Over the last 88 days, Richard has been maintaining a personal blog at Achieving Breakthrough Performance detailing his goal of losing 40 pounds in 100 days; his "100 Day Challenge."
His January 1 2009 blog says everything that either one of us could want to share with those following us here, so please go read his entry now!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
Our single most important resolution happened to be featured today in the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur's blog - a listing of the best of what entrepreneurs are doing for resolutions.
You should definitely check these out - this blog it is perfect for all entrepreneurs and the resolutions are really interesting. Also, FYI: Mike, of "TPE" has a TON of great resources.
Our resolution (#15 on the TPE list) was: "This year we are going to put every new idea through a 10 question filtering system to help decide whether or not we will/should do it."
You might be wondering what the questions are so we will share them here. Keep in mind that these are our own questions we came up with so if a business idea got an affirmative answer to at least 8 but preferably all 10 then it would fit with our mission, our desires, goals, and direction.
1. Is it something we like doing or want to do?
2. Will it make us healthier?
3. Will it move us closer to our 5 yr business vision?
4. Will it move us closer into industries and people we want to work with?
5. Will it result in greater financial freedom?
6. Will it provide ample ROI?
7. Could create passive income?
8. Will it allow us to spend time together?
9. Will it allow us to be creative?
10. Will it challenge our comfort zone/help us grow?
So hopefully we've spurred some of your own thinking about how you make decisions in your life and your business.
Oh, one other resolution that we saw on the blog that fit so perfectly in the Go for No world of thinking: "I resolve to hear every no with grace and every yes with humility." - Rain Fordyce, President of Authentic Times, Inc.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
You should definitely check these out - this blog it is perfect for all entrepreneurs and the resolutions are really interesting. Also, FYI: Mike, of "TPE" has a TON of great resources.
Our resolution (#15 on the TPE list) was: "This year we are going to put every new idea through a 10 question filtering system to help decide whether or not we will/should do it."
You might be wondering what the questions are so we will share them here. Keep in mind that these are our own questions we came up with so if a business idea got an affirmative answer to at least 8 but preferably all 10 then it would fit with our mission, our desires, goals, and direction.
1. Is it something we like doing or want to do?
2. Will it make us healthier?
3. Will it move us closer to our 5 yr business vision?
4. Will it move us closer into industries and people we want to work with?
5. Will it result in greater financial freedom?
6. Will it provide ample ROI?
7. Could create passive income?
8. Will it allow us to spend time together?
9. Will it allow us to be creative?
10. Will it challenge our comfort zone/help us grow?
So hopefully we've spurred some of your own thinking about how you make decisions in your life and your business.
Oh, one other resolution that we saw on the blog that fit so perfectly in the Go for No world of thinking: "I resolve to hear every no with grace and every yes with humility." - Rain Fordyce, President of Authentic Times, Inc.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Greatest Shoe Salesman
Here is a guy who is a "Lion" and embodies the "go for no" philosophy. To him, "SELL" is not a four letter word; and he brings a wonderful passion to what he does. A model for anyone who sells!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed by Failing
The other day we were interviewed for a podcast at http://strugglingentrepreneur.com/
by Matrix Solutions Corp.
The Struggling Entrepreneur is a free podcast series that deals with the issues, challenges and problems of the individual who wants to be an entrepreneur, but who may face a difficult path and appears to be struggling. But the podcast series also looks at the opportunities that await an inspiring and dedicated individual who wants to be an entrepreneur, and provides recommended resources.
Truth be told, I think our interviewer was a bit skeptical about bringing us on. I think he might have felt that our approach was negative and that a lot of entrepreneurs would be turned off. After all, we were talking about "failing" and when you use the word entrepreneur and failure in the same sentence - well, all bets are off.
But, after we got into it and had a chance to explain the "go for no" concepts and ideas I think our interviewer was as big a fan as anyone. We certainly appreciated his having an open mind, and I give him a lot of credit for being willing to dig into a concept that, on it's surface, seems a little strange. Fail more?
