Chuck Bauer, Week 4, 2002
PRACTICAL STRATEGIES THAT WILL HELP YOU AND YOUR
BUSINESS DO MORE, BE MORE AND HAVE MORE!
Any person can make themselves successful with enough motivation, hard work, and a little luck. We know some people that are like this and many of us think that it "just comes their way." Yet, what we don't understand is that some of these people have often paid an enormous price. The price being too much hype, disempowerment, living on a constant adrenaline rush, the manipulation of others, and the life of a workaholic. Unfortunately, these people have missed the point and are usually lost in life.
Attraction. Quite a word. Does it represent a better way? Yes! When presented with the word "attraction" most people conjure up thoughts of "how to catch that person," "grooming tips for a sexier bod," or "how to dazzle them." Yet, what is attraction -- REALLY? Think about it... attraction is a spirit of one's self, to set a higher standard than most; attraction is developing that "style" or life where we can have more, do more, and be more... within a very natural state and without a lot of effort. Attraction is enjoying one's self and attracting a greater present and future! And here's the best news. Everybody can be attractive!
We're not talking about any of the 90s approaches to success like affirmations, manifesting, inspiration, feel-felt-found, spin selling, transformation, or advanced-this or advanced-that. These old "techniques" may still work, yet they are still about creating a manufactured reality and future that relies on you. This "old" method is expensive to you, your soul, your family, your company, and your community. There is a much better way. A more attractive way.
Why is Attraction in Action Unique?
Because few people know about it! By being attractive, you set yourself apart from the masses, people sense that you get it or you got it goin' on. They see that you take care of yourself and there is something different about you, which in most cases will naturally draw people and good things towards you. And once you've started on the pathway of Attraction in Action, life starts to pull you in the correct way versus that which everyone else does, which is "pushing their way" through life. So, together, let's take the first steps....
1. ATTRACTION IN ACTION STUDENTS LEAD WITH INTEGRITY
Ah..., integrity. Doing the right thing, being honest (sometimes totally), learning to live in the world of truths. Integrity and truth are not words open for interpretation. You are either in or out. Living with integrity is a way of life. Attraction participants avoid lying, embellishment, hype, arrogance, and manipulation. Today, stop lying. Stop the manipulation. Speak the truth. You too can be a person who lives with integrity -- every day.
2. WALK THE PATHWAY OF ATTRACTION
Life is nothing but a series of choices. Each choice we make places us on the crowded pathway or the uncrowded pathway. Making the right choices usually places you on the uncrowded pathway. Here is an awesome example of this: by the age of 65, the US Social Security Administration reports that 95-percent of us will be dead or broke, while only five-percent of us will be secure with our lives. Why the big difference? Because those who ended up in the five-percent bracket made difficult choices through their lives. As an example, they saved money versus spending it. Usually, the best choices have resulted in taking the uncrowded pathway.
3. HAVE A $1000 ATTITUDE
It's funny how "choices" keep popping up. Think about it for a moment. How many choices are we faced with each day? Depending on how you react to the choice and how your own personal attitude is, I call it making $10 choices or $100 choices. Many of us get in the way of ourselves! So, let's check out this scenario:
You are walking down the sidewalk and lo and behold you look directly in front of you and there is a crisp $100 bill and a crisp $10 bill. A soft voice goes off in your ear and says,"You can have one, but not both." Which one would you pick up? Of course, we all say the $100 bill. Yet, in real life, when presented with choices, what do we really do?
Let's be honest here. In most cases, we pick up the $10 when the $100 is staring us right in the face. Now, think about this: you receive income from your job. Who do you pay first? Your bills? Or yourself? You are presented with a challenge at work. Your choice is to tell the absolute truth or lie, to cover a mistake. In both of these scenarios, which bill are you picking up? Of course, the $10 bill!
Now, let's get to the $1000 bill. We always have $10/$100 choices. Because of our own attitude, thinking and belief, many of us find that we have no other choices when presented with a challenge. Not true! There are always other choices, other options. It's called, "passing on the $10 & $100, and finding the $1000!"
4. GET OUT OF YOUR PARADIGM
Paradigm means a "pattern." Think about your patterns... do the words "comfortable," "safe," or "easy" come to mind? To survive in today's global economy, we must get out of the way of ourselves, get out of our patterns. By staying the same, by not growing, by thinking we know it all, by playing it safe, it's a recipe for disaster. Kinda like trying to sell a brown banana at the store, it's just not going to happen. Make it a point to change, and change often. Someone once said the definition of insanity is, "keep doing the same things and expect things to change." That's the story of our fairy tale. Don't get stuck in your own paradigm -- there is a big world for you to discover out there.
5. BE AN ATTRACTIVE LISTENER
Have you ever wondered why the divorce rate in the United States is so high? Or why there are so many school-age kids who are dysfunctional? One of the reasons is that many of us lack in "listening" skills. In fact, a recent poll revealed that the most important need of a human being is the need to be heard. Participants who practice being attractive are active listeners. They are aware that listening is the most important tool in their communication tool box. Attractive listeners set a higher bar, a higher standard -- they listen. Many people are drawn to attractive listeners because the human need to be heard is fulfilled.
6. UPLEVEL YOUR DRESS
In every encounter with another human being, there is always a "scorecard" that is counting wins and losses. Especially if you are in a career that requires you to be present in front of people, you must uplevel your dress. Regardless of your own paradigm, you get points for how you dress, no matter what excuse you have heard in the past. Dress like you take care of yourself and it's important to you, and watch people react to you in a positive manner. I often hear from students that "we don't dress like that here!" Again, attraction students don't follow the crowd. Uplevel your dress and watch the your score increase.
6.5 UPLEVEL PERSONAL GROOMING
Guys, get a manicure! That's right. You guys -- get a manicure! Talk about walking down the uncrowded pathway! A nice set of manicured nails really sets the stage to stand above the rest. Once again, when people see you taking care of you, they are naturally drawn to you. Now, don't stop with the manicure. You must place significance on personal grooming. From facial hair, keeping a well trimmed hairstyle, to watching out for the windshield wipers over the eyes, Attraction In Action participants will uplevel their personal grooming. Paying attention to details in personal grooming is an attraction must!
7. BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE PRESENTER & COMMUNICATOR
We present each and every day, and to many people. From the salesperson who visits clients all day long, to the mother who speaks to the child care provider when dropping off her children, we present. Master the skills that will allow you to effectively communicate with all behavioral styles. Become a student of great speech and communication skills. Note: please avoid spending time trying to "sell" others that you are NOT a salesperson. Every human is, whether we like it or not.
8. GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY
No matter where you are in your life, find the time or make the effort to give back. From helping out a friend, to providing a bag of food to the homeless, to handing a dollar bill to a street person, or just saying a prayer for someone you just saw, come from a spirit of love and compassion in your heart for your fellow men and women.
9. UPLEVEL YOUR POSITION IN THE 5 PILLARS OF ATTRACTION
There are five main areas that have a direct impact on our lives: Spirituality, Relationships, Finances, Health and your Environment. These are referred to as the "Pillars of Attraction." Each one of these categories affects you and your spirit. Your level in these areas also affects the people around you, like the ripple effect when throwing a stone in calm water. So, look at each Pillar as a gas tank. The levels vary depending on what's going on in our lives. When was the last time you filled up? Did you burn more going up a hill? Cruise going down? Ever have a leak in a particular tank? Our gas "tanks" always perform better if we have a reserve, so do little things on a consistent basis to increase the levels in each of your tanks.10. CREATE "OUT OF THE BOX" IDEAS
Natural attraction happens when you live outside the "box." People notice when you are not the same old run-of-the-mill person. Each new product or service is a result of out-of-the-box thinking. Development and growth happens regardless of our involvement. Quoting from the US Patent office, 1899: "All ideas that are possible have already been invented...." Tell that to a young man who back in 1915 stated "I think I can build a better airplane." Thanks to this type of thinking, I can now board an aircraft in Dallas and land in Paris after just 11 hours in flight. Thank you William E. "Bill" Boeing for your out-of-the-box ideas!
11. CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCES IN ALL PEOPLE
We are all different. We all have a different story. We are born with a certain DNA makeup and behavioral style. And from birth, everything is new and from that point, it is learned. Regardless of how we end up, let's bury the torches as humans and start celebrating the differences in all people. Here's a suggestion, how about changing our paradigms in the area of other people's weaknesses? Instead of looking at peoples' weaknesses, how about looking at them as strengths? Think about it... what kind of a difference would that make to take that High Road vs. the Low Road?
12. MAKE SAVING MONEY A PRIORITY
Here's why:
Again, at the age of 65, 95-percent of all American's are dead or broke; only five-percent are secure. 60-percent of all American households are one check away from bankruptcy. 80-percent of all Americans make less than $75,000 per year. Only three-percent are in the millionaire bracket. Bankruptcies rose 25-percent from August 2000 to August 2001. Attraction In Action participants make this a priority... building a financial reserve. Think about it, if you had $10,000 in savings and when presented with a financial crisis, you could handle it. But what if you didn't have money in the bank, what would you do? Start a savings plan today. Make saving a habit and a priority!
13. DATABASE MANAGEMENT/PASSIVE FOLLOW-UP SYSTEMS
Attraction In Action participants realize the importance of utilizing database information and collecting information on everyone with whom they come in contact. Think about it this way: what if everyone you came in contact with resulted in a lifelong relationship? The possibilities for you are enormous, especially when you apply time. So what should you "do" with all these people?
You develop passive, electronically-based, follow-up systems which allow you to stay in front of the multitudes of people you know.
14. BECOME A ROLE MODEL
Set higher standards for yourself and watch people follow. They follow because they are attracted to the "role" model in you. People stand up and take notice that you walk down that uncrowded pathway. Exceeding the standards, doing things differently, and doing them well. Role models give others hope and, for many, that's where the magic begins. Become a role model and have a profound affect on others.
15. HAVE FAITH
Faith is based upon evidence, the evidence of things not seen. Attraction In Action participants have a tremendous amount of faith, as they know that the sun will rise tomorrow; that when the trees bend, there is wind; and that there are seasons of life and throughout those seasons we must have faith. Everything is going to be okay.
16. BE A GOOD STEWARD
Become a good steward of what life affords you and the special gifts you receive. Have you ever had something really good happen? Something totally wonderful just miraculously shows up? Be it a relationship, a new job, a bonus on your stocks, or a new office; whatever the case may be, take more ownership of the "gift" and become a good steward.
17. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Whenever a challenge occurs or something just doesn't go our way, we as humans have a huge tendency to lay blame or justify. Both of these carry a cloud of negativity and tend to lay waste with those that are involved. Moreover, justifying and laying blame are something we should have left back at elementary school. In today's global environment (and to be at the top of your game), take the positive road by accepting responsibility. Increase your awareness of accepting responsibility and it just might turn into a whole new world for you!
18. REMOVE TOLERATIONS
A toleration is something that is an irritant, a nuisance, or something that bothers you. Why are tolerations significant? Because they drain you of your positive energy. Most people spend too much time allowing tolerations to run their lives. It's like having a parking brake engaged when you are trying to accelerate. Counter forces that fight each other are crippling when applied to life. Attraction in Action allows you to rid yourself of tolerations, especially in the Pillars of Attraction!
19. STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
Going far beyond the call of duty and doing more than others expect is what excellence is all about. Attraction In Action is about becoming extraordinary through striving and maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest details, and always going the extra mile. Excellence means caring, and caring a lot. It takes special effort to do more.
20. BE "ON PURPOSE"
Have you ever had the one night when you looked up in the night sky and gazed upon the Milky Way and wondered, "Why am I here?" Attraction In Action participants are very clear as to their purpose in life. They know their purpose is always larger than life's tasks or goals. Ponder what might be your purpose, speak to others about it, write down ideas and concepts, and put together a purpose statement. Most of the five-percent-ers, at the age of 65, made it because they led their life by being on purpose, not being lead by tasks.
Chuck Bauer is a speaker, writer, and consultant. He regularly consults and trains for companies such as Verizon, State of Texas, and Bass Pro Shops nationwide. His new book Attraction in Action is due to be published in late 2002. Visit him at http://chuckbauer.com or email to chuck@chuckbauer.com