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HOW TO UNLOCK YOUR CREATIVITY

Did you know that there are two major things that can stimulate creative thinking? But first I wanted to discuss what stimulates creativity.

The first is intensely desired goals, and the second is pressing problems. Your creative capacities need something to hone in on and your job is to provide it.

A Continual Stimulus for Ideas

Intensely desired goals, clearly defined with detailed plans for their accomplishment act as a continual stimulus for ideas to achieve them.

To trigger your imagination, write out a clear description of your ideal end result or goal. Be clear about the goal, be flexible about the process. Think about it, visualize it as realized over and over. Project your mind forward to the picture of the realized goal and then look back to the present.

Think on paper. Make a plan and then work on the plan, updating it, changing it, adding to it as you think of new ways to work toward the goal. The more clearly defined and keenly desired your goals, the more of your natural creativity will be released for goal attainment.

The Proper Approach to Problems

The second stimulant to creativity is pressing problems. The key to idea generation when you face a problem is to approach the problem confidently, expectantly, with the attitude that there exists a logical, practical solution just waiting to be found.

The most creative people have a relaxed attitude of confident expectancy that causes their minds to function in original and imaginative ways.

Define your problems clearly in writing. Accurate diagnosis is half the cure. Sometimes you will find that you are dealing with a "cluster problem," one that is made up of several smaller problems. Your job is to sort them out and then go to work on each one separately.

In many cluster problems, there is a core issue surrounded by a lot of symptoms. Creative thinking requires that you separate the core issue, and then focus on resolving that before worrying about the smaller problems.

I've created a special report for you called "Unlocking Your Creativity" that consists of my 10-step method to thinking systematically and opening the flood gates to your creativity.

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.

PRACTICAL HAPPINESS: A GOAL FOR 2013

For the past few years, there have been dozens of books,
seminars and websites dedicated to the topic of happiness.
I've studied happiness and several of my MasterMind partners
have encouraged me to write my own book or lead a class on
it. So far I've resisted.
The research suggests "happiness" is a rather elusive thing.
At the level of scientific research and psychology, it seems
most people have a "set point" for happiness and things
that can be measured by science don't respond very well to
simple interventions. In many ways, promising folks that
they can dramatically increase their happiness by reading a
book or following a program is not usually true.
But there is good news! My experience and my reading suggest
that while it may be difficult to increase your over-all
level of "happiness," being HAPPY is pretty easy! Who would
have thought that little distinction could be so important!?
I've joked for years that I may not know much about living a
"great life," but I do know some things about having a
"great day!" And I've always figured that if I have several
thousand great DAYS in a row, one after another, that may be
pretty darn close to living a great life.
Something like that seems to go on with happiness, too.
Being happy for 10,000 days in a row seems pretty darn close
to being a happy person and living a happy life!
Helping someone find joy and satisfaction, and feel happy at
the end of the day turns out to be pretty simple. I think we
can actually do that in a pretty significant way!
Here are some suggestions:
First, list 20 things that make you happy. Don't stop until
you have at least 20 specific items! List all the things
that make you giggle, smile, chuckle, celebrate or feel
good. List the things that make you proud, relaxed,
satisfied, or confirm that you are loved by others. Don't
stop until you have a list of 20 things that make you happy!
You'll need that list! Then . . .
1. Do five of those things every single day. Give a hug.
Get a hug. Kiss a child, read a book, play a practical joke,
or sing in the shower. Eat a cookie, exercise or meditate.
Whatever makes you happy, do five of them every day. Without
fail. Sure, it takes some discipline, but you're worth it! 
2. Be productive every day. Do some actual work -- not just
"effort" or "trying" or that "busy" stuff. Do some
productive, meaningful work every day. Get things done. If
it's related to your career and makes you money, great! If
it's cleaning the house or watching your daughter's soccer
game, fantastic! Do something productive, important, and
meaningful. Make a difference. Every day.
3. Do a good deed. Give someone a hand, or make a phone
call. Send a thoughtful card or an encouraging email. Help
an old lady cross the street or help a child with their
homework. Give of yourself in a way that makes the world a
better place for someone else.
4. Laugh out loud. Life's a crazy, ridiculous affair and
there is certainly much to laugh about. If nothing else,
just look in the mirror! Tell a joke or hear one. And don't
just chuckle politely. Be insane! Be daring and actually
laugh. Put your whole body into it. If you need help with
this, get a puppy, or a kitten -- or a get around a child!
Laugh out loud! I think you'll enjoy it.
5. Be grateful. Everyday, write a few entries in your
gratitude journal. Before bed, take a moment to notice what
went right, what you're grateful for, the good luck or
blessing or joy that touched you during the day. Write it
down in a notebook so you can keep track. Master the
"attitude of gratitude." You'll be happy you did.
Whatever goals you have already set for 2013, add one more:
"I will be measurably and demonstrably happy on a minimum of
364 days in 2013." (Give yourself some slack -- allow one
day to be cranky, if you wish.) I can't make any promises
about that elusive thing called "happiness," but if you make
it a goal and take the steps to be happy for 364 days in
2013, I think you'll like the results.
Happy Christmas, everyone!

BEFORE YEAR 2012 RUN OUT

 

Because of you, your family will not know poverty you will go in and out of your house in peace....

Violence and crying of sorrow shall not be heard in your camp...

Because you are God's Idea and God cannot fail, you shall not fail this year...
Favour shall overwhelm your endeavours
You shall not struggle to be recognized...

Your gift shall announce you...
You are entitled to daily fruitfulness...

Every darkness in your life shall give way to the light of God...

All your lack will give way to abundance...

The rejected shall become the selected...

People shall hear your testimonies and follow you to God...

In everything you do, you will succeed...

By the time this 2012ends, you will look
back with joy; and ahead with great expectations...

You will take charge of your life as you master your time...

You will discover how to maximize your time and add value to it...

You will become the star of your family
and the hope of your generation...

Because you know where you are going,
the whole world will step aside and follow you...

May you find favour with God and men...

May you grow in wisdom and stature...

May you walk in dominion over every circumstance and situation...

