Gary V fires me up!

Energy, passion, and a perspective on business and relationships that rocks!

Check out Gary’s video here about busting through all the Web 2.0 noise.

“All the noise is positive to me.” Gary Vaynerchuk

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Here’s are a couple shiny, bright objects to distract you from your focused productivity.

Plurk

Yesterday, I’m working on figuring out Twitter. With all the talk about Twitter’s downtime, and on the heels of Robert Scoble’s interview with the Twitter founders, Evan Williams and Biz Stone, is Plurk the new Twitter?

This isn’t Billy Q. Poindexter’s blog, no, no. Instead, Plurk is an easy way to chronicle and share the things you do, the way you feel, and all the other things in between that make up your life, with the people close to you. It’s instant gratification, instant self-indulgence, instant celebrity, instantly YOU. Share your life stream, live your life….Plurk!

Plurk me here… (NOTE:I’m not planning on lots of activity here… although ability to embed YouTube vids and pics in your Plurks is pretty cool)

Wagg.it

Thanks to Jack Humphrey for the mention of wagg.it at his Social Marketing Central.

This looks promising. A social networking, Digg-like site, where you can post stories, vote up, (wagged) or vote down (piss). I love that!

Not only people friendly, but marketing friendly too with categories such as Games, Hollywood, Home Improvement, Humor, Sports, Social Networking Community, Marketing Videos, Web 2.0 Social Networking, Marketing, and SEO/SEM EVENTS 2008.

Go ahead give it a wagg…

pbwiki

Discovered this from a Guy Kawasaki Tweet mention.

PBwiki is perfect for businesses and teams looking for an easy, secure way to collaborate at work. Using PBwiki is as easy as making a peanut butter sandwich. And PBwiki is trusted by global leaders like Facebook, DePaul University, and the FDA.

No IT work is required to get started, and we offer tools and processes to give your IT team confidence in our infrastructure and control over their users. Read more about how wiki collaboration can help your business.

Check out the pbwiki 2-minute Demo video

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Cash-flow is king in running a successful small business. Many small business owners suffer from three common cash-flow killers. Recently, Melanie Benson Strick polled her readers and asked them what’s holding them back from their success.

Here are the big three… and the fixes.

Piles of Money

3 Biggest Crimes That Sabotage Consistent Cash Flow

By Melanie Benson Strick | May 29th, 2008

I recently asked my readers what was keeping them from achieving their goals and after I read over 100 responses, there were three that seemed to surface over and over again. As I thought about the challenges that most entrepreneurs face, I realized that when these three issues are present in your business, it becomes a crime we commit over and over again, robbing success from our life.

So what are the three biggest crimes?

1. Procrastination
2. Distraction
3. Lack of time

Procrastination. Putting off doing what we know is good for us is like not eating vegetables because we don’t like the way they taste. We run a business that requires us to market, sell and fulfill. That’s the bottom line. If you put off doing one of these vital activities then you just aren’t willing to be successful.

The answer: Get a coach. Get a team. Get automated. In that order. You aren’t going to solve this one on your own. You probably have some values or priorities that feel in conflict and you MUST get that solved in order to gain momentum.

Distraction. Letting yourself get distracted is a habit and a mindset. If you are crystal clear about where you are going and what’s important then you will not get distracted. Or if you do, you will catch yourself quickly and recover.

The answer: The other day I was coaching one of the Fast-Track Mastermind members on this very issue. I encouraged her to create her lifestyle and business plan. Then map out the steps needed to achieve the goal. Sometimes it helps to brainstorm with others so access your coach or mastermind to “flush out” the idea.

Lack of Time. What if I told you there is no lack of time? The reality is time is a state of mind. It’s a story we tell ourselves. A lack of time exists for one of three reasons. First, we are bored easily and constantly looking for a Bright Shiny Object to get engaged. Second, we don’t know what’s important so we say yes to everything. Third, we have unrealistic expectations of how much time it takes to get things done.

The answer: Decide that you always have time for what’s important. Get clear on what’s important. Say no to everything else! Being realistic with what you can accomplish is a habit your must develop in order to truly be successful. It helps to map out what’s on your plate so you can see it (keeping things in your head is a great way to hide from the truth!)

It’s time for you to say yes to success. Get real with yourself about why you let one of these three crimes steal away your dream. You have to be willing to invest your time and money in proven techniques that will grow your bottom line. Being creative isn’t always the best path to success. Doing what works is.

If you are struggling with one of these three “crimes” I invite you to jump on a limited opportunity to get mentoring and access to proven strategies to grow your business in our Fast-Track to a 6 & 7 Figure Lifestyle Business Mastermind. You have to be willing to do things differently to get a new result. You still have 7 months to make this your best year ever…will you say yes to success?

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Most entrepreneurs are continually battling overwhelm with too many things to do, opportunities to capture and money to make! Melanie Benson Strick, Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach & Virtual Team Building Expert, teaches entrepreneurs how to stop feeling overwhelmed so they can create more money, more freedom and more prestige.

Get the Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon to revolutionize your results and get on the fast-track to a freedom based business. Take this free chapter from my book, The Power of The Virtual Team, as a gift from me at http://www.thepowerofthevirtualteam.com

Copyright 2007 Melanie Benson Strick and Success Connections Inc

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Image via Wikipedia

Today, Sean D’Souza on how you can easily, if you’re not aware of it, turn your brain and creativity to mush, and listening to what your brain is telling you about stress.

Downsize Me: A Lesson In Education

Do you struggle to write articles? Or find enough contents to give out to subscribers? There may be a very good reason for why you’re struggling.

You’re probably downsizing your brain!

I downsized my brain last year for a short while. I started watching TV–about 3 hours each evening. I’d start at 6pm and before I knew what was happening, the clock would hurry on to 9:30pm. I stopped listening to information-based audios, and started listening to the radio on my walks each morning.

I started reading less. The books would go back to the library half read or even un-opened.

And I noticed, it was harder to come up with ideas

While it was no where near impossible, it was much harder to come up with ideas. It was harder to write, and worse…it was harder getting motivated to do anything. Like a car engine running on empty, my brain was struggling without fresh fuel.

Great minds think alike

The minds of Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Gallileo and other great thinkers, were created through continuous learning. And all of the great thinkers studied not just one, but several topics. Einstein spoke about mass and volume, just as easily as he spoke about spiritualism. Leonardo wasn’t just a painter. He invented things. He sculpted.

Your brain is being downsized by TV

It’s being downsized by radio. And I know I sound like a nutter, but I’ve been to downsize land.

The reason why you struggle with content, and new ideas, is because you need a lot of input to get a medium sized output. Get rid of the TV and radio–and start feeding your brain instead.

Mini Article 2: The Saga of The Dehydrated Brain

Feel that pounding headache? Is that stress? Or is that the cumulative effect of stress? Is it just the proverbial straw on the camel’s back?

Stress is like thirst. By the time your body says, “Hey, I’m thirsty,” it means that your body is really dehydrated.

Your body puts up with the lack of water for the longest time, before it gets on the phone to your brain screaming: “Get me to the water, will ya?”

Stress is exactly the same. It builds one layer on top of the other. The headache is a sign that you need to stop now. Not tomorrow. Not next week.

You brain needs to get it’s drink of ‘relaxation’ right away.

Your dehydrated brain needs peace and quiet. Re-hydrate your brain today. Stop. Slow down. Take a sip of relaxation. Take two sips.

Feels better already, doesn’t it?

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©2001-2008 Psychotactics Ltd. All rights reserved. Wouldn’t you love to stumble upon a sec’ret library of small business ideas? Find simple, yet electrifying ideas, on copywriting, public speaking, marketing strategies, sa’les conversion, psychological tactics and branding. Head down to http://www.psychotactics.com today and judge for yourself.

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Quick.

What’s the difference between you and Donald Trump?

You and Oprah?

You and Richard Branson?

Other than a couple billion bucks?

SPEED.

Billionaires don’t screw around. They don’t hesitate. They take ACTION.

FAST!

What Billionaires Know About
Getting Things Done Fast!

What do Donald Trump, Oprah, Richard Branson and I have in common? Well I may not quite be at the billionaire level yet but what we do all have in common is we are all entrepreneurs who get things done in record time.

Consider this: Over 80% of the entrepreneurs I mentor have great ideas with less than stellar results. Many struggle to get to the six figure mark simply due to a perceived lack of time, resources or energy to get the right strategies in place to grow their results.

So what is it that the “billionaires” know about getting things done fast that you might be missing?

First of all, we all share a “speed implementation” mindset.

There is a way of seeing the world that is just different. We share an attitude of “just get it done NOW,” even if it’s not perfect. This speed mindset results in a certain way of being. We stay in a state of perpetual forward momentum because that’s just who we are.

This state of mind causes us to develop an internal filter that only lets in the stuff that needs our attention so we quickly delegate or delete the rest.

From your state of mind, certain habits, behaviors and actions come naturally. When you have a “speed implementation” mindset it causes you to do the things necessary to get things done quickly.

We just make better choices for how we use our time. Kind of like riding a bike. Once we discover the right combination of actions that move the bike forward, we do it over and over again, getting faster and faster, as we tweak and refine our system.

I’ve noticed some definite similarities in the types of activities we engage in to achieve results with speed. For instance:

• We outsource anything and everything that doesn’t absolutely require us to do it personally. We know what our high payoff activities are and we are disciplined about getting everything else off our plate. (I even found myself delegating converting my handwritten notes to a Word document.)

• We say no – a lot. When you realize that everything you say yes to means saying no to something else, you start saying no to anything that won’t directly result in your guaranteed success.

• We make decisions quickly rather than spending months trying to figure out how to make it happen. Just decide you will do it, when you want it done, then figure out the how.

• We have something really important at stake. And not getting it just isn’t acceptable. We are willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get things done. We are willing to invest more time, money and energy in the right tactics to move forward quickly.

• We are resourceful. “Sorry, not possible” is not an answer that we accept. We constantly scan for, “What would have to happen to have this in my life?” There are no obstacles that can’t be overcome, just opportunities to explore other options.

Getting things done fast is about possessing a certain attitude that causes you to take consistent action on your highest payoff activities.

If you find that you don’t yet possess a speed implementer’s mindset and habits, then it’s time to get some help. The truth is you probably won’t be able to change this without some mentoring or coaching. So find someone who is embodying the success you desire and hire them to mentor you! I’ll also suggest checking out the Fast-Track to a 6 & 7 Figure Lifestyle Business mastermind for coaching and accountability on getting things done quickly!

Don’t have time to read? Want to hear The Success Connection tips in audio format? You can now have these editions podcasted to you in just one simple step. Get the podcast now!

Melanie Benson Strick, The Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, teaches entrepreneurs how to stop feeling overwhelmed so they can create more money, more freedom and more prestige. To find out how close (or how far) you are from the ultimate lifestyle business, take the Free Ultimate Lifestyle Business Quiz.

© Copyright 2008, Melanie Benson Strick and Success Connections Inc.

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Jonathan Fields how could you NOT include…

Caddyshack!

“… total consciousness. So I got that going for me… which is nice.”

“It’s in the hole!”

“I have to think like an animal… and whenever possible to look like one.”

“Genius”

Ok…

Share you favorite Caddyshack scenes and lines…

Or…

Add your fave funny movie.

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Jeff Mills’, Outsource Secrets Revealed blog is packed with great videos and information about leveraging your time…

…and building your business.

Here’s a Kevin Nalts classic on outsourcing gone too far.

Make sure you grab Jeff’s Free Outsource Compendium eBook.

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Perhaps nothing is more important to business… and life… success than one’s physical heath.

Today, one of the direct response copywriting greats, Ted Nicholas, shares how your can live until 120 years old.

You Can Live Healthily Until 120 If…

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug
used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling

Recently my friend J.S. asked: “Ted, what is the
most important and exciting thing that’s happened
to you during this past year?”

Perhaps he was expecting me to describe a
breakthrough marketing campaign. Or an exciting
new business venture.

My answer surprised him. I said, “A terrific
result from my annual physical. Plus, getting
the great news about the only age factor that
counts–my biological age is 48.”

Bethany and I go to perhaps the world’s most
technically advanced anti-aging clinic in
Switzerland.

We both get an annual determination of our
biological age. But our biological age is not
merely a doctor’s opinion. It’s as scientific
as you can get.

Our biological age is determined by a series of
complex tests and evaluations. The tests were
developed in 7 countries, including the U.S.,
Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy
and Spain. It’s as close as you can come to
objective accuracy.

Knowing my biological age also gives me an
annual target to surpass. Of course, I’m
working on bringing that age down!

To me, health is by far the most important
aspect of life and I work diligently to preserve
and improve it.

I submit you cannot achieve the highest levels
of personal and business success without good
health.

Business realities at times require extra
efforts. These activities often rest upon your
level of energy and vitality.

To maximize your level of success, your energy
reserves can give you that all-important margin.

That’s why I consider health a vitally important
topic for The Success Margin. (Plus, since this
e-zine is free, long-suffering subscribers must
tolerate my scribbles about anything I’d like to
sound off about!)

The experts tell us within the next 10 years,
all of us will have the opportunity to live to
age 120 and beyond. And I don’t mean just
surviving. I’m talking about a vigorous, active
life. Do you want to be among this group? I
sure do.

The good news is that becoming a centenarian
is soon to be within your grasp.

I’m not a doctor. So what qualifies me to
discuss health?

First, since it fascinates me, I’ve been studying
alternative and preventative medicine and nutrition
all my adult life.

I also write a lot of copy for health publishers.
So I must keep in touch with cutting-edge health
information and breakthroughs as part of my
homework.

Plus, I’m an advisor to two successful companies in
the health field. One in natural vitamin supplements
and another involved with natural herbs.

Based on my research over the years, here are the
main conclusions to which I’ve come about the
subject of health.

1. Health is the result mostly of lifestyle. Those
actions you take towards your health are primarily
responsible for perhaps 85% of your health level
and longevity. Genetics, once thought to be
enormously important, usually play a much smaller
role. Perhaps 10-15%.

