That was the phrase I heard most growing up as a child. My mother was consistent and relentless in encouraging me to believe in myself. As a young boy, I was very small and slight for my age. (I’ve filled out nicely in recent years!) I was also put into school early and I was typically a year and half to two years younger than my classmates. My mother didn’t want me to know I was small or young or had any other potential shortcomings or excuses. She just consistently championed me to believe in myself.
A funny thing happened. I guess it worked! I can never remember a time when I didn’t believe in myself. In fact not having many pictures of my youth, I don’t ever remember being small or thinking of myself as small. Today, one of my youngest children is very small and slight, but I’ve kept up my mother’s winning ways by telling him he’s unstoppable and there’s nothing he can’t do. At every turn, his stature is an advantage to him. When he plays basketball, we remind him of the diminutive Spud Webb who at five foot seven was an all-star in the NBA.
Maybe you didn’t have a cheerleader growing up, but there’s nothing to say you can’t be your own cheerleader today. Not only that, but I have found it even more empowering to become other peoples’ cheerleaders. A word of encouragement spoken at the right time can be life-changing for someone.
The words we say to ourselves and others can make all the difference in the world. Make sure you’re building up; not tearing down, encouraging; not discouraging, strengthening belief and not causing doubt. You can do it…
It’s a good life!
Brian
Currently rated 4.6
In 1974, Morris Albert recorded this Grammy award winning song. At that time, it was considered one of the most strongly emotive and moving melodies. As time has gone by, when viewed in hindsight, the same lyrics that won a Grammy have often been lampooned as the sappiest song ever written.
Whether you like the song or not, feelings can be very dangerous for your business. In today’s market, there are lot of emotions; fear, anxiety, frustration and regret. Maybe you don’t know where your next commission check is coming from. Maybe you’re consumed with fear about where the economy and this market are going. Maybe you’re dealing with frustrated sellers who constantly focus on how much their home used to be worth as opposed to what’s it’s worth today. Perhaps you even have a ready, willing and able buyer who’s just afraid to pull the trigger because they don’t want to pay too much for a house.
The answer for a professional is to manage their emotions by keeping perspective. You need to know the historical trends of this business, how good of an investment real estate is (check out www.housingmarketfacts.com), and keep track of your own daily activities so you know you’re doing your best each day.
Feelings are great things. They let you know you’re alive. Personally they deliver the highs and the lows of the human experience. When it comes to your business, feelings don’t help at all. Manage your emotions, manage your business and manage your success.
How many calls, notes, Pop-Bys and business to business meetings are you having?
It's a good life!
Currently rated 4.5
With two adults and six active kids, you can imagine how much laundry there is to wash at our house. Sometimes we miss a couple of days, the baskets in the kids’ rooms overflow and when all piled together, the mountain of clothes looks like an overwhelming task with no end in sight. We have a choice at that time; clean clothes or go shopping for more.
As grown adults when we get behind on our lead-generation activities such as writing personal notes, making calls or doing Pop-Bys to our favorite clients, it’s just like a pile of dirty laundry. The thought of catching up seems overwhelming, the notes begin to pile up, and rather than sitting down and dutifully going through these one at time we let our minds drift: “Let’s run out to the Realtor® store and buy a talking house sign”, “Let’s go buy some internet leads”, “Let me do anything other than chip away at that big pile of unfinished tasks which will ultimately allow me to get my financial house in order.”
Very few people allow their dirty clothes to pile up for weeks on end, but in my experience, many small business owners will allow their lead-generation activities to pile up. Allowing your laundry to pile up is not the most hygienic thing to do… and if you put it off long enough, you’ll have nothing to wear. Putting off lead-generation activities isn’t too healthy for your business either and eventually will leave your financial cupboard bare!
It ain’t sexy but it’s simple enough: take care of your business before your financial challenges become your personal dirty laundry.
Currently rated 4.9
Last night after the Boston Turning Point, I attended my first Red Sox game at Fenway Park. What an experience! Over the course of the game, I became caught up in the passion of those around me for their beloved team. Excitement, great humor and incredible passion enveloped the whole ballpark.
