Crossing the Bridge from Dreaming to Doing
Teresia LaRocque, MCC Founder and Facilitator of the Passion Into Profit Program
I was recently inspired by the commitment demonstrated by our nanny and thought I would share more on the power of commitment!
Rose finally got her visa for her family to move from the Philippines to live with her in Canada. She has not seen her family in 3 years! When I asked her what keeps you going? She replied “I made this sacrifice to be away from my children to not only ensure my immediate family has a better future but also for all the generations after them.” Wow! I was reminded of the level of courage, inner strength and commitment we have when we have a compelling vision.
“Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intention, and the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none, coming through, time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of, the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.” ~Abraham Lincoln
To call or email? Which is best for sales?
Brenda Abdilla, Certified Coach, Denver CO
CEOS and company owners often complain to me that they just cannot get their sales reps to pick up the phone and call their customer rather than relying so heavily on email. Members of the sales team tell me their bosses are out of touch and that prospects prefer email and rarely check their voicemail.
So who is right?
They are both right. Using the phone is becoming a lost art for closing business. But it is not gone yet and it is a critical part of doing business after the deal is closed, so getting better at it is essential. Those who rely completely on email are missing out on the chance to listen to their clients. If you think about it, email is the equivalent of talking and talking and talking without listening. Speaking to someone on the phone is obviously a more real-time two-way exchange.
A Visit to the Great Wall
Lawrence McGinnis LLB, Executive Director, Erickson College
A few years ago Marilyn and I visited the Great Wall of China with Jack Huang. What an experience!
December 30
We are in Beijing now, it’s close to 7 am, we got here last night, and we are in the Plaza Royale Hotel Beijing, room 709, with a great view. We are going to the Forbidden City today and the great wall tomorrow. Our host Jack Huang took us out to dinner – it was 2:00am Canadian time, but we went along anyway, very nice restaurant.
Booshi means “no” (sounds like “BS” so I can remember that OK), and shih means “yes” – sounds similar to “sure”, so I can say that now. I don’t think I will hire out as a tour guide yet.
Greminology 100: Your Spring Mind Stretch
Dr. Marilyn Atkinson, Founder of Erickson College
It is useful to do a “gremlin stretch” once in a while to shake off winter’s reflexive comfort zones and prepare your vision for the amazing possibilities in store right around the corner. What old habit systems do you want to stretch beyond to make this year a great one?
For example, what are the secret dreams that call you this spring? Do you need to move past fear of dreaming and habits of small-minded attention? Begin the stretch I will describe here: Literally move up as on a high kite into the overview zone where you can see your timeline past, present and future. Focus on the future and in a pleasant reverie float above your timeline perhaps even 10 years out. When you enlarge your mindscape in this way, you can enlarge your vision and sense your own deep purpose. What are the key visions you want to see yourself engaged in? What do you aspire to? See them on the timeline.
How Do You Keep Clients from Becoming Co-Dependent?
Tony Husted, PCC. Erickson Trainer & Owner of an International Coaching Business in Seattle, WA
I often get asked the question, how do you keep from creating a co-dependent relationship with your Coaching Clients? Solution Focused Coaching’s goal is to create independence in the client, and when done properly it actually leaves very little room for any type of co-dependency to develop.
Take a simple example like investing in the stock market. If your goal is to make money in the stock market, the goal might be alternately stated that you are trying to develop your skills as a stock market trader. Now, imagine we are talking, and I tell you a stock tip, because as many well intentioned people do, I want to help you. Based on scientific studies on the topic of advice, there is a 75% chance that you will not follow my advice. If you go against the odds and do follow my advice, two things are likely: the tip is a good tip, and you make money, or the tip is bad, and you lose money.
