_________________________
Reproduced with permission from the Ed Rybczynski. To visit Ed Rybczynski's site, go to http://title-opoly.squarespace.com/about/. Copyright 2007 All rights reserved worldwide. More about Ed Rybczynski's professional and personal journey
Guest Article from Brett Rogers
Going Galt
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"
-- Thomas Jefferson
Dr. Helen Smith has been going on for a while about "going John Galt." If you're unfamiliar with the premise, it's pretty simple: Ayn Rand writes in Atlas Shrugged of what happens to the world when the most productive in society decide to go on strike. The movement is led by a guy called John Galt. A great line from Galt's speech at the end of the book is this:
You did not care to allow rewards to be won by successful production - you are now running a race in which rewards are won by successful plunder.
There are a number of successful, productive people today suggesting that they will do exactly this. They refuse to pay for the missteps of adults and companies who now turn to the government like children who abused a broken toy and demand a replacement by tantrum from mom and dad.
"Productive," by the way, doesn't come with title. There are a number of executives with a "C" in front of their title who aren't worth a day's salary, much less their entire compensation. I wrote more about that a while ago, but I think a simple way to discern those folks is how quickly they turn to the government for money. In what I wrote back then, I mention the canned CEO of Home Depot, Bob Nardelli, and his unproductive management style. Is it any wonder that Chrysler, with that same Nardelli now at the helm, is drowning and begging for assistance from you, the taxpayer? Unproductive? Oh hell yes. He's a great example of how corporate America will hire an incompetent boob based on an undeserved resume alone. But I digress... sort of...
How do you teach people productivity? How do you teach people the necessity of strident self-sufficiency, except in extreme circumstances when the afflicted can ask for the free will benevolence of others? (Sidenote: who is it who really believes in mankind - the person who believes that people will respond as they can to a personal request for assistance, or those who seek to confiscate and reallocate so that they might ration help as they deem appropriate?)
How do you teach people productivity? Ayn Rand dealt with this conundrum by removing the self-sufficient. She believed that by showing the dependent that "business and earning a living and that in man which makes it possible - that is the best within us, that is the thing to defend." She aimed to show the world that the producers are not evil, but essential. Not greedy, but mentors - for those willing to listen and unafraid to work.
Capitalism is the pinnacle of liberation. You are free to be as productive as you choose, in any manner you choose, in any trade you choose - so long as there is a market for what you produce. No other system teaches the importance of productivity so directly. You are pulled along into greater and greater output by the rewards directly given to you through productive commerce.
Don't like your job? Switch employers or positions. Start your own business. You have choices. The productive know this. They thrive on it. They'll do what it takes, and go further yet.
How is that person not a role model to others? But somehow, there are people who have come into prominence who freely ridicule and heap scathing disdain on the productive.
Capitalism needs no defense. Its historical effectiveness in prosperity speaks to the lies of those who reject it. What it does need are the frank practitioners, unapologetic and open in what they know.
I'm not sure that Galt's solution is the best method of education, but I am sure that capitalists have no business cowering from the ill-informed words of those who want to plunder the achievements of the successful.
A New Post By The Mortgage Cicerone
A Guide for Mortgage Professionals
Read other posts by The Mortgage Cicerone
Are you having one of “those” days or months things aren’t working out and feeling down, blue, and hopeless. Even if it's a one day thing, a gloomy encounter with your boss, team, referral partner, vendor, customer or crumbling loan transactions can cost you a substantial loss of business and a pessimistic outlook may try even your most treasured relationships.
For some of us, a mild case of the blues will come and go, but for others, this state of mind not only negatively impacts our personal lives, but influences our professional relationships and ultimately our profits.
According to therapist Lexie Pftezing, author of 60 Second Blues Busters:
"most people spend three out of every 10 days battling the blues. We may say we’re having a bad hair day, got up on the wrong side of the bed, we’re bummed...regardless of what we call them, the blues affect us in many ways."
These negative feelings permeate our attitude making us feel more sensitive and defensive. Our productivity goes down, and absenteeism inevitably goes up. When you add up all the factors, one bad mood can waste hundreds or thousands of dollars spent on a marketing campaign when you exhibit a sullen or a less than confident attitude when interacting with clients or referral partners.
