The New Year Ahead...

Hello my friendly blog followers...

Soon the new year starts, so now's a great time to:

1. Wipe the slate clean.
2. Focus upon what you really want.
3. Chart your course.

Right?

Well... only if you want to risk having to repeat these steps for the same wishes next year! Maybe this is splitting hairs, but here's an adventurous alternative:

1. Give thanks that life is... just as it is (and that it's been... just as it's been). Because of it, you're now "READY."

2. Define what you want in terms of the end result. Don't worry about the hows, or even the course. KNOW that what you want is ALREADY yours in spirit, by divine LAW, just focus on the certainty of this ownership, understand it, claim it, and "it will be on earth, as it is in heaven (spirit)."

3. LET THE UNIVERSE show you the way via your impulses and instincts that appear as you take inspired action. Don't worry that your first steps seem silly or futile. And if you don't know what to do, do anything! Go! Get busy! Do not insist on intermediary successes, only upon the end result.

2011 is going to be your year (it already is)

~b2

2011 - Your Best Year Ever...

2011 - Your Best Year Ever...DH

Are you feeling a little bummed or even disappointed in where you are in life right now?

Did you think you would be doing a little bit better and be a little further along in life by now?

Are you a little down on yourself about how you have let your body go… or your relationships wane a bit… or maybe you’re frustrated about the fact you aren’t doing better in your job or business… or you haven’t been the parent you wanted to be?

Maybe it’s even worse and you have recently filed for bankruptcy… or maybe you are recently divorced or just suffered a heart attack or some other serious health condition?

If so, it’s time for a turning point.

You’ve probably heard the definition of insanity—doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. You’re not insane are you? If you want the next year to be different than the last year, then now is the time to do something different.

Here is a very inspiring realization: No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future.

When you wake up tomorrow the canvas of your life is blank. You can paint a completely different picture tomorrow than you have ever painted before. Your past does not equal your future. You can hit the reset button to your life at any time. I want to suggest you hit it today.

Then again, you could follow the masses and "say" that 2011 is going to be different - "say" it's going to be your year, but still you'll wake up tomorrow, the same way you did today, yesterday, last week etc...Then people might actually think you are insane...

Have a great year my friends...

~b2

How To Achieve Your New Year's Resolution

Hello My fellow blog follower(s)...

So, it's that time of year (again) where virtually every human being decides to pick something that they want to change in their life and make it their new year's resolution.

I find the following a little funny...

If you’ll spend the next 365 days working on your resolution — at least in theory, shouldn’t you put some thought into it within the next 9 days? Here are the top five categories for New Year’s resolutions and some tips for achieving them.

1. Business: Start my own business, get a better job, get promoted.
TIP: To make your business goals stick, you have to have the right resources. Find a mentor, take business classes, read more books about your industry or find a partner to help. Business goals are often the most audacious, so while it's okay to think big to achieve them, it's more important to think realistically. For example, many people are fearing the lack of job security these days; Others are in need of a plan b or are in a position where they need some extra income to plan for their future or relieve themselves from some financial burden. Take a look out there. There are many opportunities right under your nose that will allow you to achieve the goals you set out for yourself. Still can't find the one that's right for you, reach out and we can chat...We are always looking for new partners with a drive/desire and commitment to improve themselves.

2. Wealth: Save money for an emergency fund, start saving for retirement, pay down credit card debt.
TIP: Make your wealth goals attainable by making it automatic. Just as you get paid on a regular schedule, put your savings on a schedule, too. Eliminate the temptation of spending your intended savings by having money deducted from your paycheck or running up your credit card debt by destroying your credit cards. And if there's not enough income to schedule your savings, see point 1 above...

3. Well-Being: Get more sleep, quit smoking, lose weight, start exercising, find time for yourself.
TIP: Be specific in your health goals. If you want to lose weight, decide your goal weight. If you want to quit smoking, set a precise date you aim to be smoke-free. Keeping yourself accountable with deadlines is the key to achieving your well-being resolutions. Let's face it...the world in which we live these days are filled with headcount reduction and more work for those who "made the cut". Make a plan with realistic deadlines to improve your well-being.

