tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13063391266063368602024-03-13T02:51:22.533-05:00Motivational Keynote Speaker, Dave The Shef SheffieldKeynote motivational speaker, Dave "The Shef" Sheffield, energizes audiences at conventions and meetings with his dynamic custom-tailored motivational programs.
Shef's motivational and sales keynotes and workshops are packed with great content, are interactive, and filled with humor. Shef is one of the top requested motivational speakers for annual meetings, sales conferences, and for opening a convention.The Shefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02170758422094403501noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306339126606336860.post-29512685209132811852020-01-21T15:11:00.002-06:002020-01-21T15:11:53.515-06:00You Can...But Will You?<h3>
Harnessing the power of "I Will" vs. "I Can" will help you crush your goals.</h3>
Have you ever found yourself filled with excitement to accept a new challenge or tackle a new challenge in life? I think we all have. Just as you are about to grab what is rightfully yours and create the life you deserve, the <i>Don't Demon</i> pops into your mind.<br />
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<i>Don't try this, you may fail</i><br />
<i>Don't try this, you might succeed...then what?</i><br />
<i>Don't be the one to leave everything you've ever known. </i><br />
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Negative self talk will drain your spirit quicker than anything.<br />
How do you crush the Don't Demon?<br />
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<b>1. Control your intake! </b><br />
Watching or reading a steady diet of news is like dumping the contents of an outhouse into your mind. Shut it off and engage with something growth-oriented. What ever that looks like for you. There are only a kabillion videos on YouTube that can help you achieve personal and professional breakthroughs.<br />
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<b>2. Find one person who will kick your butt if you don't take positive action. </b><br />
Accountability works. I've never met someone who has become successful alone. Whether you need to hire a coach or just pick up the phone and connect with someone who will hold your feet to the fire; push forward and crush fear.<br />
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<b>3. One step at a time. </b><br />
When you name your fear, you can challenge it. When you face your fear, you can crush it. It's okay to be scared. This is where the rubber meets the road. When it is all said and done...a lot more is said than done.<br />
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That seed of desire was planted in your heart for a reason...it needs to blossom. You have the potential to grow. Do it now!<br />
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Here is a short video I did on this subject: <a href="https://youtu.be/Aohioc5aAzw">https://youtu.be/Aohioc5aAzw</a><br />
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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Tiger Woods' comeback is filled with lessons for motivation and success.</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit: Chase McAlpine</td></tr>
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Tiger Woods has become one of the most successful professional golfers in the history of the game, but not one who has gone without controversy and setbacks. <a aria-label="Even while navigating the personal issues he was dealing with several years ago and painful back surgeries (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/14/sports/tiger-woods-wins-masters.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Even while navigating the personal issues he was dealing with several years ago and painful back surgeries</a>; his resolve to become a champion once again never wained…even if it would be 10 years between titles.</div>
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Many people placed odds on him washing out and becoming another “has been” child prodigy.</div>
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Related: <a aria-label="Talent Is Overrated (opens in a new tab)" href="https://theshef.com/blog/talent-overrated/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Talent Is Overrated</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are 3 key things that put Tiger Woods back on top.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. He surrounded himself with people who believed in him.</span></h4>
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Not that he didn’t have that before, but let’s face it, there are those people who are with you when you are <em>doing well</em> and there are those people who are <em>with you no matter what</em>. While their names may change throughout your life,<strong> it’s imperative that you surround yourself with people who believe in you </strong>as a person.</div>
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We all suffer moral setbacks. We all have things that we go through and it’s imperative that we work our way through that.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. He took responsibility for his actions.</span></h4>
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I would imagine he didn’t plan on enduring excruciating back surgeries and other moral challenges which threw his game off for a while. He accepted responsibility for the things he could control and he accepted responsibility for his rehab from injury.</div>
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<strong><em>Responsibility is the skeleton key that unlocks the doors we must pass through on our pursuit of success. While the actual weight of the key may be ounces, the mental burden we attach to it can feel like it weighs tons.</em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. He kept his vision in front of him and worked like there was no end in sight.</span></h4>
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Woods absolutely crushed it every single day, working out sometimes two, maybe even three times a day. He visualized the victory of the Masters until he realized his victory.</div>
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So what are you doing? What are some things that maybe you are thinking of giving up on but know you shouldn’t? Do you need to change the people in your solid inner circle so that you can elevate to the level of champion?</div>
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<a aria-label="Here's a short video I recorded about this for my Sunrise Motivation. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://youtu.be/itoPBwEp5F8" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Here’s a short video I recorded about this for my Sunrise Motivation.</a></div>
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Looking forward to speaking at your next convention meeting or event. Until next time, Always Better Your Best!</div>
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a> or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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How many times have you created fantastic results toward a goal...then took your foot off the pedal and coasted toward mediocrity? (We've all done it!)</h4>
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We've all engaged in self-sabotage, and here are 3 things you can do to prevent it:<br /><br />
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<strong>1. Understand the value of hunger</strong></h4>
<em>"You gotta be HUNGRY!"</em> screams motivational legend <a href="http://www.lesbrown.com/hpage1" target="_blank">Les Brown</a>. We can become extremely resourceful when our backs are against a wall. What if:<br />- You had a major health challenge...and had to change some habits?<br />- You are in sales and were staring down the barrel of an empty pipeline?<br />- You realized that you had been going through the motions of life and didn't derive any pleasure from the things you used to love?<br /><br />Mediocrity and complacency love to replace the passion and excitement that come from being hungry.<br /><br /><strong>2. Embrace accountability</strong><br />Answering to no one sounds great...until you realize that you are solely responsible for your success or failure.<br />When we don't answer to anyone, we tend to dive into our heads. Your mind is awesome at conjuring up excuses and fear.<br /><br />-If you are in business, join a mastermind group of people who will hold your feet to the fire for accomplishing your goals (or hire a coach)<br />- Schedule time with a friend to workout or hire a trainer<br /><br />Accountability is an essential component of achievement.<br /><br /><strong>3. Always feed your mind</strong><br /><br />Every successful person I've ever met <em>swears by </em>scheduling time to read, watch, and listen to things that can help them grow. You have the power to do so right in your pocket or purse right now. Use it.<br />
