Cutting Through The Online Clutter, by Doug Grady

Cutting Through The Online Clutter

Just last week I attended a three day event called Infusioncon. Some really smart online and offline marketers shared their often not-so-simple strategies for getting your message and ultimately your product to your prospect. It was over 40 hours of training in various aspects of marketing, including, but not limited to:

CRM, QR codes, SEO optimization, sales automation, social media marketing, content development, keywords, geo-targeted social media integration, link building, mobile marketing, membership sites, automated webinars...

Have I lost you yet?

It was at times overwhelming. The "key points" portion of my notes alone was two full pages. If you sometimes feel like you are drowning on a sea of online noise, you are not alone. Let's begin with a fun fact I learned on day two. According to Google CEO Eric Schmidt:

Every two days now we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003.

Are you kidding me? Wow! Is that why I just went through three days of intense marketing training? How do you win the battle for people's attention in an "attention deficit" world? Here are a few broad strokes for you:

• Listen. While the vast majority of marketers, salespeople, and social media pontificators constantly strive to out-shine, out-talk, or out-shock for attention, you automatically distinguish yourself by investing time to listen. Seek out conversations about your business. Respond to people who express an interest in you. Join groups with common interests. Don't just contribute, edify the contributions of others by acknowledging their comments and posts. The search function on twitter is a great tool for this.
• Pinterest is now the third highest ranked social media site. Check it out.
• Last year smart phones out sold computers- how's your mobile marketing plan?
• Video content is huge. Youtube is now the #2 search engine on the web.
• Don't try to do it all yourself. Effective marketing requires vision, strategy, and tactics. Very few of us are strong in all three. Find people who are strong in the areas you are not. Don't have an adequate budget? You might be able to create synergy with skilled professionals without monetary compensation. On occasion I have been able to help with strategy for organizations in exchange for tactical assistance.
• Be consistent. If you're going to be an effective marketer (online or otherwise), don't expect to "show up and throw up" on special occasions and expect to be taken seriously.
• Get personal. Write a letter. Make a house call. Call someone just to say hello.

"Twitter marketing is about listening, not talking." -Gary Vaynerchuk

At the height of my personal overwhelm toward the end of day two, something clicked for me. I don't need anything new to be successful. And neither do you. This actually gave me the freedom to relax, take a breath, and continue learning through the rest of the trainings. While my head is still spinning with a vast array of new ideas and technological game-changers, I know in my heart that true success can be achieved right now without ever turning on a computer.

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On The Bus with Jon Gordon

On The Bus with Jon Gordon

Jon Gordon and I go way back. Back before he opened up the Park Bench in Atlanta in 1996; before he started the Phoenix Organization shortly thereafter to mobilize young adults for community service; way before he wrote his first book. I knew him then to be a peer and a businessman. I know him now to be a best-selling author and keynote speaker, a man of faith, and a friend.

Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, Training Camp, and The Seed. Today Jon shared his wisdom at the Peachtree Ironmen's Big Breakfast.

"God doesn't pick the best, he picks the most willing." -Jon Gordon

Here are a few of the highlights from today's keynote with Jon:

• Being positive can be learned. Focus on developing positive energy and self-talk. Eliminate energy vampires.
• God doesn't pick the best, he picks the most willing.
• Not everyone is going to get on your bus.
• Have a vision statement for you and your family.
• Declare a one word vision to live by. Jon gave several examples: intentional, motivated, purpose. I chose "faith."
• Invite God into your marriage.

I'm on the bus Jon- thanks for driving.

TUESDAY IRONMEN meetings are from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. SHARP. We meet at The Lodge in Buckhead, 3417 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Ironmen Ecuador trip is June 22-29

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

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Change Your Mind, Change Your World, by Doug Grady

Change Your Mind, Change Your World, by Doug Grady

After watching a PBS documentary on Steve Jobs last week this quote stuck with me:

"Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again." -Steve Jobs

There was a time in my life I didn't think I could change much of anything in my world. I changed my mind.

"When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change." -Dr. Wayne Dyer

The turnaround in my life came from accepting that God had a plan for me and that I was not living it. This change in perspective eventually brought about massive changes in every area of my life. If you are taking on a change in your life, your environment, or the world around you, it begins with changing your mind.

Your mind is powerful. It can be stubborn, stuck, and stagnant. You can tell it "yes" but it still says "no." It can delude you into a life that is not much more than a slow, just-comfortable-enough death. Or you can change your mind.

You can change:

• the way you talk to yourself. That little voice in your head is always telling you something. Listen to it. If it is not consistent with the world you want to live in, you can choose a different voice.
• your input. Change what you read, what you watch on television, what you pay attention to online. Consciously add mental inputs that nurture you and grow you as a person. Let go of some of the garbage that pollutes your mind. Access to a High Achievers membership (just $9.95/month) is a great way to do this. You will receive one personal development program each week in your email box from the best in the business.
• your focus. One of the simplest, most powerful ways to change your focus is to develop a sense of gratitude. Each day list at least 20 things you are grateful for. If this is difficult or uncomfortable for you, do it anyway.
• your attitude. This one can take awhile. Consistently maintaining a better attitude is often a by-product of the first three changes. If you choose to, you can change your attitude right now.

"Change happens in an instant." -Tony Robbins

Change is a choice. Make one simple choice today to change the course of your life. You may not think you can change the world, but you can always change your mind.

More simple choices...

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A Lifestyle Of Achievement, by Doug Grady

A Lifestyle Of Achievement, by Doug Grady

The High Achievers Lifestyle of Achievement award was created to recognize extraordinary men and women who truly embrace a lifestyle of high achievement. There were three criteria for the "HALO" award. I was looking for someone who:

1. Plays BIG. Someone who is fully engaged in a mission that can change the world in a powerful, positive way.
2. Walks their talk. It was critical that this person be the same "on stage" and "off stage"; someone who lives their mission, not just talks about it.
3. Intentionally helps others. I wanted a person who was willing to put people over profits. Who truly cared for others, not just themselves.

And the award goes to...

The recipient of the first ever HALO award is Day Adeogba. Day has been a long time player in the world of health and fitness. However, his mission, teachings, and example go way beyond that of a personal trainer.

For over 14 years Day has worked with CEO's, executives, and athletes in the areas of health, fitness, and success. Day created YourDay Inc in 2004 and is currently the president. Here is a bit of Day Adeogba's philosophy:

The YourDay BALANCE Game

Balance – Believing all life and nature coexist equally.

1. Understand some Basic Principles in life

A. For every choice there is a consequence
B. Health is pro life
C. Balance is the precursor to longevity

2. Build a healthy relationship to body(self) and life

A. Create a Purpose – serve life and others
B. Awaken your Passion – love to do what you do
C. Love life – Enjoy the ride! Enjoy each day!

3. Balance out your health and fitness – A New Game – A New Paradigm

• If the experience of life is the game then there is an athlete in everyone
• Your Body is the Vehicle – Life is the Road – Health and Fitness is the Test Track
• 50% of results comes from consciousness(belief); 30% - put in and take out; 20% movement
• Your Health and Fitness is the Truth about your relationship to life.

Check out Day's character fitness blog.

Just yesterday on the High Achievers facebook page someone asked me what it meant to be a high achiever, specifically referencing a "six and seven figure income." This has never been part of my definition, although there is a very good possibility this may show up when you:

Play BIG, walk your talk, and intentionally help others.

Congratulations to Day Adeogba.

Who in your world best exemplifies the three criteria for the HALO award? Connect with us on facebook and tell us about your nominee!

Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.

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One Simple Choice, by Doug Grady

*Ripples are defined as the breakthroughs, experiences, realizations, people, things, additional commitments, and other results showing up in your life since you made your choice.

Finally, share with others you know what you are doing and your ripples. This is in essence how this book came to be.