It has been a little to long since the last post, but I think this video makes up for it!

Check out “The Johnny Carson Method.” For years Johnny Carson lit up late night TV, but what most people don’t look at is how he treated his show like a business. Supply and Demand, relationship building, the whole nine.

Let me know what you think!

Special thanks to my partners at TWBA, and Brian White for his awesome video skills!

An apple a day won’t keep these illnesses away!

Having a strong self concept is extremely important if you are intending on creating lasting success. I was at a seminar last week and there was a speaker talking about 7 subconscious beliefs that many people face which slow down progress of their growth.

There are so many great books and video programs out there that address all of these belief systems, so I just wanted to bring them to your attention so that you may be able to identify areas you can address as soon as possible.

7 Subconscious Diseases

• Indifference- Being nonchalant about the outcome of situations is going to slowly push you into all out carelessness if you are not careful. Crappy things start to happen when you stop caring.
• Indecision- By not being able to “pull the trigger” when contemplating decisions puts you at risk of missing out on great opportunities which you will end up kicking yourself for later. $#!t or get off the pot!
• Doubt- This is a sign of disbelief in your ability to accomplish what you have set out to achieve. When you set your goal you felt you had a chance at achieving it, don’t give up! Believe in yourself and magic will happen.
• Worry- Slowing down to worry about the “what if’s” is  the biggest waste of your time ever. You set your plan, you know what needs to be done. Get to work and all of the “what if’s” that would have come to mind while you were idle won’t even come up.
• Overcaution- It is certainly acceptable to be analytical of opportunities and business partners, but worrying yourself and never trusting others will put a choke hold on your progress. We must be able to effectively connect with others in order to grow to further level of success.
• Pessimism- Know one wants to hear it! Just remember what your mother used to tell you, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.”
• Complaining- Complaints are the most counter productive action because you are not only killing your chances of success, but you are irritating others who know success will be achieved in due time.

Success comes in time. Unfortunately it is not on our schedule.

The one thing you can count on is the universe is operating absolutely perfectly. Set the goal, get a definiteness of purpose, and don’t stop until you get to where you want to go!

(10 keys of Trust) x (7 keys of Respect) = Ultimate Rapport Formula

Part 1- 10 Key of Trust

“People like to do business with people they know, like and trust”

*Disclaimer*
This formula is not intended for an end all, be all for rapport building and connecting. The most important thing in any interaction is to always be sincere in every thing you say, do or act upon. With that said many of the ingredients in the formula below are not required to be done all at once or during a short exchange. This is meant to be an overall view of the best ways to enhance the relationship between you and the party you choose to connect with. This post relates mainly to business, but is applicable in any relationship!

10 Keys to Trust

The first factor in creating rapport is Trust. Trust is about who you are connecting with and how to connect with them!

1) Relate 1st Party/ 3rd Party

People always feel more comfortable with people they have something in common with. In order to find that common ground there are two ways to go about it. You can try the 1st party approach-where you speak for yourself or the third party approach where you say something from someone elses point of view.

1st party example:

“I love (xyz team). My favorite player is (Smith), how about yours?”

If you can not find common ground, leverage the 3rd party.

3rd party example:

“A good friend of mine is from (xyz town) and says it’s gorgeous there.”

2) Give Them a Gift (Compliment or Referral)

The power of a “sincere” compliment can go a long way. This can be done almost immediately when you meet a person or can be used to break the ice. As you find out more about what they do you can give them a quality referral thus showing them you can add more value to their life.

3) Sincerely Curious (Keep Them Talking)

The key is sincerity! You can do this by asking questions and asking for details.
The more people talk the more comfortable they feel.

4) Mirror Their Energy/ Mood

If you are normally a high energy person and you notice that you are talking to a laid back individual than SLOW  DOWN. Otherwise they may feel uncomfortable and diminish any chance of a connection.

5) Share a Story

Stories allow you to connect emotionally and build on any 1st or 3rd party connections that you made earlier in the conversation or relationship.
Tell the story of that one fishing trip on the lake or the pee-wee football game you attended on Sunday.

6) Give Them Something for Free (sample, free tour/info)

People love free! Point blank! Period! The reason “free” builds trust is because it shows that you are out to provide value first, before anything else!

7) Agree with Them

Simple, yet profound! People love to be right. Simple sayings such as (“I agree”, “I can appreciate that”, or “I see what you’re saying”) go a long way in a conversation. (that is, if it’s actually true

Relate Emotionally

At times you will find that you do not have anything in common with someone (Wrong!) You always have something in common with someone.

“Have you ever been excited?”
“Really? So have I!”
“How did it feel to be excited? Yea, and what were you excited about?”
“ Was it everything you thought it was going to be?”
“Man, that’s great I remember the last time I was really excited it was when__________.”

I think you get the point!

9) Common Enemy

This often plays a big role in looking to partner with someone. As sad as it may or may not sound; the reality of the matter is people often find a stronger bond in what they hate more than in what they love. People whom would never other-wise associate have come together in histories past to fight for a cause or to rebel against a tyrant.

10) Communicate to Their Style

There is something to be said about the different communication styles visual, auditory, kinesthetic and digital. If you are unfamiliar with these styles or would like more information on how to become a more effective communicator; I would recommend “Law of Connection” by Michael J. Losier.

