STRETCH YOURSELF

Stretch Yourself Business Academy (+playlist)

2014-03-27T13:41:00.001-07:00

You Only Get To Keep What You Give Away

2014-03-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's a Universal law: You have to give before you get.

You must plant your seeds before you reap the harvest.
The more you sow, the more you will reap.
In giving to others, you will find yourself blessed.

The law works to give you back more than you have sown.
The giver's harvest is always full.

Those that obtain have little.
Those who scatter have much.

Nature does not give to those who will not spend.

Stretch Yourself and sow seeds that will reap the relationships you hold and respect for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

Reap what you sow

How to Get More Done In Less Time

2014-02-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

Did you get all those things that you said you would when the year started?
You know, those resolutions you swore you would keep this year?

The only reason you're not getting things done or not achieving those
goals you set out to achieve is because your mind and subconscious mind are not programmed to get things done.

Instead, they're likely programmed to put things off, stall or procrastinate,
until you no longer have to do them or come up with some excuse that
seems valid to avoid finishing what you started or following up on your goals.

Many times you'll talk yourself out of doing something instead of talking yourself INTO getting started.
The most common excuse or valid reason is time... "I just didn't have the time."
The time excuse is right up there with: "I'll do it later..."

But later never comes... and what you promised you'd do later never gets done.
Later comes and goes pretty quickly if you're not paying attention and later
usually turns into never.

Now you can stop this process and start getting things done quickly and easily. And here's how. Whatever you set out to accomplish ask yourself, "What is the first step?"
Then simply get started on that one part and don’t focus on the whole task.
Focus on completing one thing to get you started so that you do what you need to do quickly, easily and on time.

Of course, that also means that you stop saying "I'll do it later... "
and it also means that you stop telling yourself that you don't have the time.

Instead, tell yourself that you'll get started and complete one part and now you're finding the time to get that part done quickly and easily.

As you do this you’ll build confidence and momentum giving your subconscious mind a reference point that you have started something and completed it. This will stop it from giving you resistance, wanting you to give up.

So only focus on what you want to complete, that first step.
Think of how accomplishing this one thing will help you improve your life once the whole task is completed.
Then tackle the next step in your goal the next day and continue until you accomplish it.
Stop procrastinating and stop putting things off.

When you shift your focus and when you send your subconscious mind a new set of reference points that will allow you create momentum to attract the people, situations and opportunities to help you achieve your goal.

Stop procrastinating now.
Get more done in less time.
Start living the life you want now and make this your best year ever.
You are a powerful human being and you can achieve all your goals.
You can live the live you want.
You can have the success you want.
Stop Procrastinating now.

I look forward to connecting with you soon...

Ron Broussard
STRETCHYOURSELF

Robin Sharma on "How To Make This New Year Your Best Year Yet"

2013-12-19T08:14:00.001-08:00

How to STRETCH your Business and Brand WITHOUT being controversial

2013-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

We live in a society where controversy sells. Know don’t misunderstand me, I just want you to think for a moment. Just think about Miley Cyrus and her recent ridiculous marketing antics. Our society loves juicy news, shocking revelations, and scandalous topics. Most of the biggest TV programs that are on TV right now is based off of mocking established traditions. SCANDAL to name a few has start followings, viewing sessions, and have trended consistently on social media sites for a while now. Some of the biggest products and TV programs in the world are predicated on mocking established traditions and social values. For example, you might remember the old MTV reality show, "Jersey Shore," created a firestorm of attention, because so many people were intrigued by the controversy they generated. Some controversies even fuel religious and political groups to publicly make an outcry about the situations and what to do to ban them from programming and organizations.

I say all of this to ask a question. And that is; If controversy works so well, does it deserve a place in YOUR marketing plan with your business or brand? No, because there's a better option. Controversy just for the sake of shock value usually produces a detrimental side effect. You may get a lot of attention in the short run, but in the long run you may end up sacrificing your reputation. Remember, marketing is not a sprint, but a marathon and you don’t want to lose the integrity of your brand with the public because it’s very hard to get it back. Instead here is a better alternative to use before putting your name or brand on the line: Be contrarian, rather than controversial. There's a big difference between the two.

