focus: Knowing who you are is THE prerequisite . . . #in
- 05/04/12 02:20 AM
Knowing who you are is THE prerequisite . . . MAY 4, 2012 BY BARRY OWEN LEAVE A COMMENT (EDIT) If you surf over to http://goinswriter.com, you’ll find a VERY popular website authored by “Jeff Goins Writer.”
At first glance, you might assume that Jeff’s last name is “Writer” . . . because everywhere you see “Jeff Goins,” the word “Writer” follows.
Why?
Jeff Goins Writer KNOWS who he is (a Writer) and has unashamedly claimed that identity to the degree that it has become part of his everything. I found 3 Speaking Clips on his website which ‘splain this very articulately.
Each quarter, I offer a “Life Rhythm Way … (0 comments)
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focus: Why “Discipline” might be JUST what you need to “Break through” to success #in
- 03/27/12 11:53 PM
If you read this to the bottom (no skipping ahead allowed), you’re going to learn one very mechanically simple (but potentially mentally complex) little way to BLOW THE DOORS off your ability to perform at a higher level than you can possibly imagine . . . and it all boils down to your understanding of one word:
DISCIPLINE
Just utter the word “Discipline” and you’ll see myriad contortive reflex actions and facial expressions in virtually every person within earshot . . . The same happens with the word “Accountability.”
Why?
Most folks associate “Discipline” and “Accountability” with “PUNISHMENT” . . … (1 comments)
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focus: Lessons from a Snail Trail #in
- 03/12/12 11:54 PM
Walking the dog this morning and glanced at the pavement. The sun was just rising and offered an interesting mural of patterns in the heavy dew,
I studied this Particular trail and noted only 2 straight lines . . . assuming one entry and one exit. This snail was on his/her way to somewhere and got distracted.
Perhaps “Drunk” on whatever it is that snails drink . . .
Maybe just enjoying a nice “swim” in the dew.
At great peril (These tracks are on the entrance to our street) . . . Snails don’t typically move quickly.
If you … (3 comments)
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focus: When I choose ________ today . . . #in
- 02/15/12 02:11 AM
My wife Debbie Guthery-Owen led a great session at yesterday’s Pareto Realty weekly pow-wow.
She incorporated some great short videos from guru Zig Ziglar who certainly has always had a knack for identifying simple, timeless BFO (Blinding Flashes of the Obvious) and creating short sayings that say it ALL.
“When I choose (to do this) today . . . I choose (This result) tomorrow!”
“When I choose to eat too much today, I choose to be overweight tomorrow!”
“When I choose to whine and fret today (instead of taking action), I choose to prolong my distress (Instead of moving forward).”
“When I … (0 comments)
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focus: Game Changer – ONE person with LASER FOCUS #in
- 02/08/12 04:41 AM
Found on a post-it note (Mysteriously appearing in my pocket) this morning:
“How can life change from perfect to awkward in 3 seconds?”
I don’t know for sure, but I think the note was written by Perfect Daughter Jessica who had a “Perfect to Awkward” moment in last night’s basketball game.
Jessica single-handedly changed the game in a very significant way in the period of about 6 minutes without scoring ANY points.
Her coaches deserve some credit for the strategy, but it was Jessica’s PURE LASER FOCUS on doing what they directed her to do that made the impact.
In … (0 comments)
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focus: How Specializing can create more value #in
- 12/20/11 11:23 PM
Many folks have a tendency to “take whatever comes their way” when times are tough.
“Beggars can’t be choosers” is the justification.
That’s a cop-out . . . Selling yourself short with the implication that power of CHOICE can be taken away.
It can’t!
You ALWAYS have choice.
Reacting to market shifts by “generalizing” your focus is akin to self administered choice denial.
I say when things get tough, it’s time to SPECIALIZE MORE (Not Less).
Become the quintessential EXPERT in a very easily defined niche, and your value will increase.
There’s a HUGE difference between the REALTOR who says:
“I”m … (5 comments)
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focus: Go “on Retreat” Daily for Optimal Performance #in
- 12/16/11 02:42 AM
When’s the last time you felt slightly scorched around the edges and on the verge of melt-down (Burn-out)?
