Branson, Business and Beliefs

Do something

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:01:00 +0000

As I write it is fairly early on Easter Morning. These Ozarks Hills are in day three or four of a lot of rain. I hope you and your family had a great Easter.

Friday evening on my home from work, I was listening to a religious call in show. The caller was telling the host that she really felt like God wanted her to do something and she was in constant prayer. The host did a great job of talking about the power of prayer, the importance of prayer, but then said......but sometimes we need to get off our knees and do something.

This might offend some, it motivated me. This week, I would encourage you to challenge yourself to make two lists, the do and the don't do. Let me explain.

What are the things that you could stop doing this week, that would clear up time for you to be more productive in other areas of your life? Once you created your stop list, what are the things that you could start doing.

Easter is an opportunity for new beginnings; take some time this week to challenge yourself. If you are not quite sure what Easter is all about, please send me an email, I would love to tell you about it.

Have a great week and I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Can't cover everything up!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:56:00 +0000

This past weekend included some spring clean up chores, including putting new mulch down in the flower gardens.

As I was going to get the second load of mulch, Derinda was pulling weeds and getting things ready. I made a "half joking" comment that she didn't need to pull the weeds, we would just cover them up with the mulch. In her way, she said, it will just make it harder to clean up later. Her answer is the basis for this week's entry.

How many times in life do we make our tomorrow's more difficult but trying to make our today's easier? For example:

1. Every issue in your life has an origin. The sooner you get to the bottom of the problem (pull the weeds) the easier it is to move on.

2. We can talk the talk, wear the clothes, and try to fool others (put mulch down over the weeds), but until we actually do the work and prepare ourselves for success, no matter how hard you try, you can not fool yourself.

Some of you are probably rolling your eyes and saying how long a stretch this week's entry is. Really? Everyday, people are working hard to convince others that they are "putting in the work" to be successful. Everyday they do that, is a day closer to being figured out.

This week, spend some time in a serious conversation with yourself and do an honest self assessment about how you need to step up and "pull the weeds" in your life and get serious about your future. Work hard today and enjoy some easier tomorrows.

See you latter, have a great week.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

The "UNs" have it!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:34:00 +0000

The more "un" you have the more opportunity you have.

Think about it, to reach your highest level of success, you have to be uncertain and uncomfortable.

As I have said before, we rob the successful when we fail to give them the credit they deserve for their hard work, uncertainty, and how uncomfortable they were when they were coming up. I have no idea if these conversations actually happened or not. If I were a betting man, I would bet that they did.

"Oprah, who are you to think that you can become the first lady of media?"

"Barack, you are not well known enough to become president."

"Johnny, there is no way you can replace such a legend on late night talk." (Johnny Carson, still the king of late night talk.)

Because they achieved their goal (whether we like them or not) they achieved. Do you not believe, that they were uncomfortable and uncertain? Yet, they worked hard, they sacrificed, they felt the fear and did it anyway. I contend the more comfortable and certain you are in life, the less opportunity you have to grow.

Think about your life this week and grade your level of comfortable. If you want to grow, better get uncomfortable.

Have a great week, see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Do you follow the crowd?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:33:00 +0000

What a difference time can make. The hour before rush hour, the hour before lunch time, or the hour
before you go to work.

I went to the same store on two different occasions this past week. The first time, it was early in the morning around 5:15 am. The second time was 5:15 at night. In the morning, I parked at the door, walked in and got my items, walked right through check out (paid) and left. In the evening, I parked a long way from the store (which wasn't bad, I needed the exercise). For every item I needed there seemed to be people in my way that I had to wait on, I waited in line, and frankly had to wait to get out the door.

Now understand, this is not a entry complaining about the customer service of the store, it was actually pretty good. My point is, sometimes we are not willing to make adjustments to make our life simpler. For example:

1. Instead of shopping at 5:00 PM -- Shop early in the morning.

2. Instead of fighting rush hour traffic -- leave an hour early.

3. Instead of waiting until the last possible moment to get out of bed, get up an hour early and start your day in a relaxing manner. Spend that time exercising or spend time with God.

