Rockin and Rollin

Here we are more than half-way thru January with only 60 days to spring, are you rockin and rollin 2011?

Today is the day, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised so make the most of today!

Having an attitude of gratitude and giving more than is expected will always make our days rock n roll.

Taking time to really listen and care for others whether it is our family, clients, prospective customers or someone passing thru our day.

What will you do today to make sure you rock n rolled today?

Influence

Influence comes . . .

In all shapes and sizes. We are influenced by traffic lights and signs from the minute we leave our homes. We are influenced by menu selections at our favorite coffee shop, what is new, what are the favorites and price. We are influenced by the people who take our order, are they happy, tired, rushed or is this “just their job”.

Let me share with you . . .

The person who had the most influence in my life and what I learned from him. His name is Stan Beetler and he is my Uncle. He passed away recently, and on the long drive home as I was contemplating his life I realized that influence was his greatest attribute. He was the kind of person that everyone he met became his friend. He loved people and he was a first class salesman. He could sell anything to anyone and was very successful in many different businesses he owned over his lifetime. It is because of his influence that I have made a major change in my life and business knowing that life is too short to not be doing what you love.

Influence is a developed . . .

Character trait that comes from understanding “it is not all about me”. My Uncle Stan lived this example for all of us to see. He would always greet you with a big smile, asking how you are and listening intently to every word you said. He never had an agenda beyond making you feel like the most important person of the moment. He would share a joke or funny story to put you at ease and let you know how glad he was to see you. If he did sell anything to you, it made you feel like a fortunate person to have bought it from him. He was a generous man with his time, his love and his attention. He loved his family most of all, and he always made time for us, always was appreciative of each and every one of us and always made us laugh! You always felt on top of the world after being with him.

So how do we have influence . . .

Every day we have influence:

• To bring encouragement
• To influence life changing decision
• To change another person’s attitude
• To solve another persons problem by providing a solution
• To help someone else be greater than they thought they could be
• To share free gifts of attention, love and time
• Or none of the above

Influence is a powerful character trait that can make or break a relationship. How are we developing our influence with others to bring happiness, joy and encouragement to those people who cross our path each day? Will we be remembered for our influence in a positive manner?

My Uncle will be a tough act to follow . . .

Who has had positive influence in your life?  How are you using influence in a positive way?