Pfetzing and her co-author Joyce Quick offer remedies to stifle the short term blues and to circumvent a more serious downward spiral of depression. The book essentially says “you don’t have to suffer and you can feel better fast.”
Pfetzing also says “All of our suggestions involve some sort of action and positive activity” to revive the spirit and soothe the soul, but recognizes the fact that when you are down it may be difficult to think of anything to do to transform from blah to better.
We may encounter intermittent interactions with family, friends and colleagues that leave an impression that may last for the duration of the relationship. One less than enthusiastic response to a prospective client or customer may lose a lucrative account and sever a long time relationship. One morose team member can bring down an entire team.
So how exactly can we avoid a down day that adversely affects our work place, health and relationships both personal and professional?:
Here are a few tips to consider:
While the the blues can be quite different from true clinical depression which requires specific treatments, but for most of us, these simple steps can help us “snap out of it” and get on with the adventure of life.
We were at some friend's house some time ago and the wife mentioned some other acquaintances of ours. "It sure is too bad, all the bad luck they have," she said.
My first thought was, "Bad habits, not bad luck."
My second thought was, "Or is it bad choices?"
You see, there is a difference. What we many times call bad luck is merely bad choices.
Let me explain:
If you work hard, buy a new car, keep it up with regular maintenance and blow a tire driving down the road, that is bad luck.
However, if you drive on your tires until they are almost bald and drive at speeds higher than they are recommended for, and keep them at the wrong inflation level, and then the tire blows, that is not bad luck but bad choices. The tire blew because you chose not to buy new ones. The tire blew because you chose not to take the time to check your tire inflation level the last time you filled up the tank.
It is bad luck to leave your house on vacation and while you are away the gas line breaks and the house blows up.
It is bad habits to not tend to taking care of your house, replacing the roof, painting, etc until it is a junk pile.
It is bad luck to be let go from a company that goes into meltdown because the CEO acted unethically and the stock tanks, forcing layoffs.
It is both bad choices and bad habits to be late to work everyday, display shoddy workmanship and have a bad attitude to the point that the boss fires you.
If you choose to frequent shady parts of town or risky establishments, and you get mugged, is that bad luck or bad choices?
You get the point.
How often do we call something bad luck when it is really the result of bad habits or bad choices?
This really boils down to a matter of ownership of our lives and actions. Do we take full responsibility for our lives or not?
I know of a gentleman who was recently passed over for a job. It would have paid him $13,000 for a week's worth of work. The person who passed him over told me why. Knowing this gentleman, I said, "It is too bad, because with a few good choices, that guy could be living in a nice house, driving nice cars, and having very few financial problems."
What about you? Do you experience bad luck? Or bad habits? Or bad choices?
The next time you hear someone say, "He's down on his luck," perhaps you ought to ask, "Or is he down on his choices?"
I have found that those who have good habits and make good choices tend to experience the best luck!
So, if you want a little good luck, make some good choices and develop some good habits.
"Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get." -- Ray Kroc
"When I work fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, I get lucky." -- Dr. Armand Hammer
__________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from the Chris Widener. To visit Chris Widener's website, go to http://www.chriswidener.com. Copyright 2007 Chris Widener . All rights reserved worldwide.
Subscribe in a reader
Don't become a victim of yourself. Forget about the thief waiting in the alley; what about the thief in your mind?
It is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all. It is what you do about what happens that counts.
You say, "The country is messed up." That's like cursing the soil and the seed and the sunshine and the rain, which is all you've got. Don't curse all you've got. When you get your own planet, you can rearrange this whole deal. This one you've got to take like it comes.
Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don't use their excuses. Take charge of your own life.
Take advice, but not orders. Only give yourself orders. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Since I will be no one's slave, I will be no one's master."
You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. You don't have charge of the constellations, but you do have charge of whether you read, develop new skills, and take new classes.
Your paycheck is not your employer's responsibility; it's your responsibility. Your employer has no control over your value, but you do.
____________________________________
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn. To visit Jim Rohn's website, go to www.jimrohn.com. Copyright 2008 Jim Rohn. All rights reserved worldwide
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: what can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What can you do when you've run out of money, when you don't feel well and it's all gone sour? What can you do?
Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.
Here is why humans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable. Humans are different than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog. But that's not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.
Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Try reaching down inside of yourself; you'll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts. They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed.
With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change. If you don't like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. If something doesn't suit you; change it. If something doesn't please you, change it. You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your present address, change it — you're not a tree!
If there is one thing to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessary things, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That's true excitement.
_________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn. To visit Jim Rohn's website, go to www.jimrohn.com. Copyright 2008 Jim Rohn. All rights reserved worldwide
In a slump? Not making enough (or any) sales. Feel like you're unable to get out of the rut? Maybe you're not in a big slump, but just can't seem to hit the quota numbers. Let's be kind and call it "sales under-achievement."
What causes a slump? You do. Therefore, you are the best (only) person to fix it.
Here are the prime causes of sales slumps:
When you're in a slump, you begin to press for orders instead of working your best game-plan (which is sell to help the other person and let your sincerity of purpose shine through). When you have the pressure to sell, the prospect senses it, and backs off.
Then things get worse. You can't seem to sell at all, and begin to panic. Oh my gosh, I can't sell a thing, I'll get fired, miss my house payment, can't pay my bills -- Aaaahhhhhh! False fear. Relax, you're better than that.
Here's a prescription to help cure sick sales:
When a baseball player is in a batting slump he will do anything to "change his luck." Things from superstition (rabbits foot, not shaving, wearing the same underwear) to changing batting stance, to video watching, to extra coaching. But the one thing that usually breaks the slump is extra batting practice -- to regain the groove. Fundamentals.
They, like you, have the professional ability, but temporarily lost it. They, like you, went back to the raw fundamentals to regain lost talent.
Other random notes on the truth about slumps:
In a sales slump?
Get fired up or get fired.
________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from Jeffrey Gitomer. To visit Jeffrey Gitomer's website, go to http://www.gitomer.com/. Copyright 2008 Jeffrey Gitomer. All rights reserved worldwide
For my whole life, I have opened my car door by inserting a metal key into a physical lock. Now, I can unlock the doors and start the car at the push of a button. It seems like magic to me, but it´s actually a simple application of science.
Keyless entry and keyless ignition are made possible when a transmitter within your key fob communicates with a radio receiver inside the car. Two conditions are necessary for this communication to take place: 1) the transmitter must be set to the same frequency as the receiver, and 2) the transmitter must send a uniquely coded message which the receiver has been programmed in advance to recognize.
Communication acts as a leader´s "keyless entry" into relationships. It can open the mind of an employer, the wallet of investors, and the hearts of loved ones. Talented communicators seem magical when they weave their words together. However, much like the concept of keyless entry, great communication depends on two simple skills—context and delivery. Context attunes a leader to the same frequency as his or her audience. Delivery allows a leader to phrase messages in a language the audience can understand.
As we explore context and delivery, we'll draw upon Steven K. Scott's book, The Richest Man Who Ever Lived. In the book, Scott offers commentary on the words of King Solomon, the wealthiest man in history. Renowned for his wisdom, Solomon writings are filled with advice about effective communication.
CONTEXT
Listen before Speaking
"He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him." ~ Proverbs 18:13
Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it. As the Greek philosopher, Epictetus, observed, "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."
Understand Human Nature
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." ~ Proverbs 12:18
Words are powerful, and they can build up or tear down those who hear them. Regardless of your audience or avenue of communication, the following principles enable you to communicate constructively.
People are insecure. Leaders can bestow confidence by demonstrating their trust and belief in a person's abilities. People want to feel special. Leaders win a loyal following when they are generous with compliments and acts of appreciation. People are looking for a better future. Leaders inspire through an optimistic outlook and words of hope. People are selfish. Leaders learn to motivate when they begin speaking to the needs of their people.
Be Emotionally Aware
"Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day…is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." ~ Proverbs 25:20
Communicating within context involves taking the emotional temperature of others. Pay attention to facial expressions, voice inflection, and posture. They give clues to a person's mood and attitude.
DELIVERY
Adopt an Appropriate Tone
"A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up anger." ~ Proverbs 15:1
When you're emotionally aware, you're halfway to effective communication, but you still have to deliver your words appropriately. Many times it's not what you say, but how you say it. Adopt a fitting tone to address the emotional state of those around you, and your words will have their desired effect.
Speak Persuasively
"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips." ~ Proverbs 16:23
The National Storytelling Festival, held in Jonesborough, Tennessee features some of America's most captivating communicators. Listen for awhile, and you'll discover traits that allow them to persuade listeners to take interest in the stories they tell.
Enthusiasm. The storytellers obviously enjoy what they are doing, expressing themselves with joy and vitality.
Animation. The presentations are marked by lively facial expressions and gestures.
Audience Participation. Almost every storyteller involves the audience in some way, asking listeners to sing, clap, repeat phrases, or do sign language.
Spontaneity. None of the storytellers have notes.
The festival is truly an oral event. Storytellers didn't read their stories; they tell them, which allowed for eye contact.
Be Honest
"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." ~ Proverbs 10:18
In an effort to persuade, leaders may be tempted to cross the line into manipulation. When doing so, facts may be fabricated or spun deceptively. Lies add complexity to life since the liar has to operate under the guise of falsehood. Eventually, lies are brought to light and undermine credibility. Leaders protect their character by using discretion in their language. They speak truthfully—even when honesty is costly.
SUMMARY
Poor communication is the number one culprit of failed relationships—in business and at home. Since relationships are the foundation of success, leaders would be wise to invest in the communication skills of context and delivery. Master them, and you'll more easily gain favor, more readily make friends, and more effectively motivate others.
John C. Maxwell
___________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from John C. Maxwell via Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine. To visit Jim Rohn's website, go to http://www.jimrohn.com. Copyright 2008 Jim Rohn and John C. Maxwell. All rights reserved worldwide
If you were to evaluate the major influences in your life that have shaped the kind of person you are; this has to be high on the list: the people and thoughts you choose to allow into your life. Mr. Shoaff gave me a very important warning in those early days that I would like to share with you. He said, "Never underestimate the power of influence." Indeed, the influence of those around us is so powerful! Many times we don't even realize we're being strongly affected because influences generally develop over an extended period of time.
Peer pressure is an especially powerful force because it is so subtle. If you're around people who spend all they make, chances are excellent that you'll spend all you make. If you are around people who go to more ball games than concerts, chances are excellent that you'll do the same thing. If you are around people who don't read, chances are excellent that you won't read. People can keep nudging us off course a little at a time until finally, we find ourselves asking, "How did I get here?" Those subtle influences need to be studied carefully if we really want our lives to turn out the way we've planned.
With regard to this important point, let me give you three key questions to ask yourself. They may help you to make better analysis of your current associations.
Here is the first question: "Who am I around?" Make a mental note of the people with whom you most often associate. You've got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.
The second question is: "What are these associations doing to me?" That's a major question to ask. What have they got me doing? What have they got me listening to? What have they got me reading? Where have they got me going? What do they have me thinking? How have they got me talking? How have they got me feeling? What have they got me saying? You've got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.
Here's a final question: "Is that okay?" Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I'm suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.
It's easy to just dismiss the things that influence our lives. One man say's, "I live here, but I don't think it matters. I'm around these people, but I don't think it hurts." I would take another look at that. Remember, everything matters! Sure, some things matter more than others, but everything amounts to something. You've got to keep checking to find out whether your associations are tipping the scales toward the positive or toward the negative. Ignorance is never the best policy. Finding out is the best policy.
Perhaps you've heard the story of the little bird. He had his wing over his eye and he was crying. The owl said to the bird, "You are crying." "Yes," said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from his eye. "Oh, I see," said the owl. "You're crying because the big bird pecked out your eye." And the little bird said, "No, I'm not crying because the big bird pecked out my eye. I'm crying because I let him."
It's easy to let influence shape our lives, to let associations determine our direction, to let pressures overwhelm us, and to let tides take us. The big question is, are we letting ourselves become what we wish to become?
Next week we'll take a look at the three forms of disassociating from negative influences. Until then,
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
________________________________________
Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn. To visit Jim Rohn's website, go to www.jimrohn.com. Copyright 2008 Jim Rohn. All rights reserved worldwide
Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand when being used for marketing and business purposes. With a few exceptions. One is bigger than the other, and needs a postage stamp in order to get to it's desired location, as opposed to the business card which is handed directly to a person or dropped into a fish bowl in the hopes of winning an office party.
Here are a few tips on how to use the business card and greeting card as a sales and marketing tool.
The Business Card
This tip is not just about what you can do with your business cards, it's about what you can do with other peoples business cards once you receive them.
A business card is normally exchanged before, during, or after a conversation you have with a person. The next time someone hands you a business card, try to remember something positive about the conversation you had, perhaps something personal the person might have said.
Than write it down on the business card so the next time you call them or see them, you can bring it up again.
I once had a business relationship with a person who is now a friend of mine. We met at a business card exchange, as we stood talking over our coffee and donuts, I mentioned how I loved Boston creme donuts. Without my knowing, he wrote that down on the business card I gave him, and every time he and I got together, he made sure to bring along Boston creme donuts. It wasn't until later that he told me his secret.
People are impressed with things you remember about them, it makes them feel that the conversation the two of you had was important to you, and it will give you credibility.
This is a great way to strengthen your business relationships in order to obtain referrals.
The Greeting Card
In this day and age of the Internet, we seem to have lost the personal touch we once had with one another.
Most of this personal touch has been replaced with e-mails, e-cards, fax machines, and cell phones.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for progress.
That being said, don't ever underestimate the power of a hand written note or card, it speaks volumes and means a lot to people.
Have you ever heard of someone deleting a Hallmark?
Keep a Rolodex or tickler file handy of all your customers upcoming birthdays, anniversary's, and special occasions. Send them a card with a hand-written message on the inside, they will love the fact that you remembered them at a time that is important to them.
The same goes for holidays, and don't forget Arbor day.
Continue reading "Using Business and Greeting Cards Effectively" »
The Mortgage Cicerone
The Cicerones
Sean Purcell
Mtg. Broker - San Diego
Transparent Lending Leader
Web Site ~
Sean's Posts ~
Mike Mueller
Mtg. Broker - California
Vlogger Extraordinaries
Web Site ~
Mike's Posts ~
Bill Rice
Lead Management Cicerone
Our Prospecting Genius
Web Site ~
Bill's Posts ~
Dan Melson
Mortgage Broker
The Anti-Scott Tucker
Web Site ~
Dan's Posts ~
Chris Johnson
Mortgage Broker
Business Development Pro
Web Site ~
Chris' Posts ~
Rhonda Porter
Mortgage Broker
Tech Marketing
Web Site ~
Rhonda's Posts ~
Brian Brady
Mortgage Broker
Social Media Expert
Web Site ~
Brian's Posts ~
Tyler Osby
Mortgage Broker
Wealth Creation Specialist
Web Site ~
Tyler's Posts ~
The Mortgage Cicerone
A Guide or Mentor
For Mortgage Professionals
Web Site ~
Mortgage Cicerone's Posts
Andy Stanley: Next Generation Leader: 5 Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future
Brian Tracy: Crunch Point: The 21 Secrets to Succeeding When It Matters Most
Charles Wheelan: Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science
Chris Anderson: The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
Douglas R. Andrew: Missed Fortune 101: A Starter Kit to Becoming a Millionaire
Fred Reichheld: The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth
Harry Beckwith: What Clients Love: A Field Guide to Growing Your Business
Jeff Thull: Exceptional Selling: How the Best Connect and Win in High Stakes Sales
Jeffrey Gitomer: The Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
Jim Collins: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
Linda Richardson: Stop Telling, Start Selling: How to Use Customer-Focused Dialogue to Close Sales
Malcolm Gladwell: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Milton Friedman: Capitalism and Freedom: Fortieth Anniversary Edition
Patrick M. Lencioni: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable
Patrick M. Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
Paul Gillin: The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media
Rick Warren: The Purpose-driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Robert Scoble: Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers
Seth Godin: All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World
Seth Godin: Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
The Group of 33 - Seth Godin: The Big Moo: Stop Trying to Be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable
Thomas L. Friedman: Longitudes and Attitudes: The World in the Age of Terrorism
Todd Duncan: Time Traps: Proven Strategies for Swamped Salespeople
William J. Baumol: Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, and the Economics of Growth and Prosperity
Yvon Chouinard: Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
The content provided on this website is presented or compiled for your convenience by the publisher of The Mortgage Cicerone and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any person, entity or company associated with The Mortgage Cicerone. Neither The Mortgage Cicerone nor any of its contributors and their employers or companies in which they are associated assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. The information provided on this website should not be construed as offering legal, financial or other advice to be relied on by the reader to make or refrain from making any decision or to take any action. The investment, mortgage or financial services or strategies mentioned in and throughout this website may not be suitable for you. All rights reserved.
Free High Impact Report
Subscription & Contact Links
Recent Comments