The New Face of Travel

Does laying on the beach in Hawaii, Tahiti or Greece excite you…or does visiting the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Coliseum in Rome or the Eiffel Tower in Paris get your blood flowing?…would taking a Caribbean cruise for only $49 or vacationing in a high end 4 or 5 star luxury European hotel for $20 or $30 US Dollars per night grab your attention?

For the 1st time in history, a company has taken the same bulk buying strategy employed by Sam’s Club and Costco that leads to deep discount pricing for its membership and applied it to the largest industry in the world—TRAVEL

The company that provides Dream Travel at Dream Prices owns a 25 year old travel giant that today is the 4th largest internet booking engine and is the same engine that supplies travel for Sears.com and WalMart.com…you now can own your own home based, internet driven business in the exciting world of travel…you will help businesses and individuals save money on their normal business travel by showing them how to buy travel from themselves as opposed to buying it from someone else. You’ll provide consumers all over the world the ability to enjoy luxury travel for pennies on the dollar. It’s the only product we’re aware of that does not require you to have to convince a single person that the product is good and works…every person that sets goals will have travel as a big piece of their goals…to do it for deep discounts makes it simple…and you will find out quickly that this is a very lucrative business

Interested?



Perspective on Perspective

Perspective is everything – Nothing is permanent but change!  Heraclitus

Perspective is such an important thing to have in the never-ending, ever-spinning, always challenging world we live in.  The old saying, “this too shall pass,” sounds trite and cliché and yet everything we experience, the good as well as the bad will eventually turn, change and challenge us.  At times you will soar high above the eagles and the view will seem to suggest a never-ending season of success and yet at other times you will be brought to your knees or into the bottomless pit of despair without hope or prospects of finding a way out.  Fortunately, neither are permanent – and both contribute to the depth and breadth of your life experience and increase your ability to not only have compassion for, but impact on, those around you.

Forgive me for sharing a personal experience, but as the March Madness college basketball tournament is set to begin here in the United States I am drawn to this experience which shaped my perspective on perspective.

Growing up I wanted so badly to play basketball at the university, and felt like I had done all the right things and practiced all the needed hours (at least 6 hours a day from the time I was in 8^th grade) – As a senior in high school everything was lining up just as I had planned it.  That is until my right shoulder began to fall apart.  It got to the point where it would dislocate whenever it wanted to.  (If you have ever had the experience of waking up in the morning on one side of your bed, and find your shoulder over on the other – you know the pain and challenge it brings.)  After being examined by the doctor he said I needed to have surgery straight away and suggested that the chances of me ever playing competitive basketball again would be slim to none – it seemed so unfair!  I remember feeling very sorry for myself and I was so discouraged.  I felt so alone.  It seemed like no one understood what I was going through.

Then one night a well-known and well respected man in our neighborhood called and asked if I could come over to his house.  I had no idea why he would want to talk to me but agreed and drove over.  He met me at the door, no smile, no welcome, not even a handshake – he led me back to his den, we sat down and he told me this story:

“A long time ago there lived an old man who lived in a very small village.  The only possession he had was a beautiful horse that was strong and fast.  The horse was his only means for providing for himself and his family.  One night a great storm arose.  The winds blew tremendously.  The horse was frightened and ran feverishly about the choral.  As the storm continued the gate to the choral was blown open and the horse bolted and ran off into the desert.  The next morning the people of the village gathered together to take inventory of the damage from the storm.  Upon hearing that the old man had lost his horse the people of the village went to his humble home.  All of the people went up to the man saying, “This is a sad day.  You have lost your only possession and the only means that you had to take care of your family.  This is bad, this is truly terrible.”  The old man looked at the people and softly replied, “You don’t know this is bad, you don’t know that this is terrible.”

The days went by and the old man worked his land as best he could.  He didn’t bother to fix the broken down portion of the choral because he had nothing to keep in it anyway.  The old man awoke one morning to the sound of prancing hoofs and the familiar neigh of his trusted horse.  He darted out of bed and ran to the choral to find not only had his horse returned but it had led 50 wild stallions it had been running with in the desert right into the coral.  As the dawn came the people of the village again gathered themselves at the cottage of the old man.  The people exclaimed, “This is so wonderful and good.  Now you have all of these horses and all this wealth you will never have another worry.  What a great and wonderful thing!  The old man faced the crowd and softly whispered, “You don’t know that this is a wonderful thing, you do not know that this is good.”

The old man had a son who was one of the great young warriors in the village.  He spent hour after hour training to perfect his skills with the sword and the sling.  One day as he was breaking in a strong black stallion he was thrown from the horse and his leg was crushed.  Never again would he be able to use those skills he had worked so hard to acquire.  When the people of the village heard the news they responded again by saying, “This is so terrible this is such a bad thing.  Now this great young warrior is crippled, what an awful, what a terrible thing.  The old man responded, “You do not know this is so terrible, you do not know that this is a bad thing.”

Not long after the tragic incident the cry of war was heard in the land and the war lords came to the village and took all of the able young men off to battle and the majority of them were killed.”

That was the end of the story.  The man challenged me to remember the story, stood up and escorted me out of the house.  I remember driving home wondering what in the world this was all about and was waiting for Paul Harvey to come on with his infamous, “The Rest of the Story.”  But that was the story.  It troubled me for several days.

Finally, I had my surgery and I remember sitting in my hospital room afterwards as my friends, and family and coaches came to visit and they all would say, “oh Boyd, this is so bad.  Here you have spent all these years practicing and training and now it is over – what an awful, terrible thing.”  Without even thinking I would reply, “No, you don’t know this is bad, you don’t know this is a terrible thing!”  And you know what?– it wasn’t bad – in fact, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.  Because it was during the long days and nights alone and in the solitary hours of doing therapy that I really had a shift in focus.  It created the opportunity for me to set some goals on things that were far more important than making baskets or winning championships.  It forever changed who I was and what I would strive to become.

In all the trials and challenges we face in life, often we just don’t know if they are good at the beginning.  We just know they are hard.  We know they are discouraging.  We know sometimes it hurts inside, just to be awake.  We know that figuring out what tomorrow might bring is difficult.  But ultimately we learn that this too shall pass – and that there are opportunities found within every challenge.

Certainly your success over the next several years will be dependant on your ability to deal with challenge and change.  They come to everyone.  When they come, what do you do?  Murmur?  Or ponder?  Do join in the chorus of group griping and pity parties?  Or do you look for the opportunity to move forward in a positive way?

Positive perspective is a choice.  Change your perspective about perspective and you will be able to make every season, regardless of the challenges it may bring, a season of ultimate success.

How Does Your Cookie Crumble?

Below is a delightful story of what can happen when we get too wrapped up in ourselves and forget the perspective of those around us.  Far too often we make snap judgments of others while giving ourselves every out imaginable.  How we choose to respond to others, regardless of what the visual indicators or perceptions might suggest, speaks volumes about what it going on within us.

THE COOKIE THIEF
A lady was travelling for business and she arrived at the airport with plenty of time to catch her flight. To her dismay the security line-up was twice as long as usual and by the time she got through and close to her gate there wasn’t a lot of time. She knew she needed to eat something but the line-ups at the food counters were long but she saw that there was no line-up at the cookie counter. She quickly rushed over and purchased a small bag of cookies and once at her crowded gate she found a seat beside an elderly gentleman.

Finally with 10 minutes to herself she put the bag of cookies on the floor beside her briefcase and reach down to take one out of the bag. No sooner had she got the cookie to her mouth then the elderly gentleman reached down and took a cookie from the bag and started eating it. She was in shock, how could someone just help themselves to someone’s food without even asking? She began to get angry and reached down for another cookie, at which time the elderly gentleman reach down and helped himself to another cookie. She was now outraged as she sat there trying to enjoy her cookie.

This back and forth “match” went on until there was only 1 cookie left in the bag. Certainly this man could not be so bold as to take the last cookie, but no sooner had this thought passed her mind the elderly gentleman reached down, took the last cookie, broke it in half, handed her the bigger piece and after finishing his half got up, smiled at her and walked away.

She was now utterly shaking with anger….how dare he steal her food without even a thank you. He was probably off stealing some other poor unsuspecting strangers food and she cursed herself for not saying anything. Just then it was time for her to board her plane and as she got up to pick up her briefcase she noticed her bag of cookies sitting on the floor right where she had left it. All this time it was she who had been stealing his cookies and he was not only fine with it he was happy to share….

Be careful how you react to others…..find the good in people but above all….

MAKE SURE YOU’RE EATING THE RIGHT COOKIES!!!!

Our lives are a running commentary of our internal dialogue while we interact with those around us.  What does how you treat others say about what is inside of you?  Beware of snap judgments, be leery of past prejudice, be swift to forgive, be slow to anger, be happy and attempt to share it with others.

The Road to Happiness

The Road to Happiness is not nearly as difficult as we try to make it.