For the remaining part of the year 2012, never forget to:

Act as if it were impossible to fail..
Because for people like you and me,
the word failure does not exist...
Your success is non-negotiable...

This will be the greatest year of your life and the beginning of unprecedented success in your life!

Those who laughed at you before shall come to laugh with you...

However bad it has been with you till this point, you shall from henceforth enter into the rest and;

God shall take you to the place of your greatness and destiny.

You shall have visions that are clear,
virtues that are right and victory that is certain...

You are blessed beyond curse, raised above terror and established beyond oppression...

You shall not lack counsel and ideas...

You shall have eyes that see, ears that hear and a heart that understands...

In place of breakdown you shall have breakthrough; in confusion, you shall be enlightened; and in weakness, you shall be strengthened...

There shall be for you beauty in place of ashes, the oil of gladness in place of spirit of heaviness...

Every closed door against your goodness, greatness and destiny shall open of their own accord...

You shall be instructed and illuminated within by the Spirit of God...

You shall do the right thing at the right time...

You shall rise above every obstacle and be carried on the wings of eagle...

God will remember you for good...

You shall fulfill and not frustrate destiny...

Christ shall continually dwell in you...

 

THE INVITATIONAL CLOSE

Everyone knows that the Invitational Close is a simple, yet low-key, classy, and powerful way to conclude the transaction. But how do you do it well?

The Invitational Close is preceded by a Trial Close such as: "Mr. Prospect, do you have any questions or concerns that I haven't covered up to now?" Or, "Mr. Prospect, does this make sense to you, so far?"

Probe for Lingering Objections

You ask these questions to be doubly sure that the prospect has no final objections lurking in the back of his mind that would block the closing of the sales process. You then invite the customer to make a buying decision by saying, "If you like what I've shown you, why don't you give it a try?"

Invite the Customer to Buy

Inviting the customer to buy is very powerful. This is a gentle way of nudging the customer into taking action. "Why don't you give it a try?" If you are selling services, you can ask, "Why don't you give us a try?" If you want to be more bold and direct, you can simply ask, "Why don't you take it?"

Change Your Wording

One of my seminar graduates doubled his sales by changing his words in the endgame of selling. After his sales presentation he would ask the prospect if he had any additional questions or concerns. If the prospect said "no," he would then ask, "Well, if you like it, why don't you take it?"

He was amazed to find that many prospects could not think of a good reason not to go ahead with his offering immediately. Both his closing ratio and his income soared.

Action Exercises

Here is something you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

The next time you complete your sales presentation, simply issue an invitation to the customer to make a decision. "Why don't you give it a try?"

You may be surprised at your success.

SUCCESS IN 2013: YOUR TOOL BOX

About 100 years ago, Mark Twain observed that "the
difference between the right word and almost the right word
is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug,"
and that applies to the tools we use every day.
High achievers invest in themselves, their business and
their future. They have a great coach, a strong support
team, and the best tools. And, what intrigues me, is how
little it costs to have the best. In fact, it doesn’t cost
at all -- it pays amazing dividends!
What exactly are these high-quality tools?
Some professions need to impress clients with fancy offices
or elaborate equipment, but far more often the winners in
life invest in tools that are amazingly simple and
sometimes, they're free! Here are some examples:
1. A notebook of written goals. Winners use a notebook,
ring-binder or similar document to identify their most
important objectives. They know where they are going. They
know their outcomes in advance. They have a plan. And they
document their progress, day by day. And all for the cost of
pen and paper!
2. A calendar. Personally, I prefer year-at-a-glance wall
calendars so I can color-code important dates far ahead of
time. I color in birthdays and anniversaries, vacations and
family times. I use a different color for business trips and
similar commitments. It lets me see the ebb-and-flow of the
year and plan accordingly. It keeps me focused and motivated
on a daily basis.
3. A daily plan. I use little 3x5 cards. My assistant uses
her electronic planner, and there are lots of systems on the
market, but the key is to plan each day in advance,
selecting your priorities and doing the most important
things first. High achievers plan each day the night before,
or first thing in the morning. They know the value of a day,
and never leave it to chance.
4. A support team. Whether you have a business partner, a
professional coach, or a master-mind group, winners have
advisors to keep them on track and focused. President
Roosevelt called it his "kitchen cabinet" (separate from his
official Cabinet officers) and they helped him set his
course.
5. Thinking time. High achievers schedule time to plan, to
review, to brain-storm and review, to meditate or journal.
High achievers have a system to maintain perspective and
chart their course. At least once a week, stop everything.
Get a cup of tea or coffee, your notebook, and SIT STILL!
Spend an hour thinking about your life and how to make it
better. I think you'll like the results.
6. Great equipment. Mainly, I'm talking about your personal
computer, but the principle applies to any equipment you use
on a regular basis. Winners own and use good tools! Clean up
your office. Get a new desk chair or lamp or some good
music. Tools and surroundings that keep you focused and make
you productive are absolutely critical. Insist on the best!
I'll close with another personal story. My preferred form of
exercise has always been walking and jogging, and I still
remember over 30 years ago when I bought my first pair of
specialized running shoes. I had no idea shoes could make
such a difference! Instantly, my legs stopped aching, I ran
further and faster, and I was astonished! In the store they
seemed outrageously expensive; that first morning, I knew
they were a bargain! Good tools make all the difference.

BUILDING UNSHAKABLE SELF CONFIDENCE

Did you know that highly creative people tend to have fluid, flexible, adaptive minds? Here are three statements that creative people can make easily and which you learn by regular practice.

Admit It When You Are Wrong

The first is simply, "I was wrong." Many people are so concerned with being right that all their mental energy is consumed by stonewalling, bluffing, blaming and denying. If you’re wrong, admit it and get on to the solution or the next step.

Face Up to Mistakes

Second, non-creative people think that it is a sign of weakness to say, "I made a mistake." On the contrary, it is actually a sign of mental maturity, personal strength and individual character. Remember, everybody makes mistakes every single day.

Be Flexible With New Information

The third statement that creative people use easily is, "I changed my mind." It is amazing how many uncomfortable situations people get into and stay in because they are unwilling or afraid to admit that they've changed their minds.

