August 29, 2010
“Wherever you see a successful business, someone
once made a courageous decision.”
-Peter Drucker
One potential negative consequence of a prolonged economic downturn is a shift toward conservative decision-making. Experiencing loss can make us tentative, less willing to take chances. We tend to avoid risks that may result in additional losses. The problem with this reaction can be found on the walls of just about any weight-lifting gym in America:
No Pain, No Gain.
More elegantly stated:
“We learn wisdom from failure much more than success. We often discover what we will do, by finding out what we will not do.”
Samuel Smiles
If we act only when success is assured, we lose one of our best sources of growth and knowledge – failure. As Henry Ford said:
“One who fears failure limits his activities.
Failure is only the opportunity to more
intelligently begin again.”
Those who turn adversity into success will be those who are willing to accept the possibility of failure and take those actions they believe will lead them to their chosen goals.
“Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.”
Washington Irving
Dare to be GREAT!!!!!!!!
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Adversity, Failing, Fear, Risk | Tagged: Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Motivation, perception, personal growth, Real Estate, Risk, security, self-doubt, self-responsibility, Self-talk | 
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Posted by Steve Dickason
July 7, 2010
(Resolve)
Part 1 is in the history books. Time to turn our attention to Part 2.
Congratulations to those of you who had a great first half of the year.
If, on the other hand, you are feeling discouraged and unhappy with your results in Part 1 – hey, that’s why there’s a Part 2.
Remember, it’s never too late to have a good year!!! Are you prepared to take advantage of the opportunity?
At this point, we have two choices:
1. Give up on the year – agree with those who will be talking about how summer is slow: everyone’s on vacation, etc., and then of course the holidays – no one is going to buy during the holidays… or,
2. Resolve to have a Kick- ____ in 2010 Part 2.
I’m going to pause in my writing for a few minutes to give you the opportunity to make your choice.
OK, if you chose #2, consider this:
You are unique.
In the history of the world no one has walked the earth with your unique blend of experience, knowledge, skills, personality, commitment, determination, compassion, heart. You have absolutely everything you need to live the life of your dreams. You don’t need another seminar. You don’t need to hire a coach. You don’t need to psychoanalyze your relationship with your parents. While all of these may be helpful, none of them are the answer.
If you are not living the life you desire, there is only one thing missing: RESOLVE.
As Tony Robbins says: “ I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simple as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams and those who live in regret.”
There is no secret to success:
Know what you want.
Know that you will achieve it.
Never give up.
Take right action every day until success comes pounding at your door.
1 Comment | Commitment, Inspiration, Resolve | Tagged: Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Caffeine for the Brain, commitment, Communication, Happiness, inspiration, Marin County, Motivation, Real Estate, resolve, Self-talk, Steve Dickason, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
June 16, 2010
“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.”
Doug Firebaugh
This is one that should be on everyone’s bathroom mirror – a reminder each morning to be true to who you are and who you are becoming. Why waste even one more day on the past. I mean, you were there, right? You did what you chose to do and life unfolded. Try as you might there is not a single thing you can do about it. (Well, unless you have a working time machine, in which case, call me.)
Think about it. A life focused on the present and future is a life free of guilt (because we haven’t done anything yet to feel guilty about) – it’s a life full of possibilities, an endless feast of fun, fulfillment and prosperity. So, what’s stopping you? Oh, yeah, you haven’t let go of the past yet have you? Or, maybe you have, but you haven’t formed a clear vision of the future? Well, gee, what are you doing this afternoon?
If you have a couple of hours, here’s what you can do (2 things guaranteed to transform your life.):
1. Decide to let go of the past. Make a covenant with yourself that every time your mind tries to relive and redo past “mistakes,” say CANCEL! Bring your mind back to the present and focus on what you can do NOW to live a better life and move closer to your goals.
2. Create a clear vision of the life you want. Take a pen and paper and write it down. Sound silly? Why? If you wanted to buy a new car, wouldn’t you think about it all the time, cut out pictures and tape them on your steering wheel, focus on it until you figure out a way to make the purchase. Well, good news, all life is just like that.
You get what you focus on.
Or, as Emerson said:
“You are what you think about all day long.”
If you get that, you get everything – and I mean everything.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
May 30, 2010
Just a quick note to remind you to experience more and analyze less.
When you get to the final day of this journey on Earth are you going to look into the eyes of a loved-one and say “Gee, I wish I’d spent more time worrying about all those things that never happened.?” Yeah, I don’t think so.
