Michelle Elizer - www.MichelleElizer.com

Be open to new things!

2011-02-02T15:23:00.004-06:00

60 tips For s Stunningly GREAT LIFE ! ~Robin Sharma

2010-12-15T09:54:00.002-06:00

1. Exercise daily.

2. Get serious about gratitude.

3. See your work as a craft.

4. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.

5. Keep a journal.

6. Read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”.

7. Plan a schedule for your week.

8. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.

9. Say no to distractions.

10. Drink a lot of water.

11. Improve your work every single day.

12. Get a mentor.

13. Hire a coach.

14. Get up at 5 am each day.

15. Eat less food.

16. Find more heroes.

17. Be a hero to someone.

18. Smile at strangers.

19. Be the most ethical person you know.

20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.

21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures.

22. Save 10% of your income each month.

23. Spend time at art galleries.

24. Walk in the woods.

25. Write thank you letters to those who’ve helped you.

26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.

27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.

28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.

29. Have 5 great friends.

30. Become stunningly polite.

31. Unplug your TV.

32. Sell your TV.

33. Read daily.

34. Avoid the news.

35. Be content with what you have.

36. Pursue your dreams.

37. Be authentic.

38. Be passionate.

39. Say sorry when you know you should.

40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.

41. Have a vision for your life.

42. Know your strengths.

43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.

44. Be patient.

45. Don’t give up.

46. Clean up your messes.

47. Use impeccable words.

48. Travel more.

49. Read “As You Think”.

50. Honor your parents.

51. Tip taxi drivers well.

52. Be a great teammate.

53. Give no energy to critics.

54. Spent time in the mountains.

55. Know your top 5 values.

56. Shift from being busy to achieving results.

57. Innovate and iterate.

58. Speak less. Listen more.

59. Be the best person you know.

60. Make your life matter.

Shalane Flanagan gets 2nd in NY Marathon !

2010-11-09T11:34:00.002-06:00

check out the link... :)http://tinyurl.com/25kodz3

Johnson & Johnson makes baby products with toxic ingredients !

2010-09-29T08:50:00.004-05:00

I learned this about 10 years ago when my twins were babies....how come it took this long for them to be held accountable ?
check out this link....very interesting !!! http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/617-johnson-a-johnson-and-walmart-sued-for-selling-toxic-baby-shampoo

Tip about "how to get up early" (and why?!!)

2010-09-08T09:36:00.003-05:00

I put this into practice today. I was up at 4:45, worked out from 5:15-6:30, got my kids off to school, and now the entire day ahead of me ! This clip is great... (4 min)...

The BEST thing that ever happened to me.......

2010-09-02T10:05:00.002-05:00

was meeting my husband...and look at what he posted today on Facebook....
When you get to marry the prettiest girl in the world, and she sticks with you for 15 years, it is truly a day to celebrate! "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom". ~Marcel Proust Happy 15th Anniversary honey... Love You too!!

Story about flying with a team !!

2010-09-01T09:16:00.003-05:00

Like many things...we have all probably seen this before....but what a GREAT reminder...that being a part of a team....is so much more fun, productive and efficient than "flying" alone ! Watch this !!!!

http://www.pullingtogethermovie.com/?cm_mmc=Responsys-_-MO-_-8.30.10-_-PUTGmovie

MLM's DON'T WORK...Long Term

2010-08-30T13:21:00.000-05:00

MLM's DON'T WORK...Long Term.....written by my good friend Donna Stewart. This is positively one of the best and "truest" articles ever written about this topic. Check it out !!!

How to Lose Weight While Traveling !

2010-08-04T12:39:00.002-05:00

I posted a fun article based on my family's vacation last week ! check it out .....

http://bit.ly/cgdJuj

home from vacation in Breckenridge, CO ! :)

2010-08-02T22:27:00.001-05:00

how nice it was to spend a week in the mountains !

a little reminder today, about the difference between GOOD and GREAT !

2010-07-09T10:33:00.003-05:00

I know you have probably seen this movie a million times...but it's a great reminder today...I LOVE IT !! www.212movie.com (3 minutes)

The Discomfort of Innovation !

