Which way are you going?

It seems that I'm in a search for that elusive idea or principle that will be like magic and help people to just say to themselves, "doggone it, I'm sick and tired of not making the progress I'm capable of making.  As of today I'm going to do what I know I should be doing and nothing can stop me."  

 

There are no "magic" principles but there are various principles that are critical if a person really wants to succeed. It's all a matter of being willing to learn, take action regardless of feelings, and understand that there will be many lessons to learn. What triggered my thinking this morning comes from Alice in Wonderland, as illustrated in her conversation with the Cheshire Cat:

"Would you please tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" 

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat

"I don't much care where," said Alice

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat

"- so long as I get some where," added Alice

"Oh you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

-- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

 

I came across this passage in a book I picked up yesterday and it struck me that so many people don't have clarity in their mind about where they want to go in their life. If you truly want to build yourself the kind of future that is worth whatever effort it takes, it's a matter of making that decision of exactly where it is you want to end up.

 

There aren't any secrets, so stop looking for that magical day when everything changes! If you take action and do it consistently, over a period of time you will learn the lessons and make progress towards your chosen destination. Think about it.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A challenge for you

I'm going to challenge you today to set a new goal.  Most of you know that new goals require two things: new thinking and new behavior. 

I know that most of us run about the same PV month in and month out, but let's think about improving June by a minimum of 500 PV - you could aim to improve June by up to 1000 PV or more. Here is my suggestion to kind of prime the pump: put a display of 500 PV on a table; empty containers work well. Leave that product display out for the entire month and look at it a few times every day. 

The reason for doing this in my mind is to show yourself how few products it really takes to have 500 PV. That is the type of display I have used for meetings and all I am trying to do is give people a visual of what it takes to improve by 500 PV. Then to take it a step further, just think about developing a new Director and all it will take for a active group is to move that small amount of products 4 times in a month. 

Just set up a display like this and see for yourself what it takes to improve, or if you have people who are not yet at the Director level, show them what it actually takes for them to get to that new level. It's a terrific visual and it will make you think and build belief that getting new people to the Director is much easier than people think. 

Think about it. Do it. New thinking. New behavior.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A very inspiring breakfast

Yesterday, Faye and I attended a very early breakfast meeting for Hospitality House, which is a local Christian-based center that helps kids stay out of trouble and on a good track. The guest speaker was a Minnesota Viking football player, E.J. Henderson, who has set up a foundation to help inner-city kids.

 

E.J. spoke about himself and his brother. In elementary school they were told to work hard, stay out of trouble, listen to successful people and follow the "program" - that is, study, stay out of trouble, show up for practice and work hard.  They got into athletics early in life (as many kids do) and they stayed with the program. They got into high school with no thoughts about playing college football. They were told to follow the program...and they followed the program

 

They kept growing as individuals and several universities were looking at them. Again, they had no thoughts about college football, but they stood out as athletes and did well in school. They followed the program. They got full ride scholarships to a major university. Their shared dream was to get a degree.  Again, they were told to stay out of trouble, work hard, lift weights, practice hard, and do the homework. They had no aspirations to play professional football in the NFL, but today E.J. Henderson and his brother play for the Minnesota Vikings. At the breakfast yesterday morning he told the kids to work hard, listen to successful people, study, and stay out of trouble. The Henderson brothers have become highly successful people because they listened and followed the program.

 

Do you want to become better and be a success in this business? Study, listen to successful people, stay out of trouble, be mentally tough and work hard, and just simply FOLLOW THE PROGRAM. Faye and I are really glad we attended that very early breakfast because we got to hear E.J. tell his story about, "JUST FOLLOW THE PROGRAM."

 

Do you get it?

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's about doing something

I've been struggling this morning thinking about what can I say today that might make some sense.  As I sit here in front of my computer, the minutes tick by, my mind just seems blank and I'm kind of tired. My mind says  to just move on and do a message tomorrow - but I don't want to "skip" this morning, so I started looking through some old, really old notes hoping that maybe an idea will jump off the page.

 

There are days when it's difficult to get started...doing anything. But I know that if I sit here long enough, think a little, read something, I have a chance to come up with something to say. Maybe that's the message for today: every day can't be the best day of my (or your) life so just DO SOMETHING.  This has happened many times over the years as I was working to build the business. I had to convince myself to get going.

 

We all have times when we have to push ourselves into activity. If I reflect back to my early years, there were times when I would start to have doubt in my mind. I always hated that, because it halted everything I was doing and I had to learn to fight back mentally. I talk about being mentally tough and I believe strongly that mental toughness is what it takes to push forward...even when we don't feel like it.  If I only did things when I felt like doing it, I wouldn't have a business because most of the time I didn't feel like doing what it takes. I knew I shouldn't rely on feelings. The fact was and is, there are things to do.

