Five Fundamentals for Success

You have undoubtedly heard the word, fundamental, throughout your life; however, do you know what this word really means?
Webster’s dictionary of course offers several meanings, two of which are 1.) Serving as an original or generating source, and 2.) One of the minimum constituents, without which a thing or a system would not be what it is.
What does the word fundamental mean to you? I look at the above definitions, and the aspects that really stand out to me and truly define what I believe it means are: “minimum” and “without which a thing or a system would not be what it is.”
Without fundamentals we do not have a starting point – a basis from which to develop and evolve. Every successful salesperson and thriving business has started with learning and implementing the fundamentals. I firmly believe that if you concentrate on and master the fundamentals of your business, you are guaranteed to experience success at whatever you set out to do.
You are likely able to read this newsletter because your parents and teachers ensured that, early on in life, you learned the fundamentals of reading and writing – learning letter sounds, how vowels work, etc., and then building upon the basics to read and write more complex words.
The power of learning and implementing the fundamentals is just as impactful for having a successful sales career or for running a successful business.
The following are my 5 core fundamentals you can implement in your life right now to experience immediate results.

1. MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION: Determine what needs to be done and write it down. This could be a daily written plan, a goal chart, or an accountability record. Make it something that you can relate to and that will hold you accountable to see it through. There is no wrong way to make this plan as long as you stay on track and you work it.

2. DON’T OVER-ANALYZE: Keep it simple. Fundamentals are just that – simple tasks to accomplish your goals that produce results. You don’t have to over-think a task that can produce the outcome you want by doing it harder than it needs to be. My company was the envy of our industry because we kept our model simple and doable, and we kept our culture enjoyable, which produced monumental results.

3. WORK: There is no plan that will work unless you work your plan. Work is the four letter word that will make you or break you depending on your drive, desire and determination. Plain and simple: Nothing will work unless you do. Don’t just talk the talk …walk the walk. Work is the single most important fundamental you need to accomplish your goals and turn your dreams into reality.

4. BE PASSIONATE: I would classify having passion as a key core fundamental characteristic. Why? Because if we are not truly on board with our whole self to complete our mission, then our mission and goals will be much more difficult to accomplish. Passion will drive you to push forward even when you have distractions or other things you could be doing. For example, as I write this newsletter it is an incredibly beautiful day outside and I could be golfing with friends; however, because I am so passionate about getting this information to you I made a choice to get it done. The more passion you have, the less your career will feel like work.

5. GET FOCUSED: You have to be focused. This is a fundamental that is non-negotiable on your road to success. Ask yourself, “What have I accomplished in my life that didn’t require me to focus?” Your studies in school, learning to drive a car, having a great first day on the job, fulfilling your job description… you get the message. Anything that is really worth it in this life requires us to focus. One of my favorite leaders of all time is legendary football coach Vince Lombardi. Coach Lombardi is not only known for his coaching abilities, he has also authored some really great inspirational quotes and affirmations about success. One of the many areas of reflection I love of his was his emphasis on “single-minded determination” and how important being laser-focused is to reaching success. That my friend, is TRUE FOCUS, to be so determined not to take your eye of the prize and having a relentless pursuit to make it a reality. Focus is a fundamental that will help us conquer any quest we set our minds to achieve.

This newsletter could have easily contained many more fundamentals that we all need to be successful. It is my unwavering belief, though, that if you will spend time on these 5 Fundamentals for Success, you will see incredible measureable results. What are you waiting for?
I specialize in helping people master the basics and fundamentals in any business, not just real estate. If you were to go back and read my newsletters from the last couple of years, you would see how much I truly believe in these essential characteristics of what it takes to be the best. I would like to speak to your group or organization. To schedule an event or workshop please contact me at: Direct line (402) 680-8448, van@vandeeb.com or www.vandeeb.com.

The Power of Positive People

Just about everything we accomplish in life is tied to the choices we make. To be successful in business, we need to make choices that will help us get the results we desire.

