Growth will take place in 2014. Where? Who?

I drove approximately 1800 miles the last two and a half days on my way to spend our winter in the Phoenix, AZ area.   When I am in the car by myself (Faye comes today.......she flies) I listen to lots of good music, satellite radio and many talk shows, and of course lots of thinking.  

What kind of captured my thinking was the question to myself...."What was it like when we started and what was it that inspired me in those early years?" I could make a list but what it really came down to was I felt very challenged. I was challenged in school, the USMC in boot camp, college was fun but also very challenging in the classroom. Suffice it to say that I have felt challenges all along the way. 

There where three Master Coordinators in Shaklee at the time we started. I remember thinking that was where I wanted to be because only three had made it to that point. It really wasn't about the money at that time, it was because only three had accomplished it.    I thought that was a good idea. So that became my mission, my passion, and there wasn't a day I didn't think about it.  A number of people qualified for Master in three years. It took us eight years to the month. I had many challenges but to be very honest, this business has never felt like work to me. I've been frustrated, disappointed, upset and lazy at times, But it never felt like work for me.

In 2014 there will be people who will have terrific years. Growth will take place in Shaklee this next year.

I don't know who, or where, or why.  But here is what I do know. Those who grow will feel challenged.

They will face criticism (we all do) and some people will be sponsored and some will quit. They will overcome a number of challenges. If this describes you then I want to be the first to congratulate you on moving forward regardless of what happens along the way. I also know this, you will never, ever regret facing all those challenges. I look forward to hearing your stories on your progress and growth.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Want things to change?

When I was at our club working out this AM I overheard a couple of the guys talk about how the locker room will be getting really crowded in the mornings starting right after January 1st.  Of course this means new members or older members who haven't been there for a while have their New Year Resolution about working out, etc.   Will this year be different?   

We see this every year but it only lasts until the end of January or February at the latest.  After 30 to 60 days the locker room is back to what I would call "normal" with the guys who workout on a regular basis. I think you get my point about most new year resolutions. Not much commitment. The guys want to change and of course that is their goal.  But do they have a process to follow?  A plan? Change isn't easy but the chances go up dramatically for success if they have a process and of course some kind of accountability.

So, here we are facing 2014 and I'm sure many of you want this new year to be better than 2013.  How about turning that idea into some goals along with a process. Very simply put, a process has simple steps that you take to make it happen.....talking to more people, weekly appointments, weekly presentations.....attending and/or doing in-home events. This is a simple business and we work hard to keep it that way.  I try not to resist change but I fight getting people overwhelmed with layers of rules that creates confusion. I learned very early in the game that confused or overwhelmed people don't do much.

Another way to look at changing is this: in order for change to take place most people just have to step back and think about what is it that is taking their time?   Another thing I learned early in the business was what I needed was a new routine in order to grow. That was a key factor for me in staying inspired to keep up the effort even when it didn't look like things were happening. I learned to look at my daily personal routine and make adjustments in that routine...get more business growth focused.  It works.

So, what is your daily routine? What are you not doing that you know you want to do in order to build and make a difference? Think about it. Want change to happen?  Change your daily routine.   Easy?  NO!

But very, very effective.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's about being more productive

I read a daily devotional every morning and the following is an excerpt from today's message.  It really struck me because I have had many days that seemed to turn into weeks with no progress and yet it seemed busy.  I thought I was busy, it felt like I was busy, and I was busy. But as I reflect back I wasn't doing the things that had potential to move our business forward.  I was busy but not productive. See if you can relate to the following statement:

"Do not be weighed down by the clutter in your life:  Lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order.  If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover they are endless.  They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.  Choose the ones that need to be done today and then do the things that can make a difference."

I attended a seminar in October on How To Increase Your Productivity.  It was time and money well spent.

The one major thing I will leave with you today was one of the major principles I learned at this seminar.

You don't have to do more to have more and you don't have to do more to get more.

Many people say they can't add anything to their schedule because they just don't have enough time.