Below is a very simple road to happiness written by an unknown author many, many years ago.  The years have flown, the centuries have turned, times have change and technology has transformed the world, yet the road to real happiness remains unchanged.

Spend some time this weekend reflecting on where you are on the road to happiness and areas you might want to improve as you read, The Road to Happiness:

Keep skid-chains on your tongue; always say less than you think.  Cultivate a low, persuasive voice.  How you say it often counts far more than what you say.

Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully, no matter what it costs you.

Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging thing to or about somebody.  Praise good work done, regardless of who did it.  If criticism is merited, criticize helpfully and never spitefully.

Be interested in others:  interested in their pursuits, their welfare, their homes, and families.  Make merry with those who rejoice and mourn with those who weep.  Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard them as a person of importance.

Be cheerful.  Keep the corners of your mouth turned up.  Hide your pains, worries, and disappointments under a pleasant smile.  Laugh at good stories and learn to tell them.

Preserve an open mind on all debatable questions.  Discuss, but don’t argue.  It is the mark of a superior mind to disagree and yet be friendly.

Let your virtues, if you have any, speak for themselves, and refuse to talk of another’s vices.  Discourage gossip.  Make it a point to say nothing to another unless it is something good.

Be careful of other’s feelings.  Wit at the other fellow’s expense is rarely worth the effort and may hurt where least expected.

Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you.  Simply live so that nobody will believe them.

Don’t be too anxious about getting your just dues.  Do you work, be patient, keep your disposition sweet, forget self, and you will be respected and rewarded!

Anonymous

Have an extraordinary weekend!

Why Do We Do What We Do….

Why do we do what we do when we know what we know?

This is truly one of the great mysteries of life – why do we do what we do when we know what we know?  In Australia the packaging for cigarettes contain this warning:  Using this product will Kill You!  And yet, thousands upon thousands continue to light up every single day.  How many sit on the couch every night, channel surfing while downing a cheeseburger, pizza or some other high-fat food followed by dessert?  How many continue to work beyond what is healthy knowing they are neglecting important relationships?

Why?  Why?  Why?  It seems so logical to be able to recognize something that should or shouldn’t be done and then do it or not do it.  There is lies the challenge – human beings have a range of emotions to deal with and manage or control beyond simple logic.  Below are a few reasons why we might not do what we know we should.

Fear of failure.  This is one of the strongest emotions known to human beings.  In many cases people will not only not begin, they will behave toward the opposite end of the spectrum just so it won’t even appear that they were ever even remotely interested in improvement.  No one likes to fail – it can be a brutal emotional battle, but those who wish to thrive and succeed must feel that fear and then take positive action anyway.  Recognize that there is no failure in failing, there is only failure in not trying.

Fear of success.  This seems a bit contradictory, but it is a very real emotion and plays out in a host of different ways.  Some people fear what success might bring into their life.  They may have to change friends, they may have to change careers, leave a relationship, move to a new area or give up long held beliefs or habits.  Others may fear the responsibilities which might come with that success or may be worried that if they achieve a high level now that will become the new norm or standard and aren’t sure they want to keep working that hard.  Still others may worry that success will lead them into unchartered waters where they may be outside of the skills they have already perfected or the competencies they have already acquired.  Keeping the proper perspective is key to a life, that will always have some ups and downs, but will be on a steady upward trajectory.

Fear of loss of control.  Some continue on an unhealthy or unproductive path because they feel that if they commit to a path they will lose their identity and become a drone to some system.  Life really is about choices and everyone has choices, even if the only choice you have is to choose your response to a situation, you have a choice – and that provides you with all the control you need.

And therein lies the answer to each of these emotional challenges and fears – choice.  If you are on a path that is not leading where you want to go, if you are continually asking yourself, “why do I do that?”  You need to stop and truly, honestly ask yourself why you are doing it!  And don’t be content with your first answer.  Dig deeper.  Use the Wizard of Oz approach (remember the “We’re off to see the Wizard” song – Because, because, because, because, because…)  Ask yourself “because questions and you will get to the heart of your behavioral issues.  For example, I do this because X, and I do that because Y, and I do that because Z, And I do that because A and I do that because B – at about that point you will start to get to the real issues which drive behavior.

Understanding why you do what you do, especially when you know what you know is a vital first step toward taking control, making wise choices and creating the future you truly desire.

If Everything is Under Control…

“If you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough.”    Mario Andretti

Striving to gain control, working to have everything just right, waiting for the perfect moment, delaying until everything lines up… If this describes your approach to your goals, your life or your career – you are going to be relegated to the slow lane of life where few opportunities and fewer rewards reside.

It has often been said that entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and that the path to real success is a messy road.  Occasionally it is even a little hard to watch, with so many ups and downs, moments of sheer terror, days of hanging on by a thread, soaring highs countered by free-falling failures, the pressure of having a tiger-by-the-tail and many moments of momentum and madness – but the end result is extraordinary!  So in a way it is kind of like someone who loves sausage – wonderful to eat but you really never want to watch it being made!

With the previous description of the path to success and achievement some may ask why pursuit it?  Those who ask are generally those who have never experienced the rush of peak performance living for themselves.  Those who need absolute control to function will never truly enjoy in the sunshine on the peaks and mountaintops of success.

Achievement comes as we learn to gain confidence in moving at a pace a little faster than we are used to.  Quick, but not rushed, pressing but never stressing.  Learning to live in a world where things are not perfect, where you may not have all the information you want or where you may not have the perfect team or perfect presentation is vital to accomplishing your goals.

You must be careful not to fall into the pattern of the old analysis paralysis or perfectionist procrastination syndromes.  Each represents a major inhibitor to your pace and speed.  The world and business markets are ever accelerating and your ability to move swiftly, even when feeling a bit out of control, will determine what you achieve.  A race car driver and crew can tinker forever on a myriad of parts and processes, but if they are forever returning to the pits or slowing down to check one more thing, the competition will literally run circles around them.

Obviously it is important to do everything you can to be in control, to have a plan and to execute, but keep in mind as you move forward, especially if you are moving at a good pace, there will always be challenges, obstacles, roadblocks and course corrections to make – while you continue to move fast.  Remember, sloppy success is always better than perfect procrastination.

Mario Andretti, as one of the great racecar drivers of all time knew a thing or two about speed and about winning.  He was right, “If you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough.”  And you will NOT win!

Speak in Anger and …

“Speak in anger and you will deliver the greatest speech you will ever live to REGRET!”  Winston Churchill

The airwaves today are filled with pundits and experts who constantly badger, butcher or blow up anyone who might disagree with their point of view.  While this might be entertaining talk radio or night time television, it has produced a horrible precedent for dealing with people in general.

Many have come to believe that silence is weakness, that calmness is cowardly and that you must engage in a tit-for-tat exchange of point and counterpoint, claim and counterclaim to compete and survive in any relationship.  If an unwanted fire has broken out the last thing you want to do is throw gasoline on it.  Yet many seemingly cannot resist the urge to throw their last bit of fuel on the fire then spar, thrust and parry back and forth long after the source of problem has been left behind.

Often it is the preservation of ego which keeps us engaged in verbal combat, somehow believing that having the last word will win the day.  Learning to check your ego at the door and determine what truly matters most is key, not only to success, but to happiness and peace of mind.  Whether speaking to someone live or going back and forth in email, you must ask yourself if the messages you are about to speak or send are going to move the conversation, and more importantly, the relationship, forward or whether they will simply fuel more anger and angst.  Winning a verbal battle at the expense of a relationship war is never wise.

General Robert E. Lee was once asked his view of a man he had had many disagreements with.  Lee responded that the man was a good, just man, who he happened to disagree with greatly.  The questioner then stated that the man in question did not hold such a respectful view of the General and often expressed that negative opinion to others.  To which General Lee replied, “You asked me my opinion of him, not my view of his view of me.  My view is the only one over which I have control.”  The way you communicate with those you disagree with speaks volumes about who you are as a person.  Petty, personal attacks never produce positive results and often keep us a safe distance from real solutions.

Be ware of your emotions and your ego, especially in the highly volatile arena of interpersonal communication.  Silence can be strength, a kind word can carry a conversation, stepping away can be the best step forward.  Words have weight and their impact is immense – so choose them wisely, use them with caution and whenever in doubt – don’t!

The Collapse of Distinction

“When faced with overwhelming similarity customers will perceive different as superior.”  Scott McKain

As the difference in products and services becomes smaller and smaller in today’s global marketplace your ability differentiate yourself from the competition and establish real elements of distinction becomes ever more important.  In his best-selling book, The Collapse of Distinction, iLearningGlobal Faculty Member, Scott McKain shares priceless insight on how individuals and organizations can move from sameness to differentiation to distinction.

Most people and most companies follow long held and often erroneous ideas of how to become distinctive to customers and prospects.  Many try to play the price game as the first way to stand out, even though studies continuously show there is rarely, if ever, a loyalty to company based on price.  Others try the copycat approach by following the competition in areas or offers that seem to be working.  And while best practices should always be sought out and adopted, becoming a “me too” company usually destines you to “also-ran” status.

More and more of what customers expect from you are becoming commoditized.  This fact requires you and your organization to pursue a path of distinction.  To do this it is mission-critical to follow what Scott describes as the four cornerstones of distinction – Clarity, Creativity, Communication and Customer Experience Focused.  Distinct and successful companies use these cornerstones, which must be followed in the right sequence.

Clarity is about knowing who you are and what you are about.  (Never confuse who you are with what you sell or what you do.)  Creativity can only be effective when laid atop clarity.  In other words, creativity without clarity leads to confusion and wasted time and resources.  Communication is about how you tell your story and how you help your customers and clients feel that they are part of that story.  (This also applies to your employees, because everyone wants to be part of a winning story!).  Finally, focusing on your customer’s experience, not customer service, will enable you to develop lifelong, loyal customers.

In most cases becoming distinctive does not require a great investment of resources.  As in most areas of pursuing excellence, half of the battle is simply being aware.  Even small seemingly insignificant distinctions can elevate your customer’s or prospect’s perception that you are extraordinary and superior.

True Freedom Found in Discipline

“The really free person in society is the one who is disciplined.  Dean Smith”

It seems as though society is obsessed with the concept of being free.  Free of care, free from worry, free from stress, free of responsibility and free from consequences are all dominant messages from the media and advertiser around the world.  What is it that truly sets one free?  How do you achieve true freedom?

The answer is discipline.  Discipline is what gives you the freedom to do, be and become all that you desire in every area of life.  It seems contradictory, yet it is absolutely true.  Discipline and your ability to rise to your highest and fullest potential are inseparable.

The old story of the little boy and his Dad flying a kite is a perfect illustration.  You remember the story.  The two launch the kite and it begins to rise in the sky.  The little boy continues to tell his Dad to let out more string so that the kite can soar higher.  They continue until they come to the end of the string.  The Dad holds tight to the end of the string while the kite flies far above them.  Not satisfied, the boy implores his Dad to let go of the string so that the kite won’t be held back and can climb even higher.  The Dad tries to explain, but the little boy is convinced the string is holding the kite back.  Finally the Dad agrees and lets go of the end of the string.  The kite immediately spirals out of control and comes crashing to the ground.

The little boy learned the need for that restraining tension which is required to truly soar.  Discipline is that restraining tension in our lives.  Discipline is what enables us to be truly free.

Greatest Liar in the World

“Of all the liars in the world, the worst are your own fears.”  Rudyard Kipling

It is true that our doubts and fears betray us and prevent us from becoming not only all we desire to be, but all we have the potential to become.  Fear is a great liar and deceiver.  Like a crafty villain, fear never attacks you in your areas of strength, but patiently waits, assessing your weaknesses and shortcomings.  Then fear begins a slow, subtle but steady stream of doubt-producing thoughts designed to begin to crack your solid foundation.

Like waves of the sea, fear is relentless, though often unnoticed, as it erodes your confidence, undermines your desire and chips away at your vision of what you can do.  Many an athlete, musician or business person have found out all too late the devastating effect of fear in wreaking havoc on a performance, a goal or a career.

Fear never begins with outlandish lies, but again, small and imperceptible little cracks of fear and doubt can ultimately take out a mighty fortress or firm foundation.  So how do you prevent that liar fear from getting in the way of your destined success?  Self-awareness is critical.

At the first intimation of doubt or fear you must stop and engage your brain.  Ask yourself, “why am I feeling this fear now?  Is this real?  Are these feelings a warning that I am getting off track or are they, as the old acronym states FEAR – False Education Appearing Real?”

Warnings and course corrections are an important part of your foundation for success.  Feeling fear is absolutely normal.  The question is what do you do with it?  You must ask yourself where your emotions go when faced with a particular fear or doubt.  Does it cause you to want to quit or give up?  Is it paralyzing and preventing you from taking action on your goals and dreams?  Do you find yourself cowering in a corner as a result?  Or does it motivate you to get out and work on improving yourself and overcoming a weakness?  Does it inspire you to dig a little deep and rise a littler higher?  Facing fear and doubt is a directional decision – which way do you face and where does it lead you?

Remember Fear is the greatest of liars and will do everything to prevent you from pursuing the extraordinary.  Living in a world of great uncertainty requires you to feel the fear and do it anyway, experience doubt and drive forward anyway, hear the naysayers and press forward anyway.  Fear fades as the mist before the morning sun when you know who you are, have identified your vision and mission and are determined to make it happen no matter what.