Are we legalizing illegality?
Almost daily I hear something about illegal activity. Illegal immigrants, illegal drugs, illegal business practices, all kinds of illegal activities and the list goes on and on. I don’t know but when I was growing up if it was illegal, it was wrong. Plain and simple, wrong. No don’t get me wrong, I have done my fair share of this wrong, some of them I’m sure even “Illegal”. But what does the word really mean nowadays?
Let’s take a look at Webster’s definition: Not according to, or authorized by, law; contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as,
An illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love.
Illegal is simply a violation of human law, immoral and or illicit or in other words wrong! I guess my question is why are we trying to legalize illegal activities but still calling them illegal? Case in point we are trying to protect the rights of “Illegal” aliens. WHY? They have circumvented the legal process to arrive here in the good ol’ US of A. If I circumvent a legal process are my rights going to allow me to continue to violate the process. I HOPE NOT! That is why we have put into place specific rule, guidelines and regulations.
So why do some think that the rules don’t apply? Why do they continue to do whatever they please regardless of the agreements they have in place then cry “oh woe is me”. When did we become a nation of spineless weak leaders? The rules seem to only apply to those that abide by them and agree to abide by them. Anyone else gets a pass. I think it is time for people and leaders to stand up and do what they say. Be congruent with your words and actions. If you call it illegal, then don’t do it. If you say you will do it, then do it!
It is time for each of us to do what it takes to make this the society we know it is. Stand up for your rights, give our word and keep our word. Today what can you do to make a change.
I say… Roll Up Your Sleeves and Get to Work
Coach Rick
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
It's ALL about you!
I was reading through some e-mails and found this. I was so touched that I just had to share it. I cannot take credit for actually writing it, just sharing. Thanks to Jon Gordon of www.jongordon.com I hope this inspires you today. Roll up Your Sleeves and Get to Work.
God Bless
Coach Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
I believe it is about you. If it weren’t about you, you wouldn’t be here.
You are not an accident.
You are here for a reason.
You have a destiny.
You have a purpose.
You have gifts and talents.
You do things that only you can do in the way you do them.
You and only you can leave your mark on the world.
So it is about you!
However, it’s not just about you. Because if it was just about you, you’d be:
Self-serving
Alone
Narcissistic
Empty
Unfulfilled
It’s about more than you. It’s about knowing you were made for relationships:
To love
To mentor
To learn
To serve
To create
To build
To dream
To work together
To change for the better
It’s about living for more than you.
For a bigger purpose.
For a greater cause.
For a deeper meaning.
For those who will become your legacy.
It’s about you knowing you are part of something much bigger than you.
You live in a universe.
Uni-verse means one-song.
Songs don’t happen by accident.
Songs are created by organizing notes into arrangements and patterns.
And so there is a Creator of the one-song.
You are an expression of the Creator.
You are a note in His symphony.
It’s about you!
It’s about you contributing to the one-song.
It’s about you playing your part to the best of your ability.
It’s about you lifting others up.
Its about you living the purpose God created you for.
It’s about you, the Creator, and the song becoming one.
It's about you and now what you do is up to you.
Live life to the fullest... Now Roll up Your Sleeves and Get to Work.
CR
God Bless
Coach Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
I believe it is about you. If it weren’t about you, you wouldn’t be here.
You are not an accident.
You are here for a reason.
You have a destiny.
You have a purpose.
You have gifts and talents.
You do things that only you can do in the way you do them.
You and only you can leave your mark on the world.
So it is about you!
However, it’s not just about you. Because if it was just about you, you’d be:
Self-serving
Alone
Narcissistic
Empty
Unfulfilled
It’s about more than you. It’s about knowing you were made for relationships:
To love
To mentor
To learn
To serve
To create
To build
To dream
To work together
To change for the better
It’s about living for more than you.
For a bigger purpose.
For a greater cause.
For a deeper meaning.
For those who will become your legacy.
It’s about you knowing you are part of something much bigger than you.
You live in a universe.
Uni-verse means one-song.
Songs don’t happen by accident.
Songs are created by organizing notes into arrangements and patterns.
And so there is a Creator of the one-song.
You are an expression of the Creator.
You are a note in His symphony.
It’s about you!
It’s about you contributing to the one-song.
It’s about you playing your part to the best of your ability.
It’s about you lifting others up.
Its about you living the purpose God created you for.
It’s about you, the Creator, and the song becoming one.
It's about you and now what you do is up to you.