You see, controversy is usually based on a self-centered motive to gain attention to yourself. In contrast, a contrarian approach usually centers on helping other people by challenging and STRETCHING the way they think. You attempt to benefit others by stretching them beyond the status quo and offering an unexpected set of ideas. You know you're being contrarian in an effective manner when people respond, "Hmm, I've never heard that before...I haven't thought about it like that...I'll have to give what you said some more thought, creating conversation and engaging your clients, customers, and fans with a different way of thinking and opening them to seeing something in a different like.

Now I know you may think, Ron! These marketing tactics are the same! They may appear the same in the way they stir and rouse people’s emotions. But the difference is between helping yourself and helping others. Controversy leaves a negative taste in everyone’s mouth because it’s almost like your begging for attention, like standing in the middle of rush hour traffic in your birthday suit with a sign saying LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! In contract, contrarianism tends to leave a positive feeling with everyone, because people love people who consider their best interests to heart.

Leave controversy to the businesses and brands that are here today and gone tomorrow. Take a long term view by being a contrarian and create a long standing relationships with your audience that values and respects you today and years from now.

Stretch Yourself Business Series Leadership Focus pt 2 How to Develop Yo...

2013-09-20T06:02:00.001-07:00

Stretch Yourself Business Skills Development Series Leadership Focus P...

2013-09-19T13:38:00.001-07:00

Networking With Intention

2013-09-04T20:23:00.001-07:00

50 years since Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, what has changed?

2013-08-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 50 year anniversary since Martin Luther's King's "I have a Dream" speech and as I took time to read the speech, and listen to his speech, I pondered the question what has changed since then? And most importantly, what does the speech mean for everyone?

There has been a lot of changes that has happened throughout the years with voting, civil rights, and the freedoms that he spoke so vividly in his speech, but I personally feel that his speech where he visualized his dream so eloquently, so passionately, has changed the course of the nation, and started our journey. His dream has been realized, and through events that have been so dramatic that forced change to happen in such extreme way, has also hurt us as a society. It has divided us to the point that we all look over our shoulders, quick to point out and stand for the injustices that happen daily, re-actively, without being proactive and consciously aware of our efforts.

Now I can list a number of injustices that have received national attention and those that have been swept under the rug, but that is not the main point that I want to bring to conscious. I want to explain how Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech means to me and what it represents.

So, I decided that it might be interesting to look at the actual text of Dr. King's speech and really analyze the degree to which his vision has been achieved. He was such a dynamic speaker; I find it difficult not to get pulled into emotion of his words no matter how many times I watch the speech. I feel it is the same for many people of all races and ethnic backgrounds when they listen to it as well. As I began to dissect each section and compare it to the relationships that we share in the United States, I feel that we have a long way to go as human beings, not in one race but in all races as we strive to raise our relational consciousness as a people.

And I came to the conclusion from everything that he talked so vividly was freedom for all. Freedom in the sense of relationships not bounded by labels of race, culture, and the many labels that divide us as humans and poisons our relationships to the point it prevents us from "sitting down together" at that "table of brotherhood" that Martin Luther King so passionately described.

Since Martin Luther King's speech 50 years ago a lot of things have changed, and we should celebrate the progress that we have made, but we still have a way to go to where we will face the injustice in the world based on the situation, and not on the labels we use to project our own version of "justice" in the world.

And that is for us to come together for understanding and not discounting anyone and their beliefs. Diversity eliminates a lot of labels, fears, and profiling that doesn't allow the freedoms we all strive for. And there has been a number of academic studies which indicate that diversity results in improved outcome in everything from jury deliberations and better understanding, communication, and relational awareness among college students.

Better communication and understanding starts the process of raising levels of consciousness that bring a level of empathy and compassion for others. That is the foundation of good relationships, along with broader educational opportunities for learning are the measure that we can use as the bases of change as a collective we raise the conscious level of how we approach our relationships.

Despite the challenges, the benefits from our continued pursuit of Dr King's vision realized through his speech far outweigh the costs if we would be would be willing to be open and be acceptable to change. I am a testament to this as I internalize his speech not only by reading it, but in my actions by using as a base in the way I approach my relationships in business and life.

What has changed? ALOT. And more growth is ahead as we make cautious steps in a slow progress. And slow progress is progress we all stretch ourselves through this growth process.

4 Steps to Getting the Most of Mentoring and Coaching

2013-08-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Most of us have had informal mentors throughout our lives – parents, teachers, coaches, former bosses, and people that took a vested interest in you based on the potential you’ve shown. But in business, it’s important to be intentional about seeking mentors who can help us polish our skills, become more focus and organized, navigate difficult situations, and ultimately achieve our goals. Here some tips to help you get the most out of your mentoring or to help you choose a mentor if you don’t have one:

First, determine your goals, what you seek to learn or achieve from a mentor and traits you’d like in that person because synergy is very important.

