The Price of Life
Nigel Brennan
Nigel travelled to Somalia with a Canadian journalist to cover the humanitarian and food crises, the ongoing conflict and drought that has ravaged Somalia for nearly 20 years. Four days after arriving in Mogadishu, they where ambushed just outside the capital. They were to be held hostage for the next 462 days. => http://bit.ly/u8MTMv
This book is not for beginners. It’s not filled with tips on how to be an effective speaker. It has nothing to do with how to project your voice, how to organize a speech, or how to overcome shyness. This book is for the public speaker ready to take it to the next level, the speaker who is ready to go out and speak professionally to organizations and make large sums of money, starting at $2,500. If you’re that person, read this book. If you’re shy, read another book first. If you’re still learning to be a public speaker, but you’re passionate about it, read this book so you can take your career to the next level. This is the book every public speaker should use as a roadmap toward career success.
Dealing with conflict is a task many managers struggle with or even avoid. But you can transform disagreement and discord into positive outcomes by learning seven constructive ways to respond to conflict. => http://bit.ly/v6pW0E
In part one of this series, we discussed how “Saying No” is the world’s best, fastest and easiest productivity strategy, primarily because it simplifies.
You will succeed on the basis of what, where and how you say “no”. And “Saying NO”
allows you to get more control over your daily life and activities—IMMEDIATELY!
For the first 100 days of next year, you must resolve to give “NO” the strategic resolve it deserves!
The following are fifteen simple, effective and empowering strategies that you can use to get results—IMMEDIATELY!
1. What strategies, initiatives and activities
will you say “no” to?
There is great feeling, focus, empowerment, and impact when everyone agrees on paper the activities that will not be done.
Pull out a piece of paper and list all of the superfluous activities that can slow down, or prevent progress from happening altogether.
Everything is fair game and absolutely nothing is sacred in this exercise. Simply put, if it does not advance you forward, then say no!
2. What meetings will you decline or delegate?
List every meeting you have in place for the remainder of the year and determine which you will NOT be attending. Meetings consume large chunks of productive time, most are run improperly and inefficiently, and most can be declined or delegated to someone else.
3. What relationships will you not keep?
The way you manage your relationships has an enormous impact on your ability to perform at consistently high levels.
Identify the top three energy-draining relationships, that you are committed to saying “no” to for the next 100 days. Then focus on creating strategies to free yourself from each of them.
4. What measurements will you ignore?
Say goodbye to all lagging indicators and ONLY pay attention to measurements related to customer satisfaction and the levers that directly drive sales, margin, operating expense and ROI.
5. What customers will you not target?
Identify your IDEAL prospect, client or customer and quit chasing every opportunity as it’s a complete waste of time and resources. Once identified, you must then articulate who you will NOT target.
Finally, make decisions on segments of your customers that deserve “VIP” treatment.
6. What competitors will you not follow?
Way too much time is lost by following and focusing on too many competitors and so-called guru’s. Identify the top three and immediately remove yourself from all of the other email distribution lists, blogs and other related communications.
7. What websites will you not visit?
Web sites are like magnets and vampires, as they draw you in and suck away productive time. Pull up your list of favorites, delete most of them and keep only the ones of greatest value. You must institute a “No Surfing” policy and stick to it.
8. What money will you not spend?
Put yourself on a fiscal diet as every dollar spent should be thought of as an investment towards greater operating income -- even petty cash. With this in mind, what things, or even entire budget categories, will you not spend?
9. What trips will you not make?
It’s hard to deny the power of ‘showing up’ in person as great things happen when you show up and interact with customers and colleagues. Nonetheless, trips consume massive gobs of time and money. Therefore, consider how you can use technology to replace trips, and only travel when it can make a big impact towards your primary goals.
10. What foods will you not eat?
Reaching the next level of performance and productivity begins with how you manage energy. It’s disturbing to see the immense amount of human and corporate potential squandered due to the misuse of energy.
Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, negativity, sarcasm, unfocused goals and strategies are all contributing factors to energy loss. Focus in on your nutritional intake and exercise by eliminating any food, or drink that compromises your energy levels.
11. What excuses will you not engage in?
Excuses drain energy, time, production and profits. Have a brutally honest conversation with yourself and determine the excuses or behaviors that you must do away with. I’m aware that it’s easier said than done, but you will NOT be able to achieve your true potential by fighting for and repeating useless behavior.
12. What will you not say?
Develop the habit of saying NOTHING that does not move the ‘agenda’ forward or uplift others. Speak ONLY of the solution, and waste not a second on the problem or blame.
You will save a lot of time and mental energy which can be directed towards more useful activities.
13. What thoughts will you not entertain?
Remember that which does not move you towards your goal, takes you away from it. Therefore remove those thoughts that are limiting, defeating or downright negative and consciously choose to replace them with thoughts of abundance, optimism, and positivity. Don’t tolerate negative thoughts or conversations from yourself or others.
14. What television shows will you not view?
If there was ever a time hog that needed to be slaughtered, television tops the list. In even a moderate TV-watching household, it’s simply amazing how many hours are spent in front of the box. The solution—go cold turkey!
15. What will you no longer tolerate from yourself or others?
Saying “no” and meaning it is the easiest word for setting a limit, holding firm to boundaries, and being clear about what you will or will not do.
Identify the standards you wish to measure your life by and refuse to lower or negotiate at any time, nor for any reason.
No is a tool Use the veto power of “No” regularly and with conviction as it’s a powerful strategic weapon that you can use to maximize your results in the first 100 days of this year.
YES, YES, YES
Let’s now focus on what you should say “yes” to. How does greater wealth, health and happiness sound to you?
Say the word—yes, and I’ll show you how to turn youself into an unstoppable powerhouse!
In the next few days, my friend Gary Ryan Blair is going to be releasing the most extreme goal achievement program called the 100 Day Challenge.
It’s going to be a wild ride. You’ll achieve more goals, and make far more progress over the first 100 days of the year than you ever thought possible.
I promise!
Say the word—yes, and you’ll learn about iron commitment and absolute accountability. I’ll prove to you that you can deliver results that are in a word—astounding.
There’s no more goofing around... no more stalling, delaying, or “starting on Monday”. The train is leaving in just a few days with or without you.
To get on the pre-registration list for the 100 Day Challenge and to receive a FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit, please visit:
My very best for a happy holiday season!
P.S. Visit here today and pick up your FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit,
Pay it forward by sharing this message with your friends, family and associates.
“Here is a thought that is eccentric and divine, and that one day might save your life: happiness needs no reason!”
- Robert Holden, Ph.D.
It's that MAGICAL time of year again.
THE ONE you and many others have been waiting for all year long!
NO...I'm not talking about Christmas.
I'm talking about the 6TH ANNUAL Self Improvement Gifts Giveaway event...
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This year Stephanie Mulac, Dr. Joe Rubino and Carolyn Hansen are offering
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Last year almost 25,000 members joined the event, so I think it's safe to say that this is the BIGGEST list building event you will ever take part in.
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As always, it's FREE to join but I would strongly encourage you to look at the optional upgrades...
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Here's To Your Success In 2012!
Bronwyn
P.S. Did I mention that this event ONLY happens once a year, so now is the time to jump on board before it's too late:
We are all staring down the barrel of the same reality— the clock is ticking and no matter how you look at it, we are approaching the final days of 2011 and the beginning of a New Year.
You must use the remaining days of this year to achieve two objectives:
1. Finish the current year strong. Consider the remaining few days of this year as a now or never opportunity to finish the year strong, to exceed expectations, and for some use it as a final chance at redemption.
2. Establish a fast start game plan for making 2012 the best year of your life.
Let’s cut right to the chase, by looking at the results of your actions year to date, that REALITY tells you if you have been successful or not in achieving the goals you set earlier this year.
As it relates to your goals for 2011, your demonstrated actions have allowed you to be in one of three positions.
You have either:
1. Exceeded your expectations of what you thought you could achieve.
2. Met expectations of what you set out to accomplish.
3. Fallen below your desired expectations of what you wanted to accomplish.
Unfortunately, in today’s economy, far too many people find themselves struggling and well below where they would like to be.
The GOOD NEWS is that regardless of the position you are currently in, you CAN fulfill both objectives of finish the year Strong and starting the New Year fast, however you must do a few things in the manner presented in the next few paragraphs.
As someone who is very goal oriented, I’m well aware that you probably began this year with great hope and determination.
I’m also well aware that many goals and plans fall far from being realized.
THE SOLUTION
So what specifically can you do in order to capture the brass ring? Work harder? Longer?
You don’t stand a chance of succeeding with that strategy, yet that is exactly what the majority of people will do.
Why not do something entirely different, why not focus on saying NO!
Consisting of two letters and one syllable, the word “No”
can be considered to be one of the most powerful words in your vocabulary.
It’s the easiest word for setting a limit, holding firm to boundaries, and being clear about what you will or will not do. It is a word of pure power that is both inner and out directed.
You will be a lot more productive once you recognize that:
1. “No” is not a dirty word, negative word, nor is it a selfish
word. Learning to say “No” is liberating as it frees up your time to focus on your key priorities.
2. You are in complete control of how you spend your
time and your life. Saying “No” allows you more time and energy to pursue your goals and wildest ambitions.
3. Saying, “No,” increases the value of the things you say,
“Yes” to. Your success in life requires a short “Yes” list, and a long “No” list. The key is an awareness and prioritization of your “Yes” list, and firm boundaries around your “No”
list as QUICKLY as possible.
Saying “NO” is the most strategic decision you can make. You improve yourself, your family, and your organization’s effectiveness—IMMEDIATELY!
“No” is empowering because it simplifies. You will succeed on the basis of what, where and how you say “no”. And “NO”
allows you to get more control over your daily life and activities—IMMEDIATELY!
We need to say “NO”, but we’re not very good at it. In business we give it another name. “prioritization” or “strategic planning.
But then we get back to day-to-day activities and we quickly forget what we prioritized and planned. We end up letting the “no’s” creep back in.
For these remaining days of this year and to ensure a fast start to 2012, you must resolve to give “NO” the strategic resolve it deserves.
In tomorrows, second part of this post, I’ll share FIFTEEN simple, effective and empowering strategies (personal and professional) that you can use to get results—IMMEDIATELY!
In the meantime, here’s a great resource which you’ll definitely want to check out. Get your FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit by going to:
Warm holiday wishes,
Bronwyn
P.S. Don’t forget to pick up your FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit.
Using simple, delightful illustrations, designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his latest thinking on happiness -- both the conscious and unconscious kind. His seven rules for life and design happiness can (with some customizations) apply to everyone seeking more joy.
If you watched the swimming events at the Olympics, you probably observed the incredible focus the medalists demonstrated. Sure, they're strong and fast. But when hundredths— maybe even thousandths—of a second are all that separate the winners from the losers, it's obvious that something besides strength and speed is at work.
A comment by Flip Darr, a former collegiate swimming coach who played a part in training eight Olympic medalists, sheds some light on what that critical ingredient might be. "I felt in my coaching career that if I would work on [the swimmers'] head[s], their bodies would come along," he said. "A lot of coaches work on their bodies and then at the last moment try to do their heads. The thing is, if they are working with their heads all the time, and working with their head over the body, mind over matter, they will have more confidence when they walk up to the block."
What a great illustration of the value of good thinking. Athletic ability is important, but preparing for the biggest race of one's life is as much mental as it is physical—if not more so. As Bill MacCartney, the former head football coach at the University of Colorado, once told me, "Mental is to physical what four is to one."
That's a powerful argument in the case for good thinking—on the football field, as well as in your office at work. The specific thoughts that increase your effectiveness as a leader might not be the same as those required for an Olympic medal, but the overall commitment to thinking is identical.
As we continue the discussion about thinking that we began in the last issue of Leadership Wired, here are five statements that further underscore the importance of solid contemplation. => http://bit.ly/vP7eZq
Adopt a Book makes a great Christmas gift for friends and family. The booklist has been updated for Christmas and includes a variety of choices from classic children's titles to 18th century cookbooks.
For more than 20 years, Adopt A Book has been at the heart of the British Library’s giving programme.
Thousands of donors have chosen to adopt rare, imaginative, quirky and intriguing volumes from the Library’s collections and, in doing so, have made valuable contributions to our vital Conservation programme.
