BOO!

The following is an old German saying.

 

You have to take life as it happens, but you should try to make it happen the way you want to take it.

 

So, the question for today is simple: are you working at making your life what you want it to be? Or are you just watching the years roll by without focusing on what you want your future to be like?

 

Building a Shaklee business is a choice and we decided years ago that we wanted what this business offered. We have never regretted our choice.

 

Think about it!

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Don't sell yourself short

I found another quote that kind of jumped off the page to me last week when I first read it.  Here it is.

“The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.”

-  Abraham Maslow

 

What this means to me is that most of us are capable of achieving so much more than we have, but for some reason we have sold ourselves on the idea that we probably can’t do more than we have. I think I could build a pretty good case against myself as an example because I know for a fact that over the years I did sell myself short in certain areas.

 

Maybe some of you have as well.   I attended every meeting I could for four months and I heard many people talk about this business. My first bonus check was for $7.33. The second and third bonus was zero. The fourth bonus was $19.19 so the total I earned in the first four months was $26.52. I never missed a meeting. I sponsored quite a few people but I just couldn’t seem to get it going.

 

I had some doubtful thoughts. I really questioned myself. I can recall thinking to myself that I wasn’t sure that this was for me. I was selling myself short. Then my belief on the products seemed to just take off. I knew these products worked. My belief started to shift and I decided I wanted everything Shaklee was offering. I just had to change my thinking about myself and my abilities. I won’t go into everything but I will say that I decided I was going to do whatever it takes to learn how to build.

 

Listen to yourself. Everyone has self-talk. Don’t sell yourself short. Fight doubt and any other negative thoughts. Sell yourself on the idea that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to build yourself a terrific Shaklee business.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What do you really want?

The following is from a book called Living With Passion by Peter Hirsch.  I love simple ideas because they seem to be more doable and this is simple.

 

“The only way you get anything is if you really want it. Don’t want, half-way want,

sort of want, and all those other less-then, quasi-wants just won’t cut it.  If you’re going to succeed at last, you’ve really got to want to.”

 

So, the question is: what is it that you really want?  Are you willing to do whatever it takes to get it or achieve it? Are you willing to be uncomfortable?   November is right around the corner so I have a suggestion - you’ve got a few days to give some thought to what you would really want November to be. Think about it. Make a decision. 

 

Have a great weekend!

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Some questions to ask yourself

I’m sure that most of you have heard that old principle that says, whatever you put into your goals is what will determine what you get out of them. It’s really quite simple but powerful at the same time. The first thing that strikes me about this principle is that what counts is my attitude, my plan, my efforts, so everything is up to me if I am to experience success.

 

We should be asking ourselves some questions. Do I have a plan to follow? Am I serious about being consistent with my efforts? When was the last time I asked for help to direct my efforts that would help guide me to doing the right things?  Am I coachable? Am I working with people who are also serious about growing their business?

 

Take a few minutes and write out your answers to those questions. Also write out

questions that you may have. Today is Monday so make a decision that this week is going to be better than last week.

 

Put in the effort to do your best for this week. You’ll be glad you did.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

What do you want?

I recall very vividly those first few months when I first heard about the Shaklee opportunity.   It was exciting thinking about having the kind of business where a person could literally choose what they wanted and then do the work to make it happen.  It’s still true folks.  What is it you want? 

 

“We do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do.”

                                                            

I heard those simple words at a meeting during my first few months and it stuck with me because it makes sense. I used to read those simple words over and over because I am a dreamer and I decided we would be Shaklee Master Coordinators.  Just that dream was very exciting and here we are in 2017 and everyone who is a dreamer can make the decision to make their dream become real.  

 

My suggestion is simple.  Write out some ideas of what you want to be doing once you have your business to the level where you are earning more than you need.   Travel?  Live debt free?  Help people in some way?  Dream a little.  It’s free.  Whatever you think you would want, get it on paper. 

 

The next step is to asking questions and invest some time in learning what it is you will have to do in order to make your dream come true. I can assure you of this, you’ll never regret working hard for whatever it is you want.  I can also assure you that this is very possible for you to make it happen so think about it and then be willing to do whatever it is that you’ll have to do.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

How to Succeed in Shaklee

There is a key for making changes and I hope this might challenge some of you to

take these words and challenge yourself so you can make progress in whatever it is you want to succeed at.  A strategy for personal and business growth is you have to decide to be willing to be uncomfortable for a short period of time.

 

Any time a person is planning on doing something they haven’t done before there will be that feeling of being uncomfortable. Most people talk themselves out of a better future just because they aren’t willing to step across that line in the sand and overcome doubt and fear.  

 

When I got started in this business it was so exciting to hear the ideas of what a person could have if they would be willing to build their own Shaklee business.  I wasn’t looking for a business on May 1, 1970. I was looking for a job.  I’m forever thankful that I found Shaklee before I found a job. But there were obstacles. I had never done anything like what these Shaklee people were talking about.

 

I was very uncomfortable with the idea to approach people with this new idea.  I was also very uncomfortable thinking of doing meetings.  YIKES!  I grew very slow because of the doubts I had about what it would take to be successful.  There were some people becoming Key and Master Coordinator in 3 to 5 years.  It took us 8 years.  I had to overcome those doubtful thoughts just like many of you. 

 

My desire to be successful in Shaklee was stronger than the doubts and fears. So I just kept overcoming being uncomfortable. It took some time but it was worth it.You can overcome whatever is stopping you from making this business work but you might also have to fight those doubts and feelings of being uncomfortable.  Go for it!

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Simple but powerful ideas

Let’s start off this week with a few short ideas. The following are all from when I first started to search for ideas that kind of inspired me. I read books and listened to people and whenever I heard or found a simple idea I would write it down. Somehow I knew that if we were to become successful in this business I would need to keep myself inspired. The following are a few of those simple ideas.

• We must “Be” and “Do” Before we can “Have!”
• There is only one person who can use your ability – “YOU!”
• You can use your attitude to build a WALL or a BRIDGE.  We choose to build bridges.
• For things to change for you – you have got to change.
• 4 If’s That Make Life Worthwhile

1.      If you’re willing to learn.
2.      If you’re willing to try.
3.      If you stay.
4.      If you care. 
If you care at all you’ll get some results.
If you really care you’ll get incredible results.

Let’s make October a month to get inspired and make calls, ask questions, and inspire others with ideas of what Shaklee can mean for them.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Who is the enemy?

A friend gave me the following quote about the idea that you and I have the potential to achieve whatever it is we want to make happen.  

 

“The potential in each of us, is – to a large extent – constrained

 only by the limitations we place on ourselves.”  (Read it again)

 

What this is saying is that we are the enemy. We are capable of doing what it is we dream about doing.  We just have to get out of our own way and start going after that dream that most of us have in the back of our mind.Yes, you can sponsor more people.

Yes, you can double or triple your PV. Yes, you can earn more than you need.  Yes, you can reach that higher rank Shaklee has.

 

We just have to get out of our own way and do what we are capable of doing.

 

Go for it!

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

5 Keys for Being in the Right Place

I came across a sheet that I found many years ago that is interesting.  I probably found these five key points in a book or a magazine.  I feel very strongly that I was in the right place on May 1^st 1970 because Shaklee filled the bill as Shaklee had all five points.

 

There are five keys to being in the right place and becoming successful.

 

1.      You must work for a company that is people oriented.  Must work for a company

That cares.

 

2.      You must work for a company where there is an excellent product or service that people will pay money for.

 

3.      You must have a training program that will help you become a master at what you do.

 

4.      You must work where you get a percentage, or bonus, or get paid according to the amount of work you do.

 

5.      If you have the first 4 keys, the next one is super important.  The major key to your better future is YOU.

 

I think I could write pages about those five keys and how fortunate in 1970 I was that I heard about a guy who was looking for people so  I called him and asked for an appointment.  That phone call literally, eventually, changed my life. I am so thankful I found Shaklee.

 

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Do you have real goals?

The following are comments made by Jim Rohn concerning goal setting.

  

What goals really do is define and articulate meaning in your life.

 

People who don’t have real goals have never defined what is important to them.  

 

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

Once your goals are established you do not change the goal when things don’t go well.  Alter the plan not the goal. 

 

The most important thing is not what you get, but what you become in the pursuit of your goal.  

 

Think about those principles.  Make October a month you’ll remember.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke

Where does success start?

There is one concept or principle that I find in most books and have read in many articles: mindset. My understanding is that once a person sets their mind on a certain subject or desire and they continually feed that thought over days, weeks and months, they start to figure out what it’s going to take to reach that goal or desire.

 

In other words, set your mind on the things you want because that is where change eventually takes place. Think about that for a couple minutes.  Sit back right now and just think about that idea. Change starts on the inside and works its way out. You’ll start to figure things out about making that idea work. You’ll find someone to talk with and that can be called a mentor. 

 

Your mentor might be a friend or maybe even a book you’ve read about taking steps to help you succeed. I would have to say that books have been my mentor all these years. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned a lot about building this business from meetings I’ve attended. I’ve also learned from conversations I’ve had with many Shaklee friends and leaders.  

 

So, how high do you want to have for your October PV? How many people do you plan on sponsoring in October? Are you working towards the next higher Shaklee rank? How many people are you currently helping to reach their goals? Is your mindset clear to what it is you want? Write it down! Figure it out. Ask for help. Talk with people who inspire you. If you’ll do these things on a regular basis you will grow yourself and your business.

Enthusiastically,

Gary Burke