Secondly, look for potential candidates starting with people that is close to you that are doing what you would like to achieve like family or friends and then from their move outward to people in your extended network still focusing on those people that are doing what you would like to achieve. Ask other people for recommendations and don’t be shy about approaching people who are very successful. Remember that most people find satisfaction in sharing wisdom, just be respectful of their time.

Next, when you’ve chosen your mentor or mentors, make sure you come to an agreement about your objectives or benchmarks you wish to achieve, how often you’ll meet, and what happens if the relationship doesn’t work and the confidentiality of your sessions.

And Lastly, Be open. Ask for frank and honest feedback, you don’t want a mentor to tell you what you want to hear, but someone that will tell you what you NEED to hear. It’s up to you to use it constructively.

Hope this helps you find someone to help you on your journey to achievement. And if your worried about the investment, here's some interesting facts:

A recent study cited in the prestigious Public Personnel Management Journal found a typical management training program increased the manager’s productivity by 22%, but when combined with 8-weeks of intensive Coaching, the manager’s productivity exploded to more than 85%.

A landslide of 98.5% of coaching clients said their investment in a coach was well worth the money.

70% of clients said their investment in a coach was very valuable. 28.5% said their investment was valuable.

“Many of the world’s most admired corporations, from GE to Goldman Sachs, invest in coaching. Annual spending on coaching in the U.S. Is estimated at roughly $1 billion”. – HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, Nov. 2004

So invest in yourself, get the most out of your mentoring, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

www.stretchyourself.org

STRETCHYOURSELF with Business and Life Coaching

2013-08-07T08:06:00.001-07:00

To MASTER Your Business, You Must Be ABLE to STRETCH YOURSELF and measure for Results!

2013-06-17T13:10:00.001-07:00

8 STRETCH Tips to Make Your Goals a REALITY

2013-05-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

STRETCH Tip 1# Write them down

I know you have heard this before, but let me explain for clarity. Writing down your goals forces you to get CLEAR about what you want. Use a pen and paper (transfer it to your computer later) This simple act alone helps cement the desire in your brain.

STRETCH Tip 2# Find a replacement

A great way that I use to break a habit is to REPLACE it with a good one. What can you choose to add to your live that will fill the void left by eliminating a bad habit? For example, replace TV time with family time, candy with fresh fruit, or talk radio with inspiring audio.

STRETCH Tip 3# Tell Someone

Talking about your goal - even if it seems huge and impossible - allows others to encourage and help you by providing resources and information you may need.

STRETCH Tip 4# Take Baby Steps EVERY day

Even small steps taken toward your goal CONSISTENTLY will move you in the right direction. Once you experience a few small wins, taking bigger steps become easier.

STRETCH Tip 5# Take BIG STEPS

Don't take all year to do what you can accomplish in a day. Once you've written down your goals for the year, figure out which goals could be accomplished this month - or even today

STRETCH Tip 6# DECIDE and ACT

Past attempts that you had given up on and now is lodged in your subconscious as a reference point when you try something new may keep you from making decisions and taking action. GET OVER IT! Make a list of all the reasons you want to accomplish your stated goal. Refer to THAT list when you feel indecisive or inaction starts to creep into your mind and KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

STRETCH Tip 7# TEAM UP or COLLABORATE

Even if you don't share the same goals, having a success buddy can keep you accountable. And if you have the same goals and interests, collaborate and see what resources and tools you can combine to bring a goal to fruition. Meet weekly (in person or by phone or chat) to check in encourage, update and celebrate each other's progress.

STRETCH Tip 8# CELEBRATE your successes.

Every time you reach a milestone, acknowledge your accomplishments in a positive way. This helps you get into the habit of BEING and FEELING successful..no matter how small. For example, if you drop a dress size, buy a new outfit. If you pick up a new client, have dinner with your mentor. Celebrating your successes no matter how small will keep you focused and energized on the larger goal.

Hope you enjoyed these STRETCH Tips. If you want them in their entirety subscribe to my newsletter or go my free section FREE.99 at www.stretchyourself.org where you can download these and more their entirety.

