We get paid for taking action

This is a follow up to yesterday's message regarding the three words that can change things, "Do it now!" Thanks to Marge Theis for her comments below.

Enthusiastically, 

Gary Burke

 

 W. Clement Stone, who built an insurance empire worth hundreds of millions dollars, would make all his employees recite the phrase, "Do it now!" again and again at the start of each workday. Whenever you feel the tendency towards laziness taking over and you remember something you should be doing, stop and say out loud, "Do it now! Do it now! Do it now!"

 

I often set this text as my screen saver. There is a tremendous cost in putting things off because you will mentally revisit them again and again, which can add up to an enormous amount of wasted time. Thinking and planning are important, but action is far more important. You don't get paid for your thoughts and plans -- you only get paid for your results. When in doubt, act boldly, as if it were impossible to fail. In essence, it is.

What do you want to change?

I have learned that this business has great potential for changing peoples' lives. There are many, many examples of how people have improved their health and the products changed their life. I was attracted to Shaklee because of the opportunity and we certainly have had our lives changed in many ways. (Another thing that has potential for changing lives are mentors; they have a heart for helping people and they encourage.) 

Words also have incredible potential for making change happen. I say this because I love to read - there is so much to learn. I have this thought that someone out there has great knowledge and they put their knowledge or story in print and I want to learn what they know.

So continuing on that idea that words have potential - if you discipline yourself to do what three particular words suggest, there is nothing that can stop you from reaching your dreams or goals. Nothing! It takes time and effort but when you follow these words at some point you will look back and be thankful that you did what had to be done because your life will have changed in so many positive ways.

The three words that will change your life are DO IT NOW! Be a doer. Step across that line in the sand and don't allow fears, obstacles, problems, lack on experience or any negativity hold you back. It's not always easy but it gets incredibly satisfying as you grow yourself as well as your business.

Go for it. You can do what it takes. Start.   Finish.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Why not you? Why not now?

Think back to when you were first introduced to these products and this opportunity. If you were like me you felt you just heard a interesting idea and started to check it out as best you could.  Using the products, attending as many meetings as possible, asking questions, listening to successful people. Everyone has that time in their life that they just feel compelled to learn more about a new idea. That was my response.

Can you think back and remember when you got excited because of what you learned and that you were discovering the possibilities of a terrific future? Again, that was my recollection about me. I remember hearing at one of those early meetings that there are only two reasons why a project will fail:

1. Not getting started            

2. Not finishing what was started

At the meetings I met people who were making it work and my thinking started to change. As a song I love says, "Why not me? Why not now?" If they can do it, I can learn how to do it. I found myself writing out possible goals and I did a lot of "what if it's true?" Going to the meetings was a key factor for me as that is where my thinking was challenged and I would start to dream a little higher.  

For those of you who have not registered yet for Cleveland, it's never too late.   Being at these annual conferences will stretch your thinking. You'll dream higher, think of new goals, get excited inside because that is where everything starts, in your thinking. For those of you who will be in Cleveland, prepare yourself to have a great time and expect your thinking to be stretched to the point where you will find yourself writing out new goals. The future is now! Don't miss it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Just some thoughts about this business

I've been going over notes from years past looking for an idea for today. Some times it's easy to get started and other times it takes some pondering about this great business we are in and some of the thoughts I've heard from people or from what I've read or experienced myself.

One of my favorite thoughts is to be future-driven. I say that because that would be how I would describe myself.  Future-driven. For me it's all about what's in the future and what it's going to take to get to where we want to be. Of course nothing happens until there is a beginning of some sort. We've got to get ourselves started. We have to be willing to do the things we don't want to do.

Don't get discouraged by delays. It might take some time and effort to develop the skills you do not have at this point in your business and maybe you feel you aren't moving fast enough. Hey, join the crowd.  Believe me, once you have improved your skills for building this business everything changes because then you have confidence and everything seems to be simpler and easier. That's all because you got better.

There will always be those people who feel it's their responsibility to discourage people so they make negative comments or plant seeds of doubt. Don't hang out with people who are doubt peddlers. Everyone needs someone to encourage them on a regular basis. That is probably one of the most important things that is needed in this business. ENCOURAGEMENT!  Make it your responsibility to encourage people in your downline as well as learn to encourage yourself.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

A non-secret for building this business

I was driving back from our lake place yesterday afternoon and heard a guy on the radio talk about how he chose to do what he does for a living. Some of the things he talked about were his fears, little confidence, and doubts were probably his biggest challenges. He then proceeded to talk about the one thing he had going for himself and that was his determination. His point was this one positive helped him overcome the negative issues and he went on to build a massive business.

Of course that got me to thinking about our business and the idea that when someone hears an idea and then starts to take steps to make that idea work, it always seems harder in the beginning.   Of course this is normal because any time a person starts something with no experience there are always doubts and for many of us certain fears.  

I was a boy scout for a short period of time in my youth. I couldn't tie knots very well but I do remember the boy scout motto: BE PREPARED. I don't know why but that stuck with me and I've learned over the years that preparation helps give a person confidence. The following is a quote I read in SUCCESS magazine:   "Polish comes from practice, but charisma comes from certainty."   Knowing that you are prepared to do something, especially if it's the first time you've ever done it, that preparation helps with building that confidence.

Practice is the biggest non-secret in Shaklee. Practice asking questions, getting an appointment, giving a simple product or opportunity presentation. I remember sitting in the basement of our first home giving a opportunity presentation to someone who wasn't there....I was practicing. I did that several times and this one day as I was in the middle of my practice session Faye came home. I heard the door slam shut and immediately felt embarrassed. I didn't want Faye to ask me who I was talking to. I hustled to stop and look busy. I also remember the first time I recorded myself giving a presentation. UGH! When I listened to myself I was thrilled that no one else would ever hear that presentation.

Preparation is what helps to beat fear.   Practice. Work at it. Don't worry if you aren't impressed with yourself, you will get better and better as long as you practice. You will gain confidence as you continue to do the right things.You can't get better in this business by avoiding doing the right things.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Wisdom from Jim Rohn

Wisdom from Jim Rohn.  Valuable information in my opinion.

- Gary Burke

The 6 Emotional Enemies Inside Your Mind

Don’t become a victim of yourself. 

What can destroy our ambitions, our fortunes, our relationships—our lives? The enemies lurking inside us, the ones we face from within, the ones we’ve got to destroy before they destroy us. There are five we must conquer:

1. Fear

We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Maybe some of our fears are brought on by our own experiences, by what someone has told us, by what we’ve read and heard about. Some fears are valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at 2:00 in the morning. But once we learn to avoid that situation, we won’t need to live in fear of it.

2. Indifference

What a tragic disease indifference is. Some will say, “Ho-hum, let it slide. I’ll just drift along.” But here’s one problem with drifting: We can’t drift our way to the top of the mountain.

3. Indecision

Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise. It will steal our chances for a better future. We have to take a sword to this enemy.

4. Doubt

Sure, there’s room for healthy skepticism. We can’t believe everything. But we also can’t let doubt take over. Many of us doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities and doubt the opportunities. Worst of all, we doubt ourselves. Doubt will destroy our lives and our chances of success. It will empty both our bank accounts and our hearts. Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it.

5. Worry

We’ve all got to worry some—but we can’t let it conquer us. Instead, let it alarm us. Worry can be useful. If we step off the curb in New York City and a taxi is coming, we’ve got to worry. But we can’t let worry loose like a mad dog that drives us into a small corner. Here’s what we’ve got to do with our worries: Drive them into a small corner. Whatever is out to get us, we’ve got to get it. Whatever is pushing on us, we’ve got to push back.

6. Timidity

Over-caution is the timid approach to life. Timidity is not a virtue (unlike humility); in fact, it can be an illness. If we let it go, it’ll conquer us. If we’re timid, we won’t get promoted, we won’t advance and grow and become powerful. We’ve got to avoid over-caution.

So, we must battle with the enemy, battle with fears, build our courage to fight what’s holding us back, what’s keeping us from our goals and dreams. We have to be courageous in our lives and in our pursuit of the things we want and the people we want to become.                                                               

What will it take?

Yesterday I was cruising through some TV channels and I just happened to catch a unique program. This program had 5 or 6 of the wealthiest men and women in the world. Each individual told their story and what it was that they felt was a key factor in getting to where there are.  I wish I would have recorded it as it was so interesting.

I don't have their names but I heard some great stories and copied one quote that I loved hearing and it is as follows: "It's what inside of a person that will make them successful."

Each person being interviewed told of the difficulties and obstacles they had to overcome. Of course I couldn't help but relate that one comment to our business.  Some people would say the key is our products, some would say it's about opportunity. There are many companies out there with what some would consider products or services that are okay. Not exceptional but okay. Some might think the key is a certain degree from a top college or university.

I believe strongly that the comment "it's what inside of a person that will make them successful" is the key factor. The following are some examples of what it means to be "inside of a person:"

Attitude 

Determination            

Belief

Confidence

Persistence 

Commitment

Optimism

Give me an opportunity with mediocre products with a person who has the qualities mentioned above and I would bet that person would become highly successful. We just happen to have incredible products that we consider unique and of course there are many, many people who are successful in Shaklee.   

If someone is reading this message who has been looking for the so-called secret for becoming successful in this business, I believe the answer is above in those seven words. The greatest thing about these qualities is all of us can become better by working on ourselves and of course become more successful.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

You can do it. Don't miss it!

In the August issue of SUCCESS magazine I read an article about being part of a team and how it can positively affect people.  The following is from that article:

"One of the things that bonds people is the realization that you're part of a team and everybody faces the same challenges. You look around you and other people are handling the challenges so that tells you that you also can handle whatever challenges you may face."

When I attended my sponsor's meeting and then meetings held in the area I heard many people tell their stories. I recall very vividly telling myself that if all these people could make it work, I could too. I just had to learn what to do and then work at doing those things and that is exactly what I did. My point here is that there aren't any secrets in building a successful Shaklee business. It's about being willing to do the things that the successful people have done.

I loved the meetings because I always felt more confident when I left the meeting than when I arrived. I needed that environment of positive people giving presentations and tell stories about how the products were literally helping people and that those who decided to build were earning excellent monthly incomes from part-time efforts.

The Cleveland conference is next month.  Be there. Don't miss it. Do whatever it takes to get yourself and others to attend. I assure you that you will be inspired and will be glad you invested in yourself for it's your future. The Cleveland conference is going to be something you do not want to miss.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The best from Jim Rohn

The following is in my opinion one of the best messages Jim Rohn has ever expressed. I need say no more.

Gary Burke 

Jim Rohn: Change Begins with Choice  

Any day we wish, we can discipline ourselves to make important changes in our lives. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. 

We created our current circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions.   We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life: If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life—and it all begins with your very own power of choice.

What to focus on

When we talk about building a business or a future I find that the so/called experts pretty much all see it the same way. That same way isn't a secret but it is a principle or a strategy and it is as follows: it's about focusing on a process and not on outcomes.

It seems that everything has a process, and once that process is etched in concrete in a person's mind they follow it consistently. But one of the toughest things about becoming successful in any walk in life is to focus on that process and not the results or outcome. Of course what we want are the results so it isn't always easy to keep that focus on the process.   

In this business the process is well known if a person wants to grow their income or monthly PV to levels that will lead to success. Here is what I consider to be the process that I learned to follow:

- Always have a list to work from.

- Make calls / appointments.

- Ask questions and listen.

- Learn to give a simple presentation of the products and / or the opportunity.

- Sort through the prospects you have to see who has interest and wants to at least learn more about this new idea.

- Follow up. 

- Meetings are essential to teach about the products and the business.

- Stay positive.

- Work on getting better personally as well as developing the skills it will take to build.

- Do whatever it takes to stay encouraged.

There could be more so you might want to write out your own process. Once you have a process and you learn that it works for you, trust it. There aren't any secrets. I know in my mind and my heart that a simple process for doing the things that will grow you and your business is a matter of trusting it. That means to try to stay away from "busy work" and focus on trusting your process.

Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What is our enemy for succeeding?

This past weekend I was reading the August 2015 issue of SUCCESS magazine. I have subscribed for this magazine for many years as I always feel encouraged by some of the terrific articles. This month has a article titled We've Met The Enemy and It Is Us. The following is an excerpt from this article.

"We learn the most through our failures.  We grow the most when we push ourselves through our toughest times.  Go ask a group of people when the hardest  times of their lives were, and then ask them at what time in their lives did they grow the most, and I will bet you those times will match up. No one grows in times of comfort. We learn and grow when we are tested, stressed and forced to perform and survive."

