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The turning of the calendar is a fantastic opportunity to fill yourself up with joy and gratitude for the happiness you experienced, and the knowledge you have gained. As you start your own personal journey into the unknown of 2012, let go of any pain and regrets so that you may carry joy forward with you. Take the knowledge you gained as well, and use it to make the very best choices you can in the coming year. Embark on your fabulous journey with courage, do the best that you can with the circumstances at hand, let yourself have fun, learn all that you can, be grateful and turn 2012 into the best year of your life. Life is great, when you make it so! Happy New Year all!!!!!

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To improve the relationships you have with others, begin by improving the relationship you have with yourself. The more you like, value, care for, appreciate and love yourself, the more you will extend this same kindness to others. As you relate to those in your life in new and profound ways they are encouraged to return this kindness back to you, and mutually beneficial relationships are born.

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There is a simple formula that will greatly increase your level of happiness in a very short period of time: “Do those things that make you happy, and stop doing things that make you unhappy.” It works amazingly well!

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Decide what kind of day you want to experience. As you move through your day and things arise, manage your thoughts and reactions to them so that you will continue undisturbed, along the path you have chosen for yourself. This is your day; make it one you are proud of.

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Successful New Year!

All my best, Marcus

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Letting go of all that binds you to the darkness of your past, allows you to move into the light of your brilliant future. When you accept what has been, learn its lessons and choose to implement the wisdom gained, you free yourself to move toward what can be now. As you prepare to meet a new year, turn your past trash into current treasure, and use it to feed the happiness and success you desire.

Article: Shining Light On The Real Bottom Line

In business, revenue, expenses and profit are critical aspects to pay attention to: they require monitoring if the company is to remain viable and profitable. Given the challenging economic reality most businesses have faced over the past 3 years, the “bottom line” has become, for many, the primary or sole focus of ownership and management to an even greater degree.

There are a number of important people and factors that contributed to the very creation of your business, and others that now keep it viable and even profitable. It is imperative that these components of your business receive their due focus as well, lest they become neglected.

As you close out 2011 and move boldly into the coming year, the more effective your focus is – the more it takes into account all that makes your business possible – the greater your likelihood of staying viable and growing profitability. As you come to see the multitude of amazing gifts that allowed you to create, own and operate your business, you will become grateful. As your gratitude grows, you will take better care of these gifts, and - in return - they will continue to grow and give back to you.

The mere fact that you are alive is the greatest gift of all, and it is your very existence that first breathed life into your business. In addition, it is the lives of your team members, customers, vendors, business partners, community and business networks that continue to infuse your company with life.

On the personal side, your parents gifted you to this world. Other family members loved and nurtured you into adulthood, teachers educated you, and life supplied you with the experiences and support that made you who you are. Most likely, you now have a significant other and children who love you, support your vision and share you with the world so you can run your business. You have your health. Oh, the gifts you have!

With greater awareness of what has allowed your business to be, and all that continues to contribute to your ongoing success, you are less likely to take any of it for granted. And, when you don’t take the gifts in your life for granted, you have greater respect for them and treat them better. As you share your genuine appreciation with everyone involved in your life and business, they will have a tendency to give the same to you in return. This creates a wonderful circle of giving that makes business – and life - as great as they can be.

There are so many ways to express your gratitude this time of year. A hand-written Christmas card with a little something special inside selected just for that person, a party for your team members where each is recognized for their efforts with a plaque or certificate, monetary bonuses, a kind word of thanks, charitable giving, discounts or gift certificates to customers … the list goes on and on. The secret is to make your gesture personal, heartfelt and filled with authentic gratitude for what they do that makes your business all that it is.

With loved ones, one of the most powerful ways to show your appreciation is to give of yourself by spending quality time with them. Express your sincere appreciation for all they have done with and for you throughout your life. Let them know the special place they hold in your heart and mind, and allow them to share the same with you. Take time away from the business to fully engage in fun activities that everyone enjoys doing together. Gift them with your undivided attention and love.

Take stock of all you have in your life. Really count your blessings and let your mind and heart overflow with joy. Then, share your joy by giving back what you can to those around you who make your life wonderful. Give for the sheer joy of giving and let the very best within you rise up, and touch in profound ways, the very best that is within others.

Wishing You a Happy and Successful New Year!

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Let your smile be like the sun, and brighten someone’s day. Let kindness pour from you like a warm rain, and nourish the hearts of others. Give your very best, and touch the world with the wonderful gift that is uniquely you.

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The question isn't "Who should you be?" The questions are, "Who are you?", and "Who do you want to be?" Go forth in your life with courage; be who you are and live a life that is valuable and meaningful to you, letting the chips fall where they may. Accepting and embracing the real you leads to living an authentic, happy and successful life.

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Envision a greater future for yourself, and take actions each day to move toward what you want in your life. Learn from your experiences along the way, implement this knowledge and enjoy the journey to your greatest life.

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Envision a greater future for yourself. Take actions each day to move toward what you want in your life. Learn from your experiences along the way, implement this knowledge and enjoy the journey to your greatest life.

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Being who you want to be, and the living a life that is meaningful to you requires freeing yourself from the expectations, judgments and opinions of others about who you should be. This incredibly wise choice, frees you to be your authentic self which, in turn, opens the door to genuine happiness in your life.

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Let your smile be your greeting card to others. Let your kindness and generosity leave their mark on the world. Let your life be a living example of what can be. You are simply amazing! Let this shine through.

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There are only so many waking hours available to each of us. Make the most of this precious time; create happiness and success in all that you do, so that each day will be filled with the joy of being alive.

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Rather than resisting the unwanted circumstances in your life, use them to your advantage. As you work through your challenges, learn all that you can from them, utilize your acquired knowledge to improve yourself and your situation, thereby, creating a better life for yourself going forward.

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Let your abundance flow forth into the world through acts of kindness. Give for the sheer joy of giving, be a joy to others and let your actions be the seeds of hope that touch lives in powerful ways.

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Get excited about your life! It's happening right now, and as you put more passion, optimism, belief and energy into everything you do, your life will take off, leading you to wonderful experiences that fill you with an even greater excitement.

Article: Are You Unknowingly Building A Silent Regret?

There is a common and prevailing mantra in business about making as much money as you possibly can, about being wildly successful at all cost. There is no doubt that being as profitable as you can, and standing tall above your competitors, is a primary aim in business. The question is: At what cost?

The number two regret of people at the end of their life is: “I wish I hadn’t worked so much”. This is an extraordinarily powerful and telling statement given all the things a person could possibly regret when looking back at the life they lived. For those who have a lot of life still ahead, this reality points toward the need to take a much different approach in regard to work and business.

The people who expressed this deep-seated regret at the end of their lives acknowledged spending too much of their time on the treadmill of their work existence, while sacrificing valuable time with their spouses, children, extended family, friends and even themselves. They also allowed their personal dreams and lifetime adventures outside of financial success to pass them by. The profound truth is that these moments and experiences, once gone, can never be recaptured.