Make A Plan

2013-04-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Most people allow their lives to simply happen to them. They react to situations and wait, instead of being proactive and moving forward with their lives. And over time, they look back and a large portion of their life has passed and they look back and realize that they should have been more proactive and strategic with their goals and dreams they wanted to accomplish.

While this may or may not be true for you, I want to encourage everyone to stretch themselves further than what they seem possible and develop a stronger sense of urgency and a proactive mindset. As you plan and develop strategies to create those relationships you want to have in business and life, I want to share with you some of the things I have learned that has helped me stretch myself in the process.

1. Life is very simple, but keeping it that way depends on your approach in the present moment.

a. Despite what people say, I believe that life is simple. It's a matter of know your core values, who you are as a person, and then making decisions and managing those decisions with consistent actions day to day. The knowledge and experience gained as we grow it should make it easier but we usually get in our own way and make things more complicated so here are some questions you can ask yourself when you have a plan and you plan to make it work.

i. Can I apply the knowledge I’ve learned?

ii. Can I repeat the process and share it with others and empower them with my vision to help me accomplish my goal?

iii. Can it be duplicated in my business as it grows without me?

These questions will help you as you grow your business from part time to full time, and as you expand your vision by empowering others to grow your business, freeing you to visualize your business and where you want the direction of your business to go as a LEADER with a business, but not IN the business.

2. Design your life around your business, not your business around your life

a. Many people worry and spend so much time trying to growth their business that they spend half that energy managing their own personal relationships they keep with themselves, and their family, friends, or significant others. Make your life the best it can be by making your relationships outside of your passion or business the best it can be. The rest will work itself out.

b. Designing your life is about finding yourself, knowing WHO you are, and then maximizing own your own core values to your benefit and growth. Once you are able to manage who you are, then you can apply it to your passion or business.

3. This is YOUR life, make the BEST of it!

a. You only get one chance at this life, yet many people seem to treat as if they are practicing for the next time. Each one of us through our experiences learn and grow and have to figure out life as we go along. Things can get hectic, crazy even. We will FAIL, We will make mistakes, but we still need to give it our BEST shot.

b. We can do that be doing our best in the present moment, and learning from others that have went before us and were successful. That alone should be inspiration for us to plan the best we can and give it our ALL. Jermaine McIver once said, "When you're gone, you're gone forever. you only live once. Live exactly how you want to be remembered."

4. MAKE it a DOUBLE

a. Being an optimistic person, I sometimes place unrealistic expectations on myself. Over time and through trial and error, I've learned that the important things we want in life usually take longer than we expect. I learned this while teaching real estate and in my own personal growth. So what do you do? I learned this teaching real estate that the numbers never lie and when I am working the rehab cost I double up. Meaning that if I think the rehab will cost me $10k to complete I set aside $20k. Now how does that translate in me making a plan? If it will take me an hour to complete a project I usually add an extra hour. I took my daily to do list and made it a weekly to do list. I'm not saying that double up is gonna make everything work perfectly, I am saying that it works for me. Find what works for you and add time to whatever plan you have make it realistic for you so it is doable.

b. Now that doesn't mean that you put in half the effort and energy. You have to double up on your energy and efforts to make this happen as well. Be realistic in your plans and allow yourself to grow and change with the plan. A plan after all is a guideline the way you want things to go, but plans change so you have to GO and GROW with your plan. And as you GROW with your plan, you'll find that the resources and the time you need will come on time and allow you to use your energy for growth and will keep you from becoming discouraged and giving up too soon.

Most accomplishments in life come easily if you approach them with a plan, and plan for growth and change in the plan. Rarely does an off the cuff approach to anything succeeds, and putting in just enough energy in your goal or endeavors rarely brings them to fruition.

We plan for vacations and other social events in our life, but rarely plan our life. Planning is the best way to stretch your life and relationships to new levels, but without a plan even the most successful people find it harder to achieve even ordinary results. Jim Rohn said it best when he said, "If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much."

STRETCH YOURSELF - What's STOPPING you? Procrastination by the numbers

2013-04-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

As I study and do research to bring more awareness as we stretch ourselves to new conscious levels, I ask myself this question to share with everyone. And that is, are you living the life of your dreams? If you are not, you're not alone and I wanted to share with you the numbers to make you aware, and more importantly for you to ask the question for yourself, "What's stopping you?"

