Do you love great examples? Here is one.

Do you like feeling inspired?   Do you love to read about the Shaklee success some people are having? Do you like stories about people that have made decisions and their lives have changed as a result?  I do!

Take about two minutes and click on the following link and enjoy a great story.  Thanks to Master Coordinators Mike & Jo Coogan for sending me this link.

 http://member.myshaklee.com/us/en/article/Sharing_the_Journey_and_Growing_with_Friends-1eda414239cd6ac50c14fbb2a6df50cf?sp_mid

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Getting started...or re-started

I had a conversation a few days ago with a person who has been around for a few years and has done well as a Shaklee sales leader. We talked about what it would take to get started again, becoming more active, and getting back to the basics to build the business. It sounds simple but starting and stopping is a part of this business and it isn't always easy to just get re-started. I know this is true because I have been in that exact place.

My answer is on a slide I use when doing a training presentation about getting started. I first heard this idea from Terry Slattery a few years ago and I've found that I had to use the following steps to get myself making progress again.

It is each person's responsibility to get yourself in position to succeed.

You must be willing to put yourself in enough situations so you can:

1. Practice and develop skills

2. Get more experience

3. Get more current knowledge

4. Build your confidence

Read the above four points. Study them.  Believe them. To get yourself moving and making the kind of progress that makes this business fun is in taking those four points and put them into action.

This is very simple, but that doesn't mean it's easy. But it will help you to make progress and experience that growth that you desire. Why not go for it?

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Some interesting thoughts on goals

I've been investing some time going through some notes that I have that go back a few years. I came across some notes on goals that I wrote in 1975. I don't have the original resource to give credit to but I will say that these notes on goals are still interesting to me and I hope maybe one or more might make you think about your goals.

I'm going to just list them the way I have them on my sheet.

THOUGHTS ON GOALS AND SUCCEEDING

There is no excitement in mediocrity......Poor goals always have poor results.

Well defined goals are like a strong magnet. They pull you in that direction.

Reaching goals is not the hard part.  Deciding what to do is the hard part.

People who don't have real goals have never defined what's important to them.

Get excited about your future. The best way to get excited about your future is to redesign it.

Desire usually exceeds and precedes ability.

As I read through these various words they are still inspiring and very meaningful to me. Do you have well defined goals and then of course a process to follow that will guarantee your success?   Remember, it's never to late to start or to restart. 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

You can make it happen

As you know, I always enjoy Jim Rohn's thinking and teaching. I have read this post before and may have even sent it out in a previous message but even if I have, it is worth reading again and again.  I say that because there probably isn't anyone that wouldn't like to change something. Are there one or two things in your business you want to change?     Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Doing the Remarkable

by Jim Rohn

When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: What can you do, starting today, that will make a difference?  Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances. Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Try reaching down inside of yourself—you'll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts. They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed. With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change. If you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you, change it. If something doesn't please you, change it. You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your present address, change it—you're not a tree! If there is one thing to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessary things to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That's true excitement.

Inspiration by a college graduate

I have a challenge for you. Take the time to watch and listen to a very inspiring 8 minute speech that a University of Indiana student gave at their commencement. I personally believe that what people need to get themselves doing the things they want to do is to be inspired.  

I have listened to this short speech three times now and I assure you I will listen again because I know the value of being inspired. I promise you that it will touch your heart as well as challenge you.

Scroll down after you click on the following link.

http://college.usatoday.com/2014/05/20/iu-student-with-speech-impediment-delivers-inspiring-commencement-address/

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The key for more growth

The one thing most people want who are in this business is growth - personal growth, better health, higher PV,  sponsoring growth, more time for themselves, and probably growth in monthly income. The key word here of course is "growth." 

On May 1st, Faye and I started our 45th year in Shaklee. We have been full time for the past 43 years. We have gone through various seasons when things have gone well, and then there were (and still are) the many challenges anyone faces when they have their own business. There were times in the early years that I wondered if we would ever grow like some of the people we were getting to know. We wanted to grow just like everyone else.

