Did you ever stop to consider that the difference between can and cannot is 3 letters. If it was only that easy. Well, it can be but it all has to start with you! Do you want to be a totally “can-do” person? All you have to do is change the brain filters you subconsciously use in your day-to-day life. You know it as selective hearing. Like it or not, many of us are tuned to hear things we want to hear while we shut out those things we consider noise or excess. In a sense we have pre-programmed ourselves to admit things that are not contrary to our own thinking. If we view something negatively then we will be much more receptive to hearing things that support our own suppositions and beliefs.

Now don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with selective hearing and in fact I believe it helps us all cope with the bombardment of information coming at all of us today. BUT, this is the important part for you to take away from this article. Think honestly about how we approach the majority of things we deal with daily. Do you rejoice in good news and acknowledge the successes of others? Or would you rather hear the negative to support your own beliefs that things are tough, that others have it worse than you, that life’s not fair and why bother dealing with things because they can’t be changed. Do you know people who have many positive things in their lives yet they fail to see them because they are focused on the things they don’t like about their life? Did you ever wonder what might happen to them if they changed their focus?

So, what is positive thinking and what are these filters I just mentioned. Positive thinking and filters are the process that allows you to admit the positive thoughts, words and ideas that nurture positive feelings and positive growth. Sure, you may still hear negativity but as you strengthen your filters these things will be channeled to a less important place and the positive things will start to accumulate and share a greater part of your consciousness. I’m going to steal something that you Stark Trek fans should be familiar with and it concerns the “Borge”. Their goal is to assimilate. Now consider this. Everyone, including ourselves, are a collection of others ideas, thoughts and emotions. It’s how we are educated so that we fit in and can work together in a cooperative way. We share history, feelings of love, rejection and so on. We can empathize with others because of this. What happens sometimes is that many problems arise concurrently and we get exposed to too much negativity; we start to assimilate it. As things in our own life get tougher, we become susceptible to the negative and a spiral starts.

Here’s how it all works. Instinctively and subconsciously we all transfer and receive to everyone we meet, our moods and feelings. Through body language and facial expressions we determine what others are feeling. Through words and inflections we hear their subconscious come through. Now we have to ask ourselves this. Would we rather spend time with those that bring us up and buoy our own emotions and dreams? Do we feel lighter after a day or an evening with a friend whose cup is always half full, who may have problems like we all do but focuses on the things that are going well and seems to attract good things regardless of what negative items come their way? Or do we want to spend our time with those who only see the down side of everything, which regardless of what they have, can never be satisfied and think that if they only had this or that their lives would be better? You have one nano-second. OK, times up!

Most of us know or have known people who fit both descriptions. I don’t think I am going out on a limb when I suggest that we all would prefer association with the first group. But if you want to be a part of that group you need to be like them to attract them. Positive people anticipate joy and good things filling their lives. Good health, success in business, life and relationships. They carry an aura that attracts like minded individuals. Others want to be around them because they make it easy and fun to do so. When we present a positive image we are more likely to attract others willing to help and guide us because they share in the success of others when they contribute.

Positive thinking is visualizing as an already accomplished fact the things you want to achieve. Reality often is nothing more than a mirror of your own thoughts so to expect anything less than success is jeopardizing your ultimate rewards. I know that not everyone subscribes to the whole spin on positive and negative thinking but think about it for a moment. Think about those people in your life you like to be around and why. Think about those you try to avoid. And remember, success cannot just be measured in wealth. People have many different measures; money, health, friendships and happiness and much, much more.

Remember, a positive attitude is infectious. Whether you subscribe to the above or not just give it a try. Turn your mind towards more readily accepting the positive. Train your mind and subconscious to consider and accept the benefits of being positive. Make the successes, no matter how insignificant, be the focus of your day. Visualize things that are favorable to you and to your situation. Start smiling more and using positive words in your communications and see what happens to others around you. You might think that people around you are changing when in fact it is you who has changed and what you are seeing is the impact of your changes. It may take time but don’t give up. Keep smiling, don’t surrender to the negative. Eventually you will see a change and it will all be because you decided to think positively!