Be Willing to Cut Your Losses

If you get new information or if you find that you feel differently about a previous decision, accept that you have changed your mind and don't let anyone or anything back you into a corner. If a decision does not serve your best interests as you see them now, have the ego-strength and the courage to "cut your losses," to change your mind and then get on to better things.

Action Exercises

Here are two ways you can break out of narrow thinking patterns and become more creative.

First, be willing to admit that you are not perfect, you make mistakes, you are wrong on a regular basis. This is a mark of intelligence and courage.

Second, with new information, be willing to change your mind. Most of what you know about your business today will change completely in the coming years so be the first to recognize it.

5 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO COPE WITH HOLIDAY STRESS

For most of us, we want the holidays to be fun and exciting. But more often than not, the holiday season evokes tension and stress. By spending more money than our budgets allow, or going overboard by eating the wrong foods, or taking on too many activities...these external stressors are only a piece of the bigger picture. These problems only compound when we are faced with unresolved family issues and budget limitations. And as the holidays approach, these issues may seem larger and more complicated as we confront family members who we typically don't see throughout the year, and often don't really want to see!

Here are 5 tips that will help reduce your holiday stress:

1. Be Prepared. It is important to remember that a mixture of feelings and emotions will undoubtedly be experienced. Preparing for this mixture is a sure bet to avoiding the shock and surprise when a myriad of feelings erupt from sometimes the most seemingly innocent of situations. When we're prepared and use the patterns from past holiday seasons to help us do things differently, we can create a new feeling around the holidays. Even if the stress is only slightly reduced, we have changed something about our lives and our repetitive patterns. The worst feeling is to be stuck doing the same things over and over again that just don't work.

2. Be Realistic. One way to prepare for holiday stress is to be realistic. If you have unresolved issues with your family, they won't magically disappear just because it's the holiday. Wishing for this only sets the stage for disappointment, failure and unhappiness. In fact, the issues are more likely to escalate during the holidays because there's so much pressure to get along, have fun, and be nice. Look at past holidays and learn what's realistic with your family. You don't have to repeat the same unworkable scenario year after year.

3. Nix the Shoulds.
The holiday season creates a lot of "shoulds." "I should see my parents or my siblings because, after all, it is the holiday season." If you feel obligated to see your family during the holiday season, lower your stress by thinking about it in a different way. First of all, remember that you have choices. There is no rule book that says we need to be with our families during the holidays or how long we need to visit with them. If things are simply too stressful with your family, either don't arrange a visit, or limit the time you spend with them.

4. Change Your Reaction.
Our internal feelings and memories of past holidays color how we see the season. Try to look within and see what your beliefs and expectations are about the holidays. Simply make a list of the things that don't work with your family and ask yourself how you usually deal with each one. Then, see if you can think of one way to deal with it a little bit differently. Change your reaction and you'll change the situation. Just by doing this, you have begun to alter an old pattern that doesn't work. This one small transformation can reduce your holiday stress, bringing more peace within yourself and to those around you.

5. Create New and Inexpensive Traditions.
Make a list of things you do every year, noting what each item costs. Get creative and transform your list into new traditions that don't break the bank. For example, as a family, pick out a tree together at Costco, take it home, heat up some apple cider, and play your favorite Christmas CD while decorating the tree together. Instead of purchasing new Christmas decorations, recycle and redecorate your old ornaments. Or make Christmas cookies together and give them away as gifts. There's a lot of ways to create new traditions when our wallets are anything but full.

Remember that it really IS possible to make the holidays about love and connection. Just by thinking about the season a little bit differently and taking some new actions and you will be able to make this a holiday season of fond memories!

HOW HARD SHOULD YOU WORK?

For years, there's been a drum-beat on the internet and
among coaches that we should "work less and make more." The
theory is that by being smarter and more efficient, we
should make more sales, and have more profit for every hour
we work.
I like the theory. I’m not sure it's that simple.
The reality is that those who work hardest often seem to
make the most money. Beyond that, it seems to me that the
world actually prefers LOW prices, and that Sam Walton
(founder of Walmart) did alright by lowering prices and
making a bit less on each individual sale.
Obviously, we all want to be efficient, and we all think
we’re just a bit smarter than the next competitor. We are
all looking for an edge, and I suspect that will never
change. But I also think there is an obvious edge we tend to
over-look.
Customers actually LIKE businesses that go the extra mile!
They PREFER companies that answer their phone. They do
business with people who give SUPERIOR service, and who seem
to care about customer satisfaction. Actually, I like
companies that refuse to merely satisfy me and seem
determined to AMAZE me! And all of that requires hard, hard
work.
Here's an old law of business: focus on the life-time value
of a fanatically loyal customer. Focus on the value of a
customer who sees him- or herself as your partner, rather
than as just a shopper. When your customers refuse to deal
with anyone but you, your fortune is assured. How hard
should you work? About that hard.

STOP DOING THESE 7 THINGS FOREVER!

There are some things in our lives that we just need to stop doing. They aren't good for us and they mess with our mindset.

I don't know about you, but I have found that some things I have done for so long that I just do them without thinking. Yet, some of those same things are just ruts that we get in and can't get out of. A lot of them are about how we think about things.

Here is a list of 7 things that we could SO do without!

1. Over-thinking things.
How many times do you find yourself fixated on some thought or idea and you've thought about it so much that you have it totally out there like in fantasy world or something or get so worked up about something because you've imagined all sorts of imaginary happenings? Stop thinking so hard. I know this is one area I'm really needing to work on some more because the way I'm made up I tend to think and think and think about things. Thinking about things is good, but only if you keep it balanced. Don't over think things.

2. Stuff my feelings.
There are different ways we all deal with our feelings. One way is we don't express them and just stuff them down inside. While it may be appropriate sometimes to not express our feelings and emotions, always stuffing them down inside without letting them out and expressing them is not healthy in more ways than one. When we stuff different emotions down inside and don't deal with them or express them or handle them, we are asking for trouble. This causes stress to build up, which we all know causes so many illnesses in itself. Without going into a lot of detail, for the purpose of this article, let's just say that we all need to express our emotions in a healthy way. If you need to cry, just do it. Don't feel ashamed because you feel however you feel. Emotions are just emotions. What you do with those emotions is what counts. Choose to deal with them in a healthy way.

