Connecting the Dots...

Where do you want to go from here?

2011-01-17T05:53:00.001-07:00

...

Just over a week ago, my son Nick and I were returning from Mexico. As we sat on the plane, ready for take off, the pilot announced. "ladies and gentlemen there will be a slight delay, as our flight plan has not arrived yet." (Kind of important, right?)   So we waited for 2 hours until it finally arrived. Great, now we can take off. No, we now have to re-fuel.
I chuckled to myself and thought...."did we not plan this trip out already?......I think Edmonton was the plan, right???

Does this sound familiar?

Someone just acheived great success.......................they say to them themselves, I don't know where I want to go from here?

On the flip side, they may have experienced great pain and challenge.   They think, wow, I don't want that again, but I don't know where I want to go from here to avoid future pain.

Why is that exactly?

Well, I have a few thoughts...

If you are like most people, you don't set a course/plan with absolute intent.

Gee,.. I didn't know that I would end up HERE!   Where did you want to go in the first place? I don't know. Then you may have ended up where you were suppose to go.

Alice in Wonderland......
It's hard to believe that there was deep meaning in this classic novel, but one scene and series of quotes really hits home with this week's topic.

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.

Alice: I don't much care where.

The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.

The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

Does this resonate with you and your plans sometimes? How can you change that?

Like a great road trip......it is ok to tour sometimes, (you may use more fuel), but eventually you need to end up at a particular destination. (It could be where you started in the first place)

The reality in life is that time starts to play a factor.   If we do not establish some form of clarity in our life as to where we want to go from here, we will tour around and waste fuel. Not a big deal over a weekend, but if you make this a habit for a month, year, decade, it could be costly.

A few examples:

Starting out on a new career path, but you don't know if it is for you.   10 years later, you realize that it wasn't for you.

Working on some form of education to find out it wasn't what you really wanted to do.......oops I changed my mind.

Being in a relationship for many years and as you approach retirement, where you can spend more time together, you want to travel the world and your partner wants to relax at home.

Remember, ....you need to ask the question often. Where do I want to go from here? When other people are involved, and they usually are. (i.e. partners, kids, business associates, etc.) You need them to answer the same question.

A tip for this......................fast forward 5 years out.   What do you see your life looking like? Do you like what you see? What scares you most? Make some small corrections now to reset your course. Communicate with others, if necessary.

Plan and chart Life's journey! It does not need to be as precise as a flight plan from Cancun to Edmonton, but it must have some tangible details.

We don't want to end up like Alice, do we?

I look forward to connecting with you next Monday.

"Helping you to the next level"

Loss

2011-01-10T06:34:00.003-07:00

...

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!

Most of us can relate to the recent loss that the Canadian Junior Hockey team, and the entire country experienced when they were upset by the Russian team....Some say it was unexpected, yet the risk of loss in sports and life is always a real possibility. There is not absolute certainty with most things in our life.

I know that we have all suffered loss in our life. For some it may have been small and others life altering.
Whether, it is the loss of a loved one; a job opportunity; your favorite sports team; or loss of a meaningful relationship, it can be tough and very impactful.

It is never easy, is it?

How we respond to the loss becomes more critical and paramount.

We usually analyze how it happened and definitely why it happened.

The part of the program where we actually accept the loss for what is it, or was, is really key!

Most of us tend to dwell alot and it does not allow us the opportunity to step forward and move pass the loss.
I am not suggesting that this process happens over night.........it can take a very long time, depending on how significant the loss and the nature of the circumstance.

There are many people in my life experiencing some form of loss at this time and my heart goes out to them. They will all handle it differently, but over time it will get easier.

Dealing with Loss is much like grieving and there are many sources out there that suggest it is a process.

The most common include:

Denial- You are in disbelief........such as, this can't be happening to me. Not accepting or even acknowledging the loss.

Anger- Why did this happen to me?

Depression- You simply feel overwhelmed, frustrated and bitter.

Acceptance- You have to accept the loss, not just try to cope quietly. Realization that the loss actually happened. Finding the good that can come out of the pain of loss. (This is not easy, and usually time is the only remedy)

Get help and support from family, friends and professionals. You will survive. You will heal, even if you can't believe that now.

Best wishes for a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

Hey.......we get a do over!

2011-01-03T06:37:00.004-07:00

...

Hello from Mexico. (Riviera Maya)

Feliz Año Nuevo a mis amigos, familia y contactos de negocios.

(Happy New Year to my friends, family and business contacts!)....sounds sexier in Spanish, doesn't it???

It is really hard to believe that 2011 is upon us, but wow, we get to accomplish so many things in the year ahead.

Those of you who are golfers can relate to the term, "mulligan".
This occurs when you hit a bad shot in golf and you get to do the shot over, without penalty. (Usually done during a social round of golf, and not for pro's or competitive tournaments)

Well, here is the good news; we get to take another shot at a New Year.
Whether your past year was played in the rough or you were cruising straight down the middle of the fairway, called life's journey, (without challenge), you get to start with a clean slate in 2011.   What a cool concept....!

Continuing with the golf theme a little further. We all will be going with a shotgun start, which means we start this year's round all at the exact same time. Seems fair, doesn't it?
In addition, I highly recommend a "best ball" format. In fun golf tournaments this style of play is used to assist each team and balance out all players for speed of play and ideally makes the game as fair as possible.

If we apply this in our life, it simply means that we can have other people assist and support us throughout the year. A helpful idea!!   It makes the flow of the year go by more smoothly and we usually win more times than we lose, however we still need to take a few shots on our own too!

It is a great feeling when we all get to start at the exact same place as everyone else, and shape our year the way we want to. But the really great news, is knowing that other people on your team can assist you throughout the year.

I have many amazing things I plan on doing in 2011, and this seems like as good of year as any, but I know that I can't do it all on my own.

How about you? Are you up for a do over?
What's on the list?
Who's on your team?

It is common for all of us to get the winter blues in the next 30-45 days.
Here are some tips to get through it.

-Change or tweak a few habits.
-Register for a cooking class. (I will be)
-How about taking the dog for a walk every night before dinner?
(If you don't have a dog, walk the neighbour's dog, as he is not likely as motivated as you are)
-Take your sweetie for a movie.
-Re-connect with an old friend. (I did this in early December and it felt awesome)
-Read a great book. (well at least look at the pictures...LOL)
-Join a gym. (ok, perhaps hang with people who go to the gym) :)
-Go on a warm vacation.

If you want to make this year better than the past year and avoid going insane....think about the words of Albert Einstein. "Insanity: ....doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Click here for some creativity on how to get where you want to go.

As I see it......Life is a team sport....!   Surround yourself with great team mates.

I welcome your comments on this week's blog, in the section below.   Gracias!!

"Helping you to the next level"

Want vs. Need

2010-12-27T09:00:00.004-07:00

...

Good morning from Kamloops, BC.

So......did you get what you want for Christmas?

Was your list long and detailed?

What did you want exactly?

I do hope you got what you wanted for Christmas, but more importantly realize that what you need the most, was not likely under the Christmas tree.

I am finding that the older (and hopefully wiser) I get, my list gets shorter.

Why is that exactly? Well in most cases, the "things" we want, and usually get for Christmas and Birthday's etc. are not essential. Nice to have, nevertheless.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a great gift as much as anyone, and I did receive some amazing things this year.

The words Want and Need come up alot and are constantly interchanged. When we were young, we wanted everything, but we didn't necessarily need everything.

Definition of want..................and need

"Want" refers to what you absolutely have to have and "need" refers to something that you don't really lust for -- but you just need it. A need is a necessity.
....or A "want" refers to something that you would prefer to have, what you see as a good rather than a bad. A "need" refers to something that is absolutely necessary to your health (both physical and mental). You may not want to eat salt or take insulin (if you have diabetes), but they are necessary to your health.
Sources: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_define_wants_and_needs

As I ponder on my short Christmas list, I realized that I received some of what I wanted, but I am truly getting what I need as it relates to items off the list.

I thank my family, many amazing friends and my health for that.

In 2011, there are many things that I want, as my goal list is long and detailed, but I am focused on ensuring that I get what I need. I need to take care of myself, mentally, physically and emotional. How about you?
My need list isn't long, but it is definitely essential to my well-being. It is work-in-progress.
More importantly, I want to help others appreciate that what they need may not be purchased, but rather something that may be a touch away, or at least take only minutes to receive.

Have a great week with family and friends......you need it..!

"Helping you to the next level"

Reflection

2010-12-20T11:35:00.006-07:00

...

It is that time of year when I start to reflect on the past year.

For some, they write annual letters and send cards to family and friends, to share the events of the past year.

I was speaking with a Coaching client last week and they commented that they had many great things that happened to them in 2010, but they didn't write the details down.

There is real advantage of this for many reasons. You can reflect all all that you have accomplished, even if it is small and insignificant at the time.

Another aspect of reflection for me is what may have went wrong and how did I handle it?   In hindsight, were things as bad as I actually thought that they would be at the time?   In many cases, they were not as bad.

I too reflect on my actions....or lack of action.

The definition of reflection is:
Given to reflection or serious consideration; reflective; contemplative; as a reflecting mind.
Throwing back light, heat, etc., as a mirror or other surface.
Click for image:

Upon reflection for me:

I have many amazing people in my life, including family and wonderful friends.

It's ironic that I am today sending out my Blog post later than normal, largely due to the fact that I was away all weekend and just arrived home this morning.    I had an amazing experience that just happened to me less than 60 minutes ago. As I was driving I saw an elderly couple walking to their snow covered car, and as they walked straight down the road, I thought, "perhaps I have met these people for a reason" as they further delayed my morning schedule. As I looked in my rearview mirror, I looped back to their vehicle, as I discovered they were now stuck in a solid, snowed packed ridge of snow. I pulled over and started to assist, but realized it would take more than just me to make it happen. Within minutes there were 4 of us helping and strategizing to get them out (without shovels in hand). As we collaborated a moment we managed to push the couple out and they were on their way.   The truly amazing part of the story was when all four guys (including me) said "great job guys" and wished each other Merry Christmas and shook hands and went on our way.

As I drove away I reflected on the experience and thought, I am sure glad that the elderly couple delayed my morning schedule. Upon reflection, I was pleased with the man in my mirror.

I will end with a powerful message from the song "Man in the Mirror", by the late Michael Jackson.....

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place And Then Make A Change

When you look in the mirror and see your image reflecting back, are you happy with the reflection?

I welcome comments in the section below.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to those of you celebrating!

"Helping you to the next level"

I am glad I did! ... Do you wish you had?

2010-12-13T06:59:00.007-07:00

...

Life can offer many regrets.