It all comes down to decisions. When you decide to follow the crowd, the results are predictable. However, adjust your time frame a bit and adjust your results. Think about how you can improve your life this week by seeing where and how the crowd is going and go a difference direction. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

She called her shot!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:59:00 +0000

KRZK, 106.3 FM, gave away a trip to Las Vegas. The trip is billed as the country music fans dream trip of a lifetime. Part of the giveaway process was a take it or leave it. During take it or leave it, if your name is drawn out, you have the opportunity to take a $600 dollar prize and forego the chance to win the trip.

The first person, Megan Miller, who had the chance on take it or leave it, shook her head no and said, "I'm going to Vegas." About thirty minutes later, Megan won the grand prize. Watching that gave me some questions for you to consider this week.

Are you there to win or just happy to be there? Megan was not there just to win something, she wanted to go to Vegas and she was either going to Vegas or not, she was not going to settle for anything else.

Do you have a goal with that much focus? I am not saying that because Megan was so focused she won. I am saying that she was there to go to Vegas and nothing was going to take her focus away.

When you think about it, everyone of us are faced with take it or leave every single day. The opportunity to hit the snooze button or get up and get your day started. The opportunity to watch more TV or computer time, or work out and get to feeling better. The opportunity to save money or waste it.

As you take on your week, just realize that each decision has a take it or leave it aspect. Each decision will move you closer to your goal or further away. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

He loves to compete.

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Sports interviews are often full of cliches and the obvious. Especially the interviews where the reporter is trying to talk with the coach and all the coach wants to do is get to the locker room and talk with his team. However, one of those interviews provided the topic for this week's edition.

Bob Huggins, coach of West Virginia, was answering a question about one of his guards. He basically said, the kid was not the most talented or skilled, but he just loved to compete. So this week, think about these questions.

1. Do you love to compete? Loving to compete means that you are interested in what you have instead of what you don't. You are focused on getting the job done and not all the distractions.

2. Do you compete mentally? I understand that a certain amount of market research is needed, but when you love to compete you are so focused on your abilities, your preparation, and your products that it really does not matter what your competition does.

3. Does a good challenge get your blood pumping? In sports, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. The same could be true in your life. Learn to love a challenge.

Think about those questions, and go out and compete this week. Have a great week, see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

What is your seed?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:39:00 +0000

This is a huge week for college basketball fans. The teams have been announced, the play in games have been set, now it is time to dance. What can we learn from it?

1. Teams prepare, practice, and play hard to reach their goal of playing in the big tournament.

The first question you should ask yourself is what is your goal. Second, are you preparing, practicing, and playing hard to reach that goal? I realize that life is a little more complicated than college basketball. At the same time, you only get one shot at this thing called life, should you not maximize this opportunity by having a goal?

2. Teams are constantly reviewing game tapes to prepare for their opponents and to improve their own performance.

What are you doing to improve your performance? Are you getting feedback on your life, so you can strive to getter better?
Getting feedback from a trusted source is key to knowing what to do to get better.

3. Simply put, the teams have to play the games to win the tournament.

Have you heard the old saying, "The majority of life is just showing up!"? Life is a participation sport. Are you living life to the fullest or are you too worried about losing to win. You have to make things happen, take your shots in life and if you miss, go get the rebound and try again.

Life is more complicated than a basketball tournament. But there are a number of principles of a winning team that transfers to life. Every day is your big dance, play it to win.

Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Consistency always provides results!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:19:00 +0000

What kind of results do you want?

Have you heard the story about the person who lost 200 lbs, 50 pounds at a time? The original story was not about me, but it could have been. I can't tell you how many times in my life I have lost 20 pounds, but it has been a bunch. But hey, I am consistent. I work my butt off and eat right, lose weight, then go back to eating poorly and not working out, then I start over. See, consistency always provides results.

When I consistency work out and eat right, the result is to lose weight.

When I park my butt on the couch and eat poorly, the result is to gain weight.

Whether you are training a puppy, leading a sales team, raising kids, or working out, consistency will provide you the results.

As you look forward to your week, think about your consistency. Your consistency is giving you your results. What changes do you need to make? Here are some examples.

1. If you consistently work out and eat right, you will look and feel better.

2. If you consistently think negative, complain, and whine about your situation, you will constantly find out why things or situations will not work for you.

This week, work on improving your consistent behavior and you will see the results. Have a great week and I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Adjustment Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:15:00 +0000

How is the attitude today? Are you ready for the week?

It must suck to be a Monday. People always are putting Mondays down. I have heard people actually say that they start dreading Monday on Friday Night. On the reverse, everyone gets excited about Friday. You ask some people how they are doing on Friday and they simply answer the question, It's Friday!

What if today was your last day, would it matter what day it was? Tim McGraw's song, "Live like you were dying" is powerful because it demonstrates how fast our lives can change. Lives change everyday, we have all experienced those changes, parents die, cancer is detected, jobs are lost. So why does it really matter what the day is, shouldn't we be thankful and go live it?

As a Christian, I realize and will say that some of our silly Christian sayings are more annoying than comforting. They make me want to slap someone, with the love of Jesus in my heart of course. With that said, each day is truly a gift. Here are some suggestions to go make it happen.

1. Do the worst thing you have to do today, early in the day. Once you have that done, your day is all down hill.

2. Think of someone who would love to be in your place. There are prisoners, cancer patients, and unemployed people who would give anything for your to do list. Think of them, say a prayer for them and stop your whining and make things happen.

3. Reward yourself. As you progress through your to do list, give yourself a break or reward for doing it.

Remember how blessed you are this week and go make something good happen. Have a great week and I will talk to you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

How can you not care?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:38:00 +0000

This past weekend, Derinda and I traveled to see our daughter in St. Louis. During a stop, we noticed a little girl who could not find her mom. Just as I was approaching the girl, her mom found her. It brought to mind something I witnessed that has always had a strong impact on me.

While "warming up" for a church league softball game a number of years ago, I saw a small toddler walking with what I thought was his family. I took the softball and knelt down and allowed him to hold the ball and try to throw it back. I looked up at what I thought was his family and they showed no emotion and continued to slowly walk to the parking lot.

Once the "family" reached their car, I watched in amazement as the toddler was left standing inches from the car as the car backed off and drove away. Obviously, the toddler was not part of their family and by their actions, they could not be bothered with the toddlers safety.

I remember picking up the toddler and walking back to try to find his parents. I will never forget the look in the young father's eyes, he was big, strong, good looking and scared to death and very appreciative. But this story is not about me, the father, or the kid, it is about a family who could turn their back on a toddler.

I don't understand how you can do that. You probably don't either. I use this story to ask you two questions.

1. You would probably never turn your back on a toddler, have you turned your back on your dreams?

2. You would probably do all you could do to make sure that a toddler was taken to safety, are you willing to work out and take care of your health to give you your best shot for safety?

Just some food for thought this week. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Let's Talk!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 12:43:00 +0000

Have you heard about the two brothers? One could make you mad inviting you to dinner. The other one could tell you to go to hell and have you looking forward to the trip.

Regardless of your role in life, there is a lesson for all of us.

The communication process is roughly 94% nonverbal and 6% verbal. That is why a simple email exchange can become very emotional, the reader is forced to put in their own non verbal or emotion.

Some suggestions for your next tough conversation.

Lose the whole I am the boss attitude. If you have to spend time reminding them
that you are the boss or the manager, you have bigger problems. Instead, talk to them about their responsibilities and make sure that they are clear on your expectations.

2. Provide specific examples of how they are not achieving those expectations, break it down. You are not hitting your sales goals is the result of other problems. A better approach is to go through the sales process and find the real issues.

3. Allow the employee time to say whatever they want to say. People need to feel respected, you earn their respect when you truly listen.

Make sure that everyone is clear on the plan. Notice, I said clear, not that everyone agreed. Here is where you might have to remind them of your responsibility of making sure they achieve their expectations. Have them write out the steps they are going to take to correct the problem.

Don’t have a dog house. Always end a tough conversation with a reminder that this is not personal and it is over when they leave the office.

If you have some tough conversations to have, try these simple steps and decide which brother you want to be like. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Take care of what ya got!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Are you taking care of what you have been given?

A weird question to start our visit this week, but yet one that is worthy of consideration. It is very easy to fall victim to the “ if I had” or the “when I” that sometimes we don’t concern ourselves with what we have now.

Have you ever said or thought?....

If I had more money, I would...

If I had more time, I would...

When I get married, I will...

When we have kids, we will...

When I retire, I will...

You know that I am a big fan of goals, dreams, and plans. Just don’t miss out on life because you are always in the goals, dreams and plans mode. I once worked for a man who prided himself on never being “tactical.”

You know what happened? Not much. We had great plans, statements, and visions. We just never really implemented anything. Again, plans, statements, and visions are an important part of life and a business, but it sure helps to occasionally accomplish some things too.

My challenge to you this week, be in the moment. Be thankful for what you have, and super serve what you have.

To the sales person, take great care of your smaller accounts and you will be amazed how they will grow.

To mom and dad, enjoy the time you have with your kids, and who knows, they may want to spend time with you when they get older.

To the married couple, make time for each other. Time is precious and so is your relationship.

To the tired, take time to rest. Turn off the cell phone and your mind and rejuvenate.

Live in the moment this week, go do the things that you need to do everyday. At the end of the week, you may just find that you got a whole lot more accomplished.

Have a great week, see you later!

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group.
Click here to see my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Maybe you need to let go of something?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:35:00 +0000

I can't be the only person who sometimes tries to carry too many things. Sometimes, it's comical. I have my cup of coffee in one hand, my computer bag in the other, and I am trying to unlock the building. Finally, I decide the best thing to do is put down the computer bag and coffee, and all of sudden the building is much easier to unlock. Common sense rules again.

This simple concept can help you with more than just getting into a building.

How many items are you trying to "juggle" mentally. Are there some items that you should put down before you drop them all?

Even the best jugglers in the world have their limit. Can you add by subtracting? What happens if you step away from a few things and really focus on a few of the major items in your life.

What about your business? Have you gotten so caught up in doing more and being more that you have lost the edge that helped you be where you are today?

This week, I challenge you to look at all areas of your life and see if you have lost focus.

Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Want Change? Then Change!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:32:00 +0000

Some simple recipes.

Bread + Toaster = Toast

Water + Freezer = Ice

Milk + Chocolate = Chocolate Milk

Use any of those formulas and expect a different outcome would be foolish. The ingredients dictate the results.

How many areas of your life are you expecting a foolish outcome? Some examples:

Never spending any quiet time with God and expecting a close relationship.

Never taking time to make your spouse a priority and expecting your marriage to be strong.

A poor diet and no exercise and expecting to be in shape.

Complaining about your boss and constantly telling yourself you can't and expecting success at work.

Expecting your staff to change while you do the same thing and expecting growth.

I challenge you to look at one area of your life and focus on the changes that YOU need to make, and make them.

Here is to a great 2011! I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Merry Christmas, Remember the real reason of the season

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 14:43:00 +0000

My hope for you, and me, is that the spirit of the Christ Child, Jesus, makes the Holiday season special. We can spend every week talking about being better. Better performance, better marketing, better managers, however without the foundation of Jesus in our heart, we can never be the best.