3. Filling up all your time slots-juggling too many things at once.
Okay. So, I imagine we've all been guilty of this -- being WAY too busy. Do you fill up all your time slots on your calendar with stuff that keeps you so busy you have no time to relax? Stop. Breathe. I know we all have responsibilities and things we have to do to keep things going, but there is a point when too much is just too much! Let some of it go. If you really want peace and happiness in your life, you have to find more time for yourself and spending time doing the things you love and being with those you love to be around. Juggling too many things does nothing but keep you run down all the time, stressed out, and feeling like you never can get it all done. Believe me when I say that the more simple your life is the more peaceful you will be. So, slow down friend!

4. Tolerating stuff from other people.
We all have a personal space around us that we don't like anyone to cross. The closer we are to someone usually the closer we let them in. That being said, there are some things that we just shouldn't tolerate at all and sometimes we have to set boundaries. I have had to do this in my own life. There are some things I absolutely won't discuss with certain people. I know I'm not going to change their mind and all it does is upset me when we have certain conversations. I let them know I won't discuss it and if they insist, I leave. I refuse to stand there and listen to someone criticize me and talk down to me or go on and on about how they disagree with my decisions or actions. There are some things we have to take a stand for. If someone is always making you feel bad every time you get around them, either set some boundaries with them and gently let them know you won't put up with it or get some new friends. Respect yourself enough to stand up for yourself. Yes, you may have made some mistakes in the past, but you don't have to listen to anyone harp on them every time you see them. You will find yourself a lot happier if you hang out with those who lift you up, inspire you to do great things, encourage you, and make you happy!

5. Creating or tolerating drama.
I hate drama! I know a lot of people that can't survive without always causing drama or being involved with someone else's drama. Why would I want all the stress it brings? I can't stand being in a conflict with someone let alone being involved in their drama. If you are involved in creating or tolerating drama, you aren't going to find any peace. Most of the time, all drama does is accuse, point fingers, exaggerate, and make people feel bad. I find that drama is never uplifting to anyone. Just remember this, what you reap you will sow. If you create drama about others, more than likely others will be creating drama about you.

6. Trying to change people.
I know I have been guilty of this one. Why do we try to change people anyway? Is it because we don't appreciate them for who they are? maybe don't like something they do or the way they act? We are all different. None of us are the same. You do realize don't you that you aren't perfect either? I'm sure there are things about you they aren't that crazy about either. Let's just give everyone the benefit of the doubt and accept them for who they are. Give each other a little space. We are attracted to people and like them and don't really always know why; we just like them. When we start faultfinding and nitpicking, we are damaging the relationship and not enjoying the uniqueness of the other person. Just enjoy one another in all their glory. Each one of us should be able to be our true selves and not try to fit the mold of what someone else thinks we should be. You are unique yourself. You are special. Just remember, so are they.

7. Own other people's problems!
Raise your hand if you don't have any problems of your own. No hands? Imagine that! What we have to realize is that we have our own problems, which are enough for us to handle. Yes, we always look for a way to help our children or loved ones or friends when they have a problem. This is normal. This is love. Where it begins to be a problem is when we start to "own" their problems. Don't become so engrossed in other people's problems that you get stressed out, ill, find yourself thinking about it nonstop, and basically have unknowingly placed yourself right in the midst of the problem when you don't need to be there. This is their problem. You might be able to help or might not. Step back and let them handle it. If they ask for your help, don't over obligate yourself. Help in any way you feel comfortable, but remember that the other person will only grow if they learn to handle their own problems. Always bailing your kids out when they need money? "Oh, but mom or dad, the phone will be cut off if I don't have the money today!" I have given in to this one countless times (I have 5 kids), but eventually you realize they aren't learning the lesson of blowing their bill money and then suffering the consequences! This is just an example, but it is a hard one to learn when we just want to help them. They are grown ups now. Let them learn what they need to learn. If this example didn't resonate with you, just remember this: You aren't doing yourself or them any good if you are letting yourself get involved in their problems when it is not appropriate.

These are just 7 things we need to stop doing forever. Can you imagine how many there really are? This is a good start though! If we conquer these 7 things we are coming along and will feel better about ourselves and find more peace.       

MENTAL FITNESS IN SALES SUCCESS(PMA)

Did you know that the development of a positive mental attitude is the indispensable requirement for achieving great success in your field?
Everyone knows that selling is hard work. In fact, it is one of the most difficult jobs in our economy. As a salesperson, you face continual rejection, potential failure, persistent disappointment, setbacks, obstacles and difficulties not experienced by most people. Selling is not easy and it has never been easy. Will it ever be easy? No, it will always be varying degrees of difficult, from hard to very hard, to very, very hard. And to be successful in selling you must be tough, as well.

Your Attitude Makes the Difference

In selling, your attitude is probably eighty percent of your success. Your attitude is the outward expression of everything that you are, and everything that you have become over the course of your lifetime. Your attitude has the greatest single impact on the people that you deal with. The development of a positive mental attitude is the indispensable requirement for great success in your field.

Learn to Bounce Back

Psychologists have defined the "hardy personality" as the type of personality that is most suited to the rigors of the modern business world. The hardy personality, the personality you need to develop, is resilient, optimistic, tough, strong, and capable of bouncing back continually from temporary disappointments and defeats.

Respond Constructively to Stress

A positive mental attitude is a constructive response to stress. It is a solution-oriented, objective approach to difficulties that you face every single day. A positive mental attitude is expressed as a general optimism toward life and the inevitable challenges of earning a living. A positive mental attitude is the most outwardly identifiable quality of a winning human being, and it is the characteristic most closely identified with success in selling of all kinds.

Practice Mental Fitness Every Day

To become and remain physically fit, you must engage continuously in physical exercise. To become mentally fit, to develop the kind of attitude that leads on to success and happiness, you must engage in continuous mental exercise. It is a never ending process. Just as you do not achieve physical fitness and then discontinue physical exercise, you can not achieve mental fitness without working on it regularly, every day, like breathing in and breathing out.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, decide in advance that, from now on, you are going to respond in a positive and constructive way to each and every stress situation in your life. Be tough!

