Steven Covey and His Rocks

Steven Covey died last week at the age of 79 from a fall on his mountain bike.

We lost a great motivator and someone who understood the power and need to control the way we think and act. No victim thinking in his world, only ownership of your thoughts and actions.

His groundbreaking book "The 7 Habits of Successful People" laid out the way all the successful people he studied approached their life and business:

Habit 1: Be proactive

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

Habit 5: See First to Understand, then to convince

Habit 6: Synergize

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

The tool I use the most in my practice is this short video about Rocks and Pebbles - a classic on time management and how to increase your focus and productivity and really incorporate all of the above into habits that will last a lifetime. It's about 8 minutes that are more than worth the time.

Thanks Steven!

All the best,

Rick Wallace

Finishing Well

"The List of Choices - Remarkable Work is always not on the list, because if it was, it would be commonplace, not remarkable. "

 - Seth Godin

From Seth Godin:

"It's not enough to finish the checklist, to hurriedly do the last three steps and declare victory.

In fact, the last coat of polish and the unhurried delivery of worthwhile work is valued all out of proportion to the total amount of effort you put into the project.

It doesn't matter how many designers, supply chains, workers, materials and factories were involved--if the box is improperly sealed, that's how you will be judged."

'Nuff Said!

All the best,

Rick Wallace 

Referrals and Fresh, Sweet Blueberries

"84% of all purchases in the US are generated via word of mouth." 

 - Brian Tracy quoting Recent AMA Study

I normally don't do this but I have a good friend (Satnam Basra)  who has worked his butt off for the last 3 years to follow his WHY, his passion. He planted and grows 11 acres of blueberries in front of his beautiful house on Shimerville Rd. in Clarence between Roll and Clarence Center roads. He has 4 varieties which will ripen in stages all through the summer. He has drive-through service (already picked) or U Pick'em. I just stopped by and talked a little business with him. The bushes are loaded and of course we walked and sampled as we went. They are "great" and of course good for you.

Take a drive over and pick some up, or take the kids and have some fun picking. Blueberries are easy to pick in nicely mowed, grass lined rows and nothing creates memories like picking fruit with your kids.

After your visit - Satnam will ask for your email address. He will notify all his customers when the next variety is ready, provide TIPS and recipes every other week, and "offers'" that can be given to your friends. (Smart businessman, huh?).

As I was standing there I asked a lady who just picked and bought some berries if she would like to supply her email address. I  told her we would notify her when the next variety is ready and things like that. She said, "sure and it would be great to get recipes and how to freeze tips, etc. from you."  What a confirmation of the power of nurturing and serving customers via email.

All the best,

Rick Wallace 

The Most Expensive Thing A Person Can Own is A Closed Mind

"The wisest mind has something yet to learn." 

 - George Santayana, Philosopher

Two quotes for one this week.

I asked a client the other day what he had to overcome to make the call and retain a coach. It is not an easy call to make, I know that. I was curious about why he and others have made that call and why most business owners I know have not.

He said:

"Rick I used to have an ego that prevented me from asking for help in anything I did or tried to do. Exposing my "weaknesses" scared me. As a business owner you need to have an ego, but it should not prevent you from getting smarter and better. I have gotten to the point now that if it will make my business better and my life better I seek out help. I cannot know everything.

I hired a consultant several years back and paid him $20,000 to give me ideas and best practices that would improve my business. He left me with the plans and I did not get much out of it. I still have the books.

Coaching is different. You not only bring the ideas and best practices, but you bring the ongoing accountability and focus that every business owner needs. I have had to develop new habits and a renewed focus to really improve the business. I learned to set goals, prioritize actions, focus, follow through and execute. I did all the work - you showed me a better way to do it.

That takes a coach, not a business consultant. Sales are up, profits are up, the team is more accountable and I'm enjoying it all more.

Setting aside the ego was easy. Once you realize you are still in charge and that your issues and weaknesses are not unique, the fear of exposing them disappears."

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem.

That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily."

-- Dr. Thomas Szasz

I couldn't help it 3 quotes in one.

All the best,
Rick Wallace