4. Giving Back: Contribute more to charities, volunteer more often.
TIP: It’s easy to push charitable contributions down to the bottom of your weekly to-do list. With your family, job and other obligations to serve, giving back can take a backseat. So, make it easy on yourself. What hobby or skill do you have that you could volunteer? How can you make your church contributions automatic? Schedule specific times throughout the year to purge clothing and other goods for donation drives. If you're into volunteering with other like-minded people, and have a soft spot for children with disabilities, click on over to www.volunteerbuilders.org and join us in June 2011 for an incredible weekend...

5. Relationships: Spend more time with my family, rekindle my lost friendships
TIP: In any relationship, there are two sides—the side you control and the side you don’t. If you and your significant other communicate poorly, take careful note of what you do and improve it. If you’ve drifted from your best friend lately, take the first step and find out how they are without shifting focus back to you. You can only improve your relationships as much as you improve.


All in all this is the time of year when we all reflect on the things that make us happy and those that don't.

Take advantage of the last few days this December and write down your goals with realistic deadlines for your best year ever - 2011.

I have and will...

Till next time, thanks for popping by.

Feel free to comment below...

~b2

The Best Gift...

As usual, I came across an interesting piece by the late Jim Rohn.

It answers a question virtually every single adult asks themselves at this time of year...


The Best Gift to Give Yourself and Others by Jim Rohn

I’m often asked the question, "How can I best help my children, partner/spouse, family member, staff member, friend, etc., improve/change?" In fact, that might be the most frequently asked question I receive, "How can I help change someone else?"

My answer often comes as a surprise and here it is. The key to helping others is to help yourself first. In other words, the best contribution I can make to someone else is my own personal development. If I become 10 times wiser, 10 times stronger, think of what that will do for my adventure as a father... as a grandfather... as a business colleague.

The best gift I can give to you, really, is my ongoing personal development. Getting better, getting stronger, becoming wiser. I think parents should pick this valuable philosophy up. If the parents are okay, the kids have an excellent chance of being okay. Work on your personal development as parents—that’s the best gift you can give to your children.

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say, "In case of an emergency, first secure your own oxygen mask and then if you have children with you secure their masks." Take care of yourself first... then assist your children. If we use that same philosophy throughout our whole parental life, it would be so valuable.

If I learn to create happiness for myself, my children now have an excellent chance to be happy. If I create a unique lifestyle for myself and my partner, that will be a great example to serve my children.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you; for your child... your business... your colleague... your community... your church.

That’s why I teach development skills. If you keep refining all the parts of your character (yourself, your health, etc.) so that you become an attractive person to the marketplace, you’ll attract opportunity. Opportunity will then begin to seek you out. Your reputation will begin to precede you and people will want to do business with you. All of that possibility is created by working on the philosophy that success is something you attract by continually working on your own personal development.



Reading a piece like this makes so much sense. And for those who announce a new year's resolution each year, I think this is a pretty good one...

I might have to stick with this one the whole year...

Have a wonderful holiday season my friendly readers...

~b2

Success

Hello Blog Followers...

As always, I spend any spare time I have searching various personal development sites, my mentor's blogs etc., to improve my personal and professional life, and pass it along to you for you to do with it what you will...

This post is a little different...

Recently, I received an email from a friend/partner who forwarded along a blog post from someone else that had a very interesting message. While I totally agreed with the message, it was filled with some profanity that some of you (not me) - some of you might be offended by.

So, what to do? Re-write it, modify it from a language stand-point, and maybe even add in a few bits of my own opinion/experience.

Damn, in University, they call that plagiarism, no?



Ok, so you want to be successful? You think you’re trying your hardest. Dammit you are pretty sure you’re gunning for it, really hard!

But here is the truth: You’re not.

In every industry, there is an edge. In your business or personal life, it doesn’t matter– somewhere, there is a cliff. Most people don’t want to get to close to it, because they’re afraid they’ll fall off.

