Leading Forward

When to RUN!

The first month of the new year is over, and it's time to check on your resolutions.  If you're one of the many who vowed to improve your fitness through a regimen of running but haven't made much progress, today's post can help you with that. 

How?  Our message today tells you exactly how to use the home business industry to know when to run.  So, lace up your shoes and get ready!

If someone asks you to turn over a list of everyone you know, RUN!

If you are advised not to share the details of your business because a CD or DVD can do a much better job, RUN!

If you are told to approach well-dressed strangers at Starbucks and ask if they "keep their options open", RUN!

If you are encouraged to leave your creativity at the door and "plug into a system that duplicates", RUN!

If you are informed that owning your own business is not fun but hard work and you must "commit" and "persevere", RUN!

If you are supposed to ask someone for their business card with the intent of ambushing them two days later with your opportunity, RUN!

If you are directed to use a three-way call or two-on-one meeting to convince prospects to join your business because you aren't successful enough, RUN!'

If someone tells you they'll build your business for you, RUN!

If anyone tells you that anything can happen overnight such as getting rich, losing weight, or growing hair, RUN!

Keep running until you find a group of people who share your vision of success through service, joy, and integrity. Don't settle for anything less.

Keep leading forward!

Deb and Brad 

 

More

Following up our last post, The Power of the Pen, with one more business building idea we learned by keeping a journal.  If you want more, you must do more.  Yes, there is a distinction between quality and quantity.  And yes, they are both essential.

Writing down your actions not only rewards you for your efforts, it describes your current level of success.  If you look back over several months and see the same amount of action taken, you can be assured that your level of success has also remained constant.

One fellow gym member saw me recording my efforts in my journal and remarked how he used to record his workouts too.  "But now," he explained, "I have it memorized."  His plan for success was to simply repeat the same workout over time. He was dedicated.   He was consistent.  And his body never changed.

My plan was simple...more.  Before beginning my workout, I would review the last time I trained that body part.  Then, I would devise a strategy of doing more.  If I was feeling strong, I would use more weight. If not, I used more reps.  Or I did more sets in a shorter period of time.  Or I performed more exercises.  Each MORE was emphasized with a star in my journal.  At the end of the workout, I could quickly add up the stars and know I was I making progress.

What will your business look like at the end of 2010, if each month you do a little more?  Instead of using your calendar to mark off the days, use it to mark up your progress.  Reach out to more customers - give yourself stars.  Reach out to more possibility thinkers - more stars. Reach out to more team members - more stars.  Read more books which inspire more ideas - more stars.  You get the idea.

Light up your calendar with stars of accomplishment, and your future will indeed be brighter.

Do more.  Shine more. and Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

The Power of the Pen

You already know that putting your dreams down on paper is the first step to turning them into goals.  You may not realize how recording your daily actions in writing can be the catalyst that turns those goals into reality.

When training seriously as a competitive bodybuilder and power lifter, I kept track of every repetition of every exercise I performed.  I recorded the nutritional value of all the food I ate every day.  My wall calendar was filled with stars representing successful actions.  This lesson in focus changed my body and my life. 

Even though I was the only one who ever saw my workout logs, diet journals, and wall calendar, the incentive to follow through was enormous.  There was no way I would skip that last set of incline presses even though I was exhausted; I'd have to write that down.  There was no way I'd choose a doughnut over a banana; I'd have to write that down.  There was no way I'd skip a workout; I couldn't write that star on the calendar.  And I would never disappoint myself like that.

Here's the action plan: Take that new 2010 calendar and put it to work for you.  Decide on one goal that requires daily action.  It could be keeping your work space organized, or booking new parties, or following up with potential partners - whatever action you need to take to move your business forward.  Now, simply record and reward yourself everyday with a visual reminder on your calendar.  You can add stickers, stars, or smiley faces...anything that demonstrates action taken.

You'll be amazed at how motivated you'll be to keep the streak of successful days going!

One more quick tip: Bigger is better.  Since your reward is visual, get a big calendar.  One very successful home business owner used masking tape to create a huge calendar covering one entire wall of his bedroom...impossible to ignore and thrilling to complete.