Live life to the fullest... Now Roll up Your Sleeves and Get to Work.
CR
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Are you SERIOUS???
Apple finally released the new iPhone 4 to an avalanche of excitement. There were people just drooling over this new phone. When I say excitement.. I'm serious! people were nuts trying to get their own iPhone. I mean seriously, who camps out for a phone? Why would you? I drove by my local Apple store about 10 am this morning just to witness this phenomenon. There were 500+ people in line, some with chairs, umbrellas (Texas heat), I even saw one person who had brought their own box fan and extension cord. This to me is NUTS!
With all that I began to wonder this... Why would these people subject themselves to this torture? No sleep, heat, loss of productive time, and the hassle just for a phone. What does Apple iPhone have that you can't get in another smart phone? I will tell you. Mystique. It has that wow factor that makes it different.
Apple has created a culture, a brand loyalty, that very few companies or people ever do. Think of the brands you remember that conjure up such fierce loyalty that people will create tributes to or even tattoo it on themselves. Harley Davidson, Apple, Nike, The Rolling Stones tongue logo, Marilyn Monroe etc. Why would anyone put the logo of their favorite motorcycle or computer or athletic shoe tattooed on their body? Because the brand has created a remarkable distinction and made itself different from the competition. What would it be like if your brand had such loyalty?
What do you think drives this loyalty? How did Apple become the brand synonymous with revolutionary ideas? Now ask yourself, how can I build brand loyalty for my brand? We all have a personal brand in one shape or another. Whether it is a company brand or maybe even your own personal "brand". How can you or what could you do to make your "brand" remarkable. Many years ago when I started my latest career as a speaker and executive coach it was critical to build a brand that works for me. I began to brand myself as a business coach call "COACH RICK". Now when someone asked about me most people will say "Oh yea, Coach Rick, I know him or I get his e-mail the "BALD TRUTH" good stuff."
I took years to build this brand and continue to promote Coach Rick as the speaker for your event or coach for your business. All my clients call me Coach Rick and when the talk about going through one of my programs or seminars the refer to me as Coach Rick. This is branding. Personal branding. My brand stands for a couple of things; Integrity, commitment, serving, relationships, quality and Fun. What does your brand say about you? This week work on how you can become remarkable and make your brand stand out head and shoulders from your competition.
Just Roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Coach Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
With all that I began to wonder this... Why would these people subject themselves to this torture? No sleep, heat, loss of productive time, and the hassle just for a phone. What does Apple iPhone have that you can't get in another smart phone? I will tell you. Mystique. It has that wow factor that makes it different.
Apple has created a culture, a brand loyalty, that very few companies or people ever do. Think of the brands you remember that conjure up such fierce loyalty that people will create tributes to or even tattoo it on themselves. Harley Davidson, Apple, Nike, The Rolling Stones tongue logo, Marilyn Monroe etc. Why would anyone put the logo of their favorite motorcycle or computer or athletic shoe tattooed on their body? Because the brand has created a remarkable distinction and made itself different from the competition. What would it be like if your brand had such loyalty?
What do you think drives this loyalty? How did Apple become the brand synonymous with revolutionary ideas? Now ask yourself, how can I build brand loyalty for my brand? We all have a personal brand in one shape or another. Whether it is a company brand or maybe even your own personal "brand". How can you or what could you do to make your "brand" remarkable. Many years ago when I started my latest career as a speaker and executive coach it was critical to build a brand that works for me. I began to brand myself as a business coach call "COACH RICK". Now when someone asked about me most people will say "Oh yea, Coach Rick, I know him or I get his e-mail the "BALD TRUTH" good stuff."
I took years to build this brand and continue to promote Coach Rick as the speaker for your event or coach for your business. All my clients call me Coach Rick and when the talk about going through one of my programs or seminars the refer to me as Coach Rick. This is branding. Personal branding. My brand stands for a couple of things; Integrity, commitment, serving, relationships, quality and Fun. What does your brand say about you? This week work on how you can become remarkable and make your brand stand out head and shoulders from your competition.
Just Roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Coach Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Work from your Core Strengths
Today I read something that reminded me of how important it is to remember your strengths and work from them. All too often we try to shore up our weak areas and forget to look at what has gotten us to where we are now. We cannot grow to our full potential if we continually work outside our core competencies and strengths. Improvement is related to ability. Find what you are good at and become great at it.
What happens if you spend all your time working on your weaknesses and forget about working on your strengths? You become good at best, and probably just mediocre or average at what you are trying to become. Occasionally you may have to work outside of your core strengths but you should always come back to what you do best. Don't settle at mediocrity, focus on your strong suit.
We always are taught to look at the areas that we are not doing so well in. In school we are told to keep ALL our grades up. For me, sometimes I just didn't get a subject and didn't get an "A"... OK I really didn't get many "A's" I will admit, but I did well in the areas that interested me and these were the areas that were my strengths. Math, English, Arts (drama/acting) were some of the areas that I was pretty strong in. Over the years this has served me well. I run a successful small business that requires I do the books (math) and speak and write for my living. (Drama/English) The other subjects, well, they just were not something that I found particularly important to work on. AND so far this has served me well.
I was reading a daily devotional and it told a story about a group of neighborhood kids that built a fort in the woods. They formed their own club with officers and all. When they shared this with their parents they explained who held what office the parents were astonished. See they had elected a four year old boy the president. Every one thought "he must be a born leader". Au contraire... See when asked how the boy had become president and why the boys had elected him president they explained; "Well he can't very well be secretary, because he can't read or write. He couldn't be treasurer because he can't count. He would never do as sergeant at arms cause he is just to small to throw anyone out. If we didn't choose him for anything he would feel bad and like we left him out. So we made him president.."
Unfortunately life doesn't work like that. You can't and don't become successful just because you show up. It is critical that you work from your strengths and continue to expand than hone them to be as strong as you can. This will assure you are a success at what you are good at.
Seek guidance, sharpen your core strengths, be patient and doors will open for you.
Live life with passion and a clear direction.
Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
What happens if you spend all your time working on your weaknesses and forget about working on your strengths? You become good at best, and probably just mediocre or average at what you are trying to become. Occasionally you may have to work outside of your core strengths but you should always come back to what you do best. Don't settle at mediocrity, focus on your strong suit.
We always are taught to look at the areas that we are not doing so well in. In school we are told to keep ALL our grades up. For me, sometimes I just didn't get a subject and didn't get an "A"... OK I really didn't get many "A's" I will admit, but I did well in the areas that interested me and these were the areas that were my strengths. Math, English, Arts (drama/acting) were some of the areas that I was pretty strong in. Over the years this has served me well. I run a successful small business that requires I do the books (math) and speak and write for my living. (Drama/English) The other subjects, well, they just were not something that I found particularly important to work on. AND so far this has served me well.
I was reading a daily devotional and it told a story about a group of neighborhood kids that built a fort in the woods. They formed their own club with officers and all. When they shared this with their parents they explained who held what office the parents were astonished. See they had elected a four year old boy the president. Every one thought "he must be a born leader". Au contraire... See when asked how the boy had become president and why the boys had elected him president they explained; "Well he can't very well be secretary, because he can't read or write. He couldn't be treasurer because he can't count. He would never do as sergeant at arms cause he is just to small to throw anyone out. If we didn't choose him for anything he would feel bad and like we left him out. So we made him president.."
Unfortunately life doesn't work like that. You can't and don't become successful just because you show up. It is critical that you work from your strengths and continue to expand than hone them to be as strong as you can. This will assure you are a success at what you are good at.
Seek guidance, sharpen your core strengths, be patient and doors will open for you.
Live life with passion and a clear direction.
Rick
http://www.coachrick.net/
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Change is Inevitable - Growth is optional
Daily we are all faced with doing new and different things. Change can knock us off track in an instant. How are you measuring how change is affecting you?
You must constantly be measuring your results to make sure you are on track to achieve what it is you want. You will get just what it is that you expect to get. It was once said that if you think you can or think you can't... you are right. So true.
Just this morning I was commenting on how important it is to establish benchmarks for performance in an organization. Without a target to aim for how will you know if you are progressing towards your goals? You must evaluate whether the action you are taking are moving you forward towards the results you want or in the other direction. It is critical that you take the right actions and then continue to act on them in order to get the success you are looking for. When working on a goal you and only you are the final say in whether you are getting the results you want. You get to decide what actions to take, it may mean that you re-evaluate the goal, or change it or even forget it altogether. Your choice.
When trying to grow you will go through some major changes. You will experience obstacles that will either hold you back or take you off track or you can embrace them, learn from them and grow! The choice is yours. Do you grow or change course?
Evaluation is critical! If you see yourself heading down a wrong road, a slippery slope or even at a dead stop... Change course. take new actions. If you are going along and ignore the directions and feedback, the warning signs, you may get so far along that it may be too late to fix it and you will have to start all over again. You may even not notice you are headed the wrong way because this is what is normal now and you have not looked at your original goal for quite some time. Evaluation is critical.
Start by setting your goals, then decide on the actions and implement. Simple right? It would seem so, but why do so many fail to accomplish things. It is because they fail to set measurements and regularly evaluate progress. Start off knowing what you want and then set this as the standard. Then... Measure, measure, measure.
What are you going to do to measure and hold yourself accountable? Who keeps you on track? Do you have a personal "board of directors"? Find someone to hold you accountable and then let them help you achieve more than you ever thought you could.
Live life with a passion and a clear direction!
Rick
www.coachrick.net
You must constantly be measuring your results to make sure you are on track to achieve what it is you want. You will get just what it is that you expect to get. It was once said that if you think you can or think you can't... you are right. So true.
Just this morning I was commenting on how important it is to establish benchmarks for performance in an organization. Without a target to aim for how will you know if you are progressing towards your goals? You must evaluate whether the action you are taking are moving you forward towards the results you want or in the other direction. It is critical that you take the right actions and then continue to act on them in order to get the success you are looking for. When working on a goal you and only you are the final say in whether you are getting the results you want. You get to decide what actions to take, it may mean that you re-evaluate the goal, or change it or even forget it altogether. Your choice.
When trying to grow you will go through some major changes. You will experience obstacles that will either hold you back or take you off track or you can embrace them, learn from them and grow! The choice is yours. Do you grow or change course?
Evaluation is critical! If you see yourself heading down a wrong road, a slippery slope or even at a dead stop... Change course. take new actions. If you are going along and ignore the directions and feedback, the warning signs, you may get so far along that it may be too late to fix it and you will have to start all over again. You may even not notice you are headed the wrong way because this is what is normal now and you have not looked at your original goal for quite some time. Evaluation is critical.
Start by setting your goals, then decide on the actions and implement. Simple right? It would seem so, but why do so many fail to accomplish things. It is because they fail to set measurements and regularly evaluate progress. Start off knowing what you want and then set this as the standard. Then... Measure, measure, measure.
What are you going to do to measure and hold yourself accountable? Who keeps you on track? Do you have a personal "board of directors"? Find someone to hold you accountable and then let them help you achieve more than you ever thought you could.
Live life with a passion and a clear direction!
Rick
www.coachrick.net
Monday, May 24, 2010
Moving Forward with Confidence and Power
This weekend I was blessed to spend it with friends and family. Watching a loving family interact at a wonderful event like a wedding was just inspiring. To see the love that each had for the other. Brothers, sister, fathers, mothers, cousin and friends all together in a spirit of love and support for one another. Too often we get mired down in our own little world to really experience that blessings we have right in front of us. So why don't we do this all the time?
The thought I have today is this: How do you move forward in your life after experiencing difficulty, pain, loss or hurt? What can you do to help yourself move forward?
First thing is to accept it. That's right accept it. It happened, its over with now accept it and know there is nothing you can or are going to do to change it. As I just love to say... "It is what it is".
Next we have just got to get over it. Why? Because again, nothing we can do about the past. We can only control our future. Are you going to relive those hurts, pains, disappointments over and over again? Why put yourself through that? Self flagellation hurts!
Finally decide what you want for your future. What does tomorrow look like? Is it a day you want to live in? What good can you put into the day, the week, the month? Decide what you want your life to look like and make life give it to you. Do you have some goals for the week? How about the day? I wake every morning and try to sit on my patio and pray, look at what yesterday was like. I figure what was good yesterday and what I want to change for today. Journal... This allows you to get out all the junk. We all have it, that junk in the trunk of our mind.
Are you setting daily objectives for your self? Too often we set BHAG's. We set those BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS for our self but neglect to look at what we have to do today. One step into the future. The next action, then the next, then the next... Planning is a dirty word to so many yet so many fail to plan. While we fail to plan I really don't think anyone plans to fail.
Are you setting your daily direction? If not, why not? Do you need help and accountability? Get it!
Live your life with passion and a clear direction.
Rick
www.coachrick.net
The thought I have today is this: How do you move forward in your life after experiencing difficulty, pain, loss or hurt? What can you do to help yourself move forward?
First thing is to accept it. That's right accept it. It happened, its over with now accept it and know there is nothing you can or are going to do to change it. As I just love to say... "It is what it is".
