Leading Advisor Articles 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2008:/articles//7 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2007, Simon 31 Secrets to Success in 2007 and Beyond 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z 2007-01-30T16:54:12Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2007:/articles//7.1334 2007-01-30T16:54:12Z The first secret to guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond is to review your entire 2006 calendar and look for and write down all of your successful accomplishments for 2006, no matter how big or small in all areas... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Best of the Best The first secret to guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond is to review your entire 2006 calendar and look for and write down all of your successful accomplishments for 2006, no matter how big or small in all areas of your business and personal life.

Remember “successful accomplishments” and it is time to take charge of your mind to focus on the positive. Remember, you get what you focus on.

I recommend that you write down all of your successful accomplishments in the following format in your journal: I am so happy and grateful that we completed an upgrade to our web site in 2006 and therefore I feel accomplished, happy, proud and wonderful.

Kim Black is the creator of the architecture for our web site and we thank God for Kim’s recovery from her heart transplant operation and for coming back with more heart and soul than ever.

Appreciation magnifies creation and you will draw good feelings and inspiration to create your 2007 vision when you celebrate the successful accomplishments for 2006. When you feel good you are inclined to create a future that makes you feel good.

Remember to focus on the positive and successful accomplishments and given that you are a Financial Advisor you already understand the concept of appreciation.

The second secret is purchase a journal. Michael Gerber wrote in the E-Myth, “if you see it, you will forget it, if you hear it, you will remember it and you feel it, you will understand it”. Writing will cause you to feel it as you write it because you are body is engaged in the process as well as just your mind and you will see it as you write it and hear it internally as you pay more attention to what you are writing.

The third secret is understand that “thoughts are real forces” to quote John Kehoe from Mind Power. Whatever you think about you make real, especially if the thoughts are fueled by positive or negative feelings. The concept of attraction will attract whatever you are focusing on, so be aware of what you are focusing on. You don’t have to understand the details of gravity or electricity to experience their benefits, nor do you have to understand how attraction works to experience the benefits. Just know that attraction works. One concept of attraction is certain, attraction doesn't care if your thoughts are positive or negative or conscious or unconscious. We do not attract by default and we do have control over what we attract.

The forth secret is your current state of affairs is not who you are and if you didn’t have a banner year, this too shall pass.

Remember to review your entire 2006 calendar and look for and write down all of your successful accomplishments for 2006, no matter how big or small, in all areas of your business and personal life. Remember “successful accomplishments” and it is time to take charge of your mind to focus on the positive. Remember, you get what you focus on.

Write down all of your successful accomplishments in the following format in your journal: I am so happy and grateful that we completed an upgrade to our web site in 2006 and therefore I feel accomplished, happy, proud and wonderful. This will put you in the state of mind to expect a solution and this will help to contribute to change your current reality and lay the foundation to guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond.

The fifth secret to guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond is to master your thoughts and feelings by understanding your values are the source of positive beliefs and positive feelings.

Values, positive beliefs, and positive feelings are the gateway to attracting everything that you want. Values, positive beliefs and positive feelings are one hundred times more powerful than unmet needs which are the source of limiting beliefs and limiting emotions. Yet it is said that values are like turtles and if left undiscovered, values like turtles will only come when it is safe and unresolved unmet needs will dominate your values.

One example of how the unmet need of safety will generate a limiting belief is that you don’t have enough time and the limiting emotion of anxiety which will sabotage the fifth secret.

I would like to thank you for the help you have already provided. Following our first coaching call last week you sent me the Lesson on Unmet Needs. Part A was so powerful that when I came to the realization of one hidden need I got tears in my eyes as I wrote it down. That one realization is worth the price of the whole program. I look forward to the next steps.
 
You are welcome to quote me if you wish.
 
Thanks again,

Grant McPhail
Rice Financial Group
Brandon, MB
gmcphail @ ricefinancial.com

My values are:

  • Attraction
  • Currency/Energy
  • Encouragement
  • Partnering/People
  • Professionalism/Quality/Service
  • Sense/Wisdom
  • Teaching
  • Understanding/Empathy
  • Venture

The sixth secret is schedule 4 – 8 hours away from your office and home to create your vision for 2007 and beyond.

The seventh secret is to find a place where you can be anonymous.

I have created time with myself doing this exercise sitting on a log beside the ocean, rain or shine. One time I sat on a couple of those big black plastic garbage bags so that my seat didn’t get wet and I had one of those huge golf umbrellas and it worked amazingly well … and this was at a time when I didn’t have the money to afford a creative environment away from my home or office. Just think, a “create your vision picnic in nature in the rain”. Another time I found myself sitting in a revolving restaurant 45 floors above the city for the entire afternoon creating my vision. You could even go to the library.

The point is to schedule 4 – 8 hours and use your imagination and find a place where you can be anonymous. You must create the environment.

As I write this part of the article I am sitting in a well lit room in a beautifully decorated space with 12 foot high floor to ceiling windows with a fireplace with beautiful background music and as I’m appreciating this space a ray of sunlight just flooded the room.

The eighth secret is to remember this process is about creating a vision versus setting goals. Goal setting comes later. If you have heard me present, “Removing Your Roadblocks To Your Success”, you will have heard me state that vision is far more important than goals.

I’m suggesting that this process right now is about vision versus goals and I am finding that the notion of goal setting is a hard habit to break.

As recent as my December 6, 2006 Blog, I wrote the following about goals and now I am suggesting there is a better way:

I worked on my goals for 2006 on Monday, December 4, 2006.
One of the goals is:

Prospect Speaking to associations and companies via Folios, E-Mails & Postcards to Speak at 35 sponsored Financial Advisor association and company events in Canada and the USA in 2007

On Tuesday, December 5, 2006, a very recognizable centre on influence invited us to present our Speaking Folio for consideration for the most significant Financial Advisor Public Speaking Event in the USA in 2007.

I’m laughing at myself right now because I’m noticing a typo, “goals for 2006” instead of 2007 which has since been corrected. It is no wonder that we got the call about the USA Financial Advisor Public Speaking Event the very next day.

Please understand that this writing is a Work-In-Progress of my own development at the same time as I share this with you. You are invited to visit my daily Blog for daily updates on my vision work and on my own progress. Just click the link Blog link www.leadingadvisor.com/blog and then scroll down and look at the right hand menu for Categories and click “Vision 2007” or you can Click Here for the Vision 2007 Category and Vision 2007 Updates.

The ninth secret is “be” versus “do”. Most people in business are hard wired to “do” versus “be”. They are hard wired to get a result and this hard wiring overrides the time that it takes to attract and create a vision that will last a life time. Part of the challenge is if you are a baby boomer you are caught up in getting “the next big thing”. To quote Billy Connolly; “I what some of that, I want all of that and I want it right f**cking now”!

I too have this hardwiring of to “do” instilled in me and while I am expressing this I’m also experiencing the joy of writing this article to be able to share it with you and increase my awareness at the same time. 2007 and beyond are going to be incredible.

The tenth secret is guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond is to stay in a right brain dream state of mind when you are creating your vision.

If we go into goal setting to early, before the vision is clear, then things become too left brain and too linear. You just can’t imagine (right brain) and think it through (left brain) at the same time. Using the left brain is like using a PC compared to a right brain Mac or using Microsoft Word which is very left brain and linear compared to Mindgenius which is very right brain and creative. What is worse is that if you try to bring in left brain concepts too early while continuing to use creative right brain you will get a:

  • V Vision
  • I Is
  • R Ruled Out
  • U Using
  • S Systems Of Left & Right Brain At The Same Time

You can probably tell that I wrote the outline for this article using Mindgenius. You can get a free 30 day trial by clicking Mindgenius. (http://www.mindgenius.com/website/presenter.aspx)

The eleventh secret to guarantee your success in 2007 and beyond is forget “how”. There is also an even bigger reason to stay out of goals and that is that we get hung up on “how” and this will likely limit or cut off the right brain dream state of mind.

Let’s look at a common goal setting process to prove a point:
Remember the “SMART” Goal setting strategy:

  • S – Specific
  • M – Measurable
  • A - Action-Oriented
  • R – Realistic
  • T - Time-focused

A soon as we get into this model there is the chance that You or even worse yet, your dysfunctional ego mind will start to judge.

My dysfunctional ego is no different than anyone else’s … if I let it. And just for fun … Hah! Who are you kidding? You speaking at the most significant Financial Advisor Public Speaking Event in the USA in 2007. Cancel that thought. Cancel that thought. Cancel that thought.

Again, all you want to do right now is create a vision for all areas of your life and I recommend that you write down your visions in the following format in your journal:

  • I am so happy and grateful that we continue to speak at sponsored association and company events throughout the world and therefore I feel appreciation, fulfillment, happiness, joy, satisfaction and wonderful.

