musings
Driven or pursued?
A recent discussion with my personal mentor was related to drive. He referenced the success his son is experiencing and commented that since childhood his son has been driven. He is an achiever and the drive is internal. This drive or part of the urge to succeed, we concluded, probably genetic (thanks, Dad!). The other…
Read MoreRestriction or blockage?
This week has been fraught with challenges. We have bitter cold temperatures and lots of snow to deal with, but it is winter, after all! An additional challenge came in the form of a massive plumbing problem. The main sewer line, from our house to the street, was so restricted by invading roots that it…
Read MoreRare or merely old?
This week, I visited a coin shop to have some old coins appraised. I also asked about some old currency. The proprietor of the shop quickly determined that my paper currency was merely old and not of value beyond the face amount. He said, “Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it is worth anything. To…
Read MoreThirteen points for 2011
I was thirteen on a Friday the 13th; therefore, I adopted thirteen as my lucky number. So, with that preface, here are thirteen key points for my approach to 2011. Hopefully, you will find some of these key points thought provoking enough to start your own thinking about a new approach to the New Year…
Read MoreThat’s a wrap!
As this year comes to a close, most of us are thinking about how we will operate in the next year. This week, spend some time each day thinking about your area of expertise and your strengths. Have your pen and pad of paper ready to jot down these very important thoughts. Endeavor to become…
Read MoreThe gift of TEA
Selling TEA, was a recent post, in which I revealed that my favorite beverage is hot tea. If one can become addicted to tea-I am! Coincidentally, my initials spell TEA. In that same post, I suggested that TEA could stand for Time, Expertise, and Advice. Now, let’s consider giving the gift of TEA. We are…
Read MoreSelling TEA
Financial services professionals, (insurance agents, financial planners, financial advisors), are in the business of selling financial products and services. What are financial professionals really selling? I like to think that they are selling TEA. Allow me to explain. Coincidently, my personal initials are T.E.A. and my beverage of choice is hot, strong, British tea. By…
Read MoreSingle-Minded Focus
They came again, last night, and ate most of the chrysanthemums that we had planted this fall. What kind of visitors would eat our flowers, you might ask? Deer, of course! They still come regularly, sometimes one or two at a time, and sometimes as many as ten. They forage on our property and graze…
Read MoreAncient wisdom/Current Wisdom
Do you really want to be successful? What are you willing to do to achieve your goal? You ask, “What is the formula for achievement?” Here is a quotation from the past to guide you: “First, have a definite, clear practical ideal: a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends;…
Read MoreMovement
Movement is a key concept in success. It has been said that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal. But, mere action and motion alone will not necessarily lead to success. To achieve success, based on the above definition, the first thing to do is STOP. Stop and become aware of…
Read More