Why?

I have read a lot of books over the years and I just found one of the first books I've read about what is called personal development and the title is Life is Tremendous by Charlie "Tremendous" Jones. The first copy was printed in 1968 and it's still one of my all time favorites.    Personal development simply means that we can get better as individuals and reading good material is one of the ways to make it happen.

 

The following is from this excellent book Life is Tremendous.

WHY - NOT HOW

 

Did you ever notice the number of people who spend their time learning How To Do It?  And after they learn, they accomplish very little before they're looking for a new How To Do It.  As soon as they master that, someone announces another How To Do It.  Although technical competence in any field is a necessity, the key to using know-how is know-why.

 

You can teach someone how to do a task, but that doesn't assure his doing it.  But let him discover WHY and he'll learn HOW in spite of all obstacles.

 

This isn't anything new in the personal development field as I heard for years, actually decades, that knowing your WHY is more important than the HOW.   My WHY was simple, I just wanted everything this company offered because I wanted the kind of life it would create.   

 

Do you have a strong WHY? As it says above, obstacles will never stop you when you know WHY.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

 

 

Something to think about

Last night I went to watch a girls high school volleyball event and I was very impressed. My niece has a daughter playing who is a senior and the team is rated 5th in the state. Those girls are very athletic and I loved watching them compete. I received a program when I got there and in that program they asked the coaches what their favorite quote was. The following is what they said.

 

"Don't stop when you're tired.  Stop when you're done."

 

"Work hard when no one is watching."

 

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice."

 

"Even the greatest was once a beginner." 

 

"Complaining is silly.  Either act or forget."

 

 

Each one of those quotes can be applied to us in this Shaklee business. What's your favorite quote?

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It's a challenge

When I first started to check out Shaklee as a possibility I had lots of questions.  I went to every meeting I could because it sounded like a great opportunity. I took notes. Lots of notes. What I remember thinking was I had never done anything like this and I didn't feel like I knew enough people, I never liked the idea of being a salesman of any kind, and the idea of speaking in front of a group wasn't on my list of my favorite thing to be doing.

 

At the same time the opportunity seemed to good and I was learning more at every meeting I attended. Of course I used some of the products and it didn't take long to get sold on the cleaning line.  I didn't try Vita-Lea or Protein until the third month. I got totally sold on the products and I met people who were earning more in their part time efforts than I was earning in a full time job.

 

In my fourth month I got totally sold on the Shaklee opportunity. I felt incredibly challenged because I had so much to learn but I made the decision this is the future I wanted. I read somewhere that challenge is the catalyst for success and those simple words seemed to inspire me. Then I found the following statement from John Milton Fogg: Life can be a rocky road. The challenge is not to let it grind you into dust, but to polish you into a brilliant gem. 

                                                             

Yes, building this business is a challenge for most of us. What I felt it would come down to was to just take it one step at a time. There were some people making their way to Key and Master Coordinator 3 years and it took us 8 years to get to the Master Coordinator level. Prospecting was a challenge as was doing meetings.   But bottom line I was committed and I knew that if there were others making it work, I could learn to do whatever it took.

 

I'll say it again. Yes, building this business is a challenge. Life is a challenge.  Stepping across that line and making a decision is what it's going to take. But let me say this, believe me, the best gift you can give yourself is to accept every challenge you face.  Stay away from negative people. Enough said.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

 

What is our job?

I found a quote that I first read many years ago and I have found it to be very accurate when it comes to building this business.  The quote is from Don Shula who was one of the best head football coaches in the NFL. 

"One thing that separates successful people from unsuccessful people is that they are willing to do what others are not willing to do."

 

Think about that for a couple of minutes, then ask yourself some questions. What are the fundamentals for building this  business and am I willing to do what it takes? What am I not doing that I know I should be doing? Do I talk with my mentor/upline about what it's going to take for me to move forward? Am I coachable?  

 

One thing about this business is the fact that we are not employees for anyone.  Our job is to learn what has to be done then to keep ourselves in motion learning and doing the basic fundamentals. It is up to each of us to inspire ourselves, to discipline ourselves to be doing what it takes. In other words, our job is to put ourselves to work and to challenge ourselves. Think about it. Ask yourself some questions.  

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What has the potential to shape you and your thinking?

The following is from the website of Eric Worre who is the author of GO PRO!  I have read this several times since yesterday and just kind of marvel how Eric Worre describes what it takes to be successful.

When you look at successful people, you will always discover a plan behind their success. They know what they want, they work out a plan that will get them where they want to go, and they work their plan. They know that the path to success isn't paved with good intentions. They know that to get to the top they have to work, grow themselves, seek out mentors, feed their minds, and help others around them on their journey. It is part of the process and it is the foundation for success.  

 

The time to act is when the emotion is strong, because here’s what happens if you don’t — it’s what Jim Rohn called “The Law of Diminishing Intent.”

He said, “We intend to act when the idea strikes us, when the emotion is high, but if we delay and we don't translate that into action fairly soon, the intention starts to diminish, diminish and a month from now it's cold and a year from now it can't be found."

Be sure not to wait! The Law of Diminishing Intent may strike and leave you stranded and left for average. Average is not good enough. It’s time for you to be exceptional. 

 

I will say again that there really aren't any secrets to becoming highly successful.     But here is kind of a secret.  What you read has the potential to shape your thinking.  What did you read this year in 2016? What are you currently reading?  I love the idea that my thinking is shaped by what I may read. What do you think?

 

Gary Burke

 

There are no secrets

The following quote is about doing something that every person should do if they are planning on changing their life and they want to succeed. There are so many secrets about how to succeed, but the truth of the matter is there are no secrets.  

Franklin said if you want to be successful "put your purse in your head" ... meaning, invest in yourself.

 

I will translate what that means to me because I've known for a long time that a major thing to do would be to invest in myself. It means to attend all the meetings you can possibly find. Never miss the annual Shaklee conference with the reason being you can't afford it.   You can't afford to miss it because that is where you get the BIG picture and new inspiration. It will help you stay on course to succeed.   

 

For me the best investment has been all the books I've read over the past 40 plus years. How many books do you read a year? What two or three books are you currently reading? Reading good books will help shape your thinking and help you to stay on track with your goals.

 

Thank about it. Go to a bookstore today and give yourself a gift.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

The answer for how to achieve your goals

Today's message is very simple but also very accurate. Some people invest a lot of time looking for the secret or wishing it were easier to build. The process or steps for building this business are very clear so it seems to me to come down to what is it we want to accomplish? The following is a quote from Aristotle, the Greek philosopher born in 384 BC.

For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.                   

The message is we learn best by doing things. What do you have planned to do today? What do you have planned for the rest of this week? What skills do you want to have about building this business? Here is my favorite principle:  you learn as you go, not before you go.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Suggestion: answer the same questions I asked Julie

The following is a terrific message I received from Julie Aldridge. Julie wasn't able to make a coaching call we had scheduled so she decided to send me her weekly report via e-mail. She is responding to some questions I asked her. I don't know if others ask themselves these tough questions but Julie is determined to build her future and I'm personally very impressed. I will not be one bit surprised to see Julie build a terrific business.  

 

Gary

 

Hi Gary,

 

The answers to your questions really helped me reflect and work on the areas that I'm lacking. I'm going to answer them here anyway, so I can mentally move forward. 

What are your goals?  Goals/short term- earn Chairmans Retreat, Coordinator by the end of December, 6000pv  Goals/long term- retirement income, to be an extravagant silent giver

What two things will improve your business?   Things to improve for business to grow- Plan my day out, improve focus, making things simple, practice my presentations and my story

What obstacles do you have?  Obstacles that keep me from getting where I want to be- I am my biggest obstacle. My fears and making things more difficult than they really are.  Lack of computer knowledge.

My income has doubled over the last 3 months!  My belief is very strong, I know I will be successful! I am going to start planning out my day and be more intentional with my time.  Also, saying "no" to things that are distracting me. 

 

To your good health

Julie Aldridge

Three powerful ideas

The following three ideas come from a booklet I've had for many years.  The title of the booklet is FAST GROWTH  by Price Pritchett. They teach people how to succeed at whatever they are involved in so I am giving you these ideas as something to think about.

 

1. FOCUS actually frees up time. Rather than consuming a person, it liberates. Instead of stretching us thinner focus keeps us from overextending ourselves.

 

2. SELECTIVITY in how we spend our time enables us to allocate more hours and days to those few things that count the most to us.

 

3. NARROW life down to what's precious and necessary. In a world of complexity, the best weapon is simplicity.

 

Three very powerful ideas to think about.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

  

Whew! Here is today's challenge.

I've been sitting here this AM thinking, looking through some books to see if something kind of jumps off the page with some inspiration. Today is one of those days I guess where I draw a blank.  I figure that if I just get started maybe I'll get an idea that might encourage or challenge you. AHA! Got it!

 

When I think about this business I think most people would say they would like to see things change for the better. Maybe just an attitude adjustment is needed.  Maybe we have to be willing to challenge ourselves and not just settle for mediocrity. Maybe we need a fresh do-over or maybe it's about setting a new goal and get serious about accepting the challenge to work like we've never worked before.

 

Here is a interesting question: what are some ways you might like to change or stretch yourself? I think what we should do is do whatever it takes to put ourselves in a new mindset. What are you thinking RIGHT NOW? Do you feel good about working at your goals? Do you feel challenged? I think what might be a good starting place is to ask yourself this question: what's the next step I have to take? Not what's your big goal, what's the next step? Once you have that figured out, then what's the next step after that?

 

Here is today's challenge. Think about what you want, write it down, then start at the beginning and take it one step at a time. Then take the next step, etc. How do you feel right now? Go for it. (YEA!)

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke 

3 factors that help me the most

Here in Minnesota it really feels like a fall day as the temp was in the 50s this morning on the way to my workout and it's very windy. It feels like October.  Where is my jacket? I like a nice sunny day but that isn't how it works all the time. There are circumstances and issues that come up that maybe we weren't expecting so we have to make adjustments of some kind.  

 

I usually take myself back to the fundamentals of this business and look at what it is that I should be focusing on.  My job is to keep myself motivated and inspired and it isn't always easy. But what I have learned after being in the business for over four decades is I am an entrepreneur and I have to go find a mirror and have a talk with my boss. My boss is ME!  

 

There is a simple Chinese Proverb that I have looked at over the years that kind of helps me when I want to continue to move forward. It is as follows:

I hear, and I forget

I see, and I remember

I do, and I understand

When I do, I also change.

 

Problems, issues, obstacles are all a part of the process and I've learned to ask myself some questions. What are my goals? Am I doing the right things?   I know that for me doing the right things are obviously very important. I have also learned that there are three factors that seem to influence me the most. What does influence me are the books I read and the people I'm around, and my daily consistent prayer life. Those three factors are what help me the most when it comes to solving problems, issues or obstacles - especially my prayer life.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

It takes belief

In yesterdays Minneapolis newspaper was a great article about Mallery Weggemann who is paralyzed from the waist down. Mallery is a swimmer but she had an injury and she started to have a question in her head, "Will I be able to do this?" What she wanted to do was to swim in the upcoming Paralympics. Her coach says that she will do anything it takes to achieve  her goal.  "ONCE SHE BELIEVED, THE REST WAS EASY."

 

These examples of people who are determined to do things that don't seem possible to do are what  inspires me.   When I read a story like this I always seem to relate it to the Shaklee opportunity because building this business is simple but that doesn't mean it's easy.  

 

"Once she believed, the rest was easy."  Those are the words that inspire me.  I started to think about those words and I asked myself, "When does belief really matter, before or after the work is accomplished?" The answer of course is you have the belief first and that is what will help you get through any problem or obstacle you may face. Without belief it is easy to get discouraged and to start to doubt yourself. Your belief is what will help pull you through the difficult times.

 

In the Shaklee business we need belief in the company, the products and the opportunity. I think it's rather easy to believe in those three things. The tough part is to have belief in yourself. When I went to meetings I heard many presentations and I met people who were making it work and they were wonderful examples. I figured that if they could do it, so could I. My belief was there but I think it was more of  a hopeful belief  that I could do it. My belief grew to the point where there was nothing that was going to stop me from succeeding in Shaklee.  

 

So the question is, what creates belief?  I have learned that the following is what helps me to build my belief:

1) What am I reading?    

2) Who am I listening to?   

3) Who do I hang around with?

 

Think about it.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

 

 

 

 

Excellent article

Rohn: Success Must Be Attracted, Not Pursued

Our objective must be to work harder on ourselves than we work on anything else. 

Personal value is the magnet that attracts all good things into our lives. The greater our value, the greater our reward. Since the solution for having more is becoming more, we must be in constant search for new ways to increase our value.

• Self-control
• The practice of discipline
• Patience
• Planning
• Intensity of effort
• The development of a well-balanced attitude
• Consistent activity
• The gathering of knowledge
• Frequent reading
• A sensible personal philosophy

All of these are examples of ways in which our value can be increased.

It is the acquisition of more value that we must pursue, not more valuables. Our objective must be to work harder on ourselves than we work on anything else.   By giving careful attention to our philosophy, our attitude and our activity, we are making a positive contribution to what we are becoming, and in the process of becoming more than we now are we will attract more than we now have.

We become and then we attract. We grow personally and then we advance materially. Unfortunately, the vast majority seems to have the plan reversed. Their philosophy is this: “If I had more money, I would be a better person.” But that’s not the way life is designed to work. Having more doesn’t make us more. It merely magnifies what we already are. Those who cannot save a few pennies out of meager earnings will never be able to save dollars out of future fortunes.

The same discipline it takes to put a few coins in a jar every week is the same discipline it takes to open a savings account or manage an investment portfolio.

Conversation about our intended progress will only take us so far and promises about the future will only buy us a little time. Promises must soon be matched by performance. If the results do not appear in a reasonable amount of time we run the risk of losing the trust of others in addition to our own self-respect. We may find that those who once believed no longer believe, and we will one day be left only with our well-intentioned, but unfulfilled, pronouncements. A loss of this magnitude is worth preventing. It is on the day when we discover our losses that we will taste the bitter pill of neglect. It is on that day when we will finally experience the agonizing consequences of self-delusion, procrastination and unkept promises.

Will we read the books, make the plans, make good use of time, invest a portion of all that we earn, polish our current skills, attend classes to develop new skills and get around better people in order to improve our chances for success? Will we tell the truth, improve our ability to communicate, use our journals and give careful attention to all the virtues that success requires? Or will we be content to let the time slip through our fingers like grains of sand while we slowly lose self-confidence, the respect of others, and perhaps even the few possessions and valuable relationships that our past efforts have managed to attract into our lives? Will we go on sitting idly by while our dreams diminish to memories, as hope gives way to remorse?

Surely not.

 

How to stay positive

How to Stay Positive When Surrounded by Negativity

 Written by Cari Rauch

For many of us, being surrounded by negativity can be one of the most challenging things in our lives, especially when we’re trying to be positive.  We want to stay focused on what feels good, but it can seem difficult when people around us are complaining and talking about what’s wrong with life.

So here is something that you can do when you find yourself surrounded by negativity:

1.  Remember You Always Have a Choice.   Everything is always a choice.  We choose what we listen to and who we listen to, we choose what we do & where we go (such as work), and we choose who we spend time with.   There isn’t anything that we “have to do”.  However, we sometimes think we don’t have a choice because we don’t like the outcome.  For example, we think we have to go to work because we need the money so it’s not a choice, but we could choose not to go and not to get paid, but we don’t like what might happen if we did that, so we tend to not see it as choice.
2. Know Your Triggers.   Be aware of topics or things that seem to pull you into negativity and decide not to discuss these topics or things unless you can say something that feels good.   So for example, staying out of debates, or not complaining about what’s happening or about someone else.   If you can’t say something nice or add something that makes you feel good, then refrain from it.

Try, fail, and start again

Thanks to Sue Smith for this very accurate message.

 

Enthusiastically,

 

Gary Burke

 

They made a big point about meditation that when you Try and Fail and Start Again, you are actually succeeding at your real goal of keeping your mind in the moment.  

That results in many other benefits.

It dawned on me that this sounds a lot like what I keep hearing about working a Shaklee business.  Try, Fail, Start Again.    Try, Fail, Start Again.

Every time I start over, I succeed at keeping myself active in the business.  That results in many other benefits – and eventually a profitable business.  

Thanks for your help as I start again – one more time – daily!  LOL!

Sue Smith