Watch the video I just posted on youtube.com called “Can I Succeed Telling the Truth?”
Not only can you succeed by telling the truth, you can thrive telling the truth. The reason is that you will attract clients with lots of money who can handle the truth, and prefer the truth.
Telling the truth can actually give you a competitive advantage in a market glutted by people full of hot air.
Tell the truth to get and keep great clients. How can you apply this concept in your life to achieve even better results?
Enjoy the video.
Enjoy the new video I just posted on www.youtubecom about Effective Communication That Gets Results. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6UghmaDwkY right now.
Go to http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/landing/ and get 3 FREE gifts including a special report on 10 Power Tips for Getting Focused, Organized, and Achieving Your Goals Now. Join the Silver Inner Circle (IT’S FREE) and receive 10% off on all products and services in addition to having access to many assessments and complimentary resources so you can begin achieving your goals in the timeframe you want, so you can have the life you desire.
Aim for what you want each and every day!
Anne Bachrach
The Accountability Coach™
Author of Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule and Live Life with No Regrets. Get your copies today.
Learn to Take Risks and Increase Success
Would Bill Gates would be where he is today if he didn’t drop out of Harvard to follow his dream? What if Steve Jobs gave up building computers? Neither would be where he is today if it weren’t for taking risks. Ask any successful entrepreneur; sometimes it takes big risks to get big results.
If you’re wondering why you haven’t gotten to where you want to be, it’s probably a safe bet that you haven’t taken much risk. The moral of the story is that without some risk, you will never have big results. Period. Not all risks pay off, but if you don’t take them at all, you will always stay where you are.
The important thing is to remember that you shouldn’t throw caution to the wind and risk everything without a pay off that’s worth it. The trick is to learn to take calculated risks that have the potential to get you where you want to be. This is where learning from other successful entrepreneurs will help you greatly.
Remember, it is always and only about taking action that puts you on the straightest path to achieving your goals. The only person responsible for creating that path is you. You must learn it is only habit that separates you from the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. They have learned how to optimize their time and results to get there faster. The straighter the line, the quicker you produce big results.
Obtain Feedback on Your Client Service – How do You Rate?
Do you know what it’s like when your business is clicking and you feel like you have great client relationships that are continuing to grow? Isn’t that a great feeling?
How many times have you asked your clients (at least your top clients) for feedback on how you are doing? Have them rank you in areas of service? How many times do people you do business with ask you for feedback on how they are doing and then actually let you know what changes they have and will make based on the feedback they have received.
Be a resource for your clients. You don’t have to know it all or be able to do it all. You can; however, control the ‘game.’ Be a coach and help guide your clients. Be the resource they need to get the ‘right’ people that will help them take their business to the next level. This is a valuable position to be in.
Be a team player. As Ronald Reagan said, “You’ll get what you want out of life by helping other people get what they want.” You want your clients to view you as their coach/resource to help them make smart choices and be even more successful.
As you work with your clients in this way, ask yourself, “am I referable” from my clients perspectives.
Keep the competition back over your shoulder. They don’t have to be in the distance, just as long as they are behind you. Exceeding your clients’ expectations only takes a little bit of effort, but it can do a lot for your sales and referral business.
2 Great quotes by Apolo Ohno, Short-track speed skater
How much of the winter Olympics have you been watching? Well, my husband and I have been trying to enjoy as much as we could. There certainly was a lot being recorded so we could choose from a variety of winter sports. I certainly learned more about winter sports than I ever knew. Apolo Ohno was certainly a hit with winning so many medals. During various interviews, he said a few things that I thought you might want to ponder and consider how you can apply what he said into your life for even greater success.
“Before you go to sleep at night ask yourself one question: Did you do every single thing you could today to make sure that you did your best? It’s hard to answer ‘yes’ every single day.” Apolo Ohno; Short-track speed skater
“I don’t like to look at it as competition. It’s about me conquering myself… me being able to face my own fears, distractions, and weaknesses and say that I overcame them.” Apolo Ohno; Short-track speed skater
The Power, Pitfalls and Potential of Resolutions
Don Hutson wrote this great article in his newsletter and I thought it was perfectly on point so thought you would benefit from reading it also.
Identify and Obliterate the Six Obstacles to Success!