Keep focused on your goal.  Keep track of your daily action. And Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

Your 2020 Vision

Today is the first day of a new month, a new year, and a new decade.  What a perfect time to throw off the shackles of limited beliefs and begin living your life on purpose!  It is the ideal opportunity for us to THINK BIG! 

That's very inspiring and often intimidating.  After just a few short moments of basking in the glow of 'what could be', we can find ourselves depressed by what appears to be an insurmountable void between our dreams and our current realities.  We can imagine the destination, but the path seems long and unclear.

So what do we do?  We keep doing what we've done...and buy a lottery ticket on the way home.

If your life in 2010 seems remarkably similar to your life in 2000, it's time to adjust your focus.  You need a clear picture of the life you will create this decade.  Look ahead using your 2020 vision, get excited, and get going!

Here's the secret formula for becoming world-class:
 
Dream outrageously - Your plans should leave your friends slack-jawed & speechless.
Act courageously - Consistent small steps will create unstoppable momentum.
Share contagiously - Your attitude and actions will inspire us all.

You don't have to get healthy, or rich, or connected overnight - You just have to get healthier, and richer, and more connected everyday.  Take care of the days, and the year (and this decade) will take care of itself.

In just one day, you can get off the couch, take a walk, and choose a healthy meal.

In just one day, you can schedule a party, a meeting, or webinar to expand your business.

In just one day, you can reach out, forgive, and love someone else.

In just 3650 days we'll be celebrating another new decade.  You've got some big dreams.  You better get started.  Use your 2020 vision, and take care of today.

Keep leading forward!

Deb and Brad

What Do You Really Want?

Ask someone what they want for Christmas, and they can give you a detailed list ranked in order of preference and cross-reference with available retail locations and websites to make your purchase more convenient.

Ask someone what they really want in life, and you'll notice something interesting.  Most people respond to the question "What do you really want?" with a negative.  That is, instead of giving a straight-forward answer, they tell you what they don't want. 

You'll hear things like, "I don't want to stay in this job (town, relationship, etc.)

Or, "I'd like to never see another year like this one."

Or, "I don't want to be in debt anymore."

The reason these responses are so typical is quite simple.  People don't know what they want; they want what they know."

While they may be extremely dissatisfied with their current situation, they literally can't imagine what else they could do.  They are miserably content in their comfort zone.  As an entrepreneur, coach, or friend, your responsibility is to empower them with a broader vision of possibilities.

Teach others to rephrase their answer into positive specific desires ranked by priority and cross-referenced with necessary resources and websites.  Then, challenge them to take action on creating that brighter future.  Share your vision and support this holiday season, and your gift will brighten their lives forever.

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

A Day of Decision

Exactly three years ago, I made my last announcement as a school principal, locked the door to my office, and tearfully yet cheerfully hugged my co-workers goodbye.  As I drove out of the parking lot for the last time, I stopped by the sign wishing me good luck, then sped off for home eager to join my wife and two young kids as a full-time home business entrepreneur.

Many people who hear about our story believe that was the day that my life changed.  Not really.  While that was indeed a magical day, the truly life-changing moment occurred more than a year earlier.  It was the end of a typical day that led to an extraordinary moment. 

I had just arrived home after a late-night board meeting.  It was a hectic 15 hour work day, which meant that I hadn't hugged my children since the day before and wouldn't do so until the following evening.  After my wife shared her excitement over another successful day of working our home-based business, we crept down the hall to peek in on our slumbering kids.  As our gazes turned from the darkened rooms to each other, our hands and eyes locked, and we knew.  In that instant our future was set.

We decided right then and there to move beyond typical success to genuine significance and live a more remarkable life. 

As soon as you make that decision, not a wish or a goal, but a definite conviction, everything changes.  The sudden clarity of purpose is exhilarating!  You no longer wonder what the future holds; you know.  You create a sense of positive urgency that is reflected in every action you take.

Make the decision today to build a extraordinary tomorrow.

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

The Mirror of Success

Your character, it's been said, can be defined by the decisions you make and the actions you take when no one is looking.  Did you know your attitude can be created in much the same way?  It's time for you to start looking.

It seems obvious that our faces are great advertisers of our emotions.  What is less obvious, but even more important, is that the opposite is also true.  Your facial expressions can actually create your attitude! 

Research psychologists have determined that "The face is not a secondary billboard for our internal feelings.  It is an equal partner in the emotional process."*  That's great news!  That idea can shift us from being victims (reactive) of our feelings to being victors (proactive) of our attitudes. 

Sometimes we smile because we're happy, and sometimes we're happy because we smile.

Here's our challenge - First, invest in a small mirror you can set up at your desk.  Then, get in the habit of checking your expression while your working alone, talking on the phone, or even chatting face to face.  And smile.  It might seem silly at first, but then, silly is much better than sour. 

This simple yet powerful idea can dramatically change your business and your life.  Remember, your attitude can determine your actions, and your actions create your lifestyle.  Unleash your positive attitude today. Smile at your own reflection, then share it with everyone you meet.  You are the mirror of success.

 

Keep smiling, and Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

*from Malcolm Gladwell's fascinating book, Blink, citing the work of Paul Ekman, Wallace Freisen, & Robert Levenson

Perfect Timing

This year's baseball World Series brought us exciting plays, skillful management, and a couple of lessons on the importance of timing.

The true champions, the leaders, on both teams demonstrated great timing by elevating their performance to match the importance of the game.  From the regular season, through the playoffs, and the 6 games of The Series, the best players stepped up their level of play.  The best pitchers threw more strikes.  The power hitters came through in the clutch.  Just what we expect from these superstars.  The timing of performance.

The second lesson about timing didn't come to us from the level of play; it came from the uniforms of the Philadelphia Phillies.  In honor of their long-time broadcaster, Harry Kalas, who passed away last April, every member of the team wore a patch bearing his initials on their chest.  This man was obviously loved, admired, and respected, and we were moved by this tribute.  The idea was fantastic, but the timing could have been even better.  Imagine if someone had suggested honoring that remarkable man by wearing the patch last season as he announced every game.  The timing of appreciation.

Is there a decision you need to make or some action you need to take in order to move your life and business forward, but you're waiting for just the right time?  Is there someone on your team you appreciate, but you haven't found the time to let them know?  This might be perfect timing.

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad

Show Me The Fun!

Looking to attract more business builders to your direct sales team?  Have you invested a great deal of time and energy explaining the compensation plan and showing them the potential profits?  That's a common mistake you can begin correcting today.

Don't just show people how successful they can be; show them how to have fun.  When someone focuses on attaining a specific result such as learning a new skill, improving their health, or making more money, the results are often mediocre. 

Why? Because success is not simply the result of having specific goals.  Success is a side effect of having fun!

Talk to any highly successful person, and they'll tell you that they truly enjoy what they do  - not just the benefits, but the process.

If you want me to start exercising with you, don't just compare my abs to the swimsuit model; show me how much fun you're having at the gym.

If you want me to learn ballroom dancing, don't just show me Dancing With the Stars; show me all the fun you're having in the dance studio.

If you want me to go into buiness with you, don't just show me the money; show me the fun!

Here's a great little video clip that illustrates how people will choose to exert much more effort if you provide them with the opportunity to have fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

Keep having fun, and keep leading forward!

Deb and Brad

Get There Together!

This weekend, the best golfers from around the world will compete for The Presidents Cup. As with any major golf tournament, you can expect to see amazing shots, low scores, and intense competition. But, tune in over the next couple of days and you’ll also see something more…the incredible power of collaboration.

Golf is typically a solitary endeavor for these pros with each man competing in his own self interest. For the Presidents Cup, the players are competing as a team. And some really interesting things happen when would-be adversaries join forces together. Everyone’s game is elevated resulting in a greater sense of purpose, even lower scores, and many more smiles.

How can you implement this effective strategy of collaboration in your business? What would happen to your network marketing or direct sales business if you shifted your perspective to view your current rivals as potential partners? Amazing things can be created when you begin working with instead of against.

Imagine the synergistic possibilities you can unleash when you combine your energy and resources to educate your team members, market your products, and elevate our profession together!  Having a combination party or meeting improves your presentation skills, harnesses the vitality of teamwork, and expands everyone's business building network.

Stop trying to just get ahead. It’s much more fun to get there together!

Keep Leading Forward!

Deb and Brad