The hardest choice for most of us to carry out is changing the sphere we are in-the core group of people who affect our lives the most. It has been said that we are the average of the five people that we spend most of our time with. If you think about this, you will see how true it really is. If your core group consists of positive, forward-thinking, like-minded people, then you are pretty fortunate and you have yet another reason to count your blessings.

If your core group doesn’t meet this description, then you already know where I am going with this-it’s time to make a change. Ask yourself the following question: “If not now, then when?”

I can’t tell you how many people have told me that their lives changed for the better when they started eliminating negative influences. I have made the same choice, and it has truly made a remarkable, measurable difference in the quality of my life.

I wouldn’t want to give you the idea that you should quit associating with friends who are fun, exciting to be around, non-conforming, outside-of-the-box-thinking people. I am just saying that you need to disconnect yourself from the ones who are working against you, consistently jealous, or just not pleasant to be around.

Below is a five-point brief checklist to see if you currently have enough of the right people in your life.

1. Positive thinkers: These are people who believe the glass is half full and not half empty. They appreciate life and are grateful because they GET to go to work, not depressed because they HAVE to go to work. Positive, forward-thinking people aren’t critical of others or judgmental. They treat everyone the same, regardless of their social class or income level. These are the ones who will do what they can to help you turn a challenge into an opportunity. They will lift you up when you are down. If your whole sphere consisted of people like this, you would be one of the luckiest people on earth.

2. Non-complainers:      People in this group are not the ones who complain because      they have nothing else to say, who want you to have a bad day just because      they are, or who don’t want you to like yourself just because they don’t      like who they are. We all have the ability to complain, but I believe a      complainer can be a lot more productive if there is a solution at the end      of their sentence. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be a good friend to      someone who is going through tough times and needs a shoulder or a      sympathetic ear. We all need each other to get through great and      not-so-great times. The bottom line is to stay away from constant      complainers. If you stop reading this newsletter right now, I’ll bet you      can think of at least one person like this that you are spending too much      time with.
3. Like-minded: I      could go on and on about the benefits that come from being around      like-minded people. These are the ones who are always looking for new ways      to improve their business and their lives in general. They invite      constructive criticism instead of getting defensive. Like-minded people      usually have a plan and are not afraid to share it with others, which      should encourage you to get going on yours. Like-minded people want to be      successful in their careers, and they also have the same level of      enthusiasm for you to be successful also.
4. Action-oriented: These      are the people who will get you excited about making big strides towards      your goals. They are the ones who walk the walk, not just talk the talk.      In a conversation they will tell you what they did or what they are doing,      not what they are going to do. You need someone like this in your sphere.      They are not sitting around waiting for things to happen. Instead, they      are making things happen. Being around this kind of attitude will      encourage you to keep moving forward.
5. Respectful mindset: I      saved the best for last. Associating with respectful people will encourage      you to try harder to be the same way. Do you have friends who open doors      or push in chairs for their spouse? Make an effort to be around people who      make it their mission to be the bright spot in someone else’s day, to      treat people well. It is a fact that people gravitate to people who show      respect to others. I believe respectful attitudes are contagious and that      respectful people encourage us all to be better. If you don’t have someone      in your sphere like this, then find one and do it sooner rather than      later. If showing respect doesn’t come naturally to you, then make it a      discipline which will turn into a habit and eventually become a natural      part of your outlook. If you are serious about achieving success, having      respectful people in your life might be the most effective choice you      could possibly make.

I have been fortunate to be blessed with life lessons and experiences that range from being the youngest of five siblings to building a successful business from scratch. Based on these experiences, I feel qualified to encourage and inspire you to make good choices not just in your business life but in your personal life as well. If you invite me to speak at your next company event or to present a customized workshop, I will guarantee life-changing results. Contact me at van@vandeeb.com, call my direct line at 402-680-8448, or visit www.vandeeb.com for more information.

Five Simple Ways to Have More Heart!

