by Paul J. Meyer.

It is obviously imperative that in building your business you must have:

* A desire to build the business,
* The confidence that you can build the business,
* The knowledge necessary to build the business,
* And, of course, a passion for the business.

Two major ingredients that I have used all my life in building marketing organizations are visualization and affirmations.

An affirmation is simply a positive declaration of something you believe to be true or something you expect to become true and desire to live by. Affirmations transform your thinking, your attitudes, and finally, your behavior.  Their impact on attitudes and behavior help to produce the results you desire.

The most effective affirmations are those you compose yourself.  They are based on your goals and describe the person you want to be, the things you want to do, and what you want to possess. When you repeat such affirmations, you build the needed internal confidence and determination to overcome obstacles, accomplish goals, and improve productivity.

To be successful in recruiting…

* You must realize and believe that recruiting is important!
* You must visualize yourself as a recruiter, and
* You must have some affirmations to speak to your sub-conscious mind until you have developed the thoughts and habits of a recruiter.

For Example:

o When I am watching a parade, I always think about recruiting each person as he or she marches by.
o When I am at a big event such as the Super Bowl, I have an incredible desire to get a hold of the microphone for just one minute. “If I were allowed just one minute with the microphone, out of the 80,000+ in the audience, I am sure that there would be at least 5,000 who would want to talk to me about my business. I could just give them my e-mail address and recruit them on the new internet system!”

Listed below are some examples of affirmations.

»» I am the Number One Recruiter in ___________! (Fill in the blank with your network marketing company)
»» I recruit “ten” people a month (include whatever number here is your goal).
»» I am a recruiting magnet.
»» Recruiting is the core of my business.
»» Today I will phone a referred recruit.  He/she will be waiting for my call, and they will join my team!
»» Recruiting is the lifeblood of my business.
»» I spend three-fourths of my time recruiting and training new associates.
»» I am building a huge team every minute of every day!
»» I do some recruiting every day – because it’s the key to success in this business!
»» I recruit the top people in all of __________. (Fill in your network marketing company’s name here).
»» I love talking to people about my business.
»» I love teaching others how to build their downline!
»» Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting…

Everybody should write his or her own affirmations.

Write them on 3×5 cards,
Print them in large, bold, print on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
Tape them in various places around your office.
Put them in your personal planner.
Read them every day. They will stimulate you into action.

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by Rod Nichols

You’ve probably heard it before – network marketing is a numbers game. The more people you present your products and opportunity to, the greater your success. There is a catch to this theory – Years ago, I was with a company that promoted the use of video mail out. I mailed out about 300 amazing video tapes to warm market prospects and then waited for them to call back and sign-up. After about a week of no calls, I started calling them. Some never received the video, others hadn’t had a chance to view it, and the rest looked at it and weren’t interested. After further follow-up on those who hadn’t had time, I was able to recruit some of them. The key to my success was not the numbers, but rather the numbers combined with effective follow-up. So, financial freedom comes from the follow-up, not purely the numbers.
How do you create an effective follow-up system? Here are some tips:

1. Database – use a computer database to keep track of all your contacts. Time activate your database for follow-ups. Your database should include information about prospects – name, email address, mailing address, phone number, best times to call, fax number, background, marital status, kids, hobbies and interests, goals, network marketing experience, etc. The more you know about a prospect, the easier it is to find their hot buttons. Also, keep track of each contact, in detail, so you will know what information you have already presented.

2. Tools – follow-up can be in-person, by phone, e-mail, text, or good old snail mail. You want to have information packets on products, opportunity, network marketing, the product industry, and information that supports the need to have a home-based business. Make up e-mail and hand-out packages, so you can provide information in the best way for each prospect. Have follow-up phone and in-person scripts, so that you (and your downline members) will remember all the important things to say.

3. When – let’s say you call a friend to invite him to a business briefing and just leave a message. How long should you wait before calling back? First, you should never invite someone to a business briefing by leaving a message. They should receive information and have some interest, prior to inviting them. Effective follow-up must be within 48 hours of the time they receive any type of information from you. If you leave a message to call you and they don’t, call them back after 24 hours has elapsed. If the timing is not right for them and they say “no”, check back with them every 90 days. Call and update them on your progress and that of your company.

Follow-up will mean the difference between your success and failure. So often distributors will do a great job of getting information out, but are afraid to follow-up. Keep in mind that it doesn’t matter what they say – if they are interested, that’s great and if not, that’s ok too. Your job is not to sell them on your company, but rather to present the information effectively and let them decide. That is why it is so important to follow-up, because they may have questions or concerns.

If you are new and feel uncomfortable about the follow-up call, do a 3-way call with your sponsor or another upline leader. Effective follow-up is one of the primary differences between the BIG money earners and the rest of the network marketers. So, get information out there and then follow-up and watch your business skyrocket.

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From History.com

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer. In 2011, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at , after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the . In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and Patriotic Flags.

By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America’s wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.

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By Rod Nichols.

Here are 5 ways that you can use to contact your warm market without jeopardizing your relationships:

1. In-home Business Briefing

This is the quickest and most effective way to build a network marketing business. People have been building large networks using in-home briefings for over fifty years. To conduct an in-home, you will need a place in your home where you can comfortably seat the number of people you would like to attend.

You will also want to have a TV and DVD player, plus a place where you can display products (if your business is product-based). The key to an in-home is to make it appear duplicable. You want the people attending to see a way that they too can do the business. So, the best way to do an in-home is to tell your story (how you discovered your company and got involved). Next, play a DVD that tells about the company, products, and the compensation plan. If you have a product-based business you might add a demonstration or give your prospects samples. Take time to answer questions and then ask for those who want to order the products or become distributors to stay around to complete the paperwork.

The first step in setting up an in-home business presentation is to establish a day and time. Second, make up a list of people you want to invite. Third, practice inviting people until you feel comfortable making the calls (practice with your sponsor or an upline leader and get their feedback). Fourth, call your prospects and invite them. Invite twice as many as you would like to actually show-up, as 50% will say no when you call and 50% of those who swear they are coming will not.

It’s a very good idea to work with your sponsor or an upline leader on an inviting script. Also, practice dealing with possible comments like “What’s this all about?” or “Is this network marketing or multi-level marketing?” or “Is this like . . .?” or “I’m too busy to add anything else.” or “I’m busy that night.”

If you are not comfortable doing the business briefing, invite your sponsor or an upline leader to help out. If they are not available, just tell your story (how you got involved, why you are excited about the company, and what you are expecting as benefits), play a company video, and answer questions. If you have upline leaders who are long-distance to you, arrange to have one of them available toward the end of your briefing. Call the leader and put him/her on a speakerphone for all your guests to hear. Your leader will do the final close.

2. Information Approach

Many a new distributor has been concerned about contacting their warm market, because they didn’t want their friends and family feeling like they were selling them something. The information approach is a great answer.

Let¹s say you had opened a restaurant. Would you keep it a secret from your friends and family? Most likely you would call, tell them all about the restaurant, and invite them to come down and eat. Use this same approach with your network marketing business. Instead of calling them with the idea of sponsoring or selling them products, instead approach purely with the idea of informing them about your business.

Call up your warm market, tell them about your business, and invite them to take a look if they want. If they are not interested, don¹t pressure. Always let them know that it isn¹t important to you that they join or buy products, but rather that they take the time to look at the information and understand your business. If they are interested in getting more involved that’s great too, you would love to work with them.

3. Opinion Approach

If you have people in your warm market who are somewhat intimidating due to their level of success, then this is the approach to use. Everyone loves to give their opinion, so you will rarely find people in your warm market that will reject this approach.

Contact your warm market candidate and say something like this, “Hi John, this is Bill, how are things? (continue after a little natural chit-chat) The reason for my call is to ask your help. I have just started a new business that has me more excited than anything I have ever done. The potential is incredible, if I do this right. That’s where I need your help. I’ve always valued your business experience and knowledge. Would you be willing to take about an hour of your valuable time and review this business for me? I’d like to know how you would build the business, if it were yours. I’m also going to be looking for some strong partners, so as you are reviewing the business; I’d like you to think of anyone who might fit. Will you do that for me?”

