Will someone please explain to me what is happening with women’s fashions?

I have a pair of red sneakers that are OLD.  I mean old.

They have holes in them.  The rubber base is loose.  The lining is poking out.  The red laces are broken and tied in knots.

They are so comfortable.  And they have sentimental value.  Those sneakers were made for walking.  And they have.   To the four corners of the world.  Name the country.  They have seen it.

I wear them around the house but they are so disreputable that I change my footware when the UPS guy comes to the door.

I would not want him to see them.

The other day I forgot I had them on when I ran to the store.

A young woman came up to me in the parking lot.

“Where did you get those sneakers?  What size are they?”

Shamed.  “Oh.  I forgot to change.”

How much do you want for them?

WHAT?

I want to buy them.  I’ll give you $20.00.  They are so cool.

I got into my car as fast as I could.  Obviously, a crazy.

Spring is coming.  I needed a new pair of jeans and some T-shirts..  Went to the Gap.

I called the salesperson aside.

“Do you know that all the merchandise here is damaged?

The jeans are ripped.  They have holes in them.

Even the T-shirts are ripped.”

Oh, she said, that’s the style.  They are all like that.

PEOPLE BUY RIPPED CLOTHING?

So I went to Macy’s.  A more conservative store.  Their jeans were ripped too.

I went home.  I already have worn out jeans.  I’ll just keep wearing them.

Fortunately, I happened upon a blog called Second Hand Roses. Dawn had written an article about Good Will shopping.  She said they had a “Jeans Department.”

Sent her an email.  Are the jeans there all ripped?.

Oh, no, she said, they are from an earlier time.  They are in good condition but you will have to rip them yourself if you want to be in style.

(I don’t think so)

I know where I am going to shop from now on.

But I wish I knew where I could find that young woman.  I am willing to sell the sneakers for $20.00.  If you are reading this, call me.

I can buy some nice new Keds.

And I will wait to buy women’s clothes when I come back in style.

It is sad when you are too old to be “cool.”

How cool are you?

Interview with Dawn from 2nd Hand Roses

Picture by alter your reality

EXCITEMENT!

You have a request for an interview.

When I was doing interviews for Wisdom Television, I was like a dog with a bone.  I not only read every book of every author, I dug into all their other books, read all the reviews.  I knew more about them than their own mothers.

I thought every interviewer did that.

Now I had a book to sell.  And I was in for a shock.

My publicist arranged many interviews on radio for me.  Not small stations.  Big ones in New York and San Francisco – all over the country.  They were done by phone.

Only a few had looked at our press kit and almost no one had opened the book.

I think most of these people did not know who they were interviewing until a few minutes before the show.

The first question was invariably this –

“So, what’s your book about?”

WHAT?

I realized I had to design my own interview to get the ball rolling.  What some people call a “thirty second.elevator pitch.”

You have to give enough information about your book so that the interviewer had some fodder to ask follow up questions.

My book was called Reflections from a Woman Alone.

“My book, (mention the name of your book here) is a book about a young widow facing life as a single.  But it is not a book about grief.  It is a book about entering society that you have not experienced for years.”

And all the rules of being single have changed.

That gives the interviewer an entrance to at least ask “How?”

I would answer – (GOD!  There is a whole half hour to fill up with this person)

Let me read you the prologue of the book.  It is a poem that will give you an idea.

You only get a minute.

The stone has not been set

before you get the question

“Are you seeing someone yet?”

You have not filed the insurance,

transferred a single bond

before they sing the litany

“Remember, life goes on.”

It’s not the lonely evenings

that strike terror in your breast.

It’s the envelopes that come addressed

to “Ms. You and your guest.”

The dilemmas’ not in grieving

or even what to wear

but where you find a body

to escort you to affairs.

They say you’re far too fussy.

There is  nothing much out there.

They use as their criteria

if a man can breathe and stare.

I’d run away to Tonga,

Abu Dhabi or Tibet,

but I know that someone there would ask

“Are you seeing someone yet?”

If you find yourself a widow,

start wailing right away.

You only get a minute

before you have to play.

That gives the interviewer an opening to ask more questions.

I am not going to go through an entire interview with you but just to give you an idea of how you have to actually take control of the interview.

