Small Business Management - From Debts to Financial Success!

2009-03-21T14:01:00.001-07:00

Got a workshop idea? Turn it into $$$s : http://ping.fm/HruLR

2009-03-21T07:05:00.001-07:00

today it's only us, the Three Musketters: I, my 10-year-old son, and my 11-month-old daughter. We are heading out for a day of fun...

2009-03-16T06:20:00.001-07:00

Be more effective with your blogging! Blog to several bloggs at the same time & more http://ping.fm/NQhSd

2009-03-15T21:07:00.001-07:00

Yes, my Honda broke down, but aside from that, we had a super great family weekend. I'm looking forward to a productive week :)

2009-03-14T06:11:00.003-07:00

Great articles on how to capitalize on social media to get more business: http://ping.fm/lYM8s

2009-03-14T06:11:00.001-07:00

How can you raise your visibility online most effectively? Through SEO or Social Media: http://ping.fm/lYM8s

2009-03-13T16:19:00.001-07:00

Superlist of What Not to Do in Social Media http://ping.fm/0rl2b

2009-03-13T00:55:00.001-07:00

The moment of enlightment is when a person's dreams of possibilities become images of probabilities. - Vic Braden, Tenis Instructor

2009-03-13T00:46:00.001-07:00

... a great list of all the video sites, with suggestions on what to upload: http://ping.fm/EPX0D

2009-03-08T18:52:00.001-07:00

"If you want to be found, stand where the seeker seeks." - Sidney Lanier (1842 - 1881) Poet & Musician

2009-03-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

"A friend NOT in need is a friend indeed." - Author Unknown

2009-03-07T23:49:00.001-08:00

FREE webhosting - no kiddin'! With hundreds of website templates. Check it out at www.000Hosting.com

2009-03-07T03:48:00.001-08:00

It's the big day! I'm getting ready to compete at the divission level International Speech contest, in Charleston, SC. Wish me good luck! :)

2009-03-07T03:43:00.001-08:00

"The true test of character is not how much know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do." - John Holt

2009-03-06T14:48:00.001-08:00

Great article on Twitter basics: http://ping.fm/x8taG

2009-03-05T14:13:00.001-08:00

52 Tips to Use Social Media Effectively: http://alturl.com/c4n

2009-03-05T13:44:00.001-08:00

How effective is your blogging? http://ping.fm/ietl9

2009-03-05T08:11:00.001-08:00

SOME GREAT INFO - Check it out: "How to Boost Your Social Media Productivity - Guide for Busy People" http://poprl.com/MFZ

2009-03-04T17:40:00.001-08:00

"Candor is a compliment; it implies equality. It's how true friends talk." Peggy Noonan - Author & Columnist

2009-03-04T13:53:00.001-08:00

Check out this great tool that my new friend, symgethealthy, suggested: http://futuretweets.com

2009-03-04T12:11:00.001-08:00

Interesting article from a Google Exec. on website visitors, conversion, and HITS - not just useful, but funny too: http://alturl.com/kq4

2009-03-04T06:31:00.001-08:00

"Hold fast to time! Use it! Be conscious of each day, each hour! They slip away unnoticed all too easily and swiftly." Thomas Mann, Novelist

2009-03-04T06:24:00.001-08:00

... preparing for this weekend's divsn. level International Speech contest. I have a good feeling about this - I believe I will win again :)

2009-03-02T03:46:00.001-08:00

"Don't let anything stop you. There will be times when you'll be disappointed, but you can't stop. "[Sadie T. M. Alexanxer, 1898 -1989]

2009-03-01T20:32:00.001-08:00

Here's an excellent CHECK LIST on how to proceed if you want to SELF-PUBLISH your book: http://ping.fm/zNw0p

2009-03-01T19:55:00.001-08:00

http://ping.fm/yprLV - a great article on how to self-publish your book at lowest cost!

2009-03-01T19:39:00.001-08:00

Just ended a great week-end with my kids and wife.We raked the yard, made a cool fire, went roller-blading; just got back from a great diner

2009-02-28T18:54:00.001-08:00

I'll go watch some American Idol that my dad recorded for me... then I'll hit the sack...

2009-02-28T18:48:00.001-08:00

What's your poison? Visit my forum and spill the beans on what stresses you: http://ping.fm/mqj1Q

2009-02-28T18:37:00.001-08:00

Do you want to improve your Public Speaking skills? Join my discussion board at http://alturl.com/6q5

2009-02-28T15:00:00.001-08:00

Hurray! I won 1st place! (International Speech Contest) -I'm competing again, representing my area, in Charleston, SC on 03.07. Come see me!

2009-02-28T05:14:00.001-08:00

... heading to compete at an International Speech contest. Wish me good luck!

2009-02-26T03:52:00.001-08:00

... here's a must-see Seth Godin video: http://alturl.com/5k3, on creating your own "tribe" and why he is NOT using Twitter.

2009-02-26T03:44:00.001-08:00

... oups! I meant EASY-to-UNDERSTAND search engine optimization articles! Check it out! http://ping.fm/Hb5oY

2009-02-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

Great, easey--to- understand SEO articles! Check it out! http://ping.fm/Hb5oY

2009-02-25T05:20:00.001-08:00

... just got in from my Tai Chi, Kata, and meditation... A loud flock of geese flew over my head... it was beautiful...

2009-02-23T17:53:00.001-08:00

Just got back from giving a presentation for my son's Boy Scout pack meeting. I did some magic too - it seemed that the kids enjoyed it :)

2009-02-22T23:28:00.001-08:00

If you like Chinese music, you'll love these video collection: http://ping.fm/rfEud

2009-02-19T18:32:00.001-08:00

Just got back from roller-blading with my kids... My knee is killing me... aging sucks! (I know, I know, I'm still a kid - I'm only 41 :)

2009-02-19T14:51:00.001-08:00

Here's a better link for the four Buying Styles and Sales Styles: http://ping.fm/VeFVx or http://ping.fm/wlZuk

2009-02-19T14:49:00.001-08:00

You can read about the Sales Styles and Buying Styles concepts at www.discBuyingStyles.com

2009-02-19T14:48:00.001-08:00

Working on a bonus video for my upcoming book, about how to recognize different buying styles and how to connect most effectively with each.

2009-02-18T08:42:00.001-08:00

... check out my first sQuidoo lens on Effective Communication and Conflict Management: http://ping.fm/qio0Z

2009-02-18T07:05:00.001-08:00

you can see my baby (and us) at http://ping.fm/4Yox9

2009-02-18T07:03:00.001-08:00

What a night! The baby woke me up about 6 times to bottle feed her.Tonight is my wife's turn; I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep...

2009-02-16T05:55:00.001-08:00

... Blog post: How to Use Your eMail Signature to Generate Sales and Opt-Ins: http://ping.fm/2rASw

2009-02-16T05:54:00.001-08:00

... blog post: 5 Marketing Lessons from Barack Obama - http://ping.fm/2rASw

2009-02-14T19:35:00.001-08:00

Get your thoughts more organized with Mind Mapping - FREE ONLINE: www.coolsiteweekly.com/free-mind-mapping-software-with-easy-online-tools/

2009-02-14T18:50:00.001-08:00

... Great news! Today I learned some basic html, and guess what? It's quite easy (after building 7 sites, it was time to learn some html).

2009-02-14T05:53:00.001-08:00

... just another great weekend; going out with the kids and wife -- check us out at www.SebestyenFamily.multiply.com -- Happy Valentines!

2009-02-12T19:22:00.001-08:00

... but I'm unsure... I'm pretty new at this :(

2009-02-12T19:21:00.001-08:00

... just thought about it; the 1000s of followers "thing" could be what is known as twitter spam (http://ping.fm/m8dpd)

2009-02-12T18:21:00.001-08:00

...just found a crazy way to get 1000s of Twitter followers - http://ping.fm/m8dpd It seems to work - give it a try!

2009-02-12T05:45:00.003-08:00

... still working on the sales copy for my new book.... Dang, it better be good after all the time I put in it...

2009-02-12T05:45:00.001-08:00

... still working on the sales copy for my new book.... Dang, it better be good after all the time I put in it...

2009-02-11T04:45:00.001-08:00

... working on my sales copy for my new book (www.CommunicationSkillsMagic.com)

2009-02-10T20:24:00.001-08:00

.... oh, I'm working on my taxes... I had enough for today! I'm going to sleep...

2009-02-10T10:11:00.001-08:00

... here's the link for the Sales-Tips blog post: http://ping.fm/WU3so

2009-02-10T09:38:00.001-08:00

...new blog post on Effective Selling @ http://ping.fm/HTD46

2009-02-06T06:45:00.001-08:00

... things happen in two's or three's - they say... now my cat dissapeared. My daughter (11) is unconsolable for days...

2009-02-03T05:38:00.001-08:00

... I'm cleaning vulcano dust from all over the house (used for fingerPrinting) - Last night someone broke the back window and robbed us...

2009-01-26T04:53:00.001-08:00

Working on disigning a site to promote my new book - Communication-Skills Magic... I'll put a few free chapters on the web in a few days...

2009-01-24T06:05:00.001-08:00

... after 3-years of writing, my book is done-Yey!!! Vieww some info on it at www.discSalesStyles.com or at www.CommunicationSkillsMagic.com

2008-12-05T19:11:00.001-08:00

just posted my webinar - Improve Your Sales Effectiveness through Better Understanding Your Sales Style - http://ping.fm/BueTD

2008-11-26T17:53:00.001-08:00

Join my teleseminar on Friday and enjoy 5 Thank You Gifts. Can't make it? I'lll email you the audio. Sign up @ http://ping.fm/94X1u

2008-11-26T17:29:00.001-08:00

added a few bonusses to persuade you to join my next teleclass. Can't make it? Sign up & I'll email you the recording: www.discSales101.com

2008-11-20T14:50:00.001-08:00

just posted a page for my upcoming FREE teleclass on the 4 Sales and Buying Styles - check it out details at http://ping.fm/94X1u

2008-10-24T09:33:00.001-07:00

wrote an article on How to Get STarted as A Paid Speaker... Share your expertise or passion and make some $$$s: www.PaidSpeaker.tv

2008-10-23T10:37:00.001-07:00

finally working on the performance and leadership development training videos I promissed on my site a few weeks ago (www.egSebastian.com).

2008-10-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

wanted to fill in the missing puzzle pieces on internet marketing... so I signed up for Tom Antion's 1-year mentoring program...

FREE Resource - Create Your Own Surveys

2007-08-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Another great resource that I've ben enjoyeing can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/Default.aspx

For me it had multiple uses, such as surveys, verifying understanding of a presentation, and more.

Check it out - it's FREE

:)

I'm pissed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes, yes!!!!

and

No, no, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I feel like crap!!! ... and retarded...!

Yes, I am sabotaging my success. I've been doing really good with staying away from movies for a while (I swear I was addicted to them - I'd watch one or two in the middle of the day and one at night [ok, sometimes two at night]).. But now last night I watched a stupid movie till after midnight (which would have not been a big problem 10 or 20 years ago, but now, at 40 my energy level is not what it used to be).

So today I was a bit tired - not too bad - but bad enough to drain my will power. And I spent most of my day playing video games...

No, no, NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I refuse to believe that I'm retarded. I'm better than this!!!!!!

It feels so, so, sooooo wonderful at the end of the day when I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. It's really great. And it's not like I'm overworking myself. I have enough fun too. At this point if I work 4 to 6 hours a day I feel really proud of myself (yes, I know shame on me - it sounds like I'm a laysy son-of-a-bitch -- hey, give me a break! I worked for about a decade 12 to 16 hour days + worked in teh weekends too -- it is my "grown-up" time when I can kick back a bit; except I'm kicking back waaaaaay tooo much.)

I really need to pull myself together and do what I know will bring more success and $$$$ money to the table. My house is too small, I'm one paycheck from bankruptcy (and it's not even my paycheck), and I have a baby in the way (yes, one more).

I really really need to pull my head out of my ass and show that I'm capable. I am success material, not a loser....

Host Your Own Radio Show! -- Now You Can...!

2007-08-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

With more and more people getting their news and other information on the internet, internet radio is becoming more and more popular...

Did you ever dream of hosting your own radio show? Or would you be willing to put together something informative while at the same time promoting your services and/or products? Then maybe you can do a 30-minutes a day (or once or twice a week) show..

There are more and more internet radio providers on the net, but to start out I highly recomend http://www.blogtalkradio.com/, which is FREE, and no one can beat that price, right?

The good thing about internet radio is that you can listen live OR you can listen to the recorded show. And if you are interested in making your website more interactive, you can put a link to your show from your website.

I think that one of the most effective ways to structure your show is to interview people who perhaps are satisfied customers, success stories, etc. The more interactive the show, the more interesting, and the more likely that people will tune in to listen to your show regularly.

(Yes, great question :) and the answer is "NO, I still don't have a show of my own, though I'd really love to carve out time to do it. At this point I'm working on finishing some audio and video products on effective communication and dealing with difficult people)

Cool FREE Gadget - Digital Post-it Notes

2007-08-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Cool FREE Gadget - Digital Post-it Notes

If you like little useful gadgets that improve your productivity, you'll love the digital post-it notes from M3. Can you picture that? A digital post-it note? One with alarm and other features...?

They are easy, intuitive, and packed with features to get you organized. So you can make lists and reminders, key-code them with colors and photos, sort them by category, and set alarms to remind yourself of projects and appointments.

Read more about it here: http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/digital/where_to_buy.html

Try it FREE here: http://pmb001.3m.com/pub/psnotes/pn31lous.exe

Enjoy!

Improve your communication and productivity

2007-08-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

Do you wish there was a tool that could help you better understand yourself - Your communication style, your strengths, weaknesses, motivators, fears, etc.? What if this tool could also suggest ways to improve your communication with those around you? And what if, further more, this tool would suggest ways to improve your productivity as well?

Well, there is such a tool. It is called DiSC 2.0 or DiSC PPSS. These tools are used worldwide by fortune 500 companies, as well as by smaller businesses, to...

- help CEOs and managers be more effective

- help CEOs and managers improve their communications with employees

- help employees improve their communication skills

- reduce workplace conflict

- improve teamwork

- improve employee productivity

There are two main differences between the DiSC 2.0 and the DiSC PPSS:

The DiSC 2.0 is written in a narrative format vs. the DiSC PPSS, which is written in a bullet-point, more easy to read, format

The DiSC PPSS has a 2-page chart ( pages 12 and 13) that allows managers to see employees' (and their own) behavioral tendencies at one glance (the DiSC 2.0 doesn't have that feature )
Since DiSC PPSS is easier to read, it is the tool of choice of most large organizations (it is $10.00 more expensive than the DiSC 2.0)

You can view a sample of each assessment/profile at www.egsebastian.com/sample_reports1
(DiSC 2.0 Classic Sample Reportand DiSC PPSS Sample Report)

Here's a brief description of this great tool:

Setting the Standard for DiSC® Learning

Do you need a tool that will help you better understand your employees communication and behavioral tendencies? Do you want to better understand what are your employees motivators, fears, strengths, and potential weaknesses? Do you want to better understand YOUR communication style, how you are perceived by others, and how to improve both your communication and your effectiveness in reaching your professional goals?

The result of extensive field research and testing, DiSC Classic 2.0 is the leading DiSC assessment on the market. Scaled to today's diverse workforce, it offers more response format choices and more reliability, setting the standard for behavioral-based learning.

The DiSC 2.0 provides a non-judgmental language for exploring behavioral issues. It helps people explore behavior across four primary dimensions:

Dominance: Direct and Decisive. D's are strong-willed, strong-minded people who like accepting challenges, taking action, and getting immediate results.

Influence: Optimistic and Outgoing. I's are "people people" who like participating on teams, sharing ideas, and energizing and entertaining others.

Steadiness: Sympathetic and Cooperative. S's are helpful people who like working behind the scenes, performing in consistent and predictable ways, and being good listeners.

Conscientiousness: Concerned and Correct. C's are sticklers for quality and like planning ahead, employing systematic approaches, and checking and re-checking for accuracy.

DiSC Classic 2.0 is a multi-level learning instrument that helps individuals assess to what degree they utilize each dimension of behavior in a situation. The instrument then provides feedback designed to help people in your organization:

- build productive teams
- develop effective managers
- train a powerful sales force
- improve customer service
- ease frustration and conflict

Every day, organizations use DiSC to establish a common language, paving the way for successful training and coaching applications. Detailed, personalized information helps people apply DiSC learning to specific business situations, including sales, leadership development, customer service, and conflict resolution.

Is Your Marketing Copy SPAM-FREE?

2007-08-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

With spam filters getting more and more sophisticated, at times I find that even legitimate email is getting caught in them...

If you use eMail as one of means to stay in touch with your customers and/or to promote your products and services, it is really important to ensure that your copy (text) does not include words that would trigger a spam filter to catch it.

Increase your chances of deliverability by understanding what words or phrases trigger a spam filter. A simple internet search with the words "SPAM TRIGGER WORDS" will give you a gazilion of sites with lists of spam-trigger words.

Or you can take the easy way out and run your message(s) through a spam trigger word checker, such as the one at http://www.lyris.com/resources/contentchecker/. It is 100% FREE and it will dramatically improve the deliverability of your marketing or informative emails.

What's the Most Important Element of Your Business?

2007-08-19T05:20:00.000-07:00

What's the Most Important Element of Your Business?

a) To make a difference in my community and in the whole world, if possible

b) To do something meaningful and really enjoyable

c) To generate a good income/profit

Bingo! You are absolutely right! c) is the correct answer. Without profits you will be out of business before you could say shmorgeshbord. So make sure to follow the steps in my "7 Steps to More Productivity and $$$s" post, or just do whatever works for you to bring in those $$$s and then you'll be able to make a difference in your community and hopefuly have fun in the process. Just remember; without income there'll be no business and without business you'll end up working who knows where...

So keep on focusing on those income-generating tasks day after day...

Solo Entrepreneur Success Traps

2007-08-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

I tell you exactly why I am where I am today (and it might just explain why you are where you are in your business).

OK – a moment of honesty here… Why am I soooo unsuccessful…?
Why is it that some of us solo-preneurs are highly successful, some barely make it, and some of us straight out suck at it?

I tell you exactly why. Because we don’t treat our “practice” as a business. Some of us feel like “Now I’m self-employed, I have all the time in the world to do the things I love to do.”

Why am I so unsuccessful?
Simple. I’ve spent 60 to 70% of my time the past 4 years on non-productive tasks. More precisely, I’ve spent the first two years or so
- watching at least one movie in the middle of the day (at least, got that? That sucks!),
- taking a nap (which is not bad in itself, but combined with a movie, well… it adds up)
- reading about a dozen ezines
- reading dozens of non-essential emails (including some stupid chain-emails, which by the way I never forward) and replying to some in greeeeeaaaaat detail, sometimes spending about an hour or more on one reply (ok, some of those people turned into clients, though)
- designing several websites; putting way too much time into finding the right pictures, etc.
- visiting hundreds of websites to get ideas to build mine (then getting “lost” in their newsletters, etc.)
- playing computer games – Dang!!! This is bad!!! It starts out with “Let me play a game before I start my day,” then it turns out into 3 to 6 hours in front of the computer playing the dang’ game. Then, even worse, it turns into a daily routine, sometimes stretching out to a week or more… It’s a stupid addiction, and when you are on your own there’s no one to stop you. Oh ma’ God – if I could go back and trade my time spent on playing games (and watching movies) into productive time I’d probably be making a six-figure income L
- doing TOO MUCH pro-bono work, often not even trying to ask for compensation
- (overcomplicating things and striving for perfection…. Sounds familiar? Not taking real action till something is completed perfectly… )

That’s about the chunk of it. Yes, I’m getting better and better, but I still trip regularly. But as Alcoholics Anonymous and drug addicts will tell you, the first step to healing is admitting that you have a problem. So, yes, I have a problem. I procrastinate too much and spend too much on non-productive tasks.

80% OF OUR RESULTS COME FROM 20% OF OUR ACTIONS! Except there’ll be NO RESULTS if we don’t spend time on the “20%.”

*** IDENTIFY THE TASKS THAT ARE LIKELY TO BRING IN $$$s or new clients and try to focus most of the day on those tasks.
*** Develop a system that you abide by. Plan a schedule that you can follow day after day, week after week – one that contains activities leading to $$$s, more clients, visibility, growth, etc. You know what you need, you just need to do it, and the key is to schedule it/them.

*** Plan sessions of 30-minute-bursts. COMMIT for 30 minutes to FOCUS 100% ON A TASK. In that 30-minutes don’t check emails, if possible don’t answer the phone (look at the caller ID and answer only if it is a client) – let the answering machine serve its purpose. Then take a short break, then commit for another 30-minute burst.

*** HAVE A PLAN!!! I’m not talking about something super elaborate, though a business and marketing plan definitely help. What I’m talking about is KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON! Write down on a sheet what your focus is and work on those areas days after day till you reach each of the items on your list. KEEP THE LIST SHORT: 3 to 5 items, so you can comfortably work on them and accomplish them. This will help you AVOID LOOSING FOCUS, which often happens to us solo-preneurs, and we end up task hopping and not accomplishing anything.

*** “Delegate!” You might say “How the heck could I delegate when I’m a solo-preneur?” What I mean is, don’t try to do everything on your own. Designing a website on your own might save you some $$$s, but ask yourself if you could invest that time more productively bringing in more $$$s than what you’d spend to hire a web-designer.
IDENTIFY TASKS THAT YOU CAN OUTSOURCE! …and try to spend most of your time on tasks that will result in profits and new clients.

*** FOLLOW UP & KEEP EXISTING CLIENTS
One of the shortcomings of any business person can be the lack of follow-up, regardless whether we are talking about a prospect or an existing client. Of course, the best way to stay in business is to keep existing customers and only when we have a system in place that ensures this, worry about gaining new customers. It’s always easier to sell to existing customers than to get new ones (yes, this sometimes depends on your business).
Bottom Line! Keep in touch with both existing customers and with prospects, this way you’ll keep growing your client base and not lose them to your competition who might provide better customer service

*** ASK FOR REFERRALS.
Do you have happy satisfied customers? Ask if they know anyone who might benefit from your product or service. In worst case the client might say that they have no one they can think of or that they’ll think about it; but think about the better case scenario when they give you a whole list of people or they send several people to you… So ask for that referral – after all, what’s the worst thing that can happen, right?

Follow the few suggestions from above and it will be impossible not to become more productive and more profitable.

Did I leave out any crucial steps? Reply to this post and I’ll update my list :)

FOCUS & ACTION

2007-08-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

FOCUS:

NOW/URGENT -- Free Publicity -- N

Insc. Consulting - Sold 21 DiSC assessments

Marketing -- N

Market Product -- N

T.Master - - N

Newsletter & Blog -- did not post to my other blogs

Write (my book) -- did not write at all today - that really sucks :(

Writing for (online) magazines --

Product Development & Recording Teleclass --

Speak -- MEANT TO PREPARE for the upcoming international conference -(dang!!! I'm playing the procrastination game again, then put a chest-crushing pressure on my self in the last days -- I really need to take this more seriously, after all they are paying me more than $2000 and I'll be exposed to company owners from around the nation and around the world, which could result in more business. STEP ON IT!)

Web design & Recording - N

Focus & Action

2007-08-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

FOCUS:

NOW/URGENT -- I'm speaking at an international conference next month ($2000+ fee) - I did some mental practicing, going over some parts of my presentation, but did nothing serious toward fulfiling this commitment (yesterday, though, I did spend about an hour preparing)

Free Publicity -- N

Inscape Consulting - N

Marketing -- N

Market Product -- N

T.Master - - N

Newsletter & Blog -- did not post to my other blogs

Write (my book) -- did not write at all today - that really sucks :(

Writing for (online) magazines -- N

Product Development & Recording & Teleclass -- Planned a few products and set a completion date for the first one (audioproducts - teleclasses, then transfer them to CD and digital product + promote them on my website) ++ I started writing down the info of a highly successful marketer and I decided to duplicate his system

Speak -- Prepared proposal for High School and will submit it tomorrow (trying to present at their orrientation classes a presentation of effective communication and behavioral diversity)

Web design & Recording - N

Today's To Do...

2007-07-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

I had a full plate planned for today (as everyday, of course), but I accomplished less then half...

The day went by mostly with sending out assessments to my next week's workshop participants (Yes, yuppy!!! That's more than $1000.00 coming in from there and hopefully some more business).

I also sent out another notice for an account that owes me some $$$s + another account that owes me close to $1000.00 and they have not payed for close to three months - I hate it when that happens. I wish I could tell them to shove it and take their business somewhere else, but they are my biggest customer, at times ordering in the thousands of dollars. I wish I had 10 more customers like this. Yes, I'd age earlier due to stress, but I'd age in style.

Ok... I have to give myself some slack. No, I didn't accomplish much today, but I did go with the kids to a movie and shopping for shoes for them, and we did have some fun in the process... I'm always happy to put in some "daddy" time. And we just got back from Disney World, after a 4-day trip (my parents paid for it -- my broke ass couldn't pay for something like this [but still managed to spend about $300 of my $$$s too]). So today it was somewhat of a recovery day...

Tomorrow I have to put together the plan for my next week's presentation and prepare the manuals. Dang!!! I have to take them to the printer tomorrow, or else they won't be ready by weekend, right? Thanks for reminding me!

Today's to Do...

2007-07-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

- follow up on the July 16 workshop

- put together all materials and a plan for my september keynote

OK.... this was a weak attempt to record what I do duing the day...

The orange means that I completed it. I didn't even get started with the second one.

That's a major problem for us solo (") professionals (") that the phone rings, there are bills to pay, mailings to staff, long lunch, perhaps a nap... then the day is gone...

Slack off - or working hard..?

2007-07-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

It might seem that I slacked off for a while... I got a 30-day gig sponsored by the United Way, training firefighters and cops. Two classes, alternating every other day (Tuesday through Friday).

The gig was about 50 miles away, but the one hour drive gave me a chance to catch up on some training tapes. I also took advantage of being in that community and I approached the school district and adult education to see if I can present some of my workshops for them. The innitial response was great, so maybe I'll get out something from these efforts.

Life is a bit stabelized; I'm making (together with my beautiful wife) enough to pay the bill and still have a good life. I thought I'd finish my book by my 40th birthday, but my birthday is around the corner and I can see that the book will not be finished. I became ok with it and I'll do my best to finish it before fall. I'm making really good progress on it, I just have to keep up with my system..., which, yes, I was slacking off on - but, hey, it was a bussy period.

Great, Great, GREAT NEWS!!!!!! Money is coming to the table!

2007-07-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Guess what!!?

Last week I got two gigs. I have to deliver one in July, the other one in September. Both pay in the thousands, and both are 3 to 4 hour long. This is how every week of my life should be; but at least one or two weeks a month. The challenge is, that one of them is a keynote speech, and I'll have to put some serious work into that one. Workshops are easy - I already have them downpacked. Keynotes are tough, 'cause.... well, you know... it has to be 100% original, funny, educational, inspirational... hey, you name, it's in there. But I guess for a few thousand $$$s anyone can put their mind to it. (and history has showed that I have no lack in charisma and humour, now I just need to add some good content to it).OK. Great news, ey?

How did I get them?

I presented a free presentation about 2 years ago at a HR managers event, and one of the HR managers approached me and said she'd be interested in having me speak to their employees (400+ employees). I've been working on that deal since then... and now it finally came to fruition.

The other one found me on the internet.
The organizer said that she searched for a long time, but I stood out most.Lesson: have a good website, with good content, professional look, and optimized for the search engines properly so people can find you easily.

Resource of the Day - Get Your Faxes Online in PDF Form

2007-05-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.callwave.com – Free service for the first month, then less then $10.00/month (each service)
1. Receive your faxes online in Pdf. format
2. Listen to your phone messages online
3. If you still use your phone line for the internet… Stay online without missing important calls. Comes with important features like Caller ID and Screening, Take the Call, and Call Back or Text Reply.

What action did you take today that will end up generating income?

2007-04-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

We, solo professionals, often work, work, work, and work..., only to find ourselves after weeks and months of work, getting nowhere. What's happening is that we often get caught in trying to build the perfect brochure, the super-duper website, the highly attractive business card, and tons of other "important" stuff... Which is great, we need all that; however, if we don't spend time on activities that pottentially will generate income, guess what? We will not generate income.

So what did you do today that had the pottential to generate income?

I'll be honest - I slacked off. I woke up with marvelous intentions to contact some HR managers at large companies, but I ended up checking up on my articles that I've submitted online in the past, and got caught up in submitting more articles. Well, yes, in the long run this might bring in something. But maybe not. On monday I'll need to do better. (Yes, it's still early, I could do something more productive, but I'm set to flood every article submission site with my articles).

I'll put together, though, the marketing materials that I'll use on Monday. Ok, let me get down to it, then I'll get back to the article submission.
(I don't know... maybe in the future I'll share some of the links to my articles. Right now I'm not very proud of a few things, so I choose to keep "quite.")

Resource of the Day - More Sources to Submit Your Articles & eZines

2007-04-20T06:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some more sources where you can submit your articles, eZines, and online newsletters:

https://www.triond.com
http://www.bestezines.com
http://www.goarticles.com
http://www.marketing-seek.com/index.php
http://www.connectionteam.com
http://www.homebiztools.com
http://www.addto.com
http://cerebuswebmaster.com
http://www.netterweb.com
http://www.business-dynamics.com
http://www.ezinearticles.com/
http://www.ezadsuccess.com/ (I can't find the link to submit articles to this one, but if you type in "submit article" in their search box, you'll get a ton more article submission sites. If you figure out how to submit articles to them, let me know)

There is no sweater publicity than FREE PUBLICITY. One of the most effective ways to do this is by submiting articles to online sources and to print publications (starting with the small ones in your backyard and shooting for the big national papers, magazines, and industry-specific newsletters).

Besides getting some FREE PUBLICITY, publishing articles online at several different sites, will result in HIGHER SEARCH ENGINE RANKING, which we all want, right? For example, the owner of the site www.egsebastian.com wrote a series of articles on promoting his Inscape DiSC Assessments/Profiles. Due to the linkbacks (and the quality of the content on his site), he ranks on the top of most search engines when you type in his top-selling profiles. Type in DiSC 2.0 or DiSC PPSS into www.msn.com, www.yahoo.com, or www.google.com 's search engine and he pops up on the top. See some of his articles at http://www.articlewise.com/6057.html (on How to REcognize the Personality/Behavior Style of YOur Audience Members) or http://www.articlewise.com/6056.html (10 Tips to Better Public Speaking).

You can do it too!
Write a top 10 article, or a series of short articles on a topic related to your field, and put a signature line with a link to your website. Also, it's great if you can include a freebie or an E-course that will entice your readers to share their E-mail address with you. Your (online) business success depends greatly on the quality (and a bit on the quantity) of your eMail database.

