Thought for the week (week of August 4th)...

Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"? Wouldn't it be more "fun" to have one that's regular size?


Discuss.

Thought of the Week (Week of July 28th...)

Why is it called a soap OPERA when nobody sings?


Discuss.

New York, New York...(and Josh Hamilton)

I don't know how many of you watched the All-Star game last week, but there was something for every sports fan. Every year, fans select their favorites from all of the teams. 64 players are chosen (32 from the American League, & 32 from the National League). And each year, the game is held at a different park than the previous year. Since there are now 30 teams, and one game a year, you can do the math. When it comes to your area, it is a rare thing indeed.

This year, the game was held at New York's Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium was built in 1923 to showcase the Yankees premier slugger at the time, Babe Ruth. This year, is the 86th and last season for Yankee Stadium. (They are building "New Yankee Stadium" as I write this, across the street from the original ballpark.)

The night before the All Star game, there is an annual event known as the Home Run Derby. 8 players are chosen from the aforementioned 64, and they have one goal: To hit as many home runs as they can. This year, Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers put on a show for the ages...(right click link below to open in new window)

All-Star Home Run Derby 2008

Now the reason this is in my blog in the first place is not to showcase the athleticism of Josh Hamilton. It is to recognize his accomplishments. Yes, he's been blessed with many physical gifts that enable him to make a living as a professional athlete.

But Josh Hamilton's biggest accomplishment happened off the field. Between 2002 and 2005, he was addicted to drugs. He abused his body. He lost his will to live. He was suspended by MLB for testing positive and eventually released. He was completely out of baseball for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

So to come back from all that, to end up being the #1 story at baseball's grandest theater, you couldn't write a story any better.

And my two cents on this? NEVER give up. It may seem like things can't get any worse, (and sometimes get even worse) but ALWAYS get back up. And push forward. We were created for greatness, not failure. Like Babe Ruth. Like Josh Hamilton. We are no different. We were created to succeed, to hit "home runs" of our own...and to win.

Thought for the week (week of July 21st)....

George Carlin passed away recently, and I thought this week, I'd share one of his memorable "thoughts"...

"You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"


Discuss.

My Friend Kyle....

A friend of mine sent me this story and I KNEW I had to share it with everyone here:


One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends
tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.
He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends
He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends... When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never
be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation.(I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak!)

On graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in his glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

Finally, the time came in the ceremony for Kyle's speech. He walked up to the podium and readied himself. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began:

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Never forget that.

Thought for the week (July 7th)

"If you were on a plane going the speed of sound and walked from the back of the plane to the front, would you be walking faster than the speed of sound?"



Discuss.

Sand and Stone...author unknown

I found this today, and it's something that I'm sure we've all witnessed or been through personally. So many times people let anger or hurt feelings steal moments away from us that otherwise should be cherished.


Two friends were walking through the desert.
During some point of the journey,
they had an arguement, and one friend slapped
the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt,
but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face..."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis,
where they decided to take a bath.

The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire
and started drowning, but the friend saved him.

After he recovered from the near drowing, he wrote on a stone:

"Today my best friend saved my life"

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him,

"After I slapped you, you wrote in the sand, and now,
you write on a stone...

Why is that?"

The friend said, "When someone hurts us,
we should write it down in sand, where the winds
of forgiveness can erase it away.


But when someone does something good for us,
we must engrave it in stone, where no wind can ever erase it."

Learn to write your hurts in the sand, and to carve your benefits
and blessings in stone.

Thought for the week (Week of June 30th...)

Just what was the "Baby on Board" sign for? Did it help us decide which car NOT to hit in case of an accident?


Discuss.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yes, I just had another birthday. June 26th. They just seem to fly by now. As a kid, a birthday came about once every millennium, but now, about every few months. That has to be the reason for it...there's no way its been 42 whole YEARS since I first took a breath...

How could that be?

Let's see...I remember being a little kid...then moving when I was going into 4th grade. Going on to Jr. High. Going into high school. Graduating. Attempting college. Working multiple jobs. Getting married. Having a child.

But 42 years....OLD? Unbelievable. Where does all the time go?

