Sue Henry Talks Blog

It's been months since I posted a blog here. Why? Because I allowed myself to get distracted with other activities that took me away from my core business strategies and goals!

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been rethinking, reviewing, revamping, and revising my goals. I've had some "ah-ha" moments as well as some "uh-oh" moments. I'm coming away with a stronger foundation, a more committed and disciplined daily action plan, and a deep passion for helping others improve their own lives.

Take some time and read "Linchpin" by Seth Godin. The messages within his book opened my mind to additional possibilities and opportunities available for me to truly move from being "replaceable" to "indispensable" as I strive to make a difference.

What can you do that will make you indisipensable to your clients? Customers? Family? Friends? Let's share some ideas and make this our best year yet!

Hate to Write? Use Video As Your Blog Post

If you hate to write and it's keeping you from blogging, then I have good news for you!  Have a "video blog".

A web video isn't a mulitmillion Hollywood project. It's not going to be "perfect", and if you wait for perfection, the world will pass you by!

Basically, a blog video is like a blog post your write.  It's you sharing some information with your readers and connecting with  them in a sincere, honest way. Here's my top 5 tips for your blog video:

1. Have a script and practice it a couple of times before recording. You want to sound energized and competent while still showing your humanness of "ahhs", etc.

2. Check the background where you'll be videoing. Remove any stacks of papers, clutter, etc. I would recommend having a couple items in the background that are "personal" and help people learn a little more about you as a person. For instance, if you have a pet you love, have a photo of them on the desk or table behind you.

3. Have the camera capture your face straight on.  Have you ever seen the videos or photos of people where the camera has been angled from below the head and is aimed upward?  No one looks good with a double chin!

4. Engage your audience with a story they can relate to.  If you are using visuals (like a white board to share something), have yourself in the video, too. "Condition" them to hear your voice, see your face, and provide valuable, helpful information. This increases credibility and name/information retention. You want them to remember YOU when they think of the product or service you provide.

5. Be enthusiastic. Smile. And have fun! 

Blogging can be an essential tool in attracting and finding the people who want, need, and are willing to buy what you offer. Someone is going to go online and find and connect with a person who offers what you do... Help them find you!

The 3 C's of Social Skills: Courtesy, Civility, & Consideration

Twelve days of vacation with 2 of my daughters, ages 16 & 18. Twelve days on a road trip starting in Minnesota, driving through Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Twelve days in the car and hotel rooms together. Twelve days of having fun, building memories, and strengthening our already-wonderful relationships. We're become more than "family". We're truly good friends.

What was the key to coming home better friends after spending 12 days together in close quarters?

Courtesy. Civility. Consideration.

Were there tense moments when one of us was a little irritable? Yes. Were there times when a sharp comment, negative thought, or criticism could have been voiced? Of course. But we refrained. We had made the conscious decision before the trip that we would treat each other with kindness, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and assume that if someone was a little crabby, they were probably just tired and needed us to leave them alone instead of becoming "offended" or responding.

As a young mother, many years ago, I was given some wonderful advice. "Catch 'em being good". It's easy for us to have "company manners" with people we're not around all the time. It's much harder to keep that same perspective with our families. I believe that our homes, families, and we ourselves, would be much happier and have more peace if we practiced the 3 C's of social skills with everyone.

Courtesy. Civility. Consideration.  A simple way to make a positive difference, one person at a time.

Estes Park Spectacular

 

Have you ever been excited to visit a place and once you got there, were disappointed because it didn't live up to the "hype"?  I'm sure I'm not alone in this experience!

My two daughters (ages 16 & 18) and I are on a 10-day road trip. We left beautiful, green Minnesota yesterday and spent last night at a very comfortable and affordable Best Western in Kearney, NE. This morning we left for Estes Park, CO

I've heard that the views, mountains, and overall scenery is simply breathtaking. And I thought to myself, yeah, yeah, yeah...  Even with my cynical and skeptical attitude, I was totally unprepared for the spectacular beauty, power, and awe Estes Park gave to me.

The majesty of the landscape reminded me of how "little" I am in the scope of all things. I contemplated my role and discovered that each of us are a "majestic landscape" in the scope of all things. Each skill, talent, value, ability, action, and thought make up our individual "spectacular beauty". We need to enhance who we are authentically - without the hype.