Don Hutson wrote: “I once heard legendary business guru W. Clement Stone say in a speech at a Positive Thinking Rally that “My personal mission is simple; I want to change the world and make it a better place in which to live.” Now THAT is a vision! As a philanthropist, he gave away millions of dollars and did just that. There is a lot to be said for having a significant and noble vision. What is your “magnetic compelling purpose”? Have you ever had a dream that was so all-consuming that you wouldn’t give up until you made it happen? That kind of resolve gets results.
Let’s start with your New Year’s Resolutions… It is easy to get excited about resolutions and the promises they afford us on January 1st. Here’s the question; “Are we excited enough to get really serious about the process and ultimately follow through to completion?” Studies have proven that goals and resolutions barely exist until we get them in writing. When we go to document it begins to be real and viable!
You can see it, show it to others, or display it on your refrigerator as a reminder. When we don’t write resolutions down they are much like the wind – here for the moment then gone forever. Here are six barriers that keep our resolutions from becoming a reality. Let’s consider them along with some solutions, to help us all make 2010 a great year!
1. Lack of Clarity … The more detail you attach to a goal or resolution, the more likely you are to follow through on it. Describe it with whys (for the purpose of ..), whens (completion dates and interim progress dates), whats (including mention of your current reality, and what the end game will look like upon completion), and any other details that will help you vividly see the vision. Don’t worry; you can’t overdo the detail! Lack of detail equals lack of clarity.
2. Lack of Commitment … When you are serious enough to write resolutions down and share them with others, it is your way of making a commitment to the process. We simultaneously put the universe on notice that this is our intent. Goethe said “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.” Your discipline to follow through demonstrates your continued commitment.
3. Lack of Belief … Human behavior is the result of the human belief system. If you believe your resolution is doable, believe you have a strategy to make it happen, and believe in yourself, you can’t miss. It is the person filled with doubt who fails to go to the next step. This is no time to be timid. BE BOLD! Share your resolutions with others! This helps reinforce your belief that you can do it.
4. Lack of Passion … Vision without action is hallucination! Fire in the belly propels you toward action and results. Step number one is having the courage to get started on your clarified resolutions. Get fired up about getting started and go for it! Seeing even a marginal amount of progress is all it takes to inspire you to take the next step.
5. Lack of Congruence … Your resolutions need to be in sync not only with your belief system, but also with your other goals, and your assessment of your capabilities. If it is too outlandish or unrealistic, the incongruence of it will short-circuit your belief in your ability to get it done. It will be a non-starter. Make it as significant as you can and still believe you can do it.
6. Lack of focus … Writing down clarified resolutions is the beginning of an exciting process, if we can keep our focus. Cavett Robert defined character as “the ability to carry out a worthwhile resolution long after the mood in which it was made has left you”. Can you vow to stay focused on the vision? Schedule specific follow through actions for specific times to help keep you connected. The difference between high performers and mediocre producers is a focused intensity accompanied by the determination that you will not be denied!
Few people realize the power and potential which are derived from crafting one’s “Magnetic Compelling Purpose”. During times of challenge like these, people tend to gravitate either toward scarcity or abundance. The majority who go toward scarcity are focused on problems and the negative aspects of their existence. Those who go toward abundance are more focused on possibilities and progress, and that prosperity consciousness is what inspires many people to take the actions that propel them into the next realm of their life. This is not about who your daddy is, or where you went to school, or how old you are. Freedom to excel in America is your individual birthright.
If you can articulate what your “Magnetic Compelling Purpose” is, put it in writing, and fine-tune it, you are on your way. Serious resolutions and statements of purpose tend to cause one to behave the way the person they hope to become behaves.
Take action today on your written plan for success in 2010 and beyond!”
Okay, now it is time…. Get busy and make 2010 your best year ever!
7 Steps to Effective Communication that Gets Results
Communication is everything in business and in all of our relationships. Honestly, how else would people communicate? In order to enjoy an agreeable business and personal discussion, the communication level has to be excellent. How does one communicate effectively? Simply put, say what you mean, say it clearly, and say it with respect.