I recently spoke with a “successful” businessman who helps other business owners create multi-million dollar companies. He asked me how my Thanksgiving was and, after sharing with him how I had turned my business off for five days to focus on time with my family, replied - with obvious regret in his voice - “I wish I could say that.” This type of thinking is the very foundation of a silent and growing regret that must be caught early and turned around. If it isn’t, it will likely become a top regret at the end of life.

The thought of becoming wildly successful financially, and the associated accolades, praise and recognition that come with it, can be extremely addicting because it feeds the ego. As with any addiction, it has the ability to take over, blinding us to the comprehensive picture of life and all that it has to offer. When this happens, it creates a situation where we are out of balance, ultimately limiting the feelings of happiness and success we are striving for.

A business owner, whose sole focus is on making as much money as possible day-in and day-out, typically has the perspective that their team members should have the same focus. By forgetting that these people have lives, hopes, dreams and desires too, they come to demand more and more from them. The reason is simple: When the focus is solely on money and the accumulation of wealth, people are discounted and forgotten.

I work diligently with business owners to help them see the bigger picture of their life – to discover within themselves what they value and whether what they are sacrificing in their pursuit of riches is truly acceptable to them. Once my clients develop solid work-life balance skills, they begin to make different choices in how they allocate their time; they come to experience a more profound form of success – one that still includes financial gain (often more than ever before), but is not solely focused on it as a driving force in life.

It is important to understand that once your children have grown, your youth has faded and your health has deteriorated, the forsaken dreams you left behind in the pursuit of money cannot be recaptured. That time has passed forever. We all know of people who worked their whole life to make enough money to travel and enjoy the many pleasures of life, only to find that – by the time they “arrived” – they were unable to do so because they had waited too long.

Your life is happening right now! There is room within it for everything you desire, including making money and enjoying the multitude of other things that bring you happiness and pleasure. Once you are conscious about your work and your life, and have the skills in place to create vital balance, you won’t have to work so hard to experience the happiness and success you want. You won’t regret having worked too much.

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Be grateful for the breath you took upon waking this morning. Look out at the world and rejoice for your eyes that let you see the beauty and wonder all around you. Reflect on those who love and support you. Awaken to the awesomeness of life; your life, and let gratitude fill you up today.

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The #5 regret of people at the end of their life is: “I wish that I had let myself be happier”. Happiness is a choice, and it is one you can make anytime you want to. Choose to be happier. Let nothing, and no one stand in your way as you fill your life with contentment and joy.

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Each day of your life is only as great as you make it. Move through your day with composure and grace; accepting what comes your way, enjoying the sweet and easy moments, staying positive, and always looking for solutions to the challenging situations that present themselves.

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The cup that is half full is easily filled to overflowing, by the choice to focus upon the multitude of positive things in your life. Stop frequently throughout your day to take stock of all that you have - of every little thing that makes your life truly wonderful. Gratitude reveals to you, the abundance you seek in life.

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You never know what wonderful things can happen in life. Therefore, stay open to what can be. Work to keep your thoughts positive and optimistic, so you are able to recognize, and embrace the gifts that will come your way today.

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The following statement is the #1 regret of people at the end of their life: "I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me". Therefore, be who you are, and who you want to be. Free yourself from the prison of others expectations so that you may live the life of your dreams. The quality of your life depends on it. Remember, YOU MATTER!

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There is a simple formula, that when applied in your life, will allow you to experience more happiness: Be truly grateful for your life, do what makes you happy, and stop doing what makes you unhappy. Try this approach for just one day; give it everything you’ve got, and see for yourself what happens.

Article: The Power Of Praise In Your Prosperity

Business owners who are solidly focused on moving their company to ever higher levels of profitability are constantly on the lookout for ways to improve their business model. To achieve this requires a discerning awareness regarding what is - and is not - working in the daily operations of the business. However, there is a potential trap here.

If, as the business owner, you are so focused on what is “wrong” in your current business model that you fail to see all that is actually being achieved and accomplished, and how far the business has progressed over time, you will squash the moral of your team members with a lack of praise and a preponderance of criticism.

While this approach may get you some short–term results that you are looking for, over time team members will come to feel less and less excited about being a part of what you are trying to do with the business. This, in turn, will limit the upside potential of the business itself, and therefore, the prosperity that you are working so hard to create.

On the other hand, when you offer constructive praise and recognition to your valued team members - while also working to continually enhance how the company operates – you will reap your greatest rewards. Why? Because when people feel good - even great - about the positive steps they are making and the work they are doing, they are encouraged to stay the course. Just consider how great it feels to you when you receive an award or are honored for your own hard work!

The majority of all human beings thrive on praise and recognition. To understand this more clearly, consider two very different situations involving a child. When a child is praised for a job well done they light up and get excited. This is widely apparent in their body language. When this happens repeatedly, they grow more self-confident over time, take on challenges with greater initiative and passion, and they become more adept at whatever it is they are doing. In other words, they are motivated in a positive way to learn, grow and become more.

Conversely, when a child truly gives their best and is met with criticism in the form of what they did wrong and what they should have done better, they are left feeling defeated, inadequate and not good enough. If you have ever been a part of a situation like this you know how devastating this experience this is. Again, defeat is written all over their face. Commonly, this leads to a lasting and lifelong reality of negative self-perception, diminished self-confidence, resentment and lack of drive or determination.

It is imperative to understand that this desire for praise and recognition does not change simply because we grow older. The desire to feel good about ourselves and the efforts we put forth does not leave us as we move into the world of work. As a business owner it is wise to get a firm hold on this understanding, and to make changes in your perspective so that you will come to offer the praise and recognition that your team members yearn for - and need - to continue advancing.

When the team members in any business are supported in constructive ways, both in a job well-done and in those areas that are in the process of improvement, they will perform at higher levels simply because they feel valued. When you give others what they want, they are more likely to give you what you want, and everyone is happier.

Once I teach business owners how to lead from a position of composure and with a balanced perspective, they work with their team in new, dynamic and powerful ways.
This in turn, allows them to build the empowered team that produces the very prosperity they are looking to achieve. In your unending pursuit of success and a finely tuned business, don’t forget to “grease the wheels” that make your success possible with well-deserved praise and earned recognition.

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Grateful or taking life for granted. Optimistic or pessimistic. Happy or unhappy. It's a choice we make each day, and your choice determines the quality of the life you are living. Make choices that allow you to live your greatest life.

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Look upon yourself and your life with gratitude, and let joy flow forth from your heart and mind. The wonderful gift of life is yours!

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With deadlines, commitments, family, friends and everything else that goes on in life we can easily find ourselves in a pressure cooker. This often leads to frustration, poor communications, misunderstandings, more pressure and unpleasant feelings. As you feel this pressure, step back, take a deep breath, drop any assumptions, and communicate to create understanding, work for mutually beneficial solutions, and go forward as a more empowered you.

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Stay aware.
Learn from your experiences.
Remember, you matter.
Honor your truth and needs.
Be who you are, and take the path that leads you to the happiness and success you desire.

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Move through your day with eyes wide open, and ears that listen intently. Fill your mind with constructive thoughts, let your heart overflow with gratitude, and be open to what can be, so that your life will reach its greatest expression in this day.