Do you want your final epiphany to be regret over how much time you wasted bemoaning past “mistakes” and worrying about future outcomes? Wouldn’t that be tragically fitting. Your final precious moment spent in regret instead of soaking in the world one last time? I’m starting to sound like the Ghost of Christmas Past. So, let’s go with that. Like Scrooge, we all have the capacity to wake up and change our approach to life. Decide right now to spend more time observing and less time thinking. Be curious about the world. See life as it is and appreciate the perfection—even if it isn’t exactly the way your mind thinks it should be. Release the past and the future and enjoy the only time we ever truly have—NOW. So, as Tiny Tim would say…
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Posted by Steve Dickason
April 7, 2010
“The only path to learning is to know that you don’t know.” by I don’t know: some spiritual guy.
OK, but if you know that you don’t know then …you know, so how is that not-knowing? Cause if you know… I’d need Abbott and Costello to work this one out. Spirituality can be complicated.
What I do know (or not) is that, when communicating with another human, not knowing is critical to understanding.
The challenge arises because we each have a unique interpretation of the world around us, the relationships between this and that. For example, you may think that purple is the new black. I may think that it is satanic and anyone who wears it should be forced to eat garlic ice cream and live in Bakersfield (my apologies if you live in or are from Bakersfield). Or, you may feel that you are complimenting me by saying that I’m looking much better. I may hear “you look like hell most of the time.”
What you say clearly communicates your meaning—as registered by your personal interpretation. Problem is: I don’t hear through your interpretations, I hear through mine. What to do? Two words: Awareness – Patience – Persistence. OK, three words.
Awareness: To communicate effectively you must first be aware of the fact that everyone interprets words through their own unique perception. So, when you hear a statement from another, don’t assume that you understand.
Patience: Take the time to check out your initial understanding. “So when you say you are going to buy a purple dress, are you saying that you worship Satan and wish to move to Bakersfield?” At which point you can correct my misinterpretation and say, “Why no, I don’t.”
Persistence: Question until you understand the speaker’s meaning. “So, if you don’t worship Satan and are not moving to Bakersfield, why do you want to buy a purple dress?” “Because,” you answer, “I read in Cosmo that purple is the new black.”
Ah, now we are communicating.
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Posted by Steve Dickason
March 23, 2010
The Power of Winning
“Your talent determines what you can do.
Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do.
Your attitude determines how well you do it!”
–Lou Holtz
The exciting news: A lot is “happening”! The challenge: How do each of us participate in the activity?
There is an amazing video: Pearls Before Breakfast (from the Washington Post)…Watch It!!!
The story goes…
“A youngish, nondescript, white man in jeans positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket at a metro station (subway) in Washington D.C. and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning, several years ago. He played six classical pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
“In the 45 minutes the muscian played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for awhile. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.00. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
“The violinist was none other than Joshua Bell, currently one of the greatest muscians in the world (playing incognito). He played one of the most intricate musical pieces ever written on his Gibson Stradivarius (valued at approximately 3.6 million dollars). Two days before, he had played to a ‘sold out’ theater in Boston, with seats averaging $100.00 each.”
In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour:
Do we perceive beauty/Do we stop to appreciate it/Do we recognize opportunities that are right before our eyes?
This amazing musician went unrecognized…unnoticed because his appearance was not expected, not anticipated. So it is with success in today’s marketplace. Those people who are still bemoaning the “bad economy” will only perceive that which validates their expectations.
Those who expect success will see the opportunities everywhere.
So, the only question is: Are you prepared and looking for opportunities…and taking advantage of them? Do you wake up every morning filled with anticipation, prepared to take advantage of the unlimited possibilities?
Remember: Success doesn’t find You. You find Success.
As we move further into 2010, I can’t help but remind myself that we not only live in best place in the world, but also that our communities offer some of the best real estate opportunities in the world!
Take advantage…have a fantastic Week!
Leave a Comment » | Winning | Tagged: acceptance, attitude, beliefs, Communication, Happiness, Motivation, perception, personal growth, self-responsibility, Self-talk, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
February 12, 2010
“You are what your deep, driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV 4.5
Would you like to re-live 2009?
If the answer is no, read on.
If you were one of millions of people struggling to make ends meet in 2009, you probably spent a great deal of time focusing on your problems and searching for solutions. Worrying about your income, your rising credit card balances, your credit rating or even whether you would be able to retain your home can become habitual. This can be a problem.
Because “You are what you think about all day long,” (Emerson) there is a danger that, if you continue to think about past problems, they will become the building blocks of your future. It can be a difficult transition, I know, but… to create success in 2010 you must become successful now… today. Let me say that another way…
You can’t wait for something good to happen
and then feel good about yourself.
You must feel good about yourself
and then make good things happen.
Well, you don’t have to. But, either you control your life or life controls you. A matter of choice. Skeptics never see how they can feel good when everything around them is swirling down the drain. I know two very effective methods:
1. NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) teaches us to “anchor” our feelings to a moment in the past when we felt great about life, about ourselves. Imagine your self back at that moment, recreate the positive feelings and then carry those emotions into the present.
