Dear High Achiever!

I know you’re busy today. You’re busy every day, right?  But at this time of year it certainly feels like time is moving at warp-speed.

Personally, I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older and everything seems more urgent or it’s because today’s technology allows me to be connected  24.7.365 so it feels like I’m never truly disconnected and by myself.

But I have a strategy that helps me slow time down, so I can focus.

In the Time Management volume of the Best Year Ever! Program we talk about the importance of Personal Time. When compartmentalizing your day, it’s paramount that you prioritize some part of your day for personal time.  This allows you to self-focus and re-energize your physical, mental and spiritual self. It gives you time to take a deep breath, gather your composure and align your thoughts.

It’s critically important for those reasons and many more.     

“Now?” you wonder? “Today? Eric, I’ve got all these busy things I absolutely must do!”

There’s no better time actually.

Here’s why (if the underlying idea hasn’t clicked in your head yet): You need Personal Time precisely because the holidays make it easy for us to get “caught-up” in all of the celebratory, gift-buying, year-end hurriedness that forces us to be extremely outer-focused.

FYI Challenge: Take 30 minutes between today and Dec 31^st to be inner-focused.  I don’t mean 3 minutes during the prayer over Christmas dinner, or 15 minutes while you’re driving to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks for a quick cup of Java to get away from your in-laws. I mean a solid 30 minutes, by yourself, to reflect and think about what you are truly grateful for in your life, right now.

 

Even better: Take 30 minutes each day between today and Dec 31^st.  

 

For today, December 24^th 2007, I’d like to you to consider using your personal time to -

 

Focus On Gratitude

 

FYI ACTION IDEA: I would also encourage you to have a pen and a piece of paper handy to write down what you’re grateful for.

 

The old-fashioned way works best. Don’t bring your laptop or thumb type your thoughts into your Crackberry (Oops, Blackberry …  Hey, if you’re not technology addicted yet, let me remind you it’s only a few days until 2008.) 

 

The power of ink on paper: Write it down by hand. There is something as magical as Santa Claus when you physically write what you’re grateful for on paper. You actually stop and think … and envision that person, that memory or moment … and you get a chance to re-live it, again. Your gratefulness becomes real. Then take that handwritten record and tuck it away where you’ll come across it again, soon, and often.

 

FYI IDEA IN ACTION: Try it. I’ve done it already this year, and will do it again before Dec 31st. It’s heart-warming, its important and its way cool at the same time!

 

I guarantee the outcome. This has truly been one of the best years of my life and I hope the same is true for you, your family and your business. I am humbled, honored and grateful to be blessed to have so many awesome people in my life.  

 

And speaking of awesome people…

 

In addition to encouraging you to experience the power of an Attitude of Gratitude, I want to share with you some “Facts of Life” that I was reminded of by my good friend -

 

Andrew Calvo. Andrew is the man behind the technology that sends you this FYI and any email that comes from the Empowerment Group. Geoff and I are grateful for having Andrew in our lives. He actually makes us look like we know what we are doing from the technical side of life. Thank you, Andrew! 

 

Here’s the list of “Facts” that Andrew shared. It appears in a number of different places in different forms and with different names. Sometimes it’s called “The Most…” or sometimes it’s presented as sort of a fill-in-the-answer so it’s called “The Test.” No one seems to know the original creator, so obviously we can’t give credit. But we can give thanks for this gift during this busy season!

 

FYI ACTION IDEA: As you focus, re-energize, gather your composure, align your thoughts and devote some personal time to your Attitude of Gratitude this holiday season, also -

 

 

The most destructive habit ……………………….Worry

The greatest Joy…………………………………….. Giving

The greatest loss…………………………………….. Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work………………………. Helping others

The ugliest personality trait……………………. Selfishness

The most endangered species…………………. Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource………………….. Our youth

The greatest “shot in the arm”…………………. Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome…………… Fear

The most effective sleeping pill……………….. Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease……………. Excuses

The most powerful force in life………………… Love

The most dangerous pariah……………………… A gossiper

The world’s most incredible computer………. The brain

The worst thing to be without………………….. Hope

The deadliest weapon……………………………… The tongue

The two most power-filled words…………….. “I Can”

The greatest asset……………………………………. Faith

The most worthless emotion…………………….. Self-pity

The most beautiful attire………………………….. Smile!

The most prized possession………………………. Integrity

The most contagious spirit………………………… Enthusiasm

 

May the days ahead bring you and yours “the most” of all that is good and fair so the days that follow will abound with things to be grateful for.

 

Go Out and Make This Your Best Year Ever!

Eric Taylor is the Chief Inspiration Officer of SelfGrowth.com and founder of New Jersey based Empowerment Group International. He delivers more than 100 energized and interactive keynotes, workshops and seminars each year to corporations, associations and tradeshows. He is the author of the Energy Passport, Co-creator of the Best Year Ever! Personal Empowerment Program and Co-author of The Complete Sales Training Encyclopedia. Eric can be reached at 732.761.9930 ext.114 or email Eric@SelfGrowth.com or Eric@EmpowermentGroup.com

Dear High Achiever,

Know what’s the most difficult part about writing a weekly newsletter, a book, a training program, or anything?

The beginning.

Try this test: When you are done reading this FYI, open up a Word doc. Notice the cursor …  sitting on the blank white page … just blinking at you? It’s like its challenging you, saying “Go ahead. Write something. I dare you!”

That’s when most people stop. Sometimes, when Geoff’s “networking” with his publishing hat on, I often hear him start a conversation by asking people what book they have inside of them. It’s his interesting and clever approach to get people to think about and share what’s unique about them.

I believe that most people have a book inside them. But I also know that most people will never write it and die with that book still inside them.

What a shame. They will also die with a dream, a goal and vision of how they wanted to live their life, but were held hostage by their own fears.

Don’t let that be you!

I read my favorite quote by Henry David Thoreau the other day and it inspired me to share it with you. It’s a classic and you’ve probably heard, seen and read it before — perhaps many times.

Here it is:

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,

and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined,

he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

- Henry David Thoreau -

You’ve seen this, right? This is one of those timeless quotes that’s been referred to so many times that you almost don’t pay attention to it. Actually, it’s so well known, that it’s something I refer to as a “throw-away”. And that’s a big mistake!

There is a reason why it is a classic … and why it has endured the test of time … and why it deserves being referenced so often:

Because it’s powerful.

How powerful? Put on your thinking cap for a moment and let’s look together. Here is how I use and interpret this quote to “Go Forward” and work hard every day to achieve my goals. I’m going to break this down, reviewing the three distinct phrases.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams …”

Notice Thoreau does NOT say, “If one advances perfectly.” If I stared at the cursor waiting for the perfect words, I’d never write. I don’t want to be my own victim of “analysis paralysis.”  When I write — or do almost anything for that matter — I think about this axiom: Progress over Perfection.

Whenever I’m stalled, or when I stop and ask myself “Should I?” — that’s my automatic “green light” to advance confidently. I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to get into action.

FYI ACTION IDEA: You can if you think you can. Just advance. I know you can. Just do it!

Does that help? Get it? Move toward your dreams, today. Get out of Park, put yourself into Drive, take your foot of the brake and put it onto the gas pedal, begin to get in forward motion, and advance with confidence.

“… and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined …”

“Endeavor” is defined as “to make a serious effort; to try hard.”

Are you trying hard? Or — be honest — are you hardly trying? Are you making a serious effort to live the life you have imagined? Is what you’ve imagined success? Or do you foresee failure? Have you already made up your mind to not work too hard and you’ve settled for less?

FYI ACTION IDEA: Check your mindset. We become what we think about most of the time. So think about that life you once imagined for yourself? Have you lowered expectations? Why? “Did you give it your best? And was it really your best?” Sound familiar? If not, ask me to resend last week’s FYI #83.

“…he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

When I talk to mentors they all say very much the same thing about achieving success: “Eric, you have to set your goals extremely high; make them seem a bit beyond reach. What’s cool about that is, when success comes … when it happens … it happens fast. And it’s like a massive tidal wave!”

Wow! That gets me excited.

FYI ACTION IDEA: Start with a BIG DREAM. Remember, achieving it is not automatic; it requires imperfect confidence and trying hard. But the payoff of pursuing a BIG dream is BIG success. To quote another well-worn cliché, “If you shoot for the moon and miss, you’ll still end up among the stars.” That’s just another version of Thoreau’s “success unexpected in common hours.”

To me, this last line also means that you have to have faith. You have to believe that you will achieve your desired outcome and that success will surely be yours. I believe that.

I believe that persistence is synonymous with faith. If I didn’t have faith I probably wouldn’t persist. But I persist because I have faith. I believe that if I keep moving toward my dreams and my goals, they will move toward me (and maybe even meet me half way).

Go Forward! My wish is that this upcoming year will be Your Best Year Ever! And with each New Year you will set even higher goals and “advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.”

Eric Taylor

P.S. – Speaking of writing: Walden (the source of this famous quote) was published in 1854 by Ticknor & Fields and sold for $1. Thoreau got a royalty of 15 cents on each copy. The first printing was 2,000 copies. During the first year after publication, all but 256 of the original 2,000 copies were sold, due in part to generally favorable reviews. “Eccentric,” “strikingly original” and “stimulating” were typical reviewer reactions. But the balance of the copies took 5 years to sell out and the publisher was in no hurry to reprint. Currently about 20 copies of the First Edition are on the market and one could cost as much as $40,000. You can see photos of a copy recently sold at auction HERE.

Go Out and Make This Your Best Year Ever!

Eric Taylor is the Chief Inspiration Officer of New Jersey based Empowerment Group International. He delivers more than 100 energized and interactive keynotes, workshops and seminars each year to corporations, associations and tradeshows. He is the author of the Energy Passport, Co-creator of the Best Year Ever! Personal Empowerment Program and Co-author of The Complete Sales Training Encyclopedia. Eric can be reached at 877.723.7893 or email Eric@EmpowermentGroup.com

Yo,  Adrian! I want to share a piece of Sylvester Stallone wisdom with you. (If you think “Stallone wisdom” is an oxymoron, I’ll address that, too.) But first let me lay some groundwork.

Every morning I wake up at 4:00 AM and I start my day.

Does the idea of a 4:00 AM wakeup call make you groan? Not me. I use this time because it is when I am most creative. I write, think and get into the flow better first thing in the morning. Sometimes the process works, sometimes I get stuck and then I just take care of personal business, answer emails and things on my to-do-list.

At 5:15 AM I get ready to leave for the gym so I am sure to get there by 5:30 AM. But every day before I leave for the gym I watch a video. Perhaps you’ve seen it. I often play it at my training programs and live seminars.

It’s a 60-second clip featuring Sylvester Stallone. It’s a spot he used to promote his TV show The Contender (which, I’ll agree, wasn’t great TV). It was forwarded to me by my friend Bill Yeager from Horizon Personal Training & Nutrition. I met Bill at the first Body-for-Life Expo in Colorado in 2004. I had just become a champion in the Body-For-Life Challenge; Bill was a champion in 2001.

I watch it everyday because it reminds me that, first and foremost, I have to be accountable to myself.

Sounds selfish? It isn’t.

To me “self accountability” means I have a major responsibility in my life (just like you). I have a family, friends, business associates and clients who are counting on me to deliver and give my best everyday.

They expect it. And I do not want to let them down, ever!

So I watch the video to remind myself to give it my best, everyday. I’m not taking any day for granted. I’m investing in it – not killing, spending or wasting time, therefore wasting a day,

I’m not just phoning it in. Back in the late 1980s/early 90s, in my DJ business, “phoning it in” was when the emcee/entertainer would show up to perform at a wedding but was only present physically. His heart and mind were not into it. He didn’t get out on the dance floor, mingle with the guests and be a true party host. He didn’t entertain and emcee to the best of his ability. He stood behind the DJ system and decided to be average — like DJs who get paid a lot less.

Even today I see it with my peers in the business of motivation and inspiration. Some speakers and presenters are getting paid big bucks to be on the platform to share knowledge, experience and real-life stories to help the audience. But they don’t do it with energy, enthusiasm and passion. They “phone it in” — you know what I mean?

FYI CHALLENGE: Are you going through life and not participating, not giving your very best every day? Have you been phoning it in? As you look toward 2008 -

Will it be a New Year and a New You?

Or a New Year and the Same You?

Try Sly’s wisdom: I’ve transcribed the text of the Stallone video that gets me going so you can read the words before watching it live.

Put your prejudices aside. Don’t let “Yo, Adrian!” fool you. Sylvester Stallone is a very accomplished and intelligent man.

I remember seeing him interviewed on Oprah and thinking how articulate he was. The man created a movie empire, hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and a legacy with his Rocky and Rambo movies. Regardless of your personal opinion of him, his accomplishments deserve acknowledging.

So here is the transcript from the promo clip. I hope it moves you into action and makes you think about how you will approach each day, starting today, and on into 2008.

Pleasure and pain. They’re not opposites. They’re neighbors … separated by a thin line, by a split second.

One minute you’re feeling like everything is going your way … like you’re ready to climb the highest mountain … headed for the top of the world.

But in the game of life you never know.

You train for years to get a piece of personal glory or a chance to stand toe to toe with your peers and say, “Here I am. Take your best shot.” Then the contest begins and BANG! — you’re down for the count.

It’s not your day. You tried your best. But was it really your best?

So do you go home with a broken heart? Or do you get up smarter, wiser and better prepared then ever before?

It’s a new day … a new season … a new you!

You hope it won’t be the same story, or will pleasure turn into pain again? Are you ready to take life’s best punch — and stay on your feet?

I can’t answer that. Only you can.

Are you hoping for the best? Are you prepared for the challenge? Are you — A Contender?

*** Sylvester Stallone ***

Here is the link to the video: http://www.instonenutrition.com/videos/stallone.htm

Eric Taylor

P.S. “It ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep movin’ forward.”  – Rocky Balboa

Go Out and Make This Your Best Year Ever!

Eric Taylor is the Chief Inspiration Officer of New Jersey based Empowerment Group International. He delivers more than 100 energized and interactive keynotes, workshops and seminars each year to corporations, associations and tradeshows. He is the author of the Energy Passport, Co-creator of the Best Year Ever! Personal Empowerment Program and Co-author of The Complete Sales Training Encyclopedia. Eric can be reached at 877.723.7893 or email Eric@EmpowermentGroup.com

One of the reasons I love writing this FYI  (For Your Information & Inspiration) newsletter is…

Because I have too!

Every Monday morning at 6:00 AM there are literally thousands of people just like you waiting to read this newsletter.  Every week, you are expecting and hoping (at least that’s how I think of it) that I’ll deliver new material that is insightful, intelligently engaging and inspirational. Now, that may sound a little pompous, but here’s my point.

It is a very strong motivator for me to get into action every week.

The FYI/TGIM Monday morning commitment to you forces me to Take Action and write.

So far the process is working. My subscriber list is growing … people are forwarding the FYI articles to family, friends and associates … and each week I get heartwarming feedback telling me that what they read was Informational and Inspirational.

Cool right? I think so.

But it (and I) didn’t always work like this. It took me years to figure how to stop my Success-Sabotaging Procrastination. About five years ago I actually stumbled upon the process to eliminate procrastination in every area of my life.

Here’s the story: My Goal and Vision was to expand my business beyond the local New York/New Jersey market. I began producing a series of business development seminars leveraging the success of respected leaders in the sales and personal development industry.

So in 2002 I promoted and produced my first public seminar with Jeffrey Gitomer. He’s a world-renowned best-selling author and #1 Sales Trainer in America. If you don’t know who he is, you should. Got Google?

And then I applied the same strategy a year later in 2003, when I became a champion in the Body-for-Life International Fitness Challenge. I had a Goal and Vision to get in the best physical shape in my life, so I followed the same process and reaped the same successful outcome as I did with my business. 

So the first clue is obvious: You need a Goal and a Vision.

But wait, there’s more: There are four other components that are equally important to move you into Massive Action and away from procrastination, forever.

Here are all five:

 Five Success Strategies

For Eliminating Procrastination.

1. A Goal and Vision
2. A Date with Destiny
3. Personal and Outside Accountability
4. Leverage
5. Document Daily Activity and Progress

Here’s how I apply this process to almost every area of my life; family, business, financial, fitness and writing.

• I set a goal and begin envisioning an end result; a desired outcome.
• I anchor strong emotions of pain to not achieving my goal and equally strong emotions of pleasure to how I will feel when I achieve my goal.
• I set a date as to when I will accomplish my goal.
• I make a strong personal commitment to myself and then tell everyone I know what I am setting out to achieve. (Accountability).
• I tie a financial or credibility component to the goal to get added leverage.
• I journal every day about my activities and results to measure my success.

WARNING! This is NOT easy.

But after five years it has become a habit and each year the daily application of the process becomes easier. It is now a proven success strategy and has literally eliminated procrastination from my life. 

Here is a real-time example of how this process will work in 2008.

• Goal and Vision – 1,500 seminar attendees, 30 exhibitors and 4 Major Corporate Sponsors will be at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ for my first multi-speaker sales seminar featuring Jeffrey Gitomer. 
• Date with Destiny – The event will be held April 22 to April 24.   
• Personal and Outside Accountability – I promised myself I would produce an event of this magnitude with Jeffrey five years ago (Personal). Jeffrey, three other well-known national speakers, exhibitors and corporate sponsors have an expectation of a sold-out event. (Major Outside Accountability)
• Leverage - The financial commitment is too large too mention. (My wife is extremely nervous!)
• Document Daily Activity and Progress - We begin selling exhibit, sponsorship and additional marketing opportunities Monday, December 3, 2007.  (Hey — that’s today! What a coincidence).

*** Exhibit, sponsorship and additional marketing opportunities for this event are now available.

       Call 732.761.9930 ext. 114 for details. Visit www.Gitomer.com for ticket information ***

There is no time for procrastination. The facility is booked. The speakers are booked. Money is on the table; skin is in the game. The event will begin April 22 and wrap up on April 24. It must be and will be a massive success.

The same success strategy and procrastination eliminating process will be used for three other major events and tele-seminars we are doing at SelfGrowth.com in 2008.  

There is an eight week E-book Mentoring Program beginning in February … a year-long Internet Marketing Program we are about to launch … and The Complete Sales Training Encyclopedia is about to be published.

The Procrastination Elimination Strategy works — period.

Apply it to every aspect of your life and get off the road headed toward a town called “Someday” and get on the Super-Success Highway to a town called “Today!”  

Go Out and Make This Your Best Year Ever!

Eric Taylor is the Chief Inspiration Officer of New Jersey based Empowerment Group International. He delivers more than 100 energized and interactive keynotes, workshops and seminars each year to corporations, associations and tradeshows. He is the author of the Energy Passport, Co-creator of the Best Year Ever! Personal Empowerment Program and Co-author of The Complete Sales Training Encyclopedia. Eric can be reached at 732.761.9930 ext 114 or email Eric@EmpowermentGroup.com