Reflections from the Recycled Dream Project

Today I had a deep moment.  An epiphany of purpose – specifically as it relates to “prioritizing on purpose”.

Over the past several months I have been doing some deep self reflection, really examining life as I have been living it.  I think it is important to do that from time to time – to just take some time to look at everything you have going on, everything you are doing, everything you are spending your time, your resources, and your energy on.  Then decide how much of all that stuff is really necessary…how much of it is a means to your desired end.

What I have found in my reflections these past few months is that the vast majority of what we as humans do is not really what we need to be doing…heck for most people, it’s not even what they want to be doing.  Why?

Perhaps someone in their life said something that influenced them in a direction opposite of what was in their heart…and they felt pressured to follow suit.  Maybe they were afraid they were going to miss out on something if they didn’t participate or pursue those things.   People have different reasons for doing what they do, and my purpose today is really not to delve into the psychological side of human nature, but to share some of the observations that help create an understanding that there is a need for change in our world.

So, while I was taking a walk today I decided to make a short video to share with you how I have been prioritizing on purpose and eliminating the unnecessary energy leaches from my life.

It’s short, take a few and watch it….

So What About Your Life and Your Priorities?

So many people spend so much time looking to please other people, trying to live up to the expectations of their family, their friends, their spouse, their kids, and even strangers.  Not to mention all of the pressures of society to keep up with the latest and the greatest of all the “stuff” in the world.  “Shiney Object Syndrome” is what it is called in my inner circle….it’s like a bunny with ADD.

I’ll be honest, I reached a point about a year ago that I said “enough is enough”.  Life is too short to be so focused on trying to achieve things that don’t matter in the end anyway.  This led me down a path of deep personal growth that really has reached its culmination in the past few months.  My priorities have completely shifted…and I have connected with a greater purpose.  The things that used to matter, don’t anymore.  It’s as if I have reconnected with the core of my being – reached the deepest parts of my heart and soul, and it has been in that place that I have been able to find peace and fullness of life as it was intended for us to live it.

I’ve talked to many people who feel the same way, but they just don’t know where to begin or how to get started figuring out what to weed out of life so they can get busy living it.

See, life is a vapor – here today and gone tomorrow.  It’s not always about making a difference.  I hear people say that all the time…that they want to “make a difference”.  Really?  Come on…I think it is deeper than that.  I think life is about making an impact.  See, making a difference is small, but making an impact, well that’s much larger and louder, and significant.  Impact has the ability to bring change about on a greater scale, and to a greater degree.

So, how do you do it?  How do you Prioritize on Purpose?

As I shared in the video above, it’s really simple, and only takes a few steps.

FIRST

You gotta lay everything on the table – leaving nothing off limits.  Put it all out there and look at it.  Then step back and walk away for a little while to connect with your heart.   I do this through prayer and meditation, sometimes fasting.  You will know when you have connected with that place because everything becomes clear for you, and you KNOW what you need to do.

SECOND

After you have connected with your heart seek to define what you feel in the form of a “purpose”.  In other words, answer the question:

“What on earth are you here for?”

When you find that thing, then go do it and cut everything out that is not aligned with that one thing.  Basically, if you are a violin player then don’t pick up the tuba – ya know what I mean!  Play your violin and be the best darn violin player in the world!  Do what you were created to do!!  No one can tell you that, no one can answer that question for you, but you

THIRD

Once you have found what is in your heart, and you have your purpose all clear…go immediately back to the table (you know the one you laid everything in your life on)…and start clearing off the things that are not in alignment with that purpose.

This may mean that you have to cut away some things you really thought you wanted, you may feel a little sad, a little resistant – but trust me…do it.  If you really want to reach the fullness of your potential, and if you really want to have your dreams become a reality, then you must remove the things that are stealing energy and focus from those things you REALLY desire in life.

FINALLY

Look  at what is left on the table.  Return to your heart, refocus on your purpose, get it firm in your mind, then go back to the table and weed out some more stuff.  Trust me, there will likely be one or two things you left behind the first time.  It’s OK…it’s normal…just remove it now that you recognize it.

Repeat this process until you walk back to the table and everything on it is clearly and completely linked to your purpose and your destiny.  Now – don’t add anything else to the table unless it aligns.   If you want to achieve success…as defined in my last post, then you must do this and make sure that 100% of your focus and energy is on doing what is in your heart to do.

