When The Going Gets Tough...KEEP GOING!!

PERSISTENCE: the quality that allows someone to continue doing something though it is difficult or opposed by other people; the quality or state of being persistent, especially:

PERSEVERANCE (continued effort to do something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition)

It is said if you chop a tree in a thousand different places nothing happens. But if you chop a tree in the same place a thousand times, the tree will fall.

It is also said a rock, regardless of its size, crumbles as the waters of a gentle stream wear it down over time. 

These incidents may seem isolated but they're not. In both instances the weaker element prevails over the one that appears stronger.

Persistence and perseverance make the difference. How so?

Persistence and perseverance help you to keep doing the right thing over and over again when you don't get the quick results you wanted.

Persistence and perseverance help you to stay focused when frustration comes, as it always does.

Persistence and perseverance give you the fortitude to make another attempt when discouragement from a setback tempts you to give up the fight.

Persistence and perseverance remind you that you're one step closer to your goal when your emotions try to convince you that you're light years away.

In sports, the closer you get to scoring, the harder your opposition works to prevent you from reaching the goal. Why?

Because the opposition sees your progress. Each step is a move forward which causes the opponent to work harder to knock you down, push you back. 

Life is the toughest opponent, but the principle still applies. The opposition is a response to your progress. Life knocks you down because it wants to know how determined you are to complete your mission.

So what do you do?

Keep moving forward...even with all the hits life throws at you:

Don't be discouraged if life slows you down or delays you...

Don't get upset when life throws you a curve that catches you by surprise...

Don't let circumstances make you angry to the point where you feel helpless...

Adversity is a sign that you're doing something right, even if you don't know what that something is.

Point blank, you are making progress, you're moving forward even if it doesn't seem that way.

No matter how slow you're going, if you haven't stopped you're moving forward. Don't stop the momentum, don't give up the fight, don't quit.

Keep swinging that ax. Keep pouring that water over those rocks.

When the going gets tough...so can you:

Persist, persevere...take your eyes off the obstacles, keep your eyes on the goal, and no matter what happens...

KEEP GOING..!!

That's all for now, gotta run.

Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple... See ya!

P.S. If you're the kind of person who keeps getting up after you've been knocked down, you're someone I'd like to connect with. You can reach me on Facebook,
on Twitter (@63MrBryantET)
or on Gmail (mr.bryantet63@gmail.com)

Thanks for reading, and Keep it Simple... Later!

I Don't Like Network Marketing Because...

MARKETING: making people aware of a company's products; making sure that the products are available to be bought; promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service; functions involved in moving goods from producer to consumer

"Successful people have the habit of doing things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either, necessarily, but their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose." - E.M. Gray

"I don't like network marketing because it doesn't allow you to use your gifts, talents and abilities."

The way some people talk, you'd think marketing insults intelligence. In the minds of many people marketing is a dirty word, and network marketing is a sacrilege.

While I find this argument fascinating, it is also flawed. Why? Two reasons:

First, because every person who spoke to me with a negative opinion of the subject had little experience with it. Most of that experience came from family or friends who had little knowledge or experience themselves.

And second, because people rush to judgment based on hearsay from others who knew very little about it, did nothing with the opportunity they were presented, then complained to others about their lack of success without mentioning their lack of effort.

Yes there are bad experiences in network marketing, just as there are bad experiences in every industry. There is positive and negative to be found in any business, without exception.

As for the argument that network marketing prevents people from developing skills, gifts, talents, etc., that argument is misinformed. 

How can I say this? Simple.

Network (or multi level) marketing is just like any job in any industry: to be successful, new hires must be trained if they're going to do the required work with any competence.

But this is where the line gets drawn. 

In a job setting the number of people you can serve, and the impact you can make is limited at best.

Training is limited to whatever helps you perform a specific task, one that is geared toward helping you serve only the customers in your immediate reach.

With network marketing there is no limit to the number of people whose lives you can impact. Self-education and self-improvement are not mandatory, but are recommended and encouraged. 

Training is voluntary. You are not forced to learn, but you're not forced to grow, either. 

People submit to training in network marketing because they realize their business will not grow unless they grow and improve first.

So yes, not only do your gifts, talents and skills get utilized, they are given a platform whereby they are given room to expand.

Having said all this, let me ask you...

In your current work environment, if your ability to make an impact is dictated by someone not named you, how many of your talents, gifts, or abilities are you free to express?

Only you can answer that question.

Agree with me or don't, that's your choice. It is my hope that I have given you much to consider, because that is what really matters.

Okay, that's all for now, gotta run.

Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple...See ya!

