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

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.

]]> http://www.vandeeb.com/newsletter-january-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.vandeeb.com/newsletter-december-2011/ http://www.vandeeb.com/newsletter-december-2011/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:54:03 +0000 admin01 http://www.vandeeb.com/?p=389 Continue reading →]]> 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

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

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 

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

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.

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.”

I have never been one to stop and smell the roses or celebrate the triumphs of a great sale, an incredible year, or any other benchmarks that my company reached. Well, okay, maybe we had a little celebration once in awhile.

Now, as I get older, I find myself reflecting on how my career evolved and how it brought me so much success not only as a Realtor early on but also as the owner of a large Realty firm. Among the many characteristics I can think of, like being driven, goal-oriented, persistent, dedicated, passionate, and so on, the one word that stands out the most is discipline. I was disciplined.

None of the accomplishments or achievements I have experienced in my life could have happened without self-discipline. And any shortfalls or failures in my life were due to a lack of self-discipline.

Now that I think about it, the majority of the leaders and successful people I know and read about have attributed their success to self-discipline.

Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the characteristic that will open all doors for you and will make all your goals become much more achievable. With self-discipline, the average person (like me) can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. Self-discipline will put you on a level playing field with anyone. Without self-discipline you will be nothing more than average, no matter what your education, background, or expertise might be.

One of the great characteristics about discipline is the fact that we all have this ability. We can all benefit from this natural talent if we choose to use it. Of course it’s like anything else in life-if we don’t make a choice to use it, then guess what. . . it doesn’t happen.

If we tap into our God-given talent of self-discipline there is literally nothing we can’t do. We can strive to be the top sales representative in our company, we can try to win the big trip to Hawaii, we can be known as an effective leader, we can build a company from scratch (or from a 200-sq-ft basement like I did). We can lose weight with self-discipline, we can get in better shape, we can be better parents, sons or daughters, employers or employees. With self-discipline we can become unstoppable.

Go ahead-repeat this out loud to yourself three times: “With self-discipline I can become unstoppable.”

I don’t know how that just made you feel, but it sure fires me up. Self-discipline will have a different meaning for all of us and we can use it in every area of life. I would be thrilled to be described and labeled by my peers as unstoppable. With self-discipline we can be. With self-discipline there is nothing we can’t do!

If you would like me to conduct a workshop or give a keynote address on the topic of self-discipline and being unstoppable, please contact me on my direct line at 402-680-8448 or email me at van@vandeeb.com. The characteristics and fundamentals of self-discipline worked for me, and I guarantee that those same principles can work for you.

……………………………………………………..

A few words of wisdom I have learned about Discipline from the legendary Jim Rohn

·       Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

·       We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is that discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

·       All disciplines affect each other. It would be a mistake to say, “This is the only area where I let down.” Not true. Every letdown affects the rest. Not to think so is naïve.

·       Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built. Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure.

·       Discipline has within it the potential for creating future miracles.

·       The best time to set up a new discipline is when the idea is strong.

·       One discipline always leads to another discipline.

·       Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.

·       The least lack of discipline starts to erode our self-esteem.

·        You don’t have to change much for it to make a good deal of difference. A few simple disciplines can have a major impact on how your life works out in the next 90 days, let alone the next 12 months or the next 3 years.

I have never met Andy Andrews, the author of one of my new favorite books, The Traveler’s Gift. However, I feel a very deep connection with his story of the seven decisions that determine success. His book is, by far, one of the best self-development, motivating, and inspirational books I have ever read (besides Common Sense Selling).

Reading about these decisions motivated and inspired me so much that I decided to share some of the main points with you.

You have the ability to incorporate into your life these seven decisions that will determine your personal success. Below are very brief excerpts of each decision; I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

1.    THE BUCK STOPS HERE: I will not let my history control my destiny. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive.

2.    I WILL SEEK WISDOM: I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes. I will read and listen only to what increases my belief in myself and my future. I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. I will listen to the counsel of those who are wise. By learning from other people’s wisdom, I add their knowledge and experience to my own and dramatically increase my success. I will not look for someone to open my door; instead, I will seek to open the door for someone else.

3.    I AM A PERSON OF ACTION: I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. Knowing that laziness is a sin, I will create a habit of lively behavior. I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits. I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now.

4.    I HAVE A DECIDED HEART: I am passionate about my vision for the future. The power to control my direction belongs to me. Today I will begin to exercise that power. I will awaken every morning with an excitement about the new day and its opportunities for growth and change. Yes, I have a dream. It is a great dream. My hopes, my passions, my vision for the future are my very existence. A person without a dream never had a dream come true. My course has been charted, and my destiny is assured.

5.    TODAY I WILL CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY: Happiness is a choice. I am enthusiastic about each day. I am alert to its possibilities. I will become the master of my emotions. I will greet each day with laughter. I know that enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world. The world belongs to the enthusiastic, for people will follow them anywhere! My smile has become my calling card. It is, after all, the most important weapon I possess. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.

6.    I WILL GREET THIS DAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT: By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I will forgive those who have criticized me unjustly. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity. I will forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

7.    I WILL PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION: I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit. I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.” I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average. I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome-my success-is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions. I strongly believe that there is nothing you can’t do if you have the proper mindset and conviction. Hire me to speak to your organization, company, or next event, and let me help you chart your path to creating a productive mindset that will last a lifetime. Contact me directly at 402-680-8448 or van@vandeeb.com

Thank you to Ericka Heidvogel for giving me this book and the inspiration for my February newsletter. Ericka, you were right. . . it is me.