YOU HAVE A CHOICE, CHOOSE WISELY.

For many of us, 2009 has been a difficult year and this afternoon seems to be a metaphor of that. In our business lives, the recession has taken a toll and new regulations, new taxes and new health care legislation (in the U.S.) create anxiety and uncertainty. In our personal lives, many are anxious about their investments and their retirement. Millions have lost their homes this year (that still seems incredible!) and millions more are unemployed.
It becomes easy to see this as a dark, cold, dreary time. Intellectually, we know the Solstice has come and in the Northern Hemisphere, the days will soon get longer, sunnier and warmer. We know that spring is scheduled in a few weeks. But today is dark. Depression threatens.
The contrast between the hope of our religious festivals and the anxiety we feel when we consider our balance sheets, our bank accounts or our checkbooks is palpable. Today, even more than most days, we have to make a choice, and the choice is very clear.
We can look at what “is” and worry. There are powerful, reasonable arguments to be afraid (be very afraid!) and to hunker down. From global warming to political uncertainty to economic difficulty, smart people all over the world are on the defensive. When the “best and the brightest” among us see doom and gloom and uncertainty, who wouldn’t worry? It’s a reasonable thing to do and I can’t blame anyone for focusing on the difficulties ahead.
But others see the coming of spring. Others see the start of a New Year with its endless possibilities. Our language is full of clichés that remind us it’s “always darkest before the dawn.” We know that the most successful investors have always been contrarians who sell when everyone else is euphoric at the top of the bubble, and buy when the world is full of pessimism.
Warren Buffett, perhaps the greatest investor ever, just made his biggest investment ever. He bought the Burlington-Northern railroad for 36 billion dollars! He’s betting that the future is bright and stuff is going to be shipped. Stuff is going to be manufactured. It will be bought and sold and we’re going to need a railroad to move it all.
Donald Trump has been buying real estate all year long, and he’s no dummy. At fire-sale prices, he figures the future holds great promise. He reminds me of a story about J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world. Getty said that the way to get rich was to “be real nice. When people want to sell, be a gentleman and take it off their hands. When they’re desperate to buy, be real nice and sell it to them!”
In the days and weeks ahead, you have a choice to make. You can believe your eyes and ears, and be worried. You can read the papers and listen to the news of gloom and doom. You can look outside and see only darkness and fog, and respond accordingly. That’s what most people do, and it makes sense. As I said, I can’t blame anyone for that.
But, you can also believe that after the darkness, the sun comes up almost every morning. You can believe that after the winter, spring arrives every April or May. You can choose to believe the fog will lift and things will be brighter in the morning.
My own suggestion is that this is a good time to buy sunglasses and stock up on sunscreen. My own preference is put on the snow tires, and buy skies and a warm jacket to enjoy the winter, while it lasts. Then, when warm weather, sunny skies and optimism return, I’ll be the first one on the beach!

Quotes of the Week
"Love is a passport to the impossible, so do not be disturbed if the seas are sometimes rough."
-- Lois Wyse
“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” -- Linus Pauling
"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner." -- Colette
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." -- Sir Winston Churchill

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR?

Who is your mentor? Who shows you the ropes, teaches you the tricks and shows you the way?
This week I had several people contact me about coaching in 2010, which is a very good thing. But, I also had several conversations with people who "don't need a coach" and don't have any mentors. I noticed they didn't seem to make as much money or achieve as many of their goals in 2009. Is that you?
Over and over again, I'm struck that the real winners in life always learn from those who went before them. Winners ALWAYS have mentors! They learn from the experts and benefit from the success of others.
Sometimes they have a personal coach – and as a coach, I think that's a good thing! But often they have informal relationships with men and women who are willing to teach them. Often, the best mentoring comes from a MasterMind group or team.
Some of my most valuable resources are the seminars, workshops and lectures I attend every year. I remember hearing a colleague say he wouldn't attend anymore seminars "because they cut the budget and (his employer) won't pay for it anymore." How terribly short-sighted!
The cost of workshops is nothing! The cost of travel, tuition and hotels is NOTHING if you learn one new idea or avoid one mistake. The chance to rub shoulders with the best and brightest in your field is priceless! In 2010, "just do it!"
Double (or triple!) your budget for books and seminars, for coaching and teaching. Call the most successful people you know and buy them lunch. Take them to the best restaurant you can afford, and pick their brains. Hire a coach. Are there seminars you "might" attend this year? Register now! Make it a Christmas present or use any excuse you have to, but make sure you get the "helping hand" you need to make 2010 your best year EVER!

DECEMBER 25TH

“ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that evil-merodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life. And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life”. - Jeremiah 52:31-34.

