The importance of adversity

The following are some excerpts from a newspaper article I read yesterday.  The author is Harvey Mackay who is a well known businessman, author, and speaker. This excerpt tells the story of what every person who becomes successful will experience.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Adversity is Springboard to Achievement in Life and Career

To understand adversity, take two acorns from the same tree, as nearly alike as possible and plant them in two separate locations. Plant one on a hill by itself and the other in a dense forest. The oak standing alone is exposed to every storm. Its roots grow deep in every direction, grasping every rock to support itself from the threatening elements.

The acorn planted in the dense forest grows up a weak, willowy sapling. Since it was shielded by its neighboring oak trees, it feels no need to spread its roots far and wide for support.

Don't be afraid of adversity. Welcome it!  Adversity makes you stronger. It helps you to grow.

My good friend Lou Holtz, Hall of Fame football coach, always says, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."

Adversity is a fact of life. It can't be controlled. Problems and people can't stop you. The only thing that can stop you is YOU. Only you can control how you react to adversity. When faced with adversity, do you buckle beneath the weight of it all?  How you talk to yourself tells the story.

Why not? Why not now? Why not you?

Here we are at the end of April.  How did your month go? Did you sponsor some new people? Did you have higher PV in April than you did March? Did you have at least 3 appointments a week? Did you attend and/or conduct any meetings?   You still have time to make April be a great month as you have this entire week.

One reason to make this last week in April productive for yourself is it will give you momentum going into May next week. Unfortunately in some cases our next month looks just like the month before it; if there isn't new thinking it just continues on that way for many months for many people. It goes back to the principle that if you want new results it will require new thinking.

"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."

- Thomas A. Edison

I found that quote this past weekend and it caught my attention.  All of us are capable of doing so much more than we probably do. I know this is certainly true for myself and I'm sure many of you would agree with the above quote. So, why not make a plan for this last week of April for doing what we all are capable of doing. Just think how fun it can be to literally astound ourselves. It will set the stage to make May be really astounding.    Why not? Go for it. Be the example.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Are you making it happen?

When I think back about what it was that compelled me to go to meetings to learn about this opportunity in those beginning months in 1970, it was about hope.  I had a job but what I needed was a future. I was in a situation where the future didn't look very promising for me.   I was with a large corporation but I just didn't seem to fit. I was a very discontented young guy. I didn't think life was much fun going to work every day and knowing it wasn't for me.

I found the following quote that I hope makes sense to you like it does to me.

"Destiny is no matter of chance.  It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

- William Jennings Bryan

I wasn't looking for a business, I was looking for a job. But that first presentation I saw was inspiring because my sponsor didn't just talk about the company and products, he talked about the future and the possibilities for people who build themselves a business. I certainly didn't understand everything but something grabbed my attention and I think it was the fact that there was a future with this company. My question was: what if it's true? I made a choice to try some products, attend every meeting, and listen to the people who had already achieved.

For four months I never missed a meeting, I asked questions, met some people who were making it work for them, and learning that the products I tried were excellent. This indeed was an opportunity to me and I decided that this was going to be worth my efforts. Like the above quote says, it's about choices and sitting around dreaming isn't going to do anything.....you can't wait for success to happen, you make it happen.

If you have evaluated this business and have made a decision that this is for you, are you out and about talking to people about what we have to offer? In other words, have you decided to make it happen?  Are you waiting for success to take place or doing the behaviors that help create success?   All I can say to you is this: I know that if you make the right choices and decide to work hard at this business, you will never regret putting in the time and effort it takes.   Think about it and decide to make it happen.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Jim Rohn on leadership

The following is from the late Jim Rohn. He gives some hints on being a leader which includes all of us in this business.   I heard very early that Shaklee is a leadership business and without a doubt it is true.  

If you want to be a leader who attracts quality people, the key is to become a person of quality yourself. Leadership is the ability to attract someone to the gifts, skills and opportunities you offer as an owner, as a manager, as a parent. Jim Rohn calls leadership the great challenge of life.