So, what' you waiting for??? "Write that Top 10 Ways to... " or other type article and submit it to these sources!

Resource of the Day - FREE Marketing Postcards

2007-04-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Get now 100 FREE POSTCARDS at http://www.vistaprint.com/. Click on Marketing Material on the left side menu, then click on postcards.
(They can also provide you with FREE Business Cards for a lifetime; or get a better quality card for an affordable price. I've been using them for the past 4 years, and I'm very happy with them)

On the mailing I got from them, it says that the offer for the free postcards ends on May 15th, 2007; but on the website there is no end date, so check it out.

Postcards are one of the greatest way to market yourself; and the greatest way to stay visible in front of your customers. I like to send out to my database a card every 60 to 90 days, to keep my name in my client's and pottential clients' eyes. This way, when they need someone to speak at one of their events, I'll (hopefully) be one of their top choice.

I always include in the card a freebie, such as a FREE E-Course or a free article on their area of interest (each accessible online).

YOu can use cards to thank your clients for their business, to promote a product, or for a gazilion other reasons.

And when it's free, you have no reason not to try them...

Resource of the Day - Nature Trails & More

2007-04-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

Do you like to travel? Here are a few cool links that will help you find hiking trails, parks, kayaking, mountain trails, etc., etc.

http://www.llbean.com/parksearch

www.trails.com

And before you hit the road, find out what gear you'll need, what will the weather be like, accomodations, and restrictions and safety tips at www.outdoorexplorer.com

Enjoy!

Today's Action Plan!

2007-03-30T07:51:00.001-07:00

- Finish the Handout
- Practice!
- Clean my desk (and commit to keep it clean)

Resource of the Day!

2007-03-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Do you want to increase your (site's) visibility?

You can post an article related to outdoors at http://www.outdooreyes.com/submitarticle.php3

Please check their submission guideliness.

Slack off

2007-03-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

I slacked off. I implemented only about half of what I commited to in my action plan below. I never spoke to the TV or radio. I only have a handful of participants signed up for my presentation tomorrow.

Reason?

No real reason. yes, I did have a presentation to make for a group of insurance agents, on Monday; and I had a very important meeting with the manager of a resort with 400+ employees (I hope I'll earn their business, that'd be a few thousnand $$$s in my pocket, and hopefully it'd be a repeat business).

No. These are not real good reasons. The truth is that I simply couldn't stay focussed. I slacked off.

Lesson: STAY FOCUSED!!!

Cool Resource

2007-03-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a few cool resources for you, where you can draw, write, and do a few other things, WHILE sharing it with others AND THE OTHERS CAN WRITE ON THE BOARD TOO. You basically share a white space where each of you can draw or write (typed or handwriten). Great for brainstorming or other purposses where you need to share ideas with others.

Isn't that cool?

Try www.skrbl.com and www.imaginationcubed.com

Both can be shared with your business partners or friends in other cities or countries, and you guys can brainstorm or explain things to each other while looking at the same board. I think this is really cool.

Slacking Off - Watch where your time is going!

2007-03-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

Look at my post on Tuesday the 20th, regarding Marketing My Upcoming Workshop!

That should have taken me a few hours, or at most a day. And look at me now, two days later, I'm still only about half-way through.

We must be more focused if we want to succeed. Somehow need to become stronger and resist all the distractions.

OK... let's see if I can finish the list today.

Focus on Speaking!

2007-03-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

One of the problems I face is that I try to do too many things at a time. I try to speak, sell assessments, sell consulting services, write my book, volunteer, do some side jobs to bring in cash... and who knows what else.

I'll focus from now on exclusively on speaking, and at the events I'll give out some info on my assessments and consulting (all related to my speaking topics). [I'll still spend every second day exclusively on finishing my book - I must finish it before July]

As a first step (after the thousands of steps that I took till now; but this can be used as a first step, if you are at the beginning),

I'll try to barter with three cities' around me for membership in the chamber of commerce

I'll advertise in their newsletter

flyers

approach groups

present popular topics, such as my conflict management, eliminating barriers to performance, DiSC for parents and educators; etc.

buy lists of seminar "goers" and mail out a professional looking seminar promotion

follow Paul Karasik's method, described in his book
(I'll come back later and ad some more to this list)

Reminder! Add the facilitator kit and other links to my blog!

Excited!

2007-03-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about the Life-Balance & Energy-Management workshop.

I probably have to realize that I'm really attracted to this topic and I do tend to speak about it all the time anyway. Perhaps I should do more workshops and seminars in this area (and parenting, which I also enjoy really much and I have a seminar that I do present regularly, mostly to teachers. It helps educators and/or parents better understand the personality of their children and learn to more effectively communicate, motivate, etc each child based on their personality style)

I just had a conversation with one of with one of my coaching/mentoring clients who asked me "Don't you ever get bored on presenting the same seminars over and over again? Don't you get tired of it after a while?" And my answer was rather simple: "I'm passionate about what I talk on" (recognizing different behavioral/personality styles - their motivators, fears, needs, communication style, and other behavioral tendencies - and learning how to communicate most effectively with each style and avoid/defuse conflict with each).

I speak about this topic day after day and I never get tired of it. Well..., I also have to admit it that I've been reading psyhcology books and effective communication related books ever since I was around 9-years-old.

I think it is really important to find a topic that one feels passionate about and go for it! I mean REALLY GO FOR IT!!!

Statistics say that around 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs. What can I say? We all do jobs that we don't like, for a while, because we need to survive. The key word should be here "for a while" and then move up, and move on, to the job that we feel passionate about.

Yes, I absolutely love talking on behavioral styles; but I also love to talk on life-balance (and let's face it, I can link the two in a way that they are interrelated - and they really are, right?)

Ok... I just wanted to say that I'm excited!!! (and that you should choose something that you can get excited about )

Promoting my Upcoming Workshop on Life-Balance

2007-03-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

The company that is sponsoring my Life-Balance & Energy Management workshop has placed a large ad in the local paper and is sending a series of E-mails to their database of a few thousand people (don't worry, if 20 or 30 will show up, I'll be content; however this is a hot topic, so I might be in for a surprise).

So what can I do to get in more bodies in the seats?

improve my blurb (marketing copy), focusing on the WIIFM (what's in it for me) from the participants standpoint, highlighting benefits and how this will affect their life/future
send out the blurb to my database (E-mail)
send my event promotional blurb to the staff and members of chamber of commerce
share the info with my Toastmasters International group
put out some flyers in the community, including the PUBLIC LIBRARY
design my handouts and print them out
(PRACTICE!!! it doesn't have to do with marketing it, but it's better than winging it)

What is my expected outcome from this event?

pottentially get some coaching clients
sell some products at the back of the room (my meditation tape/CD, Yoga DVD, Personality Assessments, etc.
sell a few bottles of Himalayan Goji (yes, I stacked up a few so I don't run out again)
get expossure to some movers and shakers and get invited to speak at one of their organization or company's upcoming events
have lots of fun!

Ok... This is my plan for today. To get this rolling....!

Goji Sales & Energy Problems

2007-03-20T05:38:00.000-07:00

Ok... as I was telling people about Goji, they wanted to try some and the good heart that I have, I sold them some of my bottles (ok, with a little profit - but I did give one away for free). The only problem with this is that I ran out of it before my new shipment has arrived and hence I was for more than 15 days with no Goji (I thought I canceled my regular order and placed a new order that was supposed to come earlier, but I must have clicked on who knows what, 'cause my shipment still came on the regular date).

The first 10 days were great (which proves to me that it is not some quick stimulant in the juice that makes me feel great), but after about the 10th day I started relapsing to the fatigued state that I used to have before I started taking Goji.

So, I had a few down days, then once the shipment has arrived it took another few days to get it back in my system, so I had a few down days. And (probably) that is why I couldn't keep up with my blog (and with a few other things for a few days)...

THE GREATEST NEWS!!!
This is the first year ever in my life that I did not struggle with colds and flu!!!

Definitely the Himalayan Goji does boost your immune system - which is a byproduct for me, since I got it to increase my energy levels (which has worked mirracles for me).
I was diagnosed as a baby with chronic bronchitis and throughout my life I was catching colds really easily and spent literally months struggling to get out of it. Even as an adult who works out regularly, I still had the colds and flu year after year and it took me 3 to 6 weeks to get out of it, and it ussually re-occured a few weeks later. It's been a struggle. (I was the kid in the class who was coughing all the time; as well as the adult who annoys workshop/seminar/training participants with my constant coughing).

But, hey!!! THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR WITH NO COUGH, AND NO ANY KIND OF COLD SYMPTOMS! My wife and kids went through the flu, and I didn't get it! That's something unheard of!

So, all I can say: THANK YOU HIMALAYAN GOJI!

....
Do you want to try it??? The guy I buy it from can be found at www.gog4u.freelife.com. Or I just found out that one of my friends sells it too, at www.AugieM.freelife.com; or you can search the net for Himalayan Goji - the price is the same at all distributors (stay away from the copy cats - I tried one - it's no good)

Try it! It has a 90-day money back guarrantee. YOu can only gain and nothing to lose!

I feel great!

The ABC of Guaranteed Business Success

2007-03-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

As solo professionals we often feel - or know - that we have everything in place, yet we can't seem to see proper financial rewards for our effort that we put out.

Why?

What is that missing link that could make our venture more financially rewarding? And, yes, I know that many of us really enjoy what we do, but often the lack of proper financial return does poison the joy of our day to day opperations. And, let's face it, some of us go out of business really early on due to lack of financial success in our businesses.

So what can we do to stay in business and to prosper?

Focus, Focus, Focus!!!

2007-03-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

If we could focus on one task on a consistent basis, there's nothing that could stop us from succeeding with that task (regardless of what that is).

I find focusing on one task one of the most difficult tasks. Sometimes I do great, and sometimes I'm really bad at it. It is not that I can't focus on one time for a long time - no, that's not the problem. In fact, when I start something, you need a crow-bar to get me off task. The problem is that the next day, I will not sit back and continue what I left off. Or even if I do for two or three days, then I "forget" about that task for weeks or months. This could be anything like product creation, writing my newsletter, designing a marketing campaign, etc.

I have a "million" things started and I never finish 80% of them. And then I wonder that I'm not getting anywhere...

OK. Thanks. I'm glad we had this little moment of "truth" here. I really need to pull myself together and be not only a GREAT STARTER, but also a GREAT FINISHER.

I gotta go! I got some re-thingking of priorities to do here...