If you are having a hard time staying focused, getting motivated, and feeling inspired to be successful in your career, then you might not be putting your whole heart into what you’re doing.

No matter how strong your educational background, technical skills, talents, or abilities might be, if you aren’t putting your heart into your efforts then you are not going to reach your full potential.

What does it mean to put your heart into something? We Are Marshall and Remember the Titans are two movies that describe and define what having heart is all about. Movies like this motivate me and inspire me to find my own heart in accomplishing my goals.

It was no accident that my first book in 1997 was titled Selling from the Heart. I firmly believe that you will have a difficult path in your sales career or running your business if you don’t put your whole heart into it.

If doing things with your whole heart isn’t easy for you, don’t give up. It is something you can work on and develop, just like anything else you need to work on to be a success.

Below are five simple ways to develop a “having heart” mindset.

1. Care more about your career than you are required to. Constantly find ways to be the best you can be.
2. Concentrate on winning—not just competing, but winning. If you know in your heart that you have the ability to be your company’s top producer, then do it! Don’t make excuses, just make it happen. Putting your whole heart into it will get you there.
3. The expression “Put your heart into it” could also be translated as “Give it all the effort you can.” So roll up your sleeves and dig in! You have the ability to accomplish anything you want in your life, and putting your heart into every task will produce maximum results. You won’t know this is true until you try.
4. Sometime today, set aside 10 minutes with no interruptions. Turn your cell phone off; avoid the Internet or TV. Take 10 minutes of alone time— that’s all. Then ask yourself two questions: Do I have heart in my career? Am I giving my job all the effort I possibly can to accomplish my goals and be successful? Be honest with yourself. If you think there is room for improvement in these areas, then ACT NOW. Make a change in your life right now, because it’s never too late.
5. Find inspiration from something outside yourself. This may be easier than you expect. Watching inspirational movies like We Are Marshall or Remember the Titans, reading an inspirational book like The Traveler’s Gift, memorizing spiritual affirmations, or spending time with your family or someone you admire may be just what you need.

You have the ability and talent to accomplish whatever you want, and digging deep into your heart will propel you to higher levels of success in your business as well as life in general.

Van is an inspirational speaker and a sales expert who specializes in bringing out the natural talent in his audiences. Schedule Van today for a “having heart” workshop to inspire and motivate your associates to accomplish any goal they desire. Contact Van at van@vandeeb.com or call his direct line at 402-680-8448. Also join the Van Club today at www.vandeeb.com

I am obligated to tell you…

You may ask yourself, “Why would Van Deeb feel obligated to tell me anything? What does Van think he owes me? Why is my business success so important to Van?”

My response to those questions is simple: I feel obligated to reach out to you because I have experienced the American dream and I can show you how to do the same thing. I can help you turn your dreams into reality.

Why should you listen to me? Because I was able to achieve success without having any of the advantages that you might expect. I wasn’t a great student, I didn’t have a business coach or a mentor, and I didn’t inherit a family business or have any type of business knowledge passed on to me.

I did have the drive, desire, and determination to be successful. I started my real estate career in my early 20s with very little money. I worked hard, became a sponge to learn as much as possible about real estate for 10 years, and then started my own company out of my house. Sixteen years later, I sold my company for seven figures. And today I feel obligated to help you make the American dream a reality in your life, no matter what industry you are in.

You have the ability to accomplish any level of success that you want, and I have the ability to help you make it happen.

With my expertise and your willingness to learn, together we can transform your business career.

Which of the following sound appealing to you?

• Becoming the business owner or manager everyone wants to work for
• Becoming the salesperson everyone wants to buy from and do business with
• Being the co-worker your peers want to work with and the one they respect most
• Having a reputation as a forward-thinking leader who is innovative and creative in marketing your business
• Being known as an expert in your industry by your peers and competitors

With my guidance and direction, you will have the ability to accomplish any of these objectives and much more.

Life is not a dress rehearsal … so let’s get started right away!