2010-06-22T11:56:00.002-05:00

Years ago, I read a book by Robin Sharma titled, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari", it was recommended by my friend Donna, who really found it powerful, and I can say that I have learned so much from her over the last 10 years!

From Donna, and the book...I learned that I can really accomplish anything that I put my mind to. It also taught me that in order to achieve great things it starts with me and getting out of my comfort zone.

I've been following Robin's teachings ever since and I recently watched a great 2 minute vlog by him titled, "The Discomfort of Innovation".

If you're someone who wants to accomplish something, it's so important to understand the power of being uncomfortable.

I hope you find this helpful!!

AMAZING, and TRUE QUOTE !!

2010-06-02T13:45:00.001-05:00

Life allows you to think as you please, but it always produces what you think.~Barker

We Hope you enjoyed The Walk The Talk Movie

2010-05-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

LOVED this 3 minute movie to start my day ! ENJOY !
We Hope you enjoyed The Walk The Talk Movie

100/ o Principle

2010-04-13T10:35:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from The 100/0 Principle, by Al Ritter
What is the most effective way to create and sustain great relationships with others? It's The 100/0 Principle: You take full responsibility (the 100) for the relationship, expecting nothing (the 0) in return.
Implementing The 100/0 Principle is not natural for most of us. It takes real commitment to the relationship and a good dose of self-discipline to think, act and give 100 percent.
The 100/0 Principle applies to those people in your life where the relationships are too important to react automatically or judgmentally. Each of us must determine the relationships to which this principle should apply. For most of us, it applies to work associates, customers, suppliers, family and friends.
STEP 1 - Determine what you can do to make the relationship work...then do it. Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not.
STEP 2 - Do not expect anything in return. Zero, zip, nada.
STEP 3 - Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying!) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait.
STEP 4 - Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return.
At times (usually few), the relationship can remain challenging, even toxic, despite your 100 percent commitment and self-discipline. When this occurs, you need to avoid being the "Knower" and shift to being the "Learner." Avoid Knower statements/ thoughts like "that won't work," "I'm right, you are wrong," "I know it and you don't," "I'll teach you," "that's just the way it is," "I need to tell you what I know," etc.
Instead use Learner statements/thoughts like "Let me find out what is going on and try to understand the situation," "I could be wrong," "I wonder if there is anything of value here," "I wonder if..." etc. In other words, as a Learner, be curious!
Principle Paradox
This may strike you as strange, but here's the paradox: When you take authentic responsibility for a relationship, more often than not the other person quickly chooses to take responsibility as well. Consequently, the 100/0 relationship quickly transforms into something approaching 100/100. When that occurs, true breakthroughs happen for the individuals involved, their teams, their organizations and their families.

A Walk in the Mountains (author unknown)

2010-04-12T13:16:00.000-05:00

Something to think about...:)

A son and his father were walking in the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!

Every Day is a Gift

2010-03-18T12:03:00.001-05:00

Excerpt from:Every Day is a Gift, by Barry Gottlieb

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."~The Dalai Lama

What does "True Abundance" mean to you?
According to Wikipedia, the definition of abundance is "the opposite of scarcity." I believe true abundance is not measured by what you have; rather, it is measured by what you give.
In our culture, it seems that most people are caught up in their "need for greed." Perhaps this is why so many people struggle to find their happiness, and why over 25% of the people in our country suffer from anxiety. We live in a culture where we are taught to judge a person based on what they have, rather than on who they are and what they contribute to society.
I was very fortunate to have met a professor that changed my whole way of thinking. I was one of those people with a, "What's in it for me" attitude when I started his class. By the end of the semester though, my philosophy and my attitude had changed. Forever! This is what I learned:
"You can have anything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want."~Zig Ziglar

I challenge you to focus on this philosophy for an entire month! Here are some action steps that will help you stay focused on this incredible gift:
ACTION STEPS
Gratitude. Every night before you go to sleep, recite aloud at least ten things for which you are grateful.
Forgive. Let go of the past. Forgive those who have hurt or angered you. Stop carrying this poison around with you every day.
Love. Be sure to tell those people in your life who mean so much to you that you love them and appreciate them.
Donate. Go through your closets. Anything you haven't worn or used in the past year, box it or bag it and take it to a place where those who are less fortunate will benefit from your donation. Get your children involved!Praise. Make time to praise. Look for and recognize the good in others.

Committment

2010-03-06T04:41:00.002-06:00

I could not sleep (which is odd for me...I usually sleep quite well !) but woke up and have been checking e-mail....I found an article about committment, and thought I would share an excerpt that I thought was great......

"there is a remarkable difference between a commitment of 99% and 100%. At 100%, you are seeing your problems all the way through to their solutions. At 99% we can still find a way to take the path of least resistance...and usually do."~ Vic Conant

Go ALL OUT for takeoff !!!

2010-03-01T20:21:00.000-06:00

Momentum: An analogy of an airplane taking off.

When a pilot gets clearance for take off and pulls the airplane on to the strip he points the plane down the run way and goes through the last series of checks and then he gives the plane full throttle and keeps it at full throttle until he reaches take off speed and the plane lifts off the ground. He keeps it at full throttle until he reaches a certain altitude when he backs off on the throttle and can begin to cruise. Two things we can draw from this is in order to get off the ground we must give full throttle and the other is that you can not keep it at full throttle or it will burn up the engines. If you were to only give it half throttle you would never get off the ground and if you were keep it at full throttle you would burn out.

12 Success Factors

2010-02-23T23:07:00.003-06:00

12 Success Factors to look for when choosing a Home Business
With over 9 years of having my own successful home business, I have built a real, reliable monthly income that has allowed me to still be at home with our kids, but also pay off debt, and create financial security for our family. I have been able to do so right from the comfort of my home and have helped and continue to help so many other families to do the same.With my experience and with researching dozens of different types of home businesses, I would like to share that when choosing a home business, there are some key success factors that I believe are critical for long term success. Every one is just as important as the next. The only business I know of so far with all of these factors, is the one I represent..:)

1. Company track record - How long has the company you're considering representing been in business? What are the company's annual sales each year since in business? Does the company print average income statistics for business builders? It should and you should ask for them. Proof of long term sales, success and growth is critical with choosing any business.

2. Financially sound - Does the company have outstanding debt? Joining a company that is debt free is something I highly recommend to lessen any risk to you.

3. Strong management team - What are the backgrounds and credentials of the management team? You want to join a company that is run with integrity and strong leadership.

4. Unique consumable products - Are the products of the company, products that people actually need, use, run out of and repurchase month after month. Do the products have any trademarks or patents allowing for exclusive rights meaning no other company can copy them. If the products are not consumable, meaning something that a person would only buy once, then that is a business that will not be viable long term. If the products are consumable, however not necessarily a need, that will lesson your chance for long term success. Products needed, and consumed monthly makes for a solid business model.

5. Wide market appeal - Are the products something everyone needs and uses on a daily basis? If the products are specific for a certain gender, age group or body size for example, you lessen your market as it is not something for everyone.

6. Competitive prices - Are the products comparable in price or less expensive than the competition? If they are too expensive this is not a business that will produce great results.

7. High customer reorder rate - Does the company share it's reorder rate? Meaning how many customers that purchased from the company last month, reorder again the following month? If the re-order rate is low, the business will not be viable as new customers simply replace your old customers producing no real growth or a secure, residual income.

8. Low initial investment - If the cost to join or start is too high it makes for more risk and difficulty in attracting customers and business partners.

9. Low monthly requirement - If there is a high monthly requirement, customers/business builders may end up with an inventory or products they do not need. If there is a low monthly product requirement, then customers are getting what they need for personal use each month, and from a business standpoint you know customers are purchasing each month which creates the security and true residual income.

10. Rewards for leadership development - Does the company reward you for helping others in your business succeed? If there is any way the company could remove business builders from your business because of their success, be very careful about joining. There should never be potential for you to lose great partners.

11. Risk-free - Is everything 100% guaranteed? If not, I would advise against joining.

12. Anyone can be successful - Is the business plan set up for anyone to be successful at any time? If it's a company that says "Ground floor" opportunity, or "Get in Now", be very wary. If only the people who join at the beginning can be successful, then eventually people will get hurt.Well, how does the company you are with or considering measure up?
Hope this was helpful..:)

My family enjoying the holiday break in Colorado !

