The Bell Lap

Welcome to December (almost). If you think of a year like a race having 12 laps (one for each month), we are completing the 11th lap today and beginning the final lap tomorrow. In racing, the final lap is often the bell lap where a bell is rung to signify the final lap.

Anything we still want to do in 2009 has to receive our dedication and effort now so that we can finish 2009 strong. It needs to receive our utlimate focus and concentration.

In my podcast message today, "THE BELL LAP," I challenge us all to run this bell lap with everything we've got left so that we can finish strong and build momentum for next year.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog Sales Quips on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Looking Forward To A Change

By this time next year, we will have elected a new Congress and removed many of spendthrift legislators who have been more concerned with advancing their own agendas than in conducting the business of the people.

Nearly everyone in the US House of Representatives needs to be replaced. They all face the ballot box November 2, 2010, and we need to let them know how dissatisfied we are with their performance and vote for someone else - not just anyone else but someone who believes in the Constitutional responsibilities that they are sworn to uphold and in fiscal restraint.

Thirty-six Senators face re-election also, and all need to be replaced. They've all had at least 6-years to get it right. Time for a change (where have I heard that before?).

Americans, this is our one great opportunity to get the country back on track.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Rest Up

Hope the Thanksgiving break is going well for you. It's a great time to rest, relax, regroup, and prepare.

Beginning tomorrow, we have just 5 weeks remaining in 2009.

We need to take advantage of each day because there are some holidays built into this.

Have a great Decemeber. Finish strong.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Black Friday

Today is known as "Black Friday" in the retail world. It signifies the start of the holiday shopping season and relates to our businesses as people are now in a shopping and purchasing frame of mind.

We want to finish the year strong financially so we want to participate in the holiday shopping season uptick and direct some of that money in our direction.

In my podcast message today, "BLACK FRIDAY," I talk about the two-fold nature of today - the fact that people are more prone to buying now and that it can help our financial position.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's Thought - Bounty

Thursday's Thought: Bounty. Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day and pause to recount and reflect on the many blessings and the bounty we have received, we all are thankful.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in any way.

Don't Say It If You Don't Mean It

Ever talk with a clerk in a retail store or a customer service person on the phone about an item that you want, something you want to return, or an adjustment you would like made? Ever feel like they were not interested in helping and only pretending to listen to you? Happens a lot - unfortunately.

It is infuriating to hear them say the words "I understand" when clearly they don't. If they did, they wouldn't still be following the script and would suggest a solution.

We can learn from this. We should never attempt to empathize with someone if we can't be sincere about it. If we aren't really interested in what they are saying, we shouldn't act like we are.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Gratitude

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, there is so much that we have to be grateful for. In fact, an attitude of thanksgiving and appreciation should be part of our everyday lives. We are truly blessed to be living in this great country and to have the freedoms that we do.

In my podcast message today, "GRATITUDE," I honor our freedoms that allow us to run a business and pursue all that entrepreneurship has to offer. We also are blessed by the sacrifices and contributions of our military that has fought to protect our liberties.

Have a blessed holiday.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thanksgiving

We celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday, but this entire week seems to have taken on that festive spirit. I'm sensing a kinder attitude. It's quite pleasant.

Actually, being appreciative and thankful for the many blessings that we have and the freedoms and liberties we enjoy is much more than a one-day occurrence each year. It needs to be a daily event - even more than once a day. It should be an attitude.

We have a blessed people. We have so much to be thankful for.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Jimmie Johnson Makes History

You don't have to be a NASCAR fan to appreciate the tremendous accomplishment of Jimmie Johnson and the Lowe's Chevrolet team. Any sports fan will recognize this achievement.

Today they did what no other driver in the 61-year history of NASCAR had ever done before. They completed their 4th consecutive championship. Think about the significance of that.

When every team devotes hours of manpower and research - and money - into developing the best racing team and vehicles that they can, one team has dominated the sport for 4 consecutive years.

The Chicago Bulls won 3 championships in a row. In other sports winning back-to-back is a major feat. Now consider a 4-peat.

There have been many notable drivers in the sport's history. However, they never accomplished this feat. Chad Knaus, Rick Hendrick, Jimmie, and the entire team have accomplished the phenomenal.

By the way, Jimmie just completed his 8th season - meaning he has been the champion for half of his career.

Congratulations and continued success as you go for number 5 next season.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Brand New Day

Opportunities abound for us, and each day represent brand new ones.

We must embrace each new day and the opportunities it brings for us to be successful. We should approach each day with optimism as we meet new people, work with existing customers, and expand our businesses.

We should exhibit a spirit or gratitude, enthusiasm, anticipation, and optimism as we look forward to each new day.