The point of this principle is it's really about doing less and by that it means to look at what is taking your time and energy?  What was taught in this seminar is this, what are the two or three things that has potential to move you forward in your business? Are you doing those two or three things? What is keeping you busy that you can change?   

In order to make progress in your business, it's a matter of knowing and doing the two or three things that has potential to make a difference. It's not about trying to do everything. It's about doing no  more than those three things that can make a difference. It's something to think about if you really want 2014 to be an exceptional year.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A principle for growth

December is usually a very busy month for people - we just had Thanksgiving, lots of family gatherings in December, shopping, parties to attend, and where we are really busy is in our minds thinking and believing December is a slow month.  

At this time of year I usually send this same type of message because we qualified as what we call Director today in December 1970. Our PV was over 5000 for December. My point today is to remind you that December is really a reflection of September, October and November. I worked hard those months and as most of us know and understand, results always follow efforts.  Always.   But the results usually aren't immediate because most of the time there is a 30 to 60 day lag between effort and results.   That's why follow up is so vital as a step in the process for growth.

The fact is that December is a busier month than usual but it's a great month for setting appointments and in-homes for January. So take advantage of the time you do have by setting up January and February to be great months. There is always a future out there in front of us.   We just have to remember to keep ourselves mentally in the game.

Just remember the following principle: results always follow efforts. It has always been that way and it will continue to be that way.  Be consistent with your efforts and your business will grow. So if you want April and May to be great months for you and your business, work like crazy in January, February and March.   Once you buy into this principle and work at the fundamentals you will experience growth.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What does it take?

This is a great time of the year as it's about gifts, cards, seeing lots of people, family gatherings and of course lots of cookies, and for Faye and I we have Rachel and her 20 month old son Griffin coming today and will stay for two weeks. A great season of life is another way to put it.

I was thinking about how our lives have changed over the years because of this business. Faye and I feel so fortunate to be able to live the lifestyle we have.  Everything I was told 44 years ago has come true and way beyond anything we could have ever dreamed about I guess I would call it a dream come true.  Yesterday my thoughts went to the following question to myself. What is it that has the potential to change a person's life?

I just started writing down things I believe that helped change our lives....here goes:

- A can-do attitude

- Encouragement from people 

- A new idea

- Small successes

- Sticking with the fundamentals

- Working hard

- Fighting doubt

- Fighting negativity

- Overcoming fear

- Willingness to learn lessons (daily/weekly failures)

- Being future-driven

- Having mentors

- Being willing to learn how to do things I had never done before

- Strong belief

- Setting goals and always having a process to follow

...and last but certainly not the least, we found the right company, with the right products, and a great compensation plan.

I just read my list and I have experienced everything above at one time or another.   It doesn't matter how long you've been involved in this great business and it doesn't matter where you are right now today.

It's about your future. If you're willing to put in the time and effort it takes to build a future, you also can change your life.   Go for it. You'll never regret working hard and changing your life in so many ways.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Now is always the time

This could be a very powerful message for someone. I've done it at times. I'm sure every person who reads this has done it. I've done it recently and then recovered quickly which means in a couple days.  Here is today's message.

Maybe tomorrow..........I'll do it later......I don't have the time right now....

Procrastination leads to regret

Procrastination leads to feeling bad

Procrastination leads to failure

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

What are the 2 or 3 actions that will move you and your business?

I've read many times about starting something, then re-starting, keeping going, doing the activities, taking action.

Anything is better than nothing. Actions matter even if they are small actions. I think most people don't really believe that taking small steps in the right direction can make a difference. Success isn't an event. 

No one just becomes a Senior Coordinator or a Key Coordinator or whatever title it is you want. You don't just happen to get a monthly bonus check for $1000 or $10,000 a month because our products are absolutely the best. Believe me when I say there are many companies out there with nutritional products that are what I would call "cookie cutter products." Meaning that anyone can start a business by putting their name on a label because there are companies out there that do that. That is their business. They do the best they can. I happen to strongly believe that there is a Shaklee difference.

I'll say it again.....succeeding at something isn't an event. It won't just happen. This is a business that you make it happen and not just hope it happens.  So it's about taking action of some kind on a very consistent basis. Consistency is one of the so-called "secrets" for becoming successful.

Think about this question for a while today.  What are the 2 or 3 activities that can and will move you and your business?  Just the top 2 or 3 actions.   Not a laundry list of 25 things to do and get overwhelmed or confused and wonder where to start. The most important 2 or 3 actions. What are they?  Here are the 3 actions I know has moved our business and without these actions we wouldn't have a business.

1. Prospecting (appointments / follow-up)   2.  Doing opportunity presentations (follow-up)

3.  Meetings...In-home events / gathering people together.

Those are without question the 3 most important actions I've done. Yes, I had some learning to do. Actually a lot of learning but the fact is simple, if you want a fun, thriving, prosperous business those in my mind are the right things to be doing. THINK ABOUT IT!

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's a basic fundamental

The following message is a great example that the fundamentals for success are really the same no matter what the job or profession may be.  I know this because Faye and I are in our 44th year in this business and we're kind of like the energizer bunny who just keeps on keeping on. Why do we continue like we do?  The answer to that is simple: this is what we do and I feel so fortunate to have found this business so many years ago.

Like I say at meetings...."I've been in this for 44 years and have never gone to work because this has never felt like work to me.  I been disappointed and frustrated at times, but it's never felt like work."

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Thanks to  Zal Fink  - 

This is from an interview with Paul Stanley of the rock group, KISS...

Q: What are the fundamentals you've adhered to in order to succeed and have such a long career?

Paul: The basic tenet for longevity is passion. You have to love what you're doing. If you're doing it for any other reason, you'll ultimately fail. You do something not because you want to, you do something because you have to, because there's an obsession within you. If someone comes to me and says, "I'm thinking about staying in music or..." I say, "Stop. Do the other thing." If you have to ask yourself if you should be doing this, the answer is no. You have to find something you totally believe in. That's what will get you through the tough times. Passion will not only help you succeed, it will get you through the failures.

Safe is often dangerous

I found a interesting and fun little book this past week and I will be taking some thoughts from it over the coming weeks and months.  The title is:  How To Be Interesting by Jessica Hagy.

Jessica says the following, "Safe is often dangerous because an easy life is like quicksand. Before you know it, you're trapped and can't move, can't breathe, can't get to where you really wanted to go.  Don't coast unless you're rolling downhill on a bicycle."

I think most of us in this business are living a pretty safe life. We're making it through the weeks and months even though some are more difficult than others. But we're making it. But the question her comments bring up is are we where we really want to be? If we aren't there yet then this is not the time to just continue to live safe and coast downhill.

If you have goals you haven't accomplished yet, this is not the time to give up and coast. It's time to put yourself on a process that you create that has you doing the right steps for growing and getting to that place where you want to be. The tough part for many people is getting started again for the 2nd, 3rd or maybe even the 6th time. Whatever.  Don't live in the past because that won't help you one bit. Live in the present because now is the time to make that important decision. I really believe that if you will put in the work it's going to take,  your business will be ready to explode in the next 12 to 18 months. Really!

The new year is right around the corner so why not take some time to think about what you want 2014 to look like a year from now? You won't regret putting in the work every week.  Most of what we regret is what we didn't do so don't let that happen to you. Get a process and develop the needed skills.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke                                                 

This is not a microwave business

I believe Shaklee is a skill-based business.  I know that most people would disagree with that because most people believe this is a product-based business. Here is my view, we have a great company and Shaklee Corporation is a resource for everyone in the field.  The employees at Shaklee Corporation are there to give us in the field what we need in order to grow.....they are a resource for you and me. 

Those of us who know about the products believe strongly they are without question the very best a person could find. The Shaklee products are a tremendous resource that help us sell and build the business. Your upline should be a resource to teach and train people in their downlines. So we have great resources that are there to help all of us sell, build, and earn whatever we have the desire to work for.

What's my point?  This is not a "microwave business" - simple, easy, little effort with great results. This company doesn't grow because we have great resources. It has potential to grow for anyone and everyone who develops the needed skills.  When I look back at myself when I first got involved, I can assure you I didn't have the necessary skills to do very well.

I had to learn about the products, how to approach people, how to prospect, how to present, how to follow up, how to sponsor, how to do a meetings. The reason we grew at a slow pace was because I just didn't have the necessary skills and I had a lot to learn. The resources were there all the time. As I became more skilled in various areas we grew.

I talk to people and many seem to think everything has to be fast. So many people get discouraged and disappointed because it isn't a microwave business.  Believe me, if you are out trying and learning you will develop your skills. The more skilled you become the easier this business gets.   

I learned early that what you get out of something will always be based on what you put into it.  If you're doing the work, learning and developing the necessary skills, you will grow and it will eventually get easier.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Follow up re: having a process

This is a follow up message on the one I sent yesterday about some thoughts about having a process. The following comments are what I received from Rod Larkin who has been an exceptional leader for many years.  Rod says it well.

Gary Burke

QUESTION-- If you were taking a pop quiz in a business training seminar and you were asked right now to write down your process for building your business and teaching others how to build, what would you write down and turn in for review?

Gary hits the nail on the head in this message. All of the goals a person sets won't amount to a hill of beans in terms of results if a person does not have a written plan to reach the goals and a process that you follow and teach others to follow.

Building a successful and profitable Shaklee business is based on a person's ability to duplicate him/herself. If a person wants to grow in the business but isn't, it simply means duplication is not happening and the main reason why duplication does not take place is that a person does not have a duplicatable process he/she is using and teaching others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, to teach others to use, and so on.

When Duplication is taking place, your process is being used and followed so that when you sponsor a 1st level distributor, that 1st level distributor sponsors a new 2nd level distributor. That new 2nd level distributor sponsors a new 3rd level distributor. That new 3rd level distributor sponsors a new 4th level distributor, and on this duplication process goes. Think of it as making photo copies of your self in terms of copies of your business being made.

This is called "multi-level" marketing and multi-level marketing can only happen in your business when you have a duplicatable process you use and that you teach others to use. It's really no mystery as to why people who build large organizations are able to do so---- they have a process they stick to and they DO NOT deviate from no matter what comes down the pike.

Weekly meetings are an essential part of one's process.  I have been giving/hosting/attending weekly meetings of some type (webinar now for example) for 34 years.  Sometimes it's difficult to get people to understand the need and significance of having a weekly meeting to plug themselves into AND to plug their people into.  Again, it's about getting people to duplicate what you do-- and they will, even if you do nothing.  If you do nothing, your people do nothing.  See how it works?  People are going to duplicate what you do.

Rod Larkin

It's about having a process

Over the past two or three months I've talked with many people in our organization and also many people in other organizations. I must say that I've been surprised that so many people really aren't working a process that they have confidence in and will get them to a goal. At the conference in Nashville one of the main speakers said the following: "If you have a goal for a number or a title you probably won't accomplish it, because the secret is having a process."    Very accurate, very true.

In other words when a person says I going to lose 20 lbs, or I'm going to do 2 in-home events a week, or I'm going to be a Key Coordinator, or I'm going to become a Master Coordinator, the goal is a number or a title. Those are verbal goals. What the speaker was saying was that if you don't have a plan, or you don't know what road you're on, if you just doing some things with no focus like jumping around from the idea of the month to the next new thing that comes down the road, that will not lead to success of a goal.

Yes, goals are important, but the key is having a process to follow. Over the years I've heard hundreds of people say they want to be a Master Coordinator but they did not seem to work consistently on a process.

It isn't that most of the people couldn't grow and become a Master Coordinator because they could with hard work following a process.