Next we have just got to get over it. Why? Because again, nothing we can do about the past. We can only control our future. Are you going to relive those hurts, pains, disappointments over and over again? Why put yourself through that? Self flagellation hurts!
Finally decide what you want for your future. What does tomorrow look like? Is it a day you want to live in? What good can you put into the day, the week, the month? Decide what you want your life to look like and make life give it to you. Do you have some goals for the week? How about the day? I wake every morning and try to sit on my patio and pray, look at what yesterday was like. I figure what was good yesterday and what I want to change for today. Journal... This allows you to get out all the junk. We all have it, that junk in the trunk of our mind.
Are you setting daily objectives for your self? Too often we set BHAG's. We set those BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS for our self but neglect to look at what we have to do today. One step into the future. The next action, then the next, then the next... Planning is a dirty word to so many yet so many fail to plan. While we fail to plan I really don't think anyone plans to fail.
Are you setting your daily direction? If not, why not? Do you need help and accountability? Get it!
Live your life with passion and a clear direction.
Rick
www.coachrick.net
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Taking the next step. Breaking out.
This month I finally stepped out of my personal comfort zone and hired a personal trainer at my gym. Now keep in mind that over the past 35 years, I have been a collegiate level athlete in two sports, competed in over 40 triathlons, finished the Body for Life challenge 2 times and spent a lot of time in the gym (can you say,Gym rat?)for most of my adolescent and adult life. What could this young trainer teach ME about working out?
Let me tell you, A lot! The reason I hired this trainer was that I felt like I had hit a plateau in my workouts. I had my old routines and they were keeping me in pretty good shape. In fact I will say that at 51 years old I'm probably in better shape than most 25 year olds. I needed to try something different to help me break through and all I needed was a different perspective that would allow me to hit the next level.
If you have hit a plateau in your sales or management career, your personal life or just feel flat. You may be successful and accomplished much in your life. Outwardly have what most would say is success. Are you where YOU want to be? Could it be you are doing the same things that got you here again and again? Is now the time to hire someone to help you move to the next level.
I will keep you posted on how the training is going. Four sessions in and I can see (and feel) the difference. Make the change you need to get to where you want to get.
Live the life you want!
Coach Rick
www.coachrick.net
Let me tell you, A lot! The reason I hired this trainer was that I felt like I had hit a plateau in my workouts. I had my old routines and they were keeping me in pretty good shape. In fact I will say that at 51 years old I'm probably in better shape than most 25 year olds. I needed to try something different to help me break through and all I needed was a different perspective that would allow me to hit the next level.
If you have hit a plateau in your sales or management career, your personal life or just feel flat. You may be successful and accomplished much in your life. Outwardly have what most would say is success. Are you where YOU want to be? Could it be you are doing the same things that got you here again and again? Is now the time to hire someone to help you move to the next level.
I will keep you posted on how the training is going. Four sessions in and I can see (and feel) the difference. Make the change you need to get to where you want to get.
Live the life you want!
Coach Rick
www.coachrick.net
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Selling for Geniuses
Selling is what you have to do to do what you want to do. In other words unless you are selling something to someone, you are just doing charity work. While this can be noble, it doesn't pay the bills. So what are you doing today to sell what you need to so that you can make what you want to?
The biggest challenge I find with new "sales" people is that they need to make a sale. AND IT SHOWS!!! Can you say desperate? The smell of desperation just flows off of these folks like a waterfall. They know they have to make a "sale" and push to get to it no matter what the prospect really needs.
This is painful to watch and leads to buyers remorse almost every time. Since most contracts have a 3 business day out clause, the seller or sales person leaves flying high. "Just closed a sale." Happy, whistling that happy sound and planning their next vacation. Three days later, BOOM! The buyer calls to cancell. They have thought it over, talked to their wife, partner, attorney etc... How can you prevent this from happening to you?
One way. Sell without selling. Yep thats right, you have to sell without selling. You must help the prospect make a good buying decision, not push them to make any decision (as long as they buy something). Your job as the sale professional is to presnt the best option and let the buyer make the right choice. If you have done this right, almost always... the deal will stick. In fact the real trouble is getting the buyer to change anything in the deal. They own it! It is theirs and they are moving forward with the deal.
In this blog I will be sharing ideas, thoughts and tips to help you to sell more and sell better (I know that's poor english, but... I don't care) Subscribe and one thing will happen. You will have more ways to be a better salesperson and the tools to be even more successful.
Learn more and get my book Selling for Geniuses at www.coachrick.biz
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