What’s important in leadership is refining your skills. All great leaders keep working on themselves until they become effective. Here’s how:

1. Learn to be strong but not rude. It is an extra step you must take to become a powerful, capable leader with a wide range of reach. Some people mistake rudeness for strength. It’s not even a good substitute.

2. Learn to be kind but not weak. We must not mistake kindness for weakness. Kindness isn’t weak. Kindness is a certain type of strength. We must be kind enough to tell somebody the truth. We must be kind enough and considerate enough to lay it on the line. We must be kind enough to tell it like it is and not deal in delusion.

3. Learn to be bold but not a bully. It takes boldness to win the day. To build your influence, you’ve got to walk in front of your group. You’ve got to be willing to take the first arrow, tackle the first problem, discover the first sign of trouble.

4. You’ve got to learn to be humble but not timid. You can’t get to the high life by being timid. Some people mistake timidity for humility. Humility is almost a God-like word. A sense of awe. A sense of wonder. An awareness of the human soul and spirit. An understanding that there is something unique about the human drama versus the rest of life. Humility is a grasp of the distance between us and the stars, yet having the feeling that we’re part of the stars. So humility is a virtue, but timidity is a disease. Timidity is an affliction. It can be cured, but it is a problem.

5. Be proud but not arrogant. It takes pride to win the day. It takes pride to build your ambition. It takes pride in community. It takes pride in a cause, in accomplishment. But the key to becoming a good leader is being proud without being arrogant. In fact, I believe the worst kind of arrogance is arrogance from ignorance. It’s when you don’t know that you don’t know. Now that kind of arrogance is intolerable. If someone is smart and arrogant, we can tolerate that. But if someone is ignorant and arrogant, that's just too much to take.

6. Develop humor without folly. That’s important for a leader. In leadership, we learn that it’s OK to be witty, but not silly. It’s OK to be fun, but not foolish.

7. Lastly, deal in realities. Deal in truth. Save yourself the agony. Just accept life like it is. Life is unique. Some people call it tragic, but I’d like to think it’s unique. The whole drama of life is unique. It’s fascinating. And I’ve found that the skills that work well for one leader may not work at all for another. But the fundamental skills of leadership can be adapted to work well for just about everyone: at work, in the community, and at home.   

The secret for getting started

I like simplicity.  The reason I start today's message with those words is because the following quote from Mark Twain is so simple and so accurate.

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."

We've got a great company that supplies us with incredible products. The idea is to use the products as frequently as possible and replace what you currently use. The next step is to make a list of people you know and talk to them about the company and the products. I would suggest that you also show everyone the opportunity we have to offer regarding earning income. Attend every meeting possible. You'll meet some great people who will be telling their story about how they built. My guess is you'll hear successful people talk about how they got started and how you can also do the same thing.

The above paragraph is an exact outline of how I got started in the 1970s. It's also what we suggested to people to in order for them to get started.  In very simple words: things haven't changed much.  How we do the above has changed because we have the internet and all kinds of CDs, DVDs, webinars, etc. - all excellent tools.   

I'll repeat a lesson I learned years ago: Simplicity attracts and complexity impresses.  Our job is not to impress as much as it is to learn how to attract people to the idea of Shaklee. Simplicity works!

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

It's about ability, motivation, and attitude

The longer I'm in this business the more I'm convinced that more people can build and grow a future to high levels if they would just accept the idea that there are no secrets. There have been untold numbers of books that outline what steps to take, but there are no secrets. There are meetings, conferences, webinars, conference calls and three-way calls all of which are designed to help people get a grasp of what it takes, but there are no secrets.

There is a quote from Lou Holtz who was one of the best football coaches in the country at one time. He taught the following: "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Coach Holtz doesn't say what your upline does or what your company does.  It's about the individual, you and me. We can have personal coaches, mentors, DVDs or CDs and untold great videos.  But it still comes back to you and me.    Based on coach Holtz's three points, I think it comes down to this.  You have the ability - YES, you do have the ability but you have to be willing to learn. This means willing to do what has to be done and learn as you go.