Recycled Dream Update

I’ve been doing this for the past six months – when I decided to embrace a Recycled Dream that resurfaced in my life.  (BTW-If you missed that post, then I encourage you to go back and watch the most honest and transparent video blog I have ever created.)

Even though I have been visiting my table and my heart consistently for six months, I am still finding stuff on the table that needs to go.  I just cut something else away yesterday.

You have to be willing to:  Let good things go, so better things can come.

You have to be willing to:  Prioritize based on YOUR purpose.

You have to be willing to: Ask yourself the tough questions.

Do you really want it?

Is it your goal or someone else’s?

Where did this goal originate?  Your heart, or from something you heard or saw from someone else?

Is continuing to pursue this going to benefit you or push you toward your ultimate dream, purpose, or vision?

If you can’t comfortably answer these questions and know the thing on the table is “in your heart”, then you must cut it my friend.

Succeed with Purpose. Succeed with Vision. Prioritize with Purpose.

Drop down below and share your thoughts in the comments box.  Let me know how you prioritize and align your actions and activities with your purpose.

Wishing you Success on Purpose!!

PS.  If you have not yet signed up for my Secrets to Unleashing Success video series, then I encourage you to do that!  It’s FREE and will help you identify your purpose and passion in life, so you can get busy living it!!  Just CLICK HERE and sign up now!!

Social Network Movie Review

A Look at The Social Network Movie from the Mindset of An Entrepreneur

To all of those social network fans out there, the movie, The Social Network, (aka #SocialNetwork for the Tweeples) about facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s rise to billionaire status, has been the buzz for several weeks now.  On opening day, my facebook news feed was filled with post after post from people buzzing about the movie.  OK, I get it.  Facebook is a complete social phenomenon and a ton of people, entrepreneur’s included, use the massive social networking site to develop relationships with new “friends” from around the globe.

As an entrepreneur, I actually practice and teach social media marketing principles, so I admit I was a little bit interested to see how this movie was going to play out and what entrepreneurial elements I may be able to take away from it.

In this review of The Social Network, I want to share a few focus points that entrepreneur’s can take away from the film and apply to their own business for growth and success.

Be Laser Focused

The movie version of Zuckerberg was intense and laser focused.  When he “wired in” working on the facebook code he was completely oblivious to the things going on around him.  Headphones on, focus targeted to the project at hand.  At several points in the movie, it was very apparent that regardless of where he was or what he was doing, his thoughts were focused on the project at hand.

The movie portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of facebook, is said to be fictional by in large and Zuckerberg  is reported to have told Oprah, that he is actually much more hard working than the movie version of him.  If that is true, then I am impressed because the movie version of Zuckerberg was intensely and almost obsessively focused on his work.

Take Fast Action

There is one scene in the movie where Zuckerberg’s character was speaking with a friend about the relationship status of one of the students when the idea hit him to add relationship status’ to the facebook profile specs.  Zuckerberg, stopped mid-sentence, with a look of epiphany plastered across his face, gathered his belongings and raced to his dorm room where he furiously enters the code to add relationship status.  This reminds me of the importance of taking fast action on not only your ideas as an entrepreneur, but on implementing the new information you learn.

Know How to Recognize the Right Timing

As the popularity of “the facebook” (as it was called in the beginning), grows, the movie demonstrates that Zuckerberg’s friend and business associate Eduardo Saverin began to press him to monetize the site.  Zuckerberg was not comfortable with that and wanted to wait for it to spread more and gain popularity.

He wasn’t willing to compromise the “coolness” of the facebook in order to make a quick buck.  Zuckerberg recognized, it was far more important to wait for the right time, grow the audience, and fan base before monetizing.  This turned out to lead to facebook being a multi-billion dollar corporation rather than a multi-million dollar corporation.

Millions are good, but billions are better. 

I see a lot of on-line entrepreneurs make the same mistake, they come out of the gate eager (or desperate…haven’t really decided which it is yet) to make money fast on-line.  What many fail to realize is that before you can generate a business partner or a customer, you must first have earned their trust and respect.  People are generally skeptical about on-line opportunities because of the massive amount of “scams” out there.  So building the relationship with others should definitely come first.  Sometimes waiting for the right time to “pitch your opportunity” to someone can make the difference between a “yes” and a “no”.  You must carefully monitor and understand timing.

