Regardless of whether it is in a relationship, a conversation or a business meeting, focusing is a skill that all entrepreneurs must have to be successful. This applies whether you run a face to face business or whether you are working online. This applies whether you are listening to your significant other or closing a big deal before the close of the day.
In fact, depending on your motivation level at this very moment, even as you are trying to read this, you may be starting to think of something else rather then reading these words before you. Focusing for the purpose of this article is defined as really putting your attention and your energy onto the task at hand.
Poor focus leads to difficulty in learning new things, getting side tracked from more important tasks and even to you not listening and therefore discounting the person speaking. Face it, the inability to focus means that you will be stuck in life and a complete victim to your poor habit self.
Focus can take on many forms depending on the task before us. It can simply be paying attention to the person speaking. This means you have to really listen. The problem with this is two fold. Either we are so busy formulating how we will overcome the first few words of the objection or response before us, or we will let our mind wander and not be listening at all. The problem with the first is that if you are communicating, you need to hear what the other person is wanting from you. In business, the first few words from a prospect or client’s mouth may not be the true concern or problem. If not focused, you might miss it and then when you respond, your prospects thoughts are more along the line of: “He just wants the sale.” Or “she doesn’t even really care what I am saying.”
Another form of focus is in reading information, problem solving or studying. It is so easy to let some small thought lead us down a path totally away from what we should be doing. Have you ever been reading and then realized you have no idea what that last paragraph or page really said? When studying, especially information we need but we may not be highly motivated to learn, it is easy to get side tracked. What can you do? Connect the reason you are studying information to your bigger goal. What will this information do for you? If it doesn’t contribute to the larger goal, why study or read it? If it is a problem that solving it, will not contribute to your larger picture, does it really matter? Connecting what you are doing to the bigger goal makes it easier to stay on track. This is one of the first things I learned when I opened Balanced Freedom.
To work on focus, practice the following steps:
1. When you first realize you are aware you have lot focus, take a deep breath. If reading or studying then back up to what you last recall. If you missed something a prospect said, you can ask them to rephrase the last thing you heard with a simple statement like. “I want to make sure I understand, did you say/mean …..?”
2. Summarize either what you read or what you heard and then focus and move on.
The more you practice this, the easier it will be to refocus quicker and to catch the fact you are not focusing sooner.
Some of the most important tools in business are the simplest in life that anyone can acquire. These include but are definitely not limited to: communication skills, goal setting, listening (really listening), focusing, resourcing, affirming and view switching.
The best part is, refining these skills can be practiced in all aspects of our life: Home, business, relationships and self-improvement. This is just one more step to finding that true happiness that a balanced life can bring to each and every one of us.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Life Skills Teacher, Cheryl Matthynssens, has just opened up her first blog. Located at http://thebalanceguide.blogspot.com/, Cheryl admits that she will be giving away knowledge that she is currently paid to share. "I am so excited about taking my knowledge onto the internet." Cheryl admitted that she made a committment as of yesterday to make sure that she is sharing something new from herself or another expert every day.
Already teaching dozens of people weekly, she is hoping that the simple skills of how balance can bring happiness to life will reach 1000's weekly. "One of the things I stress every day to those I work with is that without having balance in your life, happiness will remain out of reach." Cheryl shared that some of the things she teaches includes: the importance of health and nutrition to success, goal setting, basic life principles, the core skills to living, personal growth,and much more. New to the internet, Cheryl has also opened a website at thebalanceguide.com. Her resources for information, her favorite books, her financial suggestions and much more will be added to this site as she finds information she believes will help others fill the holes in their life that is keeping them from achieving health, wealth and happiness.
Already teaching dozens of people weekly, she is hoping that the simple skills of how balance can bring happiness to life will reach 1000's weekly. "One of the things I stress every day to those I work with is that without having balance in your life, happiness will remain out of reach." Cheryl shared that some of the things she teaches includes: the importance of health and nutrition to success, goal setting, basic life principles, the core skills to living, personal growth,and much more. New to the internet, Cheryl has also opened a website at thebalanceguide.com. Her resources for information, her favorite books, her financial suggestions and much more will be added to this site as she finds information she believes will help others fill the holes in their life that is keeping them from achieving health, wealth and happiness.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
How To Survive The Recession Without A Bailout
How To Survive The Recession Without A Bailout
February 23, 2009
Worried about the economy? Don’t hold you breathe for a bailout! I think it is fair to say that none of the Billions being handed out in this recent bailout are coming down Main St. So…
There are no easy ways to the top. Just ways for those who want it the most. As an entrepreneur, it is the survival of the fittest. If you are still an employee, learning how to think like an entrepreneur is the best way to rise above the masses. You need to be proactive, always picking up the slack, over producing, and never trying to get away with any shortcuts. A successful entrepreneur is the exact opposite of an entitlement minded employee. Also, realize that success is about the process and the journey—not the destination. You will never fully arrive at success. You will always be tormented with endless opportunities that are all around you. You’ll see possibilities that most people are blind to. This is a process however—there is no shortcut so you might as well stop looking for it. Success is always earned, never given. How badly do you want it? It’s entirely up to you. But you already knew that.