You probably have some stories in your book.  Tell them.

You can turn almost any odd question over with something like, “That reminds me of something in my book that was (interesting – funny-informative – you choose)

You can’t do this off the cuff.  You actually have to make a script for yourself and practice and practice – maybe with a friend who can feed you questions.

It’s almost like designing a speech.  In segments.

You can even turn the tables and ask the interviewer a question on your subject.  All is fair in war and bad interviewers.

Be sure to bring up the title of the book several times in the interview.  Just casually

Then end with a promo for yourself.  Especially if you can see you are not going to get it from this interviewer.

“It was really fun being with you today.  I hope your audience will be interested in knowing how to get my book, Reflections from a Woman Alone.” Then tell them.

Be sure to be gracious and thank the person, by name, for having you on.

That’s the framework.  Does it sound shameless?

It is.

Can you do it?

INTERVIEW LIKE LARRY KING

HOW TO NAIL A BIG INTERVIEW

HIRE CORINNE EDWARDS – MEDIA COACH

Picture by poketo

We all want to have an important person for an interview.

HERE’S HOW TO GET ONE

It is according to where the person is “BIG.”

If it is a prominent blogger, you are going to have to be noticed.  They get a lot of requests from people they have never heard of.

BUT THEY DO READ THEIR COMMENTS ON THEIR BLOG.  HONEST THEY DO.

Especially, if you get in early on the comments. If you are #200 they may not notice so much.

So subscribe to their blog as an email recipient.  Not RSS.  Then you will get notification about a new post right away.

Read the post carefully.

COMMENT INTELLIGENTLY.  Add something to the conversation.  I know you have heard this before but it cannot be said enough.

• share your opinion
• ask a question about the topic.  They like that.

Nobody cares about someone who writes, “Great post.  Thanks.”  In fact most of us just delete those as spam or someone who is looking for a link.

They won’t notice you right away.  You have to put some time in on this. Do it for several months at a time.

If you comment on every other blog that they write, sooner or later they will click over to your URL to see who you are.

Don’t target just one “big” blogger.  Pick a few.  You will increase your chances of being noticed as they read each other’s blogs and comments.  Yes, they do.  This is a friendly but competitive business. They watch to see what others are talking about.

The first sign is if they answer your comments.

Now, they have a clue about who you are and if you have a blog that appeals to them they may entertain a request for an interview.

Flattery, as they say, will get you everywhere.  So send an email and tell them how much you love them – followed by a request for an interview.

Give them a framework on what you want to know from them.  Don’t be vague. By this time, you are familiar with what they write about.

That is what they will want to talk about.  Pick up a theme that is a little different from their writings but is completely in line with their thinking.

Don’t worry if you have a small blog.  They were small once.  Most of them are willing to help if you have some talent but have not yet caught on.

GUEST POST

Another one you have heard before.  Why haven’t you done it?

The famous Yaro took a guest post from me when I had ten subscribers. (three were relatives)  He has 88,000.

Postcasting was just getting started and I wrote an article on how to interview. “Brash,” you say.  No.  I didn’t know any better.  I found a hole and filled it.

It didn’t hurt a “newbie’ like me to have that many eyeballs on my article.

But I did not ask if he would take it.  I sent it.  Complete.  And I got lucky.  He liked it.

This is another way to build relationships before you ask for an interview.

Please note:  It has to be an original article.  Not something from your blog.  And you cannot put it on your blog later.  It would be counted then as duplicate content.

OK – let’s switch gears.

THE MOST FERTILE SOUCE FOR INTERVIEWS IS AUTHORS.  EVEN FAMOUS  ONES.

Pick a book that is pertinent to your topic.   Read all the reviews on Amazon.com so you are sure you are interested in the contents.

THIS IS THE PROCEDURE.

Find the publisher in the information on Amazon.  Call them. Yes, on the phone.

Ask for the publicist who is handling that particular book and get the correct name and email address for future use.

Make a letterhead for your blog and follow the directions to get a review copy. You do not have to pay for it if you are a legitimate media outlet, like a blog or radio show.

You might find that the author has hired a separate publicist since there is so little budget for publicity these days at publishing companies. Unless you have a “tell-all” political book you are in trouble getting air time.