So ability is something you have. It is your responsibility to become motivated.  Get to meetings. Read books. Have a mentor who has done what it is you want to do. Listen and act on what you learn.

The final thing everyone needs is the right attitude. Having a great attitude takes work but a great attitude will help you also become an overcomer. People with great attitudes encounter obstacles, problems, and fears just like everyone else, but they continue to make progress because their attitude won't allow them to accept anything but success. A person who won't be stopped can't be stopped. Are you that person

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Questions, intent, choices, decisions

I had a thought a few days ago that keeps coming at me every once in a while. The thought was, "I wonder if many people give a lot of thought to reaching to a higher level in the business.?" A higher level in PV for example, or what's the next higher rank I could be working towards? I think it comes back to something we've discussed here before and that is, develop the habit of asking yourself good questions because everything starts with a new thought.  

If you don't think about it the chances for making improvement are pretty small.  Again, everything starts with a thought and asking yourself questions. 

- Am I where I want to be in the business? 

- How much personal group PV should I go for?  

- How many new people do I want coming into my personal group?

- Am I satisfied with the title I have?

- Am I satisfied with the annual earnings we have? 

The point here for me is this: once you ask yourself some questions and you start to think about it on a regular basis, the next step is to start thinking about solving the issue, or coming up with answers for moving forward. Again, everything starts with a idea, then making choices about how to proceed and create a process, or steps to follow.

This is a simple business but in order to get yourself to a higher level there are requirements.  My guess is you know what it takes to build this business, you know the requirements. Bottom line to keep it simple, it's about going to work on the goals or dream that you had when you first got involved in Shaklee. Make some choices. Be intentional about going for whatever it is you want. It's worth it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Are you wondering how to grow?

The following is on the Shaklee website but I don't know how many of you have seen it and read it. If anyone is wondering if building this business is really, truly working today, read the following. I have a suggestion: read this once, then read it again with a sheet of paper and dig out exactly what the thinking and attitude was/is for Jennifer & Nick. Also write down the steps they took to grow. If you do this you will have a basic outline of the process it takes to grow and really have fun doing it.  

As Faye said yesterday as we discussed this example, "Nothing has changed.  This is exactly what we did to do years ago." The basic steps or process to grow hasn't changed over time. The basics are still the basics.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

Three ranks in three months with a focus on sharing!

Jennifer and Nick Korpal (Senior Coordinators, IN)

One year ago, when my husband and I decided to pursue a Shaklee career, my goal was to replace my full-time teaching income. I wanted to grow a Shaklee business so that I could stay home with our children. I have always had a passion to work with and help others, so starting a Shaklee business was a perfect avenue to fulfill this passion, as well as contribute to the financial goals of our family.

I have been able to help a lot of people with their health and wealth goals. Now, replacing my teaching income has become a reality. It is so rewarding to hear such wonderful testimonies that our members experience with Shaklee products and I was ready to take it to a new level. I wanted to focus on growing our business even more. Over the past year, I found that I'd talk to a lot of people about Shaklee, but didn't necessarily finalize the conversation as well as I should, in order to get them started on the products. With the new sharing promotions, I saw an opportunity to share a great incentive with prospects -- some of whom have heard about our love for Shaklee, but not yet experienced it for themselves.

I also saw the opportunity to grow, and to grow fast! So we made a point to fill our calendar with as many productive Shaklee activities as possible! My personal goal for our team was to have a minimum of twenty group events not including one-on-one appointments. As a team, we filled up our calendar and kept our focus on helping people with Shaklee. With a vision and a plan, we knew we would succeed. Each of us kept busy with large group events, one-on-one appointments, invites to webinars, and phone conversations. From January-March, I personally hosted 11 group events plus multiple 1-on-1's and our team did a total of 35 group events.

Thanks to a focus on sharing, we have three new builders who joined our team in February, and promoted two new Directors – one in January and one in March. My personal group sponsored 50 new members, and our full team has sponsored almost 100 new members since January! 
It wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of teammate in our group. We feel so blessed! As a team, I have no doubt we will continue to change more people's lives than we ever imagined. Changing our focus to growth resulted in exactly that…GROWTH! We now have a larger organization to continue to build depth within. The momentum is there and we are on fire!

While focusing on sharing has accelerated our growth, our experience with Shaklee products provides the foundation of our success. I am thankful for our experiences, because without them, we wouldn't have the confidence we need to reach out to our friends, family, and even strangers. I am excited each time someone starts on Shaklee products because I know their lives will never be the same!

 

Tips for overcoming obstacles

Thanks to Shaklee VP Cathy Keating for sending me the following excellent article.    Enthusiastically,   Gary Burke

 

Tips for overcoming obstacles and finding your inner athlete from Kris Freeman If you watched the cross country skiing events during the Sochi Games, you saw the bodies pile up as athlete after athlete, racked with pain and gasping for air, collapsed at the finish line… “Viewers were alarmed, I realize,” said Kris Freeman, a long-time Shaklee Pure Performance Team member, “but that is just the sign of a great race.” The four-time veteran of the Games (’02, ’06, ’10, ’14) added, “In the perfect race we push hard over the last 1,000 meters and then thrust our lead foot at the finish line. We’re weaving and wobbly, so it’s common to crash.” But Kris’s pure love for the sport keeps him coming back for more. His story is remarkable for more than just the four times he’s participated in the Games; Kris is a type 1 diabetic who has overcome numerous obstacles to compete as an endurance athlete at the highest levels for more than a decade. “When I first learned I was a diabetic in 2002 I thought ‘Oh no, can I still ski?’ I was very scared,” he admitted. “But I started researching, and what I discovered made me believe I could continue.” So four Games later, Kris offers some great insights for overcoming obstacles and finding the champion within. 1)  Look for reasons to continue, as opposed to reasons to stop. “Competitive skiing is what I truly love, so I wasn’t going to be deterred.” Kris explained that we too often surrender to conventional wisdom instead of seeking alternate, creative, or even courageous paths to our goals. “If you really want to achieve something, you need to keep searching for the way forward,” he emphasized. 2)  Build a strategy and refine as needed. “First, I found a doctor who could help and we started measuring insulin delivery rates. Then we continued to determine what factors affected my performance, and we’re still running tests and fine tuning things,” he explained. Kris also marveled at the body’s ability to adapt to stress and gain strength. “The human body is really cool–I can push it to its limits and then I discover that there’s even more room to improve,” he said, “and I think everyone has that same capacity.” 3)  Never be satisfied with “good enough.” He explained, “I never thought, ‘Hey, I’ve arrived!’ I always want to pop up to another level and avoid being totally satisfied.” Kris believes most people have enough competitive fire to work hard for improvement in at least one area of their lives, if not several. “If you start to become complacent with your performance, it’s time to jump up and get going. I’ve made four Teams (for the Games), but I’m seriously considering going for a fifth!” One way to move past stagnation is to take a long-term view of our goals. “I see myself as a champion skier,” he said, “and a big goal like that simply takes time.” 4)  Help others find their inner champion. “Of course, when you achieve a goal it always feels good.  But I gain tremendous gratification by helping others work through their struggles or obstacles,” he said. “I often go to summer camps to help kids with diabetes understand that they can do whatever they want in life, whether it’s skiing or any other sport or endeavor.” Kris also believes that proper nutrition and supplements are extremely important. “Food and supplements are like fuel for your car or airplane,” he said. “That’s why I believe in Shaklee products. They help me along. If I I need additional supportI can count on Shaklee to help fill that void.” Perhaps Kris’s most important advice for overcoming obstacles relates back to that scene at the finish line: “We may be so exhausted that we lie there like we’re half dead, but you’ll notice,” he proclaimed with a gleeful smile, “we always get back up!”

It might be time to re-commit

I found this very simple comment and for some reason it kind of jumped off the page.  It isn't anything new really but some times I think we should just get back to the basics with  simple ideas, and focus on the  fundamentals for making things work and just do it.

  "First say to yourself what you would be, then do what you have to do."

Epictetus

Of course I love simplicity so that is probably the reason this kind of got my attention.  This business isn't very complex but it does require someone to see the idea, wonder if it's really true that someone can build a future and help many people along the way.   If you are that someone who has evaluated the products, have attended a couple meetings, have met someone who has built a successful business and have been impressed with Shaklee as the vehicle that can help you succeed, then it's time to take the next step.

It doesn't matter if you've been in this business for 2 weeks or 20 years.   There always comes a time when it's time to commit.   I learned years ago that I have to renew my commitment over and over again.  As I say at meetings at times, "when I got started I was discouraged about every 3 days, then every 3 weeks, then every 3 months, then 3 or 4 time a year.  The point is simple, I always just had to remind myself that I wanted everything Shaklee offered and then I would mentally renew my commitment and get to work.

Over the weekend why don't you think about the time when you first used the products or started to believe you could build yourself a future that would be fun and exciting. Just think about that sense of excitement you had, the dreaming that probably took place. Take yourself back to when you had so much excitement you couldn't sleep. I know that happens because it happened to me.

Keep in mind that the person who WON'T be stopped, CAN'T be stopped.  It's all up to you.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Twelve magic principles

I got started in this business in 1970 and of course there is a learning curve in everything.  I went to meetings twice a week without fail because I wanted to learn what the successful people did and what they were teaching. I heard many people tell their story and that was always inspiring. I also heard presentations about the business side of Shaklee and I decided I wanted to build a large business.

When I was coaching in high school as well as when I was a graduate assistant on the football staff at the University of North Dakota, there were various rules and principles for building a winning team. We worked daily on following these principles because they had been proven over time to be vital for success.

The following is what dictionary.com says about principles: An accepted rule of action or conduct...A distinctive opinion... A guiding sense of the requirements of right conduct.

I have included below what are called Twelve Magic Principles. We got these early in our career and they became very important to many as they help keep the business simple and were a guideline for those who wanted to learn what to do to build and succeed in Shaklee. Print these out and read through them a couple times and I hope you will find some value as we did and still do.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Twelve Magic Principles

1. Use Shaklee products

You HAVE to be your own best customer to know how fantastic Shaklee products really are.  We are sure you will be more than pleased with every item.  Besides, “a penny saved is a penny earned”  You are already “earning” by buying at wholesale.  Here is your key to product knowledge:  each week purchase four new Shaklee products.  By the end of three months you will be a Shaklee expert.

 

2. Cultivate An Attitude Of Acceptance

Look for the benefits of the Career Plan and the good features about the products.  As you purchase each Shaklee product, week by week, throw away the competitive product you used to use.  Make that much of a commitment to the business.  And never dwell on some feature of the plan and some company policy you would like to see changed.  They are not about to change such a successful operation to suit anyone’s personalized ideas.  If you wish to recommend a change, put it in writing and it will get consideration, but don’t waste energy “fighting the system”.  Accept your sponsor and your Director…they are the ones in position to help you.

 

3. 90% Copy

This is a common sense principle.  In the beginning, we suggest that you develop your business along the PROVEN lines that have been effective for others.  Your success will be assured if you will direct 90% of your time and energy in this manner.  Use the other 10% of your capabilities to explore new ideas and to match your business to your own personality and circumstances.

 

4. Set Goals

Just as a ship would not be moved from its berth without a destination, you should not begin your Shaklee adventure without setting goals.  A good goal will have a definite starting point, a definite time span, and inspiring reward at the end and progress check-points along the way.  If you will focus on your goals daily, write them down again and again.  Say them aloud and tell them to your friends they will begin to come true as if by magic.  

 

5. Attend and Conduct Meetings

Meetings should be the backbone of your business.  Attend as many as you need to learn the Career Plan and then begin conducting meetings of your own.  Continue to attend other meetings periodically to refresh your ideas and to broaden your Shaklee knowledge and to observe different presentation techniques.  But always remember that YOUR meetings are where you will learn the most.  The greatest teacher in the world is “experience”.  I define a meeting as a pre-scheduled occasion, usually in your home, where you give a “stand-up” presentation…all of these elements are important.  If no one comes, give the meeting anyway.  

 

6. Teach the Career Plan

Every meeting should be a “discovery session” for probing the many beautiful features of the Shaklee Career Plan.  While it is simple in concept, it is fascinating and complex if you will think of yourself as a student of business or mathematics or human psychology.  I have seen scores of other sales plans that are full of weaknesses.  The Shaklee business package stands alone.  This business opportunity can fill the needs of anyone; it appeals to young and old, rich and poor, and every other category of person you can imagine.  Although many people will not take the time to study and understand what we offer, you can present it with confidence and pride.  And you only have to touch the hot button of a handful of people for you to have a fabulous business.  Hang in there and you’ll succeed.

 

7. Emphasize Nutrition Products

These products lend themselves best to our plan because they are exciting…because a small customer often buys a large order…because the resale potential is high…because they have a fast consumption rate…and because your Members and Business Builders own families can consume a large volume.  We have Dr. Shaklee to thank for making  our food supplements the finest in the world. The health results that you will see, the testimonies you will hear, and the way you will feel after using Shaklee supplements will combine to give you increasing confidence in Shaklee products.  This helps us build an unusually loyal and permanent sales force.

 

8. Be Positive

Positive thinking is the technique which allows you to use more of your potential.  None of us uses but a fraction of our total capability.  Optimistic, confident, goal-oriented thinking, programs our subconscious mind in a positive manner.  This brings out ideas and actions we might otherwise overlook.  Negative thoughts are traitors to your cause and you must eliminate negativism from your personality.  If you have a complaint or excuse, don't voice it!  If a negative thought creeps into your head, immediately replace it with a positive thought.  "I can't sell” must become, "I will continue talking to people until the laws of probability result in a customer or builder.”  Strengthen your personality by reading motivational books such as The Greatest Salesman in the World byOg Mandino and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  Dr Shaklee's philosophy is: "What you think - you do, what you think – you look, what you think -you are"”  Think about this success plan and you will do it, think about your happy future and you will look happy, think like an Executive Coordinator and you will soon be one.

 

9. Do Shaklee Every Day

Many busy people are among the best Shaklee Members and Business Builders.  One advantage of the Shaklee business is that you can take advantage of fleeting moments to “talk Shaklee” to a friend or fellow employee.  You can “think Shaklee” and organize your thoughts while you drive your car.  You can use the products many times each day and each time think about how tremendous the products are and how everyone ought to be using them.  If you will keep your business in the front of your mind every day, you will be amazed at the progress.  For the strict spare-timer it is possible to concentrate most of your work in one day per week…one busy day, but you still must take advantage of every Shaklee opportunity during the other six days.  If you walk past a potential Member or Business Builder without at least making some small attempt to “talk Shaklee” you may be passing up a future Master Coordinator who will eventually be in someone else’s group.

 

10. Set a Personal Example

You don’t make money “off the work of others” in this business.  What you must do is provide leadership for the Members and Business Builders you recruit.  Don’t ask or expect others to do anything you won’t do yourself.  If there are problems in your organization, you must look to yourself for the solutions.  Set a better example…follow these principles better…and your problems will disappear.  When my own business stops growing, I know right away that I must be overlooking one of these “Magic Principles”.

 

11. N.D.A.O.P.C.C.

“Never do anything other people can’t copy”.  Your success in Shaklee will be in proportion to how simply you can get the job done.  Many people need to follow in your footsteps.  If you set a complicated example, you will lose much of your following along the way.  Keep it simple.  That doesn’t mean you should avoid hard work!  Just don’t stray off on a tangent where other Members and Business Builders will not be interested in following.  Remember, in the long run you make very little from your personal sales.  In fact, a Master Coordinator makes very little from his own Directory bonus.  The big money in Shaklee comes to those leaders who blaze a simple trail and help many others to follow along.

