Saturday, May 29, 2010

When you think about Memorial Day, and all that it means...it brings to mind the REASON that so many men and women have given their lives for this great country: FREEDOM

Here in America we still have the opportunity to be FREE, and yet so many continue to live in BONDAGE! Bondage to debt...bondage to government burden...bondage to fear. YOU were meant to live for SO much more! And YES...you CAN live beyond the debt, the fear, and EVEN the burden of Government (you just have to run with the right herd of people to learn how).

A blog isn't near enough time to exhaust the deepest questions of life (although I've read a few who have attempted to do so...whew!), but remember this as we celebrate Memorial Day: FREEDOM is still on the radar of your life...if you're willing to fight for it. JOin the movement!

Here's to FREEDOM! For everyone, everywhere! God bless our world!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Join a Movement Before It's Over

So many people jump on the band wagon, when the band wagon has already moved on! Don't let that be you!!!

The truth be told..."Pre-Momentum," all though it's the place where the fewest folks jump aboard, is the place where the most money, most fun, most connections are had or made in any movement. Unfortunately, the majority of folks either choose not to get involved, or don't find out about a movement until somewhere towards the "stability" phase.

For instance: the iPhone is revolutionizing the way people communicate. Millions of people around the world have already jumped on board the iPhone movement, but many Americans will still find reasons to either not take advantage of new and improved communications out of fear, doubt or simple disinterest.

It's the same with income opportunities. A great opportunity comes along...folks hear about it...and turn it down because of fear, doubt, unbelief, disinterest...a whole multitude of reasons. Then, 5 or 6 years later, that opportunity becomes a house hold name, and the friend that told them about it is making $20,000 a month in residual income, and has already traveled the world.

Opportunity doesn't just pass you by...it moves on to the next person! How 'bout answering the next time it knocks!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Try Something New!

Blah...blah...blah! Does it ever feel like your weekends are going no where? Maybe you need something exciting and "Different" to do for your next vacation!?!? Here are some "not so typical" ideas that could add a little spark to your life. WARNING: expect to have fun!

1) How 'bout a 5 day Dino Dig? That's right...digging dinosaurs could be your solution for vacation woes, instead of the typical visit to extended family. Dig away for as low as $250 for a family of 4! Visit http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-digging-dinosaurs-sidwcmdev_053254.html for details.

2) Did you ever think, "I could make it in show business, if I just knew how..."? Well, here's your shot at stardom! Maine Workshops offer a wide variety of film workshops and mini-schools. Check them out for a list of upcoming offerings: http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/film

3) Ride 'em, Cowboy! (er...or, Cowgirl) Get a little crazy this summer, and join one of the few unstaged cattle drives left in America, where people just like you can participate. Get away to the Montana High Country this summer: http://www.montanacattledrive.com/

4) If extravagant is what you need...there's no more beautiful place in the entire world than Bora Bora! And should you be daring enough to venture that far away from home, know this: there is but only ONE place to stay if you are going to travel that far...The Nui! For the ultimate luxury vacation in the south pacific, visit: http://www1.hilton.com/fr/hi/hotel/PPTBNHI-Hilton-Bora-Bora-Nui-Resort-Spa/index.do

For best prices online, always compare rates against www.ffg.rovia.com
Enjoy!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Information Overload!

In these times of "Social Media" this, and Web 2.0 that, and email coming from bots and people you don't even know...it's enough to make you want to pull your hair out sometimes. Implementing a few tips could save you more than time; it could save your sanity!

1) Commit to checking email only 2 or 3 times a day, and remain consistent at checking it ONLY at those specific times. This will keep you focused on your daily task list instead of worrying about that inbox.

2) Apply point #1 to your social media as well. And while you're at it...discontinue all those time-wasting Facebook games like Mafia Wars and Farmville. They are time stealers that cause you to keep an extra browser window open continously, thus making you constantly available via IM to all your frineds. Trust me...you WILL survive!

3) Implement an auto-responder to your email that reads something like this: "Thanks for your email. In an attempt to be more efficient and to take back my life, I only check email at 9 a.m., Noon, and 4 p.m. Additionally, I only respond to email that is absolutely important. Thanks for your understanding!" Watch the "forwards" soon disappear.

4) Deal with every email the first time you see it. Delete EVERYTHING you possibly can that does not need to be opened. Read the pieces you feel are worthy, and then either file them away in a sub folder or delete. Finally, respond briefly and efficiently to those that demand your response. Soon and very soon, your circle of influence will get the picture: you are a busy professional that is taking back life!

5) Limit yourself to only 1 or 2 means by which people can contact you. There's not a rule that says you have to sign up for every new social media that comes along. Your family and closest friends have the access of choice! So keep the rest of the world at a safe distance.

Take time to think of other ways to solve the information overload crisis, and share it with the rest of us!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

In these times, the market place is a buzz of would-be-leaders (or junior leaders) trying to get "one up" on the competition. How can you set yourself apart from the rift-raft that is merely dressed up in a suit and tie or heels and lipstick? How can you emerge as the next bonafide leader in your company?

Here are some tips on how to move up from junior management to that next open promotion slot that everyone on your peer level will be jockeying for:

1) Become an encourager of your subordinates. Don't be the ego maniac that loves to call failures into your cubicle so you can give them the "what-for" every time they make a mistake. Instead, set yourself apart by encouraging your people beyond their mistakes.

2) Reward! When someone hits a goal or succeeds in some way, find out what kind of reward system speaks the greatest to their personality type, and reward accordingly. (ie: if it's someone who is motivated by fun, give them an extra 30 minutes lunch break so they can have some "free time.")

3) Lead by example! Nobody likes a lazy boss who gets off on driving the slave labor. If you want your team to be full of champion minded professionals, then STEP UP your own game. They will notice!

4) Don't get hung up on your own personal weaknesses. Leaders who do also get hung up on the weaknesses of others...sometimes without realizing that they have done so. Be good at what you are good at, and excel in those areas. Surround yourself with others who are good at the things you are not, and then encourage and reward them (Steps 1 and 2).

5) Love the game! If you want a team filled with excitement and committment, then YOU must exemplify that YOU love the game. Enthusiasm is contagious!

6) Make sacrifices for the team. Remember that YOU are the point person, and yet your team is only as strong as the weakest link. Ask yourself this question: "What are 3 sacrifices I can make as a leader that would help my team to have the greatest collective success?"

7) If you see something negative, say something postive. Most ego-centric leaders do exactly the opposite. If your personal growth is up to par, this shouldn't be difficult to achieve. If you find yourself having a hard time saying positive things in the midst of negativiy, then maybe you need a personal growth check??

8) You score on offense! So have a game plan that will allow your team to score together. Consider "team goals" in addition to "individual goals" for your people.

9) Defense is also important. A good defense consists of advanced planning. You need good time management, good people management, and good money management. All of this requires good planning. If you fail to plan, then plan to fail. But if you plan well, you will find that your team is almost always playing offense. And that's where you score points for the win!

10) Maintain an environment that is safe for your people to fail. When they do (and they will), enourage - reward - and lead! Then repeat! Remember...you also have weaknesses. Everyone needs to know that it's ok to fail; just fail forward.

Vince Lombardi said, "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing." Become a winning leader, and the whole team will succeed. And guess what? It won't go unnoticed.