Get off your ass.
It’s easy—free your mind, and your ass will follow. ‘Busy’ness is not good business. It is a form of laziness. Most people approach their businesses and jobs as if they are simply a way to stay busy. A way to just “put in time.” Society also reinforces the notion that as long as you are busy, you are getting stuff done—and therefore doing a good job. It’s the lazy way to get nowhere. So—right now—get off your ass and figure out the top five things that you KNOW you can do to take your income to the next level. Regardless how difficult or challenging they may seem. Regardless of the fact that you would rather get a root canal than complete the task. In fact I would say that the more resistant you are to completing a task, the higher up on your list it should go. Do this every day and then work on each of the five until they are complete. You can’t be lazy and successful at the same time. Lazy entrepreneurs are the 90% who fail.
Learn how to follow-through.
Most people do the things they like to do as long as they like doing them. Hmmm—sound familiar? How many things have you started in your career or business that you have not followed through with? Now think about if you would have completed each of them. Okay, now add the top five things on your daily list for the last year. Where would your life be right now? How would your business look? Your income? Why are most employees willing to do more for their boss than they are for themselves? Why do we need someone yelling in our ear to keep us motivated? It’s very simple. As humans, once an ounce of disenchantment kicks in, we lose interest and we start to look for all kinds of supporting evidence to justify not following though. No one cares what you started; it’s what you finish that matters. Success is about accomplishment. Learn that disenchantment is a normal part of the human condition and learn how to deal with or you will become a statistic like 90%. Whether or not you allow disenchantment to control your follow-through is up to you and no one else. Stop being a victim and start following though.
Increase your value to society.
Some say that your income is simply a by-product of your passion applied to society. Or of how indispensable you are. Making coffee at Starbucks is a huge promotion from the corner store clerk. Managing that same Starbucks may seem like a promotion to the barista behind the counter, but it’s nothing compared to the guy paying for his $4 Frappachino and who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The ladder to the top is a long one but there are no ceilings. I have made multiple, multiple 7-figures in my short stint as an entrepreneur. But I have NEVER stopped the pursuit of my passions and increasing my value to society. Make your purpose about THIS, and not making money per se. Watch and see what happens when you put the focus on helping other people solve their problems. Which brings me to the next—and most important— point…
Competition vs. creation.
This one is especially important when companies are looking to cut costs and tighten their margins in a recession like this… When everybody is under the microscope it’s time to stand out. Be the solution generator, the fix-all glue, and ultimate problem solver. Make everyone and everything around you better at what they do. If you can do this, guess what—it makes you indispensable. Successful entrepreneurs create opportunities for themselves by being creative and over-delivering 100% of the time. They don’t rely on their ability to compete on other people’s turf. In fact, I don’t even believe in competition. Put your focus on creating solutions that solve other people’s problems. If you look at life through this lens, you will see nothing but opportunity all around you. This is something YOU create, not compete with. This is the wonderful torment I referred to earlier. Regardless of what happens, one thing stays constant: There will always be lots of people with lots of problems looking for entrepreneurs like myself—like us?—to solve them. Let’s get to work.
Don't be stingy, share with your friends!
By Jay Kubassek
This is one my mentors at:
Http://balancedfreedom.com
February 23, 2009
Worried about the economy? Don’t hold you breathe for a bailout! I think it is fair to say that none of the Billions being handed out in this recent bailout are coming down Main St. So…
There are no easy ways to the top. Just ways for those who want it the most. As an entrepreneur, it is the survival of the fittest. If you are still an employee, learning how to think like an entrepreneur is the best way to rise above the masses. You need to be proactive, always picking up the slack, over producing, and never trying to get away with any shortcuts. A successful entrepreneur is the exact opposite of an entitlement minded employee. Also, realize that success is about the process and the journey—not the destination. You will never fully arrive at success. You will always be tormented with endless opportunities that are all around you. You’ll see possibilities that most people are blind to. This is a process however—there is no shortcut so you might as well stop looking for it. Success is always earned, never given. How badly do you want it? It’s entirely up to you. But you already knew that.
