Going the Extra Mile will Get You Even Farther

by Jack Canfield

In life, victory often goes to those who make a 100% commitment to the outcome. They give it their all and put everything they have into getting their desired result... whether it be an Olympic gold medal, the top sales award, a perfect dinner party, or an A in microbiology.

It's a simple concept, yet you'd be surprised how many people don't stick to their disciplines, follow through with their plans, or go the extra mile.

Are you someone who consistently goes the extra mile and routinely over delivers on your promises?

It's rare these days, but it's the hallmark of high achievers who know that exceeding expectations helps you stand above the crowd. Almost by force of habit, successful people simply do more.

As a result, they experience not only greater financial rewards for their extra efforts but also a personal transformation, becoming more self-confident, more self-reliant, and more influential with those around them.

These high achievers stand out from the crowd because of their extra efforts. They are unwilling to give up, even in the face of difficult times.

They get the promotions, they get the loyal customers, they grow their businesses twice as fast, they get financial rewards, job security, and they go home feeling satisfied.

Do you exceed expectations?

Do you surprise people with more than they were expecting from you?

Do you have the opportunity - but also the personal initiative - to go the extra mile?

To be successful you must change your thinking. You can only win by making extra efforts. People who go the extra mile always get payback. You will discover yourself becoming more self-confident, more self-reliant and more influential with those around you.

People notice the special services and all the small touches that make dealing with you so pleasurable. And when they are talking to their friends they will mention you and recommend you because you are the one who stands out.

People will see that you pay attention to detail, that you consider all the small things that really make a business successful, that you care about your image, and that you belong with all the other people who work hard to achieve. You will attract new business and new opportunities.

Listen to any success story and you will hear of someone who worked exceptionally hard to get what they wanted.

You’ll hear how they put in the extra time, did what wasn’t part of their job description, and over-delivered on what was asked of them. You’ll hear how they stuck at it until they broke through, and usually you’ll hear how it only took them a couple of years to do it.

What have you been doing for the past couple of years? Think of what you could accomplish if you made it a habit to exceed everyone’s expectations. Image what doors could be open to you if you decided to be of better service and value.

How are you willing to go the extra mile? What kind of extra service are you willing to provide in order to stand out from the rest? What areas of your life could you be giving more of your effort and time, becoming more valuable, and improving your reputation?

Be willing to treat everyone like you’d treat your dearest friend. Don’t skimp on service. Don’t be mediocre or run of the mill. Show people what you are capable of. Show them that you care about your image and reputation.

When it comes to success, the people who are willing to go the extra mile get there that much faster!

* * *

Are you "stuck" in this area?
Send me your most pressing question about this topic, then join me for our monthly Ask Jack Canfield Tele-Clinic on November 3rd. www.AskJackCanfield.com
© 2010 The Canfield Training Group
All Rights Reserved.


Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Women Entrepreneurs the Secrets of Success for Monday, September 27th

Dr. Donna Thomas-Rodgers

Dr. Donna was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. As a child Dr. Donna did not talk very much in her early years. She used that time to take it all in. She knew that one day she would speak and she wanted to have something great to say.

Dr. Donna attended Detroit Public Schools and was awarded a ROTC scholarship to attend college. After Graduating from College, Dr. Donna served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer. It was during this time that Dr. Donna discovered her passion for leadership and changing the lives of those that she led. She realized then that she said had a great impact on those within her influence.

Dr. Donna served five and half years as a commissioned officer and then decided to change course and venture into Corporate America. She took a position with Frito-Lay in Orlando, Florida. During her time with Frito-Lay Dr. Donna has worked in every capacity of the Operations Function of the business. She has received several promotions during her career.

Dr. Donna has over 14 years of leadership experience. She is an expert in soldier, personal, leader, employee and team development. She has lead over 1,000 soldiers and 500 employees. Dr. Donna has conducted years of research and understands the components to achieving success in any industry.

Dr. Donna has the ability to transform people and organizations. She has a realistic approach to every situation. Her style is different than most. Her methods though unconventional are very effective.

Her vision is simple: Meet your potential!

Dr. Donna has a B.S. Public Law and Government, an M.S. Criminal Justice and a Ed.D Organizational Leadership. She's affiliated with Toastmasters International, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Women of Color Alliance.

Her certifications and training include Level III Inclusion and Diversity Training, Continuous Improvement Master Trainer, Region Performance Based Trainer and an Air Assault Badge.

12:00 pm EDT
Listen to the live or archived show at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachDeb

"5 Steps to Thinking Big and Living Grand"

by Ali Brown

I know what it's like to think that the lifestyle I want is out of reach. Just 10 years ago, I would lie on my bed in my tiny 400-square-foot studio apartment and flip through magazines, wishing I could have the luxurious lifestyles I read about.

Despite that negative, nagging voice in my head that reminded me I could barely afford rent, I'm now living a beautiful life I created for myself from scratch. Instead of moping around an apartment I can barely afford, I now have the means to travel and to inspire others. Last year I took a solo retreat to Maui, and this year I vacationed at an exclusive beach resort in Cabo San Lucas.

How'd I do it? By deciding not to settle for being average and thinking BIG. Changing your mindset can be a challenge, but the rewards are well worth the cost. Here's how you can get started...

1. Eliminate negativity. This includes negative self-talk, too. Why would the universe bring you a better life if you don't appreciate what you already have? Show gratitude for everything in your life now. Those seemingly bad days happen for a reason, so whenever you find yourself thinking, "I can't do this" or "that's impossible," reframe it as the opposite. "I can do that, that is possible..." You owe it to yourself to give yourself the love and support you need to succeed.

2. Document your dreams. Earlier this year, I wanted to manifest a new house, so I listed all of the qualities in my dream home: a 3-car garage, workout room, walk-in closets... (Don't censor yourself! Anything is possible, even if it seems silly now.) I also bought some real estate magazines, cut out pictures of homes I love, and created a collage. I'm constantly updating my "dream board," which is now proudly displayed in my new house!

3. Surround yourself ONLY with supportive people. I only shared my house dream with friends and family I knew would support my decision. (NOT those prone to phrases like "Are you crazy? Who do you think you are? Ms. Trump?") Your true friends and family will be happy to share in your dream. If you don't have anyone else to support you, then it's time to make new friends - join a networking group or a mastermind.

4. Decide, believe, and watch for clues. It's not enough to make a decision to work towards your dreams. You must also truly believe in them! Don't worry about HOW your dreams will manifest themselves. Watch for clues, and the HOW will find you, perhaps in the form of a new business partner or a new client. But remember that the dream comes before the HOW.

5. ACT on opportunities when they appear. Action involves risk. You might have to hire more people to help with a new client. You'll need time to research that prospective business partner. Or figure out how to hire that amazing new mentor. But it's up to YOU to take action when the path is revealed. The universe is supporting you, and each step will bring you closer to your dreams.

© 2010 Ali International, LLC

Self-made multimillionaire entrepreneur and Inc. 500 CEO Ali Brown is devoted to creating financial freedom for women globally through the power of entrepreneurship. To learn how to create wealth and live an extraordinary life now, register for her free weekly articles at www.AliBrown.com

Author Q&A: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months by Melinda Emerson

Author and Small Business Coach Melinda Emerson was a very informative guest on the Women Entrepreneurs Radio™ show. In this post she shares more of her insights about starting a business and her new book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business that Works

Why did you write Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months?

My mission as small business coach is to End Small Business Failure. I wanted to develop a tool for people who are unhappy with their jobs and wanted to start a business. I also wanted to discourage people from just quitting their jobs without a well-researched plan. Too often I got calls from people seeking my advice about starting a business—after they had already quit their job which is just too late to start planning. I started out sending these would-be entrepreneurs a one pager with start-up tips. Then it was expanded into a special report, 44 Things To Do Before Going Into Business, which was the basis for this book. Over the years I became a business coach and lecturer on small business best practices. Since the recession began, small business owners have even less time to hit it big with their niche target customer now. I thought the best way to help entrepreneurs would be to provide a step-by-step proven method to start a successful small business.

What makes your book different from all the other start-up business books?

Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months provides a realistic, month-by-month planning guide to start a sustainable and profitable small business. If you’re planning to start a business soon, the key to being successful is not only to create a sound business concept, but also taking the time to figure out the business of running a business. This book will point out the important and necessary steps to take – so you will have the right foundation for a small business. Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is not a book about writing a business plan; it’s about planning your successful small business.

Why does it take 12 months to start a business?

12 Months is an ideal time-frame to start a business, it’s not meant to be restrictive. I have been an entrepreneur for more than 11 years. Based on my experience, I believe the longer you plan, the more research you will do, and the more money you save, the more likely you are to succeed in business.

What if you don’t have 12 months?

Sometimes people are forced to start sooner. This is triggered by layoffs, getting fired, buyouts or retirement packages. I only planned for three months with my first business, but the challenge with that approach is you learn plenty of lessons the hard way, and that can be expensive. If you live by a budget, have your debt under control, and have a significant amount of savings, you will be able to start your business much sooner. Depending on your individual situation, it may take more than a year to get your personal finances in order.


Who should start a business?

Anyone with a solid, profitable business idea, willing to learn the business of running a business, can start a successful small business.

Why do small businesses fail so often?

1) No Life Plan—You need to develop a life plan and then build a business around that.
2) No Network—People do business with people they like and people they know. Who do you know and, more importantly, who knows you?
3) Lack of Target Market Focus—You have limited time and limited resources. Choose a niche so you can focus your marketing efforts.
4) Undercapitalized—If you do not save enough money to run your household for at least a year and fund the business, you may not be able to hang on until the business can generate any real revenue.
5) Lack of Fiscal Discipline—Do you run your business with a budget? Do you just rob the cash register when you need some cash? Do you make business decisions based on up-to-date financial information?

What are the 7 Essential Principals of Small Business Success?

Throughout the past five years, I have interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs and business executives. After listening to what they said about running their businesses and observing how they did business, I realized that there were 7 things they all had in common. They include having an entrepreneurial mindset, utilizing strict fiscal discipline, and having a kitchen cabinet of advisors. They make use of a well-defined brand identity; have a niche market customer, excellent customer service, and a firm understanding every day of their cash position by carefully managing their banking relationship. Using these principles can help any business run at its best. It’s the gold standard all businesses need to strive for from the very beginning.

Who is this target audience for this book?

This book is for anyone looking to create a plan to fire their boss and start a small business. It will also help people who are within their few years of launching a new enterprise. I have also heard from seasoned business owners who tell me that this book could serve as a professional development course or a great roadmap to reinventing a struggling business.


Melinda F. Emerson, also known as Twitter’s SmallBizLady is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs. She is the founder and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, an award-winning strategic communications firm. She has created productions for such companies as Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Comcast. Her book Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works!” was released in March 2010 by Adams Media.

Are You A Member Yet?

by Julie Barnes

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly wondering if we are taking the right steps to take the business to the next level. It can be hard not to compare our business with the other thousands out there leaving us to wonder, if we buy into the latest program will this boost business?

Beware of all of the “gurus” out there when surfing the web. You know the ones. They have the sensational “squeeze” pages. Before you know it, you’re off running to get your credit card, knowing that if you buy this one program, you will be at six-figures by the end of the year.

Tip: There are rarely “overnight” successes. While it may seem that the “guru” hit the mother lode in less than year, most entrepreneurs achieve the success of their dreams by staying focused, working hard, and not letting outside influences sidetrack them. Also, remember that your idea of success may different than the next entrepreneur.

Then there are the membership programs. It seems like everyone has some variety of membership program and your email box is full of reasons why you should join.

Tip: Some of the greatest entrepreneurs attribute much of their success to working with mentors and coaches. While some groups and programs may be worth the money spent, it is always beneficial to follow the rule of “buyers beware”. Google the program. Research the instructor. Ask your circle of peers. You’ll soon find out that the Cyber World is smaller than you think.
…
Copyright © 2010 Julie Barnes and One Who Writes

Julie Barnes is a Freelance Writer focusing on her passion of entrepreneurship. Julie published “So You Want to Start a Business…Now What?” in December 2009. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron and lovable dog Hank. You can visit her site at http://www.onewhowrites.com.

Julie Barnes is a regular contributor to the Secrets of Success blog.

Recipe for Success

by Deborah A. Bailey

My mom usually makes pies for the holidays. This year I wrote a couple of recipes down just in case I decided to try them for myself. The reason I haven’t done it so far is because I know my pie won’t taste the same as hers. We may follow the same recipe, but the result won’t be the same. Each person puts something a little different into the thing they’re creating.

It might be a bit of a stretch to compare pies to careers, but in this case I think it’s similar. Everyone brings a part of themselves into everything they do. It doesn’t matter if there are already other people doing that work – you will bring something to it that no one else can.

During this time of year there’s always a lot of introspection about where we’ve been and where we’re heading. It’s easy to get discouraged if we think we can’t compete with people who are already doing what we want to do – or we think we are entering a seemingly overcrowded field. When I was afraid to move forward, I was always finding reasons why I should stay put. Thankfully I didn’t let any of them stop me.

So I guess it’s okay if my pie doesn’t taste like my mom’s. Her pie doesn’t taste like my grandmother’s. Each of us can add something to the mix that is uniquely our own.

Deborah A. Bailey is author of two non-fiction books including, “Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life.” She's also the creator and host of Women Entrepreneurs Radio, a weekly internet talk show. Her fiction work includes a short story collection and a novel, available on Amazon.com. 

For more information, visit http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com.

The Day I Learned to Start Saying 'No'

by Alexandria Brown

It was the fall of 1998 when I had just started my first business as a marketing communications writer. Most of my clients hired me for newsletters, brochures, and sales materials, but I would get the occasional request for something different. At the time I was too naive to consider saying "no" to any project that didn't fit me perfectly. (Especially when I was living paycheck to paycheck.)

A perfect example of this was when a colleague named Chip asked if I could write a short script for a customer service training video. "Wow," I said. "Video! That sounds like fun. Sure thing. I'll take it on!"

Big mistake.

Sure, at first it seemed exciting. But after I got into it, I was miserable. Not only did I spend three times as many hours as I'd planned JUST on figuring out what they wanted, but I honestly didn't know what I was doing. I'd never written a video script in my life! I thought it would be simple, but it was a whole other world.

This thing not only sucked up all my time, taking me away from my best clients, but it also drained my energy and my confidence. Even worse, I couldn't take on a wonderfully perfect NEW project that I was offered in the meantime.

I felt sick every time I looked at that project folder. I lost sleep worrying that I wasn't doing a good job on it, and worst of all, my fears were confirmed...

One day Chip left a message on my answering machine that MORE major revisions were needed. Then, it sounded like he hung up the phone, because there was a soft click. But then I heard him start to talk about me with his partner (obviously unaware that his speaker-phone was still on).

At first I stopped the message from playing, because I knew I was not supposed to be privy to this conversation. But I wanted to know the truth, so I listened. My heart sank as I heard things like, "This writer doesn't know what she's doing on this... we should have hired a real video writer... I feel bad she's trying so hard, but this just isn't getting better."

I got so ANGRY!

Not at Chip, but at myself.

Here I was... an award-winning writer for marketing communications. Marketing communications! That means marketing materials. NOT training videos!

So why had I taken on that project?

A good friend of mine calls this "bright, shiny object syndrome", and it happens to many entrepreneurs. You see, we love ideas! We enjoy moving from idea to idea, and it's easy to get distracted by something that seems new and exciting.

Especially when you start experiencing success, it's as if every opportunity in the world starts falling in your lap. You have to become a master of saying "no". That was very hard for me.

But by sticking with what you KNOW you are good at, you are always confident and calm in your work. You know how to market yourself, and you know who you're marketing to! (Plus you can charge high rates with confidence.)

I've become so clear now at what I'm amazing at, what I offer, who I'm marketing to, and how I want my life to look like, that any business or life decision is crystal clear. I know exactly what to say "no" to.

(And they say for every "no" you give, a better "yes" comes along!)

So today, make a list of what you are good at, what you're confident in doing, what you want to do, and who you do it for. And then practice saying, "No!" to anything else.

You'll find that your marketing and your business will magically become easier, more enjoyable, and more successful!

© 2003-2008 Alexandria Brown International Inc.



Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning "Highlights on Marketing Success" weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at AlexandriaBrown.com