Some will say that I should not say that in my blog. Some will say that it is too personal. Yes, it is personal. For me, I believe that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

We will take a break until Monday, January 3rd.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

PS, relax a little this year. This will be the first Christmas without my dad, if I had known that last year was going to be my last with him, there would have been a lot more visiting and a lot less rushing. Merry Christmas!

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Do you know the answer?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:49:00 +0000

Lack of reality is dangerous. The lack of reality is responsible for a number of problems, ranging from poor sales performance to the sale of too many stretch pants. How in touch with reality are you?

As the year comes to a close, lets take a look at reality. Why is reality so important? Without reality, real change can never occur. Until you are honest with yourself, the ability to lose weight, become a better employee, spouse, parent, or leader will remain the responsibility of others. Make reality your friend and you will be able to answer the question, what do I need to do to improve my performance?

I know it is an overused, cliche of sorts statement, at the same time it is very important to remember that the most important conversation you will have is the one with the person in the mirror. For example, do you know the answer to these questions:

What is my goal? I am not talking about making a lot of money....being famous, etc. Exactly, what is your goal?

What is stopping you from your goal? Here is a hint. It is not another person or the fact that you do not have the money, etc. If your goal is based on reality, then the ball is in your court to make that happen. Hard work, determination, and sacrifice will help you get that goal.

How can I improve my performance? You might need some help with this one. Find someone you can trust, tell them your goals, and ask for their input. Your response and reaction to that find will determine whether they will want to help you next time.

Reality keeps the focus on you and not others. If you are in sales, be real with yourself, how much of your time do you spend in front of your clients with customer focused presentations that will help their business? How much time are you just safely "building relationships." If you are a manager, do you lead your people and create systems that will allow them to grow or do you micromanage them?

Spend some time in reality thinking this week. Take the blinders off, throw away the magic mirror, and have a reality based conversation with yourself. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Right is Right

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 14:25:00 +0000

We live in a technological age. Communication is instantaneous, a small companies website can put them on the same stage as a major company. YouTube can create a "celebrity" in a matter of minutes. Even in a technological age, right is still right.

As a Christian, I want to be clear that my source is Jesus Christ. The Biblical phrase would be "Do unto others" I like the phrase What goes around, comes around. I have some examples -- some small, some big.

Take care of the earth: On three separate occasions this week, I have watched people litter. From cans, to sacks, to cigarette packs. There is no bigger example of laziness and lack of self discipline than littering.

Be polite: Technology will never replace the need to say Please and Thank you. The inability to be polite is a sign of weakness and fear.

Take responsibility for yourself and your job. The most important earthly conversation you will have is with yourself. You have to be in charge of yourself. You have to understand that you need to make things happen.

Honor your mother and father. Parents make mistakes, parents are not perfect. If, like me, you are blessed with loving parents who have sacrificed for you, loved you and given you opportunity, and you can't honor them, you can not be trusted.

We can read the books, take the classes, work out, and do all the things that we need to do for success. Bottom line, right is still right. Have a great week, I will you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Eliminate Failure as an option

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:48:00 +0000

There are 33 days left in 2010. Have you allowed the fear of failure to hold you back this year? Get busy changing that right now.

1. If failure was not an option what would you do? (I know not exactly an original question) But here is why it is such a great question. If you immediately have an answer, you have probably found your passion. When you are alone with your thoughts, you are probably dreaming about accomplishing this goal. Why not take it further? Why not eliminate the option of failure. Here are some suggestions.

A. Don't worry about failing. Don't worry about looking bad. As Nike would tell you, "Just Do It." Remember, there was a time that the concept of going to the bathroom was very confusing. But with experience, you have it under control. If you are truly passionate about something, you have to be willing to do it badly.

B. Don't worry about getting paid right now. I understand that everyone needs money. A few sacrifices in your schedule will provide you time to gain your experience. Jim Schwartz is the head coach of The Detroit Lions. He got his start in the NFL by accepting a jack of all trades, non paying job with Bill Belichick, then head coach at Cleveland. He worked hard, completed his assignments, and impressed his bosses. You can do the same thing.

C. Re-define failure. The movie "Back Draft" has a great line that says, "If you have a bad day here, someone dies." For most of our jobs that is not true. Failure is much worse in our minds than in reality. Never let the fear of failure deny you the sweet taste of success. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

332 days ago, everything was new. A new year, a new month, a new beginning. Maybe you had a new goal. I encourage you to examine your mindset, your habits, and your desire. If you allow your mindset to see yourself hitting your goal, you have a direction. If you change your habits to mirror the habits of the people who have obtained what you are trying to obtain, you are moving in the right direction. If you increase your desire, you will push through those days when you don't feel like keeping the habits you need to keep to be successful.

You do not have to wait 33 days to get started, do it now. Have a great week, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Thankful? Really??

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:11:00 +0000

This week is Thanksgiving, a time set aside for us to take time and celebrate all our blessings. So are you thankful?

I know, you answered yes. Very few people, if any, will say no. Allow me a second to challenge you.

When someone talks about blessings, what comes to your mind? Money, house, car, health?

This is the week of Thanksgiving, spend some time focusing on your (credit to Zig Ziglar) "Attitude of Gratitude"

If you are reading this, you have access to a computer and the ability to read. To the illiterate, you are blessed.

If after reading this, you plan on going for a walk or run, you are blessed. To the lame, you are blessed.

If after readying this, you can come and go as you please, you are blessed. To the prisoner, you are blessed.

This thanksgiving is going to be different for my family, and a lot of families, who have lost family members this year. Take some time this week and truly count your blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving, have a great week. See you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Sparky Anderson

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:34:00 +0000

Sparky Anderson was a baseball man. He was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, a team called the Big Red Machine. Later, he became the first manager to win a World Series in both the National and American Leagues. A feat that was later repeated by Tony La Russa. He passed away 11/4/2010.

Anderson was know for a number of great quotes. One of my favorites is "Baseball is a simple game. If you have good players and if you keep them in the right frame of mind then the manager is a success." In honor of Sparky, that will be the bases of this week's blog.

A few years ago, I became a much better manager. We hired two new sales people that instantly made me better. So the players really do make a huge difference in your ability. As you look at 2011, what improvements do you need to make in your personnell?

If the answer is, "nothing, my team is the kind of caliber to hit our goals and complete our mission." Then how can you improve your performance of keeping them in the right frame of mind. Here are some suggestions:

1. Understand that as manager, it is your job to adjust to your team, not the other way around. Find out what your team needs and do your best to give it to them.

2. Lead by example. If you are constantly having to remind people that you are the manager, you need to do a better job of leading.

3. Find out what drives your people and use that to motivate them. Phrases like "Have you made me any money today?" or "As manager, I need you to do...." Instead, show them how doing this activity will help them achieve their goals.

So this week, spend some time with Sparky's quote and see how you can help your team stay in the right frame of mind.

Have a great week, see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Edgar Renteria

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:12:00 +0000

It has been quite a couple of weeks for Edgar Renteria. Renteria is the 35 year shortstop for the world champions, San Fransisco Giants. He was hurt most of the year, he knew this was probably his last year in the league, but he had no idea that he would hit the game winning home run to clinch the series. Then, a few days after the series, his contract was bought out.

This week is about his attitude and work ethic.

Renteria was benched because he was hurt and non productive during the season. His response, to keep working and stay focused. During post game interviews, teammate after teammate talked about Renteria's work ethic. They talked about his professionalism and dedication to the team. In fact, during a late September team meeting, Renteria tearfully told the team that this may be his last opportunity to play and he was going to do everything possible to help them win it all. He then went out and did it.

So what can we learn?

1. If you stay focused on your goal, you don't have time to feel sorry for yourself. Renteria could have said, I am a veteran ball player, how dare they bench me? As a veteran ball player, he went back to the basics and continued to do his work and be ready for the next opportunity. When that opportunity presented itself, he was ready.

What about you? When you are presented with an unfair situation, do you just do your work? Or do you feel sorry for yourself and focus on the negative?

2. You never know when opportunity will present itself. Always be prepared. There is a formula for luck it is, O + P = L. Opportunity and preparedness equals luck. If you are going to be prepared, you don't have time to complain and feel sorry for yourself.

3. Know what your work is. Renterias' teammates talked about how he kept doing his work. What is your work? Are you working out? Reading? Preparing for your next opportunity takes work on your part.

Spend some time this week thinking about your attitude and how you can be prepared when opportunity presents itself.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

It's all in the attitude!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 02:06:00 +0000

I had an interesting Saturday. Derinda and I spent the weekend with my in-laws. I found myself at a flea market of all places going booth to booth seeking treasure.

Most of the booth owners were sitting in a chair a good distance from their customers, speaking only when asked a question. Then I approached a different kind of booth. The worker approached me, thanked me for being there, and explained to me his pricing system. As soon as I looked at his merchandise, he gave me the price. I left his booth, without buying anything and he thanked me for shopping with him.

The attitude was much better than 98% of the other booth owners. He really stuck out in a positive way. It reminded me of a story that I heard about a cab driver in New York City. When he picked up his customers, he went through his routine, which included:

1. Getting out of his cab and opening the door.
2. Offering them a complimentary drink, bottled water or various soda.
3. Asking them what type of music they preferred on the radio.
4. Presenting them with the current edition of the major papers or the current business magazines.
5. He would then present his customers with his business card, including his cell number, so they could call him when they needed a cab.
6. He always kept his cab immaculately clean.

When asked why he was so different, he explained that there was a time that he hated driving a taxi. Then, he decided to make the most of his job and look at it as a way to serve. Once he started this routine, he never had to wait in line for a fare. His clients would call him and make appointments.

What is the common thread? Attitude.

So what about your attitude? As you get ready to start this week, think about your attitude. Are you like my two examples here? Are you thankful for your blessings and go about your day looking for ways to serve more? Are you focused on the things in your control? You can control your attitude, your action, your focus.

My dad used to tell me that you will never earn the money, unless you do more than what you are getting paid to do.

Think about your attitude this week and go make yourself more valuable. Have a great week, have fun, I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Click here to see my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Colby

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 02:09:00 +0000

I had a really cool experience this past week. I was able to meet Colby. Colby was born last Monday, his mom and dad are like my kids and his paternal grandparents are some of our closest friends. On Wednesday, I got to meet Colby.

So what can we learn from Colby?

1. Attitude: I can't wait until Colby goes through the "I can do anything stage." I have always thought it interesting that God gives us the mind-set that we can do anything we want to do. Kids are very open about what they want to be when they grow up. It is not until we allow others tell us that we can't do something, that we start doubting ourselves.

2. Willingness to allow others to help. Obviously at a week old, Colby has to rely on his parents. Many years from now, he will be the dad taking care of his child. We can learn from Colby by allowing others to help us. There are people who can help us achieve what we want to achieve. Then, we can help others achieve their goals.

3. Don't worry. Colby is not worrying about things, that is not his job. Obviously it is a lot easier for Colby not to worry than it is for you. At the same time, how much of what you worry about is totally out of your control. Focus on what you can handle and forget the other stuff.

I understand that this is a different type of entry. It is a way to salute Colby and welcome him to the world. At the same time, there is something special about the attitude of a baby. Jesus talked about the spirit and faith of the little ones.

Have a great week, look for ways that you could have child like faith and improve your week. Have fun, see you later.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

Managing a Killer Whale

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:38:00 +0000

We have spent some time this weekend visiting our son in San Diego. Of course, we wanted to do some tourist things, so we went to Sea World. If you go to Sea World, you have to see Shamu and it got me thinking about management challenges.