The following line impacted me when I first heard it. (approx. 15 years ago)
At the end of my journey, I want to say..... "I am glad I did vs. I wish I had"

The premise here is that at the end of our lives we will reflect on the past. The visual in my case, when I first heard of this, was a Basket full of "I wish I had's."

What's in your basket?

For some, they may regret not furthering their education.
Others may regret not taking that exciting job offer.
We may wish that we spent more time playing with our kids.
Perhaps we wished that we built meaningful relationships.

I see this to be different from our "bucket list", as in many cases they are smaller things (significant nevertheless) that we can do, or decide not to do, yet can make all the difference.

Is there still time to ensure that the "I wish I had's stay out of your basket?

There are many examples of how I have applied the title of this Blog in my life.......how about you?

What are you glad that you did?

What do you wish you had done?

As for me....

I am glad that I called my Mom on a regular basis when she was living.
I am glad that I travelled to visit my Dad a few weeks before he passed away.
I am glad that I text my kids to keep in touch, so they know that I am there.
I am glad that I said hi, and met amazing people that impacted my life.
I am glad that I made a difference in some people's life.
I am glad that I read The Alchemist. (It allowed me to take risks and understand the miracle of life, by allowing the unexpected to happen.)
I am glad that I started my Blog that allows me the opportunity to stay connected with so many people.

The upcoming weekend will offer another opportunity to say "I am glad I did", when I travel 6 hours to visit a long time family friend to share in her 75th Birthday celebration. Darlene Neuman of Lethbridge, Alberta is like a Mom to me and I have known her for 20 years. I had other plans this weekend with Christmas parties, etc. My thought process was very simple. After I visit her, I know, with certainty that I will say, I am glad I did. Not going, was simply not an option!

The reverse of this is, if you didn't take action, what do you wish you had done?

We have an opportunity to decide if we want to live with regret, or be glad we made a decision to take action, regardless of the outcome.

At the end of the day, none of us want to say................."I wish I had......."

Here's the happy ending to this week's Blog. Create a list of I wish I had's and take action to be glad you did them before it's too late.

I welcome your comments in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

Goals vs. Resolutions

2010-12-06T00:04:00.011-07:00

...

Hello from sunny California! (back to chilly Edmonton tonight)

Tis the season to be planning! Fa la la la la la la la la.

With less than 30 days until the New Year, I thought I would give you a heads up.

It is statistically proven that less than 3 percent of New Years resolutions are acted upon and achieved.

Why exactly?

Well as I see it, many people make the common mistake. They start to reflect on the past year and realize that they want to make changes.......a good thing! But, they don't know what they want, why they want it, and how they can get it....

In my Coaching practice I talk about Goal Setting constantly......not just once per year. This can apply to anyone when it comes to achieving objectives in 2011. The key here is that a goal is not a resolution. (The definition of a resolution, "a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner") Think about it!   It is just a decision to do something..........it is only the first and very basic step.

In light of the fact that we have some time (less than 30 days, assuming you want to get started on January 1st) to articulate our Goals for 2011, here are a few tips for you. (Thanks to one of my mentors, Anthony Robbins)

What is your OUTCOME? (What do you want?.......it could be several things)
...some examples

-make more money
-lose weight
-write a book
-plan a dream vacation
-improve relationships with your kids
-open a flower shop
-complete an MBA

(TIP: be specific with Goals. eg....I want to lose 20 lbs by March 31st, 2011)

Some Goals can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time, but some take longer. Chunk out the goal so you show progress along the journey. Losing 20 lbs may take 90 days, or longer. If you break this down into 30 day time frames it is easier to show progress. You have to lose 5 lbs before you can lose 20 lbs.

What is your PURPOSE? (Why do you want it?....make this very compelling!)

For every Goal (Outcome) you need to write down why you want to accomplish it)

..example   I want to lose 20 lbs so I can fit into my new bathing suit for my spring vacation to Mexico. I want to lose 20 lbs so I can have more energy and vitality and be healthier overall.

In my words, I believe that "wimpy why's" getting wimpy results.

If your why is...."just because", you are less likely to achieve your goals and outcomes. Trust me on this!!!

The third and final step....
What ACTION will you take? How will you accomplish the goal(s)?

This is obviously a key step, but usually the following things happen. We know WHAT we want? (The goal/outcome) We may know WHY we want to accomplish the goal/outcome. We don't know HOW we are going to accomplish it, so we wimp out or stop believing we can do it. The second issue, is that we do not make the Action specific and measurable.

My son Nick has an awesome goal when he is 25 years old. (he is now 19)   He knows why he wants it too. His concern,"but I don't know how to do it" The exciting part for us (I say us, because I want him to achieve his goal as much as he does, and he will likely get some complimentary coaching through the years. LOL. It's what I do!)

Ok....Back to the 20 lbs weight loss goal.   I will go for a 30 min walk 4 times per week. I will stop eating snacks after 7pm. I will replace my soft drink habit with water, etc.

I highly recommend that you write all of the above on paper. Track it, measure it and share your goals with others. It is always helpful to have other people in your corner to support you.

Revisit your goals often. For some of you it may be weekly. For others it may be monthly. (this is at the minimum)

As I reflect on some of my past goals that were accomplished, I realized that I looked at the goals, the purpose and my action on a very regular basis. Top of mind can make all the difference. Back burner doesn't get the attention it needs.

Remember Dr. Stephen R. Covey's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"... Habit 2 "Begin with the end in mind"
What does it feel like and look like when you accomplish your goal? Put yourself in that place. It will help you get to where you plan on going.

As always, I welcome our comments in the section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

There is something about you......

2010-11-29T07:58:00.011-07:00

...

Hello from Los Angeles!

There really is something about you.......but I can't quite put my finger on it.

I had a comment recently from a new business contact. He told me that there was something about me, when he first met me......a certain aura. I was flattered by the comment. But what was it exactly?

With all the people that I interact with on a daily and weekly basis, I am more aware of how people show up. Are they happy? Full of energy? Do they make eye contact? Speak boldly, or softly?

How do you want to show up and be remembered?

Do you smile for no particular reason?
Why do you help others without being asked or expecting anything in return?
Can you just be you 24/7?
Are you a true friend who reaches for someones hand and touches their heart. (I thank my sister Sharon for this line)
How do you show up every day?

Well, the exciting news is that we can show others what we are about every day......but how?

The biblical saying, "do unto others as you would have others do unto you" is so relevant here.

When I meet someone without a smile and they appear withdrawn and sad, I try very hard to make a conscience choice to continue to be ME.....usually in a positive, energized frame of mind. I can only hope that the other person draws from my energy and changes their state. Perhaps in some small way, I made a difference in their day.

We have a choice to present ourselves in a certain way every time we show up. In some cases, we need to show up 50 times per day. Are you up for it?

I was speaking with a Coaching client recently and we made reference to a mutual business contact. I mentioned that we both knew this lady, who is a Business Professional. His response was, "she is a great lady, with real presence and energy". I would suggest that every person that comes in contact with her would have a very similar comment. There is indeed something about her! Regardless of our profession, we have an opportunity to impact people in a positive way.

I am grateful that I have contacts in many professions and backgrounds. The key part for me, it is all about who they are, not what they do.

They differentiate themselves by the way in which they show up, and for the most part it is very consistent.

I tend to gravitate to this type of person, because their (PVP) " personal value proposition" is of interest to me and I draw from their energy and attitude. It is less about the product or service they offer or what street they live on.

There IS something about you, but what do you want that to look like? Put your best foot forward and show your good side everyday!

“Learn and grow all you can; serve and befriend all you can; enrich and inspire all you can.” -William Arthur Ward

Have a great week.

As always, I welcome your comments on this weeks Blog, in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

Do you believe?

2010-11-22T06:09:00.014-07:00

...

This is a very broad topic for me, as I keep coming across people that have a lack of belief.....about many things. One of the most crucial things that I observe is that they have a general lack of belief in themselves.

Did they have a belief in themselves at one time?

I believe in many things...

Making a difference.
Loving others.
Working hard.
Trusting people.
That the Oilers will one day.................win more than they lose!
That being positive is better than being negative.
Myself.

So what actually drives our beliefs?

Is it because someone else has been there, done that?.....than we believe?
Do we have to see it to believe it?

What about the Law of Attraction?   Many people believe in this.....and many people don`t.
Do you believe that our ACTIONS will attract things in our life?  Both good and bad!

If we don`t understand something, we generally don`t believe in it. Too bad, really!

Sometimes you just have to believe.......things will get better.

The classic tune "Don`t Stop Believin”, by the band Journey, really speaks to this message.
.....mid way through the song it says...

"Some will win, Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'"

Here's my interpretation of the song.

Sometimes you will succeed and sometimes you will fail.   We all experience this in our life.
However, some people will complain about the failures and forget to acknowledge the successes in life. (the small wins)
As for the movie never ending, it is life's journey. It ain't over, til it's over, so enjoy the ride.
Regardless of what happens don't stop believing that you will win more times than you will fail. Hold onto that thought and never give up!

On a final note, I want to leave you with an inspiring message when you feel that you lack opportunity or hope.   Don`t Stop Believing!

"Drop a pebble and chase the ripples" -Arnold McLaughlin (mentor and dear friend)

I welcome your comments in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

How's your glass?

2010-11-15T06:42:00.003-07:00

...

Good morning from beautiful Victoria, BC.

Is your glass half full, or half empty???

Do you have people in your life that wake up every day with hope and optimism and they see the good in every single thing?....................Pretty awesome if you do!

When you are having a bad day, they are the people that you need to call when you are looking for a "raise the attitude adjustment."

There are of course the other people in our life that have the natural ability to suck the fun out of the day.
Tip......don't call them when you are having a good day.. I am just kidding actually!!
If you are full of mojo, you can possibly break their negative state....but don't coach them to do it....it has to come on its own accord. Just be there and don't get sucked in to the deep dark hole of gloom and doom.

I was at a large fundraising event with a friend of mine a month or so ago. There were many great and supportive people there. We were visiting with a few new contacts and one guy was commenting about his wine glass. I asked him, "is your glass half empty or half full?" Without hesitation he replied, "my glass is definitely half full." It was evident that he meant it and that his approach to life was consistent with this message based on other things that he said.   He made me smile and it felt great to be in the presence of someone that had that positive vibe. It made me want to be better!

Sometimes we ask people how they are doing and we may regret asking. They tell us about how crappy life is and how everyone in the world is screwing up their life.   Wow...............I am really glad I asked.....Not!

A long-time friend and mentor of mine, Peter Kossowan, shared his classic line with me many years ago.
Rather than saying, "have a good day," Peter always says, "make it a good day" Simple, yet really effective. If you think about it, you have more control over making it a good day than the other way around.

