Questions posed yield unexpected benefit…My Linked In Experience

What follows is a response to several individuals who had taken their time to assist me with a question on Linked In. The Q&A feature on LinkedIn provides a valuable resource to tap into my extended business network for research and advice on many areas of my business. I appreciate all those that respond for their time and consideration and always offer back any assistance in their businesses I can provide. This to me is the essence of give and take.

Due to message size limitations on Linked In and my desire to help others, I have posted it here on our blog. Thank you for stopping in and reading. ~ Dan

Begin My Response Below.

Let me begin by saying, Thank you for your time in responding, I appreciate and have learned much more from the answers then I ever intended. Perhaps that is the entrepreneur in me, finding the greater opportunity in every experience I have.

Admittedly, the question I posed was not worded in the best way to achieve the answer I was looking for. I simply wanted to know “If a consultant designed a sales and marketing system for your business that generated $7 Million, would you pay $1 Million (or 15%) to that consultant for its design”? Keeping in mind that a system, can be utilized over and over again by your business to continue generating results for years to come.

The “Guaranteed” $7 Million was simply a play on words if you read it carefully. Given that the ONLY way $1 Million would be paid out on a commission basis is if you actually achieve the $7 Million then logic would prevail that the $7 Million is guaranteed. This is the way almost all pay for performance programs are designed. In fact, if you have ever had any experience with the insurance industry, look at the commission payment structure of life insurance sales from the back end and you will find that this is it.

That takes me to the “impossibility” part in some of the answers received. In the life insurance industry (as one example), commissions on a life insurance product can be from 60% – 125% First Year Commission. That means for a life insurance agent, contracting $7M in premium sales, they would in fact generate a commission in the $ 4.2M range. Payment terms on this type of commission are an entire separate topic.

The insurance company would then be able to enjoy the $7M in premiums year after year until either: A. The policies canceled (resulting in a charge back to the agent) or B. The individual dies (resulting in a benefit payout). The insurance company pays the agent for the use of the agents sales and marketing systems to generate this type of business.

This is an oversimplified view of a complex relationship, but hopefully it clarifies that it is entirely possible. If you still doubt, feel free to locate any Million Dollar Round Table insurance agent and pose the scenario.

In the question, I posed several facts and clarifications: (admittedly not in this clear fashion)

• $1M Performance Based Compensation (incremental based on return, not if $7M was not achieved there would be no payment to consultant)
• $7M Guaranteed Revenue
• $10K up front or retainer
• $5K refund of retainer to client for not achieving agreed upon 90 Day performance goal
• $6 Return for every $1 spent (recoup the original $1 plus 85% return)
• 1 Time payment to consultant for development, implementation and business sales
• Ongoing use and revenue generation to the client post project

Anything other details added by respondents was purely based on understanding of the question including: client not having the 10K, Ponzi similarity, lack of work involved, etc.

As far as the $10K up front fee, the answer is very simple:

1. Very few people place any value on work performed by someone else where there is none of their own “skin” in the game.

Taking our insurance agent scenario; a company can contract a licensed agent for as little as $500 in background checks, contracting and license verification. Unless that agent proves to be top producer, in most cases they get little more than a holiday card, access to companies online training (if present) and statement of commissions paid aide in their business efforts. There is really no one on one working relationship.

This leads to a high turn over rate and lack of loyalty to the company within individuals in this line of work. Only slightly different would be in the “captive” world whereby the commissions are lower to offset the office benefits provided to the agent.

2. In ANY project, there will always be up front hard costs associated with the initial steps of the project. These could include plan design (think of a financial planner), materials acquisition (think video, website development, ad placement, survey performance, or any number of elements unique to the client and project). All of these are provided to the client regardless of program success and therefore must be accounted for. In this example, once this initial work is done, the rest of the compensation to the consultant is purely based on, whether or not his/her program works to achieve desired results.