Suddenly it dawned on me; I wonder if these people are this passionate about their own lives and careers. I wonder if these people approach their goals with the same zest as they do cheering on their team to win a championship. What if this passion and energy was applied to overcoming the obstacles or challenges they face? It would seem that they, too, would be unstoppable.
What happened for me tonight was that I had a great time enjoying all the pageantry, community, and energy of a great sporting event, but left the game resolved in my mind to not live vicariously through others, but to cheer on my family, loved ones and myself to become all that we are capable of being and living the good life.
And that’s my wish for you too.
That was what my old high school coach used to shout to me on the field. That was his clarion call to increase the level of physical play on the field. It seemed to work as he led us to a National Championship. One thing I know is that principles don’t go out of style. And if you want to win a championship in your business, it’s time to step up your physical interaction with your clients.
In the colder climates, people have been cocooned in their homes with fewer people interactions than normal. Now that springtime is here, get out amongst your people. See them at work, at home, at events, or at business networking meetings. Attend seminars, classes or take in a show or ballgame together.
Visibility is key; especially with all the negativity in the media about the marketplace. Knowing that you’re active and out and about deepens your hold on being their trusted advisor. When the going gets tough, the tough get out and visit people.
So, get in your car and Pop-By! Visit, or break bread with your favorite people. And for goodness sake, let ‘em know you’re there…for them!
As I travel the world telling people how to grow their business and improve their quality of life, I always reference Zig Ziglar’s mantra of turning your car into a mobile university. I’ve listened to many courses on self-development and books on tape - all of which have benefited me greatly.
But there are times to just shut it all off!
Now I won’t drift into the talk radio arena, but music can stir your spirit, refresh your mind and ignite your emotions. Sometimes I want to play it loud and sing along. Occasionally… something cool just for fun. But ultimately, I love to play some beautiful instrumental that just allows me to think. Our lives are all so hectic that we get swept up with what we’re doing as opposed to why we’re doing it.
I know the Irish are musical, but it’s not just the paddies! When Confucius was asked about controlling a culture, they asked him would you rather control their food, their armies or their government. He said “none of the above…let me have their music and I’ll have their people.”
I will play the same instrumental song over and over until I can no longer consciously hear it. It is during these drives that I seem to be at my most creative, get my best ideas and have the greatest clarity.
It seems to help. At least the savage beast within thinks so!
A pretty normal week this week for the Buffinis: four kids in basketball, one riding competitive dressage and the twins in ballet. Eight practice sessions, two piano recitals, one three-day horseshow and a partridge in a pear tree! On the side, I get to create curriculum, present events, and run a 250 employee company. There are definitely days I go to work for the rest.
The truth of the matter is that you’re hectic too. We’re all so busy being busy sometimes that we can forget there’s more to life than just doing. There’s being.
The great King Solomon once said that life is just a puff of smoke…so on a regular basis in the Buffini family we call a timeout. For us, that means Hawaii. This is a place where the whole family knows how to chill out and just hang with each other. No agenda, no lists, no worries. It may not be Hawaii for you and yours, but whatever total relaxation looks like, call timeout and get there.
Tonight, I’m at Chuck-E-Cheese’s for the birthday party of one of my kid’s friends. I know I can survive this because tomorrow it’s aloooooohaaa!!
Currently rated 4.4
Why is it that it’s so hard to consistently do the things that are good for us? I had an early morning appointment with my personal trainer. I enjoy the workouts, I enjoy his company and I always feel better afterwards. As I lay in bed, however, I came up with at least six really creative excuses, stories and screenplays to tell him why I wasn’t going to make it. My internal monologue immediately chastised me for my lack of integrity, so my mind immediately came up with three business reasons why I shouldn’t go.
In the end, I went out of duty; not devotion. When I showed up my attitude was less than stellar, my physical energy was low and my knees were hurting. When I left, I felt better. I knew I would.
Sometimes it’s hard to do the things that we need to do the most. I don’t know why that is but my encouragement today is, some days you feel like it; some days you don’t…do it anyway! Some days you win; some days you don’t…but keep trying.
Oh no…I’m at lunch now. Is it the salad or the cheeseburger? My mind is off to the races again. Stay tuned…