Don't forget that child like wonder and goals

Do you remember what it was like to be a child? Do you remember the dreams and goals? What happened to that child like wonder? Are you where you dreamed you would be? You would think that simply this time of year would bring that back out in us. This is the time of year that there is perhaps more child like activity going on than any other time of year. However, this year it took me watching a movie to rediscover that point. I also came to realize why I'm so frustrated in where my life is. Are you where you want to be in life? Yes, there are certain things we need to do in life just because they need to be done; however, there are choices we've made that have taken us down the road to the destination we find ourselves at right now. If you aren't where you would dream you would be, why not? Choices you have made. Have you ever woken up and wished you were where you are right now? If not, there is no one that can do anything about that except you. There are a few movies I watch that really inspire me and take me back to that childhood wonder. You need to find what it is for you. Perhaps it's movies, perhaps it's music, perhaps it's something else. Whatever it is for you, you need to find it. One of the films that really gets me back to that thinking is "8 Seconds". The movie is a true story based on the life of Lane Frost, a professional bull rider from the 80s that was killed in a tragic accident while bull riding. I guess perhaps this one really stirs me as I've always had the dream of spending my life raising cattle and even more important to me is allowing my children to grow up in that atmosphere.

During this holiday season, take time to THINK about your dreams. Perhaps you need to even brush them off a little bit. The important point is to think about - is what you are currently doing moving you toward that dream? If not, then you need to make a course correction. You may not fully achieve that dream, but it's important that you keep working toward that direction. Do you have a dream?

"Don't be afraid to go after what you want to do and what you want to be, but don't be afraid to be willing to pay the price." - Lane Frost



Another way to help stimulate your dream is through a vision board or video such as mine list above. Keep that dream alive.

7 Secrets of Social Media

There are a lot of "experts" out there on how to use social media to your business advantage. Perry Belcher has come on the scene lately and has some great information. What do you think?

MLM Systems?

The same "system" will not work for everyone. The reality is you need to find a system that works for you. IF a system is created correctly, it will take on a life of it's own. IF you have a good system, once you plug people into the system it will be a huge benefit to you and your people.

You can think what you want about Amway/Quixtar however that is where I got a true picture of what a system is. It doesn't really have anything to do with technology (although part of the system may be using technology tools to help accomplish the goal). The system is a benefit in that you bring people to the system and it helps you. I saw people in that environment that kept flying cross country and 12 months later weren't make a dime more. Some people view that as the "system" taking advantage of these people and taking their money. The reality is the personal gatherings were filling a need for these people. A need to be in personal contact with others of like mind. A need to have someone show an interest in their life and support what they are doing. My personal belief is as we head toward more and more technology and trying to connect through this technology, these in person meetings are going to be more and more valuable instead of less as some people think. I see it now with our younger generation. They sit home on Friday nights texting and messaging each other instead of out having personal contact. The reality is we need that personal contact and interaction from time to time even if we don't want to admit it.

There was a time (and still now to an extent) that much of the industry saw the old Amway "systems" as evil. However, these systems filled a need. Did people make money off of these systems? Yes. It's called find a need a fill it. I started off on a mission years ago and I continue that mission, to create a system that can create an atmosphere that I witnessed over in Amway/Quixtar, but instead of profiting from it, use it to catapult the income from the business side of things. I continue on that mission as I'm confident it can be achieved. There are some very special people in my life from that period that I continue to stay in touch with for pointers and helps. It can be accomplished.

Sales...what is it all about?

No one likes to be sold...but we all like to buy.

There is a difference. Think about the last automobile you bought. I'm sure you wanted to have your questions answered. However, my guess is you were tunred off if the salesperson tried to get you in a car you really didn't want. Service and caring about the person is important.

I'll relate a short story from my past...

I was a young kid in my late 20s looking at buying a new truck. I knew what I wanted and knew what it should cost. I also knew in order to get what I wanted it was going to have to be a special order and nothing off the lot. All I needed to do was go to a few different dealerships, give them my list and have them shoot me a price (including a trade-in value). I went to a few dealships and had wonderful experiences. However, the closest dealship I went to I walked in and they said someone would be with me shortly. After 30 minutes of waiting, I would have normally walked out, however at this point I turned it into a game to see how long it would take. Over an hour later, a sales person finally came over to me (I'm pretty sure he was pretty much low many on the totem pole) and asked if he could help me. His demeanor changed drastically when he found out I was looking at ordering a new vehicle. I went ahead and let him go through the pricing however there was no way I was going to buy a vehicle there. In fact, I drove my vehicles 30 minutes for service to avoid going back to that dealership for anything. Moral of the story...I don't necessarily like being sold to, but do like to be "taken care of" through good service.

There are plenty of people out there that are open to making money for moving a product. If you think back to the hay days of the door to door salesman, the word conjured up images of a hard working individual. (Take a look at some popular plays from the period...Death of a Salesman, Brighton Beach Memoires, etc) When you mention salesman now, people don't see the hard-working image. Instead they see the "pushy" salesman with the gaudy mis-matched clothing portrayed in movies etc in images of a used car salesman. The image has changed.

The internet has also changed that image. People are more interested in doing their own research on the internet, and then being an informed "shopper". This does not mean you turn your sales duties over to the internet. This is a mistake many people make. If you think you are just going to advertise your website and people are going to go there and buy your product, you are really kidding yourself. Websites are great for getting information out there, and great as a TOOL for those that are already sold to buy more, however, it still takes the human touch.