Friday, September 5. 2008
Greetings from Des Moines! I am honored to be a part of the Monument Builders convention at the downtown Marriott. What an amazing group of people. Many of you know I over-trained in preparation for the Quad Cities Marathon. Now I get to walk around with a knee injury that makes me look like an injured gazelle!
I found out that this could have been prevented. (yes, I'm in a tremendous amount of pain. The acupuncture really helps though) If I would have followed the recommended training program and incrementally increased my training instead of going "all out". I do realize that my girlfriend has run countless marathons and warned me about this from day 1, but I knew better (right guys!)
If you are growing your business, you must understand that it is a process. While you may not be growing as fast as you would like, you need to build strength. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND YOU WHO ARE EXPERTS!
For more business building tips, visit www.theshef.com
Tuesday, August 26. 2008
What an interesting experience I had yesterday. I was speaking to a fantastic company, Modern Woodmen of America yesterday afternoon. They are based only 20 miles from where I live. I had everything prepped and ready for the program and was just running some errands yesterday morning.
I had just replaced my radiator in my car a couple of weeks ago and was shocked to find smoke/steam pouring from the hood (this is 90 minutes prior to me being on stage!) Upon opening it, I had found a fist sized hole in a radiator hose. After a few frantic phone calls, I located the crucial $13 replacement. It was only 8 miles away and I set out to begin my journey. 4 miles out, my car was red lining the temperature gauge.
I pulled over and called Autozone (the auto parts store) after briefly explaining my situation (this is now 60 minutes prior to my engagement!) they sent out an employee who replaced the part and got me on my way within 5 minutes.
Needless to say, this great display of outstanding customer service will not only endear me to that company, but I will also be able to praise them everywhere I speak.
Go out of your way to wow someone.!
Oh yeah, after this "angel" came out and helped me, I couldn't wait to repay the favor. Last night on the way to a meeting, I met a gentleman with a flat tire on the side of the highway. His tire taker offer thinger was broken so I popped out and changed it for him. When God smiles on you, don't hesitate to help someone else!
Check out my site and my leadership programs at www.theshef.com
Tuesday, August 19. 2008
I am really starting to develop a love for running. Road running, trail running; I don't care. 5 months ago if someone would have asked me to go running, my reply would have been, "from what?"
I found myself hitting a wall of about 4-5 miles on a run. I decided to go out to the park near my house for some trail running. I found out a very important lesson: If you are running and lost, you keep running until you figure out where you are! I tried that on Sunday and ran 10 miles! I did it again today and did 7! I realize there are little devices that will tell you where you are, but that is just too high tech!
What are you doing to be unconventional?
Friday, August 15. 2008
I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Calgary. I had the opportunity to address a couple of hundred people from 60 different countries. What an honor! When I was on my way back, I was visiting with a guy who is a general contractor for casinos all over the United States.
The young lady sitting next to me on the plane is a college student and would love to intern at a casino. She said it loud enough that the above mentioned guy heard it. "No problem. Give me your contact information when we get off the plane and I'll help you with that." he said.
None of this would have happened if she wouldn't have openly stated what she wanted. Many times people will tell you what they don't want. Then guess what? They get more of it!
If there is something you would like, shout it from the rooftops!
I will write a more detailed article in next month's A Captured Mind. (www.acapturedmind.com) check it out!
Shef
Wednesday, August 6. 2008
Running here, there and everywhere. Many of us are busier than we could have ever imagined. We over commit and forget to fill up ourselves because we are trying to give it to everyone else.
I had lunch with a great friend, Tom, yesterday. He just retired this past fall and shared something with me that struck me as profound. He said," Dave, I used to just look at the flowers and see flowers. Now I am able to see the construction, colors, and composition. It is so sweet! When we get older, the days fly by quicker because we know that the time we have on this earth is limited. Enjoy the ride from the beginning".
Profound. My suggestion is that you pay close attention to what you are doing. Take the time to relax and have some "you time" sit on your deck and watch the river go by with a loved one. Play catch with your kids. Go have lunch at your kid's school. Listen.
Monday, August 4. 2008
Many times we look at some task as being insurmountable. Let's take physical fitness, for example. Someone who is obese and has been sedentary for years looks at their friend who is in great shape and thinks, "I could never do that. There is no way I can work out for 45 minutes!"
Here's a newsflash: You didn't get in your present condition overnight and you won't get out of it overnight either. Perhaps your first step is to put on your gym shoes and drive to the gym. Maybe you start with a 5 minute workout. Gradually you build upon your past day's success until you begin to see and feel some results.
The same is true with all aspects of life. In today's age of instant gratification we want it all and we want it yesterday. Just keep in mind that everything in life is a process.
Visit www.theshef.com
Wednesday, July 30. 2008
"He's a self made man" How many times have you heard that? While there is something to be said for someone sticking to their project from start to finish, no one does it alone.
Yesterday my good friend and business partner, Tony Rubleski, launched his second book, Mind Capture in the age of ADD. It went to #1 within hours of release. This did not happen by accident. Having been "behind the scenes" for the preceding few months, there were countless people hammering their lists, adding bonus offers, and other goodies to make this happen.
While the book did not happen to go #1 out of thin air; it took the collaboration of many people to get it to perform the way that it did (check out www.mindcapturebook.com great stuff!)
What do you need to do to perform? Who can you bring with you for the journey? How can you help them?
For more great info, visit www.theshef.com
Tuesday, July 29. 2008
What a day. Before 9 am I was on the beach and in the water. While that may sound appealing to most; it really wasn't to me. I was on the golf course. You have to understand that I am really not that proficient of a golfer. However if you can't do something well, enjoy doing something poorly!
This leads me to the topic of mentors. I need a golf coach. Probably one with a ton of patience. The pro shop told me that there was quite a wait for this service. I am amazed that many people in business will "wing it" instead of asking for help. This is a recipe for business suicide. I would recommend that people find someone who is doing something at the level they want to do it at and hire them. This will slice tons of time off of the learning curve. (Hey, slice, get it?)
For more great info, check out www.theshef.com
Wednesday, July 23. 2008
I am a self professed sales geek. No way around it. If I see a great example of a shining star in the sales world whether it is someone who is selling radishes or rolls royces, I want to learn from the experience it! One of my observations as I travel helping people and companies have their greatest year ever is that most sales professionals will get their prospects to the 1 yard line and not ask them to buy. This is not true in New York City.
If you are buying a pair of jeans in NYC, the clerk will help you find the right pair (build rapport), ask you what you think about them (qualify) and close you. If it is too much or you start to walk out, they will negotiate! It amazes me how passionate someone can be about a pair of $40 jeans!
I purchased a pair when traveling there a while back, while the jeans are worn out; the lesson has remained. Don't forget to Ask, Ask, Ask!
Visit ,my site at www.theshef.com
Monday, July 14. 2008
Hi there!
I'm taking a few days away to recoup and work on my next book, Unlock the Gift. My son and I were driving through South Dakota and stopped at one of the many rest stops. We were greeted by a gentleman who was so excited about his state and everything that it had to offer! He asked us a variety of questions, thanked us for visiting his state, and pointed us in the right direction.
There are 3 crucial lessons in this visit:
1. Focus on the client. Ask about them before you tell them about you or your business.
2. Have passion about what it is that you are doing. I don't care if you are a garbageman, a real estate agent, or a tour guide. It is your passion that sells people on your heart.
3. Be mindful and thank people. Yep, mom was right on this one. It is seldom used, but sorely needed!
Visit my site at www.theshef.com for more great info!
Monday, July 7. 2008
Many people are fearful of sales people. That is because, quite frankly, many of them suck and give the rest of us a bad name. If you think about it, NOTHING happens until someone sells someone else something! Many sales people are simply order takers.
Shelly and I visited several fantastic wineries over the weekend and you'll be reading about many of them in upcoming blogs and e-zines. I have to share the story of a fantastic winery owner named Lori. She invited us into the winery, told us the stories of the place, (building credibility), when we sat down at her table to sample the wines, she explained how we could use each one of them. For example, "This is great when you marinate shrimp in it then grill. Drink this other kind of wine to compliment the flavor." She was fantastic (not the only one, they were all great!) BUT SHE BUILT DEMAND. In the end, she closed a couple of sales.
Ask yourself these 3 questions:
1. What are some other uses for my products/services/talents?
2. How can I paint the picture for my clients/employer?
3. What can I do to grow myself?
Also, I'm attaching the photo in front of Lori's Winery (Christian Heritage winery) Keep up the great work! 
Thursday, July 3. 2008
I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. Especially those who are miles away from home helping to keep our country free. Let's keep in mind that we are not the land of the free and home of the brave. We are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave!
Tuesday, July 1. 2008
If you think about it, your most crucial life lessons did not come from those who only encouraged you; they came from those who saw enough within you to hold you accountable for results. There are times in life when I would love to only coddle my son and tell him that he can do no wrong. That is not realistic. He will have times when he will be a turd. That's just life. When he does, there will be consequences.
As a manager or business owner, we often will gloss over many professional and personal flaws. Let's face it, no one will be 100% like you. If you have an employee who likes to steal postage, cut off their wrist! (OOps! That's a little extreme) Actually, if they would take 50 cents from you, they would justify the hell out of taking thousands of dollars from you. Maybe they need to get chewed so hard, they have only 1/2 of a butt cheek left. I don't know your situation.
Holding yourself accountable is a daunting task as well. The summer time doesn't lend itself to "easy to focus" time for me. I would much rather be on my deck, hanging out with friends, or riding my Harley. I need to focus on the task at hand and pick up the 300 lb phone to make the deals happen. You should do the same. Offer yourself some rewards at milestones, but keep focused.
Visit www.theshef.com for more great content.
Thursday, June 26. 2008
Most of us have seen a baby book. Every event leading up to and including the birth of the little one is chronicled in great detail and with anticipation. The records include all of the milestones: the first steps, words, friends, etc. We are celebrating the greatest gift of a new life in our life.
Why should it stop with a child? You were a baby at one time, and therefore a gift. Keep adding to your personal milestones. Anthony Robbins says, "If life is worth living, it is worth recording!" How true! I was going back through my journal the other evening and witnessed tremendous growth. You often times can't appreciate the beauty of the forest when you are in the midst of the woods.
Here is another twist: record all of your milestones with the special someone in your life. Too often we enjoy certain elements, events, and emotions of life but fail to record them. This is all part of the recipe if you want to recreate the special feeling. We are working on ours right now and are very excited about it. I will keep you posted on how it goes. If anyone out there has any suggestions on what you do to make and create powerful, positive, passionate relationships; share your secrets on this post.
Until next time, live life with your eyes open. You never know when opportunity may show up!
Shef
Tuesday, June 24. 2008
This past weekend Johnny, Tony, Bryan, Paul, and I held our second annual Speakers Success Summit. People from across this great nation of our came in to learn how to grow a profitable and powerful speaking business. As we were sitting in the restaurant on Saturday night, it dawned on me that the reason we were all there was the result of a powerful masterminding session 18 months earlier.
We decided that we would push ourselves, hold each other accountable, and share in each other's joy and successes. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. Tony is coming out with his second NYT best seller on July 29, Johnny continues to define new marketing and income trends, and I am speaking to great audiences from all over the world.
Collaboration is key to success in any venture. I would encourage all of you to find several people (no more than 4) to hold each other accountable and enjoy new success with. If you would like more info on how to form a results oriented mastermind group, please email us at info@theshef.com. For more great information, please visit www.theshef.com.
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