This was profound for me and one of many treasured words of wisdom that Peter has offered me over the years. Thank you Peter!   By the way.....he is indeed a "glass half full kind of guy."

Here is some food for thought. If you try to wake up each day and go about your routine with a "my glass is half full" kind of attitude, you may actually surprise yourself.

Examples.....

See the good in other people.
Observe the opportunity in a new business challenge.
How can you make today awesome?
Be grateful for what you have and not be envious of what you do not have.
Make every moment count, rather than waste it on negative thoughts.
What can you do to make a difference in someone else's life?

Half full, or half empty?
Click here for pic

As always, I welcome your feedback on my Blog!

"Helping you to the next level"

Decisions Decisions Decisions

2010-11-08T06:08:00.006-07:00

...

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward.” - Amelia Earhart

In life, we are faced with many decisions on a daily basis.

What shall I wear today?
Should I take the freeway or another route?
Will I be better off without that relationship?
What is my purpose in life?
Can I afford the next vacation?
Should I accept that new job?

While in most cases, making a decision can be easy for some, it can be extremely difficult for others!

What's even worse, many people fail to make a decision in the first place. In effect, they decide to NOT decide...

It has been said that in life, we have more regret for the things that we do not decide/act upon.

Here is some perspective to give you peace of mind when making critical decisions in your life.

Will it create a Win-Win situation, even though it may not seem like it now?
Will you be better off in the long run making the decision?
Can you avoid not making the decision?
Will you feel better after making the decision?

I am a fan of Andy Andrews and his "7 Decisions for Success"

His first Decision, "The Responsible Decision" (The Buck stops here) states that, "when faced with the opportunity to make a decision, I will make one. We have the ability to make a decision, and then make it right."

For Andy Andrew's full commentary, Click here:

Ultimately making a decision supersedes standing still and not making one.

I will end with a quote from one of my favorite books.

"Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision."
-Paulo Coelho, author, "The Alchemist"

I hope that you decide to have a terrific week!

As always, I welcome your feedback in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the Next Level"

Priceless!

2010-11-01T05:47:00.004-06:00

...

Defined as invaluable; having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth.

When I was younger I must admit that I did not get this definition right.
Of course, I was thinking that when something was priceless, it was worthless. Wow, was I wrong.

So, what are you worth?

What am I worth to you?....and what are you worth to me?

I was out at a hockey game (ok, the Oilers lost) recently with a friend (Greg) and he made a kind gesture to offer and pay for the ticket I gave him. I responded......how can you put a price on our friendship? He was quick to respond, "you can't, but there is a price on the ticket.....LOL.

My point here is that we all think about money, cost, revenue/income, or the value of something or someone everyday, but what about the things in our life that are truly priceless?

Michael Douglas is reportedly worth $200mil, but would he give all of that wealth back to be healthy and free from cancer? Absolutely!

Health is indeed a priceless commodity, just ask someone with poor or failing health!
Relationships are priceless, just ask someone who does not feel connected to someone.

Here's an action item for you.

Create a list of items in your life that you would define as priceless.

-Health
-Family
-Friends
-Time with someone you really care about
-Time by yourself
-Relationships
-My friendship.. (ok, that may retail for $89.99....but still good value...LOL)
-Other????

To end on an uplifting note, I always enjoy some humour to get a point across.
I love the MasterCard commercials, as they do a terrific job of articulating the Priceless message.

Here is a cute clip to get you started on your week.
Click here:

As always, I welcome your feedback on this week's Blog in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

Connection

2010-10-25T06:58:00.006-06:00

...

Connection, Connect, Connecting.

We keep hearing these words more and more it seems. It's even in my weekly Blog title.

Whether it is business or personal relationships, the buzz word is Connect, or Connection.

So why is it so important? What does it mean? How does it happen?

Connecting Is All About Others
"When you are trying to connect with people, it’s not about you — it’s about them. If you want to connect with others, you have to get over yourself. You have to change the focus from inward to outward, off of yourself and onto others." - John C. Maxwell (author, "Everyone Communicates, few Connect").

I had the good fortune of seeing a long-time friend of mine from Nova Scotia this past week, (Jim Casey).
We have not seen each other for four years, yet we chat and email from time to time and keep up on our lives. We both agreed that it only seemed like yesterday since we last were together. Every conversation was effortless and comfortable. Wow, what a concept!

We all experience this on occasion with certain people, but why does it happen with some and not others?
Well, I have a few theories, but will focus on one or two. Whether it is a business or personal relationship, we discover that there are certain people that meet, what I call, the "LRT" criteria. We LIKE them, we RESPECT them and we TRUST them, and that has stood the test of time.

I consider myself very lucky that I have many people in my life that meet these criteria. Of course, the criteria are earned over time, and I know that I too must earn this with the other person as well. That's why it works!

It is a simple guide that can go a long way in strengthening a relationship.

I actually use the "LRT criteria within my Coaching practice when I make reference to how we establish Centres of Influences in our professional and personal life. If you have earned the right to ask anyone for anything, you too must be Liked, Respected and Trusted. Here is what is really important. It does not matter if the individual is a CEO, a Doctor, or a Farmer.

If we take the time to Connect with the person, not the position or their status in the community or their wealth, we really have something that is special and long-lasting.

Always ensure that the Connection, or relationship can create a win-win and never keep track if you have won or lost more than the other person. Sometimes you may lean on them more and other times they may ask you for more. It's all good, if indeed a true connection is there.

I welcome your comments on this week's Blog in the section below.

"Helping you to the next Level"

I HAVE A DREAM................DO YOU?

2010-10-18T06:10:00.002-06:00

...

No, this is not a message from the late Martin Luther King, Jr. and his powerful message from 1963.

This topic has been on my brain for along time and there seems to be tons of dialogue with my friends and coaching clients in the past number of months about Dreams.

First of all, I do have a Dream....in fact, I have several. When asked, I share some of those dreams with friends and colleagues. Some responses include, wow that is awesome....or, my dreams aren't that good, or.. I don't really have one.....

Here's some very basic advice.......your dream can be as big or small as you want it to be, and it does not need to excite anyone else, except you!!!

When I get into this a little deeper, I find out some amazing and exciting things.......
What about my friend B.E. who dreams of opening a Flower Shop, or my friend S.D. who dreams of completing an MBA, or my friend, T.R. who dreams of being a billionaire (so bad too) ....or my friend P.L. who is living the dream?

While I have used this quote and video clip in one of my Blogs back in March 2010, I felt it worthy to dust it off for a quick review, once again.

This is from the Pursuit of Happyness movie, with Will Smith, and is my favourite quote and scene from the movie, as it says so much, with very few words.

"Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something…not even me. You got a dream….you gotta protect it. When people can’t do something themselves they wanna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something….go get it…period"

Click here for video link

For most of us, we seemed to stop dreaming when we became adults. Why? Perhaps, someone told us that we couldn't do something, or we didn't protect the dream.
As kids, we dreamed of becoming doctors, astronauts, riding horses, or playing in a rock band, and much more.

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” - Napoleon Hill

There have been many things that I have done in my life that many years ago would have been regarded as a wild dream, or crazy idea..........but today they have been realized. Sometimes, its as simple as taking a little action and instilling belief in yourself that you can indeed realize the dream.

p.s...I had a surreal moment as I was listening to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech on Youtube while I prepared this week's Blog. As I typed the words, "Pursuit of Happyness", within this Blog, he said the exact words (Pursuit of Happiness) as I typed them......I was kinda wowed by that coincidence..........That man indeed, had a Dream!!!

Have a great week.....you deserve it.

I welcome your comments on this weeks Blog in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

Thank you!

2010-10-12T05:47:00.008-06:00

...

With the Thanksgiving weekend behind us, I felt that it was appropriate to give thanks to the many people that are in my world. There are many!
I do not say that to impress you, but to impress upon you that we all have people in our life that care so much about our well-being.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. I am grateful that my family in Saskatchewan is on the home stretch of getting their harvest off.

As I reflect, I find it really amazing that when you take the time to truly be thankful and grateful for the people you have in your life, nothing else seems as stressful or concerning.

You simply realize that life is pretty good, even though, at times, it can give you grief and challenge.

Those special people that support you, listen to you and care about your well-being make all the difference. Who are those people in your world? Are you on someones list too? This is a reciprocal process, meaning you give to so many people too, and rest assured, they are grateful.

One of my favourite songs is called "Thank You" (Johnny Reid)

The first few lines are as follows:

"If I only had, two words left to say to you.
With my last breath I'd come face the truth to you.
You've never left my side, even when I fell behind.
Thank-you."

Thank you to the special people in my life that never left my side.

Have a great week and be thankful for the great people in your life.

Helping you to the next level.

Struggles

2010-10-04T05:39:00.009-06:00

...

In my profession as a Business Consultant and Sales Coach, I see and speak with many people who have struggles. Some struggles are personal, and some are professional issues, but the reality is that this is completely normal. It's called life!!

When the going gets tough, do you keep going? Many people do, and persevere, but many people just stop...or quit!

"If you're going through hell, keep going." -Winston Churchill

Life can throw us curve balls without notice, but we must teach ourselves, or seek support from others to learn how to get out of the rut, or funk. Be strong and put in the effort to step forward.

As I speak with more and more people in my journey called life, I realize that alot of people don't actually know where they want to end up. Their struggles may be related to job or career challenges. Perhaps they work hard and life is always hectic with their business and they see no end in sight. They may say, "why me?"

I really like the advice from Andy Andrews (7 Decisions for Success) .
He states, when someone asks, "why me, I will immediately counter with the answer, why not me? Challenges are gifts, an opportunity to learn. Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity I will not have a problem to deal with, I will have a choice to make. Adversity is preparation for greatness."
This is great advice, and I do know that it works.

In addition to the above suggestion, I really encourage you to think about the following advice as it has served me very well over the past few years as I encountered many struggles in my life.

Focus on what you want......NOT on what you don't want. This is very simple advice, but so many people don't follow this. Create the life that you want..................you deserve it!

Instead of saying, "I don't want to be unhappy, say "I want true happiness and will do what I need to do to find it"....(Two very different approaches)

I am a big fan of the work of Napoleon Hill. One of my favourites quotes from him is, "why is it that more people don't keep on, keeping on?" The meaning here is that, if we push ourselves just a little more or further, we may get through the challenge and reap the benefits of our efforts...!

Here is my way of illustrating the struggles of life and I will relate it to a baseball diamond. The goal in baseball is to get a hit (let's call that success) and advance around the bases (we will call this the journey of life) If you only get to 1st base and hit a challenge or struggle (you are out) you must start all over again. Getting to 1st base 10 times or 50 times is not the objective. Keep on keeping on, to advance your life!