2010-01-05T10:40:00.003-06:00

It's always good to take a break....and have FUN !!

Self Discipline-The Difference between winning & losing in 2010!

2010-01-05T10:37:00.001-06:00

Introduction from 'The Power of Discipline' ....By Brian Tracy
Why are some people more successful than others? Why do some people make more money, live happier lives and accomplish much more in the same number of years than the great majority?
I started out in life with few advantages. I did not graduate from high school. I worked at menial jobs. I had limited education, limited skills and a limited future.
And then I began asking, "Why are some people more successful than others?" This question changed my life.
Over the years, I have read thousands of books and articles on the subjects of success and achievement. It seems that the reasons for these accomplishments have been discussed and written about for more than two thousand years, in every conceivable way. One quality that most philosophers, teachers and experts agree on is the importance of self-discipline. As Al Tomsik summarized it years ago, "Success is tons of discipline."
Some years ago, I attended a conference in Washington. It was the lunch break and I was eating at a nearby food fair. The area was crowded and I sat down at the last open table by myself, even though it was a table for four.
A few minutes later, an older gentleman and a younger woman who was his assistant came along carrying trays of food, obviously looking for a place to sit.
With plenty of room at my table, I immediately arose and invited the older gentleman to join me. He was hesitant, but I insisted. Finally, thanking me as he sat down, we began to chat over lunch.
It turned out that his name was Kop Kopmeyer. As it happened, I immediately knew who he was. He was a legend in the field of success and achievement. Kop Kopmeyer had written four large books, each of which contained 250 success principles that he had derived from more than fifty years of research and study. I had read all four books from cover to cover, more than once.
After we had chatted for awhile, I asked him the question that many people in this situation would ask, "Of all the one thousand success principles that you have discovered, which do you think is the most important?"
He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye, as if he had been asked this question many times, and replied, without hesitating, "The most important success principle of all was stated by Thomas Huxley many years ago. He said, 'Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.'"
He went on to say, "There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work."
Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.
In the pages ahead I will describe seven areas of your life where the practice of self-discipline will be key to your success. These areas include goals, character, time management, personal health, money, courage and responsibility. It is my hope that you'll find a few "nuggets" that will help make your dreams come true.

Integrity Characteristics

2009-12-09T12:16:00.002-06:00

From the book 'The Integrity Advantage"....which EVERYONE should read !!!

10 Characteristics consistenly displayed by people with a high level of integrity:
1-they know that little things count
2-they find white (when others see gray)
3-they mess up...they fess up
4-They create a culture of trust
5-They keep their word
6-They care about greater good
7-They're honest, but modest
8-They act like they are being watched
9-They hire (surround themselves with) integrity
10-They stay the course

3,900 Saturdays.....

2009-12-03T10:14:00.001-06:00

a touching little snippet from a book called, Charging the Human Battery....
It's called: 3,900 Saturdays.
The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday morning. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.
A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:
I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say.
"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital," he continued; "Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."
"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.
Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1,000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.
Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.
There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.
Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.
It was nice to meet you Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 year old man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.
Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

Green Tip for today !!

2009-12-02T22:25:00.000-06:00

Green Tip
Flame retardants, such as what is applied to most kids’ pajamas, have been linked to neuro-developmental and behavioral deficits and possibly cancer. Reduce your kids’ risk by getting organic cotton or 100% cotton (untreated) clothes to sleep in. (And then keep them away from cigarettes and open flames.)

Get started with our team and make the change you're looking for !

