How often does this happen?

I plan for it to happen more often, since for the past week I’ve been experimenting with Tim Ferriss’ method of increased productivity. He wrote about it in the “4-Hour Work Week” on batching, and creating an auto-responder to all incoming emails informing folks to expect a response – if at all – in a few days, and to train people not to bother me with unimportant matters.

Here’s to being more effective, so that you can focus on the more meaningful, fulfilling, and impactful things in your life.

…they suck?

That’s what I thought. But my sales hero Jeffrey Gitomer told me I’m…wrong (*gasp!* I know!).

He says: “If clients don’t call you back, it’s not their fault – it’s YOUR fault; they’re probably not interested because you’re not interestING.”

Add value, respect their time, differentiate with unique, helpful questions.

Just thought I’d share.

I went to Cha for Tea in Irvine today, and got very lucky.

After placing my order, my cashier had 3 very quick, easy, but important exchanges with me:

Cashier: “Did you know that we close at 1am now, for the night owls?”
Me: “No, I didn’t – it’s like you’re staying open for me, lol!”

Cashier: “Also – you get a discount if you pay by cash.”
Me: “I just have my credit card, but thanks for letting me know.”

After putting tip into the credit card receipt…

Cashier: “Thank you so much for your tip.”
Me: “You’re very welcome; you deserve it!”

Whoa.

The cashier communicated the company’s new initiatives – now that I know they’re open late when everybody else isn’t, I will remember to come there to get my boba/tea fix. You’ve increased my frequency.

If your company has some really cool things going on, make sure your employees are involved or know about it, and make sure there’s a system of showing it off to customers. We can’t appreciate you if we don’t know just how awesome you are.

The cashier also showed me how to save money and stretch my dollar. Even though I was going to pay full price anyway, he added even more value to my purchase. It’s a “feel good” experience that will make me come again and again particularly.

And finally, they were appreciative of my business and my “little extra.” Not a lot of retail shops show gratefulness for the tips, but save their vocals to complain why they DON’T get tip, or enough of it.

Take a lesson, retailers. This is why I’ve been going to the Irvine location for 10+ years. Even though I live in Anaheim and it’s 30 minutes away, there’s a Long Beach location that’s slightly closer, and there is no shortage of boba/tea places.

Of course, they do the important stuff, like churning out a quality, delicious product; they they operate consistently and quickly; and the customer service rocks (shout-out to Eric and Anh there!)…those are expected, foundational stuff. Stuff that keeps you in business. But the little things matter, and they THRIVE you in business.

Your goals – plug it in the amplifier? Or go sniper-stealth?

I’ve heard 2 schools of thought on this – and I’m curious to know what you think. There’s no right or wrong answers here. Only 1’s that work for you, and 1’s that work for others.

I’ve always been taught that you should publicize the goals that you want to achieve.

Why?

The social component of letting people know of your aspirations creates an unofficial accountability factor. Now that you’ve shared your aspirations, and people know you’ve committed to them, there is now a sense of being watched, pressuring you to perform. You don’t want to be humiliated, or be seen as unreliable or a liar, so…you take measures to accomplish those initiatives.

Seems fear-based and a negative way to function. But hey – if it works, you’re a better person for it.

Also – you want to tell certain people, because you feel like they can help you achieve those goals. Like, a person you look up to and want to model. Or, friends and family who can support and root you on. Or, someone who has the connections or resources to bridge your gap. Why wouldn’t you do it?

But recently, I read somewhere (and I can’t remember for the life of me anymore) that keeping your goals a secret is a better way of actually achieving them.

Again. Why?

The article gets all “Bill Nye The Science Guy” on me and talks about how the brain works. It argues that your brain doesn’t actually know the difference between what is real and what is fake, when you say something.

This is why some crooks have been brilliantly able to get away with lie detectors – if they respond to a question falsely and truly believe that fake answer in their heads, it goes un-flagged.

Also – this works very well in the personal development space, and why the tool of “positive affirmations” is so popular and works so well. A “positive affirmation” is stating – aloud and publicly – something that you wish to had, or that you are something that you want to be – in the present tense, and as if you’ve already acquired it or become that person…whether it’s currently true or false.

“I am a successful sales professional.” “I am a wonderful husband and father to my family.” “I have a million dollars in the bank.”

It works well, because if your brain thinks that you are what you say you are – because you said it, and why would you lie – it programs you to think and act a certain way. If you affirm that you’re a millionaire – you will invest and make decisions accordingly. Or, if you say with conviction that you are an amazing father and husband – you’ll be thinking about how to make your wife or kids happy.

It’s called “The Law of Attraction.” Pretty cool, huh? I use it all the time, and it works wonders.

But…It can backfire on you. Because the mental programming might conflict with the principle of motivation.

Since the brain can’t tell the difference between what is fake and real, your positive affirmation may tell the brain that your goal has already been reached – and turn off the motivation, drive, passion to get reach those goals anymore. The brain is thinking: “You’ve already achieved what you wanted, you don’t need the mojo to be there anymore!”

Therefore, passion, motivation, drive…all die down because your brain has lost interest and focus.

Does this ever happen to you? Do you have trouble achieving goals? If you are struggling with hitting your goals on the nail, do you think this counter-intuitive thought may be what’s happening?

I’d love to know how you operate. Like I said – there’s no wrong or right answers; only what catapults you towards living the life of your dreams.

For aspiring professionals or entrepreneurs – I admire that you are looking to grow your business or career, by reaching out to folks who have blazed the trail before you, have thrived, and can share their wisdom with you. You “get it.”

How unreal would it be, to have the opportunity to sit down with Steve Jobs (Rest In Peace – you’ve changed my life), legend of Silicon Valley, and have him tell you exactly what the secret recipe is for success?

You’d be on your way to creating your own billion dollars!

HOWEVER…many people I know follow this advice – and fail. They call, email, or meet their role model, and ask for advice on how they can improve their company, skills, or job prospects. And then they get dumbfounded when their hero crushes their dreams, doesn’t respond well or at all, and they get discouraged.

A piece of advice…people HATE giving advice (unless they volunteer it unsolicited, right?), but they love to talk about themselves and their “story.”

Instead of the boring, and freeloading: “Can you give me advice on…?” say something along the lines of “You’re apparently made for this industry – how did you get into the business in the first place?” “What decision did you make that shot you well ahead of the competition?”

Stroke the ego, personalize your question, be seriously interested and engaged, and don’t sound desperate. Sound the way the next Bill Gates would – be curious, allow your speaker to share their success story. Everybody wants to be a success story.

Here’s to writing yours.

Ahhhh – New Years Resolutions. Even though it’s something the most of the fail at keeping with, it’s a tradition that must be made. It makes us feel good. It gives us purpose. It lets everybody know how much ass you’re going to kick this year, versus last year.

But why is it that it fails so horribly? I know 1 reason is because our resolutions are usually long, idealistic, unspecific, and un-measurable. As you know the classic saying about goals – if they aren’t realistic, specific, measurable, and they don’t have a deadline…they’re going into the list of “maybe next year” or “FML” goals that didn’t make it.

I have an idea: Why not take what works in New Years Resolutions, and eliminate what doesn’t?

Why not break your New Years Resolutions into Weekly Resolutions?

This would make your list much smaller, and only allow you to focus on what you can do within that week. Once they are achieved, you can go to the next goal or task next week, and tackle that one, and so on.

Since the list is smaller, it seems more digestible and obtainable. It seems less overwhelming, and you feel comfortable taking the first step. This is taking the project management principle of “breaking large endeavors into smaller tasks.”

With the deadline being only a week, versus an entire year – creates more urgency. If you only have a week to do something, you’d haul ass right now. And you are taking advantage of the human nature of procrastinating.

And remember the fire and drive you always have at the first month of the new year? And how it dies down by 2nd month? With that knowledge, wouldn’t it make more sense to give yourself a weekly resolution re-ignite you every week instead?

Just a suggestion.

Here’s to meeting your goals, in fun size bites.

I’m reading Tim Ferriss’ “4-Hour Work Week” – the book that changed how I did everything – for the 2nd time, and wanted to share one of my favorite pieces of advice:

The timing will never be right for what you want to do. If you want to do something eventually, just do it. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.

Happy doing.

Working 100 hours a week is nothing to brag about – I did that when I started my restaurant & compromised my family, my girlfriend (now wife – thank goodness she stuck with me), my friends, my health, and when I calculated it down…I was making less than minimum wage per hour. I should’ve sued myself for horrible slave-like working conditions. Even the Chinese sweat shops wouldn’t take my deal =P

If I knew then what I knew now – about working smarter not harder, about making time instead of finding time for the important things, the “4-Hour Work Week” book that changed my life forever, creating balance with my executive sales coach – I would’ve been much more ahead of the game. But I’m glad I learned the hard way, better late than never, & this way my lesson learned sticks more permanently.

I shared my thoughts on being organized & balanced on the Unchained Entrepreneur blog, & wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog – & I apologize. Things have been crazy leading up to my wedding next weekend. Once I’m back from my honeymoon & get my head back in gear there will be a heavier flow of content, ideas, random things that at least 2 people find interesting =)

Until then … the awesomeness Stephanie Chandler, creator of BusinessInfoGuide.com interviewed me for her audience of aspiring & existing entrepreneurs, & the topics included what helped my business get to the next level of growth, how I handled the economic downturn, what drives my company, & my fave books.

See the interview here & enjoy the read! Toodles for now.