When you get good at this, you realize that you will keep doing it, because as I see it, there is no other option worth considering!!!

Struggles will make you stronger........trust me on this one!!!

I would welcome your comments on this week's Blog, in the comment section below.

"Helping you to the next level"

Helping a stranger!

2010-09-27T00:00:00.006-06:00

...

This story may be a little out there for some of you.....................viewer discretion is advised!

Last week, I was working at my home office. It was a cool fall day, and I decided to step out on my deck.
As I could smell the crisp fall air, I noticed a beautiful butterfly folded on my deck.

Assuming it was no longer alive, I picked it up to admire the tremendous colors in his wings. As I did so, I realized that there was a glimmer of hope left in his very cold, and still life.

I decided to cradle him in my hands for a moment, in fact I went back inside and allowed the warm room to accelerate the somewhat optimistic recovery. A few moments past, virtually no time at all in my busy world, but something remarkable happened. He began to crawl on my hand and a few twitches were evident.

What could a few more minutes be worth to this little creature? Well, as fate would have it, those few moments were life changing. He started to respond to the warmth very quickly. I returned to the deck and held out my hand, offering support and encouragement to his healthy return. Moments later, his wings flapped with life and he went off. I took a moment to see him flutter away as he eventually landed on the warm grass, many yards away.

I must admit that this proved to be a surreal moment for me as I felt so powerful at that time, yet appreciated the fact that there was trust on his part. Sometimes being kind to a stranger is the greatest gift of all.

In life, we are presented with many opportunities to help others, but do we always take a few moments to make a difference? As you can appreciate, those few moments can be life changing for some and unforgettable for others.

Perhaps we can help a stranger in distress, or a friend that needs those few moments of our time! Ultimately, that may be life changing for us too!

"Helping you to the next level" (This has a new meaning for me this week)

I welcome your thoughts on my Blog in the comments section below.

Dam!!!

2010-09-20T05:57:00.011-06:00

...

Did you know that the Hoover Dam was constructed in the 1930's?

A dam's main purpose is to hold back the flow of water.

So, what's holding you back?

We all have dam's that get created in our life, to hold us back or to prevent us from doing something.

It may be because of fear, career, relationships, health, etc.

What if the dam broke free? In some cases this could be a great and powerful force. You could flow more freely in life and not have so much pressure...........that pressure could be Dam frustrating at times!!

Ask yourself, ...Am I ready to break free and let what's holding me back flow? or...Am I willing to be restricted from discovering what is behind the pressure and build up?

More often than not, you will feel much better and definitely more powerful when you allow it to break free. Believe me, I can attest to this, and it is indeed very liberating!

Not to be so Dam serious today, I wanted to end this week's Blog with a quick clip from the movie "Vegas Vacation" with Chevy Chase, that`s Dam funny.
Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6oxhLz9l5s

I welcome your comments in the comments section below.

Have a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

Slow down, you're going too fast...

2010-09-13T06:09:00.005-06:00

...

As the song from the 60's suggests. "Slow down you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last"
...by Simon and Garfunkel -59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

It opens with............

Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy.

It has been way too long since I kicked a cobble stone. Now that I think about, I have never kicked a cobble stone...LOL

Well, we may no longer use the word groovy, but what about, content, joyful, happy, grateful, accomplished, fulfilled?

As I reflect on the past summer and the many contacts that I speak and communicate with it is evident that we are moving faster and faster and don't feel "groovy" as often as we should. I can definitely attest to this from time to time.

Where are you going in such a hurry? Remember, life is about the journey not just the destination!

Much like what Jack said to Rose during a dramatic scene from the Titanic...
"You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count"
Are you making every moment count?

A very good friend of mine asked me recently, "Mike, do you take your own advice when you write your Blog?" The answer is yes. Remember, I am the first person to read the Blog and often refer back to past Blog's as a reminder to follow my own message. It is simple advice that we all need to be reminded of, from time to time.

Back to feelin groovy....
If we take a moment for ourselves and reflect on the journey and slowdown and not always go too fast, we may have alot more fun along the way.

Have a groovy week. Peace! (OK, a little too 60's perhaps)

"Helping you to the next level"

Surround yourself with good people!

2010-09-07T05:55:00.007-06:00

...

Corporations try to do it, as they always try to recruit the right people.

In our personal lives, it should be similar, or at least in theory.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
– Jim Rohn

Do they raise you up, or bring you down? Do they bring negative or positive energy?

As I see it, we don't always surround ourselves with the people that help us get better, or more positive. Why not? Are we even aware of it?

In my business, I work with a number of different businesses from time to time.

Over the past 5 months I have worked very closely with Terry R.   He is truly good people. While we have a strong working relationship, I know that I am a better person every time that we communicate and meet. He raises my game and makes me better. Thank you Terry!

I had the good fortune of spending the long weekend in Southern Saskatchewan with my family and enjoyed the harvest mode of farming for the first time in many years. Now that I am a city boy, I do not have the opportunity to do this very often.

During the trip I realized many things.   First of all, I have an amazing family. 3 awesome sisters and 2 great brothers. When I am in their company I know that I am surrounded by good people. They raise me up, and never bring me down. They always offer unconditional love and support and there seems to be no limit to this. Yes, I know that I am a very lucky man!

As we go through the ups and downs of life we need to think more about who we spend time with. Having said that, the people that associate with us can say the same. What do we bring to the table? Do we raise them up and bring positive energy more times than not? Think about it...!
The above statement about being the average of the 5 people that you spend time with, must also take us into account as well. Are we improving the average?

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher."
-Oprah Winfrey

Have a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

Change your state....!

2010-08-30T06:17:00.007-06:00

...

No, this is not a suggestion to move to the USA, but rather changing your personal state of mind....

It is common for many of us who get caught up and wound tight during stressful situations, to put ourselves in a bad or negative state.
I can dabble in that at times....................OK, maybe a little more than dabble....LOL.

Let's say you have being working your butt off, day in and out for weeks and you are burned out?
While you may not be able to stop working (you are self-employed or it is peak season, such as the situation for our farmers, who are in harvest mode at this time of year)
Or, your kid's back to school demands are causing some extra stress; or you are working on a big proposal for your company and the deadline is tomorrow?

I learned this concept from Anthony Robbins and it can really work.
Its called "incantations." That means changing your state of mind by saying positive things to yourself with feeling. Napoleon Hill called it "autosuggestion." This is one of the most basic principles for taking advantage of the awesome power of your mind and fulfilling your potential. Its simple, yet effective, such as: "I will be great soon", or "I will persist without exception."
It is up to you.....just make it positive and truly believe in what you are saying!

Here's another great, and very effective way to change your state.
Spend time with, or briefly chat with the most energized and positive person that you know.

I had a hectic and stressful week, but I made a very conscience effort to change my state of mind when I felt crappy.
A few examples for me. Went for a bike ride; worked out; called a great friend (Thanks Arnold!); enjoyed an amazing dinner with my good friends Harvey and Minnie; (who will be married 66 years this fall..!); had a beer with my friend Craig; had a very relaxing bbq with my other buddy Craig (and Spike); put some new music on my iPod; cooked a great dinner for my son Nick.
All of the above broke my routine and more quickly helped me out of the rut.
(WOW....I now realize that I had to change my state a few times this past week).

This might sound simple for some or radical for others, but both of the above tips do work............Really!

“Happiness is a state of mind; happiness means calmness of mind...”
-Unknown

Enjoy your week and if I happen to get a call from one of you, I will do my best to change your state....!

"Helping you to the next level"

RESPECT

2010-08-23T06:23:00.009-06:00

...

Good day everyone!

Many of us were taught to "respect our elders". Makes sense, right?
But, ...what about everyone else? The young lady that works at Tim Hortons, your neighbour, your kids, or past friends and relationships................and of course, yourself!

Respect has always been a guiding principle for me. I try to apply the teachings of Dr. Stephen Covey. Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood. It allows me to respect people for who they are.....in most cases!

Just because you don't see eye to eye with someone, or they make decisions that may impact you, take the time to respect that person's point of view. It takes a big person to respect someone for who they are, with their many great qualities and numerous flaws......
There are many people that I have a tremendous amount of respect for......all for different reasons.
For some, it is what they do, and for others it is for what they don't do....

Self Respect, can be equally difficult for many people. It is defined as, "The knowledge of one's own worth, valuing one's self". Are you comfortable in your own skin? Are you fine to just be you, and not anyone else? If so, good for you!!! This can come from confidence, or vice versa. Perhaps you receive validation from people that suggest you are great as you are.

I came across this quote and it really hit me!..............Ironically, a very special friend, who I have a tremendous amount of respect for, said almost the exact same thing to me a week ago.

“Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.” - Stacey Charter

As I see it, if you have ample Self Respect, it is easier to Respect others!

"Helping you to the next level"

Time out....!

2010-08-15T20:45:00.003-06:00

...

Good day everyone.

I want to take my own advice this week and take a time-out.

When we were young, I am sure that many of us were ordered a Time-out, or nap, by our parents.
Perhaps we misbehaved, or were acting like wimpy kiddy baby whiners!

The time-out didn't seem to serve any real purpose, or so we thought at the time.
Even though the time-out wasn't too long, from a lifetime perspective, it had a desired outcome.
Usually, we came back and decided to be nice, and were more mellow, and less whiny.

It's amazing what 20-30 minutes can do to a grouchy kid..!

As adults, we don't get summoned to a Time-out anymore, but sometimes we should.

It is so common in today's fast-paced and hectic world, that we don't take a time-out. (Not that we should go in a corner, but simply take a real time-out.) Some people are pros at this. It can be a stroll in your neighbourhood, or a short vacation. It can do many things for you....all of which are good.

My good friend Eden, said to me one time, "Mike, when the going gets tough, it's time for a vacation."
(Looking forward to the Harley ride in a few weeks Eden!)

I have the three R's for my time-out. (this is when I apply it to a short vacation, as is the case for me this week...Yahoo!)

The first R is of course Rest. When the stress levels and demands subside for a few days, you get to Rest, and actually feel rested. What a concept!

The second R stands for Relax. This may include not having any structure, focus, or agenda, other than to relax. Kind of a "don't worry, be happy" angle to life.

The third R is about Re-focus for me. This is after ample rest and relaxation. You now have a new perspective on the road ahead. It could be for the next month, or next year.....depends on how often you take vacations.

This quote, seemed to apply for this week's Blog.
“We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep.” -Earl Nightingale

I look forward to coming back in a week, rested, relaxed, and re-focused on the road ahead.

Have a great week everyone....................I definitely plan on!!!

"Helping you to the next level"

ENVY

2010-08-09T06:53:00.004-06:00

...

Good day everyone!!

Envy is a small word, but a big issue for many people.

