Habits!

It takes 21 days to form a habit. Many of the things we do everyday have been formed over a lifetime! The thing about habits is they are done unconsiously.

Take a look at where you are on this Monday Morning. Are you happy with the habits you have formed? Did you wake up early, read, meditate, pray and exercise? Do you have a structured plan of attack for the day, the week and this whole year?

You have to start today and focus everyday on the good habits you want to form. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Your 21 days will just be delayed. The habits you create will determine your success!

What do you do?

What do you say when someone asks you what you do? Do you say "I'm a plumber, a painter, a Realtor?" Does this really tell your story?

The next time someone asks you what you do, tell them why you do what you do instead. As my coach Michael Burt says, "Tell them what you believe." 

This will allow you to connect with that person on a whole new level. Now you are having a heart conversation! Watch how this will change your life and the lives you touch.

Get Rich Quick?

It's been said that the best way to get rich quick is to get rich slow! Let's look at why. Is there a shortcut? 

If there was a shortcut, everyone would be doing it and it would not be a shortcut. This is always apparent when the lottery reaches a certain prize level. People buy tickets who would never do so otherwise. The vast majority walk away disappointed.

First you need to define "rich". If you think it's only money, you will always focus on the wrong thing. One part of the definition does relate to money. The other part, however points to having "abundance". Think about your relationships with others, your health, your spiritual life and your family life.

Have you tasted a roast from a crockpot? Have you ever had a roast cooked in a microwave? Think of your life as a crockpot. Invest time building quality relationships, devotion time, health and family bonds. There is no limit to how "rich" you can become! 

Are You A Taker or Giver?

We've been told to be a go-getter. If you want something, go take it! If you have a product, go sell it to whoever, whenever and however. There is a flaw in this logic.

Instead of pushing our service or product, what if we looked to see who had a need? We asked questions and tried to find a solution. What if we we cared more about our clients happiness than the amount of money we will gain from a transaction?

The idea is to give more in service than you take in compensation. You will build the greatest referral business by doing so. Your client relationships will be stronger. Bob Burg and John David Mann explain this principle in the book "The Go-Giver", but this is not a new principle. Napoleon Hill spoke of this in "Think and Grow Rich" in 1937.

Don't worry, the money will come! Just stop letting it be your focus. Do this and watch your business change drastically!

Stop Planning! Start Doing!

We lost Patsy Dunaway, Carrie's stepmother, to cancer this week. It made me reflect on my life and why I'm here. She had over 200 people come to the funeral. It was a true testament to the lives she touched.

During her last days on earth, there were things she told the family she still wanted to do. She wanted to go to Charleston and Hawaii. So many other things still yet to accomplish.

How many times to we say, "We'll do that or go there when we have more time, more money or when the kids are grown." Live everyday as if it's your last. Think about the affect you are having on others. As Michael Burt wrote, "This ain't no practice life." You only have one shot at this.

Try to live your life so there is no regret at the end of it. The things we worry about and argue over, are most often trivial in the grand scheme of our lives. So stop spending so much time planning and wishing. Go make it happen!

Passion or Money?

 It's been said that you know you are in the right place when you are doing what you are most passionate about, equal to your skill level. What does that mean exactly? 

You may be passionate about art. If you can't draw, you are not going to make a very good living as an artist. On the other hand, you may be good with numbers, but if you hate accounting, you will never be happy in your job.

Stop focusing so much on the money and truly ask yourself what you like to do, what makes you happy. Start there and you will end up just where God wants you. 

Are You Listening?

So often when tasked with a leadership position, we start leading by directing and telling. What if we lead by asking? When your employee comes to you with a problem, you ask "What do you think....what else....what else....what else?" 

Sometimes it takes the third "what else" to get to the root of the problem. This way of leading also shows you have confidence in your team and value their opinion.

Now you are leading with the collective knowledge of your team instead of just the knowledge you possess. This also allows your team to take ownership in their job. What do you think?