You’ll notice a theme of being a friend in today’s newsletter. The more I work on my own life and help others on the path toward success the more I see the importance of loving relationships. “Success” cannot be achieved in isolation. It is the result of combined efforts - yours and that of many others around you. Look for ways to strengthen your relationships and your success will soar.
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"Dreams are but thoughts until their effects be tried." -- William Shakespeare
Last Thursday my daughter Ashley and I drove down to Atlanta to attend author Keith Ferrazzi’s presentation on his newest book - Who’s Got Your Back? Keith talked about the critical importance of having 3 deep personal relationships.
The University of Phoenix has discovered that if someone has a study buddy they are three times more likely to complete their program compared to someone trying to do it alone.
Bishop T.D. Jakes says that we all need someone to weep with us when we weep and to rejoice with us when we rejoice. He says you can’t be a David until you find your Jonathan.
As a young eager learner I read Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. In that old classic the author made it clear that we all need a MasterMind Group - a practice that I continue today with my Wednesday morning Eagles Group.
On Thursday night Keith told us that if you have 3 trusting relationships you are set up to experience a disproportionate level of success. In the research for the book they found that roughly 50% of Americans could not identify one person who has their back.
If you’re struggling, perhaps the next step in releasing your success is not another degree, a guaranteed salary, a bank loan, a secure patent or a winning lottery ticket - but rather a friend you can confide in. How do you find a friend? Be the friend everyone is looking for.
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In the Feb 17th newsletter I listed some principles for being a friend: How to Win Friends - and Jobs
I’m currently working with a physician, a high level specialist who is respected nationally. Yet his description of his situation is summed up in - “I’m at the top of my game and I have no life.” Yes, working 100 hours a week will culminate in that unfortunate end result, no matter how excellent and rewarding your work may be.
This physician is trapped in the model of generating linear income only. He gets paid very well but as soon as he stops operating or consulting his income stops as well.
Is it possible to leverage his expertise in ways that will create income while he sleeps? - Absolutely. Here’s just one example:
Every year he speaks at Harvard Medical School on the business principles used by Four Seasons Hotel for excellent customer service and employee commitment. He does this for free and just enjoys the break from his office (while his income stops).
My recommendation to him is this: Look at your Four Seasons presentation as a body of intellectual property rather than just as a speech. You’ve already done the hard work to create the content. Consider:
Creating a 3-ring binder instructional manual complete with your text, graphs, charts, and perhaps an audio CD or a demonstration DVD. And suddenly you have a residual income possibility. If the message is focused toward medical students then your marketing focus would be quite simple to develop. If you gave that a great title with an attractive physical presentation you could position it at maybe $189. Your target market is easy to identify. If you sold to only 1% of the 301,270 physicians in the United States alone, you would significantly increase your net income from that one thing alone. And the pressure of continuing your income with the insane hours required would evaporate.
Having the very prestigious Harvard University as your established venue, you could now offer to make the same presentation to 12 other medical schools. Yes, you could still offer to come for free - or perhaps just ask for travel expenses. But then approach 3-4 major corporate sponsors for let’s say a $20,000 sponsorship package. Pfizer, Mercedes, Bank of America and Four Seasons are just the beginning possibilities. You can modify those numbers any way you want but the implications are clear. Here’s a step-by-step guide for writing a corporate sponsorship proposal.
Most of you reading this probably have a similar area of intellectual expertise. How could you leverage what you know rather than just doing what you do? What other opportunities do you have for creating residual income?
Welcome to 48 Days radio where each week I look through the submitted questions and then blast through as many as possible right here to give you the unique tools for your own success.
I’m Missing Something
The first two questions here are representative of hundreds that we receive -- expressing the sense that the writer has still not discovered his/her "purpose." In my response I went through a step-by-step process for finding your "purpose." You don't need to be in the dark. I'm confident you can find yours.
I am missing that "something" inside that says "yes, this is what I want". How do I find this "something" ?
I just can't seem to figure out what my calling is. What was I put on this planet to do? What in the world am I here for?
What credentials do you think would be required for a Management Coach? I have a BS in Civil Engineering, but that does not reflect management capabilities.
How do I handle possible copyright issues by using the quotes from famous people that I used to generate an idea or point-of-interest in a blog post or book I may write?
I am currently stuck in a career that is dragging me down. I dread each morning going to work, but I also have feelings of guilt because I know there are thousands of people without jobs. I have been dealing with this day after day for at least a couple of years now, and something needs to change.
I was just wondering what should be my first approach to opening a Christian cafe/ social club for my community. No, I have never run a business before but grew up with a mother who owned her own store/restaurant and rented apartments.
I am looking at purchasing an existing landscaping company with good sales and margins. I am a Mechanical Engineer by degree, but I love being outside and talking to people (atypical engineer). While I think this is a good opportunity, I am concerned by whether I have narrowed my view of potential businesses too much.
***************************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
And you can click the link below to listen to this week’s broadcast immediately - no downloading - no wait.
Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? This is a common issue with the physicians, dentists, attorneys and pastors who let us know they're looking for more. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages: Coaching with Dan
***************************** 48Days.net
At 48Days.net you’ll see over 3500 other excited people who have ideas - and they’re willing to share those with you to help your business grow and profit. If you want your life to be different this year, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost - just lots of people who are committed to helping each other succeed.
****************************** The ups and downs of respected careers
Think being a firefighter, doctor or movie star would be all peaches and cream? I know there’s a little bit of believing the “grass is always greener” in all of us. But when it comes to careers, they likely all have some ups and downs. Thanks for Jennifer O’Donnell for sending me this link: The ups and downs of respected careers
****************************** Homeless for the Holidays
Yes, that’s the title of a new movie George Johnson is making about his experience in being unemployed. To purchase Christmas gifts for his children, he cleaned garages for income and bought presents at "dollar" stores. Now he’s making a movie about his frightening experience: Homeless for the Holidays
****************************** Are you ready for change?
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. What's the best environment for you to live out your "calling?" You can find out here.
In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer
If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. ~Edgar Watson Howe
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. ~Samuel Johnson
She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind. ~Toni Morrison, Beloved
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen
And one that Joanne and I set as a goal many years ago before we were married:
Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859
Do you know how to take advantage of change?"?