Override the publisher now and go there.  They will tell you who that publicist is.

This is the person you want to contact.  They are being paid to get their author media time and reviews.  They will be HAPPY to talk to you.  Follow up with some links of shows you have already done and some information on your blog or interview show.

Do not send any attachments.  Most will not open them.

Ask that person for a press kit and a review copy if you have not received one.  It will probably also include questions the author would like to answer.

Do not make the mistake of contacting the author – unless you know them personally.  It marks you as an amateur.

NOW WHAT?

When all these things come together, it is time to book them.

You should have prepared detailed information on how they can connect with you for the show and your general guidelines.

You will also want them to sign a release form to permit you to air the show.  There are samples on the Internet. Look under “Talent Releases.” Find one that meets your needs.  Check it out with your attorney.

WHY?

You want to own the rights to your own show. You might want to later include a portion of the show in a promo tape to get other authors or even package it with other interviews and offer it for sale.

RETURN THE FAVOR

On the other hand, give them permission to use the show for their own use or web page as long as your copyright is included.  They will send out your show to get others.

READY?

Sound complicated?  It is not.  Authors are used to this procedure.  They want the publicity and have gone the route many times before.

SO –

GO GET ‘EM.

Any questions? I’ll try to help in the comments on this article.

Since I am a media coach, you could also take advantage of my services as you go along on this new venture.

I’ll work with you to make you interview like Oprah.

INTERVIEW LIKE LARRY KING

HIRE CORINNE EDWARDS

INTERVIEW WITH CORINNE ON TALKING PURPOSE

Picture by Beech Design

Wayne Dyer is one of my favorite people.  Not only as an author and fantastic speaker and the greatest of storytellers – but because -

He deals with real people in real life.  People who are looking for happiness.

Wayne Dyer is the real deal.  He walks the walk that he talks.  Everyone feels at home with him because he speaks from his heart to yours.

I’ve interviewed him a few times on my TV show.  He is exactly as he appears on the stage.

Wayne walks into the room in jeans and a sweater.  He is like someone you knew from high school.  By the time he leaves, he knows every one of the crew member’s names and thanks them individually.

I don’t know if this story is in one of his books or I heard him tell it at a seminar a long time ago.  I haven’t heard him tell it lately.  He should.

I am paraphrasing it here in my own words.  Hope he doesn’t mind.   It is so true that it bears repeating.

When we are in grammar school, we think -

“When I get out of this stupid little school – then I will be happy.”

In high school -

“Can’t wait to get out of here.  Get into college.  Have some real fun.  Then I will be happy.”

In college -

”I can’t wait to graduate.  Need to get started in a real job.  Then I will be happy.”

On to the next group of happy makers -

“When I meet my soul mate, then I’ll be happy.”

“When we get our house, then I’ll be happy.”

“When we have children, then I’ll be happy.”

“When the divorce is final, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I find a person who really understands me, then I’ll be happy.”

“When all the kid’s tuitions are paid, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I retire from this exhausting job and get my pension, then I’ll be happy.”

CUT TO -

Sitting on the beach in Fort Lauderdale with another retiree.

And talking about “the good old days.”

WHEN WE HAVEN’T HAD ONE GOOD DAY.

The late Erma Bombeck wrote a poem that is much quoted and is often sent over the Internet.  She called it, If I Had My Life to Live Over. I never tire of reading it.  It speaks of the same story of living today.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

There would have been more “I love you’s.”  More “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute … look at it and really see it … live it … and never give it back.

If you, like me, can never get enough of Wayne Dyer – don’t miss his new movie about the good new days you could be living now.  The happy days.

For a preview of his new movie click on the banner below:

Photo by Chicago Geek

Are you a secret Good Will shopper, garage and house sale lurker –

And God forbid – a cruiser of the garbage on the curb?

You have company.  It is now fashionable.

Dawn  Edwards  is a self-proclaimed thrift shop junkie and Good Will hunter.

And even admits to garbage picking.

Her new book is out and you will not only share in her experiences along the way but has a special “Rules of the Road” etiquette list that are under the radar that you should know about.

Enter –

SECOND HAND ROSES -   The Junktiquing Road

It is a sentimental journey – and a special and proud one for me as Dawn is my beloved daughter-in law.

