The above photo is of co-author, Dr. Bill Dyment’s father who served in the U.S. Army in Korea (1953)
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When people hear us say that a life of serving is the ultimate benchmark of having “fired one’s excuses” their thoughts often go to their level of involvement in local charities, international relief organizations and their kid’s sports equipment drive. We support such big serving activities too.
At their best, these campaigns and causes can have a tremendous impact on the classroom, the community and the world. They can teach citizenship, make a difference for those suffering with debilitating diseases and mountainous challenges, and help to rescue those suffering gross social injustices and poverty. But, at their worst, these big, public, serving activities can devolve into mandatory social obligations, feel far removed from real life, and even become “trendy.” Most of us have attended charity events that felt more like a place “to see and be seen.” Or, we have received correspondence from a company whose charitable or ecofriendly campaign appeared to be nothing more than a thinly-veiled marketing attempt to be seen as caring.
We’d like to encourage you to expand your view of service by going “small,” by thinking with us about creative, highly impactful and, in many cases, anonymous ways of “serving small.” This type of serving is one-to-one, impacting those you know well and those you don’t but with whom your lives intersect daily.
Here are 10 easy but powerful ways you can start serving small:
- Reach out to three of your LinkedIn connections each week and ask: “What are you working on (more formal) or “what are you up to these days? (less formal, for a closer colleague or friend.) Anything I can do to help?”
- Text three people and simply say: “I am thinking about you today, how are you doing with ______[insert challenge, big project, or blessing here.] If you are spiritually-minded you might say, “I know you are [dealing with a big challenge/decision, etc.] Just wanted to let you know I am think about you and praying for you today.”
Join us as we serve those affected by HIV in Kayamandi Township, South Africa, May 19-24, and receive a free Fire Your Excuses book!
You’re Invited to Join Dr. Bill Dyment in the Launch and Monetize Your Business
in 7 Days TeleSummit!!!
I am excited to share with you that I have been invited to take part in the Launch and Monetize Your Business Telesummit along with six other amazing speakers! This Telesummit is different from the others – there will be no fluff success stories here! This is the real stuff, the secrets I use to coach my clients to their business success!
I invite you to join me on March 25, 2014 at 9:00 pm EST for
Fire Your Excuses!
I will provide training on:
- Business Blind Spots: The three reasons most entrepreneurs fail and how you can side step them before you begin. (What you don’t know can kill your business.)
- Critical Connections: How to get the right “people on the bus” at the very first stop. (Your team is more important than your passion, will power and knowledge.)
- Perceived Value and Paying Your Bills: Three essential techniques to “keep the lights on” during the early phases of your business–The magic of beta rollouts, product packaging, and protective contracting.
- Strategic Serving: The Win-win-win. Impact your “community,” experience the “helper’s high,” and grow your business more rapidly than you ever thought possible.
Register Here: http://www.launchandmonetize.com/?ap_id=drbill
– phone lines limited for this FREE event, grab your web/phone line here!
The Telesummit will focus on the areas you need to get you and your business moving and profitable! During this 7 day information packed summit starting March 19th to 25th, an exciting interview will be unveiled every day to share new ideas, marketing trends, tips, the latest strategies, and inspiration to launch your business to the next level.
Think of it like “continuing education” for the entrepreneur, coach, and online business professional, there is something for everyone! And the best part is it’s free and you can attend from your laptop! For practical information, trend setting strategies and inspiration you can use NOW, grab your spot at the Launch and Monetize Your Business TeleSummit here: http://www.launchandmonetize.com/?ap_id=drbill
“See” you there!
Dr. Bill Dyment
Click here: http://www.launchandmonetize.com/?ap_id=drbill
Mastermind Groups:
Are You Missing Out?
In May, 2013, I formed a mastermind group of six with the help of my colleague and friend, Trent Adams. It is not an exaggeration to say it was the best business decision made all year. Not only have we dissected each of our businesses in a grueling but highly-rewarding fashion that would make the Shark Tank venture capitalists proud, we have laughed together, challenged, and been there for each other through personal and business changes, crises, and triumphs.
Our rules were fairly simple: Each person committed for three months to meeting for 90 minutes every Wednesday before work and 80% attendance was required, no exceptions. To our delight, it worked and all agreed to continue for at least a year. Today, we routinely turn down requests to join our group as word has got around that we have a good thing going. Truly, we all feel as if our investment of time has become an almost unfair business advantage. What’s more, it has been a commitment to myself and my business development, I wish I had implemented years ago. This post is designed to explain a bit more about mastermind groups, in general, to help you decide if joining or starting one is right for you too.