If they say yes, get them an information packet including printed materials, a DVD, CD, web site address, teleconference or web conference, etc. In the packet, remind them that you would like them to give their opinion on how to do the business and who might make good partners. That way you won’t get a bunch of their negative misconceptions.

This is also a great approach for young network marketers to use with parents and older business contacts or for those people who are on your “chicken list”.

4. Introductory Letters

Many network marketers have large warm markets, numbering into the thousands. It would take far too long to call and arrange to meet each one. Particularly since many of them may be out of state. So, a good, quick answer is an introductory letter. The key here is that if you don’t let your warm market know that you are involved in network marketing with your company, someone else will and the next thing you know, you¹ll be getting an introductory letter or phone call from your best friend, mother, father, sister, or brother.

An introductory letter should be limited to one page. People are busy and they already get too much mail. Make it easy on them.

In the letter you want to let them know that you have started a new business with a network marketing company and give the name. Explain that you had some reservations about being involved in network marketing until you discovered the tremendous potential to develop long-term, walk-away, residual income. Let them know that you are working your business part-time (10 to 15 hours a week) and that your support team has supplied excellent training and marketing programs.

Inform them of the tremendous benefits ­ tax deductions, time freedom, control over their financial destiny, helping others improve their lives, self-improvement, etc. Let them know that the up-front investment is low, as is the risk. There is no need for an office (outside the home), inventory, employees, or sophisticated bookkeeping systems.

Tell them that you would enjoy working with them toward the ultimate goal of financial and time freedom. Explain that you do not want them to feel pressured, so you will not follow-up on this letter. If they would like to know more, they can call (a hotline, conference call, or your voice mailbox with a 2-minute informational message) or visit your web site and provide the URL.

5. Product Demonstration

If your company is product-based, another great way to build a business in your warm market is to do product demonstrations. This falls back to the old and very successful party-plan concept. Companies like Tupperware and Discovery Toys have built mammoth businesses using this approach.

First, arrange a day and time for the demonstration. Determine whom you are going to invite and send out invitations. Indicate that you will be serving light refreshments at the demonstration. I would suggest coffee, water, punch, and cookies or light finger pastries.

Remember to invite twice as many people as you want to come. If you want to improve your attendance, do a follow-up call a few days before the event.

Start your demonstration on time. Tell your story about how you found the company, why you are excited about the products, and a brief overview of the company. Next, give them some logical justification for why they would want to purchase the products from the company and you ­ superior products, convenience, monetary savings, etc.

Now, begin through the key products ­ describe them and their benefits to the attendees. If you can sample the products, do so during the demonstration. After covering each product ask if there are any questions. Answer those before moving on to the next product. Limit the number of products so you can keep the whole demonstration to an hour to an hour and a half. When you have completed all the products, again ask if there are any questions.

After answering questions, offer a special product package or special pricing on the products demonstrated, if they purchase or order at the demonstration. Take orders with payment.

Then indicate that there is also a way that they could make money, if interested, they should ask you after the demonstration (show them the business opportunity). Also, that they could earn free products by allowing you to come in and do a demonstration in their home (offer them 10% of the profits from the demonstration, in the form of products). Try to book at least one demonstration from each one that you do. Make sure that everyone walks away with literature.

Demonstrations are a soft way of building a business. It’s slower, so keep that in mind if you are anxious to replace your current income and gain more time freedom.

If you cultivate your warm market properly, you may never have to enter the cold market and will build a large and lucrative business with all of your friends and family members.

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Written by Miriam Buhr.

Sometimes people who want to build a business and incorporate online marketing strategies tend to get lost in the minutiae of technology.  Yet if you would just do what you already know how to do…you’ll get what you want!

The idea is to craft  A Message To Market Match!  First and foremost, you need to know who are the right people before you can promote to them.  Do you know who is your target audience? Who are the “right” people for you?  It’s about figuring out who is your best prospect and who you want on your team!  Learn essential business concepts and embrace philosophies that highlight bedrock business principles.