Honestly though, I wouldn't change much. Sure, I'd like a nicer car, house, have a great bod etc, but I'm grateful for the life I have now.

"Where you are going is MUCH more important than where you've been."

I don't know if that's someone's quote, but it's what came to me today. Because that's how I feel. And I hope you do too. You can test that by asking yourself "don't you wish you knew THAT 10 years ago?"

Your answer should be "He_ll yes!" That will tell you that you are on the right track. That you are growing, seaching and discovering yourself more and more.

(Now if you say "it doesn't matter", I'd worry a bit.)

But nearly all of us are searching to improve ourselves. I think that's human nature. To be a better ME, whatever that means to each of us. And that's what's so enjoyable and facinating about us in general.

So, what path are you on? Are you working on a better you too? Let me know.

The Dummy Tax....

Ever heard that term before? "The Dummy Tax." Doesn't sound very good, does it? Well, you are right. It's not good. And unfortunately, most of us fall into the "dummy" category, and pay this tax.

Actually, I should pluralize it: The Dummy Taxes...because they are EVERYWHERE and you are a victim almost everywhere you go, and everyday you live.

"Well then, I'll just stop buying..." Sorry, you'll still be taxed. You still pay.

"Still? What is this "dummy tax" or "taxes" as you say...?"

Ready? Are you sitting down?

The Dummy tax is the humongous fees that you pay VISA, because you couldn't pay MasterCard, so you borrowed from Paul to pay Mary back. Then, it gets worse because you need VISA again to pay for your darn trip to Disneyland.

Sound familiar? I'm not through yet...

The Dummy tax is the fee you pay to remain in the lowest sector of societies income scale because you think earning OUTSIDE of what college taught you to do is somehow wrong or that you have no time. Now look at people like Mick Jagger, Oprah or Tom Hanks...they work where they are CELEBRATED.

Dummies earn a paycheck from a job that only tolerates them.

The Dummy tax is the higher interest rate on credit cards and mortgages because your credit is less that 620....

Ouch! That was me...

It's about being so dumb that you allow an employer to pay you per hour rather than per customer or actual work performed. Also, the employer gets to earn money over and over off YOUR CUSTOMERS even if you leave the company, or are laid off.

So, who's prospering from your efforts? You, I hope. That's what I've always felt is fair. If I do the work, obtain the client, win the account, shouldn't that be mine? If their business continues for 20+ years, don't I deserve a cut?

Yes, you do. But you won't get it, because you signed your "rights" (compensation) away when you accepted the job. But no one tells you that.

Mick Jagger. Tom Hanks. Oprah. Remember them? They know better. It's called residual income.

Ever heard of a song called "(I can't get no) Satisfaction?"

Well, Mick and his bandmate/buddy Keith Richards wrote that one afternoon early in 1965. That was 43 years ago.

Since then the song has been estimated to have made nearly 500 million dollars.

FIVE HUNDRED MILLION. DOLLARS.

Does that happen where you work? I don't think so.

Be CELEBRATED. Not just tolerated. You're worth more than they are willing to pay you.

Start working for yourself. Stop working for Visa and Mastercard.

You're worth it.

Thought for the week (Week of June 23rd)....

"What was Captain Hook's name before he had a hook for a hand?"


Discuss.

Are you a "failure"?

GOOD! So am I...many times over.

And I'm excited about that, because I learned long ago that you learn more from your failures than from your successes. Reggie Jackson struck out more than ANYONE else who ever played in Major League Baseball. 2597 times. That's a lot of failure. But he also hit 563 home runs and is in the Hall of Fame because he was WILLING to fail that much.

So you need to ask yourself TWO very important questions:

1) Are you willing to fail? (If "yes" continue to question #2)

2) How much?

Wow. Some people never think of it like that, but its true: the biggest successes in life aren't the people who never failed...the biggest successes are the people that fail over and over but refuse to give up.

But some people want to play it "safe". They are happy punching the clock everyday at the same time, going to luch at the same time, and going home at the same time.

(Rinse and repeat daily for 40 years.)

But that wasn't me. I knew...from the time I was about eight years old, that what I really wanted to do was to help people. And now finally, (I turn 42 this month) I do it every day.

So what about you?

