During a beautiful summer day about a month ago, my four-year old daughter Aleka, and I went to the park.  My wife, Kristina, prepared some snacks for the outing. We brought some strawberries and some  chocolate spread sandwiches packed in a container.  Just enough, until Kristina could join us for lunch a few hours later.

Days like this are one of life’s true enjoyments.

When we arrived at the park, we placed the backpack on one of the picnic tables.  We opened the container, had a few strawberries, and then headed to the swings that were about 20-yards away. During this time, a couple of squirrels were comfortably hanging around, staring at us. I thought they were a little bit too close for comfort.  People seem to feed them, so they hang around for snacks, scraps, and interaction.

As Aleka insisted that I take her to the swings, I tightly sealed the snack container, made sure that no food was exposed, and off we went to the swings.  We must have been gone for only  about 15-minutes, before heading back to our table to a big surprise.

Creatively and with a definite purpose, one of the squirrels had removed the lid from the snack container, eaten most of the strawberries, and was currently enjoying one of the chocolate spread sandwiches!  In a totally relaxed manner and with pure enjoyment, the squirrel was staring at us as if it was saying, “See what I did? Thanks for the meal!”

I am absolutely certain that I had properly sealed the container and thought that the food was “safe.”    I didn’t think that a squirrel would have the ingenuity, purpose and quite frankly – the audacity to help itself, but it did.

Apparently, this squirrel was hungry enough to figure out a way to access the snacks in only about 15 minutes.  We ended up giving our leftovers to this industrious and hungry squirrel. He earned them.

What is the moral of the story? This is open to your interpretation.

Some possible interpretive questions:

• What in my world seems “impossible” or as something that “cannot” be done?
• Am I more like the picnickers or the squirrel in this story?
• Am I complacent in thinking I am “safe?”
• What in my world can spark the “hunger” in me, as in this squirrel, to thereby spark my creativity and ingenuity? How can I be more like the squirrel in this story?

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“Tuning-out all the noise and focusing on what is most important, every day, is part of self-awareness. It’s also what can lead to better results faster.”  

 “Self – motivation comes when we know why we want to reach a certain goal. Self-motivation is our greatest motivation.”

“People care about what you know and how you can support them. They also want to know that you genuinely care about, them.” 

“Effective marketing is a continuous in-depth process of development, implementation and monitoring. It’s not a simple project.”

“Developing personal relationships is the fundamental principle of business success.”

“The difference between average, good, and great, is in how well we execute on the details that matter every day.”

“When you are clear about your principles and values in life you will always know were you stand in life.”

“It’s important to take time and celebrate even the smallest of accomplishments and successes in business and life.”

“Laugh as often as you can and make others laugh too! It’s good for the soul, our health and for business.”

Make it a super day and make today count!

To your Unconditional Success!

I have often heard about this issue recently, which is why I felt compelled to write about it.  People are having a hard time sleeping well. How can we turn off our brain’s ongoing daily switch when we are overwhelmed by messages, responsibilities, goals and challenges that demand our constant attention?

Although the idea of keeping a journal is not original, the modified version of a journal that I have been using for quite some time has served me well.  It has also been helpful for numerous people who have tried it.  Here it is:

Right before you are ready to sleep take a note pad…no television, music, texting or conversation…

• Write a summary of your day.  For example…”This morning I did this…”

• If you feel compelled, describe your emotions-whatever they may be-positive-negative-ambivalent.

• Write all your successes, victories and accomplishments even if they don’t seem important to you at that moment.

• Write the lessons you learned – if any, and/or things that perhaps you could have done differently.

• Write a summary of your next day’s schedule.

You are in charge -of course – of what you write and in what order. What I want for you to do, however, is to always close your journal with a list of all the things that you are grateful for. It makes a difference. This simple exercise may help you turn off your brain’s ongoing daily switch and give you a good night’s sleep.

If you would like a copy of the journal form that I’ve been using email me at  info@growthstrategies4u.com  and I will send one to you.

I welcome you to post your comments below.

To Your Unconditionall Success and Good Night’s Sleep!

One of the key points of the presentation was underlining the importance of living in the present moment. Living in the “here and now” by taking one day, one hour, one moment at a time. The only certainty we do have, and the only opportunity we have to be our best, is right now.

While drawing lessons from our past, visualizing, planning for our future, and committing to taking purposeful action is essential, focusing all of our attention, energy and intellect in the present moment is one of the keys for being our best and for managing “change.”

