Life and Business Coaching from SolutionBox

MM 95: How to Get Fantastic Testimonials

2008-05-12T13:14:00.000-04:00

1. Announcements/Offers

What People are Saying About 'First Fifty Clients'?

Simply Brilliant!!!!!

2. FEATURE: How To Get Fantastic Testimonials

Testimonials can be extremely valuable to a coaching business. Not only do they show prospective clients that you have successfully worked with others, they show YOU that you have made a difference in your client's life or company. Yet many people are afraid to ask for them.

Getting testimonials is easy and in my CoachStart™ Manual I give you all the steps you need.

Let's summarize a few here...

It's important to get at least three good testimonials. They can be short, but should promote your credibility, confidence, and services.

You must also get their permission to use the testimonials publicly, in your brochures, website, portfolio, etc.

The more information you can include, such as full name, title, company name, email address, etc. the more credible the testimonial. If you can get a picture, even better!

Through Instant Audio you can even have them call a phone number and record their testimonial - then add a link to the testimonial on your web site.

Quick Testimonial Tips

Get in the habit of asking for a testimonial each time you finish up with a client or when they are particularly excited about something they've achieved with your help
Don't be afraid to ask someone you've given just an Exploratory or Trial session to.
Start collecting positive e-mails and letters now – this will give you a good start in asking for testimonial later. You may even just use those e-mails! (with permission).
I suggest tweaking it to the language you want, and then ask the client for approval of the final edit.
When you speak to a club or company, get agreement in advance for a testimonial.

Sources of Testimonials

Possible sources of testimonials include your friends and colleagues.

Let them know you are starting your Coaching business and ask them to jot down how you have helped them – managing former employees, counseling someone on a problem, or just giving advice that really helped them. Or offer them a coaching session so they become one of your first clients!

Of course your actual clients are a great source for testimonials. If you are new, you can offer free coaching for a month on a particular topic in return for a testimonial. Past clients of any type can also give testimonials, even if not specific to coaching. Statements such as "Thank you for helping me with my relationship goals – you've made a difference" are powerful statements.

Use Your Testimonials

Once you've gathered your testimonials, print them out, put them on your website, share with prospective clients – Use Them!

Action

Jot down the names of six-ten people whom you have assisted in some way in the past.

Ask these people to email you with 1 paragraph on how you have helped them move forward in their life.

If you like, share some of your favorite testimonials at the blog!

***

This was drawn from The CoachStart™ Manual, found together with hundreds of dollars in free bonuses, here.

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Create #52: Structures: When You Just Can't Get Motivated

2008-05-03T08:43:00.000-04:00

1. Announcements/Offers

What are they Saying about 'Explode Your Practice'?
"I have already listened to at least 6 hours and my ability to open my practice has been accelerated by at least 3-6 months. Hearing David's real life advice to coaches has made a huge difference for me. This will take months off my learning curve. I won't have to go through the frustrating trial and error process which costs time, money and clients! Thank you, David!"Jeannie Crowell Oregon, USA jcrowell @ bendcable.com

Get your 'Explode Your Practice' CD set at:

http://www.explodeyourpractice.com/

New York Event: Day of Marketing
I'll be speaking at this event at Columbia University. It's Friday, May 16, from 8 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturday, May 17, from 8 am to 12:30 pm.

If you can make it to NYC you'll hear my speech that people paid up to $2000 to hear last year, plus we can say hello.

My topic? ‘The Four Freedoms: How to do what you love and get paid for it' For more detail on what I'm covering see http://www.internetclients.net/- that pretty much lays it out. Check it out and kindly post on http://www.solutionbox.com/comment if you decided to register ;-)

Register Here

2. FEATURE: Structures - When You Just Can't Get Motivated

For three months I've barely touched work. In fact I've found it hard to leave the house much of the time. And for some people (including me the past few months), lack of motivation can be just the surface. I've recently experienced anxiety and depression, and now a break up. (Yes, yes, all part of the spiritual journey. And - it can all be a bit inconvenient when there are bills to pay, and results you want to produce!)

You may be in a similar place. You may just be feeling unmotivated and wanting some oomph in your life. Or you may be doing well, and want to fly higher.

This article is for you.

I'm feeling motivated and excited right now. And I figure if I can do it coming from the space I've been in, then anyone can do it.

I'll keep it to two simple steps:

Step 1) What do you need for yourself?

Take a look at what's missing for YOU. What are you not giving yourself? What could you add to your life that would fill YOU up? Is it a soothing bath each day? A massage? Doing a good deed? Nurturing touch from a friend? More (or less) time with your partner? Exercise? Or to see an exciting football game.For me, it's setting up a lot of company/social interaction. It's being around inspirational people who are making things happen. It’s exercise and moving my body. It's music, good food, and chai tea ;-) It's doing the inner work. And it's keeping busy so I'm not navel gazing too much on my own in my apartment with my thoughts.

What is it for you? I invite you to make a list right now of things that you might really enjoy; that would fill you up; that would have you feel nurtured and happier.

Step 2) Put the structures in place to have this in your life

Given I don't feel like leaving the house right now, and I'm often not in the mood to set up something supportive, setting up structure in advance can often be the key.

What kind of structure would support you moving forward with your goals? And giving you what you need to soar higher?

For business goals do you need a goal buddy? A coach? More social interaction or fun? Accountability? Inspiration?

For more personal goals do you need more fun? More nurturing? To be in action each day? A goal buddy? A coach or therapist? A filled in calendar?

As you read through the list of structures I've created (am creating) for myself, see what comes to you as something that would serve you:

joining a men's group
scheduling time with friends including sleep-overs
registering for volunteer work
exercising almost every day (e.g. rollerblading in central park, squash, 5 Rhythms/Sweat Your Prayers, Bikram yoga)
setting up a buddy for a regular 8:30am call to do withholds (you get 15 minutes each to talk uninterrupted and blurt out the rubbish in your head; or you could do the Morning Pages)
setting up appointments to work from a café with friends, instead from my home office.
hiring an awesome coach to help me do The Work
massage twice a week

***

Action

1) Go to the blog right now and post the top three things that would fill you up; that would have you feel nurtured and happier and possibly more motivated.

2) After that list, post the STRUCTURES you will put in place in the next 7 days to make sure these things happen without you having to keep creating them all the time; they just happen. (Hint: a regular schedule helps, as does committing with a buddy or coach).

* * * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the blog. I'd love to hear what gifts you're going to give yourself, and the structures you'll put in place to ensure they happen.

3. The Personal Touch

As you may already know from the above article, things have been pretty rough. And - out of the ashes rises blah blah blah. I've learned a lot about what I want/need in relationship and what serves me. I've set boundaries for myself, even when it was very difficult to do so. I've set up strong structures in my life to take care of myself. And I'm exploring who I am - and how my thoughts work (yes, it's pretty trippy - highly recommend http://www.thework.com/ ).

Fortunately - the last 3-4 weeks have been a major turn around. I'm excited about business again, and getting stuck into things. My purpose is becoming clearer, and I'm feeling connected with it: Helping people share their gift with the world, and to get paid for it. And ultimately - to help people be free in all aspects of their life. And I'm intrigued by this thing called 'service' - it's popping up in a lot of different areas. I'm absolutely thrilled to have been voted into the http://www.transformationalleadershipcouncil.com/ , and I feel it's calling me to play a bigger game.

I'll probably do quite a bit of speaking this year and next, and spoke last week to a class at Columbia University which was great. Time soon to get back to the book and ensure the message gets out to the world.

I'm having a few tentative dates, and enjoying my wonderful friends. Also exploring my vision to live with other people after a long time being solo. Life is good!

Lots of love,
David

'August Rush' - and your purpose

2008-04-27T12:10:00.001-04:00

FUN INVITATION
I just watched the movie ‘August Rush’, and loved it.

Further, I had a very deep insight afterwards that affects and supports my coaching, my marketing, and my purpose. I encourage and challenge you to watch the movie in the next 7 days, and post any insights you have about your purpose – what you’re up to in the world - at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/3k4xto (or click 'add comment' below)

(If you’ve seen it recently – then feel free to post now!)

ONLY ONCE YOU’VE WATCHED IT…
Once you’ve watched (or re-watched the movie), then listen to MY insight here:

August Rush - 3 minute audio

And I hope you’ll post your own insights. I found the movie very moving, and hope you do to.

David

MM #93: How Do I Write My Coaching Agreement?

2008-02-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

1. Announcements/Offers

What People are Saying About 'First Fifty Clients'?

Simply Brilliant!!!!!

I listened to the disc for the first time on Monday and have already booked 45 people for exploratory sessions. I may have to extend my goal to 100 people in 100 days. I never knew I could inspire people to take advantage of a free session. You have motivated me into action and I wish to thank you for this. " - Loretta Digger, UK

Visit First Fifty Clients

Brief Note From David
Hi guys, quick note to say I've been traveling the last 3 months - California, Australia, and my brother's wedding in the Cook Islands. Now that I'm back in New York I'm feeling more business energy gradually flowing in my veins, and turning my attention back to how YOU can fill your practice with clients. So stay tuned to more from SolutionBox. Cheers,David

2. FEATURE: How Do I Write a Coaching Agreement?

The CoachStart™ Manual includes a special bonus that you can use in your coaching business – an actual Coaching Agreement with my policies and procedures included! This is a great tool to get you started as you create your own personal coaching agreement. Below I have given you some ideas to craft your own Coaching Agreement. Please note that I am not an attorney, so I recommend that you get legal advice and not to rely on this agreement for legal protection. Let's begin.In your Coaching Agreement with each client, you'll want to specifically detail what your client will receive, what you expect of them, the fees, and what they can expect from you. The following sections are important:

Coaching Sessions

Here you should lay out how many sessions you will have each month and the type and length of each session. Identifying extra services including e-mail availability, extra check-in calls, referral opportunities, etc. These bonuses in the Coaching Agreement add value and let your clients know you are available to them when needed.

Expectations and Self-Coaching

I expect each of my clients to e-mail me a Self-Coaching Form before every session. In the Coaching Agreement, I detail the value and importance of this document. The Self-Coaching Form will make each session more productive, efficient, and will DOUBLE the value they receive from your coaching sessions! Basically the Self-Coaching Form includes what they learned this week, what actions they completed, what actions they didn't, etc. Think what questions you ask often in your coaching sessions and create your own form.

Rescheduling and Billing

Be very specific on whether or not sessions are cancellable and give them time-specific rescheduling options. Billing should always be in advance. It's a good idea to offer discounts for paying multiple months in advance, such as a 25% to purchase 3 months of coaching. After six months, I offer coaching options of just one session a month with e-mail support.

Termination and Non-Refundability

This is where you again remind them of the importance of their investment and that the agreement can be cancelled only at the end of a billing cycle. I prefer to allow cancellation at the end of a particular month - so they aren't thinking every session "should I keep going or not?"Some coaches don't give refunds - I certainly didn't. I want the client to have a huge stake in the relationship, and to MAKE the time worthwhile.

Liability

Again - you should seek legal advice on this section. I'll just raise a few of the issues that can come up in a worst case scenario:

- client changes career, new career doesn't work out, client sues you

- client takes action at work and gets fired, client sues you

- client turns out to have a history of mental illness and you were playing with fire, client harms self or others, client or family sues you

- client starts a new business which fails, client sues youFor more information on liability check with a lawyer. Also, see if you can get liability.

And

- International Coach Federation members can get professional insurance here. ***

This was drawn from The CoachStart™ Manual, which can be found together with hundreds of dollars in free bonuses here.

Action

1. Write out what your monthly coaching service will include.

2. Describe what you expect of your clients.

3. Describe what your clients can expect of you.

4. Share your thoughts and ask questions at the blog!

* * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

MM #92: Your Speaking Process

2008-02-04T16:55:00.000-05:00

1. Announcements/Offers

How Did These Coaches Set Up Their Businesses So Quickly?

You can save yourself the hundreds or thousands of dollars you may have paid a mentor coach or training school. After personally mentoring sixty coaches and founding a coach training school, I've compiled everything I know about starting a successful coaching practice in one easy-to-follow Manual.

And it's wonderful to see such huge results like this:

"I can't think of a better investment or more profitable long term step for an aspiring coach to take other than purchase and devour the CoachStart Manual. I used this guide as my Bible when commencing my coaching business and my first 12 months generated revenues over 6 figures....well in excess of my plans and expectations. For a fast start to your business I strongly recommend its use, you'll gain confidence and turn your dreams into reality."

Ken Wright, US

www.TheWrightCoaching.com

"I've already recouped the costs of the First Fifty Clients and the CoachStart Manual in coaching fees in 3 weeks."

Eddie Smith

Houston, Texas

www.lifecoachingtoday.com

So, let's get started! Get your CoachStart Manual in the next 5 minutes at http://www.coachstart.com/, and start building!

Visit a 6 Figure Coach

Last year we had a fantastic call with Ken Wright. You can find more about this coach, who made 6 figures in his first year of coaching, here:

http://www.thewrightcoaching.com/

(And you can sign up for his newsletter, "Tips to Lead the Wright Way", on the front page, bottom right)

2. FEATURE: Create Your Speaking Process

Here's a simple process to print and post up on your wall. Add some deadline dates too:

1) Pick a sexy sounding topic that you care about.

(Hint: solve a key problem for people)

2) Pick four key tips or solutions around that topic.

3) Draft an outline for your speech.

(Hint: powerpoint is a simple way to keep you on track, but don't put your whole speech on it, just bullet points)

4) SET A DATE and invite your friends to hear your speech - before you even have it ready.

(Hint: they'll give you written testimonials at the end, and verbal suggestions to improve it)

5) Put together an impressive looking bio with picture of you.

6) Join the National Speakers Association and go along to local meetings.

(Hint: find out who fields requests for speakers, and let them know you'll handle any free request to speak, just for the experience)

7) Call your local public service groups (e.g. Rotary, Zonta), and get on their roster.

(Hint: negotiate in advance a testimonial letter from every single speech. You'll sometimes get an offer of a paid speech out of your free speeches.)

8) After 3 speeches, quote a $200 or $500 fee per speech.

(Hint: if people baulk, you can always drop your price)

***

If you would like the full chapter on speaking to get clients or if you would like to see the other chapters included in The CoachStart Manual™, you can find them here.

Action

Print out the steps above.

Add your deadlines next to each step.

Post it on your wall

Get started on your first step and post at the blog what you will do by when, for accountability.

* * *

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Create #51: Set Awesome Goals for 2008

2008-01-17T16:02:00.000-05:00

1. Announcements/Offers

What are they Saying about 'Explode Your Practice'?

"David, thanks so much for creating Explode Your Practice™. I've listened to all the libraries, and my coaching practice is booming as a result!

I have:

21 new exploration sessions booked
9 new clients
my website appearing in all major search engines, and
I've started coaching international clients!

Daniel Midson-Short
Australia
www.lifestylerevolution.com.au

"I have already listened to at least 6 hours and my ability to open my practice has been accelerated by at least 3-6 months. Hearing David's real life advice to coaches has made a huge difference for me.

This will take months off my learning curve. I won't have to go through the frustrating trial and error process which costs time, money and clients! Thank you, David!"

Jeannie Crowell
Oregon, USA
jcrowell @ bendcable.com

Get your 'Explode Your Practice' CD set at:

http://www.explodeyourpractice.com/

2. FEATURE: Set Awesome Goals for 2008

(Reprinted from a past article as it's so good!)

Welcome to the New Year! Did you ever want to be one of those people who makes resolutions or sets goals every year and actually sticks to them?

My friend Peter Hegarty has made 3 resolutions every year for the last 15 years, and completed every one!!! Imagine if you had set and achieved 45 extra goals for your life!

But that's pretty 'out there'. This article isn't for those of you who easily create three resolutions every year, create a plan for achieving them, and put it into action without effort.

No - it's for those of us who WANT to make some changes to our life, and are JUST ABOUT to do some goal setting, and were waiting for the push that comes from this very newsletter. Well here it is!

And you'll be glad to hear I'm not going to bust your chops about goals. I'm clear that many of us don't set goals because we don't want to set ourselves up for 'failure'. It's a bit confronting. Well - welcome to the 'easy flow' method of goal setting.

I'm going to simply invite you to create three goals that will make a difference to your life, and then to put them up on your wall. If you don't complete them - what have you lost? You're no worse off. And if just picking some goals and putting them on your wall is enough to tip you over the edge and cause some results, then you've discovered a very easy way to make changes!

My 3 Step Goal Finder™ Method

So let's get started. Here's my easy 3 Step Goal Finder™ method:

1) Firstly pick an area of your life that you really would love to polish up. (Not SHOULD polish up, but would LOVE to polish up). Common areas are relationships, career, finances, health & fun/lifestyle.

2) Then set a resolution or goal that would put a smile on your face when achieved, and write by when you would like to have it. (A stretch is OK, but keep it doable.)

3) OPTIONAL: Repeat this process until you have 3 goals. (Note: You can skip these steps and simply pick something that you know in your heart you want to do.)

Your goals should be specific (i.e. will it be clear when you've reached it? A goal like 'feel better' about myself is hard to measure. While a goal like 'lose 10 pounds' is very clear.)

***

Action: So what calls to you...

A healthy toned body?

A clear financial plan?

30% increase in income?

Starting your own business?

Feeling free, expressed, and in love with your partner?

Back in communication where there has been a rift?

Two weeks in Peru?

To sing in public?

Learn a language?

Own your own home?

A job you love where you're truly making a difference?

Find a life partner?

* * * *

1. Decide on your one to three targets.

2. Now that you have one to three targets, they need to see the light of day! So write them down in big letters and put them up where you'll see them every day. You might even like to get creative, and use paint, and/or find a picture that motivates you.

3. I also highly recommend telling at least three people, to make it real. If it feels appropriate, ask for their support (e.g. to call you once a week to ask how it's doing). Of course - it's hard to beat getting your own coach; at the minimum you show yourself you're serious

(I just hired a nutritional counselor for 3 months myself)

4. You can also clarify your top 3 goals in the next 10 minutes at the Free Goals Report:

http://www.FreeGoalsReport.com/quiz.asp?id=45

This is a test version of what can be on your site. If you want a customized Free Goals Report for your site you can register here:

Goals Report Client Stream

5. Post your goals at the blog for the world to see!

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the blog

3. The Personal Touch

I write from the Harbin Hot Springs cafe, CA, on this rainy foggy day.

Feeling comfortably tired and peaceful, I reflect that the last three months have been some of the most intense of my life. Feeling tired and 'down' almost every day was worrying and uncomfortable. And when I stopped sleeping three weeks ago I had a choice: take sleeping pills to smooth it out, or 'go natural' and face every scary, icky, tense, exposed screaming feeling that comes up.

I'm proud to say I took the latter path, and at one point had a friend with me for 36 hours straight as I felt every feeling that came up. Beyond Ouch!

For a guy who's biggest fear is being exhausted and going into an anxiety loop at the same time, it was a wild experience to have nights with 90 minutes and even 20 minutes sleep. There were several times that were it not for my guide pointing out that craving a sleeping pill was my mind trying to protect me, so I could avoid the feelings, I would have definitely popped that Ambien that kept (falsely) promising me blissful sleep. For the conclusion to this experience, a list of things I learned (plus late night rambling brain dumps and my 'Warrior' post, see my personal blog.)

WARNING: It's uncensored, unedited, and a rawer sharing than you are used to from me. If this or swearing offends then don't read it. Personal Blog: www.KoalaJuice.com - the first post on this is called "Awakening Through Pain".

On lighter topics, Kristina and I have spent two weeks at OneTaste in San Francisco, deeply enjoying our new community of friends. We plan to move here in June (Mill Valley in Marin County) and perhaps be part time residents of this unusual community.

I fly to Australia Feb 10 (and joined by Kristina March 5) for a little business, a new visa, and my brother's wedding! Returning April 2 to San Francisco, and then doing Byron Katie's 9 day training school of 'The Work' in Los Angeles. We'd love to go to Sandy and Nicole's wedding in Bali in May, but not sure how all that traveling will sit with us.

Love David

California Sues Federal Goverment over emissions

2008-01-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

As Bush seems to stand in the way of environmental responsibility, California sues! Go Arnold.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-me-epa3jan03,1,6968553.story

MM #90: Global Warming: The Results are IN! (Special Issue)

2008-01-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

Note: This edition is a 'Special Issue' because it's not on the topic of building your coaching or other professional practice. And, it's going to both the 'Mentor Monthly' and the 'Create a Life You Love' subscribers.

I mostly quote from Time Magazine - as it's a bit more credible than me ;-) Anything not in quotes is from me.

“Our current respons to global warming is like jumping
out a 20 story window and counting each floor as you go saying
'so far, so good' ...." - Anonymous

Conclusions

The Earth is heating up. Humans are contributing to it. Projections are bad to catastrophic. We're seeing scary effects already. If we stopped all CO2 emissions today, we're still probably screwed. Yet we're making it worse. Any serious debate is largely over. Even in the face of uncertainty, it's smart for us to take BIG action steps. The U.S. - as the biggest offender - must take action, instead of blocking action.

Is Global Warming really happening?

In 2007 the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has finally stopped hedging: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal".

These findings have been endorsed by the Royal Society of Canada, the Royal Society (UK), the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a dozen other leading scientific bodies.

But are humans really causing it?

The above U.N. report stated there is "very high confidence" that humans have played a significant role by overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2). The report concluded that while the long-term solution is to reduce CO2 levels, for now we're going to have to dig in and prepare, building better levees, moving to higher ground and abandoning vulnerable floodplains altogether.

Hang on...don't ancient examples of global warming suggest that it's occurrence in our time may be natural as well?

"Although this is certainly possible, it appears unlikely. While the causes...in earlier instances...remain unknown, scientists agree that the current rise in levels of greenhouse gases is largely of human origin." - Time Magazine

But isn't there a lot of debate?

"For years, popular skepticism about climatological science stood in the way of addressing the problem, but the naysayers - many of whom were on the payroll of energy companies - have become an increasingly marginalized breed." - Time Magazine

And again, there are dozens of leading scientific bodies which have finally reached a consensus - not an easy thing in any field!

But if I have any doubt, I shouldn't do anything yet, right?

As above, there is no serious debate anymore. But even if there was, wouldn't just the chance that thousands of credible scientists are right, be reason to act - just to be safe? Call it an insurance policy. Here's an 8 minute argument for acting that has had 3 million views on Youtube!

Well, OK. But will the effects be that bad?

Well let's see. Floods. Droughts. Fires. Hurricanes. Sea level rising 20 feet. War. Species becoming extinct. More disease. Yes, it looks like they will be that bad.

But won't it take hundreds of years for it to get serious?

Ummm....Hurricane Katrina?

We've been hoping that "the glacial pace of nature would give us decades ore even centuries to sort out the problem. But [nature] can move with surprising speed....global climate systems are booby-trapped with tipping points and feedback loops.....the slow creep of environmental decay gives way to sudden and self-perpetuating collapse." - Time Magazine

But what if we take a bunch of action, and it turns out thousands of leading scientists were wrong? Or it was a plot by thousands of greenies to make money from scare tactics?

Then we might feel pretty silly. And the economy might take a hit. Oh no! Compare this to the option of not taking action because you're waiting for everyone to agree, and the entire Greenland ice shelf melts.

Which course of action seems the most responsible to you?

The U.S., Asia, and the Rest of the World

"The U.S. is home to less than 5% of the world's people,

yet it produces 25% of the CO2 emissions on the planet"

- Time Magazine

174 nations have ratified the Kyoto treaty to reduce carbon emissions. (And I'm a little teary that the second-last developed nation to hold out, Australia, finally ratified it December 3, 2007).

The U.S. has not ratified the treaty, along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Brunei, and Tajikistan.

The explosive growth in China and India is scary - way scary - and in 50 years they'll be the ones with the biggest impact. China and India seem willing to make moves, but Time Magazine says "they feel Washington must take the lead."

"Bush has called for a new international accord to fight climate change to be in place by the end of 2008. But most of the measures he supports involve voluntary , not mandatory, emissions controls, rather than the laws with teeth scientists are calling for. ...Bush explicitly rejected mandatory caps on emissions." - Time Magazine

This breaks his 2000 campaign promise: "We will require all power plants to meet clean-air standards in order to reduce emissions of...carbon dioxide within a reasonable period of time." George W. Bush

What can you do? 5 easy things:

Change all your light bulbs to energy savers (CFL's) - you'll save money over the long run. Order them today.

Move your thermostat down 3° in winter (wear a sweater!) and up 3° in summer.

Call your utility company and ask for a free or low-cost energy audit.

Turn off electronic devices you're not using them, and unplug devices from the wall (yep - standby power accounts for

Take public transport (and trade your car for a hybrid)

Conclusions

ACTION

If you're not yet convinced that action is required:

Watch 'The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See' (8 min)

Read 'How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic', and The Royal Society's guide, to get your biggest questions answered.

Post your conclusion (or remaining questions) on the blog here. (Hint: If you like to debate - that's the place to do it)

If you believe action is required:

What can we, as a 70,000 strong SolutionBox community, do to impact the issue? Post - in bullet point form - the top 5 actions you think we should or could take. Post on the blog.

Invite everyone you know to participate in this discussion by forwarding this newsletter with a personal note, or inviting them to the blog.

Cheers,

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Announcements/Offers

How Did This New Coach Make 6 Figures in ONE YEAR?

And it's wonderful to see such huge results like this:

"I've already recouped the cost of the CoachStart Manual in coaching fees in 3 weeks."
Eddie Smith
Houston, Texas
www.lifecoachingtoday.com

So, let's get started! Get your CoachStart Manual in the next 5 minutes at http://www.coachstart.com/, and start building!

Is Global Warming really happening?

2008-01-01T19:58:00.000-05:00

If you like to debate, this is the place to do it.

Respectfully. If you feel anger, be responsible for it, OK?

'Flames' will be deleted.

And your posts will have MUCH more meaning if you're already read the arguments here. No use re-inventing the wheel, right?

Look forward to your comments.

David

MM #88: How Far Did You Come in 2007?

2007-12-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

1. Announcements/Offers

Is it time to upgrade or create your keynote speech?

Internationally renowned speaker Marcia Reynolds is holding her keynote retreat on January 24-26 in Phoenix. She holds this retreat only once a year for 6-8 participants.

She says, "I guarantee that if you attend the retreat, you will walk away with a speech that you are passionate about, that includes a powerful opening and closing and is structured as a keynote (not a mini seminar). You will get individual coaching and chance to practice and develop your stories."

For more information, call Marcia at 602-954-9030 or email her at Marcia@covisioning.com.

What People are Saying About '10 Super Coaches'

To find out how 10 ordinary coaches are earning $30,000 to $1.4 million per year, and how you can do it too, click here:

10 Super Coaches

"I was working on a marketing strategy that was going to cost quite a bit of money when I bought the ebook. It made me realise there is a MUCH more direct, and less expensive method. Saved me several hundred pounds and gave me a kick up the rear end to do something else. Thanks!"

Neil Gilbranch, United Kingdom

"Why re-invent the wheel when you can see how successful people are already producing results you want? Don't hesitate, buy it today. The '10 Super Coaches' ebook has given me the confidence and inner strength I needed to build my business, I have been able to fine-tune my fees, and I have offered sample sessions with success."

Denise Simons, New Zealand

RELATE Coaching

Visit 10 SuperCoaches

2. FEATURE: How far did you come in 2007?

Before you go on to conquer the world in 2008, don't you think it's important to celebrate how far you have come this year.

Look back.

What have you accomplished?

What are you proud of?

And so importantly - what are you grateful for? (Because gratitude not only feels good - it generates growth.)

I'll start. Below I'll share what I'm proud to have accomplished this year, and what I'm grateful for.

But don't read it passively. Oh no.

At the bottom I'm going to ask you to write YOUR Celebratory.

As you read mine, ideas will spark for what you can celebrate this year.

I'll ask you to go straight to the blog and post for the world to see.

And I'll ask you to forward to everyone you care about, so they can join you in the process; you can read their celebratory, and congratulate them.

* * *

DAVID'S CELBRATORY FOR 2007

Health & Lifestyle

Huge personal breakthrough in which I felt feelings so intense I thought I might die, instead of using sleeping pills to send them away.

Body is lean and healthy; rarely do I get sick

Dipped my toe in the 'global warming' waters, and set to take action in 2008. No longer a rebel without a cause ;-)

Nominated to Transformational Leadership Council

Relationships

Made some wonderful new, close friends (Ezra, Nicole, Reese, Racheli, Magalie, Alex - to name a few)

Am well supported by my old friends (Jon, Bron, Sonja, Reid, Beth, Kye, Flaven, Cindy, Gerry, Maria - to name a few)

Celebrated one year with my partner Kristina!

Began new business relationships - and in some cases friendships, with Alex Mandossian (who has been invaluable on the business and personal front), John Gray (valuable support and introductions), Harv Eker, Chet Holmes, Joel Comm, Donna Steinhorn and Michael Gerber.

Incredibly fortunate to have the support of Beth Dargis, Kimberly Marlow, and Terri Carey, - without whom you wouldn't even get to read this newsletter.

Finance & Business & Career

Contributed to two anthologies, one with foreword by Mark Victor Hansen

Completed book proposal and sent to agent

Increased combined subscribers to 70,000

Increased revenue 70% over previous year

Landed on the national speaking stage with a bang, speaking to audiences of 1,000 and selling products in the mid-six-figures range.

Learned 105 things that don't work

* * *

Action - now it's time for YOU

Don't just read my Celebratory, make this valuable for you.

Post your Celebratory where we can all acknowledge you, here.

Whether you spend 1 minute or 1 day on it doesn't matter.

Just post it.

Remember, where there is gratitude and appreciation, there is growth. It's critical to chew and swallow what you've received this year, before asking for more.

If you find yourself judging your achievements - good! This is an opportunity to look deeper at what you can be grateful for. AND - to light the fire in your belly to really make 2008 count.

Go ahead - post your Celebratory now.

Your Friends

I really want to read what my friends are celebrating this year. So I'm going to forward this invitation to them and ask them all to post as well.

If you really want to start a gratitude movement, I invite you to do the same.

(Hint: be sure and tell them to add their name to the post, so you can find it on the blog!)

Love and gratitude,

Stop Global Warming - what's our move?

2007-12-26T18:31:00.000-05:00

I'm a newbie to the global warming issue, and committed to making a BIG impact by HELPING people to change mass behaviour.

My question is: HOW CAN WE BEST SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT?

Here's my current thinking. Would appreciate you adding to it:

PERSONAL GOALS FOR ALL PEOPLE
a) watch one key video (call it THE VIDEO)
b) reduce their own carbon imprint to zero
c) contact their lawmaker on a piece of key legislation

LEADERSHIP GOALS FOR PEOPLE
a) have 100 friends watch THE VIDEO
b) have 100 of their friends to reduce imprint to zero
c) have 100 of their friends contact their lawmaker

I figure THEN we'll have a movement, with integrity. Perhaps when people can check off the above list they can call themselves a 'climate champion' or whatever label we come up with.

HOW TO MAKE ALL THIS HAPPEN
Rather than start our own, or my own charity, I'm thinking to find an existing charity that:
a) uses publicity and email communication effectively
b) motivates people to take the above actions
c) is open to help re: strategy, internet marketing, etc (i.e. will listen)

...and then we can support that charity as much as possible, driving traffic to their site and email capture.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Craziness? Please post your comment below.

As I said, I'm new, and could use all your help as I clarify my thinking - and before we ask the 70,000 people on my list to act.

Thanks,

David

I quit!

2007-12-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

I just quit my job.

Which might sound strange since I work for myself.

I'm burned out - been working too hard, to the point where every waking and sleeping moment was about work. Everything blurred to the point that I forget what a day off looks like.

The results got too important - I got attached to the outcome, and started to feel a lot of pressure to make things happen. (Which is ridiculous!)

So I quit. At least for the next four days I'm only going to do what I want to do. As my good friend Nicole Daedone said: "It just has to feel good".

If I don't want to speak to groups - I won't speak. If it feels like too much pressure to put the pitch and sales stuff together, I won't worry whether I sell anything at the end of the speech. I'm done going for book endorsements unless they feel natural and fun. And I've chilled out about selling it to a publisher. (In my mind it's already sold and published, and it will do how it's going to do).

I don't have to earn any money in the next 12 months. I don't have to sell one product. I don't have to travel anywhere I don't want to, or for longer than I want. I don't have to hang out with anyone I don't want to - regardless of the business opportunity they might bring. I don't ~need~ to write a book, and if I do, I don't need anyone to buy it.

Being hyperfocused can be a gift. I get enormous things done in a short period of time. And...there's balance.

Will this last past Dec 27? I don't know. But it's feeling good right now, and I'm enjoying LOST and reading up on the environment.

So I quit.

I quit my own job.

David

Chillin’ with Nicolas Cage and Wonder Woman

2007-12-19T23:33:00.001-05:00

I generally look down on groupies. People chasing celebrities just to get a spark of their energy, or a moment of fame because someone who IS somebody spoke to them.And yet there I was at the After Party for National Treasure II.

Thinking it pretty boring, I was about to leave when my friend suggested we head towards the middle where there were more people. I almost missed Ed Harris walking right past me, and then spotted Nick Cage and John Voight in a knot of 50 people. At this stage I was still adamant I was ‘above it all’, but I gravitated towards the stars just to be at the centre of this celebrity-nova. And then it happened.

As Nicholas brushed right past me, a voice that wasn’t mine said: “Are you spent, or could you do one more photo Mr. Cage?” A few words with Nick, a few words with John Voight, and then it was all a blur until I came to and found myself hugging and posing for pictures with Wonder Woman (who by the way was just a darling, and had very nice things to say about red heads).

Now I think I’m hooked. I had such a good time I’d like to go to more of these functions – to see all the hype and pomp – to play with it – to see who I connect with. And to get pictures with people simply because a lot of people know their face. Oh my God, I’m a groupie! Where can I get help?

Oh, how’d I get into the after party?

I asked. As people left the theatre after the premiere I asked them (a lot of them) if they were going to the after party. Eventually a couple said they were too tired and going home, so I said: “Oh, my friend and I are short two passes if you wouldn’t mind us using them”.

Book Outline - Chapter Headings

2007-12-19T19:52:00.001-05:00

I'm interested to know what else you would add? What would you take away?

Introduction
Chapter 1--Is it truly possible? Busting the 5 Myths
Chapter 2--Your Life Experience is Valuable
Chapter 3--The ‘David 7 Step’ – an overview
Chapter 4--Step #1: How to Uncover Your True Niche
Chapter 5--Step #2: How to Set Up Your Web Site in 7 Days
Chapter 6--Choose Courage, not FearChapter 7--Step #3: The Foundation of Your Empire - Your Newsletter
Chapter 8--Step #4: A Short Cut to Product Creation – save 6 months!
Chapter 9--Your Key to Playing Big
Chapter 10--Step #5: Build Your Coaching or Consulting Revenue Stream
Chapter 11--Step #6: How to Drive Massive Traffic to Your SiteChapter 12--Step #7: How to Create Your Own Product in 14 days
Bonus Chapter--How to Build a Massive Email List
Conclusion: Getting Paid for Who You Are

Interested in what you would add or take away...

David

MM 88: Create Your Speaking Process

2007-12-17T12:29:00.001-05:00

COMING SOON

It's raining agents

2007-12-14T20:41:00.000-05:00

An agent I approached over 2 months ago about a SEPARATE book, on relationships, just got back to me with a YES. They would like to represent it.

This puts me in a bit of an awkward position as I've already approached another agent about both books, and won't know for a while if she's on board or not. Hmmmm....

Meanwhile a third agent has heard about the book and is interested, but I just can't see there's a lot of point in shopping around for agents, can you?

Meanwhile I've heard of a great publisher - an entrepreneurial publisher - which would be straight forward and not even require an agent. I'll keep you posted as things develop.....

David

The latest endorsements

2007-12-12T20:17:00.001-05:00

Continuing my mission to include you in the entire process of writing a best-selling book...

I'm happy to announce the latest book endorsements are from good friends:

- Marcia Reynolds, Past President International Coach Federation and author of Outsmart Your Brain (who wrote a very personal, heartfelt endorsement), and

- Marcia Wieder, author of Making Your Dreams Come True

Jay Abraham has graciously agreed to take a look at the book outline, and I'm approaching the wonderful Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, Steve Wynn, Richard Branson, and maybe Jack Welch, I haven't decided yet. Plus one more mystery person who shall remain nameless until I know the result.

The proposal is being edited as we speak, and I still intend to mail it out to my agent of choice December 14.

Cheers,

David

Join our new facebook group!

2007-12-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

It's now open!

1) Join the facebook fan group here:

www.GetPaidForWhoYouAre.com/group

(Hint: if not a member, then take 5 min to signup for facebook)

2) Introduce yourself by responding to the discussion board post 'Introduce yourself - what's your niche?'.

3) Add me as a friend:

www.GetPaidForWhoYouAre.com/david

Hint: For a 5 minute video message from me guiding you through it, click here. <-- video message

See you on the 'book!

David
PS Any trouble please post your comments here.

John Gray kindly said 'yes'

2007-12-09T11:47:00.000-05:00

I'm really happy to see that my friends and colleagues are loving the book, and rallying behind it.

We now have endorsements from:

- John Gray (Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus)
- Alex Mandossian (http://www.teleseminarsolution.com/ )
- Michael Port (Book Yourself Solid)
- Joel Comm (The Adsense Code)

and an intention to endorse from Chet Holmes and Michael Gerber.

Waiting to hear back from Steve Wynn.

The proposal gets mailed to the publisher this week!

David

Mentor Monthly #87: Professionals - Add Coaching To Your Services

2007-12-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Announcements/Offers

Free Listing in Links Directory
We have a links directory for coaches, trainers, counselors, therapists, fitness trainers, consultants and other service professionals. Get yourself listed - for free! All you need to do is link back to our site. This increases both your link popularity and ours with Google - meaning we both come up higher when people do a web search.

To submit your site to our directory, visit:
http://www.life-coaching-resource.com/links/

Thanks Ken Wright for a fantastic, informative call Thursday!
You can find more about this coach, who made 6 figures in his first year of coaching, here:
http://www.thewrightcoaching.com/

(And you can sign up for his newsletter, "Tips to Lead the Wright Way", on the front page, bottom right)

How Did These Coaches Set Up Their Businesses So Quickly?
You can save yourself the hundreds or thousands of dollars you may have paid a mentor coach or training school. After personally mentoring sixty coaches and founding a coach training school, I've compiled everything I know about starting a successful coaching practice in one easy-to-follow Manual.

And it's wonderful to see such huge results like this:

"I can't think of a better investment or more profitable long term step for an aspiring coach to take other than purchase and devour the CoachStart Manual. I used this guide as my Bible when commencing my coaching business and my first 12 months generated revenues over 6 figures....well in excess of my plans and expectations. For a fast start to your business I strongly recommend its use, you'll gain confidence and turn your dreams into reality."

Ken Wright, US
www.TheWrightCoaching.com

“I wish I had known about the CoachStart Manual before I signed up with my training school. I could have saved myself almost £600!”

Clare Evans, UK

"I 'inhaled' the manual and loved it. You give very practical advice and I particularly liked the 'sample' dialogues that a coach might have with a prospect (warm and hot invitations) and the sample script. I practice it every chance I get. Thanks for such a great and inspiring Manual!"

Midgie Thompson, UK
www.brightfuturescoaching.com

So, let's get started! Get your CoachStart Manual in the next 5 minutes at http://www.coachstart.com/, and start building!

FEATURE: Professionals - Add Coaching To Your Services

Have you thought of entering the coaching industry? Are you a teacher, trainer, counselor, therapist, financial planner or other professional and feel coaching could be a great new career or add on to your current service?

Advantages

Advantages of adding coaching to your repertoire include:

possible cross-selling from your current services (i.e. they hire you as a trainer, and you upsell them to your coaching. You've been coaching someone for 3 months, and they bring you into their company as a trainer)

adding variety to your work which may help maintain creativity in your work

you have an existing client base to begin offering your new services!

Adding coaching to your current services can help you build your practice and increase your income by adding more value to your current services.

What's the difference?

Some people ask "What's the difference between coaching, and what I already do?"Sometimes the line is blurred. You could actually offer the exact same service under the label of coaching, and you might make more sales. For example, people might be reluctant to hire a therapist fearing people will think something is wrong with them. But if they see you offer 'coaching', they might jump on it.

However, there really is a difference. As a coach, you're not being an expert. You might slip in expert advice, but you're really just asking the right questions, to help the client see their own answers. (For more on how to structure a coaching service, see The CoachStart™ Manual).

Easy Strategy

One easy strategy is to offer every one of your current and past clients a complimentary coaching session with no obligation. Make the offer for a specific limited time as a thank you for being a client.

During the trial session, you can introduce them to your new service. Plus you will want to ask them for their feedback and invite them to more sessions if they enjoy it.

Gift Sessions

At the end of the trial session, you may offer them three additional complimentary coaching session vouchers to share with their friends and colleagues. Ask them if there is anyone they'd like to give this gift to and give suggestions - someone contemplating a major life change, someone interested in self-help topics, someone needing a little extra support or someone who might enjoy trying out a session.

These trial sessions with your current clients also give you the opportunity to feel out if coaching is right for you. They will help you decide if coaching is something you want to continue as an additional service or even help you transition into full-time coaching.

If you would like the full chapter on entering the coaching profession or if you would like to see the other chapters included in The CoachStart Manual™, you can find them here.

Action

If you are a professional thinking of coaching, create your warm invitation script. (i.e. what will you say when you get someone on the phone?)

Write down a goal of how many current clients you will contact this week about coaching.

For accountability, post your goal at the blog. Post again when you have accomplished your goal.

For current coaches, how many contacts will you call to offer an introductory session? Post it at the blog. Then post again when you have accomplished your goal.

* * *
Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

Traditional Publishing vs Entrepreneurial Publishing

2007-11-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

I have no idea which way to go right now.

Advantages of Traditional publishers:
- handle a lot of the headache (e.g. language translation), and can get really good distrubution - if they want to. They can also help promote your book, but typically only do that for a few.
- advance (useful if you don't believe in the book's success but they do, and if you need the cash)
- looks good; credible

Disavantages of Traditional Publishers:
- low royalty (8% instead of 20%)
- might keep high control of content, packaging, title, and things like electronic rights
- might limit you putting in calls to action

Once upon a time you could either go traditional, or self publish. Seems this new breed of publisher allows you to kind of self publish, but also get distribution.....

I'll let you know what I decide.

D

a billionaire would like to see it...

2007-11-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

Last week I approached Steve Wynn, the man who built the Las Vegas Golden Nugget, the Mirage, the Bellagio, and the Wynn. I asked him if he'd consider endorsing the book when it comes out.

Today I got a call from his office saying no promises, but he wants to see the manuscript. Woo hoo!

If you never ask, you never know....

David

Is it facebook time?

2007-11-23T12:13:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't it be nice to have a LOT more interactionwith each other? With the whole R&D team?

Everyone on the team speaking their mind and supporting each other around coaching, and creating information products to automate their business?

I'm starting to get the web 2.0, online community itch.

QUESTIONS
Should SolutionBox set up a facebook group, or fan page?

Would MySpace or Ning be better?

How do you suggest we REALLY get a thriving community going on one of these online platforms?

Please post your answers here.

Thanks!

David
P.S. If you're already facebooked, you can also become a 'fan' and post on our trial page here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=8843671549

Book Introduction 2.0 (Comment Here!)

2007-11-20T15:35:00.000-05:00

The water was hotter than I could stand. I was dipping my toe into a natural hot spring full of naked Californians, just one week into my month-around-the-world vacation. As I submerged an entire ankle in the scalding pool the thought struck me: “I don’t have to go home…..ever.”

In the flickering candle light of the cavern, I examined this ridiculous thought, and realized that amazingly, incredibly it was true. I had clothes, I had my wallet, and I had my lap top. Having converted my professional practice to an internet business, I actually didn’t have to go home……ever. Three years later, I still haven’t.

YOU HAVE SO MUCH to share.

Your life experience is valuable. Whether it's being married, or getting divorced. Whether having a child, or losing someone dear to you. Whether creating a million dollar business, or failing at three startups. Or perhaps it's simply how you got your first job or found a way to stick to your diet!

If only there was a way to share that with the world so that:

1) you could truly impact, and make a difference in, the world
2) you reached thousands or millions of people, instead of hundreds
3) you could do this from any location on the planet, creating geographical freedom.
4) you were well paid for it

And – I know this isn’t for everyone, but if you wanted to – what if you could automate it, so you can be asleep or on vacation - and still be helping the world, while your bank account goes up!

Sound impossible? Outrageous? Too good to be true? Just another ‘you can do anything book?’

Does it offend you because you believe a person should work 40-60 hours a week, 50 weeks of the year to make a living? Could you be uncomfortable with great wealth and success, however you define it? Do you hold a belief that only technical or business-minded people can do it?

Or have you sensed that this is possible for some time now? Have you always known that you have a lot to offer; that there is a group of people wanting to learn from you. Perhaps you have intuited that what you know, even what you THINK, has value. Perhaps you have glimpsed the concept of getting paid not so much for what you do, but who you ARE.

Isn't it true that you would love nothing more than to share what you know with the world, to hundreds, thousands, if not millions - if only you knew the process?

Now I’m not promising you’ll definitely make internet millions. It took hard work for me to reach the $85,000 a month I’m averaging now. And I won’t promise you a ‘four hour work week’. The author of that book and I both work way more hours than that, although it’s by choice. For many of you making a fortune and never working again are not your priorities.

But I will tell you they are both very possible outcomes of following the process outlined in this book. And if these goals seem too impossible, lofty or ‘hyped up’ to you, let’s look at some more down to earth goals that are easier to wrap the mind around:

How would your life be enhanced if you made an extra $3000 per month on the side using this book, while keeping your day job?

How would it feel to cut back to a job working only 2 or 3 days a week because your ‘how to’ CD is starting to sell really well?

What if your final result was simply having all the clients you could handle from the internet, and doubling your fees?

What would it be worth to you to transition to something you really care about, receiving 5 thank you notes a week from people you have helped?

“WHAT DO YOU DO?” people ask me, and the answer changes every time. It just doesn’t fit into what their ears are expecting:

I work from my laptop wherever I am.

I sell information products in 49 countries using the internet.

I publish an electronic newsletter, an ezine, to 70,000 solo service professionals.

I’m a speaker.

I’m a writer.

A trainer.

An internet marketer.

A traveler having fun with his friends.

A creator of information products.

But the bottom line? I share everything I learn with the people who need to hear it. I’ve created a river of information that ‘streams’ out to the world, while I’m asleep or on vacation. I’ve also set it up so that people can pay a fair exchange for the information. Apparently by magic, the solution streams from my psyche into their psyche, and a fair exchange of money streams from their wallet into my bank account. All without requiring my presence or my time.

Imagine if every time you learned to do something well, you added it to an automatic information stream. One day it’s a Top Ten List of how to improve your relationship, or you record a conversation with my partner and upload it to the web. An idea strikes you for a cool life quiz, and you have my assistant – whom you've never met – draft something for you to review on your iphone while you're spending time with friends.

Personally I think this creative energy, the process of taking your own life experiences, thoughts, and feelings and turning them into solutions for others, is the most enjoyable and interesting thing about this new lifestyle. It’s very fulfilling to get a constant stream of thank you notes from around the world.

And it’s a blast! When I found I could sound like a digeridoo (an Aboriginal musical instrument), I uploaded a silly video viewed by hundreds of people, just for fun. When Ben and Jerry’s opened a vote for which ice cream flavor would be resurrected from it’s flavor graveyard, 438 of my subscribers generally voted for Wavy Gravy – even over their own favorite flavor.

But my friends are most fascinated about my lifestyle. They constantly want to know how it is that I work from home. How is it that I can live in any country that I like? What is it about my job that let’s me play squash at 11am, have a massage at 2, and audition for a commercial for an Australian bank at 4?

They all want to know how I can surf in Australia for a month, spend 6 weeks starting a new business in the Philippines, party with 1,000 millionaires in Morocco, and when I come home my bank account is higher than it was before. What allows me to do a phone interview with an Irish radio station, have my picture in a Marie Claire ‘cuddle party’ article, and then teach squash for two weeks at a Jamaican resort? How do I have time to create new products and services for people, when most people are fighting fires in their businesses.

I started to consider a book to show people the process. When T. Harv Eker’s people asked me to speak at their Never Work Again conference, for the first time I told 1,200 people how I did it. I was surprised to see tears after the speech as people got in touch with how deeply they want to make a difference in the world, and share what they know, but also how frustrated they are in not knowing how to do it. But I realized that it was still a little confusing and daunting to people.

So at the next speech, I broke the whole procedure down into a simple 7 step process. When I offered a self study training program on how to do it, people were literally running for my booth, with one now famous woman leaping onto the table! It was now very clear that a book was needed.

Now personally, I don’t mind whether you start your own business or work for someone else. It doesn’t matter to me if you work 9-5 every day or create your own schedule. You can stay your whole life in one city, or travel the world creating solutions from an RV.

But it DOES matter to me if you are doing something you don’t love. It DOES matter to me if you are not happy, fulfilled and lit up because you’re using your creative energy; not expressing who you are; not sharing what you love with the world. It DOES matter to me of you don’t go for creating the lifestyle you dream if because you say it doesn’t exist, or you doubt your ability.

If you want a standard, traditional 9-5 job, then set this book back on the shelf; it’s not for you.

But if you want the freedom to earn money for who you are, to live where you like, to set your own schedule, and to get your time back….

Then I invite you to use the same process I did to create the lifestyle that serves you, and others.

It would be sad to me if you missed out on a lifestyle of contribution, creativity and fun, simply because you decided it wasn’t possible for you. I’d hate to think it was because your negative self talk told you: “That’s for other people. I’m not creative. I don’t know business.”

“Something new cannot enter your life, until first you create the possibility”

For years no-one broke the four minute mile because it just wasn’t possible. No-one sailed around the earth because everyone knew it was flat.

When a baby elephant is born in a circus, they tie it’s leg to a stake with a strong chain. Over time, they gradually reduce the thickness of the chain until a full grown elephant is ‘held’ by a flimsy piece of rope. It’s tied to a stake, because it believes it is.

You could say a lifestyle of abundance, contribution and freedom isn’t possible for you, or you can test the strength of your leg rope.

Create the possibility for yourself. Without knowing the steps.

I’ll show you the rest.

I will show you the 7 steps to creating a lifestyle of contribution, impact, creativity, financial freedom, and geographical freedom.

Help the world. Live anywhere. Be creative. Be wealthy. Work a lot, or a little. Be free.

In this book you will learn the 7 step process that I used to create this lifestyle, impacting over 100,000 people and funding my travels and adventures, through an automated helping-the-world-type-business. You’ll learn the same 7 step process that is now helping hundreds of people to ditch their 9 to 5 job and create the lifestyle they dream of - even if you're non-technical or doubt you have something valuable to offer.

I'll show you how to get paid for what you know and love.

I'll show you....

how to get paid for who you are.

******

Thanks for reading the draft intro! If you were going to shorten it, exactly what paragraph(s) would you take out?

Comment here.

Thanks,

David

Old Introduction (comments closed - see updated intro)

2007-11-14T12:16:00.000-05:00

INTRODUCTION

I believe people have so much to share. YOU have so much to share.

Your life experience is valuable. Whether it's being married, or getting divorced. Whether having a child, or losing someone dear to you. Whether creating a million dollar business, or failing at three startups.

If only there was a way to share that with the world so that:

1) you were well paid for it

2) you truly impact, and make a difference in, the world

3) you reach thousands or millions of people, instead of hundreds

4) you could do this from any location on the planet, creating geographical freedom, and

5) you could automate it, so you can be asleep or on vacation - and still be helping the world, while your bank account goes up!

Sound impossible? Outrageous? Have you been let down by too much 'hype' in the past? Does it offend you because you believe a person should work 40-60 hours a week, 50 weeks of the year to make a living? Could you be uncomfortable with great wealth and success, however you define it? Do you hold a belief that only technical or business-minded people can do it?

Or have you sensed that this is possible for some time now? Have you always known that you have a lot to offer; that there is a group of people wanting to learn from you. Perhaps you have intuited that what you know, even what you THINK, has value. Perhaps you have glimpsed the concept of getting paid not so much for what you do, but who you ARE.

Isn't it true that you would love nothing more than to get it out to the world, to hundreds, thousands, if not millions - if only you knew the process?

In this book I will show you the 7 steps to creating a lifestyle of contribution, impact, creativity, financial freedom, and geographical freedom.

Help the world. Live anywhere. Be creative. Be wealthy. Choose to work or not. Be free.

I'll show you the 7 step process that I used to create this lifestyle, impacting over 100,000 people and funding my travels and adventures, through an automated helping-the-world-type-business. I'll show you the same 7 step process that is now helping hundreds of people to ditch their 9 to 5 job and create the lifestyle they dream of - even if you're non-technical or time-scarce.

I'll show you how to get paid for what you know and love.

I'll show you....

how to get paid for who you are.

* * *

My question for you: If YOU were writing this introduction, what would you change? Just click here!

Thanks,

David