We are the CHAMPS! My 10-11 boys basketball team just won the championship! We had a 10-1 record. I am incredibly proud of all our boys. They “bought in”, played hard, were great teammates, came to practice, worked their butts off, anddid everything I asked them! Bottom line… they played like a team… a GREAT group of young men! Read more below the image of me and the champs…

This is a quick note/story of perseverance by an outstanding group of young men and their coach.

• Were we the most talented team? No
• Were we the most skilled team? No
• Did all the players have basketball experience? No
• Could all the players on the team make a lay up at the beginning of the season? No
• Did all the players know basketball lingo like “post up”, “the paint”, “box out”, “back court”, “trap”? No

But…

• I made sure that all my players got better each and every week and I made sure that they go each other better too ( you may want to read that again)
• I was demanding
• I made the players be accountable and I was accountable
• I gave my players everything I had and they did the same for me.
• I learned how to be a better coach through listening to my players.
• Did each player become the others’ brother for 2 months? Yes
• Did we win through adversity? Yes
• Did I find a new way to motivate and communicate with all the different personalities on my team each and every week? Yes

Here’s the most important part….

We WON IT ALL ( JUST LIKE YOU CAN) because:

• We all shared a common goal and vision
• We believed we could achieve the goal
• We were in the right system
• We pushed each other to get better
• We never became satisfied
• We stayed hungry
• We worked our butts off!

We Are The Champions!

To The Champs!

John Ontal -Your Coach

P.S. – If you ever wanted to be part of a team that was “magical” and worked together to accomplish common goals… you have to put your name and email in the box to the right. It truly is a “no brainer”. Go head… what do YOU have to LOSE (IF YOU DON’T)!

Our amazing dog and true family member Deja passed away at 13. He truly will be missed and celebrated for how much he contributed to our lives in so many ways. The good thing is… he no longer is in pain. This is one of the last photos we took of him enjoying one of his last meals…grilled chicken.

Deja: True Companion,Family Member, Best Friend To Us All.

We know you are catching frisbees in heaven:)

Love Ya Big Buddy!

Big Daddy

P.S. – Spend life with who you want to. Don’t take anything for granted and don’t wait another minute to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Life is short and can pass you with a blink of an eye!

Running a home business or starting one, can be challenging to do effectively… if you listen to the wrong advice, follow the wrong system, or get involved with a “dead end” company. In this post I put together some of the home based businesstips that are often overlooked but should not be omitted.

Don’t worry… you are in good company. You don’t have to think of all the answers yourself to work from home, coffee shops, or even the beach! This post provides valuable insight into various aspects of home business that will make your home business, more efficient and profitable.

You are likely going to need additional insurance to cover your home business. Check with your insurance agent to learn if there is any insurance that is required by law or that will protect you from any kind of financial fall-out if anything negative was to happen. Your agent will be able to help you or send you to a company that can.

When you start a home business, you need to consider whether you want to carry the responsibilities of every aspect of the business or if you would like to hire outside help, to take care of things. You may want to hire an accountant to keep the books for your business, so you do not find that you have made several mistakes come tax time.

As soon as you can… get a business credit card. A business credit card can be an excellent idea, especially if it provides you with some sort of reward like cash back or airline miles, but you need to be especially careful about paying it off in full before interest accrues.

Build confidence in your business by becoming an expert in your field. Start a blog, like JohnOntal.com for your home business, and write content based on relevant topics. A blog is helpful to your customers and builds positive exposure to your brand at the same time. Best yet, the blog is an instant traffic generator for your website.

Operating or starting a home business effectively, can be difficult (if you don’t know what you are doing) and not everyone is successful with it. But that does not mean it is impossible and that does not mean you can’t be successful.

In fact… when YOU follow a leader that has done what you want to do online…

YOU NOW HAVE YOUR VERY OWN MENTOR (me!)

To Your Home Based Or Coffee Shop Based Business Dreams Coming True!

John Ontal – “The Boss Slayer”

P.S. – If you liked this article please share on social media and comment below. 