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a> or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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<span data-offset-key="frjvo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Rise and shine! It's time for some Monday Motivation from my kayak! </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6p87o-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">How do you achieve your best life possible?</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7e2hv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Condition yourself to see the best in others. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6a308-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">This goes against evolution because we are programmed to see danger and stay away from things that could potentially harm us. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6el41-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">When you seek out the greatness in other people, you begin to rewire your brain to look for more greatness in other people. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="emij2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Demand the best of yourself</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bbdrr-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">What happens when you are not consistent? You lose momentum. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6nld1-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I haven't been consistent with recording these videos. All you can do is get out and take some kind of action. Don't stay stuck. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="evvq2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm looking forward to speaking at your next convention, meeting, or event! </span></div>
</div>
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<span data-offset-key="7f932-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: inherit;">Always Better Your Best!</span></span></div>
</div>
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMqlHR1B7WuOzoKisgvhz5RrjtFGZijJB9Xv_ctniWoXxdRf8qMwDttkbCwgTBVLfHdnfbKUIddRQA5G5D3sMgdU1JE563iMUSp_XogqjuwQTPDbvSebKB5ZIZCfjcUdbWOByds5P/s1600/pexels-photo-568025.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Easily-Offended-Woman" border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMqlHR1B7WuOzoKisgvhz5RrjtFGZijJB9Xv_ctniWoXxdRf8qMwDttkbCwgTBVLfHdnfbKUIddRQA5G5D3sMgdU1JE563iMUSp_XogqjuwQTPDbvSebKB5ZIZCfjcUdbWOByds5P/s320/pexels-photo-568025.jpeg" title="Easily-Offended" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
When did we start living in a world when <i>everything</i> was offensive to someone?<br />
<br />
I was listening to a <a href="https://tim.blog/2018/02/02/the-4-hour-workweek-revisited/" target="_blank">podcast from Tim Ferriss</a> (author of the 4 Hour Work Week). He said something that rang true.<br />
<br />
<h4>
"Stop focusing on how offensive the world is and start focusing on how you can be less easily offended."</h4>
<br />
That is not making excuses for reprehensible behavior, but we also have to "tough up to grow up".<br />
<br />
By being so easily offended we can give our personal power away.<br />
<br />
Here is the video I recorded on this topic:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Always Better Your Best!<br />
<br />
Shef<br />
<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abandoning a goal because of fear is like staying inside during the entire season of winter because you don't want to put your coat on. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TKTOOmYLCawOotkL_0EST1kG3nrdqhaBJ6M9iR-reD9ILwExJ1Q6EaYsv34RGjIiczMT0iwoBcjRpwuxQ4-pEG2zADJ9jhscW_quaq2ybCuS5D7JLY9vE1L32znwA3R1KSaFfoHJ/s1600/pexels-photo-700535.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="woman wearing winter coat" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TKTOOmYLCawOotkL_0EST1kG3nrdqhaBJ6M9iR-reD9ILwExJ1Q6EaYsv34RGjIiczMT0iwoBcjRpwuxQ4-pEG2zADJ9jhscW_quaq2ybCuS5D7JLY9vE1L32znwA3R1KSaFfoHJ/s320/pexels-photo-700535.jpeg" title="Woman wearing winter coat" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You would never think of venturing into sub-zero temperatures and windy conditions without properly protecting your exposed skin. Exposed skin freezes in a matter of minutes, and life can suck for a little while.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What do you to cover up and protect your mind and your goals when venturing into the frozen tundra of life?</b> An idea shines it's way into our heart, we get excited for a little while, only to quickly recite all the reasons why we shouldn't take action and move forward. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people <i>feel like</i> their current situation is far worse than it really is. Think of your perception of reality like a windchill effect.
Windchill is how cold the temperature feels on exposed skin in the wind. Even though the thermometer may read 30 degrees, a stiff 20 mile per hour wind will make it feel much colder. </span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stagnation happens when we fail to grow comfortable with the growth process and spend too much time in our heads. Taking some kind of action...any type of action shatters the shackles that hold you in place.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way we feel about something is usually worse than it actually is. When we are faced with a decision, we often reach into our library of past failures or our "what if" worry bank. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Related: <a href="https://theshef.com/blog/last-time-you-did-something-for-first-time/" target="_blank">When Is the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time</a>
Here's how you can protect yourself from abandoning your goals and buying into the fear:
</span><br />
<h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Identify the <i>best</i> possible outcomes</span></h4>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While understanding possible risks is important, choose the words you wish to live with when talking about your goal. Identifying what life would be like when your goal becomes a reality offers you a moment to future-cast. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prepare for others to talk you out of it. </span></span></h4>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's not that people don't care for you or want you to succeed, they often place their reality onto your situation. How will you deal with it? Are these people qualified to assess your idea? How will you keep moving forward?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span>
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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Linda Monin from Financial Supermarkets, Inc. Raves about Shef's high-energy, motivational program he delivered for their National Sales Convention in Nashville, TN. </div>
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The program was exceptional and packed with so many take-aways! </div>
<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5H_BAU_U-qQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5H_BAU_U-qQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
It's been a rough week for me. Two of my closest friends, <a href="http://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Patients-colleagues-remember-Bettendorf-couple-killed-in-plane-crash--422218973.html" target="_blank">Don and Dianne Giammetta</a>, were tragically killed in a plane crash.<br />
<br />
One thing that prompted this video was Don and Dianne's ability to create connections.<br />
<br />
While we were connected via social media and texted; he was quick to invite us over for dinner or drinks several times per week. Building a relationship requires work and commitment.<br />
<br />
There is no substitute for a face to face connection.<br />
<br />
There are 3 factors that are necessary for you to grow your relationships:<br />
<h3>
<br />1. Create the connection</h3>
<br />
Discover who you need to connect and/or re-connect with someone. Set up a time to get together with them.<br />
<br />
We are all so busy that we are going to do something after we are finished with an endless task list. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Embrace that.<br />
<br />
The Wednesday before they passed, I was returning from kayaking and Don was shaking a cocktail glass inviting me up for a quick visit. I had other things that I could have done, but thank God I was able to chat with him about life, love, and plans for the upcoming summer.<br />
<h3>
<br />2. Combat distractions.</h3>
<br />
We are hammered with so many demands on our time that most of us are in a perpetual reactionary mode.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Understand that "No" is a complete sentence.</u></b> If you don't want to do something, don't feel like you have to offer 30 different reasons why you can't do something.<br />
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They won't hate you or disown you...and if they do; you don't really need them in your lives anyway.<br />
<br />
<h3>
3. Ignite your passions</h3>
<br />
I talk with people who tell me about the awesome things they will do at some point in the future, but they just have to get through the present first.<br />
<br />
None of us were born with an expiration date on our foreheads.<br />
<br />
I do not believe in <i>"What you conceive, you will achieve."</i> Conceiving a passion is the birth of it; but there are quite a few action steps between being born and growing up.<br />
<br />
A fantastic speaker whom I shared the stage with at a convention in Nashville last week named Chad Smith said, <i><b>"Your destiny is not determined by your dreams...it is determined by your direction."</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
If you are passionate about something, take a moment and assess where you are at and where you are aiming. If you dare driving east looking for a sunset, you will be disappointed.<br />
<br />
Don't be afraid to recalibrate your direction and move forward!<br />
<br />
Looking forward to speaking at your next convention, meeting or event!<br />
<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bAEDIjfVMMy57GsHycCocFPRdjw35mJHHPUTsmkKxnuMGtWK-mdAo2-16mVty28Jw-nu05wlnA-gf2R7J5An73f98Gw15628jFIVWO1M8l9zb3Wthd9uuAU4dibDMFoa78VkaEiW/s1600/kid+with+cape.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="funny kid with cape" border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bAEDIjfVMMy57GsHycCocFPRdjw35mJHHPUTsmkKxnuMGtWK-mdAo2-16mVty28Jw-nu05wlnA-gf2R7J5An73f98Gw15628jFIVWO1M8l9zb3Wthd9uuAU4dibDMFoa78VkaEiW/s320/kid+with+cape.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></h2>
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<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase;">
LOSING THE FEAR OF TRYING SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME SHOULD BE CELEBRATED!</h2>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
Fear is always present when we are about to try an activity, job, or venture for the first time.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
That four letter companion <i>isn’t always</i> a bad thing. Sometimes it is that nagging feeling that keeps us alive.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
<em>More often than not, it is holding us back</em> from trying new things, meeting new people, and fully engaging the life we were meant to live.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
<b>A fulfilled life is one where you are constantly growing, not just coasting. It is full of many first time experiences and relationships.</b></div>
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We all love comfort, and while that is okay to lounge in our comfort zones from time to time; it is when we surround ourselves with people who encourage us to do new activities that we grow!</div>
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Approaching any activity for the first time like a small child would is a great way to take that first step.</div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
3 Easy Ways to Grow:</h3>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Create a list of activities, hobbies, or adventures that you have always wanted to do.</b> Thought of taking dance lessons, bungee jumping, deep sea fishing, kayaking, attending a concert, taking an improv class, or any other adventure? There is no risk in writing them down.</li>
<li><b>Become part of a group who is interested in doing the same thing.</b> We are social creatures, and the fuel from other’s is often times the motivation we need to keep going. Your world may change quickly! (<a href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/7-life-hacks-from-my-sons-boot-camp/" target="_blank">related post 7 Life Hacks from my son’s boot camp</a>)</li>
<li><b>Jump out of your rut!</b> The only difference between a rut and a grave is that a rut has an exit! Acknowledge that the fear is real and present, but reach deep down into your gut and unlock the shackles of fear that hold you back. <a href="http://danwaldschmidt.com/2016/03/fear/owning-the-day-when-the-night-stinks-of-fear" target="_blank">Dan Waldschmidt wrote this brilliant piece on fear.</a> </li>
</ol>
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You have to continuously grow and enjoy discovering new experiences in life.</div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
It is your new experiences that add the punctuation to your life.</h4>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.8px; text-align: justify;">
How do you overcome fear and embrace new challenges?</div>
<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<h3>
Why would you want to avoid what is easy?</h3>
We all like it when life is easy, when we can coast by, when we can stay in our comfort zones. As I've discussed in previous posts, all growth happens outside of our comfort zone, not inside of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It is easier to repeat and re-post something without actually digging down to verify that it is true. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It is easier to emote than it is to think. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It is easier to react instead of respond. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
We live in a world of instant gratification where we all want our success yesterday. We all would rather have success sooner rather than later. <a href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/winning-bowl-game-success-playbook/" target="_blank">(Related article: Success Playbook)</a><br />
<br />
When someone is <i>given something</i> instead of having to <i>work for it</i>, there is little if any appreciation for it. <b>People who are handed something without expectation of effort or sacrifice miss out on the crucial gift of becoming more as a person, and learning from the journey. </b><br />
<br />
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<br />
What are you doing to embrace the uncomfortable and avoid the easy?<br />
<br />
I'm off to hit the gym because it is not as easy as sitting and watching the river float by!<br />
<br />
Looking forward to speaking at your next convention, meeting, or event!<br />
<br />
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How do you sell without being "salesy"?</h3>
We have all encountered the person who is only tuned into their own business and needs. Quite frankly, that type of person really sucks to visit with!<br />
<br />
I was shooting some photos of pelicans the other day from my kayak, and they became skittish as I approached. I finally went upstream, then drifted down to where they were perched and captured some great pics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
What does this have to do with selling and business?<br />
<br />
Your customers are hammered with advertising and marketing messages relentlessly, and filter most of them out.<br />
<br />
My friend, Tony Rubleski, author of Mind Capture, <a href="http://www.mindcapture.com/">www.MindCapture.com</a> discusses how to get around those barriers and close more business.<br />
<br />
Here are 3 things you can do to blast through those barriers and generate more business:<br />
<br />
<h4>
1. Provide great content. </h4>
The world doesn't revolve around you. Tune in to customer's needs and problems, and address them.<br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Build relationships first</h4>
When you become familiar with a customer, the guard goes down.<br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Become a connector. </h4>
Creating connections to others will generate excellent goodwill, and will create reciprocity.<br />
<br />
Please like and share this video!<br />