Do you see the difference between the two? Here is the goal that I wrote on December 4, 2006

  • Prospect Speaking to associations and companies via Folios, E-Mails & Postcards to Speak at 35 sponsored Financial Advisor association and company events in Canada and the USA in 2007

Do you see that by writing the goal I was limiting my vision by getting into the “How” and too much detail:

  • Getting in the How - Folios, E-Mails & Postcards. While these are great marketing strategies, sounds like a lot of work to me, how will I get it all done?
  • Setting a number – We must know the number because we may not have enough folios, e-mails and postcards – without a limit, we will blow right past 35
  • Setting limits – Why limit myself as I hear that the Million Dollar Round Table are doing an event in Japan and Freedom 55 are doing an event in Monaco. Yeah! Monaco. I could dig that. Me, Laura and Casino Royale … well you may catch us walking through the casino just to look as we are not gamblers and if you have seen one casino, you have seen them all. We have more fun looking at the architecture and the sights.

The twelfth secret is trust your vision. All you need to know is the first step and you don’t have to see the whole staircase. Again, forget how and using the metaphor of driving from Vancouver, BC to St. John’s, NL by night, you can only see 100 feet in front of you and you continue to drive and trust that you will be able to see the next hundred feet, then the next hundred feet then the next … and eventually you will get to the destination.
Well you could say “I don’t have time to drive!” Well then fly! Looking back I counted 33 separate flights on my speaking schedule between September and November of 2006 … believe me I trust.

The thirteenth secret is to forget about time. Worrying about time hooks you back into the unmet need of safety and security and if there is an unmet need then there are limiting beliefs such as “I don’t have enough time” and this triggers limiting emotions that would include anxiety. These limiting beliefs and limiting emotions destroy your creative energy.

Take the metaphor of building a clock in relationship to building your vision. Build a clock that will tell the time for a lifetime versus building a clock that will tell the time for a day.

The fourteenth secret is get out of the way. Whatever your creed … God, the universe, your higher self, your soul knows the shortest, quickest and fastest way to your vision and will create those serendipitous events where the right people, resources and events all harmoniously fall into place to manifest your vision.

Just get out of the way, write your vision, stay awake, step into the harmonious flow of your destiny and let it unfold in harmony versus pushing and pushing!

The fifteenth secret to your success in 2007 and beyond is to write the vision in the now.

Notice that I write the vision in the now given that it is already happening.

  • I am so happy and grateful that we continue to speak at sponsored association and company events throughout the world and therefore I feel appreciation, fulfillment, happiness, joy, satisfaction and wonderful.

Many thanks to Chris Barrow who is my business coach. Laura and I met Chris back in the fall of 2004 and Chris has been instrumental in providing me with strength and tough love to push me to find my voice. Chris runs The Dental Business School in the UK and is one of the few million dollar coaches on the planet. Chris is almost super human with the heart of a lion and this shines through in his practice, systems and everything he does.

The sixteenth secret is to write your vision with feelings.

Notice that I write the vision in the now given that it is already happening and therefore I feel appreciation, fulfillment, happiness, joy, satisfaction and wonderful.

  • I am so happy and grateful that we are writing and publishing books and therefore I feel appreciation, fulfillment, happiness, joy, satisfaction and wonderful.

The seventeenth secret is write visions for all areas of your business and personal lives.

Personal – spirituality, yourself, spouse, health, family, charity, friends, auto, clothing, finance, home, intellectual, travel, etc.

Business – spirituality, team, customer service, product development, product quality, communication, sales, finance, systems, marketing, environment, web presence, etc.

The eighteenth secret is understand that wealth is not all about money and that is why it is important to create visions for all areas of your business and personal lives to create balance.

The nineteenth secret is ask in the positive. Do not, do not do not ask in the negative. If your vision is “get out of debt”, that is all you will experience is debt. Better that you affirm that “money comes to me easily and effortlessly”.

The twentieth secret to success in 2007 and beyond is to believe that your vision is already yours and through your compounded values, positive feelings and positive beliefs you will build up unwavering faith that you will attract everything that you desire.

Again, instead of thinking about death, debt and taxes commit to positive beliefs. Money comes easily and frequently. There are an abundant amount of happy and generous high net worth clients that wish to work with me. An abundant amount of time is available for the things that I am committed to doing. All the resources that I require are available to fulfill my vision. Many, many people will be attracted and spread my message in 2007 and beyond.

The twenty-first secret is expect to receive and learn to receive and to say thank you.

Expect to receive by acknowledging that you asked for the result when you received it. Believe it! Many people invalidate what they asked for with the first thing that comes out of their mouths is, “I don’t believe it!” Believe it, you asked for it.

When you receive say, “thank you”. Period. That is it. Thank you. Nothing more. Many people compound their unmet need of worthiness by saying something like the following when they receive a compliment “Oh it was it nothing”. In fact, they just made it into nothing.

The twenty-second secret is to add feelings in your vision.

  • I am so happy and grateful that we are providing thousands of clients with value through speaking and writing and I feel abundant, appreciation, energized, inspired, fulfilled, happy, joy, satisfaction and wonderful.

Positive feelings carry a positive frequency and like attracts like. Right brain positive feelings combine with your left brain positive beliefs and integrate with your values to synergize creating the irresistible force of attraction that turn your dream into reality.

The twenty-third secret is build up your feelings and frequency by creating ways to see, hear and feel the experience of the success that you want in advance.

Do something as simple as test drive a car or view a home or visit the travel agent.

My strategies included having the book cover created in advance by Kim Black and this is because the visual trigger will cause me to write. Click My New Book Cover to view.

As I write this I’m noticing that I am very much in the writing experience and my heart is filled with excitement as the next writing will be invested in my book. The vision is written. I’ve created the time over the holiday season, I have the environment and I have the material.

For me, another strategy is to attend speaking events of 1000 people or more … wait a minute … that may not be necessary as I just remembered that I have been on stage with Tony Robbins with 3000 people back in 1992 and I still have those vivid pictures in my mind … I will still attend speaking events to experience inspiration.

Another strategy is to visualize and relive my experience of being on the Saturday morning news on BCTV News on Global Television. This time around I will be on many, many TV programs being interviewed about my book and that will include Harpo Productions and Harpo is Oprah spelled backwards. And why not! As Stewart Smalley would say from Saturday Night Live “I’m nice enough, I’m smart enough and not only that, people like me”. As you can see, writing can get you into feeling joy and humor!


The twenty-fourth secret is to be awake. You can increase your awareness by starting your day with giving thanks and continue to give thanks over the course of the day. Thomas O’Neill, of Thomas O’Neill Jr. & Associates, told me about a study from Harvard University where the participants increased their success by 70% by keeping a gratitude journal where they wrote down three things that they were grateful for just before they went to sleep at night.

The twenty-fifth secret to creating success in 2007 and beyond is looking after your body though exercise, vitamins and through proper food combining.

The twenty-sixth secret is wake up early. Seize the day! Make it so! Get on with your life and lead. Leadership takes time and it is best to lead your day and that means getting up early so that you run your day versus your day running you.

Here is an example:

5am wakeup
prayer, meditation, give thanks, reflection
6am personal hygiene
7am plan your day if you did not plan your day the night before

The twenty-seventh secret is take action. When you are awake to your vision, inspiration and ideas come to you and it s important to take action on your ideas.

If someone crosses your mind, make that call. Write that idea down and think of three simple and immediate actions that you can take towards the fulfillment of that idea. Get it done. You were given the ideas for a reason and it is important that the ideas be honored so don’t second guess and don’t delay.


The twenty-eighth secret is to continue to be grateful for the little things. The big success is just around the corner so be patient.

This reminds me of when I was eight years old and I got a chemistry set for Christmas. One of the experiments involved growing beans. Sure enough, I planted those seeds and mixed ingredients for the fertilizer but I kept on digging them up to see if they were growing. That was my challenge back then and I wanted instant results and I had very little patience. While your seeds are growing give thanks and be grateful that you have a business and experience and prospects and you feel excited, happy and enthusiastic.

The twenty-ninth secret is set 60 day goals. 60 day goals will keep you focused on the short term and they will prevent you from getting hooked into paralysis writing the perfect plan.

The thirtieth secret to creating your success for 2007 and beyond is don’t make giving thanks a chore. If it feels like a chore stop and get some rest.

The thirty-first secret is to remember to acknowledge your business and personal team. Laura and I are so blessed to be I love and we are honored to have the opportunity to be of service to our clients providing them ways to meet and exceed their goals.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.

