Energy

I've said this before and can't repeat it enough. You spend time eating right and working out. You read food labels. You may buy organic products or be part of the green movement. Then why do you offset this by filling your mind with such negative energy that you receive from what you read, watch, listen to, and even your friends and family?

Please don't think you can simply rid yourself of crappy energy so easily. You cannot turn off your subconscious. Where do you think "bad attitudes" orginate from? Negative energy!!!

What are you feeding your brain?

Asking for Business

Maybe your phone isn't ringing because you haven't yet learned how to ask for new business. Many of you simply say, "If you know of anyone who needs my services.....or......It would be greatly appreciated if you would pass my name along to anybody......"

This is no way to make your phone ring. Take the words "Anyone" and "Anybody" out of your vocabulary. It gives your potential referral source way too many people to consider. Mention these two words and what do you think comes to mind? You're right if you said "Nobody".

Tip...Narrow it down for them. Help them focus on a specific segment of their sphere of influence and you stand a much better chance of having them come up with a warm lead or two. Example - "Is there anyone in your group at work who may be in the market for......or.....Is there anyone in your family who may have a need for."

Become a better networker simply by...

Being well read. I know it sounds simple, but the more you have to talk about, the easier it is to network. From politics, sports, local and international news, and business, keeping up with current events, on a variety of topics, will allow you to find a common thread with almost anyone.

Tip...Take 30 minutes a day to peruse espn, bloomberg, cnn, and the ny times (or whatever your local paper may be). This is not optional. Make it a recurring task in your calendar, beginning today!

Do we read anymore?

The answer is, kind of. We have become a "skimming" society, as we are constantly bombarded with information. Some good, much useless.

That means your message must be compelling and compact. If you don't catch their attention in the first few sentences, or the first 30 seconds, "bye, bye".

You also have to ask yourself that if "they" (your customer, boss, employee) only read the first few sentences/paragraphs, would that be enough for them to at least walk away with a good understanding of your message?

Bottom Line...Less is more and don't bury the message.

Breathing

How often do you take a full breath in and a full breath out? Never or very rarely? That's a problem.

Close your eyes and take 10 slow deep breaths in (nose) and out (mouth) and I dare you to tell me that you don't feel calmer and more focused. Now try taking 20.

In this crazy world where we rarely "shut off", you must find the time to refocus your energy. At first you may get very anxious and the quiet time may be very unwelcome. But coming from a person who can't sit still and now does this almost every day for 10-15 minutes, you'll be shocked by the fantastic ideas, thoughts, and emotions that emerge from "quiet time".

Bottom Line: This doesn't have to be a painful exercise. Even doing it for 20 seconds before meeting a client will allow you to better focus on the tasks at hand.