Given the time of year . . . odds are good, you’ve been there a few times very recently as you juggle all of these balls of keeping your business pursuits moving forward while adding all of the additional activity generated by the Holidays . . . gift Buying, travel arrangements, parties (attending and hosting), preparing for in-house guests, kids out of school . . . and thinking about what the next year will bring.
What’s 2012 going to look like for you and … (4 comments)
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focus: “The Nudge” is appreciating in value #in
- 12/06/11 02:13 AM
You do know “the Nudge,” don’t you?
Often affectionately referred to as “The Gentle Nudge” and sometimes followed by an: “I’m patiently awaiting your response/action regarding ________!” . . . and perhaps punctuated with a couple “Bless your Heart”s.
The nudge is what we do when we are attempting to redirect someone else’s FOCUS towards the task at hand.This is, of course, making an assumption . . . The assumption that our “agenda” (Reason for the nudge) is just as important to the person we’re nudging as it is to us.
The Nudge is a very polite and gentle – often pithy … (5 comments)
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focus: Overnight Success #in
- 11/17/11 07:12 AM
“Everything she touches turns to GOLD!”
“He’s SO lucky!”
“Without even breaking a sweat . . . INSTANT SUCCESS!”
“Golden Boy”
“I hate her – EVERYTHING she does is just PERFECT!”
“That guy just knows EVERYBODY and can get ANYTHING he wants just by picking up the phone and making a call.”
So . . . Is it easy?
Are there really some people who were born with The Midas Touch and simply cannot fail?
or
as Jim Collins says in “How the Mighty Fall”, are these “lucky people” simply better at:
“Breathe. Calm yourself. Think. Focus. Aim. Take one shot … (0 comments)
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focus: Your flywheel . . . Did you know you have one? How are you keepin’ it spinning? #in
- 11/10/11 02:06 AM
The book flavor of the week for me is How the Mighty Fall – and Why some companies Never Give In by Jim Collins. Jim also wrote the (more acclaimed) Good to Great.
This is a fun and thought provoking read . . . Ostensibly written to unpack years of research about LARGE companies and their falls from greatness . . . and distill it into plain English . . . perhaps with the goal to help Leaders with early detection of signs of organizational disease . . .
Most of it boils down to a good, honest look in the mirror . … (1 comments)
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focus: OPE #in
- 10/19/11 04:27 AM
OPE OCTOBER 19, 2011 BY BARRY OWEN OPE = Other People’s Expertise
OPE is the leverage you need to take full advantage of to accomplish all that you wish to accomplish.
Seriously!
How effective and efficient would you be if your were able to focus ONLY on those things that align directly with your personal skill set (Expertise)?
Sure! You can learn how to do all that other stuff . . .
You’re plenty smart and capable, but what’s the opportunity cost?
While you’re learning how to do the stuff you really don’t need to know how to do, you could be honing your skills … (0 comments)
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focus: For those prone to Entrepreneurial Seizures . . . #in
- 10/06/11 05:06 AM
For those prone to Entrepreneurial Seizures . . . OCTOBER 6, 2011 BY BARRY OWEN LEAVE A COMMENT (EDIT) Steve Jobs!
You said:
“I want to put a dent in the universe.”
. . . and you did just that.
Thank you and RIP!
I certainly did not know Steve Jobs personally, and I ain’t no bettin’ man, but I’d wager that man led a life that was VERY full of Entrepreneurial seizures.
Just for the fun of it, I Googled “Seizure” and found this on Wiki:
“a transient symptom of “abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain”.[1] The outward effect can be as … (2 comments)
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focus: “You can’t work around issues until you know what they are!” #in
- 07/01/11 03:29 AM
I know the Title is a BFO (blinding flash of the obvious) but it sheds some light on what we in the military would call a CF (Charlie Foxtrot – more affectionately known as a Cluster F___) which results in a quagmire of misunderstanding that is simply FUBAR (F’d up beyond all recognition). That’s a lot of jargon to throw out there early in the morning . . .
The simple truth is that, like it or not, we’re all in this together, and it would behoove ALL of us to slow down a bit and take the time and attention necessary to acknowledge any misunderstandings (issues) present … (2 comments)
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focus: Would you like to be a Millionaire? #in
- 06/22/11 02:34 AM
“Showing up” is worth a Million Bucks Posted on June 22, 2011 by Barry Owen Perhaps you’re not motivated by large sums of money, but odds are good you have aspirations for some level of success.
Don’t be one of those poor, unfortunate souls who climbs into a cave and sobs into a bowl of wheaties when things aren’t playing out per your plan/expectations.
I believe the first and foremost fundamental principle for success (becoming a Millionaire) is “Show up and be Present”.
Until you do this, you’re invisible . . . success is not more than a wistful pipe dream.
What does “Showing Up” … (0 comments)
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focus: “New Normal”?????? #in
- 06/15/11 09:43 AM
Posted on June 15, 2011 by Barry Owen I just picked up a real estate magazine that was all about the “New Normal.”
Doesn’t EVERY moment present a new normal?
After all . . . everything is in motion and always has been.
Their point was that the trends of Home Buyers and sellers and Builders are changing with more attention given to “Green Concerns” including virtually every facet of our lifestyle.
Construction materials, Mass Transit, Walkable Neighborhoods, Smaller houses . . .
More renting and less purchasing with the projection that the percentage of National Home Ownership will slip to @ 60% from … (0 comments)
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focus: Monday Morning Coffee - It's ALL 20-80 #in
- 05/23/11 12:38 AM
Posted on May 23, 2011 by Barry Owen
Good morning!
The coffee is hot and we're ready for the sun to rise so we can find out if that rumbling 4AM Thunderstorm felled any trees in the yard.
Between Cicadas and turbulent weather, Mother Nature sure is entertaining us this Spring.
In the early 1900′s, Vilfredo Pareto Observed a phenomenon that would later be coined the Pareto Principle . . . otherwise know as the 20-80 Principle or rule. Pareto's initial observation was that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the people. He then saw the same disproportionate … (0 comments)
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focus: Full Throttle! #in
- 03/29/11 03:11 AM
Posted on March 29, 2011 by Barry Owen
When flying, odds are good that you want the pilot to be 100% committed and FULL THROTTLE down the runway . . . Just to be sure the plane gets off the ground.
You're also fully invested in that pilot staying focused and aware throughout the flight . . . and as committed as ever when it's time to land.
Thankfully, most pilots maintain this level of commitment day in and day out . . . flight after flight after flight . . . and there are stringent FAA regulations which require maximum … (0 comments)
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focus: Go-Givers Unite - (Manage your Texting addiction) #in
- 01/30/11 03:42 AM
Posted on January 30, 2011 by Barry Owen
Seth Godin opened a can of worms this morning that I believe merits being open . . . That is . . . For anyone interested in find a healthy Life Rhythm . . . and having a life full of rich and fulfilling relationships.
His message is as simple as the title Texting While Working and is definitely worth reading - I won't rehash his message, because he covers it well.
What I will do is acknowledge a byte or two about how frequently synchronous events and information show up when we keep ourselves … (2 comments)
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focus: Monday Morning Coffee - "Unleashing The Ideavirus"
- 01/24/11 03:03 AM
Posted on January 24, 2011 by Barry Owen
Good Morning!
Are we going to make it through a week without SNOW here in Middle TN?
All of the snow resulted in more distractions than usual for this time of year for me (Kids out of school and icey roads) and has caused me to do more of something I really enjoy doing - READING!
Seeing the writing on the wall, I started my own little book club last month, picked a book, and had a meeting . . . That was fun, so we're doing it again this month. Meetings are each … (0 comments)
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focus: "Selling out" when times are lean . . . #in
- 01/22/11 09:53 AM
Posted on January 22, 2011 by Barry Owen
I'm naturally gun-shy about getting involved in Multi-level Marketing businesses (Network Marketing). I see as the economy tightened up, a LOT of folks turned towards "other sources of income", and I saw more and more "opportunities" coming my way.
Ostensibly (as a business owner and business coach) I tie this discomfort back to FOCUS. That is - If I allow myself to take my eye off the ball of moving my business forward every day, then I am cheating my own potential for success.
The distraction of pursuing "another business" is an entrepreneurial … (1 comments)
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Knowing who you are is THE prerequisite . . . MAY 4, 2012 BY BARRY OWEN LEAVE A COMMENT (EDIT) If you surf over to http://goinswriter.com, you’ll find a VERY popular website authored by “Jeff Goins Writer.”
;)
;)
;)
