by Success Expert Sharmen Lane

Not long ago I was speaking to an author.  I had noticed that she had an endorsement from Deepak Chopra on the cover of her book.  I was surprised and impressed, and was curious how she managed to get an endorsement from the one and only Deepak Chopra.  A few days later, curiosity got the best of me, and I called her and said, “How did you get Deepak Chopra to write you an endorsement?”  She replied, “I wrote him an email and asked him for it.” 

Is it really that simple?  After all, there is the old adage "ask, and you shall receive”.  This got me to thinking.  Why don’t more people ask for what they want?  I mean if you ask for something, and you don’t get it, you are no worse off than you already are right?  Look at children.  They have no problem asking for what they want.  Even if they don’t get it, many times they will continue to ask until they do. 

This sent me on a new mission.  As an author, motivational speaker and radio host, I could really gain a lot by just asking for what I want.  Now, I had always been pretty good about going out and getting what I wanted or making what I wanted happen, but it never occurred to me to ask someone else to give me something I wanted.  First stop, endorsement for my book.  Who do I admire and respect, and would like to have endorsement from?  Brian Tracy.  I went to his website and find his email address and sent him a request for an endorsement.  A week or so later, he replied with “yes, It’d be my pleasure to endorse your book.  Please see below.”  Hhmmmm. Maybe getting what you want is as simple as asking for it.

A few nights later, I got an email advertising a new workshop by Michael Gerber, author of The E Myth.   “I bet he would be a great interview”, I thought.   I went to his website found his email address and asked him for an interview on my radio show, Success Made Simple on webtalkradio.net.  Then, days later, I was watching A Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC.  One of the guests was Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid and Beyond Booked Solid. This again led me to think, he has great information that listeners on Success Made Simple would find valuable.  Yet again, I went to his website and asked for an interview.  And yet again, he said yes.

How could I have gone my entire adult life and not realize how easy it was to not only ask for the things I wanted, but actually get them?  Now, people started asking me, “How did you get Michael Gerber on your show?” or “Wow, Brian Tracy endorsed your book.  How’d you get that?” Of course now it was my turn to say, I asked for it.

Think about the things you want it your life.  Do you want a raise, or different behavior from your spouse or children?  Do you want extra dressing for your salad at dinner? Do you want a new bike for Christmas?  Think about the things you want in your life and ask yourself if you don’t have them because you haven’t asked for them.

Moral of this story is, ask for what you want.  No matter what it is.  If you are told no then you’re not any worse off than you already are.  You don’t have what you want or need now, but if you ask for it you may just get it. Either way, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

What are you waiting for?  Just ask.

For more information please visit www.sharspeaks.com

by Success Expert Sharmen Lane

1. The first thing is to be aware and accept that things are just not always going to go your way. Sometimes things simply don’t go the way you want them to. Acceptance of "what is" will.
2. Once you realize things thing are going askew, stop what you are doing, and take a slow deep breath. Take 5 seconds to breathe in and 5 seconds to exhale. This is almost like stopping the clock and resetting it.  
3. Change your physiology. Stand up and shake it off. Dance, jump up and down, shift your posture into a one of power. Shoulders back, head up, etc. 
4. Have a happy or good mood song. Is there a song that when you hear it, you can’t help but smile or feel good? Think right now about a song you like or simply pay attention to one that raises your spirits when you hear it. Have several songs that you can play so you are not only getting in a good mood you are staying there. Make a CD or download a bunch of songs onto your ipod and play them whenever you feel the need.
5. Start your day off with something good. Do you enjoy a quiet cup of coffee by yourself? Maybe you like to run or exercise to begin day. Maybe you like a cup of tea and the news, or maybe you like to belly dance to Shikira. Whatever your thing is, do it first thing when you get up. No better way to start the day than with something that makes you smile.

By Success Expert Sharmen Lane

This week we are talking to Andrew Morrison founder of Small Business Camp, an entrepreneurial training and marketing services firm. He has built a multi-million dollar company by providing innovative direct marketing services to Fortune 500 companies. He was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, Crain’s Magazine, and Advertising Age. He’s appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 98.7 Kiss FM, CNN and others.  He gives you specific tools and strategies that can make a significant impact on your business in the 90 days. You don’t want to miss this business building expert!

 

 Get it Going [56:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Success Expert Sharmen Lane

 

 Consistency is Key [53:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Success Expert Sharmen Lane

Have you ever done something just to later look back and wonder “what was I thinking?” I know I have and I’m pretty sure everyone has at some point in their lives. You know the old adage, hindsight is 20/20. Or, how about “if I knew then what I know now" I would have done things differently.

What if I told you that there is a sure fire way to make better decisions? Do you think that could change your life? Here’s the thing, I can’t change your life for you. I can only give you the tools so you can change your own life, but ultimately you are the one that must do the doing.

Every choice we make has a consequence. Sometimes the consequences are good and sometimes they’re not. More importantly, sometimes we don’t realize or think about our choices or decisions until the damage is done. At which point we have to suffer the consequences which later leads to regret. How can you learn to exercise better judgment without making painful mistakes that could have been avoided in the first place?

Here are five things you can do to make better decisions.

1.       10 second rule- Before you react to anything stop and count to ten slowly. This means when someone says something that you want to rip their head off for just stop. Inhale for a count of five and exhale for a count of five. Just that right there will have elevated your consciousness and provided you with the opportunity to respond wisely versus reacting emotionally.

2.       Video tape test- Before you engage in an act that you might possibly regret later, think about this. If your actions were caught on videotape and sent to your mother would you be proud? If whatever you are doing showed up on YouTube or the evening news and everyone you knew and everyone you didn’t know were to see it, would you be embarrassed or would you be proud? Sometimes we don’t think before we do and then later wish we could undo it altogether. But unfortunately, you can’t undo the past but you can make better choices in the present by being present.

3.       Child test- Many times we don’t have our best interest in mind. Many times we don’t hold ourselves in high regard. How can we learn to respect ourselves? Try this. Before you instantly say yes or no or allow someone to treat you badly, ask yourself “would this be good enough for my child?” Even if you don’t have or want children this method can help. Somehow we as human beings accept less or allow things that would never be acceptable our child. Be your own parent and nurture your own inner child. Then decide if what you are doing or allowing is acceptable for you.

If you utilize these three tools I guarantee you will make better choices, have more proud moments and far fewer regrets.

For more information visit www.sharspeaks.com