2009-11-16T22:00:00.004-06:00

So....I have to say...having been with our team for 9 years now...I LOVE what I do...and
thank goodness I paid attention 9 years ago !!! I was a regular mom (still am ! LOL !) and really wasn't sure how possible it was to REALLY earn an income from home. I use to DREAD Sunday evenings....knowing I had to get up and take my newborn to daycare for 10 hours every day, and go to a job that I really didn't feel appreciated at, especially for barely getting paid enough to cover the daycare. We moved a lot so my husband could climb the corporate ladder, and I thought I would never work out side the home again until our kids were in school. We had twins, and then my husband lost his job!! There is a lot of "stuff" in between....but I don;t want to bore you with all the details. I found this team in 2000....had another baby in 2004 and have been working with my kids by my side this entire time, while steadily earning an income that grew each year and surpassed my husbands !! All 4 of my kids are in school full time now (the baby just started kindergarten this year), and I can't imagine how different our lives would have been if I had not chosen to listen to the information about this team, the support and the incredible company we work with !! No pressure here.....but if you have 30 minutes, I can share all the facts about something that may change your life as well. :)

thought for today... :)

2009-11-12T09:48:00.002-06:00

If a dog were your teacher ... these are some of the lessons you might learn...
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them 
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride 
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience
Let others know when they've invaded your territory 
Take naps and stretch before rising
Run romp and play daily
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do 
On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass 
On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree
When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body
No matter how often you're scolded don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.. run right back and make friends....
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm 
Stop when you have had enough...Be loyal
Never pretend to be something you're not
If what you want lies buried,  dig until you find it
When someone is having a bad day...be silent .....sit close by....and nuzzle them gently

Expect greatness !!

2009-11-04T13:00:00.001-06:00

The way you do the little things determines the way you'll do the big things!!! Be better today than yesterday !!

So true...............

2009-10-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want. -Zig Ziglar

One of my favorite authors and life coaches!!

2009-10-07T10:50:00.004-05:00

Robin Sharma....
talking about the 8 things that Billionaires do... :)
http://www.robinsharma.com/leadership_blog_577.htm
(22 min) but you can even watch a little and it's great !!

ONE degree can make all the difference....check it out !

2009-09-23T10:17:00.001-05:00

At 211º water is hot. At 212º, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam...and steam can power a locomotive. It's that ONE Extra Degree that makes all the difference.
Watch this short, but powerful clip!!
www.212movie.com

TODAY matters ! Make decisions early !

2009-09-21T13:31:00.003-05:00

I was listening to a clip of an audio this morning by John Maxwell, and this simple concept jumped out at me. If you do not make decisions about events in your life, your goals or your future, you cannot manage those decisions. We all MUST have a personal mission statement, and make decisions that will govern our lives...and only then can we manage those decisions on a daily basis. to hear more of the clip..... click here ! :) Today Matters by John C. Maxwellhttp://tinyurl.com/a9dhno

Go ABOVE and Beyond today !

2009-09-17T08:52:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from: The Simple Truths of Service, by Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz
Great Service is a Choice
No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice. Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey. He handed my friend a laminated card and said:
"I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk, I'd like you to read my mission statement."
Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said:
Wally's Mission Statement:To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment
This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!
As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."
My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink."
Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice."
Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke"
Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustratedand USA Today."
As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio."
As if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of the day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights, or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.
"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?"
Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'
"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."
"I take it this has paid off for you," Harvey said.
"It sure had," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action."
Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all th reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.
Johnny the Bagger and Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. They decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. How about you?

YOU CAN !!

2009-09-15T13:51:00.002-05:00

Tony Robbins tweeted this on twitter the other day! It is truly amazing to watch !
http://bit.ly/49Qv0M
Watch, be inspired and know that YOU CAN!!

A little about me to start :)

2009-09-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

My family on vacation in Florida: Myself, my twins, Kolton & Noah, My husband Bob, our daughter Savanna and our youngest is Tucker.

Once I had the twins, and we had 3 children under the age of 3, I knew that I would not be returning to work, in the traditional sense...anytime soon. I wanted a way to be home for our kids, but also use my skills, and contribute to earning an income that could help with paying off debt, the cost of activities and raising 4 children, and also help with long term financial security. I found this team and many years later....I can only say "thank goodness!!" I've had another child since then and have been home for our kids this entire time, but still able to run a business from home that is flexible, fun, rewarding and really helps other people on a daily basis. I love what I do, and cannot imagine doing anything else !!

http://www.MothersOnAMission.com/

Helping Moms Work from home since 1999 !