Today's Thought

Looking forward to a bleak forecast

Dawn Cribbs

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

I have to admit to getting a bit of chuckle as I read unexpected naivete emerging in a recent column in the weekend edition of the Gazette. The column dealt with United Airlines reneging on its employees' pension plans and the columnist was incensed by the lack of trust and loyalty exhibited by the mega-corporation, and rightfully so.

That wasn't the part I found amusing. As I read further, the writer bemoaned the sad state of affairs and the loss of what he termed "the social contract." He reminisced of the days when such things as loyalty and trust were the norm, rather than the exception.

Unfortunately, those good ol' days of "quid pro quo" were short-lived at best.

Any student of the industrial revolution knows and understands that the action taken by United Airlines is mild in comparison to the actions of the railroad barons, coal mine owners or the sweat shop managers across the nation as the 20th century dawned. After all, the familiar refrain:
You load 16 ton and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
St. Peter don't call me, cause I can't go.
I owe my soul to the company store."
came from real life experiences.

Labor unions made a big difference in the lives of the blue collar worker, but, not surprisingly, soon found themselves guilty of the same dark impulse that afflicted the railroad baron, the coal mine owner and the sweat shop manager.

Greed.

This vile attitude has been around since time out of mind. As I read the aforementioned column, I recalled that during my Bible study just that morning, I read of Jerusalem's coming judgment, foretold by the prophet Micah, for -- among other things -- just that kind of exploitation. "They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance." (Micah 2:2)

It seems that no matter how sophisticated, educated, or progressive man believes he is, or believes he is becoming, human nature remains unchanged.

Sadly, a lack of loyalty and trust is not restricted only to the employee, employer relationship and is not always sacrificed on the altar of greed, but on other altars as well. Some altars are cleverly camouflaged so that at times the one placing a sacrifice thereon does not see immediately, if ever, the true nature of the altar nor the true value of the sacrifice laid upon it.

One such altar masquerades as "true love" when one or both of the parties in love are already pledged to someone else. The true name of that altar? Adultery.

Another altar masquerades under the name of "choice" where the loyalty and trust between creator and created is most cruelly divided by the abortionist. The true name of that altar? Murder.

Then there is the altar of self, where many souls have been forfeit for the brief accolades of fame, fortune or success. The true name of that altar? Idolatry.

Whatever the altar, whatever the cause, human beings remain in the same despicable condition that afflicted those banished from the Garden of Eden when time began.

What a bleak picture.

I can't stay in this bleak picture, though I acknowledge the truth of it, I cannot stop here and live apart from hope.

Because there is hope and though the height, the depth, the width and the length of that hope fulfilled won't be fully realized this side of heaven, there is sufficient hope to sustain us where we are today.

Because, brothers and sisters, those altars have been broken down. Just as the Asherah poles in Israel were broken down and destroyed, we too can smash the altars of greed, adultery, murder and idolatry.

Let it never be said that a follower of Christ Jesus -- who paid the penalty for our falseness, our adulteries, our lies, our thievery, our idolatries, our murders -- has built again that which has been destroyed at such a high price.

In a world swimming in greed and lust -- where no man can be trusted, where there is no integrity -- be known, among all people, as one whose word is his bond, as one whose integrity is unimpeachable, and one whose hope is in the Lord.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Today's Thought

Embrace the Four Fundamental Laws of Communication

You're on the way to the airport. You get on the plane witha book that you've been planning to read for quite sometime. As you open your book, you glance at the person nextto you. A few minutes later you are asked a question andyou reluctantly answer. You lower your book a bit to bepolite and after a few minutes you find yourself puttingyour book down and engaging in a conversation, although witha lack of enthusiasm. And then the person next to you,let's call him John, makes an observation about you that'squite perceptive and sensitive. You start to become curiousabout who John is and in the course of the conversation, hetells you of an experience he has only shared with a fewpeople. You let John know that you have had the sameexperience. By now you're totally engaged and listening toevery word he says. You notice every nuance in theinflection of his voice and the way he moves. Time seems tostand still and the next thing you know the plane lands. You say goodbye to the kindred soul you have just met.

Wouldn't you love to have these experiences more often? You feel heard and everything seems possible. It iscommunication at its highest level and it's a lost art. You can have these experiences more often if you embrace the four fundamental truths of communication.

The first truth is to know that what we all want on adeeper level is the ability to connect with another, to touch each other's soul. Unfortunately, too many of ourconversations are just an exchange of ideas and information and we very rarely penetrate the surface. Most of our focus is on how we are going to respond to what is being said instead of listening. When we know that what the other person really wants is connection, there is common ground to build upon. With this foundation, we can build relationships that can deepen and empower those involved.