Just consider these numbers:

83% of people believe they have a book in them but NEVER follow through to write it.
6 out of every 10 people want to lose weight but GIVE up before actually losing weight consistently.
700 million adults worldwide want to move or at least visit another country but never actually make plans to do so.

and lastly...
85% of people are less than "extremely satisfied" with their current jobs, but can see past how they can make their part time hobby into a full time business for themselves.

The point that I am trying to make is that instead of wishing, wanting, and waiting for the perfect situation, start taking consistent action towards whatever goals your trying to accomplish.

NOW is the time to take action and start moving towards making your dreams a reality.
The only thing that's stopping you from achievement is YOU.

"If you add a little to a little and do this often, soon the little will become great." ~ Hesiod (ancient Greek poet)

Relationship Rewind featuring Nick Dillon How to Bring Value to Relationships

2013-04-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

First Call - APPLY what YOU Know

2013-04-07T05:17:00.003-07:00

First Call - BE ACCOUNTABLE

2013-03-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Stretch Yourself with ACTION and CONSISTENCY

2013-03-29T18:55:00.002-07:00

There is great power in taking ACTION and being CONSISTENT. One of the things I have learned is that you have to expect the unexpected. So many of us have long-term plans, but life happens and we keep taking action toward those plans and being consistent to make those plans into reality. Yes, planning is important. And remember that this day will never come again and your actions and consistency in the remaining hours of this day could move your life in a whole new direction.

For example, today is the day you can revisit those resolutions and take the first action by asking yourself "what can I do realistically, consistently that will help me achieve this goal?"

Today is the day you could pull out your journal and reflect on what’s not working for you in your life.
Today is the day you could articulate a new set of personal standards that resonate with your core values.

Understand the actions and consistency you do in your days makes up your life. As you live each of your days in the present, fully, with action and consistency in your endeavors, you are crafting your life.
So what am I saying?
I am saying that if you manage your time, you'll master your life.

That's how the best succeed. What I learned through writing Stretch Yourself and interviewing successful people is that success comes from taking action not on a large scale, but from the consistent practice of simple fundamentals and being disciplined in your consistent action. In other words, the best of the best take ACTION and are CONSISTENT.

All too often we think success is complicated. And through interviews and discussion with some successful people in business and in life I realize that they are using very simple practices but that they execute around these principles religiously.

One of the most important of these fundamentals is that they are meticulous about protecting their time.

The first step in protecting your time is to know where you are going.
Knowing your destination increases your focus.
Knowing your destination allows you to make wiser choices.
Knowing your destination saves you precious time and energy. If you don’t know where you are going, any road is going to get you there.

Let me give you a analogy for this. If you need to drive from Toronto to New York City, what do you do? The first thing you are going to do is locate the destination. Then you are going to plot your course on your GPS. You’d laugh at someone who said I’m going to drive to New York City and just hopped into their car without GPS, map, or a plan. That would be recipe for disaster.

Most people spend more time planning their summer vacations than they do planning their lives. You would laugh at a business that had no business plan. You would laugh at a business that didn't reflect on strategy. You would laugh at a business that did not clearly articulate its mission and its guiding values. Yet most people don’t have a plan for their lives. Most people have not clearly articulated a philosophy for their lives. Most people don’t have a mission for their life. And one of the most important things I’ve discovered is that if you don’t have a plan and a philosophy for your life you will end up living someone else’s life and working someone else's passion.

I had lunch a month ago with a long time friend/mentor of mine and he told me that his focus for success was one thing and that is his OVERALL GOAL the BIG VISION, the LONG TERM GOAL. Then He plans and bases all his small actions on his LONG TERM VISION and that keeps him focused as he gets closer to his goals. WOW!

My mentor uses the Law of Linkage. The Law of Linkage states that if you want to live an extraordinary life then link everything that you do to your vision. For example, if a meeting is not aligned with your vision then have the discipline to say no to it. Because that meeting will take time away from pursuing your goals.

Stay focused as best you can, and don't let things happen to you - not when you can MAKE things HAPPEN.”

Fall Forward

2013-02-25T07:06:00.000-08:00

Prepare for a unique learning experience and be thoroughly stretched as you watch Ron Broussard ( Founder of Stretchyourself.org, and renowned keynote speaker on Stretch Yourself) take on a journey of conscious connecting and explaining that FALLING is not FAILING unless you Fail to get up, and keep moving forward.