The line I liked the best, said by Richard, was that people who start a business should make the decision to not start a business, they should make the decision to be in business. That way, even if one business does literally fail you bounce back and try something else. Business is all about risk, uncertainty, and failure. For us, those words equal: challenging, exciting, and daring!
by Matrix Solutions Corp.
The Struggling Entrepreneur is a free podcast series that deals with the issues, challenges and problems of the individual who wants to be an entrepreneur, but who may face a difficult path and appears to be struggling. But the podcast series also looks at the opportunities that await an inspiring and dedicated individual who wants to be an entrepreneur, and provides recommended resources.
Truth be told, I think our interviewer was a bit skeptical about bringing us on. I think he might have felt that our approach was negative and that a lot of entrepreneurs would be turned off. After all, we were talking about "failing" and when you use the word entrepreneur and failure in the same sentence - well, all bets are off.
But, after we got into it and had a chance to explain the "go for no" concepts and ideas I think our interviewer was as big a fan as anyone. We certainly appreciated his having an open mind, and I give him a lot of credit for being willing to dig into a concept that, on it's surface, seems a little strange. Fail more?
The line I liked the best, said by Richard, was that people who start a business should make the decision to not start a business, they should make the decision to be in business. That way, even if one business does literally fail you bounce back and try something else. Business is all about risk, uncertainty, and failure. For us, those words equal: challenging, exciting, and daring!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Andrea on Idol Chat
A while ago, we sent out a press release that read; "Consultants say American Idol Rejects More Successful than Most Americans." The release was picked up by The TV Guide Channel's Show, IDOL CHAT, and within a few weeks, Andrea was being interviewed on the show!
Watch her guest appearance here!
Our point was that at least these people out there giving it a shot, talent or not, while most people are lying on their sofas simply watching from the sidelines. And what about the fact that these people can’t sing or dance? In our opinion, talent is highly overrated. In most cases it’s the willingness to face rejection and keep going that determines the level of success you’ll achieve.
Increasing your failure rate is the single greatest success strategy a person can employ. In short, if you can fail, you can succeed!
Idol contestant Thomas Daniels of Seattle is the perfect example of the premise. Daniels, auditioning for the third time after sleeping behind a row of dumpsters the night before, was finally sent through to the next round. What if Thomas had quit after getting the first or second no? He sure wouldn’t be on his way to Hollywood.
You can even look to the interchange between the judges during Daniels’ audition. When asked by Randy why he was back for a third time, Daniels said that maybe the third time would be a charm. When Randy responded, “Or three times and you’re out,” Paula chided him, saying: “Randy, if we’d quit after our third NO, we wouldn’t be sitting here!”
Paula has got it right! Whether it’s competing on a variety show, selling a product or starting a business. What you see on American Idol is representative of what it takes to succeed in any area of life. Failure is simply a stepping stone on the path to success.
Watch her guest appearance here!
Our point was that at least these people out there giving it a shot, talent or not, while most people are lying on their sofas simply watching from the sidelines. And what about the fact that these people can’t sing or dance? In our opinion, talent is highly overrated. In most cases it’s the willingness to face rejection and keep going that determines the level of success you’ll achieve.
Increasing your failure rate is the single greatest success strategy a person can employ. In short, if you can fail, you can succeed!
Idol contestant Thomas Daniels of Seattle is the perfect example of the premise. Daniels, auditioning for the third time after sleeping behind a row of dumpsters the night before, was finally sent through to the next round. What if Thomas had quit after getting the first or second no? He sure wouldn’t be on his way to Hollywood.
You can even look to the interchange between the judges during Daniels’ audition. When asked by Randy why he was back for a third time, Daniels said that maybe the third time would be a charm. When Randy responded, “Or three times and you’re out,” Paula chided him, saying: “Randy, if we’d quit after our third NO, we wouldn’t be sitting here!”
Paula has got it right! Whether it’s competing on a variety show, selling a product or starting a business. What you see on American Idol is representative of what it takes to succeed in any area of life. Failure is simply a stepping stone on the path to success.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Go for No on The Master Mind Session
As everyone keeps telling us "Go for No!" is something for anyone who must face failure and rejection. Whether fundraising, selling a product or an idea you must do so knowing that you might hear "no."
No where does this happen more than in the world of direct sales and network marketing. That's why "go for no" has taken off in this industry.
We have had the opportunity to meet a wonderful person named John Milton Fogg who is, as we now know, a legend in the industry. Author of The Greatest Networker in the World and a master of helping people build their network marketing business.
We had the best time getting to talk with John about our "go for no" philosophies for over an hour for one of his amazing services called The Master Mind Sessions. AND we are excited to say that you can listen to the introduction and a preview of this terrific interview here: http://themastermindsessions.com/sessions/
Even if you are not in MLM or direct sales, it's still well worth checking out. John's site has a ton of amazing content from all types of fabulous experts like Carrie Wilkerson, The Barefoot Executive, Mark Victor Hansen, Denis Waitely, and many many more.
No where does this happen more than in the world of direct sales and network marketing. That's why "go for no" has taken off in this industry.
We have had the opportunity to meet a wonderful person named John Milton Fogg who is, as we now know, a legend in the industry. Author of The Greatest Networker in the World and a master of helping people build their network marketing business.
We had the best time getting to talk with John about our "go for no" philosophies for over an hour for one of his amazing services called The Master Mind Sessions. AND we are excited to say that you can listen to the introduction and a preview of this terrific interview here: http://themastermindsessions.com/sessions/
Even if you are not in MLM or direct sales, it's still well worth checking out. John's site has a ton of amazing content from all types of fabulous experts like Carrie Wilkerson, The Barefoot Executive, Mark Victor Hansen, Denis Waitely, and many many more.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sell is Not a Four Letter Word
There have been a few people lately talking about this idea of selling. Those in favor of it:
On Fast Company, Skip Anderson points out that selling skills are never out of fashion. Internet marketer genius Matt Bacak explains the need to "sell" in his recent report.
In our presentations, we talk about four different selling styles. One we call, the "Retriever." This is someone whose mission it is to make friends with prospects or customers but NOT to look like or come across as a "salesperson." (God forbid we actually sell something!!) Retrievers are good at building relationships but they hate to "sell." They believe that customer service and "sales" are mutually exclusive rather than one and the same.
The Retriever's biggest fear is looking a "Shark" - another one of our four styles. The Shark is rather aggressive - in your face. You tell a Shark, you are "just looking" and the shark will wrap his/her fin around you saying, "Great! Let's just look together!"
But you can have it all. You can be the best of the Retriever and the best of the Shark. Each has their good qualities. We call this style a "Lion." And Lions know that to sell is to serve and they also Go for No!
But the main point here is, we shouldn't feel bad, embarrassed or ashamed by selling ourselves, our product or our services. If it's right for the customer get out there and SELL!
On Fast Company, Skip Anderson points out that selling skills are never out of fashion. Internet marketer genius Matt Bacak explains the need to "sell" in his recent report.
In our presentations, we talk about four different selling styles. One we call, the "Retriever." This is someone whose mission it is to make friends with prospects or customers but NOT to look like or come across as a "salesperson." (God forbid we actually sell something!!) Retrievers are good at building relationships but they hate to "sell." They believe that customer service and "sales" are mutually exclusive rather than one and the same.
The Retriever's biggest fear is looking a "Shark" - another one of our four styles. The Shark is rather aggressive - in your face. You tell a Shark, you are "just looking" and the shark will wrap his/her fin around you saying, "Great! Let's just look together!"
But you can have it all. You can be the best of the Retriever and the best of the Shark. Each has their good qualities. We call this style a "Lion." And Lions know that to sell is to serve and they also Go for No!
But the main point here is, we shouldn't feel bad, embarrassed or ashamed by selling ourselves, our product or our services. If it's right for the customer get out there and SELL!
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