If you haven’t heard much about mastermind groups yet, you will. Thanks, in part, to the praise they have been receiving from some of the top business podcasters, they are springing up everywhere these days. Mastermind groups are usually limited to a maximum of 8-10 people. While not a new phenomenon—Ben Franklin was in a Philadelphia group he called the “junto” (latin for “meeting”) for 37 years, they are experiencing a fresh, 21st century resurgence. Some take place in-person, others are made possible by fast web-based video and cheap phone connections. All are fueled by a growing understanding that collaboration with others is the primary way of succeeding in today’s interdependent marketplace.
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Welcome Read to Lead Podcast listeners!
This week, Dr. Bill Dyment was Jeff Brown’s featured guest for Episode #024.
Click here to listen to the podcast
Click here to pick up your copy of Fire Your Excuses
To hear more of Jeff’s Podcast just click on the icon below:
We are also grateful to Forbes:
Click here to read Forbes Article on Stress Management
Click here to read Forbes Article on Workplace Personality Style
Click here to read Forbes Article on Surviving a Bad Boss
Click here to read New Year’s Day Forbes Article on 2014 Personal Goal-Setting
What happens to the “temperature” of the room when you walk in?
Andrea shuffles into the ballroom and sits a chair or two away from the nearest attendee. Her head down, she intently scrolls through her phone for a last minute message or two. A few moments later, she looks up and we greet her with a hello and a quick introduction. She politely responds and instantly resumes her typing. At that moment, Pam enters. Picking up the presentation materials and scanning the room for her preferred seat, she chooses one four rows from the front. Warmly, she introduces herself and says, “I am so looking forward to this. I hope we have a great turnout. We really need to hear this.” Immediately, those nearby turn toward her and begin to engage in conversation. She smiles broadly and laughs easily. Maybe, she is their manager, we guess. We soon learn we are wrong. Pam is a new hire. In fact, Andrea, who remains isolated by a wide buffer of empty chairs, is her boss.
Researchers have known for some time that those who express a joyful spirit also have the most influence, be it in a boardroom or among a group of friends. It is important to note that a warm or cold demeanor is something separate from one’s extrovert or introvert personality leanings. Case in point: Some of our most encouraging participants, never say a word throughout our seminars but their body language, facial expressions and eye contact exude openness and warmth.
In a fascinating study, father of positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, along with Harold Zullow examined the outcome of 10 presidential elections. With the exception of the 1968 campaign, November’s winner was the more optimistic one; even if he trailed in the polls! (see link)
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Thank you to all the mental health and addiction professionals who attended our October 25th Fire Your Excuses continuing education seminar. A big thank you also to our sponsors:
In Chapter One of Fire Your Excuses, “Blind Spots and Weaknesses,” we write: “Having a weakness is not the same thing as an excuse, not doing anything about it, is! John Wooden said it best, ‘Don’t let what you can’t do keep you from doing what you can.'”
Our challenge is two-fold: First, to honestly and accurately define our weaknesses. Then, second, to courageously seek out that one thing we can start to do, even this week, to begin the journey of turning that weakness into an emerging strength.
In the clip below, Kevin Gaffney shares about his battle with Multiple Sclerosis, also known as “MS.” Instead of allowing the challenges that many face with this disease to bring him down, Kevin founded, TEAM CRASH, a bike team that rides annually to raise money to find a cure for MS. Over time, Kevin has turned his weakness into a strength, and in so doing, empowered himself and many others to ride into their illness head on. Kevin is quick to add, “I ride because I can.” And each of us, inspired by his actions, must consider, “How about us?”
Fire Your Age-Related Excuses: [Video] 54-Year-Old Stuns ‘X-Factor’ Judges
Have you been using your age as an excuse not to pursue your “calling,” passion or career?
The truth is some are “winding it down” and others are looking ahead for their next challenge. What about you?
If you feel like there’s a big song still left in you, find someone your age or older for inspiration who is not being held back by the calendar and model your life after their courage. There are many ways to be 30, 50 even 80 and you get to choose.
Fire Your Excuses™ is delighted to be able to support World Vision’s Well Projects by donating 10% of all gross income to assist the people of Malawi, Africa, with clean water. When you enroll in a Fire Your Excuses™ coaching program, attend one of our seminars, or order our book, you are also giving the gift of life—fresh water to needy communities in Malawi, Africa, the world’s sixth poorest country.