Van Deeb is known for being an approachable authority on building a business and increasing sales. If you are interested in seeing your company grow to new heights and maximum profitability, then Van is your man. Van is the outside voice that you and your company need to take your success to the next level. Contact Van today at van@vandeeb.com or his direct line at 402-680-8448.

Five ways to transform yourself in 2012

At this time each year, many of us focus on setting goals for the year to come. This is a habit that I recommend highly, but only if you make sure that your goals are realistic. Don’t overwhelm yourself by aiming for drastic changes that will be difficult or impossible to achieve. Often changes that appear to be small can bring impressive results.

Make it your mission to be better in 2012 than you were in 2011. Below are five ways to transform yourself so that 2012 will be the kind of year you want it to be.

1. RETURN CALLS QUICKER. I have been preaching this as long as I can remember, and my advice has worked well for everyone who has followed it. There are only a few ways for us to show people how much we respect them. One of the best ways is by replying to their emails and phone calls as soon as you possibly can. Not only does it show that you care about people and that they are important to you, it’s also a sign that you’re an intelligent business person. Read more on this topic in Chapter 6 (page 109) of my book Common Sense Selling and watch your income grow!

2. QUIT COMPLAINING. When you share negative information with the people around you, exactly how do you expect them to benefit from it? Yes, it’s cold outside and you hate winter. Maybe your teenage daughter really is a monster, your spouse didn’t tell you good morning today, and you are bummed out because you got a parking ticket. We all face challenges on a regular basis, but what makes your problems so special that you are entitled to share them with everyone you talk to? Try this: challenge yourself to make only positive statements tomorrow and pay attention to how you are received by the people around you. When you focus on what is positive in your life, the challenges will be a lot easier to deal with.

3. SMILE MORE OFTEN. Enough said. You’re alive, so things can’t be that bad!

4. BE SIGNIFICANT IN OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES. Think back to one week ago today and start considering all the people that you ran into since then. How many people’s lives were you significant in? Were you a bright spot in their day? Did you say something to encourage them? Did you make them feel better about themselves? Did you ask them about their family or their career? How many people smiled after talking with you? Right this second you can start being significant in other people’s lives just by making the decision to do so.

5. WRITE DOWN YOUR DREAMS. What are your hopes and dreams for 2012? Write them down. Thinking about your dreams will make you smile and help you stay motivated. Putting a dream in writing is a prelude to transforming it into reality! If you really want to make your dreams and goals a reality, then you will hire me to present my Creating a Flight Path to Success workshop to your company. It’s guaranteed to produce monumental results!

Remember: Making minor adjustments in your life will create major results.

Van is the author of three books filled with common sense tactics that will help you master the fundamentals of success in sales. He can create a customized goal setting system and flight path for your company that is guaranteed to produce results. Van built a real estate company from the ground up, taking it from a one-person business to one of the largest companies in the Midwest with 350 associates. He will use these same principles to assist your business. Van is the outside voice that people need to hear in order to thrive in today’s business world. Contact Van on his direct line at 402-680-8448 or send him a note at van@vandeeb.com

Dancing with the stars!

by Van Deeb

Take a deep breath…this newsletter isn’t about who will win the “Dancing with the Stars” trophy on the hit ABC TV show. It IS about the concept of working your tail off every day, week in and week out, to become good or even great at something you have never done before.

On “Dancing with the Stars,” about a dozen contestants from different backgrounds and industries compete every week and then are judged by industry experts and the public to see whether they will be eliminated or survive another week.

How can you relate this concept to what you do for a living? Do you go to your job every day and work your hardest to stay in the game and not be eliminated by your customers? Every time I watch this show, all I can think about is how hard these contestants work every day-a minimum of six hours daily of grueling instruction and practice to be the best they can be.

What if you went to work with the same mindset that you had to work hard every day so you could keep your job and not be let go or fired? You will never have that kind of guarantee in life UNLESS you go to work every day wanting to be your best.