Post By Chris Nunez

Here we are, approaching a new year and a new decade! The question is, are you prepared for the success that you desire?

It goes without saying that this is the time of year when people set their “resolutions” which I think is just a fancy way of saying a goal that I don’t intend on working too hard on. By setting a resolution you are taking the first step towards at least attempting to set a goal, but falling unfortunately short. A goal must, MUST be written down on paper if you intend on accomplishing it.

It is very easy to set a goal and have something to say when someone asks you, but it is an entirely different mentality when you write down and internalize your desires.

Here are some steps and tasks to help you really make your goals visible to you:

1. What do you really want?
2. Write it down
3. Put in order of priority

If you are really serious…
4. Make a vision board with pictures of what you see yourself having

This is your time to shine! Do not neglect your planning. “Lost time is never found again” -Ben Franklin

Good luck, God Bless, and have a wonderful New Year Celebration!

photo credit: lululemon athletica

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photo credit: mi_ong_pasta

If you have no desired destination any old place will do. Setting up your goals and defining your “Why” is what makes it easier to get through trials and tribulations when they arise.

Having a positive attitude, and being optimistic does not keep obstacles from coming up, but it does help whether the storm. Having a goal helps us work with the end in mind, and without one dooms us to observe our present circumstances and dwell on what is or is not happening.

I attribute my daily success to believing it is going to be a successful day. It is sometimes difficult to believe when you think about your day and don’t even want to get out of bed to start it, but that is where your goals come in. Since my personal goals have been defined I have also written out an in detail description to what a “perfect” day looks like to me it is easier to focus on what good is going to happen. Now every day does not pan out “perfectly,” but I know that the activities I go through throughout the day are getting me closer to experiencing it on a regular basis.

This unfortunately does not work for those of you out there who hate what you do and are unwilling to change your habit and behaviors. There are just too many people hell bent on defining insanity on a daily basis. It is a time of change, and you are no exception. Evolution is taking place and life is evolving faster than ever before. Adapt of be left behind.

Define your goals. Write them down. What does a perfect day look like to you? Both a work day and a play day, define them both. How much money will it take for you to do what you love? How much would it take for you not to have to work for anyone anymore? What does your perfect life look like?

The questions are everywhere, only you have the answers. Good luck!

photo credit: naydeeyah

Ok since we already have heard how you do anything is how you do everything, how can we make everything we do as simple as possible?

The only answer is systems. We must first master the mundane in order to create efficient systems that we can utilize. Success does not come from doing a bunch of complicated things and repeatedly changing your daily action plan to conquer new obstacles.

Success is a calculated study of the obvious. It is those who have mastered the simple things and repeated them over and over and over again that build a long lasting legacy. Those who adopted the Slight Edge principals and made the conscious decision to be true to themselves and examine what works for them.

Everyone in every business has very basic duties, in sales it is talk to more people and understand your product and the tools that will sell your product for you. In all areas of life there are rules  which are simple, basic principals or guidelines that are universal. You want to become healthy, eat good foods and exercise regularly. That is not complicated at all, but millions upon millions of people can’t even handle that!

I challenge you to examine just one area of your life this week and break it down into its most simple form. Find out exactly what needs to happen in order for you to achieve the results you desire. It is the little things compounded over time that make us who we are.

Whether you like it or not only you are responsible for your misfortune or successes, obesity or health, loneliness or love, confusion or clarity. YOU! You are the only thing standing in the way.

Change your mind, change your life. Go make it happen!

People don’t care about you until they know how much you care.

Business networking events are going on all over the world, whether it is a Chamber of Commerce, FNI, BNI, NPI, or any other networking organization hosting a function the principals each was founded on are relatively the same. These business networking gatherings all serve the purpose of getting you in front of other likeminded people to brainstorm and align yourself with. The question is what is your purpose for being there?

If your purpose is to generate business by become a valuable asset to others you are right on the money, but if it is to build you marketing list and solicit business haphazardly without providing value to fellow members first you are off target and are going get frustrated very quickly. Value is the name of the game. What value do you bring to a business networking organization? Who do you associate yourself with regularly? Are you a student of life and business?

Knowing the answers to these questions and becoming a student are the type of characteristics which are attractive to those who have become successful in the business networking arena. The networking veterans understand the power of association and so should you. You are the cumulative amount of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Are the people you are around enriching and adding value to your life or are they ridiculing and frustrating you?

The simple act of having a positive mental attitude is a valuable asset in networking your business. Your enthusiasm, your willingness to learn and help others, your commitment, are all of what makes networking organizations around the world grow and it is also is the engine which keeps many businesses afloat.

I encourage you to become a student of personal development if you are not already, learn questions to ask others when you meet them that will help you identify how you can benefit their life, show genuine interest in becoming a asset to all the you meet. By implementing these actions your business will begin to grow exponentially without you actively personally promoting it. You will have become an asset to others and you will then have a team of trusted associates assisting you in keeping your pipeline filled.

When you can stop thinking about how to grow your business alone and begin to focus on others you will be surprised how much begins to come your way.

Good luck, and stay tuned for the launch of Business. Networking, Life.’s first book!