Second, practice mental fitness every day by forcing yourself to remain cheerful and optimistic in the face of difficulties and disappointments.
Remember, you can do it if you decide to!

SETTING GOALS FOR SUCCESS IN 2013

Over the years, I've consistently encouraged you to have
clear, measurable goals. Only you can decide what you want
for your life. Only you can decide what makes you happy and
gives you the life you truly want.
And having selected your goals, only you can devise the
perfect strategy for their achievement. The perfect strategy
for you, in your situation, won't be the same as anyone
else's strategy. You have obstacles that no one else has,
but you also have talents, skills and opportunities that
give you a totally "unfair advantage" in the quest for a
GREAT life!
And once you have the goals clearly defined and your perfect
strategy mapped in detail, all that's left is the simple
matter of daily execution. And of course, that's the easy
part.
Sure, it's also where most people fail. Everyone can
visualize a great dream, and most can figure out at least a
reasonable strategy. But doing the small, daily actions is
where they get distracted. They change their minds, or get
frustrated and give up.
But not you! Set a clearly-defined, precisely measured
target. Develop a simple, elegant strategy, and then, "work
your plan." Do your daily chores. Make a list, "check it
twice," and get to work. You know this stuff!
So let's walk through a specific illustration.
One goal I recommend for most everyone in 2013 is a goal for
Personal Development.
Twelve months from now you want to be "better" than you are
now. You want to know more, or be kinder, wiser, richer,
stronger, healthier. . . BETTER than you are today. So, how
are you going to do that?
Step 1: Precisely Define the Goal
What does "better" look like for you? Will you learn a new
language, or be a better parent or lover? Will you manage
your time or money better? Will you be healthier or learn a
new hobby?
The temptation is to say Yes to several of these, but of
course that's silly. You can only do so much with the time,
energy and resources available.
So, which goal will you choose? And how much of it? What's
the budget? How will you measure success? Be clear. Be
specific. Move from a dream to a measurable, concrete,
action-able GOAL to be "better" than you are today. Twelve
months from today you will be BETTER. But how much better?
And how will you measure it?
Step 2: Develop an Effective Strategy
How, exactly, will you master this new skill or ability?
Will you sign up for classes? Work on it by yourself? Will
you join a team, get a coach, practice every morning before
work?
How will you measure your progress? Is there a way to keep
score? Financial goals are nice because you just calculate
your Net Worth every month and plot the numbers. But how
will you measure your skills as a parent or your progress
toward being an effective leader? Be smart about this.
There's a way to measure just about anything, but you may
have to be creative.
And -- a critical question -- what will you have to give up
to make room for your new goal? A goal to read 12 books in
12 months may mean watching less sports or fewer movies.
More time with the kids may mean less time on the golf
course. Every goal requires that we pay a price, and success
requires that you pay the price in full. Be clear about
this. You cannot do it all!
Step 3: Do the Work
I'm a huge fan of constant learning, particularly through
reading, watching documentaries and attending seminars. That
means actually sitting down to read. An hour or more, every
day. It means registering for the seminars, spending the
money, packing a suitcase, showing up and taking notes. You
have to do the work!
Achievement means going for that run, whether it's raining
or not. It means going to class or helping the kids with
their homework five nights a week. Do the work!
Let me close with an example. I challenge you to read every
single day for 365 days in 2013. I love reading, and this
may not suit everyone, but it's helped me and I believe it's
worth your consideration. How do you set yourself up for
success?
Step 1: Decide what you want to know more about -- history
or selling, parenting or politics or some inspirational
biographies. You decide, but be specific. Research and list
books on your topic. Decide whether you'll measure progress
by the number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or
whatever.
Step 2: Develop an Effective Strategy -- I quit work about
four in the afternoon and read until dinner. I have a list
of books I plan to read, focused on topics I want to study.
I buy the books in advance and stack them in the living room
where I see them every day and they remind me to stay focused.
(Note: This took some negotiation with Mary. Your solution may
vary!) You'll need a strategy that's designed to work in your
situation.
Step 3: Read! Every day. Stop. Sit down. Read. Do not get
distracted. Do not procrastinate, do not run errands or
answer the phone. Just read. Until dinner.
Everyone knows about goal-setting, but few leverage it for
their own success. Don't let that be you! Set specific,
measurable goals that have meaning and make sense, goals
that excite you. Develop your strategy, then work your plan.
Choose your goals wisely. Then focus intensely. And stay
with it.
It's what successful people do. It's what successful people
have always done.

4 MUST HAVE FOUNDATIONS TO GROW YOUR SOCIAL NETWORKS

Social media is an ever-growing marketing platform. With new users joining daily and new marketing angles emerging all the time there are so many possibilities right at your fingers tips. The most exciting part is really connecting with your target client and making meaningful connections that you wouldn't have had to opportunity to do so otherwise.

So with all the changes going on all the time and new possibilities how can you continuously grow you network affectively? We'd like to share 4 foundations that ring true in any network you join and no matter what changes they make.

1st Foundation: Always be yourself and represent your branding.
In reality this means two things. First, stay true to your branding. This means colors, logos, pictures all that fun stuff. You want to have a consistent appearance online, this helps people remember and recognize you across multiple platforms.

Second, be yourself. We have a saying we like to use "Be Personable, Not Personal." You want your interests and passions to shine through at all times so new connections can see who you are and get to know you more.

In being personable you can still keep your personal life private. Let's give an example, if you went out to the movies with your kids and during the movie you had light bulb moment use this in your content. People will love it! This creates a connection point between you and your readers, gives them something to relate too...and often times the message you're teaching is conveyed much easier.

To keep your family private you could say something along the lines of "This weekend I wanted to a break from the busy office with my family and watch a good movie! Lo and behold during the movie I had break through. Doesn't it seem like when you relax and let loose that the best ideas come to you?" That is a great introduction or lead in for a blog, your readers will connect and want to hear more.

