Breakthrough Psychological Barriers

For October, a made the goal of reaching $9,000 in income which is $1,000 higher than my best month. I focused on the right things - new enrollments, and upgrade. Last week, I smashed that goal and $50 away from making $10,000.

I have three days to find $50. Why is it so important to achieve $10,000? Because… $10,000 represents a psychological barrier and a huge landmark. One year ago, it seemed almost unachievable, and now it seems inevitable. I find once the landmark is achieved it’s easier to repeat the results.

On the other side of the coin, last month was the most expensive month. I had some huge unexpected added expenses. My business landlord back charged us for all of the additional maintenance for the last year. The cost was an additional $1500. One of my goals is to buy commercial property so that this stuff will not happen. Plus, I had some lawyer fees to pay in the amount of $500.

Next month, my goal will be to maintain the $10,000 in income and reduce my business expenses by $2000.

Filed Under Simple Living

Cutting Out Coffee

Okay, I am not quite cutting out coffee, but I am cutting out purchasing coffee from the Bagel Shop next door. Every morning, I stop by and grab a cup of coffee there. I decided to save the Styrofoam and make my own coffee instead.

I figured out that cutting out one 16oz cup of coffee per 5 day work week saves you a whopping $438.20 per year. I bet many of you are drinking more than one cup a day. Thats almost $1000 per year. For someone making $50,000, that equals 2% of your yearly salary. Can you believe that!? 2 PERCENT in coffee.

For you scientists out there, check my calculations yourself.

(Cost of one 16oz coffee per workdays
$2/day) X (5 workdays) X (52 weeks) = $520 per year

Cost of Coffee at Home
One pound of coffee makes 600oz of brewed coffee or 37.5 - 16oz cups per pound

Ground Starbucks from the grocery store costs about $12 per pound.
($12 per pound) divided by 37.5 = $0.32 per cup
($0.32/day) X (5 workdays) X (52 weeks) = $83.20 per year

Grand Total: $438.20 per year

Its interesting how expenses can add up everyday like doing 150 pushups for a year adds up to 52,000. David Bach"s Latte Factor in action.

9 Interview Tips for a Great Radio Show Appearance

Yesterday was my first radio interview with Bruce Barber. His new weekly show, airing in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York called “The Real Life Survival Guide”, features useful tips for living, based on interviews with people from all walks of life, sharing personal experiences and advice. Check out his new website at http://www.reallifesurvivalguide.com/. The interview stemmed from a blog I posted on “Halloween Safety Tips” at my other blog at timrosanelli.blogspot.com.

How did he find my blog? You guessed it, Google! I am starting to see the dividends for my work on Article Marketing.

I hate to go into things blind so I researched how to be a Radio Show Guest and wanted to share these tips with my audience.

9 Tips for keeping your composure during radio interview

1. Write down 3 points – You should write down three points in advance that you want to slip into the conversation. Instead of writing a whole paragraph, just write one or two words to remind you of each point. This way you can free talk about the point instead of reading it off a cue card.
   
2. Remain calm and focused – If you tend to get over-excite in these situations, consciously attempt to slow yourself down. If you start stumbling over words, it helps to stop for a second, take a quick breath, and continue with your point.
   
3. Watch your body posture – If it’s a phone interview, I prefer to stand over sitting because you tend to project and communicate more assertively. If you are sitting, find a comfortable chair and sit with good posture – no slouching. In fact, you should try to sit on the edge of the seat and lean forward slightly.
   
4. Give more than yes or no answers – When the interviewer asks a question, avoid giving just a quick yes or no, or a short answer. The interviewer asks questions to engage your topic. The audience will view short answers as dull. Talk fully about each point.
   
5. Talk enthusiastically about your topic – Nothing can ruin an interview more than not sounding enthusiastic. People respond positively to enthusiasm -- It’s contagious. So in turn, the audience gets enthusiastic about your topic, too. Don’t be afraid to show that passion you have for your topic.
   
6. Stay on topic – When the host asks a question, staying on topic is very important. By drifting too far off topic, the audience will label you as flighty. Give a sufficient answer to each question then let the interviewer engage the next question.
   
7. Use lead-in statements – Some examples of lead-in statements are “That’s a great question” or “I am glad you asked that”. Lead-in statements give you time to formulate a precise answer and further engage the host and audience.
   
8. Keep the tone conversational – Talk to the interviewer as if you are carrying on a conversation with a friend -- forget about the fact that an audience is listening. Occasionally, you should throw the host’s name into the conversation. It shows respect to the host and makes the conversation appear more personal and genuine.
   
9. Be graciousness – Let the host and audience know how it’s an honor to be guest and your excited to talk to them.

By observing these nine simple tips to performing a great radio or TV interview, you will project that confident and enthusiastic image that will make your interview shine. After the interview, follow the interview up with thank you note to the producer. Who knows? Maybe, you’ll become a regular guest.

The Scariest Movie This Year

Autumn arrived and the leaves are changing with the coming of cooler weather. With Halloween just around the corner, we watched some horror movies, but last night, I watched possibly the scariest movie ever. No, it was not the new Rob Zombie version of Halloween or John Carpenter's 1408. No, these didn't come close.

What's the movie that scared this tough Martial Artist.

MAXED OUT!

Maxed Out is about the rising consumer credit card debt in America. I swear this movie had me tossing and turning all night.

I felt empathy for the poor that these credit card companies victimize.

I felt sad how the people at collection agencies thought of peoples lives like a sport, laughed and turned a blinded eye on the damage they inflict.

I could not believe that credit card companies extend credit to people they know can't afford it because "they are the most profitable."

Folks, I barely watch TV but this is definitely worth the education.

So what to do?

• Become an strong advocate of simple living-- to live a Spartan lifestyle by choice.
• Kill all consumer debt -- I have some small business debts that I am going to destroy.
• Become more frugal with my business spending

If you have debt, please watch this movie. It's an eye opener

Key Strategy II: Creating More Value

My second key strategy is to create more value. Look at it this way.

In business, you have two choices:

1. Offer really low prices and get more customers
2. Ask for higher prices and add more value to the customers

Dan Kennedy says that if you want a miserable business existence compete for price with the competition. Do you really want to roll in the mud for the lowest prices? Imagine, competing with Wal-Mart or McDonalds. You will never be able to compete with them for price.

What you can do is go for the higher end niche that they are not in. The great thing is that there’s a huge market for high-end stuff. Also, think of it this way. Is it easier to service 200 customers or 100 customers? Of course, 100 customers are easier to service.

How do you increase your prices? By adding value to service and/ or quality.

Ideas for Increasing Your Product or Service’s Value

• Systematize your sales and marketing systems – Customers love consistency. Your sales process should be simple, straightforward, and most of all, always the same. By measuring results, you can make small changes and see how they affect your results.
  
• Benefits, Benefits, Benefits – Talk passionately about your product or service’s benefits to everyone who will listen.
  
• Red, White, and Blue service – Roll out the Red Carpet when people walk in, Make your facility White Glove clean, and Give Blue Ribbon service. The combination of these three things will cost you almost nothing but will make your product or service worth more money.
  
• Becoming the Obvious Expert – This is a link to my first key strategy
  
• Provide Something Unique – Customer’s will pay more money for things they cannot find elsewhere.

Well, I guess you get the idea. I am committed to improving everything about our service and finished with rolling in the mud with my competition.

How about you?