Thursday, October 29, 2009

Listening - An Abandoned Art

We spend between 50 and 80 percent of our waking life communicating. On average, half of that communication time is spent in listening. Listening should not be an inactive activity.

"Most people listen without hearing" Leonardo da Vinci

"We are interested in others when they are interested in us"
Publilius Syrus, Roman Poet

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Retire Your Bad Habits

There is an old truism that "if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting".

We all know how easy it is to get into a rut. Challenge yourself to retire an old, worn out, unproductive habit and replace it with an empowering, enriching, and rewarding one.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Identify Your Habits

"First we form habits, and then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you."
Rob Gilbert

Make an effort each day to identify which habits are propelling you forward and which ones are responsible for stalling your progress.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Let Truth Be Your Guide

There is no rushing the discovery of truth. No matter how hard we try, it always seems that we end up knowing what we need to know when we need to know it. Arriving at and developing an increased capacity for seeing the truth is what will keep us on our path.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

An Excerpt From The Tao

Serve the needs of others,
and all your own needs will be fulfilled.
Through selfless action, fulfillment is attained.

Monday, September 21, 2009

It's All About The Journey

Instant gratification is offered and promoted in abundance for most every aspect of our lives. Focusing on the journey can provide enrichment other wise missed with our haste to always” have it now.” Take a deep breath, pull back your blinders, and check out the scenic tour every once in a while.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Growth Through Change

There is no standing still. Either we move forward or backward. Life moves on whether we participate or not. Our habits, decisions, and actions determine which direction. If we change the way we look at things, the things we look at begin to change. Open your minds. Challenge the limitations that restrain understanding.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Three Treasures

There exists an abundance of wisdom, knowledge and creativity around us all. Take a moment each day, open your mind and embrace a new idea. Seek out one of the numerous resources, such as the TAO, that offers encouragement and direction. Use what speaks to you and discard the rest. Here is an example that is centuries old and continues in truth:

An excerpt from the Tao Te Ching

"I have three treasures, which I hold fast and watch closely.

The First is mercy.

The second is frugality.

The third is humility.

From mercy comes courage.
From frugality comes generosity.
From humility comes leadership."

Monday, August 31, 2009

Need Versus Want

Making a habit of determining need from want will allow you to realize your goals on an accelerated scale. We have all made decisions that without doubt, had no relationship to our current need. Given the opportunity, how many of us would now choose a different option? Exercise some self control and you may surprise yourself while learning what it really means to identify necessity and curb the urges to react impulsively. A little sacrifice now will bring great reward in the future.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Making Better Decisions

A foundational component of building better habits is developing an increased ability to make better decisions. Expand your thoughts and ask yourself, how this decision will affect for example: my personal life, my professional life, my health, my love life.

Just because I can afford the new car today, does not mean I should buy it. Will it support or hamper my long term goals? It may be a better decision to save for a few months and pay cash for a car that will not drain several hundred dollars or more away from my ability to retire with comfort, just as an example.

New opportunities and challenges will present as you explore the possible outcomes from your awaiting decisions.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Expand Your Thought Process

Developing better habits is part of expanding your thought process. Start asking yourself questions that begin with how, why, who or when. For example:

How can I get more customers?

Why do my customers chose me over any one else?

Who is responsible for the decisions that are made?

When will I stop following and start leading?

The more we question, the more we understand. The more we understand the more empowerment we gain. Knowledge is power, power that will bring enrichment to everyone in your life. Here is another question to think about. If I am not striving to be the best at what I am doing, why am I doing it? Expand your mind. Challenge your abilities. Imagine the possibilities.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Better Habits

Be a marketing machine.

1) Imagine the possibilities from adding 1 or 2 more deals a month. Fresh, Relevant and Consistent marketing will add profit to your business. Make the extra call or run that ad you have been thinking about. In all that you do, make it clear why you are the best choice. Be exceptional or be lost in the masses.

2). Be Fresh: Do not over play old, tired and recycled campaigns.

3). Be Relevant: Explain to your customer the facts and benefits of your services and why he or she should choose you.

4.) Be Consistent: Do not be a 2-time advertiser. 1st announcing Grand Opening. 2nd announcing Going Out of Business.