Below is a snapshot of the 4 Steps of A Marketing Process which consist of: 1. Collect, 2. Capture, 3. Communicate, and 4. Close…

1. Collect: You attract people by placing information in places where the “right” people that you are interested in can see it. In the internet world it equates to content material such as this blog post, or it can be a video, audio, press release, and for offline marketers it simply translates to having a conversation, putting up flyers or signs. Typically I suggest that people select between 3 to 5 collection methods.

2. Capture: You acquire the identify of people who are interested in your stuff, which in turn translates to a database. Therefore you simply get their name, telephone number, email… It can be a form (online or offline) where people put their contact information. Do you know those forms that you fill out at department stores to get their catalogs  or the forms on blogs which you fill out to get free stuff or e-books?…that’s it! So, these forms can be found on a blog, can be already captured info in the form of purchased leads, mailing lists or simple business cards.

3. Communicate: In this process, you are simply sending information to people. You are following-up with people using an “autoresponder, which sends out your messages automatically to your mailing list. When you communicate with the people that have given you permission to interact with them, you are giving them what you promised information, tips, resources. You also can promote things or products that your audience may find beneficial. You are letting your people know what’s going on via email or offline via postcards. What you use to communicate is not important, keeping a line of communication open is what’s essential to your business.

4. Close: It’s when your people, your client, finally decides to join you or buy from you. Oftentimes the person you’ve been communicating with closes themselves. Remember that it’s via the communication process that people get know you, like you, and trust you, which applies to that old but familiar adage in business that says “people do business with people they know, like, and trust.”

What is the philosophy behind these processes?…”Don’t Beg People For Their Money, Beg Them For Their Time!  People will stay with you until they hate you, are fed up with you or they pay you.

Follow the 4Cs to marketing which you can apply online and offline and see how you bring to life your message to market match.

Remember that the right message in front of the right market is what opens the vault because if you really open your eyes you would see money is all around you. The fact of the matter is that you just don’t see it yet!

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Becoming self aware and communicating effectively is extremely important.  Have you had a conversation, where someone tells you  “I’m not fond of it”, “not the way I would do it”, “That concerns me…”, etc. Regardless of the tone they use, our human instinct is to immediately defend, fight or at least prove to the other person that you are “right” and he/she is wrong.  That is human nature, however we need to become self aware in our conversations.

Unfortunately, using this language of “right and wrong” is the mode many of us operate under “by default” – it’s a primal default.  Especially in our society where traditional values teach us from the very beginning about good and evil, what we should do and not do, (i.e. right and wrong).

Generally, all conflict arises from one side making the other side wrong in some way, and believing they are right.  The belief that you are right also implies that you believe that you have all the information you need (enough of the entire story) to cast your judgment on the other party, and do so without doubt.

Believing you are right is noble however, you should also come with the acceptance that you could be proven wrong, thus being willing to accept the consequences of being wrong.  And it is at this humbling thought, that I introduce the other alternative to the realm of “right and wrong” few in the world even know exists…

The Realm of What Works!

When you speak to someone with a mind set and language of peace and solutions, you are saying to them “My goal is to find what is going to work for both you and me”.  Don’t mistake this with compromise, because that still implies that there are things in the agreement you think are wrong.

When seeking what works, you are not looking to demonize, or make anyone wrong.  In fact, the concepts of “wrong or right” does not even exist any longer.

Like I said above, when you tell someone they are wrong or mistaken, it causes their guard to go up and on the most primal level feel threatened.  When you seek what works, you are telling them “the solution we arrive at is going to benefit you”, which will obviously invoke them to lean in closer to listen.

For Example:

“I read your report the other day.  I wanted to ask you about [blank] on page 4.  Given that our goal is [blank], how did you arrive on that and how do you think it will help us achieve our goals?”

vs.

“I read your report the other day.  I don’t think your recommendation on page 4 of about [blank] really contributes to achieving [blank] and will probably waste our time and money.  What I think we should do is this…”

The first is inviting the person to share more about what they are thinking, not making them wrong and reminding them about what the ultimate goal is – perhaps even leading them to finding a better solution (maybe one you agree with) by forcing them to think deeper about the situation.

