Had an amazing evening at Savanna Jazz Club San Francisco - http://ping.fm/xVPvl - great food and music, visit when you can

NSA Update Day 2: trade show helpful with great new contacts/resources, cigar peg - super day!

NSA Update Day 2: opps abound, connected with Gitomer (albeit briefl), if I left now it would be all worth it - staying anyway #NSA09

NSA Update: Day 2 - Qubein, Ford, Sandborn - tranfornational morning - a brand is born - Transformational Thinking - key contacs made #NSA09

NSA Update: pool, lazy river, lunch outdoors, 113 degrees, massage, saw old friends/met new ones, starfish too funny, strategy sessions #NSA09

NSA Update: No sleep, flight too early, Will sleep on the way. Leaving for Phoenix and NSA with strat plan in hand #NSA09

Just one more day and I'm off to the NSA Convention - Just another day at the bar...I mean office!

Experience is not always the best teacher...usually the tuition is very high - rather, get someone who has already "graduated" - a mentor!

student comment from my last workshop - "I'm not overwhelmed...just intimidated" (responding to the volume of detail working with government)

Had a great dinner at Capt's on the waterfront in Salem, MA with friend and colleague Syd.

Just joined the 2009 Cigar PEG http://www.cigarpeg.com helping to change the world one party at a time!

Performance Strategies: Entreprenuer Attention Deficit Disorder (EADD)

If you've ever found yourself juggling multiple projects (not just tasks) without being able to get any done you just might have EADD. Entrepreneur Attention Deficit Disorder or EADD (not a real disorder for those of you who are too literal) strikes individuals who are typically the "idea" people and who try to do it themselves rather than delegate or outsource.

Let's take an example. Say you want to boost sales and you've heard about the social media and networking "thing". You "google" till your eyes are red, reading and absorbing everything you can. You find yourself taking online tutorials, downloading this and that, and along the way, you register with Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, and Twitter but not sure exactly how that will help you. You then get caught up with all your new "friends" and their "expert" advice. This sends you off on a new direction because you've now discovered that you can increase revenue by doing webinars. But, to get that rolling you need a "list". How to build a list? OK, back to Google, more tutorials and again you discover another great idea to make money, and the cycle continues till the wee hours when you realize nothing productive happened and other critical things have been passed over. Tired? Of course.

So what's the solution. Well, first acknowledge the problem and get help. First, get a business strategic consultant (shameless plug, call me any time) to help you create your business blueprint (no not a business plan). That plan will identify strategic outcomes and resources needed. Guess what? If you are a one-man-show, you will outsource, if not and you have the in-house talent with the available time, you'll delegate and oversee.

EADD is not a bad thing. Actually if channeled, it shows creativity and growth potential. But potential is all it will ever be until you realize plates will eventually break if you try to keep too many spinning at once.

Look! A penny!

Performance Strategies - Are Rats Smarter Than People?

I've trained wealth principles to thousands of students over the years and am constantly reminded of what stops the average person from achieving success. They simply get in there own way and care too much about what others think. By contrast, put a rat in a maze (their "world"), give them a goal (find a piece of cheese), and they will simply go after it regardless of the obstacles or consequences. That instinctive behaviour gives them the ability to succeed. Even when they head down a path and find a dead-end, they backtrack and take another. They continue in that manner till they reach their goal. All too often, people faced with their mazes, simply give up, either because they encountered too many "dead-ends" or because they couldn't figure out another path or because they were embarrased when they noticed people paying attention to their failures. According to the Chinese Zodiac, "Most rats get more accomplished in 24 hours than the rest of us do in as many days." Be bold, be a rate today!

Performance Strategies: Happy New Year and more...

I want to offer you more than the usual Happy New Year wishes. This past year has been particularly troubling for so many due to a number of external forces. As I've said and written many times "you are exactly where you should be based on the decision you've taken to date". If you are not happy about where you stand today it is likely a result of decisions you made yesterday. So, let's look at what the masses ARE NOT doing right now and consider standing out by doing the opposite.

