Blessings in disguise

A friend wrote the other day about her family’s turmoil.
Her brother has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
This has thrown her family life into a frenzy.
She is babysitting his children almost full time.
All of us can appreciate the family’s anxiety.
But I believe this will prove a blessing in disguise.
It will draw her family even closer together.
There’s nothing quite like danger to knit family bonds.
It draws us together in a common cause.
I was fired once for standing up to the boss.
It proved a blessing in disguise.
Friends called from all over the country to offer help.
I had a better job within two days.
I’ve worked on two newpapers that went out of business.
It seemed like a career crusher at the time.
But my family ended up far better off in the long run.
My wife and I walked away from a partnership gone sour.
We might still be minority partners but for that.
It was the kick in the pants that led to our own business.
A kick in the pants is sometimes the best thing for you.
Now we own and operate four successful businesses.
You’ve heard these kinds of stories before.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Our friend and her family will get through this.
They will be far stronger as a result.
Life is a constant test of our character.
Grit your teeth if you have to but plow ahead.
Remember what Friedrich Nietzsche wrote:
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
To get more out of life, paste this link in your browser:
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Open your eyes

Our dentist friend Greg Wych had a problem hygienist.
Single mom. Two kids. Lived paycheck to paycheck.
But she always bought everything she WANTED.
She always complained about money to his staff.
This clouded how she presented treatment to patients.
She prejudged their ability to pay.
One year they went to a dental convention in Atlanta.
He booked the Ritz-Carlton for his staff.
He wanted them to learn from the Ritz experience.
She complained because a glass of wine cost $9.
Greg reframed that perception for her by saying:
"I'm at the Ritz and a glass of wine is only $9."
Surprise. She doesn't work for him anymore.
How often do we let negatives cloud our perceptions?
How often do we prejudge a client's ability to buy?
How often do we splurge just because we want something?
How often do we do what common sense says is a no-no?
Successful people discipline themselves.
They let clients decide what they can afford.
They frame perceptions in positive ways.
If they can't afford it, they delay gratification.
When they can afford it, the prize is so much sweeter.
For more on success in life, click on:
http://www.jerrybellune.com/success-strategies.htm

Buckle up for 2010

Economists say 2010 will be little better than 2009.
They also forecast 19 of the last two recessions.
Here’s my challenge to you — and me.
Lets treat 2010 as the best year of our lives.
That’s not unrealistic. It’s simply our attitude.
If we see doom and gloom, that’s what we’ll get.
I’m no Pollyanna. But I have loads of attitude.
Positive attitude. I’ll share that with you in 2010.
So start planning now. Take all day Jan. 1.
List your major frogs (big projects) for 2010.
You should have at least four or you aren’t trying.
Assign one to each quarter. List your action steps.
Assign one step to each week.
Make a commitment to see that it gets done.
If you’re in my area, here’s an invitation.
Join us Jan. 13 to hear what seven experts think.
They will forecast their own ideas on 2010.
They’ll discuss how to handle major challenges.
How to take advantage of major opportunities.
It will be at the Lexington Conference Center.
5:30 p.m. for networking, 6 for the program.
We’ll also hear from top small business owners.
They’ll reveal their own success strategies.
To comment, please click “comment” below.
I’ll see you next year.

Heading Time Bandits off at the pass

Three of the worst words in our language are “Got a minute?”
The Time Bandits use those words to waste hours of your life.
Some simply want to gossip or chat.
Many have no purpose other than to hog your time.
They have nothing better to do with themselves.
What can you do about them?
Strategy #1. If you have an office door, close it.
Some of the less astute may ignore this subtle signal.
If they do . . .
Strategy #2. Stand up when they enter.
Do not offer them a chair.
Most will get the message and leave.
For those who don’t . . .
Strategy #3. Ask what you can do for them.
If there’s nothing they need, thank them for stopping by.
Suggest you get together after you’ve finished your big project.
Let them know that may be some time next week.
For more Time Bandit strategies, go to
http://www.jerrybellune.com/success-strategies.htm
Scroll down to #19, "Dealing with Time Bandits".
For questions, write me at Jerry@JerryBellune.com.

An underdog becomes a big dog

Myelita Melton thought she was headed for the big time in TV.
Then she lost two TV jobs, one after the other.
It wasn’t her fault. It was the economy.
Her no-count husband turned to drugs and crime.
She moved him out of their house. Changed the locks herself.
She filed for bankruptcy protection from his creditors.
Because she was bilingual, she had trouble finding a job.
Employers told her she was “over-qualified.”
Relax. Her story has a happy ending.
Using her language skills, Myelita started her own business.
She called it Speak Easy Communications.
She taught health care workers to speak Spanish.
She taught construction foremen to speak Spanish.
She taught professionals who needed it to speak Spanish.
She published Spanish language tutorials.
These books and CDs have turned Myelita’s life around.
They have made her a successful business owner.
What skills do you have that could turn your life around?
What skills might you acquire to make you successful?
For more about Myelita, go to www.speakeasyspanish.com
For more about Success Strategies, go to http://www.jerrybellune.com/success-strategies.htm