Paul Blart: Mall Cop

What is it about this guy that we like?

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Traditionally Handsome? No. Buff and Tan? Nope. A “James Bond” Jetsetter? Not a chance.

I haven’t seen this movie, the trailers pretty much say it all, I bet.

I first noticed Kevin James in the movie Hitch.


I’m a big Will Smith Fan, which is why I watched Hitch the first time. I enjoyed the character Will Smith plays and as I watched the movie, started to like the character Albert Brennaman as well.

Nice guy who never quite fits in, not in the best shape, not suave with the ladies. Almost the antithesis of the Hitch Persona. (“The Date Doctor” does have a sensitive side as we discover.)

So what is it? I believe that he’s the “Everyman”, the Underachiever that people identify with. He hasn’t found his groove yet, but is movin’ through life in the best way he can.

He’s willing to try new things, even though they may be painful (ck out the back waxing scene in the trailer!) and knows he can be more than he is today.
Most people want that. We want a better house, a better job, better relationships, better life. Albert Brennaman decides to do something about it and gets a little coaching.

Smart guy. Who couldn’t use a little extra coaching. If you want to become more, you have to believe more, learn more and do more. I am blessed to have had many coaches and mentors who believed in me until I had grown to the place where I could believe in myself. Still lots to learn.. and will be for the rest of my life as I grow into the person that God designed me to be.

How about you? Are you stretching the borders of your comfort zone in some area of your life? Feeling a bit uncomfortable? A little stressed as you try something new?

Let me tell you, it’s ok. It’s going to be just fine, probably great in fact! Be yourself and learn to be a better version of yourself. Read, Listen, Shadow Successes who have the qualities and skills that you want to learn. Find a mentor. Enjoy the Journey!

Here's to Your Success!

Sue Mazza
SuccessfulYou,Inc.


ps - just for fun - here's a short clip of an interview with the actor.

What Gremlins are holding you back?

Gremlins
Are
Illusions

Recently, I had coffee with my friend, Deborah, who is a Life Coach.

Deborah shared how it’s interesting that some of her clients are successful, while others remain “stuck” and unsuccessful because of the “gremlins” of fear and self-doubt.

That got me to thinking…Gremlins are scary.. they can be pretty big, and I bet if I saw one they would smell badly too.

But gremlins aren’t real…. Oh, yes, we’ve seen them on the big screen, and the small one that flickers in our living rooms. We’ve read all about them in all their nasty disguises in books and stories.

We’ve been certain some nights, in the long nights of trial and stress, that they were right at our bedside, practically breathing their foul breath on us, waiting to move in and hurt us as we spent a sleepless night of worry and fear.

But Gremlins are not real! They are the stuff of stories. In all good stories, the hero has to encounter the bad guys and overcome. Oh, they’ll cause him or her lots of trouble, binding them up in fear, worry and dread, paralyzing enough to stop the hero from moving forward until at the very last minute, our hero finds a way forward and gains the prize.

Gremlins look so big and nasty on the movie screen and in our imagination as we read a great story. We can become convinced they are real!

Our subconscious is a powerful tool. The size of a house, compared to our conscious mind, the size of a pea. It takes in all information, not sorting between dream and reality. Take enough Gremlin fiction in and you might be convinced that they are real.

But they are not.

Our Gremlins of fear, self-doubt and worry try to hold us back . But the gremlins of night-fear fade back into the shadows as the sun rises each morning.

The self doubt and worry slides away as we move forward towards our goal. Those first steps are hard, painfully hard sometimes. We might whimper with fear, telling ourselves, we just can’t do it.

But each halting step that we take, moves us ever towards our goal. Left foot, right, baby steps, sometimes leaps. And as we see the prize, our goal, our pace quickens.

Maybe, we just MIGHT be able to do it… it It Could be possible… baby steps baby steps. We start to gain confidence, whistling as we go to scare away the gremlins.

Soon, we are running to the goal, casting off our night shawl of all those fears, self-doubt and worry.

We Can do it! We can move beyond our self-limiting beliefs and take our future firmly in hand to make it our present.

When my daughter Rachel was little, we used to make up all kinds of songs. She had a period of her life when she was young and plagued with a lot of fears.

We made up a song that she used to sing all the time…

The lyrics were: Conquer your Fears and Courage will Follow, Conquer your fears and courage will follow… all the days of your life. Not a fancy song, but a heartfelt one. Sing your song of courage as you face your fears.

What’s holding you back today from achieving your goals and dreams?

Fear of success? Fear of Failure? The fear is almost always worse than the worst that can happen.

By moving forward, we let the bright sunshine of hope shine on us, warming our very souls as it burns away the shroud of dark thoughts.

Afraid you don’t know enough to succeed? Seek out the knowledge you need. There are more people willing to give help than you can imagine. Don’t let the gremlins of misplaced ego or self-deprecation drag on your coat tails. Ask for help.

Until you Try, you have no idea how close you might actually be to your goal, or what windows of opportunity are just waiting for you to unlatch the lock and throw them wide.

This is your life. Live it . Take charge. Seize the day.

Here’s to your success!

Sue Mazza

CEO
SuccessfulYou,Inc.

The Road to Procrastination Never Leads to a Good Destination.

The Road to Procrastination Never Leads to a Good Destination

When I first heard these words, I mentally filed them away with all the other great “sayings” I hear, thinking to myself… Yes, that’s true… I’ll have to really think about that… LATER

Well Later is generally too late and tomorrow never comes, by then it is today!

So, let’s see.. Has Procrastination ever led me to a good destination?

When I procrastinated on dropping off a catalog for my business to the office near me, and then a week later walked in to find out that someone else had beat me to it now. Darn.. guess that girl got lucky.

When I was sure those airline tickets to LA would go down, and had to pay an extra $150 four hours later to book my flight. Gee, those airlines are fickle.

When I lost that traffic ticket and found it buried in pile of papers 6 weeks later, and my $75 ticket now cost me $225. Those traffic cops… don’t they have anything better to do, ..like catch Criminals?

When I ate that piece of cherry pie and said.. I really will start my diet tomorrow, then stepped on the scale and found I was up 10 pounds over the last two weeks instead of down.. C’mon on… my scale Must be broken

When I meant to call that prospect back and finally found of paper I had written it on, two weeks later, and he isn’t interested any longer. People, what’s with them anyways?

Catch a common thread? Have you ever had a similar experience?

Why do we procrastinate?

· Bad Time Management
· Fear of Failure
· Fear of Success
· Not sure we know enough about a subject
· Laziness
· Easily Distracted
· Low Self Esteem

Just to name a few.

Procrastination almost always costs us something.
Costs in Time, Money, Relationships, Self Image.

So how do we stop this cycle and break free? Break free to start building happy, exciting, productive lives for ourselves both personally and in our business?

There are a million articles and books about this, but I’m going to suggest one very simple, baby step.

Do the One.

What is the ONE THING that would make the most difference in:

Your Health?
Your Marriage?
Your Finances?
Your Business?
Your Relationships?


Here’s a personal example that worked for me.

JUST FOLD 5.

I finally started this when I went down to the laundry room and found that the pile of clean laundry on the table was higher than my head. Just a little procrastination? You bet!

I mean, which of us doesn’t have a million more important things to do than fold laundry? Except of course when we need those clean socks, then try to match them from a 6 foot pile!

So, I made myself a deal. JUST FOLD 5.

Each time I went down to the laundry room, I would fold 5. That’s all I was required to do. No biggie, I can do that in about 1 minute. But it was amazing. I finished the 5 and then, actually, folded some more. And the job got done. Finally. Now, every time I go downstairs, I fold 5. Sometimes more. Sometimes just 5. Sometimes I actually catch myself arguing with myself about the simple task of folding 5 towels! But I passed the test. I CAN FOLD AT LEAST 5 ! And that makes me a winner in my little game.

Guys, maybe you don't fold the laundry. Maybe you have an overflowing recycling box next to your desk, or a light bulb out that you've been being nagged to change. Maybe it's laundry.

So, what else can we do?