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Slow down enough, to recognize the deepest yearning of your heart and soul...

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Use every challenge you face as a stepping stone to victory in your life. Learn, grow and become more than you were before the challenge presented itself.

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So much to be grateful for ... the eyes to see this amazing world, the home that shelters, the people who love and support, the opportunities before us, the very breath that fills our lungs and the heart that beats in our chest. Turn your awareness to the splendid gift of your life, recognize the preciousness and sheer magnitude of it, and allow joy to fill your heart and mind. Soak up your wonderful life.

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True love is unending. This may be hard to see in the midst of challenging moments with those closest to you, but it is still there, merely obscured by the hurt feelings taken on in the situation at hand. Remember, above all else, that you do love this person so that you may see through the fog of your hurt to the truth that lies in your heart.

Article: Where Are You Headed In Your Business?

Leading a company can be over-whelming with all that this typically entails, particularly if the daily operations require your constant attention. It’s easy to become lost, to fall into the daily routine and repeat it over and over again, and to stop moving in a forward direction. A strong foundation of personal clarity and consistent self-direction allows you to create the happiness and success you desire.

There are some fundamental steps to take in choosing your course:

Personal Clarity

The place to start in finding your direction in business is to discover what you want in life. This may seem daunting at first, but I assure you it is easier than you think, and quite necessary. My clients are consistently amazed at how empowering it is to become self-aware. At the moment you create personal clarity, your direction in life and business will begin to unfold before you.

Creating Goals

After gaining clarity about what you want, it is wise to create specific goals that will move you in your chosen direction. Often times, we believe that our goals must be complex and large. The truth is that the simpler and smaller goals are, the more likely you are to actually achieve and accomplish them. It is also important to not overwhelm yourself with too many goals. Start with 3-5 simple goals and, as you accomplish one, add another. Getting to where you ultimately want to be is a process, not a quantum leap – change takes consistent effort and time.

Action Steps

Within each established goal will be specific action steps – “micro” goals – that, when realized, will add up to the completion of the primary goal. When you break each goal down into its smaller pieces, the necessary steps to achieving your desired results will be revealed to you. As you complete each critical step, you will feel energized and precious momentum will be created. My clients find great rewards when approaching their goals in manner.

Commitment and Self-direction

Ultimately, the completion of any goal - and the realization of your personal and professional dreams - rests on your shoulders. Your unwavering commitment to what you want to achieve will be a determining factor in your success. I work with my clients to develop a strong level of commitment, as well as their ability to self-direct. Once these are firmly in place, their ability to coach themselves to greater happiness and success takes hold. This process of developing commitment and the ability to self-direct is, to say the least, empowering and a required asset of any successful life and business.

Perseverance and Follow-through

With the personal clarity, goals and action the steps necessary to accomplish your goals in place, and a self-directed commitment to what you want to achieve, there are only two things left to do: Persevere through the internal and external challenges you will face, so that you will follow- through on your well-devised plan. Business owners often create plans of action that are designed to move them towards what they want, but then become lost in their own plan. When they begin to face challenges that overwhelm them, they give up without ever having truly started.

This is where a qualified professional coach comes into play. Even when you set yourself up with a plan, your coach will help you see it more clearly by tightening up goals, creating more effective action steps, developing your commitment and ability to self-direct, and effectively guiding you through the challenges you will face to ensure that you follow through to completion. ALL GREAT TEAMS consist of skilled players and a talented coach that work toward achieving winning results.

Accomplishment

The feeling of accomplishment is outstanding! Consider a time in your life when you were successful in achieving a goal that was important to you. Remember it clearly, and notice your delight at being successful. Also, notice how accomplishment of that particular goal propelled you forward in life and/or business. The great news is that you can enjoy this experience more consistently in your life.

Lack of personal clarity, indecision and mediocrity are disastrous to your greater happiness and success. Break out of where you currently are in your business and create a grander vision. Now, put that vision in motion. Start by seeking out the professional coaching you need and then, stay the course until you arrive on the shores of your dreams.

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When things change, and new doors open in our lives we have the tendency to try and hold onto what is, simply because we don't know what will be. However, there is a flow to life, and futilely trying to hold on to what is changing only serves to limit what can be in your life. Move with change, embrace your evolving life and experience the richness therein.

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A deeper, more profound and lasting happiness is available to you in any moment that you consciously exercise your will to catch, and stop, your negative thoughts, actions and words. The moment you chose to be the conscious creator of your life you will experience personal empowerment, greater happiness and more success. Stack moments like these on top of one another throughout your day, and lasting happiness will be yours.

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Allow opportunities to flow into your life. You never know what gifts the next person or moment holds for you, until you embrace them. Open yourself to the amazing life that awaits you.

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The Eagle soars high above the ground to get a greater perspective - to see more of its world. Rise above the moments in your life to gain perspective, see more of what is available to you, and make choices that enhance life.

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Each of us is capable of far more than we currently believe. Once we shift our focus away from "what we can't do", turning it toward "what we can do", our greater life begins to unfold before us. Believe in you!

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Each of us has a burning passion that awaits our decision to express it in this lifetime. Whatever yours is, go for it with all that you are! Release your passion into this world, touch others with your gift, have a positive impact in your life and the lives of others, and feel the joy of realizing your greater self.

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Within our desire to be accepted, liked and loved, it is easy to get lost in the opinions and judgments of the world. If we are constantly seeking the approval of others, are we not sacrificing our authenticity and happiness in this pursuit? Seek your own acceptance, like who you are, love yourself completely and you will never be lost again. Discover, embrace and enjoy you.

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Rarely do we ask ourselves what kind of day we want to have - positive or negative, happy or sad, successful or not. Is it any wonder why our days are haphazard, why we ride the emotional roller coaster and why our days turn out as they do? Today, consider the experience you want to have. Make a powerful choice in your life, set your course and steer yourself into it throughout your day.

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Choose happiness and success. Rise above the waves of the storms in life, look to the horizon for new opportunities, be courageous as you forge ahead, believe in yourself and in life, and above all, enjoy the journey.

Article: Can Your Business Thrive Without You?

Most business owners start their companies with the intention of creating greater wealth and freedom. They have a dream of achieving financial independence and using this to travel, relax, give back and enjoy their lives as much as possible. However, many never realize this dream, even if the business is successful in generating financial abundance, simply because they lack the mindset, managers and team to make it possible.

Several key factors contribute to a business not being able to run effectively without the owner’s constant hands-on presence:

• The owner is a micro manager who fears letting go of the reins.

If you are an owner who believes that no one else will run your business the way you do, you’re right. After all, there is only one you and your overall perspective of your business is unique. Even so, this does not mean that there are not individuals who could do an excellent, if not an even better job, than you.Countless businesses are thriving under the day-to-day leadership of their managers, with the owner providing general oversight, direction and new ideas. This can be your reality too, as you release your fears and build a powerful team that can handle the daily operations.

• The owner is the only one currently on staff that can handle all aspects of the business.