To all readers and visitors to this web site I want to share with you the significance of the Christmas day, it is a special day Jesus Christ was born into this world to deliver mankind from his sinful way. I have studied the weather pattern over the years of that particular day the firmaments bear witness to this unique day across all countries and tribes. There is a glory over the surface of the earth while some are having snow, others fog, or harmattan haze.
In the text above King Jehoiachin of Judah was delivered on a Christmas day (in the twelfth month in the five and twentieth day of the month) hundred of years before Jesus was born. Seven significant events will happen in your life on this particular glorious day.
1. Your head will be lifted. You may have been experiencing downward trend in your life, marriage, business and workplace, you will no longer be the tail but the head. God is about changing your situation for the better because Jesus came into the world this same day to deliver you. Everyone that sees you as nobody will begin to see you as somebody very special your head will no longer be bowed but be lifted high.
2. You will be brought out of prison. Some people have been bounded without freedom under bondage of their task masters for quite sometime, you will be set free now just like those that set up Daniel into the lion’s pit, your prisoners will replace you in the prison while you will be set free, Jesus will liberate you and grant you permanent freedom.
3. You will be spoken kindly of. People have used their tongue to describe you negative. God will change their tongue and they will begin to speak well of you, they have said you are useless, good for nothing, cannot make it, never do well, under achiever all this negative qualities they describe you with they will no longer see you that way any more. A change for the better in you they will begin to see and speak of.
4. Your throne above the throne of the kings. You are meant to be a king because the son of a king is also a king, but you reign like a slave, God will dethrone everyone sitting on your throne and enthrone where you belong, to rule and reign in Christ Jesus.
5. Your garment will be changed. The garment you put on which has become a filthy rag casting aspersions at you. The way you dress is the way you will be addressed, you were addressed badly everywhere you turn to, today your garment or robe will change and as a king a sign of royalty is the kings garment. God is removing your present garment and replacing it with a new one.
6. You will continually eat bread. You may be lacking a daily bread but the great provider is already here to provide the bread you will eat all the days of your life. Every lack will be turned to abundance in your life because Jesus was born on this day like no other day.
7. You will be given a continual diet all the days until death. A diet is a food with all essential ingredients needed for growth and development. You might having lacking the essential nutrients needed for you to succeed and become great God is going to provide to you this day those nourishments needed by you for life.

HAVE YOU NOTICED THE CHOAS IN COPENHAGEN?

During the past two weeks, 193 nations from around the world have spent a fortune, published tons of documents, burned thousands of gallons of jet fuel, and crowded the news (and the hotels) with meetings in Copenhagen. The goal was to save the planet. But the major achievement, as far as I can tell, has been to create chaos in the streets and turmoil in the meetings.

What happened?

I'm sure there are lots of reasons, perspectives and points of view on this, but for me as a coach, one of the HUGE LESSONS of Copenhagen is the importance of planning and clarity.

Any really worthwhile undertaking, from reducing greenhouse gases to running a business, raising a family or building a career, is going to involve slippage or friction. Misunderstandings and conflict are part of life.

I'm often struck by how casually people set out to achieve really important, valuable projects with far too little planning. They have a vision, and (if they have a coach!) they put time into clarifying the vision so it becomes a real goal. They define their outcomes. They picture their results in advance. They get excited! Then, without further planning, they launch.

Remember the old song, "fools rush in where angels fear to tread?" I think we're seeing something like that in Copenhagen, and I want to use it (and them, "those people over there") as a relatively safe illustration of what we too often do in our own lives.

During this time of year, we set goals for the coming twelve months. We start with a wish list of things that excite and motivate us. That part is so much fun! It's wonderful to think about what we will achieve in one short year! Our juices start flowing, we feel the adrenalin. We find ourselves smiling and laughing and dreaming of things to come! We just know that 2010 will be THE YEAR! This year we'll finally build the new house, start a new business, increase our income, improve our health, or whatever our goal is. This is good!

And, it truly is good! Always start with the end in mind! Always clarify your dream. Setting big, dramatic, audacious goals is necessary and vital to achieving anything worthwhile. Go for it!

But there are two additional pieces that are also essential, and I suspect someone forgot this in Copenhagen.

1. You Need a Plan. Someone once said, "A goal without a plan is just a pipe-dream." You need a budget and a schedule. You need benchmarks or intermediate projects to get you there. You need a map, a blueprint…a plan. Call it what you like but without a calendar and a sequence of baby-steps along the way, most goals end in frustration. As you set your goals, take lots (lots!) of time to develop elegant, detail plans.

2. You Need Partners. And not just hired consultants or staff but enthusiastic partners who are deeply committed to your success. You'll need colleagues who have "been there, done that" to show you the way. You'll need experts with skills you don't have. You'll need cheerleaders when the going gets tough. And you'll need support people who will passionately use their strengths to supplement your weaknesses and blind-spots.

Here's an example that has become painfully common in my work as a coach. Every business needs a website and there are thousands of web designers out there. Too many people hire a friend or neighbor, maybe even a student who will work cheap, and generally these people can do the technical work. But, rarely do they truly understand and get excited about YOUR VISION! Too many people end up with a website that is technically well-done but which totally fails to meet the needs of the business.

Don't do that! Hire someone who is competent (obviously!) but even more important, interview until you find a partner who "gets" what you're trying to do! You'll save time, money, disappointment and tons of heart-ache.

To achieve your goals in 2010, I encourage you to start with (1) a clear vision, which is (2) converted into definite goals. But you'll also need specific, do-able plans and committed partners. When you have all four components, your success if assured! "Don’t leave home with it"—meaning all four vital and necessary components.

USE EDUCATIONAL SELLING WITH EVERY CUSTOMER

A major reason that prospects do not buy is because they do not fully understand what you are selling and how they can use and benefit from it. Many salespeople assume that after one sales presentation, the prospect is familiar with the details of the product or service as they are. This can be a big mistake. In educational selling, you take a low-pressure/no-pressure approach. You do not try to influence or persuade the customer in any way.
Show the Customer
In the "show" part of the presentation, explain or demonstrate how your product or service works to achieve a particular result or benefit. Get the prospect involved. Ask him or her to do something, try something out personally, or make calculations to prove your points.
Tell the Customer
In the "tell" part of the educational selling process, explain the features and benefits of your product or service, using stories, statistics, research results, and anecdotes from other satisfied customers. Like a lawyer, "build a case" for what you are selling, presenting evidence in the form of visual aids or written materials that "prove" the quality and usefulness of your product.
Ask the Customer
In the "ask questions" phase, pause regularly to ask questions and invite feedback on what you have presented so far. One mark of top salespeople is that they keep their prospects involved in the sales conversation by continually requesting comments and opinions as they go along. When you "show, tell, and ask questions," you position yourself as an educator rather than a salesperson.
Learn your Prospects Needs
The more competent you become at learning your prospect's real needs, and the better you teach your customer how to get the very most out of what you sell, the more the customer will like you, trust you, and want to do business with you, over and over again.
Action Exercise
Take out a sheet of paper and draw three lines down the page, creating three equal columns. At the top of each column, write the words "Product Feature," "Product Benefit," or "Customer Benefit." List each positive sales feature of your product or service in the first column. In the second column, write the product benefit attached to each product feature. In the third column, define the customer benefit, the answer to the question, What's in it for me? Practice positioning yourself as a "teacher" with your prospects. Focus your presentation on helping your prospects to understand how helpful your product or service can be, trusting fully that if he or she understands completely, the sale will take place automatically.

DREAM BIGGER,AIM HIGHER, GO FARTHER

This is the time when millions of us set goals for the year ahead. If we do it "right" – the way the books tell us to – we review our numbers for 2009, evaluate our performance, and make adjustments for 2010. That's the normal" way of doing it, the way governments, large corporations and most

individuals do it.

There's nothing wrong with it, except that it doesn't work. Often, "raising the bar" is not what we truly want. It's not "enough."

Too many of us set our goals by merely adding 10% to what we've done before. The major exception is our health and fitness, when we promise that we'll finally take action and do something about it…this year for sure! Now, there's nothing wrong with using the past as your starting point. Institutions do that all the time. But who wants to be an institution?

This is your LIFE we're talking about! If a few adjustments are all you really want, go for it! If a minor tweak is all you need, then don’t make a fuss. Adjust your budget, set your goal, and be done with it.

But I'm challenging you to think bigger and aim higher.

As you look at 2010 and beyond, what do you really WANT for your life? What's the REAL story? What's your DREAM? What are you doing with your life? That's the question I want you to consider in the days ahead.

In those areas where a small step is all you need, that's fine. Buy a new car, lose the weight, make a little more and spend a bit less. These are the small adjustments that make life easier and I support them. As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of “baby steps.” Keep things simple and if that’s all you need, be proud of it!

Unfortunately, however, small adjustments can also be the things that keep us trapped. As we hit our goals and increase our income, these small victories become the "golden handcuffs" that trap us in our routine. They keep us "playing small" so that while we're winning the battles, we end up frustrated or confused because our lives don't have the meaning we hoped for.

This year, dream bigger. Ask the fundamental questions about who you are, what you want, and how you want to live. Where are you going? What's the point? Think bigger, aim higher, go further. You may not get "there" in one year, perhaps not in a lifetime, but make sure you're headed in the right direction. Make sure you're on a path that is worth walking.

THE FICKLE FINGER OF FAME

Several people have sent me the following list, usually crediting them to Charles Schulz, the creator of the wonderful “Peanuts” comics. Wherever this quiz came from, it’s worth pondering. I hope you enjoy it! Take a moment to answer each of the questions, and r ead all the way through. I think you’ll find it well worth a moment of your time.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name five people who have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
5. Name last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Actor or Actress.
The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List three teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. List three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Name someone who made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

THE LAW OF RECIPROCITY

People have a deep subconscious need to reciprocate for anything that is done to or for them. The Law of Reciprocity is one of the most powerful of all determinants of human behavior. This is because nobody likes to feel that he or she is obligated to someone else. When someone does something nice for us, we want to repay that person, to reciprocate. We want to be even. Because of this, we seek an opportunity to do something nice in return. This law is the basis of the law of contract, as well as the glue that hold most human relationships together.
Concessions
The first party to make a concession is the party who wants the deal the most. You must therefore avoid being the first one to make a concession, even a small concession. Instead, be friendly and interested, but remain silent. The first person to make a concession will usually be the person who makes additional concessions, even without reciprocal concessions. Most purchasers and sellers are aware of this. They recognize that early concessions are a sign of eagerness and are prepared to take advantage of it. Be careful.
Equal or Greater
Every concession you make in a negotiation should be matched by an equal or greater concession from the other party. If the other party asks for a concession, you may give it, but never without asking for something else in return. If you don't request a reciprocal concession, the concession that you give will be considered to have no value and will not help as the negotiation proceeds. If a person asks for a better price, suggest that it might be possible but you will have to either decrease the quantity or lengthen the delivery dates. Even if the concession is of no cost or value to you, you must make it appear valuable and important to the other party or it will not help you in the negotiation.
Small Concessions lead to Large Concessions
Small concessions on small issues enable you to ask for large concessions on large issues. One of the very best negotiating strategies is to be willing to give something in order to get something. When you make every effort to appear reasonable by conceding on issues that are unimportant to you, you put yourself in an excellent position to request an equal or greater concession later.
Use Reciprocity to your Advantage
Use the reciprocity principle to your advantage. Before negotiating make a list of the things the other party might want and decide upon what concessions you are willing to give to get what you want. This preparation strengthens your negotiating ability considerably.
Action Exercise
Prepare your best price or offer before you begin. Then, think through your first "fallback" position and how far you are willing to go to make a deal. Prepare your final fallback position as well, along with the maximum you are willing to concede. This exercise of thinking through these issues in advance will make you a much better negotiator.

YOUR PARTNER WILL BUY YOU STUFF

Every December, I remind business owners and CFO's (financial officers) to review their business de ductions for the year. If you use the calendar year as your fiscal or tax year, December 31st is a very important date.
Here are two important facts:
1. Depending on your tax rate, about 40% of everything you make will go to the Government, and the final accounting for most businesses comes on December 31st. The more you make, the more your "partner" will take in taxes.
2. Conversely, any legitimate business expenses you incur in the next three weeks come right off that tax bill. In the U.S., that means "Uncle Sam" is willing to chip in and pay for about 40% of whatever you buy for business purposes! Take advantage of that!
If you need new office equipment, a new computer, or routine office supplies, take action! For the next three weeks, they are "40% off!" If you can pre-pay some regular business expenses (insurance, rent, supplies or fees) by the end of the month, they come directly off your "bottom line" which means lower taxes in April.
Now, obviously, the expenses must be for legitimate business purposes. No cheating! And obviously you should check with your accountant or tax advisor for specific advice in your particular situation. But keep in mind that a few months from now you will pay taxes on every dollar of profit you make in 2009 and if you can legally reduce that amount by stocking up now, that's to your advantage. Think about it!

Quotes of the Week
"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success." -- Norman Vincent Peale
"Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” -- Jim Rohn
"Everything's in the mind. That's where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it."
-- Mae West
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -- Helen Keller

THE GREAT BUSINESS DISCOVERY OF 2009

We are nearing the end of 2009 and one of the most important (and profitable) investments you can make is to review the past few months very, very carefully.
To an amazing degree, we humans are creatures of habit. We are great examples of Newton's law that, "a body set in motion tends to remain in motion." We tend to plunge blindly ahead, repeating yesterday's mistakes and failing to learn from experience. Yes, we take great pride in the fact that we "can" learn, but my observation is that we rarely do.
We assume that what worked last year will be the best way forward next year. Now, of course, we all know we should be innovative, creative and original. We know that, but do we do it?
When Jack Welch was the head of General Electric, he insisted that half the company's profits come from products and services that were less than five years old. Why? Because he knew that yesterday's methods won’t fit tomorrow's world.
Take time - several hours, perhaps more - to carefully review the following questions:
1. What worked best last year? What surprised me, inspired me or taught me something new for my work or business?
2. What did not work, or is working less and less well? What was less profitable or less effective than I expected? What should I drop altogether in the new year?
3. What's new in my field? What are my colleagues doing that I should apply to my business?
One of the absolute BEST things any professional, business owner or manager can do is invest i n seminars and conferences. The chance to get away and "see the forest for the trees" is incredibly valuable. Conferences generate new perspectives, and new ideas create vast new opportunities! Invest in yourself!

THE LAW OF TIMING

Timing is everything in negotiation. A negotiation can be made or unmade by the time at which it takes place. There is a "too soon" and a "too late" in every situation. Whenever possible, you must plan strategically and use the timing of the negotiation to your advantage. There is a better time to buy and a better time to sell in almost every case. And when your timing is right, you will always get a better deal than when it is not.
The More Urgent the Need, the Less Effective the Negotiator
If you are in a hurry to close a deal, your ability to negotiate well on your own behalf diminishes dramatically. If the other person is eager to make the deal, he or she is functioning under a disadvantage that you can exploit to your advantage. For example, every company has sales targets for each month, each quarter, and each year. Sales managers are tasked with hitting incomes, and their bonuses. Therefore when you are buying any large ticket item, you will almost always get the best deal if you wait until the end of the month when the pressure is on to hit the targets.
Don't Rush
The person who allows himself or herself to be rushed will get the worst of the bargain. Rushing or using time pressure is a common tactic in negotiation, and you must be alert to other people trying to use it on you. People will often tell you that you have to make up your mind quickly or it will be too late. Whenever you hear this, you should take a deep breath and patiently ask questions to find out just how urgent the situation really is. If someone insists that he or she needs an immediate decision, you can reply by saying, "If you must have an answer now, then the answer is no. But if I can take some time to think about it, the answer may be different."
Allocate your Time
You resolve 80 percent of the vital issues of any negotiation in the last 20 percent of the time allocated for the negotiation. Probably because of the prevalence of Parkinson's Law, which says, "Work expands to fill the time allotted for it," most of the key issues in a negotiation get jammed into the final phase of the discussions. Up to this part of the negotiation, there seems to be a natural human tendency to procrastinate on the resolution of the most important issues. What this means for you is that you must be patient in a negotiation. You must be prepared for the key issues to be resolved at the last minute.
Final Point
A final point with regard to timing. Whenever possible, you should delay making an important decision. At the very least, don't allow the other person or persons to rush you into a decision by suggesting that if you don't act now, it will be too late. Whenever the item under negotiation involves a great deal of money, a long life of a product, or long duration of the decision, or it is the first time that you negotiated in this area, buy time for yourself. Take at least twenty-four hours, if not an entire weekend, to think over your decision before acting. Use time as a weapon to strengthen your position and to improve your ability to make better decisions.
Action Exercise
Avoid deadlines for yourself whenever possible. Tell the other party that you are not going to make a decision today, no matter what is agreed to. Give yourself at least twenty-four hours to think it over before deciding. Sleep on it as a matter of course. You will be amazed at how much better you think when you have put some time between yourself and the decision.

PERSISTENCE COUNTS!

In six weeks, we’ll begin a new year. A key question is whether you will make 2010 different, bigger and better than this one?
In 2010, you'll have 52 weeks to achieve whatever you wish. In 52 weeks you can transform anything, from your relationships to your personality, even your bank account. You can change careers in 52 weeks. You can marry the person of your dreams, learn a new language or sail around the world in 52 weeks. What will you do in the coming year?
Whatever you decide, you will have to persist. To change careers, you'll have to make decisions, take risks, make mistakes, call some people, start over, get training, perhaps move to a new community, be scared, and celebrate many small victories along the way. Through it all, you will have to "keep on keeping on".
Personally, I'm always in favor of working smart, and I love it when big things happen quickly! That's just plain FUN!
But most of the time, successful people are patient, persistent and work very, very hard. They have clear goals. They plan well, and use efficient strategies. If things ar e not working, they step back, re-assess and try another way. Always, they "keep on keeping on".
We juggle budgets, we try stuff, and we dream. We cross off wonderful ideas that don't fit, while adding ideas and projects that "pop up" during the process. By January 1st, we have a map, a set of strategies and specific outcomes to be achieved in 52 weeks.
It's great fun to dream and plan and strategize. It becomes a source of laughter and inspiration and we look forward to it. That's the easy part.
The hard part is keeping faith, week after week, and taking the daily steps t o get where we want to go. Which brings me back to publishing TIPS for 676 consecutive weeks.

Quotes of the Week
"The great tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside of us while we live." -- Norman Cousins
"It takes great courage to faithfully follow what we know to be true." -- Sara E. Anderson
"Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become."
-- Barbara Geraci
"Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it's holy ground. There is no greater investment." -- Stephen Covey

A LIST WORTHY OF YOU

Most people have been told to organize their day and work with a "to do" list. We've been told to list our priorities, write them down, start at the top and check each one off as it's completed. Unfortunately, my experience is that very few people actually do it, and those who do, rarely find it satisfying.
There is a better way.
I recommend creating a list of your top values, the things that remain constant over time, and then designing each day around those life-choices.
Most people can quickly name the handful of values, people, relationships, projects and purposes that are most important to them. These might include their faith, their career, their families, or something as concrete as buying a new home. The specifics differ for each of us, but most people can identify their personal list.
The problem is that most of us never actually write it down! My suggestion is that you write down your 5 or 10 top priorities and keep the list where you can see it, and take a moment to read it each day. Review it each morning. Smile as you read it, picturing each item in your mind.
Then, design your day and your "to do" list around those major priorities. Sure, some days will be spent on trivial errands or whatever, but most days, most of the time, focus on activities that reflect your "life list".
Over time, your list will evolve as your priorities change, but if you have the right items and the wording is "perfect", reminding yourself of your true priorities and your true passions each and every morning will make a huge difference. Try it. I think you’ll like results!

THE FOUNDATIONS FOR GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

I’ve been thinking a lot about ways to create a workshop around this simple recipe, and I want to share some prel iminary observations with you.
First: Know your strengths
High achievement comes from knowing what you do well, what you love and where your passion lies. Mid-level performance comes from people who can “get by” or are doing something “acceptable” but they are not using their talents to the maximum. When human beings do something they love and have some talent for, they are unstoppable!
Think about a teenager learning to drive, play sports or music, or asking someone special for a first date. Or how about your own determination to be a great parent, good lover or successful investor. When we are doing something that “makes sense,” something that draws and excites us, we find ways to get good at it. “First, know yourself” and always go with your strengths, passions and talents!
Second: Know your weaknesses
We all have blind spots and weaknesses. We have things we don’t enjoy, or don’t want to do, and yet too often we create lives or careers that require us to do precisely that! How dumb is that?
If you don’t like detail work, hire a bookkeeper! If you are shy or introverted, don’t go into sales or politics! If you’re a natural born entrepreneur, I wouldn’t recommend a career in the military. Like, duh!
Unfortunately, most of the time our weaknesses are not so dramatic and we find ways to hide or work around them. Then we end up in situations where we can get along, but we “forget” to do the accounting or calculate the budget. We get “bored” with meetings or annoyed with “those dreamers” in the R&D department. It's important to know what you’re good at, but it'sabsolutely vital to know what does not suit you. Acknowledge your weaknesses! Don't spend your life "trying" to do things that don't fit! Life's too short for that! Build on your strengths rather than compensating for your weaknesses.
Third: Know what you want
We all have dreams and desires. We know what brings us joy, what excites us, what fires us up. Sometimes, we get confused or lose track of our dreams, but they are still “in there.” The trick is to identify and express them!
The winners in life know what they want and they find healthy, productive ways to go after it. They ask, they poke and prod until they “find a way.” Recently, a client expressed amazement that since he identified a particular skill he wants to develop, suddenly he sees people doing it all the time! We’ve all had that experience. My comment was that “when you know what you want, you’re much more likely to get it.”
Fourth: Know how to express yourself
The final piece is “finding your voice,” your unique way to let the world know you exist. Some do this naturally and become entertainers, politicians or whatever. Others struggle to express themselves, but winners eventually find a way. They speak up. They reach out. They “go for it” and “make waves.” They voice their suggestions, work for their causes, and make a difference in the world.
High achievement starts by knowing who you are, what you want, and going after it. That’s not always easy or simple, but winners keep trying “until” they find a way. “Know thyself and to thine own self be true.” There is no stopping a human being who knows who they are, what they want, and is determined to get it.

Quotes of the Week
"To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."
-- Tony Dorsett
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."
-- Goethe
"The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one's own self." -- Montaigne
"Follow your bliss." -- Joseph Campbell

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
We've all heard the old adage "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar," and this is the principle behind behavior modification. Nagging someone to do something, whether it's a partner or child, often elicits just the opposite response: resistance, but almost everyone responds to positive reinforcement, but this approach to changing someone's behavior takes a little patience and emotional control.
Practitioners of behavior modification believe habits are learned because of reinforcement from the environment. This theory states that people will always do the behavior that earns the greatest rewards, even if, in the doing, there are some adverse effects. For instance, Tom may have learned from his mother that it really didn't matter whether his socks landed in the basket or not because she'd come along and pick them up for him. That was his reward but, because he only got negative messages from Fran for the same behavior he didn't have much motivation to "unlearn" it.
WHAT A SWEET CHILD!
When dealing with a child, attention is one of the most important rewards, even if it's negative attention; a child would rather be punished than have no attention at all, because it signifies they have an effect on the parent. If a child acts inappropriately, and then receives immediate attention for that behavior, it will tend to be repeated. If Johnny throws a temper tantrum in the supermarket and mom, desperate to have him quiet down, quickly purchases what he wants, his inappropriate behavior has now been rewarded, and will likely be repeated the next time. Mom has actually "taught" Johnny that throwing a tantrum pays off, and she can be certain he won't quickly forget that lesson.
When little Mary walks into a room full of people and shyly refuses to say hello or state her name, shyness can become a permanent part of her personality if that behavior is constantly reinforced. If her parents or the company present comment on "how cute that is," and give her plenty of attention for her nonverbal behavior, she's learning that noncommunication is desirable.

Besides attention, children will also respond to other types of reinforcers, such as tokens they can accumulate to buy something they really want, or even stars on a calendar which can be traded for a trip to the zoo, or some other activity the child really desires. Or a food treat can be given contingent upon the child finishing his or her homework. But, material rewards should always be paired with social reinforcers, such as praise, a smile, a hug or a pat on the shoulder, so the child doesn't become hooked to always being paid for doing what's required.
NAG! NAG! NAG!
Like children, adults also respond to positive reinforcement but, unfortunately, couples who live together tend to slip into a pattern of nagging or even denigrating their partner to get what they want, and frequently inadvertently reward the very behavior they don't want. For instance, if you'd like to go out to dinner at least once a week, the negative approach is to say something like: "We never seem to go any place nice for dinner anymore." A more positive statement, such as "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we went out for a quiet dinner and had some time alone, once a week?" is likely to elicit an affirmative response.
BATHROOM BEHAVIOR
How about the frustrating habit of the man in the house leaving the toilet seat up, and then you almost fall into it if you forget to look before sitting down? You may have nagged him repeatedly about this, and still he hasn't remembered, and you're getting increasingly ticked-off. Try to have the patience to wait until you catch him doing the desired behavior and then really praise him remembering! It won't take long before he remembers all or most of the time.
WANT MORE ROMANCE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Instead of statements like: "We don't make love often enough," "I need more affection!" or "When are you going to be in the mood?" which are sure to elicit a negative feeling in your partner, and definitely won't get you what you want, try positive reinforcement, such as: "I love it when you're affectionate with me," or, more specifically: "I love it when you do X," or "It makes me feel closer to you whenever we make love."
REINFORCING THE BOSS
Suppose your boss is the type of person who never notices how much work you have to do, but is always handing you even more, so that you feel overwhelmed. You don't want to complain because you're afraid he'll think you're not conscientious or hard-working. How to handle this positively? Whenever a day goes by that he doesn't give you more work, take advantage of this by telling him you appreciate having a break to catch up on everything you have to do, because this makes you more efficient. By praising him for doing something he wasn't even aware of, he'll probably be more sensitive to this in future.
THE NEIGHBORS' DOG WON'T STOP BARKING
When you've been kept awake for several nights because of the neighbor's dog, the temptation is to stomp over to their house and give them a piece of your mind. Resist doing this because it may cause your neighbors to dig in their heels and refuse to do anything about it. The best approach is to start off with anything you can think of that's positive, such as how nice their front yard looks. Or, tell them how much you've appreciated that, except for the last few nights, their dog has been quiet. Let them know they're good neighbors and you'd really like it if they could keep their dog in the house overnight so you can get a good night's sleep. Of course there are some people who are so malevolent nothing will work, but it's sure worth a try, whereas confronting them with a hostile attitude probably won't get you what you want, but it will get you a bad relationship with your neighbors.
MAKING IT A HABIT
Positive reinforcement can be used with anyone, for any behavior, because all of us resist criticism and respond to praise. So, the next time you want someone to accede to your wishes, try a little applause for the desired behavior.

USING THE WORLD'S BEST TOOLS.

This week I was talking with a colleague about technology and computers, and told her about my policy of replacing our computers every 18 months, or sooner. She exclaimed that she couldn't afford that, and my comment was that I can’t afford not to.
The rule is that the most productive workers, and ultimately the most successful people, always have the best tools. Period.
To earn more, you must do or produce more, and that requires better skills, more knowledge, more efficient methods, and of course, the very best tools. To compete in tough economic times:
1. Learn more. Continuous learning is a must. Brian Tracy points out that if you read one book per week, in ten years you will have read 500 books, and then he asks: "Would reading 500 books give you an edge over your competitors, knowing that most people never read at all?" I think the an swer is obvious.
2. Get the best equipment. I replace our computers because I do not want "down time." I replace them as insurance against failed hard drives and burned out chips. I replace them (and up-grade our software) because I trust Murphy's Law that if systems can fail, they will fail, and at the worst possible moment. I want our office to be a "problem-free zone" where we work without frustration or distraction. Get good equipment.
3. Expand your network. There is great truth that "it's who you know that counts." Through my network of amazing people I can get the answers to almost any question or find a solution to any problem. The good people in my network assist me, and they support my clients. My network is perhaps my most valuable asset. It provides me with what I need, when I need it, virtually every time.
To earn more, get better tools.

MAKE EVERYDAY COUNT

For many of us, life seems “endless.” We know of course, and that someday our days will end, but on a practical level, we live as if we have forever, as if there will always be another chance, another year, another opportunity. We pretend we are immortal and spend our days accordingly.
Big mistake!
The difference between extraordinary performance and run-of-the-mill performance is usually found in the "little things." We know that education, intelligence, wealth, even personality do not explain the difference between high achievement and failure. It’s not even close!
The truth is that highly successful people use better, smarter, more effective strategies. They know their top priorities and focus their time, their energy, their creativity and all their pow er on their few, top choices.
There is only a slight difference between landing a plane safely and crashing at the end of the runway, but that slight difference is the difference between life and death. In achieving your goals and creating the life you truly want, it's the small differences that ultimately determine your long-term results.
Winners know and use effective strategies! Highly successful people review their strategies and measure their results to see if they are "on course." Are they getting what they want? Are they making progress? Every day they ask, “Is it working?”
I have identified about a dozen key strategies in high achievers, but the first and most fundamental strategy is that high achievers MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT!
Cancer patients understand this. They focus their time, they plan their days, they do "first things first" and they GET THINGS DONE. No distractions! When you have limited energy, when you&r squo;re sick and weak most of the time, when your days are numbered, things get very clear.

In his excellent book, Thinking for A Change, John Maxwell details his strategies for organizing his work a month in advance and reviewing again at the start of each day. He is a master of planning and making every day count!
I am not convinced it is necessary to work extremely long hours, or to work extremely hard. Often, we can achieve a full day's RESULTS with just one action, if it is the RIGHT action at the right time, done in the right way. High achievers do the right things, at the right time, and they do them every day.
Most people rush quickly, thoughtlessly through life. We are all busy, but are we really getting anywhere? Is all that energy and activity moving us forward? With high achievers, day by day, the answer is an emphat ic YES!
Plan your days and work your plan. Before leaving your office in the evening, or first thing in the morning, outline your day. Review your schedule, choose your most important activities, and focus on them! Every single morning, I list the three most important things I want to do that day. They may be work or play or something in between, but they are my CHOICES and once committed to them, I don't go to bed until they are done.
The first strategy of high achievers is to make each day count! Focus on things you can control. Know your top outcomes and the key strategies for success, and put all your time and effort into those few things. I think it makes a nice difference.

Take action! It’s a place to start.

Quotes of the Week
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." -- Mother Teresa
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." -- Jeremy Kitson
"We don't know who we are until we see what we can do." -- Martha Grimes
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK OWNERS

GOOGLE:

Lawrence Edward "Larry" Page (born 26 March 1973) is a US computer scientist best known as co-founder of Google Inc. He is ranked 26th on the 2009 Forbes list of the world's billionaires and is the 6th richest person in America. In 2007 he and co-founder Sergey Brin were both ranked #1 of the "50 Most Important People on the Web" by PC World Magazine.

Sergey Brin (born August 21, 1973). According to the 2007 edition of Forbes, Page had an estimated net worth of $16.6 Billion, placing him and Sergey Brin at rank 26 on Forbes's list of the richest persons in the world. They recently purchased a Qantas Boeing 767 airliner for business and personal needs.

Page and Brin are both worth $12 billion each in 2009 because of the economic crunch.

FACEBOOK:

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg (born May 14, 1984) is an American billionaire and entrepreneur best known for co-founding the popular social networking site Facebook. Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook with fellow classmates Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin and Chris Hugheswhile attending Harvard. Zuckerberg serves as Facebook's CEO.[3] He has been the subject of controversy for the origins of his business[4] and his wealth

Time Magazine added Zuckerberg as one of The World's Most Influential People of 2008. He fell under the Scientists & Thinkers category for his web phenomenon, Facebook, and ranked 52 out of 101 people

In 2009 Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is worth $2 billion.

You may not earn as much as they do but you can start from somewhere now!

IT'S TIME TO TRANSFORM YOUR WORLD

Most people know the story of the ancient Greek mathematician, Archimedes, who said, “If I had a lever long enough and a place to stand, I could move the world!” Imagine that! A simple lever, nothing very complicated or hard to build. Just a long stick or pole. And a place to stand, even a rock or piece of ground would do—IF you understood and applied the principle involved.
I love that story!
So many of us want to improve our world. Particularly during these past months of recession and economic uncertainty, it’s clear how eager we are for things to get better! Many people believe that in our last election, President Obama tapped into a profound desire for “change” to make life better. We are a restless people who want a better life and a better world.
As for specifics, some of us are focused on income and want to “work less and make more.” Some of us are eager for time with family or for greater peace of mind. Some think primarily in term s of their investments and retirement, or changes in our health care system. Some long for “peace on earth” while others simply want a better job, or any job at all.
Well, I have good news! All of this is possible and getting started is relatively simple. Not easy, perhaps. But simple.
Archimedes captured the principle of leverage. Big changes always start with small, simple principles applied in powerful ways. The good news is that it works the same way in our own lives, and we can start today. There is no need to wait for Congress to pass health care reform. Or for the politicians to negotiate peace, or for the global economy to recover.We can take powerful, leveraged actions in our own lives that take effect today.
How? It begins with understanding and applying powerful, basic principles.
1. Order is better than chaos. Too many of us have allowed small bits of chaos to enter and grow in our liv es. Whether it’s credit card debt that weighs us down, or tangled relationships that cause stress, or a messy house that discourages us, we live with too much chaos. Order and routine beat chaos every time. Following basic rules of behavior and using systems to manage our lives are powerful principles that can be leveraged to change everything! Many of us think routine is boring. We value “spontaneity” and enjoy lots of “variety” in our lives. But trust me, order beats chaos every time.
2. Simple is better than complicated. Too many of us allow our lives to become far too complicated. We have too many commitments. We’ve made too many promises. We “have to” participate in too many activities, groups and “networking opportunities.” When too much becomes too much, simplify! Transforming your world sometimes starts by simply saying NO more often. Such a simple, powerful word! Leverage the principle of saying NO to organize and transform your world.
3. Clarity is power. Too many of us are fuzzy about the things we want or value in our lives. The ancient truth that “clarity is power” can be leveraged to get enormous power over our priorities, our time, our energy and our peace of mind. Too often, we want too many things, even things that contradict each other. We end up confused. We get anxious and we make mistakes. Instead, get clear about the things that are actually important and go after them! Let the rest alone! When you’re clear about your values, the world responds with clarity and things get much simpler. Claim your personal power! Get clear.
4. Goals are good. Human beings are goal-seeking creatures. We are constantly working to get more of what we want and less of what annoys or hurts us. The problem is that too often, too many of us refuse to choose. Set goals! Choose the things you want and develop plans, strategies, budgets and rules to get them. Then go for your (few) goals with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all the energy, skill and effort you can muster. “You can have anything you want in life, but not everything you might desire.” Choose goals wisely. Prioritize them. And make them happen. Goals are good.
Mahatma Gandhi once suggested, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” There is wisdom and power in that! Change always begins in the heart, one person at a time. Change always begins with “me.” Simplify. Seek order and use the power of leverage in your life. Go for what you truly want and let the other temptations, distractions, invitations and confusions go hang! To transform the world, start now. Start today.

Quotes of the Week
"We become what we repeatedly do." -- Aristotle
"You are what you think about all day long." -- Dr. Robert Schuller
"Change your thoughts and you change your world." -- Norman Vincent Peale
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind!"
-- William J ames