Zig Ziglar’s “Consistently Persistent” Mentality

I have not been very “Consistently Persistent” lately.  In fact I have fallen off the wagon over the past couple of months.  I was so inspired when I started this blog and I was even more inspired when I built and started pitching my website (www.OurHealthyVillage.com …Check it out! 😉 ) back in March.  I thought I would be an automatic success and I would be able to blog about it, maybe write a book and do some talks and help others achieve their goals… And then I realized delays and set backs.  I basically ran out of money to live off of while I was getting my website out there.  As a result I have had to put things on the back burner and work towards other aims just to get by….

But “this morning I woke up feeling brand new, I jumped up, feeling my highs and my lows, in my soul and my goals…”  I love Talib Kweli!

I started the day off with a quick meditation and took a walk.  While I walked I was listening to a Seth Godin podcast and Tom Ziglar, Zig Ziglar’s son, was being interviewed.  If you have never heard any of Zig Ziglar’s talks, I highly recommend that you check him out, especially if you are a fellow entrepreneur.  Very motivational.  Anyhow, so Tom Ziglar mentioned an idea of his dad’s which was the idea of being consistently persistent.  I looked inward and asked myself if I was truly being consistently persistent.  Just the fact that I haven’t written a blog in months answers that question.  So here I am, giving it another shot.

The best part of where I am sitting right now is the fact that I have experienced a great set back and a huge disappointment after spending so much time talking myself and my ideas for the website up to where I thought it was going to be too easy.  It has been a good reality check, but at the same time, to tell myself that I won’t back down, that I want to make this work, that I AM going to make this work… I am going to work towards being consistently persistent and success will just follow!

Thanks for reading and have a great day! 🙂

Building A Business From the Ground Up – Video Blog #1

Great Bill Cosby Quote!

What we can learn from Notorious BIG…The Entrepreneur and the 10 Crack Commandments

First off…Happy 2014 to all you beautiful people out in the ether!  This is my first post of the new year.  I have been on this 100 day challenge trip and it has been going quite well!  I have been getting my ars kicked at Crossfit every day, but it’s cool!  It’s all for the greater good, right?!  So when I am on the treadmill working out the cardio aspect of my regiment I listen to this really amazing podcast called “The Tropical MBA Podcast.”  It is a very informative podcast about entrepreneurship and building a business based on the type of lifestyle you want to live.  I highly recommend it!

Anyhow, today I was listening to the podcast and the subject was things we can learn from former guests of the show and all other entrepreneurs, really.  They kicked the show off by sharing what we can learn from the teachings of the great Notorious BIG…I am telling you, these guys are brilliant!  I wanted to share with you what Dan and Ian of Tropical MBA were saying about the 10 Crack Commandments and how they apply to entrepreneurship…

 

The 10 Crack Commandments 

 

1. “Never let no one know how much dough you hold”

Never brag about that money…

 

2. “Never let ’em know your next move”

Don’t talk about your future plans…

 

3. “Never trust nobody”

It’s not validated unless they’ve paid you money…

 

4. “Never get high on your own supply”

Don’t believe your hype…

 

5. “Never sell no crack where you rest at”

Home offices aren’t always a great idea…

 

6. “That credit…Dead it! You think a crackhead paying you back…Forget it!”

Net 30 is for suckas…

 

7. “This rule is so underrated. Keep your family and business completely separated”

Your brother is not that good of a developer anyway…

 

8. “Never keep no weight on you”

It’s best not to resolve your internal company conflicts on the social media outlets… 

 

9. “Number 9 shoulda been number 1 to me: If you ain’t gettin’ bagged, stay the #$&* away  

     from police”

Don’t link your business name to your google accounts…

 

10. “If you ain’t got the clientele, say “h@#$ no!”

If you purchase inventory before your customers ordered the product, you’re in deep trouble…

 

Some wise words from Biggie, Ian and Dan!  Check out that podcast and I wish everyone luck on your business building endeavors in 2014!

Committing to a 100 Day Challenge for a Successful 2014!

I am not sure if I am subconsciously seeking out these particular ebooks, podcasts, emails and articles, or if it is some magical synchronicity or if we are all on the same page and this is just what is trending…OR, as 2013 comes to a close, we are all reading and writing about how to make 2014 the most successful year of our lives…But today has been a very inspiring day for me!