What I have learned about growing this business is very simple. As I reflect back on what we did to hang in there and learn the business and experience that growth, there was one major fact that took place every time before the growth took place; many times we "stalled out" - everything seemed to slow down. The key that we discovered for growing was that we had to change something.

It wasn't about the company or the products or our upline, or downline. It was about us. We had to change something every time we stalled. I had to start prospecting again. We needed new people. We wanted to build a large organization and for that to happen, we always came back to the fact that we needed to change things and that's what we did.

Here is my question for whoever is reading this: do you want to experience more growth? If you answered "Yes" to that here are the next questions: what is it you have to change? What is it you have to start doing again?  Do you have to work harder? Are you willing to do whatever it takes? Keep in mind that it is not about the company, the products, your upline or your downline. This is about YOU! Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A book suggestion

One discipline that has helped me over the years has been reading books that are focused on personal development.  There are thousands of books that have been written with tremendous stories and examples of people who have figured out what it takes to be successful as a person.

I have before me this morning one of the first books I read that really inspired me.  I haven't read it in a few years so I picked it up and can't put it down. It still inspires me and I think it will so the same for you.

I suggest that you Google the book "Life Is Tremendous." This book is still available and it's a small paperback.  The author is Charlie "Tremendous" Jones and has sold over one million copies.   Here is a quote that I first read over 40 years ago that still is one of my favorites.

"Don't spend your life trying to make right decisions; invest your life in making decisions and making them right."

Charlie "T" Jones

Think about it for a minute. Think of the many decisions you've made regarding building yourself a new future - the decision to sponsor more people, to have higher volume, to be more positive, to help people grow their business, to do more meetings, to work on your personal development, and to be a leader, etc.

Just think how things can change by following the very simple principle of investing your time to make those decisions right. This very powerful idea that has potential to change lives as well as businesses.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Self-discipline

Thanks to Rod Larkin for today's message. 

Below is another great message from John Maxwell.  While there are many factors involved in a person reaching his/her goals, self-discipline is the #1 determining factor between those who reach their goals and those who don't. This is especially true in the Shaklee business.  Why?

You don't "have to" do anything.  You don't have a boss. It is SO easy to put off doing something in your business until tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, and that can stretch into weeks, months, and even years.  Self-discipline is the key to getting just about anything that is truly good and worthwhile in your life and it is 100% up to you and no one else. Hence the name, SELF-discipline.

Rod Larkin

Practicing Discipline

by John Maxwell

(Credit: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/practicing-disciplines-today-that-will-lead-to-success-tomorrow)

Everyone wants to be thin, but no one wants to diet. Everybody wants money, but not many people want to work long hours or to follow a budget. Lots of people would like a nice yard or garden, but few want to pull weeds.

The common denominator of success is discipline—forming the habit of doing things that the vast majority of people neglect to do. Individuals don’t accidentally stumble upon greatness. Even those who suddenly gain fame have usually worked hard all of their lives to become an “overnight success.” What we do on some great occasion depends on who we already are; and who we are is the result of previous years of discipline.

It’s fine to praise the quality of discipline, but the real question is where to practice discipline on a daily basis. It’s especially critical for leaders to be disciplined in the following areas:

1) Thinking

Make a point to discipline yourself to think about your values and priorities every day. Values provide you with direction, guiding your decision-making. Meanwhile, priorities give you focus, directing how you spend your time.

Poor thinkers are slaves to their surroundings. On the other hand, leaders make a habit of examining their world and contemplating ways to make it better. Their ideas and insights make them valuable and sought-after teammates.

2) Relationships

Make the decision to cultivate relationships and invest in them daily. You’ll enjoy life more when you share it with others, and you’ll go the farthest in life when you partner with people who genuinely care about you.

3) Talent

Daily choose to strengthen and sharpen your natural abilities, for they can open avenues to unique areas of influence. People don’t pay attention to what’s average, but they will pay both respect and rewards to individuals with exceptional skills.

4) Finances

Make sacrifices and live within your means today so that you can have financial options tomorrow. Avoid debt. While money may not make you happy, owing money is certain to make you miserable. Moreover, give generously. The purpose of wealth isn’t to spoil yourself but to serve those in need.

5) Health

Make the decision to know and follow healthy guidelines daily. Eat in moderation, and exercise regularly. Also, strike a balance between accomplishment and rest. Leaders have ambition, at times too much, and they can run themselves ragged trying to chase down career goals. As John Wanamaker said, “People who cannot find time for recreation are obligated sooner or later to find time for illness.” Be sure to handle stress effectively so that the pressures of leading don’t wear down your body. Taking proper care of yourself gives you the physical strength and mental wellbeing to tackle the demands of leadership.

Summary

If you commit to a set of daily disciplines, eventually you’ll reach a point in life at which you’re absolutely astounded by all the good you have been able to accomplish. In that moment, it will be crystal clear that you didn’t do it in a day but that you did it every day. By doing the right things daily, year after year, one day you will receive reward and recognition for them.

A simple exercise

Here is a suggestion for you to work on.  This is very simple but if you've never done it I think it's a good way to help yourself be inspired and thinking about the future. Six simple questions:

What do I want to become?

What do I want to see?

What do I want to do?

What do I want to have?

Where do I want to go?

Who is my mentor?

Get out a pad of paper and start writing.  Take one question at a time and don't be afraid to dream and THINK BIG. This doesn't cost a penny so step across the line and think and dream a little.

Once you have your list, pick out the two most important items and ask yourself this question:

What will it take to accomplish  1._______________    2.________________

What are the steps? That will be your process. You can have more if you want more. 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Consistency

Today I want to focus on the word consistency. If there is one thing Faye and I have tried to do over the years, it is being consistent with our efforts as well as our thinking about this incredible business. For example, there are certain fundamentals for this business that once we figured out what they were, we stuck with them and basically just tried to get better at following them.

"It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently.

- Anthony Robbins

Talking to people on a regular basis, attending as many meetings as possible,  learning from those who have accomplished what we wanted, conducting regular meetings, regular appointments, 3 way calls...once I started doing these messages the feedback encouraged me to be consistent sending them out. We were consistent at the little things that turn into big things over time.

Read that above quote again and again.   If you want to build your future around this great company are you doing the basic fundamentals over and over and over again? Consistently? A very simple message that has huge potential is be the person who is consistent.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Make quality decisions

When I first got started in this business the one word I heard at most meetings was "goals." Of course, I thought I had goals but the experts in the books I was reading talked about having the goals on paper. I had never done that up to that point. My goals were really wishes or thoughts of what I would like to have or do.

As I think about goals this morning there were a number of things that come to mind. I want to give you a  principle I picked up from reading over the years.  I think the following came from Jim Rohn:

Reaching goals is not the hard part.

Deciding what to do is the hard part.

I have read this short, simple principle many, many times and I still get inspired thinking about it. What this says to me is the decision is the main thing. Actually it has to be a quality decision which simply means to me that regardless of what happens the goal doesn't change.   When we have obstacles and adversities and the plan doesn't seem to be working like we expected it to you do not want to change the goal, you want to always alter the plan. 

Do you have goals you are working for but you have experienced those obstacles and adversity? Of course everyone faces those two hurdles. Are you working from a plan? Don't allow those obstacles and adversities to get you to give up on your goal. Look at the plan. Make a new one...maybe you have to talk to more people, or follow up better, or do more meetings, etc.  

There is one thought that helped me overcome the seemingly negative. I wrote it down and I've said this to myself many,many times over the years. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes." We never grew fast like some people did. I had too much to learn. I wanted to grow faster but my key was to keep doing the fundamentals. A quality decision is the key. Always alter the plan and don't allow anything or anyone to steal your dream.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Just do a little bit more

The one thing in this business that is vital in order to be moving forward towards whatever goal you might have is that you must be able to get yourself in motion doing the right things. In other words, we must figure out a way to get started every day doing what we know has to be done.

Some people call it being future-driven, personally motivated, or self-disciplined, or they just may find something that kind of hits home to them and they read it every day for weeks and maybe even years. I first read the quote below in my first year of teaching. I can still remember the first time I read this and how it was just at the right time for me and how inspired I got. 

 "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what is a heaven for."

Robert Browning

I was 26 years old at the time and when I read that it just jumped off the page. I sat there, reached out my hand and that was my grasp. Then I thought I just have to do a little bit more to reach further. I wrote that quote down on a piece of paper and carried it in my billfold for over 40 years. I read that hundreds of times.  It became a part of me...just do a little bit more. Now it is 50 years later and it still inspires me.  

If you want to grow yourself and/or your business, just buy into the thought that you just have to do a little bit more, every day, every week, every month.  Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Is this a good time to get started?

Recently I was asked about getting started in this business and if it was different when I got started than it is now.   What came to mind was a proverb that I read years ago:

The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.

I don't know who said that but I do remember it because it makes so much sense. If you planted a tree twenty years ago it would be fully formed and beautiful. The same goes for this business. If you had started twenty years ago and worked at it all these years and worked a process you would probably be financially set for life.

Now is always the best time to do something that you would consider to be important. There are people who are relatively new in Shaklee and they are doing absolutely great. For example, I talked with Nel Prentiss from the home office yesterday and in our conversation via e-mail she mentioned that this weekend there is a conference for New Directors. Within this class there are four people who are in qualification for Master Coordinator. That is amazing to me and very exciting.  

I'm sure I could come close to writing our what these four people are doing in order to grow like they are. They have goals and then a process to follow that will literally assure them of success. They are talking to lots of people, doing training meetings, they have appointments for opportunity presentations, they follow up, they focus on the people who are willing to work, they do regular meetings, and they are excited about the future and are willing to work hard to make their future and their business grow.

If you're wondering if now is a good time to get started.....forget that....it's a GREAT TIME TO GET STARTED. For those of you who may have been involved for a while, now is also a great time to get re-started. Get started and then stay started and you will never regret working hard.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Simplicity - I love it

I received the following from Sarah Drew and had to kind of chuckle a bit as I've looked at this simple quote. There are so many ways to look at making progress and I just love it when people send me stuff they find that they feel might have a message. This is ultra simple and maybe that's why I love it. 

"You've got to...wake up every morning with determination, and go to bed with satisfaction."

- George Lorimer

What a great thought!  Simple. Powerful.  Inspiring. Just think about it for a minute.  I don't know what time you're reading this but here in Minnesota it's 5:03 AM.   As many of you know, I believe all of us should ask ourselves more questions.   Keep in mind that Shaklee is not our employer so they can't tell us exactly what to do every day. Each individual must do that. So here's my question for me for today.

What am I going to determine to get done today that will be a step forward?What is it that will feel good to actually get done - something I've probably put off time and time again? The goal is to be satisfied at the end of the day.

What are your questions for you for today?  

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

You get to make the decision

I see so many people in this business whom I would consider to be high potential people. Actually, we all are high potential people. You and everyone we talk to have God-given strengths. We have the ability to dream. I saw and heard an idea and I wondered if it were true. I did everything I could to learn from people who had already achieved to various levels.

I made little decisions along the way.  Use some of the products, attend a meeting, listen and take notes at every meeting, start talking to people about this new idea I heard, listen and think about it. What it came down to was I got excited about the future and made a simple decision: I want what this company is offering. That decision took me three to four months. I made the decision. Now I needed to learn how to build.

The following are some excerpts from a book I picked off my shelf. This book reminded me of the process and it got me to thinking about what was it that I did.  The book is The Answer by Assaraf  & Smith.

"People tend to be focused on looking for the how, thinking that is where the answer lies. But it's not.  Yes, you need to learn all sorts of hows.  But the real key to building your dream business lies in the clarity and strength of the idea....the seed. The how always comes AFTER the vision and decision."

I hear people say things like, 'I don't know how to prospect, I don't know how to sponsor people, I don't know how to give a presentation,' and it goes on and on. The point is, if you really want what Shaklee is offering, make that decision and then do whatever it takes to learn the various skills that will help build your future. If your decision is etched in cement and you have the mindset that no one can say or do anything that will stop you, believe me, you will succeed.

Think about this message over the weekend. It's your future and you get to make the decision.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke