I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted. Lots of changes happening and learning new things. But I’m getting back on track and hope to share thoughts, lessons, other sites and gurus that I believe are valuable. So check back and be sure to comment.
It’s an exciting year and I think those that are struggling to make their entrepreneurial dreams come to fruition are excited and ready to move forward. I’m right there with ya. So let’s get started!
I watched Breakthrough with Tony Robbins on fancast.com and once again was awed by the efforts of folks with greater challenges than I have at the moment.
Then I thought about the many business folks I know who go on about their lack of funds, money, time, education, other’s approval, blah blah blah. I started to wonder just what would happen if any one of us put 10% of the effort towards our business dreams that Frank and Kristen did in their challenge with Tony Robbins.
You know, you’ve heard it before… we all get the same 24 hours in a day – no more – no less. So what makes it work for some and not others. LUCK, you say! Hmmmm… Maybe.
But my experience with hundreds of small business folks is that the ‘lucky ones’ were ready! They knew where they were headed. They worked the plan. They learned or hired what they needed to accomplish their goals.
So the key? The key was knowing the “Opportunity” when it showed up. They weren’t so busy doing busyness…that they missed the business opportunity. THAT was their LUCK!
I encourage you to watch this show. Then think about the challenges in your life. Listen a moment to your self-talk. Then start the real challenge of changing your beliefs and challenging your preconceived notions.
Remember, YOU are really the pivotal point in your success. A plan, hard work, belief, willing to learn, willing to find people to help with those things you don’t know, know WHERE you want to go… and be ready when “Opportunity Knocks.”
That will be LUCK at your doorstep! Best to you!
We all work. Some are lucky and talented enough to do what they love. Others have learned to love what they do. Some folks – both! But no matter your position, there are marvelous things to learn from the following 3 books. Enjoy!
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Author Daniel H. Pink is not just talking about the creative, highly skilled employees either. He gives perfect examples of the same drives in basic service jobs. A lesson to us all to see with new eyes the people who work all around us.
Right along with this book is Rework
Let me quote just one small part:
We’ve all seen job ads that say “Five years of experience required.” That may give you a number, but it tells you nothing.
….it requiring some baseline… It makes sense to go after candidates with six months to a year of experience. It takes that long to internalize the idoms, learn how things work, understand the relevant tools, etc.
But after that, the curve flattens out. There’s surprisingly little difference between a candidate with six months of experience and one with six years. The real difference comes from the individual’s dedication, personality and intelligence.
The bold is mine! WOW! There’s a thought provoker. This is an awesome book and speaks to anyone looking for the best employees today and in the future. The beautiful part is in the end when they talk about Inspiration.
Inspiration is perishable… a magical thing, a productivity multiplier, a motivator. But it won’t wait for you. Inspiration is a now thing. If it grabs you, grab it right back and put it to work.
The third book I just completed is by Robert B. Cialdini:Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive
This easy to read little book has something for every business/entrepreneur. Take time to read it. You won’t be disappointed. You may be very surprised at the small things that can make a BIG difference! But here is an intriguing example:
… trimeth labs are more commonly known as coffee shops…. we doubt Howard Schultz (Starbucks Corp.) ever dreamed that the beverages he’d made available on every street corner and in every shopping mall could be a potential tool of influence and persuasion.
…Shortly after drinking the juice (spiked with caffeine) all the participants read a series of messages containing very good arguments advocating a certain position on a controversial issue. Those who had consumed the caffeinated beverages before reading these arguments were 35 percent more favorably disposed toward that position that were those who drank the unadulterated drink.
…the results showed that caffeine has little persuasive power reading messages containing weak arguments!
…Given a choice, then, you should make your presentations when people are most alert – shortly after they’ve had their morning coffee fix, and never right after lunch.
There you are- although it’s been nearly 2 months since I’ve posted, in that time I’ve enjoyed these books. Let me know if any of them inspire you!
In our busy world where it seems everyone is talking (and causes me to often wonder if ANYone is listening), the book titled: Listen
All of us who peruse the internet can learn from this book. The things we say on FB and Twitter and many other social sites should possibly be considered a tad more carefully. I leave that decision to each of you.
But the compelling novel, Listen
Each of us know situations that ring true to the novel. Whether our own experience or someone we love, we know that words can damage and hurt. Words are not without power. Quite often, the burden is carried silently while eroding one’s self-confidence.
Remember “the pen IS mightier than the sword.” There is a reason that reading has often been kept from various classes of peoples throughout history. Words – words are powerful. Within words are knowledge. But also within words are the ability to cripple.
Don’t get me wrong. I firmly believe in speaking up regarding our values, etc. But here we’re talking about the little things – the whispers, the side comments, the politician who thinks his microphone is turned off. These small uses of words quite often can create ever growing ripples of hurt, like throwing a stone into a calm pond and watching the ripple effect.
Why should it matter? Because it speaks to our integrity. Damaging, off the cuff comments can totally ruin our business as well as our personal image. We all know that the ugly and bad will whisk around the globe at cyberspeed compared to the good.
So, grab the book. Take a day to read Listen. I’d love to hear your comments, not only in direct reference to the book, but in reference to how connected your personal words are with your business image when it meets in cyberspace. What do you think?
Does your business image support your personal integrity? Should it? Can you have integrity while having two different codes of ethics – business and personal? As the world grows more connected, the line will grow thinner. Where do you stand?
Would love to hear from you.
Warmly,
In updating my local site, havre de grace – the meeting place, I was double checking links when I discovered a number of local businesses using sound on their websites and blogs. Now, I don’t really mind that at all. In fact a lot of it I truly enjoy!
But let me ask you this: Do you get annoyed when watching tv and the commercials come on blaring? Do you listen to your computer via headphones so that you’re not bothering anyone else in the family?
Well, then. Maybe all those folks creating sound that starts automatically upon bringing up a website might want to think again. It may seem innocuous. But, believe me, if I have headphones on (or it’s late in the evening), a jarring audio on a website will have me growling phrases that should not be repeated in public!
Plus, if there is lots to read – and I am one of those that loves to read, it is most annoying to hear the music repeat over and over and over ad nauseum. Interestingly, some sites don’t even have a way to quickly turn it off. You can’t even find the little audio skin with controls to turn it on or off.
It’s the same problem as those flash entry pages that say you can “CLICK HERE” if you want to move on to the actual site! Why wouldn’t I want to get to the actual site. That’s most likely what I searched for, maybe even directly typed in the URL. Yep, it’s all cute and flashy, but is it what your visitor wants?
Here are my suggestions if you want your site to be visitor-friendly:
Okay, there are always exceptions. But I can’t think of a reason to have sound come blaring on without being polite enough to ask my permission to listen. This means placing a comment, title frame, etc. on the skin that says “Listen here”
Think about the last time you were annoyed by a loud ad, or a change in the volume on the tv. Now ask yourself if you want that same reaction from the visitors to your website. Remember, it’s not cute if I just growled at you. And it often will cause a visitor to decide to not return.
If you place audio (or audio in your slideshow or video) on your site, be user-friendly. Invite them to turn on the audio. That way, if you’re leaving relevant information for your visitors, they’ll be more apt to return to listen to what you have to offer. Your concern for their comfort (and eardrums) will go a long way towards creating a positive relationship via your website and blog.
Success to you… warmly,