“I’m just not getting enough done,” Serena, a new client, said.
“What’s holding you back?” I asked.
“I try to do each step perfectly. If I’m going to leave a voicemail, I want my script to be perfect. Or I don’t call and leave a voicemail for a prospective customer,” Serena said.
“Sounds like you could use The 80% Solution,” I said.
The 80% Solution is a reminder to avoid letting perfectionism stand in your way. Some time ago, I heard a speaker mention the 80% Solution. The idea is to move forward and to avoid waiting to attempt to do things perfectly.
Except for performing surgery, many things in life can work and still be imperfect. For example, you could make an imperfect phone call and still get the business. It’s important to get into action! Make the phone calls, send the emails, mail the gifts. Meet in-person with people you want in your network.
Life is about success, not perfection. – Alan Weiss
Even if you had a perfect script to use while talking with a prospective customer, that person is going to shake you up with new questions and new ideas. Aim to learn with every call and every meeting. Get in the game. Take action today and learn as you go.
Use the Power of “No Hesitation”
Sometimes, when I get together with one of my video editors, the video project looks like a real mountain to climb. Our first feeling is: “I don’t know where to start.”
I say, “No hesitation.” We simply jump into the editing efforts. Sure, the first edit is a mess. However, once you get started, the mountain wears down to being a hill.
Some of us must make a lot of phone calls during the day. Exclaim “No hesitation” and get going fast.
The essence of InstaMaxPro.com is “Instantly Get Better; Maximize Your Life.”
Maximizing your life is about taking “proper action.” One of my mentors emphasized “proper action.” For example, I’ve found it helpful to call a person and ask, “Is this a good time to talk?” To me, that’s “proper action” because I want to give us the chance to be comfortable and to really connect. If the person says, “I need to finish something now,” I set (with the person) a convenient time for me to call again.
If I get the intuitive thought to call someone, I often say, “No hesitation.” And I call that person.
It helps to practice ways to cultivate your intuition. That meant so much to me that I wrote a book that shares such methods—Soar! Nothing Can Stop You This Year![CLICK HERE to look inside this book].
Here I will share this point: Intuition is like a friend. If you act on your intuitive thoughts, your intuition functions as if it’s saying, “Oh, you’re listening to me. I’ll offer you more insights.”
If you find yourself getting stuck, remember the 80% Solution and “No Hesitation.”*
Warmly, Tom
* Some situations go better when you put in more thought. If you sense that you have a situation that requires more thought, give yourself “thinkspace.” You could say, “Let me check my schedule. How about I get back to you tomorrow afternoon about that.”
Tom Marcoux Executive Coach Spoken Word Strategist
Pitch Coach
CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 41 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Author of Soar With Confidence: An Executive Coach Reveals Secrets, Lies and Countermeasures So You Excel Like Top CEOs and Leaders – Pitch, Lead, Succeed (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when youCLICK HERE )
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when youCLICK HERE )
Be yourself — even when some people “cannot hear you.”
“I overheard something that bothered me a lot,” my client Amanda said. After a big breath, she continued, “I heard someone at my office say, ‘Amanda said some self-aggrandizing stuff in her speech today.”
A combination of sadness and panic came upon Amanda’s face.
“What did I do wrong?!” Amanda said.
“I’m not sure that you did anything wrong. How about I ask you a couple of questions?” I asked.
“Okay.”
“Did you tell the truth?” I asked. “Yes.” “Were you making an important point?”
“Yes.” “Did you talk about something you learned?” “Yes.” “Did you show how you went from making a mistake to succeeding at something?” “Yes.”
Then Amanda’s facial expression changed, and she said, “Oh …” “Oh, what?” “I don’t think that person heard my whole story.” “Exactly!” I said, smiling.
In our discussion, I went onto point out:
Sometimes, people don’t hear your whole story. They get stuck on one detail.
Sometimes, several people will never align with what you’re talking about. And it’s necessary to acknowledge that fact.
Sometimes, people don’t hear your whole story. They get stuck on a detail.
I’ve noticed something recently. Sometimes, people literally do not hear one crucial word. Just yesterday, my sweetheart made a comment, and a friend, Joe, did not smile at her humorous detail.
I noticed this, and said, “Oh. She just added a funny detail about valium.”
“Valium? Oh, I didn’t hear that,” Joe said.
Sometimes, people actually do not hear what you said. It can be a physical difficulty. Many of us have some form of damaged hearing due to loud music on mobile devices, concerts – and loud movie theaters.
Secondly, some people stop hearing you after one particular detail.