During the show, there is a time for questions and answers. One of the questions was very obvious, "how do you train a killer whale." The answer was very insightful, here are the main points of the answer.

1. The trainers earn the whale's trust.
2. The trainers always show respect.
3. The trainers never make them do anything, they ask them very nicely.

Let's talk about these answers.

Trust: Like anything else in life, if you want to earn trust - you have to trust others. People will never trust you as a person just because you are the manager or the boss or the parent. Those amazing killer whales couldn't care less that "the trainers" are the trainers. But once they learned that the trainers would feed them, care for them, and actually wanted what was best for them, they built trust.

What about you? Are you a leader or just a manager? If you were paid by the number of people who would really follow you, would you like your paycheck? If trust is a the first part of training a killer whale, it seems like a good place to start in managing people.

Respect: The trainers always show respect. Now, it is not hard to understand why you would show respect to a killer whale, but what about the people you lead? Respect is a key part of getting the most out of their ability. Here is the best way to show respect.

1. Explain to them why they need to do something. Give them why it is in their best interests to do what you are asking them to do. One hint, if you are saying to do it just because you are the manager, there is not a lot of respect or trust being built with your team.

2. The trainers take care of the whales by feeding them. Take care of your team. (Chances are you won't need to feed them - but you do need to keep them motivated)

3. Listen. You can learn a lot about your team by listening to their questioning and point of view. Additionally, always remember, you are the leader. It is up to you to adjust to your team, not for them to adjust to you. Your team will always be made up a number of different personalities. Work with those personalities.

4. Always have their best in mind. At the same time, explain how their best benefits the company.

Ask nicely: This one is tricky. There are times to be direct. At the same time you can be direct and nice. Nice is a good thing and always remember you can destroy a lot of trust very quickly by not being nice.

Training, leadership, and being "the boss" can be very tricky. It takes a lot more than just having your title printed on a business card. However, if you want your company to grow and build a foundation, it is up to you build trust, show respect and be nice. After all, if it works on killer whales - it should do great with your team.

Think about the team that you are trying to lead....your family, your division, your team....and learn from the people who train killer whales. Have a great week -- I will see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo. Then call me at (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.

He never gave up.

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Willoughby) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:36:00 +0000

Sometimes we concentrate on the negative sports stories. Let's start our week focusing on the one of the good ones.

Ten years ago, Rick Ankiel was going to be a star pitcher. His body of work during his rookie year earned his manager's confidence and Ankiel found himself starting a playoff game. It was during that game, that he lost it. He could not throw a strike. I mean he was so wild the catcher could not catch the ball. All of a sudden, Rick Ankiel's career was in jeopardy.

He kept working. He went back to the minors, he had surgery, he made it back to the majors. But, he never became the pitcher that he was, so he decided to become an outfielder. He worked some more. In 2007, Ankiel was promoted back to the big league club.

Rick Ankiel started the 2010 season as a Kansas City Royal. He was traded to Atlanta. Then Friday night in the top of the 11th inning in a tie game, Rick Ankiel hit a game winning home run. As he ran around those bases, you have to wonder what he was thinking. All the work, all the doubters, all the setbacks, but it was all worth it.

So what can we learn from Rick Ankiel?

1. It takes work. Whatever you want to do in life takes work. I have told you before, we sometimes rob the successful people by not giving them credit for their hard work.

What about you? Are you working as hard as you need to be working? Are you investing the time on your dreams?

2. It takes perseverance. We can only imagine how many times Ankiel thought about quitting. You have to be able to work through the tough times and you have to have faith in yourself.

3. You have to be able to change. Ankiel wanted to be a pitcher. When he saw that dream go away, he changed his goal to become a major league baseball player. He changed his goal and he worked hard.

As we start another week, spend some time thinking about your career, your goal, your dreams. What can you learn from Rick Ankiel? Who knows, you might be hitting your home run soon. Have a great week - have fun - see you later.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Click here for my speaking demo then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.