Colin's Motivational Mondays

Whatever we have in front of us for the day we look at it through our lens; that is our choice.  Choose Optimism. Believe that the world is conspiring for you, not against you. That what your are doing for the day does mater. That who you are meeting with does want to connect and work with you.  The prospecting you are doing WILL result positively for you and your team. We need to have a positive approach to what we do, if not we are starting at a disadvantage that we brought on ourselves. Hope is not a plan for success, but preparation is a great step towards success. One of the keys to being optimistic is preparation for the day.  Let's make sure that we are taking care of ourselves in an effort to be the best we can to achieve our potential, not just for us but for those around us. When we reach our full potential we elevate those around us as well. 

It not mistakes that limit us, it's the fear of making them and never going for it that goes.   I was watching the NBA playoffs last night and a HUGE shot was made at the end of regulation for the win and it went in! The Raptors won 90-92 and are heading to the Easter Conference Championships. They won because the shot went in, but if it didn't they would have had no shot to win. No attempt = 0% chance of winning.   It really stood out to me that it's just a part of the game. Sometimes it goes in, some times it doesn't but that doesn't mean you only go for layups because they are the easiest. They still practice  daily ,   their all around game in preparation for their performances when it matters during  the game. The final thought it really simple: A miss doesn't define you, not going for it does though. Let it be NBA or in sales or life in general, if we don't go for it and try we will never have a chance at it and the more we practice a...

It's super important that we are taking intentional actions in feeding our mind with things than foster growth and joy. I believe there has to be a balance, but before there is balance there has to be intake. It doesn't have to be a long drawn out time or process. It can take place on your first drive of the day. That is when I spend some time putting some motivation in my mind for the day.  There are may podcasts, audible's, books, etc... that you can dive into so I'd recommend asking some of your peers what they are doing for ideas or there is always google. I've put a list of a few things that I subscribe to below as well to check out if you'd like.  Remember the compound effect:  Th e Compound Effect is the ripple effect you get from the choices you make.  In life, you not only reap what you sow, you reap more than you sow. The seemingly insignificant  choices we make daily , will create major changes in your life for good or bad. These are the ...

Time and talent go hand.  Where we spend our time is usually where our talents shine and are put to use. We also spend out time sharpening our talents and the balance of both, always has to be there. Time spend improving our talents & then times spent putting our talents to work in our marketplaces, communities & homes. This week my encouragement is to be purposeful two fold. Take intentional time to sharpen one of your talents this week and then to compliment it put that into action by applying that talent to parts of your life and it may be a part that you haven't applied that talent (old or new talent) to before.  Stretch & Growth this week using your time & talents to be great!

The small things/actions make a HUGE difference.  Over the weekend I was listing to a show and they talked about the compound effect one one action repeated over time. We talk or hear about winning the day which is great and frequently I talk about needing to win the morning myself to win the rest of the day. My "ah-ha" came with making it more granular to winning the minute, then the hour to win the day. An example of this is not hitting the snooze button in the am making our first action one of delay. Instead getting out of bed and starting a productive routine.  Rock each action today in the moment/minute and win...keep it rolling and the outcomes will be awesome. 

Today has probably started just like every other day. It's up to us how the day progresses, what we do and how we respond to what is in front of us. Today look for that 'dare-to-be-great' moment. It may be something big or a small action with a big impact. Great things aren't always noticed by many, but those that notice, it matters a lot to. Have an extraordinary day today! 

Click the link to the video: https://youtu.be/kex39jeuGlI

When we are prepared we run towards the conversation and we don’t stand in one spot and hope it comes to us.  When opportunities show up to us we seize them because we are prepared, not just because you are there. Being present is very important, but it needs to be coupled with preparedness as well. Preparation can come in many forms and we need to take the steps today to win tomorrow.  Are we: Practicing Printing what we need Testing our tech Roll Playing Presenting  to Ourselves Asking question to  influence's Investing in ourselves *just some examples Preparation + Presence = Success

Our reminder today is all about makin' it happen; execution. We have some great plans drawn up with call sheets, client list which we can compliment with our tools and services. Now it's about makin' it happen; day in and day out.  Our ideas & plans are great but the true beauty of them come in the execution. Only when we execute the plans on a consistent basis do we get to taste and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Focus on execution today. Do today what needs to be done in order to achieve the goals that you have than just like shampoo (repeat) Have an amazing day!

A good friend of mine shared this on his Instagram this morning and it stood out to me. It reminded me to audit what I was doing daily and if those things were the best to be doing to get me closer to my goals personally & professionally. Eliminate or minimize what is a detourant and emphasize what really moves you forward.  The best are always looking to get better. You are the best!

Today the message is a short one.,, Wherever you are at, be there.   Whoever you are with, tune in.  Whatever you are doing, do you best. 

Both are bodies of water but one flows and gives life to everything it touches promoting growth (the river). A reservoir, however just stores it up and does not promote growth.  A river flows and does not become stagnant, being renewed with freshness.  Let's be a river in our lives and our businesses. Let's keep growing and investing on those around us and our clients. Remember, as a river flows it needs new water to keep the current going so we need to always be growing, researching and investing in ourselves so we have something to share.  Flow on!

Adapting to our surroundings is super important in our jobs. We don't change who we are, but can can change how it comes out. I think of an example Stevie D gave years ago of how he changes his style to suit his audience. When in Utah he talks a little slower, more empathetically and has lunches with an ice tea whereas in So. Cal. he is more firm, direct and will bond with people over cocktails and cigars.  The message isn't different, but the audience is and it's our job to connect with the audience i.e. our clients. So when we are in the market this week think about who we are meeting with, how they are and ways to best connect with them. It's our job to connect with them, not the other way around.  It may be calling them, not texting them. It may be sharing something personal, or not.  It may be commenting and interacting on Facebook. It may be using Bitmoji's or not.  It may be videos or not. These are just some examples to get us thinking...

Today is the last day of 2018...it's never too late to finish strong I should have followed up with that last client a while ago...it's never too late to reconnect I wish I would have practiced my farming presentation more...it's never to late to start today I could have reached a higher level than I did...it's never too late to achieve it I hope we all get the picture here. It's NEVER too late to pursue, to achieve what you want. Yes, we could have done it differently, sooner or another way, but starting now and going for is always an option if we really want it. It may be tougher, but you are tough and can do it.  Know that it's NEVER TOO LATE to _____________ in your life professionally & personally. 

As we are wrapping up the end of the year it's important that we don't end it, but use it to keep building and moving forward. E.N.D. Effort Never Dies. Others may be slowing and that can be used as an excuse or we can look at it as a mere obstacle. We overcome obstacles everyday. You can do it. it may take longer, we may have to learn, stretch & grow along the way, but as long as you are willing and take steps you will achieve it. Keep pressing onward to connect with those you already know and also build connections with the people you don't. Growing you base is essential for growth. Doing this you'll hear more no's, don't let that get you down. N.O. Next Opportunity. Keep pursuing opportunity with perseverance and you can't be stopped.  per·se·ver·ance /ˌpərsəˈvirəns/ noun steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

What is the one thing that you absolutely crush it at? Think about it. Why do you think that is the thing that you own, you rock and is your go-to when you need to win? How did you get to be so great at that thing...is that something that you can replicate with something else so then you become absolutely excellent at another? Don't forget to own your strengths and put them to work daily. Yes, improving our weaknesses is a must as well, but don't forget your strengths and ROCK IT!!

Yesterday at church they talked about if we were "On Call" to step into a moment when it presented itself even if it wasn't convenient or it was the "right" time for us. It resonated with me on many levels. The one I wanted to share today was for work and business development.  We may be leaving a meeting and chatting on the way out making small talk with an agent. In that small talk they could mention a hurdle or a success in their business. We could respond with "It'll get better" or "Way to go on the success". OR we could step up and into the conversation and make it meaningful by having a thoughtful response like "What do you think is missing" OR "What actions do you attribute to that success". From there we can keep going, have a meaningful conversation and engage with them. From there we have the opportunity to bring value to them, and begin a relationship.  It's up to all of us to lean in and be "O...

We get the meeting because they like us, have heard of us, was referred or many other reasons may be why.  How do we build trust to earn their business? More than that how to we continue that to keep their trust and become more than a 1 transaction relationship, but an actual business partner? Keep knocking on doors, getting creative (&compliant) in getting the meetings in order to build the trust, bring the value to earn the business.  YOU got this....it's in YOU

You(We) know how to win, it's simply a matter of applying what we know, on a consistent basis to the right people.  You have what it takes, it's a matter of believing in yourself, believing you will win and putting in the work to be prepared when it's time to shine.  Apply what you know, make the call, make the visit, put yourself out there today to win. If you don't go for the win by default you(we) lose. You(we) are built to win.

YOU are the only YOU...be YOU Each day I hope you wake up looking to be better and bring better everywhere you go. That means we are actively looking for ways to improve ourselves and by doing that we have the chance to improve those around us as well. Resist the wave to blend into the masses and be the one that stands out by being better, doing more & living a life to be proud of.  YOU got this!  

We know a lot. It's about connecting what we know to our clients & prospects though. Knowledge without connect is useless. It's up to us to ask great questions to find out the true needs/wants of who we are talking in order to connect them with the best of breed systems, concepts & resources that we have available to us.  When we connect & bring value we have earned the right to ask for the business. I think we don't ask sometimes because of simply fearing rejection. You know the value you and our teams can bring, have confidence in that and go for it. It's what we do. We hear no more than yes...that is our chosen business. We press on, grow & make our outcomes happen.  Some articles on connection: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-kerr/clients_b_6116122.html https://www.business.com/articles/stand-out-how-to-connect-with-your-clients/ (this one is my favorite) https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/222374

I think we can all remember the times when a customer sang our praises and we grow within the sphere of their office or the group they ran with. Sometimes it happens organically which is great, but I want to think about the times that it didn't happen organically and we cultivated it ourselves.  We have a great response, we ask for a Reach 150 &/or "Who do you know that we should be working with to?" (I hope we are asking that question) Right now in Q-4 it's a great time to begin asking our clients how we have preformed for them as a business partner this year for them. I'm not just talking about our top 5% clients, but a solid mix to get a feel for how we are doing, where we can improve & where we are excelling as well.  Let's rock this market! YOU can do it with the support of your great TEAMS. 

Check out this link to a short 3 min video: https://www.facebook.com/coachtomferry/videos/10216321063481118/ Don't stop at 1 call.  Have discipline to drive your day, don't allow it to drive you.  Get out....the business isn't in your office; it's out in the marketplace. Be there.  These are simple reminders full of truth. If we are in the office it's to wrap up what we have accomplished in the field. Don't spend the day 'preparing to act' Get out there and ACT. Make it happen. 

I think we call can agree that we got a TON of great nuggets out of Fridays Divisional Sales Rally. The important part now is to reflect on what YOUR top nuggets were and then find a way to implement 1 of them into your business. I don't expect us to make huge changes and implement 5+ nuggets, but if each of us implemented just 1 that would have a tremendous ripple effect in our businesses.   What is the 1 that you are going to choose to A.C.T. on today & keep in your business to help you move forward?

Last week out in the field I came across this quote written on a whiteboard in an office. It caught my attention so I took a picture of it to come back to later which I did over the weekend and reflected on it.  Today is the 90th Motivational Monday that I've written and we have 90 days left in 2018. The previous 275 days we cannot change (the start), but we can start where we are (today) and change the ending. The really cool part is that we can focus on making great impact/change for the end of this year which will set the stage for our 2019 start. When we start with momentum in the right direction we can be an unstoppable force. That doesn't mean that there won't be obstacles along the way, that just means that you'll look at those obstacles as growth opportunities and not a  deterrent.  This week let's look at & act on the things/habits we can bring back or start that will help us change the ending. Our lives are not in silos so when we focu...

Some mornings we wake up feeling better or more motivated than others. It's important to look at how we set up our morning from the night before as well to see if we 'set it up' for success or not. Trying to control what we can, but knowing not all is in our control.  The quote above has been on my mind for a few weeks now so I wanted to share it with you all. ...how you act in spite of how you feel. That part really resonated with me. I feel like in sports it's much easier to suck it up and deliver, but in life not as much. Just because it's not as easy doesn't mean it's not beneficial. Choosing to 'win the day' isn't a feeling, but a decision. My encouragement for all of us today & each day is to choose to win & pursue it, regardless of how we feel. 

How we react As we are going though our days we cross tasks or situations that are stretching. These things can do 1 of 2 things to us, but never both. These situations can either Defeat us or Develop us. Our reaction, commitment & determination is what determines the outcome.    Remember that You can overcome and soar from any situation. A diamond only becomes one by being pressed hard on all sides. Gold is only refined by fire. We grow, develop and improve by overcoming obstacles both personally & professionally that are in front of us. Push through towards development and soar from there.   

We have some newer products that are available to us which sis great, but now it's time to learn them. I was talking to one of you last week about how FA 3.0 was such a simple presentation because it had been around for so long that I knew it inside and out. However, FA ONE is new and with that I have the basics down for a simple 101 presentation, but don't have the details down yet to really dive in. I was then driven to remember that the only reason I knew 3.0 so well was because I would play with it for a bout 15 min each day for a couple of week in the evening. That gave me the time to tinker around, find new enhancements and ways to connect it to clients.  I say all of this because 15 min isn't a lot of time isolated, but when compounded over a couple of weeks it makes a huge impact. If you need help with any of the tools Tom & I are just a call/email away.

Take Action! We act in many ways, but there are usually 1-2 key area of work/life where we hit the pause button and don't act. There could be a myriad of 'reasons' we don't act, some may even be valid but those don't get us closer to where we want to be. An inch of action forward towards your goal is better than mils and miles of intention to move forward.  Today if you feel the pull to hold back, not call, not walk in, whatever it may be push the fear to the side for 10 seconds and go for it. Each one of YOU is capable of achieving things beyond what you dream you can.  Keep striving, pushing & growing. 

How are you bringing more value to your customers than anyone else? Our goal is to always be in the lead in our industry, in our markets. We do that in many ways, but one way that we can guarantee we stay top of mind and in each of their contracts is to consistently be bringing them value on a consistent basis. This doesn't allow others to move in when we unintentionally drift away because they are "locked in" or "they don't need what we offer", etc... They may not use the products, but everyone likes to know that they were thought of. Use the CRM that we have to see your client list and then leverage that to make sure that no one is slipping through the cracks.  If you're unsure about calling someone, that is probably the person you NEED to call the most. Overcome any fear you may have and go for it with a positive attitude and smile. 

Everything we do and the environments that we put ourselves in has an effect on us weather we realize it or not. That goes for us to. We have an effect on our surroundings and the people we are around as well.  Weather we want to or not, we can't slide under the radar so it's important for us to think about what effect we want to have on meetings, events, in our offices, community, etc... We can have positive effects when we focus on the outcomes and prepare ourselves before we get there. It's in the preparation where victories are achieved. Always be preparing, and improving so your 'Ripple Effect' is the one that you want.  

Gaining 1 point of market share is a goal, learning to purposely prospect, convert & maintain client retention is a system AND systems always trump goals. It's the system that keeps us on track or at times get's us back on track from distraction. Think about the system(s) you have in place in order to achieve the goals we have.  What are they?  Are you sticking to them?    Are they working? Our company has provided many great tools to implement within a system to excel in our industry space, but it's up to us, daily to put them to work for us.  We can be successful for stints without a system, but it does not last. A system of success however cap be replicated therefore you can have continual success for a career....and that's what we are here for.  Go for it....Stick to it....Soar!

Activity does not always equal Productivity Think about when people ask you how you are doing. Do you ever say "Busy" ? It makes us feel good to be busy, but we need to step back and remember that busy isn't the goal. Productive is the goal. Make sure to review your daily, weekly, monthly activities to see which ones equate to productivity and which ones do not. Then take action to improve in those places to help get you closer to your best self. Your best in business growth, retention as well as in your personal life. 360 degrees of success is what we should all be striving for.  Let's get it done today!

This is one of my favorite articles so I wanted to share it with us all today....let's rock it! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/because-4am-brett-hagler Because of 4AM Brett Hagler Kobe Bryant recently shared an all-time great mindset, manifested into a subtle quote that not many people noticed. It's been three weeks and I can't get it out of my head, so I wanted to share. You can take it literally or (mostly) metaphorically - both work and can be applied to the dream you're chasing.  The quote came from Kobe when he was on stage accepting the 'Icon Award' at the ESPYS.  He was addressing fellow athletes:  “We’re not on this stage just because of talent or ability,” Bryant said. “We’re up here because of 4 a.m . We’re up here because of two-a-days or five-a-days. We’re up here because we had a dream and let nothing stand in our way. If anything tried to bring us down, we used it to make us stronger.” There are thousands of ...