2nd Foundation: Give credit where credit is due.
This is so important. Doesn't it feel really great when you log into to Twitter and see that people have shared one of your blog posts with their audience? Everyone loves having this feeling! One key to growing your social media presence is by sharing useful content from thought leaders, or others, with your community. In doing so you'll also build your relationship with that person. We share our mentors' content all the time. We learn a lot from their content too! Here's a few tips to make the most of sharing other's content:

Give them credit:
On Facebook, tag their Facebook Page name. Your post will then show up on their page and their audience can see your post.
On Twitter, @mention them. Your post will now be right in front of the person so they'll see you're acknowledging them - and more often than not they will acknowledge you, great exposure!

Leave them a comment:
If you're sharing a good blog with your audience post why not leave a comment on the blog? You can share how you relate to the post or your opinion on the topic. This will also help your visibility with their audience.

3rd Foundation: Always seek out new connections.
Social media is online networking. When you attend networking events in person you walk around and introduce yourself. You might comment on their business card and ask questions about their business to get the conversation going. The same thing happens online. If you find someone really interesting that you want to spark a conversation, check out their website. Then send them a Tweet or post on their Facebook page. Start the conversation.

One of the most popular questions we get is "How do I find new people to connect with?" We have created a really effective process for connecting our clients with their target marketing. Let's look at a few things you can do every week to grow your network with valuable connections:

Facebook:
Visit communities where your target clients "hang out" Think of thought leaders and networks that you can go to and start connecting with people. Join the conversation and share your insights. Be sure to post from your business page if you have one. This will greatly increase the awareness of your page.

Twitter:
Use tools like Twellow and ManageFlitter to find people in your niche. Another key activity is to monitor who your connections are talking to and check out those people. Common interests are key in connecting!

4th Foundation: Nourish existing relationships.
Building new relationships is an important piece, but don't forget about everyone you're already connected with. Keeping up with people is really important and without a good system in place this could become a full time job. It's a really good idea to think long term when growing your network. Here are some ideas to put into place right now and keep your networks clean. Your schedule will really appreciate these!

Create Facebook Lists:
The lists we see most helpful are Family, Close Friends, Thought Leaders, and Industry News.

Create Twitter Lists:
Here's some ideas to organize your Twitter followers: Retweeters (people you want to Retweet), Thought Leaders, Colleagues, and Inspirational.

We have lists on our personal accounts and honestly we would be on Facebook and Twitter all day if we didn't have these in place. We reserve time on our calendars every day to visit our lists and engage. We have focused engagement time without having to worry about digging through the entire social feed to find exactly what we're looking for.

By putting these foundations, and a few of your own too, into place you'll be ready to build your networks no matter where you're at.

Have fun and happy networking!

RECRUITMENT NIGERIA: ARE YOU INTERESTED APPLY NOW!

1. Etisalat Customer Care Job
N60k per month, medicals (includes spouse and kids if married), N15k airtime monthly, 7hrs shift daily, 5days a week, staff bus
-- Call centre location; Agege motor road Around Oshodi/Ilupeju Lagos
-- Receiving CVs now plus one passport U-Connect - Road 12, NO 5 OGBUNIKE STREET, Lekki phase 1 (1st round bout), Lekki, Lagos.

 

2. Enterprise Bank is recruiting marketers at various levels of experience! Interested?

 Please forward your cv to: Nelson.Ochonogor@entbankng.com or ochonogornelson@gmail.com

DEVELOP A GREAT CHARACTER

A person's character is the degree to which they live their life consistent with high, life-enhancing values. A person who lacks character is one who compromises on higher order values in favor of lower order expedience, or who has no values at all.
Your adherence to what you believe to be right and true is the real measure of the person you have become to this moment. Think about it. How would someone describe your character?

Define What "Excellence" Means to You

Let us say that one of your values is "excellence." Your definition of excellence could be, "Excellence means that I set the highest standards for myself in everything I do. I do my very best in every situation and under all circumstances. I constantly strive to be better in my work, and as a person in my relationships. I recognize that excellence is a life-long journey and I work every day to become better and better in everything I do."

Organize Your Actions

With a definition like this, you have a clear organizing principle for your actions. You have set a standard by which you can evaluate your behavior. You have created a framework within which you can make decisions. You have a measuring rod against which you can compare yourself in everything you do. You can continually grade your activities in terms of "more" or "less." You have a clear target to aim at and organize your work around.

Decide What You Want for Your Family

It's the same with each of your other values. If your value is your family, you could define this as, "The needs of my family take precedence over all other concerns. Whenever I have to choose between the happiness, health and well being of a member of my family, and any other interest, my family will always come first."

Keep Focused

From that moment onward, it becomes easier for you to choose. Your family comes first. Until you have fully satisfied the needs of your family, no other time requirement will side track you into a lower value activity.

Shape Your Own Character

The wonderful thing about values clarification is that it enables you to take charge of developing and shaping your own character. When your values and goals, your inner life and your outer life, are in complete alignment, you feel terrific about yourself. You enjoy high self-esteem. Your self-confidence soars.

When you achieve complete congruence between your values and your goals, like a hand in a glove, you feel strong, happy, healthy and fully integrated as a person. You develop a kind of courage that makes you completely unafraid to make decisions and take action. Your whole life improves when you begin living your life by the values that you most admire.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do to put this ideas into action immediately.
First, create a clear, written description of your values and what they mean to you. From that point on, resolve to live consistent with your own definition.

Second, discipline yourself to live in complete alignment with the values, virtues and qualities that are most important to you. This is the key to character.

 

THE GREATEST LESSON OF 2012

We are nearing the end of the year and one of the
most important (and profitable) investments you can make is
to review the past few months very, very carefully.
Humans are creatures of habit. We are great examples of
Newton's law that, "a body in motion tends to remain in
motion." We tend to plunge ahead, repeating yesterday's
mistakes and failing to learn from experience. We take great
pride in the fact that we "can" learn, but my observation is
that we rarely do.
We tend to assume that what worked last year will continue
to work next year. We know that we should be innovative,
creative and original, but in our daily work it's easy to
get trapped in old habits, whether they still work or not.
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 to review the following questions:
1. What worked best this year? What surprised me, inspired
me or taught me something new for my work or my life?
2. What did not work, or is working less and less well? What
was less profitable or effective than I expected? What
should I drop 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 BEST things any professional, business owner or
manager can do is invest in seminars and conferences. The
chance to "see the forest for the trees" is incredibly
valuable. Conferences generate new perspectives, and new
ideas create vast new opportunities! Invest in yourself!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH 86,400 SECONDS?

If you had a bank that credited your account each morning with $86,400—with no balance carried from day to day—what would you do? Well, you do have such a bank...time. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules off as "lost" whatever you have failed to use toward good purposes. It carries over no balances and allows no overdrafts. You can't hoard it, save it, store it, loan it or invest it. You can only use it—time. Here's a story that drives the point home. Arthur Berry was described by Time as "the slickest second-story man in the East," truly one of the most famous jewel thieves of all times. In his years of crime, he committed as many as 150 burglaries and stole jewels valued between $5 and $10 million. He seldom robbed from anyone not listed in the Social Register and often did his work in a tuxedo. On an occasion or two, when caught in the act of a crime by a victim, he charmed his way out of being reported to the police.  Like most people who engage in a life of crime, he was eventually caught, convicted and served 25 years in prison for his crimes. Following his release, he worked as a counterman in a roadside restaurant on the East Coast for $50 a week.  A newspaper reporter found him and interviewed him about his life. After telling about the thrilling episodes of his life he came to the conclusion of the interview saying, "I am not good at morals. But early in my life I was intelligent and clever, and I got along well with people. I think I could have made something of my life, but I didn't. So when you write the story of my life, when you tell people about all the burglaries, don't leave out the biggest one of all... Don't just tell them I robbed Jesse Livermore, the Wall Street baron or the cousin of the king of England. You tell them Arthur Berry robbed Arthur Berry."  Here are six terrific truths about time: First: Nobody can manage time. But you can manage those things that take up your time. Second: Time is expensive. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of our day is spent on those things or those people that only bring us two percent of our results. Third: Time is perishable. It cannot be saved for later use. Fourth: Time is measurable. Everybody has the same amount of time...pauper or king. It is not how much time you have; it is how much you use. Fifth: Time is irreplaceable. We never make back time once it is gone. Sixth: Time is a priority. You have enough time for anything in the world, so long as it ranks high enough among your priorities.

INSPIRING YOUR TEAM TO PEAK PERFORMANCE

A good leader has an intense desire to lead; they possess the mentality of a role model who has a clear vision of a better future and steadfast ambition. A good leader inspires their team to peak performance and motivates others to achieve their goals. They have a clear picture of the kind of future they want to create, and they have the ability to communicate this vision to others in an exciting and inspiring way. There are three laws of leadership you must learn in order to become an inspiring leader and an excellent role model for your team.

The Law of Superb Execution

The Law of Superb Execution states that a good leader must commit to achieving peak performance. A good leader knows that excellence is a journey, not a destination. They constantly strive to be better in their key result areas and become a role model of excellence for everyone who reports to them. They are ruthless about weeding out incompetence and poor performance. Leaders demand quality work and insist that people do their jobs well. The leader sets the standard of excellence. No one, or no part of the organization, can be any better than the standard that a good leader represents and enforces. For this reason, leaders are committed to personal excellence and achieving peak performance in everything they do.
People are most inspired when they feel they are working for an organization in which excellence is expected and they have a role model to look up to. The very best way to motivate and inspire others is for you to announce your commitment to peak performance in your field or industry. Then, continually benchmark your performance and the performance of your organization against the very “best in class” in your business.
Leaders identify their core competencies, the vital tasks they do that are responsible for them being in business. They continually look for ways to upgrade these core competencies to assure that they maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace. A good leader or role model thinks ahead and identifies the core competencies that will be required for peak performance. They then develop plans to acquire those core competencies well before they will be needed to compete effectively in the marketplace of tomorrow.

The Law of Integrity

The Law of Integrity states that peak performance comes to you when you choose to live your life consistent with your highest values and your deepest convictions. Great business leadership is characterized by honesty, truthfulness, and straight dealing with every person, under all circumstances. This Law of Integrity requires that you be impeccably honest with yourself and others. Integrity lies at the core of leadership, at the heart of the leader.
Perhaps the most important thing you do as a good leader is to be an excellent role model. Lead by example. Walk the talk. Always carry yourself as though everyone is watching, even when no one is watching. A good leader is an excellent role model because they are completely reliable. People can take them at their word and trust that they will do what they say. A trusted role model makes promises carefully, and always keeps their word.
A key mark of integrity in human relations is consistency, both internal and external. The best leaders are consistent from one day to the next, from one situation to the next. Because of this internal consistency, these leaders are trusted. People know what to expect. There are no surprises.

The Law of Ambition

The Law of Ambition states that since a good leader has an intense desire to lead; he has a clear vision of a better future, which he is determined to realize. Vision is the one common quality that separates leaders from non leaders. A good leader or role model has a clear picture of the kind of future they want to create, and they have the ability to communicate this vision to others in an exciting and inspiring way.
Leaders have the ability to visualize, to see the big picture and then to inspire others to work together to make it a reality. The true leader sees leadership as a tool he or she can use to bring about a result that is bigger and more important than any single individual. A true leader can inspire and motivate others to peak performance.
You become a good leader when you set a goal, make a plan, and then throw your whole heart into making it a reality. You become a leader when you develop an inspiring vision for yourself and others.
A good leader or role model can explain clearly to other people what it is they are trying to accomplish, why they are trying to accomplish it, and how they are going to bring it about. They are excited about what they are doing, and as a result, they get other people excited as well. Leaders have goals, plans, and strategies that they are working to implement every day. They are in a hurry. They have a lot to do and they feel that they have too little time.
Perhaps the most important part of The Law of Ambition is clarity on the part of the leader. A good leader or role model has a clear vision, clear values, a clear vision, and clear, written goals, plans, and strategies for his or her department or organization. Most of all, leaders want to lead, to be in charge, to be responsible, to encourage others to peak performance. They are willing to endure the risks and the sacrifices that are required to make a real difference in their worlds.

THE SECRET TO LIVING IS GIVING

Mac Anderson said,"One of my favorite things to do is waking up early on Sunday morning, getting the Sunday paper, making a hot cup of coffee, and kicking back to read about what's going on in the world. It's my quiet time...my time to reflect and relax. One Sunday morning about halfway through my little ritual, I spotted a headline that caught my attention, "Graduating Student Credits His 'Angel'"...and I began to read. A young man who was graduating from college told the story about how Oral Lee Brown was his "Real Life Angel." In 1987, Brown, a real estate agent in Northern California, saw a young girl in her neighborhood begging for money.

When she went to the school the girl had claimed to attend, Brown couldn't find her, but that day she made a decision that would change the lives of many other children forever. She adopted an entire first-grade class in one of Oakland's lowest performing schools, and she pledged that she personally would pay for anyone who wanted to attend college. This would be a great story even if Oral Lee was independently wealthy; however, it is a much greater story considering she was a former cotton picker from Mississippi, making $45,000 a year and raising two children of her own. Brown lived up to her pledge. Since 1987, she's personally saved $10,000 a year while raising donations for her "adopted first-grade kids." And because of her tremendous act of unselfish love, children who could have been "swallowed by the streets" are now graduating from college to pursue their dreams. We all seek our purpose in life. Most of us wonder how we can make a positive difference during our brief time on this earth. But Oral Lee Brown discovered the simple secret...GIVING. Arthur Ashe said it best,

"From what we get, we can make a living. What we give, however, makes a life."

There's an amazing paradox of giving...you can never help another person without helping yourself.

4 FUTURE PROOF INTERNET MARKETING STRATEGIES

If you've ever tried to promote your website using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) you'll know that it's an ever increasing challenge to keep up with all of the algorithmic changes that Google implements on an almost daily basis.

Every year, Google makes around 400 changes to its different algorithms in order to produce the most relevant organic search results. Some of these changes are very minor and go unnoticed; others can have a greater impact and in some cases remove a site from the search results, never to be seen again. For many webmasters, getting to the top of the organic rankings can seem like an almost impossible task.

Long gone are the days where a little bit of keyword research and a touch of link building would see you rank for your desired keywords. Many of the classic SEO techniques have become almost obsolete and there can be no doubt that many of the current techniques that produce good results, will head the same way; as a part of SEO folklore!

So as a business, what can you do to make sure that your site continues to get the exposure it needs to bring in regular business and at the same time, make sure that you do not fall fail of Google's algorithmic updates and get handed a penalty in the process?

Let's take a look at four of the most important promotional activities that you should be undertaking for your website that will help to produce greater visibility, engagement and conversion.

1. Blog Posting
With literally hundreds of millions blogs being indexed by the search engines, if you are not part of the blogging crowd, you are most definitely missing one of the best ways of promoting your business.

Search engines like Google and Bing love blogs as they produce fresh information that is more likely to rise to the top of the search results. By creating rich textual content via a blog, you allow your site to potentially rank for many more relevant search terms (keywords).

By writing a keyword rich and attractive title, filling the content with well written user focused keywords and including good call to action, you give your content a great chance of making it to the top of the search results with very little conventional SEO work.

Your focus needs to be primarily on providing content that answers the questions and addresses the concerns of your potential customer. I can guarantee that if you do this regularly, your traffic will double of treble in no time at all. As an added boost, make sure that you always include sharing buttons such as AddThis so that your readers are given every opportunity to share your content with their friends.

2. Social Media
It's very hard to ignore the potential of social media when it comes to promoting your website. There is no doubt that when used correctly, the likes of Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter can be a great asset in promoting your brand.

Every day, hundreds of millions of users interact, share and engage with individuals and businesses via social media sites. If you are not using social media, you are missing a golden opportunity to listen to and engage with, your potential customers.

Word of mouth marketing is perhaps the best form of marketing available today. With social media websites, your social circle is no longer confined to your own geographical location.
By creating something of value, sharing great content, listening and then engaging with your prospective (and existing) customers, you can steadily build lasting relationships and build a community of loyal followers.

As an added incentive, Google and Bing are both using social signals more and more in order to help improve organic search results. So it stands to reason that you want to gain more visibility in this area.

3. Usability Testing and Conversion Optimization
One thing that many people forget is that driving visitors to your site is only part of the overall equation. Converting those visitors into loyal, paying customers is another matter entirely. It's not enough to go to the trouble of creating great content, special offers, videos and free software only to find that users hit your site and leave in a heartbeat, never to return.

Usability Testing means analyzing your analytics data to find out which of your pages are causing users to leave your site and which pages are providing a better user experience. So which pages have a high bounce rate, which pages have a high exit rate and which pages are preventing your users from completing that all important sales funnel?

One great way of testing your site is to get around six people to look at your site and carry out pre-arranged tasks, such as purchasing a product of finding a particular piece of information. Many online services allow you to record both the browsing and the audio so that users can give you a real insight into where your site is not up to scratch and where important changes need to be made.

Research has shown that by testing your site with just a handful of testers can help to identify around 90% of issues.

This one technique can potentially save you thousands on lost conversions. Get your usability and conversion optimization right and watch your revenue soar to new heights!

4. Video Marketing
Every day, thousands of videos are uploaded to video sharing websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Daily Motion and Meta Café. Everything from "How to string a guitar" to "Beginners Origami" can be found online. In fact, if you can think of a subject, you will most likely find a video of it on the Internet somewhere.

With an ever increasing improvement in bandwidth coupled with the fact that everyone is working harder, so have less time to read reams of text, video has become an excellent medium in which to promote your products and services. Video has also been shown to improve conversion rates when selling online!

One great thing about video marketing is that you don't need to be the next Steven Spielberg in order to make an impact; nor do you need to use expensive equipment.

Many of the most successful videos to have gone viral were created using cheap video cameras or in some cases, smart phones. Video editing software is also readily available with many applications costing very little and in some cases, totally free.

So, if you sell a product, try making a video of somebody demonstrating usage of that product. If you provide a service make a video with testimonials or someone describing the benefits of your service over the competition.

So there you have it. Four great future proof and penalty free ways of promoting your website.