FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey Guys and Gals,
Well, we’ve made it yet another week in this world of exceptional opportunities and unending possibilities. I trust that all is well with each and every one of you. Welcome back to my usual friends and welcome aboard to all my new ones. As always, if you have missed an edition or are new and just joining us, you can access previous editions by going to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
*************** advertisement *****************
“Are you trying to think of new, interesting and effective ways to advertise your business ??? Are you trying to capture someone’s eye and make them take note of what you are doing??? Well, I have just the thing for you. If you go to my website ( http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/about.html ) you will see me standing by my truck with my domain name proudly displayed across the windshield. I have a friend, who’s name is Gary, that provides that plus many other creative ways to bring attention to your business and allows you to be a moving billboard whether you are driving OR walking. He does decals, magnetic signs, t-shirts, banners and more. If you are interested in furthering your advertising methods in a creative and effective way, contact me for more details and SPECAIL PRICING !!!
*********************************************
Well gang, I want to cover what appears to be a chink in some peoples armor, and that is blowing your advertising dollars on bogus advertising and marketing. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t get a call or an email from someone that is spending sometimes hundreds of dollars on their advertising and marketing only to succeed in nothing more than spending more money than they are making. I have actually had people quit my business because they had exhausted there budget on gimmicks and traps. It is an easy trap to fall into, especially if you are new to being in business for yourself and, more importantly, if you are new to being in business on the internet. Now, this is not about which is the best method to advertise and market. This is about making sure that whatever method you choose that you don’t get taken for THE RIDE !!!
Here’s the deal. Years ago we lived in a time when people had morals, character and actually cared about their customers. Welcome to the 21st century !!! Now, we have a breeding ground for scams and rip offs known as THE INTERNET. It is the perfect place to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals who, do to their inexperience, usually can’t even tell they’ve been ripped off !!!
Please, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying to not do business on the internet. I’m simply saying to be careful of WHO you do business with. There is a wide variety of things that you can do to protect yourself but the most effective method is to remember this. If it sounds like they are trying to sell you oceanfront property in Arizona then they probably are !!!
That having been said, I would like to make some recommendations. First of all, look for evidence that they are a real company. I personally won’t do business with anybody that doesn’t have a verifiable brick and mortar address and phone number. If they are so secretive that they don’t want me to be able to contact them or find them on a map they are not going to see one thin dime of my money.
Secondly, ask questions around your company. Maybe someone has heard things about them whether good or bad. Or, even better, maybe they have actually used them and can tell you what they think of the product or service that they were provided. If there is a company out there that is using less than desirable methods of conducting business, news usually travels pretty fast. Also, before even choosing the company that you want to use you might consider going straight to one of the leaders in your company and asking for a referral. They probably have particular places that they conduct business with on a regular basis.
Thirdly, (and this is one of my biggest pet peeves !!!) NEVER do business with an advertising company that GUARANTEES any particular success rate. That is absolute HORSE HOCKEY !!! How, in the name of all that is intelligent, can they tell you how many people are going to buy your product or sign up for your opportunity ??? That’s INSANE but you would be floored at how many of them make those very claims.
Lastly, be very careful of Bulk E-mail companies and companies that sell GUARANTEED TRAFFIC to your site. The email companies almost NEVER provide any kind of proof that they even mailed your ad. As far as the guaranteed traffic people, there is this neat little tool called an IP ADDRESS GENERATOR. In other words, you buy 20,000 visitors (for example) and they give you a control panel site, back office or whatever they want to call it for you to supposedly SEE the ip addresses of all your VISITORS. This back office tracks the ip addresses of all your visitors that supposedly visited your site. The only problem is that they DON’T EXIST !!! The company was just hitting your site repeatedly with a different ip address each time. FOR THE RECORD, there are plenty of honorable traffic companies out there. The one I recommend is http://www.massivehits.us . The lady that runs that company is Michelle Raybourn. She is very nice and I have been doing business with her for a while now.
The bottom line is that there are plenty of good companies out there to do business with while advertising and promoting your business. You just have to pick through all the chunks of coal to find the diamonds.
*********************************************
I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an "Honest Man."
- George Washington
*********************************************
I read a poem once that has really stuck with me throughout the years. It has made me spend many hours thinking about my life. You see, sometimes we get so caught up in life and the pursuit of success that it’s kind of like living inside the eye of a hurricane. To you everything looks fine but all around you is turmoil, chaos and destruction.
Everything in life has a potential for a POSITIVE or NEGATIVE effect on your life. Success is no different. You get so focused on MAKING IT that you lose site of the very life that you are trying to make it FOR. You miss out on important things that, at the moment may not seem important but they are things that will never happen again and some day you’ll regret missing them. You treat people poorly because you stress over your business and take it out on them. You allow things to go in a direction that you don’t even realize they are going in until it’s TOO LATE !!!
Don’t get me wrong !!! Nobody is more for being successful than me. It’s just that I grew up really poor and even I had issues with dealing with success when I first started pursuing it. Success, PROPERLY MANAGED, is a phenomenal thing but it has an equally DEVASTATING effect on your life if you obsess over it and allow it to come between you and the REALLY important things in life. It’s like a medication that, if taken in the proper dosage, will do wonderful things for you but take the wrong amount and it can KILL YOU !!!
I would like for you to read this poem and then I want you to do some real soul searching. Sometimes it only takes a tiny nudge on the shoulder to make you see that you are off course and to put you back on it…….
“I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning…… to the end.”
“He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.”
“For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.”
“For it matters not, how much we own, the cars….. The house…….
What matters is how we live and love…. And how we spend our dash.”
“So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.”
“If we could just slow down long enough to consider what’s true and real…
And always try to understand the way other people feel.”
“And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more.
And love the people in our lives….. Like we’ve never loved before.”
“If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.”
“So, when your eulogy is being read…. With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say….. About how you spent your dash?”
- Linda Ellis
*********************************************
“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.”
- Bessie Stanley
*********************************************
Well, I always hate this part because this newsletter has become such an extension of myself.. Such a RELEASE… A way for me to reach out to all of you on a personal level and that is important to me. I always end with the thought in my mind, “If I could only know that I touched just one person in a productive way….” I truly enjoy this method of joining the end of one week with the beginning of another. It rejuvenates me. It clears my mind and strengthens my Spirit. I hope that all of you enjoy being here as much as I do. Until the Good Lord affords us the opportunity to do this again, just remember……
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-230-7997
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Newsletter 10/28/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey everybody, I trust that each and every one of you has hung in there yet another week fighting the good fight of entrepreneurship. Myself, I have had a fun filled weekend consisting of both conducting business and moving to my new office location in Gallatin, Tn. I will be updating my website with my new contact information and it has already been updated at the bottom of this newsletter. To all of our regular readers, it’s good to be with you again and to all our new readers, welcome to our little group. As always, if you are new and want to read previous editions or just missed one and want to catch up, you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** Success University ******************
I just want to remind everyone again about the new $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE that Success University has in place. Whether you are already a member and just haven’t climbed on board yet or you are not a member and have been working on making that big decision, I highly suggest that you get moving on this !!! Tell me, where else in the world of Network Marketing are you going to get a guarantee on ANYTHING, let alone how much money you are going to make ??? This one is a no brainer folks. You need to get all the facts and then place your order for the greatest marketing tool to hit the industry in a long time. I did and you should too !!! Make the decision, make the commitment and MAKE THE MONEY !!!
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
*****************************************************
NOTE: Don’t forget to send me your information if you would like to be spotlighted in the next edition of the newsletter. I would love to afford you the opportunity to put yourself out there and share with the rest of us whatever special things you may have going on in your life. I’ll be waiting for your e-mails.
Ok, let’s talk about a problem that seems to have reached EPIDEMIC proportions in this industry. ASK FOR THE SALE !!!!!!!!! I run into this all the time. People call me, email me and IM me wanting to know why nobody ever follows through and signs up with there business or purchases their product after they look at it. Do you know what I found out ? NOBODY EVER ASKED THEM TO !!!!
People, you have to ask for the decision. You have to ask them to buy or sign up or whatever the nature of your business is. That’s why they call it DIRECT SALES. You are supposed to work DIRECTLY with your potential customer. You need to COMMUNICATE with your potential customer. You need to tell them you are going to get back with them in a couple of days and get a commitment out of them to be available at that time. Also, get an alternate appointment date and time just in case SOMETHING COMES UP on their end. That way you not only increase your chances of a successful follow up but you appear much more professional and, in all likelihood, will be taken much more seriously.
Also, make sure you KNOW your product or service. When you do your follow up you can count on questions. At least from the truly interested potential customers. You can’t sell to someone that is just not interested but someone with questions is a sale that just hasn’t taken place yet. They just want to clear the air about a few things before they make the final decision. And how can you do that for them if you can’t answer their questions? You should either have the answers or have a good support system in place so that you can immediately get them on the phone with someone that has the answers. Product or service knowledge is an indispensable asset that you MUST have !!! People with questions that you can’t answer are not going to be comfortable doing business with you. In order to be successful with your product or service you must be passionate about it and how can you be passionate about something that you are clueless about?
*****************************************************
“I never see failure as failure but rather as a learning experience, the negative feedback that i need, the opportunity to develop my sense of humor, the opportunity to practice my techniques, and the game i must play to win.”
- Les Brown
*****************************************************
Alright, I have a question for everyone. I want you to ask this question of yourself. Ready?
“What kind of company would my company be if everyone in it were exactly like me?”
As we all know, in any business the key to success is DUPLICATION. You are in a leadership position and you need to know the answer to the question WOULD I WANT MY TEAM TO DUPLICATE ME? Seriously, take a few moments and do a little self-evaluation. Think about what you do on a day to day basis towards the advancement of your business of choice. Think about how much time you spend planning. Think about how much focus you put on developing your skills and knowledge. Think about how much time you waste doing non-productive things that you rationalize to yourself are necessary to do.
Ok, now think about that question again and determine if you are doing your part to be the kind of person that you would want your team to duplicate because guess what??? If your team isn’t winning YOU are the reason. You heard me. How can you pass blame on anyone when you yourself are falling short. Your team members are looking to you to see how you run your business because they want to be successful just as you are so, most likely, they are going to mimmick your practices. So, put your game face on, get your little duckies in a row then DUPLICATE, DUPLICATE, DUPLICATE !!!!!
*****************************************************
“A business leader has to keep their organization focused on the mission. That sounds easy, but it can be tremendously challenging in today’s competitive and ever-changing business environment. A leader also has to motivate potential customers to join the cause.
- Meg Whitman
*****************************************************
Did you know that failure is a learned concept? That’s right, you LEARN TO ACCEPT FAILURE !!! Now, that’s a little bit to swallow at first brush but allow me to make my point. Think about a child for a second. Picture one of your own kids or grandkids when they were very small. Remember watching them learn to walk? What did they do EVERY SINGLE TIME they fell? That’s right, they got back up. Do you know why they got back up? Because nobody told them that FAILURE WAS AN OPTION !!! Nobody told them that they couldn’t do it. All they knew was that they saw somebody else do it so they figured they could too. They didn’t understand that not succeeding was a possible option.
The same holds true for a bumble bee. Did you know that according to the laws of physics that a bumble bee isn’t supposed to be able to fly? But guess what… NOBODY TOLD THE BUMBLE BEE !!! If we could all just stay in the mindset that there are only POSSIBILITIES and no IMPOSSIBILITIES, there would be NOTHING that we could not accomplish. Remove doubt, fear and disbelief from your mind and you take control over that which was OUT OF CONTROL.
So many people set out to do something and immediately take away their ability to do it by beginning to go over in their head all the reasons they CAN’T DO IT. From that moment on, whatever it is that they are trying to do is doomed. Listen, if you make a case for you obstacles and shortcomings you get to keep them. The things that would hinder your success should never be anything more than character building learning experiences. If you focus on failure then failure is what you will receive. But, if you focus on success and do those things that will improve your chances of succeeding, such as spending as much time and energy as possible on self-development, then you will pave the way to make all your dreams come true. Your mind is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. Your thoughts can make anything possible but they can also take everything away from you. Don’t let failure be a possibility in your life. Choose SUCCESS !!!!!!
*******************************************************
“If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress.”
- Calvin Coolidge
*******************************************************
Well, it’s been a long weekend with the moving and all. Guess I’ll call it a night and get some rest so I can get up in the morning and take the world the way it was meant to be taken, HEAD ON !!! Folks, as it always is, it has been a highlight of my week to spend this quality time with all of you. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I and I hope you have taken with you some little something that will improve your life in some way or another. Until the Good Lord grants us this time together again, just remember…….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-230-7997
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Hey everybody, I trust that each and every one of you has hung in there yet another week fighting the good fight of entrepreneurship. Myself, I have had a fun filled weekend consisting of both conducting business and moving to my new office location in Gallatin, Tn. I will be updating my website with my new contact information and it has already been updated at the bottom of this newsletter. To all of our regular readers, it’s good to be with you again and to all our new readers, welcome to our little group. As always, if you are new and want to read previous editions or just missed one and want to catch up, you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links.html (bottom left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** Success University ******************
I just want to remind everyone again about the new $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE that Success University has in place. Whether you are already a member and just haven’t climbed on board yet or you are not a member and have been working on making that big decision, I highly suggest that you get moving on this !!! Tell me, where else in the world of Network Marketing are you going to get a guarantee on ANYTHING, let alone how much money you are going to make ??? This one is a no brainer folks. You need to get all the facts and then place your order for the greatest marketing tool to hit the industry in a long time. I did and you should too !!! Make the decision, make the commitment and MAKE THE MONEY !!!
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
*****************************************************
NOTE: Don’t forget to send me your information if you would like to be spotlighted in the next edition of the newsletter. I would love to afford you the opportunity to put yourself out there and share with the rest of us whatever special things you may have going on in your life. I’ll be waiting for your e-mails.
Ok, let’s talk about a problem that seems to have reached EPIDEMIC proportions in this industry. ASK FOR THE SALE !!!!!!!!! I run into this all the time. People call me, email me and IM me wanting to know why nobody ever follows through and signs up with there business or purchases their product after they look at it. Do you know what I found out ? NOBODY EVER ASKED THEM TO !!!!
People, you have to ask for the decision. You have to ask them to buy or sign up or whatever the nature of your business is. That’s why they call it DIRECT SALES. You are supposed to work DIRECTLY with your potential customer. You need to COMMUNICATE with your potential customer. You need to tell them you are going to get back with them in a couple of days and get a commitment out of them to be available at that time. Also, get an alternate appointment date and time just in case SOMETHING COMES UP on their end. That way you not only increase your chances of a successful follow up but you appear much more professional and, in all likelihood, will be taken much more seriously.
Also, make sure you KNOW your product or service. When you do your follow up you can count on questions. At least from the truly interested potential customers. You can’t sell to someone that is just not interested but someone with questions is a sale that just hasn’t taken place yet. They just want to clear the air about a few things before they make the final decision. And how can you do that for them if you can’t answer their questions? You should either have the answers or have a good support system in place so that you can immediately get them on the phone with someone that has the answers. Product or service knowledge is an indispensable asset that you MUST have !!! People with questions that you can’t answer are not going to be comfortable doing business with you. In order to be successful with your product or service you must be passionate about it and how can you be passionate about something that you are clueless about?
*****************************************************
“I never see failure as failure but rather as a learning experience, the negative feedback that i need, the opportunity to develop my sense of humor, the opportunity to practice my techniques, and the game i must play to win.”
- Les Brown
*****************************************************
Alright, I have a question for everyone. I want you to ask this question of yourself. Ready?
“What kind of company would my company be if everyone in it were exactly like me?”
As we all know, in any business the key to success is DUPLICATION. You are in a leadership position and you need to know the answer to the question WOULD I WANT MY TEAM TO DUPLICATE ME? Seriously, take a few moments and do a little self-evaluation. Think about what you do on a day to day basis towards the advancement of your business of choice. Think about how much time you spend planning. Think about how much focus you put on developing your skills and knowledge. Think about how much time you waste doing non-productive things that you rationalize to yourself are necessary to do.
Ok, now think about that question again and determine if you are doing your part to be the kind of person that you would want your team to duplicate because guess what??? If your team isn’t winning YOU are the reason. You heard me. How can you pass blame on anyone when you yourself are falling short. Your team members are looking to you to see how you run your business because they want to be successful just as you are so, most likely, they are going to mimmick your practices. So, put your game face on, get your little duckies in a row then DUPLICATE, DUPLICATE, DUPLICATE !!!!!
*****************************************************
“A business leader has to keep their organization focused on the mission. That sounds easy, but it can be tremendously challenging in today’s competitive and ever-changing business environment. A leader also has to motivate potential customers to join the cause.
- Meg Whitman
*****************************************************
Did you know that failure is a learned concept? That’s right, you LEARN TO ACCEPT FAILURE !!! Now, that’s a little bit to swallow at first brush but allow me to make my point. Think about a child for a second. Picture one of your own kids or grandkids when they were very small. Remember watching them learn to walk? What did they do EVERY SINGLE TIME they fell? That’s right, they got back up. Do you know why they got back up? Because nobody told them that FAILURE WAS AN OPTION !!! Nobody told them that they couldn’t do it. All they knew was that they saw somebody else do it so they figured they could too. They didn’t understand that not succeeding was a possible option.
The same holds true for a bumble bee. Did you know that according to the laws of physics that a bumble bee isn’t supposed to be able to fly? But guess what… NOBODY TOLD THE BUMBLE BEE !!! If we could all just stay in the mindset that there are only POSSIBILITIES and no IMPOSSIBILITIES, there would be NOTHING that we could not accomplish. Remove doubt, fear and disbelief from your mind and you take control over that which was OUT OF CONTROL.
So many people set out to do something and immediately take away their ability to do it by beginning to go over in their head all the reasons they CAN’T DO IT. From that moment on, whatever it is that they are trying to do is doomed. Listen, if you make a case for you obstacles and shortcomings you get to keep them. The things that would hinder your success should never be anything more than character building learning experiences. If you focus on failure then failure is what you will receive. But, if you focus on success and do those things that will improve your chances of succeeding, such as spending as much time and energy as possible on self-development, then you will pave the way to make all your dreams come true. Your mind is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. Your thoughts can make anything possible but they can also take everything away from you. Don’t let failure be a possibility in your life. Choose SUCCESS !!!!!!
*******************************************************
“If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress.”
- Calvin Coolidge
*******************************************************
Well, it’s been a long weekend with the moving and all. Guess I’ll call it a night and get some rest so I can get up in the morning and take the world the way it was meant to be taken, HEAD ON !!! Folks, as it always is, it has been a highlight of my week to spend this quality time with all of you. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I and I hope you have taken with you some little something that will improve your life in some way or another. Until the Good Lord grants us this time together again, just remember…….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-230-7997
270-320-1324
Skype ID : jeffhodges1
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Newsletter 10/21/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES:
Hello Everybody,
As always, I hope you have all had a week for the record books. I know I have. Success and prosperity have followed me every step of the way and I am grateful for it all. Welcome back to our regulars and Welcome Home to our new readers. Always remember that if you are new and want to read back issues or if you just missed one, that you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
************************ ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************
Just wanted to touch base with all of you on a couple of things. First, don’t forget about our ongoing enrollment contest. Still waiting to see who is going to take the $500.00 from me. Also, don’t forget about the $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE that Success University has put in place along with the Tuition Reimbursement Guarantee Challenge that I am personally sponsoring. Haven’t had any takers on that one yet. And lastly, I announced last week that I wanted to start doing a weekly spotlight on any of our readers that wanted to send me their information so that you can put yourself out their for all of us to get to know. I really want to attain a level of FAMILY amongst my readers. So, send in that information and I’ll give you your 15 SENTENCES OF FAME !!!
******************************************************************
Ok folks, I’m going to tell you a little story and then I’m going to make my point…..
“An established company and a group of entrepreneurs had a boat race. The established company won by a mile. The entrepreneurs hired analysts to figure out what went wrong. They reported that the established company had one person managing and seven rowing, while the entrepreneurs had seven managing and only one rowing. The entrepreneurs immediately restructured it’s team. Now, they had one senior manager, six management consultants and one rower. In the rematch, the established company won by two miles so the entrepreneurs FIRED THE ROWER !!!”
Now, the point behind that story is this. If you are new at something and somebody else is already good at it, it might be in your best interests to follow in their footsteps instead of trying to re-invent the wheel !!! The company you decided to become a part of is obviously already successful and has a system in place for you to use. I must have had five or more phone calls this week from people that wanted me to teach them how to run their business of Network Marketing WITHOUT HAVING TO TALK TO ANYBODY !!!
Folks, I’m not trying to be rude but if you are in Network Marketing and you don’t want to talk to anybody then YOU ARE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS !!! I understand that technology is great. I understand that there are easy ways and shortcuts to a lot of things today. I get it. But you have to understand that Network Marketing, by it’s very nature, is a PEOPLE BUSINESS. The whole concept is built around building relationships and establishing trust and respect for one another. Just because Nuclear Energy is a great new alternative fuel, I promise that if you put it in your lawnmower that it’s NOT GONNA RUN.
Using any and all outside resources you can to ENHANCE your business is great but you can’t completely get away from the root concept of the business if you plan on it sustaining itself. I know, you always hear about all these great programs that will BUILD YOUR DOWNLINE WHILE YOU SLEEP and get 10,000 PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR BUSINESS, etc. etc. etc……… But, you know what, you are going to have an attrition rate that is OUT OF THIS WORLD if you run your business on auto pilot and completely eliminate the HUMAN FACTOR.
When people are new to any business, ESPECIALLY Network Marketing, when they look behind them to ask a question or get help with something and nobody is there I can assure you that you won’t have them in your downline for very long. Now, if you have this phenomenal advertising budget and can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars building your business and a 75 to 80 % attrition rate doesn’t bother you then MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU but most people need their members to stay once they come aboard and the only way that is going to happen is if you primarily run your business the way it was designed to be ran.
Ok, with the understanding that most people that want to avoid talking to other people about their business is NOT that they are lazy but rather, that they feel they don’t have the ability to or knowledge of how to, I would like to share some tips with you on the subject……
The first thing is a little goodie I call “SHOPspecting”. Sales people are natural talkers and will APPROACH YOU. When they do, pick an item and use these three phrases.
1. “Tell me about this” They will give you their best sales pitch.
2. “Wow, what else can you tell me about this?” They will see you as a probable sale and continue.
3. “You would be great at my business!!! Take my card and call me when you get off work.”
Now, was that rocket science???
NOTE: If you are in Success University this would be a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to give away a copy of EMPOWER MAGAZINE !!!
Another area people go wrong in is trying to explain their whole business to a prospect. Just remember that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER but INFORMATION IS POISON. When you approach someone about you business you want to let the system your company has in place do it’s job. If you get all wrapped up in explaining ten thousand things to someone then you are only giving them ten thousand possible reasons to object ON THE SPOT and not even take a look at your business. You should always appear as a very busy person and that you will be happy to answer all their questions AFTER they have looked over your information. There is a saying in the business…. BE BRIEF, BE BRILLIANT AND BE GONE !!!
Then, finally, when you are following up with a person ask them what they LIKED about your business. This makes it necessary for them to make positive statements and have positive thoughts about it. Don’t ask them what they THOUGHT about it. That only serves as an open invitation to formulate objections. However, if they bring up any questions or concerns, this is the time to handle them. Then, after you have answered all their questions it’s time to ASK FOR THE COMMITMENT. You would be surprised how many people will take a prospect through the entire interview process then FREEZE UP at the end and just kind of lose steam. When you are confident that you have covered all their issues then simply say, “Ok Mr./Msr. Prospect, if we can get you started RIGHT NOW can you think of any reason why we shouldn’t?” They already told you what their questions and concerns were so they should be ready to go. Simple, right???
When it comes to prospecting in any type of marketing there are three simple ingredients for success:
1. Desire- Why do they want to be a part of your business? What’s in it for them?
2. Enthusiasm- Show people your passion about what you do. A fake has a very distinctive odor !!!
3. Simplicity- Keep it short and simple. Commitment decisions are made with emotion, not facts.
I hope that these little morsels helped some. But, seriously everybody, whether you are selling a product, a service or promoting a business opportunity…. The moment you eliminate the HUMAN FACTOR you have created your own struggle. You have put up your own fences. But when you embrace any business the way it was meant to be ran, it becomes a process instead of a problem. Just remember that when the business becomes a process it becomes a joy and when it becomes a joy you will never WORK another day of your life !!!
********************************************************************
“Enthusiasm is that secret and harmonious spirit which hovers over the production of genius.”
- Isaac Disraeli
********************************************************************
In just a little over thirty days it will be Thanksgiving. Most of us will probably be loading up in the car to go see our respective families, some many miles across the country. There will be parades, fancy dinners and an array of other forms or celebration but, amidst all that, I encourage you to make sure that you don’t lose sight of what Thanksgiving is all about.
It is a time when we should stop and reflect on all that we have and to show gratitude for it. Now, I don’t mean just material, superficial things like a new car or a big screen TV. I mean things like that new, healthy grandbaby. I mean things like the fact that your mom and dad are still here to celebrate with you. I mean things like the fact that when you hear a whistling sound it is most likely a bottle rocket and not an artillery round.
You see, when I grew up my family was just as guilty of not pushing the issue of Gratitude as many others are. I grew up thinking that it was just basically an excuse to gorge yourself with food and spend time with people that you hardly ever saw. Then, one year I was invited to a close friend of mine’s family Thanksgiving celebration and they did the most wonderful thing. After they said Grace over the dinner (which many people don’t do either) everybody had to take a turn and tell everyone else what they were thankful for. I had never encountered this before and it forever changed me inside. From that day on I have always embraced Thanksgiving with an entirely different attitude and mindset. I encourage each and every one of you, if you don’t already do it, to try that approach this year. It will change you too !!!
********************************************************************
“If it is a new thought to you that gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the Universe, consider it well, and you will see that it is true.”
- Wallace Wattles
********************************************************************
Well, it’s about that time again. It’s about time for me to start winding down my evening and begin planning for tomorrows activities. Remember, planning has a 10:1 productivity ratio over “Winging It !!!” So, I will close for now and go curl up on the couch with Shelby, my dog. She has been patiently waiting for me finish so I can pay some attention to her while I make out my schedule. It has been, as it always is, not only a pleasure but an honor to spend this time with all of you. Until next time, may God bless and keep you all, and remember…
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Hello Everybody,
As always, I hope you have all had a week for the record books. I know I have. Success and prosperity have followed me every step of the way and I am grateful for it all. Welcome back to our regulars and Welcome Home to our new readers. Always remember that if you are new and want to read back issues or if you just missed one, that you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left corner of the page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
************************ ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************
Just wanted to touch base with all of you on a couple of things. First, don’t forget about our ongoing enrollment contest. Still waiting to see who is going to take the $500.00 from me. Also, don’t forget about the $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE that Success University has put in place along with the Tuition Reimbursement Guarantee Challenge that I am personally sponsoring. Haven’t had any takers on that one yet. And lastly, I announced last week that I wanted to start doing a weekly spotlight on any of our readers that wanted to send me their information so that you can put yourself out their for all of us to get to know. I really want to attain a level of FAMILY amongst my readers. So, send in that information and I’ll give you your 15 SENTENCES OF FAME !!!
******************************************************************
Ok folks, I’m going to tell you a little story and then I’m going to make my point…..
“An established company and a group of entrepreneurs had a boat race. The established company won by a mile. The entrepreneurs hired analysts to figure out what went wrong. They reported that the established company had one person managing and seven rowing, while the entrepreneurs had seven managing and only one rowing. The entrepreneurs immediately restructured it’s team. Now, they had one senior manager, six management consultants and one rower. In the rematch, the established company won by two miles so the entrepreneurs FIRED THE ROWER !!!”
Now, the point behind that story is this. If you are new at something and somebody else is already good at it, it might be in your best interests to follow in their footsteps instead of trying to re-invent the wheel !!! The company you decided to become a part of is obviously already successful and has a system in place for you to use. I must have had five or more phone calls this week from people that wanted me to teach them how to run their business of Network Marketing WITHOUT HAVING TO TALK TO ANYBODY !!!
Folks, I’m not trying to be rude but if you are in Network Marketing and you don’t want to talk to anybody then YOU ARE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS !!! I understand that technology is great. I understand that there are easy ways and shortcuts to a lot of things today. I get it. But you have to understand that Network Marketing, by it’s very nature, is a PEOPLE BUSINESS. The whole concept is built around building relationships and establishing trust and respect for one another. Just because Nuclear Energy is a great new alternative fuel, I promise that if you put it in your lawnmower that it’s NOT GONNA RUN.
Using any and all outside resources you can to ENHANCE your business is great but you can’t completely get away from the root concept of the business if you plan on it sustaining itself. I know, you always hear about all these great programs that will BUILD YOUR DOWNLINE WHILE YOU SLEEP and get 10,000 PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR BUSINESS, etc. etc. etc……… But, you know what, you are going to have an attrition rate that is OUT OF THIS WORLD if you run your business on auto pilot and completely eliminate the HUMAN FACTOR.
When people are new to any business, ESPECIALLY Network Marketing, when they look behind them to ask a question or get help with something and nobody is there I can assure you that you won’t have them in your downline for very long. Now, if you have this phenomenal advertising budget and can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars building your business and a 75 to 80 % attrition rate doesn’t bother you then MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU but most people need their members to stay once they come aboard and the only way that is going to happen is if you primarily run your business the way it was designed to be ran.
Ok, with the understanding that most people that want to avoid talking to other people about their business is NOT that they are lazy but rather, that they feel they don’t have the ability to or knowledge of how to, I would like to share some tips with you on the subject……
The first thing is a little goodie I call “SHOPspecting”. Sales people are natural talkers and will APPROACH YOU. When they do, pick an item and use these three phrases.
1. “Tell me about this” They will give you their best sales pitch.
2. “Wow, what else can you tell me about this?” They will see you as a probable sale and continue.
3. “You would be great at my business!!! Take my card and call me when you get off work.”
Now, was that rocket science???
NOTE: If you are in Success University this would be a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to give away a copy of EMPOWER MAGAZINE !!!
Another area people go wrong in is trying to explain their whole business to a prospect. Just remember that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER but INFORMATION IS POISON. When you approach someone about you business you want to let the system your company has in place do it’s job. If you get all wrapped up in explaining ten thousand things to someone then you are only giving them ten thousand possible reasons to object ON THE SPOT and not even take a look at your business. You should always appear as a very busy person and that you will be happy to answer all their questions AFTER they have looked over your information. There is a saying in the business…. BE BRIEF, BE BRILLIANT AND BE GONE !!!
Then, finally, when you are following up with a person ask them what they LIKED about your business. This makes it necessary for them to make positive statements and have positive thoughts about it. Don’t ask them what they THOUGHT about it. That only serves as an open invitation to formulate objections. However, if they bring up any questions or concerns, this is the time to handle them. Then, after you have answered all their questions it’s time to ASK FOR THE COMMITMENT. You would be surprised how many people will take a prospect through the entire interview process then FREEZE UP at the end and just kind of lose steam. When you are confident that you have covered all their issues then simply say, “Ok Mr./Msr. Prospect, if we can get you started RIGHT NOW can you think of any reason why we shouldn’t?” They already told you what their questions and concerns were so they should be ready to go. Simple, right???
When it comes to prospecting in any type of marketing there are three simple ingredients for success:
1. Desire- Why do they want to be a part of your business? What’s in it for them?
2. Enthusiasm- Show people your passion about what you do. A fake has a very distinctive odor !!!
3. Simplicity- Keep it short and simple. Commitment decisions are made with emotion, not facts.
I hope that these little morsels helped some. But, seriously everybody, whether you are selling a product, a service or promoting a business opportunity…. The moment you eliminate the HUMAN FACTOR you have created your own struggle. You have put up your own fences. But when you embrace any business the way it was meant to be ran, it becomes a process instead of a problem. Just remember that when the business becomes a process it becomes a joy and when it becomes a joy you will never WORK another day of your life !!!
********************************************************************
“Enthusiasm is that secret and harmonious spirit which hovers over the production of genius.”
- Isaac Disraeli
********************************************************************
In just a little over thirty days it will be Thanksgiving. Most of us will probably be loading up in the car to go see our respective families, some many miles across the country. There will be parades, fancy dinners and an array of other forms or celebration but, amidst all that, I encourage you to make sure that you don’t lose sight of what Thanksgiving is all about.
It is a time when we should stop and reflect on all that we have and to show gratitude for it. Now, I don’t mean just material, superficial things like a new car or a big screen TV. I mean things like that new, healthy grandbaby. I mean things like the fact that your mom and dad are still here to celebrate with you. I mean things like the fact that when you hear a whistling sound it is most likely a bottle rocket and not an artillery round.
You see, when I grew up my family was just as guilty of not pushing the issue of Gratitude as many others are. I grew up thinking that it was just basically an excuse to gorge yourself with food and spend time with people that you hardly ever saw. Then, one year I was invited to a close friend of mine’s family Thanksgiving celebration and they did the most wonderful thing. After they said Grace over the dinner (which many people don’t do either) everybody had to take a turn and tell everyone else what they were thankful for. I had never encountered this before and it forever changed me inside. From that day on I have always embraced Thanksgiving with an entirely different attitude and mindset. I encourage each and every one of you, if you don’t already do it, to try that approach this year. It will change you too !!!
********************************************************************
“If it is a new thought to you that gratitude brings your whole mind into closer harmony with the creative energies of the Universe, consider it well, and you will see that it is true.”
- Wallace Wattles
********************************************************************
Well, it’s about that time again. It’s about time for me to start winding down my evening and begin planning for tomorrows activities. Remember, planning has a 10:1 productivity ratio over “Winging It !!!” So, I will close for now and go curl up on the couch with Shelby, my dog. She has been patiently waiting for me finish so I can pay some attention to her while I make out my schedule. It has been, as it always is, not only a pleasure but an honor to spend this time with all of you. Until next time, may God bless and keep you all, and remember…
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Newsletter 10/14/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES
Hey everyone,
I hope each and every one of you have had as wonderful and prosperous of a week as I’ve had. It is just phenomenal how the Universe just makes everything happen the way you want it to when you have the knowledge of the power of Right Thinking. It has been said that “All that you are is a result of all that you have thought” and I whole heartedly agree. As always, I would like to welcome back all our regulars and put out the red carpet for all our new readers. If you’ve missed an issue or are new and want to read back issues you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** advertisement ******************
Have you heard about Success University’s PHENOMENAL NEW MARKETING TOOL ??? They have come out with a marketing tool SO GREAT that they have put a $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE on it !!!!!!!!!! People, how NO BRAINER does it have to get ???? All you do after signing up with Success University is start using this tool and if you are not making $50,000 in RESIDUAL INCOME 12 months later you get a FULL REFUND on the amount of the tool !!! HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG ??? I jumped straight on it. If you remember, a few days ago I put out a special announcement that said if you go to my site ( http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com ) and sign up for Success University that I would give the first 10 people that wanted to build a team with me a FULL MONEY BACK GURANTEE on ALL TUITIONS paid in if they stuck it out for at least twelve months and did what I told them to do. If you put those 2 guarantees together you have ZERO to lose and $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME to gain. Wouldn’t NOW be a good time to shoot me an email and take me up on my offer AND take Success University up on theirs as well ???
*************************************************
Ok folks, I have decided to throw a little spice into our newsletter. I have been thinking a lot lately about all the AWESOME people I am afforded the opportunity to meet in this industry and all the interesting and unique things about them. I have decided to start a weekly spotlight (information permitting) on one person or couple at a time. It’s your opportunity to put yourself in front of the group and say hello sort of. Now, I don’t want this to turn into a forum for cross-recruiting. This is for spotlighting special things about yourself like if you’re an artist, musician, painter, etc. If you want to be featured in the Sunday edition I will need your information no later than Friday. All that having been said, this weeks spot light is on Ryan Seslow.
Ryan Seslow is a multidisciplinary artist and professor of fine art in NY. He currently teaches studio art courses in drawing, painting, sculpture and design simultaneously between 4 universities. Indeed professor Seslow has a lot of energy. Along with actively showing his work both nationally and internationally, Seslow has recently published an E-book coloring book for children. It can be viewed at http://www.ryanseslow.com. Along with a passion for ART, Seslow is a student in the world of Internet marketing, and using the internet as a medium of both creativity and communication.
The Ryan Seslow E-Book Coloring Book for Kids!
The E-Book version is a one time download that you can use over and over again!
The printable book contains a collection of 77 black and white drawings that have
evolved from 1995 - 2007!! Break out your crayons, colored pencils or water colors, or color them
in on your computer!
The book is waiting for your creative energy,
Get it Here NOW!
http://www.ryanseslow.com
Want to watch a fancy Video Preview version of the Book?
( with cool original song I created )
Go here NOW!
http://www.ryanseslow.com
Do you have Children? Grandchildren? Nieces? Nephews?
Cousins? Brothers and Sisters? Do you have Friends and Colleagues?
Then Please send them this link! Help Me spread the word !
Thank You!
**********************************************************
“Nature is a revelation of God; Art a revelation of man.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
**********************************************************
The first thing I would like to share with you today is something that I was exposed to years ago and it has helped me a lot in my goal setting. I shared this with my team in Success University a few months ago but there are MANY reading this newsletter that did not get the benefit of that exposure so I thought it was important to put it in this issue.
You see, it’s not that people don’t set goals but, like everything else, there is the correct, effective way to do something and then there is the JUST GOOD ENOUGH TO SAY YOU DID IT way of doing something. What follows will give you a whole new perspective on your goals and the way in which you set them. It is called THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOAL SETTING…
1. THOU SHALL BE DECISIVE: Success is a choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will or should do that for you.
2. THOU SHALL STAY FOCUSED: A close relative to being decisive, but your ability to sustain your focus from beginning to end determines the timing and condition of your outcomes.
3. THOU SHALL WELCOME FAILURE: The fundamental question is not whether you should accept failure. You have no choice but to expect it as a temporary condition on the pathway of progress. Rather, the question is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.
4. THOU SHALL WRITE DOWN THY GOALS: Your mind, while blessed with permanent memory, is cursed with lousy recall. People forget things. Avoid the temptation of being cocky. Write down your goals.
5. THOU SHALL PLAN THOROUGHLY: Planning saves time at a ratio of 10:1 in execution. PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE !!!
6. THOU SHALL INVOLVE OTHERS: Nobody goes through life alone. Establish your own personal “Board of Directors”, people whose wisdom, knowledge, and character you respect to help achieve your goals.
7. THOU SHALL TAKE PURPOSEFUL ACTION: Success is not a spectator sport. Achievement demands action. You cannot expect to arrive at success without having made the trip.
8. THOU SHALL REWARD THYSELF: Rewards work !!! Think of what you will give yourself as a result of your hard work, focus and persistence. You deserve it.
9. THOU SHALL INSPECT WHAT THY EXPECTS: The shelf life of all plans is limited. No plan holds up against opposition. Everything changes. Therefore, inspect frequently and closely. It’s an insurance plan on your success.
10. THOU SHALL MAINTAIN PERSONAL INTEGRITY: Maintain your commitment to your commitment. Set your goals. Promise yourself that you will achieve them. Eliminate wiggle room for excuses. That’s personal integrity !!!
If you apply these 10 thing to your goal setting and be straight, firm and fair with yourself, you will be absolutely AMAZED at the difference in your ability to reach those goals. Just remember…….
YOU CANNOT HIT A TARGET THAT YOU CANNOT SEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*********************************************************
“A goal properly set is half way reached.”
- Zig Ziglar
*********************************************************
I often wonder how my life would be if I had not been introduced to the LAW OF ATTRACTION. It has made such phenomenal changes in my life. And the funny thing is that, not only does my use of it now produce all the wonderful things that I am enjoying in life but it explains SO MUCH about how my life use to be. One of the leading authorities on the LAW OF ATTRACTION, Prentice Mulford, says……
“When you say to yourself, ’I am going to have a pleasant visit or a pleasant journey,’ you are literally sending elements and forces ahead of your body that will arrange things to make your visit or journey pleasant. When before the visit or the journey or the shopping trip you are in a bad humor, or fearful or apprehensive of something unpleasant, you are sending unseen agencies ahead of you which will make some kind of unpleasantness. Our thoughts, or in other words, our state of mind, is ever at work ‘fixing up’ things good or bad in advance.”
The thing is, so many people not only go through life not knowing this but when it is brought to their attention they just won’t accept it. It’s like they would rather blame it on something else than to take responsibility for their own thoughts. A lot of people think that it is some unholy mumbo jumbo or the like but if you are of the Christian faith then you would know that the Bible even says to “Speak things not as they are but as they should be”. Many other religious teachings lean in the same direction.
I would like for all of you who may not already be using the LAW OF ATTRACTION to take note of what I do and try it for yourself. I want you to do this for a week and IF YOU TRULY APPLY what I am about to tell you without any residual doubt in your mind you should see DRAMATIC results.
First of all, you must accept responsibility for your thoughts. They are yours and yours alone. If you will not concede to this then the rest will be of no benefit to you.
Next, you must STOP SPEAKING NEGATIVE THINGS !!! For example, don’t say things like “Every time I go out in the rain I get sick”.
Next, you start each and every day by saying aloud at least 10 things that you are thankful for. Don’t complain about the kind of car you have. Be grateful that you have one.
Next, you must minimize the amount of time you spend around people that do nothing but speak negatively. This is not as hard as you may think. There is nothing impolite about telling someone that you focus on positive things and really don’t want to hear about everything they are complaining about.
Next, you must spend about 5 min. a night right before you go to sleep meditating on how you want your life to be. See yourself in the house you want. See yourself with the back account you want. See yourself with the person you want. Focus on these things, blocking out all other thoughts.
People, you are NOT a physical being living in a spiritual world !!! You are a spiritual being living in a physical world. Your thoughts have more energy than you can possibly imagine. That’s why when you focus on bad things then they seem to get worse. Of course, when you focus on good things they tend to get even better. The point is, you can transform your ENTIRE LIFE by applying the LAW OF ATTRACTION to it and beginning to live each and every day of it using the power of RIGHT THINKING !!! Come on, just give it a try. Then e-mail me and tell me how it worked out for you. I know you won’t be disappointed.
************************************************************
You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
- Anthony Robbins
************************************************************
Well, I think I will close for now and go PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH. Not only does it help me sleep but I actually almost always fall asleep while I’m meditating. It makes for a wonderful nights sleep and some very sweet dreams !!! As always, it has been not only a pleasure but an absolute honor to share my thoughts and knowledge with all of you. And, like I’ve told you before, I too learn as I teach you. It’s a wonderful cycle of events. Until next time……
May God bless and keep all of you !!!
And remember………………
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
Skype ID: jeffhodges1
Hey everyone,
I hope each and every one of you have had as wonderful and prosperous of a week as I’ve had. It is just phenomenal how the Universe just makes everything happen the way you want it to when you have the knowledge of the power of Right Thinking. It has been said that “All that you are is a result of all that you have thought” and I whole heartedly agree. As always, I would like to welcome back all our regulars and put out the red carpet for all our new readers. If you’ve missed an issue or are new and want to read back issues you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** advertisement ******************
Have you heard about Success University’s PHENOMENAL NEW MARKETING TOOL ??? They have come out with a marketing tool SO GREAT that they have put a $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME GUARANTEE on it !!!!!!!!!! People, how NO BRAINER does it have to get ???? All you do after signing up with Success University is start using this tool and if you are not making $50,000 in RESIDUAL INCOME 12 months later you get a FULL REFUND on the amount of the tool !!! HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG ??? I jumped straight on it. If you remember, a few days ago I put out a special announcement that said if you go to my site ( http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com ) and sign up for Success University that I would give the first 10 people that wanted to build a team with me a FULL MONEY BACK GURANTEE on ALL TUITIONS paid in if they stuck it out for at least twelve months and did what I told them to do. If you put those 2 guarantees together you have ZERO to lose and $50,000 ANNUAL INCOME to gain. Wouldn’t NOW be a good time to shoot me an email and take me up on my offer AND take Success University up on theirs as well ???
*************************************************
Ok folks, I have decided to throw a little spice into our newsletter. I have been thinking a lot lately about all the AWESOME people I am afforded the opportunity to meet in this industry and all the interesting and unique things about them. I have decided to start a weekly spotlight (information permitting) on one person or couple at a time. It’s your opportunity to put yourself in front of the group and say hello sort of. Now, I don’t want this to turn into a forum for cross-recruiting. This is for spotlighting special things about yourself like if you’re an artist, musician, painter, etc. If you want to be featured in the Sunday edition I will need your information no later than Friday. All that having been said, this weeks spot light is on Ryan Seslow.
Ryan Seslow is a multidisciplinary artist and professor of fine art in NY. He currently teaches studio art courses in drawing, painting, sculpture and design simultaneously between 4 universities. Indeed professor Seslow has a lot of energy. Along with actively showing his work both nationally and internationally, Seslow has recently published an E-book coloring book for children. It can be viewed at http://www.ryanseslow.com. Along with a passion for ART, Seslow is a student in the world of Internet marketing, and using the internet as a medium of both creativity and communication.
The Ryan Seslow E-Book Coloring Book for Kids!
The E-Book version is a one time download that you can use over and over again!
The printable book contains a collection of 77 black and white drawings that have
evolved from 1995 - 2007!! Break out your crayons, colored pencils or water colors, or color them
in on your computer!
The book is waiting for your creative energy,
Get it Here NOW!
http://www.ryanseslow.com
Want to watch a fancy Video Preview version of the Book?
( with cool original song I created )
Go here NOW!
http://www.ryanseslow.com
Do you have Children? Grandchildren? Nieces? Nephews?
Cousins? Brothers and Sisters? Do you have Friends and Colleagues?
Then Please send them this link! Help Me spread the word !
Thank You!
**********************************************************
“Nature is a revelation of God; Art a revelation of man.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
**********************************************************
The first thing I would like to share with you today is something that I was exposed to years ago and it has helped me a lot in my goal setting. I shared this with my team in Success University a few months ago but there are MANY reading this newsletter that did not get the benefit of that exposure so I thought it was important to put it in this issue.
You see, it’s not that people don’t set goals but, like everything else, there is the correct, effective way to do something and then there is the JUST GOOD ENOUGH TO SAY YOU DID IT way of doing something. What follows will give you a whole new perspective on your goals and the way in which you set them. It is called THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOAL SETTING…
1. THOU SHALL BE DECISIVE: Success is a choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will or should do that for you.
2. THOU SHALL STAY FOCUSED: A close relative to being decisive, but your ability to sustain your focus from beginning to end determines the timing and condition of your outcomes.
3. THOU SHALL WELCOME FAILURE: The fundamental question is not whether you should accept failure. You have no choice but to expect it as a temporary condition on the pathway of progress. Rather, the question is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.
4. THOU SHALL WRITE DOWN THY GOALS: Your mind, while blessed with permanent memory, is cursed with lousy recall. People forget things. Avoid the temptation of being cocky. Write down your goals.
5. THOU SHALL PLAN THOROUGHLY: Planning saves time at a ratio of 10:1 in execution. PROPER PLANNING PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE !!!
6. THOU SHALL INVOLVE OTHERS: Nobody goes through life alone. Establish your own personal “Board of Directors”, people whose wisdom, knowledge, and character you respect to help achieve your goals.
7. THOU SHALL TAKE PURPOSEFUL ACTION: Success is not a spectator sport. Achievement demands action. You cannot expect to arrive at success without having made the trip.
8. THOU SHALL REWARD THYSELF: Rewards work !!! Think of what you will give yourself as a result of your hard work, focus and persistence. You deserve it.
9. THOU SHALL INSPECT WHAT THY EXPECTS: The shelf life of all plans is limited. No plan holds up against opposition. Everything changes. Therefore, inspect frequently and closely. It’s an insurance plan on your success.
10. THOU SHALL MAINTAIN PERSONAL INTEGRITY: Maintain your commitment to your commitment. Set your goals. Promise yourself that you will achieve them. Eliminate wiggle room for excuses. That’s personal integrity !!!
If you apply these 10 thing to your goal setting and be straight, firm and fair with yourself, you will be absolutely AMAZED at the difference in your ability to reach those goals. Just remember…….
YOU CANNOT HIT A TARGET THAT YOU CANNOT SEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*********************************************************
“A goal properly set is half way reached.”
- Zig Ziglar
*********************************************************
I often wonder how my life would be if I had not been introduced to the LAW OF ATTRACTION. It has made such phenomenal changes in my life. And the funny thing is that, not only does my use of it now produce all the wonderful things that I am enjoying in life but it explains SO MUCH about how my life use to be. One of the leading authorities on the LAW OF ATTRACTION, Prentice Mulford, says……
“When you say to yourself, ’I am going to have a pleasant visit or a pleasant journey,’ you are literally sending elements and forces ahead of your body that will arrange things to make your visit or journey pleasant. When before the visit or the journey or the shopping trip you are in a bad humor, or fearful or apprehensive of something unpleasant, you are sending unseen agencies ahead of you which will make some kind of unpleasantness. Our thoughts, or in other words, our state of mind, is ever at work ‘fixing up’ things good or bad in advance.”
The thing is, so many people not only go through life not knowing this but when it is brought to their attention they just won’t accept it. It’s like they would rather blame it on something else than to take responsibility for their own thoughts. A lot of people think that it is some unholy mumbo jumbo or the like but if you are of the Christian faith then you would know that the Bible even says to “Speak things not as they are but as they should be”. Many other religious teachings lean in the same direction.
I would like for all of you who may not already be using the LAW OF ATTRACTION to take note of what I do and try it for yourself. I want you to do this for a week and IF YOU TRULY APPLY what I am about to tell you without any residual doubt in your mind you should see DRAMATIC results.
First of all, you must accept responsibility for your thoughts. They are yours and yours alone. If you will not concede to this then the rest will be of no benefit to you.
Next, you must STOP SPEAKING NEGATIVE THINGS !!! For example, don’t say things like “Every time I go out in the rain I get sick”.
Next, you start each and every day by saying aloud at least 10 things that you are thankful for. Don’t complain about the kind of car you have. Be grateful that you have one.
Next, you must minimize the amount of time you spend around people that do nothing but speak negatively. This is not as hard as you may think. There is nothing impolite about telling someone that you focus on positive things and really don’t want to hear about everything they are complaining about.
Next, you must spend about 5 min. a night right before you go to sleep meditating on how you want your life to be. See yourself in the house you want. See yourself with the back account you want. See yourself with the person you want. Focus on these things, blocking out all other thoughts.
People, you are NOT a physical being living in a spiritual world !!! You are a spiritual being living in a physical world. Your thoughts have more energy than you can possibly imagine. That’s why when you focus on bad things then they seem to get worse. Of course, when you focus on good things they tend to get even better. The point is, you can transform your ENTIRE LIFE by applying the LAW OF ATTRACTION to it and beginning to live each and every day of it using the power of RIGHT THINKING !!! Come on, just give it a try. Then e-mail me and tell me how it worked out for you. I know you won’t be disappointed.
************************************************************
You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
- Anthony Robbins
************************************************************
Well, I think I will close for now and go PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH. Not only does it help me sleep but I actually almost always fall asleep while I’m meditating. It makes for a wonderful nights sleep and some very sweet dreams !!! As always, it has been not only a pleasure but an absolute honor to share my thoughts and knowledge with all of you. And, like I’ve told you before, I too learn as I teach you. It’s a wonderful cycle of events. Until next time……
May God bless and keep all of you !!!
And remember………………
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
Skype ID: jeffhodges1
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Newsletter 10/07/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES:
Hey folks,
It’s another beautiful day here in Tennessee. I hope it’s just as beautiful where you are. Welcome back to all of you and a warm welcome to all our new comers. We are certainly glad you could join us. As I always point out, if you have missed an edition or are new and want to read previous editions of the newsletter you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (lower, left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** advertisement *******************
As all of you know, I am a VERY HAPPY participant in a wonderful organization called Success University. It’s a place where not only can you lay the foundation for a PHENOMENAL future but you will be working side-by-side with a group of the best marketers on the planet and the best friends you will ever have !!! I have been in the industry for about 12 years and I can tell you that for my money there just isn’t any other place to be. You’re not peddling the latest lotion, potion or pill. You are promoting PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT and that is something that you can not only make a fortune promoting but you can literally become a product of the product. Do yourself a favor and check it out at:
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
**************************************************
First today, I would like to talk to you about leadership. You see, in the business world you should never be happy just having good leadership in your company. You should strive to BECOME ONE OF THE LEADERS. It’s a continuing process. You join the company and your sponsor, with the assistance of your upline or upper management, trains you to be the best you can be. Then, you fall into the position of BEING a sponsor. You are now working directly with upper management. Then, eventually, you BECOME upper management. This is just the way it is. If you always remain a little fish in a big ocean you will dramatically decrease your potential for success. Being a good leader is a lot of responsibility and takes a while to achieve but the rewards are tremendous. This brings me to my next point.
If you are going to be a leader BE A GOOD ONE !!! You do not exist for yourself. You success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be is the support of others. Put yourself in the place of those you lead and you’ll be quick to figure out why they think and do certain things. Always think in terms of what the other person wants. Zig Ziglar said, “You’ll get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” It’s like this folks, when you help someone else’s boat across the river you’ll find your own boat has reached the shore too.
Here are ten characteristics of a good leader:
1. Persistence: Not insistence. A strong leader hangs on a little longer and works a little harder.
2. Imagination: A quality leader harnesses imagination to practical plans that produce results.
3. Vision: The present is just the beginning. A good leader is impressed with the possibilities of the future.
4. Sincerity: A good leader can be trusted.
5. Integrity: A good leader has principles and lives by them.
6. Poise: A good leader isn’t overbearing but is friendly and assured.
7. Thoughtfulness: A good leader is considerate and aware.
8. Common Sense: A good leader has good judgment based on reason.
9. Altruism: A good leader lives by the golden rule.
10. Initiative: A good leader get things started--NOW !!!
A good leader is the life blood of any company, group or organization. If you will just strive to incorporate each and every one of these traits into your day to day life, business and personal, you will greatly enhance your journey to becoming the successful person you always dreamed of being.
**************************************************
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense. In fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.
- Warren Bennis
**************************************************
Now, I would like to talk to you about what I call THE ONE YEAR FACTOR. A lot of you in network marketing, sales and various other forms of business have been challenged by those who introduced you to your particular business to “JUST GIVE IT A YEAR !!!” Now, people, that is not just some smooth talking attempt to prevent attrition in their organization. There are some very good reasons for that one year commitment and we are going to discuss them here today. Those of you who received and read my special announcements email yesterday saw that I incorporated that very concept into a very sweet offer I made.
Think about it for just a minute. Why do you suppose it is so important that you give your new found career at least one year before you call it quits? Seems to me the most likely answer is going to be because that first year is a learning process. Unless you are some guru coming in from another company, you probably don’t have a clue what you are doing. Now, wouldn’t that kind of explain why you SUCK AT IT in the beginning? Doctors and lawyers go to school for years before they make a dime at their chosen profession but some people want to quit network marketing after 30 days????? Come on now.
The first year in this business is not just challenging. It’s more like going into combat. It’s about survival in the midst of widespread failure. Statistics show that over sixty percent of all network marketers quit in their first year, during the all important learning curve. That’s sad !!! Especially considering that the average network marketer that sticks it out and becomes successful makes more in a month than a cardiologist with a staff of ten makes in a year!!! It’s pretty much a fact that every great network marketer was once a horrible one. They did everything wrong but they stuck it out and out of sheer determination they began learning and they DIDN’T QUIT.
Education is the secret weapon. You must persist in learning all you can about your product or service. You must read continually about anything and everything that pertains to your market. You must learn about basic sales. You must work to improve your computer skills. You may even want to take a night course on public speaking just to improve the level of professionalism that you give off. Network marketing is truly a business that ANYONE can do but you must work on skills and education at ANY job or career. Even fast food workers have to undergo training. There is NO EASY WAY to be successful and no QUICK RICHES. Only through hard work, education and NOT QUITTING will you ever be good or successful at ANYTHING !!!
I’ve been in this industry for over ten years now and MANY times I’ve thought of just throwing in the towel. I’ve suffered through seas of broken promises and waded through lakes of B. S.!!! I’ve dealt with the rejection, the ridicule and the frustration. But, you know what?………..
I’M STILL HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…and beginning to enjoy the benefits of progress and success.
And, if you’re smart, you’ll be here a year from now too. It’s a statistical fact that 95 % of the marketers that stay in this industry for ten years or more become wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. It’s also a fact that if you stay past your first year that you have a very high probability of becoming one of those 95 %. People, live through your first year, take time to learn and overcome, and then ROCK THE WORLD !!!
***********************************************************
IT TAKES PERSISTENCE TO REACH A GOAL
“Keep trying” is the rule that must be followed to be successful at anything. Your success will always be connected with your actions. Just keep moving towards your goal. You’ll make mistakes but don’t ever quit. You may even have to hang on after others have let go. Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle and to do all that’s necessary to reach your goal. In the end, the only people who fail are those that do not try. All great achievement takes time.
- Anonymous
***********************************************************
Well guys and gals, I suppose I should call it a night. It has been, as it always is, a distinct pleasure and an honor to share my thoughts and knowledge with you. Remember, if there is anything in particular you wish to see me include in these weekly newsletters just let me know via e-mail and I will do my level best to accommodate you. Until next time, may God bless and keep you and always remember…….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Hey folks,
It’s another beautiful day here in Tennessee. I hope it’s just as beautiful where you are. Welcome back to all of you and a warm welcome to all our new comers. We are certainly glad you could join us. As I always point out, if you have missed an edition or are new and want to read previous editions of the newsletter you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (lower, left corner of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
***************** advertisement *******************
As all of you know, I am a VERY HAPPY participant in a wonderful organization called Success University. It’s a place where not only can you lay the foundation for a PHENOMENAL future but you will be working side-by-side with a group of the best marketers on the planet and the best friends you will ever have !!! I have been in the industry for about 12 years and I can tell you that for my money there just isn’t any other place to be. You’re not peddling the latest lotion, potion or pill. You are promoting PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT and that is something that you can not only make a fortune promoting but you can literally become a product of the product. Do yourself a favor and check it out at:
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
**************************************************
First today, I would like to talk to you about leadership. You see, in the business world you should never be happy just having good leadership in your company. You should strive to BECOME ONE OF THE LEADERS. It’s a continuing process. You join the company and your sponsor, with the assistance of your upline or upper management, trains you to be the best you can be. Then, you fall into the position of BEING a sponsor. You are now working directly with upper management. Then, eventually, you BECOME upper management. This is just the way it is. If you always remain a little fish in a big ocean you will dramatically decrease your potential for success. Being a good leader is a lot of responsibility and takes a while to achieve but the rewards are tremendous. This brings me to my next point.
If you are going to be a leader BE A GOOD ONE !!! You do not exist for yourself. You success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be is the support of others. Put yourself in the place of those you lead and you’ll be quick to figure out why they think and do certain things. Always think in terms of what the other person wants. Zig Ziglar said, “You’ll get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” It’s like this folks, when you help someone else’s boat across the river you’ll find your own boat has reached the shore too.
Here are ten characteristics of a good leader:
1. Persistence: Not insistence. A strong leader hangs on a little longer and works a little harder.
2. Imagination: A quality leader harnesses imagination to practical plans that produce results.
3. Vision: The present is just the beginning. A good leader is impressed with the possibilities of the future.
4. Sincerity: A good leader can be trusted.
5. Integrity: A good leader has principles and lives by them.
6. Poise: A good leader isn’t overbearing but is friendly and assured.
7. Thoughtfulness: A good leader is considerate and aware.
8. Common Sense: A good leader has good judgment based on reason.
9. Altruism: A good leader lives by the golden rule.
10. Initiative: A good leader get things started--NOW !!!
A good leader is the life blood of any company, group or organization. If you will just strive to incorporate each and every one of these traits into your day to day life, business and personal, you will greatly enhance your journey to becoming the successful person you always dreamed of being.
**************************************************
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense. In fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.
- Warren Bennis
**************************************************
Now, I would like to talk to you about what I call THE ONE YEAR FACTOR. A lot of you in network marketing, sales and various other forms of business have been challenged by those who introduced you to your particular business to “JUST GIVE IT A YEAR !!!” Now, people, that is not just some smooth talking attempt to prevent attrition in their organization. There are some very good reasons for that one year commitment and we are going to discuss them here today. Those of you who received and read my special announcements email yesterday saw that I incorporated that very concept into a very sweet offer I made.
Think about it for just a minute. Why do you suppose it is so important that you give your new found career at least one year before you call it quits? Seems to me the most likely answer is going to be because that first year is a learning process. Unless you are some guru coming in from another company, you probably don’t have a clue what you are doing. Now, wouldn’t that kind of explain why you SUCK AT IT in the beginning? Doctors and lawyers go to school for years before they make a dime at their chosen profession but some people want to quit network marketing after 30 days????? Come on now.
The first year in this business is not just challenging. It’s more like going into combat. It’s about survival in the midst of widespread failure. Statistics show that over sixty percent of all network marketers quit in their first year, during the all important learning curve. That’s sad !!! Especially considering that the average network marketer that sticks it out and becomes successful makes more in a month than a cardiologist with a staff of ten makes in a year!!! It’s pretty much a fact that every great network marketer was once a horrible one. They did everything wrong but they stuck it out and out of sheer determination they began learning and they DIDN’T QUIT.
Education is the secret weapon. You must persist in learning all you can about your product or service. You must read continually about anything and everything that pertains to your market. You must learn about basic sales. You must work to improve your computer skills. You may even want to take a night course on public speaking just to improve the level of professionalism that you give off. Network marketing is truly a business that ANYONE can do but you must work on skills and education at ANY job or career. Even fast food workers have to undergo training. There is NO EASY WAY to be successful and no QUICK RICHES. Only through hard work, education and NOT QUITTING will you ever be good or successful at ANYTHING !!!
I’ve been in this industry for over ten years now and MANY times I’ve thought of just throwing in the towel. I’ve suffered through seas of broken promises and waded through lakes of B. S.!!! I’ve dealt with the rejection, the ridicule and the frustration. But, you know what?………..
I’M STILL HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…and beginning to enjoy the benefits of progress and success.
And, if you’re smart, you’ll be here a year from now too. It’s a statistical fact that 95 % of the marketers that stay in this industry for ten years or more become wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. It’s also a fact that if you stay past your first year that you have a very high probability of becoming one of those 95 %. People, live through your first year, take time to learn and overcome, and then ROCK THE WORLD !!!
***********************************************************
IT TAKES PERSISTENCE TO REACH A GOAL
“Keep trying” is the rule that must be followed to be successful at anything. Your success will always be connected with your actions. Just keep moving towards your goal. You’ll make mistakes but don’t ever quit. You may even have to hang on after others have let go. Persistence means taking pains to overcome every obstacle and to do all that’s necessary to reach your goal. In the end, the only people who fail are those that do not try. All great achievement takes time.
- Anonymous
***********************************************************
Well guys and gals, I suppose I should call it a night. It has been, as it always is, a distinct pleasure and an honor to share my thoughts and knowledge with you. Remember, if there is anything in particular you wish to see me include in these weekly newsletters just let me know via e-mail and I will do my level best to accommodate you. Until next time, may God bless and keep you and always remember…….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Newsletter 09/30/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES:
Hey folks,
I hope all of you have had a great week and have been enjoying the blessings of life. I have to admit that mine has been a bit littered with challenges this week but as we all know, what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. Welcome to all our regulars and welcome aboard to all of our new readers. Just remember, if you are new and want to read the back issues or if you just missed a week and want to go back and read it you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
****************** NOTICE ********************
As you will remember, I spoke of a special email I was going to send out this week in regards to both the enrollment contest with Success University and also a very special announcement that I was going to make, also having to do with Success University. Due to some issues beyond my control, I was unable to prepare and send out that email and it will coming in the next couple of days. I sincerely apologize for the delay on that.
************************************************
Ok, I have a question for you. Is your email becoming a MONSTER !!!??? Out of control email can be a HUGE problem if you don’t do something about it. I have six different accounts and I started out learning the hard way that letting it get out of control and becoming unorganized can not only be a nasty headache but it can cost you lots of valuable time and resources.
You see, several things happen if you are not careful here. You misplace emails that you need to refer to later, you end up with so much in your inbox AND your spam filter that often times important emails (maybe even ones that you are expecting) get lost in the mess and, finally, you waste MUCH of your valuable time wading through this lake of chaos !!! But, there are ways to stop this from happening…..
First of all, STOP SIGNING UP FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE OFFERED !!! Yes, FREE is always nice but what is the point in signing up for every free e-zine on the planet if you don’t have time to read it? And if you do sign up for something, always remember that you can UNSUBSCRIBE late if it becomes apparent that you are receiving the information at a rate greater than that at which you can handle OR that the information is of no real value to you and your particular circumstances. Unsubscribing from it now takes a LOT less time than deleting it every time there after !!!
Second, learn how to operate your mail server. Any one that I have ever seen has the capability for you to set up folders. I believe some of them can even be set up to automatically put your mail into specific folders based on the email address it originated from. But even if you have to do it manually, at least you keep it out of the way until you have time to read it as opposed to letting your inbox take on a life of it’s own !!! Also, if you want to access something of a particular nature, you don’t have to spend unnecessary time scrolling through page after page of emails because you will have it in it’s own neat little folder. Folders are great for uncluttering your INBOX and, also, to help you organize your email in a very productive way.
Third, when you do receive something in your INBOX that is obviously junk take the time to mark it as such so that in the future you won’t have to deal with it again. It may take you a couple of seconds to do but just think of all the time you will waste in the future deleting it every time if you don’t.
Remember, I learned this stuff the hard way. Now, you don’t have to. Believe me when I tell you that you can’t even BEGIN to understand how much time you will waste with out of control email until you wake up one morning and have OVER 4,000 EMAILS in your INBOX !!!!!!! And, remember also that I have six accounts !!!
************************************************************
You see things and you say “Why?”… But I dream things that never were and I say “Why not?”
- George Bernard Shaw
************************************************************
You know, I was looking at the calendar today and was thinking about the fact that tomorrow is the first day of October when it hit me… It’s less than 90 days till Christmas !!! It’s less than 60 days till Thanksgiving !!! The reason that’s important to me is because I have a very soft spot in my heart for the unfortunate. And the simple fact of the matter is that this time of year is the hardest for them. The hungry only able to dream of a turkey dinner… the elderly in the nursing homes and the homeless only able to dream of a glass of egg nog with the family by the fireplace… the poor families having to explain why Santa likes the rich kids more and gives them nicer presents or any presents at all…
When you are working diligently at your business of choice and striving to provide nothing but the absolute best for your family and yourself while suffering the hard knocks that come with being an entrepreneur, it’s easier than you might realize to forget just how blessed you are. It’s not that you do it on purpose. It’s just with all the commercialization and hype surrounding the holidays anymore, the less fortunate tend to get overlooked.
I know what you’re saying, “Wow Jeff, don’t you think it’s just a little early for all this ?” Actually, no I don’t. The reason is simple. When you run your business, do you wait till you’re out of supplies before you order? Do you wait till the day of the sale to advertise? No, of course not. In business it’s all about time management and proper planning, right? Well, it’s the same when it comes to charity. Start planning on what you want to do this year RIGHT NOW !!!
And I don’t mean give a five dollar toy to some Angel Tree !!! DO SOMETHING !!! Make it personal. Take a Saturday to work in a local soup kitchen and see the gratitude in their eyes. Go visiting in your local nursing homes and actually sit and talk with those amazing people that have years of wonderful stories to tell. Take a local family under your wing and MAKE SURE Santa shows up with some descent goodies. Put out all this POSITIVE ENERGY and let these people feed on it. You will receive blessings upon blessings, the likes of which you have never experienced before.
Many of you may not know who I am talking about and I highly recommend you do a little research but I would like to tell you briefly of a man by the name of Larry Stewart (aka Secret Santa) . He was a man that, in the course of his life, went around to thrift stores and Laundromats and gave away over ONE MILLION DOLLARS in cash totally at random to those he felt needed it. He has been called to be with God now but his memory and legacy live on in many other people who have adopted Larry’s way of helping those in need. The following is a quote from Larry…..
“Thirty-five years ago a cold, hungry, and homeless young man walked into the Dixie Diner in Houston, Mississippi. With no money in his pockets he concocted a plan of petty crime to get something to eat and then pretend he had lost his wallet. He had no idea what was in store for him.”
“A single act of kindness by a man named Ted Horn, the owner of the diner, changed this young man's life forever. I was that young man who walked in the Dixie Diner and by the Grace of God came face to face with one of His Angels. As I was leaving town I said a prayer of thanks and vowed to God that if He ever put me in the position to help others I will do it, and in a way that will allow people to keep their dignity. I will never forget that day, nor will I ever forget my Angel, Ted Horn.
In Christ,
Larry Stewart”
~Secret Santa~
Now, I’m not suggesting that you go out giving away 100 dollar bills like Larry. The point is simply that no matter how small or what the nature of a random act of kindness is, you just never know how dramatically , whether directly or indirectly, you may change someone else’s life.
You can say that I brought this up too early all you want to but you and I both know that as the days go by and the intensity of the holidays begins to grow in leaps and bounds, the wheels you don’t put in motion now will probably not get put in motion. Start planning TODAY what you are going to do this holiday season….. Because we all know that, BY DEFINITION, tomorrow never gets here.
*************************************************************
“Fragrance clings to the hand that gives the rose…… “
- Anonymous
*************************************************************
Well, it’s that time again…. Time to give my body, mind and spirit a well deserved nights rest. As always, it has been a wonderful experience spending this time with all of you. I hope that it has been beneficial to you in some way. I know it has been to me. Until we get to do it again……….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Hey folks,
I hope all of you have had a great week and have been enjoying the blessings of life. I have to admit that mine has been a bit littered with challenges this week but as we all know, what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. Welcome to all our regulars and welcome aboard to all of our new readers. Just remember, if you are new and want to read the back issues or if you just missed a week and want to go back and read it you can go to either:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
****************** NOTICE ********************
As you will remember, I spoke of a special email I was going to send out this week in regards to both the enrollment contest with Success University and also a very special announcement that I was going to make, also having to do with Success University. Due to some issues beyond my control, I was unable to prepare and send out that email and it will coming in the next couple of days. I sincerely apologize for the delay on that.
************************************************
Ok, I have a question for you. Is your email becoming a MONSTER !!!??? Out of control email can be a HUGE problem if you don’t do something about it. I have six different accounts and I started out learning the hard way that letting it get out of control and becoming unorganized can not only be a nasty headache but it can cost you lots of valuable time and resources.
You see, several things happen if you are not careful here. You misplace emails that you need to refer to later, you end up with so much in your inbox AND your spam filter that often times important emails (maybe even ones that you are expecting) get lost in the mess and, finally, you waste MUCH of your valuable time wading through this lake of chaos !!! But, there are ways to stop this from happening…..
First of all, STOP SIGNING UP FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE OFFERED !!! Yes, FREE is always nice but what is the point in signing up for every free e-zine on the planet if you don’t have time to read it? And if you do sign up for something, always remember that you can UNSUBSCRIBE late if it becomes apparent that you are receiving the information at a rate greater than that at which you can handle OR that the information is of no real value to you and your particular circumstances. Unsubscribing from it now takes a LOT less time than deleting it every time there after !!!
Second, learn how to operate your mail server. Any one that I have ever seen has the capability for you to set up folders. I believe some of them can even be set up to automatically put your mail into specific folders based on the email address it originated from. But even if you have to do it manually, at least you keep it out of the way until you have time to read it as opposed to letting your inbox take on a life of it’s own !!! Also, if you want to access something of a particular nature, you don’t have to spend unnecessary time scrolling through page after page of emails because you will have it in it’s own neat little folder. Folders are great for uncluttering your INBOX and, also, to help you organize your email in a very productive way.
Third, when you do receive something in your INBOX that is obviously junk take the time to mark it as such so that in the future you won’t have to deal with it again. It may take you a couple of seconds to do but just think of all the time you will waste in the future deleting it every time if you don’t.
Remember, I learned this stuff the hard way. Now, you don’t have to. Believe me when I tell you that you can’t even BEGIN to understand how much time you will waste with out of control email until you wake up one morning and have OVER 4,000 EMAILS in your INBOX !!!!!!! And, remember also that I have six accounts !!!
************************************************************
You see things and you say “Why?”… But I dream things that never were and I say “Why not?”
- George Bernard Shaw
************************************************************
You know, I was looking at the calendar today and was thinking about the fact that tomorrow is the first day of October when it hit me… It’s less than 90 days till Christmas !!! It’s less than 60 days till Thanksgiving !!! The reason that’s important to me is because I have a very soft spot in my heart for the unfortunate. And the simple fact of the matter is that this time of year is the hardest for them. The hungry only able to dream of a turkey dinner… the elderly in the nursing homes and the homeless only able to dream of a glass of egg nog with the family by the fireplace… the poor families having to explain why Santa likes the rich kids more and gives them nicer presents or any presents at all…
When you are working diligently at your business of choice and striving to provide nothing but the absolute best for your family and yourself while suffering the hard knocks that come with being an entrepreneur, it’s easier than you might realize to forget just how blessed you are. It’s not that you do it on purpose. It’s just with all the commercialization and hype surrounding the holidays anymore, the less fortunate tend to get overlooked.
I know what you’re saying, “Wow Jeff, don’t you think it’s just a little early for all this ?” Actually, no I don’t. The reason is simple. When you run your business, do you wait till you’re out of supplies before you order? Do you wait till the day of the sale to advertise? No, of course not. In business it’s all about time management and proper planning, right? Well, it’s the same when it comes to charity. Start planning on what you want to do this year RIGHT NOW !!!
And I don’t mean give a five dollar toy to some Angel Tree !!! DO SOMETHING !!! Make it personal. Take a Saturday to work in a local soup kitchen and see the gratitude in their eyes. Go visiting in your local nursing homes and actually sit and talk with those amazing people that have years of wonderful stories to tell. Take a local family under your wing and MAKE SURE Santa shows up with some descent goodies. Put out all this POSITIVE ENERGY and let these people feed on it. You will receive blessings upon blessings, the likes of which you have never experienced before.
Many of you may not know who I am talking about and I highly recommend you do a little research but I would like to tell you briefly of a man by the name of Larry Stewart (aka Secret Santa) . He was a man that, in the course of his life, went around to thrift stores and Laundromats and gave away over ONE MILLION DOLLARS in cash totally at random to those he felt needed it. He has been called to be with God now but his memory and legacy live on in many other people who have adopted Larry’s way of helping those in need. The following is a quote from Larry…..
“Thirty-five years ago a cold, hungry, and homeless young man walked into the Dixie Diner in Houston, Mississippi. With no money in his pockets he concocted a plan of petty crime to get something to eat and then pretend he had lost his wallet. He had no idea what was in store for him.”
“A single act of kindness by a man named Ted Horn, the owner of the diner, changed this young man's life forever. I was that young man who walked in the Dixie Diner and by the Grace of God came face to face with one of His Angels. As I was leaving town I said a prayer of thanks and vowed to God that if He ever put me in the position to help others I will do it, and in a way that will allow people to keep their dignity. I will never forget that day, nor will I ever forget my Angel, Ted Horn.
In Christ,
Larry Stewart”
~Secret Santa~
Now, I’m not suggesting that you go out giving away 100 dollar bills like Larry. The point is simply that no matter how small or what the nature of a random act of kindness is, you just never know how dramatically , whether directly or indirectly, you may change someone else’s life.
You can say that I brought this up too early all you want to but you and I both know that as the days go by and the intensity of the holidays begins to grow in leaps and bounds, the wheels you don’t put in motion now will probably not get put in motion. Start planning TODAY what you are going to do this holiday season….. Because we all know that, BY DEFINITION, tomorrow never gets here.
*************************************************************
“Fragrance clings to the hand that gives the rose…… “
- Anonymous
*************************************************************
Well, it’s that time again…. Time to give my body, mind and spirit a well deserved nights rest. As always, it has been a wonderful experience spending this time with all of you. I hope that it has been beneficial to you in some way. I know it has been to me. Until we get to do it again……….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Newsletter 09/23/07
FROM THE DESK, MIND AND HEART OF JEFF HODGES:
Hey gang,
I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it has been here the last few days. We have really been blessed with sunny skies by day and warm, breezy air by night. It’s been all I can do to park my bike long enough to sit here and write. As always, welcome back to our regular readers and welcome aboard to all you that are new to my newsletter. If you have missed an edition or are new and want to read the previous ones you can either go to:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
******* SUCCESS UNIVERSITY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT *******
I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet but I will say this…. If you are not a Success University member yet and you have been thinking about taking the plunge, I’m about to make a special offer to you in the next few days that will make it a NO BRAINER !!! Sometime this week I will be sending out a special email that will have all the details so be watching…… Also, in that email I will be announcing the requirements and prizes for the enrollment competition that I started a few weeks ago !!!
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
****************************************************************
I wanted to touch briefly today on a way that I use to make a little additional cash for my business. If you look on my website, http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links , you will see a banner that says SEND EARNINGS. It is free to sign up and there are several ways there to make money. You can get paid to read emails sent to you by their sponsors (it’s not much but money is money), you can make one dollar for every survey that you take (limit one per day but that’s still 30 dollars a month and the surveys only require about 10 to 15 min. of your time) and you can take advantage of trial offers by their sponsors. This is where the best money is. It’s pretty self explanatory. I’ll give you an example.… They have one sponsor who’s product is online postage. You sign up for their service, get 5 dollars worth of FREE postage, use them for 30 days then cancel if you like and SEND EARNINGS puts 5 dollars in your account. Every time you reach (I believe) 30 dollars you can request payment and they will send you a check. It’s not a gold mine by any means but, as you can see, if you are in Success University it is very easy to use this one means to completely cover your monthly tuition. There are all kinds of ways to make small change like that on the Internet. You just have to look around and find them. If any of you know of good, reliable and trustworthy sources of online income, please submit them to me via email and if I check them out and feel comfortable with them I will share them with the rest of the readers.
*****************************************************************
Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but character, health, knowledge and good judgment will always be in demand under all conditions.
- Roger Babson
*****************************************************************
A. L. Williams is quoted as having said, “All you can do is all you can do, and all you can do is enough BUT be sure you do all that you can do !!!
So often I talk to people and they are all worked up over what they DON’T know about running their business. They CAN’T do this and they CAN’T do that !!! Here we go with the negativity again. Stop even THINKING about what you CAN’T DO !!! Sit down and make a list of all your abilities. I don’t mean just things that you think are business related. I mean just in general. Maybe you can draw well. What does that have to do with your business, you say? Well, maybe you can do well at flyer advertising. Maybe you are very articulate so you might want to make an audio clip for your website. Maybe you can’t speak well but you have a knack for writing so you could do your own ad copy or write your own email ads. Just figure out what you can do well and DO ALL THAT YOU CAN DO !!!
Les Brown said, “If there is a message in you it will find a way to get out !!!” If you are passionate about what you do, your mind will find a way to convey that to people if you are still long enough to listen to your own thoughts. NOBODY was born a marketing genius. We all have our strong points as well as our weak points BUT those strong points are all that matter. There is an ancient proverb that says, “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is KING !!!” In other words, you might not be a seasoned professional but if you have an ability that someone else doesn’t you can still make a difference in your business. Work with what you have and continue to grow your skills as the opportunity presents itself in as many other areas as possible. But, for right now, don’t let what you DON’T know how to do be a stumbling block. Just remember…… We are ALL good at something. What are you good at ???………………….
****************************************************************
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
- Henry Ford
****************************************************************
************** Success University Dallas Event Reminder ************
Just a little friendly reminder for anyone in Success University OR anyone seriously considering joining the team. This weekend, Sept. 29th in Dallas, Tx the World Tour will be coming to an awesome climax !!! People, you don’t want to miss this. You will be in the company of some of the most SUCCESSFUL and POSITIVE people that you will ever meet in your life and the energy at that event will be UNMEASURABLE !!! Seriously, if there is ANY way you can make it to the event you need to be there. It will have a tremendous impact not only on you business but ON YOUR LIFE !!! See you there……
***************************************************************
Have you ever just been riding along, enjoying the drive, and taking in the scenery then all of a sudden a revelation just SMACKS YOU IN THE FACE ?!!!!! My mind is always turning, twisting and churning things around to look at them from all angles in an effort to find things to compare them to that everyone can relate to. Well, today I hit pay dirt on one of those things.
I was just going down a country road on my bike (yes, I live on my bike and visit my house occasionally) when it dawned on me that life is like a day at the park. It really is and when you add the business factor into it you can make even more sense out of it.
First of all, you have to show up at the park. That’s no big deal. Just about anybody will show up. They might not do much after they get there but they will usually at least show up. This would be the equivalent of making the decision to do something….. ANYTHING with your life. Some people may choose less than desirable career paths BUT at least they showed up at the park !!!
Ok, now it’s decision time. “Which ride do I ride ???” you may ask yourself. Well, here is where the initial filtering out process begins. This is where people either choose to ride a roller coaster or a merry go round. The sad part is that most people are going to choose the merry go round. Do you know why??? Because they can do it and still stay inside their Comfort Zone. You see, the merry go round, while taking you absolutely nowhere but in big circles and being quite monotonous, is basically the safest ride in the park. That’s why most people are never successful. That’s why most people never realize their dreams. They are so afraid of stepping outside that Comfort Zone that they choose Safety now over Financial Security later.
Great, so you chose the roller coaster !!! Excellent choice. Ok, let me talk you through the ride…..
First you walk up and get in line. That’s the hardest part, making that commitment to get in there with all the other brave entrepreneurs. You see, since success is 80 % mindset and 20 % ability, by making the choice to go for what you want is the biggest part of the process.
Next, you get in the car. This is where you put action into your commitment. This is where you actually start your business. You buy business cards, set up advertising, research your market, purchase inventory, or what ever is required of your particular business to make it fully functional. You have put things in motion and there is no turning back now. THE HARNESS JUST LOWERED OVER YOUR HEAD AND THE LOCK JUST WENT “CLICK” !!!
Finally, you hear the rush of air as the brakes release and your car begins to roll away from the dock. You fight the urge to scream and beg for the attendant to let you out as you tell yourself “I’M GOING TO DO THIS….. I’M GOING TO DO THIS !!!”. Then, after a few seconds of self doubt, you gather yourself and feel the rush of excitement as you realize that you really are going to DO THIS !!!
Now, here is where it gets rough. Success is not the wave of a magic wand. IT’S HARD !!! IT’S WORK !!! IT’S COMMITMENT TO DOING WHAT OTHERS DON’T SO YOU CAN HAVE WHAT OTHERS WON’T !!! You begin the ascent up what seems like a mountain with no top. It’s a slow, arduous and draining trip. It seems like it’s never going to end. You hear the laboring CLANK, CLANK, CLANK of the chain as you overcome bump after bump on the way up. But, as the old saying goes, you’ve come too far to turn back now. You hang on and hold your breath for what seems like an eternity then…………….
What’s this? You think you see the top?….. Can it be ??? Can it be that, after making the decision to ride, feeling your stomach do flips when everything finally started moving and taking a taxing trip to the top that was so long and stressful that you don’t have words to describe it, it’s PAY OFF TIME ??? Yes, you’ve done it !!! You have made it to the top and now you have in front of you what can only be described as THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE !!!
Ladies and gentleman, I know the merry go round is safe, I know it’s easy and I know there is very little chance that anything can or will go wrong but when the ride is over you have to ask yourself one question…….. “Was THAT worth showing up to the park for ???”.
****************************************************************
Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experience.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
****************************************************************
Well, it looks like it’s about bedtime so I’ll close for now and go walk Shelby, who has been waiting patiently for me to finish writing this. It has been a pleasure as well as an honor to spend this time with you wonderful people and I eagerly await next week so we can do it all over again. In the meantime, keep those calls and emails coming. I enjoy each and every one of them. I especially enjoy the calls. I get to meet some really phenomenal people through this avenue and I thank God for the ability as well as the opportunity to be a part of your lives. Until our paths cross again………….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
May God bless and keep you all……..
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Hey gang,
I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it has been here the last few days. We have really been blessed with sunny skies by day and warm, breezy air by night. It’s been all I can do to park my bike long enough to sit here and write. As always, welcome back to our regular readers and welcome aboard to all you that are new to my newsletter. If you have missed an edition or are new and want to read the previous ones you can either go to:
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links (bottom left of page)
OR
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
******* SUCCESS UNIVERSITY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT *******
I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet but I will say this…. If you are not a Success University member yet and you have been thinking about taking the plunge, I’m about to make a special offer to you in the next few days that will make it a NO BRAINER !!! Sometime this week I will be sending out a special email that will have all the details so be watching…… Also, in that email I will be announcing the requirements and prizes for the enrollment competition that I started a few weeks ago !!!
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
****************************************************************
I wanted to touch briefly today on a way that I use to make a little additional cash for my business. If you look on my website, http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com/links , you will see a banner that says SEND EARNINGS. It is free to sign up and there are several ways there to make money. You can get paid to read emails sent to you by their sponsors (it’s not much but money is money), you can make one dollar for every survey that you take (limit one per day but that’s still 30 dollars a month and the surveys only require about 10 to 15 min. of your time) and you can take advantage of trial offers by their sponsors. This is where the best money is. It’s pretty self explanatory. I’ll give you an example.… They have one sponsor who’s product is online postage. You sign up for their service, get 5 dollars worth of FREE postage, use them for 30 days then cancel if you like and SEND EARNINGS puts 5 dollars in your account. Every time you reach (I believe) 30 dollars you can request payment and they will send you a check. It’s not a gold mine by any means but, as you can see, if you are in Success University it is very easy to use this one means to completely cover your monthly tuition. There are all kinds of ways to make small change like that on the Internet. You just have to look around and find them. If any of you know of good, reliable and trustworthy sources of online income, please submit them to me via email and if I check them out and feel comfortable with them I will share them with the rest of the readers.
*****************************************************************
Property may be destroyed and money may lose its purchasing power; but character, health, knowledge and good judgment will always be in demand under all conditions.
- Roger Babson
*****************************************************************
A. L. Williams is quoted as having said, “All you can do is all you can do, and all you can do is enough BUT be sure you do all that you can do !!!
So often I talk to people and they are all worked up over what they DON’T know about running their business. They CAN’T do this and they CAN’T do that !!! Here we go with the negativity again. Stop even THINKING about what you CAN’T DO !!! Sit down and make a list of all your abilities. I don’t mean just things that you think are business related. I mean just in general. Maybe you can draw well. What does that have to do with your business, you say? Well, maybe you can do well at flyer advertising. Maybe you are very articulate so you might want to make an audio clip for your website. Maybe you can’t speak well but you have a knack for writing so you could do your own ad copy or write your own email ads. Just figure out what you can do well and DO ALL THAT YOU CAN DO !!!
Les Brown said, “If there is a message in you it will find a way to get out !!!” If you are passionate about what you do, your mind will find a way to convey that to people if you are still long enough to listen to your own thoughts. NOBODY was born a marketing genius. We all have our strong points as well as our weak points BUT those strong points are all that matter. There is an ancient proverb that says, “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is KING !!!” In other words, you might not be a seasoned professional but if you have an ability that someone else doesn’t you can still make a difference in your business. Work with what you have and continue to grow your skills as the opportunity presents itself in as many other areas as possible. But, for right now, don’t let what you DON’T know how to do be a stumbling block. Just remember…… We are ALL good at something. What are you good at ???………………….
****************************************************************
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
- Henry Ford
****************************************************************
************** Success University Dallas Event Reminder ************
Just a little friendly reminder for anyone in Success University OR anyone seriously considering joining the team. This weekend, Sept. 29th in Dallas, Tx the World Tour will be coming to an awesome climax !!! People, you don’t want to miss this. You will be in the company of some of the most SUCCESSFUL and POSITIVE people that you will ever meet in your life and the energy at that event will be UNMEASURABLE !!! Seriously, if there is ANY way you can make it to the event you need to be there. It will have a tremendous impact not only on you business but ON YOUR LIFE !!! See you there……
***************************************************************
Have you ever just been riding along, enjoying the drive, and taking in the scenery then all of a sudden a revelation just SMACKS YOU IN THE FACE ?!!!!! My mind is always turning, twisting and churning things around to look at them from all angles in an effort to find things to compare them to that everyone can relate to. Well, today I hit pay dirt on one of those things.
I was just going down a country road on my bike (yes, I live on my bike and visit my house occasionally) when it dawned on me that life is like a day at the park. It really is and when you add the business factor into it you can make even more sense out of it.
First of all, you have to show up at the park. That’s no big deal. Just about anybody will show up. They might not do much after they get there but they will usually at least show up. This would be the equivalent of making the decision to do something….. ANYTHING with your life. Some people may choose less than desirable career paths BUT at least they showed up at the park !!!
Ok, now it’s decision time. “Which ride do I ride ???” you may ask yourself. Well, here is where the initial filtering out process begins. This is where people either choose to ride a roller coaster or a merry go round. The sad part is that most people are going to choose the merry go round. Do you know why??? Because they can do it and still stay inside their Comfort Zone. You see, the merry go round, while taking you absolutely nowhere but in big circles and being quite monotonous, is basically the safest ride in the park. That’s why most people are never successful. That’s why most people never realize their dreams. They are so afraid of stepping outside that Comfort Zone that they choose Safety now over Financial Security later.
Great, so you chose the roller coaster !!! Excellent choice. Ok, let me talk you through the ride…..
First you walk up and get in line. That’s the hardest part, making that commitment to get in there with all the other brave entrepreneurs. You see, since success is 80 % mindset and 20 % ability, by making the choice to go for what you want is the biggest part of the process.
Next, you get in the car. This is where you put action into your commitment. This is where you actually start your business. You buy business cards, set up advertising, research your market, purchase inventory, or what ever is required of your particular business to make it fully functional. You have put things in motion and there is no turning back now. THE HARNESS JUST LOWERED OVER YOUR HEAD AND THE LOCK JUST WENT “CLICK” !!!
Finally, you hear the rush of air as the brakes release and your car begins to roll away from the dock. You fight the urge to scream and beg for the attendant to let you out as you tell yourself “I’M GOING TO DO THIS….. I’M GOING TO DO THIS !!!”. Then, after a few seconds of self doubt, you gather yourself and feel the rush of excitement as you realize that you really are going to DO THIS !!!
Now, here is where it gets rough. Success is not the wave of a magic wand. IT’S HARD !!! IT’S WORK !!! IT’S COMMITMENT TO DOING WHAT OTHERS DON’T SO YOU CAN HAVE WHAT OTHERS WON’T !!! You begin the ascent up what seems like a mountain with no top. It’s a slow, arduous and draining trip. It seems like it’s never going to end. You hear the laboring CLANK, CLANK, CLANK of the chain as you overcome bump after bump on the way up. But, as the old saying goes, you’ve come too far to turn back now. You hang on and hold your breath for what seems like an eternity then…………….
What’s this? You think you see the top?….. Can it be ??? Can it be that, after making the decision to ride, feeling your stomach do flips when everything finally started moving and taking a taxing trip to the top that was so long and stressful that you don’t have words to describe it, it’s PAY OFF TIME ??? Yes, you’ve done it !!! You have made it to the top and now you have in front of you what can only be described as THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE !!!
Ladies and gentleman, I know the merry go round is safe, I know it’s easy and I know there is very little chance that anything can or will go wrong but when the ride is over you have to ask yourself one question…….. “Was THAT worth showing up to the park for ???”.
****************************************************************
Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experience.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
****************************************************************
Well, it looks like it’s about bedtime so I’ll close for now and go walk Shelby, who has been waiting patiently for me to finish writing this. It has been a pleasure as well as an honor to spend this time with you wonderful people and I eagerly await next week so we can do it all over again. In the meantime, keep those calls and emails coming. I enjoy each and every one of them. I especially enjoy the calls. I get to meet some really phenomenal people through this avenue and I thank God for the ability as well as the opportunity to be a part of your lives. Until our paths cross again………….
JUST SAY “NO” TO NEGATIVITY !!!
May God bless and keep you all……..
Sincerely,
Jeff Hodges
JeffreyHodges@thedreameffect.com
http://www.thedreameffect.com
http://www.letmemakeyousuccessful.com
http://www.jeffhodges.subuilder.com
http://www.jeffhodges.blogspot.com
615-644-5434
270-320-1324
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)