Fundamentals is another word that can mean the same as a process or having a simple plan to follow could also mean process.  Here is the process we learned when we came in the business: prospect.....talk to people....make appointments.....ask questions.....listen.....give a simple opportunity presentation.......follow up......follow up again.....sponsor....attend meetings.   Those are basically the fundamentals of the business. Those are the things that will eventually drive growth for you and your business. I think the simplicity of this business escapes most people. 

If you will work a process you will develop skills and the harder you work the more skilled you will become. That is another secret to this business or anything for that matter. Set your major goal but then write out your process and then stick with it and develop those important skills.   That is what it takes.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Ask questions...listen & learn...mentors

I want to share some ideas with you for making 2014 a great year for your personal growth as well as growing your business. If you are reading this message I have to assume you want to do better for the coming year.  Here is a question: what do you want your business to look like at the end of December 2014? Do you want to earn more income? How much more a month? Do you want to have more new people coming into your organization? How many a month? How about building a couple 1st level Directors?

Let me tell you what happened to me as I was getting started. I had the opportunity to attend meetings here in the Minneapolis area and listen to and watch three Master Coordinators. I listened to these people almost weekly talk about building this business. I took notes at every meeting. I wanted what they had and basically they became my mentors.

The first two people I met outside of my sponsor were Chuck & Joyce Hoffmann.  Faye and I had the opportunity to get to know Chuck & Joyce as friends and I have to say that they were a huge part of our learning process.  We viewed the Hoffmanns as mentors. 

Mentors can save you time, help you avoid simple pitfalls, point out danger signs, give advice, guide, teach, support and coach. We watched and learned from our mentors. Some mentors were from books I read regarding my personal development and what it takes to be successful. 

Here is a project for you if you want to grow yourself and your business and feel you are out there on your own trying like crazy to figure this business out.  Your project is to find a mentor who has already done what it is you want to do. I feel that is a vital step. I suggest you have a mentor for building high monthly volume. A mentor for personal sponsoring as well as a mentor for building sales leaders. 

Ask questions.  Don't just stumble around for weeks and months at a time being confused and overwhelmed.   Ask for help from your upline or from a friend who you've met in the business who you know can help you. Be willing to learn and be coached. Don't always have complaints about what's not working.   Be willing to take good advice especially if the person you're talking to has already accomplished what it is you want to do.   Be a good student and work hard and you will grow and 2014 can be a great year for you.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Ask questions...listen & learn...mentors

I want to share some ideas with you for making 2014 a great year for your personal growth as well as growing your business. If you are reading this message I have to assume you want to do better for the coming year.  Here is a question: what do you want your business to look like at the end of December 2014? Do you want to earn more income? How much more a month? Do you want to have more new people coming into your organization? How many a month? How about building a couple 1st level Directors?

Let me tell you what happened to me as I was getting started. I had the opportunity to attend meetings here in the Minneapolis area and listen to and watch three Master Coordinators. I listened to these people almost weekly talk about building this business. I took notes at every meeting. I wanted what they had and basically they became my mentors.

The first two people I met outside of my sponsor were Chuck & Joyce Hoffmann.  Faye and I had the opportunity to get to know Chuck & Joyce as friends and I have to say that they were a huge part of our learning process.  We viewed the Hoffmanns as mentors. 

Mentors can save you time, help you avoid simple pitfalls, point out danger signs, give advice, guide, teach, support and coach. We watched and learned from our mentors. Some mentors were from books I read regarding my personal development and what it takes to be successful. 

Here is a project for you if you want to grow yourself and your business and feel you are out there on your own trying like crazy to figure this business out.  Your project is to find a mentor who has already done what it is you want to do. I feel that is a vital step. I suggest you have a mentor for building high monthly volume. A mentor for personal sponsoring as well as a mentor for building sales leaders. 

Ask questions.  Don't just stumble around for weeks and months at a time being confused and overwhelmed.   Ask for help from your upline or from a friend who you've met in the business who you know can help you. Be willing to learn and be coached. Don't always have complaints about what's not working.   Be willing to take good advice especially if the person you're talking to has already accomplished what it is you want to do.   Be a good student and work hard and you will grow and 2014 can be a great year for you.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke