Speaking is Selling. Mark A. Vickers

book is easy, but taking action is required and the only way to get results.

      What will it mean to you WHEN:

       You stand out from the crowd?

       You provide value to the people unlike what they have experienced?

       You create customers for life?

       You create a Personal Brand and reputation that is so strong you never have to market yourself because everyone else does it for you?

      If you want to be successful and generate the kind of results you deserve, you are probably screaming YES to each of these. Well then:

       Take Responsibility

      Take 100% responsibility for everything you are and everything you do.

      Here is a list of some of the items you need to take complete responsibility for in your own world:

       Your Health

       Your Wealth

       Your Fitness

       Your Skills and Personal Development

       Your Time

       Your Attitude

       Your Motivation

       Your Focus

       Your Friends

       Your Relationships

       Your Life

      Notice that it is completely up to you.

      I guarantee very few things but I will guarantee this:

       If you are blaming others for ANYTHING, you will NOT be successful

      When it comes to how the World sees you, there is another list of items you need to take 100% responsibility for:

       Your Personal Brand

       Your Image

       Your Appearance

       Your Products and Services

       Your Accuracy AND Your Mistakes

      PLEASE NOTE: The preceding lists are not complete. When you want to be successful you need to take responsibility for EVERYTHING in your world, from who you are, to how others see you, to everything you touch.

      Being a successful grown-up is a LOT of responsibility.

      While it is important to take responsibility there are some things that are outside of your control. In situations where you have no control over an issue or event and cannot take ultimate responsibility, you can take responsibility for how YOU react and how you present your reactions.

      You get to choose; blame others or be successful by

       Taking Responsibility!

       5

       Find Something You Can Be Passionate About

       You wanted to be a Doctor,

       Nurse, Soldier, Beautician,

       or a Carpenter.

       You probably changed your

       mind 20 times as you were

       growing up.

       The message from your

       mother was always the same:

       “Find Something You Can Be

       Passionate About.”

      When you are presenting information, the more passionately you present and the more you believe in what you are saying, the more successful you will be in motivating others.

      Passion is extremely contagious and they will feel it from you. They will become more passionate about what you are talking about and then you can start to trigger emotional responses from them.

       Are you Passionate about your work?

      Your ultimate success will depend on the amount of passion you have for what you do.

      Just imagine experiencing the Passion Symptoms:

       Waking up EVERY morning and saying “I can’t wait to get started”

       Being excited about the next challenge in front of you

       Knowing you are helping people every day

       Working long hard hours and loving it

      That is what finding your passion is about. If you are not experiencing some or all of these feelings you are NOT following your passion.

      Highly successful people are ALWAYS passionate about what they do.

      If you are not sure how passionate you are about your work, start with the following question:

       Am I prepared to settle for a JOB

       OR

       Do I want to Live My Passion in this world?

      You may decide that:

       It’s ok to settle

       That Living My Passion sounds like too much work

       Following my passion sounds too risky

      There is nothing wrong with settling for a JOB or deciding that you are content with where you are right now. The most important thing is that you make a conscious decision not simply accept the status quo as a default position.

       Personal Confession:

       I worked in Information Technology for 20 years

       I was pretty darned good at it (I am a geek at heart)

       I was a Senior Director of E-Commerce before most people knew what E-Commerce was

       I enjoyed my JOB

       I was NEVER passionate about my work

      When I worked in the corporate world, the ONLY part of my job that I was passionate about was helping my staff develop, succeed and be good people. The work was important but the people really mattered.

       Finding your passion is an incredible gift!

      I wish I could give you the secret to finding your passion but I know it takes time, often years. You may be questioning whether you are following your passion or asking what your passion is.

       The Passion Check

      Use this test to check your passion and where you go next:

      Step 1 – Ask yourself: Do I

       Wake up every morning saying “I can’t wait to get started”

       Get excited about the next challenge

       Know I am helping people every day

       Work long hard hours and love it

      If you answered yes, Congratulations, you are probably following your passion. Skip to Step 3.

      Step 2 – If you are not following