WHY PEOPLE DO NOT SET GOALS
Here are eight common reasons why people fail to set goals.
1. Most people are not serious or committed... just words - no action. You need to reverse to "action taken," not just words written.
2. People do not accept RESPONSIBILITY for their life. They are still waiting for real life to just "happen," buying lottery tickets instead of taking positive action in their lives. They are "Waiting for their ship to come in," waiting for a lucky break... always WAITING for a more convenient time.
3. They hope someone else will take responsibility and "rescue" them.But, who else will take responsibility for your life, if not you?
4. They were raised in a negative atmosphere. "Can't" is the attitude of the household. "Oh, YOU can't do that!" "Don't even bother" or"Why do you think you are good enough to do that?"
5. They don't really understand or realize the importance of planning and setting achievable goals on a consistent basis.
6. They just don't know how to do it.
7. The fear of criticism ... fear of being ridiculed when trying to rise above the norm. Fear of sharing goals with others, which helps to doom success. What is needed is association with people who understand the importance of goal setting, and who will help them reach their goals in a healthy, positive manner.
8. FEAR OF FAILURE ... This greatest deterrent keeps most people in their "comfort zone." There, they are already successful, so there is little chance for risk, therefore, for failure.But that place doesn't teach any lessons and does not stretch the individual to find out what they are really capable of accomplishing.
HOW TO MAKE RESOLUTIONS THAT YOU'LL KEEP
What follows are 12 specific steps which will help you translate your Resolution(s) into solid, achievable worthwhile goals!
1. SET GOALS WHICH CALL FOR YOU TO "STRETCH" BEYOND WHAT YOU MIGHT NORMALLY BELIEVE YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.
As Napoleon Hill said, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Determine what you really believe you can accomplish ... then consider expanding what you think is possible For instance, if you earned $50,000 last year and know that you can easily repeat this success, what would be a real stretch for you? Would it be $60,000? $65,000? Can you see yourself earning $100,000? If so, challenge yourself to acquire this extra amount. There are no limitations except those you place on yourself and acknowledge.
2. SELECT AN AREA OVER WHICH YOU, YOURSELF, CAN EXERCISE CONTROL, RATHER THAN A SITUATION IN WHICH CHANCE HAS A LARGE INFLUENCE.
For example, a New Years Resolution that you're going to win the lottery would not be effective because you don't directly influence the outcome of the games. You do, however, control the quality of your work, the number of times you call on prospective clients, etc. Focus on these areas and improve your personal performance.
3. PUT YOUR GOAL IN WRITING.
When you write out your resolution, you'll find that you become much more serious about achieving it. You must also pay special attention to the way in which you write your goals (see steps 4-7).
4. ASSUME SUCCESS.
Avoid saying, "I want to start my own business" say "I WILL start my own business by..."
5. MAKE 1T SPECIFIC
For example, "I will start my own catering business, focusing on healthy ethnic ingredients"
6. MAKE 1T MEASURABLE
For instance, "I will start my own catering business, filling out all necessary legal papers, renting a location, purchasing kitchen equipment, hiring at least one worker and servicing my first client."
7. SET A TIME DEADLINE FOR ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOAL.
Tack on a "by when" to the end of the above statement -- that is, "I will start my own catering business by March 1, 2008" This adds a sense of urgency and immediately puts you into a "state" of action.
8. LIST THE BENEFITS YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE BY ACHIEVING THIS GOAL.
This is crucial. For instance, will you have more influence in the community? Will your family be more secure? Would you have fulfilled a life's dream? (NOTE: If you ever find yourself growing too scared or losing focus on your goal, take another look at what you wrote for this step.)
9. SPEAK WITH OTHERS INVOLVED IN SIMILAR ACTIVITIES.
An effective way to build your confidence when sailing into uncharted waters is to associate with those who have already taken this or similar risks ... survived and succeeded.
10. ASK A COLLEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL TO SERVE AS A PERSONAL "COACH"
Make sure you choose someone who is both healthy and positive, to help you keep your resolution. Share your goals and commitments with this person. Report to him or her often and ask your coach to hold you accountable for doing what you say you will do.
11. VISUALIZE YOURSELF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL.
Create a vivid mental picture of yourself (for example) presiding over a tremendously successful catering affair. Imagine your client smiling and thanking you for cooking such an exceptional meal. Allow yourself to experience the positive feelings e.g.. pride, happiness, satisfaction -- that go along with your accomplishment. The more you can "see" your success in your mind's eye the more likely you will be to create this success in reality.
12. ACT NOW.
Act on your thoughts now. Avoid putting off taking action because you feel that you need to be better trained or more prepared -- this is a form of procrastination. Again if you find yourself too scared to proceed refer back to step #8 and focus on the benefits you will receive making this resolution.
REMEMBER : "Life is what happens to you. Living is what you learn from...and how you respond to what happens to you" "While we can't change the past, we CAN fix the present and START living a better life right now, in order to make our future better
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
An excerpt from Visual Selling: Capture the Eye and the Customer Will Follow by Paul LeRoux and Peg Corwin (Wiley, $24.95)
By Paul LeRoux and Peg Corwin
Mistake #1: Overlooking "Murphy"
If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. This mistake basically means that you walk into the room where you're going to present and something is wrong. LeRoux tells a story about a multimillion-dollar sales presentation to which "Murphy" paid a visit—in the form of missing curtains and a boardroom window overlooking a huge pool surrounded by bikini-clad swimmers (you can guess what the attendees looked at instead of the presenter).
Remedy: Visit important presentation rooms at least a day in advance. If that's not possible, have someone take pictures from different angles and email them to you.
Mistake #2: Delivering Split Presentations
It's difficult to read the subtitles of a foreign movie and follow the action. When sellers stand at a distance from the screen, they create a similar problem. You probably won't build rapport with someone whose focus is repeatedly divided.
Remedy: Stand next to the screen and present a united message.
Mistake #3: Positioning Yourself Incorrectly
Right-handed sellers usually stand with the screen to their right. This allows them to point more easily. However, people read left to right. Salespeople are unable to capitalize on this fact when the screen is to their right.
Remedy: Position a screen, flip chart, or easel stand to your left. Then people will naturally start with their eyes on you and return to you after glancing at the screen.
Mistake #4: Choosing the Wrong Screen Size and Position
In most meeting rooms, screens are two to three times bigger than necessary. The bigger the screen, the more it overshadows the presenter. Recessed ceiling screens are typically centered. This provides nice room symmetry, but it also diminishes the seller.
Remedy: Bring a portable screen. For two to fifteen people, a 4-foot by 4-foot screen is fine. Place yourself in the room's center or key focal spot, and then angle the screen about 25 degrees toward yourself.
Mistake #5: Seating Decision Makers in the Wrong Chairs
In important sales presentations, seating arrangements matter. The first chair to the presenter's left is the best viewing point for a decision maker and the first chair to the presenter's right is the least desirable.
Remedy: Obviously, place the decision maker in the first chair to your left. Plant your feet firmly perpendicular to your group and be conscious that your body will continuously try to rotate toward the screen. Don't let it, or you'll give more eye contact to the non-decision makers.
Mistake #6: Dimming the Lights
Darkness induces drowsiness and mental wandering. Plus it eliminates the best part of a presentation—you.
Remedy: Keep the room lights on or dim them slightly. If multiple light switches are available, turn the lights off directly above the screen. (Of course, since the lights are on, you will need to design slides that are visible at higher light levels.)
Mistake #7: Promoting the Screen
Too many presenters feel that the information on the screen is the real "star." But the audience needs to see you as well—you pull them into the story unfolding on the screen and bring the message to life. As an American Indian proverb goes, "Move closer to the campfire, so I can see your words."
Remedy: Bring the lights up enough so that both you and your visuals are clearly seen.
Mistake #8: Playing with Pointers and Other Toys
Anything you hold in your hands becomes a plaything with which you'll fidget. You might as well twirl a baton, since your hands gripping some object will distract people just as much.
Remedy: Keep your hands free to gesture by not holding a pointer, marker, or remote.
Mistake #9: Blocking the Screen
Do not turn toward the visual and point with your right arm. This causes you to partially block the screen from viewers to your right.
Remedy: Point at the screen with your fingers together, palm down and parallel to the floor. Point to the screen with only your left arm, but when you gesture, use both arms.
Mistake #10: Holding Remotes or Clickers
Remember, it's human nature to play with objects in your hands. If you're nervous, you'll speed up and change the slides faster than you should. Besides, holding a remote causes you to gesture less. You'll settle into the easier, boring role of a talking head instead of selling your ideas with your upper body.
Remedy: Place your laptop or remote on the lectern or a table under the screen.
Mistake #11: Positioning the Lectern to the Side
Usually, in high-dollar presentations, two items dominate the room—the screen and the lectern. Too many presenters place the lectern well away from the screen (causing the aforementioned split presentation), and then they hide behind the "box." To "take cover" defeats the whole idea of selling visually.
Remedy: Position the lectern, screen, and presenter together, so the presenter can interact closely with the screen and use the nearby lectern to hold content cue cards or the remote to change slides. If you're the presenter, stand in the center of the room or stage with the screen to the left and the lectern to the right.
Mistake #12: Reading Someone Else's Text Slides
If you take over someone else's text-heavy presentation at the last minute, you face an uphill battle. By just reading the text slides, you'll put your audience to sleep.
Remedy: Use different words from what appears on the screen. Be very enthusiastic. That will help viewers overlook the boring slides.
By Paul LeRoux and Peg Corwin
Mistake #1: Overlooking "Murphy"
If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. This mistake basically means that you walk into the room where you're going to present and something is wrong. LeRoux tells a story about a multimillion-dollar sales presentation to which "Murphy" paid a visit—in the form of missing curtains and a boardroom window overlooking a huge pool surrounded by bikini-clad swimmers (you can guess what the attendees looked at instead of the presenter).
Remedy: Visit important presentation rooms at least a day in advance. If that's not possible, have someone take pictures from different angles and email them to you.
Mistake #2: Delivering Split Presentations
It's difficult to read the subtitles of a foreign movie and follow the action. When sellers stand at a distance from the screen, they create a similar problem. You probably won't build rapport with someone whose focus is repeatedly divided.
Remedy: Stand next to the screen and present a united message.
Mistake #3: Positioning Yourself Incorrectly
Right-handed sellers usually stand with the screen to their right. This allows them to point more easily. However, people read left to right. Salespeople are unable to capitalize on this fact when the screen is to their right.
Remedy: Position a screen, flip chart, or easel stand to your left. Then people will naturally start with their eyes on you and return to you after glancing at the screen.
Mistake #4: Choosing the Wrong Screen Size and Position
In most meeting rooms, screens are two to three times bigger than necessary. The bigger the screen, the more it overshadows the presenter. Recessed ceiling screens are typically centered. This provides nice room symmetry, but it also diminishes the seller.
Remedy: Bring a portable screen. For two to fifteen people, a 4-foot by 4-foot screen is fine. Place yourself in the room's center or key focal spot, and then angle the screen about 25 degrees toward yourself.
Mistake #5: Seating Decision Makers in the Wrong Chairs
In important sales presentations, seating arrangements matter. The first chair to the presenter's left is the best viewing point for a decision maker and the first chair to the presenter's right is the least desirable.
Remedy: Obviously, place the decision maker in the first chair to your left. Plant your feet firmly perpendicular to your group and be conscious that your body will continuously try to rotate toward the screen. Don't let it, or you'll give more eye contact to the non-decision makers.
Mistake #6: Dimming the Lights
Darkness induces drowsiness and mental wandering. Plus it eliminates the best part of a presentation—you.
Remedy: Keep the room lights on or dim them slightly. If multiple light switches are available, turn the lights off directly above the screen. (Of course, since the lights are on, you will need to design slides that are visible at higher light levels.)
Mistake #7: Promoting the Screen
Too many presenters feel that the information on the screen is the real "star." But the audience needs to see you as well—you pull them into the story unfolding on the screen and bring the message to life. As an American Indian proverb goes, "Move closer to the campfire, so I can see your words."
Remedy: Bring the lights up enough so that both you and your visuals are clearly seen.
Mistake #8: Playing with Pointers and Other Toys
Anything you hold in your hands becomes a plaything with which you'll fidget. You might as well twirl a baton, since your hands gripping some object will distract people just as much.
Remedy: Keep your hands free to gesture by not holding a pointer, marker, or remote.
Mistake #9: Blocking the Screen
Do not turn toward the visual and point with your right arm. This causes you to partially block the screen from viewers to your right.
Remedy: Point at the screen with your fingers together, palm down and parallel to the floor. Point to the screen with only your left arm, but when you gesture, use both arms.
Mistake #10: Holding Remotes or Clickers
Remember, it's human nature to play with objects in your hands. If you're nervous, you'll speed up and change the slides faster than you should. Besides, holding a remote causes you to gesture less. You'll settle into the easier, boring role of a talking head instead of selling your ideas with your upper body.
Remedy: Place your laptop or remote on the lectern or a table under the screen.
Mistake #11: Positioning the Lectern to the Side
Usually, in high-dollar presentations, two items dominate the room—the screen and the lectern. Too many presenters place the lectern well away from the screen (causing the aforementioned split presentation), and then they hide behind the "box." To "take cover" defeats the whole idea of selling visually.
Remedy: Position the lectern, screen, and presenter together, so the presenter can interact closely with the screen and use the nearby lectern to hold content cue cards or the remote to change slides. If you're the presenter, stand in the center of the room or stage with the screen to the left and the lectern to the right.
Mistake #12: Reading Someone Else's Text Slides
If you take over someone else's text-heavy presentation at the last minute, you face an uphill battle. By just reading the text slides, you'll put your audience to sleep.
Remedy: Use different words from what appears on the screen. Be very enthusiastic. That will help viewers overlook the boring slides.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
wooden apples
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired.
One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples.
He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth.
They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle.
They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him.
He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.A fruit tree reminded him of his hunger, but he felt the apples in his hands.
He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruits.
In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples.
A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind.
He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full.
What if he just let go?Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough.
He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.Letting Go Of Our Wooden ApplesLike that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go.
A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple.
But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy.
Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can."
But still he holds onto them compulsively.
Then we have our own "ego". Why should I bow to him? Why should I be the first one to talk to him?I am no ordinary being. I am rich. I am powerful. I am handsome. I am someone. Definitely, I am not an ordinary being.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things that we even feel pain when our cars are dented.
Or when we loose our material things, or when we receive short change by mistake.
How much more powerfully do we identify with our beliefs and self-ideas?
Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
Why not let go of the wooden apple?
The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.Remember, let go of your wooden apples.
Pride, prejudice, self-image, ego, one-up-man-ship, only I am right and everyone else is wrong, these block the creative forces of nature reaching you.
God has made you the best, and he wants to give you the best. Open up and clear your hearts.
Because only with open hands and clean hearts can we receive these invaluable gifts.
One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples.
He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth.
They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle.
They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him.
He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.A fruit tree reminded him of his hunger, but he felt the apples in his hands.
He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruits.
In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples.
A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind.
He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full.
What if he just let go?Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough.
He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.Letting Go Of Our Wooden ApplesLike that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go.
A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple.
But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy.
Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can."
But still he holds onto them compulsively.
Then we have our own "ego". Why should I bow to him? Why should I be the first one to talk to him?I am no ordinary being. I am rich. I am powerful. I am handsome. I am someone. Definitely, I am not an ordinary being.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things that we even feel pain when our cars are dented.
Or when we loose our material things, or when we receive short change by mistake.
How much more powerfully do we identify with our beliefs and self-ideas?
Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
Why not let go of the wooden apple?
The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.Remember, let go of your wooden apples.
Pride, prejudice, self-image, ego, one-up-man-ship, only I am right and everyone else is wrong, these block the creative forces of nature reaching you.
God has made you the best, and he wants to give you the best. Open up and clear your hearts.
Because only with open hands and clean hearts can we receive these invaluable gifts.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Man thrives, oddly Enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment
The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste. To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.
However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish.
So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan?
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The Shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.
As soon as you reach your goals, such as earning good money, getting a Good position, starting a successful company, paying off your debts or whatever, you might lose your passion. You don’t need to work so hard so you relax.
Like the Japanese fish problem, the best solution is simple. It Was observed by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950’s. “Man thrives, oddly Enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment.”
The Benefits of a Challenge
The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a good problem. If your challenges are the correct size, and if you are steadily conquering those challenges, you are happy. You think of your challenges and get energized. You are excited to try new solutions. You have fun. You are alive!
Recommendations:
Instead of avoiding challenges, jump into them. Beat the heck out of them. Enjoy the game. If your challenges are too large or too numerous, do not give up. Failing makes you tired. Instead, reorganize. Find more determination, more knowledge, more help.
Don’t create success and lie in it. You have resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!
Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.‘Make Your Own Way’
However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish.
So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan?
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The Shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.
As soon as you reach your goals, such as earning good money, getting a Good position, starting a successful company, paying off your debts or whatever, you might lose your passion. You don’t need to work so hard so you relax.
Like the Japanese fish problem, the best solution is simple. It Was observed by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950’s. “Man thrives, oddly Enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment.”
The Benefits of a Challenge
The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a good problem. If your challenges are the correct size, and if you are steadily conquering those challenges, you are happy. You think of your challenges and get energized. You are excited to try new solutions. You have fun. You are alive!
Recommendations:
Instead of avoiding challenges, jump into them. Beat the heck out of them. Enjoy the game. If your challenges are too large or too numerous, do not give up. Failing makes you tired. Instead, reorganize. Find more determination, more knowledge, more help.
Don’t create success and lie in it. You have resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!
Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.‘Make Your Own Way’
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