The Will 2 Learn

2011-06-21T12:13:00.001-06:00

Your website work is never done. Use analytics to increase the effectiveness of your website. http://bit.ly/iogkT8

2011-06-09T09:00:00.001-06:00

“Never give it away.” If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you’ve no doubt heard these words. WRONG! http://bit.ly/mfwbJm

2011-06-02T17:49:00.001-06:00

Traffic alone isn't how you measure the success of a small business website. http://bit.ly/jLRcK0

Your Life Will Change When

2010-02-25T10:23:00.003-07:00

This post was made by my good friend and business partner Stephen Palmer on The Center for Social Leadership website and blog.

Your life will change when:

…you spend more money and time on books than you do on entertainment.
…you stop waiting for others to solve the problems you notice.
…you trust your intuition more than the “wisdom of crowds.”
…you muster the courage to venture inside yourself and discover your intuition in the first place.
…you accept that problems aren’t “out there”; they’re in your own heart.
…your vision of yourself and your life becomes more compelling than your fear.
…your commitment to truth becomes stronger than your attachment to beliefs.
…your desire to love becomes stronger than your attachment to ego.
…you realize that you can’t effectively influence others until you know yourself.
…you value the freedom of forgiveness over the prison of blame.

What is Character?

2009-11-15T06:53:00.001-07:00

Here is something to think about...

Character is the ability to maintain a commitment after the emotion has past.

Never Give Up

2009-06-08T17:59:00.003-06:00

This a great little video I ran across about failure and never giving up.

If you are reading this in RSS or email and don't see the video, just click on the header to go read it.

Please help - It will only take 1 minute or less!

2009-03-19T09:47:00.000-06:00

The recent e-book Steve Palmer and I wrote called “Hub Mentality” has been approved by Seth Godin’s group (he’s a really big web marketer and influencer) as a possible manifesto (which is a term for e-books that he supports). What we need now are votes recommending it to be a manifesto, which will help the concept to spread on the web and in marketing circles.

Please e-mail this out to whoever could help by casting a quick vote. It will only take 1 minute!

http://www.changethis.com/proposals/1585

Just click on the button that says, “Yes, write this manifesto” to vote.

Drop the Sales Mentality

2009-02-07T04:10:00.004-07:00

Are you tired of being sold? I'm getting sick of ads. Everywhere I go I get bombarded with things I really don't want or need. From billboards I see while driving to the office everyday or watching a good football game with the family. Trends in marketing show I'm not the only one who is sick of them. I don't want to be interrupted. I want to get my information when I want it, how I want it.

I just released an e-book with a good friend and partner of mine, Stephen Palmer. The book is called "Hub Mentality". It's written from the perspective of the business owner and marketer and has vital information about the way in which you should view your network, your customers, and your transactions. How business need to quit thinking in terms of ads and how they need to develop a relationship with their clients and customers and keep them around. There is good, solid, cutting edge research that will benefit you and your business.

You can download it here. Just put in your name and e-mail and we'll send it to you free.

You'll see I've also launched my website for Kgaps Consulting. You can subscribe to the blog by e-mail or by RSS feed. You'll find on-going marketing, business strategy, customer service, and good business tips being talked about on a regular basis.

Enjoy the book!

The City of Ember...

2009-01-24T07:11:00.003-07:00

It's amazing to me as you work toward a specific objective, usually one that starts in your mind, and you begin to cultivate certain thoughts, like plants in a garden, how outward circumstances start to shift as you work toward that specific goal. I'm not the kind of guy that sets a specific time line for my goals, although I do believe in deadlines. I think more in terms of large objectives and vision than goals.

Vision is my direction and then I work toward aligning my daily steps of work, reading, and relationships with that vision. To me, one of the worst forms of punishment is working without vision. It's worse than working in darkness. It's hope vanished, and no chance of light or improvement.

I just watched the City of Ember last night with my wife and kids. It's about an entire society that moved underground for some reason (doesn't specify in the movie). This society lived there for almost 200 years and nobody from the city had ever ventured out from the city with success. The people in the city talked about "the darkness" on the outreaches of the city and to avoid it at all costs, mainly because the City of Ember was the source of light.

Then, some young teenagers venture out and... Well, I won't spoil it but you get the picture. What I took from the movie was that the greater light was outside of everyone's paradigm. It took new innovation and thought to step outside of where they were to reach the greater light.

But they had to step through the darkness to get to the greater light. So it is with life. Any new vision and steps toward that end will make us step through the dark.

People are constantly selling get rich quick schemes or saying how simple success is. It just isn't true. It comes through hard work and periods of blinding darkness.

