Your Great Mind

Long ago in Korea, before a girl was married, it was very hard for her to leave the house. In fact, many young girls in the noble class were prohibited from leaving their homes.

Back then, most houses were surrounded by walls, almost like large fences. So the girls could go outside but were not allowed outside of these walls. Naturally, they became very curious as to what the world was like on the other side of the walls.

Thus, the Korean seesaw was born….

Children would place a thick board on top of a straw bag or a log for support somewhere in their yard. Then, two people would stand on either side of the board, and going back and forth, they’d take turns jumping.

Every time they were propelled into the air, they could catch a glimpse of the world beyond the walls.

Click here to see just how high they could jump.

Amazing, isn’t it?

But look closely.
Someone has to push down on one side for the other person to see the outside world.
There’s no way to seesaw like this on your own.

I share this analogy with you, because it demonstrates an important point. To achieve anything really worthwhile requires the support of enough good people. Make it your policy to help others to obtain their goals and reach new heights by pushing down on your side of the seesaw, and you’ll see that based on the law of reciprocity they will do the same for you. This may not happen with each and every person you help and that is fine; but more often than not this law will be respected.

What do you think? Please comment below!

Ray Stendall
Your Friend & Partner in Your Success,

PS: Join YourGreatMind and I will send you nuggets of worthwhile material that will make you think!

Have you seen the movie: The Pursuit of Happyness?

This happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time.
The message is simple and often not fully appreciated.

Have you ever had a dream that you did not protect or talk yourself out of?

Being successful in life and business is a decision – it has nothing to do with fate or your destiny. It has everything to do with being clear about what you want and what you plan to give in very definite terms to get it. Many people in life go through the process of living in an automated way. Some never take the time to figure out exactly who they want to be, and what they plan to do, so they can have what they really want.

When you “want something in life …go get it period.”

Watch this clip and then watch the movie… even if you have seen it before (great learning lessons can be found here and if applied can make all the difference in the world).

Share your inner power with me … comment below

Till Next Time,

Your Partner In Your Success,

Ray Stendall

PS: Provide your name and email and I can let you know when I have new blog post that makes you think.

This is a CNN profile of teen who created a $30 Million company, BizChair.com. Sean Belnick had an idea (if you have red Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich” this example will make perfect sense) and the desire to make it work. There is a lot to learn from this great example.

Comment and Show Me Your Alive!

Ray Stendall

Don’t wait for something big to occur. Start where you are, with what you have, and that will always lead you into something greater. Mary Mannin Morrissey

Far too many entrepreneurs miss out on wonderful opportunities because they are waiting for something – a big event, the perfect presentation, the right time, the right circumstances. This is like the anchor leg runner in a relay race standing still waiting for the previous runner to hand him the baton. If he is standing still he will get run over, the baton will be dropped and the race lost.

In order to receive an opportunity you must be running full speed. Then the previous runner can pass the opportunity baton to you in full stride and you can dash toward the goal or finish line.

You or your team members might be saying things like, “I will pick up the pace after this killer quarter is over.” Or, “Once I get past the convention, then I will get organized.” Or, “The moment I get the new presentation I am really going to sell.” If statements like these are floating around your business, it is time to get moving.

In order to succeed you must start where you are, with what you have…

Are you standing still are running hard?

Let’s stay connected and I can let you know when I have a new blog post.

Ray Stendall

“The final test of a leader is that he (or she) leaves behind in others the conviction and the will to carry on.” Walter Lippmann

It is easy for employees or individuals to do what is right and perform at a high level when the boss or leader is present. The real test is what happens when the leader is gone. Will they continue to execute with excellence or will they slacken their efforts and accept mediocrity when left to themselves?

Every leader must instill the expectation that it is the standard that is always the focus, not who is there to make sure it is kept. Helping the employees and individuals you lead understand the “why” of their assignments as well as the “how” will ensure they have the conviction to do what is right, even when no one is looking.

What level of conviction are you instilling in those you lead?

Your Friend and Partner in Your Success,

Ray Stendall

“If you aren’t playing well, the game isn’t as much fun. When that happens I tell myself just to go out and play as I did when I was a kid.” Thomas J. Watson

When in a slump, athletes often go back to their uninhibited childhood playing days to recapture the passion, excitement and energy needed to get back on track.

Do you find your passion waning? Has your entrepreneurial vision collapsed into day-to-day drudgery? Have you lost that magic and spark which used to drive you to achieve excellence?

If you are feeling a bit run-down and frustrated, return to your early entrepreneurial days. Get back to the vision which got you into the entrepreneurial game in the first place. Remember past success. Review periods of peak performance and fun, fulfilling growth.

Remember why you became an entrepreneur and do something today to recapture the energy and vision you need to face the challenges to come.

Have a great weekend,

Ray Stendall

“Fail forward fast.” Tom Peters

It is far better to have sloppy success than to have perfect procrastination. It is easy to get caught up in the endless tinkering and perfecting of a project. It is true some things require perfection – most simply need excellence. All need action today!

Do you find yourself waiting to launch important projects? Are you forever splitting hairs about elements that are not mission critical. Do you spend hours and hours on details that don’t matter much?

Start your Monday with action! In taking action you may fail – but even that failure will move you forward toward ultimate success. Pick a project you have been putting off and begin today to take the action which will accelerate your path to achievement.

Please share your comments!

Ray Stendall

“The best way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them.” Benjamin Jowett

Sharing the limelight and sharing the credit are hallmarks of a true entrepreneurial leader. If you want your people to rise up and do more, be more and become more you must validate their performance by giving them the credit and celebrating their success.

What will you do to place employees, friends and family members who do well in the limelight?

Have a Fantastic Day!

Ray Stendall

Martin Luther King said, “You don’t need to see the whole staircase. You just need to see the first step.”

Every entrepreneurial journey begins with a single step – FORWARD and UPWARD. Often the successful journey requires that we step to the edge of the light and even one step into the darkness. It is there we find that the path is lit for another step.

Far too many become paralyzed simply because they cannot see the whole staircase and end up waiting and ultimately missing the opportunity because they were unwilling to take an uncertain step toward a certain goal.

Are there any areas of your business or life where you are waiting to take a step forward and upward? Take a step today!

Wishing you the very best and please share your comments!

Ray Stendall