Do you KNOW...I mean really, really KNOW that YOU are BETTER than the life you currently live? Even though others may step on your dreams, do you still keep pushing forward? Are you always telling yourself "I know that I was meant for something, I just haven't found it yet..."

If so, I'd like to hear from you. Tell me how you failed, how you were knocked down in life, but got right back up. I'd like to share some things with you that may help you succeed more often.

I'm here. Its what I do.

(Below, I've posted a video of famous "failures". Of course THEY knew that they weren't failures, and kept moving forward until...SUCCESS!)

Thought for the week (Week of June 16th)....

Why do bullies always ask "what’s your problem" when they're obviously not going to solve them?


Discuss.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Yes, it happens to all of us...even us bloggers:-) What would you have done in my shoes?

Mobile post sent by jeffbunnell using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

The Starfish Story....

This story is very famous; sometimes the old man is the boys grandfather, other times the main characters are mother and daughter. What matters most is that the message remains the same...


"Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"


Every day we all come in contact with people that we may never meet again. Did you make a difference in their life? You may have, with just a simple wink, a smile, or holding the door open for the mother with groceries in her arms. Big or small, we all have the power to make a difference.

Thought for the week (Week of June 9th)....

Why do people say "The alarm just went off" when really it just came on?



Discuss.

Great Poem that I want to share...

I found this earlier today and really wanted to share it with everyone...

I Asked God...

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No. It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said. "No. Her spirit is whole,
her body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is earned."

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said "No. I give you blessings,
happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare my pain.
God said "No. Sufferings draw you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said "No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me LOVE others,
as much as God loves me. God said....

" Ahhhhh............ Finally you have the idea!"

Thought for the week (Week of June 2nd)....

Does Hawaiian Punch really come from Hawaii?

Discuss.

You don't have to sell, just find people who want to buy....

I was listening to Joe Schroeder speak with us today, and he was talking about selling. To be honest, I can't even recall his exact quote, but he was saying "you aren't trying to convince people to buy, you are looking for people who want to buy already, and they are looking for you".

Wow. I never thought of it like that before. Oh sure, as a real estate agent, obviously I was looking for people "who were looking to buy or sell..." but I didn't apply the principle to ALL sales.

Think about it. Now think of any product. Lets look at NIKE. They've just come out with a new running shoe. Who can they sell to? Nearly everyone; anyone with money anyway. But...do they target everyone? No. They place ads in Sports Illustrated, fitness magazines, ESPN, gyms, etc. You won't find their ad at Home Depot, or McDonalds. Why not? Because even though "everyone" goes to McDonalds or Home Depot, they don't go there looking for NIKE. It's misplaced advertising.

So the same is true for us, the internet marketer. Who is your target market? Everyone? No, (look again at your product) not everyone. But make no mistake:
People are looking for your product and they are looking for you. Your job is to make sure that they can find you so you can provide the product to them. You did not SELL them. They already wanted it.

We just need to grasp this concept, because I talk to many people (and I was this way myself) that don't "feel like selling". GOOD! WE ARE NOT SELLING! We are offering and providing a service.

Have you ever been really sick? How much is the Theraflu or Nyquil? $10? Sounds a bit expensive so you don't buy it. Then you suffer another miserable day...now you can't wait to go out and pay the $10. In fact, you'd probably pay $15 if they'd deliver it to your door.

So how does MONEY work itself into this equation? Well, money is really nothing more than a tool; something that enables you to get something that you really want. We use it to exchange for other goods and services. The goods and services have actual and personal value to us as individuals. Don't be afraid to ask for the money either. You have the product that they want. Exchanging money for product is as simple as exchanging phone numbers. (K.I.S.S, remember?)

Now its true that don't know exactly what the other person is thinking. We DO know however that they are human, so their thought processes are just like ours. Every day there are things that we tell ourselves that we need. If someone contacts you,(about your products) you don't have to sell them, you just need to confirm to them that you have what they are looking for. Then exchange your product for their dollars and voila! Another satisfied customer...

Good Luck!

Thought for the week (Week of May 26th)....

If all of the Acme stuff doesn't work, why does Wile E. Coyote keep buying their products?


Discuss.

One more thing that I learned from Frank Dickinson...

Mobile post sent by jeffbunnell using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

What is the best business out there for YOU?

After I finished my call with Frank Dickinson today, I created the Utterz file above. However, it is such an important topic, I decided to write a bit more about what we all need to focus on as we turn our hopes and dreams into reality.

I get calls and emails all the time and nearly everyone is saying/asking the same thing: You've either been through it all and are looking for the "best thing out there", or you may tell me over and over that you have already found it...
No matter what the backstory is, the big question is always the same:

Jeff, what is the best way that I can make money in an at-home business?

And since the question is the same, my answer is the same:

Whatever you love doing, do that. The money will follow.

If you are into nutrition/weight loss or the latest or best juice, then do the research and sign up for THAT company. Do you like to travel? Or maybe its cosmetics, or herbs and spices, diet products or who-knows-what.

Whatever it is, it’s out there and waiting for YOU. Not you, as in "you or I" but YOU as in "_____________". (whatever your name is)

You need to sell YOU first, and your products second. People will buy YOU first, and then do business with you after you've sold them as the expert of the products you have for sale.

So, since you need to be the expert, and to quote Donald Trump: "You need to love what you do or it will never work", find something that you can become passionate about.

Nearly 20 years ago, I went to work for a guy who started a coffee roasting company out of his apartment. (Yes, I said apartment.) He bought a small roaster, roasted the beans and then the next morning, would go sell the 1 pound bags to little independent grocery stores. It wasn't easy. He sold himself first, and the store owners could see that he was passionate about his product. By the time I met him, he had his coffee in the aforementioned little stores AND the big chains like Vons, Safeway,Krogers, Raley's etc. And all because he started out being passionate about coffee, and he sold himself first.

So, I’ll write a bit more about this later, but remember, find something that you can see YOU doing. Don’t forget to let me know about it. I can’t wait to hear more about YOU.

Thought for the week (Week of May 19th)....

Why do you have to "put your two cents in" but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Discuss.

Who I Am Makes a Difference....

This video is very powerful. Never forget that YOU make a difference, and are important to the people around you.


And don't forget to let those around you know how much of a difference they make in your life as well. It WILL make a difference, I promise. Try it and see. I would love to hear your stories, as I am collecting them for a blog I will be posting later in the year...Call me @(408) 497-3560 or send me an email (jlbun@juno.com).

Stroke of Genius-Unbelievable Story!

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

The Everyday Miracles That Go Unrecognized....

Every day we get up and begin our day. It doesn't matter if we wake up early, or late, or even if we go to work or stay home. The moment that we awaken, our lives have been blessed.

Now, the way the average individual acts, you'd have no idea that they have been blessed with unbelievable miracles every day. Most of us get up, grumble at the rising sun coming through the window, and yell at the shower when it’s too cold or too hot.

We go downstairs for breakfast, and say some choice four-letter words when our toast resembles something out of a Kingsford bag, and again when your shoe discovers the gift that your dog has left for you in the garage.

Then we get in our cars, and drive to work, barely noticing that while traffic is going in all directions, we have all been given another glorious day to accomplish our dreams.

"Accomplish our dreams? Are you kidding me? I barely get enough sleep as it is, I have to go to work every day and when I get home, I’m certainly not thinking about doing anything but unwinding…”

I know, I know. That's true for nearly all of us. But do you have any idea why this is the reality (and eventual rut) for so many people? It's because we allow it to happen. We don't know any other way.

But what if I told you that your life was full of miracles? That you have been blessed, and put here for a reason. And that YOU are meant for a life of joy and abundance.

“Well I don’t feel blessed. Tell me how I can feel blessed when my life is so crazy…”

OK, I will.

Have you ever thought of what life is like for someone who has lost the use of a limb, one of their senses (hearing, vision, etc) or even someone who lives day after day with health problems?

If that suddenly happened to us, or one of our loved ones, we would pray for a MIRACLE.

“Oh just one more day...give me my life back.”

Guess what? Your prayers have been answered, before you have even asked. You CAN see! You CAN walk! You CAN hear!
It’s MIRACLES many times over! You have been BLESSED! Every day of your life you have been blessed!

You just never noticed…

Now that you are aware, what are you going to do with it?