Mastermind Moment: Business Is FUN!

Are you having FUN at what you’re doing?  -ALVINism

I’m fascinated by people’s “take” on what business is and what makes business work. Can you tell?

Successful people in BUSINESS and LIFE (both these successes are not always found together, by the way) tell me that the KEY to a successful business is to have FUN at what you’re doing.  If you’re not having FUN, then stop it and find something else that you can have FUN at and make money, too.

Imposter who SAY they are SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS (and yet show they are neither successful in BUSINESS and/or LIFE) say that business is to be run as a business.  It’s like the Godfather mentality of “it’s just business” as he orders the killing of his brother Alfredo.

Are you KILLING that which is most important to you with an autocratic business operation?  I witness people who “say” they value relationships and yet they operate “as if no one else’s opinion matters” because this is their business and they will run it like a business.  I’ve even heard the argument “we’re following the business system” and so I am queen/king of everything since I’m in charge of this business.

Interesting isn’t it?!  Now, look around people who operate like that and what do you see?  EVERY PERSON I’ve come in contact with who is SUCCESSFUL in BUSINESS and in LIFE – says to “have FUN”.  What have you found?

With Excitement & Joy,

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

Mastermind Moments: Are moments and comments taken from the CEO Network, T.E.N., comprised of CEO’s who mastermind together for mutual success

Mastermind Moment: Decide To Deal

A key question a leader can ask at any given moment is, “Do I Have To Deal With This?”

-Jose “ism”

Many times we’re presented with “opportunities” that are often misnamed as “challenges” and there is a CHOICE we are called to make at that time – “Do I Have To Deal With This?”.

As a leader, it is important for us to “slow down” to make that choice instead of whizzing by it and choosing by DEFAULT.

Is this something YOU need to deal with? Are you dealing with it because of HABIT; SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPECTATIONS or CONTROL? Why are you dealing with this?

ACTION: This week SLOW DOWN and make the CHOICE. Do I have to deal with this?

Enjoy Your Week With Excitement & Joy!

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

“Coaching Leaders To Profit From Their Networks!”

Did you miss what TOP WOMEN IN BUSINESS leaders in the Basin are reading? If you did, go to BECOME A GREAT LEARNER and see what’s ON THEIR NIGHTSTANDS.

Mastermind Moment: Vision

“Our Vision Controls What We See and Don’t See.”

-Bobby”ism”

Our Vision Controls What We See and Don’t See.

This is a quote from executive Charles Koch, but Bobby thought it would be wonderful to share with you today…

“Our vision controls the way we think and, therefore, the way we act . .
The vision we have of our jobs determines what we do and the opportunities we see or don’t see.”

How we see thing is how they are. Perception becomes reality. FEAR becomes REAL. Did you know that FEAR is an acronym for FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL?

Shift your VISION, by:

1. AWARENESS: Be aware of what is REAL and what is NOT. Here’s a great test for that – ask yourself: What evidence do I have that this is real? Write it down and examine the evidence. Is it FACT or FICTION?

2. ACCEPTANCE: Accept and take responsibility for your part in the VISION.

3. CONSISTENT ACTION: It takes more than just awareness and acceptance – it is now time to move into action!

With Excitement and Joy,

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

Mastermind Moment: Time Tells All

“How You Spend Your Time Is What Is Really Important To You.”

-Maria”ism”

Often we hear people say, I value FAMILY, GOD, GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, MY CHILDREN and while those are wonderful “words”, how you SPEND your time reveals what is TRULY important to you. So, do a quick check today. Look at your calendar, daytimer, outlook, PDA, on-line calendar and where are you spending you time? If 80% is spent on work, 10% watching TV, 5% volunteering, 3% on your family, 1% on your health and 1% on God – then THAT is what you REALLY value. Your schedule reveals that you really value: WORK, TELEVISION, VOLUNTEERING, FAMILY a little bit, your health and God even less. The TRUTH is in your calendar.

Pretty heavy conversation to have on a “Monday morning”? However, if you look at your calendar it will reveal all. And, the important note here is that if it is not mirroring the picture YOU want of your life and you continue along this path….then you are in danger of wasting your time and NEVER getting to those things that you SAY matter most.

So, TODAY (why wait for tomorrow? What is more important than those things and people that you SAY matter most??) look at your schedule. Spend 30 minutes jotting down what YOU directly need to be involved in. It’s amazing how we like to CONTROL many things and yet they have literally nothing to do with what we SAY is important. Then schedule those most important things first and delegate, adjust or just plain “get rid of” those things that have nothing to do with the overall picture of YOU. You can rationalize spending your time on ANYTHING – the key thing to know is that those are “rational LIES”.

Today is NOT a dress rehearsal – it’s life. You’re either wasting it or you’re living it…the choice is yours.

With Excitement & Joy,

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

Mastermind Moment: Presentations Are For Actors

“Presentations Are For Actors”

-Tom”ism”

Presentations Are For Actors There is a great difference between “being present” and “presenting” to a group. PRESENTING is like ACTING because it really doesn’t matter what “we” (the audience) do because the “dog and pony” show must go on! However, being present means that you must know your topic well; be confident and engaging. Here are 3 tips to do just that!

1.  Be grounded. 

Like a radio station that is “static-y”, so are you if you are not ”grounded” in what you have to offer!  That foundation of confidence, sets the “tune” for anything projecting out from you.  Take a moment to assess those strengths (forget the weakenesses - you can resource or “hire out” for those) and play to your strengths.   Focus and talk about what you know!  When you are “grounded”, you can take questions from the audience and you can even go down “different trails” with them and not have to sray on your “outline”.  It makes you more resourceful and more powerful.  In fact, you’ll be able to speak with NO NOTES if you are well grounded.  My favorite speaker, Roger Crawford, said it best when he said, “the truth is not hard to remember!”

ACTION:  Do a SOAR assessment!  If you need assistance in appreciative inquiry (SOAR), I can help since I specialize in that.  After you SOAR, then build on those strengths that are uniquely you. 

2.   Meditate. 

Grounding meditation is a powerful way for you to “quiet the voices (or the many to-do lists) in your head” and focus on what is most important.  Often, we are like the team that is “chopping down a forest” in Stephen Covey’s book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, and it is not until we “connect’ with that foreman that we realize that we’re in the WRONG FOREST (but, heck we were making progress!)  Meditate and visualize.  “What ever a man can believe, and conceive, he can achieve!” – W. Clement Stone

ACTION:  Spend 15 minutes a day in mediatation or prayer.  Then, take 10 minutes to “journal” (or write down), the picture of your perfect world!  It will change your life.

3.  Be who you are.

There is a myth that you must be a perfect presenter.  If you are perfect, it does not always mean you are engaging.  In fact, aren’t we sometimes “engaged” by someone who is HUMAN.  When we see that they have faults and are REAL, don’t we appreciate them even more.  The importance in being present is that you engage the power of full engagement.  In order to do that, people need to know (gut feeling) that you are genuine.

ACTION:  Feel comfortable in who you are because only YOU can deliver your message in your way!  Someone who needs to hear the message “from you” will hear you.  Now, be grounded – meditate and go present!

With Excitement & Joy,

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

www.championofconnections.com

www.buzz2bucks.com

Mastermind Moment: The Lost Art of Thank You

No Thank Yous Than No Thanks!”-Marth “ism”

No Thank Yous – Then No Thanks! It’s AMAZING how many people do not know how to say “thank you.” It’s as if they were never taught, the more you appreciate something the more you’ll get things you can appreciate. It’s the old adage of “What you focus on, you get”. However, 97% of people do not ever craft a “thank you” note or even a “thank you” email. Say NO THANKS to people who can’t SAY THANKS!In fact, here’s an “interesting story”. There is a lady who markets herself as an “image expert” (she’s not here in the Basin so we’re all safe!). I really like here information and she “appeared” to be quite knowledgeable. So, I went to order a book from her website and NOTHING HAPPENED. I tried, and tried, AND TRIED to buy a book from her website and still NOTHING would happen. Most customers would just “give up” and decide “okay, I want to spend my money with you but you don’t want it because you haven’t been professional enough to take care of your website” BUT (there’s that ‘but’ again), I am a technically challenged person and I like to give the benefit of the doubt, so I thought “may be she doesn’t know.” So, I CALL HER (now remember – I’m the customer!) and let her know that I cannot purchase a book on her website. I explain what I did and lo’ and behold – she sees what I see – NOTHING HAPPENS! She thanks me quickly and gets of the phone to call her web guru (who is someone who needs a “Texas talkin’ to” because he’s SUPPOSED TO BE a professional at what he does to – real professional, right?). The next day, I try to purchase again, and finally I can buy the book that I “worked” so hard for.

I share this story because AFTER ALL THAT – she NEVER once wrote me an email of thanks or a note of thanks or called up to give a “thank you” message…NOTHING and get this – SHE’S the image “expert”. How long would shehave gone without business had I not of called? She even mentioned that she had not gotten any orders that week and found that “odd”. No thanks at all – what do you think my “image” is of her now?

Use her huge mistake as a lesson for you….say THANK YOU! It is such a lost art and such a powerful phrase. WE all work so hard to differentiate ourselves from the competition. And, now you can with a simple act of gratitude!

Here are three powerful simple acts:

1. Write a THANK YOU note!

Granted, this can be done via email with lots of cute animation & song. However, a handwritten personal note is the most powerful “thank you.” It shows that you value the person, you value what they did and that you are so genuine in your appreciation that you are willing to expend the time and effort to make a personal gesture. You will stand out in the crowd and be the “purple” cow!

Action Step: Write one thank you note a day. If you don’t do that now, start with a “thank you email”. However, do just get some simple cards and address and stamp one each day. Carry it with you and find that person to appreciate every day. You will then be the true IMAGE EXPERT and that act of appreciation will make a huge difference to you, personally!

2. Pick up the phone and say thank you!

You’re busy, we’re all busy. Pick up the phone and thank the person and explain “why” what they did was so great; how it made a difference in your life and how you value them. Be sincere (people can smell the predatory “fakeness” a mile away!).

Action Step: Call one person each week. Make one moment each week as your make a difference moment! Then ask, how can I help you?

3. Recognize People With Something of Value!

I’m not saying “shower them with gifts” but do remember what you are grateful for and what is important to them. For example, a friend of mine loves the theater. She worked on a really difficult client for me and made all of us look so good. I appreciated her and recognized her to the team (an important, valued recognition) and gifted her two theater tickets. She was thrilled because I remembered that she liked the theater! Like the “image” person I was referring to in the story, a simple thank you might even have been a short email saying thanks and here’s a couple of bucks of your next purchase for saving me from losing further dollars. (however, if the person you need to appreciate has to “tell you” what to do…it totally devalues any appreciation you could possibly muster!)

Action Step: Someone made a difference in your life this month. They made life easier or went out of the way. Recognize it!

Like attracts like…what are you attracting?

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a The Champion of Connections

Social Capital Strategist & Coach, cpcc

Mastermind Moment: Return Your Phone Calls

“Return Your Phone Calls”

-Brian “ism”

Permian Basin Moments From The Mastermind…

Return Your Phone Calls – 4 Money Making Words Not rocket science however, it is such a true statement! Realtors know it. They know that prospects are calling from their signs and they know that whoever is the first person to answer or return the phone call gets the business. How about you? Remember, you never know WHO someone is; WHO they influence; or WHO they will become. Here are three great tips to return those calls!

1. Set aside a half an hour each day an return the calls. Let the caller know that you are returning several calls at once and if that conversation warrants more time then time can be scheduled. A great way to do this so that you don’t get “caught up” in the conversation of “how ’bout next Tuesday at 10 a.m. – hmmm, not good, how about next Thursday at 2 p.m.?” is to set up a calendar on Yahoo. If you do that, you can place blocked periods of time on there (no need to put details) put open times on that calendar when you are available for further phone conversations. If the conversation will cover detailed information, then ask them to send it to you prior to the call.