Get off your ass.
It’s easy—free your mind, and your ass will follow. ‘Busy’ness is not good business. It is a form of laziness. Most people approach their businesses and jobs as if they are simply a way to stay busy. A way to just “put in time.” Society also reinforces the notion that as long as you are busy, you are getting stuff done—and therefore doing a good job. It’s the lazy way to get nowhere. So—right now—get off your ass and figure out the top five things that you KNOW you can do to take your income to the next level. Regardless how difficult or challenging they may seem. Regardless of the fact that you would rather get a root canal than complete the task. In fact I would say that the more resistant you are to completing a task, the higher up on your list it should go. Do this every day and then work on each of the five until they are complete. You can’t be lazy and successful at the same time. Lazy entrepreneurs are the 90% who fail.
Learn how to follow-through.
Most people do the things they like to do as long as they like doing them. Hmmm—sound familiar? How many things have you started in your career or business that you have not followed through with? Now think about if you would have completed each of them. Okay, now add the top five things on your daily list for the last year. Where would your life be right now? How would your business look? Your income? Why are most employees willing to do more for their boss than they are for themselves? Why do we need someone yelling in our ear to keep us motivated? It’s very simple. As humans, once an ounce of disenchantment kicks in, we lose interest and we start to look for all kinds of supporting evidence to justify not following though. No one cares what you started; it’s what you finish that matters. Success is about accomplishment. Learn that disenchantment is a normal part of the human condition and learn how to deal with or you will become a statistic like 90%. Whether or not you allow disenchantment to control your follow-through is up to you and no one else. Stop being a victim and start following though.
Increase your value to society.
Some say that your income is simply a by-product of your passion applied to society. Or of how indispensable you are. Making coffee at Starbucks is a huge promotion from the corner store clerk. Managing that same Starbucks may seem like a promotion to the barista behind the counter, but it’s nothing compared to the guy paying for his $4 Frappachino and who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The ladder to the top is a long one but there are no ceilings. I have made multiple, multiple 7-figures in my short stint as an entrepreneur. But I have NEVER stopped the pursuit of my passions and increasing my value to society. Make your purpose about THIS, and not making money per se. Watch and see what happens when you put the focus on helping other people solve their problems. Which brings me to the next—and most important— point…
Competition vs. creation.
This one is especially important when companies are looking to cut costs and tighten their margins in a recession like this… When everybody is under the microscope it’s time to stand out. Be the solution generator, the fix-all glue, and ultimate problem solver. Make everyone and everything around you better at what they do. If you can do this, guess what—it makes you indispensable. Successful entrepreneurs create opportunities for themselves by being creative and over-delivering 100% of the time. They don’t rely on their ability to compete on other people’s turf. In fact, I don’t even believe in competition. Put your focus on creating solutions that solve other people’s problems. If you look at life through this lens, you will see nothing but opportunity all around you. This is something YOU create, not compete with. This is the wonderful torment I referred to earlier. Regardless of what happens, one thing stays constant: There will always be lots of people with lots of problems looking for entrepreneurs like myself—like us?—to solve them. Let’s get to work.
Don't be stingy, share with your friends!
By Jay Kubassek
This is one my mentors at:
Http://balancedfreedom.com
Be Present- Whether Marketing, Business Ownership or Even Socially
Being Present... what does that mean? It means that whatever you are doing, be there. If you are in a business meeting but your mind is on your kids at the lake this next weekend, you are undercutting your potential. You may miss making some contribution that would benefit your team. You may miss some contribution that could make the difference in your earning potential and freedom.
On the reverse side, if you are at that lake with the family and your mind is on work or you are answering messages, you are missing the miracle of family. You may miss that first dive or that accomplishment of overcoming a fear or beating a sibling for the first time. Children and Grandchildren grow so fast. Every moment you are with them, but not present, you are missing the miracle of childhood. Live life with no regrets! If you look back and wish you had been home more, you can never make that up.
One of the hard things about a J.O.B (Just over broke) is that you do not have freedom. That means that you have to work harder to get that balance in your life that is so crucial to stress management and happiness.
Physically - Be Present when you eat. Take the time to actually taste your food. Enjoy it. This lowers stress, lowers how much you eat and makes meals something to look forward to. Have dinner with people you care about. Make your meals about socializing and not about how quick can I get to the TV or back to that report that is due on my desk. Take care of your body! It is the main vehicle that has to get you through the next 70+ years. Pay attention to how you feel. Get exercise, plenty of water and good nutrition.
Socially - Be Present in your organizations. It doesn't do you any good to join a business organization whether it is MLM or Direct Marketing if you stand on the fringes and watch what others are doing. Dive in there. If you are volunteering, don't wait for someone to ask, Dive in there. Be present and let others know what your strengths are. You never know what opportunity will arise because someone remembered you from a PTA meeting, a spiritual gathering or a business meeting.
Mentally - What ever you are doing, where ever you are, be there in mind and spirit. Listen, really listen, to what others are saying. People, including me, are often so busy thinking about what they want to say next, they are not really hearing what their prospect is saying. If you really listen, you will connect better with family, prospects and customers. They will feel validated and important. Karl A. Menninger once said, " Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand."
Spiritually - Many think religion when they hear this word. But while it can include religion, it is not limited to religion. It is about staying in touch with that all important "I". What are you doing to stay centered? Are you happy? If not, what do you need to change? Ask yourself as you look at this, will _________ matter six months from now? If not, let it go. Spend time with you and be present. Don't let your mind wander to business, family or even finances. Just spend a little time being present with the most important person in your life. YOU!
For me, being present is so important. As a Direct Marketer with my company, I need to stay in the moment when I am working. If my mind is on dinner, the fact that it is so hot outside and I want to go to the lake, I won't get the things done I need to do with the quality that will bring me what I want.
Being present is especially important to those who are in business for themselves. Businesses need your attention to stay productive. Learn how to Market your business is crucial. Paying attention to current trends, really listening and focusing on what is working now. If this is an area that is weak for you, you can get training. There are many places out there to get such education. If you don't have an idea where to start, try Balanced Freedom, my site. We have great training, easy to follow instructions and 30 day marketing plans for any budget, EVEN ZERO Budget.
So how do you stay present? Practice! You need to catch yourself when your mind is drifting and remind yourself why being where ever you are in that moment was important to you. If it isn't important to you, ask yourself a even more important question, why are you there?
On the reverse side, if you are at that lake with the family and your mind is on work or you are answering messages, you are missing the miracle of family. You may miss that first dive or that accomplishment of overcoming a fear or beating a sibling for the first time. Children and Grandchildren grow so fast. Every moment you are with them, but not present, you are missing the miracle of childhood. Live life with no regrets! If you look back and wish you had been home more, you can never make that up.
One of the hard things about a J.O.B (Just over broke) is that you do not have freedom. That means that you have to work harder to get that balance in your life that is so crucial to stress management and happiness.
Physically - Be Present when you eat. Take the time to actually taste your food. Enjoy it. This lowers stress, lowers how much you eat and makes meals something to look forward to. Have dinner with people you care about. Make your meals about socializing and not about how quick can I get to the TV or back to that report that is due on my desk. Take care of your body! It is the main vehicle that has to get you through the next 70+ years. Pay attention to how you feel. Get exercise, plenty of water and good nutrition.
Socially - Be Present in your organizations. It doesn't do you any good to join a business organization whether it is MLM or Direct Marketing if you stand on the fringes and watch what others are doing. Dive in there. If you are volunteering, don't wait for someone to ask, Dive in there. Be present and let others know what your strengths are. You never know what opportunity will arise because someone remembered you from a PTA meeting, a spiritual gathering or a business meeting.
Mentally - What ever you are doing, where ever you are, be there in mind and spirit. Listen, really listen, to what others are saying. People, including me, are often so busy thinking about what they want to say next, they are not really hearing what their prospect is saying. If you really listen, you will connect better with family, prospects and customers. They will feel validated and important. Karl A. Menninger once said, " Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand."
Spiritually - Many think religion when they hear this word. But while it can include religion, it is not limited to religion. It is about staying in touch with that all important "I". What are you doing to stay centered? Are you happy? If not, what do you need to change? Ask yourself as you look at this, will _________ matter six months from now? If not, let it go. Spend time with you and be present. Don't let your mind wander to business, family or even finances. Just spend a little time being present with the most important person in your life. YOU!
For me, being present is so important. As a Direct Marketer with my company, I need to stay in the moment when I am working. If my mind is on dinner, the fact that it is so hot outside and I want to go to the lake, I won't get the things done I need to do with the quality that will bring me what I want.
Being present is especially important to those who are in business for themselves. Businesses need your attention to stay productive. Learn how to Market your business is crucial. Paying attention to current trends, really listening and focusing on what is working now. If this is an area that is weak for you, you can get training. There are many places out there to get such education. If you don't have an idea where to start, try Balanced Freedom, my site. We have great training, easy to follow instructions and 30 day marketing plans for any budget, EVEN ZERO Budget.
So how do you stay present? Practice! You need to catch yourself when your mind is drifting and remind yourself why being where ever you are in that moment was important to you. If it isn't important to you, ask yourself a even more important question, why are you there?