Keep Your Priorities In Line

This lesson from the movie comes, not from what the fictional Zuckerberg did correctly, but what he did wrong.  Now I can’t speak to the character or the personality of the real Zuckerberg because I have never met him, nor have I done much research on him.  He could totally be a super nice guy in “real life”.  Only he and those closest to him know that.  All I know is I’m glad he invented facebook. 

The fictional Zuckerberg, however, was a complete sell out when it came to relationships and well….frankly, he screwed over just about everybody who crossed his path.   The movie portrays him as a guy with no “real friends” left at the end of the day.  (that’s not a spoiler either).  So, this leads me to my last and final take away from the movie – keep your priorities in line.

Your friends, your family, your relationships with those who love and care about you should always, always, always, take precedence over your ambitions.

You can have billions upon billions of dollars but if you don’t have the peace, joy, and satisfaction that comes from doing the right thing and keeping relationships first, then it’s all in vain.

So keep it real my friends.

Go see the movie and ask yourself what elements you can take away to help you be successful in your business. Your comments, retweets and facebook (yes I said facebook ….) shares are always appreciated.  Oh…and on those “re-tweets” please use the hashtag code #SocialNetwork (that’s be extra awesome of you!)  Thanks!

Social Marketing For Your Success,

How Do Thoughts Impact Your Life?

The thought patterns we live with day in and day out have extreme influence into the direction our lives take.  Essentially, our thoughts can make us or they can break us. Eliminating negative thoughts and thought patterns is crucial to your success and happiness in life.

Now this concept is nothing new to those who are familiar with the Law of Attraction and the principles that surround it.   There are a lot of one liners that originated out of this movement that point to such.  Some of these include quotes such as:

“Thoughts become things.”

“What you think about, you bring about.”

These concepts are valid and true. Scripture even supports them when it says:

“As a man thinks in his heart…so is he” (Proverbs 27:3)

So, with this knowledge comes the understanding that the direction of your thoughts lead to the direction of your life.  Therefore, it is important that you maintain a complete awareness of what you are thinking.

Studies reveal that the average human has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day.   And for those, like me, whose brains never stop working…there can be even more than that!! 

Because there are so many thoughts running through your mind each day, it is next to impossible to monitor them all, but you can monitor the climate of your thought life by being aware and attentive to your feelings.  Thoughts influence your feelings, therefore if you are feeling bad, angry, depressed, or frustrated, this can be a “red flag” for you to pause and trace that feeling back to the thought processes or patterns that led you down that path to begin with.

Left unaltered, negative thinking can lead to negative living.  The reason for this is simple – negative energy creates or attracts more negative energy, and ultimately – negative outcomes.  Therefore, once identified, it is essential that you consistently practice taking immediate and focused action to correct your thinking and bring it back into alignment with the direction you want your life to take…a positive peaceful and focused direction.

Techniques  To Eliminate Negative Thought Patterns and Change Your Life

There are many techniques you can use to refocus yourself, eliminate negative thought patterns, and bring balance back to your thought life.  Some of the techniques I personally use and have found to be most effective are prayer, meditation, breathing exercises, and self-talk (aka: affirmations or desire statements).

All of these help me recenter my thought patterns and bring my thoughts into alignment with my intended goals and desired direction for life.

For the purposes of this post, I want to focus on one of these, and we will save the others for future discussions.

Self-Talk and Your Thought Life

To really demonstrate the power and effectiveness of self-talk, I want to share with you a small portion of my personal journey with this technique.

Millionaire Mentors: Steven Thompson, Krista Abbott, Brad Hager, and Susan Walsh

I first began using self-talk about a year ago after a millionaire mentor of mine (Brad Hager) shared with me the importance of how it had impacted his life.  As is typical with most “new habits” we try to form, it faded away after about two months.  Amazingly, this happened even though I was seeing positive results with the actions I was taking with self-talk.  There are lots of reasons this can happen, but again that’s another post for another day…on with the story!

About a month ago, I began to notice a significant increase in negative thought patterns, so much so that it was impacting my motivation to pursue those things I am most passionate about.  Immediately, I sat down and started to write out some positive self-talk that would help me combat these things.  And, within two weeks, I had instant results of overcoming and eliminating that particular thought pattern in my life.

I have seen the power of self-talk and I know it works. If your self talk is negative, then your results will be negative.  If your self talk is positive then your results will be positive.  If you really want to have the outcomes and results you desire in your life, then you MUST recognize and eliminate negative thought patterns, and replace them with new ones.

This is called “Renewing Your Mind”.

“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

I would encourage you to identify areas that you are know you are struggling with positive thinking in and write out your own self-talk for those areas you are most passionate about.  It’s easy to do this, I’ll give you a few easy steps and some examples here:

10 Easy Steps To Creating Your Own Self-Talk

1. Get about 10 index cards (3 x 5 size),  a piece of scratch paper, and a writing instrument
2. Draw a line down the middle of the scratch paper
3. Think about the things you want to see manifest in your life and jot those down in column one of the scratch paper.  For example:  I want to make more money.”
4. Think about the negative thought patterns you have that block those things from coming into your life and jot those down in column two of the scratch paper.  For example, “…why can’t I ever seem to get ahead in life.”
5. Repeat this until you feel satisfied that all you want to manifest in your life is represented in column one and all the things that block you are in column two.
6. If you have more than 10, then you may want to narrow your focus and identify the Top 10 and save the rest for later.
7. It is recommended that you categorize the 10 items if possible.  For example: using cateogories such as “feelings”, “mindset”, “finances”, “relationships”, etc.
8. Next, take your 3 x 5 cards and one by one begin to write a positive statement that addresses the desire you have written in column one and counteracts the negative thought patterns you have identified in column 2.  For example, “I am a money magnet, money flows to me easily and effortlessly.  It feels great to be able to give generously and help others with my excess money.”
   
9. Make sure you use “feeling words” as much as possible to support the visualization that goes with your self talk.
   
10. Repeat this until you have your 10 cards written.

What To Do With Your Self-Talk Cards

I make it a habit to read each of my cards each morning when I wake up and each night before I go to sleep.  The reason for this is that scientific studies have shown that these are the times when your brain is most open to receive and retain the information presented to it.  So it is very important that the first thing you think about each day and the last thing you think about each night is positive.  Then these thoughts can work into the deeper and more influential portions of your brain.

Now, when reading them practice reading with these steps:’

1. Read silently to yourself and think about what you are reading
2. Read it out loud so that you can hear yourself saying it.
3. Pause and purposefully feel how the manifestation of that statement will feel when it arrives in your life.
4. Hold that feeling for at least a minute.
5. When ready move on to the next card and repeat until finished.

Keep your self-talk cards handy and accessible throughout the day.  Frankly, you will want to keep these cards with you as much as possible.  I actually carry mine around in my computer bag (which goes with me almost everywhere I go). Anytime you identify some feelings that are counter-productive to the positive energy you want to generate in your life, you can pull out these cards and read through them.  It is best to read them aloud so that you hear yourself saying them…this helps solidify the belief and build your faith.

“…faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word…”  (Romans 10:17)

If you are in a public place or around a lot of people and are not able (or not comfortable) reading them aloud, then that’s fine.  Read them silently to yourself and focus all of your energy on feeling what that statement would feel like when those things manifest in your life.

Examples of Self-Talk

Category:  Feelings

I am aware of my feelings and when they are moving me away from my goals.  I quickly redirect my thoughts to achieve positive, winning, and profitable outcomes.  I enjoy being open and receptive to the gifts and abundance flowing into my life.

Category:  Belief System

I live a “no-limits” mindset.  I believe I can have, do, and be anything I want.  There are no limits to the level of success, happiness, money, love, relationships, good opportunities, or blessings that can come into my life.  It feels great to live so free and abundant.  I believe!

Category:  Gratitude

I notice all of the abundance and beauty around me.  I feel gratitude for the abundant blessings in my life and for all of the resources available at my finger tips.  I receive all of the gifts and good things God brings into my life.  I freely and generously share with others who are in need.

Category:  Passion

I live my passion every day.  It feels amazing to love what I do and to have people pay me for it, and pay me well.  I am fulfilled and successful because I follow my heart and live my passion daily.

Summary and Call to Action

Well my friends, I know this has been a long post, but I felt the need to share this information with you to help you on your journey to success.  I encourage you to take an hour out of your day to take these action steps outlined above and create some positive self talk for yourself.  Create a habit in your life and watch your mind get transformed and your life changed.  I truly believe that if you do this, and do it consistently that you will see the results and the manifestations of the things that you desire begin to come into your life faster and easier than you ever imagined possible.

If you have found this post helpful, I ask that you bookmark it, digg it,  share it, re-tweet it, and leave some comments below.

Passionate About Your Success!!

If you would like to receive more from Krista on how to achieve success in your life, sign up for her FREE 7 day video series on Secrets to Unleashing Success.  Click Here to Get it Now!

If you would like to learn more about Krista’s personal one on one coaching services, Click Here Now!

The Gulf Oil Spill

A Child’s View…With Nora

The Gulf Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon, has finally reached the Florida coastline.  Being a native Floridian, living near the coast this environmental crisis hits very close to home.  The President of the United States, Barak Obama, visited Florida last week to see the impact this disaster is having on our our coast, and afterwards addressed the nation from the oval office.  Once again, our region has been thrust into the international spot light as a result of this tragic event.

Kids seem to have an innocent and candid expression of how this crisis is filtering through their thoughts.  This week, my seven year old niece was visiting and began expressing her thoughts (unsolicited) about the oil spill.  As she talked I realized the impact this is having on the world as she understands it.  I asked her if she would be willing for me to video tape her sharing her thoughts with me.

She was very eager to do so because she “…wanted to try to help save the animals.”

She also knows I blog, and use videos on my site to speak to my readers and friends.  So, she asked me if I would show her video to my friends so that maybe they could get their kids to help too.

So, please take a moment and watch this video to see what Nora has to say about the Gulf Oil Spill from A Child’s View.

There you go folks!  The impact of the Gulf Oil Spill through the eyes of a seven year old. I think we have ourselves a future blogger and philanthropic entrepreneur on our hands here!  (She takes after me, of course…) 

Since Nora gave her call to action to all kids in the nation to join her in donating to help the oil spill clean up efforts, I thought it only fitting that I provide a resource here for you to check out.  So, I’m sharing a link from Network for Good which provides a variety of organizations that you can donate to in order to help with the clean up efforts.

As a result of her love for animals, Nora’s primary concern was for the sea life and birds impacted by the tragedy, therefore she chose to donate to an organization assisting the animals threatened by the oil spill.(…and of course the beaches at St. George) 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT NETWORK FOR GOOD AND GIVE

If you or your child would like to join her, visit Network for Good and find an organization that coincides with your primary concern and give to help minimize the damage as much as possible.

Wishing Success For the Clean Up Efforts!

&

Peggy McColl is launching her brand new book, Viral Explosions – Proven Techniques to Expand, Explode, or Ignite Your Business or Brand On-Line, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

I have had the privilege of being one of Peggy’s students for the past several months, and I have learned things that will revolutionize my on-line marketing tactics.  Peggy is a high energy author who has used internet marketing techniques that have taken her books to Best Seller status in 24 hours or less.  This week, I get to watch her do it again with her new release, Viral Explosions.

In Viral Explosions, Peggy shares her secrets for internet marketing success and takes the reader step-by-step through her proven formula for results.

The super cool thing about buying one of Peggy’s books on her campaign day (Tuesday for this book) is that she gives an INSANE amount of FREE bonus gifts. It’s one of the most amazing demonstrations of “Go-Giver” action that I’ve ever seen.  The book is well worth the $14.95 you pay on Amazon anyway…but on top of all of that, you get a TON, and I do mean a TON of FREE bonus items.  Peggy has really OVER-DELIVERED on this…as is typical of her.

In order to get these freebies, you HAVE to buy the book on Tuesday!

Because I offered up a free bonus for Peggy to use in her campaign, I have been able to get a sneak peak at the Bonus Page for this book, and all I can say is I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY at how much valuable information is being GIVEN away just for buying her book. Wow!  I will DEFINITELY be sitting at my computer midnight Monday so I can grab my copy of Viral Explosions and all those FREE bonus gifts.

If you are serious about marketing on-line, you NEED this book!!!  Go HERE right now to find out more…(and to see all the crazy awesome freebies you can get your hands on).

To Your Viral Success,

PS.  In case you are wondering what my FREE bonus gift was for Peggy’s campaign…I am giving away a webinar and “over-the-shoulder” demonstration of Tribe Syndication Tactics.  You can only get access to this webinar by buying Peggy’s book.  But there’s one little catch….You HAVE to buy on Tuesday. So set yourself a reminder in your calendar and whatever you do, don’t miss picking up your copy at Amazon on Tuesday.  Again….go HERE to learn more.

Mentors create success.

It’s that simple. Having a strong mentor in your life can make a huge impact in the levels of success you are able to reach in your business, your personal life, and your spiritual journey. In fact, it may be the single most important thing you can do to advance your life in the direction you want it to go.

YOU are the designer of your life.

I have spent a lot of time in self-reflection over the past few weeks. Daily self-reflection has been a practice in my life for many years now; however, it seems the past few weeks I have been “in the zone” of self-reflection. Really examining where my life is now, thinking about how I got here, what my influences and inspirations have been and then contemplating where to go from here.   As I thought, I remembered my mentors, how they influenced me and helped me realize success as I know it today and who push me to continue reaching for the “Big Dreams”.  I wanted to share some thoughts with you on what mentoring is and what good mentors do, so I put together a short video for you to lay it all out.

Take a few minutes and watch now…but before you do, you may want to grab a piece of paper to take a few short notes, because this is good stuff I’m about to share.

Well, there you have it my friends, my thoughts on mentoring. I have been so fortunate to have some high quality direct mentors in my life as well as many indirect mentors. They have all pushed me, developed me, molded me, and shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful to God for bringing them into my life to teach me the things I need to reach the fullness of all life can offer me.

You have, innately within you, the wherewithal to determine where your life goes and how you get there. I heard it said once, that success does not happen by chance, success happens on purpose.

Personal Development is key for any serious entrepreneur or leader. If you don’t already have one, I encourage you to go out and actively seek a direct mentor and some good solid indirect mentors that you can learn from. Trust me, it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself.

Leave some comments below and let me know how your mentor has had an impact on your success.

Mentoring You to Success!

PS. I also offer personal one on one mentoring and coaching with customized plans for your individual needs.  Click here to contact me and find out more.

A Great New Way To Get Inspired As You Work To Build Your Business!!!

As entrepreneurs, it is important that you surround yourself with inspiration.  I keep several inspiring things around my home office.  In fact right above my computer monitor is a small plaque that simply says “DREAM”.  It is positioned in such a way that I end up looking at it several times each day.  Every time I look at it, I am reminded of my visions, my goals and “why” I am so driven to build my business.

It keeps me focused.

Well, GREAT NEWS my entrepreneurial friends!!!  Now your Mozilla Firefox Browser can help keep you inspired too!!!

Check out my video below to find out HOW…

This simple tool can be powerful in the hands of a serious entrepreneur seeking visual reminders and inspiration through their workday.  Keeping elements or reminders of your dreams, your goals, and your vision nearby and in front of you will explode your motivation and create a momentum of action, ultimately leading to your success.

Now, go out there my friends and get yourself a Firefox 3.6 Persona and Pimp that Browser for Inspiration!!!

Do you have any visual triggers that help you stay focused on your goals?

If so, we would love to hear about them.  Drop down in the comments below and share with the community here, what you do for inspiration.

To YOUR Success,

PS.  If you want to check out some more awesome ideas on how to Make Your Work Space Comfortable and Inspiring, then check out my friend Eric Goldstein’s post on this.

The Power of Perspective Can Make or Break You!

How we choose to view our circumstances and our challenges in life determines both our direction and our outcome.  In other words, your destination tomorrow is determined by the way you think today.

Recently, I have found myself in the midst of conversations with various people who want to voice their complaints or concerns over matters that they are dissatisfied with in life. Some of these matters are trivial, some are more serious, and all of them very real to the people I am talking to.   It’s almost been uncanny the number of times, just this week, that I have talked with someone who is feeling challenged, feeling like a failure, thinking about giving up, or who has already given up and they just don’t know it yet.  In other words, their heart forgot to tell their mind that they “quit”!

This is a dangerous place to be, my friends.

As entrepreneurs, as business leaders, or as leaders in life, we will all face set backs and challenges. These can come through a bad business deal, a betrayal by a partner, a failed idea or product launch.  Some can be less serious but equally as challenging, such as the occasional technological glitch that on-line marketers are confronted with, or the rude , uncooperative team member.  In your journey to success, there are always going to be challenges and obstacles to overcome, but you can emerge on top by choosing to maintain a proper perspective of the situation.

The way you  choose to handle these things today, in the present, can have far reaching impact on your future outcomes.

I encourage you to keep your approach positive, resist the temptation to take on a negative perspective and keep your thoughts positive and aligned with your vision.   For success to manifest, you will need to posture your mindset for success, and produce happy, positive thoughts filled with peace and prosperity.  See yourself succeeding and solving the problem you are confronted with, rather than being afraid of failure.  When you do this, even in the midst of adversity, you will find solutions and you will achieve success.

I found an awesome video filled with examples of men and women who confronted their giants and overcame circumstances that would have defeated others.  Take a few minutes and watch it….then ask yourself if you have what it takes to ….

“Finish Strong”.

Remember – Success or failure is not determined by the number of challenges we face or whether we win or loose every game, rather by the way we choose to view and approach our challenges.

As the video says, “The Choice is Yours…”

What will you do with that choice?

Will you take the “lemons” of life and make lemonade with them or will you suck on them and make a sour face? 

Me?  I’m going to have some lemonade now…

Leave me some comments and let me know your thoughts.

Maybe you have some techniques that you have used to keep your perspective right.  If so, please share them with the community.   Who knows, your technique may be the answer someone reading this is seeking…and you can be a part of helping them succeed.

All for YOUR Success!

DEBRIEFING….What questions should you ask yourself? What are the steps to Debriefing?

Today, I was watching a video clip of the Blue Angels.  For those who do not know who the Blue Angels are, they are an elite group of pilots who perform in air shows around the nation.  These guys know how to fly and are the “top guns” in their profession.  They do all of these super awesome moves in planes that cost “boo-koos” of money…so you know they are NO JOKE!!

The thing I found most intriguing is that, according to this video, these pilots spend more time in the debriefing process than they do in the actual performance in the air show.

During their debrief they critique themselves in front of their peers and share both their good points and their opportunities for improvement.  They always admit their own mistakes in the performance and recognize where they need to make improvements for next time.  Then they set a plan in motion to correct those errors in flight before the next air show.

I had a few reminders and “ah-ha moments” while watching this today and so I wanted to put my thoughts together in a quick video for you.  So, check out my video below to hear what I’m talking about.  In it, I reveal some of the crucial questions you must ask yourself in the debriefing process.

Well, there you go. Debrief sessions are crucial to any business and/or organization, including internet marketing and network marketing. Internet marketers practice this concept “mid-game” all the time through “A/B testing”. In order to be successful and grow your business, you have to be willing to look at what you are doing with a critical eye and make adjustments as you go along.  If you do these things, and do them consistently, then success is inevitable for you!

Have you had any experiences with debrief sessions?
How did they help you?
What steps do you take to improve your processes?

Share your comments with the community here below, your tips could be the answer someone is looking for.

Yours for Continuous Improvement,

PS. If you want to learn more about A/B testing and how it can help you build your business and/or your following on-line, then I encourage you to check out Mike Dillard’s Magnetic Sponsoring program (affiliate link). I am a member of Mike’s Magnetic Sponsoring community and personally use this product in my own my own business.

Tribe Tuesdays? Tribe Vibe? Syndication Power Hours? Social Media Rock Stars? (or as I like to say “RockStarZ”)

If all the buzz and activity around all of this tribe talk from power bloggers and social media RockStarZ has you wondering what all the fuss is about, sit back – relax, and take a minute to read on. I’m here to share with you the scoop on the newest trend to hit the social media networks, and help you “be in the know” on what’s happening in these “syndication power hours” and what “tribe Tuesday” (or #tribetuesday for all you Tweeps out there) is all about. By the time we are finished here today, you will have answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) surrounding Social Media Tribes. I believe you will want to jump in, catch the wave and ride the Tribe Vibe by the time we are finished here. In fact, I’m sure of it.

What is A Tribe?

A tribe is a community of people with common interests and common goals. They are united with a common thread and commitment to share resources with other members of the community.
In social media, the tribe concept has taken flight and is catching on quick, thanks to a group of mastermind bloggers and marketers who have taken the concept and developed a community around it. In my opinion, the tribe concept promises to be one of the biggest things to hit the on-line social scene in a long…long…long time.

What is “Tribe Tuesday” (or #tribetuesday) and Syndication Power Hour?

Tribe Tuesday (#tribetuesday) is the designated day for tribe members in my community to work together syndicating each other’s content.  We have rotating teams, that connect with each other for one hour every Tuesday night on Skype.  This “designated hour” is known as the “syndication power hour” and we use that time to talk, chat, and get to know each other, while simultaneously visiting each others blogs and  syndicating the content on them.  Doing this while we are on Skype together allows us to offer feedback to our tribe members on the user friendliness of their blog and to share tips and suggestions for improvement.  It’s teamwork at it’s best!  Having a designated day creates a lot of accountability in our community and if a member is not able to attend the designated time, it is expected that he/she will “make up” that time at their convenience.

What does a Social Media Tribe do?

The tribe consists of a community of individuals who have entered into a “gentleman’s agreement” to syndicate each other’s content on the internet. They read blog posts from members of the tribe, they comment on them, they “re-tweet”, bookmark, and share the content of designated tribe members with their community of followers.  This content is shared on multiple social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, as well as multiple bookmarking sites.   In return, the other members of the tribe do the same for them.

What’s the Benefit?

OK, I know most people will want to tune in and listen to the “jamz” on W.I.I.F.M. here (What’s In It For Me). My answer is TONS!!!

First, by giving back to the community and sharing with your followers the value rich content of your tribe members, you are placing them in contact with information which will help them.  And really – isn’t that why we are out here blogging anyway…to share information and help people!!!

Second, what you give will be given back to you, it’s the Law of Reciprocity and it works!!!  (see Luke 6:38) There is no way around it.  Call it “karma”, call it “good fortune”, call it “generosity”, call it “seed time and harvest”, what-ever you want to call it – fine with me.  The bottom line is this – it is an eternal truth that has been in existence since the beginning of time, and it works whether you want it to or not!   What you give, will be returned to you. In the tribe culture, You promote their stuff, they promote yours.  Win/Win.  I like win/win outcomes!  Don’t you? 

Third, it provides an opportunity for massive exposure and increased traffic to your site.  Think about it, if you have 1,500 followers and you promote your own content, then the most you can get is 1,500 plus whoever those folks might want to share your stuff with.  BUT!!!  If you have 5 tribe members who all have followers, you not only get your 1,500, but you get their numbers too.

An example of what your exposure could end up looking like follows:

Your Followers = 1,500

Tribe Member #1 Followers = 5,000

Tribe Member #2 Followers = 7,000

Tribe Member # 3 Followers = 10,000

Tribe Member #4 Followers = 800

Tribe Member #5 Followers = 25,000

TOTAL EXPOSURE VALUE = 49,300 potential viewers / site visits!!!

Granted, this is only an example, but  when you do the math, the ROI (Return On Investment) of syndicating your tribe members content is HUGE!!!  Looking at the options -  1,500 or 49,300 (for this example) - who wouldn’t want to have an increase in exposure and traffic at that rate??

There are MANY MORE benefits, but I will save those for another day, and stop with these essential three for now.  That being said, only one question remains?

How can you get involved with a Tribe?

There are options.

1.  You could contact those people in your market that you already have relationships with and talk to them about it, and create your own tribe group to syndicate with.

2.  You could search social networks and find other people with like vision and begin building relationships with them and start working with them to syndicate.

3.  You could connect with me and some of my tribe mates and work with us on our rotating teams for Tribe Tuesday (#tribetuesday) and Syndication Power Hour.  I have had the honor of connecting with some of the leaders in social media marketing today, and they are rockin’ the tribe vibe.  (You can check them out below).

Whichever path you choose to take, just make sure you are maximizing it by making sure you and your team have a full understanding of what the tribe time is all about .

If you want to learn more, I am available for one on one coaching or group webinars, contact me here.

So, what do you say?  You ready to Catch the Tribe Vibe?

Yours in Success,