Embrace Economic Chaos
(courtesy of my good friend and speaking business mentor, Burt Dubin)

Lesser mortals are either retreating or crawling into their shells, doing nothing, waiting for the storm to pass. Most competition evaporates leaving the field to the bold and tough . . . (meaning you).

Ask your subconscious mind to come up with fresh concepts and strategies your market will welcome and pay for.

Simply believe in yourself and say, “Yes I can!”

Engage these tough times to move your business up a notch or two. Quitters are giving up and getting out. This is your moment.

Target new markets in which you are a new face offering new hope. That’s what decision makers yearn for now . . . hope.

Be resolutely persistent. There is a cycle to everything.

Joseph J. Charbonneau, said, “People are either the wind in your sails or an anchor on your tail.” Dump employees, vendors, partners who are not aligned with your spirit and your goals.

Conserve your funds. Honor obligations when due.Ask yourself before buying anything: Will this investment advance me toward my goals? If not, defer it. If yes DO IT!

Avoid discounting by adding value to your present offerings. For instance, as a profesional speaker I am willing to offer an extra program the same day at no extra cost or willing to Host a private round table for senior executives, Chair a panel, MC the event. In other words, go beyond what anyone else would do for them. Pile on the extras. Make your offer irresistible.

Offer proof of the outcomes you deliver. Over-deliver. For instance I offer follow up phone coaching, after-program teleclasses they can record and use throughout their organization.

Relentlessly pursue mastery of your craft. Enjoy every twist of the road before you. Let your inner knowing guide you to weave the shreds and tatters of the economy into a tapestry of triumph for you

NOW, go and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Performance Strategies: Spirituality and Enlightenment

My dear friend Sukhvinder Singh Jutla has launched a wonderful blog titled: Umeedon ka Gulsan - Garden of Hopes which I recommend you visit. During still or challenging times we need spiritual refreshment. His blog provides such for you to "drink in". Your feedback is valued as a comment on this blog.

Performance Strategies: Make money in any market...

With the real estate market receding, the credit market in crisis, the stock market plummeting, record job losses, and an overall feeling of despair, it's no wonder people have lost confidence and don't know how they can get money flowing.

As an expert in the real estate market I can tell you the great news. Anyone can make money in this market if they know how and get the experienced help they need to succeed.

What has actually happened? Simple, people bought more home than they could afford and the lenders facilitated that illusion. Many are either in or facing financial ruin with no help in sight.

They could have avoided the drama and trauma by educating themselves and aligning themselves with trusted advisers.

The process is really rather simple. Here it is:

1. Find a distressed property or seller (easy these days)
2. Determine the current value (tip: you must know how to do this for yourself)
3. Determine the costs (acquisition, repair, holding, sales, debt service)
4. Establish your offer (don't forget to deduct your profit)
5. Make and negotiate your offer (make sure it's escapable and assignable, no big deposits)
   
6. Establish multiple funding sources (create a professional presentation to a lender or private investor)
   
7. Determine primary and backup exit strategies (buy/hold, buy/flip, buy/fix/hold or flip, options, etc.)
   
8. Perform due diligence (verify everything)
9. Remove contingencies and close the deal
10. Execute action plan and exit strategies

If you want to make money NOW in real estate and need help, we are here. We have an amazing, personal coaching program for you. We've done it all before. In good markets and not-so-good markets. E-mail us for details. Yes, you make money in this market. Are you brave enough to find out how?

Performance Strategies - Inspirational Movies

I'm compiling a list of blog readers' top inspirational movies. Feel free to comment with your list and make sure you include a short explanation for each as to why. Thanks for helping out.

Performance Strategies - Inspirational Music

I'm compiling a list of blog readers' top inspirational music. Feel free to comment with your list and make sure you include a short explanation for each as to why. Thanks for helping out.

Performance Strategies - Victim or Victor

You are exactly where you should be based on every decision you've made to date. Is that difficult to accept? If so, you just might be one of the many people who do not take responsibility for their results and by extension, there life. In other words, are you playing the role of...victim?

Many who take responsibility for their life are also acting as victims. What? I'm a victim either way? No, but you just might be one if you blame yourself rather than just being accountable.

What's the difference. If you blame anyone for your results (including yourself) you are acting the victim. If you respond without negative interpretation, you are being accountable and therefore the victor.

The only things you really, truly control are how you feel, what you think, and how you act. Everything else is external and not really up to you.

Start paying attention and you'll be surprised...particularly if you think you are accountable you might just find that maybe you are not

Performance Strategies - Sales Position Available!

INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE RIGHT PERSON

International company expanding into USA and Canada needs people with a proven success record of relationship selling. If you can demonstrate your sales record we want your resume. Once you've sent it, call us to set up a phone interview.

Commissioned positions available in Detroit, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Las Vegas, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Product: Luxury Membership Package (Discounts on major retailers, travel, health and wellness, automotive, technology, personal growth and development. 24 Hour private concierge service, affiliate program at no extra cost)

Close Rate: 70% - 90% (established, proving we have an incredible product, with high value and desirability)

Commission: $1,400 per sale

Growth: Opportunity for management position

Contact: Stephen Libman
e-mail to: stephen@stephenlibman.com
Phone: 514-667-1522

This is not MLM or Network Marketing. It is Direct Sales.

Performance Strategies: Ethical Investing

A number of people have asked where they can find my interview titled Why Ethics Matter in Real Estate Investing and the sister piece titled Ethical Behavior 101: A Five-Step Guide to High Ethical Standards. Bother are covered in Growing Wealth Magazine. You can review them by clicking the links.

Growing Wealth provides knowledge and support concerning a broad range of interests shared by entrepreneurs and investors in all markets. Whether you are a novice or seasoned invested you should check it out.

Performance Strategies: Need Cash? Ask a Private Investor

In the November 2007 edition of Growing Wealth Magazine you can review my article about finding private money to fund real estate deals. Click here for access.

Growing Wealth provides knowledge and support concerning a broad range of interests shared by entrepreneurs and investors in all markets. Whether you are a novice or seasoned invested you should check it out.

Performance Strategies: What happened to Stephen?

For those of you who do not know, I am recovering from surgery as I write this entry.

On December 5th, 2007, I had a thoracotomy (see definition) to investigate a possible tumour. To my relief, and that of my friends and family, the result was nothing more than an inflated lymph node. The experience however, left me with many new views on many subjects. Stay tuned as I share my thoughts.

For those of you who knew about my health issue and wished me well, I thank you. Your support, thoughts and prayers went a long way and continue doing so. I am better and better each day and I have just returned to presenting workshops and seminars.

Look for blogs titled Performance Strategies: Life Lessons

Performance Strategies: Take a break...

Every now and then you should take a step back from all your life's turmoil to re-center and refocus on what's important.

Performance Strategies: The Cluttered Mind

Nothing happens without action! While fear, uncertainty or doubt are often the culprits of inaction, a confused mind equally paralyzes.

We are all so busy with our tasks that the big, important stuff seldom gets done unless it becomes a crisis. Well, sometimes the best action is simply going for a walk. Ever hear the expression "I'm just going out to clear my mind"? The problem is that once "out" our mind typically focuses inward to try and sort things out.

A better way is to focus outwardly. Appreciate the beauty of things around you, find a spot to just STOP, and literally "smell the roses". In other words, focus your mind on a single item outside yourself.

Those who meditate tell me beginners are trained in the "rose" or "candle" technique. That is to say they have a flower or scented candle (burning) in front of them and they focus on the design, shape, scent, movement, and symbolism. This technique calms and unclutters the mind allowing you to then focus inward on your breathing. At first your mind wanders then with practice and over time, you begin mastering the technique and are able to clear your mind entirely.

Now while I do not meditate per se, I do take walks almost each day. I am lucky enough to have a large forested park near me and I make a practice of enjoying the magnificent views. Each day brings something new to see whether it's at this time of year when the leaves are fiery red and orange or in the spring when the baby raccoons are playing. Maybe it's just staring at a catfish who is staring back at me.

We can all find something other than our own thoughts to focus on for a few minutes and the more we do this, the more relaxed we are and more able to arrange those other cluttered thoughts so we can methodically take action on the important stuff.

Give it a try and report back with your comments.