One of the greatest boons to understanding teamwork has probably been television. We watch hockey, football, basketball and other TEAM sports. We have loved and hated players: generally they play for the other team and are particularly good at their profession. We cheer our teams on; we rejoice in their success and feel the pain of their losses.

The concept of teamwork is not limited to just the field or arena however and there are many important lessons we should learn and apply to how we approach business. But first, let’s take a look at what the word “team” means. There are a number of definitions but one that I particularly subscribe to is this one. “A team is a group of people who go out of their way to make each other look good.” So, can you say that applies to everyone in your office?

If not, don’t get too discouraged because it does take discipline and leadership to build a good team regardless of their focus in life. Is it worth the work? Well, let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of a group playing or working together as a team?

* A good team has a defined objective that ensures that everyone is working towards the same goal. It can be to win the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, anything that demonstrates that you have been successful in your approach, planning and dedication. With clear objectives there is little confusion about what will need to be done and who is responsible for what. There is little wasted energy and effort. There are NO expectations since everyone has a clearly defined role for which they and they alone are responsible. Look at how a wolf pack works together for a common objective. They instinctively know that individually they can never take down their kill, but as a pack they can. They exist because they act as a team.

* It goes without saying that no two people are the same. Each of us possesses different skills, interests and desires. A good coach is able to understand and utilize the value of the individual in a way that allows them to be successful within the team thereby creating greater satisfaction. With each team member being successful and supported within their role, they trust and respect the individual talents each possesses and understand the loss to the team if one part should leave. At the end of the day what the team delivers is better quality in the game or value in the product.

* A team that works is more appreciated by their customer. Look at the Montreal Canadians as an example. Night after night and year after year they sell out the Forum because, although they may not win every night, their fans know that they will get their moneys worth. In much the same manner a businesses clients recognize when a company works together. When they have a question or a need they are efficiently handed off to the resident expert or skill set that can address and satisfy their need. A customer knows when there is synergy within an organization the same way you know what players on your favourite team don’t support or work as well with others. So how do you want your customers to perceive you and your company?

* A successful team experiences success which will feed upon itself. Teams are supercharged, energized after a big win. You see it and feel it. What happens in your office when a big sale comes through or a new launch is successful? With success the players want to stay with the club and similarly your employees will want to stay with the company. Look at the advantage of not having to search for, hire and train new employees. Your team stays in tact longer and morale is high as a result.

The above are just a few of the benefits, the most obvious ones really. But more subtle ones accrue the longer the team is together and successful. The big question is how do you build a team? It’s not easy but there are a few guidelines that when adhered too certainly start to move things in a positive direction. Every good team will need a coach or a leader so the changes must start at the top of the organization. And not by paying lip service to it! The leader must be the example. The leader must work harder than anyone else and lead by example. They must be able to articulate exactly what they want to achieve and what role every team member must be responsible for. The team must understand the roles of others so that they know how they fit into the overall scheme. When they do repetition is eliminated and the trust begins to build and later respect for what each member contributes is formed.

In hockey the role and requirements of each position is understood by the other players so they can move the puck effectively and quickly from zone to zone. It is not uncommon to see a player make a blind pass to another. They do this because they know that a team member is going to be there to pick it up and fulfill their part of the play. In business one employee must trust that what they are getting from another has had sufficient attention to detail that they need not worry about it and can then add their expertise to the product or solution achieving a timely and quality delivery.

Don’t hold back on praise. Remember, you get more bees with honey. When the team works well together acknowledge it. When a part fails, coach it. Review the benefits to all when things go well and the impact of one piece not delivering as it should. As the team comes together it is important to understand the time to coach and lead and the time to let go and let the players manage alone. Don’t micro-manage. Let them experiment and work together to solve problems and develop new solutions.

Finally, be patient and consistent. It takes time to build a team. But it is time well spent!

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2010 is off to a great start! This weekend we are packing our suitcases and heading to Orlando, Florida. We have been invited to attend the Glazer-Kennedy “Outrageous Marketing Academy and Workshop”. We will be meeting up with old friends and making new ones along the way. We were also invited to be a vendor where we will be launching our new marketing program, Prospects to Profits.

Bill is celebrating his new #1 Best Seller, Outrageous Marketing Ideas by holding this Workshop and giving his successful and information packed courses for an extremely low price. Why? Because his audience is small business owners that want to become more successful but don’t know how.

The weekend is packed with “Outrageous” Marketing Ideas and speakers that will share every secret they have on how to improve marketing strategies. You will earn what you NEED to do to and we are here to help you implement it.The weekend is packed with “Outrageous” Marketing Ideas and speakers that will discuss the best and worst strategies of Marketing. Discover the difference between OUTRAGEOUSLY Successful Advertising and all other forms of advertising. Check out more Outrageous deals from Dan & Bill by Clicking Here.

I figured that since I was lucky enough to have been invited to experience this opportunity, I would take my friends and followers on a behind-the-scenes look at the OUTRAGEOUS Academy and Workshop. I am going to take you along with me as I head down to Orlando to this event. I will be posting updates, comments, and videos right on my pages directly from the OUTRAGEOUS Academy and Workshop Event.

Use the buttons below to Follow me on Twitter and add me as a friend on FaceBook. Become my friend and follower and experience the event through me. I will be your eyes and ears. Send me questions, post on my wall, comment and I will share it all.

Keep checking in for more “Outrageous” updates from AMS @ the “Outrageous Academy and Workshop!”

Why People Fail…

A Series of No B.S. Articles From Dan Kennedy

In the Renegade Millionaire System, I dispense this advice: #1: BE the Wizard, #2: BEWARE the Wizard. Wizards are very powerful, so it is better to be one than to be influenced by one.

Everybody welcomes the convincing Mystic. People so desperately wish to Believe. That there is a long lost, ancient or a revolutionary new Something: cure, elixir, formula for easy riches or happy relationships or better sex or children that mind or growing 12 foot high tomato plants; a gizmo that turns corn into fuel or tree bark into gold doubloons; an Answer Man, Seer, Keeper of Secrets. And in dark times, this desire intensifies. In dark times even kings subjugate themselves to the Mystics – which you know if you’ve studied history. People really don’t want rational explanations for how you do what you do, they prefer Believing that you possess Mystical Powers and Magical Secrets that you will use for their benefit. To underestimate the power of secrets and secret powers is to ignore how humanity has been manipulated, controlled and ruled since its beginnings.

In these times, you can rise to greater heights of influence and power than at any other time, by turning up the wattage on your mysticism. In the dark, you glow. Doesn’t matter if you dispense investment advice or lawn care advice, are a dog whisperer or a presidential candidate, or a tax attorney or a mattress manufacturer – now, more than ever, is the time to speak of secret techniques and magic ingredients and unique abilities. To offer absolute certainty in an uncertain world. To declare unique and profound importance.

I’m speaking now about how you present yourself to the world.

If you sell a particular kind of mattress, you must present it as THE – emphasis on key word: THE – first, best, only “magic,” based on top secret technology invented for NASA and Olympic athletes – that relieves all back pain, delivers 10,000 more REMs per night, lets cellular structure rejuvenate thus slowing aging, helps you lose weight while you sleep; is THE secret to eternal youth and vitality. It must be THE GREATEST discovery in medical science of this century. And you, as its spokesperson, must be the Grand Mystic of Sleep Science. You need an arsenal of Amazing Facts at your disposal. You need practiced language and Profound Statements. You must convincingly promise THE Cure. For whatever ails them, economically, emotionally, physically. To advance your education, I strongly suggest getting and reading the book CHARLATAN. It reads like a novel but is non-fiction. Not that you should be a charlatan; I presume you deliver legitimate value in whatever you sell or do. But that you should use the techniques of the master-charlatans of the ages. Nothing less will do.

When a group becomes lost and frightened in a dark cave, the man with the only flashlight automatically becomes their leader. Key word: only. It’s time to present yourself as the person with THE ONLY flashlight.