My real point here is not about a dance competition but about succeeding in business. I know that most of the people who are reading this newsletter are in sales. Can you imagine how productive you could be and how much more income you could earn if you truly captured this concept-”If I don’t work hard every day and go to work with a positive mindset, I could be eliminated.”

The winners of “Dancing with the Stars” didn’t get to the top by accident; they worked hard. They did not want to be eliminated. What are you doing in your career to become better every day so that you will gain new customers and not be eliminated by your current customers?

Here are four ways not to be eliminated:

1. WANT to be better at your job every day

2. Do the BASICS and FUNDAMENTALS of your job better than anyone else

3. Never, never, NEVER GIVE UP… ever!

4. Repeat numbers 1, 2, and 3!

You are in control of your own destiny, you will win the competition, and you will not be eliminated … IF you work at it and want it badly enough.

Remember my slogan… “There is nothing you can’t do.”

I specialize in helping people and companies of any size reach their full potential… guaranteed! To schedule your workshop, company event, or consultation, please contact me directly at 402-680-8448 or email van@vandeeb.com

“I LOVE my manager!”

Do you love your manager? Or at the very least, do you respect your manager or supervisor? Over my last three decades in sales, I found out exactly what it takes to be a good manager. I will do my best to keep this discussion brief, despite the complexity of the topic.

A good manager treats each employee like a partner or even better, like a customer. Do you ever plan on treating a customer poorly and without respect? I don’t think so. As a business owner, I found that treating each employee like a customer worked very well and created a tremendous amount of loyalty.

I have had the luxury of working with Andy Alloway, owner of DEEB Realty. Andy is one of a handful of leaders whose management style is never criticized by anyone. Why? Because he cares about people. He knows his staff and associates are more important to the firm than he is. He listens to their concerns and comments. Bottom line… he cares.

Good managers add value to their people and help their stars shine even brighter. Jim Kalal, a marketing representative at Clear Channel Radio, recently said this about his manager, Marnie Simpson: “Marnie is a great manager… She not only gives me great direction but really manages to my strengths, which helps me to achieve the best results for my customers and build lasting relationships.”

Hey, managers, listen up! If your staff or employees aren’t saying something similar about you, then you have some work to do… on yourself. If you want to know why your people are not making comments like this about you, there’s an easy way to find out. Gather several of your key people in a closed-door session and ask them, “How can I become a better manager-the type of manager you’re excited to work for and motivated to give 110%?”

Attention, business owners! When was the last time you did an anonymous survey with your employees about how they feel about their manager? I know several managers who would be reprimanded immediately based on employee feedback. If your company has a revolving door and can’t seem to retain good salespeople, then guess what, Mr. Manager … it is possible you are not a good leader. If you treat your salespeople/employees/staff as if they are less important than you are, then you are not a good manager. Yes, it’s that simple.

Business owners, your salespeople/employees will sing like birds if you care enough about your company to ask for their input. They are the people in your company who really matter.

I consider myself an expert on common sense in the workplace. I can help you create a culture that will bring out the strengths of your key people and employees, producing higher profits and great attitudes. Call me on my direct line today at 402-680-8448 or email me at van@vandeeb.com 

4 easy ways to do more business without $pending more money

The following four ways to do more business without spending more money may seem simple and easy to accomplish, yet over 97% of us don’t do these things. Yes, we’ve read about these strategies in motivational, inspirational self-help articles and thought about doing them, but we still don’t do them. My challenge for you today is not just to read this list but actually print it out and do what it says! THEN, after you have experienced the incredible results that I know you will, please email me about how these four ways have produced more business for you without requiring you to spend more money. I will feature your triumphs in a future newsletter.

Here they are:

1.Tell more people what you do for a living.

If you don’t tell people about what you do for a living, then you are basically keeping it a secret and guess what-it will remain a secret. People in business who don’t talk about what they do are usually broke, they don’t stay in business very long, or they make very few sales. Why? Because they keep their business a secret! Not only do you need to tell everyone over and over again what you do for a living, but you also need to ask them to do business with you. People want to help people who ask for their business. It’s not that difficult. When was the last time you asked someone to do business with you? If your answer is anything other than “Every day…all day,” then start doing it. Ask more people to do business with you and you will do more business without spending more money.

2.Stretch your business day.

Add 30 minutes to each business day and then gradually stretch it to an hour if you can. Either start work 15 minutes earlier and stay 15 minutes later, or take a shorter break or lunch hour. Spend less time visiting unproductive social websites that have absolutely no benefit to your career. If you really want to make your business day more productive, you may not have to add any time at all and may even work less hours if you are willing to pick one average day and keep a journal on your desk and document everything you do and how long it takes you to do it. This is one of the most effective ways I know to figure out how much time you are spending in certain areas. You will have to be your own best critic and make adjustments accordingly. You might be surprised how much time you spend doing unproductive things, which could be time better spent doing more business without spending more money.

3.Quit complaining.

You may ask what complaining has to do with doing more business without spending more money. Complaining takes time, it depletes your energy, and it is most definitely unproductive, which ends up costing you money. Where does it say in any manual that complaining is a positive business characteristic? It doesn’t, and not only will it make you less productive but it will also bring down the people around you. I know complaining is part of human nature, but we all have the ability to complain less, especially if we are trying to be more productive in our careers. If you are a complainer, work to eliminate this habit because it could end up costing you business. No one likes to be around a complainer. Use the time you spend complaining to do more business without spending more money.

4.Schedule time to accomplish everything on your “to do” list.

Most of us motivated business types have a “to do” list of things that we want to accomplish the next day or week. To get results, you have to turn your “to do” list into a series of appointments. Take each item or task and write it into your calendar as a scheduled appointment, just as you would do with anything else. I have been guilty of having a “to do” list that just kept getting transferred to a new list. When I started making each task into a scheduled appointment, I actually would get it done and see it through. The more tasks you can cross off your “to do” list, the more business you can do without spending more money

I consider myself a “Common Sense Expert” in helping you grow your business. I built my business with low overhead and minimal infrastructure, which resulted in high profit and big smiles. I can help you create this type of mindset either by consultation or workshops with your key staff. I will give you the same advice and strategies that I used myself. Call me on my direct line at 402-680-8448 or email me at van@vandeeb.com

Who is your Lexus?

When I started DEEB Realty in 1993 after more than ten years in the real estate business, I decided to build a real estate company that would specialize in treating agents better than they were treated by competitors in my industry. We came up with a slogan that we lived by: “A company built by agents for agents to better serve our customers.”

DEEB Realty carried out this slogan in a number of ways. We paid our agents a better commission split than our competitors; we had fewer meetings than our competitors; we had fewer fees than our competitors; and we had fewer policies and restrictions than our competitors. I could go on and on about what we did that they didn’t do, but basically in a nutshell we kicked their rear in every category. Yes, even a company that was owned by Warren Buffett was not immune to our wrath. I say all this not to impress you but to impress something upon you.

How did we do it? By treating people with respect, by treating people like they mattered, and by letting people know they were important to us. We set the standard on how real estate companies should treat their associates, and our competitors eventually had to copy us as much as they possibly could. We created our own culture that benefited the people in our company.

Why did we focus on the people who worked in our company? Because in my opinion they are the customer-they built the company, and they own the success of the company.

I love to brag about companies that are passionate about giving great service. The company I use most often as an example in my speeches is hands-down alone at the top… Lexus of Omaha. They know that customer service is not a department; it’s an attitude. They make it clear that if there is a way to accommodate your needs and wants and they have the ability to do it, then they will. They know how I feel about their service because I tell them every chance I get that they are doing a great job.

How many people are you giving your money to right now that really show you how much they appreciate it? My Lexus dealer does-from the service department to the top brass they show their appreciation. My life is too short to do business with people who don’t make me feel good. Lexus of Omaha knows how to make people feel good.

Wouldn’t you love to have people brag about your company and how great it is? Could you get a better form of advertising than that? Not likely. Set a benchmark; strive to be like another company that has developed a proven formula for success and a customer-centered culture like Lexus of Omaha or DEEB Realty. If you can’t think of a company that you would like to emulate, then you’re not being honest with yourself. You have the same ability to build what they built, to give service like they do, and to accommodate people’s needs like they will. If you want to be recognized as the best in your industry, then what are they doing that you’re not doing yet or are not willing to do? Who is your Lexus?

If you would like to schedule a consultation, plan a workshop, or hire a keynote speaker who will deliver a message designed for your company on creating a winning culture and a reputation for great service, please contact me at van@vandeeb.com or call my direct line at 402-680-8448. My work is 100% guaranteed to make a difference in your company. Schedule your meeting with me today.

What will you do with the rest of 2011?

Seven proven ways to help you finish strong

Below are some suggestions to help you create a flight path for the rest of 2011 and finish strong! Why? Because you can!

1.    Decide exactly what you want.Decide for yourself what your goals and objectives are so you can be crystal clear about what you expect from yourself.

2.    Write it down. Think on paper. When you write down your goal, you solidify its meaning and give it tangible form. You create something that you can touch and see. By contrast, a goal or objective that is not in writing is merely a wish or a fantasy.

3.    Set a deadline on your goal, because a goal or a decision without a deadline has no urgency. It has no real beginning or end. Without a definite deadline, you will naturally procrastinate and get very little done.

4.    Make a list of everything you will have to do to achieve your goals. As you think of new activities, add them to your list. Keep building your list until it is complete. A list gives you a visual picture-a track to run on.

5.    Organize the list into a plan. Take a few minutes to decide what you need to do first and what you can do later. With a list of written goals and an organized plan of action you will be far more productive and efficient than people who are carrying goals around in their minds.

6.    Take action on your plan immediately. Do something. Do anything. An average plan executed is far better than a brilliant plan on which nothing is done.

7.    Resolve to do something every single day that moves you closer to reaching your goal. Build this activity into your daily schedule. You may decide to read a specific number of pages on a key subject. You may call on a specific number of prospects or customers. You may engage in a specific period of physical fitness or doing a good deed for others. Whatever the activity might be, make sure you are committed to it. Keep pushing forward. Once you start moving, don’t stop. This decision-this discipline-alone can dramatically increase your speed of accomplishing your goals and boost your personal productivity.

If you want your life to change, then you have to change things in your life. As legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden wrote, “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”

Life is not a dress rehearsal; this is the real deal. Do not LIMIT yourself now and then regret it later. Instead, think about all the possibilities of creating a flight path to help define the kind of life that you want to live.

Limitations are the product of the world. Possibilities are the product of faith and believing in ourselves. We can expect nothing more than what we believe is possible.

Set your goals now, put them in writing, and make them happen!

Remember,

There is nothing you can’t do.

I have an incredible thought-provoking course on goal setting that leaves you with a plan to help you and your company accomplish your flight path. You are going to go to work anyway, so you might as well have a plan of attack and be productive. To schedule an appointment with me, please contact me on my direct line at 402-680-8448 or email me at van@vandeeb.com

Now is the time to schedule me to speak to your group in November or December so you can set up a plan to make 2012 your best year yet!

There is nothing you can’t do

God has given you all the power and authority you will need to overcome every obstacle you may face in life. That means you are well able to do what God has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You have the ideas, the creativity, and the talent to be successful. You have been armed with strength for every battle! God has already lined up the right people to come across your path; He has already lined up the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live a victorious life. Not an average life, not a barely-get-by, mediocre life-you were created to excel. You have seeds of greatness within you.

You may not have seen it in the past, but if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time – victory is on the way. Don’t settle with staying where you are. Rise up in strength today and begin to declare, “I will accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I’ve been equipped and empowered to live in victory in every area of my life.”