The second is rejecting their recommendation, minimizing their ideas and thrusting your ideas on to them without collaboration.  You might want to find out what motivates this person, learn about their fears and desires and use that knowledge to craft your approach.

Becoming Self-Aware

My point with all this, is in most situations, it is possible to arrive at solutions that work for everyone if you are willing to take responsibility for the current situation by setting ego aside.

Most importantly, you MUST always be aware of the mode and language you are using.  You must ask yourself whether you are defaulting to your primal language of right/wrong or if you are truly seeking solutions.  Being self-aware and being really honest with yourself is the key and knowing what is appropriate to use in a particular situation.

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By Jim Connolly

Do you want more client inquiries from your marketing? Would you like to make your marketing more compelling, so it encourages more people to take action when they read it? If you would, then read on!

Most marketing content is written to capture the attention of, and then inform, a targeted group of people. Great marketers add a 3rd element. They capture. They inform. They compel!

Compelling marketing

Average marketing leaves people thinking, “so what?”

Compelling marketing encourages people to take action.

Compelling marketing is focused on “them” not you. It’s about their needs and solving their problems and making their experience of you and your business as good as possible. Them, them, them.

Compelling marketing messages

One of the reasons small business owners find their written marketing far less effective than they want, is that it fails to inspire the reader enough, to motivate them to take the desired action. Here’s an example of compelling copy, which I wrote for a marketing company that had been really struggling to get enough people to subscribe to their newsletter.

“Boost your sales and profits starting today, with a free subscription to our marketing newsletter. Subscribe now and I’ll send you a FREE…..”

Previously, they were doing what 99.9% of newsletter providers do; simply asking people to:

“Subscribe to our marketing newsletter and receive a copy of our marketing check-list”

The new message, which out-performed the old one by over 850%, was all about the reader and giving value. It starts with a promise, to help them make more sales and increase their profits. It then gives them a direct request to take action now. If you want people to take action at all, ask them to take action NOW! It then finishes with the promise that if they take action now, as well as all that valuable newsletter information, they will also receive more great value, in the form of a marketing check-list.

Compelling marketing: 6 quick tips to motivate your prospective clients to take action

Here are some ideas to make your written marketing more compelling:

1 Scarcity: Whenever possible, give people a reason to take action now rather than later. This comes from the principle of scarcity. The fear of losing out on something is an extremely compelling reason for people to get moving!

2. Study your target market: The more you know about what’s important to them, the easier it is for you to understand what’s most likely to motivate them.

3. Avoid the use of generic terms: Generic terms simply wash over people. The most overused word in this category is the word “solutions.” It’s OK to use the word in context within a longer message (such as a blog post.) However, using it on your “about” page, social media bio or profile will hurt your response rates.

Telling people something like; “we provide solutions to the XYZ industry” means nothing and is not compelling in any way. If you build websites, which make companies look fantastic online and helps them attract throngs of eager clients – TELL THEM! Don’t say you “offer integrated website solutions.”

4. Headlines matter most: This one is simple. No matter how amazing your marketing message is, if no one reads it, it can’t convert. The headline or title of your marketing is what compels people to read it.

Why do you click certain links on Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin etc? It’s because the title makes the link sound compelling enough to check out. The title sells the link. Why do you open certain emails and not others? Again, the title or subject line compels you to open it. I recently blogged about how to attract more traffic from Twitter using attractive headlines. That post has some useful headline writing tips.

Tip: Keep a list of the next 50 links you click via social networks and study them to see what compelled you to take action.

5. Add to your marketing vocabulary: Having a limited vocabulary and trying to inspire people with your messages, is like having half the ingredients missing from a recipe and trying to make the meal taste right. Business owners always seem to assume that they have a great vocabulary. The reality, as you see every day for yourself, is the exact opposite. Most small business content and general marketing is written using an extremely limited palette of uninspiring words.

6. Embrace brevity: The fewer words in your marketing message, the more impact you can create. Most of the marketing copy I see is at least 50% too long; often 75% or more. A targeted, information rich message that is packed with value, will out-perform a long winded, meandering message that drags on, which few people even finish reading! In today’s marketplace, where people have more to do than ever before, short marketing messages have more impact than ever.