As kids, we would say, "hey, no fair, Johnny got a bigger piece than me."

As adults, we think, "hey no fair, Johnny has a bigger house than I do."

Envy is defined as:

-feeling envious towards someone; admire enviously

-a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

-be envious of; set one's heart on

-spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)

There is no easy solution to Envy, but I have a few suggestions. If you see someone with something that you really want, why don't you figure out a way to go get it on your own. Of course, you will do this with integrity, determination and focus.

“Envy is the art of counting the other person's blessings instead of your own.” - Harold Coffin

Another option is to create a list of all the things that you have in your life today, and be thankful and full of gratitude for what you have.......and not be envious for the things that you do not have.

Is your glass half full?...........or half empty?

While I have 3 amazing sisters, my middle sister Elaine reminded me of this message last week when she emailed me a note: "Mike each day you wake up and think.....this is going to be a great day......because there are a few people in this big old world that Love Me."
This is one of those things that I am thankful for!

I know that many of you will have an awesome week, and others may envy you! .... Feel better?

Have a great and productive week!

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next level"

Life Lessons............from Wisdom!

2010-08-02T09:08:00.008-06:00

...

Good morning everyone!

This weeks Blog will be a little longer, but for good reason, as I have the privilege of sharing some wisdom from my 85 year old friend, Vernon.

Vernon has been a longtime family friend, former boss and mentor to me. I have known Vernon my entire life! He is 85 years young and I regard him as one of the brightest business minds that I know. We always enjoy meaningful discussion on the phone, or face to face, when we are together. I always find time in my schedule when travelling to Saskatchewan to see Vernon, because I always learn something. (I also apply my longtime guiding principle here as well. " I am glad I did...................vs. I wish I had.")

I asked Vernon recently, what he regarded as his Life Lessons in the past 85 years.

Here are some of Vernon's thoughts:

He said "Mike, you are like me..., your ears are eager to hear and learn".
I guess it is true, because I always can listen to absolutely anything Vernon has to say, regardless of topic.

When he was in his early teens and his parents would visit the neighbours on the farm, he would sit with the adults, vs. play with the kids his age, as he wanted to learn something. Vernon, said, "you should always learn as you go."

When he started his Farm Equipment Dealership in 1949 he earned solid customers and they trusted him and he in turn trusted them. They had confidence in him, as a businessman. (FYI.....Hibbard Equipment Ltd., is still in active operation today)

Vernon noted that "today, the world is changing so fast....you need to keep up!" Are you keeping up??

He's a man that always has a passion for learning and seeing the world and loves to travel.

Vernon stated, "nature is becoming more of my enjoyment.....it is great to see mother nature's work." That would explain his passion for farming.

He has a lot less focus on business today, and the fact that he can see his grand kids, and now great grand kids grow up, is very important to him, as well. "They are true enjoyment!" He noted that the difference with your kids and your grand kids is that you tell your kids to "slowdown" and now you get to watch the grand kids run!

As Vernon and I shared some deep dialogue about life a year or so ago, when he treated me to a steak dinner, while I was in Regina, he commented about the changes we experience in life. He said, "Mike, nothing lasts for ever.....we change, and people change and go in different directions......just accept it."

I asked Vernon what he would like to be remembered for? He laughed, and said, "I am not sure I should be remembered for anything, other than the fact that I am no different than anyone else. I looked after myself, and loved what I did in business and tried to enjoy life." I know for certain that he truly loved what he did from a business perspective. He said, "if I had to do it all over again.................I would."

I am grateful that Vernon took the time to share this wisdom with me, but I am truly honoured to have him as a dear friend and Life Mentor.

Enjoy your Alaskan cruise and Yukon tour coming up this week Vernon!

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next Level"

Past, Present and Future

2010-07-26T06:45:00.004-06:00

...

I am sure that all of us think about this on a regular basis.

We have heard the express that the "past is the past". This is a very compelling statement, however it is sometimes difficult for us to not reflect on the the past. In some cases, it is a good experience and sometimes it is a bit more painful to ponder on the past. It could be because of things we did,.....or didn't do.

An area that a lot of people seem to not focus on, is to live in the Present. I know this sounds crazy, but there seems to be more times that we are reflecting on past decisions or experiences and hoping for a new or different future, but in the meantime forget to be present and live today and make it the very best that it can be.

As a spin off from last weeks BLOG (Optimism, Pessimism, and Realism) I see the Optimist thinking about the future in a bright and beautiful way...................that is how I look at it, for the most part. The Pessimist is obviously anticipating a just so/so future.

"Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.” - Carlos Santana

We all have choices and can decide on how we will view or think about the future. It is an opportunity for change and growth....whatever that may look like. The expression, "hindsight is 20/20" simply reminds us that we have perfect sight of the past and it should be clear as to what we did well, or failed to do. The key here, is to take this knowledge and apply it in the present, and of course the future.

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next level"

Actions speak louder than words!

2010-07-19T06:11:00.004-06:00

...

Some may suggest that "talk is cheap", and for the most part this is true, if there is no action or intent behind the talk.

I regard myself as a man of action, yet I enjoy talking about all the things that I want to do and accomplish in my life.

Someone commented to me last week, that "I didn't need to keep saying what my intentions were, because my actions proved it." In this case, my positive actions were validated and they did indeed speak louder than words, not to mention the fact that it was great to hear this.

How many people do you know that talk about losing weight, or exercising more? I admire the intent, but if they don't start eating healthier and walking (vs. talking about it) very little progress, if any, will be made.

From a business perspective, I know many people who want to improve their career. Perhaps by getting a new job, or generating more revenue. All great ideas, but.....in so many cases that is all it becomes....."talk of an idea."

I came across this quote by Henry Ford many years ago, and it hits me every time that I read it, and reminds me to talk a little less, and act a whole lot more.

"You can`t build a reputation on what you`re going to do" - Henry Ford.

The obvious message here is that if you plan to be slim and trim, or rich and famous, go for it.....but you can't just leverage or hold onto the fact that you only talked about doing all of this.

Remember, to truly create your desired future you must execute on the ideas that will get you to where you want to go.....not just talk about it!! That is why I respect the people that can truly say that they have "been there, done that."

I PLAN on having a great and productive week.............Really!.........I am not just saying that....!

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the Next Level"

Optimism, Pessimism and Realism!

2010-07-12T05:50:00.004-06:00

...

Where do you put yourself?

I have dabbled in all three in my lifetime.

OPTIMISM
•the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
•a general disposition to expect the best in all things

PESSIMISM
•the feeling that things will turn out badly
•a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things

REALISM
•the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
•reality: the state of being actual or real

There are extremes to all three, in my opinion. Some Optimists live in LaLa land, whereby they are always dreaming that "all" things they hope and think about will come true. The reality is, that this rarely happens in actual fact.

Having said that, the Pessimist may paint nothing but gloom and doom and believes that many things just won't go their way! Ironically, if this occurs, they will have achieved their expectations, and if a favourable outcome arrives, they are pleasantly surprised.

I tend to lean more towards Optimism, than Pessimism, but have learned a great deal from Pessimism, in fact it has taught me to be more Realistic.

A very special person in my life often has this discussion with me, and as a result I have gained a new perspective from these discussions and the topic of Optimism, Pessimism and Realism. She is more pessimistic than I am, yet I truly respect the rationale behind her thoughts. It simply let's me look at life and certain situations from a different angle.....a good thing!

It has been said that pessimists have at least one big advantage over optimists: They take a more realistic view of things, including business situations." ("Learned Optimism", by optimism enthusiast, Martin Seligman,)

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." ~Gil Stern

I am Optimistic that many of you will have a great week, but the Reality is that some of you may not....LOL.

(I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!)

"Helping you to the next level"

Think BIG!

2010-07-05T08:18:00.002-06:00

...

It beats the alternative, doesn't it?

I have a great amount of respect for people who Think Big! You can't help but admire the vision and excitement that goes behind all of those BIG thoughts!

My nephew Brian, always thinks BIG! He has continually educated himself for 10 years, with an undergrad degree, Masters and now a CMA. He thinks so Big that he and wife Tracy had twins.......can't just go with one baby at a time Brian!

In life and business, I know many people who Think Big!. They want their cake and eat too. Is that so wrong.....?

Many of us grew up believing that it would be selfish if we wanted it all....!

I think very differently today. If you want it, go get it. But there is a catch......as you need to have a viable action plan and apply ongoing effort and perseverance. Many people fall off the "Think Big" train when it comes to the last part. Do you mean, you have to keep at it, if you want to achieve something Big? Yup!!!

Sometimes, we can be really lucky and it just happens, but in most cases, Thinking Big may involve patience as "IT" may not materialize for a year, or two, or.. five down the road.

I am a fan and admirer of the late Napoleon Hill's work. He makes reference to how so many people don't "keep on, keeping on".....and if they had, the BIG outcome would be just around the corner....but they quit too soon.

Anything is possible if you Think Big!...................but you may have to work for it.....!

"Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do." - Napoleon Hill

Have a BIG week everyone!

"Helping you to the next level"

Start with the worst first..!

2010-06-28T07:02:00.003-06:00

...

Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today?

It is human nature to put off the things that we do not want to do in the first place.

All of us have items or tasks that need to be completed, yet we continually procrastinate getting them done. There are many reasons for this. It may be a painful, boring, or costly task.

Experience tells us that if we get it done we will feel much better and more importantly we will be less distracted and more content when it is behind us.

Some simple advice for you when you are faced with a list of unpleasant tasks to deal with in your life.

Start with the worst first! If tomorrow morning you get up with the full intent of completing one of those painful tasks and not even think twice about making it happen, you will reap many benefits.

I know that I said it in a previous Blog..............JUST DO IT..

Sorry that my BLOG is a little short this week, but I have to go complete some unpleasant tasks that I have been putting off!!!

Have a great week!!!

"Helping you to the next level"

Persist........without exception!

2010-06-21T05:38:00.004-06:00

...

I was once told by a a former boss that I was patient, but persistent. When I first heard this, some 17 years ago, it took me awhile to truly understand what that meant.

There are many people out there that are simply patient. They are willing to wait and wait for things to happen in their life......not all bad.!....or is it?

When a farmer plants a crop, they patiently wait for the fruits of their labour. In this case, patience is a good thing, simply because the farmer took action in the first place. It is very possible that over the years the outcome was not always desirable, perhaps some poor crops........but the farmer continued to seed year over year. He persisted, without exception, even though many times, he thought about giving up.

Winston Churchill, was quoted as saying, "If you're going through hell, keep going."

In life, we are thrown many curve balls and challenges, but if we continue to persist without exception, we can overcome the challenges. This is not always easy to do, but you need to be strong!