What’s the one thing that YOU can do in each of those areas above that would make the most difference? Doesn’t have to be anything big. It can be making one phone call to an customer to set up delivery. Taking the dog for a 5 minute walk. Returning the blockbuster video to avoid fees, even though you drove by there 6 times already this weekend.

Making the appointment for your physical. Picking up milk the next time you stop at the gas station. Filing away the credit card you used for holiday purchases (even when you knew you shouldn’t) that is still in your wallet 30 days later. Placing one classified ad for just $5.00 to grow your business. Folding 5 things.

For the next 30 days, agree with yourself, and with me to DO THE ONE.

Pick 1 item from each of the 5 above, or add a category if you must, but don’t overdo! Remember, we are taking baby steps.

Each night write down the one thing you must do in each of those areas before you go on to do all the other urgent and important things in your life.

(Hint, put this pad of paper by your bathroom sink where you brush your teeth – you HAVE to go there anyways. Putting it on the kitchen table, office desk, etc may cause you to actually procrastinate from just going into the room for fear you’ll see the note! Our subconscious is a powerful procrastinator!)

Then, each morning, DO THE ONE.

Fold the 5.
Make the call.
Pay the bill.

Just try it for 30 days and let me know how it goes.
You can do it, just taking that little action will make all the difference in your life by the end of the 30 days.

DO THE ONE. Do it , really, now.

Here’s to Your Success!

Sue Mazza,

CEO , SuccessfulYou, Inc.

Winners

and

Losers

Here's the question -

Are you a Winner or a Loser?

And perhaps a better Question -

Which do you PURPOSE to Be?

I believe success is a choice. Not a chance. Not luck. Not Fate.

We Succeed On Purpose.

I came across this quote by Albert Gray, a 30 year veteran and Sales Leader
in the Insurance Profession and lifelong student of success.

He said:

Winners have simply formed the
habit of doing things losers
don't like to do."

As Jim Rohn would say, "Well, Isn't that interesting"

How many of us have looked at a sports figure, or a movie or rock star and thought,

"They are so lucky" They have it all!

We can see the evidence of their success. The fancy cars, houses, jewelry, designer clothes, even designer dogs!

What we don't see are the endless hours of practice, the relentless preparation and self-motivation behind the success!

Was Michael Jordan born a famous Basketball Star?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH8nTfxwByY

Did Whitney Houston always sing like an Angel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EbYmMb4lR4

Each person we look up to, each of our heroes has spent many hours, days, sometimes decades working to become better at whatever they do, yet we only see the recognition, the accolades, and the success that is the manifestation of that hard work.

What do you want to be known for?

Being a great parent?

A more dedicated worker?

Someone who finally did lose that extra 20 pounds... and kept it off?

Finally becoming Debt-Free?

A Holier Person?

A Successful Leader in Your Business?

You (and I) can achieve all we desire - IF we will just pay the price and set ourselves without wavering to achieve our goal.

The quote above by Albert Gray holds true for achieving success in EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE!

When January 2010 rolls around, some people reading this will have achieved many goals in their personal and professional life and will have moved forward towards a life of abundance and freedom.

Others will not.

They'll be in the same rut they started in on January 1, 2009, wishing and hoping for more.

I challenge you to make 2009 the year when people will say:

"That was when she decided to become a
success!"

I'm here to partner with you on the journey.

Let's meet, have a cup of coffee, brainstorm together and make a plan for you, for Your Business, to make this year, 2009 the Turning Point in your business!

You can do it! I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Here's to YOUR SUCCESS!

Sue Mazza

President, SuccessfulYou,Inc.

630-240-0075

SueMazza@gmail.com

P.S. Want to Read More? Check out “The Common Denominator of Success” by Albert E.N. Gray
http://www.amnesta.net/mba/thecommondenominatorofsuccess-albertengray.pdf

Things I learned in High School

Today is a

Great Day!



Go ahead, Say it out loud.

Does it feel "good", or do you find yourself hesitating a bit as you say it?

My mentor, Big Al, says,

"People don't have any free will, they just react to the situations around them."

Don't believe it... think about this. You, or your spouse go to work today and get a nice big raise!
How do you feel? Happy, Excited, Positive, Optimistic? Of course!

Now.. think of this... You, or your spouse go to work today and the boss tells you you have to work an extra 10 hours a week to keep your job, and they are lowering your pay 10%....
How do you feel now? Angry, frustrated, trapped, depressed? Of course!

See, people are reactive... but if we KNOW THIS, we can CHANGE THIS!

When I was a teen, I was fortunate enough to get involved with a group called Campus Life. They came into the schools and held fun events for teens, geared towards helping them stay out of trouble, build friendships and become grounded in a spritual life. Best thing that ever happened to me!

One thing they talked about that has stuck with me all these years was the concept of FACTS, FAITH, FEELINGS.

We have to keep things in order.. FACTS come first.

FACT: This is an challenging time for many people.

FACT: People are looking for ways to make extra money.

FACT: There is no other business around that you can start while still keeping your day job, that, if you do the job right, will pay you extraordinary income for a very long time!

Next comes FAITH – I have faith in our industry and opportunity and in the FACT that..

if people like Art Jonak, who started off as a Pizza Delivery man, and now has a successful multi-million dollar network marketing business that circles the globe, can do it....

if people like Lisa Wilber, who started out in a trailer park, chasing down the guy from the electric company to give him cash so they wouldn’t shut off her lights and has now build an army of thousands of successful Beauty Consultants, can do it..

if people like Jerry Clark, who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, can become a self-made Millionaire in his 20's, can do it...

if people like Becky and Bob Dorsey, who replaced their income from their pest control business and have a growing business with multiple millions of dollars in sales every year in their company, money that keeps on coming, even after Bob had a head-on crash that left him paralyzed for months, can do it...

or people like Sylvia Tamayo, who came here as a single mom from Mexico,without speaking any English, and now has built a 6 figure income with more “job security” than most CEO’s of fortune 5000 companies, can do it...

if every day people like them can succeed... we can too!

Last, the FEELINGS… There is so much negativity in the news today that it’s hard sometimes not to get caught up in it.

But, in spite of the media crying, “the sky is falling, the sky is falling!” , there is lots of good news out there! And much of it, like the stories above, in our own circle of influence. Let's start spreading some GOOD NEWS!

Let us build our business, based on the facts – FACT - there are many wonderful, reputable companies with products and an opportunity to change your life for the better!

People are starting their own businesses at record rates! Do they know about your opportunity?

Based on the faith, that if Art and Lisa can do it, and, Jerry, Becky and Bob and Syliva, you can too! Whynot You?

Based on the feelings… The “feelings” , well, there’s a reason they are last in this little equation. Feelings are just that, feelings. We can’t base our business performance on them.

We all must choose which way we want to feel.. and stick with it.

If you think you can, YOU CAN! And if you let yourself think you can’t, well you’re probably right there too… don’t go there! Don’t let yourself be swayed by what others say or are doing.

Remember, a BIG SHOT, is just a LITTLE SHOT WHO KEPT ON SHOOTING!

Here's to Your Success!

Selfish Philanthropy

Thursday morning started earlier than normal for me.

For over 15 years, I’ve been blessed to live the great life of a networker. Although I don’t wake to the sound of an alarm clock because I have to go to work, one of my greatest blessings as I’ve built my Direct Sales and Network Marketing businesses has been to be available to my family. Every day, almost without fail, I get up early and make sure my family is ready to start their day.. at school, work, in their business endeavors. Trust me, some mornings, it’s hard to be an early bird when at heart you are a night owl!

Could I sleep in? For sure, but I have the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! And I choose to put my family first!

This Thursday, however, I rose an hour earlier than the norm. I had bribed (literally) my high-school-aged daughter to let me take her to school early and headed off to a business networking meeting, starting at 7 am. I knew I had a long day ahead of me – I had scheduled appointments with new and current distributors and prospects all the way through until my final appointment at 9 pm and was excited for a busy and rewarding day.

I entered the conference room of the bank at which the networking event was hosted and smelled the fresh coffee waiting for me! Good start, I thought!

I mingled among the early morning guests, introducing myself and meeting new friends.
As the event began, everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses.

I was prepared, ready to share a great lifestyle Magazine about FREEDOM and some samples with all my new networking friends. As the introductions went around the room, I heard people sharing, with varying levels of presentation skills, about their business. Some more casual, some practically climbing on top of the table with enthusiasm for their product or opportunity. I listened, hearing many familiar sincere declarations and industry catch-phrases and thought a bit more about what I would say.

Half way through the bakers’ dozen, it was my turn. Like many people there, I had more than one interest in my business life. An established, successful business that had provided me with a great income, the free cruises and trips, recognition and awards that come along with being at the top of your game, and a newer adventure, already well on it’s way to surprising personal growth and success.

I shared a bit as I passed around some of the magazines (labeled with my contact info of course) and some product samples (labeled as well) and then moved into a concept I had been contemplating for some time.

What exactly do I do?, I mused aloud to the group? I’m a business and personal coach… like some of you here do as a fulltime career. And I share some fantastic products that people love and benefit from all over the world. We may start off in our business thinking we are an upline, but as we impact individuals’ lives and help them move from the point of entry into our business towards success in their life and career, we become much more. Coach, Cheerleader, Mentor, Friend, Leader, Teacher, Workout Partner, Nag, and so much more .. we impact the lives of those around us more than we may think!

It’s been said that Network Marketing is a great personal development journey with a bonus check attached.

That couldn’t be more true.

We give of our knowledge, experience, compassion, time and resources freely to help other people change their lives and fulfill their dreams of personal and professional achievement and freedom.

And in return – and in proportion to how much value we provide in peoples’ personal and business growth, our companies pay us a bonus. The better we do at providing value, the more we can earn.

So… are we generous? Giving our all to all who ask… rejoicing with the few who are brave enough to change their attitudes, their actions and their lives… and sadly watching the many …. who are unable or unwilling to do what it takes to achieve success… but continuing our mission regardless to impact lives –

Or… are we selfish? As we give, exponentially our income grows. As our influence impacts others for good and they duplicate and expand their sphere of influence, our bonus checks grow! And the more we teach others, the more we can earn with the right compensation plan and company!

I guess it’s a little of both. I call it Selfish Philanthropy. Works for me.

My new networking group seemed to like my story - and they loved the cookie samples I brought to share.

I told them, I’ll tell them another great story the next time we get together. And, as they asked for, maybe bring some more cookies. That got smiles all around. I love the Freedom of being a Rich Networker!

You can't Hire other People to Do your PUSHUPS FOR YOU!


This quote is from one of my favorite trainers, Jim Rohn (http://www.jimrohn.com/)
We can hire people to do all kinds of things for us in our business.. pass out our brochures, samples and magazines, make phone calls, even deliver our orders for us.

But some things, we have to do for ourselves. As much as I (and we) get excited by ideas I learn from great trainers and motivators like Jim Rohn, or Tom "BIG AL" Schreiter (http://www.fortunenow.com/ ), that motivation only lasts a short time.
If you are at all like me, we encounter challenges in our business sometimes that take the wind out of our sails a bit. Maybe a customer doesn't place a re-order, or a new team member doesn't follow through on her plan.

Sometimes "life" just gets us down.
But, we can't hire someone to do our pushups for us!

But the key to getting results from our "pushups", and seeing results in our business is to move into action. Do the first pushup.. then another. Go pass out a few more samples, or stop into the video store on a Friday and Saturday afternoon and leave some company literature! (Hint - Don't leave too many or go on other "slow" days or someone might re-fill that rack by the "out" door and toss them, but the stores are busy on Fri and Sat and it's a great time to leave them there then!)

Set aside 15 minutes on Sunday night to plan out your week, for both personal and professional events and actions. Then be sure that you are prepared to take action. Got biz cards and labeled materials in back of the car, ready to go? It does you no good sitting on your shelf!

Make time for personal development - the most important "pushup" of all!

Schedule your web office to send out emails to customers and your team for important specials, announcements and events so that people can learn about your products, services and team even while you are sleeping!

Find a mentor, or a "workout partner" with whom you can share ideas and be accountable with... it's always easier to "workout" when you have a partner!

Most important, as A. L. Williams says: JUST DO IT!