be nearly antisocial in nature, because it often appears that someone is hiding behind social media, insisting on using it as their nearly exclusive method of communicating. While social media is an important part of an overall campaign, it loses much of its power when it stands alone. We need to examine this area by asking some basic questions: How is it used?; What is the user's attitude?; Is it used synergistically or attempting to be used alone; and, What other ways/ methods do you use to communicate?

1. Before embarking on a social media campaign, an individual, group, business or organization, must first decide and determine what their goals and what they wish to achieve are? Do they expect this campaign to make up for weak efforts in other areas, and to miraculously be the panacea that creates a turnaround? Or, do they approach it as another weapon in their armormentaria for enhancing their communicating, or getting their message (or a part of it) out to a certain potential segment of their audience, or as a link to their website, promote special offers, etc.?

2. What is their attitude? Do they believe in the social aspect of social media, or are they solely trying to sell something non - stop? Are they willing to truly interact with others, and utilize it properly as a potential important networking tool?

3. Social media works exponentially better when it is used synergistically as part of an overall media, marketing and communications forum. Those that flock to this arena because they see it as an inexpensive methodology, or. even worse, as an excuse to personally interact less, often end up disappointed in what they perceive as their results and the potential.

4. Finally, social media should be examined as a component of an overall program or plan. Examine and improve your efforts and other ways that you communicate your message.


Social media works best when it is, indeed, social and interactive. Far too often, the desired results are not approached because of either the way it's used, the attitude of the user, the overall plan and approach/ message, and the appeal of the message.