The EIG Newsletter
Volume 2: Number 2: March-April 2002
I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who have taken the time to send me the wonderful messages and feedback about the newsletter and website, www.cmarcus.com over the past two months. I would also like to welcome all the new subscribers from all over the world; this is indeed an international newsletter and family. As I continue to travel and meet new people, this family continues to grow. I encourage you to pass this newsletter on to your family, friends, work colleagues, anybody you feel would benefit from it.
I have had the honor of meeting so many of you in your communities across North America through my professional speaking. If you would like to bring me in to speak to your group at one of your future important events, please get in touch with me and lets discuss ways of making it a reality. Please call me at 416-490-6744 or e-mail me to charles@cmarcus.com Tell me what you have in mind.
I would like to dedicate this issue of the newsletter to Art Berg, a colleague of mine from Utah, U.S.A. Art tragically and suddenly passed away this week at the age of only 39. He was a devoted family man to his wife Dallas and their three children. He was also a great professional speaker and human being, and an inspiration to me and to so many people throughout the world. I for one will always be so grateful to Art for all the help and assistance he afforded me over the years. My condolences go out to Dallas Berg and to all her family.
Note: The May-June edition of the EIG newsletter will be delayed. It will be sent out on May 10, sorry for any inconvenience.
In This Edition
ACHIEVING PEAK PERFORMANCE:
We hear a lot today about being your best, taking care of business, achieving success, performing at your peak. What we don't always hear is what it takes to sustain peak performance.
Peak Performance is a commitment to your physical/mental/spiritual being and to your personal growth and development at all times. Peak performance, in my opinion it is not something you can switch on and off; it is what you commit to and strive for always. It is not just about business and achieving goals. It is also about balance between work and family, friends and fitness. Finding the right combination for each of us is personal, but I will share with you 6 Characteristics that have worked for me along the way.
1. Look after your health/diet and exercise. This is one so many of us take for granted. I know I did for so many years. The sad but true reality is if we don't have good health, the rest does not really matter because the other steps of peak performance will not fall in place and we will not have an opportunity to enjoy the rewards.
2. Discipline yourself to get up one hour earlier, or if you can't do that, strive for even 30 minutes earlier than you do now and invest that time in yourself. I know that is not easy, we all lead such demanding lives and have family obligations. MAKE that time! Trust me, try it for 30 days, you will be glad you did. I started this discipline in 1986, after a successful course I went on to overcome my stuttering disability. I had to find the time for doing my speech exercises to keep my fluency. Do I succeed every single day in doing this, now especially with a young family? Not always, but I do as often as I can. I always feel better for it. There is something about rising early. Maybe it is the tranquility, the piece of mind, watching the sun rise, hearing the birds sing, taking that first cup of fresh coffee or fruit juice and focusing on the day ahead.
3. Challenge yourself to learn. Peak Performers constantly challenge themselves in many areas. They regularly read books, listen to motivational or business tapes to stay up to date. They are not afraid to be wrong. They are inquisitive and ask lots of questions. They spend less time watching television, and more time educating themselves.
4. Plan for peak performance. Peak Performers maximize their time. They prioritize, set goals for themselves, analyze their performance, and constantly ask for feedback. They go the extra mile and are single minded in their pursuit of excellence and success. They work hard, but they also work smart and they save and spend quality time with their family and loved ones. Life/Balance sometimes gets lost with people who are obsessive about success, but I believe it is essential for sustaining peak performance.
5. Take quality time off. I know it is not always possible for us to take regular vacations for one reason or another, but at the very least, take a mini vacation, even a day off devoted solely to something other than work or business. Take a walk in the park or woods near you, smell that fresh air. Take your children or nieces or nephews to the zoo. Treat yourself every now and then, it does not have to be grand and elaborate, use your imagination. For example, take yourself to your favorite restaurant. I love to go and explore the great multi-cultural neighborhoods of my home city of Toronto. I go browsing in the shops, treat myself to a great lunch...Find what is right for you.
6. Be comfortable with yourself. Peak Performers are comfortable with who they are. They know that things will not always go their way, that life is not always easy, that there will be sacrifices to be made. The bottom line is that people who succeed in the business of life know this. They surround themselves with a support system to help them, and they are comfortable enough with who they are to know that ultimately they will get to where they want to be and they know what it takes to stay there.
MAGIC
We hear this word so often, I want to be magic at this and that. Here is my acronym and definition of the word.
M........Memorable: be MEMORABLE at all times in everything you do. Being memorable is about working to stand out in the crowd in whatever endeavor
A.........Attitude: always have a great and positive ATTITUDE. Words can only get you so far, attitude gets you to the top
G........Graciousness: be GRACIOUS at all times to everybody you come in to contact with. A critic today may be a client tomorrow
I........ Integrity: demonstrate impeccable INTEGRITY. Your integrity says it all to people, tells them who you are and what you are all about
C....... Commitment: Be truly committed. COMMITMENT is the glue that keeps it all together when you have to dig deep down
Recommended Reading
Guerrilla Marketing Excellence by Jay Conrad Levinson
This book contains the 50 Golden Rules for Small-Business Success, this book takes the reader a step beyond do-it-yourself marketing guides and explains how to do it with excellence.
Zig Ziglar on Selling
This ultimate handbook was written for the complete sales professional of the nineties, but really, this information is timeless. This book covers all the essentials of professional selling, from making the call to closing the sale, and even gives time to the well-being of you, the salesperson. There is something here for everyone. Zig Ziglar is a master on this subject.
The Road to Success is paved with Failure by Joey Green
This is a great little book about hundreds of famous people who triumphed over inauspicious beginnings, crushing rejections, humiliating defeats and other speed bumps along life's highway. I found it very inspirational reading and many of the stories very entertaining.
Quotes
" Exposure plus 95 cents might buy you a coffee. The key is to position yourself in your market as the expert, the resource, the only person your prospect would even think of doing business with, or referring to others" Bob Burg
" Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action!" Brendan Francis
" Obstacles can't stop you. Problems cant stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you" Jeffrey Gitomer
Have you missed earlier editions of the EIG newsletter? All previous editions are available on our website: www.cmarcus.com through the "Articles" page.
Services
Charles Marcus is a professional speaker and trainer. He works internationally with corporations and associations, helping them maximize performance, morale, and productivity. For more information on how Charles can add value to your upcoming conference or event with his customized programs, please contact his office as indicated below.
Charles is also available for telephone consultations and for personal coaching. For further information on how these services can work for you, please contact him directly
To Book Charles for your important 2002, 2003 or 2004 conference or event please contact:
Charles Marcus
The Empowerment International Group
72 Willesden Road, Toronto, Ontario CANADA M2H 1V7
Telephone: 416-490-6744
Fax: 416-490-6344
Email: charles@cmarcus.com
Website: www.cmarcus.com
Copyright 2002 Charles M. Marcus: All rights worldwide reserved
Permission is granted to reproduce this newsletter in whole or in part provided the following appears along with the article:
Charles Marcus is a professional speaker, trainer and writer. To subscribe to his FREE personal and professional development newsletter, please send an email to charles@cmarcus.com with the word SUBSCRIBE. An electronic copy will be sent out to you every two months. For more information on how Charles and his programs can benefit your group, please call 416-490-6744, email charles@cmarcus.com or visit his website: www.cmarcus.com
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