P.S. You can enhance the value of 31 Secrets To Creating our Success To 2007 And Beyond by taking;

]]> Are You 100% Confident This September? 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z 2006-09-07T23:00:25Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2006:/articles//7.1054 2006-09-07T23:00:25Z Do you agree with what most Financial Advisors say that they really want? Over the course of this year I have talked with countless financial advisors and they all pretty much agree on what they want more of and less... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Best of the Best Do you agree with what most Financial Advisors say that they really want? Over the course of this year I have talked with countless financial advisors and they all pretty much agree on what they want more of and less of;

  • More appreciation

  • More big picture vision

  • More confidence

  • More energy

  • More high net worth clients

  • More or better customer service and marketing systems

  • More profit

  • More profitable clients

  • More quality referrals

  • More recognition for their work

  • More team work

  • More time for planning

  • More time for themselves and their family

  • Less busy work

  • Less distraction

  • Less or fewer unprofitable products

  • Less overhead

  • Less paperwork

  • Less unprofitable and demanding clients
     

Even though Financial Advisors say what they want, why are they unwilling to do what it takes to make the changes so that they can get what they want?

To be clear, most Financial Advisors are successful and are great at what they do.  I am talking about getting better.

 

The number one thing that stops most Financial Advisors from taking action is Fear and through fear they are stuck in survival.

 

In their mind, they are just hanging on now.

 

They operate from the place of "if they were to make a change, what if it doesn't work?"  Again, in their mind they are just hanging on now.

 

As you can see, we are talking about "limiting beliefs" that are preventing the advisor from making the change.  At the same time, the limiting beliefs are associated to limiting emotions, in this case fear.  If you have been reading my material, you will likely have read that limiting beliefs are linked to limiting emotions and these are linked to unmet needs.  Limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs all play off one another.

 

I have an expression, "You don't have "limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs - they have you".

 

These limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs all play into a story.

 

Are you being honest with yourself?  What is the story that holds you back?

Limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs all play into a story that you made up about yourself a long time ago. 

 

Your destiny and your story will not change unless you do something about changing it.  You've heard the expression, "for things to change then you must change".

 

You are struggling because you are hanging onto your story because in your mind, that is all you have.  Who would you be without the story?

 

Your story isn't about growth.  If it was, you would be successful beyond your wildest dreams. 

 

Your story is about survival and maintaining the business, the spouse, the kids, the friends, the house, the wardrobe, the cars, the cottage, the boat,  the timeshare, the two - three holidays a year, the golf membership, the personal trainer and your investments.

 

Your story is about survival.

 

Your "survival" story relates again to limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs and here are some examples;

  • Unmet Need;  Safety

  • Limiting Beliefs;  I don't have enough money.  I don't have enough time.

  • Limiting Emotion;  Fear
     

  • Unmet Need;  Approval

  • Limiting Beliefs;  People don't appreciate what I do for them.  If I make changes what will people think?

  • Limiting Emotion;  Anxiety

With this survival story going on below the surface, and in order to not experience the above emotions, you keep working and working and working with these underlying issues believing that more work will solve your problems only to recreate more of the same experiences that you create time and time again.

 

The reason that this happens is coining a phrase from John Kehoe, "Thoughts are real forces".  You continue to create whatever you believe.

 

Yes you are successful and you do achieve results.  The question is, are you as successful as you really want to be?  The question is are you truly fulfilled? 

 

Even though you have the business, the spouse, the kids, the friends, the house, the wardrobe, the cars, the cottage, the boat,  the timeshare, the two - three holidays a year, the golf membership, the personal trainer and your investments - do you truly feel fulfilled?

 

What is sad is -

 

With the unmet need of safety fueling the limiting beliefs of, "I don't have enough money" & "I don't have enough time", combined with the limiting emotion of fear combined with the lack of fulfillment from all the stuff that you bought to fill up the lack of fulfillment will all combine to keep you working and working and working.  This is what is contributing to you not putting in place, the necessary pieces in your business to make you and your business more attractive and profitable .

 

With the unmet need of approval fueling the limiting beliefs of, "people don't appreciate what I do for them & If I make changes what will people think", combined with the limiting emotion of anxiety combined with the lack of fulfillment from all the stuff that you bought to fill up the lack of fulfillment will all combine to keep you working and working and working.  This is what is contributing to you not putting in place, the necessary pieces in your business to make you and your business more attractive and profitable .

 

Could it be that you are still working to prove that you are good enough and that this is what recreates the incompletions that you are experiencing in your business? 

  • Unmet Need;  Prove

  • Limiting Belief;  I am not good enough

  • Limiting Emotion;  Despair

Remember Ben Franklin's definition of insanity;  "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".

 

I'm taking the liberty to change the quote to read; 

 

"Doing the same thing over and over again with the same limiting beliefs, limiting emotions and unmet needs and expecting a different result".

 

Your story was contrived and imprinted into your mind a long time ago by the experiences and the people that were in your life and you have been working and working to disprove the story ever since only to recreate and imprint the same or similar story over and over again.

 

Your internal limiting beliefs, memories, perceptions and scripts all fit into your story that was deeply imprinted in you a long time ago.  Functional or not, all internal limiting beliefs, memories, perceptions and scripts are the foundation or the base on which you establish all meaning in your life.  In order for you to feel safe you will continue to re-create your story in some way,shape or form repeating the same behaviors over and over again even though they do not work.

 

My survival based story was based on what  my father said to me when I was 7 or 8 years old, "you will never have any money".  One day he also said to me, "you are so selfish, what are people going to think of you".  These two imprinted beliefs were said after my mother and father found me on a mechanical pony ride in a department store while they were shopping.  I was having the time of my life.  I had won a dollar in a long forgotten competition and the money was burning a whole in my pocket so I changed it into dimes and rode the pony while waiting for my mother and father.  No - in later years I didn't go the race track.  :-)  In fact, I've never been to one.

 

This was an early example of trying to get money to buy me happiness.  At a young age I believed that money would buy me happiness.  I was holding the dollar bill for quite a while and it wasn't making me any happier.  So I thought that I would get rid of it on the pony.  On a deeper level I was likely feeling that there was something wrong with me because the money wasn't making me happy of fulfilled, which is what a lot of people do.

 

The money doesn't make them happy so they go out and get stuff.  Some are mortal and some are  material that includes;  the business, the spouse, the kids, the friends, the house, the wardrobe, the cars, the cottage, the boat,  the timeshare, the two - three holidays a year, the golf membership, the personal trainer and your investments - do you truly feel fulfilled?

 

So why was I wanting to get rid of the money which I believed I wanted?  If you have heard me speak you will remember my story about when I was 8 years old.  My mother used to come to me and tell me that there wasn't any money for groceries or Christmas.  That my father had gone and done it again, that he had bought too much and not sold enough.  My mother and father constantly fought about money.

 

So I thought if I could get some of it, I would be happy and fulfilled.  On the contrary, once I got some money and when it didn't make me feel happy and fulfilled it reminded me of how unhappy and unfulfilled I really was so I had to get rid of it for something else.

 

I started at a very young age with the imprinting of my story of not feeling happy and fulfilled.  This drove my need to sell which I worked extremely hard at to create the results.  Then I created the result.  So what I thought.  I don't feel happy and fulfilled.  Then I better buy the next thing.  I still don't feel happy and fulfilled and worse yet I don't have any money and time and people don't appreciate me and what will people think!  I better work and work and work and sell and sell and sell.

 

Versus building a strong personal foundation by working with a coach and building a business.

 

Subconsciously you keep remembering the story and related stories and you continue to work and work and work to prove that the story is correct.  Without realizing it, you associate all meaning in your life and business based on this story and you will work and work and work to your long term disadvantage to validate this story.

 

Your story in essence validates your needs, beliefs and emotions and you will mistrust, ignore, disbelieve, invalidate and even attack anything that doesn't fit into your pattern of survival.

 

Your story has become your religion.  Note that I didn't say God.

 

Because that is what you are trying to do is to survive and coming from the place of survival, that is all you will ever do.  You will however survive in a good way having the business, the spouse, the kids, the friends, the house, the wardrobe, the cars, the cottage, the boat,  the timeshare, the two - three holidays a year, the golf membership, the personal trainer and your investments - do you truly feel fulfilled?

 

"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result", even though it doesn't work is what is safe and predictable and tricks you into thinking that you are being effective.

 

When you consider expanding your comfort zone, it is always unpredictable and will likely make you feel even more anxiety so you better go back to the devil that you know.

 

The repeated patterns of, "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result", even though it doesn't work is familiar.

 

The familiar and predictable locks you into another set of limiting beliefs of, "maybe this is fate" or "maybe this is all there is" or "maybe I wasn't meant to be successful as I want to be".

