Dave Park "The Maverick Builder"

You work 12 hours a day leaving little time for your family or friends. Your relationships suffer, you kids have problems, and you can't seem to find some down time. You don't like your life, but you cannot afford to stop what you do. Each day goes by slower but you cannot seem to catch up.

Big John Henry had a hammer.

You feel like you have very little choices. You live out of obligation and spend your time making the best of a bad situation or just a situation. You work to maintain your lifestyle. You are trapped, held hostage by your choices. You may possibly regret where you are at now and cannot see where you are going.

Big John Henry had a hammer.

What's the problem in your life? Could it be that the main problem with your lifestyle is that you work too much. How ironic! The solution has become the problem and denying or ignoring the problem guarantees that it will persist.

Big John Henry had a hammer.

Now you know the truth what are you going to do about it? Where do you start? How do you start? Do you want to start?

Big John Henry had a hammer.

Start with values. Clarify and prioritize your values. (Family, friends, fun, finances, career, health, education, spirituality, and charity) Now add specific details and dates to hold you accountable.

Next make your decisions consistent with these values. Do not agree to disagree with yourself. Do not compromise on values. Making decisions that analogous with your values leads to fulfillment (bringing about something expected, desired, or promised), peace of mind (a calm and quiet state, free from disturbances or noise), and joy (feeling of great happiness or pleasure). . . . Is Dr. Phil in here?

Don't wait to find out how your life is going to turn out. Choose now to plan your life and live your dreams, because . . . . . . nobody wants to be swinging Big John's hammer for the rest of their lives!

The Sandwich Generation

No not the family that put together gourmet peanut butter and boysenberry jelly on whole wheat, 9 grain bread. I am speaking of the growing number of American families that are caring for elderly parents while continuing to raise their own children.

This generation is struggling in the current economic environment. The parents are trying to maintain their independence and the children are trying to find the answers.

There are an estimated 16 million Americans in this group and the numbers continue to swell with report of growth to 75 million in the next 25 years.

How can you help?

Build your team, your network, your concierge service, and your listening skills.

This generation is going to need help with financial issues (estate planning, legal, insurance, transportation, and health care), and if prepared, you can make a tremendous in them.

Be prepared! Don't let any discussion with this generation become awkward. Know what questions to ask and have the network in place to help them. If your passion is helping this group, you will build rapport and your name will spread like wild fire.

Raising our children, while caring for an aging loved one is a unique devotion that requires patience, selflessness, and organization. It will require the same of you and your network to be of assistance.

Now go and bag your lunch, and don't forget the Twinkies!

It's not Makeup!

Foundation. It is what you business is built on. It is the mortar and bricks that should be carrying the weight of the current Real Estate cycle. It is the vapor barrier that keeps the moisture out and the rot away.

How is your foundation holding up in this storm? Where do you stand to relieve the stress? How do you get recharged?

According to Larry Murr, a columnist for Pro Remodeler, there are four areas in our life that we must constantly balance that are essential to growth: spiritual, emotional, metal, and physical.

A strong faith can provide comfort and insight. This is the footing on which you started your business. These beliefs need to be used to strengthen and keep you focused on what is really important in life.

Emotion is a driving force but do not let passion push emotion aside. You need to learn to focus on the things that you have control over, knowing that the rest will fall into place. No roller coaster ride here, just a "think I can to know I can" train ride.

Mental is knowledge and this is very powerful. Keeping up with the latest changes in your industry helps you know where you are and where you are going. Information is not knowledge. It is only converted to knowledge by your mental implementation of the information.

Physical is "well being". This area keeps you from the self pity parties. Your best decisions are made when you are feeling "fit". Feeling good, looking good!

When one of these areas is the only focus, our business foundation may settle and even crack. But you can fix these areas with an inspection and find a mason (mentor) to repair any damage to the foundation.

When all four are put together properly, your business can weather any storm and like a good wine, become better with age!

Where do we start? Well at the beginning, of course! Oh the places you can go!

In the morning when you awake you open your eyes.
You have a vision of what the morning or day will bring.

You to should have a vision for your business. Goals. Strategy. Tactics. Ideas.

Simply put:

Vision: How you see your business in the future
Goals: Timelines to meet your vision
Strategy: A plan to meet your goals
Tactics: Daily, weekly, Monthly, Quarterly operations implemented toward your strategy

All business and individuals should have these 4 variables addressed and shared your team.

These answers are a map. A business map.

Why, because without a map, where is your business going?
Without a map, where are your people going?
Without a map, what are you working towards?
Without a map, why will they follow you?

Where do you want your business to be in 5 years? What goals are necessary to reach this vision? Will your current strategy allow you to meet these goals? What can you change to increase your success? What ideas do you have that reach out and create business?

Implementation of ideas that creates an impact on business can be dynamic!

But, small business owners find it difficult to implement and integrate these ideas in their current business structure. Platforms (changes in structure) should be reviewed as necessary to address the tactical nature of the business.

These tactical decisions direct the performance strategy of business and the final vision of business.

Businesses can find opportunities with other businesses that have the same vision.

1. Have you told anyone about your vision?
2. Have you set goals to meet your vision? Are they realistic?
3. Have you researched the different strategies that are available to you?
4. Have you looked into why others in your profession are successful?

You do not have to write a business plan. This is not a college thesis.

This is a business, your business. Now take the reins and let's go!

Take the first step. Start an Business Journal.

Don't just visualize, write them down.

Write down your vision.
Write down your goals.
Write down your current strategy.
Write down your tactics.

Write down the answers and place them in plain sight. Look at each one every day. Evaluate and adjust each as they change.

If you are a owner, share these with other owners. If you are in sales, share these with other sales people and the owner.

Take the first step to change, challenge, and connect your business.
Take the first step to grow, expand, and build your business.
Take the first step to work on your business, not in your business.

One Step, Two Step, Red Foot, Blue Foot. . . . . . Take the first step!

The Future is Closer Than You Think!

If you punch in your GPS you are very specific. 4020 Lakeside Drive, Raleigh, NC.

When you go on vacation you tell people, "I'm going to Disney World in Orlando."

And if you go even farther you skip the place and just say "We are going to the Europe."

It seems that we spend a lot of time describing a future product or promotion. We do not make it real. We generalize the way we describe it, making it farther away for our clients. "We're going to launch a new product or promotion next year" sounds a lot more distant than handing someone a prototype and saying, "We launch this product on January 3rd at 2 pm in Raleigh."

If you want your clients to embrace your version of the future (product or promotion), talk about it like it is right around the corner, not on another continent. -twisted godin

Some business owners have a much bigger picture of the business they are creating and marketing sells that picture.

Your marketing must continuously evolve to remain relevant.

The day is coming when consumers, customers, and clients will require instantaneous information, with the spoils being accorded to those who prepare and offer the best picture (product).

Make you next marketing innovation count; the future is closer than it may appear!