Comments on: Ignore the Doomsday Headlines http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/ The Online Community of BNI Thu, 17 May 2012 18:18:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: George Forde http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-508 George Forde Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:50:16 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-508 What FDR wisely spoke to was THE HEART of the Nation when he said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself", what he also left out, by design, was to THE BRAIN of the Nation. It was, "From our nation's current abundance of FREEDOM, earned by others, we will celebrate and buy a World Empire through institutions that I will give birth to like the MHA (precursors to Freddie and Fannie, in addition to 100's of others) that will take more value than they give, ultimately run their course into predictable bankruptcy and abyss. If people question it along the way, we will tell them it is the moral thing to do, because it is our standing in the world, and hence, the people who question it, are by default immoral." The real immorality was buying an empire to serve oneself with the freedom that our forefathers died and payed for. When you are in business, neutralize your fears by facing them, obviously so you can stay active, but from there, use your BRAIN to take an accounting of where the world is so you can take the RIGHT action...those that are the best practices for the current state of the world. What FDR wisely spoke to was THE HEART of the Nation when he said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”, what he also left out, by design, was to THE BRAIN of the Nation. It was, “From our nation’s current abundance of FREEDOM, earned by others, we will celebrate and buy a World Empire through institutions that I will give birth to like the MHA (precursors to Freddie and Fannie, in addition to 100′s of others) that will take more value than they give, ultimately run their course into predictable bankruptcy and abyss. If people question it along the way, we will tell them it is the moral thing to do, because it is our standing in the world, and hence, the people who question it, are by default immoral.”

The real immorality was buying an empire to serve oneself with the freedom that our forefathers died and payed for. When you are in business, neutralize your fears by facing them, obviously so you can stay active, but from there, use your BRAIN to take an accounting of where the world is so you can take the RIGHT action…those that are the best practices for the current state of the world.

]]> By: Bryon Rankin http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Bryon Rankin Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:57:09 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-88 When Dr.Misner spoke of his friend who went through rehab after a car accident the story reminded me of a quote by Henry Ford: If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right. When Dr.Misner spoke of his friend who went through rehab after a car accident the story reminded me of a quote by Henry Ford: If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.

]]> By: Nancy Gascoyne http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Nancy Gascoyne Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:41:50 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-87 Great article. Quoting FDR, got me thinking about the remainder of his inaugural address. If you want to read the entire address go to http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/ FDR's words are fabulous and reference exactly what is going on in today's world. But it is so comforting and inspirational to understand that we are still in control of what we do and how much business we can create if we work together and use the tools and knowledge that BNI provides. Great article. Quoting FDR, got me thinking about the remainder of his inaugural address. If you want to read the entire address go to http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/

FDR’s words are fabulous and reference exactly what is going on in today’s world. But it is so comforting and inspirational to understand that we are still in control of what we do and how much business we can create if we work together and use the tools and knowledge that BNI provides.

]]> By: Peter Martino http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Peter Martino Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:14:02 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-85 While working a home show this past weekend it was discouraging to hear the "doomsday" speak of some other contractors both working at the show and visiting. I asked some of them if they are doing anything differently due to the economy, and much of the responses were that they were actually doing less to actively promote their businesses. Of course this is always a great opportunity to bring up the value of BNI, and I did. United Home Experts has 6 guys in various BNI chapters in Massachusetts. Within our company the attitude is be poised and ready to scoop up the opportunities left behind by those contractors who can't overcome the negativity surrounding a tough economy. We plan on having a great year. While working a home show this past weekend it was discouraging to hear the “doomsday” speak of some other contractors both working at the show and visiting. I asked some of them if they are doing anything differently due to the economy, and much of the responses were that they were actually doing less to actively promote their businesses. Of course this is always a great opportunity to bring up the value of BNI, and I did. United Home Experts has 6 guys in various BNI chapters in Massachusetts. Within our company the attitude is be poised and ready to scoop up the opportunities left behind by those contractors who can’t overcome the negativity surrounding a tough economy. We plan on having a great year.