Why do I suggest the refund? Well, this model is taken from my own business and how we work with our clients. Our commitment to the client is that our work for them will result in NO MORE than 25% of their total revenue generated from our services. Meaning that for $10K we commit to generating at least $40K in business to them. Profits are not taken into account in this figure due to the fact that the system is given to them, is ongoing and over time the incremental cost to develop the system will be minimal.

I use 90 days in most client scenarios, due to the fact that if my system and efforts can produce those results in 90 days, that is better than any system I have come across in actual, legitimate functionality. Most consultants will propose systems that can take much longer, up to years to yield those types of results and label it a branding project.

Finally, we work one on one with the client in the implementation of the project. I have found in my experience that the reason clients were not getting these results to begin with was not because they were ignorant of some of the strategies and techniques; however it has more to do with the time involved, tunnel vision due to daily activities and the ability to appropriately integrate the new or additional process back into their current process in an efficient, fluid and beneficial manner to continue achieving results. Our group handles all of these processes in addition to reviewing the clients operational structure to be sure he/she can handle the increased business and retain the new clients achieved.

As for the response regarding the client not being able to afford the up front 10K? Simple. That in not one of my clients. Our target market is to businesses and projects where there is unrealized potential for great and rapid growth through the placement of excellent systems and strategies.

I have worked for several different industries over my years in business. All of them at one point in time brought in very highly paid, competent consultants that would analyze and provide a well thought out strategic plan for achieving goals. Almost ALL of those consultants disregarded one main component: Did the client have the ability to successfully implement and achieve those results? NONE of the firms I have been in contact with during these events were willing to stick their neck on the line for the clients success and cheerfully billed anything from $60K to over $500K for their services.

I come from a “day one” commission sales background and decided there was a better “medium ground” to be had by where I could get the work done and be paid based on my clients success while being sensitive to their individual economic, business and emotional needs. So far, especially in today’s economy, this has led us to business in 2 countries (primarily US) and profitable all while transacting business for just over 1 year.

It hits on one of my core beliefs: Maintain sensitivity to our clients emotional, financial and operational needs.

Today is a New Year…Today I CAN….

Don't Wait....

Every 365 days marks a New Year in our calendar, In one split second at the stroke of midnight on December 31st we go from one year to the next! During this time, many of us make our New Year resolution to change one or another thing about our current existence. For some of us it is to lose that extra pound, for others to spend more time with our families and still others to add a few more dollars to our bank accounts or reduce our debt.

What ever the resolution is, many seem to adhere to this point in time as the day to resolve to be different in one aspect or another. What is it about this time of year that attracts us so to make this statement of power? Is it so we are not left out? Is there some constitutional amendment stating this point in time as an authorized time to “Change Myself”?

All in all, it is simply another “Today” during an entire year of today’s. Each month has an end with a new start the next day, each Sunday has an end, with a new start on Monday and each day only has 24 hours with a new start as soon as the clock turns 12:00 AM. In fact, every hour only has 60 minutes in which I can change an entire approach to something during the next 60. In my opinion, there seems to be little reason to wait an entire 365 days and place the weight of changing my life all on one evening.

My resolution (as it has been for many years) is to create the change I seek in my life on a daily basis. Every day, no matter my successes or lessons during that 24 hours, I can count down the seconds to midnight and make my new day better and more prosperous. You see, it doesn’t really matter who you were a day, month, year or years ago. In the next 20 seconds you can change all of that and be something or someone completely different.

You can start....TODAY!

Want to lose that weight (ie create a healthier you)? Don’t wait for that magic pill to come in the mail or the Jenny Craig sale. Get up, go to the store right now and buy healthy foods to make at your house, clean out all the frozen garbage enriched foods and begin to eat better. Make healthier selections when you eat out or grab the hand of a friend and step outside for a walk..TODAY. Instantly you are transformed into a healthier person and creating a NEW mindset for a healthier YOU!

Want to spend more family time (ie. strengthen your relationships)? Don’t wait for show tickets to be available or the zoo to open to take the kids. Grab the family right now and go to the park or even play a game, then sit down together this evening for a nice dinner and talk. Turn off the damn TV and other distractions we are so accustomed to during dinner and talk! Do it TODAY and create a mindset of family in your life!

Want more income/less debt (ie create more wealth to use on the two previous items) Don’t wait for that winning lottery ticket to land in your hands, that lost relative to pass or for a government that understands you need more money. Go online TODAY and start by paying just one bill off. Start with a small one that you can pay, but for some reason have not done so. Start today and figure out how to create a small business from just one of your hobbies that can generate some extra income from doing something you love. It doesn’t need to be millions, for most people, simply an extra $250 – $300 per month would create a massive change to their lives.

For those already in a business where the possibility to generate more money through action exists (ie. sales, marketing, entrepreneurs, etc). Send a personalized note to that lost client or new prospect TODAY. Send an email, letter, smoke signal what ever it takes. Fire up that relationship that has been dwindling and fuel a new opportunity.

Do it TODAY and create the start of a wealth mindset in your life!

Most important: REMOVE CAN’T FROM YOUR VOCABULARY! In fact I will make it easier for all of us that live in a world where we don’t like to get rid of too much at one time. Simply throw away the “T” at the end of the word. Come On! We can all throw away one item right?

You see, achieving the things we want is all about creating a mindset to do so, not about stating them once during a 365 day period and then slowly losing steam over the next day, week or month. Make the change

Refocus from YESTERDAY to TODAY and beyond!

TODAY and every day, little by little and work on the mindset behind our desire. I promise if you do this, next NYE your resolution will simply be to have the best NYE you have ever had and the next day will simply be the next step in your growth in who you want to be.

In short, if you have read nothing else in this letter; Remember:

TODAY I CAN
TODAY I am HEALTHY
TODAY I dedicate to my FAMILY
TODAY I have LESS DEBT
TODAY I have MORE MONEY
TODAY I AM in control of MY LIFE
TODAY I AM Not what I was, but whatever I WANT to be!

Try it and change your world TODAY!

Live for TODAY and create TOMORROWS you!

TODAY: seize YOUR Dream!

Best wishes on your change TODAY for YOUR BETTER TOMORROW during the entire year of 2011 and beyond! ~ Daniel

The Regal Beagle

Affluence Consultant

My story? Well, I am honored that you even asked… I was not always the Regal Beagle, you know… Where to start, where to start… I suppose from the very beginning – that always makes the most sense. I was whelped on November 1st, 2008 (you can send belated birthday presents to 13913… Err, never mind, my mother is shaking her head at me – you cannot blame a dog for trying).
I grew up in a very loving household with my best friends: Duck and Burger. The story of our names will have to come in a later posting – there is not enough time to explain it today.

My Aristo-Cats

Yes, I know, they are cute; however, we didn’t start out as best friends. I was the first one in the household, then came Duck and Burger followed shortly. I knew I was destined for more – for greatness, as for the cats… Well, their idea of greatness was chasing their own tail and finally catching it ( I, mind you, had already succeeded at that game within my first week of birth – so early on I was always ahead of the curve).
Within a year’s time, I had become the protector of the cats, my mother and father, the house, bank accounts, etc, etc, you get the idea. Mother and Father could not survive without my assistance. Still, I was having pangs of wanting to accomplish MORE, to be GREATER! As I was trying to formulate ideas, it hit me!

As I was pondering my next move late on afternoon, I looked and saw the cats busy getting into mischief… THESE two could be useful I thought. I set off to work making preparations, ie: making sure that the laptops were placed properly on the kitchen table (for easy access of course), cell phones were in charging distance {how irritating, and somewhat embarrassing is it when your cell battery dies in the middle of a business call}. Yes, I had it all planned out! The cats were eager to help in my new venture and I needed bodies..any bodies to get me going.

So, I did what any growing business man {in my case, dog} would do. I hired them! They did not get it at first, Duck always made faces and would rather chew on the computer cords, and Burger, well Burger just could not get a handle on the concept. Then another idea came to me! I would give them titles “Aristo-cats” and increase their responsibilities so as to take pride in their work; needless to say, I had to also explain that since I was in charge, I was the “Regal Beagle”. In my short years, I have learned that every cat likes to feel important – and if you have to stroke their ego a little bit to get a job accomplished, well, no harm no foul.

With both of the cats involved in their own tasks to keep them busy, Duck – keeping the table cleared of any clutter. And Burger – typing e-mails out to clients , the business was going to be a breeze!

Always on a lunch break!

Of course, as with all businesses, we encountered snags of our own… Much to our surprise, we discovered that Burger had anger issues… He was sending out “angry e-mails” yelling at our clients. I had to make a hard decision, as much as it pained me, I had to let Burger go. He was such a diligent worker, but for all you business guys and gals out there, heed my warning: NOT EVERYONE FITS INTO YOUR ORGANIZATION! After his counseling and several anger management sessions, we soon came to understood Burger’s anger was towards the clients who paid little or no mind as to the advice they were actually paying for. While entirely understandable, definitely NOT how I wish to do business.

So there you have it folks, my story in a nut shell! I guess you can say that my title is actually self proclaimed, then again, aren’t all titles? I suppose it’s up to the people whom you are associated with that recognize your position/station in life. For Duck, Burger and myself – we disbanded our little collaboration, and I went into the family business.

They saw my hard work and dedication to providing a GREAT client experience and gave me a position within the company fitting for a Regal individual like me. While you will work directly with them; it is my job as the Strategies & Outcomes Affluence Consultant, to provide education to assist you in reaching your business goals with this unique group. In doing so I will pay strict attention to your bottom line, work diligently on strategies to increase your profits and be a guide to the clients YOU WANT in your business.

My qualifications? I have extremely high tastes and low tolerance for anything less than excellence. Two of the very characteristics COMMON to the clients you seek. I get paid well for my duties here at Strategies & Outcomes and while I like to have fun, my parents and I ARE SERIOUS about your success. We hope that you are as well!

Let’s get to work!

R. Beagle
Affluence Consultant
Strategies & Outcomes, LLC
rbeagle@strategiesandoutcomes.com

Crisis:Face to Face a Dying Art

I recently read a great book: “Face to Face : How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World” by Susan RoAne. Ms RoAne discusses the importance of verbal fluency (better know as the ability to converse) for those that want to achieve the greatest success in life. Citing several studies, including one by Stanford Professor Dr. Thomas Harrell regarding the success of MBA students, her book seeks to educate individuals how to increase their success in relationships, careers and life by learning the art of face to face communication.

In today’s world of text messages, email, social media and other electronic sources of communication, many of us have forgotten (or become afraid of) the importance of a simple conversation. Instead of enhancing communication with electronic means, we have turned to them as our primary form. This phenomenon has created a plethora of issues due to its faceless and emotionless approach and strong characteristics to be mis-interpreted.

Take a moment and think back to an important email or text you have sent in the past, that you had to spend any amount of time clarifying or putting out a fire due to a misunderstanding afterward. Did this time saving technique really save time? Or did it simply save you from having to deal with someone directly and give the perception of saving time or perhaps even dealing with an uncomfortable situation?

Believe me, I am not against these digital advances in communication and use them all very often in my day to day interaction; however, I use them to enhance my already developed face to face relationship or perhaps call on a new individual whom I would like to start a relationship with. In my business, using them to make someone aware of a change in my plans for a meeting or to see if they are available for a conversation is a true time saving technique given that those events do not require much interaction. My social media activities have been a great method to keep up with a number of people at the same time while giving me an opportunity to identify those that I would like to speak with and catch up.

A perfect example in my life of where my willingness to interact face to face was of great benefit happened a couple years in the securing of my last job. I had a professional relationship for several years with a gentleman that I had met through a company I was working with. Living in separate parts of the country, we did not have a chance to see each other often, however several times a year we would contact each other either by phone, chance meetings on business trips and so forth. There was very little at the time that either of us could do for the other, outside of the fact that we enjoyed our conversations and getting each others view points on a range of subjects.

One day, during a particularly rough time in my professional career, I received a call from this man to check in. We talked for a while and eventually I was offered an opportunity to consult for a new company he had created. Though I will not go into detail, I’ll tell you this could not have come at a better time in my life. I accepted the opportunity that went from a consulting position to a six-figure salary in a span of 6 months. This after several years of relationship providing absolutely no benefit other than enjoying time speaking with one another.

This opportunity would not have been available online, in fact the job was not even created until our conversation. A conversation, I might add, that would have never taken place in a text or email conversation. Over time, I have had several opportunities occur for me just like that one, all because I am willing to have relationships; often with individuals that pose no immediate benefit other than friendship.

The point I make here is that so often today, we are seeking that instant gratification. Can you solve my issue today or give me a job because I was just recently laid off and need one? When we don’t get what we seek, very often we will not talk to the person again. In the same breath when we see a successful man or woman, we use statements such as “It’s who you know” or “They must have done something to get that position” (with a sarcastic tone that the “something” may have been less then moralistic).

In my view, the economy is not getting worse, it is simply changing as is the way we navigate the environment. “Knowing” someone in my opinion is 85% about building the relationship prior to the benefit and 15% about being “discovered” or just in the right place at the right time. Those willing to take the brave step back into personal contact and networking for no benefit will reap the rewards. The rest will do okay; however, my bet is that they will continue life begrudging those that know someone and it leads to success.

I highly recommend “Face to Face : How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World” as a read that will benefit anyone in any stage of life. Also, here are few tips that have saved me from social failure in the past:

- If the email takes more the 5 minutes to write (especially if you find yourself editing several times) a phone call is better. Emails are great for follow up to summarize details, sending documents for a paper trail and so forth.
- Text messaging is great to let people know basic information (ie: you’ve arrived at your destination, I’ll be late, Change of meeting location, Quick hello, etc). It is not meant for life changing conversations and should never be used to avoid face to face when delivering bad news. Can you imagine being sent a text that an important person in your family has been injured or worse? I have seen this done….
- If the person you are communicating with is in the cubicle next to you, get up and walk over to discuss an important issue. If the issue is big enough, perhaps call a meeting so that it becomes a formal exchange.
- If you are in the customer services or sales business, nothing beats a hand written thank you card. It may take two minutes of time, but could be worth six-figures to you in the future.
- Take the opportunity to network as often as possible. Not for immediate or financial gain, but for the building of a relationship. It is a free to inexpensive way to invest in your future.

Most importantly, in today’s environment, face to face is increasingly becoming the way to the upper echelons of success and continues to do so. If we want our children to be successful in this ever changing world, we must instill these values into them. These are not taught in school at any level and if not taught by us, then they will most likely learn the hard way and you might find yourself having to support them further into the future.

Business Volume Vs. Business System Strategy

Small and large businesses alike face a common dilemma in daily operations: Maximizing revenue on current business and driving new business growth.  In today’s world of growing expenses both of these aspects are extremely important to a business owner/manager.  While both activities are necessary to achieve growth, it is important for the business to accurately evaluate which activity requires greater attention.

The challenge: In place business systems and the vision of the organization.

A proper evaluation will include a review of both elements to determine how best to move forward on a growth objective.  Unfortunately, many businesses (especially smaller businesses) use only a spreadsheet mentality to determine their next steps.  In other words, revenue is down so we must need more business.  Money is flowed into marketing and sales in efforts to bring more clientele and move additional product.

In the short-term this may work to increase client base, bring in fresh revenue and return the red to black.  However in the long-term, without proper evaluation,  it can result in decreased employee performance, loss of business as well as a bad reputation.  The latter of that list will make it much more difficult to regain the pre-marketing push status and could lead to the demise of the business.  Basically spending good money after bad and ending up in a net loss.

Fact is, if your system is not up to speed to handle a new influx of business then not only will you not make true additional revenue on new clients, you will lose revenue on current clients.  A basic practice of making sure that your operations can support the additional influx of business generated by your sales and marketing campaigns.

This method is the equivalent of trying to pump 30 gallons of gasoline into the 20 gallon tank of a car that is wasting 2 gallons of fuel per tank due to inefficient operation.  Result: You pay for 30 gallons (10 of which are on the ground) and your car will only efficiently use 18 of fuel resulting in an additional 2 gallon loss of revenue.  It sounds simple, however 1000′s of businesses do this on a daily basis and then question why they are still not growing.

There are several steps we employ at Strategies & Outcomes, when working with our clients that can mitigate and in some cases eliminate this waste and inefficiency.  Most of all during our first encounter we establish what the business owner hope to gain from the business (Vision).  Then we have a series of evaluations to first determine if there is a way to generate more revenue from business that is currently in-house before moving to strategies designed to bring more potential business through the door.

Some of the initial items we evaluate include: Effectiveness of the current operational systems, employee morale and production, client perception of business and products being offered.   After obtaining the vision, we evaluate items in this order for because each item as listed will have an effect on the following item.  After this evaluation, a business can fully determine if it has maximized all revenue that can be generated by existing business.  It has been my experience that businesses, both new and established are only getting about 50 – 60 % of the revenue possible from their existing business.  Could your business use another 40% in revenue without the development of a costly marketing campaign?

Once a business implements systems that begin to gain additional revenue on current business, then they can accurately evaluate three items:  1. How much additional business do we need to meet objectives? (ie: monthly revenue goal) 2. What type of Marketing/Sales program will best fit those needs at the best cost? (ie: radio, mailing, street presence, etc) 3. Are there any additional system modifications necessary to handle more business?  (ie: staff, inventory, capacity, etc).

In closing, I will leave you with the one most effective item I have utilized in the past to identify and then remedy several inefficiencies for a client in one easy step:  Employee/Client Survey.  This item can identify not only personnel challenges, but also operational and client perception challenges as well.  In one of our projects, effective use of information from these surveys lead us to a 250% increase in sales activity in a 15 day period.  It allowed us to create an environment that increase team morale as well as improve efficiency leading to higher customer satisfaction and sales.  Cost for modifications: Approximately 15 man hours and no additional cash out-of-pocket.

Any business that is running today without its finger on this pulse of employee and client input is at great risk of spending more money than it needs and making less than it should.

The Light (via More Deep Thoughts By Moi)

I found this to be an interesting post with a deep meaning. It will be different to each person whom it touches though the core will most likely remain with each of us.

I saw a light………. And in the light stood one very tall, good-looking guy with great hair and close shaven beard. As we stood there in the deafening silence, I thought “Hmmmm. He’s going to hit on me! He IS really cute, and tall, and dark, and handsome! And who isn’t turned on by a strong, demanding presence……..” when My train of thought was rudely interrupted by a small little voice in my head saying “I wouldn’t go there if I were you, … Read More

via More Deep Thoughts By Moi

How I Learned to Love All People: A lesson in my personal growth

After reading many books and documentaries of great people, one path to success seems to come out in all of them.  Benjamin Franklin, Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi, Dadi Janki, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and thousands of others; all of  seem to have one thing in common; a total and unconditional love for people.  Their lives are marked by selfless acts in efforts to serve all of mankind.  Acts which in many cases brought them great success and wealth in life.  Keep in mind, wealth in this case does not take on the common meaning of money, but a wealth in relationships, spiritual wealth, love and life in general.

This has always been the theme that has challenged me greatly in my life, career and deeds.  While I have always had a fondness for being around people, I often ask “Have I truly loved those people in my life and around the world?”  While I believe that I had, sometimes to make myself feel better, I would often find myself disheartened by the deeds, attitudes and  opinions of people that share this world with me.

I would ask myself questions such as  “How can they be so blind?”, ” What causes such hate to spill from his mouth?”, “How does she live with such negativity in her life? or “Doesn’t he realize that he is only three connections short of achieving all the success he desires?”  These thoughts have plagued my entire life and to be frank the life of many in my family and surrounding friends.  My certain belief is that these thoughts have become obstacles to my true success and happiness.  More so, as I know I am not entirely unique, my belief is that thoughts similar to these have done the same for others.