 

The familiar and predictable locks you into repeated patterns of safety and survival trying to get your needs met, combined with limiting beliefs and limiting emotions sabotages your vision, dreams, creativity, intention all leading to despair and to an ever deepening rut.

 

What is the difference between a rut and a grave?  6 feet.

 

The compounded repetition and familiarity of this story has become your jailer.

 

Your story today is you are likely struggling and hanging onto what you have.  What you have has become who you are and you are maintaining your story to survive, even though survival doesn't work which could, in the end, have long term consequences.

 

So why would you even dare hire a coach to deal with creating more or less of the following?  Why?  Because your story has become your identity.

  • More appreciation

  • More big picture vision

  • More confidence

  • More energy

  • More high net worth clients

  • More or better customer service and marketing systems

  • More profit

  • More profitable clients

  • More quality referrals

  • More recognition for their work

  • More team work

  • More time for planning

  • More time for themselves and their family

  • Less busy work

  • Less distraction

  • Less or fewer unprofitable products

  • Less overhead

  • Less paperwork

  • Less unprofitable and demanding clients

Changing your story can be difficult and it is not impossible.

 

The first step is for you to become honest with the fact that you are the one that is creating the story.

 

While understanding that you are the author of the story and with the combined understanding of the theory will help in the process but it requires more.

 

Most of the time it requires working with someone that is familiar with this kind of work to help you to see your way through the forest and the trees.  Someone that can provide you with the time, understanding, systems and some tough love that will help you to hold yourself to a higher standard.  Through this you will create new and long lasting stories that will eliminate the old stories.

 

It took years to create the old stories and it will take a long lasting commitment to create and remember the brand new stories that you are creating.  The good news is, you will create never ending happiness and fulfillment through the process.

 

The Question Isn't About Whether You Have Self Confidence Or Self Esteem - The Question Is;  Do You Have Enough Self Confidence and Self Esteem?

A client recently asked me;  "What is the difference between Self Confidence and Self Esteem?"

I often use online dictionaries that include;

Self-Confidence

Self-Confidence - freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with authority"

Freedom of character as a result of knowledge and control. A relaxed sense of strength. One may be self-confident if they are not afraid to be wrong. Acceptance of the unknown and a willingness to explore it. G.D. Jacobs Self-confidence is generally perceived as having the courage to talk in front of a large number of people, the willingness to try something new, the willingness to go against what others are thinking or doing, the ability to comfortably do something one thought he could not do and/or the willingness to explore what has not been explored. One who is self-confident is not necessarily loud and brash, or always ready to do reckless things in front of other people.

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem - a feeling of pride in yourself, a feeling of self-respect and personal worth, the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect; "it was beneath his dignity to cheat"; "showed his true dignity when under pressure.

In psychology, self-esteem or self-worth includes a person's subjective appraisal of himself or herself as intrinsically positive or negative to some degree (Sedikides & Gregg, 2003).

Self-esteem involves both self-relevant beliefs (e.g., "I am competent/incompetent", "I am liked/disliked") and associated self-relevant emotions (e.g., triumph/despair, pride/shame). It also finds expression in behavior (e.g., assertiveness/timorousness, confidence/caution). In addition, self-esteem can be construed as an enduring personality characteristic (trait self-esteem) or as a temporary psychological condition (state self-esteem). Finally, self-esteem can be specific to a particular dimension (e.g., "I believe I am a good writer, and feel proud of that in particular") or global in extent (e.g., "I believe I am a good person, and feel proud of myself in general").

The term "self-esteem" appears to be first coined by William James in 1890 which makes it one of the oldest concepts in psychology. In addition, self-esteem is the third most frequently occurring theme in psychological literature and has already resulted in over 25,000 articles, chapters, and books refer to the topic (Rodewalt & Tragakis, 2003). Given such a long and varied history, it is not surprising to find three major types of definitions in the field, each of which has generated its own tradition of research, findings, and practical applications. The original definition presents self-esteem as a ratio that is found by dividing one's successes in areas of life that are important to a given individual by the failures in them or one's "success / pretensions" (James, 1890). A problem with this approach is that making self-esteem contingent upon success means that it is inherently unstable because failure can occur at any moment (Crocker and Park, 2004). In the mid 1960s Maurice Rosenberg and social learning theorists defined self-esteem in terms of a stable sense of personal worth or worthiness that can be measured by self-report testing. This approach became the most frequently used definition but now it is known that feeling good about oneself in healthy ways is difficult to differentiate from such things as narcissism (Baumeister, Smart, & Boden, 1996). Nathaniel Branden (1969) defined self-esteem as a relationship between one's competence and one's worthiness. This definition sees self-esteem as the result of dealing with challenges of living in a way that is worthy or respectable and doing so consistently over time. This two-factor approach, as it has also been called, is a balanced definition that seems to be capable of dealing with limits of defining self-esteem primarily in terms of competence or worth alone (Mruk, 2006).
 

Do You Know What You Need To Know About Building Your Self-Esteem And Your Business?

To answer this question I am going to take the liberty to offer this excellent set of articles of Self-Esteem from the the University of Texas.

What is Self-Esteem?

Most people's feelings and thoughts about themselves fluctuate somewhat based on their daily experiences. The grade you get on an exam, how your friends treat you, ups and downs in a
romantic relationship-all can have a temporary impact on your wellbeing.

Your self-esteem, however, is something more fundamental than the normal "ups and downs" associated with situational changes. For people with good basic self-esteem, normal "ups and downs" may lead to temporary fluctuations in how they feel about themselves, but only to a limited extent. In contrast, for people with poor basic self-esteem, these "ups and downs" may make all the difference in the world.

Take a look at the following information to get you on the road to better self-esteem.

Poor Self-Esteem vs. Healthy Self-Esteem

People with poor self-esteem often rely on how they are doing in the present to determine how they feel about themselves. They need positive external experiences to counteract the negative feelings and thoughts that constantly plague them. Even then, the good feeling (from a good grade, etc.) can be temporary.

Healthy self-esteem is based on our ability to assess ourselves accurately (know ourselves) and still be able to accept and to value ourselves unconditionally. This means being able to realistically acknowledge our strengths and limitations (which is part of being human) and at the same time accepting ourselves as worthy and worthwhile without conditions or reservations.

Where Does Self-Esteem Come From?

Our self-esteem develops and evolves throughout our lives as we build an image of ourselves through our experiences with different people and activities. Experiences during our childhood play a particularly large role in the shaping of our basic self-esteem. When we were growing up, our successes (and failures) and how we were treated by the members of our immediate family, by our teachers, coaches, religious authorities, and by our peers, all contributed to the creation of our basic self-esteem.

Self-esteem is largely developed during childhood.

Healthy Self-Esteem

Childhood experiences that lead to healthy self-esteem include-

  • being praised
  • being listened to
  • being spoken to respectfully
  • getting attention and hugs
  • experiencing success in sports or school
  • having trustworthy friends
 

 


Low Self-Esteem

Childhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem include-

  • being harshly criticized
  • being yelled at, or beaten
  • being ignored, ridiculed or teased
  • being expected to be "perfect" all the time
  • experiencing failures in sports or school
                                                                      People with low self-esteem were often given messages that failed experiences (losing a game, getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their whole self.


What Does Your "Inner Voice" Say?

Our past experiences, even the things we don't usually think about, are all alive and active in our daily life in the form of an Inner Voice. Although most people do not "hear" this voice in the same way they would a spoken one, in many ways it acts in a similar way, constantly repeating those original messages to us.

For people with healthy self-esteem the messages of the inner voice are positive and reassuring. For people with low self-esteem, the inner voice becomes a harsh inner critic, constantly criticizing, punishing, and belittling their accomplishments.

THREE Faces of Low Self-Esteem

Most of us have an image of what low self-esteem looks like, but it is not always so easy to recognize. Here are three common faces that low self-esteem may wear:

The Impostor: acts happy and successful, but is really terrified of failure. Lives with the constant fear that she or he will be "found out." Needs continuous successes to maintain the mask of positive self-esteem, which may lead to problems with perfectionism, procrastination, competition, and burn-out.

The Rebel: acts like the opinions or good will of others - especially people who are important or powerful - don't matter. Lives with constant anger about not feeling "good enough." Continuously needs to prove that others' judgments and criticisms don't hurt, which may lead to problems like blaming others excessively, breaking rules or laws, or fighting authority.

The Loser: acts helpless and unable to cope with the world and waits for someone to come to the rescue. Uses self-pity or indifference as a shield against fear of taking responsibility for changing his or her life. Looks constantly to others for guidance, which can lead to such problems as lacking assertiveness skills, under-achievement, and excessive reliance on others in relationships.

Consequences of Low Self-Esteem

  • Low self-esteem can have devastating consequences.

