Archive for July, 2007
I just heard from a reliable source that the waiters and waitresses at our hotel in Cairo, Egypt get $70 to $100 a month, plus tips. It’s not a lot is it? And yet they do an amazing job at being of service and with a big smile. Yes, the cynical may think it is just to get a big tip. And maybe so. I would definatly work my very hardest to get a tip if all I got paid was $70 a month.
And the strange thing is, when I was having breakfast this morning with Jeff, most of the customers who were getting waited on looked more miserable than the staff who were waiting on them. What is that about? Wouldn’t you think it would be the other way around? After all, there was a huge buffett with just about everything a person could want to eat, and yet there were the uhappy looking customers picking and choosing as if it were an every day occurance to have such a bountiful breakfast.
So I got to be reminded again. It is not about what we have, it is not about our wealth or lack of it…it is all about our attitude. We can have everything a person could dream of and still be unhappy, or we can be working a full day’s job and be paid $70 a month and still be happy. It is up to you for you and me for me. No one else is responsible for our atitude, our state of mind, our feeling of well-being or value. Just us. So lets have a Rock N Roll day and be amazing–just for today. Jeff & Val
July 31st, 2007
We’re in Egypt for the next few days. Jeff is facilitating Selling Skills and Super Service to HSBC bank employees, and I am working on our next book. It’s going really well. It’s my first time in Egypt and as we flew into Cairo Internatiional airport the first thing that struck me was the sand. Of course this is the land of Pyramids and the Nile–it’s the dessert and yet to see all the sand instead of grass, plants, fields and trees is quite awesome.
The traffic is fantastic. Cars beep at each other as a way of communicaiton, and our business contact Fadi said, “we can even tell each other if we are very angry by the way we sound our horn.” Sitting here now writing in the hotel room, it is a cacophony of car horns. Just as well, because as Fadi said, there are no lanes. We just go where we want to go.
I like that idea of just going where we want to go. After all it is what we teach in all our courses. We have the choice, the power is always in our hands about how we choose to react to situations. Do we want to go with the flow and do what feels good and right, or against the flow and do what makes us feel bad and wrong. Of course we will all answer, “what makes us feel good.” so why then, do we argue, get frustrated, say hurtful things, gossip and all the other myriad of things that go against the flow of living a good life and being amazing?
Just for today then, let us go wtih the flow, and if we have to communicate something, let’s do it with harmony and grace. Let’s be the uplifters of the group, the ones who smile, have a cheerful spirit, have fun, do a good job, leave a place better than we found it, and generally be of service when and where we can. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 30th, 2007
Being in touch with others is very important for the human spirit. Whether it is a work relationship or personal, a simple visit, phone call, letter or email will keep you in touch and involved. Oftentimes, we get so busy that we can forget to keep in touch, and although we all have those people in our lives that we haven’t seen for years and years, and we can pick up exactly where we left off–why not stay in touch.
It really doesn’t take more than a thought to drop someone a line or pick up the phone. There was a sales person who came to one of our sales classes and he decided that at the end of each day he would call one or two customers that he had not been in touch with for a while, just to say, hi how is it going? His business increased by over 25% just because he kept in touch and they had a conversation and he discovered their needs.
So stay in touch. Keep your spirits up and be an uplifter. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 27th, 2007
Smiling is such a simple thing. All we need to do is rearrange a few muscles in the face. We don’t even having to think about which muscles; just the thought to smile and everything automatically turns up. Our eyes light up, we feel good, the people who the smile is directed towards feels good. It is the most basic communication and possibly the most powerful one.
So why don’t we do it more? I think it is about having the awareness to do it. So today, become aware of how you greet people, or how you walk about. How do you look? Are you approachable? Do you look friendly? Are you someone who generates grace, openness, trust and amazing service? Smiling will not only make you feel better, it will open doors for you and pull everything in your life up a notch.
So smile, smile and smile. You know one time I was told by a teacher to “wipe that silly smile off your face!” I don’t think he really knew what he was saying. If he had known how powerful a smile can be he would have most likely smiled back at me and I would have been a much better student as a result. So again….smile! It really is the magic ingredient for outstanding communicaton. And hears the kicker–it even works over the phone. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 26th, 2007
Sometimes it is wonderful to be in the spotlight and sometimes it is not. It’s great to have everyone acknowledge a job well done, and not so great to have people know of something that went wrong. Either way, it is always your choice how you want to manage your feelings and how you want to react to situations, people and events.
I was talking to a coworker yesterday and she said, “I wish I had learned this earlier in my life. I’m 50 now and if I had known that I am responsible for how I react to situations I would have been a lot happier.” And while it is true that sometimes it seems we take a long time to find out about things–when we do find out it is fantastic–because our whole life changes as a result.
I know this to be true, because of my own experiences. I know that I can change how I feel and how I react just by being aware. So next time you are in the spotlight whether it is a good thing or a not so good thing, remember–this too shall pass! Also, maybe you can think about sharing the spotlight with others so that you take away the glare. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 25th, 2007
Oftentimes, we think of strength as a way of pushing through struggles and difficulties. Why not try something different today? Instead of using your strength as force, use it to switch your brain from animal to human. In other words, if you are feeling angry, frustrated, worried or upset, become aware of the fact that all these negative forces come from your animal brain.
When you have this awareness it is like waking up! Oh wow. Nothing is going on except that I am operating from my animal brain, and my animal brain is all about survival. There is nothing going on in this red hot minute except my thoughts. Then you can switch to your human brain and operate from joy, happiness, love, acceptance and peace.
Remember, that you are the one who is in charge of switching from animal to human. No one else can do it for you. The great thing about you putting yourself in the power seat is that you are now in charge. You are in control of how you react to situations, people and events. You no longer are at the mercy of others. You do have the power. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 24th, 2007
This morning, I decided to swim in the lake, I went down to the small beach, got in the water and looked at a distant spot that I would swim to and then swim back. This would be far enough I thought. However, as I was swimming I thought about a friend of mine who, when she visits our lake house always swims right round the lake. It takes her just over an hour, and I always think, “wow, she is amazing to do that!”
As soon as I had the thought about swimming round the lake, I knew I was going to do it too. Because if not today, when? it was like a goal I secretly had…swimming round the lake would get rid of my fears of swimming alone for one thing. Or getting cramp in deep water, or being bitten by a large mouth bass–right–like there is the Lock Ness Monster in the lake!
So, I was half way round and then I saw a couple of hawks perched on a garden bench under a tree. At first I thought they were plastic, then one of them turned its head and looked at me. I was just floating in the water now, about three yards from where they were. I saw the spots on them and the rings on their tails. Wow…is this a sign or what?
And yes, it was a sign for me. I remembered that I can do anything I set my mind to. I can enjoy the moment and allow amazing things to come into my life. Like two hawks perched on a bench. How amazing is that? And when I got to the office I had these emails asking if Jeff would do a couple of keynote talks! I really do believe that our energy and our thoughts create everything in our lives. So swim, walk, go for a bike ride. Be healthy and only allow great thoughts to take seed in your mind. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 23rd, 2007
We all know what it means to be of service. From giving, being helpful, assisting others, and maybe just smiling at someone who looks upset. Being of service is not always easy especially when we are the ones feeling upset. Sometimes the way to do it, is to simply put on an act. Smile and the world smiles with you kind of a thing.
And the great thing is it’s true. Remember that most communication is done through body language…well that means your body language to you. Let me explain. When you sit up straight, when you smile, when you take in a breath and release all your stress, it is you communicating to you that all is well with the world.
So be of service to yourself and then allow it to spread to others. Be the first to smile. Be the first to apologize. Be the first to not take things personally. Be the first to listen. Be the first to volunteer. Be the first to take responsibility for caring for yourself. Be the first to make a difference. Be the first to be amazing. Have a Rock N Roll day. Jeff & Val
July 20th, 2007
When you go to work, the first thing you will notice are the people: co-workers, colleagues and customers. And it is how you interact with them that will determine how your day goes. The empowering thing is that you are in charge and you always have two choices. One choice will make you feel good, and the other choice will make you feel bad, so here are your choices:
Choice One–feels good. You make eye contact, you smile, you listen, you show empathy where necessary and you get on with your work feeling great.
Choice Two–feels bad. You look down at the floor, you avoid people, you ignore others’ problems and you get on with your work isolated and feeling bad.
Finding joy at work is your choice, your decision, your power. It is in your hands whether you want to do things that will make you feel good or do things that will make you feel bad. And the other wonderful thing is this….you are where you are. In any moment you can switch to your human brain and have an amazing day! Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 19th, 2007
When we make comparisons about ourselves and others, we are really acting as judge and jury and of course it is impossible to do this without being biased, without bringing our own belief systems into play. Our own point of view is but one single view of ourselves and others. That is why having an open mind is so important to living a healthy, well balanced life.
When you look at others today, know that they too, are having struggles, and difficulties. They too yearn to be accepted. Everyone wants to love and be loved…and what that means is to be accepted. So today, see everyone through the eyes of acceptance. Notice how amazing everyone is. See the good. Look for the good and expect amazing things to happen. Rock N Roll Jeff & Val
July 13th, 2007
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