Show Your Gratitude

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

Does this image look familiar to you? It's a basic thank you note, one that arrives in the mail. When was the last time you got a thank you note? I bet it was the first piece of mail you opened that day, right? Handwritten notes are special, and they have become more special in recent years, as it has become commonplace to connect via email.

Better question: When was the last time you sent a thank you note?

No matter how many times I say it, I still hear of people sending their thank you notes via email. While that's perfectly fine, the top 1% of all achievers take the time to do 1%-er activities ... among them, sending a hand-written thank you note when appropriate.

Let's talk about when it's a great idea to send a note: 

(a) someone does something nice for you or on your behalf (which may save you time, energy and/or money), 
(b) someone treats you to a meal or a cup of coffee, 
(c) someone refers you a potential client*, 
(d) when you receive a gift of any kind (even if you don't love it), 
(e) someone takes the time to meet with you, or 
(f) you feel the need to say thank you. 

Show your gratitude, and always be sure to say it in writing.
It only takes a few moments to write out a note, and I suggest making it a Notable Note: one that will leave an impression and express how appreciative you feel.

Keep a stack of notes on your desk with a roll of stamps. Make time each day to send a note to a few people who have made a difference in that day. Those few minutes may be the catalyst for something amazing happening later. Attorney John Kralik used this method, and it changed his life. You'll enjoy reading his book.

Simple Steps for Writing a Notable Note:

The Rule of Three:

• Take 3 minutes: a notable note will take three minutes or less to write, address, stamp and send
• 3 Sentences: The heart of your note will include three sentences:
• Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
• I enjoyed learning more about the clients you serve and your philosophy on wealth management.
• I look forward to making powerful introductions to you and for you.
• Within 3 days. Be sure to mail your note within three days

Notable Notes:

• are written in blue ink. It looks original and positive.
• are simple: Use unbranded cards with a symbol or your monogram. It’s a personal note.
• are dated: Include the date in this format: Friday, January 3, 2014
• contain an appropriate salutation: Use a title and various parts of someone’s name to signal more or less familiarity, more or less formality, such as: Dear Alexandra {or Lexi} or Dear Bill {or William}
• include a P.S. {post script} with a call-to-action, asking the recipient to call or email you.

Be a 1%-er and start sending notes today. You'll be glad you did!

*If you actually get the new client, be sure to do something expressing your wallet's gratitude, in addition to a note.

Triumphing Over Challenges

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

Just when you think the way has cleared for a smooth ride, challenges come up just to keep things interesting. How do you find success in the face of setbacks? You follow a simple set of strategies that make all the difference.

1. Strategy #1: The minute you decide to stay in the game, you're in the top 10%. About 90% of people simply give up, so by re-committing to your desired outcome, you're already way ahead!
2. Strategy #2: Surround yourself with winners. Your associates determine your success, so choose wisely who you have around you.
3. Strategy #3: Make your self-talk superb. Create a personal mantra, like, "I can do this!" or "I am unstoppable!" and use it to keep your mind right.
4. Strategy #4: Mistakes are invaluable, so learn from them. Super-achievers know they will either (a) do well in something they undertake or (b) learn some valuable lessons. Most successful people actually "fail their way to success."
5. Strategy #5: Don't marinate in your failure. A quick recovery is key to upward mobility. The longer you spend feeling sorry for yourself, wallow or whine, the longer it will take for you to regain your moment. Just like in prize-fighting, you've got exactly ten seconds to get up and if you don't, you've lost the fight. Decide that no matter what knocks you down, it won't keep you down.

When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade or lemon mousse! You decide to be a winner and let the best you shine through.

Achieving Your Big Hairy Audacious Goals with Brain Surgery Time

***After you read this post, be sure to visit me at my new home here.***

As discussed last week in my post on challenges, BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) are the goals that get you up early and keep you up late. Very often I find that people who set the biggest of the BHAGs are the ones that have other things on their plates ... other jobs, responsibilities and distractions. In order to achieve your goals in record time, use a strategy known as Private Work Time (PWT), or as I call it: Brain-Surgery Time (BST).

Here’s the analogy: five minutes from now you fall to the floor, unconscious. After being rushed to the emergency room, doctors run tests and determine you need brain surgery. Good news! The most respected and highly skilled brain surgeon in the world is available to work on you (and miraculously, he’s covered by your insurance). He’s available tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to complete the five hours of surgery necessary to save your life. Can you think of any reason you would miss the opportunity to have him do your surgery? Of course not! You would be there, regardless of any other phone call, email or interruption that might come up.

When you schedule time to do what needs to be done, time working on your business, working in your business, and quality time with your family, your kids, and yourself, you must treat it like “BST,” or, an action item that simply must be done, cannot be missed.

Of course you can be flexible – and you can also learn to stay focused on what is truly important to you. When an opportunity to close a deal or pitch a prospect arises, simply reschedule your blocked time so the important goal-achieving activities get done at your next possible opportunity. When the phone rings or email dings, wait until your next break to answer it so you don't break your flow.

To execute: Use BST in the form of time blocks to make measurable progress toward your goals. Schedule an hour each week to do your planning. Turn off the phones, pagers, cell phones, email and television. Block out time for what’s most important, and you'll find that as you close the door on your week, you will be closing in on your BHAGs.

“We all have the same 24-hours each day. The difference between your future success or failure is up to you, your attitude and where you focus your time.” ~Honorée Corder