In my podcast message today. "BRAND NEW DAY," I encourage us take full advantage of these new opportunities.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Plan Now To Finish Strong

With 2009 winding down, it definitely is time to do all we can to insure that 6 weeks from today - when we usher in 2010 - we can look back and say that we finished 2009 on a strong note.

Anything that remains to be done that is a high priority for us needs to get our full attention.

We shouldn't finish 2009 with unfinished business unless it is unfeasible to complete it in the next 6 weeks. Otherwise, we need to figure out how to get it done and then finish it.

A great way to be successful in 2010 is to finish strong in 2009 and take that momentum forward with us into the new year.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's Thought - "Warm breezes"

Thursday's Thought: Warm Breezes. We all need to feel warm breezes in our lives from time-to-time. It gives energy to our ideas and inspires us. It makes us feel equipped to handle the challenges that come our way.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in any way.

Balancing Act

In my podcast message today, "BALANCING ACT," I discuss some of the challenges we face in trying to maintain harmony in our lives so that we can maintain the proper balance and be well-adjusted.

We want to be energized, not fatigued , exhausted, or overwhelmed.

We need to maintain a sense of balance as we juggle all of our daily activities across the spectrum of business, home, family, civic, social, and other responsibilities. Each of us ony has 24 hours each day and we have to allocate our time wisely.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Dust Off Your Dreams

I was talking with someone who got real close to their dream - one for which they are well prepared - and they allowed it to get set aside. There are a lot of reasons that this can happen - financial, medical, family, or personal issues - but the first chance we get, we need to get back on track.

Dreams are important. They give us vision, focus, and purpose.

Don't give up on your dreams.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Don't Panic

As 2009 winds down, many of us may still have some unfinished items on our "to-do" list for the year - tasks that were supposed to get done that haven't so far.

Usually, there is time to get done what we need to accomplish if we exercise due care. Haste can cause us to hurry and make mistakes.

In my podcast message today, "DON'T PANIC," I encourage us to take reasonable care to accomplish what is on our list and not to rush or panic. We shouldn't feel overwhelmed. Panic is a negative emotion that actually inhibits good performance.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Our American Values Are On Trial

In an attempt to get buddy-buddy with the powers of the world that we are trying to impress - and in a blatant, overt action to minimalize our Constitution and legal system, the White House has decided to give comfort to the enemy by affording them rights they don't have - and never could or should have - and bringing them to New York to stand trial in a civilian court.

They are going to be accorded constitutional rights - normally reserved for citizens. They are going to be given trail lawyers who will attempt to suppress evidence - evidence that was never collected with the idea that it would later need to be used in a civilian court of law.

It is quite conceivable that they will walk out totally free, thumb their noses at us, and go make plans to attack us again.

This demonstrates our weakness to the world, not strength.

These people are enemies of America. They committed an act of war. They are terrorists.

They are guilty - they admitted it. Now, they say they want to plead not guilty and see what happens.

You and I are having to pay for this travesty.

We need more outrage. This cannot be tolerated.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought - Whitewater

Thursday's (Or Friday's) Thought: Whitewater. Whitewater in a river or stream is pretty to look at but can be very treacherous - unless you are prepared to deal with it. If you are properly equipped, it can actually be fun.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in any way.

Remembrance

In my podcast message today, "REMEMBRANCE," I honor our veterans for their service and sacrifice - and for securing and preserving the freedoms we so value as Americans - and especially as entrepreneurs and businesspeople in America.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thank You, Veterans

Veterans' Day 2009. A day of tribute and remembrance.

We have so many freedoms that we hold dear.

As free marketers, we treasure the concept of owning our own businesses and being able to run them as we choose - whether we succeed or fail.

There are many other freedoms as well - property ownership, worship, speech, press, association, and assembly.

To all veterans - past, present, and future - we say thank you. We are indebted.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Free Enterprise Is Worth Fighting For

With the federal government increasingly flexing its muscle and attempting to be all things to all people, its important that we keep the capitalist spirit and economic system alive and well in America.

As salespeople, small business owners, and entreprenuers, we embody free enterprise, and we need to model that to the rest of the country and the world.

Capitalism has come under attack by those who don't understand it, and the mainstream media seem to enjoy putting it down.

Without capitalism, America will lose its greatness.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Looking Ahead

For many of us 2009 has been a year of adjustment and transition. The plans that we had at the beginning of the year didn't fully materialize or cause us to look into a new directions.

We are stronger for having come through this year. The challenge now is to be ready to enter 2010 with a running start.

In my podcast message today, "Looking Ahead," I encourage all of us to take a fresh perspective into the new year and be ready to accomplish bold things.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

It's Not Necessary To Know Everything

Sometimes in sales, we feel we have to have all the answers and be able to field any question that comes our way. This is party true, partly not.

It's important that we do our homework and that we know as much as possible about our product, our company, our competition, and our skill set. However, when someone asks us a question that we have never heard exactly as it is being expressed, we have a couple of ways to respond.

We can use a similar question that we have received and relate it to what is being asked and answer it. That might satisfy the customer. Also, we can say we don't know and that we'll find out the information.

Either way, I think the customer is more concerned with how we answer or attempt to answer the question than what we actually say. They want to know if we appear uncomfortable or if we are obviously trying to fake it.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Congressional Reform Needs To Happen First

The health care bill is being debated in the House of Representatives tonight and may well pass. I certainly hope not, but even if it does, there are plenty of opportunities for it to go away before it ever becomes law.

Nevertheless, set aside what is in it for the moment. Many of us may never know everything that's in it. Certainly those voting on it don't know what's in it.

Ten pages short of 2,000 - not counting last minute amendments that we don't hear about until after the fact - is absurd. If it can't be explained and spelled out within a page or two it's probably overly complicated.

It is being suggested that none of those people actually voting for the bill will have read it. Would any of put or name or reputation on something or get behind it if we hadn't read it first?

Before we start talking about health care reform - or any other kind of reform - we must insist on Congressional reform. Anything else is just expecting different results from a broken machine.

Start finding out who is running for Congress in your area. The election is less than a year away. Go with someone different than is in there now. They've had their chance.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Empowerment

Some people feel that they could do more if they were empowered - as if they are waiting on someone else to inspire them or give them permission to be successful.

However, we take empowerment, it is not given. Once adopted, we use empowerment to affect outcomes and make a difference.

We should aspire to and grasp power for the right purposes and use it to run our businesses and sales operations effectively. Empowerment is something we decide for ourselves. It not presented to us.

In my podcast message today, "EMPOWERMENT," I encourage people to step out and put of the mantle of leadership that empowerment provides.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday's Thought - Exciting

Thursday's Thought - Exciting. The fall is such an exciting time of year. The leaves change, the temps get cooler, football season is in full swing, and thoughts turn to indoors and families. Embrace the fall spirit.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are in their original digital image state and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in any way.

National Tea Party Tomorrow

This is exciting! Rep. Michelle Bachman of Minnesota has issued a call for all Americans to show up at noon tomorrow on the steps at the west entrance to the Capitol.

I surely wish that I could be there.

What a show of force it will be - thank you for arranging this, Michelle.

This meeting has two major purposes as far as I am concerned: (1) to show Nancy Pelosi that her strongarm tactics are not welcome or appreciated, and (2) that we as Americans do not want and will not accept passage of the Pelosi health care bill.

The timing is necessarily condensed because Pelosi has determined that the bill will be put to a vote on Friday or Saturday.

Suppose they gave a vote and nobody came.

If you're in Washington tomorrow, drop by at noon. Should be a great time.

This is our country. These are our freedoms. Fight to retain them.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

The 11th Hour

November is upon us - the 11th month. Only a few more weeks until the end of 2009.

As we enter final weeks and days of 2009, we may find that we have tasks remaining to be done that we need to accomplish. There is no time like the present to get them done - nothing like waiting until the 11th hour.

I use the phrase "11th hour" because this is the 11th month and time is just about up on 2009.

In my podcast message today, "THE 11TH HOUR," I encourage all of use to move those forgotten or overlooked tasks that have been on our lists all year back to the top of the stack do we can get them done.

Let's finish strong.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

It's Time To Stand Tall

The House leadership (Nancy Pelosi) is trying to schedule a vote on the House's version of the Health Care Bill - the 1,990 page monster (HR 3962). The short title of this bill - and the only thing short or small about this bill - is "Affordable Health Care for America Act."

The preamble states that it is proposed "to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes."

Notice the emphasis on costs "affordable" is in the name and the preamble - it goes on to say "reduce the growth in spending."

Interesting how something that is projected to cost well over $1,000,000,000 - and typically is off by a factor of 10 or more - can be called "affordable."

This is both laughable and regretable that our Congress is so out of touch with the American public that it is totally insensitive to any type of fiscal restraint and Constitutionally guaranteed personal liberties.

Stop this bill, and stop the power grab and erosion of our rights.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Countdown To Success

OK, November has begun. Just this month and one more. Then 2009 is gone.

This year has either lived up to your expectations, or it hasn't. Regardless, we all have a final push that starts today.

Counting today, there are 61 days until January 1st, 2010. Take out Thanksgiving and Christmas - and any other days that you like - and the number is fewer.

The point is that we are in the final stages of 2009. There's still plenty of time to get some big things done, but only if we are diligent about it.

The countdown is on. No time to waste, but we don't have to be reckless either. We can accomplish good things in the remaining days of 2009.

For more information about my consulting, teaching, and coaching services visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can begin participating in this great forum by visiting here. I also write and maintain blogs for Gold Coast SMC and Florida SMC. © 2009, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.