<br />
*******************************************<br />
<a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.TheShef.com</a><br />
*******************************************]<br />
<br />
*********************************************<br />
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<br />
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<br />
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<br />
A good friend of mine was sharing how she approaches the game Chutes and Ladders totally differently as an adult. If you are not familiar with the game, you progress toward a goal, then you will land on a chute (or slide) which will throw you down further away from your goal.<br />
<br />
Children will laugh at this game, but as adults, we often approach a setback as permanent, or as something which defines us. Nothing could be further from the truth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Decide to get back up when...not if life throws you down.</li>
<li>Learn from the situation and continue pushing toward your goal. </li>
<li>Laugh a lot and enjoy the journey. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />
Too many people hang onto the negative comments of others and use them as an excuse as to why they are unable to achieve success or fulfill their dreams.<br />
<br />
I prefer to make a Fired Up list (FU List) of people and sayings that I am fully committed to crushing.<br />
<br />
Look at successful athletes, entrepreneurs, or parents who were doomed to failure in the eyes of others, yet they were fired up enough to use that negativity as fire to keep their motivation burning when times got tough.<br />
<br />
What do you do to stay fired up?<br />
<br />
Always Better Your Best!<br />
<br />
Excited to speak at your next meeting or event!<br />
<br />
Speakermatch: <a href="http://speakermatch.com/profile/theshef/">http://speakermatch.com/profile/theshef/</a><br />
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<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<br />
Keynote motivational speaker, Dave "The Shef" Sheffield, encourages you to add more cowbell to your life.<br />
<br />
Just like the epic SNL classic skit with Christopher Walken touting the importance of "More Cowbell!", your customers are demanding something extra, and it usually doesn't cost anything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whether it is providing an amazing customer experience by leaving mints on the pillow, calling to check in and see how happy they are with the product or service, or sending a handwritten thank you note; the "cowbell" is what can set you apart from your competition in a noisy marketplace!<br />
<br />
What do you do to differentiate your brand and business?<br />
Always Better Your Best!<br />
<br />
<br />
Excited to speak at your next meeting or event!<br />
Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheShef">http://www.Twitter.com/TheShef</a><br />
LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/theshef">http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/theshef</a><br />
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<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I recently found out that I had 10 days to find a new place to live and move due to an expedited closing on the house I was living in.<br />
<br />
It was horrible timing; after all, I was performing in a huge event, and was taking my son to Navy bootcamp in that same time period. Talk about stress!<br />
<br />
But it all worked out. I found an awesome new place on the river, and realized that despite the stresses of the time crunch, that deadline forced me to muster up resources and focus to get the job done.<br />
<br />
You don't always get to pick the timing of events in your life, but understand that you grow because of challenge, you don't die from it.<br />
<br />
Excited to speak at your next meeting or event!<br />
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LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/theshef">http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/theshef</a><br />
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<br />
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP5_v7k5OYyyOOOzbuUjhangFmT76KcVyfSszkH08mlfiFpHEYcfRccgvm81Vpf6eN7ui8Vw1lQoMLjnhzKwt4nSs2umTXskUVR0_T0u1MufsjsBWMtYoE2lkrOSdylh4MTOXomH9/s1600/Bullhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bullhorn Shouting" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP5_v7k5OYyyOOOzbuUjhangFmT76KcVyfSszkH08mlfiFpHEYcfRccgvm81Vpf6eN7ui8Vw1lQoMLjnhzKwt4nSs2umTXskUVR0_T0u1MufsjsBWMtYoE2lkrOSdylh4MTOXomH9/s320/Bullhorn.jpg" title="Bullhorn Shouting" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_897533909"></span><span id="goog_897533910"></span><br /></div>
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Your inbox shows you a message from a new social media contact which reads:<br />
<br /></div>
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<em>“Thanks for connecting with me on LinkedIn/Facebook/Twitter. I’d like to offer you a special 15% discount on your carpet purchase……”</em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
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</div>
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Offering a special to your readers or followers via social media is not a bad thing, however, there are 2 problems with the above offer:</div>
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<strong>1. He hasn’t earned the right to ask me for my business! I don’t even know this guy!</strong></div>
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<strong>2. An auto-response containing an offer is horribly insincere. (Unless they have purchased or requested something from you)</strong></div>
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<br />
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 5 years, you have encountered people who bulldoze every conversation with self promotion, which is about as effective as the street corner preacher screaming at passing pedestrians through a bullhorn.</div>
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<br />
Social media <em>can be </em>one of the greatest marketing tools in your business’ arsenal, but <em>how do you engage and promote your business without turning off your reader?</em></div>
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<strong>1. Earn the right to ask.</strong></h3>
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Give value first, listen, and repeat. After several cycles of that, you have earned the right to ask. One of my favorite books on this topic is <a href="http://amzn.to/1GcYFfn" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Gary Vaynerchuk’s Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook</a>.</div>
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2. Share valuable content</h3>
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Being a bridge that connects your reader or follower to content that they care about creates depth and value in your relationship in the eyes of the other person. This strategy also works well when <a href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/4-essentials-awesome-networking-event/" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">connecting people at successful networking events</a>.</div>
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3. One at a time</h3>
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One of the most common questions I hear from small business audiences is, <em>“There are so many social media channels, how do I use them all and have time to run my business?”</em></div>
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I recommend getting familiar with one social media channel for a few weeks, then add one new channel at a time. It is better to be great at something than to not suck that bad at everything!</div>
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One great resource I’d recommend is <a data-cke-saved-href="http://amzn.to/1RHWUdV" href="http://amzn.to/1RHWUdV" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Twitter Power 3.0, written by my friend, Joel Comm</a>. He is an ace at all things social media, yet explains everything in an entertaining non-geek language.</div>
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4. Use these free tools!</h3>
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1. Create a good looking social media banner. If you aren’t a design ace, <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.fiverr.com/s2/d74d92c1f6" href="https://www.fiverr.com/s2/d74d92c1f6" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">find someone on Fiverr</a> to design a banner for you for $5.<br />