2. Determine if they are someone YOU personally need to call. Emails are wonderful and can be used to return phone calls at a time and place that is appropriate and easier for you. Email helps stop those “chatty” people or those “high maintenance” people from robbing you of your time. It’s a wonderful tool if used properly. Spend some time up front (believe me this is a GREAT investment) to determine who are your best clients and who are the time robbers. Place them each on lists so that you have it readily available in your notes, planner, etc. Then when they call you can determine if this is an “email or even fax phone call return (yes, you can even fax responses!) or if this is a direct response. You still have responded to their call however, you have still preserved the integrity of your time! In fact, I also separate who has voice mail and I call them early morning to leave voice messages so that we have “connected” in the most effective way possible. There are contacts you have that want to have a “meeting over the phone” about “the meeting”. Stop that instantly by using another form of connection!

3. Hire someone to return phone calls. I LOVE using Virtual Assistants! They can return the phone calls and get to the “heart” of the matter. They are great time savers and can filter through and determine if YOU need to speak directly to that person. Virtual Assistants are independent contractors so you don’t have to be concerned about payroll, applications, paperwork, etc. Plus, they can utilize the list you generated from Tip #2 and work with that in their returning of phone calls. It will also help them to understand who are the most pleasurable and profitable clients to you.

You never know who someone is; who they influence or who they will become so it is important to return those phone calls however, as you can now see, there are creative ways to do that, that do not consume all of your time.

Another TIP is to leave an OUTGOING VOICEMAIL that lets someone know when you will be available to return phone calls. However, do realize that most people DO NOT LISTEN. Or, let me be more specific….your time spenders DO NOT LISTEN. Your WONDERFUL clients will hear the message and respond accordingly. Time spenders don’t even listen when your message says “I’m not checking this phone until August 17th due to travels so please call after then” AND they STILL leave a message “just in case” you might here the message. I had a lady who is the area representative for an organization call me 8 times while I was out of town…when my message said that exact message I just quoted. Her last message she sounded “exasperated” and “frustrated” that we could not connect. Of course, she was an “email response” when I did finally hear the message on the “17th” just like my outgoing message said! Those contact who don’t listen and don’t value your time…maybe don’t make good contacts for you at all….but that’s another topic for the blog!

Remember, like attract like….what are you attracting?

To your abundance….

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a/ THE Champion of Connections

Social Capital Strategist & Coach, cpcc

Mastermind Moment: Never Work A Day

“Do What You Love And You’ll Never Work A Day In Your Life.”

-Rene “ism”

It’s a week from LABOR DAY – how are you doing? Enjoying what you’re doing? Does it fill you with passion? Is it the most exciting stuff you can think of doing?

If none of these statements ring true, then you are in SERIOUS DANGER of wasting your time. Do you think this is a “dress rehearsal”? This is LIFE.

Here’s some books that could be of help -
You Can’t Steal Second With Your Foot on First! or
Before You Quit Your Job!

Today we remember all of those who lost their lives on September 11th. It is a faithful reminder of just how quickly our time in this reality goes. Because of this, I am on a personal mission that everyone find their personal passion and pursue it. This is quite different than the “copycats” wanting to be someone their not (I HAVE one of those – I coined the title “Champion of Connections” many moons ago – now someone wants to be “the queen of”…gimme a break – strike out and be your own person!). Be the BEST rendition of YOU that you can be. Find those things that thrill you and do those things! Any person who has every accomplished anything will tell you that the “why” was there – the “how” came later.

Create a life – instead of just making a living!

Like attracts like…what are you attracting?

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

Social Capital Strategist & Coach, cpcc.

Mastermind Moment: The Guy Across The Street

“You Don’t Have To Be A Slave To The Way The Guy Across The Street Does It.”

