The possibilities within me are greater than those within the Greatest people who’ve ever lived. I will use the gifts and talents God has given me.

Because I want to win, I will stay by myself or around people who believe “You Can” instead of “You Can’t”. I will keep the word “impossible” out of my vocabulary unless it is to say “I can do the impossible! Or I will be the impossible”…. I will win!

I will set small goals and achieve them so I can gain the necessary confidence to achieve my bigger goals.
All things are possible because I know that when I start I will win! I won’t give up and I will not quit!

Should the course get rough I will take one day at a time. The Holy Spirit will always be with me to make sure I take each step; however shaky, I will take the next step. If I quit, the ball stops rolling. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

I will dream it. I will believe it. I will stay with it and do it. I will not worry about tough times. If I don’t go through these experiences I will not know the good times when they come. I may be facing lack and despair but I choose not to stay here. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

Today, the greatest thing I can do is thank God that I woke up this morning. Today I will use this day to make positive steps towards my goals. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

I will put God first and He will guide me through my day. The race is not for the swift, but for the strong. I keep my goals in plain sight and I stay the course. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

It’s not what others think about me that counts, it’s what I think of myself. I am not a minority because God and one individual is an absolute majority. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

When things so wrong as they sometimes will and the road I’m trudging seems all up hill; when the funds are low and the debts are high, and I want to smile, but I can only sigh; when care is pressing me down a bit…I’ll rest; but I won’t give up and I will not quit!

Life may seem bizarre with its twists and turn, as I have learned, but many a failure has turned around because I’ve stuck it out; though my pace may seem slow; I will succeed with another blow. I won’t give up and I will not quit!

My goal is nearer than it seems; I will not faint or falter and I will win the victor’s cup. Success is failure turned inside out; it’s the silver lining to the clouds of doubt. I will stick to the fight when I’m hardest hit because when things seem to be at their worst, I won’t give up and I will not quit! I am a Winner, and winners don’t quit!

by Lucia Claborn

Now pull up your big girl panties or big boy trowsers and deal!

1. The buck stops here!  Make better choices. You will become the result of the choices you make.  Be responsible and accountable to your word and choices.

2. Seek wisdom.  Read. Listen to tapes. Learn from others. Have a Personal Board of Directors that will provide you the weath of wisdom to support your moving forward. Surround yourself with people who are more accomplished than yourself; you will naturally rise to their level.

3. Be a person of ACTION. You have to do something to get something. Every time you do something, something happens. Every time you do something, it matters.

4. Have a decided heart. Make a decision and do it! Successful people make decisions quickly and change plans slowly. Unsuccessful people make decisions slowly and make changes quickly.

5. Hold a grateful heart.  You will only be as happy as you are grateful.

6. Have a forgiving spirit. Forgiveness is in the past. Trust is your future.

7. Persist without exception. Pick yourself up and keep going. Look at each no or declination as the one step bringing you closer to the yes.

Excellent steps to keep moving forward in your life. Recognize fears that you experience as a natural necessity to your development – then get over it. We all have fears. It is what we do with those fears that keep us moving forward. Tomorrow is a new day. Heck, this afternoon may be the new start that you need!

Coach Gibbs commentary.  Hiring a business coach can help you implement these 7 decisions plus a whole lot more!

2. Guidance. Simply stated, you don’t know what you don’t know. Additionally, having a second set of eyes or differing ideas and suggestions often will increase your creative thought processes. Lastly, there is truth behind the statement; Two Heads Are Better Than One!

 3. Real world strategies that work, rather than Google. An experienced coach knows what works, when and with whom. Only experience can provide this kind of effective insight, so always look for a professional who’s coached successfully. Additionally, look for a coach who has experienced what you are experiencing in some form or another.

4. Another valuable perspective, CLARITY. This one is golden. When you’ve been looking at the same situation for a period of time, you may lose objectivity and your ability to see the situation clearly. A coach can offer you alternate ways of looking at the same situation, bringing added clarity to the many options that may be available to you.

 5. Swifter attainment of goals. It’s always better to take the most direct path to what you want, saving you time, energy and money. You want to hire a coach who has experienced life in that arena of life. Who knows what it takes to achieve goals. This will save an enormous amount of effort, time and money.

 6. Self-discovery. You may not know yourself as well as you’d like to believe, none of us do. Working with an experienced, trained coach and having powerful conversations with that coach leads to deeper awareness of what you do and why you do it. Self-discovery and self-mastery are keys to high success. Yet, you cannot master yourself until you know yourself. There are reasons why you don’t have the level of success you want. Most, if not all, of those reasons are internal. Wouldn’t you like to know what’s blocking you?

 7. Responsibility. An effective life coach will steer you clear of blaming anyone for anything. It’s not your partner’s fault, or your kids’ fault, or your dog’s fault. Blame keeps you out of full responsibility, takes you away from your goals and lessens your power. Why would you want to do that? Taking full responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

 8. Resources. Think of all the resources a business coach has in their tool box! This pertains to strategic partners, processes, soft skills, you name it. An effective business coach has all sorts of tricks of the trade, readily available for YOU.

 Here is a short story to illustrate my point.  Last weekend my dad and I were taking some valuables to a donation site. One of the items was a 7ft pre-lit Christmas tree that was used for only 1 year. The second-hand store would not take the tree since it was past the season and did not want to hold on to it for a year. Understandable.

 We didn’t want to return the box to the garage before finishing our errands and I laughed as I said to my dad,” how about we carry it around with us during our errands and possibly someone might take it from the back of the trailer.” We both laughed. Returning from our first stop, the box was still in the trailer. Jokingly, we marked “$49 or best offer” on the box and continued on with the errands. Wouldn’t you know it, when we returned to the car from our second stop the box, tree and all was gone.  Just like that!

This is the perfect example of when convenience (the tree was right there in plain sight, easily accessible) meets perceived value (it’s worth at least $49 but we can get it for FREE!)  While this example is in the extreme, (and I certainly don’t condone the idea of stealing, but you get the point), in our world today there is so much offered to us for free.  Free gifts.  Free training.  Thirty day free trials.  Free shipping.  Kids eat free. Free. Free. Free.   All in the name of “try me first, I’m bigger, I’m better, I will meet your needs!”

 There is much offered out there for free. Webinars, tools, etc.  Good tools. Not so good tools. Information galore; good, bad and indifferent.   And, while I too, look for free; I am also cognizant of the proverbial sayings…

 …You get what you pay for

Nothing good in life is free…

…What you put in is what you get out

 What happens if your FREE item isn’t quite what you envisioned or doesn’t  work quite the way you wanted, how invested would you be in spending your time and your energy into make changes or improvements in your item to make it meet your expectations and your needs?

 I would bet that the person that took our Christmas tree felt he was getting a good deal because he felt there was value in what he got and he didn’t have any “skin in the game,” he didn’t have to spend any of his valuable resources to acquire the item.   However, when he plugs the tree in and finds the lights don’t work as expected, he will probably not be spending his time to improve what he has.  He will go and seek another opportunity for another FREE tree.

 The point here is this, while Free is not always bad, it’s not always good either, especially when it comes to business success.  If you are looking to create new and lasting relationships or build something entirely new or create something fresh from something that already exists, you must invest something of personal value and worth, tangible or intangible in the creation.  If you have little invested, you have little to lose, and it’s hard to stay motivated and on task if you can’t be bothered to commit-and risk losing- specifically something you value, in the name of the thing that you want.  This is where “perceived value” and “skin in the game meet.”    

 Morale of the story:  If you rely on FREE and don’t bother to invest something of yourself in what you expect as an outcome, you will likely experience a delay or possibly not achieve your desired end result.

 That being said, ask yourself, “How invested am I in my personal or business success?”  In order to achieve your desired end result, are you willing to invest of yourself and your resources to ensure a profitable outcome or are you willing to take chances on what others have to offer for FREE.  There are no guarantees in life, but there is a much greater potential for that success when you have “skin in the game.”

Footnote:  This Blog Post is the result of a collaborative effort of Coach Gibbs and Coach Sherry.  It proves the quote from Brian Tracy, “Teamwork is so important that it is virtually impossible for you to reach the heights of your capabilities or make the money that you want without being very good at it.”

]]> http://mastermindsandmentors.com/skin-in-the-game-2.htm/feed 1 http://mastermindsandmentors.com/2012-recipe-for-business-success.htm http://mastermindsandmentors.com/2012-recipe-for-business-success.htm#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:05:55 +0000 Cindy http://mastermindsandmentors.com/?p=1130 Ingredients:

• 1 cup Multiple Business Tools
• 3 cups Energy and Motivation
• 1/4 cup Desire to Learn
• 1/4 cup Willingness to Take a Risk
• 2 tbsp Focus on Excellence
• 1 cup Mindset of Success

Law#2     The Law of the Mind.     Knowing how to focus the mind, to rule the mind, to make the mind work for you, not let the mind control you. To learn, to be focused, to concentrate, to have a picture in your mind of what you want and go for it, like visualization. See it. Have pictures up on the wall.

Law# 3     The Law of Recognition.     The thing you need is there; it’s just a matter of recognizing it. If there’s something missing in your life, there’s more than likely something you’re not seeing. Most of the time it’s right in front of your face but you are so conditioned and so distracted that you don’t see it. I like this one a lot.

Law #4     The Law of 2.     One person can change your life in 24 hours. All you need is one person to recognize what is special about you, to take you on as a mentor to you, to enter into a covenant with you. Who is that person?

Law #5     The Law of Place.     Where you are is as important as what you are. When you are where you belong, your genius emerges. So it behooves us to consider whether we are where we need to be, and if not, where is that place.

Law #6     The Law of Honor.     Your future is determined by who you have chosen to honor. You must have a code of honor. Honor is a seed that will outlast a lifetime.

Law #7     The Law of the Seed.     There are many types of seeds in our life. Honor is the seed for access, kindness is a seed, time is a seed, love is a seed, teaching is a seed, giving is a seed.

Investopedia explains Skin In The Game
The idea behind creating this situation is to ensure that corporations are managed by like-minded individuals who share a stake in the company. Executives can talk all they want, but the best vote of confidence is putting one’s own money on the line just like outside investors!

Creating new and lasting relationships. Building something entirely new. Creating something fresh from something that existed. Evolving business to a new place. Changing a culture. True innovation. Standout success. Attaining influence or authority. Building a devoted following. Change of any kind.

There’s one thing that all of these have in common…

You must invest something of personal value and worth.

It might be your ideas, your energy, or your reputation. Maybe it’s something tangible, like money or resources. Perhaps it’s a bit of all of those combined.

But leading – truly leading from within, not just sitting in a position of anointed leadership – requires an element of vulnerability that few are willing to risk. It means betting on your own hand, and being part of the things that you’re asking others to do with or for you.

If you have little invested, you have little to lose. And it’s hard to trust your intentions if you can’t be bothered to commit – and risk losing – something you value in the name of the thing that you want.

Let your team, your volunteers, your customers, peers and colleagues know what you’re willing to put on the line to achieve something. Don’t just work on a project. Don’t just build a plan and execute on it or delegate it. Invest in it. Personally and professionally. Put some skin in the game.

And let them see you do it.

Then watch how the game – and your own perspective – changes dramatically.

Are you truly ready to lead your charge?

Today we talked about books and had lots of fun,
But now the show’s over and we have to run.
Don’t forget to join us next month for a fantastic show,
We’ll tell you how to be Masterminds and how rich you will grow!
Just follow our lead,
And a pile you will make,
Of visions, and goals and lessons to take.
We’ll see you the next time on our BTR show,
Because we wil tape it, so everwhere it can go.
Just listen to Sherry and take a short note,
December the 12th at the 5:30 stroke……….

I hope you can join us for a fantastic show next month as we talk about our 2012 Leadership boot Camp Series.  Whahoo!

www.blogtalkradio.com/mastermindscoach

Leadership Boot Camps

Seven – 2 hour and 40 minute work camps created to offer business momentum from the start of the 2012 business year through the start of the next.

Each camp will require you to apply what you learn, so bring a pencil (up to you if you need an eraser!). Be prepared to follow through with what you say you will do, because you will be held accountable.

Earn a stripe for each camp. Participate in all 7 camps and earn your Leadership Business badge.

Be committed to business growth and leadership development.
Be accountable to achieve the results you desire.

Register today for one or all of the Leadership Camps.
Mastercard, Visa and Discover accepted!

1st Camp 1/10/12 – 8:20am
St. PaulArea Association of Realtors
(formerly North Metro RealtorsAssociation)
11450 Robinson Drive, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

See Momentum for additional details!

The time to do it is NOW.

Go ahead, Just do it!

——————————————————————————–

•Blog Talk Radio – Look for the “LIVE” video show 1/5/12 featuring the Boot Camp 5:30PM CST

• Individual Coaching and Business Consulting Available

•Also new in 2012 is Virtual Masterminds and Mentors groups!

The application, consistency and persistency of the following four steps are what it takes to achieve success. The lack of any one or more of these items at any given time, may slow down, stifle or bring to a dead stop – your desired success.

4 steps to achieve success.
1. Ask specifically for what you want and write it down.
2. Eliminate the conditions.
3. Focus on plan A.
4. Just do it!

Step one. Declare specifically your vision or goals and better yet; write them down. Understand the difference between vision and goal setting. Look at your Vision as your road map and your goals as the sign posts along the way. By taking the time to write out and declare verbally your intentions; increased clarity is developed, inspiration and motivation is deepened. Be certain your vision is supported by your values and your personal strengths. For the most well-rounded results, develop goals around your vision in the 5 most important roles in your life; faith, family, friends, financial and personal. This will prevent you from forging ahead in one role in your life while leaving the other roles behind.

Step Two. Eliminate the conditions. There is never enough time in the day. There is never enough money. There is always a holiday or some sensational event coming around the corner. Conditions are a set up for failure, a reason to procrastinate and conditions can often be limiting beliefs or fear based. It seems here in Minnesota, our summers are too short. Work weeks are shortened; weekends are packed with vacations and other fun activities. Holidays, especially during the late fall and winter months are often used as an excuse for why we don’t accomplish what we need to accomplish. Allowing conditions to get in the way of moving forward is the perfect recipe for limiting success. BIG MISTAKE. Forging ahead with a plan in-spite of the “conditions” is a much better approach to staying in front of the curve ball and offering less chance for losing momentum. Expect conditions and plan in advance a strategy to overcome the delays.

Step Three. Do away with Plan B! Focus. Focus. Focus. Do not become an expert in distraction. Having a fall-back Plan B automatically suggests failure to your primary focus or Plan A. You can’t have one foot in the door and one foot out the door. That lacks focus. You can’t take your eye off the ball without getting smacked in the head. You must have focus. Unless you have a proven record of success, you must remain focused on a primary Plan A. Don’t get this confused with a second stream of income. Focus may not be compromised as long as the second stream of income compliments or supports your Plan A. Plan in advance for those days where a lack of motivation or inspiration is not readily available. Know where to turn, what to do or who to talk too in an effort to regain your focus on Plan A.

Step Four. This step seems the most simple, yet is often the most difficult. Step four – Just do it! Roll up your sleeves and get it done. Take action every day. Accomplish at least 3 action items per day. Small steps, large steps, large and small steps. Just implement. Don’t let what you don’t know, prevent you from just doing. There is truth in the saying, doing something is better than doing nothing. When you are overwhelmed, remind yourself that you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time. Just do it. One action at a time. Be grateful for what you have. Be grateful for the mistakes you make. The more grateful you are, the more you will be allowed. Think with a creative spirit as opposed to a competitive spirit. No one can do the job the way you can. There is only one YOU to do YOUR job! Just do it!

Those days where success seems impossible these 4 simple steps when practiced consistently and persistently, will turn your thinking to I’m possible!