If you have created a situation where you are the only one that can effectively run your business, then you will be tied to the daily operations by necessity. Your success here lies in hiring individuals that are competent, and who care about you, your company and the customers you serve. Integrity, motivation, passion, a caring perspective and a true willingness to learn are invaluable attributes that you want to look for when adding leaders to your team.

• The owner has not mastered effective delegation and team empowerment.

Learning to delegate tasks to your team members is liberating for you and empowering to them. There are crucial components to effective delegation that one must become proficient at in order to do it well. Without exception, every business owner I train is amazed at the freedom they gain, the ownership their team members take on, and how much better their business runs once strategic delegation is implemented.

• Current managers are not qualified to actually run the business.

A powerful component of delegation is that it allows you, the business owner, to discover who is capable of taking on the job and who is not. If you already have a manager (or managers) in place and - through planned delegation and careful observation on your part - you discover that they are not capable of running the day-to-day operations effectively, you have two choices: Train them, or replace them.

• The business lacks structure and a system of practical procedures.

In order to achieve your goals and create the freedom you desire, it is imperative that you have a system of simple and effective operational procedures in place to effectively deal with all the situations that will arise. The greater success of your company depends on it. My clients are often surprised and always delighted to discover how easy these are to create, as well as, how appreciated and liberating they are to everyone involved.

• The owner has not built a powerful team that can run the business in their absence.

All fear associated with releasing day-to-day operations can be easily overcome by building a team that can actually run the business - and run it well - without the owner’s constant presence. When the success of your business depends solely upon you, you trap yourself into a “job”. Conversely, when you build a powerful team over time, and the success of the business is spread out through a team approach, everyone wins.

While there is much to consider in developing successful hands-off leadership, with qualified business coaching and training, the thriving business of your dreams is within your reach. As you adopt a more powerful mindset, hire capable leaders, train coachable team members that are willing to excel - and let go of the ones that aren’t - and then work with them to develop their potential, your dreams will come true!

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Whether we realize it or not, we are all leaders. Through the living of our lives, we provide an example that is witnessed by everyone we come into contact with. Consider strongly the example that you want to put forth - be conscious about the living of your life - and be the very best leader you can be.

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Consider for a moment, how wonderful the warm sun feels after the cold and darkness of winter – how it brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face. Choose to shine all of the warmth, love and caring you can on everyone around you. Make it a great day!

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Think thoughts, take actions and speak words that are empowering and constructive - that contribute to the happiness and success of everyone involved. Bring your strength to the world today.

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The unconditional love of a spouse, child, parent, sibling and dear friend is priceless. It feels so wonderful to be loved in this way. Love freely, and with all that you are so that those you love may experience the joy of this gift with you.

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Whether you are working, playing, relaxing, learning, loving, helping, giving, healing or searching, GO ALL IN TODAY. The more you put into the living of your life, the more it returns to you. You've got nothing to lose, except for this irreplaceable day of your life.

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Choosing to be grateful in the face of challenges makes them manageable, and even something we can accept. When you place your focus on all that is wonderful in your life, you also take it off of what seems, at first, to be "wrong" and this will allow you to continue on in your life with a happy heart.

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You can rise above the quagmire of negativity. Choose solutions over problems, love over hatred, communication over misunderstanding and action over mediocrity - choose happiness over suffering. Invest yourself in the best life has to offer, and the best in life will be yours.

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When you say "yes" to happiness, love, peace, joy, success, beauty, kindness, teamwork, generosity... you are also saying "no" to unhappiness, hate, discontentment, sadness, failure, ugliness, abuse, self-centeredness and greed... Say "yes" to a life that is filled with the very best.

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This fresh, cool morning after a night’s rain, the air, sweet with the smells of fall and the clear blue sky coming to light with the rising sun suggests to us, a powerful choice. Start fresh, be grateful, rise above all things and move into your day with intention and purpose. Let the light of your fantastic life fill the world around you.

Article: Have You Checked The Cheese Lately?

Complete success in business lies in the details. It is the multitude of seemingly insignificant little things that, when done well, lead customers back to your doors. Customer attraction and retention is the life blood of any business that wants to succeed, and therefore, must be a priority.

Recently, my girlfriend and I visited a local restaurant. We were greeted warmly, and promptly escorted to one of our favorite tables on the patio. Soon afterwards, the waitress introduced herself, and took our drink order. After surveying the menu, we decided on pizza. As we waited for our dinner to arrive, the waitress – taking great care to serve us well - brought out the pizza rack, plates, parmesan cheese and pepper flakes. Up to this point, our experience was wonderful.

Moments later, our pizza arrived - hot, fresh and smelling, oh, so good. As my girlfriend started to sprinkle parmesan cheese on her slice, to our amazement, we saw that the bottom third of the container was filled with a green mold.

We both wondered how long it had been since all the cheese containers had been checked, let alone washed and refilled. How many times had this container been refilled while the mold was there? How many patrons had sprinkled their pizza with the moldy concoction? Had anyone gotten ill? How many of the other cheese containers were contaminated with mold? To say the least, this single situation created doubt in both of us as to the overall cleanliness and quality of this restaurant we frequent.

We reported our finding to the waitress, who – with sincerity and shock - apologized and quickly returned with a fresh one. She checked on us several times and, at the conclusion of our meal, approached us with her manager to offer their apologies, pay for our meal in full, and request that we give them another opportunity to serve us.

In business, you never want to give your customers any reason to doubt you and what you offer. The key components to your customer’s experience are the multitude of little things you do - or don’t do. Knowing this, it is imperative that everyone on your team pay the utmost attention to them. In this situation, simply by focusing on the task at hand and caring to a greater degree, those responsible for refilling these containers would have checked the cheese and caught this long before we did.

No matter what business you are in, ongoing training of your team, with the intention of creating excellence in the customer service experience is a very wise choice. Consistent, engaging, practical and interactive training - done by an effective and inspiring trainer - will allow you and your business to stand head and shoulders above others in your business sector.

Statistically, only about 10 to 15 percent of all businesses are “exceptional” ones. The vast majority exist in the “fair” to “good” range, with the remaining 10 to 15 percent in the “poor” category. A defining difference allowing excellent companies to stand out is their consistent attention to the details, and their unending effort to always deliver the ultimate customer service experience.

An interesting fact is that great pleasure, self-worth, confidence and contentment are derived from putting forth the extra effort it takes to do a job with excellence. And, those on the receiving end – your customers – also find great satisfaction from the exceptional products and service you provide.

Your business will rise above as you, the owner, take the lead in moving your business to the top of the field. As you establish an ongoing commitment to consistent focus, attention to detail, dedication to excellence and follow-through, your business will improve. With this mindset solidly in place, you will hire potential superstars and provide them with the ongoing training necessary help them be their best.

The happiness and success you desire in your business lies in how often you check your cheese … in paying attention to the little things. Rather than choosing mediocrity, choose to rise up; choose to enhance the potential of yourself, your team and your business. Although it is a never-ending job for those who want to excel in life and business, the rewards are so outstanding - and the results are so profound - that it becomes the only choice worth making.

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As we live our lives each day, we are writing history and, setting the stage for the future. Be mindful in the living of your life. Make choices that are constructive – that have a positive impact on the happiness and success of life as a whole. We are all in this together, and together we are creating a past, current and future reality that is the result of our combined choices. Choose wisely.

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When you believe that you are powerless in your life, you become powerless and at the mercy of it. But, the moment you believe you are empowered in your life, you start looking for solutions, taking action and experiencing the reality that you took part in bringing about. You are as empowered as you believe you are. Believe in you!

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Embracing the life you do have - accepting your life as it currently is - allows you to make the most of the life you are living. This mindset gives you the power to change what you find displeasing, while enjoying fully what you love about your life. Be grateful for, and stay active in, your wonderful life.

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Patience is more than a virtue; it is a necessary mental perspective that leads to behaviors which increase your happiness and success in all aspects of life.

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We can complain about our circumstances or, we can be accountable for the life we are creating. We can focus on problems or, we can see the best and work to enhance it. We can bemoan our life or, we can live it with passion. Make the choices that will bring greater happiness and success into your life.

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Look into the faces of others, and see yourself. Each of us is unique no doubt, but we are also not that different. We are all experiencing challenges and victories as we move through life. Everyone has hopes and dreams. It is in our coming together, caring for and supporting each other that our challenges will be lessened, our victories sweetened and our dreams fulfilled.

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Human potential is like the air - it is invisible until it moves or is active. Believe in you, believe in your dreams and in life. Take actions that will set your potential in motion so that it will become visible in the world.

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There is great personal satisfaction in doing things well, and completely. Live your day with intention and purpose - hold nothing back in your efforts.

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Life provides us with constant reminders of just how precarious, short and precious it really is. Heed life's message, and choose to love completely, laugh often and live fully.

Article: How Effectively Are You Managing Your Plate?

The quality of your life and business are directly related to how well you manage all that is on your plate. Routinely, business owners take on so many projects and responsibilities that they become overwhelmed, confused and burned-out, eventually losing their way on the road to creating the happiness and success they desire.

“Plate management” is vital to your happiness and success, both personally and professionally. Without consciousness of what is already on your plate, and what you continue to put there as you move forward, you will eventually become bogged down under your over-whelming situation.

Here are specific steps you can take to improve your current reality:

PRINT: Write down everything on your to-do list. Most likely, the vast majority of this information is floating around in your head, which is only contributing to your feeling of over-whelm and confusion. It is wise to get the pieces of the puzzle, so to speak, down in front of you to see the totality of your situation. Whether you use a note pad, a white board, a spread sheet or another mechanism to clearly see what you have created, it is important to not forget the most valuable aspects of your personal life: quality time with family and friends, your interests and hobbies, activities you love, quiet time – time to reflect, study, learn and grow as a human being – and moments to simply relax and enjoy your life.

PRIORITIZE: Next, go through your list and prioritize. Make note of how long each item has been on your to-do list. This will allow you to clearly see what you have put off and for how long. By identifying the importance of each task, you will be able to create a new to-do list with the most important items at the top and the least time sensitive items at the bottom. You will also be able to remove items that are no longer necessary to achieving your goals.

POST: Now that you have your new, revised, organized and crystal clear action list, post it where you can easily see it, and get to work on completing the most important tasks first. Once an item is accomplished, cross it off and move on to the next. While you may have several things operating simultaneously as you work toward the completion of individual items, it is crucial to maintain heightened consciousness to avoid getting lost again.

POSITION: With greater awareness of everything currently on your plate you will be positioned to consciously choose whether or not to add additional items. Sometimes, the strongest choice is to say “no” to others, situations and opportunities in order to say “yes” to yourself, your happiness and you own success. Simply put, be discerning about what to place on your plate.

PERSIST: This step is very important! Once you have gotten on top of your to-do list with effective “plate management”, it is critical to stay the course. The moment you catch yourself falling back into the old habits that resulted in unwelcome outcomes, stop yourself, shift your focus toward how great your new situation is, and return to the new habit that actually works.

As you continue to take focused action on your to-do list, important tasks that contribute to the success of your business will be completed. You will begin to feel engaged and accomplished, your list will shrink in size and you will be a happier, more balanced person.

In my coaching and consulting work with business leaders across the country, it is not uncommon to hear business owners and managers refer – often and with heaviness – to the length of their to-do list. The truth of the matter is that unless you make sense of it, and take control of your tasks - instead of letting them control you - your situation will not improve. It is easier than you think, and the benefits far out-weigh the efforts required. It is a tremendous feeling to be in control of your own reality!

If you are struggling under a mountain of to-do’s, if your desk is a mess, if you are dropping the ball because you are overwhelmed and confused, if your happiness and success are leaving you, get the assistance you need to change your situation. Learning effective “plate management” will bring balance to your life, and set you on a new and rewarding course in life and business.

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In your rush to get everything done, don't forget the most important task of all - to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Take every opportunity you can to laugh, love, and play, to listen, learn, care and share. Make the enjoyment of your life a priority.

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“What is happening to you” is not the issue, because this is a dis-empowered perspective and not true – one that puts you at the mercy of life. “What is happening for you”, and how you will utilize it in your learning, growth and becoming is the real issue. From this perspective you embrace your life with gratitude as it is created which, in turn, empowers you in your life.

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Today you will have numerous opportunities to be happy and experience success - to live with intention and on purpose. Embrace your fantastic life, engage your opportunities and make this a day, one you will remember fondly.

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The crisp mornings, golden leaves and shorter days remind us of life's constant changes. Embrace the changes in your life, turning them into your ally so that you may open yourself to what can be.

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There is so much joy to be experienced in life. Free your heart of past hurts, clear your mind of negativity, unleash your passions, and enjoy the new and brilliant life that unfolds before you.

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You have the wonderful opportunity to have a positive impact in the lives of others today. Rise up in your life, and let your actions and words touch people in an empowering way.

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Your level of satisfaction in life, and your impact on life in general, is determined by who you are in the moments of your life. Stand tall in the midst of the challenges you face, cultivate gratitude and happiness within letting your best shine forth, and you will be a success in life.

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Move into your day with gratitude, think only your best thoughts, soak up life, let your heart fill with joy and be that wonderful light unto life that you most definitely are.

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Be diligent, so that you never give your power away to anger. Otherwise, your anger will get in the way of effective solutions and your happiness. Instead, choose to use your anger in a constructive manner. Step back, look at the situation with composure and respond the most effective way you can.

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Opportunities come and go. Be sure to engage the ones that will add to your life before they pass you by.

Article: Are You Hiring Potential Superstars?

The quality and character of the individuals essential to the operations of a company directly affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the business, in addition to having a direct impact on the pleasure of those who own and operate it. Simply put, the higher the caliber of those you choose to hire, the more happiness and success you will derive from your company.

As an executive business coach and consultant, every business I work with has – at some point – experienced issues with its team members. A reality for every business is the potential for people on staff to continually inhibit the smooth operation of the company, as well as, negatively impacting the work environment itself.

These team members typically do not handle themselves, or their position, well - they are not easy to communicate with, consistently have complaints and personal issues, are resistant to learning and change, and therefore, create a drag on the overall moral and success of the entire organization. Owners and managers must frequently spend a great amount of time working with them to improve performance and attitude, or they may find it easier to avoid them all together because they don’t know how to effectively handle the situation.

There is a better choice here! By hiring potential superstars – individuals with a positive attitude, who are solution-oriented, with a willingness to learn, a desirable skill set, and strong character – you will position your company to operate far more effectively and achieve new levels of happiness and success.
In hiring potential superstars, the first step is to “stack your bench”. Think of your company in terms of a sports team. Should a member of your team need to be replaced due to under-performance or lack of commitment, you will need someone to replace them. Unless you have qualified, motivated and effective “players” to bring in, you will be hesitant to make a change.

Many business owners and managers fail to let go of ineffective team members that inhibit the company’s operations because they do not have qualified candidates ready to replace them. By gathering a list of solid individuals to choose from you will be positioned to make the necessary changes that will enhance your team, and therefore, the performance of your business.

As with any successful team, it is vital that you do not just “fill” a position with the first available person. Instead, strive to hire the very best person you can for the position by carefully considering excellent candidates that embody the values, mission, goals and objectives of your business. By doing so, you will make a strong choice for your company, your team, the clients and customers you serve and yourself.

I work with many companies throughout the process of interviewing potential candidates to “stack their bench” with qualified team players. This process always includes the standard procedures of completing applications and submitting resumes. Some also choose to have them complete standard hiring or behavioral assessments, such as a DISC profile, but we do not rely on these tools alone. The most important part of exploring the fit of any individual for your team is the actual interview.

I highly recommend that interviews be done in person, and more than once with qualified candidates. The vast majority of communication comes to us through body language and tonality, with spoken words accounting for a mere 6 percent of the actual message. Knowing this, and preparing to interview with the assistance of a qualified coach and consultant, can help you understand what an interviewee is telling you not only with their words, but also in their tone and body language – the truest signs of who they really are.

Assistance can also position you to ask questions that provide clues into a person’s level of commitment and involvement. For example, by asking what they do in their free time you can ascertain their engagement in other areas of life. There is typically a significant difference between a person who spends a great deal of time on the computer or watching television, and one who seeks out opportunities to learn, read and stay physically active. The more engaged a person is in their personal life, the more likely they are to be an engaged team member.

In the end you will need to trust your gut. There are no guarantees, but when you do your due diligence, you will position yourself to make the best choice possible in identifying potential superstars for your team.

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This is the greatest day of your life, simply because it is the only day you really have. Live this day, with a positive perspective, gratitude and love in your heart so that when you remember it, you will be filled with happiness and joy for having lived it so fully.

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Deep within you there is a voice coming from your higher understanding. Listen intently, for this is a message of love, courage, gratitude, happiness, success and joy. It is the voice that will, if you listen, lead you to the life your heart longs for.

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The majority of what is most valuable, lives locked away in the hearts and minds of mankind. Be sure to express, as constructively as you can, the powerful love that is within you.

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Chances are, you will cross paths with someone today that is in need of your kindness. Whether that be simply listening to them, a smile, a hug, a kind word or some other act of generosity, let the very best in you give freely. Chances are, someday you will be in the same position.

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In all of creation there is only one of you, and only you, can share your unique gift with the world. Be who you are, and let the best within you rise so that your special gift will flow into life itself.

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Change is inevitable and constant. The moment you accept change, a door opens in your life to meet new people, have new experiences, engage fresh opportunities, learn, grow and become more than you have ever been.

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Today is your day! Be sincerely grateful, engage your life, look for opportunities rather than problems, have some fun, laugh and be happy. Live your life and enjoy it.

Article: Are You An Inspiration Within Your Business?

There is a distinct difference in the atmosphere of companies where the owner and managers bring their inspiring energy on a consistent basis and those where this does not happen. It is a feeling that is known by both team members and customers alike, and one that will ultimately have a positive or negative effect on your bottom line.

I recently returned from a vacation in which I spent considerable time in the city of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. It has long been a favorite place for me to visit and has a coffee shop downtown, close to the lake, called Java on Sherman. I have spent many hours as a customer in this establishment over the past 15 years, and have always felt great being there.

This time my experience was very different. From the moment I walked in, this place I have always enjoyed felt “empty” to me. There was a lack of energy and the team members were not smiling or happily greeting customers. Furthermore, once I received the items I had ordered, it was absolutely apparent that the quality of the products I had come to appreciate - coffee, pastries, and breakfast - were not at the high standard they had always been.

Java is the only place I have ever started my days in Coeur d’ Alene, simply because of the exceptional experience, quality products and the great feeling I received. I did return to Java several times over the 11 days I was in town in hopes that the feelings I knew before would return again. When they didn’t, for the first time, I also started searching out other businesses to start my day with. The point here is that since my last visit - only one year ago - the experience had deteriorated so much, I was no longer getting the value I was looking for and, since doing business there did not feel good anymore, I was willing to take my business elsewhere.

Lost patronage, and the lack of new customers, is the cost of not providing an inspired workplace, and this starts with the business owner.

Last year I spent considerable time conversing with the owner of Java. This man shared with me the story of how he came to own the business through his love for the town, coffee and people. He could be seen in the coffee shop on a daily basis, sometimes talking to and visiting with customers and at other times working behind the counter with his team. He always exuded a great energy that was contagious, as did his team members.

This year he was visibly absent. I hardly saw him, and when I did, he did not appear to be happy. To the astute observer, with a trained eye, it is obvious why the atmosphere in Java had deteriorated so dramatically. You see, as the business owner, you are the fountain head of the energy within your company. The owner of Java no longer had positive energy – he was not happy – and that was having a devastating effect on the entire team.

I have always shared with my clients the truth that they are not selling products and services. What they are, in fact, selling is an “experience”. While it is true that your products and services are part an overall customer experience, it is the feeling people get – and take away with them - when they do business with you that matters most. The experience that you and your team provide will either turn customers on or off to you, even after 15 years of loyal patronage.

An unhappy business owner lacks the positive energy, clarity of vision, engagement and inspiration to create a truly successful business – one where everyone benefits from the wonderful experience it provides. Owners in this position do not attract or hire the best people; they do not train and treat team members in ways that inspire them to give their very best to the customers that give life to the business.

Whether a business owner’s unhappiness comes from discomfort in the business itself, from their personal life or both does not matter. What does matter is that unhappy business owners seek professional assistance in overcoming what stands between them and the happiness and success they want to experience. With happiness at the foundation of who you are, you will be a powerfully inspiring force within your business.

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The quality of your relationships has a direct impact on the quality of your life. Be diligent in building mutually beneficial relations - ones that bring value and fulfillment to all parties - so that you will experience far greater happiness and success.

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Choose happiness over all other states of mind.

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A critical choice to make on your way to greater happiness and success is to not become the victim of other people and circumstances - to not give your personal power away to these things. Instead, be who you are, live the very best life you can, be self-accountable and self-directed, facing life with open arms and an empowered character.

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As you become grateful for the multitude of gifts already in your life, the more life gives you to be grateful for. As you choose to love more, love is bestowed upon you in greater quantities. The happier you are, the more happiness will surround you. Therefore, BE grateful, Be loving and Be happy.

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Opening your eyes, taking a breath and rising to meet the day is such a wonderful gift. Catch every negative and judgmental thought that you can, and turn them into empowering thoughts of gratitude and joy so that your gift of life does not go unwrapped. Make it a great day!

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Within the acorn, lies the potential of the mighty Oak. A tree that is strong enough to stand the test of time, and flexible enough to bend with the changes in its environment. This same potential lies within you and will come to be, as long as you take the time to nurture it. Rise up, and stand tall.

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Behold the preciousness of those you love, and who love you. For what is life really, without love in your heart and mind? Give all the love you can, and soak up all the love that is given to you so that you may feel the true power of life.

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It does not matter so much whether the stock market is rising or falling, whether it is raining or the sun is shining, or whether things in general are going well or not. What matters most is who you choose to be in the moments of your life. Choose to face your life with the very best that is within you. You will not regret this powerfully liberating choice.

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There are times in life when things do not go as we want them to. This often creates worrisome and fearful thoughts, which lead to actions based on these same qualities. Simply step back from your situation, have faith in yourself and life, and go forward with courage.

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Within you there is love, happiness, contentment, passion and joy. Focus your thoughts on these qualities and watch them blossom in your life.

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Back from an amazing vacation to the Pacific Northwest. So much beauty and inspiration everywhere. It is great to be alive! Happy Monday everyone!

Article: Are You In The Business Of Creating Happiness?

A common perception is that success in business is about selling as many products and services as possible, at the highest price possible, in order to make as much money as possible. I suggest that a truly successful business is one that strives to create as much happiness as possible for customers, team members and business owners, while turning a profit in the process.

When business is done in ways that honor and support everyone involved, the business is positioned to serve the purpose of creating greater happiness and success in the world as a whole. Its purpose becomes a more encompassing endeavor, one that is not solely focused on providing wealth to the owners, investors and board members.

All of this begins with customers, the life-blood of any successful business. If they are not happy with the products and services provided to them in exchange for their hard-earned dollar, they will not return or have great things to say about your company.

When you consider each customer, it is important to see them as a human being that has graced your business with their patronage, not as a dollar sign that feeds your bottom-line. By not taking customers for granted, you will treat them with the respect and caring they deserve and they will become raving fans of you, your team and your business.

The same applies to your valuable team members. They allow your company to function, and without their dedication, it would be extremely hard – if not impossible – to conduct your business as you do. Their agreement to give large portions of their lives in order to earn a living and help you do business should also not be taken for granted. Like you, your team members have dreams of happiness and success, and their families depend on them just as yours do on you.

Team members are not cogs in the wheel of your business, they are human beings. When you treat them with dignity, just as you would want to be treated, they will give their best to you and your customers. Your team members are the conduit between your business and your customers; the better care you take of them, the better care they will take of you.

In my work with a variety of companies, I have witnessed the dramatic differences between businesses that truly care about their customers and team members, and those who do not. It is wise and helpful to work with a qualified professional who can coach you to becoming a great business leader who strives to create as much happiness and success as possible for everyone involved.

You would not want your customers or team members to take you for granted, or to limit your dreams. As a business owner, it is vital that you lead by example toward the outcomes you want to achieve. When you operate from the mindset that others want to be just as happy and successful as you do, you will see and treat people differently. Through this larger perspective, customers and team members cease to be objects necessary to achieve your financial dreams; they become critical links in a chain that creates happiness and success throughout the process of doing business.

There is more to your business success than money, prestige and power. When your customers look forward to doing business with you, when your team members consistently come to work and give their best, and when you lead with a powerful example of truly caring about others, you will experience personal and entrepreneurial happiness, while your business prospers.

It is true that you cannot please everyone. Some customers and team members will never be satisfied with your exceptional efforts. In your pursuit of greater happiness and success, you will need to let certain customers and team members go. However, and without fail, the companies that choose to operate with a “win-win-win” perspective – where happy customers, team members and owners succeed – are the most rewarding companies to do business with, work for and run.

The bottom line is that your customers, your team members and you are all in business together. When you operate from this balanced perspective, one that includes the best interests of everyone involved, and not just yours, the success of your business – and the happiness you create – will exceed anything you ever imagined.

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Take a chance, pursue possibility, and explore potential so that you may discover yourself, and therefore, your greatest life.

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The gift of life was bestowed upon you yet again this morning as you opened your eyes. Embrace this most wonderful gift with your sincere gratitude, so that you may move into your new day with a full heart and a happy mind.

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Look upon yourself, others and life through the most appreciative and compassionate eyes you can. Come to see the beauty in all things.

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Once upon a time, there was a man who was afraid of the unknown. He lived his life in the shadows of his fears. At the end of his life he said, “Why was I afraid to try, to experience, to live? Now I am out of time, and there is so much life that I did not live”. Don't be afraid. Be alive. Your life is happening right now, and now is the time to live.

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Let your desire for happiness be your guiding principle in life.

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The circumstances in your day may not be what you were hoping for ideally, but it is how they play out in your mind that matters. Make the most of the day you have been given, by choosing to perceive your circumstances in a constructive way. Your thoughts are the building blocks of your reality.

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Put your best forward. Be considerate, extend a helpful hand wherever you can, be a team player in the game of life and create win-win situations everywhere you go. Life is great, when we are at our best.

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From the moment you wake, until you fall asleep, your life is filled with gifts. Gratitude brings you into your life as it is, and lets you experience the best therein. Cultivate a grateful mindset so you will embrace the gifts in your life, and enjoy more passion, contentment and happiness.

Article: Are You Succumbing To The Pressure Of Competition?

I have met with many business owners who have lost their way in the face of “competition” with other companies. They have taken on negative attitudes toward these businesses and their owners, especially when that business is out-performing them or has come to town and “taken” market share that they once dominated.

This negative mindset is not necessary or helpful, and if this is you, it is wise to let it go. Focusing your valuable time on what another company may or may not be doing, and being negative about their success will ultimately limit yours. This mindset will also decrease the amount of happiness you can experience in operating your own business.

In reality, all businesses in a given market sector are vying for the loyalty and patronage of a limited number of customers. However, you will not increase your reach with customers by allowing yourself to become consumed by the negative thoughts that are associated with a victim mentality.

Rather than becoming embittered by others doing business in the same sector, choose to be empowered: Control what you can – how you, your team and your company operate on a daily basis -- and let the rest go.

Focus upon your own business and study how it operates. Evaluate the effectiveness of your leadership, consider the performance of your managers and the entire team, look at the quality of the products and/or services you offer, and discover where you can improve. By taking this action-oriented approach, you will fuel your progress to the next level, because your attention will be solidly focused on how you can stand out in the marketplace through becoming the very best company you can be.

It may be in your best interest to work with a qualified professional to help you discover where you can make significant improvements, and to implement the action steps necessary to be an exceptional company. The organizations I work with have found this to be a powerful approach. Greater clarity can be achieved through a third party who will work alongside you to explore your business from top to bottom with a neutral and objective point of view.

