Are You Tough Enough?

If you’re reading this you’ve been here or someplace like this before. You went through 911… Still Standing. You survived the Dot Com meltdown… Still Standing. You outlasted the 2008 mortgage melt down and lived to tell… Still Standing! While you’ve been wobbled more than once you made it through. You paid attention and as a result each one of these made you smarter, wiser and stronger. I’ve had the same experience as many of you. If you haven’t given yourself credit for surviving the time is now! You’re overdue.

Pastor Robert Schuller used to say “Tough Times Don’t Last But Tough People Do!” I suspect the last few weeks have measured your toughness. Still Standing? You’re certifiably tough. What’s your plan to remain tough? Mike Tyson was the first to say “Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.” We’ve all been hit… response means everything and determines what’s next.

A client from about 10 years ago called to tell me how bad things were. He’d been knocked down. I told him to Get Up! He misunderstood me so I said it again… Get The Hell Up! His words and actions during what may well be the fight of his life were crippling him and I heard that in his voice. When I asked what he’s done since the shelter in place order he said “everything’s shut down… What can I do?” I gave him a list of 10 things to do that day before he went to bed. I then got his wife on the phone to keep him accountable. I got off the phone with him 9 days later and things are much better while still under the shelter in place order. He has a new plan now.  

This will eventually end. Many businesses, even some of your competition, will simply wait this out. That’s never the way to respond to any threat. If you’ve read the “Art Of War” you know to attack when the enemy is weak. There’s more weakness than I’ve ever seen. I promise I will survive this Pandemic both personally and professionally… I will emerge stronger. You will as well. Those who don’t take and maintain decisive action are bound to suffer the consequences. That result is sad and predictable. We’re in this together. We’re going to thrive together!     

My name is Steven Clauson.  I coach people who want help getting where they want to be.  The people I coach are typically already taking action, getting results and ask what’s next and what actions to take to make an even greater impact.  They aren’t afraid to ask for help.  How can I help you?  What actions are you taking?  Those who have a plan and implement that plan lead the pack.  Planning, preparing to win and taking appropriate action means you hear the word “YES” more than ever. Only if you one of the few willing to take action, do what’s required and play full out and you likely to hear the word yes more often.  People hearing the word “YES” are winners on the field playing because they play full out and dominate.  For these people results matter.  Tired of results less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclausoncom

Optimism Or Reasoned Optimism?

In the current climate we’re living in, being optimistic may be a good thing. In the current climate we’re living in creating multiple reasons to be optimistic is an unstoppable force. Personally, I prefer reasoned optimism.

One of my favorite quotes is “Dig your well before you get thirsty.” For most this is easy to understand and the actual doing can be very different. I dig my well daily and the results speak for themselves. I understand that intelligent outflow creates meaningful inflow. I’m shocked at how many people wake up each day and play at a level 1 or 2 on a scale of 10. What do they think is going to happen?

I’m reminded of a short story I heard from Robert Ringer who wrote the book Maximum Achievement… Every day in in Africa a Lion wakes up and already knows they must run faster than the slowest Gazelle or they won’t eat. Every day in Africa a Gazelle wakes up and already knows they must run faster than the fastest Lion or they will be eaten. Each knows when they wake up they must start running to survive!  Have you started running yet?

My name is Steven Clauson.  I coach people who want help getting where they want to be.  The people I coach are typically already taking action, getting results and ask what’s next and what actions to take to make an even greater impact.  They aren’t afraid to ask for help.  How can I help you?  What actions are you taking?  Those who have a plan and implement that plan lead the pack.  Planning, preparing to win and taking appropriate action means you hear the word “YES” more than ever. Only if you one of the few willing to take action, do what’s required and play full out and you likely to hear the word yes more often.  People hearing the word “YES” are winners on the field playing because they play full out and dominate.  For these people results matter.  Tired of results less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

What’s Left Over When Your Time Is Up?

This isn’t a highly motivational picture. It was placed to get your attention. All of us will have this day. I’m not looking forward. I know it’s gonna get here. Elon Musk is working on a go around but I’m not optimistic.

Most of the people I meet are incredibly protective with their money while paying minimal attention to their time. This is ass backwards. My wife told me to eliminate the words ass but PFUI… sometimes I need to be blunt.

When your coffin lid starts to close or they place the lid on the urn what you will have left over is money… what you will have no more is time. The last thing I’m worried about is someone who wants to steal my money. No worries… I know how to make more money with incredible reliability. The most non-renewable resource I have is my time. Your most non-renewable resource is your time. When you run out of time you can’t fix it. You’re done! Many years ago I filed bankruptcy… isn’t that proof I was out of money? I got more money and you will too. Why do most people feel the opposite?

If you want to steal my time we’re going to have an issue. I have literally refused to work with people simply because they have no respect for my time or theirs. If you are constantly running behind you must not respect someone and it better not be me. The worst person to disrespect on the subject of time is yourself. The value you put on your time determines your income. Be On Time!    

My name is Steven Clauson.  I coach people who want help getting where they want to be.  The people I coach are typically already taking action, getting results and ask what’s next and what actions to take to make an even greater impact.  They aren’t afraid to ask for help.  How can I help you?  What actions are you taking?  Those who have a plan and implement that plan lead the pack.  Planning, preparing to win and taking appropriate action means you hear the word “YES” more than ever. Only if you one of the few willing to take action, do what’s required and play full out and you likely to hear the word yes more often.  People hearing the word “YES” are winners on the field playing because they play full out and dominate.  For these people results matter.  Tired of results less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

“A” Players Hire “A” Players. Who Do “B” Player Hire?

       It’s a fact that “A” Players only hire “A” Players when they need something done.  Why work with someone who produces a result below your current skill set.  This is about who hires “B” Players and more importantly why they hire them.
I decided long ago it was easier and less expensive in the long run to work with “A” Players exclusively.  It seemed  expensive at first… turns out it was one of the least expensive things I ever did.  Working with “A” Players kept me off balance and uncomfortable and as a result I was productive instead of busy.  “A” Players demanded results from me I would have never demanded of myself.
  It turns out the “B” Players hire “C” Players!  Why have people around you who are constantly nagging you to do this or create that?  Seems like a lot of work.  Another good about hiring “C” Players is they aren’t invested in the result they help you create.  They are happy to cruise along, settle for less and pretend to smile.  Sure, low standards and a commitment void is a shitty way to live and unless you tell someone the secret is yours.  We make choices every day about working with “A” or “C” level people.  Whose on your team?

        My name is Steven Clauson and I coach “A” people to take “A” level actions, be their best and win more often.  I know the one taking action most often wins.  Taking action means you will hear the word “YES” more than ever.  Are you one of the few willing to take action, do what’s required to hear the word yes more often?  People accustomed to the word “YES” are winners on the field playing full out and dominating.  For these people results matter.  Tired of results less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

 

Don’t Give A Damn What You Think…

       Stop giving a damn about what you think!  Everything you are worried about is never going to happen.  None of it.  You can have and do what you want starting now.  You can have the income you want, work with the people you want, work the hours you want, work the days you want, have the vacations you want and design the business and life to be exactly as you want them to be.
What most people are best at is setting boundaries on themselves and those around them.  The leading cause of boundaries is a thing called fear.  Fear comes in many forms and can manifest differently on a daily basis.  Fear is crippling to those who embrace it and freeing to those who learn to manage it.
The letters in the word FEAR tell the story we need to hear.  False Evidence Appearing Real.  When I ask someone who wants to accomplish something they have as outside of what they can do I typically get a series of fear related responses as opposed to actual actions they have taken to get where they want to be.  I call it Wimp Junction and this is where dreams go to die.  We have all seen too much death in our lives and the fact is our dreams don’t need to be on the casualty list.
Stop wasting time worrying about whether you can or can’t do something.  How about telling the person who won’t let you off the hook what you are going to do.  In a great quote by Ayn Rand who wrote Atlas Shrugged “It’s not who is going to LET me, it’s who is going to STOP me!”  Go for it!   

       My name is Steven Clauson and I coach people who want to come out of the stands and onto the field or are already on the field and demand to work to their potential.  Are you in the stands or on the field?  Winners are on the field playing full out and dominate.  For these people results matter.  Tired of results less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

 

Participation Trophies In The News.

After everything that has been in the news recently about the idea and value of participation trophies I spent a few minutes looking around my children’s rooms.  My children were active in pursuits like Soccer, Football, Media, Track & Field,  Lacrosse, Cheerleading and Swimming.  I was looking for any remaining “awards” they are proud of for just showing up.  I found none!
Upon closer examination what I did find was a varsity letter my son earned as a Varsity Swimmer for Elk Grove High School, my daughters awards for Academic Excellence, Academic All American and a Cheerleading award she was given that was voted on by her Cheer team at Pleasant Grove High School and my Step Daughters awards from the Media Communications Academy at Center High School where she excelled and set the standard she would use as a Cast Member at Disney .  Not one of them kept awards for simply participating.  I don’t think this is a mistake.
My Son recently was awarded the title “Customer Experience Expert” from Mazda Corporation.  This is an award based on sales, experience and customer service ratings where Mazda calls the customer to drill down about their experience.  This award comes with a title and a monetary bonus.  In short, it matters and is earned.
My Daughter was recently placed into the management training program with Safeway Corporation based on effort, hard work, management approval and again the biggest factor is customer feedback.  Feedback matters.  I would add that my daughter will earn her certification as a welder in December and takes pride in maintaining the highest grade level and skill level in her class because this allows her to be the leader she knows she is.
My Step Daughter has recently been elevated at Disneyland from Cast Member to a manger based solely on Direct Customer feedback.  At Disney direct feedback means that a guest captures someone’s name and has to go to a specific office near the main gate and write out what the Cast Member did to make their day memorable.    Many Cast Members never have this happen and she has had it happen twice in the same week.  Her name is Sammy and she is in Disney California Adventure and I promise you that if you seek her out it will be an experience your children will not soon forget.  Disney expects that once you hit the stage you are all about the guest experience and this is difficult at best.
Each of these now adults were given participation trophies and each of them say that none of them mattered.  What matters to them are the results they produce because that is a life trophy and one that matters

My name is Steven Clauson and I coach people who want to come out of the stands and onto the field or are already on the field and demand to maximize their efforts.  Are you in the stands or on the field?  Winners are on the field playing full out. These are people for whom results matter.  Tired of results that are less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

Who Creates Your Reality?

Who’s responsible for creating your reality?  The word reality is defined as the way things actually are.  With that being said the News people insist on watching is supposed to contain reality and what it really contains is grey areas of opinion and spin.  Our lives happen just like this.  Most of what happens comes down to opinion and spin.
Someone’s reality often comes down to their Response Ability in every given situation.  Losing a parent, winning a football game, going through a divorce, filing bankruptcy and even getting an inheritance are examples of things that show your response ability.  How will you respond in any given situation is what reality is all about.  I know people dealing with each of these situations right now and the differences are stark and not what I would have predicted.
What I know to be true and a fact is that success is our duty, obligation and responsibility.  We need to take it seriously.  It matters!  The last few days with a sick parent matters.  Winning a football game matters.  Divorce and the destruction of a family matters.  Filing bankruptcy and having the chance to start over matters.  Getting an inheritance and becoming the steward of someone’s financial lifes work matters.
Each of us holds the final definition of what reality means.  When you choose to be part of the solution your ability to respond rises.  What’s your current Response Ability?      
My name is Steven Clauson and I coach people who want to come out of the stands and onto the field or are already on the field and demand to maximize their efforts.  Are you in the stands or on the field?  Winners are on the field playing full out. These are people for whom results matter.  Tired of results that are less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

The 4th Quarter Is When We Win Or Lose… And Your Choice Is?

 I am a serious football fan.  I am serious to the point that I think baseball should conclude Labor Day weekend so we can all focus on Football.  There are lessons from football we can all use to push what we do forward.  Ignore these lessons at your peril.
Today starts the 4th quarter.  In football this is when teams get tired and mistakes happen.  In short this is often when the game is won and lost.  The 4th quarter is when mistakes are made, focus is lost, disappointment sets in and the winner is determined.  Most games aren’t really won in my estimation, most are lost.  Whenever you have a team that has prepared for the 4th quarter it shows and typically they prevail.
When it comes to people in business, the 4th quarter has 2 schools of thought that are most common (There are others for low performers and putting time into these is not worth the effort).   For the 4th quarter of 2015 the thing to decide is are you going to work toward your quota or work to your potential?  These are different and what the 4th quarter is all about.
You should love the 4th quarter because while most are getting ready for the Holidays you have a very real chance to dominate your market and work to your potential.  Holiday parties are a blast and while your competition is working on going to parties and making quota you remain focused on simple domination.  You are the ONLY person that knows your potential and when you get past all the B S quotas and work to your potential you lead the pack!  Keep in mind that is you aren’t the leader the view won’t change.
My name is Steven Clauson and I coach people who want to come out of the stands and onto the field or are already on the field and demand to work to their potential.  Are you in the stands or on the field?  Winners are on the field playing full out and dominate. T For these people results matter.  Tired of results that are less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

Price As The Primary Sticking Point

 I hear salespeople tell me story after story about how their competitor is underselling them and they are practically giving their product away or how the exact same produce can be purchased on the internet for less in every case.  In fact I was reading a book over this past weekend called “Secrets Of Successful Selling” and that book talked about how competition has reached levels never before seen and customer awareness has reached a point that required salespeople to operate at levels never before considered.  This book was written in 1952! 
Competition has always been here and thank goodness it will always be here.  The problem isn’t product knowledge, competition or even smarter customer… The real issue is are you sold on your product?  You need to become so sold and so convinced on your product and service that you know it would be a mistake for your customer to do business anywhere else.  So convinced that you can tell them why it would be detrimental to them if they buy from anyone but you.  So sold that you lose sleep when a customer doesn’t buy from you no matter the reason they give you.  That level of commitment may seem too much but this is what people are searching for.
Champions in any field know they must produce results with what they have to work with.  Champions look at the team they have and determine what their strengths are and as a result what actual assets they have to work with.  They play the cards that have been dealt to maximum effect.  They focus on winning the game they are involved in at that moment and never think about losing.  David kicked Goliaths ass because he was sold on the idea he could get it done.  Who is your Goliath?
My name is Steven Clauson and I coach people who want to come out of the stands and onto the field or are already on the field and demand to work to their potential.  Are you in the stands or on the field?  Winners are on the field playing full out and dominate. For these people results matter.  Tired of results that are less than you know you can produce?  Call me at 916-230-0176 or visit www.stevenclauson.com

What Failing To Hit The Target Looks Like

 

A compelling article came across my desk today and I want to condense it and share what I see.  Did you know…

  • 68% of Americans say they receive too many brand e-mails.  You are reading one now.
  • 48% of Americans consider personalized e-mails from companies they do business with helpful.
  • 17% of Americans cannot handle the current volume of brand e-mails
  • 56% of Americans willingly share personal information to receive relevant offers.

Americans say they receive very relevant information from;

  • 33% Credit Card Companies.
  • 29% Supermarkets
  • 29% Banks
  • 18% Fuel Companies.
Americans do the following with poorly targeted communications;
  • 70% close accounts or unsubscribe
  • 60% un follow on social media
  • 59% opt out of future e-mails
  • 57% block phone numbers
  • 54% delete apps.
       Irrelevant communications cause consumer loyalty to waiver and that’s something we can ill afford.  The days of Facebook postings simply for the sake of content are over.  People are getting over run with electronic communication.  They are tired of it and fighting back.  We must be more relevant today than ever.  When we send an e-mail or post a blog it has to be thought out and has to matter.  To do anything less is electronic suicide.

This research was completed by the AIMIA Institute and they are a data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company.         

I coach people and help them determine what action to take, what to do more of and what to eliminate and help them to effectively demonstrate what makes them special and why their customer should be using them over any and all other options they might have.  I show them how to produce results that are uncommon for most.  Call me at 916-230-0176 or e-mail me at steve@assaultmarketing.com