In my goal to provide a positive impact to all that I meet, I felt a responsibility to get these thoughts under control.  If I could not, then I would never be able to lead others to their own happiness and success, more importantly lead them to achieving their full potential in life.  The need had risen for me to turn inward and give serious thought and meditation.  It was imperative for me to understand how so many other successful people were able to achieve this one simple task “Love and Serve Everyone”.  The true question for me to answer was “How do I begin to truly feel love for all humans and dramatically change my life for the better?”

After years of struggling with this question, today I have finally discovered my answer.  I share it with all of you in hopes that you may to be able to embrace this very simple thought to an age old issue and perhaps come up with a way for yourself to in turn love all people and change your life.  The answer was so simple, at first I ignored it and then was afraid to post because I was sure it was incorrect.  Then I remembered that most of the most remarkable miracles in life came from very simple beginnings.  My answer was found in the following thought:

Love all People; Reserve your feelings of approval (Admiration) or disapproval for the actions they perform.

Questions immediately filled my mind regarding people that have killed or committed heinous crimes toward their fellow man.  Individuals that have shown a complete lack of appreciation for human life through actions that make the most good people cringe.  How do you love someone that has done such a thing?  This especially touches people that have had these acts committed on people close to them.

In my life, I too have had evil thoughts of revenge against these people.  All I wanted to see what them brought to justice and punished in a similar way to how they had punished those that they had harmed.  Then I thought back on history and how many of these people had been handled.  Depending on your time period they have been jailed, put to death, tortured and humiliated.  They were handled by the same hate and anger by which they had wielded to land them in the situation in the first place.  This caused me to question, how can one hate be right and one hate be wrong?  More importantly, these actions have changed absolutely nothing in today’s society.  We are still killing, hating and punishing although the methods have grown more technologically advanced.

Today I read a passage that caused me to rethink the issue of what to hate:  The people or the actions they committed?  It was a passage about Mahatma Gandhi which I will quote a few lines here: Gandhi had learned, “When one person hates another, it is the hater who falls ill – physically, emotionally, spiritually.  When he loves, it is he who becomes whole.”- An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

It is just as easy to say you hate Adolph Hitler for his actions as it is to love Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his.  Depending on who you are and your belief, you can even swap that last statement to love the former and hate the latter.  The fact is, you do not hate the person, you hate the system or movement that they were a part of.  You hate the choices they made that may or may not have impacted you directly.

Once I began to understand that a person, being of GOD, is just that, it became easier for me to love them.  My disapproval is for their programming which had caused them to make the choices they made.  All of the experiences they had from a child that formed their beliefs and opinions leading to the acts they committed.  Beliefs that were imposed by those around them during that time and beliefs that they themselves could not find the strength to question or change.

Most religions, including mine state that we are not to judge our fellow human being.  That is only for our respective GOD to do.  Therefore leaving us the ability to love all as we love ourselves.  Actions however may be judged and may be admired or abhorred.  History has proven that brutal punishment begets little other than more creative ways to not get caught.  However, if you do disapprove of a persons actions, the ONLY way you will ever be able to truly change their path is if you love them and do it from a standpoint of that love.

Live Each Day As If It Is Your…….FIRST

So often we hear the phrase “Live each day as if it is your last”, trying to remind us of what life is really about and to focus on the things that matter the most.  As much as we may try, it is a difficult thing to do.  As we hear the words, we are often rushed into a frenzy of planning out all the things we want to do that we should do prior to leaving this earth.  Spend more time with the ones we love, go on that big trip we have always planned or simply take a walk in the park and enjoy nature.

Unfortunately, like most New Years resolutions, these thoughts fade quickly into the abyss of reality.  Bills, responsibilities and life’s duties come back into focus and those things get placed on the back burner.  The challenge with this methodology is that it is back end loaded.  Meaning, up to the day we are reminded of such a thing, we are already building a life that will make this quite impossible.