Thing is, the edge is where all the cool stuff happens. I know you don’t want to make a decision that is irrevocable and wrong– a decision from which you might never recover– that’s natural. But guess what?

You are actually in the middle of an open field, inside your house, clutching your purse, crying like a baby while looking at an edge you see on television.

In other words? You are nowhere near the edge.

Maybe it’s just time you stopped implying you want to be successful.

You want a better blog, a more profitable business, a happier marriage, or a better life? You want to meet a girl, a guy, or travel to Asia, or lose weight, or something else? Great! So does everyone.

Just to be clear: for other people, it is entirely clear that you haven’t fully committed. If you had, you would be closer. Why?

You would do the exercises.

You’d put in the hours.

You’d take people’s advice (especially if it made you uncomfortable!).

You’d learn to talk to people.

You would find a system.

None of these things require money! All they require is work and understanding yourself. It’s not that hard!

Look, your lack of progress pretty much stems from things you’re avoiding because a) you are unsure of how they’re done, or b) you’re unconsciously (or consciously!) unwilling to do them. In other words, you are a faking it.

You are either paralyzed by the fact that you don’t know how to achieve your goal (hint: ask someone who has already achieved it), or you’re afraid of doing it (hint: you clearly don’t want it bad enough). It’s actually that easy.

Have you ever heard the saying I use...

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired"

I truly believe that it is not until you're at that point, where you can truly hit the right stride and do whatever it takes to win.

I think it’s time you looked at your delaying tactics in the face. Or better yet, look yourself in the mirror and simply ask - Am I doing everything I need to do to achieve what I want to achieve?

I always ask myself, would "my mentor" do this? If the answer is no, then I won't. If the answer is yes, then I ask myself why I haven't already done it already...

What, exactly, are you afraid of?

Is it getting ridiculed or judged?

Will people around you stop loving you?

Are you afraid of looking stupid, or failing?

Are you afraid of asking for help?

The bottom line is this...

Look people, use your common sense. Millions of us all over the world are having the same problems as you. All of us have the same blocks– you, me, everyone. Those of us that get through our anxieties and just do the things we need to do, are the ones will make it. The others won’t. It's as simple as just getting out of our comfort zone.

You might be saying, “No Bill, I’m just procrastinating. It’s in my nature. I’m just bad at being organized.” I call that BS.

Examine your intentions. There is really something holding you back – I guarantee it. Unless what you really want to do is sit around watching TV all day, there is something else there.

Look, the weekend is coming up. I’m going to give you a chance to get back on track.

All you have to do is invite someone to see you and your business, this weekend – That's not difficult, right? And if you feel anxious about it, do the following:

Ask yourself out loud:

What am I afraid of?

I guarantee that when you do this, when you say it out loud and listen to the answer, your answer will sound stupid. Because most of our issues are pretty stupid.

Then, after you do that, you will get down to business. You will do what you have to do, because it will be clear what you’re avoiding. And after a weekend of that, you will come back here and you will tell me what happened, ok? I’m counting on you.

Look, some of you are probably offended by this post. That’s fine. For those of you in that camp, you’re probably (secretly) looking in the mirror right now saying Bill is right.

For the rest of you, get back to doing the right things to become successful.

If you want to find out more about how to actually do what you have to do and own it, then comment below. Good stuff will happen.


~b2

What Is A Leader?

Yesterday I was very proud to announce the promotion of one of my partners, Christine K of Durham.

Christine has displayed many leadership qualities in her short time working with our organization. She constantly asks questions, listens and implements well.

Many of my partners and myself have regularly commented on how Christine is a leader, and it got me thinking, What is a Leader?

So, as I do here regularly, I searched out to some of my mentors and read and read and read on what it is that they "deem" a leader...

I pulled together a few leadership points and felt the urge to feature them here for anyone looking to become a leader, or for those who feel they already a leader and want to just "double-check"...

Enjoy....



Everyone influences others to some degree. Yes?