]]> By: William Osgood http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-34 William Osgood Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:21:07 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-34 Nothing to fear, but fear itself is the beginning of inaction as Dr. Misner pointed out. When business owners and entrepreneurs begin to focus on problems and not on the solutions to the problems then the results they received are problems and more of them. Consequently, you get additional problems and the original grow into huge monsters. Why? Because your are focusing on the problems. Therefore, the worst possible action a business owner can take right now is to do nothing or to hunker down as many say. To stop doing anything proactive right now is a kiss of death for a small business and sometimes even larger businesses. Conversely, when a business owner focuses on solutions, she is opening up a whole realm of possibilities that didn't previously show themselves. Why did she miss the opportunities? Because she was focused on the problem. When we change our thoughts to be thoughts of victory and solution creation, we open ourselves up to tremendous opportunities. Opportunities that can change our business forever, opportunities that can take our business to the next level. Paul talked about expanding his reach. Doing more marketing and advertising. That certainly is one strategy in a depressed economy. If you don't have those kinds of funds, I would encourage you to look for other strategies. Dr. Misner and many BNI members could help you with this. But, whatever you do, DO SOMETHING! Dr. Misner encourages the BNI membership to look for ways to help. To help businesses within their chapters is a phenomenal strategy to seize the moment; of Giving first and receiving later. In this case, the moment to give, to help his members businesses. After all, isn't that what BNI is all about? Givers Gain? Nothing to fear, but fear itself is the beginning of inaction as Dr. Misner pointed out. When business owners and entrepreneurs begin to focus on problems and not on the solutions to the problems then the results they received are problems and more of them. Consequently, you get additional problems and the original grow into huge monsters.

Why? Because your are focusing on the problems. Therefore, the worst possible action a business owner can take right now is to do nothing or to hunker down as many say. To stop doing anything proactive right now is a kiss of death for a small business and sometimes even larger businesses.

Conversely, when a business owner focuses on solutions, she is opening up a whole realm of possibilities that didn’t previously show themselves. Why did she miss the opportunities? Because she was focused on the problem.

When we change our thoughts to be thoughts of victory and solution creation, we open ourselves up to tremendous opportunities. Opportunities that can change our business forever, opportunities that can take our business to the next level.

Paul talked about expanding his reach. Doing more marketing and advertising. That certainly is one strategy in a depressed economy. If you don’t have those kinds of funds, I would encourage you to look for other strategies. Dr. Misner and many BNI members could help you with this. But, whatever you do, DO SOMETHING!

Dr. Misner encourages the BNI membership to look for ways to help. To help businesses within their chapters is a phenomenal strategy to seize the moment; of Giving first and receiving later. In this case, the moment to give, to help his members businesses. After all, isn’t that what BNI is all about? Givers Gain?

]]> By: Paul J. Chrisco, Business Leaders Chapter, St. George, Utah http://successnet.czcommunity.com/from-the-founder/ignore-the-doomsday-headlines/3/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Paul J. Chrisco, Business Leaders Chapter, St. George, Utah Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:23:42 +0000 http://successnet.czcommunity.com/?p=3#comment-33 I particularly enjoyed this statement: “But if you focus on ‘specific solutions’ to the ‘particular issues’ and ‘challenges’ and ‘opportunities’ of your business—your niche market, your current and prospective customers—you are likely to enjoy more success than all the naysayers put together would have predicted.” Very well said! It is funny for me to read that now after I have done exactly that which you speak of. I isolated the problem areas and came up with solutions to them that are working as we speak—and my business is growing again at an astounding rate. What did I change? I started taking an active role in my advertising, I implemented the necessary tools to become as efficient as possible and I decided that I was going to not only grow in a dire economic state, but I was going to dominate my market. After careful planning and execution I am seeing a bright tomorrow on the horizon. I also like this quote as well, “Want to help the economy? Just turn to your BNI network, find someone who needs help, then give them all the referrals you can.” This has been an area where I have focused a lot of time and energy over the last year. I take the time to recognize the businesses in our chapter that are struggling and looking for the opportunities in not only my clients, but anyone I come into contact with. I like to refer to them in my mind as my projects for the current month. I particularly enjoyed this statement: “But if you focus on ‘specific solutions’ to the ‘particular issues’ and ‘challenges’ and ‘opportunities’ of your business—your niche market, your current and prospective customers—you are likely to enjoy more success than all the
naysayers put together would have predicted.” Very well said!

It is funny for me to read that now after I have done exactly that which you speak of. I isolated the problem areas and came up with solutions to them that are working as we speak—and my business is growing again at an astounding rate.

What did I change? I started taking an active role in my advertising, I implemented the necessary tools to become as efficient as possible and I decided that I was going to not only grow in a dire economic state, but I was going to dominate my market. After careful planning and execution I am seeing a bright tomorrow on the horizon.

I also like this quote as well, “Want to help the economy? Just turn to your BNI network, find someone who needs help, then give them all the referrals you can.” This has been an area where I have focused a lot of time and energy over the last year. I take the time to recognize the businesses in our chapter that are struggling and looking for the opportunities in not only my clients, but anyone I come into contact with. I like to refer to them in my mind as my projects for the current month.

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