Is the Recession a State of Mind?
It is interesting how that word, "Recession" strikes fear into the very heart of all Americans. But the truth is, the media drives our fear. We hear of this company and that company failing. We hear of layoffs and job losses. We might have even been one who was pink slipped and so it only adds to the reality that the world is crashing down around us.
Is it really? There is no doubt that there is truths to companies folding, people losing jobs and the rise of costs. However, when these things happen without the strength of the media behind them, we rarely take notice unless we are the one who's company folded or job is lost. So how much is reality and how much is state of mind?
My opinion? There is an old saying that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% on how you deal with it. If you lose a job and jump right back in like you normally would with an optimistic attitude. Chances are that you will soon have another job. If you sit home, bemoaning the fact that you are another check in the statistics of what the recession is doing you will not. Don't jump in without researching things. It isn't that money is not being made today during this current economic situation, it is that you need to look for where the opportunities are.
Let us look at the Great Depression. Some investors made a great deal of money during this period of time. How? They looked at what was undervalued, needed and knew to ride it out. Men such as Floyd Bostwick Odlum and John Maynard Keynes invested in such undervalued firms and were millionaires when the Depression finally ended. Despite the Depression, some companies leveraged their advertising and came out ahead of their competition. An example today is any industry around weight loss is still moving forward. Consultants for Companies such as Isagenix are diversifying into the chocolate industry cross marketing to not only the weight loss industry but the energy/focus products that have flooded the market. Again, a product line not suffering as greatly in the current markets. People can give up traveling but not their chocolate.
Get education. Companies such as Wealth Masters are teaching people how to eliminate debt even in today's markets. Such education should include how to maximize and increase your cash flow. You need to network with the positive people in the world and quit watching Continuous Negative News. You need to make sure you know how to market in today's rapidly changing market. The Internet has expanded how we do business to the whole world. But it is full of traps and pitfalls. Make sure you are getting what works and not just what people are selling you. That is why I opened Balanced Freedom. I wanted a company that taught me how to market. I wanted to know that I was getting the most for my advertising dollars. Since getting that education, there has been no looking back.
So is the Recession a State of Mind? No, it is real. Just look at the statistics, the closing businesses, the struggling Real Estate and the job losses. For the World, the recession is a real impacting event. However, the question is, will you let the 10% of what is going on, affect the 90% of you will do with it. Will you rise above when everyone else is bemoaning their fate. The answer... that is totally up to you!
Is it really? There is no doubt that there is truths to companies folding, people losing jobs and the rise of costs. However, when these things happen without the strength of the media behind them, we rarely take notice unless we are the one who's company folded or job is lost. So how much is reality and how much is state of mind?
My opinion? There is an old saying that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% on how you deal with it. If you lose a job and jump right back in like you normally would with an optimistic attitude. Chances are that you will soon have another job. If you sit home, bemoaning the fact that you are another check in the statistics of what the recession is doing you will not. Don't jump in without researching things. It isn't that money is not being made today during this current economic situation, it is that you need to look for where the opportunities are.
Let us look at the Great Depression. Some investors made a great deal of money during this period of time. How? They looked at what was undervalued, needed and knew to ride it out. Men such as Floyd Bostwick Odlum and John Maynard Keynes invested in such undervalued firms and were millionaires when the Depression finally ended. Despite the Depression, some companies leveraged their advertising and came out ahead of their competition. An example today is any industry around weight loss is still moving forward. Consultants for Companies such as Isagenix are diversifying into the chocolate industry cross marketing to not only the weight loss industry but the energy/focus products that have flooded the market. Again, a product line not suffering as greatly in the current markets. People can give up traveling but not their chocolate.
Get education. Companies such as Wealth Masters are teaching people how to eliminate debt even in today's markets. Such education should include how to maximize and increase your cash flow. You need to network with the positive people in the world and quit watching Continuous Negative News. You need to make sure you know how to market in today's rapidly changing market. The Internet has expanded how we do business to the whole world. But it is full of traps and pitfalls. Make sure you are getting what works and not just what people are selling you. That is why I opened Balanced Freedom. I wanted a company that taught me how to market. I wanted to know that I was getting the most for my advertising dollars. Since getting that education, there has been no looking back.
So is the Recession a State of Mind? No, it is real. Just look at the statistics, the closing businesses, the struggling Real Estate and the job losses. For the World, the recession is a real impacting event. However, the question is, will you let the 10% of what is going on, affect the 90% of you will do with it. Will you rise above when everyone else is bemoaning their fate. The answer... that is totally up to you!
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