We are each different, which adds variety, value, and appreciation for our differences as well as those things we share in common. Climbing a mountain is a great endeavor. But building your own is even greater!

Who's Got Your Back

"The real path to success in your work and in your life is through creating an inner circle of 'lifeline relationships' - deep, close relationships with a few key trusted individuals who will offer the encouragement, feedback, and generous mutual support every one of us needs to reach our full potential", says Keith Ferrazzi, author of "Who's Got Your Back".

In his latest book, Keith teaches us how to identify 3 key people who are there for us. These are people that we can share ideas, mistakes, frustrations, and successes with - people who help us to see our strengths as well as our weaknesses, all within a safe, non-judgmental relationship.

True abundance and fulfillment are available for everyone. But it's up to each of us to find the path and take the journey down that road. The journey is much more enjoyable and rewarding when we are traveling with others who share our passions, interests, values, and sense of adventure. 

I'm not content to just "live my life" as it happens. It's up to me to design what I want, when I want it, and ask my inner circle to help me get there.  And along the way, I'll be striving to become one of someone else's inner circle so they can achieve their hopes, dreams, and goals.

I highly recommend Keith Ferrazzi's "Who's Got Your Back". Pick it up, read it with a highlighter, and then start applying what you've learned. Remember, the only limitations you face are the ones you've subscribed to! After you read the book, drop me a comment. I'd love to know what your "aha" was...

I Had To Take Time to Refill and Renew

The past couple of months have been filled with numerous meetings, trainings and workshops I've taught, information meetings, coaching sessions with BNI members, a trip to San Diego for a Lisa Nichols workshop "Speak and Write to Make Millions", a daughter's graduation from high school (in MN we have parties for our HS grads), a son's wedding, just a name a few.

I drive between 3,000-4,500 miles per month for my job within BNI and as a speaker and trainer. The number of educational CD's I can listen to on a "road trip" are limited and although my car is a great "think tank" for me, it's also a "time trap". As I'm driving from meeting to meeting, I get frustrated at how behind I get with other tasks, responsibilites, etc.

I refuse to get up any earlier than I do (between 5 & 5:30 am) and haven't figured out how I can SAFELY drive while reading and writing emails, etc. If I had a driver, I'd think that I needed to chat and be a good hostess instead of getting work done...  As the pile on my desk and list of things to do increased, so did my stress level. 

So this weekend I (and my 16-yr old daughter) went sailing in Pepin, WI with Beth M. Anderson. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze, and the conversation was great. As I marveled at the incredible beauty of the Lake Pepin landscape, I could literally feel my mind, body, and soul being restored and renewed.

And then it hit me! I realized why I was feeling so incredibily stressed and out-of-control! I was trying to do to much!!!!  Ok - it shouldn't have taken so long for me to get the message, but the good news is, at least I got it!

My goal this week is to go through my calendar, the pile on my desk, and my list of things to do so i can consciously delegate, prioritze, or say "no". Once I complete this activity, I'll be able to determine if I need to add someone else to help me do the basics so I can spend my time on the income-producing activities.

If you've gone through this type of growth and have had to bring someone in part-time, I'd love to know how you did it. How did you find the right person? What questions did you ask? What do you wish someone had told you as you started the process?

Thanks for sharing!

The Power Of Focus

Today I was on a plane from Minneapolis to San Diego with a flight change in Phoenix.  My usual habit is to plop down in the seat, pull out my glasses and book, and forget about the world for awhile. And that's exactly what I did today.

Several hours later I was sitting in the Phoenix airport waiting to board the plane for San Diego and overheard a few people talking about how rough the flight from Mpls to Phoenix had been.  They went on to discuss that the people were actually throwing up because of the turbulence. I was shocked! I hadn't noticed a thing!

Focus is a powerful tool when we learn how to harness it. Each day of ours is filled with some type of turbulence - things that can truly distract us from what we need and want to accomplish. I know that when I fill my day with activities that I am passionate about, I don't notice the bumps in the road. My energy and excitement allow me to glide right over them.

If you find yourself having trouble focusing, stop for a minute. Reflect on why you are doing what you do, how you are making a difference in the life of others, and think about the thank-you's you've already received. You'll find renewed energy, passion, and increased focus.

Turning Breakdowns Into Breakthroughs

Lisa Nichols is a phenomenal speaker. At the BNI National Conference in Milwaukee last month, she shared her personal story of her journey to success.

As she talked about the self-discoveries and breakthroughs of her personal limitiations, I was touched. She talked about the little "voice" we all have that tells us what we can't do and why. Success for her came when she mentally programmed a "voice" in the other ear that told her how much she could do, how much she deserved, and encouraged her to go for it.

I made an amazing discovery while listening to her. I found that I had built my own "walled garden" of limitations but had decorated it so beautifully with all the reasons why I couldn't make my dreams come true, that I didn't even see the walls anymore.

I took the actions necessary to bulldoze right through those walls and leave them in a pile of rubble behind me. My dreams are bigger than me and can truly touch the lives of others. Lisa Nichols helped me to get out of my own way and move toward my purpose. No matter what!

Bloom Where You're Planted!

Years ago I met a woman who had to move away from her family and all things familiar when her husband accepted a position with a prestigious company across the country.  She constantly complained about the weather, the people, being so far from family, etc. She was always asking "when will we be able to go back home?"

In frustration, her husband finally told her, "You are home! Bloom where you are planted!"

At first she was angry at his lack of compassion for her "plight". As time went by, she began making new friends. She found playmates for her children, and groups of people and activities that stimulated her mind. She began putting down roots and kept nourishing her growth. She became a part of her neighborhood and her community. Instead of focusing on how different things were from "home", she learned to love and cherish new people and opportunities.

Each of has a choice: we can either complain about where we are in life and all the things that are wrong, or we can celebrate where we are in life and seek out the boundless opportunities that surround us. It's up to us to decide and act.

Stretching The Truth

I admit I'm not 100% honest. I view highway speed limit signs as a "suggestion" (unless there's a cop sitting there!) and I was overly optimistic on my drivers license in the height and weight categories. But that's basically where I draw the line. So imagine my surprise when I was taught a "truth" that I shared with others and it turned out to be a lie!

Here's what happened: A couple of months ago I was introduced to an incredible product that provides a mini face lift that you can do in the privacy of your own home, is very affordable, and you see results within 10 minutes. I loved how the crow's feet and laugh lines were noticeably diminished, so of course I wanted to purchase the machine. I was told that if I sold a few machines as a distributor, my machine and gels would be free. Cool!

In order to become a distributor, I would need to purchase the business builder pack which included 5 machines, etc. for the price of $1425. I swallowed hard, placed the order and sold the machines. As people I showed the product to asked questions about how they could become a distributor, earn a little money, and get their machine and gels for free, I shared with them what I had been taught. 

Last week I found out that in order to become a distributor, you don't have to buy the business builder pack of 5 machines. As a matter of fact, you only need to place an order for $20. I was mortified!

I went back and talked to the women who had loved the results they'd gotten with the machine and had wanted to come onboard as a distributor but didn't have the $1425. They were very kind, appreciated my honesty, and signed up. But the integrity of the company was now compromised.

The upline distributor's explanation for "stretching the truth" was that statistically, people who invested more upfront made more money down the road. I get that. So tell people the truth, give them options, and show them stats. Let them make the decision for themselves.  Give them support, help them formulate a plan, then help them succeed. But don't stretch the truth or lie.

I'm sure she felt her motives served a higher purpose, but she lost my trust. If I ever meet her, I'll listen to what she says with suspicion. And whatever status she attains within the company will be tarnished (in my eyes) because of her methods.

I've learned, again, that I need to know the facts before spewing out someone else's words. It's my relationships and credibility on the line. Because of this experience, I wondered about the integrity of the company. Is this how they taught their distributors to grow a successful, thriving business? If so, I didn't want any part of it! Fortunately, through research and diligence, I found that the company is honorable and trustworthy and frowns upon this type of activity.

So how does this experience relate to you? Ask yourself: Do your interactions with your clients and customers move them closer to trusting you? Or have you gotten in the habit of maybe stretching the truth a little because it's in your client's best interest and is easier than dealing with objections? 

Trust is more fragile than a raw egg on a football field during a game - once it's broken, you won't be able to restore it to it's original state. When there's genuine trust, you won't need to stretch the truth to accomplish your goals.