The bottom line

If you want people to call you, email you, buy from you, subscribe to your blog or newsletter etc – YOU need to motivate them to do so. If you get it right, the potential to attract more inquiries, clients and sales is enormous!

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by Tom Hopkins.

Many salespeople who haven’t yet reached the professional stage think professional selling is exactly the opposite of what it really is. When you entered the selling field, you may have thought, “Now my job is to talk and talk and talk.” So off you go. “Here it is folks. Won’t ravel, rust, or rip. Can’t blister, break, or drip. Oh, you’re going to love it. You’d better buy now!”

The professional salesperson, the true Champion, realizes that people have two ears and one mouth, and each should be used equally. This means that after talking ten seconds, you switch your mouth off, switch your ears on, and listen for 20 seconds. This also means that instead of overwhelming your future client with words, you encourage them to talk. Let’s compare the two methods.

The average salesperson speaking: “This is the best there is. Nothing on the market can touch it. We’ve got the best products because we’re miles ahead of the competition. You’d better get it.”

“This insurance will do more for you than anything else you can find. You really should hurry and get it.”

“These items are on sale. Why waste your time shopping around? You can’t get them for less.”

When salespeople use such methods, what are they doing?

They’re pushing, aren’t they?

They’re arguing. They’re telling people things they don’t want to hear. They’re trying to ram obvious self-serving statements down the future clients’ throats. In effect, they are saying, “I’m out to make you buy something. The only reason I’m doing that is to put money in my pocket, and I don’t care whether what you buy helps you or not.”

Such tactics quickly drive off everyone except the few who love to argue. Champion salespeople on the other hand, never give anyone the impression that they’re pushing them – for the simple reason that they never push. But they do lead.

The Champion leads his or her prospects from the initial contact to happy involvement in owning the product or service by not talking all of the time, by listening most of the time, and by asking artful questions. In all this alert and pointed questioning, the true professional maintains a friendly attitude of interest and understanding that encourages the prospect to open up and give the desired information freely.

Have you ever been surprised at how freely you’ve talked to certain salespeople before buying from them? They were alert and interested. You felt comfortable with them. Recalling those conversations, you may think you were leading and the salesperson was following.

Superficially, that was true – at first. In a deeper sense, however, that professional salesperson was leading all the way and you were following all the way.

How did that happen? The Champion encourages you to start off. Once you set your direction, he or she gets smoothly in front and begins to lead you toward any of several open paths to purchase. When artful questioning reveals which of the several paths is best, the Champion guides you smoothly and warmly to it. The halter goes over your head so softly that you never think about bucking. Instead you buy!

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Today’s Article was written by Cathie Heath. She explains an analogy on your business and gardening.  She reminds us that You Must Tend To Your Marketing Garden.

It’s Spring, and it seems that everyone is talking about it being planting season.

They’re reminding us that if we don’t plant, we won’t have a harvest.

And while that’s true, I rarely, if ever, hear anyone talk about what comes
between seed time and harvest.

I’m a gardener.  I have lovely flowers and yummy vegetables growing in
my yard every year.  And I know there’s a LOT that comes between putting
seeds and seedlings in the ground in May and canning my tomatoes in September.

Preparing and nourishing the soil, using quality seeds and appropriate planting
techniques all matter, of course, but it’s those days after planting while we’re
waiting for our harvest to come in that can be the most important.

Excitement might carry us through the first few weeks.  We keep the soil
moist, thin the seedlings as they begin to grow, take care to remove weeds, etc.

Then we enter that long period of waiting.

Waiting through the summer.

Waiting for the harvest.

That’s when many stop working.

They don’t tend their garden, convinced that all they have to do is sit back
and wait for the harvest.

After all, they have faith.  They BELIEVE they’re going to have a harvest.

That’s all that matters, right?

Weeding and cultivating and fertilizing and spraying rabbit repellent are a
lot of work, you know.

And the neighbors complain about the smell of the stuff you’re using.

Besides, it’s hot…REALLY HOT out there in the summer. And who likes to work in
the hot sun?

So what happens?

Weeds accumulate and take the nutrients from the soil…or worse…
choke out the plants altogether.