I learned valuable insight from Andy Andrews. (7 Decisions for Success). He comments about the persistence of a child.
"How long must a child try to walk before he actually does so? Do I not have more strength than a child? More understanding? More desire? How long must I work to succeed before I actually do so? A child would never ask the question, for the answer does not matter. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured. I will persist without exception. I focus on results."

On a final note for you to ponder, I share some insight from Eckhart Tolle, from his book, The Power of Now. "Do not be concerned with the fruit of your action just give attention to the action itself. The fruit will come of its own accord."

I thank my colleague and friend Terry R. for reminding me of this very important message!!!

Have a great week everyone!

"Helping you to the next level"

Your Bucket List!

2010-06-13T09:27:00.011-06:00

...

What is in your Bucket List?

-Owning Real Estate
-World Travel (back to Maui for me)
-Financial abundance
-Find an amazing relationship
-Luxury Car
-Own a Harley
-Help your kids financially
-Make a difference in your community
-Create multiple streams of income
-Perform Stand-up comedy
-Run a marathon
-Healthy lifestyle

We all have the list, but we often don't physically write down the list. Why?

Kids do it with their Santa list. They write down everything that they want.......it is usually a really long list. As adults, we assume or realize that we cannot have everything we want, so we stop dreaming and wishing that it can happen to us. Kind of sad, isn't??

In the 2007 movie, "The Bucket List", (with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson), the two characters meet each other in a hospital room as they are both fighting a terminal illness. As they build a close relationship, they decide to create a list of the things that they want to do before they die. Their, "kick the bucket list"

It is a great movie, as they travel to amazing places and learn a tremendous amount from each other, yet discover what LIFE is truly about. They make positive changes in their life near the end, and reconnect with people that are in their life.

So, why is it that most people think about their Bucket List when their life is near the end?

There was a quote I heard approx. 20 years ago, (Dick Lohr) which stated, "We should live our life on purpose, not by accident." This quote has always stuck with me for all these years.

If we create our Bucket List today and attempt to accomplish each item on the list, with a lifetime ahead of us, would we not have greater odds at achieving the list, and truly "Live Life", than if we waited until it was too late?

What's in your Bucket List? Start building it today!....and realizing the joy of achieving the outcome of the list while you are alive and well.............!

Make it a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

Never Assume!!

2010-06-08T06:40:00.004-06:00

...

How many times have you jumped to conclusions or made certain assumptions and were totally wrong?

You know the old saying................"Never ASSUME, because it can make an ASS of U and ME."

This is an area that I constantly strive to improve upon, however I still catch myself making assumptions.

The good news is that I am right sometimes......The BAD news is that I am wrong more times.

When we were young, we were taught to count to 10 before getting mad and saying something that we may regret. In our adult life, this is still applicable and it works well when you ASSUME things. The key difference is that you should likely count for 48 hours....or more in some cases!!!

I failed to follow my own advice recently and jumped to an assumption, that was totally wrong.

As it turned out I made an ASS of me, and not of the other person. The great ending to the story is that I have truly learned from the experience and more importantly, the other person offered something that TRUMPS any assumption................Forgiveness and understanding that provided a very favorable outcome for both of us!

A quote to ponder.....
“Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else.”
-Ivern Ball

On a final note, you can assume that I will be updating my BLOG again next week, but don't ASSUME it will be amazing and life changing....LOL...!

Have a great week.

"Helping you to the next level"......and me too!

Get very good at what you love to do!

2010-05-30T07:38:00.004-06:00

...

Good morning everyone.

“Get very good at what you love to do, because you can never get good enough at something that you are not suited for” -Dr. Robert Anthony

I was introduced to this quote in 1993. You may ask, why would I remember that? It was a point in my career where I was making a strategic move within the company and I started on my journey as a sales coach.

At that time, I realized that I truly enjoyed coaching others to enhance their performance. As I quickly learned, I had the passion for the role, but I definitely needed to improve and get better.

In life, there are so many things that we like to do, or even "love" to do.

My friend Al always had a love for boats and water and he decided to get very good in this industry, and today Al is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker in Sidney, BC.

Another close friend, Eden, is passionate about Martial Arts and a major part of his life since the early 70's has been the Martial Arts. He is the founder and most senior instructor for the Edmonton Goju-Kai Karate Club. He decided to get very good at what he loves to do.

I know many people who are caught in a career that they are not suited for, yet they keep showing up every day. They lack joy, success and feel helpless at times and definitely not fulfilled!

This topic has always resonated with me, because it should excite us that we get to do what we love.

Whether it is a dream career, fitness regime, cooking great gourmet meals or being very good as a parent, we do have a choice to make.

What do you love to do?

Ski, bike, run, cook, write, coach, public speaking, painting, help others, construct buildings, stand-up comedy, farm, sing, being an entrepreneur, accounting, or selling real estate?

“Get very good at what you love to do, because you can never get good enough at something that you are not suited for” -Dr. Robert Anthony

The message is simple...............you have to try many things in life to discover what you love to do, but when you do.............get very good at it, because you will enjoy it so much more.

Have a great week!!!

"Helping you to the next level"

If today was your last day!!

2010-05-23T08:15:00.004-06:00

...

I hope that you enjoyed the long weekend!

I realize that this may be a deep topic, but it is ok to think about how we may act differently knowing that today could be our last day.

It is ironic that we may conduct ourselves in a totally different way. Why is that?
Is it because we felt that we are running out of time to accomplish all of our goals and dreams?

Perhaps, we have guilt or regret and we want to wash it away?

...or maybe, we were greedy and now we need to make a difference and give back?

All of these are good reasons to make amends.

I am a big fan of the rock band, "Nickelback"

They have a song called, "If today was your last day."

It starts off with.....................

My best friend gave me the best advice. He said each day's a gift and not a given right.
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

I really like this advice. Do we cherish and make the most of each day, regardless of what is happening in our life? Not so easy, sometimes, but it may make you think about making some adjustment.

Another verse that really resonates with me is the following:

Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?

Too often we get too busy and we do not stop and offer our dime, or our time. The latter is much more valuable in most cases.

Now this next verse is a lesson in itself.....

Every second counts 'cause there's no second try. So live like you're never living twice.
Don't take the free ride in your own life.

I know many people that are taking a free ride, simply because they did not pay the driver to take them where they want to go. As I see it, we are the "drivers" of our own life. Do we know where we are going? Maybe we need to check out the map and plan a course that will get us to where we want to go.

On a motivational note, this finally verse, can motivate all of us...

You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars, regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes, cause you can't rewind a moment in this life.

Are we at a stage in our life where we think that there is no point to shoot for the stars any longer? Hopefully not.......we are never too old to shoot for more in life. (Remember my friend Harvey, who became an actor at 65......?)

Many years ago, I heard a statement, while I was attending a Time Management course.
It basically encouraged all of us to live life on purpose, not by accident. Be deliberate in what we do. Be glad you did, vs. you wish you had!

As you finish reading my Blog for this week, I do hope that it does not make you feel bad, but rather makes you see the opportunity to live life to your full potential......whatever that may look like.

"Helping you to the next level"

The Buck stops here!!!

2010-05-16T20:51:00.005-06:00

...

Time for a reality check!

You are exactly where you are at this point in your life because of decisions that you made in the past.
This is a harsh statement for some.......but it is true!

Think about it. All of the decisions that you made in the past, (Both good and bad) put you where you are today. Did you invest wisely? Did you eat well and exercise everyday? Did you conduct yourself in a highly professional manner? Did you burn a bridge, or two?

We have all heard of the statement, "The Bucks stops here", yet it may mean something different for each one of us.

I was impacted by this statement approximately 3 years ago when I listened to an audio CD by Andy Andrews. http://www.andyandrews.com/ "Seven decisions for success"

Here is the actually excerpt for his message................

"From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.
Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss, or employees for my present situation. Neither my education or lack of one, my genetics, or the circumstantial ebb and flow of everyday life will affect my future in a negative way. If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught in a web of the past. I will look forward. I will not let my history control my destiny.

The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I am where I am today—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially—because of decisions I have made. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. Therefore, I am where I am today—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially—because of how I think. Today I will begin the process of changing where I am—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially—by changing the way I think.

My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive. My mind will live in the solutions of the future. It will not dwell in the problems of the past. I will seek the association of those who are working and striving to bring about positive changes in the world. I will never seek comfort by associating with those who have decided to be comfortable.

When faced with the opportunity to make a decision, I will make one. I understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make right decisions. He did, however, put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right. The rise and fall of my emotional tide will not deter me from my course. When I make a decision, I will stand behind it. My energy will go into making the decision.

I will waste none on second thoughts. My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement.

The buck stops here. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions.
In the future, when I am tempted to ask the question “Why me?”, I will immediately counter with the answer: “Why not me?” Challenges are a gift, an opportunity to learn. Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity, I will not have a problem to deal with, I will have a choice to make. My thoughts will be clear. I will make the right choice. Adversity is preparation for greatness. I will accept the preparation. Why me?
Why not me? I will be prepared for something great!

I accept responsibility for my past. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. I am responsible for my success. The Buck stops here!!!"

When I first heard this it shocked me somewhat, but after hearing it again and again it started to sink in.

The good news for all of us is that the actions we take today, will impact where we are tomorrow. So, we can influence our future in a good or bad way. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Draw a line in the sand today, so-to-speak and change the course of your life that is NOT heading where you want it to go. While you may not hit the perfect destination, (a tropical beach of paradise) you can ensure that you do not end up on the rocks.....!

Have a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

OPA!

2010-05-10T08:56:00.001-06:00

...

No....I am not inviting you to a Greek restaurant............not that I wouldn't.
My friend and "Greek God", Dr. Mike Hatzinikolas would recommend this restaurant, I am sure.

OPA means something very different for me.

I learned about OPA approximately 7 years ago. It was created by Tony Robbins. http://www.tonyrobbins.com/
I have been a student of Tony and had the pleasure of meeting him in 2007.

While, I have gained valuable insight from him, OPA has been the most impactful and valuable for me.

So....what is OPA?

Outcome:     What do you want to accomplish?

Purpose:      Why do you want to accomplish it?

Action:         How will you get it?

As Tony suggests when you set out to get something that you really want, you need to follow the above principles. In all cases, the WHY must be the most compelling! Think about it. When you last set you mind to achieve a particular gold or objective, if the WHY was significant enough you dropped off the goal, or lost interest.

Take any example..............losing 20 lbs.   This is your desired outcome. What do you want to accomplish? Lose 20lbs.

Why do you want to lose 20lbs? Perhaps it is to feel better, with more energy. Trim some weight before your son's wedding. Prepare for a half marathon.   Whatever the WHY, make it compelling and motivating!