The method I use most often is to imagine my own positive future. This has to be approached in two directions. First, whenever I find myself ruminating about past problems, I stop myself. Second, I focus my attention a very specific image of the future that I have created in my mind.
Either of these techniques can be very effective. The mind is a wonderfully powerful tool. It will give you whatever you desire. The problem is that it thinks you desire those things you choose to think about.
Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Leave a Comment » | Imagery | Tagged: Alain Pinel, attitude, Destiny, focus, Future, Marin County, NLP, Real Estate, Self-image, Self-talk, Vision | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
January 24, 2010
“Failures do what is tension relieving
While winners do what is goal achieving.”
Dennis Waitley
We are each born with our own clock. It begins ticking the day we are born and when we die, it stops. How many times the hands will circumnavigate the face, no one knows. But we are each given time on earth to use as we see fit. How we choose to fill our time will determine our degree of happiness and fulfillment. Choose well. Choose thoughtfully. But choose. Otherwise, your life will be filled with people who are happy to choose for you.
“We literally become what we think about, and we are all given the gift of being able to write our own story.”
Dr. Wayne Dyer
Leave a Comment » | acceptance | Tagged: affirmations, Alain Pinel, attitude, beliefs, Happiness, Motivation, personal growth, responsibility, Self-talk, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
January 6, 2010
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice… And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ~ T.S. Elliot
Aw, it is time once again to put last year to rest and start anew. Once again we have made the long trip around the sun and avoided burning up or hurtling out into frozen space. Yeah! We’re ahead of the game already and the year has barely begun.
It is also a time when we ruminate about the past year and wonder about the coming year – will it be better, worse, the same? And as always we have the choice to make these ruminations productive or …not. Here’s a tip, avoid not.
Here is what “not” looks like: Long, depressing periods thinking about all of the bad luck that came your way last year, the decisions you wish you hadn’t made, the relationships you wish you had avoided, the money you lost, the debt you incurred…. What is wrong with a little cathartic wallowing? Just this, and I’ll quote Emerson. “You become what you think about all day long.” And this is only one of hundreds of quotes from very smart, very successful people that communicate the same message.
If you focus on everything that went wrong last year, and, if “you become what you think about all day long,” you have become the lead role in Groundhog Day, doomed to repeat, in this case, the same mistakes, the same bad choices, the same “bad luck” year after year after year.
Don’t get depressed! The “not” is not necessary. We are, after all, intelligent people with aspirations and dreams. Understanding the rules as articulated above by Emerson, you have the free will to CHOOSE not to focus on what is wrong with your life. You can CHOOSE to focus on what is right. Instead of projecting the worst of your life forward, project the best. In his book on raising healthy children, Wayne Dyer suggested that we “catch them doing something right.” By focusing on and commenting on their positive behavior, they tend to repeat that behavior – petting the dog instead of cutting her hair with mommy’s scissors.
In the arena of personal growth, reviewing last year has only two productive purposes: learning lessons necessary to move forward in a positive manner, and congratulating yourself for everything that you did right. Then, of course, you want to build on your right moves by creating a vision for the coming year. Focus on that vision with passionate certainty and you will have an amazing year.
Happy New Year!
1 Comment | Happiness, personal growth, Self-talk, Vision, Winning | Tagged: attitude, beliefs, focus, goals, happy, new year, perception, personal growth, reflection, Self-talk, Vision, Winning | Permalink
Posted by Steve Dickason
October 25, 2009
“The adventure you are ready for is the one you get!”
–Joseph Campbell (Mythologist and Story Teller)
This quote came from Jeff Probst when he won the Emmy for best reality show host. My ears perk up any time I hear Joseph Campbell’s name. By studying a wide variety of cultures he came to understand what is true about human beings no matter when or where they lived on the planet. This universal truth is particularly significant for commission sales people and reminds me of the Bobby Unser quote:
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
Bobby Unser won the Indianapolis 500 three times.
We all love stories where a boy opens a magic book and is transported into an adventure of a lifetime. In the real world, the adventure we get is based on our degree of preparation, our goals, our experience, knowledge and skills. Another ancillary quote is the old Buddhist proverb:
“When the student is ready the teacher will appear.”
Everything we need to lead the life we dream will become available when we are ready. What an amazing promise, one that comes with conditions. We must be willing to do what it takes to lead the life of our dreams.
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We must be clear and focused on the adventure we want.
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We must believe to our core that we will succeed.
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We must, however, be willing to fail along the way.
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We must act in the face of fear.
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We must recognize and honor our incremental successes.
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We must be open and vigilant to everything and everyone who can help us.
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We must ACT!
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Posted by Steve Dickason
Caffeine for the Brain 