2. Join a feed service like <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.Feedly.com" href="http://www.feedly.com/" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Feedly</a> to help streamline your reading and industry news.<br />
3. Join <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.Bufferapp.com" href="http://www.bufferapp.com/" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Buffer</a> to schedule your Tweets and other social media communication.<br />
4. Join <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.hootsuite.com" href="http://www.hootsuite.com/" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">Hootsuite</a> to help monitor your conversations and to communicate with your customers on Twitter.<span style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif;">You can get up and running with all of these within an hour, and begin to enjoy the benefits of growing your business and credibility. </span></div>
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Here is a short video I recorded for a small business audience I spoke to recently:<br />
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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Most networking events are filled with people who seem to vomit business cards all over anyone with a pulse. Many successful people don't attend networking events, yet their biggest clients and breakthroughs happened via someone in their network.</div>
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So what separates the good events from the bad? Here are 4 tips for creating an awesome networking event.</div>
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How do you create an outstanding networking event?</h3>
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1. Invite the right people</h4>
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Most power players do not attend networking events because decision makers are not usually in attendance. However, I just attended an outstanding networking event hosted by <a data-mce-href="https://stephenmeade.wordpress.com/" href="https://stephenmeade.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Meade</a> at a posh restaurant called Fred's in Beverly Hills. His <em>invitation only</em> networking events are packed with influential people who can bring something to the table.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdngMaRBTk4hyphenhyphenr8JGYq436WB0CSIwDWAIDude5C6XtEmsDJHYko9qiCTfLGaJV87yjHTxfGwJ1CtRsfMOioanWrmfsI8X3pTaQMePj5cdT_9SX8W-EKPhiaFeRhPzjOi9ezuZVKtni/s1600/Fred's%2BPic.5p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Larry Benet and Dave Sheffield Networking in Beverly Hills" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdngMaRBTk4hyphenhyphenr8JGYq436WB0CSIwDWAIDude5C6XtEmsDJHYko9qiCTfLGaJV87yjHTxfGwJ1CtRsfMOioanWrmfsI8X3pTaQMePj5cdT_9SX8W-EKPhiaFeRhPzjOi9ezuZVKtni/s1600/Fred's%2BPic.5p.jpg" height="217" title="Successful Networking Event In Beverly Hills" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larissa, Larry, Pierre, Devin, and I at an awesome networking event in Beverly Hills</td></tr>
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2. Fun and Fitting</h4>
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Great networking events are efficient, entertaining, and exclusive.</div>
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Chose the right venue for what you are trying to accomplish. The right place for an investment banking crowd will not be the same as one for a road construction owner crowd.</div>
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As a bonus, make sure that they volume of the entertainment keeps the party going without being too loud to carry on a conversation.</div>
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3. Broadcast by Narrowcasting</h4>
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My good friend, <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/larrybenet" href="https://twitter.com/larrybenet" target="_blank">Larry Benet</a> is known as "The Connector" and is the founder of <a data-mce-href="http://www.sangevents.com" href="http://www.sangevents.com/" target="_blank">SANG Events</a>. He connects you to the tools, people, and resources that you need to be successful. Everyone knows Larry and Larry knows everyone.</div>
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Larry and I spoke at the same conference in San Diego last year, and I was impressed with his command of being concise when showing people how to get what they want in business and life. Most people ramble on about meaningless details regarding their business and what they want. When you tighten down your desires for what you want, you will attract the right people quickly.</div>
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<em>People may appreciate what you do, but they love people who help them do what they do more profitably and quickly. </em><a data-mce-href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/networking-working/" href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/networking-working/" target="_blank">I wrote more extensively on this in a previous post</a>.</div>
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4. Reach out to your attendees for feedback</h4>
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The people who invested their time and resources to attend your event have excellent insight into what went well and what could be improved. Don't take things personally, your job is to create outstanding events that people want to attend.</div>
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What strategies have you used to create excellent networking events?</div>
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
or call our offices at 1-563-343-5412 <script type="text/javascript">
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When faced with an opportunity or an adversity, decide quickly what you want to do and stick with it!<br />
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5d5d5d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Every successful business, organization, or salesperson has an unquenchable addiction to asking for business.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Flailing and failing businesses are addicted to excuses like, “We cannot compete with XYZ Company’s marketing budget”, or “The economy is tough right now”.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, winning companies refuse to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">buy the excuses of the masses</span>, and choose to invest their energy into selling themselves and their customers why <span style="text-decoration: underline;">right now</span> is the best time to do business with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 Reasons Why You May Not Be Addicted to Asking for Business:</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. You Play it Safe</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Being a winner in business requires boldness and confidence. Confident companies like Zappos, Southwest Airlines, and Apple know <i>who</i> they are, and <i>why</i> they are better than their competitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">To build your team’s boldness muscles, begin by asking each team member to write down three reasons why <i>they</i> are awesome, and <i>why</i> they feel your business or organization is awesome. It won’t turn your business into an overnight success, it begins to affirm a “buy in” belief within your organization.</span></div>
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They also understand the importance of a customer’s perspective. I wrote about perspective in in my interview with <a href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/3-business-lessons-rock-rolls-1-photographer/" target="_blank">Tom O’Neal, Rock and Roll’s #1 Photographer.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. You Blend In</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While I am a fan of modeling successful businesses and practices that help you speed up your success learning curve; the last thing you want to do is to look and sound like every one of your competitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Camouflage <i>by definition</i> means that you blend in, therefore it is impossible to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Your customer’s minds are attracted to unique and fascinating things. If you don’t constantly innovate, communicate with, and remind your target market why you are the best choice for them, you are dying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When we help our consulting clients create hyper-targeted marketing campaigns that produce outstanding results, they are always bold, usually humorous, and create a memorable impression… which leads to more business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. You Suck at Closing</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don’t know why so many salespeople are afraid of closing. It is no more or less important than listening to your customer, being knowledgeable about your product, or knowing how to describe the benefits of your product or service to customer. <strong>It is the point when you either move forward or move on.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The late Zig Ziglar said, “A salesperson who does not close is nothing more than a professional visitor.” There ain’t much money in just visiting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When we secret shop banks, credit unions, or retail clients, our stats are startling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-55% of people actively engage the prospect and conversation and ask about their needs and wants</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-18% confidently articulate why their business could be a good fit for the prospect</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">-8.5% ask for the business (or upsell if appropriate)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; line-height: 19px;">The worst thing that can happen is that your prospect can tell you is "No". They cannot shoot you and eat you. Sales Jedi, Grant Cardone, recommends that you </span><a href="http://www.grantcardone.com/blog/respond-to-fear-with-action/" target="_blank">respond to fear by taking action!</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; line-height: 19px;"> The key to success in business is having an addiction to asking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What ways to you feed your addiction to asking?</span></div>
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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No one ever made history by playing it safe. </div>
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Instead of being motivated by the power of their goals, they are focused on things like:</div>
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<i>What if I screw up?</i></div>
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<i>What will people think of me?</i></div>
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<i>I need to wait until I'm really good before I show others what I do!</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQgeBtdnHdgmz66furfi2JAx3y2KX9nzZ7IAuLKyvx28FMFr4hrPPceJ6_xh-gjnmtHHyIQ12iwLiPfLJFlUNe5CKKb9jOu3fdNCuCUSr8HfprIyofGDID5QmhlEVEX1sIWSknmA6/s1600/Alex+Drum+Store1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kid Drum Solo in music Store" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQgeBtdnHdgmz66furfi2JAx3y2KX9nzZ7IAuLKyvx28FMFr4hrPPceJ6_xh-gjnmtHHyIQ12iwLiPfLJFlUNe5CKKb9jOu3fdNCuCUSr8HfprIyofGDID5QmhlEVEX1sIWSknmA6/s1600/Alex+Drum+Store1-2.jpg" height="161" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex's Guitar Center Debut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No you don't.<br />
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My son, Alex, and I visited a Guitar Center several years ago. Like all 13 year old boys, he wanted to play the drums. While we were talking to the drum guy about various options and costs, Alex jumps in and says, "I'd just really like to play that drum set."<br />
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A smile shined on the employees face, and within seconds drumsticks appeared. Needless to say, the store was treated to an impromptu drum solo, courtesy of my son.<br />
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One great thing about kids is that <b>they don't care what other people think!</b><br />
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Alex enjoys playing the drums, and has taken workshops with one of the top drummers alive today, <a href="http://www.richredmond.com/" target="_blank">Rich Redmond </a>(drummer for the Jason Aldean Band).<br />
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Think of your favorite performer, actor, or entrepreneur. Chances are they kept their eyes on their goals and dreams, as opposed to constantly focusing on what everyone else thought about them.<br />
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What dream have you put on hold?<br />
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TheShefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864711440093847836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306339126606336860.post-57409355462851918862014-07-29T10:05:00.000-05:002014-07-29T10:07:22.618-05:00Frosting-Face Business Lessons from a 1 Year-Old<div>
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Most people have attended a birthday party for a one-year-old. The one-year-old is usually confused but has fun. The kid ends up covered in cake, and everyone has fun and talks about the event for weeks afterwards.</div>
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<dt style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Frosting Face Baby" src="http://theshef.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Cake-Face-Baby-Licking-Finger-261x300.jpg" height="300" width="261" /></dt>
<dd style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Brailey's First Birthday</dd></dl>
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If you want to experience true success in business and life, approach your idea the same way a small child views their first birthday party.</div>
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Countless businesses or new careers are roadblocked every day by fear and his destructive cousin, should. It usually sounds something like this,<em>"I should start this business, new career, go back to school, etc.; but I just don't know how it would possibly turn out."</em> </div>
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If everyone waited until they were 100% ready and confident of their outcome, zero innovation would ever happen. Every successful sales professional or business owner has built the confidence necessary to succeed on the shoulders of uncertainty.</div>
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1. Every experience is new and different</h3>
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Small children view new experiences through a lens of wonder and amazement. Fear and uncertainty are learned traits. I highly doubt that a small child would be thinking, <em>"I hope I don't mess up putting my whole face into this chocolate cake. What will they think?" </em> It's okay to feel fear. </div>
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Randy Gage sums it up perfectly when he says, <a href="http://www.randygage.com/real-leadership/" target="_blank">"If the thing you endeavor to do doesn’t hurt a little, involve risk, or scare you – it’s probably not a goal worthy of you."</a></div>
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2. All of these people and all these gifts must be here for me!</h3>
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The level of expectation of a small child is unparalleled. What would happen if you viewed your next three sales calls with the expectation of, <em>"Of course they want to do business with me. Why else would I be here?"</em></div>
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3. Make a mess and have fun</h3>
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Most one-year-olds wind up wearing more of their cake than eating it. Yet everyone has a great time, the mess gets cleaned up, and people talk about it for weeks. What is the worst thing that could happen if you venture out and pursue a new career, business, or relationship? Get out of your own way. </div>
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When I first started speaking, I had never delivered a program that exceeded 60 minutes in length. I finalized a deal with an event planner who booked me for a half day long workshop for $5,000! At the time, I had never received a fee like that. </div>
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I called one of my mentors to share the great news, exclaiming, "I just booked a half-day workshop!" After he congratulated me, I realized, "Holy crap, I have never delivered a half-day long workshop. What am I going to do?"</div>
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I learned as I went along, and the event was awesome. Every entrepreneur or successful person has ventured out into the land of uncertainty with nothing but the light of faith to guide them. Sometimes things work. Sometimes they do not go as planned. Life goes on. </div>
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How do you celebrate your business every day?</div>
</div>
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Successful people celebrate their lives today, only because they have journeyed down a road rife with struggles, failures, and sacrifice. Realizing that the current challenges you are dealing with today are not <em>just</em> propelling you toward the goals that you desire; they are helping to shape you in the person you must become to sustain your goal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>“I just read a very motivating story about someone who has never encountered adversity!”</em>said no one…ever!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK6Jl41nB2nQ6FK3uAfyLa2ABOVq6CAZWqnKBb2i-qzPv6eoH4HuMHy3XCOoizqc379O9JFtI19PUda7y9_VjeO9yhblZ0IBIoIWy5k0gqFALKT4sIxCP-upDNCVTgy_X_Z80I1Av/s1600/Molly+Cain+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Molly Cain Book Signing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK6Jl41nB2nQ6FK3uAfyLa2ABOVq6CAZWqnKBb2i-qzPv6eoH4HuMHy3XCOoizqc379O9JFtI19PUda7y9_VjeO9yhblZ0IBIoIWy5k0gqFALKT4sIxCP-upDNCVTgy_X_Z80I1Av/s1600/Molly+Cain+Book.jpg" height="200" title="Molly Cain, Just Love Me" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly Cain Signing Books</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1496008227?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=1496008227&linkCode=shr&tag=theshef-20&linkId=OI2HG2KHTGFCA36I&creativeASIN=1496008227&linkId=QEXKOANFWHZWUCLV&qid=1403896788&sr=8-1&keywords=just+love+me" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Molly Cain just published her first book, Just Love Me</a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Molly is my step-daughter, and on March 30, 2012 she fell down the stairs at her home in Fort Collins Colorado and landed on her face, sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and was in a coma for 17 days. The next 2 years were filled with struggle, victory, and a crazy amount of effort.<br /><br />Molly was basically a baby in an adult body, tasked with relearning virtually every function in her life. Her path of recovery involved learning to walk, talk, care for herself, write, and navigate this bumpy minefield of returning to an “normal” life. A little more than two years ago did not know if Molly would be able to walk, let alone publish a book and inspire audiences wherever she speaks. Check out her blog at <a href="http://www.mollycain.com/" style="color: #0066cc;" target="_blank">www.MollyCain.com</a><br />She did her first book signing in Moline, Illinois and completely sold out of books (and is fulfilling orders as we speak).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While most of you will not suffer a severe injury to the extent that Molly did, here are three strategies that will help you bounce back and recover, helping you harness this awesome gift of life that we all enjoy:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em;">. Get pissed off.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Sometimes the greatest fuel for improvement is ignited by an intense desire to change. </span><span style="color: black;">Speaker and author, Mel Robbins, tells us that the word “fine” robs more people of their dreams and their potential then any other word.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If something is “fine”, that means you have absolutely no desire to change or improvement. Make a list of things that you merely tolerate… But would love to celebrate.</span></span></div>
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2. Be vulnerable</h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Confidence is an essential trait for anyone who desires success in life; so is humility. You do not know everything that you need to know to achieve the level of success that you desire. This does not mean that you need to become an expert at things that you truly dislike or are untalented at, but it does mean that you should solicit competent advice from people who <em>love</em> doing what you detest.</span></div>
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3. Become an activity grenade</h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nothing happens without action. Little action will not create the amazing results that you truly desire. I understand that if you are 50 pounds heavier than your ideal weight, you will not drop 50 pounds and be in great shape within three days. You will begin taking progressive steps forward toward realizing your goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to massively increase your income, you can’t just call <em>a few</em> additional prospects, you need to blow up your prospect’s phones and follow up so much that they think you are a freak! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are you doing to create your ideal life?</span></div>
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For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit <a href="http://www.theshef.com/">http://www.theshef.com</a>
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Most of us don't wake up <em>hoping</em> that we are relentlessly pounded with unsolicited marketing messages; yet the average North American consumer receives between 4,000 and 10,000 marketing messages every day. </div>
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Our mailboxes are filled with letters from real estate agents, insurance agents, and other small businesses. We all know people who won't shut up about their business on Facebook and other social media channels; thinking that they all have the solution to all of my problems.</div>
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One small problem...how do you know what I want or need if you don't take the time to ask?</div>
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I recently received a direct mail piece from a very nice woman working in real estate who attended one of my speaking events. She means well and is a competent professional, but she committed a common marketing sin:</div>
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Boring Marketing</h3>
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Here are 3 top tips for any direct mail letter</h3>
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Today's consumers <em><strong>demand</strong></em> a relationship with the people whom they do business with. You must employ multiple channels of marketing, and become <em>the trusted source</em> for information in your customer's eyes.</div>
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If you are in sales or marketing, you should check out an article written by Crystal Milburn from <a data-mce-href="http://www.terrostar.com" href="http://www.terrostar.com/" target="_blank">Terrostar Interactive Media</a> wrote a fantastic piece titled, <a href="http://terrostar.com/blog/top-4-marketing-practices-to-continue-in-2014-and-beyond" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1149324539"></span>The Top 4 Marketing Practices to Continue In 2014 (and beyond!).<span id="goog_1149324540"></span></a></div>
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Whether you are marketing to your prospects on their phone, computer screen, mailbox, or over breakfast; invest in the relationship and the value that you can bring to the table. If you are a consultant or professional speaker, read my previous post on <a data-mce-href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/building-a-speaking-business/3-marketing-mistakes-speakers-booking-speaking-dates/" href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/building-a-speaking-business/3-marketing-mistakes-speakers-booking-speaking-dates/" target="_blank">costly speaker marketing mistakes here.</a></div>
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What types of marketing work best for your business?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Morel mushroom hunting has more to do with leadership than you may think. If you have never tasted this amazing gourmet delight that pops from the ground for just a few weeks out of the year, you owe it to yourself to try them. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Many people enjoy the amazing taste of morel mushrooms. Others pick and sell them for as much as $80/lb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">I've pulled 7 great lessons that can impact your business quickly...after a walk in the woods. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdABUFoizW2_1Aj3nJ9lX1A8ftngqkD8jDlxA2UeskpiD2WNF8afuWzvgIkg9L67H3oBYosR8s7GnKEIl2Ef7r9bADauIByRiZ1jeAinYZDl5e7rKrYkAxs_Jg5B_HFjFC2Ol7lLz/s1600/Morel_Mushroom_Leadership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="morel mushroom, mushroom hunting" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdABUFoizW2_1Aj3nJ9lX1A8ftngqkD8jDlxA2UeskpiD2WNF8afuWzvgIkg9L67H3oBYosR8s7GnKEIl2Ef7r9bADauIByRiZ1jeAinYZDl5e7rKrYkAxs_Jg5B_HFjFC2Ol7lLz/s1600/Morel_Mushroom_Leadership.jpg" height="200" title="" width="191" /></a></div>
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1. Slow down and observe.</b> </div>
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The only thing worse than not finding any mushrooms, is looking behind you only to discover that you had trampled a patch of morels.</div>
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2. Focus on your target.</b> </div>
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Any morel mushroom hunter will tell you that once they discover their first morel, a sea of mushrooms instantly pop out in front of their eyes. Keeping a constant focus on your purpose and mission are essential for success in any endeavor.<br /></div>
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<b>3. Change your perspective.</b> </div>
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I will often climb on top of a downed tree or will crouch down toward ground-level in hopes of spotting a hidden morel. It is amazing what kind of impact a different perspective can have. <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Many "problems" in your business aren't really problems at all. They are only a problem of your current perspective.</span></div>
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<b>4. Tune out the noise of life, and tune in to nature. </b></div>
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Countless psychological studies have shown that multitasking simply <i>does not work</i>. You do not see people on their cell phones in the middle of the conference call while there traipsing through the woods looking for mushrooms. Focus on one thing at a time.<br /></div>
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<b>5. Look for hidden opportunities.</b> </div>
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Mushrooms grow around fallen trees. Sometimes you need to use a stick to lift up leaves and other debris that has settled over the winter to uncover what you are looking for. In essence, <i>when opportunity knocks, we don't recognize it because it is dressed in work clothes.</i><br /></div>
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<b>6. Take action or lose the opportunity. </b></div>
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Morels grow for only 2-3 weeks out of the year. You can't pick a mushroom that isn't there! Opportunities in business may come along at an imperfect time; but seizing them when they appear could be the only way that you will be able to realize the prize. </div>
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<b>7. Share the love!</b> </div>
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Frying a batch of morel mushrooms and sharing them with friends and family is a fantastic activity. Great leaders do not seek out the spotlight for themselves; they find reasons to exult and recognize other people in their organization.</div>
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What do you do to seek out hidden opportunities?</div>
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If you like this post, share it and please leave a comment!</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;" style="font-family: Arial;">A picture may be worth 1000 words, yet most people race through the blur of life without pausing to capture the every day magic moments right in front of them. Magic memory opportunities present themselves inside of your business and in life every day. Will you leave the lens cap on?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 1.5em;" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.tgophoto.com/2004/randr.html" href="http://www.tgophoto.com/2004/randr.html" target="_blank">Tom O'Neal</a> is one of r</span>ock 'n roll's most legendary photographers. He and I had an opportunity to catch up following a speaking event in Las Vegas. Have you ever seen the iconic photograph of the Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at Monterey California? Yeah, Tom was there. He has captured memorable images of bands like the Rolling Stones, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Jimi Hendrix, The 3 Tenors, and many more.</span></div>
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Shef and Tom O'Neal</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;" style="font-family: Arial;">During our conversation, I begin to realize that there were several tactics necessary for shooting photographs that also carry over to success in business. </span></div>
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3 Success Ingredients of Photography and Business</h2>
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<strong>1. Perspective</strong></div>
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The angle that the camera is pointed at can create two completely different stories in the viewer's mind. Shooting a performer onstage against a backdrop is nice; shooting that same performer onstage from an angle that shows the audience exploding with laughter or screaming with excitement tells an entirely different story. </div>
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As a business leader, we need to understand the perspective of our customers and our employees. Business that will stand the test of time (especially in an over-commoditized marketplace) will be remembered for the way they utilize their moments of opportunity to "Wow" every customer. <a data-mce-href="http://www.hyken.com/customer-loyalty/customer-service-olympics-reach-gold-reap-rewards/" href="http://www.hyken.com/customer-loyalty/customer-service-olympics-reach-gold-reap-rewards/" target="_blank">(Check out Shep Hyken's blog on Customer Service Olympics).</a></div>
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<strong>2. Pause</strong></div>
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Nothing ruins a photo like a blurry image. Preparing your equipment for the speed of the action you are shooting, and composing the shot is essential. A pause before depressing your shutter has an amazing effect on the crispness of your photo.</div>
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The power of the pause when dealing with customers and employees is also important. Allow a moment too digest what people are saying before launching into a potential solution or response. God gave you two ears and one mouth...use them accordingly.<div style="margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
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<strong>3. Purpose</strong></div>
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<strong></strong>In order to create a memorable subject of a photo, you must eliminate as many non-essential elements in the frame that could distract the viewer.</div>
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Many businesses strive to be <em>everything to everyone, </em>which is a sure recipe for disaster. Pick your top three focus areas of your business, department, or culture that you are committed to working on, and focus exclusively on them.</div>
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Successful people always have more opportunities than we do time, <a data-mce-href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/uncategorized/intensity-equals-results/" href="http://theshef.com/wordpress/uncategorized/intensity-equals-results/" target="_blank">giving yourself the gift of saying "No</a>" to opportunities which do not fit into your primary focus area will clearly set you apart from your competitors.</div>
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These three success recipes will not make you a rock star in your industry overnight, but when practiced constantly, you will become a legend over time. What do you do to capture magic memories with your team and customers?</div>
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Please comment and share!</div>
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