It all started with an online coupon I found for the local cross fit center, a one month unlimited trial for $39, which for anyone who is familiar with cross fit, you know this is a steal!  So I decided I have to give it a shot… Later on, I was listening to my favorite podcast “The Lifestyle Business” and the hosts were talking about being productive and focusing on more creative, content and lead generating work as oppose to doing busy work like checking email and Facebook… Apparently I am not alone in thinking it is far too easy to fall into this trap considering all the software out there meant to time you out of your Facebook sesh, in case you do not have the will power yourself.

Then this evening I stumbled upon this awesome Twitter profile that has vowed to tweet three times a day, everyday, in regard to their trials and tribulations in building successful apps.  And finally, to top it all off, I received an email about a 100 day challenge, plan out goals and work everyday for 100 days and start this next year out right!  I feel like something is trying to tell me something!  Ok then, 100 Day Challenge it is!

I am warming up right now but I will officially kick it off January 2nd.  I do not want to call this a “New Years Resolution” because there are so many negative feelings surrounding that label.  What I really want to accomplish is the development of better habits and focus on a more healthy, effective, efficient lifestyle.  So I have devised a list of goals for the first 100 days (minus January 1st just because that is a re-coop day! 😉 ) of 2014…

I would get into the details of my list but I would imagine we all have our own list and no one really cares to hear about mine specifically, but I will say that it involves looking at how I spend my waking hours and making sure that every waking hour is spent bettering myself in some way, which will in turn positively affect my business building, and family raising efforts….And burpees at 5 am!  I will also blog about my progress to keep myself in check and make sure I stay committed to what I am saying while I am in such a great mood! 🙂

And if you want, we can do this together!  It just makes sense to focus on the first quarter and set the precedence for the rest of the year.  So let’s do this!  Let’s make 2014 huge!

The Psychological Shift From Employee to Entrepreneur

I had heard that so long as you could spell entrepreneur, then you’re in!  Oh, all the lovely fantasies about being your own boss, making your own schedule, creating something, impacting other people’s lives, starting a movement, AND the vacations you will take!  I have already purchased my dream home…in my mind!  The idea of financial freedom is so incredible!  E-N-T-R-E-P-R-E-N-E-U-R!!!!!  Sign me up!

So I went ahead and made the decision and completely abandoned the idea of ever getting a real job again.  I have read countless books, articles, and magazines!  I have subscribed to countless podcasts and newsletter!  I’ve got my dream board up on my wall and I stare at it in a meditative state as I channel all my energy into manifesting my dream life.  I can see it so clearly I can almost touch it!  And of course I’ve read Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”…THREE times now!  So as far as I know, I have completely prepped my psyche for being an innovative entrepreneur that is really going to make a difference in this world!  At this point I am ready to get to it!  I’ve been studying and planning…now it’s time to start DOING!

Now there is no turning back!  I’m making that leap!… So now what do I do?  All that research…surely I would know what to do first!  And then it struck me!  I am my own boss, I make my own schedule and what that means is I do not have anyone to tell me what my deadline is and I do not have anyone to answer to.  I have no one else’s expectations to meet but my own.  I have to keep myself motivated, and inspired and constantly remind myself of my purpose and that everything will be ok!

We go our entire lives being told what to do and when to do it.  Suddenly entrepreneurship became a little frightening!  Like being thrown out in the deep end of the pool, not knowing how to swim and having to just figure it out as you go.  And what happens when the inevitable big mistake or failure rears it’s ugly head?  A moment that most all successful entrepreneurs say is important to embrace, by the way…Fantastic!  It is up to you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep it movin’!

I took a deep breath and told myself I am just going to take it one day at a time.  I’m going to keep my eye on the prize and continue to research my questions and concerns as they come up, after all Google does know everything!

When I start to get overwhelmed or discouraged I think about the Napoleon Hills, the Henry Fords, the Thomas Edisons, the Soichiro Hondas and the some 85% of successful entrepreneurs who started from the bottom.  I also think about all the resources available to me today.  There is absolutely no reason to not, at very least, give it a shot!  And one last thought…

“Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.”

–     Alfred Lord Tennyson

I do not want to wonder what could’ve been.  So here I go!  I’m going to take the plunge!  I’m all in!

Entrepreneurship…I do!

My Attempt at Grabbing My 15 Minutes of Fame!

So my good friend, Shalene, came across a contest through a talk show that she follows and told me about it.  The contest was to pitch a great business idea and win a $20,000 prize!  She suggested I give it a shot.  To begin with, it was such a great feeling knowing that one of my dear friends had such faith in me and my business venture.  So I was on my way, seeking out my 15 minutes of fame!

The contest was sponsored by Skype and the idea was to use Skype to send a quick video message explaining my business idea.  I was so inspired!  I wrote out a script, rehearsed it about 50 times, I set up a lovely backdrop behind me, and logged onto Skype.  It was so great because it gave me an opportunity to really get my message direct, precise and to the point in less than two minutes…Click Send!  And wait…and wait…and wait some more!

I meditated on it for days!  I visualized what it will be like to sit on the couch and be interviewed by the show’s host.  I had read somewhere that to really program your thoughts and subconscious chatter, it is a good trick to write down what your burning desire is.  Everyday, I wrote “I won $20,000” about thirty times in my journal and then read it back.  I was in the zone!  Like an Olympic athlete, I visualized exactly how it was all going to go down!  Then I started thinking to myself, if I only have fifteen minutes of fame, what could I say to fully utilize my short time and truly impact my life, impact others lives, impact the world?!  I mean, in my mind, I was absolutely going to be placed in front of a million+ viewers!  How incredible it would be to be on that platform and not to mention how $20,000 would catapult my health and wellness internet company to the next level!  I was really pumping myself up!  My heart and mind was spinning!  My daily attitude was so positive, people noticed the extra pep in my step!  I was planning on hanging on to this feeling for the rest of my life, it felt so good…And I hadn’t even won yet!…

SO, the waiting was over, and the results were in.  I was not one of the three finalists.  My business involves connecting local businesses that offer health and wellness solutions with the community, all with the hopes to raise up the local economy collectively.  My plan is to increase social awareness and health consciousness.  Really make an honest and sincere difference in this world!  What I did not consider was the premise of the talk show and the audience.

This talk show focused more on finding the best fashion trends, the best wrinkle cream and the how-to’s such as how-to please your husband, how-to get your kids to school on time and still look good doing it!  All important subjects to many people, but may not be quite the audience or more importantly the atmosphere conducive for my particular genre.  Regardless, this was a great, eye-opening experience for me as a budding entrepreneur!

I learned many things!  For one, it is all about the market segment, the audience.  I know now that I need to be very aware as to who I am speaking to and at what time of the day it is.  Certain times of the day we may be a fashionista, car-pooling mothers and at other times we are health nuts looking to find a great yoga instructor.  So yes, market awareness is crucial!

The other lesson I learned is that a good positive attitude and a definite purpose does wonders!  Visualizing the end result and being at that peak energetic level makes the creation of any project or business venture that much more exciting and invigorating!  So many business gurus and motivational writers and speakers such as Tony Robbins, Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Earl Nightingale, Jim Rohn, Napoleon Hill (and the list goes on) all send out a similar messages.  Develop a burning, undeniable desire and visualize the desired results until you accomplish your goals.  I vow to myself that I will not stop and I will continue to be excited and preserver and know that my success is inevitable!

 Know that your success is inevitable as well!  Go out there and achieve your dreams and goals!  In the words of one of the greatest bands of all time, Journey, “Don’t Stop Believing!”

Going down the dark rabbit hole of ONLINE MARKETING (insert scream)!!!!!

So here we are… 3rd blog!  And 4th day of working on my empire, from scratch!  After my experience, Thursday, with going door to door to local businesses pitching my idea, conducting research, I decided I need to get my house in order.  I started conducting research on how to have a website built.  I have looked into having a web designer do it for me and going off on my own.  To have a website built is free…To get it noticed is a whole other story!  Even when you study up on all the services available it’s hard to find out which option is the better deal.  And if you aren’t online marketing savvy, it all begins to sound like a foreign language!  And what is the difference between a $25 a month Search Engine Optimization package and a $159 SEO package, anyway?  My head is spinning!

   Now thanks to this blog I have met a couple of interesting people who are into online affiliate network marketing.  Basically advertising other peoples products on your page.  I’ve spent the day watching recruiting videos and googling the company’s for possible scams.  It all sounds great and most check out!  And it is made to sound easy, but without truly getting into the details as to what work is involved on my part.  So again, what is the difference between the $25/month affiliate program and the $159/month affiliate program?  Are we seeing a trend here?

   I came across a link for a motivational speaker, Kevin Trudeau.  He had some interesting points in his lecture.  He made reference to some of my favorite entrepreneurs/motivational speakers and suggested that many of these other speakers offer a lot of valuable information but they are missing a couple of major points….And for $159/ month all questions will be answered! 😉  (Kidding!)  Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to all the positive affirmations, every day in fact!  But it has been suggested that some people have made a lot of money talking about how easy it is to make a lot of money and really have no personal “come up” story… Wait… Brilliant!!!!!! 

   Writers write books to sell books, motivational speakers sell lectures, and online affiliate marketers market to sell space.  Is there really anything wrong with all that?  Unfortunately, a couple of scams out there in the ether have left a bad taste in the mouths of the novice.  And it is especially disheartening when you come across a philosophy or technique that resonates with you and then is discredited by others…. So, Yes I want to join your book club, but how do I know your book club is right for me?…I suppose that is the ultimate marketers dilemma.  How to get a person on board?  How to sell an idea?  How to get my blog out to the masses?…The million dollar questions!

   Chapter 4: Faith from “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill… In this chapter Hill discusses having faith in your desires, knowing that it is very possible.  I’d like to think that if I maintain strong faith that everything is going to work out (along with working hard, of course), then I will align myself with the right people and opportunities at the right time!

Sweet dreams all you beautiful people! 🙂

So how about we build a village together?

   I have led a pretty amazing life thus far!  I have spent pretty much my entire life going to school and tending bar.  I have been so fortunate to try out many different majors and have finally decided to graduate!  Every position of employment I have ever had has always been an improvement from the previous!  I have a beautiful, loving and very supportive family!  I have met some incredibly fascinating people throughout my journey.  I have been deeply in love a couple of times and I have had the opportunity to learn from heart break, as well!    I have never been abused in any way.  I have pretty much walked through this life unscathed!…And then suddenly, things came to a head!

   All within the past two weeks I received a notice that my very hefty student loans were going to go into repayment, my place of employment that I loved so much decided to do a little restructuring which meant getting rid of a couple of us with seniority, and my supposed twin flame and I decided to go our separate ways.  I once heard that the universe will not give us more than we can handle, but as I sit obsessively staring at the postings online in search of that next much improved opportunity, I start to think.  I begin to ponder, is this really what it’s all about?  The old, supposedly reliable hamster wheel?  This is not me and it is definitely not what I want to be doing with my life….

   We’ve all heard the story about the self-made millionaire and how he was down on his luck, unemployed with nothing but the shirt on his back and a dream, and with his last $500 he built a multi-million dollar empire.  Well I decided that I want my story to sound just like that! I think we should all have a story that sounds like that!

   So here I am blogging to the ether in hopes that someone catches the signal.  The Grand Master Plan is to tell the world my “Break Through” story as it unfolds.  My back is currently up against the wall and the pressure is mounting.  I’ve suddenly become a part of the growing statistic (the jobless graduate), but I refuse to succumb to the pressure.  The time is now!  I will start my own business!

   I have started my research and have written a business plan.  My vision is to help local small businesses increase their revenue and thrive by administering sound cross-marketing campaigns geared towards the immediate community.  The targeted businesses would be those that offer products and services in the realm of health, wellness, fitness and beauty.  So in essence I want to build a healthy village.  As I continue to study, research and try different strategies, I will blog about what I’ve learned, what’s working, what’s not working and I hope you will reach out to me and post comments.  Let’s open up a dialogue, learn from each other and maybe others will want to take from this conversation and start their own business.  Maybe if we could watch the progression from the beginning, we will realize that not only is anything possible, but anyone can do it.  So let’s do it!  Let’s build our healthy villages together!

   Tomorrow is day 1… Marketing Research.  I will go door to door to ask business owners if there is any interest in my services, find that possible niche.  Wish me luck! 🙂

   I’ll leave you with this… Les Brown is one of my favorite motivational speakers.  This video speaks to me.  Hopefully you’ll find some value in it as well.  Namaste!