  • It can create anxiety, stress, loneliness and increased likelihood for depression.

  • It can cause problems with friendships and relationships.

  • It can seriously impair academic and job performance.

  • It can lead to underachievement and increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse.

Worst of all, these negative consequences themselves reinforce the negative self-image and can take a person into a downward spiral of lower and lower self-esteem and increasingly non-productive or even actively self-destructive behavior.

Three Steps to Better Self-Esteem

Before you can begin to improve your self-esteem you must first believe that you can change it. Change doesn't necessarily happen quickly or easily, but it can happen. You are not powerless! Once you have accepted, or are at least willing to entertain the possibility that you are not powerless, there are three steps you can take to begin to change your self-esteem:

  • Step 1: Rebut the Inner Critic

  • Step 2: Practice Self-Nurturing

  • Step 3: Get Help from Others

Step 1: Rebut the Inner Critic

The first important step in improving self-esteem is to begin to challenge the negative messages of the critical inner voice. Here are some typical examples of the inner critic's voice and how you can "rebut" that voice.

The Inner Critic's Voice:

Your Rebuttals:


Is Unfairly Harsh: 

"People said they liked my presentation, but it was nowhere near as good as it should have been. I can't believe no-one noticed all the places I messed up. I'm such an impostor."
 

Be Reassuring:

"Wow, they really liked it! Maybe it wasn't perfect, but I worked hard on that presentation and did a good job. I'm proud of myself. This was a great success."

Generalizes Unrealistically:

"I got an F on the test. I don't understand anything in this class. I'm such an idiot. Who am I fooling? I shouldn't be taking this class. I'm stupid and I don't belong in college."
Be specific:

"I did poorly on this one test, but I've done O.K. on all the homework. There are some things here that I don't understand as well as I thought I did, but I can do the material-I've done fine in other classes that were just as tough.


Makes Leaps of Illogic:

"He is frowning. He didn't say anything, but I know it means that he doesn't like me!"
 

Challenge Illogic:

"O.K., he's frowning, but I don't know why. It could have nothing to do with me. Maybe I should ask."

Catastrophes:

"She turned me down for a date! I'm so embarrassed and humiliated. No one likes or cares about me. I'll never find a girlfriend. I'll always be alone."


Be Objective:

"Ouch! That hurt. Well, she doesn't want to go out with me. That doesn't mean no one does. I know I'm an attractive and nice person. I'll find someone."
 

Step 2: Practice Self-Nurturing

Rebutting your critical inner voice is an important first step, but it is not enough. Since our self-esteem is in part due to how others have treated us in the past, the second step to more healthy self-esteem is to begin to treat yourself as a worthwhile person.

Start to challenge past negative experiences or messages by nurturing and caring for yourself in ways that show that you are valuable, competent, deserving and lovable. There are several components to self-nurturing:

Practice Basic Self-Care

Get enough sleep, eat in a healthy fashion, get regular exercise, practice good hygiene, and so forth.

Plan Fun & Relaxing Things For Yourself

You could go to a movie, take a nap, get a massage, plant a garden, buy a pet, learn to meditate-whatever you enjoy.

Reward Yourself For Your Accomplishments

You could take the night off to celebrate good grades, spend time with a friend, or compliment yourself for making that hard phone call.

Remind Yourself of Your Strengths & Achievements

One way is to make a list of things you like about yourself. Or keep a 'success' file of awards, certificates and positive letters or citations. Keep momentos of accomplishments you are proud of where you can see them.

Forgive Yourself When You Don't Do All You'd Hoped

Self-nurturing can be surprisingly hard if you are not used to doing it. Don't be critical of yourself-remember that inner voice!-when you don't do it just right.

Self-Nurture Even When You Don't Feel You Deserve It

"Fake it" until you can "make it." When you treat yourself like you deserve to feel good and be nurtured, slowly you'll come to believe it.

Step 3: Get Help from Others

Getting help from others is often the most important step a person can take to improve his or her self-esteem, but it can also be the most difficult. People with low self-esteem often don't ask for help because they feel they don't deserve it. But since low self-esteem is often caused by how other people treated you in the past, you may need the help of other people in the present to challenge the critical messages that come from negative past experiences. Here are some ways to get help from others:

Ask for Support from Friends

  • Ask friends to tell you what they like about you or think you do well.

  • Ask someone who cares about you to just listen to you "vent" for a little while without trying to "fix" things.

  • Ask for a hug.

  • Ask someone who loves you to remind you that they do

Get Help from Teachers & Other Helpers

  • Go to professors or advisors or tutors to ask for help in classes if this is a problem for you. Remember: They are there to help you learn!

  • If you lack self-confidence in certain areas, take classes or try out new activities to increase your sense of competence (for example, take a math class, join a dance club, take swimming lessons, etc.)

Talk to a Therapist or Counselor

Sometimes low self-esteem can feel so painful or difficult to overcome that the professional help of a therapist or counselor is needed.

Talking to a counselor is a good way to learn more about your self-esteem issues and begin to improve your self-esteem.


Are You Doing What It Takes To Master Your Game?  Tiger Woods Did It!

What is something that happened recently that was a demonstration of Emotional Mastery?

 

Tiger Woods winning The British Open.

  • Some people don't even play the game.

  • Some people continue to play the game while being hampered by emotions fueled by their unresolved unmet needs and limiting beliefs all which contribute to their struggle.

  • Some people play the game while mastering their emotions, playing to win, winning and then triumphantly experiencing their emotions at the end while sharing their emotions.

The questions are;

 

Are you having an emotion?

Are the emotions having you?

 

What Questions Do You Need To Get Answered In Order To Take Action This September?

With your success in mind, here are a few questions;

  • Are you ready to make the necessary changes within yourself and your business?

  • Are you ready to work with someone to meet and exceed your goals?

  • To this end, would you like to schedule a telephone conversation with Simon Reilly?

To help you to answer the above questions and to understand how The Leading Advisor Coaching Program works, please click the following links to our web site.  The following links will also answer How You Can Receive 30 Days Of One On One Coaching Risk Free.

Everything you need to know is right here to take yourself to the next step to meet and exceed your goals.

To fast track what you need to know, click on the following links;

Products & Services Overview

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/

How Can You Receive 30 Days of One-On-One Coaching Risk Free?

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/30daysofcoaching.html

 How Can You Get Started?

     http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/getstarted.html

Again if you are ready to take your business to the next level, please e-mail Laura at lreilly@leadingadvisor.com to schedule an appointment with Simon.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be of service.

Laura Reilly

P.S.  If you need more detail, click on the following links;

Looking For a Survey or Two That You Can Take To Clarify The Things That You Want To Work On With Your Coach?

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/survey.html

More on Delivery Formats - One on One & Group Coaching Formats

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/more.html

What Are the Benefits of Coaching?

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/benefits.html           

 How to Get the Most Out of Your Coaching  

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/most.html

Do You Qualify?

http://www.leadingadvisor.com/products/getstarted.html

 

]]> Why are most Financial Advisors having a difficult time implementing these very valuable aspects into their business? 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z 2006-08-24T21:10:00Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2006:/articles//7.1034 2006-08-24T21:10:00Z Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Vision It is all about Values & Vision!

The Foundation Of Your Business includes;

- Values
- Vision, Purpose, Mission
- Goals
- Business Plan
- Marketing Plan
- Brand
- Niche
- Product Specialization
- Client Specialization

A Truly Successful Business & Life are Doomed without Understanding -

- Values are the DNA of Vision.
- Vision is The Foundation of the Business Plan.
- The Business Plan is The Foundation of The Marketing Plan.
- The Marketing Plan is The Foundation for Unique Branding.
- Unique Branding is The Foundation for Niche Marketing.

The Financial Advisor Industry is awash with experts talking about attracting high net worth clients, branding, client specialization, marketing, niche and product specialization yet most Financial Advisors are having a difficult time implementing these very valuable aspects into their business.

2. Construct a powerful three year vision
3. Plan the time to plan strategies & systems
4. Control your finances
5. Attract, hire & lead championship advisors & support team
6. Refine your selling & marketing skills
7. Create a low-cost niche marketing engine
8. Deliver 'wow' customer service
9. Maintain balance between work, rest & play

Why are these results happening?

Recent survey results include;

Most Financial Advisors are Emotionally Retired
- 23% of Financial Advisors over 63 years of have no Succession Plan
- 33% of Financial Advisors have no Vision or Business Plan

There are not enough inspired and / or qualified advisors
- 12.4% of Financial Advisors are very satisfied
- 49.1% of Financial Advisors are not very satisfied
- 40% of Financial Advisors are unsatisfied

Most Financial Advisors are not making enough money;
- 1/3 of Financial Advisors make $50K - $100K
- 1/2 of Financial Advisors make $100K - $200K
- 1/5 of Financial Advisors make $250K +

Because the minute that You start to think about Your Values and Vision, without really thinking, You immediately start to think about the World and all The World's problems.