This First Call is about FALLING and how you qualify yourself every time a setback or disappointment occurs. Did you FALL or FAIL? the stakes in your life that control and condition your subconscious mind with limiting beliefs that prevent you from learning and healing from experiences, and moving on to become the person you want to be. This FIRST Call will help you STRETCH YOURSELF outside of what is ordinary and challenge yourself to be extraordinary in the life you want to achieve and embrace.

Ron invites you keep falling and by the effort and faith you'll find yourself falling less and standing more.

If you want to learn please visit http://www.stretchyourself.org/

Super Relational Marketing Blunders

2013-02-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday night, I watched the Super Bowl with some good friends and it was an incredible game! Unfortunately the game was interrupted in the 3rd quarter by a 30-minute delay when the New Orleans Super Dome suddenly lost electrical power. The annoying outage sucked a lot of energy out of the Super Bowl party, the game, and the rhythm of both teams.

As I was driving home, I realized that the power outage that put the stadium into temporary darkness wasn't the only annoying interruption. Almost every commercial break also felt like an annoying marketing interruption. Major brands that had our undivided attention displayed TV ads that were pointless and had no method to the madness.

It looked as though every ad was trying to be gimmicky or memorable and they all were shooting in the dark, missing the most valuable question that everyone was thinking as they sat and watched these commercials. And that was why should I buy this, drink that, or wear this? How will it make my life better? What’s in it for me that will improve my well-being? But instead, these companies have marketing people that spent $3 million for each 30 second spot that missed the point, thinking that gimmicks or silly outrageous scenes would convince someone to buy their product.

This is the marketing myth that is being perpetuated by advertisers thinking that generating awareness or getting people’s attention with humor or spoofs is the key to successful relational marketing. Just because you make someone laugh or shock them with provocative images doesn't mean people are going to buy your goods or services. And just because you have the world’s attention during a major event doesn't mean you can make them buy.

People purchase goods and services according to the principal of self-interest. Remember we are all looking for relationships with benefits, right? So, you can make an audience laugh, even engage them in some talk on social media sites, but there is no money conversion rate to laughter and talk. Banks don’t accept laughter and talk as deposits.

Getting people to remember your product and service is important to any marketing and advertising campaign so don’t get me wrong. I laughed at some of the ads myself, but PLEASE, don’t lose sight of what you want people to remember most and that is the VALUE your offering. Wrap the benefits up in your ads with humor and provocative statements so people remember why they should buy your goods or services.

If you’re not going to do that, then save that $3 million dollars to go towards keeping your lights on and paying the bills, because if you miss the mark by answering the public questions by explaining how’s and why’s should I buy, what’s in it for me? They’ll just view your promotions like I did and not buy your products or services, wondering what that ad was about and just be annoyed.

Stretching your relational capital in business and life,

Ron Broussard
Stretch Yourself

Do You Want to STRETCH Your Business Relationships?

2013-01-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard this saying then it's new, but if you have heard this saying then is it true? Do People Do Business With Those They Know, Like and Trust?

Yes they do, but I have learned one more thing from attending networking meeting and spending countless hours either at Starbucks or Caribou coffee conducting one on one meeting that will help you stretch your business relationships to the next level and that is;

People do business with those they Know, Like, Trust AND CONNECT with.

Connecting with someone is the most important element in this equation. Let me explain why.

There are many stages to building business relationships. And people do business with people they know, like and trust. From there relationships are cultivated over time by investing time, giving value, and showing effort.

In the Know, Like and Trust formula, the first step is getting to KNOW the other person's business. This is where you learn the basics of who they are and the product or service they offer. If you have done any networking you are very familiar with this initial conversation.

The second step, LIKE, is where you to start to know them personally. Do they have a family? How do they spend their time away from the office? You can tell a lot about a person when you find out what they do during they off time.

The third step is TRUST. During this stage you will discover both their business and personal ethics. How do they respond to problems? Do they take care of their customers? Listen to how they talk about their clients and family. Are appreciative of the business or does it seem to be more of an inconvenience? Does there seem to be a lot of drama around them?

Now, how many people do you know who pass in all of the above stages? These are people you can say you know them... like them... and trust them. And you are probably doing business with them, or referring business to them. But in order to stretch your business relationships to the next level so they are raving about you word of mouth you have to include another step.

And that fourth step is CONNECT WITH. This is the most important of all because without it you won't get the business, you'll just know about their business and they will know yours, but no business will take place, no referrals will come. Let me give you an example that made it very clear to me. As I mentioned, I make it a point to put in my fair share of networking hours meeting people. Many of these have been referred to me by either a client, or a person that I have retained for my own business.

When I have an opportunity to refer, I know a lot of people that I KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST, but I only refer the people that I made a CONNECTION with. This connection was made by building not only a business or client relationship, but also a personal relationship.

This was part of my own personal step of building an effective relationship with the people I came in contact with, and not only did business increase, but my referrals increased, and it was easier because someone else blew my horn and that alone speak volumes, more than any words, speech, or presentation I can do say.

So I tell you this for you to look at your business contacts and focus more on connecting with each person and you will see that it will change the way you spend your time with your business and the rewards will come pouring in.

Stretch your relationships, you'll be glad you did

Ron Broussard
StretchYourself

Make a CONNECTION! #stretchyourself

3 Steps to STRETCH 2013 In The RIGHT Direction For Your Business

2012-12-27T18:12:00.000-08:00

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! There is not better time to take inventory of your business from where you are to where you want to be than this time you have right HERE right NOW. This time, from we have at the end of one year and the beginning of the next. This is the time where you can see what has worked and what hasn't worked, but more importantly, what expectations you want to achieve in the next year that you want your business to be, look, and feel.

So to help you stretch yourself for the NEW Year and the infinite possibilities that is out there waiting for you to seize the moment, I thought I’d share some simple steps to get you and your business started in the right direction.

First step is to start cleaning out the old year. Are you surrounded by papers you started or wanted to get to? If you have done nothing with it you’re not going to start now so throw it away. NOW is the time to clean to make room for all the new business and opportunities that will come your way (IF there is room for it (wink!))

What about old products, programs or services? Is everything you're offering in your business updated and current? Is it still a good fit? Or maybe there's something that doesn't work with your brand anymore?

And don't forget to look at yourself, your mindset, and your good and bad habits. What are you still not doing you KNOW you should be? What habits or blocks are you going to be consciously aware of and will work to throw them away too?

Let’s get it all out there, all the good, bad and indifferent. Write everything down you want to throw out with the old year. Remember, this not all about clearing away what you don't want or don't need any more physically in the office like papers, but mentally, and even spiritually as well..

Next, Be thankful for what you HAVE accomplished. Take a moment and write down everything you DID accomplish this year. What are you grateful for? What are you most proud of? Bring the NEW YEAR in celebrating your accomplishments and anticipating what is to come-- take the time to do this. (If you're anything like me, I look at how far I’ve come and reflect on it and really get into the emotion of how I felt for what I have accomplished so far. It used to be difficult for me to celebrate anything; I was always looking at the next step. I was glad but I was constantly looking at all the things I WANTED to do and didn't.)

Lastly, lay the foundation for the New Year. Some of the things I do include updating my Vision board (yeah, I have a vision board too!) and rewriting down my goals in my red GOALS journal. Then I put together a marketing and promotional plan for the year so I can reach those goals.

You also may want to take some time and invest in your own self growth and development. Is there some training you would like to attend? (I’m going to the John Maxwell Training in March) Is there a program you need to buy? A coach or consultant you need to hire? Or maybe there's something you need to implement. (Like some new habits to work on consistently to let go of the old habits that no longer serve you for good?)

Now, when you set up a plan, make sure you do the right thing and set yourself up for success. Some people make plans so unrealistic that they set themselves up to fail. So create a realistic plan with your success in mind. Don't make it so overwhelming or paint yourself in a corner so there's no way for you to succeed. Stretch Yourself, but be realistic too. There's no shame in taking small steps toward your goal -- the only shame is making yourself feel bad because you didn't give yourself a realistic plan to meet your goals.

And, whatever you do, don't forget to celebrate along the way! You deserve it.

Stretch You Towards Success,

Ron Broussard

Stretch Yourself

You Have Power!

2012-12-09T14:41:00.003-08:00

You have the power! Yes! you have the power.
The power to create and shape your life right now.
The power to achieve any goal you can imagine.
The power to enjoy the success and happiness you deserve.
The power to live the life you want.
The power to change your life today.
That power is WITHIN you.

It is up to you to direct that power and follow the right path. And that power is your subconscious mind and your inner powers. When you work with these powers you'll enjoy greater success, and the more you work with them, the easier and more pleasant life becomes.