 

So that's it for today. Just because you might not feel like doing something about moving forward today, don't give in to doubt. Do something. Start. I know it's not easy but if we just start, then start again and again and again. Before we know it, we're getting ourselves back thinking good thoughts and fighting back. Be a fighter.  Be a person that never gives up. Whew!  

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Nothing can stop you if...

This could be an interesting thought or maybe a challenge. Nearly all of us want more success.  If a person doesn't know what they want, they will never try to figure out how to get it. That's certainly simple enough.

 

Do you know exactly what it is you want? I don't care if it's related to our business or whatever. Do you know exactly what it is you want? Is it more income? How much? A certain title in Shaklee? What is it? More travel? To where?   To pay for college for kids or grandkids without having to take out a loan? Retirement income to assure yourself that you can enjoy an exceptional lifestyle after retirement? Again, what is it you want....I mean, really want? In our case, I wanted our business to grow to a point that it would provide residual income for many, many years down the road. What does that mean? Richard Brooke, who built a very large network marketing business and currently is the owner of two network marketing companies, said, "it isn't unique to earn a lot of money, but it is unique to earn the money when you aren't working or are not there." That is residual income.

 

So that's what I wanted. If you know exactly what you want, then you are probably asking some questions and trying to figure out exactly what you'll have to do in order to get it. Maybe you're looking for a mentor. Maybe you're looking for someone who has already accomplished what it is you want. The point is: are you taking the steps to figure out what has to be done?

 

Here is what I know and believe: once you know - really know, in your mind and in your heart exactly what it is you want, then you will be serious and will take the steps to learn exactly what you'll have to do to get what you want. You will then start doing what is necessary and nothing will be able to stop you.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Choices

We've been in this great business of network marketing now for over 40 years. The longer I'm in this business the more I believe that this is not only about a great company, products that will never let a person down, and having a process that we know works to enable a person to build themselves a great future. It's a mind business as much as anything and I figured out a long time ago that the biggest job we have as an individual is to learn how to protect our mind.

 

I believe very strongly that the people who win that internal battle are the people who plow ahead and put blinders on themselves like a farmer does to a horse so they don't get distracted. We all experience internal battles at various times - life and business are about handling doubt, disappointment, setbacks and negativity. I'm sure none of this is news to you.

 

Learning how to mentally fight back is a terrific skill - yes, a skill. Skills are developed by confronting and learning how to handle obstacles, over and over and over again. They never seem to go away. Having good healthy thinking can't guarantee high level success but it does give a person the best possible chance to succeed at those higher levels.

 

What I think it comes down to is this: we get to make choices. We decide what we will do, what to think about, what to believe and what to ignore. Excuse me for doing a little bragging here but I think I'm really good at choosing what to ignore. My choice is to focus on the incredible future we have with Shaklee, and to ignore anything that has potential to distract me from my choices.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Action is the answer. What is the question?

The following isn't anything new but it is a vital part for growing a business.  I read something years ago that made sense to me: you learn as you go, not before you go.  So many people seem to want to know everything before they get started and of course that time never comes.  

 

"What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand."

Confucius 

 

Knowing something is very different from understanding something. True understanding comes from having experienced it. We know something by listening, reading and observing. The above statement is another clue of what it really takes to be having growth in this business. For example, a person can learn a lot about prospecting and approaching people by listening and/or watching someone doing it, but if you really want to know what prospecting is about it's a matter of stepping out and DOING IT. It's about "what are we DOING?" Do you want understanding? Doing it is the answer.

 

Of course, learning and knowing important information is a key for anything.  But the difference comes in the action. Doing the activity. Stepping across the line and getting that much needed experience.  So what do you have planned to do today?   

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Where am I headed?

There are many people who go to work every day and don't like what they do, but are thankful to at least have the job they have. That certainly was me years ago.  It wasn't enjoyable going to work every day with no purpose. I wanted to go in a new direction but I had absolutely no clue how to approach my issue. I saw this Chinese Proverb a few days ago and it made me chuckle at first, then it kind of stuck with me for a couple days.

 

If we don't change our direction we're likely to end up where we're headed.

 

Think about it for a minute. We have this opportunity that is very unique, and for many of us it has been a life-changing experience. It's fun to dream and to set goals because we choose the outcome and it's always exciting to think positively about the future. But time goes by pretty fast, especially when we look back and think about the last 5 years or so. It's like: "What the heck happened? Where did that time go? What have I accomplished in that time? Am I headed in the right direction?"

 

Is it time to change direction? Is it time to set the bar a little higher and go after the life that we know is out there for the people who are willing to go after it? Hey, why not? We have everything we need to make a difference: the company, the products, the comp plan, mentors to guide and direct. We have everything that's needed to inspire us to go in the direction that can literally be life-changing.

 

So, as you think about your past couple years, are you headed in the direction that will be meaningful for you a couple years from now? One of the great things all of us have is very simple but also very powerful: we make choices. Think about it.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

"Go out and learn something."

We all face adversity of one kind or another during a day, week or month. That's just life. That's the way it is.  Adversity can mean things just aren't going as well today as they did last week, or as well as I want things to be, or adversity can be more of a serious nature.

 

In yesterday's newspaper, I read that Julie Andrews of Sound of Music fame was a speaker at the University of Colorado on Friday, May 10th, and was very impressed by what she said. She encouraged the graduates to "go out and learn something" when faced with adversity, and shared her personal story about losing her singing voice after a throat operation.  At that time she was writing a children's book with her daughter.

 

"I was bemoaning my fate and my daughter said, "Mom, you've simply found a new way of using your voice," Andrews recalled. "Suddenly, the weight of sadness fell from my shoulders and I embraced this new learning experience wholeheartedly."  Since then, mother and daughter have together written 30 children's books.

 

Personally I love these examples of how people respond to adversities.  Just think for a minute - music was Julie Andrews life!  She became famous because of who she was as a person as well as how she could entertain with her beautiful voice.  She says, "go out and learn something" when you face adversity. 

 

I'll give you my personal translation of "go out and learn something." To me she is saying, move on, learn from the past but don't camp there, go do something and don't sit there and relive problems over and over. Do something productive.  Get back on your feet and move forward. Learn some lessons and then get refocused and get back in the game.

 

Make some calls today. Read something inspiring. Set new goals. Maybe what's needed is new thinking and new behavior. Go to a meeting. Better yet, do the meeting. Sponsor someone today because the name of the game is new people. Become excited about the future you have for building your business.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The Promise of a Future

What inspired me in the beginning were the various stories I heard about people who were making this business work. What my sponsor did for me was not just talking about the company or the product, he talked about the future and as I've said before, I was a very discontent young 31 year old and I needed a future. Here is the most important part: I KNEW I NEEDED A FUTURE. I had what many considered a "good job" because it looked good on the outside. Had a company car, expense account, and it was with a Fortune 500 company. Very good company, but in my eyes, while it was a good job, there was no future for me.

 

Here is my point to you today: the promise of a future is a very compelling story. I heard a few stories. I met the people later and was impressed. I was curious, inspired, and excited about what I heard and saw at meetings. A question I have been asked for years is, "how do you motivate people?" I have learned that in my view that isn't the right question. The right question in my view is, "what motivates people?"

 

Ideas are what motivate and inspire people. Think about that for a minute. Ideas motivate people. My job as I see it isn't to try hard to motivate people. My job is to put the right idea in front of the people who are willing to take a look at our business and show them some great ideas. Here are some ideas: earn a car payment....residual income....help people build their health....earn more from your part-time efforts than you do from your full-time job....travel the world....live debt free....pay for your kids' college without taking a loan.....earn an extra $3000 to $5000 a month....

IDEAS MOTIVATE PEOPLE.

 

So, let me suggest the following: learn how to present the idea of a wonderful future that is so compelling it gives people reasons to look for answers to their questions, and the desire to be involved in something because they heard ideas that motivated them. 

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Information or Experience?

The more I think and read about building a team or building a business, the more it becomes very clear to me that there really aren't any secrets.  It's about knowing what you want and then organizing your time so you can give it a good effort, learn a few principles, read the books about this industry, and very simply follow the lead of the people who have already achieved what it is you want to achieve.  

 

If there is a secret this is probably it in my book: work hard. I'll bet that isn't news to anyone! Another way of saying that is make sure you get more experiences, because the more experience a person creates for themselves, the easier it gets. So, if you want it to get easier work hard to have more experience.

 

So many people continue to look for more information instead of getting that needed experience that will make everything get easier.  Like I've tried to say in previous messages, becoming a person who is out there learning lessons and doing the things they've learned is the person we will eventually hear about.

 

So what are you going to do today to make some progress?  Are you working from a plan?  Plans don't have to be very complex.  Just have a list of what you want to do, then do the hardest item on your list first.  Very simple isn't it? That's the part that always impresses me...simplicity. Here is a good goal for all of us today: make sure we're doing something that gives us more experience.  

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's simplicity that attracts

First of all, I hope all is going well for you as you build your future.  Of course, there are good times and also times not as good as those times.  We all have to learn how to handle adversity because it happens to everyone.  A number of ideas have helped me over the years both to be consistent with my effort as well as not allow myself to get overwhelmed with more than I can handle.

 

When things don't seem to be going well, make sure you don't make them more complex than they need to be.  That happens to lots of people in life as well as in business.  You always want to make sure you get back to the fundamentals. 

 

One simple principle I bought into years ago is that complexity impresses but simplicity attracts.  In my view, my job is not to impress people.  My job is to learn how to attract people to ideas that have potential to make their life better.   Then allow the ideas to impress the people.  Think about that for a day or so and ask yourself some questions:

 

Do I know and understand what the fundamentals to my business are?

Have I been working the fundamentals and developing my skills in those areas?

Am I keeping things as simple as possible?

Do I see positive results from my efforts?

Do I have a mentor to talk with on occasion?

Am I a good student to what my mentor suggests?

 

Have your best week ever over the next several days.  Go make something happen.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It never felt like work

Yesterday was May 1st. That was the date I first heard the name Shaklee back in 1970, which means Faye and I started our 44th year in this incredible business today. In the beginning, I heard various presentations about the company, the products, even the science way back then! I heard many people describe what Shaklee meant for them and it was always very inspiring to hear all the stories. I was a 31 year old very discontent young guy.   I had a job, but I needed a future and I knew it.

There is no way I can possibly express in words what this experience has meant for both Faye and me.  We  worked hard but I'll say here what I've told a lot of people over the years: I haven't gone to work and it has never felt like work to me for 43 years. Of course, I've learned many lessons but never experienced true failure.  I've been disappointed, frustrated, confused, very uncomfortable, challenged, and of course wondered at times if this business would ever work for us the way it did for those people speaking at the meetings. But it never felt like work. I developed a strong belief that if others could build what I was hearing, so could we.

As I tell it when people ask me about our business I usually say the same thing and it's this: basically I literally fell in love with an idea. An idea about building something that had huge potential to give Faye and me and eventually Rachel a lifestyle that dreams are made of. Over the years, I have often thought about why was I willing to check this business out the way I did. I came to the conclusion that I was led to this business by the Lord, and I say that because I'm probably one of the most unlikely people to get into this kind of business.

I've always been a quiet person. Some tell me I'm really a laid back kind of guy. They are right. But it has always felt like a challenge for me plus the fact that I learned that I have gifts especially related to this business.   I love to teach and coach.  Thanks Lord!

I will end with this: if you have found that Shaklee is for you, then go out and find a couple mentors, do what they tell you to do, learn the lessons, talk to everyone and don't allow the negative people to affect thinking.  You will never regret making the decision to make this a major part of your life.  My hope and prayer for you is that some day you can say that you have never felt that building this business was work.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Are you learning some lessons?

What is interesting to me is that most people want to have a better life - and that could mean many things. Let's say that one way to have a better life is to earn more than you basically need. If you earn more than you need - and don't spend all that you have - I have to believe that life could be much better for the majority of people.

 

When it comes down to becoming highly successful, the interesting part to me is that there really aren't any secrets. What it takes today is the same as it took decades ago. Granted, today we have better tools because of technology, but the fact still remains that the rules for high level success are the same today as they were decades ago. I say that because I have been in the network marketing business for over 4 decades, and I know for a fact that we have better tools today and more powerful examples of high level success to learn from, but it still comes down to working hard - doing the right things.

The fundamentals are the same today as when we got started years ago. Talk to people, follow someone who has done what it is you want to achieve and then be yourself, but do the right things. The right things consist of talking to lots of people, being a good listener, getting appointments, learning how to tell the Shaklee story, following up, attending meetings, conducting meetings, encouraging others and basically working hard.

You also have to understand that failing is not the same as failure. Failing happens often, but failure is when a person gives up and it's over. The failing part is what I wish more people understood. Small failings are lessons - and there are many lessons to be learned. So my thoughts today are: go out today, make up your mind to learn some lessons, and don't get all bent out of shape when you experience some failings - excuse me, I mean lessons. Whoever learns the most lessons the fastest are the people who are doing well.

Think about it: are you willing to learn lessons? Work hard, learn, have a great attitude and some day people will point to you and tell someone how lucky you are to have the business you have.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke