August was a challenge for this 5'-18-1/2" guy.  I spent way too much of the month medicated, in the hospital or both. I've been home now for almost two weeks and improving every day. You don't have to tell me how important one's health is.

We're still doing the "Cruise to Learn" so come join me in January '08!

 

 

 

Need a career update?

Judi is a career expert and prior to starting VisionQuest, Judi was a search consultant for 20 years in the contingency and retained markets. She has owned her own recruiting firm and successfully assisted numerous repeat clients in hiring all levels of management. She now educates job seekers on what the candidate selection process is all about so that you not only learn how to successfully present, package and sell yourself, but also make sure you’re not stepping into a miserable job. Her training has resulted in many of her clients finding their perfect job after long periods of frustration or no activity.

Sign up for her free newsletter here.

 

 Road Improvements  

"My Lessons of History?"
By Mark Matteson

Will and Ariel Durant were a husband and wife writing team. When they turned 75, they re-read everything they had written and then summarized that learning in amazing little book entitled "The Lessons of History" . It will answer a lot of questions about why things happen in the world. It’s also a wonderful exercise to go back over your life and ask the question, What have I learned so far? What has experience taught me?

I love what I do. I feel honored and humbled to speak to businesses and associations. My phone now rings a couple of times a week. I am traveling around the world getting paid for what I used to get in trouble for in high school! The fact that people invest in my books, products and monthly e-zine and getting feedback every week that they make a difference in people’s lives fills me with joy. (I had a year of junior college, with a 3.0…..blood alcohol level!) If I can enjoy a 90% close ratio, anyone can (more on that later.)

As I look back on my experience in sales I am reminded of the old story about the young sales person coming right out of college. She was anxious to succeed, full of vim and vigor. She walked into her sales manager’s office and said enthusiastically, “I want to be successful like you! What do I need to know?” She had her journal in hand ready to learn. The sales manager leaned back in her chair, glanced up at all her awards on the wall and said, “I believe I am qualified to answer that question.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper, “Good judgment is all you need.” The pupil wrote that down. “How do I get that?” “Experience” the sales manager replied a little louder. She wrote that down. “How do I get that?” Pausing for effect, the manager replied, “Bad judgment, now go get ‘em!”

What has life or business taught you so far?

Here is a short timeline list:

Lesson #1 = Age 11 – I raised $11.32 doing a “Carnival for Muscular Dystrophy” for Jerry Lewis’ kids and mailed the money in to the local TV Kids Show. A week later, at Little League practice Ron Haight (now president of the largest roofing company in Washington State) said to “Hey Mark, they announced your name on the Brakeman Bill Show. You won a $25 box of fireworks!” It was true! I really did win that box of fireworks.

LESSON LEARNED?
The Law of Compensation is immutable. You cannot serve others without the universe balancing the books in your favor. How can you increase you service to others?

Lesson #2 = Age 13 – I was cut from the Jr. High Basketball team in 8th grade. One of two things happens when we are pushed to the ground. We either get back up, get mad and get going OR we stay on the ground. I got up. I got mad. I got going. I found a mentor, asked his advice. He said, “I practice 2-hours every day and I go to Bob Houbreg’s basketball camp. I followed his advice religiously and guess what? I made the team the next year.

LESSON LEARNED?
Find a mentor who has done what you want to do and been where you want to go. Learn the patterns of success; the causes of success. Then do all that and a little more. Who can you contact? What do they do you don’t? How can you go the extra mile?

Lesson #3 Age 22 – I had a part time chimney cleaning business for three years (September to March.) I had amassed a client list of over 1000 names. Most of them were repeat clients. Shortly after I started my business, I entered a four year HVAC Apprenticeship. By the third year of my Apprenticeship, I was working over 100 hours a week. So I closed the business down thinking one day I would resume or sell it. Then we moved. We bought a beautiful house with a view of Puget Sound and Mt. Baker. It had a small garage so I threw some boxes away. One of the boxes had 1000 names in it.

When my wife asked me to clean out the garage and get rid of the chimney caps, fire extinguishers and other products I use to sell, I put an ad in the local paper. A very successful chimney sweep showed up and said, “I will give you $200 a name for your client list. I wept openly for a week!

LESSON LEARNED?
Keep strict accounts, (back up your client list, it’s a Goldmine) and stay in touch with your clients! How much is your Goldmine worth?

Now it’s your turn. Go back through your own experiences. It’s a rich treasure trove, a wealth of ideas and lessons. Reflect on what you have learned so far. Write down at least five things you have learned from the school of hard knocks:

Your Experience #1? _____________________

LESSON LEARNED? _______________________

Your Experience #2? _____________________

LESSON LEARNED? _______________________

Your Experience #3? _____________________

LESSON LEARNED? _______________________



 The Boulevard

Now just released: "13 Secrets of World-Class Goal Achievers". Click for your fr*e*e copy!

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Goals 2006 is the complete program to help you "create a life on purpose." Will 2006 be just another ho-hum year that started with good intentions? Or will it be YOUR Year! Your year to lose that weight you're tired of carrying...start that business you've been talking about...get out of debt for good. Are you tired of being stuck in the same gear?

Go see why one program graduate, Lucy O. said, "Breaking through, or at least finally recognizing, what my barrier is with writing goals, is a MAJOR accomplishment - one I've been trying to find for over 15 years! And I finally got it - I GOT IT!" Click Here

 End Construction  

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