What are You thinking about?

- Crime
- Disease
- Economy
- Electrical Shortages
- Climate Changes
- Homeless
- Hunger
- Oil Shortages
- Shampoo
- Terrorism
- War

Your Vision is the solution.

Vision - What YOU SEE as possible for others, the world.

Note the last word, the WORLD.

Both your business and personal life must be based upon a big Vision.

Your Vision must be about what you can do for the world. It is not about your needs.

That is the challenge. People are so consumed by their own needs and what might happen to them in the world that they fail to see the light of what they can bring to the world.

Why is it that people don't take the time to create a Vision for both their business and personal lives?

Are their needs and how they may survive in the world and what is going on in the world blocking their vision of what they can do for the world?

What if when people start to consider their vision for their business and personal lives, they become distracted by what is going on in the world? In order to avoid thinking about what is going in the world, they just go back to work on the things that are easy, so that they can forget?

It is easy going back to work on the same old things that may not be getting you the results that you are looking for, creating a distraction from the world at the same time.

Perhaps this is why there is so much going on in the world because all people care about
are their own needs and the limiting vision that their needs create.

]]> What Are The Significance Of Values, Positive Beliefs And Positive Emotions On Your Business? 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z 2006-08-24T21:05:00Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2006:/articles//7.1033 2006-08-24T21:05:00Z For years, the Leading Advisor Coaching System has provided our clients with the following sustainable systems that relate to; Fulfillment - deep, soul-orientated Feelings that one experiences when they are expressing their Values, as in being themselves. Values - Values... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Roadblocks For years, the Leading Advisor Coaching System has provided our clients with the following sustainable systems that relate to;

Fulfillment - deep, soul-orientated Feelings that one experiences when they are expressing their Values, as in being themselves.

Values - Values are WHY you approach your business and personal goals - therefore what motivates your Behavior.

- Values are "functional" forms of motivation. Most people in business and in life do not have a clear and written Values Statement.
- Behaviors - Are HOW you are currently taking action towards your business and personal goals.

Vision, Purpose & Mission - Values & Behaviors are the foundation for your Vision, Purpose & Mission. If you are not living your Values, Behaviors, Vision, Purpose & Mission, you are living someone else's.

What are the Values and Behaviors of Today's Leading Advisor?

Values or Unmet Needs? Most Advisors and people in general do not know the difference between a Value and an Unmet Need. Values naturally draw you forward without effort. Values are "functional" forms of motivation.

Unmet Needs "dysfunctionally" drive your behavior. Unmet Needs based motivation is dysfunctional. "Motive - the sense of need, desire, fear, etc." - Webster's Dictionary. What do you want to be motivated by? Need, desire and fear or something that naturally draws you forward. Most Advisors and people in general have Unmet Needs. Unmet Needs dominate and run you until they are identified and satisfied; satisfying Unmet Needs is not an option. Unmet Needs can be satisfied and when satisfied, you can be yourself.

You find ways to substitute what you really need to keep the dysfunctional drive and energy source of the Unmet Needs alive (alcohol, caffeine, food, money, nicotine, possessions, work, over promising, overselling etc.) If it is not satisfiable, it is an addiction or a compulsion. When Unmet Needs are not satisfied, your business development slows down and your quality of life diminishes. You waste money and time controlling and overanalyzing and attract conflict, rejection, struggle, suffering and time-consuming tasks and people. When Unmet Needs are satisfied you have the time and energy to love yourself, others and attract what you really want in your business and personal life. The Leading Advisor Coaching System enables you to identify and satisfy your Unmet Needs versus being covert, ignorant and inefficient about getting your Unmet Needs satisfied.

Money - a Value or Unmet Need? Money can be both a Value and an Unmet Need. To be more specific, Abundance and Currency are "Money" Values. Safety and Security are "Money" Unmet Needs. What is the significance?

Unmet Needs are the Fuel for Limiting Beliefs. If one has Unmet Needs, one always has Limiting Beliefs and vice versa. It is not either, or. And this is why it is virtually impossible to identify and consistently change Limiting Beliefs without identifying and satisfying the Unmet Needs at the same time. As an example, when one has Unmet Needs of Safety and Security, one undoubtedly has Limiting Beliefs of: I am not safe and I am not secure. It is impossible to have consistent Positive Beliefs when one has Unmet Needs.

Unmet Needs are the Fuel for Limiting Beliefs and Limiting Emotions. When one has Unmet Needs of Safety and Security, one undoubtedly has Limiting Beliefs of: I am not safe and I am not secure. With these Unmet Needs and Limiting Beliefs, one never accomplishes or creates enough to feel safe, continually attracts uncertain situations and people and feels anxious, edgy, fearful, hesitant, jittery, nervous, panicky, reluctant, restless, scared, shaky, skeptical, suspicious, uneasy and unsteady.

The Leading Advisor Coaching Program will help you to Clear your Unmet Needs, Limiting Beliefs and Limiting Emotions enabling you to create a strong foundation for your Personal and Business Vision, Plans and Goals to stand on.

Simon Reilly
The Financial Advisor Coach

]]> January 2007 Retreat 2007-01-30T17:18:06Z 2006-06-10T14:00:00Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2006:/articles//7.955 2006-06-10T14:00:00Z Thank you Kim Black - we've gone visual!! You know how some people who run their own businesses know that they need to take the time out to plan the future, but never seem to find that time or, if... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Vision Thank you Kim Black - we've gone visual!!

kingfisher.jpg

You know how some people who run their own businesses know that they need to take the time out to plan the future, but never seem to find that time or, if they do, they don't know "where to start?"

Which means that they just show up day after day, year after year, working as hard as they can, but they never seem to make any progress? And their business is running them, versus them running their business? Does that sound familiar?

In fact, sometimes they even attend specialized workshops where they are shown what to do, but even then they still don't find the time to do it?

Well in working with my clients, I've come to recognize this problem, and I am very excited to announce that we are presenting our first ever coaching "annual retreat" to help 20 individuals prepare and plan for the best start to a new year of business, that they have ever had.

The retreat will be held at, The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa from January 11th - 15th, 2007. This is Vancouver Island's Premier Spa and Adventure Resort with awe inspiring views, gourmet cuisine, and the fabulous Oceanside Spa with the exclusive Pacific Mist Hydropath. The location is secluded and the scenery is awe inspiring and there will only be room for twenty individuals.

kingfisher.jpg

The benefits of which are-

- A facilitated business and personal planning retreat, working exclusively with Simon and Laura Reilly on creating and refining your 3 year vision for you and your business.

- Taking the materials we use in our first workshop, we will be working with you to answer the "3 year question" - "If we were meeting here, in January 2010 and looking back over the last 36 months, what would have to have happened both personally and professionally for us to be happy with our progress?"

- This will involve an examination of your key professional and personal goals together with a discussion of the key roles that each of you intends to fulfill during the period in question.

- We will translate that 3 year vision into a 12 month plan of action - followed by a further translation into 90 day goals.

- Our next step will be to create a Time Management Plan and Calendar for the Next 12 Months

- Our next step will be to create the Financial Controls and a 12-month Cash Flow Forecast leading to accurate and realistic pricing and activity projections

- Our next step is to "Breakthrough" all the limitations that have stopped you in the past and show you a system that will continue to Inspire you to meet and exceed your vision and goals.

- Please note that we will be continuing to refine the components of the retreat right up until January so we will keep you posted.

- The format will be suitable for any business.

- With training in the mornings, the afternoons are open to work on your own material with me being on hand to answer questions and provide you with additional assistance, then working dinners to discuss progress each day.

- Benefit to you - a focused period of planning with one of Canada's leading business coaches on hand to guide you along the way.
No more than 20 people in attendance - travel to arrive Thursday evening, leave Monday morning.

- The location is only 2 ?Ǭ? hours from Vancouver by ferry via Horseshoe Bay including the drive time. Or you can fly from Vancouver Airport to Comox Airport, and we will arrange to have you picked up at the airport and driven to The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa.

- The environment is inspirational - we have researched our location carefully to ensure that the standard of accommodation is superb, whilst allowing you to "get away from it all" in comfort and in a location that is truly beautiful.

No interruptions - emergency contact with family and business - leave the "stuff" behind and work together on your future plans.

