The Power of Focus

I have been reading a fabulous book lately that I really wanted to share with you.  It’s called “The Power of Focus” by Jack Canfield, Les Hewitt, and Mark Victor Hansen. These authors also took part in writing the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  It’s not just another self improvement book that you read and then it lands on the bookshelves for the next several years.  This book is interactive with homework assignments at the end of each chapter.  For those looking for some serious change in their lives, both personal and professional, this is the book to read.  It’s introspective, enlightening and not for the faint of heart.  It makes you ask the tough questions and requires you to take action for a real permanent transformation.

At Keller Williams Realty we have been reading this in our current book club.  This is a book that can also be read more than once and continues to open your eyes. Our Team Leader has encouraged us to complete the homework assignments in the book and to re-read the book each year. You can review the transformations that you took a year ago and remind yourself what your strengths are and how to utilize them. It has been a joy to examine this book with 15 other motivated professionals.

Not only is this book perfect for the professional setting, these wonderful authors have also written The Power of Focus for College Students, The Power of Focus for Women, and The Power of Faithful Focus.  I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself, your spouse, and your older children. You won’t be disappointed.

The Power of Focus

Facebook.. Is it here to stay?

Facebook is all the rage, but is it here to stay or just another passing fad? Recently my daughter set up a Facebook page for me to network with friends and business associates.  In just a few short months I have reconnected with old high school friends, a realtor that sold me a house 17 years ago and relatives I only used to talk to once every 4 years when someone either died or got married. I am also able to see photos of their kids, vacations, and get status updates as to their day to day activities. But come on…I don’t really want to know if someone is finally catching up on 7 years of back taxes, although I am sure the IRS would be interested and I really do not want to be poked or prodded, take any ridiculous trivia quizs (particular the IQ test) and invited to join the mafia….even if my nickname is Baby Face Nelson.  Kidding aside, it’s a great way to stay in touch and share ideas, hopes and dreams. Recently one of our Keller Williams associates lost a son and he received over 700 messages on facebook from those wanting to send their condolences. He was overwhelmed and touched.

Flip Mino HD Handheld Camcorder

While attending the Keller Williams National convention in Orlando Florida last month I was introduced to a really cool technology gadget for both business and personal use.  It’s the Flip Mino HD handheld camcorder.  It’s currently the world’s smallest camcorder with high definition and cinematic widescreen capability.  It will take up to 60 minutes of video and has a USB port that will directly upload video to YouTube and MySpace.  It’s small and compact and simple to use…even this old dog can use this camera. At the low cost of $189 it’s a great was to capture those special moments and share with friends and family. Visit the flip website for more information.

A Sense of a Goose

A Sense of a Goose

When you see geese flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 % greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone – and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What messages do we give when we honk from behind? Finally-and this is important-when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Author Unknown