Millionaires aren't made overnight, they will go through steps of darkness. Great families aren't made just because...there has always been periods where the parents go through darkness and say, "What are we doing" Great societies are the same, their greatness is revealed after periods of sweat and tears, even war.

Great individuals are the same. People who move society, lead, and impact others have almost always gone through significant trials (darkness) in order to learn the lessons that give them the tools to accomplish a great work.

God knows us all intimately. In times of trial, just remember that he knows your greatness and you are simply discovering it.

I want my bailout money!

2009-01-09T06:02:00.003-07:00

It seems like everyone lately is asking for bailout money. It started with banks and our financial system. Then it moved the car industry. Then to the port industry (see this article).

Where does it stop? Why can't I get my portion. I'm an entrepreneur! I work hard. Really hard in fact. Why does the government get to choose who makes it and not. Natural Law should be the determining factor. If you make it you do, if you don't you don't. Sometime its called the Law of the Harvest - otherwise you reap what you sow.

If I spend run my business terrible I'm entitled to my bailout, right! If I take more money out of my business than I am earning, I get a bailout, right?

Ok, I understand the reasoning behind the initial bailouts (I did necessarily agree). You know, to try to avoid a financial crisis. But it's getting out of control.

LISTEN TO THIS SONG. I thought you might enjoy.

http://www.naturalnews.com/I_Want_My_Bailout_Money.html

Mixed Signals

2008-12-07T08:57:00.004-07:00

Isn't it funny how miscommunication happens. Rarely is it the intent but commonly it is causes a lot of frustration. Sometimes it only takes a few moment to make sure we are clearly sharing our message.

Obviously this group hasn't thought it through.

I remember the days, when I was a teenager, of knowing certain questions to ask my Mom and other questions I would ask my Dad. For the most part I knew how to work the system. In almost all cases, they communicated very well with each other. In other words there wasn't much of a system to work.

As I work with my own children, I've come to my own conclusions how important this communication is. To clarify expectations to my children, to communicate with my incredible wife, and to follow the example of my parents in not having that much of a system for my children to work.

Although they still try and succeed to some extent.

The Crossroads of Passion and Purpose

2008-11-21T06:17:00.004-07:00

What drives a man to get out of bed each day and face a new passing day undaunted and with optimism? What gives a person the consistency to work toward an unrealized goal without immediate reward? Why when certain leaders speak of ideals and vision do others lay down their weapons of defensiveness and join in the battle? This trait cannot be purchased. It has no price because it is not for sale.

What is it? It is passion. Passion motivates and encourages. It pushes, yet at the same time leads. Does is create greatness? It fuels greatness. Those that possess it find a wealth untold. It gives purpose to activity and activity to idleness. It is a motivating emotion that few find, but many search for. No treasure map or even GPS can locate the source. Is passion enough, I ask? When you arrive at some trivial destination will you be happy? You may, but you will be empty. It is as if you have taken a long journey and are now out of gas. Your passion has fueled new perspectives and new opportunities but to what end?

Passion without purpose is a dead end.

Purpose helps one realize possibility. It brings direction and reason to change. Change, simply to change, is like running in place and hoping to arrive at some new destination. It is subtle madness. When one has purpose each new step brings new horizons into view. New perspectives become manifest on the landscape of learning through experience.

How does one find purpose? It rarely comes all at once. To many it comes not at all. Why? Not because it can’t be found but because it can be hard to find. Purpose is found gradually, even like a great snowball slowly growing in speed and size as it rolls toward its destination. Many are not willing to invest in something that won’t come until tomorrow or the next day. Great leaders, thinkers, and statesman see purpose come clearly into view after they toil with some great thought over time. They see a need and feel it stir something deep within their soul. Rarely all at once, but little by little they see and understand.

This understanding grows great within the soul, heart, and mind. It permeates actions and objectives. This understanding surpasses knowledge. Its value far exceeds all of worldly possessions. It cannot be sold, but it can be given. But only given to others through leadership, through service, through mentoring, and through teaching.

How rich is the soul that understands why they were born. To understand for what end they were created. It begins with passion and passion finds purpose. And where passion and purpose meet, you have found mission.

Can You Answer the Question?

2008-11-13T20:15:00.002-07:00

This is the first post in a series of posts over the next week that will focus on Unique Identity.

What drives a man to get out of bed each day and face a new passing day undaunted and with optimism? What gives a person the consistency to work toward an unrealized goal without immediate reward? Why when certain leaders speak of ideals and vision do others lay down their weapons of defensiveness and join in the battle? This trait cannot be purchased. It has no price because it is not for sale.

Visit www.thewill2learn.com to leave a comment with your guess.

What did you learn today?