P.S. Marketing of all kinds is simply about making connections, no more and no less. If you believe in the power of connecting, I invite you to watch this video:

If this makes sense to you, you're someone I would like to know. Reach out to me on Facebook, on Twitter (@63MrBryantET) or 

Gmail (mr.bryantet63@gmail.com)

Thanks for watching...and Keep it Simple... See ya! 

The Balancing Act of Building Relationships

      

BALANCE: the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall; the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling; a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance

Looking at a chair and a tripod, the first thing you may notice is what's different about them: the chair has four legs, while the tripod has only three.

If you look more closely, however, you will also see they have something in common.  Both are designed with the same purpose: to achieve proper balance for whatever (or whoever) rests upon them. 

Take away one leg from either of them and what happens? The whole thing comes crashing down.

Like chairs and tripods, relationship building is also based on balance. If too much emphasis is placed on one leg to the neglect of the rest the whole structure can collapse.

To achieve this balance in relationships, however, one foundation of success cannot be compromised. Many people do so without realizing it. When this happens failure is inevitable, and people wonder what went wrong. 

It's not hard to figure out when you know the key to building relationships that help the foundation stand firm. And that key is the ability to honor someones:

FREE WILL: the ability to choose how to act; voluntary choice or decision

Simply put, if you violate someone's free will you will not be successful in building any kind of relationship with them. They will avoid you like the plague.  Case in point:

1.  Do you Interrupt...or INTRODUCE? 

According to Merriam-Webster (m-w.com), interrupt is defined as "stop or hinder by breaking in.." If you saw the Bill Murray film Groundhog Day you watched an example of interruption at its best.  

Phil Connors, Bill's character is stalked by insurance salesman Ned Ryerson, an old high school classmate Phil doesn't remember, and wishes he'd never met:

Football quarterbacks don't get assaulted like this. At least they have offensive linemen to protect them... somewhat.

You can see this approach doesn't work, so what's a better alternative?  Say we ease up on the throttle a little bit? Like this...

Introduce yourself.  (I told you it was easy)

Merriam-Webster defines introduce (in this context) as "cause to be acquainted," no more and no less:

"Hello, my name is.." How hard is that?

Nowadays blank name tags allow people to introduce themselves in silence. Tags can be attached to your clothing so your name can be seen without having to speak to anyone. 

"Hello, my name is..." and you can write your name in the blank space so people can see your name before you say a word. It's a very simple way to break the ice.  

Perfect strangers can welcome themselves into your life on their terms, not yours. And you can choose to let them into your circle on your terms as well.

People like to choose the company they keep; they don't want others making the choice for them.

People look at your tag and decide if they want to know you. You look at their tag and decide if you want to know them. Very simple.

There is mutual interest in meeting each another and nobody approaches anyone uninvited or unwelcome. No one invades anyone else's space. No worries.

That's the first leg that helps to build a relationship. Next time we'll examine another leg that's equally important in keeping things properly balanced, both personally or professionally.

That's all for now, gotta run. Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple... See ya!

P.S. If you believe in the importance of building relationships, then you also know about the power of making connections. Watch this video and see if you can relate:

If this makes sense to you, then you're someone I want to connect with. You can reach me on Facebook, Twitter (@63MrBryantET) or Gmail (mr.bryantet63@gmail.com)

Don't forget... 

Keep it simple.... See ya!

Have a Plan That You Can Call YOURS

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." 
- Proverbs 21:5 NKJV 

DILIGENT: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

PLAN: a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something; a method for achieving an end; GOAL (the end toward which effort is directed); aim

I've heard a lot of talk lately from people who say they know what it takes to be successful.

Some people say you should have a backup plan, a Plan B, in case Plan A doesn't work. 

Others say you shouldn't have a Plan B, because it distracts from Plan A.

I see both sides as being valid, because as different as these arguments seem, they share one simple idea:

You should have a plan of your own.

That might seem like a Duh(!!) statement, but it really isn't...and I can prove it.

Many people today live with the results of "having the rug pulled out from under them," so to speak.

They did what they were told from their youth: went to school, got good grades, got a good education and a good job...you know the drill...

They found a good company to work for, and planned to work their way up the ladder, earning promotions, raises and bonuses along the way.

They planned to work for the same company 20, 30, 40 years or more, then retire with a gold watch, a pension, etc., for loyal service during a long and productive career.

They had it all figured out, they told themselves, that was their "plan"...

Until the morning when their supervisor or manager requested a private meeting, behind closed doors...

...a meeting where they received news they thought they'd never hear, or quietly dreaded but never dared to voice their fears:

Your job will be terminated two months from now, or,

Your job will end by Friday of this week...or worst of all...

Have your desk cleaned out by the end of the day...

Talk about a kick to the gut! You feel hurt, angry, blindsided, completely caught off guard, maybe even betrayed...

What about the plans you made for your future? What about your spouse? Your kids? The baby on the way? Your house, car...bills? Obligations?

Long story short, your life just got turned upside down when you got hit with a dose of reality:

The plan you were operating under, the life you were living, the life you assumed was so ideal...  

WASN'T YOURS..!! It belonged to someone else! And they can change that plan anytime they want, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

The scenario I just described is one I have witnessed many times. It happened to me and to a lot of people I knew and worked with:

I watched a former supervisor clean out her desk under the watchful eye of a security guard who was ordered to escort her off the premises because after sharing her knowledge (not voluntarily, I might add) she was deemed "no longer useful to the company..."

I heard the cheers of relief in our office when the head of our division revealed he'd just left a meeting in a different location where people (who did the same work we did) were told they no longer had a job...

I heard someone else in a separate meeting try her best to convince us that people only lost positions due to poor job performance...

I say she "tried", because we all knew she returned from a meeting where she sat across from another person being let go to make room for her because their services were "redundant"...

(Incidentally, this same individual left the company less than a year later because she put a Plan B in place for her future...just thought I'd point that out)

Am I coming through loud and clear? Have you got your ears on..??

If the success of your "plan" depends entirely upon the decisions of someone who is capable of turning your world upside down with the stroke of a pen, you are only kidding yourself.

I don't care whether you call it Plan A, Plan B, or a plan that encompasses the entire alphabet...

You better have a plan that you call YOURS. NOT THEIRS.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket...especially if that basket belongs to someone else.

You better have a basket that lets you carry your own eggs. If it takes more than one basket that's fine, but make sure you have a basket which belongs to you. PERIOD.

Long story short, if you don't want to have the rug pulled out from under you...

...make sure you own the rug...!!!  'Nuf said.

That's all for now, gotta run.  

Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple...  See ya!

P.S.  If you're seeking a plan that belongs to you and not to them, you'll want to watch this:

If you like what you see, you can reach me on Facebook, Twitter (@63MrBryantET) or Gmail (mr.bryantet63@gmail.com)

Take care and Keep it simple... See ya!

When It's Hard to Be Patient, Here's What You Do

"But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] thoroughly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing." - James 1:4 AMP

PATIENT: able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

I know the feeling, I bet you do, too.

You want to be successful. You don't like your life as it is, and you want to make some changes.

That's why you started your own business. You saw a chance to create a better life, so you took the plunge.

You rolled up your sleeves to get started...then you got a reality check...

Building a business wasn't as easy as you thought it would be. You didn't just snap your fingers and have people dump money on you left and right so you could say, "I'M RICH..!!"

Success takes WORK..!! LOTS of it...what a concept!

What's really frustrating you is that you want results so bad you can almost taste them. You want them YESTERDAY!!!

That's not how things work. And the last thing you want to hear is, "be patient...Rome wasn't built in a day.."

To be honest, that's exactly what you need to hear. But not for the reasons you may think you need to hear it. Let me explain. 

When most people hear someone say, " be patient," or "have patience," this is what they think:

Do nothing. Just let "nature run its course," and eventually situations will work themselves out for your benefit.

That's a load of CRAP..!!! Chances are you smell it more than I do. Sorry to be so blunt but I call it as I see it.

Patience has nothing to do with sitting on your butt, wishing someone would work things out for you.

At some point, you have to put your backfield in motion and make things start happening yourself.

I'm not saying you have to do it alone from start to finish. People do come alongside to help but nothing happens until you get the ball rolling. You can't win a race you don't run.

Having patience means you start working toward your goal and keep working, even when nothing seems to be happening. For example...

Let's say you're traveling by car. Your trip takes 12 to 16 hours to complete, and you'll need to make stops along the way...

Gas, food, rest, bathroom breaks, maybe stay at a hotel for a few hours' sleep...you get the picture.

As you drive the trees look the same. So do the street lights...and the asphalt in front of you looks like that stretch of road you just passed. 

It seems like you're not making any progress as you "...ease on down the road..." (sorry, flashback from The Wiz, couldn't resist). 

But you keep driving. You ignore the road, the trees, the street lights. You follow the path in front of you, reading the signs that tell you which way to go. 

You follow the directions on the map (yes, men do it too...we even stop and ask for help... SHOCKER..!!).

After hours of seemingly endless driving you look around and what do you see...? Your destination lies just ahead... EUREKA..!! YOU MADE IT..!!

You arrive safe and sound, no worries. But it wouldn't have happened if you gave up because you didn't get where you wanted to go as fast as you thought you should get there... (Sound familiar..??)

The same thing applies to any kind of success. You go about your business every day, doing what needs to be done consistently when you can't understand what's going on, even when things don't seem to make sense.

Don't turn to the left or the right, and don't yield to the temptation to quit when things get a bit tougher than you expected them to be.

Just stay the course, keep doing the right thing. It may take longer for you to get where you want to go, but it will take even longer if you throw in the towel.

One last thing: the best part of success comes not from what you gain, but who you become. You waste time working to get where you want to be if your mindset can't keep you there for more than a hot minute.

So when it's hard to be patient, keep doing the right thing. Stay the course. Keep your eyes on the prize, even when it seems like it's not there.

Remain steady, focused, committed. Be patient, be persistent. 

You'll arrive when you least expect it, you'll have a greater appreciation for your victory because of the challenges you overcame along the way...

...and your newly developed patience will indeed become a cherished virtue.

"...let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us..." - Hebrews 12:1 AMP

That's all for now, gotta run...

Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple... See ya!

A Shared Triumph

CHAMPIONSHIP: designation as warrior or fighter; one that does battle for another's rights or honor; a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also, one who shows marked superiority 

"It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." - Harry S. Truman

Have you ever noticed that moment in sports when a team is celebrating its ultimate triumph? Not just the moment of the last out, the last few seconds of the countdown, or even the blowing of the final whistle, but the precious seconds in the immediate aftermath. 

The next time you have a chance to witness it, take a close look at the players when they get their first chance to view the trophy they will receive for their hard fought victory. It can be a very emotional scene:

You may see smiles, hugs, shouts, laughs, and cheers. But don't be surprised to see tears running down some cheeks. 

Those tears may not make any sense to you. Why would anybody cry at a moment like this? It seems like such a happy occasion, you may tell yourself. And you'd be right; it is a happy time for them.

But don't be fooled. What you see aren't tears of sadness at all. Most likely you see tears in place of the blood and sweat invested in the days, weeks, months, and in some cases even years leading up to that happy event.  

You will find tears of appreciation mixed with sweet relief rather than sadness or grief.  They remember the times they spent together, working toward a common goal, one which not many people can relate to in this "look out for Number One" world, and even fewer will come to know.

Even in individual sports like golf, track, and field, or tennis, there are people who can celebrate along with the new champion in the winner's circle because they truly understand nobody succeeds alone. 

There are people who supported them along the way that are content to stand in the shadow but have every right to bask in the glow of victory. They had just as big a role in making that title possible as the ones who stood in the glare of the spotlight.

When the trophy is presented there no one cares about egos or statistics. There is no talk about who led the league in whatever category: runs, points, assists, goals, whatever. 

All they see is that gleaming piece of hardware which represents their shared sacrifice over the course of the season, a symbol of their success...

And the only number that matters in their minds is the number...

ONE

They all stand together on top of the champion's mountain, sharing equal footing, and together they can look down to appreciate the view.

There are none superior, none inferior. They all bask united in the glow of their magnificent achievement and recognize that from the start of preseason training to the end of the last game's final score, they became great...

TOGETHER...

And theirs is a shared triumph that nobody can take away...

That's all for now, gotta run. Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple...  See ya!

If You Don't Like Sales...Why Do You Do It?

SELL: to influence or induce to make a purchase; to persuade or influence to a course of action

I've heard people say they don't like sales, that they're "not cut out" for that sort of thing. Hearing this makes me laugh. Why, you ask?

Because people sell all the time. Every minute of every day people are selling something to other people.  Don't believe me? Well let me ask you:

Have you ever attended a Job Fair? Gone to a Career Day? Or visited an employment agency? A Career Counseling Center?

Well guess what, Genius?

If you have, the resume you took with you (a"press release" advertising your experience and your skills) was used to offer your time and talents to employers who wanted to buy the services of the ideal candidate at a reasonable price, a price at which the candidate agrees to be paid. 

By definition...that is a sale!  HELLO...? Still there?

It makes no difference whether you're seeking employment in someone else's company, or staring your own business. You are selling your expertise to an employer, customer, client, or partner. 

Companies or clients seeking people or places to invest want to know they're not wasting time and money on anyone who cannot (or will not) make their investment worthwhile.

So point blank, the only way you can bring value to someone else...is to SELL them on what you have to offer! 

Don't coerce or and don't manipulate people to get your way. Just show them the value you can provide so they can decide for themselves if what you bring to the table is worth their time and attention. No more and no less. Simple as that.

Think of that before the next time you claim you don't like sales. You wouldn't have your job, your business, your home, your car, your spouse...and definitely not your kids (!!!) without doing a great sales job.  

(Don't get mad at me, I'm just sayin'...!!)

That's all for now, gotta run.  Until next time, remember:

Keep it simple...  See ya!