Strategies to Thrive in Any Economy; Survive Recession; Peak Performance

Strategies to thrive in any economy

Peak performers excel in any economy because they make things happen and don’t watch things happening.  Peak performers whether in business, sports, ministry or any other field are committed to constant and never ending improvement.  In an environment that is changing constantly and rapidly, improvement is necessary to remain relevant.

 

So how does one thrive in any economy? The writer of Ecclesiastes recommends, sharpening the blade. In his own words “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.”

 

Jim Rohn, a famous success expert says, “Formal education is good and will earn you a living but continuous personal development will earn you a fortune.”  This is not an attempt to discount formal education but an expression of the fact that personal development is a pre-requisite for lasting success. 3 out of the 10 ten richest people are college drop-outs, 5 inherited their riches and only two finished college. (Forbes 400 Magazine)How did they do it? Amongst other things they were committed to continuous personal development of their dream and vision.

The first step in mapping a personal development strategy is to take a personal inventory of your skills in relation to the goal/s you want to achieve.  This will enable you to map a strategy on books you need to read, seminars you need to attend and any coaching you may require.  Coaching is an easy and fast way to increase your knowledge from people who are experienced in the field you are looking to improve in.  I recommend you interview a couple of coaches for a good fit before settling for one.

 

Join an association related to your career or business.  In America, there is a trade association for every career/profession.  Find out if there is a local chapter near you and make time to attend the meetings.  The meetings are normally monthly with most having an annual convention.  I recently joined the National Speakers Association (NSA) to improve my speaking business/ministry and I can’t tell you how much it has helped me improve!  If you are a speaker you may want to consider visiting our website www.nsaspeaker.org to look for your local chapter and pay them a visit. The Georgia chapter is www.nsageorgia.com.

 

After you identify an association you wish to join, attend a couple of meetings as a guest and see if it will be relevant to your personal developmental goals.  After you decide to join, make sure you make time to attend the meetings! It is amazing how many people sign up at the gym and only attend a couple of times a year yet their bank/credit accounts are debited monthly and the weight continues to increase.  Who is to blame? I wonder! Making time to attend is an intentional adjustment you will need to make in order to grow and benefit from what the association has to offer.  You can’t afford not to show up after signing up!  Make the time.

 

Personal development requires a lot of discipline.  Not only will you have to make time to show up, you will need to start making changes.  I have a special notebook that I carry to my NSA meetings. I take notes at the meeting of the best practices, every good information that is shared that is relevant to what I am doing and of course everything the guest speaker shares.  I high light things I need to put into practice and I do so immediately. 

 

Finally, when you join an association, intentionally make new friends!  That was for me!  I am a super introvert but I am making the adjustment.  Thank God at NSA Georgia, we have a program that helps new comers to meet other members.  The program has different action steps on meeting the association members who have been there longer. And if one finishes the action steps s/he gets a microphone lapel pin.  That program has been tremendously helpful because now when I attend every month with a target of fulfilling two or three of the action steps! Please feel free to contact me if you need more information.

 

This weekend take an inventory of areas you need to grow and do something about it.  Remember the best plan will not work unless you do and with God on your side ALL things are possible!

 

To your success!

Recession Proof Your Life!

I was recently at a meeting where everyone was asked to share tips on recession proofing a business.  I was suddenly very glad that I had chosen to sit right at the back of the room because it dawned on me that I had not been participating in the bad economy and therefore had no tips to share!

I barely listened as people stood and proudly shared their tips.  I was having a serious debate with my Personal Coach, the Holy Spirit who always has an answer! Soon my turn came and I knew I had to speak the truth! It is that truth that I want to share with you today in the hope that it will set you free from any fear and alarm the media may have injected into you with their incessant talks on Issue #1 – the recession!

I told the people at the meeting that I did not have any tips because I was not participating in the recession and that I operated in Divine Wisdom and universal laws which states “Give freely and become wealthier; be stingy and lose everything”.  Prv 11: 24

 

I don’t suggest pretending that the gas prices are not rising.  I recommend that you give more freely and expect to receive more so that you can have more than enough to pay for gas at any price!

Apostle Paul gave the best advice on giving that still applies today and can help you in this regard.  He said,

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, they share freely and give generously to the poor.  Their good deeds will be remembered forever. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” 2 Cor 9: 1-10

Operating in Divine Wisdom is a lifestyle.  And I can’t think of a better time to use the time tested wisdom from the bible in order to thrive.

How can you apply this wisdom to your business? Very easy, give away something of value with no strings attached to your clients.  This will help you retain current clients, attract new ones and you will begin to attract unexpected favors that you can’t explain. Let your “value offering” be something that will add value to your client and of reasonable cost to you.

Persistence – A Non-Negotiable for Winners

Issue #1 in “Dynamics of a Winning Buy-in” is persistence.  What is persistence

and why is it a non-negotiable for winners?  The dictionary defines it as to persist to continue steadfastly or fimraly in some state, purpose, course of actio or the like, especially in spite of oppostion. The emphasis is mine, so that I can draw your attention to why its a non-negotiable for a winner to be persistent.

 In the process of getting a buy-in for you GPSI, you will encounter oppositon, you will be tempted to quit, you will experience self-opposition when your tells you its not doable, but you have to determine to continue steadfastly. Believe that with God all things are possible and that your GPSI is of much value! Think of the value people will miss if you do not follow through on getting out your GPSI?

Napoleon Hill in his book, “Think and Grow Rich” has 4 steps which lead to the habit of persistence. They call for no great amount of intelligence, no particular amount of education and little time or effort.

The necessary steps are:

1. A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfilment.
2. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.
3. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including  negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.
4. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.

These steps are essential for success in all walks of life. (Excerpt from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill)

When you realize that your GPSI is valuable, your persistence genes will kick in.  Resist the temptation of seeing yourself as a bug and consider the value you will be adding to your prospect.

So how do you persist in getting a buy-in without being a bug? Discover your prospects need, match it with the value you are bringing and you will begin to experience greater wins.

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the gift of Liberty, Love, Joy and Peace!

 

 

 

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