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean you a very good leader does it... but that is altogether a different story!

Even if you are in need of some help in the leadership department, and we all are, here are some skills that we can all work on (immediately) to help us all become the leader we truly want to be. Then you will be able to influence those around you like never before!


1. Good Communicator. Extraordinary Leaders are those who can take the vision they have and communicate it in ways that their followers can easily understand, internal, and own. Then, and only then, can they carry it out! So focus on speaking and writing more clearly, and with the passion that you have for the vision you have. Use different ways of communicating, including different ways verbally and non-verbally. Above all, communicate often!

2. "Sees" the End Result Long Before Others. I think the greatest compliment on my leadership skills I ever received came from a gentleman who told me that "you see things about 6 months before the rest of us." Without tooting my own horn (okay, a little bit maybe...), that is a skill of a leader. They are always looking out ahead of themselves and their situations. Followers are worried about what happens today, while leaders are thinking about and strategizing about what they see for tomorrow. Be constantly looking ahead. Practice making projections. Get good at "seeing" the future. When you can do this better than others, they will look to you for leadership!

3. Ability to Define Goals for Self and Others. Do you know what your goals are? Can you define them? Can you articulate them clearly (see number one)? Can you do this for those who follow? Can you define and set their goals? A Extraordinary Leader works at clarity and definition of goals so that they can be internalized and acted upon by others. Work hard at this skill and others will follow!

4. Ability to Set Strategy and Course of Action. What will you do to reach the goal? Many people can say where we should go, but it is the Extraordinary Leader who can lay out a plan for everyone to get there! Work at laying out a plan for you and your followers. Remember that there are people with different skill and passion levels, and take this into account! Get good at this and when people want to get to their goals in a hurry, they will call on you to lead!

5. Ability to Teach Others. One of the greatest leadership development companies in the world has been General Electric. This is because their CEO, Jack Welch, has always emphasized the need for current leaders to teach others. He himself spends what others would consider an extraordinary amount of time in the classroom teaching. But remember, he is an Extraordinary Leader and he is developing Extraordinary Leaders to follow behind him. Work hard at your teaching techniques, and be sure to use as many situations as possible for the opportunity to teach those who would follow.

6. Ability to Inspire Others. You may have a great goal, but if you want to be an Extraordinary Leader, then you will have to put a little oomph under your followers! This is the ability to inspire! Work at helping them to see the big picture, the great end results, and how good it is going to be for them and others. Above all, make it exciting. If it is a good goal, it should be exciting. If it isn't exciting, then dump it and get a goal that others can get excited about!

7. Delegates. An Extraordinary Leader is rarely a person who is doing everything him or herself. Extraordinary Leaders get there job done by teaching others. They figure out the way, communicate the way, and inspire the followers to go that way, and then they get OUT OF THE WAY! Delegate to your people. Empower them! Set them free to soar!


According to some of my mentors, this is what an Extraordinary Leader does. Leaders who do it any other way are just extraordinarily tired at the end of the day with very little to show for it!

So, my advice...Print off the Top 7. Put them on your fridge, bedroom door, vision board etc. Read them and (more importantly) implement them daily.

Now, who's up for becoming Extraordinary!



~b2

Influence...

Some people regularly ask me "how is it you do what you do on a consistant basis?

I have always answered - even back in the Music Industry days that...

The key to success in life and business is having influence !!!

You can have all the right ideas or products or services, but if you aren't able to get people to listen to you and act on what you say, you are dead in the water.

It's all about making a connection. A connection that allows you and the potential customer and/or prospect to connect on a level of trust, value etc., as soon as possible.

That connection can be completed if you are knowledgable in what you are discussing/presenting; Are deemed trust-worthy; And most importantly, you are able to convey an confident attitude - Not a cockey or arrogant attitude - A confident attitude that creates an urgent "I want to associate myself with this person feeling within the customer an/or prospect.

Remember, people follow leaders.

Look in the mirror - Whatever it is you are trying to convey, are you being perceived as a confident leader?

~b2