Gems of Wisdom - The law of the seed

The law of the seed

Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree, each with ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds!

We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more trees?"

Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: "Most seeds never grow. So if you really want to make something happen, you better try more than once."

This might mean:

You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job.

You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.

You'll talk to fifty people to sell one house, car, vacuum cleaner, insurance policy, idea...

And you might meet a hundred acquaintances to find one special friend.

When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed.

We stop feeling like victims. Laws of nature are not things to take personally.

We just need to understand them - and work with them.

Gems of Wisdom - Attitude!

Attitude!

How we react, what we do or say, all depends on our attitude. It determines whether we'll be happy or sad. Attitude can help, or hinder us in all areas of our lives.

If your thoughts are constantly of doom and gloom, you will receive the same in return.

Your thoughts and your perception of the world influences all that you do, and all that you are, and all that you can be.

Changing your attitude is really changing the way you see things. To begin the change, you must start looking for the good in every situation, rather than the negative.

So, you see the choice is yours. If we compare attitude to swimming, which are you doing?

Are you swimming - even against the currents and the waves, you keep going, you see your destination and you are taking action to reach it.

Are you floating - just allowing the waves to carry you, you end up where ever the water takes you.

Are you drowning - you see the waves and the currents as difficulties you cannot overcome.

Gems of Wisdom - Build a large trust fund

Build a large trust fund

Every one of us has a trust fund that really matters: the trust of other people. The only question is, how large is it? Many people, not knowing how important a trust fund is to their own success, are practically bankrupt in this critical account.

The way to build a large trust fund is simple and straightforward. It involves being accountable for your actions, however large or small, doing what you say you are going to do, delivering on your promises, being on time, and so forth. Anything and everything you do that reinforces your own trustworthiness is like money in the bank. Accountability is derived in both small and large doses. For example, if you tell someone you are going to call them at three ‘o’clock, or pick them up at the railway station, and you do so on time, as you say you are going to do, you earn small credits toward your trust fund.

Likewise, if you tell someone that you’ll send them a copy of a book you’ve been discussing, and you actually do it, you earn credibility with that person. If you don’t do exactly what you say you’re going to do, while any individual action or inaction may not seem like a very big deal, it decreases your credibility and reduces the size of your trust fund.

Obviously, no one is perfect. We all make mistakes, show up late, and occasionally forget appointments. It’s far easier and wiser to avoid making commitments that we can’t keep than it is to make promises, however small, that may eventually reduce the size of our trust fund.

Starting today, speak and behave with your trust fund in mind. Before you say you are going to do something that someone else is going to depend on, check in with yourself. Ask yourself, will I be able to keep this commitment? Remember, the size of your trust fund depends on it.

Gems of Wisdom - Implications of thinking big!

The implications of thinking big are widespread and impressive. Thinking big is a magic door opener that broadens your perspective and allows you to see new opportunities. Thinking big makes life easier and a lot more fun.

I’ve been repeatedly reminded by successful people in virtually every field that thinking big is one of the keys to success. Let’s consider a few examples. Successful insurance salespersons insist that it takes the identical amount of time to speak to someone about a million-dollar policy as it does a one-thousand-dollar policy.
   
The bigger your visions, the larger your potential for success. If you’re trying to sell homes for a living, as an agent, it takes the same amount of energy to ask a wealthy person for their listing as it does a low-end homeowner. You can think small, or you can think big.
   
As usual, the primary reason many people think too small is fear. Thoughts like, “I can’t speak to a room full of people,” “I can’t risk taking on a larger project,” and “I couldn’t ask the boss to have lunch with me” fill the mind and are taken too seriously. When fearful thoughts enter the mind, try to banish them. The fear you are experiencing is almost always self-created and usually unnecessary.
   
Could you be thinking in larger terms? In most cases, the answer is yes! There may be ways that you can reach more people with the same amount of effort. Regardless of the business you are in, the first step is to eliminate any fear or worry that is getting in your way. As your worrisome thoughts gradually disappear and become less appealing, new ideas and insights will begin to emerge.

Gems of Wisdom - Surround yourself with experts

Many people surround themselves with “successful” people and “experts”. Many are frightened that people who are more successful won’t be willing to spend time or share their ideas with us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The reality is, accomplished people love it when someone takes an interest in their success; they love to share their wisdom, good ideas, or business secrets. It makes them feel wanted and needed.

I’ve worked on projects with some very famous, successful people. When people ask me, “How in the world did you convince them to participate,” they are often shocked at the simplicity of my answer. I respond honestly by saying, “I just asked them.” You’ll be amazed at the number of people who are more than willing to help, whether it’s the owner of a successful grocery store, a top-producing insurance salesperson, a well known author, a physician, a lawyer, or an excellent teacher.

Most want and are willing to offer advice. In fact, asking someone you admire and respect for their feedback and ideas is the greatest compliment you can offer them. Not all, but most highly successful people (in any field) are available to help others. Usually, it’s the people fighting to climb to the top who are the most frightened, insecure, or unwilling to offer guidance.

If you do ask for help or advice and are turned down, you can bet that the next person you ask will be more than willing. If you want great advice and you want to avoid big mistakes, seek help. Surround yourself with winners.

Gems of Wisdom - Learn the magic of nonattachment

Being attached to an outcome, holding on, takes an enormous amount of energy, not only during an effort but often after an effort is complete, after you’ve failed, or been let down, or were dealt a bad hand. Being non attached, however, creates emotional freedom. It suggests trying hard, really caring, but at the same time being completely willing to let go of the outcome.

Attachment creates fear that gets in your way: what if I lose? What if the deal doesn’t go through? What if I’m rejected? What if, what if, what if … your belief that everything must work out exactly as you want it to with no glitches creates enormous pressure!

Non attachment, on the other hand, works like magic. It allows you to have fun in your efforts, to enjoy the process. It helps you succeed at whatever you are doing by giving you the confidence you need. It takes the pressures off. You win regardless of the outcome. The act of not worrying helps you focus and stay on purpose. It helps you stay out of your own way.

You know in your heart that, even if things don’t work out the way you hope they will, everything will be all right. You’ll be okay. You’ll learn from the experience. You’ll do better next time. This attitude of acceptance helps you move on to the next step in your path. Rather than being lost or immobilized in disappointment or regret, you simply move on – with confidence and joy.

Gems of Wisdom - Becoming a better listener!

People love to be listened to. So much so, that they will pay therapists enormous fees to listen to their stories and complaints. Consumers love to be listened to as well. They will happily pay good amount for those people who are smart enough to understand that this is what they want – and what they demand.

Unfortunately, only a tiny percentage of persons do understand, or are willing to implement, this important understanding.

When you listen in this manner, you may be shocked at the positive response. When people feel that they are listened to, they also feel appreciated and valued. Feeling listened to is such a rare experience that when someone does feel listened to, they tend to tell others about it.

Listening is like a magic formula that turns ordinary people into loyal, happy customers.

One final tip: If you want a closer relationship with your friends or colleagues, the best place to start is by becoming a better listener!