The second truth is to know that listening involves muchmore than just listening to the words. It is tuning into the energy beyond the words. It is understanding the needs and feelings of the other person. It is about being totally engaged and at the same time being in the rhythm of life.Yes, it takes a lot of energy but you will be energized by what you get back. Imagine living in a world where you aretruly listening and fully engaged.

The third truth is to know that you must take responsibilityfor the quality of your communication. Because we all have long standing attitudes and beliefs we sometimes find ourselves trying to convince the other person of our view points. Being right then becomes the goal of the interaction rather than communication and the next thing you know you are in a full-fledged argument. Just think of what happens when you discuss politics or religion. Is being right more important than experiencing one of those magical moments?

The fourth truth is that communication is a process and an art. Being a masterful communicator doesn't happen overnight but it starts with the intention to experience more connection in your busy life. Just like other art forms, i.e. dancing or music, their is a natural ebb and flow in the learning cycle. As your commitment deepens to this process you notice that you are having more frequent glimpses of the magic that is possible in your life. The ultimate communication occurs when you are able to touch each others soul and share who you are. This new-found magic then becomes the gateway to a more fulfilling life.

At our core level we all have the same human needs and desires. We want to know that we matter and that our life has meaning and purpose. We also have the need to love and to be loved. When we accept and recognize that we all have these human needs and desires we realize that we are part of one human family. When we work together as one, what ispossible in our lives, communities, and the world expands.

Embracing the 4 fundamental truths of communication and applying them to your daily life is a gift to all involved.It is a way to deepen the connection in your life.

© 2005 Mark Susnow, formerly a successful trial attorney inspires leaders and professionals to implement their visionof the future. He is a life coach, speaker, and group facilitator. Listen to an audio message from Mark and join his newsletter "Letters on Life" at http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Today's Thought

THE HIGHWAY TO SUCCESS IS A TOLL ROAD

You must give up something to get whatever you want in life.The greater the value, the greater the sacrifice that will be required.Everything has a price.

You pay a price if you want to make things better,and you pay a price for just leaving things as they are.

Nothing worthwhile will come easily to you.Work, continuous work and hard work,is the only way to accomplish the results that last.

You'll find no success at bargain basement prices.

©2005 by Max Steingart www.maxsteingart.com

Today's Thought

HAPPINESS LIES IN THE JOY OF ACHIEVEMENT

You were built to conquer your environment,solve problems, and achieve goals.You'll find no real satisfaction or happiness in lifewithout obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve.

True happiness lies in activity.It's a running river not a stagnant pond.Happiness is not in having or being,it's in doing something you love.

The secret of happiness is in having something to do.Happiness is a byproduct, you cannot pursue it by itself.

©2005 by Max Steingart www.maxsteingart.com

Todays' Thought

"A person cannot cling to anything unless she believes in it; belief always precedes action, therefore a person's deeds and life are the fruits of her belief." - Above Life's Turmoil

While there has been some controversy surrounding Marion Jones, there’s no questioning that she’s one of the fastest women of all time. And Marion has spent her life BELIEVING she would one day become an Olympic Champion. At eight years old she wrote on a chalkboard in her bedroom: "I will be an Olympic champion." When she was in the sixth grade she wrote the following note (you can see it at http://algonquin.com/marionjones/): "My plans for the future are to be in the 1992 Olympics." Even though she missed her goal by eight years (she won at the 2000 Olympics), her life has become "the fruits of her belief."

What can we learn from the belief of an eight-year-old girl?

Since belief always precedes action, simply changing your beliefs can change your actions to those that will result in living our wildest dreams --- like being an Olympic Champion.
It's not as complicated as you might think. In fact, taking these five steps can make anyone a "Gold Medalist" in their chosen endeavor.

1. Prepare to win. Nothing will strengthen your belief system more than knowing you're prepared. Her training was the key to Marion's belief that she could achieve her goal. Also in her sixth grade note she wrote, "I've been training a lot, and the boys at my school are good practice."

2. Take control of your thoughts. It's your choice what you think about. Think success and that's what you get. Think failure and that's what you attract. To help in controlling your thoughts, make it a habit to affirm yourself. I had a box of business cards with an old address that I was going to discard. Instead, I flipped them over to the blank side and wrote affirmations on them. I had two identical sets, one for my car and one for my office. Throughout the day I would read my "flash cards" aloud. (If you're in your car, only read while you're stopped for a traffic light. :-)

3. Re-evaluate your situation. One of my mentors, Bob Proctor, teaches that "our belief system is based on our evaluation of something. Frequently when we re-evaluate a situation our belief about that situation will change." And when you re-evaluate, spend more time looking at the positive side of your circumstances. In Why Some Positive Thinkers Get Positive Results, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale quotes "one of the wisest utterances I have ever heard in my lifetime:" "Never build a case against yourself."

4. Don't worry about "how-to-do-it." One of my early mistakes was trying to figure out how I was going to do something before I'd believe I could do it. Start by believing you can do something and the "how-to" will follow. David Schwartz, author of the classic The Magic of Thinking Big, wrote, "Belief, strong belief, triggers the mind to figuring ways and means and how-to. Those who believe they can move mountains, do. Those who believe they can't, cannot. Belief triggers the power to do."

Interestingly, Dr. Schwartz wrote in 1959, "Currently, there is some talk of building a tunnel under the English Channel to connect England with the Continent. Whether this tunnel is ever built depends on whether responsible people believe it can be built." Even though they had no idea of "how-to-do-it" at the time, enough "responsible people" maintained a belief in this project and we have the famous Chunnel today.

5. Finally, you must act. The New Testament writer said, "Faith without works is dead." Until you act you're not committed and belief is not cemented. As world-class mountain climber W.H. Murray wrote, "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness."

I'll leave you with some counsel from Dr. Maxwell Maltz, the author of another classic, Psycho-Cybernetics: "Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs."

And that's worth thinking about.

Today's Thought

LEADERSHIP IS ACTION NOT POSITION

No one achieves success without being of service. The essence of success is service.

All successful people became successful because they gave some talent or ability in the service of others. You can contribute in some way to others no matter how small your talent. You too, can become successful.

The successful don't use others, other people use the successful, for above all success is of service.

Everyone has to be someone to someone to be anyone.

©2005 by Max Steingart www.maxsteingart.com

Today's Thought

Recruiting Tips
by Doug Firebaugh

MLM Training for Network Marketing Recruiting will set your Recruiting and MLM Business OnFIRE! Time tested tactics that will set you apart from the average Network Marketer, and keep your business stoked and totally ABLAZE! Here are the first 26 tips of the BLAZING Top MLM Recruiting Tips:

1) “Focus ONLY on what the prospect wants, not you.”

This is simple and to the point. You are talking to the prospect to see what the prospect is looking for, and wanting in their life. Let your MLM business be the delivery vehicle of their dreams.

2) “Recruit through their eyes, not yours.”

Look through their eyes as far as where they currently are, financially, emotionally, family, socially, and career wise. Start in their world, and then lead them to your world of Network Marketing Success.

3) “Use the word YOU at least 4 times more than the words me or I.”

There is nothing more telling than when a Network Marketing distributor usesthe words “me” and “I” more than the word “You.” The word “You” psychologically draws the person towards you and lacks ego in your MLM recruiting efforts.

4) “Paint word pictures as you present.”

We think in word pictures, not letters. Paint vivid pictures with your words of the prospect enjoying the life they want, and making the money they desire in their MLM Home Business. Put them in the picture. “Imagine the feeling of you..." "Can you see yourself...? "What would it look like if....?"

5) “Use words that they understand, NOT Network Marketing-ease.”

Don’t use the words like “downline” or “upline”. A prospect probably will have no clue of what that is. Use words they can understand, and feel comfortable with, like “team", "Support system," and "Leaders."

6) “Let off the pressure. You are sending a silent signal to your prospect that will kill your business.”

When a distributor starts putting pressure on someone, it shows there is pressure built up inside of them. Back it off, or it will turn them off. “I am not sure if this is something that would be right for you or not…” “I am not sure this would be a fit for you…” -great phrases to let off the pressure in MLM Recruiting.

7) “Double the size of your warm market list INSTANTLY with the One Golden Question.”

“Who do I know that they know?” or “Who do you know that they know?” This question works as a multiplier of your names, and has the potential to explode your potential business with more names than you realized you knew.

8) “Let the prospect tell you what they are looking for, not you tell them.”

Many times we have a tendency to tell a prospect what their life could be like, without understanding they may want something different. Ask “If all things were possible, what are you looking to do with your life?” Then listen. They are telling you what you need to know to recruit them into your Network Marketing business.

9) “Do your warm market list- 10 names at a time. You will write many more down.”

When you start your warm market list of who you are going to call, many times people get paralyzed with thinking about 100 or 200 names to come up with. Start with 10 and then another 10…then another 10…you get the idea. It is easier psychologically, and less intimidating. You STILL come up with 200 names, but psychologically, you do it with only 10% of the perceived "pressure" to complete a 100 name list.

10) “Practice and Role Play MLM Recruiting with someone before you ever make the first call.”

If you are going to mess up, mess up during practice, and continue to mess up with your sponsor. Practice and get some “experience” before you make the first Live Recruiting call. It will put you light years ahead, and it equips you for the real thing in MLM.

11) “Let the prospect dominate the conversation.”

Ask so many questions, that the prospect dominates the conversation. Find out about their life, interests, family, dreams, and then their future. Let them become the super star of the conversation, and you listen. They are telling you how to recruit them. Encourage them and congratulate them. Keep them in the spotlight and make them feel like a million dollars!

12) “Keep your body language open.”

Many times, we cross our arms, our hands, or legs, because we are nervous and guarded. It sends the wrong silent message to the prospect. It makes them guarded and nervous. Keep your limbs open, and tell the prospect silently you are glad they are there.

13) “On the phone, match their speed of talking. It will make the prospect more comfortable.”

When someone is a slow talker, slow down your talking a bit. It they are a speedy talker, ramp yours up a little bit. This “mirrors” them, and draws them towards you quietly. Psychologically, it feels more comfortable to the prospect in your MLM recruiting efforts.

14) “When calling your warm market, have only one name visible at a time. It is less intimidating, as well as focuses you.”

Keep the name you are calling on a card, and have that card only in front of you. And then take notes of the conversation. If you only see one name to call, you will not get overwhelmed with the numbers in front of you. Plus you will totally focused on them. Use your computer as well to do this. It is a powerful way to keep on track.

15) “In a public Recruiting meeting, look into the eyes of who you are talking to, and don’t talk over their heads. Make it personal and warm.”

Many times we have a tendency to focus on the MLM presentation, not the prospect. Keep the prospect “with you” by looking in their eyes when you are talking, no matter the size of the group. And then move on to the next person, and look in their eyes. Touch everyone with your eyes if possible. Hold a conversation, don’t just do a presentation.

16) “In a public meeting, use the prospect’s/guest’s name. Introduce yourself to them before the meeting starts, or have them wear name tags.”

Nothing keeps the audience focused more than using their names in the Network Marketing recruiting presentation. They will all sit up and take notice and be especially attentive, as you may call on them! It keeps them focused, and listening- for THEIR name to be called and recognized.

17) “NEVER bring your own problems into a recruiting event or conversation. You are there to solve THE PROSPECT’S problems.”

Negatives from you will absolutely shut down a prospect. Many people do it, and why I have no idea. Stay UP, and Optimistic, and always GREAT! The prospect has his/her own challenges, and is looking for solutions, not more problems.

18) “Always tell them why you are there, or why you are calling.”

“The reason I am calling…” is a very professional and clarifying statement. “The reason I brought this up…” is a great statement to transition into more of a recruiting conversation. “The reason I wanted to share this with you is I have run across something that truly is amazing” is a great way to come from the heart.

19) “Never let any telephone call go past 15 minutes….no matter what.”

If it does, you are sending the signal to the prospect that it takes a lot of time and words to work this business. Respect their time, and make yourself more productive. Set another time to talk if they have an interest. Don’t come across as NEEDY and you have a lot of time on your hands. Come across as BUSY, and you have other calls to make.

20) “Never let an appointment go past 45 minutes….no matter what.”

If it does, you are telling the MLM prospect it takes a lot of time and words to work this business. I never had an appointment go past 30 minutes. Even if they wanted to sign up, I always asked for more time. “I would love to fill out the paper work…but I am going to have to have a few more minutes…is that ok?” Value their time, and they will value your presentation.

21) “When presenting, make sure you understand that they are looking to see how this is going to bring VALUE to their life. It is ALL about VALUE.”

Would you buy a pair of shoes if you saw no value in them? Of course not. The prospect will not sign up either without VALUE. “How this brings Value to you is…” “What this means to you and your family is….” “How this will improve your life is…” “The Value to your future would be…” Use “Value Building Phrases” in every presentation.

22) “Network where people are, not where you feel comfortable going.”

There are more prospects in one Networking meeting at the Chamber of Commerce meeting then 10 movies you want to go see. Fish where the whales are, not the minnows. Recruiting minnows are easier and make great wholesale customers, but whales don’t get tossed and lost with every change of the tide.

23) “Don’t recruit your prospects. Connect them to the Possibilities of your business… and let them recruit themselves.”

All recruiting is, is connecting the prospects heart to the Hope and Possibility that they CAN have the life they have always dreamed of, and you will help them get it with your Network Marketing products and company. It is that simple.

24) “When you follow up, don’t SAY I am following up.”

Say, “I am RECONNECTING with you to see what kind of questions you might have, and to see where we need to go from here…” “Tell me what you have liked best about what you have heard so far…”

25) “Use Connection Questions to keep them Connected to you.”

“Does this make sense so far?” “Are you with me so far?” “Am I being clear enough for you?” “Have any questions so far?” “This is pretty awesome, isn’t it Mary?” These are great MLM Recruiting Questions to keep them focused on what you are saying.

26) “When recruiting, make sure your focus is NOT- I want something FROM you. Make sure your focus IS- I have something FOR you.”

Powerful focus. When you are talking to a prospect, make sure they are feeling a “Gift” focus, not a “Get” focus. This is one of the most powerful secrets in MLM Network Marketing recruiting.

Blessings….
Doug Firebaugh
PassionFire Intl /
http://www.passionfire.com
© 2005 PFI / All rights reserved /