P.S.S – If you are searching for a Plan B… put your name and email in the box to the right. You have nothing to lose but the old YOU.

Are you on the train???? Business owners and home based entrepreneurs across the world have been discovering how social media marketing can help them increase the number of customers they serve. If you are ready to join them, read this article for some tips to help you understand this exciting form of marketing. You will be pleased with the results.

Give Em’ What They Want

Try using polls on your social media profiles to engage your customers and get them involved. People love to give their opinions and have their voice heard. A poll is a great way to get them to voice their opinions and give feedback on new products and ideas that are relevant to your company.

Don’t forget about LinkedIn

You should definitely open an account on the growing business oriented site LinkedIn. This site is designed for business professionals to communicate with one another and their customers. It has incredible features that include ways for satisfied customers to recommend you to others, increasing your reputation and credibility. You can also join conversations relevant to your business interests.

Dont’t Act Like A Nut Job

Never go on the defensive on social media sites. A poor review of your company on a website can seem like a personal assault on you and your business. You need to look at it objectively and resist the urge to publicly lash out at the negative review. Try to privately respond to any negative publicity and work it out that way.

Be Yourself

It is a good practice to always write like you speak. You will sometimes have to converse with the others and you want to communicate in a tone that gives the feeling of connection and security. Avoiding stuffy, self-centered communication is key to success through social media.

Promote… Promote… Then Promote Some More

The main idea of social media marketing is promotion. Promote through all of your social media outlets and pass those promotions through external web portals such as your blog or website.

Consistency Keep Em’ Coming Back For More

To get the best possible customers from your social media marketing, keep your content coming regularly and with consistency. When a customer sees you post on Facebook every other day, it is enough they remember you comfortably, but not so much that they get annoyed with you showing up too much. When it comes time for them to spend money on something you might offer, they will go with you because your brand feels like a trusted friend.

Now that you have gained a better understanding of social media marketing, you can begin to implement it into your business plans. These suggestions are certain to aid you in developing the next step as you diagram your marketing needs. Treat yourself and your customers to the fabulous world of social media.

To Your Social Media Marketing Success,

John Ontal – Your Mentoring For Getting Paid In Coffee Shops

P.S. – If you haven’t already done so… put your name and email in the box to the right… It’s MAGICAL!

A home business can be exciting and thrilling. You don’t have a boss, you get all the profit, and you make all the decisions. While that can be exciting, it can also be a pain in the butt if you don’t have the right information. Therefore, here are a few tips to keep you on track.

Dedicate the time to the business that you have set aside for it. Try your hardest to eliminate all outside responsibilities and distractions during the time that you have scheduled to get work accomplished. Develop a schedule that is fairly easy for you to stick to and stick to it.

A great tip for your home business is to make sure that you always present yourself in an authentic manner. People will want to know what you look like and want to be able to relate to you.so be sure to put pictures and videos on your website that show the “Real You”. And remember… if you are not “AUTHENTIC”… you will lose the business of customers and followers who are looking for someone who is R-E-A-L.

This should be a “No-Brainer”… Start an email newsletter. A responsive email list can be very profitable. Make sure to double check every email newsletter you send through your home business website for accuracy. If someone finds something they like, will they know where to click to find out more? Will a potential lead or client  know how to contact you if they have a question? Can a reader easily forward the email to friends or post a link to it on social media accounts? Make sure that YOU can do it so your customers can, too. Double check all your contact info.

Keep your equipment up to date. If you buy equipment that you obviously need for your business, such as office supplies or a computer, you can deduct your expenses from your taxes. Check with an accountant  to make sure you can write off expenses for your business.

Schedule time off from your home business. While you need to hustle as much as possible for any business, this is especially true for a home business. It is also more important than usual to build in recreation and down time. If you are always running trying to make money while you are at home, then you may begin to feel like you can never get away from your business. Family, friends, other interests and most importantly, YOU are very important.