As I was reading this article what jumped off the page for me were the words, "No one grows in times of comfort." Pretty strong statement isn't it? When things are smooth and going well there is a certain comfort zone - and I've read in several books and articles that our comfort zone is our worst enemy. What this is saying to me is that most people when they are in their comfort zone probably don't push themselves to achieve what they really want.

As it says in that excerpt above, "We learn and grow when we are tested...."   How is the growth of your business coming along? Would you agree to the idea that growth doesn't happen when we get comfortable?" Being tested in our business means to make some calls for an appointment, giving a presentation, holding a meeting when we've never done it before, literally having to push ourselves to doing the right things that create growth. Think about it. Do something about it. You'll be glad you did.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

How to change your life

I've been thinking about what might be a good daily message for today but I feel kind of stuck. When I get that feeling and don't have a clue of what I might have for a message, I usually get up and go to my book case and look through some books at the highlights I made when I first read that book. As usual I found an idea in the title of a book I've had for years. The title is  A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback and the author is Willie Jolley.

At the front of the book it says the following:

In every life there comes a time, a minute when you must decide to stand up and live your dreams or fall back and live your fears.  In that minute of decision, you must grasp the vision and seize the power that lies deep inside of you!  Then you will see that dreams really can and do come true and that all things truly are possible.....If you just believe!   It only takes a minute.... to change your life!   It only takes a minute to learn that a Setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback!

I suggest you might take some time and read the above slowly and think about it.  It really does just take a minute to change your life. Of course what he is saying is that making a simple decision and sticking with it is what can and will literally change your life. Do you believe that the Shaklee products and business opportunity have the potential to change lives? Do you really believe it? I've seen it hundreds of times. I've lived it for the past 45 years. It's true!

Remember, it's never too late to start or to start again. If you believe it then consider taking that one minute that will not only change your life but others as well. It just takes a decision.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

95% of achieving

John Maxwell has written many books and is known mostly for his views on leadership and personal development.  The following is from his book Developing The Leader Within You:  

Ninety-five percent of achieving anything is knowing what you want.

Think back to the first day you heard of Shaklee. Was it from a friend or a neighbor? Was it the products that seemed to attract you to learn more? Or maybe it was the idea that there was an opportunity attached and a person could build a future with unlimited earnings as a possibility. Maybe it was because you started using the products with absolutely no intention of ever being involved in a business such as what Shaklee offered.   

Something must have hit a hot button for you and you decided to learn more. The more you learned the more interesting it became. Who would have ever thought? For me it felt very compelling to learn more about the opportunity to find out what was true. I certainly wasn't looking for this business or any other business.  I was looking for a future - actually a job.   UGH!  

Once you learned that everything you saw and heard was accurate as well as being exciting, what happened? What got you into this business? What did you want? I mean what was it that really got you excited and you decided you were going to shoot for the moon? The products? Helping people? Earning more? Building a future? Do you know what you want? Ninety-five percent of achieving anything is knowing what you want. What if that simple statement is 100% true?

I can only speak for myself. I wanted a different future. I wanted to live different.   I also love encouraging people and the thought of being able to show people what they could have was very exciting.  Once I understood what a Master Coordinator was, that did it. That was what I wanted. In order to get to that level a person would have to build which also meant other people would be the focus. Today, 45 years later, I still love the idea that we have an incredible opportunity for people.

What do you want? Do you know what you want? Are you willing to put in the time and effort to get what you want regardless of the obstacles you might face? Do you still have that initial dream in your heart? GO FOR IT! It's never to late to start and today is as good a time as you'll ever have.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Change is possible

I came across a Chinese proverb recently that made me slow down and read it two or three times and then think about it for a couple minutes. Read this and see if it makes you read it again and maybe even think about what it might mean to you.

I hear, and I forget

I see, and I remember

I do, and I understand

When I do, I also change

When it comes to learning this business it can be only attending various talks and/or meetings, or webinars and the first line in the above proverb says not much retention will be had. Just hearing doesn't seem to cut it as far as the best way to learn. Of course if we think back in our lives I'm sure you saw something that you can still see in your mind what it was no matter how long ago it was. As I sit here I can still recall very vividly my experience as an 18 year old just arriving at MCRD (Marine Corp Recruiting Depot) in San Diego, CA in 1956 and recalling how scared I was. It was an awesome experience that still lives in my mind.

The next line is where it becomes of some value because it's about understanding. The best understanding always comes from doing something.   When there is continued activity it is suggesting that change is now a possibility. In other words it's about stepping across the line and getting active in some kind of project or event that would be meaningful because now change comes into the picture.

So, it all comes down to this: would you like to see some positive change happen to you and your business? It can happen, but you will have to do things that create that change. Having 3 or 4 appointments  a week will start to change any business.   Doing 2 or 3 in-homes a week will start your business to be ready to explode.   This simple Chinese Proverb is the answer if anyone is wondering what it takes to build this business. Want things to change? Start doing the various steps that create change.  

Yes, it will take some time as well as effort. But things will change for you and you'll never regret it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Looking for a good idea?

I want to give you an idea that I think will help you grow yourself as well as your business. Being that all of us are entrepreneurs, we are the boss. Yikes!    We are in charge of ourselves and what I've found is that it's very easy to not do anything. If we aren't very disciplined, a couple of years can go by and we find our business isn't what we want it to be because we just didn't do many things that grow a business. We wanted to but it just didn't happen.

One of the most powerful things we can do to help ourselves be productive is to ask ourselves good questions, which is what Faye and I have done over the years as we're talking about our business. We find ourselves asking questions -

Do we have goals? Do I have them on paper?

What do we want our business to look like next year at this time?

Am I doing the right things that grow this business?

Who are we working with that is serious about building? We always want to have 2 or 3 who are serious.  Who are they?

Is it time again for me to find some new people to work with?

Can I do better? Am I getting better?

How many appointments did I have last month?    

How many meetings did we have last month?  

I think you get the idea. Asking ourselves good questions is a major factor for having growth. I have a suggestion for you. Sit down this week and ask yourself some simple but important questions.  Remember, if it is to be it is up to me.   You're the boss! Make asking yourself questions a part of your plans for growth.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke  

With belief and a dream

I love received the following yesterday from Carla Harris and I asked her for permission to send it out because I want a few hundred people to read what she says. When I get a message like this and read that something got through to her mind and especially her heart, it is very inspiring for me because I know that Carla's business will change as well as her future. Enjoy!

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Thanks, Gary! 

Another very inspiring message. I've been in Shaklee 5 years and it was at the last regional conference that something finally clicked in me regarding sharing the business opportunity and gave me a confident belief that this is truly a treasure to share with others. Previously I'd been timid and "afraid" to share it. I know now it was because I didn't really believe I could do it or that those I shared with could. 

Once I gained that belief, I began to dream about a real purpose for earning more. It is tied into a burden I have carried for aging single women over the last number of years. I have a dream to set up a foundation to help these women (I have a list of about a dozen so far) either pay off their homes or to purchase outright a tiny house so they can reach a point where they can afford to retire.

Now, with belief and a dream, I will finally be moving forward in building a team, not just selling products. :-)

Carla Harris

What keeps the dream alive?

I get questions at times from people who are wondering how we built our business.  Basically, it was just about going to meetings, meeting people who were already successful, learning the fundamentals and paying attention to what worked for me. The following quote from Randy Gage says it better though:

"Hope is what gets people into their business but belief is what keeps them in the business."

When I first read that it was a major "A-HA." That was it. That was what happens to all of us. I can recall very vividly my thoughts when I saw that first presentation.  I wonder if this is true?  If it's true for those people why can't it be true for us? Hope was what got me into this business just like Randy says in the above statement. Just like others, I had hope. I built my belief by using the products, meeting people who were successful, taking notes at meetings, making attempts to do some of what I was learning, and when I think back, the more I attended the meetings, the more my belief grew.

Being willing to put myself in a growth environment was the key for me. The meetings were that environment and without the meetings I'm sure I would have drifted to looking at other options.  Here we are today 45 years later and in my opinion the idea of getting yourself in a growth environment is still a key factor for people to turn their hope into belief.

Next month there will be thousands of Shaklee people in Cleveland and many will be there with hope and they will leave with the belief that they also can build a terrific business. Get to Cleveland.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke