“You aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.” – Garth Brooks

There are 5 concepts that I want to suggest that will make an awe-inspiring quality of life.

1. Passion for what you do.
2. Enriched relationships.
3. Vibrant health.
4. Gifting to those who struggle.
5. Self-confidence to drive achievement.

1 - Passion for what you do.
I am often asked, “How long do you want to continue working?”  To me what I do each day is not work – it is fun.  I get to build people and wonderful buildings.  Each day with our Amway business, I get to pour into people belief that THEY can do it – when they set their mind to it.  Each day in my consulting business, I get to create new and great places to visit and encourage my staff and clients that when you decide – anything is possible.

2 - Enriched relationships.
The primary and most important relationships in my life are my family and my business partners.  These relationships are built on trust and integrity.   I often tell my staff that I am too dumb to lie or misrepresent an issue.  When you tell fibs, you have to remember the tale you told and more often than not – that is when others see through you.  So I made a decision years ago to tell only the truth – that way the only thing I have to remember are the facts.  That is not to say that I am always right – but when I find I am wrong – admitting it quickly without attempting to justify why or what happen builds better relationships. 

3 - Vibrant health.
We are so fortunate to be part of a great natural food supplement company because when you have your health – you have one of the most important things.  Nutrilite is by far the best company in the world for health and great products – never been a recall – always manufactured to the exact specs.  What is on the bottle is what is in the container.  The attorney general of New York state found that is not always the truth when you consider the vitamin industry and our competitors.  We are proud to be part of the Nutrilite family.

4 - Gifting to those who struggle.
Bobbie taught me this – that it is always better to help others with the resources we have than to harbor them for ourselves.  Helping others is far more rewarding than anything I have known.   What Bobbie also likes to do is give for the reason of giving and not seek any credit for the gift.  We help many organizations with gifts of Amway products (Kids vitamins to elementary schools and day care), or maybe meal bars to those kids who do not often get a meal if they are not in school.  We are not looking for a thank you or even acknowledgement – we are just wanting to help. 

Try it – get with an organization and find out what they need, then have it sent to them on a regular basis.  Amway products are always great for this or maybe the organization needs something from a partner store.  See how much joy you get by doing a little for someone else.     

5 - Self-confidence to drive achievement.
This is a journey we all work on.  In the Amway business we call it making phone calls, showing the plan and offering the opportunity to others to stand on their own two feet.  This is what we strive for each day in helping others create their own source of income and at the same time you build their self-esteem.  Sometimes it may appear that progress is elusive, but what I find out is when the student is ready the teacher will appear.  Confidence comes from winning. Even small, every-so-often wins can, over time, add up to a rigid internal belief that you can accomplish anything.  Winners believe that when you want something bad enough, you find a way – just get started, keep moving, never stop. Before you know it, you’ll win. That builds self-confidence.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

Embrace the 5 principles, make them the core for your life.

There is a 6th principle that all leaders use – Prioritize and manage your time.  Each day, in my day timer, I make a list of things I want to get accomplished.  I then prioritize the list with the most important thing I should do being first.  I then start working on my list. 
Each day I know there will be interruptions by a host of people, phone calls or special requests.  I deal with those interruptions and then return to my list to work on the next item or finish the item I was working.  This keeps me on track. 

Do I get everything done on my list – HECK NO – but I use yesterday’s list to start my list for today and guess what – yesterday’s priorities change when considering what is the most important things to do today. 

This is the most powerful lesson you can teach yourself, your kids and coworkers is managing your time.  It is the backbone of what makes leaders successful.  Try it and let me know how you are doing.

Ever start a diet, stick with it for a while, then quit? What made you stop?
 
How about an exercise program? You went to the gym two or three days a week for a few weeks — then poof! — no more. How come?
 
Those two — diets and exercise — may be the most started-and-quit endeavors ever.  I’ll bet starting an Amway ranks right there with them.
 
Ever say you are going to set up 3 appointments this week to STP and then started for a week, then cashed it in?
 
The point - I’m not saying we must finish everything we start. Life is a trial-and-error process and some things we start are worth exiting because of what we learn along the journey.

But sometimes... they’re well worth finishing.

Let’s be brutally honest with yourself about why. Quitting for the wrong reasons can hold you back in life — building a debilitating habit, jolting your confidence, crippling your relationships, tanking your career.
 
One of the most misunderstood reasons people quit is... they hit a plateau. Meaning: things are going good for a while, then suddenly despite continued effort, sense of lack of progress, you can’t see tangible results such as TOO MANY NOs, and you feel it’s not working. So you quit.
 
Most of us fall into this trap: the trap of thinking that when we start a new activity, or new project goal - that as long as we stay with it and do what we’re supposed to and don’t stop... we should make steady, noticeable, straight-line, forward progress every day. 
 
Makes sense - Logic says so.  That is where we make our mistake and get all tangled up. Because our thinking is all wrong.
 
Success, it turns out, is a trickster. It is not a logical process. It’s not linear. It does not work like this: do a little bit of work today... see a little bit of the result today. Nope.
 
Because success has a dirty little secret: the nasty habit of taking vacations smack dab in the middle of the work we do to achieve it. Meaning, there are extended periods of time when we do the required work like we’re supposed to — but we don’t see any visible, tangible results in return. That’s a plateau.
 
And when that happens, well, maybe we’ll Show the Plan another day... maybe two or three... and we’re still doing the work... but seeing no result... and before you know it... WE QUIT. Logic tells us - it isn’t working. But we are wrong!
 
In his book “Mastery”, author George Leonard, talks about this extended period of action-with-no-results. An instructor of Aikido, considered the most difficult of the martial arts to learn, Leonard says that, of his students who quit, most quit on a plateau, frustrated that progress has come to a halt, despite continued hard work.
 
Think about it: when you started the Amway business or learn something new.  In the beginning, there is a huge spurt in personal growth and progress — because we’re going from nothing to something — so of course, it will jump. Visibly. But soon we hit a period where continued effort does not bring a matching level of progress. No one seems to want to get in.  The plateau.
 
After a while — if we stick with it — we’ll be pleasantly surprised by another spurt of visible growth. And we’re excited. But then, another long agonizing plateau.
And that’s how success really flows. Growth spurt... then long plateau... growth spurt... then long plateau.
 
And when you quit or anyone quits... is often on a long plateau... where we come to the logical conclusion that progress has permanently halted. Wrong. Progress hasn’t halted, it’s just on a temporary vacation. All the real growth, in fact, takes place during the long boring plateau.
 

Leonard’s conclusion and advice to his Aikido students: Learn to love the plateau. It’s your friend, not your enemy. Stay with it — don’t quit — and trust that another spurt of growth will come.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

3 Simple little steps.
 

1. Stop thinking that success follows a logical, straight-line, forward-and-upward path. It doesn’t. It messes with our heads by spurting upward suddenly... then flattening for a long time. These two steps repeat and repeat and repeat.
2. Stop thinking that you’ll see results every day. You won’t. The plateau prevents visibility.
3. Learn to love the plateau. It’s your friend, not your enemy. It’s where all the real growth happens. You just can’t see it yet. But stay with it... it’s coming!

 
Oh, a final inspirational point. Leonard said that all his students who pushed through the long, grueling, arduous plateaus and stuck with their workouts... they became champions.

So can you. In whatever you’re shooting for.

You’re in charge of your own happiness.  No one else is.  YOU own the responsibility to be happy.  If you’re not… it’s your own fault.  

Most people don’t want to hear that -- because then they can’t blame their misery on something external.  They have to own it.  (Perish the thought.)  
 
This is not news!

Ben Franklin said: “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself.” 

​Comedian Groucho Marx, offered this: “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”  

Ivanka Trump,”We must architect the lives we want to live… find your passion and pursue that.”  

Dennis Waitley, author and speaker said: “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed.  It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”  

Tom Bodett, the famous voice for Motel 6: “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world:  someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” 

Tom Bodett, the famous voice for Motel 6: “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world:  someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”  

Richard Bach, the author of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” stated, “If your happiness depends on someone else, I guess you do have a problem.”    

Each of these people has offered a brilliant, thought-provoking perspective.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

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If you were offered 2½ hours of fun, glory, envy of thousands, adoration by millions, and enough money to last you a lifetime... would you take it? - Who wouldn’t.

But what if I told you that, to earn it, you had to endure 6 months of brutal, body-pounding, bone-jarring punishment, sometimes in torrid heat, sometimes in frigid blizzards... all while risking broken bones, paralysis, concussions, and other painful, life-altering injuries?

NOW would you take it? Hmm, not so quick to raise your hand this time.
That is the life of an NFL football player.

​THE AMWAY BUSINESS MODEL IS FAR BETTER

The entire season for each player is only 2½ hours. That’s right, the entire season.
Do the math. Each game is 60 minutes in duration, but only 13 minutes of ‘action’ (that’s documented) the rest is standing around. Multiply times 22 games (4 pre-season, 16 regular season, maybe 2 post-season). Divide by 2, since every player’s on offense or defense - thereby playing only half the game. Total time played per player, per year: 2½ hours.

The Amway business model is similar but without the broken bones and health risks. 
When showing the plan, 4 hours a week, for 6 months to find 20 people who join, we are rewarded an incredible starting income of $60,000 per year.  Continue the effort for an additional 6 months and the income expands to $140,000 and to continue it for another year your income is five times that.  And that income continues for a long time.  The reward trips and the lifestyle is not even matched by the NFL football players.

Be honest – isn’t that a far better result for less work.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

As entrepreneur advisor Dan Kennedy says: “The marketplace is perfectly willing for anybody to be as rich as they decide to be. Also as poor as they decide to be. Most people see success all around them while giving no thought to principles behind it or to duplicating it for themselves.”

We are in charge of our own personal work ethic, our own level of determination, our own eagerness to learn and apply, and our own financial earnings.

If it’s not happening for you, don’t blame others, don’t cry foul, and don’t demand wealth distribution.
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Just look in the mirror to find the cause. It’s staring back at you. Best news of all: YOU can fix it.

Chose to take control of your life!

Motivational icon Earl Nightingale once told the story of a top salesman named Tom who expected the newly-vacant sales manager position to be awarded to him. Confident of his upcoming promotion and pay raise, he and his wife already planned to buy a new house.

Called to the president’s office, Tom’s jaw hit the floor when told the position would go to Bill Smith. Devastated, Tom protested: “But Bill has been here only 5 years. I’ve been here 15.” It was a rude awakening. Tom had confused seniority with accomplishment.

TOM HAD FAILED TO LEARN & GROW

What he really had was 1 year of experience, repeated 15 times, and wasn’t ready for management.  Bill had far outdistanced Tom in growth, training, knowledge, and ability.
This episode is repeated daily in companies the world over. Employees think they are deserving of recognition and advancement only to find out that they have not expanded themselves through books, training and new experiences.  Too often it is their own fault.
Famed psychologist William James put it this way: “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but unwilling to improve themselves. They therefore remain bound.”
What is your current station?  Are you actively learning to improve?  If you’re already the top leader, do you continually raise the bar on your own performance... leading by example? Or are you coasting... foot off the gas?

The world is full of lazy couch potatoes, doing little to learn more, grow bigger, enhance skills, and polish talents... yet expecting rewards they don’t deserve to magically fall in their laps. They have ‘entitlement mentality’ and it stinks.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

Why not sit down today and map out a personal development plan for yourself, with goals, tasks and timelines.  Ask yourself: Who are the people I should meet – and make the calls.  How do I sign up for CEP and get great motivational talks?  What places should I visit? Groups I should join? (let Google be your friend)

Personal development coach Brian Tracy says: “Your weakest key skill, sets the height of your income.” If you’re not sure what yours is, ask your spouse, a close friend, or most trusted colleague who will tell you the truth.
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What do you do with all this? In the words of peak performance strategist Tony Robbins: “Take massive action.” - get moving, stay moving, never rest on my laurels.

This is how high achievers leap higher, accomplish volumes, earn abundantly, and are envied by others. It’s no secret. It’s about making an aggressive plan and vaulting off the couch.

Just how good a leader do you think you are?  

Based on what criteria?  Do you take time to self-analyze how you’re doing on a regular basis?  With brutal honesty?  
And if I asked those who follow you… what would they say about your performance as their leader?  And by what specific standards or measuring stick do they judge you?  

And now here’s the most important question:  Is there any chance the criteria by which you measure your own performance… doesn’t match theirs?   Maybe it’s time you got on the same page and sync up the two lists.

For a place to start let’s go to the VERY top.  

Here are the 10 criteria used by historians to judge the performance of U.S. Presidents (source: USA Today):  

1.    Public persuasion  
2.    Crisis leadership  
3.    Economic management  
4.    Moral authority  
5.    International relations  
6.    Administrative skills  
7.    Relations with Congress  
8.    Vision/Agenda setting  
9.    Pursuit of equal justice for all  
10.  Performance within the context of his times  

Pretty powerful list and astutely clear.

Let’s face it, in the entire world, whose decisions influence more people than a U.S. President?  Who is more openly loved and hated… praised and cursed… judged and misjudged… interpreted and misinterpreted… understood and misunderstood?

That’s why it’s called the toughest job on Earth

ACTIONS FOR YOU

If you’re struggling to identify your own criteria, why not start with Network 21’s three pillars for business builders and CORE.  When we all have the same goals, we all pull together for everyone’s success.

Over the years the Network 21 system has taught me principles that can be used in my traditional business.  Leading a team as part of the Amway business these principles will serve you well.  

Network 21 three pillars

• To Edify someone is to build them up.  Everyone wants to be respected, honored and valued by others.  Helping others by giving a “hand up” builds people.  Our business is a people building business that uses products to reward us for the effort.
• The concept of No Cross-lining is difficult to explain.  Working within your line of sponsorship (LOS) is the easiest way to define what is right.  Now this doesn’t mean avoiding others or being unfriendly as we are all on the same teams.  We just don’t say or do things Cross-line that might cause doubt or confusion.  Remember a successful sports team will not have two different coaches with different methods. 
• Learning from others who have gone before is Counseling or mentoring.  When we work together we learn from other’s mistakes without wasting time messing up ourselves. 

 
The concept of CORE – investing in yourself by doing 4 key activities
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1. Subscribe and listen to CEP (Continuing Education Program).  In traditional businesses you are required to continuously learn and this business is no different. 
2. Attend all meetings – BBS, Weekend Seminars and Open Previews – catch the spirit of the business.  Network 21 meetings are so uplifting to the spirit that we have many IBOs attend just to get a good lift
3. Share the Business Opportunity 8-15 times a month – every business requires discipline and “Showing the Plan” a consistent 8-15 for 6-8 months is all it takes to get a good income.  

Buy from yourself – do 150PV every month and have 50 of that from customers.  This is not hard if you set a plan and work the plan

Native Americans have a ritual referred to as a ‘vision quest’.  A young man is sent into the wilderness on a solitary trek to discover the Great Spirit’s vision for his future.  It’s one of a variety of ways one might gain clarity on his or her life mission. Consider the Japanese proverb: “Vision without action is a dream.  Action without vision is a nightmare.”  

Do you have clear answers to these 3 questions?

1. What is your compelling life mission that drives all your major life decisions? 
2. What are your core values -- those bedrock behaviors you vigilantly live every day and refuse to violate? 
3. What are your most ambitious goals for the next 1 to 5 years that fuel your fire?

 
Would it shock you to learn that most people have no answers to any of the three?

Excuses are Never a Solution

I work with companies and people where it becomes clear if they are merely going through an activity or they truly have a goal they are accomplishing.  To make a point, I recently met with the senior management team of a family run hotel/entertainment company.  They had recently acquired a number of new properties and were deciding how to accomplish the task of incorporating them into their system. 

I asked them “what do you want the guest to remember about their stay at your hotel?”  Their lack of response told me everything I needed to know.  They had no vision – just a notion that they needed to renovate the hotel. 

Think about the last time you stayed at any hotel – did your stay create any memories or a desire to return.  Now think about a recent trip to Disney or Atlantis.  I suggest those thoughts bring back memories of the good times.

Walt Disney had a vision for his properties.  Sol Kerzner’s vision for Atlantis was to “Blow the Guest Away”.  Having worked with both organizations it is clear these leaders have communicated their vision to their entire staff. 

My point – Do you have a vision for your business or your life.  What is it you want to accomplish or do you just go through the actions? 

In past newsletters I have shared my life’s vision as “Planting trees that I will never sit under.”  My purpose is to help companies and individuals achieve their best without any desire for recognition. 

I am proud that I have quietly built many iconic projects, built several great companies and helped many individuals start on a path to achieve their goals and success.  They each take the honor for their efforts – because it was accomplished by their efforts – not mine.  I just guided them or asked questions that focused their vision and established their goals.

So what is your life’s vision and how do you find it.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

The process is not hard – just thoughtful and dedicated thinking.   Who is to say your life’s vision will not change or modify over time – so start with an idea and let it evolve. 
Stephen Covey’s second principle – Begin with the end in mind.  Maybe start with an idea of “how would you would like your eulogy to read?”  What accomplishments or sense of purpose would they describe?  The real secret is to begin - start the process.

Consider an out-of-town getaway.  New scenery can lend a fresh perspective.  Your worth it!  Write down what you like to do, who you like to be with, what things you like to have. Dream a little.  
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When you think you have finished – reread your list – it will spark new ideas and desires and then do it again.  A theme will emerge of what could be your focus.   Run with it – try it on – see how you like it and then improve it when it is the right time. 

In the end – you will have a vision for your life.

A Person’s Name are the most important words

When I answer a phone call or get letters that start with “Donald” I immediately know that this is not a person that I know.  To my friends and clients, I have been “Don” for more than 40 years. 

In “How To Win Friends And Influence People”, Dale Carnegie says: “Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” 

Same goes for mispronunciations and misspellings.  If you want to get ahead in life and business -- then being respectful of others is essential -- making this a lesson worth learning.  Especially since our Amway business is all about people. 

Excuses are Never a Solution

The common response is” But I’m just terrible with names.”  Or, “I have a horrible memory -- I hear a name and forget it seconds later.”  

Really?  Where in life does a genetic handicap entitle you to bungle a critical point and still enable you to be successful?  Just like everything else, you can learn – IF YOU WANT TO LEARN. 

It is amazing how people will learn what is important to them – video game techniques, new moves for a game, a new baby, advertisements for something they want, but the name of a new acquaintances, customers, prospects, restaurant servers, or neighbors just eludes them.

Carnegie tells this story in his book:  Benton Love, chairman of Texas Commerce Bancshares said, “The executive who tells me he can’t remember names is… operating on quicksand.”  Amen.  

The late Sam Walton was known for remembering names of Walmart store workers whom he met once and didn’t see again for over a year.  His employees revered him for this.  Is it any wonder?

ACTIONS FOR YOU

Get serious.  The human brain is the world’s most sophisticated computer with memory capacity so infinite, you’ll never use it all.  There’s lots you can do.  Here are a few suggestions…  

When introduced, pay attention.  Repeat the person’s name.  If there’s a nametag, read it.  Be curious and ask about an unconventional spelling or the derivation of an unusual name.  People don’t get upset -- they love telling these stories.  

Ask what they like to be called:  Elizabeth, Liz, Beth?  On many occasions people thank me profusely for this, adding that no one ever asks, they just assume, and usually assume wrong.  

Quickly introduce the person to someone else and tell something about them that you just learned.  

Keep files of names, biographies, photos -- with proper spelling and preferred nicknames.  Review the files before gathering with friends or clients.   

Write down preferred nicknames for later reference.

Invest in a memory skills course or buy a book or audio learning program… they’re everywhere.  

Anyone can do this.  Anyone.  Including you. 

It will increase people’s desire to be around you and part of what you are doing.

Business consultant Brian Tracy says there are only two outcomes when you take action:

• you succeed; or
• you fail

If you succeed, you do more of it. If you fail, you learn valuable new information, allowing you to course-correct, adjust your action, and go again. Keep repeating this process.

Any action is better than no action. What you learn will eventually get you onto the right track. 

REFLECTIONS 

I went back to reread some of the past newsletters and this was from 2015.  It is interesting how the start of a new year will often cause us to reflect on what has been accomplished and what is yet to be done.  Have you reflected on what was completed?
I was listening to CEP the other day and one of the speakers shared that

“this is your life – make something out of it – no one will do it for you”. 

Do you have things you want to accomplish?  Are you planning any trips soon?  Are you working towards some comfortable latter years?  Has your child’s (or grandchild’s) education been paid for? 

Now is the time to take a moment and set those dreams into your day planner or on a sheet of paper to hang on your bathroom mirror.  You will be amazed what you have accomplished by this time next year.

IT IS YOUR LIFE – LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST

ACTIONS FOR YOU

Dream building is nothing more than thinking about what you would like to do and then develop a plan on how to get there.

Dreams can build hope and hope is such a powerful feeling.   When you have hope you can move mountains.  Without hope, people give up.

Our business is the supplier of HOPE.  We provide people with a way to obtain more if they want to do a little work for it.  It is not hard, but we make it hard by casting our limitations on others.  Just because you are afraid to introduce others to the plan, doesn’t make others.  You have a SOLUTION for people to grow and have something more of life than what they currently have.

You hold the bottle of hope – SHARE IT WITH OTHERS and see how they latch on to the dream.

Remember – the secret of the Amway business is not about you, rather it is about helping others achieve their goals and dreams – when that happens, the results are endless.

In the morning do you:  sleep late, get up at the last minute, rush through morning activities, gulp down an unhealthy breakfast while getting dressed, or wolf down something in the car, or skip it altogether, then fight thick traffic and make it to work barely on time or embarrassingly late.  

What a way to start your day on the wrong foot.  

Laura Vanderkam, offers a better solution.  In her book, “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast” she shares her research that revealed highly accomplished people use their morning hours with fitness workouts, inspirational readings, journal writing, catching up with news and most importantly, planning their day.  What is the most important part of this activity is the discipline to “Just do It” – don’t make excuses for not doing it. 

Interestingly she points out that weekends contain 60 available hours (6 pm Friday to 6 am Monday).  Backing out the 24 hours for sleep (8 per night), you still have 36 hours -- almost the equivalent of a full-time job.  Plan those hours -- just as you would plan your job. 

Break the weekend hours into 5 big time blocks -- Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, Sunday night -- you realize you could fill those with 3 to 5 different activities that will make your weekend worthwhile and memorable, instead of wasted.   

The lesson?  Do your most important activities first thing in the morning, before breakfast.  You’re stronger, fresher, more alert. and what he did to get back in control.  He and Cathy worked hard to get back on their feet.

ACTIONS FOR YOU

Why not start today?  Make a list -- right now of 1 to 3 key activities that would jump-start your day to success.  Then set your alarm earlier than normal -- allowing time for the new activities -- and get moving.

If you’re thinking “Hold on, I’ve got 2 young kids in different schools.  It’s hard to roust them out of bed, they dress slowly, are finicky about breakfast, barely make the bus, force me to be late for work, so this is impossible for me” … then you should know that people just like you -- with all those same barriers -- were part of Vanderkam’s research -- and found a way to do it.  
 
You can do it too – We all can.