George Bernard Shaw said, “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.” Well, it’s pretty apparent, isn’t it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about. Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn’t know where he’s going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry – his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing… he becomes nothing. [read the rest of this entry...]
My friend, Bob Danzig, has an amazing story. Simple words of appreciation and encouragement changed his life. Bob was in five foster homes during his youth, and said he spent his childhood trying to find someone to love and appreciate him. When he was nine years old, he had a new social worker. He said after she had done all the paperwork to move him to yet another foster home, she sat him down, looked him directly in the eyes, and said, “Bobby, I want you to always remember these words: YOU ARE WORTHWHILE!”
We know we need to talk to people, so let’s look at a situation we all find ourselves in when we attempt to speak with someone we don’t know. Place and time: an elevator in a professional office building, late afternoon. You get on the elevator, push the button for your floor, and watch the numbered lights flick on as you climb. What’s on your mind? Things you need to take care of at work before 5pm; what you might have for dinner that night; weekend plans. Then suddenly the elevator stops. It’s not your floor. The doors slide open and there is a woman: “Going up?” she asks, as she steps in. You smile politely and nod. She pushes the button for her floor, and the doors begin to close.
In the race to be better or best, we sometimes lose sight of just being. And just being, just soaking in and savoring a beautiful moment, can provide some of life’s greatest pleasures. A crackling fire on a cold winter night, a good book, a love letter from your spouse a spectacular sunset, a great meal, or a timeless moment with your child or a friend…these moments, if we stop long enough to enjoy, are the essence of life. I love to fish, especially for large-mouth bass. About three years ago, I was watching television late one night and got this crazy notion to go fishing in the lake behind my house. 
At 211 degrees, water is hot.
What would you call people who can: help keep on track; boost your confidence; finally make working fun? You might call them “miracle workers.” We call them Buddies! Most people make the mistake of going it alone. Sometimes, it’s just too tough to stay consistent by yourself. But a Buddy won’t let you quit. Buddies are two or more people who commit to helping each other reach consistent goals with friendly encouragement and regular contact. 
One of the most wonderful things about having a positive attitude is the number of people it touches, many times in ways you’ll never know. Not long ago I was in Nashville, Tennessee and I went into a convenience store to get a newspaper and a pack a gum. The young women at the check-out counter said, “That’ll be five dollars please,” and as I reached into my wallet, the thought occurred to me that a newspaper and gum didn’t quite make it to five dollars. 
In the faint light of the attic, an old man, tall and stooped, bent his great frame and made his way to a stack of boxes that sat near one of the little half-windows. Brushing aside a wisp of cobwebs, he tilted the top box toward the light and began to carefully lift out one old photograph album after another. Eyes once bright but now dim searched longingly for the source that had drawn him here. 
When I was a student in university I learned an unforgettable lesson. I was having a rough week when there was a lot to do and very little time to do it. I was overwhelmed. I panicked. That night a friend stopped by my dorm room. When I told him my problem, he said, “Mac, I’ll share something with you that my grandmother told me a few years ago. She said to always remember: ‘Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.’” 
I have a PASSION.
Need a laugh?
Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret. “Mary Kay Ash”
Assure Victory with Simple and Short-Term Goals: 
Imagine along with me for a moment, will you? It’s 5:30 am and Michelle is showering for another work day. She’ll have to be dressed and waking up the baby by 6:15 am so that he can be fed, dressed and ready to head out the door with her by 7:30–drop off at daycare is 8:00 and Michelle has to be in the city to start work at 8:30 am. As she hurries and rushes she only has time for just a quick goodbye to her husband in the garage as he and the two older children pile into his car for the trip to school. Michelle knows that at 5:30 tonight the 
I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner. I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked, “If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?” ”No, I had to stop drinking years ago”, the homeless woman told me. ”Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?” I asked. ”No, I don’t waste time shopping,” the homeless woman said. “I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.” ”Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?” I asked. ”Are you NUTS!” replied the homeless woman. “I haven’t had my hair done in 20 years!” ”Well,” I said, “I’m not going to give you the money. Instead, I’m going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.” The homeless Woman was shocked. “Won’t your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I’m dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.” I said, “That’s okay. It’s important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and wine!”
You should have written out and committed to memory, the best closing questions that you’ve ever heard, because when you are closing a new consultant, you do not want to be stuck searching for the right thing to say. It is my strong recommendation that you ask questions. You can tell someone all the benefits of becoming a consultant and they can listen to you and nod their head and think to themselves, “O.K. but that’s just your opinion.” They have not “bought in” to what you are saying. 
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