2. Most doctors know little about nutrition. Or
preventative medicine. However, doctors tend to be
excellent at practicing crisis medicine. They are
experts and they help many suffering patients. But
nurses actually get more training in nutrition than
do doctors.

3. Practitioners of preventative and alternative
medicine must learn these skills not in medical
school but afterwards. They must discover on their
own the remarkable success of numerous proven
alternative treatment techniques.

Many natural remedies are better and safer than
prescription drugs.

Those doctors who advocate successful alternative
medicine solutions are great heroes. And they save
many lives.

But to practice unconventional medicine they often
have to undergo harassment by many parties. These
include pharmaceutical companies as well as
government agencies, local and federal.

4. Natural food supplements are necessary if you
wish to achieve optimum health. You simply cannot
get all the nutrition you need from today’s foods
alone, even if you consume a so-called “balanced
diet.”

Of course, I’ve never met anyone who consumed a
so-called balanced diet. Have you?

Since it’s almost impossible to consume a diet
which sufficiently partakes daily from all food
groups, I doubt such a person even exists except
in mythology.

Also, I’m not aware of a single conventional doctor
who asked the important questions about their
patient’s diet. (This should be part of any routine
physical examination in my view.)

Foods grown in today’s mineral-depleted soils
simply do not contain the minerals and vitamins
they once did. Plus, they are sprayed with
insecticides and other poisons which accumulate in
the body.

To improve your diet and nutritional health you
need to be evaluated by a physician who practices
alternative medicine and get his/her
recommendations.

5. You’ve heard it a million times before. But it is
worth repeating. Thirty minutes to an hour of
vigorous exercise is crucially important at least 5
days a week. There is no substitute.

You’ve got to move your body. I favor fast walking,
jogging, swimming and weight resistance as the
preferred exercise choices.

I’ve saved the best for last, dear reader. I can also
assure you of this. You won’t see what you are
about to read anywhere else on this beautiful
planet.

6. The mental food your feed yourself is at least
as important as the physical food you eat.

I believe that over 90% of all illness and disease is
psychosomatically induced. Get your thinking on
the right track and good health usually follows.

Your body will actually heal itself when it feasts on
positive mental food.

Both Bethany and I are cancer survivors. I’m
convinced both of us beat the big C mostly through
the power of visualization. Thinking positive
thoughts and visualizing the cancer cells dying and
flowing out of our bodies actually helped this result
to manifest itself in reality.

While science can’t prove this healing yet, it’s only
a question of time. And there are enough case
histories and empirical evidence to make a believer
of almost anyone.

There is no question, to maintain health your self-
talk is crucially important. You are silently saying
around 1,000 words each minute. If the words you
use are positive, studies confirm you can actually
lower blood pressure, build your immune system,
and increase healing entirely by the words you
choose to use when you talk to yourself.

Since most self-talk is extremely negative, it
takes a major effort to change this pattern. But
it’s definitely worth it!

If you get a chance to hear him speak, I highly
recommend listening to Aubrey de Grey, Ph.D.,
perhaps the world’s leading anti-aging expert. If
there are any doubts in your mind, I’m sure you
will soon be convinced that a long, healthy life
is within your reach.

Two books that are also helpful are “New Anti
Aging Revolution” by Dr. Ronald Klatz and
“Quest for Immortality” by S. Jay Olshansky.

Yours in good health,

Ted Nicholas

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This article appears courtesy of THE SUCCESS
MARGIN, the Internet’s most valuable success and
marketing e-zine. For a complimentary
subscription, visit Ted’s site.

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The Marketing Caddy…

Where Small Business Marketing Pros Leverage Hidden Assets for Exponential Growth

Once again, Seth Godin reaches out, grabs my brain, shakes it, and says:

“Walt, you really are a moron about some really simple things!”

This idea makes so much sense.

Well, it makes perfect sense for us “blinking 12:00 on the VCR” Homer Simpson types… (VCR… WTF?… I can practically hear you smug iPhone bastards snorting Red Bull outta your noses, all over your keyboards… or whatever the hell you people use to blog and message and talk and do stuff…)

I’m not just a member of the “Blinking 12:00 Club”…

I’m The President!

Yep, never programmed a single number into my cell phone. Have a DVD Player, but no clue how to hook it up. Transfer MP3s from my ‘puter to my new phone…No Way! Text Message? Huhhhh??? Hell, I don’t even know how to post a pic to my blogs.

If anyone needs a Digital Coach, it’s me!

If there was a contest for the most pathetic digital moron, kinda like those “Ugliest Kitchen Gets a Free Make-Over” deals, to win a “Productivity Make-Over”… I’d be Tiger Woods material to win!

The Digital Divide Exists in my World.

It’s time I get Wired!

How ’bout you?

Until you visit again… one of my favorite Homer lines:

“The Internet… is that thing still around?”