-Kristi “ism”

There’s much to be said about “striking out on your own” and creating your own definition of “get ‘er done”! We’ve seen that so evident in West Texas. The pioneer spirit runs thick here!


Keep in mind as an entrepreneur you walk where many won’t go. In fact, only 20% of the people have the “dream power” and fortitude to pursue their dream. Are you a dream supporter or a dream stealer?

First, do you CARE if you’re a dream stealer?  And secondly, how do you know if you’re one?

One simple word resonates OFTEN from the mouth of a dream stealer.  SHOULD!  Here’s what you SHOULD do!  You SHOULD be making this happen…..  If you want to get this, you SHOULD do this!  A dream stealer “shoulds” on people left and right…which is just like shi……g on people.  Shoulding and sh…….g!  They are one in the same.  A dream stealer either is watching the other guy across the street; imitating the other guy (and glad to share with you how you SHOULD be a cheap imitation of them, too!); or they are “the other guy” and they are so SOLD on their way that they’ll should on everyone around.

Now, SHOULD can sometimes be “disguised” however, just like shi……g – it all smells the same and the effect is the same.  Sometimes, SHOULD is delivered in the “salesy” tone of “let me INVITE YOU to do this…..” or with the “predatory” feel, felt, found delivery.

Yes, I’m passionate about “shouding on people” because just like discriminating against someone or stealing their dream, I believe that “shoulding” steals from someone’s spirit and their soul.  Keep in mind, your CLOSEST FRIEND and family members, will more than likely be the first people to SHOULD on you.  Why?!  It’s human nature.  Do we not take for granted those who are closest to us?  Do we not have an EXPECTATION that they’ll understand our “not so sensitive” ways?  Poor Thomas Edison, if he had listened to the people who SHOULD on him, we would be all in the dark and frankly, you wouldn’t even be reading this blog!

Take a moment before that habitual, insensitive SHOULD creeps out of your mouth.  And think,  “if I say that, who will that serve.” (this person or ME…and my ego!) Is there a better way to say that, that honors the other person’s uniqueness?  Can I package it in a way that shows all my support and care with every breath?

If you CARE about whether you’re a dream stealer or not, take a moment – take a deep breath and envision what it would be like to say something caring and supportive to someone that’s important to you.  Make a gratitude list so that the attitude of gratitude and energy will seep out of every pore.

If you don’t care, keep on shoulding…because it’s all about YOU anyway…

Like attract like….What Are You Attracting?

Coach Maria Elena a/k/a THE Champion of Connections

Social Capital Strategist & Coach

Mastermind Moment: Your Network

“Your Network Determines Your Networth.”

-Donna “ism”

“Your Network Determines Your Networth.” WHO you know and WHO KNOWS YOU WELL are important in determining your net”worth”. It is from their testimonial that positive OR negative word of mouth will come from.

From their mouths, statements such as “doesn’t return phone calls” or “doesn’t return emails” to “is a great communicator” will all add to your social capital reserves or drain from them. How’s YOUR network?

I believe that the BIG CHALLENGE in developing your network is that you don’t think of it until there is a “valley in your marketing” or a “lull in cashflow”.  However, that’s the absolute WORST time to think of it because you cannot microwave relationships.  Relationships all take time.

Meet someone just for the sole purpose of pushing your agenda on them and they will “smell” that predatory energy a mile away!

Your NetWORK takes work and is your social capital “bank account” for testimonials and referrals if you work it well and nurture it always.  Ever have someone call you up that you haven’t heard from in ages and “want” something from you?  Does “feeling used” sum up how you feel when that happens?

Engage your network always in meaningful connections and GROW your network often….YOU NEVER know who some IS, who they INFLUENCE or who they will BECOME.

Here’s an event that will help you grow your network NOW… Business Expresso Registration LINK 
Wishing you Avalanches of Abundance this week….

Coach Maria Elena, THE Champion of Connections
Attraction Marketing Coach & Social Capital Strategist