Getting to the Next Level? I Don’t Need It

I love Tyler Perry’s new video on his Facebook page about how to be successful. In essence, he talks about

Photo Credit: Christian Beirle Gonzalez

focusing on one thing at a time and believing in it, and seeing it through. He uses the metaphor of planting a seed, saying that you can’t spray water across the field and expect much of it to get to the one seed you planted. But if you continually plant and water in the right area, God will give the increase. I love it!

This is why I don’t get excited when people give me their (often unsolicited) advice for what I should do as a new author. I’ve heard that I should now:

- start a nonprofit
- team up with a local “megachurch”
- do a book tour all over the country
- get a show on blogtalkradio

I should do all of this to get to “the next level”? Now?

A Salesman and a Pundit – Seize the Day Recap #3 (Final)

Before attending Seize the Day, I had never heard of Tom Hopkins, who has a real estate record of selling 365 homes in one year, and I barely knew who Bill O’Reilly was (political pundit and host of Fox News’ show The O’Reilly Factor) since I don’t watch any real political/”newsy” shows. However, they both dropped a few interesting gems in their short time onstage. What follows are some of my notes. (If you’re not in sales, Hopkins’ speech will still help you understand what is happening when you are approached in a sales scenario.)

Hello and Farewell to the Final Toastmasters International Region 8 Conference

I had the opportunity and pleasure of attending my first regional conference for Toastmasters this past weekend (June 26 and 27, 2009). Here are my reflections (a rundown that is long but not exhaustive).