Here are a few excerpts from one of her chapters -

Some of the more poignant things found on the shelves of my thrift store haunts have included those of framed old photographs of people probably long gone from this world.   Their original importance to life seemed virtually meaningless by their being disposed of in such a careless manner.  It pulled at my heartstrings every time I encountered such an item.  I’d often wonder why a family would donate such a memento, casting aside not only the frame, plaque, or trophy itself, but more intriguing, tossing out a snapshot in time.

Many a person with whom I shopped at whatever secondhand store at the time would stop, rifle out the trophy, scan its inscription, and then toss it aside like a chipped coffee mug or an unraveled tie.   There it would sit again, silently declaring its previous owner’s recognition, waiting to once again to adorn a shelf.

On more than one occasion, I would purchase one of these sad proclamations of performance, bring it home and restore it as best I could, placing it again in a place of honor atop my bookshelf.  It was almost an apology to the unknown owner.

Frozen in time, I found decades old snapshots, faded from the sun, once cherished and now remanded to the grubby shelves of a thrift shop.

Here on her wedding day stood a young lady, swathed in white lace, shyly smiling from beneath her veil, a bouquet of lilies grasped in one hand and the lengthy train in the other.  Somebody’s mother, aunt, grandmother, daughter, sister, or niece had stood for a portrait on clearly the most important day of her life, setting forth into a new adventure into matrimony.  I wondered what her life had been like.

Another photo showed a mother and son, her eyes so proud and full of love.  His small hands holding hers, he gazed up with adoration.  Their old-fashioned clothes, hinting at a simpler time, served to enhance the sweet setting. Her high-necked lace blouse and hand-carved cameo still a focal point, and his little starched white shirt and woolen knickers were charming in their elegance.  Clearly they were a proud family, dressed in their Sunday best, probably saving up for months to afford such an intimate and professional portrait.

Where was that son now?  How would he feel about my having that picture?

The questions remained unanswered.  The stories behind each snapshot were a mystery of lives now silent.

The lesson to me was how fleeting life is and how important to treasure the important moments and memories of my own family and the photographs.

Dawn’s musings are always sensitive, sometimes funny and her “Rules of the Road” after each chapter are sure to make you smile.

Consider purchasing the book for yourself or someone you love who is also a Junker.

You can buy it by clicking on this link.

SECOND HAND ROSES

Dawn Edwards is a 43-year-old writer, medical transcriptionist, blogger, work-at-home mom, and a long time self-professed thrift store “junkie

Her writing credits include inclusion in the anthology by best-selling author Arielle Ford, Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Lover. Her story, in conjunction with the Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Lover release was also featured in the January 2001 issue of Redbook magazine. Another story has appeared in the anthology God Allows U-Turns by Allison Gappa-Bottke.

Ms. Edwards has also been published in New Beginnings by La Leche League. She has contributed also to various websites including Associated Content.com, Hystersisters.com, Poetry.com, Godallowsuturns.com, Epinions.com, and Amazon.com.

Radio interviews include the radio talk show “Live Your Purpose Radio” with Michelle Vandepas on Blog Talk Radio. She has appeared on television on the Fox morning news on WFLD-TV in Chicago.

She lives in a small town west of Chicago with her husband, Alexander, and her son Julius.

Dawn’s blog

YES, YOU.  WHY NOT?

This is what I wrote on my “about page” about three years ago.

What?  Me a blogger?  And crazy about it!  It is like being obsessed with a new lover.  Until recently, if I told you that I knew what the difference was between a web page and a blog, I would be lying.

Now I do.  As they say in Brooklyn, where I originated, “Who knew?”

IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU

It has become one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.  I write an article about every five to seven days and I have new friends from all over the world.

It is a friendly place.  Bloggers are a private club who support each other.

First.  What is a blog?

A blog is a little like an e-mail interchange that you do every day now with your friends.  Except it is an instant public conversation.  You control what you have to say.  You write something and people who read it can give their opinion, ask questions or complain.

There is a place after your writing called “comments.”  It is an interactive forum.  Everyone sees what you have written and everyone can read the comments.  And, you can comment on the comments.  You can also delete the comments before they are published if you don’t like something or if they are just spam.

How is it different from a web page?

A web page is more of a statement or an advertisement.  Usually, unless you are technically adept, you will probably need a webmaster – an expert to set it up for you. I know I couldn’t do it.   If you want to change something on it, usually the webmaster has to do it for you.

People cannot offer comments except to send you an email or ask you something via their “contact us” feature.  The general public does not see these.

YOU DON’T NEED AN EXPENSIVE WEBMASTER TO HAVE A BLOG.  YOU CONTROL IT.

Everyone who has an Internet connection can find your blog if they know your blog address, which is the title of your blog.  They can access it just like you can search for a product or service by putting your blog title in the information slot at the top of your email page or if they go to a search engine like Google to locate it.

Why would an ordinary person want a blog?

A couple of examples.

Are you a Cubmaster for over thirty little boys in the Scouts?

If so, you are constantly on the telephone making arrangements for meetings, planning events, arranging outings, looking for parent volunteers to escort these events and – on and on.

You can use a blog to distribute information and answer questions.  It would save a lot of his time and the parents could print out the information for future reference.

They can also answer and you will get the communication instantly.  No more interrupted dinners.

Are you involved in your church?

Post information on activities and even put the transcript of the Sunday sermon on line for people who missed it or are physically unable to come to church.

Do you have a business, a product, talent or burning purpose you would like to share with the world?

This is the 21^st century way to do it – A BLOG.

If you have been reading my blog, you may have noticed I seldom recommend programs.

This time I want to suggest a program that I bought.  It is excellent and does not cost a fortune – Download free information and it will take you by the hand and lead you kindly, patiently and efficiently to set it up right.

IT IS CALLED BECOME A BLOGGER.

Can you make money on a blog?

The answer is yes.  You can sell ads on your blog if you have a lot of people coming to read it.  This is not for the faint hearted.  You have to produce a lot of articles and it could take a year to build up interest from advertisers.  But, think about it, you could do this from your home computer until you are 102!

How do I learn to do this?

Take a look at the program and the free videos.

AND -

Your FREE Copy Of “The Roadmap To Become A Blogger”!

YOU JUST HAVE TO CLICK HERE.

BECOME A BLOGGER

I am looking forward to seeing you on line!

IT COULDN’T HURT TO LOOK INTO IT NOW!

fyi – This is an affiliate program.

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR INTUITION?

Free will gives us full control over our choices -

- but every action has a reaction and that reaction is on automatic.

It is important to think carefully about our options.  It is unrealistic to make a poor decision and hope for the best.

We all have a small inner signal which guides us toward the right thing.  An Internal Teacher.  Perhaps, a Guardian Angel.  The Voice of Intuition.

IF WE USE IT.

Spiritual teachers says that we can train ourselves to hear the answer to a problem.

Some say we can feel the answer somewhere in our bodies.  The first step is to ask for guidance when we are calm.  If we are afraid, it distorts the answer.

Then, pick the Higher Power that is most comfortable and ask.

Universal Intelligence is available to all of us.

Everyone’s signal system is different.  Mine is in the region of my heart.  If I ask a question and the answer is NO, I get a feeling of restriction in that area.  Something closing up.  If it is YES, the feeling is calm and seems open.

Others can sit quietly and their head actually nods downward for yes, and side to side for the opposite.

Each person must find their own signal.

Start with something small and ask for the answer.  Practice with something where the answer is obvious.  For example, “Is my name —-? “ Then, watch and feel your body.  It could be a signal almost anywhere.

Another way is to get very calm before you ask and write the answer on a piece of paper.  Don’t think about it.  Just write the first thing that comes into your mind.

Ask minor questions until you feel secure enough to tackle a big problem.

I wouldn’t start with things like, “Shall I sell my house and move to California?” or “Shall I file for divorce?”

Sometimes, our Guidance comes from something we accidentally read, a billboard, a child – an accident – a stranger on a plane.

We also could  be the “answer” for someone else.

I was seated next to an elderly man on a plane. A very religious man.  He had lost his wife only a few months ago but was contemplating getting married again right away.  He told me the Holy Spirit had found him someone.

He had met a “wonderful woman.”

It was a four hour trip so he had plenty of time to tell me about her and his life.

He seemed to be quite well off financially and was helping his daughter after she lost her job.  Her house was going into foreclosure.

His ex-daughter in law had been deserted by his son, who was a drug addict. He was paying her rent and expenses so she could support his young granddaughter.

Such a lovely and generous man.

Then, he dropped the bomb.

He said this “wonderful woman” objected to his generosity and they had “things to work out in that department.”

What?

She felt his children were old enough to take care of themselves and he should save his money.  (For her?)

I didn’t even know the man’s name.  The plane was about to land.  But the words just popped out of my mouth.

I said, “I have a message for you from the Holy Spirit.  You are not to marry that woman.  You deserve a kind person in your late years.  She is a mean woman.”

This gentle man looked stunned as we were getting off the plane.

Then, he turned to me and said, “God seated next to me so I could hear that message.  I knew it but I wasn’t listening.  Thank you.”

Things like that are not always coincidences.  The last thing on my mind that day was to be a Messenger.

When doors are shutting in front of us, it could be a signal we are not listening.  Perhaps we should look the situation again with new eyes.  It could be a bad idea, or an idea whose time has not come.

Maybe it is it’s a matter of waiting for something, or someone to be ready for us.

Or, a path we should not be on at all.

What is your experience with intuition?

Have you listened?

Was it right?

Another articles which might interest you -

Personal Growth – Is Anyone Listening?

Talking Purpose – Divine Revelations – video

Picture by paperwhistle

“James Kavanaugh is America’s poet laureate. His words and ideas touch my soul. I can think of no living person who can put into words what we have all felt so deeply in our inner selves.” Wayne Dyer

1928 -2009

An Evening with James Kavanaugh – Part One

An Evening with James Kavanaugh – Part Two

An Evening with James Kavanaugh –Part Three

An Evening with James Kavanaugh – Part Four

Picture by Raehein

For more information on James Kavanaugh -

The Web Home of James Kavanaugh

This presentation was produced and is copywrited to The Miracle Network, Inc. and may not be reproduced without explicit permission. Links to it are welcome and appreciated.

Special thanks to Xavier King Roy for his expertise in converting this old program from its original format and Michelle Vandepas for her technical help. .

Do you worry?

I hear a faint “no” in the background.  That’s OK.   We know you are lying but you can hang out with the rest of us anyway.

A friend told me she has the answer.  She sits by her bedroom window and visualizes a little toy train.  The locomotive has a flag that says “Listen Universe!  I can’t handle these.  You take them and get back to me.”

The rest of the trains are open cars.  She put a worry in each car and sends the train rolling up into the night sky.

She says it makes her feel better.  I say, whatever helps.

My mother’s favorite quote was “90% of the things we worry about never happen.  Other things happen.”  Then she would add, “So, if you don’t know what is going to happen, why worry about it?”

There are people who feel that worrying is their job.  If they worry enough, nothing bad will happen.  They are holding it all together for the rest of us with their worrying.  Somebody has to do it.

But, according to the gurus lately, they say what we focus on expands in our lives.

The Power of Intention people agree.  Worry, according to them, sends a signal to the Universe so that those things come true.  Scary thought.

All good reasons to quit worrying.  But how do we stop?  There seems to be so much uncertainty.  Our whole life can change radically with one phone call.

The real definition of worry is FEAR.  So, the first step is to label it.  By labeling it you divide it out from the reality that is actually happening.

The Gestalt therapists used to advise that we asked the question, “Is anything hurting you now?”

The answer is usually nothing.  What is hurting us is the fear that something unknown is out there just waiting to come in and take over our life.  Or, that of a loved one.

So, the next question is, “What can I do about something that has not happened?”

The answer is again, nothing.

The truth is, when something really bad has happened in the past, we somehow have handled it.  It is the devil we know.  It is not something lurking out there.  We may not like it but there are steps we took to handle the situation.  We are resourceful.  We are smart.  We have done it and can do it again if we have to.

A lot of fear can be alleviated by taking action.

Your license plates have expired.  You can’t buy them until payday.  You’re worried you are going to get a ticket.  Don’t drive your car.  Take public transportation – get a ride.  Then you don’t have to worry.

Your doctor has suggested a CT scan.  You are worried.  He gave you the forms but you haven’t called to book the exam.  Call.  Get an appointment.  Then, try not to worry until he gets the results.  You have taken action.  It is a start.

You are short this month.  Your mortgage is going to be late.  You are reading about all the foreclosures in the paper.  You’re worried.

You can be sure of one thing.  Your bank does not want your house.  They are not in the real estate sales business.  Call them.  Tell them when you can pay or make other arrangements.  Don’t sit there and wait for the sheriff.

Same advice for credit card debt or the IRS.  Never let these people come to you.  Go to them.  Call ten times until you get a supervisor who has some power.  They don’t want to go to the trouble of suing you or garnishing your salary.  They want to hear from you.  Do it.

If we take the initiative regarding many of our worries, the pressure will lessen.  We may still have the problem but we have done something to begin to solve it.

The rest of the worries we can’t do anything about unless they happen.

Keep your Power of Intention strong.  Expect the best things to happen.  Anticipate your vibrant health.  Have confidence that you are resourceful and in your ability to handle your life as it comes along.

When trouble comes – as it does from time to time – you’ll deal with it. You’ve done it for years.  Why would you stop now?

In the meantime, get out your old Bob Marley DVD and dance around in your living room to “Don’t worry!  Be happy!”

It’s impossible to worry while you’re dancing.

Photo by hkvam

Business has switched from “nailing down the sale” to establishing relationships and TRUST with your clients.  Whether you are a blogger or selling shoes.

It reminded me of Goldie.

Goldie was a commissioned salesperson for a travel agency I managed before I opened my own.  She did not work in the office.

She was a manicurist.  She sold travel to her clients as she was doing their nails and toes.

HER CLIENTS TRUSTED HER.

Every Monday morning, I would find something like this on my desk:

IT WAS ON THE INSIDE OF A MATCHBOOK COVER.

169 – Feb 7 (a-w) 170 –Feb 14 (a-w) PM –old ocean king George/Julia xxxxxx csh pu Tues. tel#xxxxxxxx

We had rhemes of paper in the agency to keep track of client trips but they did not give us any more information that Goldie did.

Translated by anyone who understood her hieroglyphics -

George and Julia wanted to fly to Acapulco on American 169 on February 7^th and return on February 14^th on American 170.  They requested seats on the two side aisle and window. They wanted to stay at the Pierre Marquez Hotel in the old section of the hotel in a room overlooking the ocean with a king bed. And they were paying for it in cash and would pick up their documents on Tuesday.

WE TRUSTED GOLDIE THAT THEY WOULD SHOW UP AS SCHEDULED.

And they did.  Goldie was the first to discover texting. She should have been paid for it by the cell phone companies.

Goldie loved jewelry.  When she had some extra money she would ask a client to buy her some earrings or a bracelet while they were there.

Not from a store.

There was a peddler on the beach whose “territory” was in front of the Pierre Marquez.

HE WAS KNOWN ONLY AS “DAVID THE GONIF.”

He was respected for his honesty, quality and his no questions asked refund or exchange policy.  If you changed your mind or wanted something different, the next person who came down would contact him. He worked on the beach for years.

I don’t know what happened to these people.  I have been out of the travel business for quite a while.

For one thing – it is hard to find books of matches anymore.  I wonder what Goldie uses now.

As far as David the Gonif is concerned, he probably has a website and a laptop and does all his business on the Internet.  Mexico is seeing hard times as a tourist destination.

HE IS PROBABLY STILL IN BUSINESS BECAUSE HE IS TRUSTED.

They are examples that you do not have to own a big company or be a Captain of Industry to recognize the value of good public relations.

There are small business people who have known the secret of TRUST and good relationships for years.  It is nothing new.

Not for Goldie and David The Gonif.

Glad it is back in style.

Have you noticed?

Picture by milki.c

N.B.  Book pick:  I’ve been reading Chris Brogan and Julien Smith’s book,  Trust Agents. Highly recommended.  You can buy it by clicking on the  link here.

Chris Brogan walks the walk he talks.  Do you know he will let a blogger copy any of his great articles at Chris Brogan.com.? Just have to give credit.  Nobody does that.

(And yes, if you buy the book from the link they will pay me a very few dollars.  Buy it anyway)