In fact, we are going to make sure that you have adequate time to spend "alone", implementing the ideas we discuss and creating the finished product that you can take home on Monday.
Our suggested itinerary will be:

- Thursday evening - Greetings, introductions and welcome dinner

- Friday morning - coaching on what has to be achieved and how to do it

- Friday afternoon - private time (with Simon on hand if you need him)

- Friday evening - informal working dinner

- Saturday morning - coaching on progress so far and questions

- Saturday afternoon - private time (with Simon on hand if you need him) / Spa Time

- Saturday evening - dinner at an outside location

- Sunday morning - coaching on progress so far and questions

- Sunday afternoon - private time (with Simon on hand if you need him) / Spa Time

- Sunday evening - working dinner and open discussion of results

- Monday morning - final session before departure

Full board and lodging provided - nothing for you to think about from when you arrive to when you leave.

The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

Take a look around the web site for the location - it's fabulous.
Daily activities - formal coaching, outdoor leisure, spa treatments, and more informal coaching in the evening.

- Be prepared to work hard and have fun at the same time.

- You may find yourself coaching at a dining table, having a massage, working out in the gym, or walking along the beach - whatever it takes to stimulate your mind and energize you about the future.

Amazing company - Simon Reilly "live and uncut", Laura Reilly, PLUS you and 19 other people in business.

- Simon Reilly will be there to make sure all of your questions can be answered.

- Don't underestimate the benefit of working with 19 other people in business who may have varied experiences that they can share with you.

Return with a clear 3-year vision, 12-month plan and 90-day goals.

- You will return home on Monday with "job done" and, no doubt, many ideas

This is a pilot retreat and we are keeping our prices low to reflect the help you will give us in putting future events together.

- Total investment is $2007 CN per person based on single
occupancy to include accommodation and meals (all except alcohol, the Saturday night meal out, and any Spa Treatments you may experience). You will be responsible for your travel costs.

** double occupancy - you may be able to share a room if you wish, providing we can find a suitable room mate. The double occupancy rate is $1747 per person.

- Also includes 4 nights and three full working days with Simon Reilly

- Payment options:

o Early bird registration - Payment before December 1, 2006 in full = $1907 single / $1660 double (5% discount)
o Installment plan = 3 payments of $669 single on October 1, 2006, November 1, 2006 & December 2006
o Installment plan = 3 payments of $583 double on October 1, 2006, November 1, 2006 & December 2006
o Payment in full after December 2, 2006 = $2007 single / $1747 double

Join us for what we truly believe will be a transformation experience - if you would like to reserve a place or have any questions then please email lreilly@leadingadvisor.com

]]> What Is Your Story? 2007-01-30T17:18:07Z 2006-04-13T14:00:00Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2006:/articles//7.912 2006-04-13T14:00:00Z I watched a memorial CD of Duncan Robinson's son Michael who died of leukemia in 1997. It was extremely moving watching Michael growing from a new born, through his childhood, to a beaming young man and then being stricken with... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Marketing I watched a memorial CD of Duncan Robinson's son Michael who died of leukemia in 1997. It was extremely moving watching Michael growing from a new born, through his childhood, to a beaming young man and then being stricken with leukemia and then going into Canuck Place and fighting the good fight to help to find a cure.

Michael has provided Duncan with the legacy of delivering his message of "What Is Your Story?"

Duncan's "What Is Your Story?" message is about using adversity to dig down deep to find the conviction that it takes to deliver a strong message to a client to enable them to take the necessary steps to insure their family's financial future.

Duncan and I are talking about creating a presentation where we co-present the "What Is Your Story?" in forthcoming speaking presentations.

This is expanded in the following article.

What Is Your Parable?

You must capture the attention of your clients and one of the ways to do this is through a Parable.

I do this every time a do a presentation and starts with;

To best describe what I do, I'd like to share with you, a couple of defining moments in my life.

When I was eight years old, my mother came to me to tell that she was afraid that there wasn't enough money for groceries and for Christmas. My father was an entrepreneur, and from time to time he sometimes was better at buying things to sell versus selling the things that he had bought. As a result, I lived in constant fear.

( If you want to read the entire Parable you can click Free E-Newsletter to subscribe and this will give the Passwords to the Resources Section of my Web Site. You can then use the Search Engine to Search "Parable". )

Why do I do this?

To make myself real, vulnerable, open, honest and to engage the people that I am speaking with.

There is nothing worse that some salesperson starting off their conversation with I, I, II (song to the tune of I am the Frito Bandito - if you go that far back). It looks and sounds like this;

- I've got this great new product
- I would like to ask you a few questions
- I'm wondering if you would be interested in ____________

The minute you start of with I it is all about what you need versus adding value to the client.

The minute you start off with I it can hook you into left brain and you can again slip into the unconscious dysfunctional unmet needs of the ego mind and this can make you look just like another bloody salesperson which the world has no time for anymore. The days of the fast talking salesperson are over.

When you start off with a well written parable, it comes from the heart, it keeps you in your heart, it keeps you in your right brain and it connect your heart and right brain with your customers heart and right brain.

Relationships are built via the heart and right brain.

Your clients will be associated to you and they will be on the edge of their seats. Your parable will demonstrate that you have heart and people want to be associated with people with heart.

A client's parable comes to mind;

Duncan Robinson of Freedom 55 Financial has a profound experience. I am not calling it a Parable out of respect because this is and Experience that Duncan lived to that has provided the passion and the dedication to become one of Freedom 55 Financials top advisors in eight short years. Duncan's experience relates to the diagnosis of leukemia and later passing of his son Michael. Duncan experienced on a first hand basis that he knows what it feels like to be underinsured. Duncan shares that he wished that he would have had the resources to be more available for Michael and the rest of the family over the three years that Michael fought the good fight to battle the leukemia which he beat once and then eventual succumbed to the disease. During Michael's journey they received support from Canuck Place which is one of the many charities that Duncan champions today.

Duncan knows first had what families never want to go through and Michael's legacy lives on through Duncan's conviction of taking care of his clients by asking them the tough questions that it takes to be a valuable resource for their certain futures.

What would you do if something happened to one of your clients and you knew that you failed to do your job to get over your fear and ask them to make the right kind of investment in life, disability or critical insurance?

The Parable will give you the heart to find the passion that will develop the conviction to ask the tough questions.

You will be less concerned with your own needs of approval and safety and more concerned with providing value for your clients.

Remember, an undisturbed client will not purchase. Most people are addicted to the socio-economic experience of living for the now of material goods, lattes and socializing and like most boomers they are fooling themselves that they are going to live forever.

In a recent conversation with Bryce Allen of G & B Allen Insurance Brokers Ltd., I was talking about families being so invested in taking their kids to this practice and that tutoring and while they are all speeding down the road in their SUV's, all it would take is a split second in an intersection of a car running a red light and they would all find out in a very hard way the absence of or the lack of life, disability or critical illness insurance. I mentioned to Bryce that there was a fiduciary responsibility of not asking a client about their insurance needs and being strong in your conviction about their needs. I said that I am not sure if fiduciary is the right word and said I'm trying to think of a word. Bryce said it is "Sacrilegious" not asking clients about their insurance needs.

The Parable will help you get your clients associated to the heart of the matter and get them out their heads about the precious money that they will have to part with. For the price of a latte which they guzzle a few a day, they could be protecting their families.

The Abundant Advisor Book Blog - (Day 10 of Completing The Abundant Financial Advisor Book in 150 Days - April 4th - August 31st)

No book activity today as I have a full plate for today and tomorrow looking after clients - isn't that what it is all about?

]]> 13 Steps to Build and Lead a Championship Support Team 2007-01-30T17:18:07Z 2005-08-02T05:22:58Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2005:/articles//7.634 2005-08-02T05:22:58Z 1. Appreciate - it's not just at 5pm on a Friday 2. Communicate - take the time on a human basis 3. Eliminate - do not tolerate 4. Fabricate - an organizational structure 5. Orchestrate - a system for everything... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com 1. Appreciate - it's not just at 5pm on a Friday

2. Communicate - take the time on a human basis

3. Eliminate - do not tolerate

4. Fabricate - an organizational structure

5. Orchestrate - a system for everything

6. Motivate - recruit, train, and facilitate

7. Indoctrinate - share your vision

8. Delegate - but do not abdicate

9. Congregate - to communicate by listening

10. Compensate - performance related

11. Educate - role play and courses

12. Create - a fabulous environment

13. Recommended Reading List

]]> Laura & I attended Chris Barrow?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Coaching Study Group in Toronto June 1 ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 3, 2005. Chris runs The Coaching Business School. The following document was developed from Chris?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s 9 Steps to Build and Lead a Championship Support Team. I though you would gain some value by receiving some of the points covered in the presentation.

Step 1. Appreciate - It's not just at 5pm on a Friday

The 4 Universal Truths Of Why Your Team Members Come To Work:

  • Money
  • Appreciation
  • Fun
  • Environment

Money
The number one reason why your team members come to work is for the money. In the long run, the money doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t make your team members happy and the money will help them to enjoy their misery.