Once you have discovered where you can improve, it is vital that you and your team work together to swiftly implement the corrective solutions that have been agreed upon. If you want to lead the way in customer satisfaction and loyalty -- if you what to standout in your sector and if you want to grow – necessary changes must be made and followed through to completion. Here again, an effective third party can be a strong resource in getting the job done, and done well.

Every business owner I have worked work with across the country, has found this self-focused and self-accountable approach to be not only effective, but liberating as well. They have discovered the freedom, empowerment and success that can only be possible with undistracted attention placed upon their own operations and the task of creating a great company.

As you shift your focus away from the “competition” and back to your business, you will quickly notice how much more you are able to accomplish with the extra mental energy you were previously giving away. And, once you have implemented the changes that will take your company to new heights, you will enjoy the increased happiness and success that come with these improvements.

There are only two approaches to viewing marketplace “competition”: You can become negatively focused on others and take your company away from the success you desire to experience, or you can turn your attention toward your own company and your potential success. The second is a self-disciplined approach that will position you to face the reality of how you can improve your business operations, make effective changes, and enjoy the fruits of your powerful efforts. Be wise in your choice here, seek out any professional help you might need, and get to work building the best company you can.

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In the whole of life there is only one you. Be grateful for your uniqueness, embrace it and let it shine. The world is a better place with YOU in it.

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You are the primary ingredient in your life. The thoughts you entertain, the actions you take and the words you use affect your state of happiness. They also move out into the world, and through this ripple effect, you touch the lives of others. Shine from within, and watch how your relationships and your life grow brighter.

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It is wise to never underestimate the sheer power of your thoughts. They are the building blocks of the actions you take, the words you speak, the feelings you have and the reality you experience. The more empowered your thoughts are, the greater you life will be.

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The earth, refreshed from a nights rain. The sun, peeking over the eastern horizon and shining a soft pinkish-orange light across the land. The breeze, gently moving the morning air that is rich with moisture, and bringing the sweet smell of morning to my nose. Oh, this glorious life!

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Enter each day of your life with the powerful intention to think your best thoughts, speak your best words and take your best actions. Learn everything you can, implement this knowledge, become even more of the amazing person you are and finish each day with self-respect.

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You will never know how great life is, until you let it be as great as it can be. Open up. Free yourself from the past. Let gratitude fill your heart and mind. Embrace life, and allow happiness to flourish within.

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Rather than focusing on all that you cannot change, focus on who you are, what you do, how you can contribute and on having a positive impact today.

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Why doubt yourself, when you can believe in you? Why have self-loathing, when you can enjoy self-love? Why neglect you, when you can nurture yourself? Always explore your thoughts about yourself, and choose the highest ones you can. Believe in you. Love, and nurture yourself.

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Praise Yourself!
Praise Others!
Praise Life!

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Every day you make a multitude of decisions. Most of them turn our quite well, while some do not. Remember to give yourself credit for the positive steps you make, as you also learn and grow from the things you could have done differently. Celebrating your victories creates the needed momentum to produce more victories in your life.

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Embrace your physical abilities; run, laugh, sing, play and enjoy them. Do all that you can with whatever level of health you are blessed with, because it is one of life’s fleeting treasures. Be grateful for your health.

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Give your utmost to everything you are a part of, so that the very best in you may shine forth into the lives of others.

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Where there is life, there is possibility. Take a deep breath, look around, listen and embrace your life as it is right now, so that you may recognize the opportunities for greater happiness and success in your life.

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Morning thunderstorm washes the earth, as the sun shines through each drop. The rain goes pitter-patter then stops, and the birds begin to sing again. Life is glorious! Soak it up, just as the ground absorbs the gift of rain.

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The one person you will spend your entire life with, is you. Be a person you respect and are proud of, so you will enjoy your own company as you journey through life.

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Your mindset, and the decisions you make in each moment are the building blocks of your reality. Embrace the moments of your life, so that you will be present enough to guide yourself toward greater happiness and success.

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In observing the stillness of a warm summer morning, one experiences the gentleness of this precious life. Looking upon the beautiful world and taking a sweet breath, the heart and mind overflow with gratitude. Life truly is a joy.

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Each day is filled with opportunity. Embrace the opportunities that align with your greater happiness and success, even if that means going outside your comfort zone. Happy Monday!

Article: Do You Consistently Stand Out In The Marketplace?

As consumers become increasingly discerning with their financial resources, it is more important than ever to be consistent in your professional offerings. Exceptional companies are the ones that standout in the marketplace, and they do so by delivering a high-quality customer service experience on a consistent basis.

Consider your own recent experiences when spending your hard-earned money. Of your last ten experiences, how many companies really stood out as being “exceptional”? How many were “mediocre at best”? And, how many of those experiences were “downright poor”?

Next, reflect on the qualities that made up each of these experiences. Were you treated with dignity and respect? Did the product or service you purchased exceed your wants and needs? Will you happily do business with this company again, and will you refer family and friends to them?

In the answers to these questions you will find your own professional secret to greater happiness and success. By understanding what you value most in your own personal experiences in the marketplace, and recreating these in your business, your company will become one that stands out.

I recently had an experience with a local restaurant I have been frequenting for almost two decades. During this time, they have delivered a consistent experience in their service and food. However, on this occasion, the experience my family and I received was poor. We were not cared for as human beings, were given excuses and lies in their attempts to justify the multiple situations that went awry, and ultimately we left with a “bad taste” in our mouths, so to speak. In the end, I am not inclined do business with this company again.

The point I am making here is this: as a business you can perform at high levels for years, but it only takes one really paltry experience for customers to stop doing business with you, and to share their negative experience with others. Consistency is vital in becoming a stand-out company, and it is your steadfast commitment to consistency that will allow you to stay in that position.

Creating the exceptional customer service experience on a consistent basis begins with the owners of a company. If those who have brought the company into existence are integrity based and endeavor to give their customers more reasons to say “yes” and less reasons to say “no”, then the likelihood of becoming an extraordinary company in the marketplace grows.

The next step is to hire managers and team members who are caring. These are people that will hold themselves personally accountable to delivering to others the same kind of experience they would want to have themselves. When the team members of a company do not come to work with the intention of being their best and caring for the customer, that same company will be negatively impacted by their attitudes and resulting behaviors.

Toward the goal of helping them be their best on a consistent basis, it is imperative to offer your entire team ongoing skills and relationship training. Effective training will position your company to operate at the highest standards possible in meeting the wants and needs of your client base. With a positive mindset and solid skills in place, your team members will be positioned to deliver an exceptional experience each time they connect with your very valuable customers.

Being a stand-out company is not about being perfect; it is about giving your absolute best, day in and day out. When something gets missed in your customer service, your integrity must sweep in and make it right for the very people that make your business possible. In the restaurant experience I shared, the outcome would have been much different if the manager would have simply accepted responsibility for their poor performance and made a solid attempt to rectify it.

It is the quality of each experience your customers have with your business that matters most. The critical ingredients of a consistently exceptional experience are: exceptional people, exceptional products and exceptional services. Get these correct, and your business will be one of the greats.

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