Step 1: Establish Trust
Some people naturally distrust other people, because they do not know what the other one is thinking. Therefore, the sooner that you come out and say what you want, the sooner you can begin establishing trust. If you sense that someone is especially apprehensive, then you could go try and reassure him or her that you are not a threat. As you can guess, this doesn’t always work, so don’t waste time trying to change someone’s mind. Instead, continue being cordial and ethical and hope that your professionalism and consistency eventually wins them over – assuming you want to win them over. There are some you may not want as clients or even associates. In the financial services industry, Bill Bachrach has developed the only system I know of for building a high-trust client relationship. For more information, go to www.billbachrach.com.
Step 2: Speak Clearly and Concisely
Speaking clearly can sometimes be a problem since not everyone actually takes the time to improve in diction or word usage. If all you have to say is, “Blah,” don’t say “Blah, Blah.”
Step 3: Recognize Problems in Communication
What are some of the most common barriers in effective communication? For starters, there is language, or word usage. People can easily misinterpret or even distort a statement’s original meaning. It is wise to avoid saying anything questionable that might confuse a listener, or inadvertently provoke a negative reaction.
Step 4: Learn How to Use Tone and Body Language Together
In trying to improve your own communication, beware of a defensive posture or negative voice inflection. Make sure that you use a friendly and welcoming posture, with open arms and a smile. The misreading of body language and tone of voice is one of the most common problems in the breakdown of communication. Even if you are saying something agreeable, if you show physical signs to the contrary, your message and your honesty will come under suspicion.
Step 5: Never Assume Anything
Assumptions are another common problem, whether they are self-fulfilled assumptions or merely assuming that others see things in the exact same way that you do. Never assume—the fact of the matter is that most people do not see things they way that you do, nor do they have the same feelings as you do. The less you assume, the better.
Step 6: Recognize Communication Issues caused by Technology
Sometimes messages can be misunderstood because of cell phone static. Other technology based communication problems might result from lost phone messages or ambiguous email messages. Lastly, remember that this form of impersonal communication usually doesn’t allow for non-verbal clues, although virtual conferencing is an ever-increasing trend.
Step 7: Learn How to Talk Business
If you are trying to get someone to open up then try using open-ended questions rather than yes or no interrogations.
The more effective you can be with your communication the more successful you will be – personally and professionally. Communication can be extremely powerful in helping you or it can hurt you. Apply any or all of the seven steps mentioned above and set goals around enhancing your communication.
How Hard Is It To Stay Committed?
It’s not always easy to stay committed to your purpose, especially in troublesome times, when you must bare the burden and expense alone. What’s important to remember is that wavering commitment is not commitment. A commitment is not something that is on again off again, or easily stomped out due to undesirable factors—this is more like a notion pretending to be a commitment. Successful individuals will eventually achieve their reputation because their commitment was true: they approach their plans with determination and persistence. You could even say that true commitment endures. It stands the test of time. It survives, not only for the rest of a person’s life, but in some cases even beyond a person’s life to future generations of followers.
Commitment is most important when times get tough. Before embarking upon a new journey, plan your future well and prepare for the worst, while always hoping for the best. Welcome adversity because these are your challenges to overcome. These are the obstacles that hold you back from achieving your dream. These are tests for you to pass to show the world just how committed you are to making a difference for yourself and for others.
How do people know you are really good at what you do?
Have you ever worked with someone who was really good or watched someone work and thought to yourself, they are really good at what they do? Providing marketing literature or telling someone how good you are isn’t always the best way to have someone believe you are as good as you are. Demonstrating how good you are by the questions you ask and how you conduct yourself in your professional environment should give people a good feeling that you are good and know what you are doing.
For example, I was in a bicycle shop one day watching a ‘bike fitter’ fit a person for their bike so they can work as efficiently as possible while riding their bike. I didn’t know this person fits very famous cyclists at the time. In a matter of minutes he made adjustments to this person’s bike and off the lady went. I could just tell by what he did, and how he worked that he knew what he was doing. He had a lot of confidence in his ability without openly showing it or providing any written materials. People know who he is by reputation.
I was in the PCS Connection phone store the other day and there were a few young men working. I could tell by how fast they worked when someone asked them a question and how confident they were in their abilities and they didn’t have to say much. They answered questions, told the truth (didn’t try to sell you something you really didn’t need), provided great customer service, and very efficiently got the job done for each person who was there. I had been to 6 phone stores and told that they couldn’t help me with a problem I had. This one young man listened to my problem and fixed it in approximately five minutes. WOW! I love these guys now and won’t go anywhere else. They really know their stuff!