One of my clients, Wendy, told an audience of entrepreneurs that Bill Gates got a $50,000 loan from his father to buy an operating system that he renamed as MS-DOS. She discovered that many people tuned out because they felt that Bill Gates had been “born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”
So the truth is: In every audience, you are likely to find that some people never hear your whole story. They get stuck on one detail, and then hear nothing more of what you express.
Sometimes, several people will never align with what you’re talking about. And it’s necessary to acknowledge that.
One of my mentors said, “If you even mention that you wrote a book, some people in the audience will take offense.”
“How?” I asked.
“Just by mentioning your book, to these particular individuals, you’re selling something. And it bothers them. A lot,” my mentor explained.
Ultimately, many of the top speakers in the world get to the point where they flow with the reality that they will always have people who miss the message they’re offering.
“30% will love you. 30% will hate you. And 30% couldn’t care less.” – Gabrielle Reece
I add to the above comment with: “Do what you do. Don’t let it stop you that 60% of the people may not be with you.”
For a speaker, it’s important to serve the 30% of the audience who are right there on the same page as you are. They ARE attentive. They want to learn.
* * * * * *
In recent weeks, my client Amanda has learned to set her own criteria for success.
She takes it in that when she gives a speech to 20 people and only two people have critical comments.
That’s 18 people out of 20 who gained value.
That’s good.
No—that’s great!
You can still practice different ways to reach as many people as possible.
For example, I have trained speakers to reach analytical people with a numbered list of methods. I’ve also guided them to have some friendly back-and-forth with audience members so that “relaters” (a personality style) can warm up to these speakers.
Be yourself.
Avoid becoming obsessed that some people did not hear you.
Practice methods to reach a spectrum of people.
Express what you’ve learned. Do not toss your light under a garbage can just because some people cannot relate to your journey of learning and success.
Again – be yourself.
Warmly,
Tom
Tom Marcoux
CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 40 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Executive Coach
Spoken Word Strategist
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when you CLICK HERE )
“What’s one thing I need so I become truly successful?” my new client Adam asked.
“You need to be skillful about handling fear,” I replied.
Over years of running companies, I’ve learned that fear arises every week. That is, if you’re doing your job correctly in making things happen. You’re supposed to be stretching and growing. You’re supposed to be doing things you’ve never done before.
As an Executive Coach and the Spoken Word Strategist, I’ve said to clients: “How can you do anything fresh if you don’t do something different?”
Picture this. You’ll do better if you can reliably shift your perspective on purpose.
Think of your personal perspective as a zoom-lens.
The zoom-lens has multiple settings.
All of us are familiar with “zooming in” which brings something far away, closer to us.
Another setting is “zoomed out to wide angle” – that is, when we can see a wider expanse.
Let’s begin with “Zooming in.”
You can think of an overall vision, and that’s zooming in. As a feature film director, I know that the zoom lens pulls a picture toward you.
Change to “Zoomed Out.”
You also need to see the whole picture – that’s the zoom-lens in the “zoomed-out” mode, giving you the vision of a wide-angle lens.
Focus on something close to you now.
Once, I guided a particular client as I said, “You’re zooming-in on the horizon. But your shoe is untied. So turn the ‘camera’ of your consciousness to your shoe. Take care of what is right here and right now.”
We begin to do better in life by using this question: What is the best use of your effort and time in this moment NOW?
If you’re stuck in fear, you’re probably focused on something dis-empowering.
Shift your perspective. Zoom-in on your overall vision (that is, bring the picture of the bright future close to you.).
The second step is crucial. Change your focus to this present moment.
Ask yourself this empowering question: What is the best use of my effort and time in this moment NOW?
I’ve worked with clients who have a big, compelling goal to work on. Still, they can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of that big dream. It’s understandable that the goal feels “So Big!” – and that it is overwhelming.
Here’s what you can do.
Shift your focus to the present moment. What is one small thing that you can do to move in a positive forward direction?
My clients have said that they can do these small actions:
Rehearse before making a vital phone call
Write up two “if-then alternatives” so they’re ready for certain objections their customer is likely to raise
Take a 10-minute walk at lunch time to refresh themselves to be productive in the afternoon
You handle fear by training yourself to shift your focus point so you can be productive.
Now it’s your turn. What can you do in the next 10 minutes that will help you make some incremental progress?
Shift your focus and manifest the life you truly want.
Warmly,
Tom
P.S. A number of my clients use their “zoom-lens” to focus on developing their confidence and charisma. I’ve just released a new version of my book Darkest Secrets of Charisma: Overcome the Lies about Personal Magnetism, Get People to Feel Your Charisma and Influence Others with Your Words. This book now has 5 new essays, and it has been reformatted for easier reading. CLICK HERE to look inside the book.
Warmly,
Tom
* See my new book Year of Awesome! How You Can Use 12 Success Principles including 10 Seconds to Wealth (CLICK HERE to look inside the book)
Tom Marcoux
CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 40 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Executive Coach
Spoken Word Strategist
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when you CLICK HERE )
Tom Marcoux addresses Stanford University PhD’s and PhD-candidates with his topic “Soar With Confidence”
“It’s hard for me to make the big decisions,” my client Cara said.
“I hear you,” I replied. “That’s understandable. I’ve been listening carefully to your current situation and you have a lot at stake.”
Working with clients, and as CEO, leading my international team members for my own company, I work with people taking appropriate risks.
I recall this quote:
“Failure or the risk of failure could often be a crucial step on the road to success.” – Dominic Randolph
Being skillful about “risk of failure” is valuable.
“The heart and soul of the company is creativity and innovation. … People don’t like to follow pessimists.” – Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company
I usually write about having courage and using strategy to take appropriate risks.
There is another side to this equation.
It’s valuable to learn when taking a particular risk is ill-advised.
I use 3 Considerations Related to Saying “No” to a Particular Risk
“If It’s not hell yes, then it’s hell no.”
I don’t feel a burning energy to do this.
If in doubt, leave it out.
Bonus Consideration: Really wanting it to be true does not make it true.
“If it’s not hell yes, then it’s hell no.”
Years ago, I saw a comment by Cheryl Richardson in one of her books: “If it’s not hell yes, then it’s hell no.”
This is useful. Why? Because whatever you decide, you’re going to pay for it. For example, years ago, I directed a feature film in which I played a leading character and I did my own stunts.
I held onto the hood of a speeding, classic, cherry-red Chevy truck going 60 miles an hour.
Would I do that today? No. I’m not interested. Been there, done that. I’m older, and I’m not interested in risking great injury. I’d rather devote my time to leading my team in making six graphic novels of my series Jack AngelSword.
Now it’s your turn. Do you really want something? Is it a total, enthusiastic “hell yes!”? If not, then maybe it’s NOT worth it to you.
“I don’t feel a burning energy to do this.”
Recently, I was offered two big opportunities. Both required that I invest money and time in big proportions. I said to my sweetheart, “I don’t feel a burning energy to do this.” That was an important point! It’s good to listen to yourself.
Now it’s your turn. As you talk with people you trust about a particular risk, how do you REALLY feel about it? Do you feel a burning energy to do it?
If in doubt, leave it out
I’ve made big decisions. I’ve led five companies—plus directing my first feature film, giving my first big speech in front of 700 people, writing a book [I’ve written 40 books now. CLICK HERE to look inside the books.], hiring important team members and more.
Did I have any doubts when I went ahead? I did have a small doubt or two. But during those times, my big, positive burning desire was more important than any fear I had.
On the other hand, a Big, Important Doubt, might be your intuition saying: “Hey! Pay attention to this. Something is OFF here.”
If you have that kind of doubt, “leave it out” – that is, protect yourself and don’t go down a dark path.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have a “Big, Important Doubt”? Is your wish for a particular outcome maybe blinding you to a big downside?
3a. “Bonus”: Really wanting it to be true does not make it true.
One particular time, someone invited me to join a business opportunity. When I first heard about the business situation and what MIGHT blossom out of it, my heart filled up with “Oh! I hope this is true — and this works! My life would change so much. This could be my Big Breakthrough!”
It was necessary for me to quiet down my fantasy-thoughts, and take a close look at the whole situation.
I call myself an OptiRealist. That is, I’m optimistic that we can make things better AND I’m realistic to know that strategy is necessary. Another realistic view is that any project can get bumpy or even fall apart. Maybe you could barely hold the project together, but with the wrong people involved, you could waste a lot of your time.
For example, I directed a particular film project years ago. A certain actor refused to re-record certain lines of dialogue. This person was afraid of losing close-up shots. Wait a minute! If the scene does not make sense, this actor would still lose!
I carefully explained the need for the scenes to be re-edited to make the whole film project work. Still, this actor refused to record new lines of dialogue.
My solution: I replaced the voice of that actor through the whole film. I had to fix the scenes. That was my job as producer and film director.
A Special Consideration: Ask yourself, “How much control do I have in the project so I can take action to fix things?” If you have multiple opportunities before you, you may want to focus on those projects that give you a good degree of control so you CAN fix things.
It is realistic to understand that sometimes people will be so self-focused that they may hurt a project.
My point is: Pay close attention. If you’re in a project with trustworthy people, you’ll be okay. If you doubt the professionalism of people involved, it may be time to avoid the deal or situation.
Now it’s your turn. Have you interviewed a lot of people related to the proposed deal or situation? Have you made sure to realize “wanting something to be true does not make it true”?
As an Executive Coach and the Spoken Word Strategist, I often work with clients who need to take appropriate risks. How do you know if the risk is appropriate?
One part of the process is to thoroughly submit the risky deal or situation to these 3 Considerations Related to Saying “No” to a Particular Risk
“If It’s not hell yes, then it’s hell no.”
I don’t feel a burning energy to do this.
If in doubt, leave it out.
Bonus Consideration: Really wanting it to be true does not make it true.
You really need to get access to your intuition. Some researchers identify intuition as “unconscious intelligence.” That is, they suggest that you really KNOW something but it has not risen to the neocortex of the brain yet.
Pay close attention.
Guard your time and resources.
Then you can get the most value when you take an appropriate risk.
Warmly,
Tom
* See my new book Year of Awesome! How You Can Use 12 Success Principles including 10 Seconds to Wealth (CLICK HERE to look inside the book)
Tom Marcoux
CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 40 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Executive Coach
Spoken Word Strategist
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when you CLICK HERE )
Powerful InstaMaxPro techniques in Tom Marcoux’s book “Year of Awesome!”
“That’s it. I can’t do it. I give up,” my friend, Sarah, said.
After an extended conversation, I shared with her, “You’re telling yourself a story—a story that’s hurting you. It’s a ‘death story.’ Here’s what will help you: a ‘life story.’”
In essence, Sarah was letting the life drain out of her eyes. Why? She was caught up in fear. That was taking away her personal power.
What do people give their power away to? I’ve come up with an acrostic:
D – disappointment (fear)
E – expectations
A – avoidance of pain
D – dread of loss of approval
If the above contributes to our giving our power away, what’s on the other side of this equation? What is our power? Choice. You might not choose your first thought that arises. But the question is: What will you choose for your Second Thought?
Choosing your Empowered Second Thought is how you hold onto your power.
For my client, Sandy, the first thought is: “I don’t have enough clients.”
Here’s an Empowering Second Thought: “I’m reaching out to qualified prospects every day.”
This leads to Empowering Questions including:
How can I qualify prospects?
Where can I find qualified prospects?
Now we’ll face and overcome that which drains life from us:
Disappointment (fear)
Why do we fear disappointment so much? Because it hurts. It rocks our sense of who we are and what we think our life is. What can we do with such fear? Quiet it down enough to keep moving forward.
As I write about InstaMaxPro.com (“Instantly get better; Maximize your life.”) – I’m interested in how we can make a quick shift in our thinking and in our actions. First, “call out” any self-sabotage behavior connected to fear of disappointment. Tell yourself: “I’m strong enough to handle disappointment.”
Some people function under a subconscious-mind banner of “If I do nothing, then I won’t be disappointed in my lack of talent and skill.” We learn by doing. Disappointment will arrive even if we do nothing. I recall Tony Robbins’ comment: “Life isn’t boring; you are boring.”
Do NOT let this form of disappointment creep up on you. Take effective action.
Now it’s your turn. How will you acknowledge the possibility for disappointment and still move forward?
Expectations
Do you expect people to always treat you fairly? Do you always get appropriate treatment? There’s a better plan: Be ready to calmly and effectively work with people to get better outcomes. I saw this recently in a restaurant. One woman received a terminally tough piece of steak. She calmly and pleasantly asked for salmon to replace that “piece of leather.” The restaurant manager was calm and pleasant in return and offered a free dessert and a discount on her meal.
We lose energy to expecting people to be better than they are. Author Eckhart Tolle pointed out that true freedom includes the element of “non-attachment.” Non-attachment is about holding to preferences and not making everything a demand. If a family member does not jump to do a task, see if you can step forward with calm and gratitude for what does work in your life.
There’s something better than “expectations”—Effort-Goals and Result-Goals. You separate your goals into Effort-Goals (like making five marketing calls) and Result-Goals (gaining two new clients this week). You can be proud of yourself for your own efforts.
Now it’s your turn. How will you release yourself from “the tyranny of expectations”? How will you set up Effort-Goals so you are proud of your own actions?
Avoidance of pain
It’s natural to seek to avoid pain. The truth is: Pain is coming so choose what’s most important to you. Pain of disappointment is coming. Pain of loss is coming. Still, you can avoid a lot of pain of regret that you failed to take action!
A number of people lose energy to focusing on avoiding pain. Instead, focus on getting stronger.
Now it’s your turn. What can you do to get stronger? How will you ensure that you have enough sleep and exercise–and good nutrition? What will you drop from your life that no longer empowers you?
Dread of loss of approval
Here’s one of my favorite quotes:
“30% of the people will love you. 30% will hate you. 30% couldn’t care less.” – Gabrielle Reece
This means, no matter what you do, 60% of people you encounter are NOT with you. So do NOT let fear of loss of approval run your life. You could do everything right, and still there are people who will misunderstand you and your good intentions.
Instead, you choose what means most to you and you take action to support your own values. In that direction, you’ll experience joy and personal fulfillment.
Now it’s your turn. How will you go forward from this moment forward focused on what’s best for you, regardless of the negative remarks from family or friends?
* * * * * *
In summary, many of us lose energy to concerns over the “D.E.A.D.” elements of:
D – disappointment (fear)
E – expectations
A – avoidance of pain
D – dread of loss of approval
I’ve learned to assess the situation by asking: “Does this strengthen me?”
Certain elderly relatives are so negative and even abusive so I reduce my exposure to them.
Do you need to make tough decisions so you STOP giving your power away?
Instead, identify what strengthens you. Take action to have more of that in your life.
In this way you apply the InstaMaxPro Difference. (“Instantly get better; Maximize your life.”)
Warmly,
Tom
Tom Marcoux
CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 40 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Executive Coach
Spoken Word Strategist
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when you CLICK HERE )
Powerful InstaMaxPro techniques in Tom Marcoux’s book “Year of Awesome!”
“Why is working with you different than other Executive Coaches, Tom?” my new client Anna asked.
“I call it the InstaMax Difference,” I began. It comes down to this:
Instantly Get Better
Maximize Your Life
“I get it. InstaMax,” Anna said.
As a trained film director and Executive Coach, I know how to say a few words and help a performer instantly improve a performance. I’m also the Spoken Word Strategist. As a trained screenwriter and branding strategist, I can hear when the words are Compelling.
Think about it. You’re getting evaluated all the time. Wouldn’t you like to have an edge?
My own mentor said, “It’s not just about taking action. It’s about taking *Proper* Action.” That’s why every Olympic athlete has a coach. I know: I’m the Executive Coach to a sports psychologist who has coached over 100 Olympians—including 5 Gold Medalists.
I’ll give you an example:
Recently, I stood in the wings, getting ready to give a speech. I looked at the audience and realized that 90% of them had already heard my energizing story about a speech I gave at Sun Microsystems.
Immediately, I jotted down new ideas for my new opening to the speech. A new opening that I had no time to rehearse.
I wrote down: “I’m in mid-air—going 60 miles an hour.”
Boom! I knew that would be a good, catchy start.
Here’s how my new opening went:
“I’m in mid-air—going 60 miles an hour. I’m holding onto a jet ski. The jetski has landed in the flatbed of a pickup truck—also going 60 miles an hour. Why am I doing this?! Years ago, I was a stuntman…”
How’s that for instant speech-writing?
For more about how I can help you make great speeches/sales presentations … and more, connect with me at tomsupercoach [at sign] gmail.com
Here are my two phrases:
Take Command, Focus Your Brand
You will achieve more than you believe.
About that last phrase: my clients say:
“Tom Marcoux coached me to get more done in 10 days than other coaches in 2 years.” – Brad Carlson, CEO, Mindstrong, LLC
“Using just one of Tom Marcoux’s methods, I got more done in 2 weeks than 6 months.” Jaclyn Freitas, M.A.
The best to you,
Tom
Tom Marcoux
P.S. When a new client says, “I want to make big things happen, and I don’t know how to do that,” I say some reassuring things. I point out the fact that I broke into three industries with no prior contacts: the film industry, the speaking industry and academia.
I also note that I help people:
Create credibility quickly
Leverage that credibility
That’s how one hits the ground running!
Tom Marcoux CEO (leading teams in United Kingdom, India and USA)
Speaker-author of 40 books (with free chapters on Amazon.com )
Executive Coach
Spoken Word Strategist
Author of Time Management Secrets the Rich Won’t Tell You (See more when you CLICK HERE )
1.8 min. video (on YouTube): Tom Marcoux pulls back the curtain about how his directing a feature film that went to Cannes Film market helps with “Building Your Brand”:
Author of Connect: High Trust Communication for Your Success in Business and Life (See more when you CLICK HERE )
GetTheBigYES.com 