As I was viewing a video today, a caption caught my eye “Live each day as if it were your FIRST”.  I began to think about this and the difference that this would make toward building the life you really want.  This simple subtlety, would allow anyone to live differently starting right now, while still handling the responsibilities we have created to this point.

Why?  It is a matter of a different approach.  Try for a moment to think like a child and to view the world as they do.  Full of curiosity, no fear, tons of questions and a healthy sense of optimism.  You see, the only reason a child loses these things is because, we as adults, teach them to do so.  The difficulty is in the change of thought; not the process that it would take to do such a thing.

Done correctly you could make decisions, not based on stereotypes or historical perceptions, but from the angle of truly seeking to gain an understanding.  Problems that seem to have no solution, because others have taught you they are hopeless, would all of a sudden have dozens of solutions.  Opportunities that you have once passed on because “others have failed” would turn into opportunities you take because YOU have the skill and power to make them happen.

Think of the excitement and joy this would bring to your life and the legacy it would leave in your children and those that surround you.

For those of you that are interested, here is the video that inspired this thought:

Venture Boldly and Without Fear

In my day to day life, I am barraged with negative information. From the daily news (which I find mostly useless) to the people I come in contact with who always seem to have one tragic story or another. I’ve even had a recent encounter about a missed financial opportunity where the gentleman involved was worried about taxes and fees associated with the new venture. “Really!” I exclaimed. Then I asked him for the information and a contact person regarding the opportunity.

Seriously though, all of us can certainly relate a wealth of stories about the bad things that affect our lives. Let’s face it, there are an abundance of them. Family issues, work issues (or lack there of) and those ever elusive “Missed Opportunities” that could have set us up for life. In the words of the highly successful Robert Kiyosaki “It is in your moments of greatest disappointment that your true self is revealed. Do you simply roll over and fade away or get inspired to grow and succeed?”

My favorite tragedy is the “missed opportunity” which in many cases has a double impact on our delicate psyche. At the onset, many of us (very often through the negative information fed by others) are too fearful to embark on any opportunity that does not lead to a definite and safe success. Do they all work out as planned? Certainly not! THAT I can vouch for personally, however they all leave us with lessons learned and a great amount of personal growth. EVERY one of them, which I can also personally confirm.

Daily I comb the internet in search of information on a range of interests and topics. My course clear and hopes HI, yet even I can find almost an equal number of negative and POSITIVE opinions on each one. Once my online research is complete, I do what many won’t; don my shoes and hit the street to apply my new knowledge and test the theories for my self. In doing so I have seen some of the most beautiful sights and had some really great experiences. Every day I gain a new self awareness as I approach each opportunity without fear.

So far, I have either been very SUCCESSFUL or gained new growth and knowledge that ensures my success in other areas. To date, I have not been mortally injured or impaired and have enjoyed experiences that many only talk about.

I close tonight with only one question and a couple thoughts that may help others live the lives that, if you are truly honest with yourself, you really want to live:

What opportunity have you passed up that could have dramatically and beneficially altered your current existence and WHO were you during your moment of deepest disappointment?

My personal philosophy:

- Venture bravely into the unknown free of fear to find your passion, happiness and success
- Research the news and so called internet experts and then take their information in your own personal test to its validity
- Remember, there is no failure only lessons learned

Intro to Strategies & Outcomes

Strategies & Outcomes is a business development firm specializing in the area of performance strategies that help you achieve your goals and maximize returns on the investment.  We service both corporate and personal needs, working to assist in development of vision and game planning strategies that bring about successful results (or outcomes).

Our overall vision is to assist others in the creation of a high quality life and to break down cultural communications barriers in order to create better understanding and fellowship amongst the worlds diverse populations.

This blog is provided as an environment where you can access tips and information that enhance the one on one service we provide.  Open to our clients and general public, we hope that it will become a collaborative environment for all to grow and learn together.  Please feel free to add your experience to topics or create topics that may be of use to you and others.