If you live in San Diego, this store is at 4334 Convoy Street, Suite 0, San Diego, CA 92111. Their phone number is 858-278-1999. If you have any cell phone issues or just want to talk to experts about cell phones and blackberrys, you need to experience the guys at this store.
Do your prospects and clients view you as the expert? Do they send you lots of referrals to others they think can use your services or products? What has to happen for you to demonstrate to prospects that you are the expert in your field and they need you in their life? What’s one thing you could do even better to have people think this way of you when they first meet you and in the first few minutes?
The single most important thing that has to happen for 2 people to do business together
TRUST
Trust is the single most important thing that has to occur for two people to do business together. If this is true, how much ‘trust’ training have you had? Do people trust you? How do you know if they do or they don’t?
How do people feel about you? What do you want people to feel and think about you and what you do for them? If you had to pick one word that you would want people to say or think about you, what would that one word be? Now, what has to happen to create experiences for clients and prospects so when they think of you, they think of this one word. When they refer you to others, they tell them this one word because it is how they feel about you.
When people trust you, they typically do what you tell them to do. You say, do x, and they say, okay. They eagerly refer you to others who they think will benefit from your services.
What do you have to do and who do you have to become to enhance your business and the relationships you have with your clients and prospects. It’s all about them having the best experience with you and what you provide to them. How do create trust with clients and prospects? Think about these questions and come up with some single, simple, doable thing that you can implement right away to take your business to the next level of success.
4 Steps to a Successful Life
It’s time to turn the page and accept that this is Chapter Two in your life! If you want to make a change and start living a higher quality of life, then you must take decisive action. Success is whatever you make it to be. Never believe that you are destined for failure while others are just “lucky” in all their endeavors. Everyone has control over his or her destiny. It’s just that some people are unwilling to go the distance to achieve these dreams. What is the key to success anyway? Before you answer this question, you have to first consider what success means to you.
What is success anyway? Is success the same thing as money, fame or power? Is it influence over other people? Is it being the best parent possible? Or is success really what you leave behind in this world when your legacy ends?
Step 1: Define What Success Means to YOU
The definition of success depends entirely upon you. Success doesn’t have a definition in exact parameters; rather it is defined as “an event that accomplishes its intended purpose.” That intended purpose belongs to you. The truth is that many people today are unsure of what they want or even what success means to them. You have to first determine what you want out of life and what makes you feel complete.
Step 2: Start by Focusing on a Broad Goal and then Create Simpler Goals
You decide what success is and how you will achieve it. This is the vision that you set for yourself. Start by focusing in on a picture from the future. How do you see yourself? Are you actively involved in a career? Are you a family person or just filthy rich? This is your broad goal, your long-term vision. This is the primary direction you are pursuing. This is something that you want and that you are willing to work hard to get.
Now that you have decided on a long-term destination, it’s time to create a “path” to this destination made up of short-term goals. After you create your set of goals attach a specific time frame to each one. This helps in motivating you to get started because you now have a specific date you ideally want to achieve each one.
Step 3: Take Action!
After you set your goals you must take decisive action. Try and feel a sense of responsibility for your list of goals. Resist putting the blame on anyone else, including “this cruel world” that makes dreams impossible. It may help you say your goals out loud, “affirming” your resolve to carry them out.
You must be committed to this task and take seriously the steps you laid out for yourself. Try and think of these commitments, not as personal wishes, but as unbreakable plans that you have made with someone else.
Step 4: Know the Importance of Persistence and Belief
Persistence is another important principle to keep in mind, as you will need to cultivate this quality when the going gets tough. Persistence is slightly different from commitment. Persistence is known as “continuing or repeating behavior.” Persistence helps you keep on progressing in your life, even when obstacles arise and even when you are at your lowest ebb. How can you learn persistence? Is it truly a learnable quality or is it a genetic gift?
Persistence is closely linked with belief. When you believe something, when you are passionate about something, you are willing to fight for that belief. You are willing to talk enthusiastically to others about this belief. You are willing to travel across the world for this belief. You may even be willing to die for this belief. This confidence is what allows you to stay persistent even in the worst of times. Continue to pursue positive influences in your life, sources that are refreshing, like supporters who say you can do it!
Adhering to these principles will help make you even more successful. You can believe that because, again, you determine your success.