Your business can really stand out as professional if you brand your website, brochures, fliers, coupons and/or other materials. This may definitely cost a little bit of money and time, but it’s worth it just to brand your business as legitimate and professional. Obviously, the sales you get are the icing on the cake.

Buy organizational tools to help keep your home business on track. For example, having a pen holder by your phone will make taking down a note or phone number easy. Use a drawer organizer to find every little staple or paperclip that you need in a hurry, and buy one with a sticky note holder so you always know where to find one!

Do plenty of research and read books on tax laws for home business owners. Find out what tax credits you may qualify for, what you can use as a write off in your business, and other things related to running a business out of your home. The less tax liability you have the better!

Keep a close watch on what your competition is doing. Align your prices and see what kind of marketing techniques they use. Learn from their mistakes and successes, and make sure you are offering a competitive offer. Find out who their customers are and try converting some of them to your products.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help with your home business. Asking for help shows that you are strong enough to realize that you cannot solve every problem. Asking about what you don’t know is a great way to learn what you need to learn. By asking people intelligent questions, you will get the help you need.

Whenever possible, use your business credit card. If you don’t have one… get one now. When you travel, eat out, and have other minor expenses, using your business credit card will keep cash in your hands and defer the payment. Using a credit card also helps to build miles or points on your card which can later be redeemed.

Keep your tax records on file for as long as your accountant tells you that you must in case of a tax audit. This means keeping it in a safe place where you can access it easily, like a tote in your closet. It’s also good in case you need to access receipts for a warranty or insurance claim.

Taking on a home based business can be a dream come true, if you know what you’re doing and address what you need to address. Let these tips be a foundation for your business, helping you to grow and keep the right things in mind. A home business can be challenging yet rewarding. Try to have more rewarding moments than challenging moments by learning as much as you can. Obviously, when the sales come… and they will if you “Get In” with the  ”Right People” the MONEY is just the icing on the cake.

To Never Going To A 9-5 again,

John Ontal – Your Boss Slayer

P.S. – If you liked these home based business tips share on social media and comment below… but more importantly… if you’ve ever wondered how the people sitting in coffee shops in the middle of the day make so much dame money… PUT YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE BOX TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE BUTTON now… it’s MAGICAL!

It’s another beautiful sunny day on Hilton Head Island… 77 degrees… BTW… it’s January. But what’s even better… I just picked up $500.00 from a new client. Take a look at the image right…here. (read more below the post)

The reason I am showing YOU my money is because I know and YOU know that we live in a “Show Me The Money” world. Take a look at the post tilted “Start 2013 On The Right Track“… I wrote it 3 days ago on the January 1, 2013. Now I know $500.00 is EASY to make and it’s not that much money… but…

• Let me put it in perspective why this $500.00 is such a big deal:
• It’s Saturday and Sunny
• I don’t have to sit an an office
• I don’t pay rent or a mortgage in an office… I do buy and drink lots of coffee and tea at Starbucks and other coffee shops and beach side cafes and places where I can wear my flip flops or bathing suit…
• I don’t have a boss
• I am going to be helping a new client succeed online in his business venture
• It’s just the first of many residual payments of $500.00

Now for the BEST part… I’m going to coach my son in basketball because I CAN and I’ve got the time to.

If you only knew what I know… YOU will put your name and email in the box to the right and hit the button!

To Enjoying Sunday-Saturday Without A Boss Forever,

John Ontal – Your Boss Slayer!

P.S. Read this post again, share it on social media and “get in” by putting your name and email in the box to the right. DO IT NOW!

A new year brings resolutions, but I am encouraging you not to have another year with failed resolutions, but rather to start a revolution within yourself. My definition of a revolution is: Aradical and pervasive change in your society and the social structure of your life, especially one made suddenly and often accompanied by massive action. When you implement massive action… you will get massive results. Thoughts are not enough. Resolutions are no enough. You must make a decision to do something REVOLUTIONARY right now to begin to live the life you want in 2013. Don’t wait start today.

To Your Inner Revolution,

John Ontal – Your Online Teammate

P.S. If you want to to do something REVOLUTIONARY… put your name and email in the box to the right and hit the button!

Are you successful or unsuccessful? What does the concept mean? Do you know the difference?  Seriously… do YOU know what makes people successful or unsuccessful? Listen closely… I’m dead serious…when YOU learn the difference between successful people and unsuccessful people, as well as take action and, most importantly, begin (right now) thinking like those in the box to the left below magical things happen.

It doesn’t get any more crystal clear than this image below. Make sure to read every line and share and comment below.

To Being Successful,

John Ontal – Your Online Mentor

P.S. Share on social media and comment below.

P.S.S. Whether you are successful or unsuccessful, you owe it to yourself to put your name and email in the box to the right and hit the button. You ain’t seen nothing like this… ever.

Let’s face it. If you don’t develop yourself… there is no way that you are going to accomplish your goals. You may be asking yourself, how do hot tubs fit in to… the equation.

I live on an island so it really doesn’t get cold here… but it was in the low 70′s today… so it made me think about relaxing in the hot tub and how this practice can help you with your personal development.

Read these personal development tips and you will find out just how hot tubs are key to your success!

Change Is Good.

Perhaps the most valued characteristic of human beings is their capacity to change. We are able to realize our shortcomings and take action to alleviate their affect on our lives. It is certainly true that personal development is a journey that requires you to get off your butt and do something different. It is also absolutely true that if you do the right thing and get involved with the the “right” people… like me (lol!).. the sky is the limit.

Visualization is key if you want to grow on a personal level. If you are working towards a goal to better yourself, just picture yourself at the end of the journey. As an example, if you wish to lose weight, you don’t keep repeating to yourself that you are fat. In fact, you should visualize and repeat to yourself that you are slim. Having positive thoughts will lead you to your goals quicker than putting yourself down.

Visualization can help you reach your personal development goals. There are many techniques and some research and experimentation is required. In general you will want to spend some time daily thinking quietly about your goals and what it will be like to attain them. Frequent visualization of a goal will help you integrate it as a reality in your mind and will help you create the new thoughts and behaviors required to achieve the goal.

Visualization will help you stay focused on your goal. Whenever possible put a picture of what you want in an area that you will see every day. A picture of a flat stomach on the fridge will help steer you towards healthy food choices, while a picture of a vacation destination on your desk will help you save money.

Measure your progress daily or even hourly. Whether you are cleaning up that junk room or studying for a final examination, use some method to keep track of how much you have progressed towards your goal. You might just check individual tasks off a list. You might take digital photos of your progress and regularly mail them to a friend! Heck… send me your progress.

Acknowledge and evaluate the distance between your current status and your personal development goals. Personal development does not happen overnight, so it’s best to make an honest assessment of how far you have to go to achieve your goals. This will enable you to make a path that is customized for your life and goals.

Believe it or not being too nice to others often means not being nice enough to yourself. Part of personal development is fulfilling the obligation to self and this cannot always be accomplished when you are at the beck and call of a dozen individuals. You need to put yourself at the top of your list of priorities, and then tend to others.

Put the greatest love into yourself first and foremost. Even if you have children, a spouse, a large family, and people that look to you each day, you can do nothing for them without first loving yourself. This love should be unconditional and about everything you do, almost adoration for yourself. Once you reach a point where you love yourself wholly, you can begin loving others in the same way.

What About The Hot Tub??? … and Personal Development???

If you want to really treat yourself right… buy yourself a hot tub. Not only does the warm bubbly water relax you, but there are a number of health benefits associated with a personal spa. Some of these benefits include improved circulation and a decrease of back pain and arthritis symptoms. Bottom line… relaxing in a hot tub will soothe you in a number of ways.

Personal development at its heart is dedication to change. Remember that you are the driving force behind your life, and whatever you truly want to change about yourself, you can.

To Being The Best YOU… you can be!

John Ontal

P.S – If you liked this article please share and comment below.

P.S.S. – If you can’t afford to relax and can’t afford your own hot tub… make sure to fill in your name and email address to the right and hit enter.