Action.......How will you accomplish this goal or objective? Eat a balanced diet, walk 30 mins every morning. Bike 3 times per week. Be specific with your action and stick to the plan. The key here is to ensure that you are getting desired outcomes from your actions!! If not, tweak your action plan. If you know WHY you want it bad enough, you will always figure how to get what you want....but don't give up!

You can apply the OPA model to all aspects of your life. Try it......it works for me.

Many of you have heard this before, but here is a thought to ponder.

How long would you give the average baby to learn how to walk before you didn't let him try anymore?    You need to apply the same formula for your OPA!

Have a great week!!!

"Helping you to the next level"

I FEEL GOOD!!!

2010-05-03T06:47:00.004-06:00

...

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now.

I feel good, I knew that I would, now. So good, so good...

For all of my older blogger friends born before 1965, you can appreciate this classic tune by.....James Brown.

When you hear the line, "I feel good", how does it make YOU feel?

It is rare that we hear it in a typical day. Too often, we hear people complaining that they don't feel good, be it physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Last week, my friend Brad made a comment to me, that "he feels good".......but he wasn't exactly sure as to why he did. I told him it was because he had belief and confidence in himself. He is in sales, and has been performing very well, and he also just bought a new home. You should feel good Brad!!!

For my son Nick, he feels good because he wrapped up his exams at NAIT for this term......party time!

For others, it could be due to the fact that they landed a new client, added a fresh coat of paint to their daughter's bedroom, or just returned from a warm vacation.

For the week ahead, let's try to "Feel Good", just because, or at least find any reason to Feel Good!

A place to start..............

You are alive!

It's spring!

You are healthy!

You have friends and family who care about you!

You live in a great country!

A few quotes for us to ponder.

"Middle age is the time when a man is always thinking that in a week or two he will feel as good as ever."
-Harry Marsh

"If I felt any better, I couldn't stand it."
-E. Horsfall Turner

I feel good......do you?

"Helping you to the next level."

Reframe your view!!!

2010-04-25T20:36:00.005-06:00

. . .

The definition of Reframe is:

1. To support something/someone in a new or different frame.

2. To change the plans or basic details of (a policy, idea, etc.) reframe policy issues and problems.

3. To look at, present, or think of (beliefs, ideas, relationships, etc.) in a new or different way.

4. To change the focus or perspective of (a view) through a lens.

5. To say (something) in a different way reframe the question.

Source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Reframing

I was reminded this past week how important it is to reframe things in our life, from time to time.

As many of you know, I am an active and passionate member of Toastmasters. Last week, my friend and fellow Toastmaster, Wang Yip conducted a speech that focused on "Reframing". Wang is a brilliant speaker, and the message he delivered truly grabbed my attention. Life can be amazing if we can reframe how we see, perceive, or view things that we encounter. Ironically, it was the second time in the same week that this topic of discussion was put in front of me. A business associate of mine, (Terry R.) offered a perspective on this topic one day before I heard Wang's speech............In effect, Terry offered a similar point of view, stating that when bad stuff happens, be thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow. When adversity hits you in the forehead, see it as a true developmental opportunity in your life.

I must admit, when I reflect on my life, it was because of the times when I was challenged the most that I grew the most. Looking back, I am grateful for the challenges, as it allowed to me to be bigger, stronger, and wiser.

When life is too "cushy" we become like a couch potato and don't feel like getting up, because there is no reason to do so. When life throws you a "curve ball" and it smacks you square in the eye, you get up and learn from this painful experience. In most cases, it better prepares us for the next curve ball. It is called "wisdom"

A book for your review and reference:
http://www.personalbestseminars.com/reframeyourblame/about-book.php

I hope we can all reframe our week ahead!!

"Helping you to the next level"

HAVE FUN!!!

2010-04-18T20:11:00.006-06:00

. . .

It is time to be reminded to have fun at work, rest and play!

A very special friend of mine always reminds me to "Have Fun." I smile when she says this, because many times, the task at hand is not always so pleasant, but if I decide to have fun, I get to see the task in a whole new light.

By definition, fun is: activities that are enjoyable or amusing.

Life.... for most of us, can be very hectic, but if we take some time to have fun along the way, it can make the day, week, or year go by just a little easier.

Fun takes on many forms. For some, it is to simply chill on the couch and watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs. How about raking leaves, while sipping a cool margarita, or two? I have to admit I did this and had a lot of fun. (It can even prevent you from waking up with a sore back...LOL)
For my friend Harvey, he may have fun performing as a Stand-Up Comedian; for my buddy Al, it may involve a great round of golf on his favourite course in Victoria. (Hopefully with me!!); my sister Sharon has fun with her beautiful Grandchildren; and my friend Eden takes his Harley for a cruise.

Having fun does not need to be planned. Just do it. (Yes, I know I used this a few weeks ago, but it is still applicable)

Fun is a state of mind. If you enjoy life, you will never miss out on fun. The key to a good life is to have fun.

For the week ahead, may I suggest that you plan to HAVE FUN. Perhaps, dust off the BBQ or get the bike out for a cruise.

A quote that I really like......
"Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, and be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human."
-Anthony Robbins

Click here for reminder!

I would welcome your comments below.

Have a FUN week!!

"Helping you to the next"

PLAY NICE!!!

2010-04-10T23:21:00.003-06:00

...

When we were kids, our parents taught us to always play nice and be polite to adults. (Especially for those of us who were raised in Saskatchewan. LOL!!) I realize today, what valuable lessons they instilled in me.

I have been fortunate to meet many people in my life on a personal and professional basis. The large majority of these people are really NICE!

It is such a simple thing to do in life, yet so many people have challenges making this the constant norm.

When I think about individuals in my circle of influence, I automatically gravitate to the people that are NICE on a consistent basis. I realize to some, this may sound lame, but it is so true!! When you are NICE, you are attracting others to be NICE too. This simple rule is a base criterion for people that I chill with and do business with. In fact, when I refer business to someone, this is a must!

So, what does being NICE, really mean? As I see it, people support and listen to you, offer input without an agenda or wanting anything in return. They make you a better person!

Over the years, I have been referred to as a “Nice Guy” and while I am grateful for the comment, I do not see it as a significant feat, or accomplishment. Being nice is easy and ironically; you are not required to be highly successful, wealthy, good looking, or meet any particular benchmark in society. So many people that I associate with are naturally nice, in fact, over time, they actually influence me, and others. Think about the nicest person you know. It is tough to not be nice when you are in their company.

To those of you that are “playing nice”, please continue......We Thank you!!

For the rest of you, perhaps you wake-up tomorrow with a different perspective to give this “Nice” thing a try. You may be amazed at the results.

Have a nice week!

(I dedicate this week’s Blog to my late Mother, “Helen”, who taught me to be Nice)

I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thank you!

“Helping you to the next level.”

JUST DO IT.................

2010-04-03T08:40:00.002-06:00

. . .

“Just do it.” Three simple, yet very powerful words!!!

Nike made this phrase famous, but it’s more than just a marketing line. All you need is to “Just do it” and you will reach a BIG tipping point in which you will go from saying and planning; to doing and proving.

“Just doing it” shouldn’t be exact, and it should come to you out of the blue. You don`t need to plan when.

Here's a quick, yet inspiring story!

My good friend and mentor, Harvey Emas, is 87 years old. When Harvey was 65 and thinking about retiring, (Ya right Harvey!!) he told his dear wife Minnie that he was thinking of taking up Acting as his new career. Of course Minnie responded as any supportive spouse would do. "Are you crazy?" LOL.
Well......Harvey was not crazy, but determined indeed. Harvey decided to "Just do it".

Would you have the courage and determination to "Just do it" at age 65?

He took Acting lessons and auditioned for many parts and landed several roles, including serving as Host for a TV Talk Show on a local cable network, a few commercials, along with photography modeling and fashion modeling. Over the years, Harvey evolved to become a Stand-up comedian and is very funny, with laser quick timing on his punch lines. What is even better, is that Harvey truly loves being a Stand-up Comedian.

A few weeks ago Harvey took me for lunch and we enjoyed some great dialogue, as we always do.
Harvey told me something really profound, yet awesome. He said, “you know Mike, I have enjoyed a great life and have no regrets, because I was able to do all the things that I wanted to do.” Wow, was that a message from a wise, yet very funny Stand-up Comedian!!

I not only really like Harvey, but this man inspires me, each and every day.

When you are not certain about your next step and hesitate what to do, just think of Harvey`s advice. He would tell you to “Just do it.”

Thanks for the inspiration and friendship Harvey!!

CLICK HERE for Harvey`s LinkedIn profile

He is open to booking at least two Stand-up Comedy gigs per month.....!
Harvey's waiting for your call...

I welcome your comments on my Blog in the comments section below...Thanks!!

“Helping you to the next level”

The Tipping Point...

2010-03-29T07:00:00.001-06:00

. . .

The Tipping Point, written by Malcolm Gladwell, makes reference to many key, yet simple points that have the ability to make a difference in our world!

He comments on key types of people that must champion an idea or concept in order to make an optimal difference. (I.e. to reach the tipping point). Gladwell describes these people as Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. If individuals from all three of groups endorse and promote an idea, it is highly likely that it will tip into tremendous success.

Who are these people?

CONNECTORS
They know lots of people and some may suggest that they know everyone. In reality, they do not know everyone, but as I see it, they have the ability and potential to know anyone that they want to. Gladwell suggests that many people don't spend a lot of time thinking about the importance of these kinds of people.

MAVENS
They are regarded as "information specialists". They have the information and collect knowledge.
The good news here is that they know how to share it with others. As Gladwell states, "Mavens are really information brokers, sharing and trading what they know."

SALESMEN
They like to persuade with a lot of charm and with powerful negotiation skills. They tend to have an indefinable trait that goes beyond what they say, which makes others want to agree with them.

The purpose for writing this week`s BLOG is to have all of us think about the above-noted people in our lives. Who are they? How do they help you or your network? I am fortunate in that I know several Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen. All are unique and very valuable to my network and contact base.

It is in your best interest to know as many of each type as possible. If you have a Maven from every Sector or industry, just think of the information and knowledge that you have access to. If I want to know the trends in Farming for example, I would talk to my brother-in-law Wayne, who eats and sleeps Farming, and he does it very well and on a large business scale. If I want to understand the ins and outs of Commercial Security systems, I will contact my friend Tim. This list goes on and on for me.

I am regarded as a “Connector” and quite honestly I really like the role. Roles like Connectors just seem to evolve. You don`t go to school and come out a ``Connector`` As I see it, these roles are more of a calling than anything. Whether it is through my Centres of Influence, or my LinkedIn connections, I will do what I can to connect someone with a desired contact. Ironically, I find this very easy to do and get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from connecting people. I also leverage my many Mavens and Salesmen, and of course, other Connectors in my circle, as they become invaluable resources for me and to those that I can “Connect.”