 

12. Never Give Up

 There are many people in Shaklee who earn over $100,000 per year.  Where would they be if they    had given up after only a few months?  I know that some of them did very poorly in the beginning.  “Hang in there and you’ll get paid”!  I do not believe a person can follow these principles consistently without achieving success, even on a spare-time basis.  How’s your endurance?  A person who WON’T be stopped CAN’T be stopped.  

This is about one word

There is a word that can and will make a huge difference in a person's future. That word is discipline. I'm sure you know someone who you might describe as being "a very disciplined person."  You probably say that because that person seems to make progress in whatever he or she might be doing regardless of surroundings or what people may say about them.

I think we go through various phases of life where we experience discipline.  Allow me to try to explain what I mean.  When I was a small boy I had the knack for doing or saying things I shouldn't do or say. My mother would discipline me.   My mother was a very gentle but tough lady. When she said something you had better be paying attention. I loved being on athletic teams and I recall hearing the word "discipline." I joined the Marine Corps two weeks out of high school.   What I learned there was another level of discipline. I think my definition of discipline in all those years would have been the word "punishment!"

But once I started this business the word discipline became more positive. Today I look at discipline as consistency of action, consistency working on long-term goals, consistency with attempting to get better at developing skills. This is called self-discipline and of course when someone is disciplining themselves in business it means that you have that inner drive or will to do whatever it takes to create a positive outcome, no matter how difficult it may seem to be.

I find that being self disciplined is very positive in today's world because it is what has helped me and countless others make progress in what it is we choose to do. A self-disciplined person learns to say "no" to things that they know isn't the right thing for them.  

It's never too late to be self-disciplined.   It's a strong positive if you want to build this business. Why not decide to be that person who makes a decision to work with consistency like never before. I've also learned that once you are disciplined it becomes a very positive habit. Do something about your business every day and you are on your way to a higher level of success.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Investing in yourself will pay off

Faye and I attended the Regional Shaklee Conference in Long Beach, CA over the weekend.  If you are within range of a regional meeting I would strongly suggest you make it a point to attend.  Just putting yourself in this kind of environment is something that can inspire you to set new standards for yourself for growing your business.

The best part of the conference were the stories via videos plus people getting up front and telling their story. As I was listening to these terrific stories I thought about all the great stories that were in that room. I think what happens when many people hear a great story of what happened to someone, they start to think they don't have a story.  Hey, you have a story. Think about it.....outline it.....tell it to someone......actually tell it to many people.   Just how and why you got in Shaklee....what's happened since....how you feel about the future.  YOU HAVE A STORY.

As all of us are independent contractors.....this means we are not employees of Shaklee or our upline.  It is each individuals responsibility to know how to motivate, or inspire yourself.   There are several ways....attend every meeting possible, don't miss meetings, invest in yourself, buy books, travel to meetings,  don't miss the August meeting in Long Beach, CA. This is where you have to invest in yourself.   Believe me folks, investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do.  

What it all amounts to is this: who you listen to and who you spend time with will have a huge impact on your life and your future.  Do whatever it takes to be around people who are positive, fun, have a great attitude and are active growing their future.  This will have a strong impact for you and if you're listening to people who are just the opposite than I described above, that also will have a huge impact on you.

Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

It's about a process, not results

Yesterday I was on the internet looking at some golf lessons and this one was about the Mental Skills in Golf. What's interesting to me is the fact that there isn't any difference mentally from becoming successful in business or golf.    The same principles apply.  The following is what the instructor said:

 "How and what we think will always affect our performance.  In order to perform at your best you want to let go of all concerns about the potential outcome."

What he is saying is work hard at your process without concern of the results.  Work hard at the steps it's going to take to build without focusing on results. The steps are also called a process. It's asking questions, learning how to get appointments, give presentations, follow up, sponsor people. Since this is a skilled based business another reason to work the process is so you become more skilled in each step you take for building your business.

The better you get the easier it will be to grow your business and your future.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke