Posted by Doug on March 10, 2012 · 2 Comments
What's In Your Library? Jim Rohn
"You must either magnify your skills or modify your goals" -Jim Rohn
For more than 40 years, Jim Rohn honed his craft like a skilled artist-helping people the world over sculpt life strategies that have expanded their imagination of what is possible. Those who had the privilege of hearing him speak can attest to the elegance and common sense of his material. It is no coincidence, then, that he is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of our time, and thought of by many as a national treasure. Jim authored countless books and audio and video programs, and helped motivate and shape an entire generation of personal-development trainers and hundreds of executives from America's top corporations. -jimrohn.com
"Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion." -Jim Rohn
Jim spoke twice for High Achievers- once in California and once in Texas. I had the honor of meeting him and learning from him in person.
Jim passed away in December of 2009. His legacy lives on in his writings, his recorded seminars, and the countless lives he touched all over the world. You can listen to Jim's full length High Achievers seminar in week three of your High Achievers intro membership. Membership is just $9.95 a month. Start my membership now.
Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.
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Posted by Doug on March 8, 2012 · 4 Comments
What's Your Excuse? Do Something
My left hip has been persistently bothering me off and on since mid 2009. In late 2011 it was officially diagnosed as highly arthritic. According to the doctor's opinion, a hip replacement is inevitable. Not the news I was looking for.
I flashed back in my mind to a couple of years ago when I allowed this same hip to become an excuse for not exercising. It led to five months of a sedentary lifestyle and exacerbated a downward spiral in every area of my life. Since that time I have developed a new belief:
When it comes to exercise and other daily commitments, something is better than nothing.
Right around the time my hip was diagnosed, Scott Rigsby completed his second Ironman in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 16 hours, 22 minutes. In case you are unfamiliar, an Ironman is a 140.6 mile competition consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles on bike followed by a 26.2 mile run. Only a select few elite athletes qualify each year. Not all finish within the 17 hour cutoff time. Scott has completed two. Impressive, right?
Did I mention Scott is a double amputee?
I met Scott Rigsby a couple of months into a re-commitment to exercise. He was one of those not so subtle reminders I had no excuses. Scott was 18 years old when he lost both his legs from the knee down after a severe accident. He struggled through over a decade of surgeries, prescription drug addiction, and suicidal tendencies. Over 15 years after his accident Scott became the first double-amputee on prosthetics in the world to complete an Ironman distance triathlon.
I decided to call Scott half way through writing this. He was on a break from his busy travel schedule and picked up. We talked for a few minutes and I asked him what the turning point was in his life. He shared with me his mantra:
"Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities." -Scott Rigsby
Scott now inspires people all over the world to take on the unthinkable. It starts with doing something.
These are some of the "somethings" I have engaged in over the last 20 months:
- Weekly workouts with transformational trainer, Day Adeogba
- A 14 Day Raw Food Cleanse
- The 21 Day Arden's Garden Cleanse
- Hot Yoga
- Power Yoga
- Water Aerobics
- Stretching
- Muscle Activation Techniques
- Hiking
- Fasting
- One 5k
- Two 10ks
- Three Tough Mudders (the third was eight days after my diagnosis)
I have made adjustments in my exercises, exploring creative ways to stay fit and heal my body. My hip is better than it has been in over six months, and all things considered I am in the best shape of my life. This was unthinkable for me 20 months ago.
I am grateful for Scott Rigsby. I have no excuses. I can always do something.
What's your excuse? Do something. Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's realities.
Join us for Muddervation March 20.
Posted by Doug on March 3, 2012 · 2 Comments
The High Achievers Lifestyle of Achievement Award
life·style (noun): A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person
a·chieve·ment (noun): A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill
And the award goes to...
The first ever recipient of the High Achievers Lifestyle of Achievement Award will be announced March 21st.
I had been thinking about it for several months. Perhaps watching the Grammy's a couple of weeks ago sparked me to take action. This past Sunday night's Oscars got me even more excited about it. High Achievers is now less than two weeks away from giving out our first ever Lifestyle Of Achievement Award.
There won't be any seat-fillers or celebrities. Although the recipient has been a star in my world and in the lives of many others for quite some time. He has significantly impacted the people around him and our world through his philosophy, his teachings, and his example. He has helped people live extraordinary lives.
If you were giving this award, who would it go to?
Consider for a moment what a lifestyle of achievement means to you. Who in your world most embodies this? Who has had the greatest positive impact on your lifestyle this past year? What is different in your life and in our world because of him or her? I encourage you to give this person a call, send them a note, or shoot them a quick email. Even a text will do. Let them know they are your recipient of the Lifestyle of Achievement Award.
And the nominees are... Is there someone you'd like to nominate for the High Achievers Lifestyle of Achievement Award? Email me at doug@highachievers.com and tell me how your nominee embodies a lifestyle of achievement.
Join us and embrace a lifestyle of achievement.
Posted by Doug on February 28, 2012 · 45 Comments
Fake Profiling: Not An Acceptable Networking Strategy, by Doug Grady
I was in a seminar today on networking strategies. It was produced by a very reputable organization. The invited speaker, an author and self-proclaimed expert in the area of networking, was sharing his strategies. He was funny and witty and quick on his feet. He used the word "stalking" as a strategy a few too many times for my comfort zone and proclaimed the value of picking where you go to church specifically to "stalk" your potential clients.
These things didn't really bother me too much and I actually found him entertaining and interesting on some level. And then it happened. He began sharing his strategy of setting up fake profiles on linkedin to connect with the prospects he was "stalking". He went into detail on how he finds out where his target went to school and some of their common interests. If it was a man, he'd create a profile of a woman who was a "6 or 7" in the looks category, and set up her fake profile with the same alma mater and similar interests. If it was a woman he was targeting, the man would be more like a "9". He boasted a 95% success rate when linking up through this fake profile system. Then he could easily get connected with his target through his fabricated connection.
How would you react? Here is your multiple choice test:
a. "Wow, what a great idea, I wish I had thought of that.
b. "This man is genius."
c. "I can't wait to create my first fake profile!"
d. "I've been doing this for years- I should be up there teaching him."
e. "This man is a liar and is teaching other people to lie as a strategy."
If you answered a-d, you might want to consider going back to Sunday School.
I went with "e" and before I knew it found myself calling him out. "You are lying," I said from the back of the room. I was a little heated and I don't remember his exact response but it was something to the effect that his prospect doesn't know that it's a fake profile so it's OK. I said, "Well I know it, you just told me." I turned to the person next to me and quietly said, "I'm not listening to this crap" and walked out.
There is no place for this blatant manipulation and outright deception in business or anywhere else. This man lowered himself to the status of a conman and bragged about it. To make it worse, he was teaching others to do the same under the guise of a "strategy."
A shortcut that compromises your integrity is never one you need to take.
How does this strike you? Please leave a comment- I'd really like to hear from you.
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Posted by Doug on February 25, 2012 · 6 Comments
Personal Marketing: Lone Ranger Leave Behinds
Do you remember the Lone Ranger? Everywhere he went he would leave something behind. No, it wasn't Tonto. It was a silver bullet.
He would be riding off into the sunset and invariably someone would ask, "Who was that masked man?" The response always went something like, "I don't know, but he left this silver bullet. He must be a good guy!"
The Lone Ranger was a master marketer. Everywhere he went he had people talking about him in a positive way when he wasn't around. This is one of your objectives in personal marketing.
The "mind of the market." The top companies, entertainers, and entrepreneurs realize they must have a unique and powerful position in the mind of the market. The same goes for you. There must be a sense that nobody else can do exactly what you can do. If you are in sales or business development, consider the possibility that this positioning is accomplished not so much by what you say or do while you are with your prospect; it's how people feel about you when you're not even around.
What's your silver bullet?
So what's your silver bullet? What will you leave behind? Here's where the work comes in. It's not always easy being distinct. (Refer to Personal Marketing: Own The Mountain). For a period of time in my seminars I actually gave out silver bullets (they weren't exactly silver...). I had a personal brochure for awhile. I've given away t-shirts, books and audio programs. I left my banjo at a speaking engagement once, but that was an accident. These days I usually leave my audiences with a song and give away music (you can download several of my songs here through the BandPage app).
Need some stimulation?
Look for examples. You probably know of people in your industry who are known and appreciated for something they leave behind: cookies, gift cards, fruit baskets, or flowers. There are thousands of promotional items you can purchase, from pens to coffee mugs to chocolates to hot sauces. If you can think of it, you can probably find a company to buy it in bulk and put your name and logo on it. Resist the urge to be perfect. I tend to lean toward anything being better than a typical business card. Speaking of business cards, yours might include a link to an online gift of some kind.
Get personal. It is personal marketing we are talking about. A good friend of mine has the habit of taking pictures with his clients and prospects and sending them in a frame. At times you might leave people with a warm hug, a bottle of wine, or a joke of the day. You can give your prospect a referral or an idea to help build their business. Or donate to their favorite charity.
Just like the Lone Ranger riding off into the sunset, people will talk about you when you're not around. Be conscious of your communication. Develop memorable moments. Leave behind something special.
Do you have an effective leave behind you would be willing to tell us about? Leave a comment- we'd really like to hear from you.
Happy trails...
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What's In Your Library? Jim Rohn