A hard crust forms on the surface, making it impossible for life-giving
water to get to the plants’ roots.  Many wither and die of thirst.

Without fertilizer (yes, I use organic matter), the cucumbers aren’t much
bigger than a baby dill and the tomatoes aren’t producing enough to put up
for the winter.

Then the rabbits see the garden as a salad bar, and in a few hours…it’s gone!

To receive any kind of harvest, hard work, diligence and persistence are critical.

The only way to succeed…I mean have a bountiful harvest…is by cultivating the
discipline needed to get the job done even when we don’t “feel” like it.

Take time to ensure your seeds and seedlings are getting what they need to thrive

Despite fatigue and criticism…

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The article today is based on information from billionaire Bill Bartmann on How To Achieve Any Goal.

1. Make sure your goal is YOUR goal.  Be the person you were meant to be, don’t just follow in your parents footsteps. The wilder the goal the better. Just make sure it is what YOU want.
2. Don’t call it a goal! Call it a promise! Bill went on to talk about how people miss goals 30% of the time, while they miss promises only 1% of the time. Just by replacing the work ‘goal’ with the work ‘promise’ you are already getting your brain and subconscious working with you.
3. Clearly articulate your promise.  If you want to be filthy stinking rich that is very vague. Make your promise specific… instead say… I will be a member of Forbes 400 within 5 years as verified in the magazine. That is what Bill promised. Now did he go from nothing to one of the top 400 wealthiest people in the USA in 5 years, no…. it took him 6 months longer… he did it in 5.5 years!  So make sure your promise is very specific.
4. Identify your personal motivator, your why. You can have a positive motivator such as doing it for a loved one or to help someone. You can have a negative motivator such as do it to show someone, you know when someone tells says you can’t do something you want to prove them wrong. You can have both positive and negative motivators. Bill told the story of how his sister-in-law Connie was his negative motivator over the past 40 years and still is today. She told her sister he’d never be a good husband or father and wouldn’t make anything of himself. Bill used this to build his fortune!
5. Create a Promise Plan. Bill correlated this to a business plan, but make sure it is succinct, it can be one page. The Promise Plan must describe specifically:
   - What you want (what is your promise)
   -When you want it (specific date)
   -Where you will be when you accomplish it
   -Why do you really want it (list the positive and negative motivators)
   -Who will you need to help you (find people who have done it, who have what you want, who have influence to help make it happen by removing obstacles, etc)
   -How you will achieve it… luckily you don’t need to know this as it is unknowable today!…if you do the what, when, where, why, who…. then the how will show up!
6. Review your Promise and your Promise Plan 20 minutes every day. As you learn things, update your Promise Plan. Commit to 20 minutes per day. . Find time no matter what you must do to carve out 20 minutes per day.
   -Leave a copy in the bathroom and read it there
   -have a picture of what you want and put it where you will see it during the day. If you work at a desk put it on the wall facing your desk so when you look up you will be reminded of your promise
   -Make a pocket promise. Write your promise on a business size card, laminate it, and keep it in your pocket. Every time you reach in your pocket you will be reminded of your promise.
7. Tell yourself you will succeed! Self talk must shift from where you are to very positive.  The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Your belief in you, in your product, in your company, in your industry. Have positive affirmations of all the success you have already achieved. Build on your successes.
8. Profess your promise to others. Success requires commitment. Burn the bridge, burn the boats… there is no retreat to the life from before, raise your level of commitment to moving forward! Telling others does one or more of the following:
   a) others can help you achieve your promise
   b) others will laugh at you (at which point you write their name down and they become your negative motivation!)
   c) forces you  to articulate your promise in one sentence and every time you say it you command your brain to pay attention and realize you are serious which gets the subconscious working on solutions so you can achieve your promise.
9. Envision your results. Actually see where you are going to get to when you achieve your promise. To put this in perspective, if you or someone you knows worries they are actually seeing a result, albeit a negative result…. why not make it a positive… imagine a positive conclusion!
10. Take ACTION.  This is critical. Nothing happens until you do something! A body at rest stays at rest, a body in motion stays in motion…. get off the couch and go do something! Make it happen… take action!

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