en*light Life

“How to Be That Guy (or Gal)”
Scott Ginsberg, Author, Speaker

What are YOU known for? Do you even know? It’s time to find out. Based on his successful third book, How to be THAT GUY, Scott Ginsberg shares the many ways to help individuals and businesses maximize their visibility, credibility, uniqueness, authenticity and memorability in the eyes of customers and prospects. The practice lessons he will share include:

• How to create an unforgettable personal brand
• How to position your value and increase visibility to magnetize more business
• Ways to facilitate authentic, approachable word of mouth about you, your company and your ideas

Notes (from a talk based on his book):

-          First impressions are generated in seconds (vs. minutes as previously thought)

-          Personal Brand comprises of the following:

a.) what are you known for?

            b.) What are you known as?

-          Customers will choose to do business with you for 3 reasons:   

a.)    They have heard of you

b.)    They have heard of your company

c.)    You are someone they trust

-          Anonymity is the greatest barrier to success

-          Website & Web Presence is key to becoming that guy/gal

Website vs. Web Presence 

1.)       Choices – The “best choice” usually means the first hit on google

2.)       Competition – why you? Why is your competition attracting more attention than you?

3.)       Communication – Meebo (ability to have instant support –think website IMing)

4.)       Memorable Numbers: (think McDonalds “_ billions served”) – what numbers makes our company memorable (e.g., number of COBs…etc – people track the # to see where they are)

a.) What is your memorable number (e.g., Lambert’s Café is about how many rolls have been thrown

b.) revistiability – getting people to track your number (keep coming back to your site/location)

c.) memorability- numbers are anchors

d.) credibility – specificity is persuasion

5.)       Websites are like newspapers. (If it’s over 2 years old – no one is interested)

6.)       Enshrine your practice (see below)

7.)       Separate portals (for candidates, for clients)

-          Websites should be screaming here is what you are you looking for versus hey look

-          Ezine articles – great way to get your name out there

-          What word do you own? – Own a word that NO ONE ELSE owns – this is one way that people will come to you

a.)    Example: Book called Dickless Marketing: Focused on Jane Not Dick – example of creating a great name

-          Mind Share, not Market Share (who thinks of you first?)

-          Enshrine your practice (e.g., Katz’s Deli – enshrined booth from When Harry Met Sally) Other examples: since 1984; over 140 stores; news coverage; watch 20/20 click here (on website); zagat rated; quotes clients/NACCB members, etc)

-          Rather than a biz card, he has a philosophy card

Tip: If you sign up for Scott’s Blog, you can get his ebook 117 Phrases that Payses for free! Here is his blog site: http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/

Day 3 – Transformation Day!

What an incredible, albeit, emotionally charged day! After a long day (from 8:30am thru 1:30am), the group of us were amazingly energized and excited. The energy level was insane as towards the end of the night we had a mini rave that ended with Tony and crew dousing audience members (and themselves) with water. It was like a big party at one point! Aside from all the fun, Tony guided us through some intense transformational exercises that targeted our limiting beliefs, which ultimately is designed to close the gap between what we desire/our goals, and obtaining results.

The major thrust of Transformation Day is to take a goal (e.g., mine was losing weight), and eliminate beliefs that get in the way (e.g., it’s too hard, “I can’t”, etc.). The idea was to eliminate the non-constructive beliefs and replace with positive beliefs. In order to facilitate the process of changing beliefs, we were guided through a visualization exercise that forced us to take a look at a future without accomplishing the goal. Going back to my example of losing weight/becoming healthier, my visualization was imagining myself consistently gaining weight over the course of the next few years and decade and seeing the end result – myself as severely obese – which was a very traumatizing experience. The point was to feel the consequences of not taking action towards a goal.

After the visualization exercise we were given an alternative - accomplishing goals. For example, mine was being model thin (hey, I can dream, right?), healthy, and full of energy. Now, think about this, do you think visualization of the consequences is effective? In my case, oh yeah! Robbin’s visualization exercise was so simple, yet effective. Imagining myself as fat was traumatic enough for me to do something about it. (Since attending the seminar, I have changed my eating habits, and when I do indulge a fatty treat, I only eat a couple bites.) Anchoring exercises followed the visualization exercise to further support change.

Major concepts covered today were:

• The pyramid of mastery:  7 areas of constant growth for an extraordinary life, which includes the physical body, which was the first layer, or most basic base layer for growth. 
  • We then scored these aspects of our life (physical body, relationships, career, finances, etc) on a scale of 1-10 to get a picture of where we are in each layer – the idea being that most of us are unequally focused on some areas and not others. The goals is strive for excellence in all areas in order to be whole.
  • Filling out a gap map to determine where and how much we full short in accomplishing our mastery areas
• The 3 pillars of an extraordinary life, and the fast track to results and personal mastery
• The importance of strategies to organize resources and consistently produce results; and the strategy types: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory.
• We even learned a few tips that are meant to establish more connection with a lover/partner, such as auditory location
•  The importance of standards. Specifically, raising your standards will change your life
• The 2 mm difference between excellence and outstanding
• Values – towards and away types, which might be in conflict

In Day 2 of Unleash the Power Within (UPW), Anthony Robbins focuses on getting you into a mindset of success. He does this by making you define your goals by really feeling and breathing them into your consciousness. Specific topics covered in UPW Day 2:

• Introduction to neuro-associative conditioning (Tony’s method to making you “feel” your goals and success.)
• The Ulimate Success Formula
• Power of beliefs
• 3 beliefs of lasting success (it must change now; I must change now; and I can change it now)
• Understanding that the past does not equal the future.
• 3 steps to lasting change
• The driving force behind change (The science of momentum)
  • Here, he brings back the example of the firewalk - once you take the first step, you are very motivated to take the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc step. In other words, once you have momentum, it’s easy to keep going
• Exercise: Finding your passion (What do you love? Hate? Are Passionate About? What You Really Want)
• Understanding Decision Making, and effect on change (from should to must)
• The power of team - by seeing everyone as part of your “team” makes you limitless
• Science of Achievement
• Art of fulfillment
• How proximity is power (who you surround yourself affects your standards,  and ultimately, influences who you become)
  • People’s lives are a direct reflection of teh expectations of their peer group
  • Peer = anyone that you are willing to alter your communication/behavior, etc. with in order maintain their respect or love
  • love your family, choose your peers
  • You can help millions of people, but only carry 4 on your back (take away message - there are only so many people that you can carry)
• How to build rapport via energy, tone, modeling, mirroring breathing/posture/gestures/handshakes, and eye contact
  • Tony also demonstrated how to use this in building attraction with someone you are interested in, as well as connecting within relationships

Other tidbits of wisdom:

• If you are trying to convince yourself you’re something you are not, you won’t be successul
• Manage your state by making your worst day, your best day
• Serve from the heart to light up other people’s day, which will turn, will light you up.
• Progress shows up in the form growth and contribution
• If you want to live an extraordinary life, you have to  STRETCH (beyond your comfort zone).
  • doing something outside of your comfort zone expands you mentally, physically, etc.
• Find something you care about more than yourself, and give to it every day

Overall, the point of Day 2 is get your thinking of what you want, and how to maintain the momentum needed to committ to change.

The following is a review of the UPW (Unleash the Power Within) Seminar Weekend in Long Beach, CA. Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc. are written up separately to pack in more information.

Prologue (before the Seminar): Lesson learned – Arrive Late!

Day 1 of the seminar started off in frustrated panic as we rushed to get parking (lots were full), and get a good seat. After clearing up ticket issues at Customer Service, and being herded like cattle into an unorganized line by the even more unorganized event staff, we were instructed to stand for over an hour before being allowed to sit in our seats. The explanation from staff members: “Tony likes to see the mass crowd of seminar attendees pile into the auditorium all at once.”  A lady standing near us confirmed that this was the case at previous Tony events she had attended.  Lesson learned: Show up late!  The way things are set up, it really doesn’t matter if you show up when doors open, or show up late, getting a good seat is luck of the draw, and because Tony starts late, you won’t miss anything if you show up slightly later than the scheduled start time.

After the annoying start, the thought entered my mind that perhaps Tony is so confident in his ability to change our state of mind into a more positive one, that he purposely initially creates an environment of frustration (i.e., long wait to enter the auditorium) for the pure challenge. Whether or not this was his intention, after a grand entry and pumping up the audience, it’s hard not to have his positive energy rub off…

Lessons Learned from Day 1:

Ever wonder if you can get psyched enough to walk across hot coals with bare feet? Day 1 is essentially prep for doing just that.  Why this method? Answer: walking on hot coals is supposed to be symbolic of facing your worst fears head-on. The rationale being that if you can walk on the hot coals, then you can do almost anything. In order to get primed for walking on the coals, Tony teaches the following:

• The #1 thing that stops us from moving forward in life and accomplishing goals is fear. Our 2 primary fears are: 
  • We are not enough
  • We won’t be loved

Application – learn how to use fear to your advantage, rather than letting it rule you!       

• Understanding  what controls and determines the quality of our lives via change in physiology, focus, and language
• Uncovering why we do what do (e.g., habits), which are driven by our primal needs (certainty, uncertainty/variety, love/connection, significance); and spiritual needs for growth and contribution.
• Dance with your fear, as it is only energy (that you can use to work for you)
• Find the words and motions that change your state
• Train yourself to be certain 100% of the time, and walk around like you are a 9 or 10 on a scale of 1 -10 from lousy (1) to fantastic (10).

Other tidbits of wisdom learned on Day 1:

• The 3 mandates of a leader are:
  • See things as is (not worse)
  • See things better than it is (have a clear vision that drives it
  • Make it as you see it (convert vision to reality)
• Happiness comes from progress - “If you are at the table of success for too long, you are not growing. If you are not growing, you get (lazy) and unmotivated.”
• Rule of the universe: Grow or Die
• Main excuse people give for not achieving goals: Not enough resources (which includes time); however, life is never a resource issue, it is about resourcefulness. Success = resourcefulness
• The only things that keep us from getting what we want, is the story we tell ourselves (not having enough time, kids, etc.)
• When you are grateful, you are happy
• Take the best of someone, and breathe it in (and keep it in your heart).

Tip: Dress Warm!

The Anthony Robbins event will leave you freezing your butt off! It was so cold that the man himself and opening speaker remarked how cold the room was; however, when I followed up with the staff members they confessed that the auditorium was purposely fixed at the cold temperature. Not sure if Tony wanted to keep us awake and jumping around (during stretch/exercise breaks), or if he really didn’t plan on us freezing, but make sure you wear layers and closed-toe shoes.

If you are interested in learning how to have more successful and fulfilling relationships with the opposite sex, we highly recommend the workshops developed by Alison Armstrong for PAX.  She has created an extremely eye-opening series of workshops that explain the differences in how men and women think, communicate, and act in relationships. 

Understanding Women workshop

Men, PAX provides two coed courses. They offer a workshop titled Understanding Women: Unlock the Mystery, which provides you the opportunity to better understand women, and have more fun and satisfying relationships with them. It is advertised as being “for anyone who wants to understand why women do what they do – how they think, act, speak and listen – and how to work with it instead of being frustrated by it!” 

Co-Ed Workshop  (In Sync With the Opposite Sex)

PAX also has a coed workshop titled In Sync with the Opposite Sex LIVE™ , currently offered on CD (see below) and sometimes Live, which teaches men and women to “understand how the most basic instincts of men and women pit us against each other in the world of dating and relationships” and how to change this pattern to develop satisfying relationships.

Our male friends have also found the audio books/books below to be intertesting and informative.

Understanding Men

Alison Armstrong’s material is based on years of research with men, which has led to an amazing understanding of men and their stages of development.  This knowledge opens a new opportunity for compassion, respect, and understanding between the sexes.  After her workshops you will no longer buy into the old clichés about men—instead you will have a newfound appreciation and respect for how amazing men are and how amazing and satisfying relationships with them can be.   

PAX provides a free introduction to the workshop series called Making Sense of Men™.  It is a free three-hour seminar for women only, which promises to teach a new way of understanding men. You‘ll learn how men are responding to you and how to gain their attention and affection.  It also introduces you to the language men speak and explains how this is sometimes the complete opposite of how women think and communicate.

The fee-based workshops for women occur in a series and include the first, and most popular seminar, Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women, which is a fantastic seminar for women. We couldn’t believe how much we learned about men in this  weekend workshop. This is an empowering, informational seminar that allows you to experience an entirely new way to relate to men. It has the potential to change your relationships with men in the most simple and profound ways.   

Cost of Workshops are typically in the $400 range, but PAX offers payment programs ($99/month). We also highly recommend the following products by Alison Armstrong:

If you can’t attend a workshop, this is good start:

This book teaches the stages of men via a story. This book is also on CD; however, I notice that my friends/family did not like the book on CD; but loved the book.  

If you don’t want the story version of the stages of men, this is a brief overview (note: this is usually given out for free at the Making Sense of Men introductory course). The information is gone over pretty fast, (thus, the reason why Armstrong created the story-telling version above), and advertises her seminars.

In 10 more days we will be in Long Beach for Tony Robbin’s Unleash the Power Within LIVE seminar.  Tony Robbins has scaled the frequency of his marathon Unleash the Power Within seminars live (in person) to approx. 2 times a year. We are set to attend the upcoming one in Long Beach next weekend (August 10-13, 2007).

Stay tuned, as we will provide a full review of the seminar.

In the meanwhile, I found this video that is supposed to be like a Cliff’s Notes version of the long seminar that we are attending. Hope you enjoy!

BUYER BEWARE: If you purchase an Unleash The Power Within seminar or other seminars, make sure that your event is LIVE as Tony Robbins has pre-recorded and recorded live seminars. For example, the seminar we are attending is the seminar where the man himself (Tony) will be there, but the seminar is also recorded live and can be viewed simultanously in remote locations (including San Francisco, etc.). The crazy thing is that the remote seminars are around the same price!!! We felt it would be well-worth the extra airfare/hotel expense for the live experience.

 For more information on Tony’s events, click here

Powerful Speaker and self-published Arun ‘Yogi’ Parekh inspires followers and readers at his lectures (pictured above - photos courtesy of artipresentations.com). In his new book, Success is Your Birthright (My 5 Power Principles) Parekh teaches that success and happiness is what each person seeks in his/her lifetime, which can be achieved by the following 5 power principles:

1. Vision - having a clear vision of where you want to go
2. Values - having a vision that contributes to the world in a positive way and is in line with personal values.
3. Visualization - visualizing what is wanted materializing into your life
4. Positive attitude - maintaining positive thoughts, mitigating negative thoughts, and surrounding self in a positive environment
5. Inner voice - your conscience/inner guide

Although Parekh doesn’t claim to be presenting anything that hasn’t already been taught by his proceeding mentors, he does argue that his fifth principle, Inner Voice (i.e., your conscience, or source of moral/spirtual guidance) is often overlooked as a key factor of success. Listening to you Inner voice when you are at a crossroads is a key factor to ensuring your success and happiness. Woven throughout the 5 power principles must also be Desire for what it is you want so that you may manifest the object of success or happiness that you seek.

Overall, I think Arun ‘Yogi’ Parekh is a wonderful speaker and philosopher that delivers a simple, yet profound message to his audience. His stories, and nuggets of wisdom that he presents in a format similar to Deepak Chopra’s talks, make his events well worth attending.

More information on Arun ‘Yogi’ Parekh, his events, and new self-published book Success is Your Birthright, can be found on  his website: www.artipresentations.com

Other Publications by Arun Parekh (discounted on Amazon) at:

(photos courtesy of christoperhoward.com)

The great thing about Christopher Howard’s three-day Breakthrough To Success weekend is that his passion for helping others live their lives to their fullest potential shines through.  Chris has a very thorough knowledge of his topics, and he infuses his transformational teachings with charisma and humor.  During the weekend Chris:

• Brings together the worlds of psychology, quantum physics, and spirituality to help participants experience true transformation over the course of the weekend. 
• Utilizes hypnosis and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to help participants to break through the barriers that prevent them from living the lives of their dreams and achieving their full potential. 
• Keeps participants engaged through active participation. 
• Teaches the importance of showing up and participating 100%, for it is through total and active participation that transformation becomes possible.

Christopher Howard has a very ambitious and humanitarian mission:

• To get these tools for transformation to everybody on the face of the planet. 
• To have people leave the weekend with a new vision for their future and a plan for achieving their vision. 
• To help people change their thinking, and in doing so to change the world.

To achieve his ambitions mission, Chris makes this transformational weekend available for no cost through referrals.  We decided to attend the weekend on the assumption that we had nothing to lose by checking it out since it was free.  We had no idea that the weekend would go so far beyond our expectations. 

• We witnessed the transformation of ourselves and of hundreds of others over the course of three days. 
• Suddenly things that have held us back from achieving our visions and living to our full potential seemed to disappear, and all of our dreams seemed possible. 
• The weekend went far beyond being simply motivational by providing real tools for creating the life and the future we desire.  We are now using these tools to take action and make our dreams a reality—and we’re bringing you along for the ride!

If you are interested in attending the Breakthrough To Success weekend free of charge, you can go to www.chrishoward.com/register and enter the code 400500 to register.  This code can be used to register as many people as you would like.  You can find out more about what Christopher Howard is about and the courses he offers at www.chrishoward.com.  He offers courses in the U.S., Australia, and the UK.

Also, by Christopher Howard: