Blog Archives
Have A Laugh Fridays – Treadmill Dance
Thanks to my wife for showing me this a few days ago.
I can totally do this:
I’m So Proud Of My Wife – Check This out!
My wife has been doing some very cool stuff for the past few weeks!
Check out this great post.
Inspiring, and incredibly motivating!
Healthy Leaders Are Great Leaders
Eve reached out to me a few weeks ago interested in guest posting on leadership. I was more than happy to oblige. Check out her incredible take on health and productivity!
The modern world is increasingly doing studies on the link between health and productivity. That is hardly a new concept. The phrase “A sound mind in a sound body” is quite old. In general, we all know that if you are sick, in pain, or under the weather, you will not be at your most productive. But what seems to not sink in is the idea that if you really want to excel at sales or in leadership, you really need to be working towards optimal health, not merely avoiding sickness.
Instead of talking in generalities, let’s take one person as an example. Let’s talk about actor, producer, and businessman Will Smith. He has made Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list. He is the first actor to have eight movies in a row bring in more than $100 million. He came from nothing and is now worth millions. He is viewed by many as an inspiration and role model for minorities. His list of personal accomplishments is quite long.
Focus on Will Smith
Will Smith has said “The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might be more talented than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right? You’re not going to out-work me. It’s such a simple, basic concept. The guy who is willing to hustle the most is going to be the guy who just gets that loose ball. The majority of people who aren’t getting the places they want or aren’t achieving the things that they want in this business is strictly based on hustle. It’s strictly based on being out-worked; it’s strictly based on missing crucial opportunities. I say all the time if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.”
More than an actor
As indicated above, everyone likely realizes that Will Smith is not just an actor but he is a leader in many ways: A producer, founder of I’m more than one company, community leader and so on. If you have ever seen him work the crowd at a red carpet event, you should realize he is also a consummate salesman. That is part of why his movies make so much money. So when he talks about hustle, he doesn’t just mean “work hard.” He also means you need to sell yourself. Constantly.
What may not be obvious is that in order to have the attitude he has, the first thing he needs is the physical stamina necessary to run you into the ground or die trying. If you have seen him in “I am Legend”, a movie filmed in his late thirties, you have seen with your own eyes the kind of phenomenal fitness he has. Similarly, he trained for months to put on the muscle necessary to portray legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. People who are not super healthy don’t do things like that. They simply can’t.
Health and fitness
So if you want to be a great sales person or leader, you first need to be the best that you can be. And that starts with being as healthy and fit as possible so you have the physical energy and mental focus to out-work others, to recognize opportunity when it presents itself and quickly take action, and to be as presentable and attractive as possible. The reality is that both sales and leadership are about influencing other people. Someone who is healthy and fit is far more personable than someone who is not.
Think about this: Shaking hands is a basic symbol of both friendliness and deal-making. People have to touch you to shake your hand. No one wants that if you are ill. Even if you are in good health generally but know there is room for improvement it can be a good idea to take a medical test to highlight where best to prioritize, be it diet or fitness levels. A routine lab test can highlight any problems or deficiencies you may have meaning you can take measures to address these under the advice of a medical professional.
So get cracking. Watch what you eat. Take your vitamins. Hit the gym. Get on that treadmill. Make sure you are healthy enough to be the last one to get off it when you are up against the competition. In other words: Every day.
If you are interested in having Eve guest post on your blog or website she can be emailed at: epearce@andalemono.com
My Video – We All “Default” To The Couch
I have wanted to do some new videos over the past couple of months, but just have not made the time. I will finally be “taking action” over the next few weeks and develop some new ones. I can’t wait!
In the interim, I wanted to share a couple of my favourite videos today and tomorrow. I hope you enjoy them!
Couches are a comfortable place to hang out. Most of us spend too much time relaxing on them. Check out my latest video to see why less couch time leads to a more fulfilling life!
Why Hierarchies? The Pizza and Beer Syndrome by Broc Edwards
I have been following Broc Edward’s blog for quite some time, and always enjoy his content. This post on hierarchies caught my attention earlier this week, and I wanted to share it today. His insight on this topic is excellent, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did..
Why do organizations look the way they do? Why are command and control hierarchies so popular? They seem like relics from days gone past. We spend a lot of time complaining about all their sins and proposing alternatives so why don’t we see flatter, collaborative, and self-directed organizations? They should be more adaptable, create more engagement, and be higher performing. Yet we keep perpetuating the command and control hierarchies that we spend so much time railing against. Why do we say we want one thing and make the choices and actions that lead to another?
Good questions and here’s the answer (you might want to write this down): pizza and beer.
No, really. Call it the “Pizza and Beer Syndrome” if you like. We can learn a lot about organizations by looking at human behavior. After all, organizations are a reflection of the philosophies, strategies, and approaches of individuals.
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Increase Your Confidence In Less Than a Day
Leanna Dindal and Kevin Rae from http://www.theleagueofchampions.com reached out to me last week, and I am so glad that they did! We agreed to guest post on each other’s blogs, so I am very excited to present their contribution on Confidence. Have a read; I am sure that you will like it as much as I did!
Confidence is like money – everybody wants more of it. And, just as we’d like to lessen our working hours while simultaneously increasing our cash flow, is it possible to gain more confidence in just a short time? We think so.
Try the “One-Day Confidence Course” below and see if you agree.
1. Get up in the morning and work out – 1 hour
Not only does exercise increase your serotonin levels, you’ll feel great knowing you’re doing something for your health. What better way to increase your confidence than feeling good about yourself? Be sure to pick a form of exercise you enjoy.
2. Think of something you believe in and find references to back it up – 15 minutes
Everybody needs reassurance. When it comes to things you’re really passionate about, that you really, desperately want to be true, it’ll boost your confidence if you know that other people are on your side. A few minutes and a quick Google search will take care of this.
3. Buy some new clothes – 2 hours
This doesn’t have to be a full-blown, redo your whole wardrobe shopping trip. Just go out and try on a couple of things. If you look in the mirror and think, “I look good in this,” then other people will think you do, too. You’ll feel more confident knowing you’re bound to catch a few eyes.
4. Go to lunch at a restaurant alone – 1 hour
Think of this as a gift to yourself. You’re worth it, so you’re taking yourself out to lunch! If it‘s outside your comfort zone to say, “Party of one,” then good! Your confidence level will jump up because you’re doing something different and because you’re validating yourself.
And, since you’re there……
5. Learn some new fun facts – 5 min
While you’re waiting for your food, pull up the internet on your phone and learn a few things you didn’t know. The next time you strike up a conversation, how great will it be to confidently share those interesting topics?
6. Make a connection with your server – <1 minute
We so often treat people we interact with as robots, like they’re only there to serve a function. Other people are humans too, and if you recognize them, they’ll recognize you. Bolster your server’s confidence by giving them a personal compliment or taking the time to ask them how their day’s going. They’ll probably do the same back – reciprocal validation.
7. Share your expertise or take a class in something you’ve never done before – 1 hour
When you teach other people, your confidence in your skill grows. When you have to act like an expert to help them learn, you’ll probably realize you are an expert. Alternatively, trying your hand at something new by taking a class will prove to yourself that you’re smart and adaptable. This one will take some pre-planning, so scope this out prior to your confidence day.
8. Go dancing or do some karaoke – 3 hours
Dancing and singing are two things a lot of people fear, especially in public. But you’ve got to break through that barrier of self-consciousness to achieve ultimate confidence. Commit to it, even if it’s uncomfortable at first, and you’ll reap the rewards. You may even have fun.
And while you’re at it…….
9. Let a moment of silence pass <1 minute
You’ll enjoy the previous step more if you take someone with you. So, during your conversation with this person, allow for some time without words. People who are comfortable with each other are okay with sitting in silence, and it’s also a good way to feel more comfortable with yourself.
10. Talk to strangers – 5 minutes
Engage in conversation with people you don’t know while you’re out on the town. Doing so means you’re worth commanding their attention, and your confidence has no choice but to increase.
Total time spent: about 8 hours
People underestimate what they can accomplish in a day, or even a lifetime. Grow your confidence and get in your own corner so you never underestimate yourself.
What have you done outside your comfort zone today?
The League of Champions was founded by two friends, with the intention of empowering people to achieve their own, personal definitions of success. Together, Leanna Dindal and Kevin Rae developed a systematic way to change their lives, and to help others do the same. The League focuses on unlocking creativity and finding the inner strength to be a Champion. Find out more at: http://www.theleagueofchampions.com
Sell, Lead, Succeed! 