Appreciation
We are talking genuine appreciation. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s not just 5pm on a Friday as the team member is rushing out the door to be with their friends and loved ones ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú ?¢‚Ǩ?ìOh Jane, thanks for taking care of ______________, I really appreciated that!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù

There is a better way. In fact there are at least two.

One of them can be during your quarterly review process. Prepare a list well in advance of all the things that you are noticing that the team member is doing right.

An even better way is to catch your team member doing things right it the moment.

Fun
We all like to have fun at work. Your team doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t need to have permission to crack a joke. Make sure that you take your team out as a group and have some fun. A group who stays together, goes out and plays together. At the end of the week, it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s not the business or the practice management that holds the team together, it is the memories the team creates together.

Environment
Make sure that your office is nicely decorated and looks like the 21st Century, not the remnants of 1950?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s. No magazines that are five years old, dirty washrooms, dead plants and please, don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t drag in the used recreation room furniture once your teenagers are done with it. Make sure that the staff room is clean and nicely appointed and that it does not look like the black whole from Calcutta.


Step 2. Communication - take the time on a human basis

The employees in a professional practice are often under a great deal of pressure and communication can often turn into routine communication about operations and after a period of time, employees no matter how well they are motivated by performance incentives can begin to resent each other. This can be especially true about employees and commission sales people that are working together. This kind of resentment can start to leak out into communications with the client in a ?¢‚Ǩ?ìhe said?¢‚Ǩ¬ù / ?¢‚Ǩ?ìshe said?¢‚Ǩ¬ù.

Remember to take the time for the human side of communication and take the time for coffee, lunch and non-work related communication.


Step 3. Eliminate - do not tolerate

Sam Walton the founder of Walmart had all of his employees bagging groceries the first day on the job where he applied his one bagger, two bagger and three bagger assessment theory.

The new employees were assessed based upon the number of grocery bags they filled at a time while working at the check-out.

  • Three baggers are natural enthusiasts and they always end up as Regional Managers

  • Two baggers are competent and they do the job exactly and start and end on time 9 - 5pm

  • One baggers are professionally miserable people. They are BMW?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s (Bitchers, Moaners and Whiners). They whine about the customers, the prices, their colleagues, the weather, they whine about everything.

One baggers are one baggers. One baggers will drag you down, they will drag your team down and they will sabotage your business.

One baggers often do the job competently, so you will have to smoke them out. One baggers have got to go. Smoke them out of your organization, and it will take you 1 ?Ǭ? years.

How do you do this?

Send your employees on customer service courses, professional development courses, and hold regular staff meetings.

If you have a ?¢‚ǨÀútemporary?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ one bagger, an employee who is going thru a difficult period in their life, give them the time and space to recover. You need to distinguish between the temporary and the permanent.

Over time, with the focus on customer service, professional development and team meetings, the one bagger will simply leave on their own. The positive team environment will simply be too uncomfortable for them, and they will leave to find another organization to invade.


Step 4. Fabricate - an organizational structure

Read or reread, Michael Gerber?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s E-Myth Revisited.

Get out of Management!

Instead, create a team of people who can create a business for you. You cannot grow your business yourself. Select your people based on their skill set and the appropriate Values & Behaviors for the position.

Stop being a control freak within your own business. Control freaks will make a living, but they will not make any money.


Step 5. Orchestrate - a system for everything

  • Finance

  • Marketing

  • Personnel

  • Resources

  • Sales

Build your business like it is a franchise. Why?
Because franchises don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t fail; most of them succeed.

Why build your business like a franchise? So you can have a life.


Step 6. Motivate - recruit, train and facilitate

Management is about systems.

Leadership is about people.

How do you motivate your people?

You can threaten them or you can lead by example.

  • If you are miserable, then everyone in the office has permission to be miserable.

  • If you are late, then everyone in the office has permission to be late.

  • If your finances are a mess ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ and so on.

Leadership is about getting out of the trench first and saying ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ ?¢‚Ǩ?ìfollow me!?¢‚Ǩ¬ù


Step 7. Indoctrinate - share your vision

  • Vision

  • Mission

  • Roles

  • Goals

What if your team was asked where the boss is going with ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶

  • 5 year plan?

  • 3 year plan?

  • 12 month plan?

  • 30 day plan?

  • 90 day plan?

What would their answer be?

If your team of people doesn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t know the plan, then it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s just a job for them. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s not a career. Think about that.


Step 8. Delegate - but do not abdicate

Abdicate ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Dump vs. Delegate

When delegating answer the 5 W?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s & the How!

  • Who?

  • What?

  • Where?

  • When?

  • Why?

  • How?

You must acknowledge to yourself that you can?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t do it all. You have hired a support team to do exactly that, to support you and the business. So let them. Learn to delegate.

Give clear instructions on what you want done, and give a clear deadline on when you need the task complete by. Then walk away.

If they persistently fail, replace them. The weakest link ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú is between your ears. Your employees will rise to the challenge.


Step 9. Congregate - to communicate by listening

Here is a meeting schedule that we recommend:

  • Daily 15 minute meetings ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú a daily huddle

  • Weekly meetings ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that last an hour

  • Monthly meetings ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that are ?Ǭ? a day

  • Quarterly meetings ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that are a full day

  • Annually ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 2 day meetings, a retreat, an overnight. To review your 3 year plan, your one year plan and your 90 day goals.

You think that the lost revenue from all of these ?¢‚ǨÀúmeetings?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ is going to make your business less profitable.

WRONG.

Secondly, there is nothing that builds a team more, than the time away together from the office.


Step 10. Compensate - performance related

  • Provide a good basic wage

  • Increase the good basic wage in line with the cost of living

PLUS

  • Offer a performance related bonus / pay it once a year in December every year ( = 2 months wages / an extra month?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s wage for all payroll staff)

  • Cost out the performance related bonus a year in advance along with the costs, income and the profit to be shared

  • Measure the key performance indicators how you like

  • Performance can relate to:

    Clients
    Memberships
    Profits
    Sales

Step 11. Educate ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú role play and courses

Provide:

  • In house training
  • External training
  • Professional and personal development
  • Role play
  • Feedback

Start thinking like a retailer and provide ?¢‚ǨÀúwow?¢‚Ǩ¬ù customer service.
Successful Practice is 98% people and 2% financial planning.

Step 12. Create - a fabulous environment

Chris Barrow developed The Environmental 100 Assessment Tool for your business.

To receive your copy e-mail; lreilly@leadingadvisor.com and type in the subject line; The Environmental 100 Assessment Tool

The Environmental 100 is a tool to assess the environmental health of your business. Use it to identify areas for focus. The intention is to help you become well organized and to create a more pleasant working environment. (You may also learn yours is already among the best!). It focuses on five areas:

  • Sight

  • Sound

  • Touch

  • Smell/Taste

  • Relationships/Culture


Step 13. Recommended Reading List

The 8th Habit : From Effectiveness to Greatness
Stephen R. Covey

Building Happiness Centered Business
Dr Paddi Lund

Leadership from the Inside Out
Kevin Cashman

Shackleton?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Way
Margot Morrell & Alexandra Shackleton

]]> How Do You Give A Referral? To Give Or To Get? 2007-01-30T17:18:07Z 2005-07-15T06:41:46Z tag:www.leadingadvisor.com,2005:/articles//7.633 2005-07-15T06:41:46Z How you give a referral will be a reflection of how you receive referrals. How do you give a referral? A better question to ask is - Are YOU giving the referral to "give" or is your EGO giving the... Simon sreilly@leadingadvisor.com Marketing How you give a referral will be a reflection of how you receive referrals.

How do you give a referral? A better question to ask is -

Are YOU giving the referral to "give" or is your EGO giving the referral to "get"?

Let me explain.

]]> When YOU give a referral to ?¢‚Ǩ?ìgive?¢‚Ǩ¬ù value it comes from the place of YOU wanting to add value to both;

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ the person that you are giving the referral to
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ the referral (the person) that you wish to offer value to through your referral introduction

Both people that you are wishing to serve will get that value is being added. This is because YOU are coming from the place of wanting to add value and that YOU have no agenda other than to add value to both parties.

It is kind of like the movie ?¢‚Ǩ?ìPay It Forward?¢‚Ǩ¬ù and if you have not seen it, put it on your list.

The idea of ?¢‚Ǩ?ìPay It Forward?¢‚Ǩ¬ù is to perform three acts of unsolicited kindness with the only requirement being that each recipient of his goodwill must ?¢‚Ǩ?ìPay It Forward?¢‚Ǩ¬ù to three other people. And so on, and so on, and so o