Quit Buying Groceries at the Quickie Mart

To really get the benefit of this chapter you need to read it in completion (get your copy here.)

But I didn’t want to leave it out because even if you just go with this snippet it will help:

Chapter 12 – Quit Buying Groceries at the Quickie Mart

When people talk to me about not having enough time in their day, I usually find some combination of these misjudgments:

· not being realistic about how much time some tasks actually take

· not prioritizing activities, or allowing priorities to shift

· failing to think things through, not planning ahead

When you are not realistic with yourself about how much time something actually takes, you feel rushed. And when you fail to prioritize your activities, you end up spending way too much time on the wrong things and don’t have nearly enough time for the right things.

When you fail to plan ahead, you end up scrambling around at the last minute, and often the results are unsatisfactory.

For example, maybe you often don’t remember that you’ve got to make dinner until you’re on your way home, forcing you to grab whatever groceries you can find at the local Quickie Mart. Instead, take the time to put those responsibilities into your schedule right along with your other commitments. Too often your personal tasks end up being crammed into the corners of your day, and you then you are forced to rush, which just adds to your feelings of being overwhelmed.

Remember to account for transit time: getting stuck in traffic time, finding a parking place time and waiting for the elevator time. Failing to account for the time it takes to get from one place to another is a leading cause of pernicious lateness, and is one of the hallmarks of the permanently overwhelmed.

To finish reading… just grab a copy here: http://www.StartRightWhereYouAre.com

Completion Is Overrated

Completion Is Overrated

Chapter 9 – Completion is Overrated

There’s a half-completed sweater in the knitting basket. There’s the first three chapters of a novel in a drawer. There are the specialty tools that you bought to make the ornaments for baby’s first Christmas, even though baby is now entering the fifth grade.

When you see a reminder of something you’ve left undone everywhere you look, you are automatically going to feel exhausted. Half-completed tasks create what productivity guru David Allen calls “open loops” in your mind, and those open loops take up a lot of bandwidth.

There are plenty of good reasons to have stopped moving forward on a project. You might have simply lost interest. That’s fine. There are no starving creative artists in Antarctica being deprived because you didn’t finish what’s on your plate, so to speak.

You might have stopped because you made a mistake or hit a wall, and your misguided perfectionism won’t let you keep going. This could be a good time to make some 5-Minute Art about that perfectionist voice and see if you can’t liberate your project from her thorny clutches. It’s not like there’s really a right way to do creative things .

Fear of commitment can sometimes play a role, too. Allowing yourself to get too deep into a project might mean that it’s actually important to you, and it might have a real impact on your life, your work, and your relationships. So you keep it casual. Being a creative Casanova might feel like it’s protecting your heart, but ultimately you’re setting yourself up for dissatisfaction. What do you suppose might happen if you committed fully to your work?

I’ve also seen people quit mid-project because they find themselves in what the master consensus facilitator Sam Kaner calls the “Groan Zone.” He uses this expression to describe the point in consensus facilitation where diverse opinions have been expressed, and it feels like you’ve reached an impasse and will never find common ground — which is often the moment right before some new and beautiful solution emerges. I find it works equally well to refer to the sloggy middle of any project. Once that new-project smell has worn off and the end seems too far away, it’s easy to let boredom and discouragement take the wheel. Try creating some mini-goals, or even micro-goals, and make sure you’re rewarding yourself for your incremental progress.

Little Changes Action Step: Have a frank conversation with your inner, wise self about one of your half-done projects, and make a swift decision to either let it go or to schedule time in your calendar so you can get back to work on it.

To finish reading… just grab a copy here: http://www.StartRightWhereYouAre.com

Ways to Take Control of Your Time

Yep it’s that time again!

A team member chose this chapter to share because she actually implemented the first suggestion… and is LOVING IT!

Without further a dieu…

Chapter 6 – 6 Ways to Take Control of Your Time

Time is so slippery, isn’t it? The time spent in line at the bank goes so slowly you can practically feel yourself wrinkling up as you stand there. But the hour you spend on the phone with your best friend whizzes by. And remember the moment when they first put the baby in your arms. Time ceased to exist entirely.

I hear from . . . well, from almost everyone, really, that they have trouble managing their time, so here are a few critical little changes you can make today that will help you stop struggling with the idea that there’s never enough time and start enjoying the time you have.

Get Your Cell Phone out of the Bedroom

The first few moments on waking are an important time of day, especially for the creative, sensitive, and overworked person.

Your reticular activating system is the part of your brain that helps regulate your levels of consciousness and tells you when to wake up. (If you’ve ever wondered how one tiny sound, like the creak of a floorboard, can wake you out of a deep sleep, you can thank your reticular activating system.) Science tells us that your waking-up time is one of your most creative moments in the day, because your brain has spent the night organizing your memories and thoughts, and your body is relaxed, so you are more likely to make unusual connections between ideas, discover new solutions to problems, and have especially entertaining thoughts first thing.

Nothing ruins the cozy mood of a morning like a cell phone.

There is nothing on the internet that cannot wait for twenty minutes while you do some mindful breathing and think grateful thoughts.

To finish reading… just grab a copy here: http://www.StartRightWhereYouAre.com

How to Create a Miracle

I am so excited to share with you my NEW BOOK.

Ahh.. the joy (and pain) of birthing a new project… it’s a glorious occasion, that I am sooo excited to experience with YOU.

  • Yesterday I hosted an AWESOME webinar all about how you can truly START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE and start getting the results you desire.
    I didn’t want you to miss out on this information so here is the replay of the webinar: CLICK HERE
  • Secondly… over the next few days I am going to be sharing with you excerpts from my new book.

So let’s get started.. here is the first little peek:

Chapter 1 – How to Create a Miracle

You know the times when you have had a goal or a dream, worked hard to make it happen and then . . . just . . . nothing? No movement. Can’t get traction. So frustrating, right?

Other times, you have a goal or a dream, and you take just a very few baby steps toward it, and suddenly it feels as if the universe itself comes rushing in to support you. It seems that all you have to do is put out a little energy, and you get a big tidal wave of energy back. Maybe you have an idea in your head about moving houses, and the next thing you know, the perfect place becomes available, and it’s easily affordable, and you get to just swan right in. Or maybe you’re dreaming of meeting the perfect business partner, and then, out of the blue, that person is standing right in front of you, ready and willing. It’s wonderful when that happens, isn’t it?

Ask around and you’ll hear a lot of different explanations for why sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you don’t. People may invoke the power of a strong intention, vibration, divine timing, angels, destiny, manifestation skills, karma, luck, or happenstance. But I have a different theory — and please note that I mean theory in the sense of an interesting way to think about things, not in the scientific sense.

Imagine that you are standing in the exact center of your world: that you are the sun, the hub, the eye of the storm. Now imagine that there are lines, like spokes on a wheel, or like the individual puffs on a dandelion, extending out from you that connect you with everything else. Those lines represent your relationship with the[??3] potentiality of all things[EB4] . Every opportunity, every relationship, every everything can be connected to you through those spokes. Can you see it?

Now, if you take one small step in any direction, can you imagine how those lines shift in their relationship with you?

To finish reading… just grab a copy here: http://www.StartRightWhereYouAre.com

Be on the lookout for tomorrows excerpt… Chapter 3 – Buckle Up, Because I Am About to Get Deep In Here, People

Receive $1000 this week?

Receive $1000 this week?

In the past 6 days, the members of the Creative Genius, CEO program have:

  • sold their FIRST EVER ebook
  • sold $500 program via new website
  • opened a real business bank account
  • held first live event and made a profit!!!
  • recovered elegantly from a BIG disappointment
  • doubled September sales goal (since realizing they were “playing too small”)
  • faltered, rested, then rallied

AND

Since their homework last week was to each receive $1000 (yes, they got coaching from me on how to do that : ) they have collectively received over $15,000 in cash, gifts, investments, expanded credit and sales.

Yes – over $15,000 – in less than one week.

Here’s their secret:

  1. They made a commitment to themselves.
  2. They got good advice.
  3. They took action.
  4. They leaned on the community for strength.

So….what goal would YOU like to make happen this week?

Whatever your goal may be, your first step is to make the commitment.

Real, non-negotiable commitment.

(How does it feel to think about making a big promise to yourself – and then keeping it? No matter what. No excuses allowed.)

I know you can do it.

So let me know how it goes for you, OK?

Yours,
Sam.

Is this your $400?

Did you see this report from the Federal Reserve last week?

46% of American adults say they would not be able to cover a $400 emergency expense.

That means most people are leading a veryfinancially precarious life.

And I get it — because that was me, too.

I used to deliver flowers and answer phones and produce radio dramas and teach improv while I was also going to auditions, working on shows and helping to run my theatre company.

I was exhausted and broke pretty much all the time, and every $400 meant the world to me.

But then I figured out HOW, as a creative person, I never needed to struggle with income.

See, we – the creatives of the world – have the magical ability to MAKE THINGS.

You have talents and skills that most people can’t even dream of.

(In fact, that’s sometimes your problem – you’re good at too many things and you can’t decide and you’re easily bored. Me, too. : )

Like my fellow Chicagoans, The Blues Brothers, I am on a MISSION FROM GOD to make sure that creative people have the ways and means to create whatever income they want whenever they need it.

Want a few extra bucks to buy a celebratory bottle of something and splurge on the good olives? Done.

Craving a trip to a far away land and need a few grand for the airfare? No problem.

Want to change your living situation, get a newer car or go back to school? Easy.

I’m going to give you all the tools, strategies, support and insights you need to make true financial freedom happen at The Big Yes:How To Overcome Procrastination, Perfectionism and Self-Doubt and Make $10,000 (or More!) from Your Creativity.

And to make it sweeter, I’m giving you $400 OFF the ticket price.

That’s a 50% savings!

Plus you can bring a friend for free.

HERE’S ALL THE INFO:
The Big Yes: How To Overcome Procrastination, Perfectionism and Self-Doubt and Make $10,000 (or More!) from Your Creativity

July 22-24, 2016
WestinLAX
Beautiful Los Angeles, CA
use promo code: “HALF” (caSe senSiTive) to save $400 – that’s 50% off!

—> click here to see the video & all the info (or go here: www.BigYesRevolution.com )

1) Buy now and you still have the freedom to change your mind.
I know you may be worried about committing yourself. Not to worry – you can cancel anytime before June 15th and we’ll refund everything (minus a 10% admin fee). That’s fair, right

2) You ARE ready.
Even if you’re not quite sure what your path may be, The Big Yes will give you the divine inspiration & practical tools you need.Here’s what some of last year’s Big Yes’ers have accomplished in just the last 8 months:
  • produced CD
  • published book
  • doubled sales
  • lost 50 lbs (without even trying!)
  • booked speaking engagements
  • assembled a great staff/team
  • sold out 2 retreats in Italy

This is not ordinary goal-setting — because you are not an ordinary person. I’ve got some amazing ways to get you LIT UP and FOCUSED in a whole new way. Guaranteed.

3) The food is super-good.
(Seriously. Good food matters.) The food at the Westin LAX is so good, it’s a big part of the reason we’re returning there this year.

4) Even if you’re gluten-free, dairy-free and  only eat dark chocolate on Tuesdays, you will be able to eat.
If you opt for the Easy Breezy Meal Upgrade (and we really recommend you do, because it’s so convenient to just waltz out of the conference room into the dining room, plus you get to make friends with the other people, plus Sam does some extra teaching stuff sometimes : ) we can accommodate any and all dietary preferences and restrictions.

5) The hotel is super-nice.
The Westin LAX is lovely, and, as it’s name suggests, it is right near the airport and there’s a free shuttle. It is also pretty near some great LA neighborhoods like Venice, Santa Monica and the beach. The staff is especially kind and attentive.

6) We have SO much fun!
Need proof? Please check out the video atwww.BigYesRevolution.com — make sure you see the special appearance by the monster! heehee.

7) Is it a big pitch-fest?
Nope. There will be a few things for sale at this event, but it’s all cool stuff. And there will be absolutely zero high-pressure sales pitches, because that kind of thing makes me break out into hives.

8) You can bring a friend FOR FREE.
Just put down a $99 deposit so we know to save a chair and we’ll return that money to you at registration. It’s so great to share this work with a trusted friend, partner or team member. (You can even bring MULTIPLE friends if you want…)

9) You guys — it’s ME! Your old pal Sam.
You know about my background in theatre and comedy, and about my award-winning marketing skills and how I’m an Infusionsoft Certified Consultant and Reseller, and about the Get It Done Book and about the NEW book that’s coming out in the fall and how I got them to DOUBLE my advance….You know I’ve got tons of great stories and jokes and that I’ll make sure you get what you need.

10) We got a GUARANTEED LOWEST RATE at the hotel. (No Internet rate will be cheaper. You get the best deal possible.)
Once you get your ticket, you’ll be able to book your room at the Westin LAX at a rock-bottom rate with our event code. No worries.

This HALF OFF offer expires on Sunday, June 5th, so you’ll want to book your ticket (and one for your friend!) right away. —> click here to see the video & all the info
(or go here: www.BigYesRevolution.com )

Use promo code: “HALF” (caSe senSiTive) to save $400.

I never want $400 – or any amount of money – to stand between you and your best life ever again.

Yours,
Sam.

P.S. I’m THRILLED by how quickly the tickets are flying out the door for The Big Yes. We’re for sure going to sell out this year. I guess since this is our 4th year, the word is getting out about how exceptional the teaching, coaching and breakthroughs are….and you know I’d love to see you there. – S.