The Skeleton of an Expanding Business Building on the positive attitude we concluded with last time, we can now begin to outline some core ideas, and practices that will fuel your development and expansion. A substantial part to personal and financial growth is surrounding yourself with people that can help you achieve this. When you surround yourself with people that can not only help you do this, but are striving for the same goals, you will find that opportunities or MSI’s begin to appear. MSI’s (Multiple Sources of Income) are what form the skeleton of any growing business, and are grown from the opportunities that present themselves as a result of surrounding yourself in a progressive community. Additionally as this community strives for development you will find yourself rising above mediocrity, and this is a goal that you should definitely be striving for. Aiming to better yourself on a daily basis positively challenges and stimulates you and others around you. Two practices that will ease you through your progressive community are OPB’s and OPM’s. These are Other People’s Brains, and Other People’s Money. The first is certainly one that will help grasp and develop your MSI’s; because no-one has ever done it by themselves. The second may not affect you, or may not necessarily feature in your positive daily tasks, but as ever financial aid, is a factor in business. Finally a successful business is not built over night, but your decisions shouldn’t take this long. You should move fast to move far. Often your initial reaction to an opportunity or an MSI is correct. This practice is to produce clarity and clear intention in your thinking, but should not be used irrationally and irresponsibly. Additionally if you find yourself dealing with people that take too long in business, often enough these are not the people that you should surround yourself with. Remember to move far you should move fast.

An Attraction to Expansion The journey to personal and financial improvement can seem to be years away, sitting on the horizon with no clear path to reach it. A simple and manageable approach to such a path is to look at this improvement annually. Clarity and stable steps are things that can be achieved frequently and taken on a daily basis; easing you towards this expansion and improvement. Take today as your starting point. Think on your days as windows, showing the journey ahead. Think how today, and the tasks you conduct will affect you reaching this horizon. Make positive and progressive changes in your daily tasks and routine, which will allow you to grow each year. The next step is to set radical goals for yourself and the year ahead. Don't be unrealistic, yet don't set the bar to low, set out to achieve these goals not to limit them. Where do you want to be in a year's time? How are yours days getting you there? An easy start to these changes is to assess your attitude towards work, your social time, and your daily life. A positive attitude is contagious, and you will be amazed with the reaction and immediate improvement you find in your days with an attitude that radiates positivity. Finally, an understanding of where you are, where you want to be, and the changes to come, is vital. Expressed by a favourite proverb of mine from Solomon 'In all your getting, get understanding'. A clear understanding of your situation, your goals and the steps to be taken, will induce a positive attitude, and consequently create progressive days, and expansive years.

Goal Cards

Do you have a Goal Card? Simple question, everyone talks about it but do they have one? I had one for years but kept it in my wallet. Then I heard the advice of keeping it in my pocket. Each time I put my hand in my pocket, ( which I do a lot !) I am reminded of my Goal. Simple piece of advice yet it has made a considerable difference. The image it creates in my mind each time I touch it fires all those neurones that build my Goal. Try it, it will makes a difference to your achievement of your Goals as it has done mine. Next, what have you written on your Goal Card? Till then....

Sales

The ABC of selling. Traditionally I would have said this was short for Always Be Closing, now I understand it to mean Always Be Connecting. With so many ways to stay in touch with prospects, clients, fans, followers or just friends, connecting has never been easier. So why do some people still miss the boat on this one? You can't sell someone anything, your idea, your service, your product, yourself unless you are connected. And I don't just mean on some social network or other platform! I mean truly connected in some emotional way. People buy with their emotions first and logic second. This includes when they buy people. So always be looking to connect in better ways and at faster speeds with more people. Technology allows us more opportunities than ever to connect more, to store more and to process information quicker than ever. We have never had it so good, to quote someone famous!! ABC it's as easy as 123.

21 days to break a habit

There's a lot of research out there that indicates you need a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit. Anything less just doesn't allow the brain to form new neural pathways. Keep it going for more that 21 days and you stand a good chance of making it stick. The trouble is most people don't give themselves the chance to make a change. 21 is a golden number. My favourite example is the NASA one from the 70's. Astronauts wearing convex glasses 24/7 to simulate weightlessness, had upside down images convert themselves the right way up after 21-23 days. It was also discovered that an interruption to this time frame meant you had to start again. Applying this brain technology to the personal development field can mean that a new habit can be integrated into our lives by sticking to the task for more than 21 days. Don't just take my word for it give it a go. Try something simple first, if you are right handed, brush your teeth with your left hand. It will feel awkward at first but persist, see if it doesn't become easier and then normal. Intellectually these ideas make sense but we rarely put hese concepts into practice, go on give it a go. One of the reasons we are reluctant to try new things for this magic period is, what if it works? All those times in my life when I gave up just as it was about to get easier! What could you have accomplished with your life? Rest assured it is never to late to learn something new. To help you succeed find a buddy or get a coach, you'll be glad you did.

Expectations

Expect to be the best you can be, expect the best from all you meet, it will surprise you.

Setting a good intention

While waiting for a train to London yesterday I put a posting on facebook asking people for their comments on what they were grateful for that morning.

The responses were magical, thinking at the time no one bothers it made me happy to see people actually caring. My intentions for the day were met due to my focusing on gratitude and others.

A valuable lesson for us all, focusing on the good and the beauty that surrounds you will make a difference in your day and your life. There's a business lesson here too, focusing on others and their needs bring to you what you are seeking.

Gratitude is fantastic way to start and finish the day.