What really intrigues and excites me about the above roles and concepts within ``The Tipping Point``, is that with key Connectors, well informed Mavens and charming Salesmen, so much can be accomplished, if desired. Whether you want to make a meaningful difference in the world, build a business, or virtually anything that you can think of, it can be accomplished when you surround yourself with great people.

I challenge each of you to identify at least one new contact that fills one of these roles. But here is the bigger challenge. Identify what type you are, and leverage that talent, gift or calling, and make a difference with those that you meet.

A quote from Albert Einstein.....

”Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”

I welcome your comments on this topic in the comments section below....

“Helping you to the next level”

The Journey.....its not always a thousand miles!!!

2010-03-21T11:57:00.005-06:00

. . .

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
(Chinese Philosopher, Lao Tzu 600BC - 531BC)
This old and very profound quote has stood the test of time, as it is so applicable to many of us today.

It could be interpreted as meaning, that no matter how long your journey or how significant and impossible the change you want to make it must start with a first step, or action to get you moving toward your goal or purpose.

I really like this message and for me it has so many meanings, but ultimately it is all about "Taking Action"

The journey for some may mean a life time, and for others it could be starting a new business or building a new relationship. I am reminded of a comment made to me many years ago, where someone I knew would always say that they, "shoulda, woulda, coulda."

The reality is that the idea was there, in "hindsight", but ZERO action was ever taken. They simply talked about: What they should have done. What they would have accomplished. What they could have been. Sad really, isn't It.? When you have intent or thoughts about doing something you must ask yourself is it compelling enough for you to do it. What is the purpose behind taking action, or NOT taking action?

"Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday." -Napoleon Hill

It has been said and validated many times, that the biggest regrets in life come from not taking action. It is rare that you hear, I wish I hadn't asked that client for his business, or I am so glad that I didn't call a particular person to build a relationship.

Approximately 20 years ago, I heard a quote that still resonates with me today and one that I try to apply as often as I can. "I am glad I did, vs. I wish I had" (source, unknown).

I am amazed at how many times I have applied this to my life and how each time I continue to be glad that I took some form of action.

Whether you are a business owner, a student, or you are looking at changing careers or establishing a meaningful relationship, I am confident that you will not regret taking action and following your journey.

Click here for a visual image.

Have a great week!

"Helping you to the next level"

FOCUS, WILL & CAPABILITY

2010-03-14T14:16:00.010-06:00

. . .

Good day everyone.

In my Consulting practice, I often utilize this simple model to help people to the next level of performance.

If you want to improve on a particular aspect of your life, you must have a balance of Focus, Will and Capability.

Let's look at golf for a moment. To hit the perfect shot, consistently, you must hit the ball precisely in the Club head's "Sweet Spot." Simple to do for some, but very hard to do for many.
Think about what has occurred when a golfer consistently hits the sweet spot, shot after shot.
They must bring FOCUS to the shot. (Tiger was very good at this.....perhaps not so much these days!)
Block out all other distractions and FOCUS on the task at hand... FOCUS!!

WILL must be present. Great and consistent golfers are willing to put in the time to get better and improve. Practice Practice.......................or, as my mentor and golf buddy Arnold has suggested, "it is Perfect Practice!"
Great and consistent golfers don't just hit a few shots to warm up. They hit many shots, with the intention of consistently hitting the perfect shot to prepare for the game!...Be WILLING!!

CAPABILITY is the backbone of any successful person. While you can be focused and willing to put in the time, you may never be that great at a particular task or activity. You may not be able to join the PGA!
Improve your CAPABILITY!

The point of this week's Blog is simply this...
If you want to reach a goal or achieve a desired outcome you must FOCUS on it. Can you reduce your golf score by 10 strokes this season? Can you increase your sales revenue by 15% this year? Can you lose 10lbs this year? Whatever the goal.........FOCUS on the goal....FOCUS on the outcome!

Are you WILLING to put in the time it takes to achieve these goals?? You must be WILLING!!

Do you have basic CAPABILITY or basic skill sets that allow you to do certain things? Work on improving these CAPABILITIES!!

While this may sound easy to apply, that is not necessarily the case.
May I suggest getting a copy of The Power of Focus? A great book to help you hit your goals, whatever they may be. Click here for more information

"Helping you to the Next Level"

Pursuit of Happyness!

2010-03-07T08:51:00.007-07:00

.

In the 2006 Movie, "Pursuit of Happyness", (based on a true story), actor Will Smith portrays Chris Gardner.

While some may suggest that the word Happiness is spelled incorrectly, Chris Gardner told reporters, who interviewed him about the movie, that it was intentionally spelled with a "y" The Y is for YOU…….your dreams and your happiness….

Gardner is a man down on his luck. He is not making enough money to support his family, his wife leaves him, and he loses his house, his bank account and credit cards. He has to live on the street with his young son.

Desperate to find a better life he pursues a job as a Stockbroker, with no pay for 6 months, due to the fact that he must go through an intense training program... He perseveres and succeeds in his Pursuit.

I wanted to share my perspective on how so many people may relate to Chris Gardner's story.
Perhaps your story isn't filled with as much hardship as Gardner's, but I am certain that you have faced tough challenges.

Two key things that were personal take-aways for me in the movie.

1. What is my Pursuit of Happiness? (It is different for all of us)
2. Don't let anyone else tell you that you can't do/dream something!

The final piece of this week's Blog is a scene from the movie where Gardner (played by Will Smith) offers some very important advice to his son.

He says....

"Don’t let somebody ever tell you, you can’t do something…not even me. You got a dream….you gotta protect it. When people can’t do something themselves they wanna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something….go get it…period"
Click here for video link

"Helping you to the Next Level"

Seven Decisions for Success By: Andy Andrews

2010-03-02T17:23:00.002-07:00

The learnings and take-aways from this article have been a mainstay of mine for several years.
I have listened to Andy Andrew's audio version at least 40 times.

When you are in a funk or uncertain about the road ahead, these seven points offer a baseline guide for your journey going forward.

What I found amazing about his work is that after listening and reading it over time, I continually discovered new things that I could apply in my life.

Decision 1. The Responsible Decision (The Buck stops here)
Decision 2. The Guided Decision (I will seek Wisdom)
Decision 3. The Active Decision (I am a Person of Action)
Decision 4. The Certain Decision (I have a Decided Heart)
Decision 5. The Joyful Challenge (Today, I will choose to be Happy)
Decision 6. The Compassionate Decision (I will Greet this day with a Forgiving Spirit)
Decision 7. The Persistent Decision (I will Persist without Exception)

I hope that you find this article of value and interest and more importantly, you apply them in your life.

Click Here for full article.

"Helping you to the Next Level"

RRSP investment option (Mortgage Investment, with 13 years experience)

2010-02-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a lower risk, income generating investment? Then a Mortgage Investment Corporation (MIC) may be right for you. Click Here

Canadian Horizons is a mortgage investment company with a proven track record and over 13 years industry experience. The investment is a diversified mortgage pool, that only participates in First Mortgage opportunities with a maximum of 75% loan to value (current portfolio has a loan to value of 58.24%, which is even more conservative). ...as of Jan. 31, 2010

The MIC has targeted monthly dividends of 8-9% per annum, with compounding available through election of stock dividends.

If this is of interest to you, please review the link above and contact Mike at 780-718-6856 or mike@x5management.com.

This message may contain forward looking information. Actual results may vary from the forward looking information and there are many risk factors involved that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking information.

"Only Losers Cut Their Prices"

2010-02-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

I found this article on salesopedia.com and admired the position of the author.

It takes business and sales courage to avoid cutting your price, assuming of course that you offer a great product or service.

Click Here to Read

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Networking For Keeps: 5 Key Ingredients

2010-01-29T15:20:00.006-07:00

Don't just hand out business cards like a Black Jack Dealer: What I mean here is that if there are 100 people in attendance at a Networking event it is not realistic to assume that you will meet all of them. Instead focus on establishing a connection with 5 individuals. The result is a more memorable encounter for both you and the contact, and a higher likelyhood that a professional relationship will develop.
Make it all about the other person: Rather then worrying what your sales script or pitch sounds like, simply introduce yourself and make it all about the other person. You feel the tempo of the conversation and if it is flowing well, ask a few specific questions. Example: What are your biggest challenges in your business? How could I help you? The last question usually blows people away, as they are not expecting it. If you ask the question, with the genuine intent of helping them, that has the potential for the start of something great.
Act as a "Connector": Do you have two contacts who could benefit from meeting one another? Provide an introduction! In my networking world, I have the great fortune of knowing many people from all disciplines, professions and industries. All professionals value referrals, and your introduction could contribute to their success. As with anything, they are likely to return the favor. A network is not just about who you know, it is also who your contacts are linked to.
Explore different avenues: Gone are the days of being limited to after-work mixers and formal networking events. Think outside the box when looking for networking opportunities. Social networking sites can be a great way to meet new people. I am personally a fan of linkedin. Also dont miss chances to network in everday situations like at the gym or at a social gathering. In these settings avoid a hard-sell and keep it light- just making people aware of who you are and what you do is enough.
Follow up is key: Reconnect while you are still fresh in the other person's mind. Establish a routine of sending short, personalized emails to the individuals you met the morning following the networking event. For example "It was great to meet you at _____ yesterday, I really enjoyed speaking with you about ______. I would welcome the opportunity to meet up for a coffee in the next few weeks and learn more about your business".

The list is based on an article I wrote for Salesopedia.
To read the full article click here: http://www.salesopedia.com/index.php/networking-articles2-10743/60-networking/2165-networking-for-keeps
To listen to the podcast I did on the same topic click here: http://blog.salesopedia.com/?p=2796

Introduction

2010-01-29T10:12:00.005-07:00

Hello out there!

As those of you who know me are aware, I am actively involved in public speaking, workshop facilitation and sales team coaching. I have operated X5 Management, a business consulting service, for a number of years and am passionate about what I do!

Every week I am approached by a number of people seeking advice on how to network effectively and promote their business. With the growing popularity of social media, I thought a blog would be a wonderful avenue for me to share my experience, advice, ideas and views with friends , colleagues or anyone in need of a little guidance.

I will be updating my blog with tips and tricks, links to articles, relevant facts and anything else that I think may be of interest to business people. I would like this to be an engaging and collaborative blog, so I encourage readers to comment on what I post- Voice your opinion, ask question or even challenge me!

My goal is for this blog to become a place for everyone from industry experts to business students to connect and become enlightened.

So....

Read, Comment, Enjoy and CONNECT!