The Power of Independence

2008-11-08T04:17:00.008-07:00

Have you ever caught yourself waiting for someone to do something for you when you could do it yourself? Or had someone bring a problem to you that they could easily solve?

Look at the picture above. Someone could have easily gone and bought a stamp and done it for themselves. What makes this really funny, but also sad, is the nickel at the bottom right corner. If you look closely and read the writing it says, ".05 cents for your trouble". Wow! What a tip! Let's think about this for a minute. To buy stamp, remove the tape, do something with the envelope to fix it; That's only worth five cents?

None the less, we do these kinds of things all the times as human beings. Wanting someone else to fix us, give us answers, and show us the way. Now I want to be clear, that I'm not saying we don't ever go to others for answers or help. I'm the biggest supporter of group collaboration, learning from others, and mentors.

But if we always look to others for our help we miss one of the greatest opportunities available. What is it? Growth. When we have to stretch we become bigger and better than we are now. We experience the Power of Independence.

So next time you don't know the answer or need to ask for some help, ask yourself if you can figure it out on your own. If you do, you'll grow. And you'll be glad you did.

What did you learn today? Feel free to make a comment on this post at http://www.thewill2learn.com/

Are Genes Our Destiny?

2008-11-04T17:42:00.007-07:00

There is a central belief among most scientists and researchers that individuals are very much a result of their genes. Bruce Lipton, PH.D challenges this traditional accepted dogma in his book, The Biology of Belief. His research and studies indicate a complex gene cell system in which thought has a significant impact on who we and our bodies become.

His book will certainly add to your perspective on the relationship between thoughts and our physical health.

I've been able to hunt down a PDF summary of the book for your enjoyment. If it peaks your interest, definitely get the book.

Continued Dialogue on the Financial Crisis

2008-10-29T21:20:00.005-06:00

Over the next couple of blogs I'm going to point out a couple of great videos that give great insight into the financial crisis. As I talked about last time, in the blog "Do We Blame Regulation or Greed?" both components were definitely involved. This video, however, breaks down some of the specifics a simple as possible.

If you are viewing this post in your e-mail, click here to see the video.

Do We Blame Regulation or Greed?

2008-10-27T20:38:00.004-06:00

There was an article recently writen by a professor Steven Horwitz of Lawrence University. He discusses the current financial and mortgage crisis, and is of the opinion that regulation is more to blame than greed.

He said,

"To call the housing and credit crisis a failure of the free market or the product of unregulated greed is to overlook the myriad government regulations, policies and political pronouncements that have both reduced the freedom of this market and led self-interested actors to produce disastrous consequences, often unintentionally. "

He goes on to say,

"The two biggest players in the mortgage market are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Until they were nationalized recently, they were "government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). That meant they enjoyed all the profit potential of private business but carried none of the risk. How would you run your business differently if you knew the government would bail you out..."

He makes a very valid point. If you could not fail, how would that alter the decisions you make? Chances are, no matter who you are, you would take on much more risk. In many cases, a very unhealthy amount of risk.

Check out the article. In my mind, he doesn't make a solid case for regulation being the only cause, as greed was definitely involved. But, he will certainly give you something to think about.

Doughnut or Cereal for Breakfast?

2008-10-23T20:11:00.005-06:00

Did you hear the news? I couldn't believe this one. Ok, I could. Let me explain. Most cereals don't pass the test.

I'll just share a couple of quick points and then link to an articles in Consumer Reports that has a lot more data.

There is as much sugar in 10 popular breakfast cereals as there is in a glazed doughnut from Dunkin' Donuts. Ouch, there is a reason I refer to most breakfast cereals as candy in a box.

The marketers who have promoted the various cereals as "healthy breakfasts" have said what they have to chase the dollar. Only 4 out of 27 cereals marketed to children met some basic standards on low sugar content and fiber. They are Cheerios, Kix, Honey Nut Cheerios (all General Mills), and Life (Quaker Oats). See the Consumer Reports article for more detail.

Over the years, as my wife and I have weaned traditional cereals out of our families breakfast menu, we've gone to more wholesome foods liked whole wheat pancakes, oat meal, eggs with multi-grain toast, or even protein shakes. It's really paid off with the health of the kids.

Oh, by the way, they still LOVE CEREAL. Kids will be kids...

A dollar or less...

2008-10-20T21:18:00.004-06:00

I had to get this info out to all of you. You can get this new audio book for only 95 cents. If you don't know who Seth Godin is, pay attention to what he is saying.

If you're in business for yourself or have have anything to do with marketing whatsoever, pay attention to what he is saying. Did I mention to pay attention to what he is saying.

His most recent book was just released this week. It's called Tribes.

A friend of mine bought me the book. Thanks! You know who you are.

Through my experience helping build networks and hubs (databases) I've developed my own philosophy on what it takes to succeed nowadays. Seth has hit it on the head.

To top it off he's offering the audio version of the book on iTunes for only $.95. Yes, less than a dollar. Get it and listen. It will change you view the way you market and build business.

Here's the link to get it on iTunes as a three hour audio book for less than a dollar. (update: now the bestselling audio book in the world. Price matters, apparently).

Sometimes we stumble...

2008-10-20T20:34:00.003-06:00

In the pursuit of better health, relationships, and finances, life doesn't always go as planned. In fact, sometimes we even trip and fall. At times we feel embarrassed, even humiliated.

However we feel, it can never match the humiliation and embarrassment of this so called..."BEST MAN"

Uncertain Financial Times

2008-10-17T07:52:00.004-06:00

Wow! It's been a roller coaster ride these last few weeks. Even more so, it's been a roller coaster since 9/11.

The financial markets are being tested as never before. Some of you I've had conversations with over the last few weeks have heard me talk about my concerns the last few years of watching housing pricing escalate at a rate that could not keep up with income.

For example, I'd read real estate books that talked about my house (I'm talking MY HOUSE) being worth close to a million dollars in just a few years. Then I tried to figure out how a new couple starting out like my wife and I did thirteen years ago could afford a home at the slower rate incomes were increasing.

It just didn't match up. Now we see the housing market slumping, overinflated values, foreclosures galore due to bad lending practices, and economic uncertainty.

Personally, I like to boil finances down and get to the core. To me, personal financial health has three main components. Liquidity, Safety, and Rates of Return. They are listed in this order for a reason.

Liquidity means having money on hand for emergencies and opportunities
Safety means limiting risk
Rate of Return means that your money is outpacing inflation and working for you.

In future blogs I'll go more in depth on many of my personal financial philosophies and investment vehicles but these three principles are paramount.

What are you saying?

2008-10-13T09:13:00.004-06:00

Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Remember the wisdom in "actions speak louder than words"? Well, words are powerful - whether positive or negative. Here's a great example of someone who should think twice about what they are saying.

Seth Godin and Productivity

2008-10-10T08:49:00.005-06:00

A great marketer and author named Seth Godin recently made this post.

The growing productivity divide

Here's a simple quiz:

Can you capture something you see on your screen and paste it into Word or PowerPoint?
Do you have a blog?
Can you open a link you get in an email message?
Do you read more than five blogs a day?
Do you have a signature in your outbound email?
Do you have an RSS reader?
Can you generate a PDF document from a Word file you're working on?
Do you know how to build and share a simple spreadsheet using Google Docs?
Do have a shortcut for sending mail to the six co-workers you usually write to?
Are you able to find what you're looking for on Google most of the time?
Do you know how to download a file from the internet?
Do you back up your work?
Do you keep track of contacts using a digital tool?
Do you use anti-virus software?
Do you fall for internet hoaxes and forward stuff to friends and then regret it?
Have you ever bought something from a piece of spam?

Can you imagine someone who works in a factory that processes metal not knowing how to use a blowtorch? How can you imagine yourself as a highly-paid knowledge worker and not know how to do these things... If you don't, it's not hard to find someone to teach you.

Defining Ourselves

2008-05-08T01:38:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking recently about the process that individuals and companies go through in defining themselves...

We've all had experiences with companies and individuals who preach one thing and do another. You've seen it! There is an idea, a promise, or a pitch that we bought into and then were vastly disappointed when when they results were not realized.

This is perhaps one of the major challenges we all face individually as well. It has been said that the key to happiness is bridging the gap between what we know we should do with what we are doing. What should we be doing? Individually, that's a question we all need to answer. Principally, there are key actions that ultimately give each up us a much better chance of success and happiness.

How does this relate to theme of this blog? Here is the question... What should we be doing to define ourselves? Here's the answer I came up with...

By helping others define themselves we define ourselves. What do I mean by that? In the process of being in motion and bringing value to others we understand our own identity and abilities more fully than in any other way.

Look Inside

2008-04-15T19:33:00.003-06:00

Many times, when we look to grow, have our lives become better, and improve our circumstances we look toward others for the answers. Often the answers we need our found inside us. Not because we have all the answers, but because inside each of us are great opportunities to find renewed strength and creativity. We are all spiritual beings having a physical experience, not physical beings who have spiritual experiences. By looking inside we begin to understand our true identity, our relationship to God, and who we really are.

The following story is found in The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap.
"I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then he asked: "What's that you are sitting on?" "Nothing," replied the beggar. "just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger. "No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

What we have inside us - who we are - is gold, everyone of us.