Doing the little things really works

As January 1st rapidly approaches, we find ourselves filled with ambitions and dreams for the year ahead. On this day each year countless individuals set goals for themselves in hopes of improving and bettering their lives. Common resolutions include eating healthy, exercising more, getting out of debt, or taking up a new hobby.

Of course those of us who desire to have better year for our business also set ambitious goals. The following is a message I received from Linda Lavold who has been a long time sales leader. I think her message is unique because she decided to be part of an accountability group and she writes what happened to her business in the month of December.     Read Linda's words carefully. Make your 2016 a new story like Linda's.

Gary Burke 

Hey Gary,

I don't think I'm ground breaking news ... But I'm going to tell you something very new in the life of the Lavolds!  

Since August, and since I've joined an accountability group... Thanks to Joanette Coogan.... And my wonderful new friends Margie Mischler, Judy Ciasto, and Sandy Dietrich....... I've been writing down my business everyday in a notebook ... Even  if just an email, a phone call etc!! At any rate... Enough of me... 

BUT... I have never seen a PV of 7000 and mine is at 7100 for December!   WOW!  Thank the LORD for blessings beyond my imagination!  I know you have tons of people with much, much higher... I'm just sayin' that it can work if you apply yourself just a little bit more!

Happy New Year and many blessings in 2016!

Linda Lavold

We all have a comfort zone

Thanks to Sarah and Renee Drew for the following message about something we all have, our comfort zone. If there is one major thing that stops people from doing things they want to do it is staying comfortable right where they are. When we challenge ourselves by doing something we've never done, or something we've done but haven't done it recently, we must understand it's normal that we feel uncomfortable for a while.

It's something to think about for those of you who want 2016 to be a great year.

Gary Burke

Quote about your comfort zone:

"If you are out to accomplish significant things in your life, you are going to be spending a lot of time outside your comfort zone. The bottom line is this; you can either be comfortable and stagnate, or stretch yourself, become uncomfortable, and grow. You may think comfort leads to happiness; it doesn't. Happiness comes from growth and feeling like you are making progress. In short, the really important stuff happens outside your comfort zone."

-Michael Hyatt

Ideas for creating your plan

In yesterday's message I mentioned it's time to get mentally ready for the new year that starts on Friday. I also added that what you will need is a plan of some kind to help you get started to kick off  2016 with a positive attitude and a plan that will guide you to succeeding at what you want to happen. The following are some ideas of what a plan might be for you. Very simply, a plan is five things:  

- A Method for Proceeding

- A Blueprint

- A Roadmap

- A Game Plan

- A Path

And a plan has two main elements: 

What am I going to do? 

How often am I going to do it?

For example -

What am I going to do?  Prospect effectively, have weekly appointments, sponsor my core group, conduct in-home events, follow-up, be consistent with my efforts, attend area meetings, always show up, make it my responsibility to keep my dream alive, and ask for help when I need it. 

How often will I do it?  There are two words that are important: frequency and quantity.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas for building your plan. Think about it. Talk about it and of course get your plan on paper so it's a reminder of what you want to get done. I have done this many, many times over the years because I learned that when I had a plan that I created it was easier to refer back to my plan and put action with my efforts.

I hope this helps in some way.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke         

The new year is coming fast

Here it comes. What's coming? 2016 starts on Friday and it's never too early or too late for that matter to commit to a new journey. Have you given any thought to what you want your business to look like one year from today? I know it's kind of difficult to look forward a full year but it also can be very exciting to think and dream about the future. In my opinion it's the thing to do on a regular basis, but the beginning of a new year always seems to fit for thinking, dreaming and for setting some serious goals and getting off to a good start for the year.

There were many times in the early years when I took time to look at where I was and I would get overwhelmed because my dreams were big. After doing that a few times I found it more realistic if to ask myself some simple questions and go from there.

What if I would double my monthly PPV? Triple?

What if I worked extra hard in January, February and March to get off to a great start?

What if I could give myself a $500/month raise or $1000 or even $2000?

What if.... (you fill this one out)

What do I have to change in order to have the kind of year I'm capable of having?

I'll be talking about this subject for the next week in my messages. My suggestion for you for the next few days is to take some time to dream. Take some notes. Get into a discussion with someone you know will be encouraging.   Dreaming is a step and what follows is a creating a plan and being willing to make changes where needed.  

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke         

Challenges are a part of growth

Something that I recognized very early in my Shaklee career was the idea that I was going to have to make some changes if I wanted this to work to the level I wanted. Once I decided I wanted the benefits I saw in this opportunity I found myself looking at things to do that I really didn't know how to do - and to top it, that I really didn't want to do.

Approaching someone about this opportunity was obviously a major step, as was conducting meetings. Neither was on my list of things I couldn't wait to do. I was not comfortable even thinking about speaking in front of people, but at the same time, it was clear that If I wanted this to work I was going to have to step out of my comfort zone and do some things I wasn't very good at. 

What is it that is possibly holding you back from achieving to higher levels of PV and finding some new builders every year? Do you have to step out of your comfort zone as I did? All I can say is I am very happy that I decided to accept the things that challenged me. If you feel challenged but still step out, give it a try and continue to do that, I know you will change and your future will change as well.

Now is the time to make some choices about what you want your 2016 to be like. Decide on the size business you want; accept the challenges you may have, and I know you and your business will grow like never before.

This will be my last daily message until after Christmas.   

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The best time to read this message is now

There are times when I read something and it just kind of jumps off the page. I had that again this AM so I hope this makes you think about what to do and when to do it. Simple stuff but interesting.

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

The best time to call someone was last month. The second best time is now.

The best time to build this business was in 1970. The second best time is now.

The best time to achieve your goals was last year. The second best time is now.

The best time to make a commitment to achieve was when you first got started. The second best time is now.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What's your approach to growth?

The messages I've been sending the past week or two have been directed at making 2016 a tremendous year for you and your business. I came across a simple comment by Peter F. Drucker that says there has to be something more than hope and promises. 

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans."

Do you have plans to reach a new rank in 2016? Do you have a plan for what it's going to take to make 2016 your year? Do you have plans to double your personal group PV? The key word in the above quote is commitment. It's easier to grow when you have a plan to follow but just having hope won't get it done. As has been said many times before, evaluate yourself. This is your business and it is up to you to commit, then work out a simple plan or approach the way you want to take, then put yourself to work.  

My favorite thought about commitment is thatcommitment doesn't start when you say you're committed, it starts when you face adversity. Think about it.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What is it you're trying to accomplish?

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.

- Samuel Johnson

Do you have a big vision for what you want to accomplish during the coming new year? Are you giving it attention?   Have you thought about setting new goals or just refreshing your old goals?   New goals will always need new behaviors. What new behaviors do you need in order to have 2016 be a magical kind of year? What is it you have wanted to attempt but just haven't gotten to it yet?

There are some people who want all the answers first but it just doesn't work that way. It's about deciding what you want, then starting to do the activities before you know everything you'll need to know.  Have a mentor(s) and be coachable.   The greatest idea is to accept the fact that you'll be able to learn as you move forward, but not before you move forward.  

The only way to learn skills is by stepping across the line and just doing it. You can learn about skills by listening and reading but you can't develop the skills you'll need without doing what has to be done.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Take the first step then answer a couple of questions

Asking yourself questions is something we should do more often. The following quote is a suggestion that is worthy of your time to think about. 

"The first step to getting anywhere is to decide you are no longer willing to stay where you are."

Am I ready to make 2016 my year to make things happen?

What's holding me back from doing what I really want to do?

1. ________________________

2._________________________

Why not take some time to give some serious thought about making 2016 your banner year?

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Do you feel challenged?

Do you feel uncomfortable when you are about to do something you haven't done in weeks or maybe even months or years? I know I have felt that way many times over the years I've been in this business. Doubt seems to creep into the mind, we start to think of reasons not to follow through and maybe we back off and think to ourselves "I'll do it tomorrow or next week." Everyone has experienced fear or doubt at some time in their life.

Dr. Martin Luther King said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge." There's that word again, challenge. Many of us have been challenged to approach someone, to make appointments, to give a simple presentation, to follow up, or to be asked to speak at a meeting. I know that I have and the biggest challenge I had to accept was the idea to speak at a meeting. I had to take a speech class in college in order to graduate and I waited until the final semester to take that class. I can still recall the fear I had about speaking on my feet in front of people. To make a long story short, I hated that class but I got through it and got a "C" for my grade.

The point in this message is simply this.  We are all faced with challenges of sorts.  I feel challenged every morning to sit down and try to think of something that might have meaning for a few people.  I've been challenged this AM but "YEA"  I'm done. Do something today that you've delayed to do. You'll be glad you did.   

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

One thing that mentally strong people don't do

The following is just a reminder that failure doesn't always mean it's over. In all walks of life there isn't a person who doesn't experience failure many, many times. It's just part of the process.

Gary Burke

One thing that mentally strong people don't do.                                                      by Darren Hardy

Give up after their first failure.

Some people avoid failure at all costs because it unravels their sense of self-worth. Not trying at all or giving up after your first attempt will prevent you from reaching your potential. Almost every story about a wildly successful person starts with tales of repeated failure (consider Thomas Edison’s thousands of failures before he invented a viable lightbulb, for instance).

Face your fear of defeat head-on by stretching yourself to your limits. Even when you feel embarrassed, rejected or ashamed, hold your head high and refuse to let lack of success define you as a person. Focus on improving your skills and be willing to try again after you fail. 

It's here, it's December!

I've already heard the comment that December is a really busy month. What that usually means to many people is that December will be a slow month. NOT TRUE. Here is what December will be.  December will be a reflection of your effort from September, October and November. I say that because we qualified as sales leaders in the month of December with 5000 PV and we know it was because of our efforts in the months of September, October and November.

What you want to avoid is convincing yourself that this month will be a slow month. Watch your self-talk. Yes, it will be a busy month but as long as you keep doing the right things you will find that this month can become one of your stepping stones for making January, February and March great months.

Make up your mind that you're going to do what you can to make this one of your best months.   

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke