This morning I was thinking about doing a simple message and I got mentally stuck. Then something I hadn't thought of for years came to mind. When I was teaching high school kids in about 1965 I came across a simple quote that I printed on a small piece of paper. For some reason these simple words just literally grabbed me. I recall getting very inspired then and I feel inspired this morning.
I kept this small piece of paper with me for many years and here are those simple words, but I can't recall who said it.
"Ah, a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for."
When I just finished typing those words a thought was, Google it. I did and there it was.
Robert Browning Born May 07, 1812 Died December 13, 1901.
I remember sitting at a table in my small apartment above Etta's Beauty Salon and reaching out my hand in front of me and then saying those words....."My reach should exceed my grasp." Those words still inspire me today. Think about it for a minute, your "reach should exceed your grasp." You can do more than you've done. I can do more than I've done.
What this means to me today is that all of us should reach out and do things we haven't ever done.
All of us have incredible God given potential. Let's use it.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
It's about moving forward
Making progress always seems to be a topic for me. Moving forward is the name of the game and it's all a matter of taking the next step, doing the right things and then repeat that over and over. If you take enough of the next steps in the right sequence that is what will eventually get you to where you want to be.
But as we all know, as we're trying our best to be doing the right things and moving forward by taking that next step, just one step at a time, things don't always work the way we want them to. Every one of us experience small failures as we move forward and try to be consistent. That's life. That's just the way it is. Every day can't be the best day of our lives so in my opinion we must learn and understand that failures take place but here is a principle that I hope will help.
"It is easier to move from failure to success than it is from excuses to success."
- John Maxwell
One of the reasons I read so many books is because I get ideas and the authors become mentors to me. I learn these principles that I send your way hoping that you will keep some of these in the back of your mind or in a notebook so when things aren't working exactly the way you want them to you can refer back to them and accept the fact that it's okay....just keep on trucking forward in spite of circumstances.
Remember, by taking the next step you will eventually make progress, be moving forward, and you'll have more fun because you will be growing personally as well as in your business.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
But as we all know, as we're trying our best to be doing the right things and moving forward by taking that next step, just one step at a time, things don't always work the way we want them to. Every one of us experience small failures as we move forward and try to be consistent. That's life. That's just the way it is. Every day can't be the best day of our lives so in my opinion we must learn and understand that failures take place but here is a principle that I hope will help.
"It is easier to move from failure to success than it is from excuses to success."
- John Maxwell
One of the reasons I read so many books is because I get ideas and the authors become mentors to me. I learn these principles that I send your way hoping that you will keep some of these in the back of your mind or in a notebook so when things aren't working exactly the way you want them to you can refer back to them and accept the fact that it's okay....just keep on trucking forward in spite of circumstances.
Remember, by taking the next step you will eventually make progress, be moving forward, and you'll have more fun because you will be growing personally as well as in your business.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Success is not an event
I came across this statement yesterday as I was going over some notes. I'm pretty sure I have addressed this before but it's been a while and it never hurts to repeat interesting ideas. Here it is....Success is not an event. Very simple. Very accurate.
In the first couple years when I was really trying to learn and act on what I was learning the following words would be in my mind occasionally...."I wonder if this business will ever work for us like it does those people I listen to at these meetings?" I'm just like everyone in the sense that there are good days and then there are those days that at times turn into weeks where I would have doubt. Doubt has a way of taking away a persons energy and focus. I learned that it was my responsibility to fight doubt every step of the way when it would appear in my mind.
What I learned about fighting doubt was simple....Positive activity that produces small successes is what overcomes that doubt. So the message today is simple. If you want to stay positive and active it's a matter of you working at the fundamentals because when you do this you are setting the stage so to speak for the small successes to come your way. It is true that success is not an event but that success you want for yourself is right around the corner as long as you keep yourself active doing the right things for building this business.
The only way doubt can win is through inactivity. There are people in every town and city that want and need what we have to offer in terms of the products and the earning possibilities. Be active. Positive activity will eventually produce positive results. Think about it.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
A great example
The following message from Margaret Wise is a great example about attitude and having a
system to follow. I especially love it when Margaret talks her comfort zone. I know many of you
will be encouraged with Margaret's comments. Way to go Margaret!
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Hi Gary,
Just to give you an update.
I've been inviting new people to take a look at Shaklee.
So far my pv has not increased, but I feel like I'm on the right track. I know it doesn't work overnight.
The best thing I've accomplished is me coming out of my comfort zone to ask new people.
Some are already friends, others are acquaintances. We've met for our first date, like you
taught me. Plus following Richard Brooks has been wonderful. I'm encouraged by my progress.
I met a new person Saturday evening at a dinner. I got her phone number with the intention of getting
together with her.
Margaret Wise
system to follow. I especially love it when Margaret talks her comfort zone. I know many of you
will be encouraged with Margaret's comments. Way to go Margaret!
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Hi Gary,
Just to give you an update.
I've been inviting new people to take a look at Shaklee.
So far my pv has not increased, but I feel like I'm on the right track. I know it doesn't work overnight.
The best thing I've accomplished is me coming out of my comfort zone to ask new people.
Some are already friends, others are acquaintances. We've met for our first date, like you
taught me. Plus following Richard Brooks has been wonderful. I'm encouraged by my progress.
I met a new person Saturday evening at a dinner. I got her phone number with the intention of getting
together with her.
Margaret Wise
Monday, July 23, 2018
One year from today
Today's message will be short but it can be very meaningful for you. It's simple but part of the point to me is you don't want to look back and say to yourself, "I wish I would have _________."
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
- Karen Lamb
You always want to keep moving forward and not looking in the rear view mirror with regret. Develop the habit to do SOMETHING every day for yourself and your business. When you add that up over a year you will be one of those who are growing.
Think about it.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
- Karen Lamb
You always want to keep moving forward and not looking in the rear view mirror with regret. Develop the habit to do SOMETHING every day for yourself and your business. When you add that up over a year you will be one of those who are growing.
Think about it.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Thursday, July 19, 2018
What every business needs
I was asked a question recently about growing this business. They seemed to be stuck, didn't have much going on and were of course getting discouraged. After asking a few questions I learned that activity had been at a standstill for many months. Of course it's difficult for a Shaklee business to grow if there is little or no activity.
My answer was very simplistic but accurate. Our job is to learn how to get ourselves moving - DOING the fundamentals such as talking to people (what a great concept!), learning how to get appointments, telling the Shaklee story (meaning giving a presentation), etc.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
My answer was very simplistic but accurate. Our job is to learn how to get ourselves moving - DOING the fundamentals such as talking to people (what a great concept!), learning how to get appointments, telling the Shaklee story (meaning giving a presentation), etc.
Every business needs new life!
New Goals
New Excitement
New Thinking
New Behavior
New Hope
New Expectations
New Momentum
The Answer of course is.....NEW PEOPLE!
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Response to "Would you like to take a look?"
From: Dan Henderson
Good morning,
I love the approach… Would you be willing to listen to an idea… And I am totally convinced that people have to do what you’re comfortable with doing in the approach process.
The lady who sponsored me into the business said it exactly this way… “Dan, I have no Idea if you’d be interested, but if you were, you’d be very good in my business.“
I have personally used that approach to find key people I wanted to work with.
First, to say, “I have no idea if you’d be interested,” takes the pressure off… And to say you’d be very good in my business… creates a lot of curiosity.
It certainly did for me. And I wasn’t looking for a business. Certainly not a network marketing business.
Those few words she used to approach me not only created curiosity, but led me to say … “Tell me a little bit about what you do.”
She was never trained to make the approach this way. For her it was just natural and comfortable.
If there is a secret to inviting, I believe the natural approach ... the one you feel comfortable using… is best.
Dan Henderson
Good morning,
I love the approach… Would you be willing to listen to an idea… And I am totally convinced that people have to do what you’re comfortable with doing in the approach process.
The lady who sponsored me into the business said it exactly this way… “Dan, I have no Idea if you’d be interested, but if you were, you’d be very good in my business.“
I have personally used that approach to find key people I wanted to work with.
First, to say, “I have no idea if you’d be interested,” takes the pressure off… And to say you’d be very good in my business… creates a lot of curiosity.
It certainly did for me. And I wasn’t looking for a business. Certainly not a network marketing business.
Those few words she used to approach me not only created curiosity, but led me to say … “Tell me a little bit about what you do.”
She was never trained to make the approach this way. For her it was just natural and comfortable.
If there is a secret to inviting, I believe the natural approach ... the one you feel comfortable using… is best.
Dan Henderson
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Every story has chapters
I heard the following yesterday and it seems to have really inspired me. It’s very simple but it also can become very meaningful for many people. What I heard in yesterday’s sermon was “ Every Story Has Chapters.”
I’m not writing a book but I am going to outline what a book might look like if you picked it up and started to look through it to read the chapters headings.
Chapter #1 - Getting started to build your future. It’s about what it will take to get started.
Chapter #2 - Setting Goals. Are you willing to work for what you want? Really?
Chapter #3 - Creating Your Plan - Talk to your mentor.
Chapter #4 - Be Serious About Building Your Future. 10 hrs. a week? 12 hrs. a week? More!
Chapter #5 - Your Title will be – Coordinator? Key Coordinator? Master Coordinator?
Chapter #6 - Expectations - Setbacks! Small failures! Overcoming fears! Stick with it.
Chapter #7 - Follow Success - Keep it simple. Stay positive. Be an overcomer!
Chapter #8 Thru Chapter 20 - Shaklee success stories! If they can do it so can you.
Chapter #21 - CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR GOALS
This is a simple outline in my view about hearing about an idea, then commit to learn what the steps are that you will be following on your journey. Then don’t stop working until you have reached your goals and you have made it happen. THANK YOU for being willing to lead and for being a terrific example for others who will be joining your team.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Monday, July 16, 2018
"Would you like to take a look?"
Those of us who signed on to the 90 Day Run with Richard Brooke have just completed the first month – whether you’re one who signed on or not, the idea of inviting people to listen to the Shaklee Story by asking people if they’d “like to take a look” is relevant to all of you who want growth in your business.
Gary and I have been talking about the singular assignment for the 3 month session – invite one person (just one!) a day to “take a look” at the Shaklee Story (both products & opportunity). Richard Brooke defines an invite as an event where:
You are invite someone to take a look and they either say “Yes”, “No” or “Maybe”.
We’ve looked at all 4 of the videos now and believe that all of them are supporting just that one activity – inviting.
Why do you think he focuses on this one thing?
I have often said that if our business depended only on what I do in our business – we wouldn’t have a business. If our business depended only on what Gary did in our business – we would have business. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m confident I’ve made important contributions to the growth of our business. BUT, without the recruiting that Gary was willing to force himself to do to get our business off the ground and then continue to do on our way to Master Coordinator, we would have no Members or Distributors let alone Sales Leaders.
If you want to have a Shaklee business – for sure if you want a Shaklee organization of Directors & Coordinators – you have to have people! You have to have people who will “take a look”. Before you have someone who is willing to “take a look” – you have to invite them! Before you have anyone to give a presentation to, you have to invite them to “take a look”. Before you will have anyone attend a meeting or a zoom call you have to invite them to “take a look”.
Inviting someone to “take a look” is the one thing you cannot avoid if you want a business.
One of the things Gary has likes about Richard Brooke’s presentations is that there are many times when he suggests there are some things you will have to figure out for yourself. For example, Gary would probably not use those exact words, “Would you like to take a look?”. He figured out that he was most comfortable asking someone, “Would you be willing to listen to an idea?” Now, that’s not terribly different from “Would you like to take a look?” is it – but it worked for Gary. Try a couple of simple variations until you find something comfortable for you. The important point is to not turn it into a speech.
So, if you’re in the 90 Day Run program we hope you’re gaining confidence and experience finding and inviting new people – if you’re not – you can still get on board and start inviting people. It’ll be fun when you start to get to know new people. Then, little by little you will begin to have new people to work with in your business.
Faye & Gary
Gary and I have been talking about the singular assignment for the 3 month session – invite one person (just one!) a day to “take a look” at the Shaklee Story (both products & opportunity). Richard Brooke defines an invite as an event where:
You are invite someone to take a look and they either say “Yes”, “No” or “Maybe”.
We’ve looked at all 4 of the videos now and believe that all of them are supporting just that one activity – inviting.
Why do you think he focuses on this one thing?
I have often said that if our business depended only on what I do in our business – we wouldn’t have a business. If our business depended only on what Gary did in our business – we would have business. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m confident I’ve made important contributions to the growth of our business. BUT, without the recruiting that Gary was willing to force himself to do to get our business off the ground and then continue to do on our way to Master Coordinator, we would have no Members or Distributors let alone Sales Leaders.
If you want to have a Shaklee business – for sure if you want a Shaklee organization of Directors & Coordinators – you have to have people! You have to have people who will “take a look”. Before you have someone who is willing to “take a look” – you have to invite them! Before you have anyone to give a presentation to, you have to invite them to “take a look”. Before you will have anyone attend a meeting or a zoom call you have to invite them to “take a look”.
Inviting someone to “take a look” is the one thing you cannot avoid if you want a business.
One of the things Gary has likes about Richard Brooke’s presentations is that there are many times when he suggests there are some things you will have to figure out for yourself. For example, Gary would probably not use those exact words, “Would you like to take a look?”. He figured out that he was most comfortable asking someone, “Would you be willing to listen to an idea?” Now, that’s not terribly different from “Would you like to take a look?” is it – but it worked for Gary. Try a couple of simple variations until you find something comfortable for you. The important point is to not turn it into a speech.
So, if you’re in the 90 Day Run program we hope you’re gaining confidence and experience finding and inviting new people – if you’re not – you can still get on board and start inviting people. It’ll be fun when you start to get to know new people. Then, little by little you will begin to have new people to work with in your business.
Faye & Gary
Thursday, July 12, 2018
How to overcome doubt and fear
The following quote from Dale Carnegie is THE ANSWER to conquer fear. Don't let its simplicity fool you into thinking it isn't accurate.
"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
It is amazing what taking action can and will do for the person who is ready to grow their business. By getting busy, taking the action, it will for sure gain you experience of what to do as well as what not to do. You will learn what works for you.
Decide to take action on something you have been thinking about for days, weeks or even months. In some cases even years. Test this quote.....Read it again......once more. Once you start the action it doesn't mean everything will work 100%, far from it. I do believe though that regardless of what happens you will feel good about your effort.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
It is amazing what taking action can and will do for the person who is ready to grow their business. By getting busy, taking the action, it will for sure gain you experience of what to do as well as what not to do. You will learn what works for you.
Decide to take action on something you have been thinking about for days, weeks or even months. In some cases even years. Test this quote.....Read it again......once more. Once you start the action it doesn't mean everything will work 100%, far from it. I do believe though that regardless of what happens you will feel good about your effort.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
The future is now
I was reading a small booklet that I've had around the office for many years. It's about the same stuff I've tried to communicate to you through these daily messages. What you want to understand is this...There are not any secrets to building this business and there are not any secrets about earning more income than you need. It's just plain old basic principles, concepts and ideas.
Here is the sentence that kind of grabbed me:
THE FUTURE SHAPES US. IT CARRIES MAJOR INFLUENCE OVER OUR BECOMING.
So the question that pops up in my mind is simple: what am I becoming?
What are you becoming?
If I read this correctly, what it is saying is that I should be investing some time in myself to get better in areas that will affect my future. In this business it means getting better at inviting, getting appointments, telling a simple Shaklee story. To keep this simple, it's about becoming more effective doing the most basic fundamentals of this business.
So, what are your thoughts about your future? If the future does hold influence over our becoming better, that means we have to be thinking about the future....here we go again - goals, targets, decisions. I strongly believe that this Shaklee opportunity will be better than ever in the coming months and years for those people who truly are ready to invest in themselves and work hard for a few short years.
I read a book years ago that had the title.....The Future Is Now! It's something to think about.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Intentions are good but...
When I think back to when I got started my goal was to find out what was true about what I heard. I had 4 questions:
1. Is it true about this company?
2. Is it true about these products?
3. Is it true about the system...network marketing?
4. Is it true that people are earning the kinds of numbers I was hearing?
I felt compelled to learn as much as possible to answer those questions because I knew a couple things. It sounded too good to be true....At the same time I was very inspired about the possibilities. I went to every meeting, I listened, used the products, continued to be inspired by what I was learning and in about my 4th month my belief kicked in. I decided to set some goals and make it work.
Did I always do what I knew I should be doing? No! Did I have good intentions? Yes, every day I had thoughts and ideas but I wasn't always as active as I said I wanted to be. I knew I had to move my good intentions to productive activity. That was my challenge. The more I learned the more I was convinced this opportunity was special and I just didn't want to blow it off.
Most of you don't know me very well. I've always been what I call a back row guy. Kind of laid back and rather quiet. But my inner person wanted to make this thing work and I was making some effort, but not growing like some others were that I got to know. Darn! I wanted everything Shaklee offered.
I kept at it and when I reflect back a major key for our growth was simple...be consistent with my thinking and activity. I learned that I had to be willing to put myself in situations that were challenging and follow through on my intentions. I got it. Don't be afraid to be uncomfortable as that was a huge part for personal growth. So my message today is simple....If you truly want everything Shaklee offers, you must get to the point where you're willing to be uncomfortable for a while and start putting yourself in situations that are challenging.
Success doesn't just happen because we have a great company and awesome products. Success takes place when individuals build their belief, accept challenges, follow through with those good intentions, and work hard. When you do this you'll get to the point eventually where others will call you lucky because you've made the right moves and built yourself an incredible future.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Monday, July 9, 2018
Stick to the basics
I personally believe there is going to be some excellent growth in the near future so I have a few questions and comments. I think the place to start is to understand that one of the most interesting things is that success always follows bumps in the road - that’s just how it is. For everyone. Nothing works perfectly on the journey for growth. Some people avoid failure by doing nothing, and of course that means nothing will happen.
The people who really want to move forward and work at building their business will face various road blocks on the road to growth. As long as the effort is consistent, over time the business will grow and success will be exciting. Everyone wants success. Everyone wants to learn. Everyone wants it to be easier. But no one wants to change! Kind of interesting isn’t it? So maybe we should ask ourselves a couple of questions.
Where do we go from here?
What do I have to change for my future to be what I want it to be?
I don’t have all the answers, but over the years Faye and I have asked ourselves questions. The answers would come in our conversations and those answers were the same as the last time we asked the same questions to ourselves. In other words, the keys for growth are the fundamentals. Most people who are reading this message know what the fundamentals are. Talking to people, asking questions, learning how to get appointments, giving presentations, following up, then doing those fundamentals time after time after time.
Enthusiastically,
Gary Burke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)