Whether you are communicating with your clients, spending time with family and friends, or taking time for your personal growth and development, remember to focus in the “here and now.” Be the best that you can be, this very moment. This is definitely not easy, but it is something special to strive for.

To Your Unconditional Success!

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We get one chance to make a first impression. Being enthusiastic can help us make a good, first impression.

Enthusiasm is internal, positive energy, genuinely expressed outwards. It is transferable. It carries over in our verbal and non-verbal communications. When our energy level is positive, we are enthusiastic, and in turn, people generally will respond positively to us. When our enthusiasm level is low, people will know.

Being aware of your level of energy before attending a business meeting or a social event is important. You get one chance to make a first impression.  Be enthusiastic. Shine!

To Your Unconditionall Success.

“Everything begins with a thought, including our decision to be the best that we can be both professionally and personally.”

“Change is constant. This is a fact of life. We change and evolve in different ways every day. Just like society, the economy, your industry, your clients, your family and friends, so does your business. When we learn how to embrace change  – although this may be difficult – we are more likely to see new opportunities.” 

“Become a  student of life and business. It can be fun and rewarding.”  

“Are you taking care of yourself in mind, body and spirit? Are you on the right path professionally? How are your relationships with your family and friends? Metaphorically speaking, when the pilot, the plane and the tailwind are working together, the flight to our destination will be faster and more successful.”

“Make every effort to clarify your direction. Create a compelling, inspiring and empowering vision for your business and your life. Set your short-term goals. Develop your plan. Commit to taking purposeful action. Enjoy the journey and you can make it happen! The world is yours.”

To Your Unconditional Success!

Post your comment below.

George “H”

It has been said that one thing more difficult than becoming a champion is to remain one. This is true for many reasons. One of them is complacency. It frequently shows up when we attain a desired milestone.  

In the business world, complacency can hinder our success both in the short and long-term. It can cause a business owner’s failure to continuously improve product quality, level of customer service, strategic planning, marketing, and operations. It is a primary reason why corporations become challenged. Complacency may cause the corporate employee to do just enough, just what is expected, simply because they are employed.

The moment that we attain a milestone, we need to celebrate. We deserve to celebrate. But this is also the moment when we should plan and strive for our next milestone. It is the moment when we need to be aware of complacency, and avoid it at all costs.

To Your Unconditional Success!

People feel reluctant to ask. The perception could be: Well, I don’t want to appear “uninformed” or “needy” or feel obligated to reciprocate. I think that at the very core of our hesitation, is our ego. Not asking for help when we know it could be useful for us in achieving positive change, in many cases, is a “battle” against our ego.

Remember, nobody ever achieves success by themselves. Relationships, connections, collaborations and alliances can make a difference in the results that we attain. That is why it is important to ask for help when we need it, and offer it when we can.  Have confidence that if people can, they are likely to support you.

It can make a  difference. It is human.

If the objective of marketing your business is to generate a consistent flow of prospects, your sales process must be a progression in which you convert qualified prospects into lifetime clients for your services and products.

Even though sales processes vary depending on your type of business and industry, here are four important steps to consider when developing your own:

1)      Free Demonstration: Offer your qualified prospects an opportunity – free of charge – to experience some of the benefits, value and transformations that you help your clients achieve.

2)      Irresistible Offer: Once they have sampled the value of your service for free, make them a special, irresistible offer to become your clients. Do it with complete confidence!

3)     Additional Services: You have been hired. Can you identify additional wants / needs to be fulfilled? Do you see other opportunities to offer your new client additional services?  If the answer is yes, make them another irresistible offer.

4)     Bring Them Back. Never take your clients for granted. Always provide exceptional service and added value. Give them as many reasons as possible to return.

In the world of the small business owner and independent professional, developing an effective sales process is often times overlooked. Creating a process, implementing it, measuring the results and improving it as necessary can make an enormous difference in the revenue you generate.

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Great Selling!

1. Think bigger, vividly, and more positively about your professional and personal goals, desires and aspirations. Try to develop a mindset of higher expectations.

2. Begin each week with clear, specific objectives; put them in writing and take purposeful action to accomplish them.

3. Strive to consistently exceed expectations during your professional interactions. Grow your professional and personal networks.

4. Remember that, since change is a certainty, adaptability is essential. Often times with change comes great opportunity.

5. Work in a relaxed manner.

6. Begin each day with reading something educational or motivating.

7. Allow time for creative thinking.

8. Take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit.

9. Laugh as often as you can.

10. Be grateful for what you have in your life at this moment and the opportunities you have to grow and contribute!

To Your Success!

Cheers!