I know a lot of people told you that you had to work hard to succeed, that you have to make sacrifices, that things don't come easy, or that only the lucky people succeed, make more money, travel and get to enjoy life.

Like you I believed them until through my own experiences, I realized they were wrong.

You see there is a better way. Life doesn't have to be difficult.
You don't have to work hard to succeed and you don't have to sacrifice your family or everything to get ahead. Success isn't just for those who are deemed "Lucky"

You can enjoy better health.
You can be in the right relationship.
You can make more money.
You can make the right choices.
You can enjoy the success you want
And it will all come easily when you do the right things, persistently and consistently.

You've been conditioned to believe that success is the result of hard work and great sacrifice and if you believe that - then you'll always work hard and make great sacrifices to succeed OR you'll avoid success at all costs, because you don't want to work hard or make sacrifices.

But once you change those beliefs, once you create new beliefs and once you start applying the right steps so that you no longer have to work hard or struggle - then you'll enjoy success easily.

Decide what abundance and success means to you. Now that can mean many different things to many different people, but it can mean more money, better health, more freedom, the ability to travel, working less and earning more, whatever you decide abundance is you can achieve that success.

But you'll only do that when you have your subconscious mind and inner powers focused on success.

Now you can get the very steps that lead to success. I've put them together for you right now in a simple and easy to follow system that I will share with you.

Here’s the system:

Plan your goals
Make realistic action steps
Take Action, Have Faith
Be Consistent
Follow Through to Completion
Work through the Failures
Finish Strong

This is the simple system that I've used for most of my life. I've eliminated all the things that don't work and just gave you the steps that lead to success. Now it’s up to you to fill in the blanks and have determination to stay the course.

Yes! you can be successful
Yes! you can achieve your goals
Don't let life pass you by
Don't let your dreams, goals, and ambitions die
Believe in yourself and you can achieve whatever you want
Decide on what you want and start taking the right steps and enjoy greater success and happiness.

Stretching you to tremendous success and abundance,
Ron Broussard
Stretch Yourself

The POWER is WITHIN you

It will change your life...

2012-12-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

It will change your life. You know it will.
Things will be easier if you just had some more. You know things would be better if you could make more money, If you just had more money.

But how? What can you do? The thoughts race through your head.
You need to find a way but you just can't.

Then the negative thoughts take over.
You wonder if you'll ever be rich. Maybe you're asking for too much. You think you're not smart enough. Or that you're not lucky enough.
You try investing and but it doesn't work out. You think about starting a business but you don't know where to begin. You think maybe you're just not meant to be wealthy.
The negative thoughts take over and the doubts stop you from moving forward.

But you can be wealthy. Yes you can.
You can make as much money as you want and more.
The only reason you're not making as much money as you want is because of all the negative blocks you have on your subconscious mind.

Those blocks are the thoughts, beliefs, and the actions or inaction that say you can't, you don't deserve to or that you're not one of the lucky ones.

Luck has nothing to do with making money.
You can make the kind of money you want when you have the right instructions planted on your subconscious mind. All you have to do is direct your subconscious with your actions to bring you the wealth you want. Give it the right instructions through your thoughts and beliefs, reaffirmed by your actions and get rid of the blocks that stop you from being abundant.

Your subconscious will bring you more money when you give it the right instructions.
If you're not making as much money as you want
If you don't have the wealth you want
If you're struggling to make ends meet
If you can't breakthrough to making more, then you have a number of blocks on your subconscious mind.
You're giving your subconscious mind the wrong instructions through your thoughts and actions.

You're actually telling it to make it harder and harder for you to make money.
Those negative thoughts and negative beliefs and inaction are the instructions that you've given your subconscious mind. So it keeps making it harder and harder for you to make money.

Change those thoughts and beliefs by taking action and get rid of the negative thoughts and beliefs that hold you back.

Give your subconscious mind the right instructions.
Think of how much you want to make.
Now believe that you can and will make that amount.
Think about the first action step you need to do to get started.
Those actions will direct your subconscious to affirm your beliefs and thoughts to believe that it is easy to bring you that amount.
You can make as much money as you want when you have your subconscious working for you

You are a powerful person.
You can make as much money as you want.
You can be wealthy and abundant.
You can make more and have more.
Just direct your subconscious to bring you the money you want today

Stretching you towards tremendous happiness and abundance...

Ron Broussard
Stretch Yourself