accomplish

Patience—the Secret to BIG Success!

I have a best friend whose name is Todd. My wife says that Todd and I are like women. I said, “What does that mean?” She said, “You talk for hours on the phone.” I must admit that he is the only guy I can talk with for hours on the phone. We text each other every other week or so and then he’ll say, “Wanna go out?” That means, since we are 90 miles away from each other, would you like to connect on the phone tonight. We have a couple of beers, as if we’re going out on the town, and we discuss our business successes and stresses, family successes and stresses, and give each other advice. Sometimes we just listen to each other and offer no actual advice.

 Todd owns the Chef’s Hat in Ephraim, Wis. A beautiful café located along the shores of Eagle Harbor. His family lives above the restaurant and enjoys many stunning views from the second floor. The one thing Todd and I have in common is that we both have a strong belief in what we are trying to accomplish. When he started his business, he refused to have fryers and serve fried food. Since starting mine, I have remained committed to the message of Servant Leadership and the Prophit Marketing System.

 The momentum is growing because people are finally listening, and, in Todd’s case, they are eating his wonderful culinary concoctions. We both have a long way to go, but my point is this: If something is worth doing, it’s worth being patient for. There are too many talented and innovative people who give up before their ideas have a chance to blossom! Fine wine needs time to ferment. People grow wiser with age and ideas need a chance to sink in. Be patient—the world is depending on it!

 Joe

 ACTION PLAN: Relax … everything has its time and day. You’ll have yours, too!

There’s so much more to you!

Do you know how deep you are? Have you ever had the discussion way down deep where nobody goes? You know that voice that talks to you and says, “you’re not good enough. You can’t do that!” It’s the voice of sabotage. Are you AFRAID to be successful? There is so much you were designed to accomplish so why is it some people are wildly successful and some people, who are often smarter and more talented, only achieve mediocrity? FEAR! So where does the fear come from? 

 There are people who believe they can only charge X amount for their services. For example, I have seen business consultants who may charge $1500 a day for their services. I have seen similar coaches charge $5,000 a day. There are speakers who can get $30K a speech! Why is that? Well, it’s simple: The high-priced speakers no longer listen to the voice in their head that says, “You can’t charge that!” Oh, they have the voice—they just don’t listen to it.

 Now, put money aside … what about starting a movement? Do you think you can start a movement that touches people’s hearts and stimulates their brains? Whether you think you can or can’t … YOU’RE RIGHT! There are a small handful of people who I’ve faced from time to time who cut down my ideas. They’ve tried to sabotage my dream of creating a global community of Servant Leaders. “Impossible!” they say. At times I do have weak moments where I doubt my efforts. Then I shut down that voice inside me that wishes me to fail and I keep pushing. I’m fortunate. There have been other amazing people who have traveled before me on this journey to make my road less stressful. People like Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent years, there has been Robert Greenleaf, Jim Hunter, Tom Thibodeau, the Skogen family and others. Live for what you believe in because nothing else matters!

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Shut down your inner voice of sabotage!

Daddy Day Camp – Creating a Memory

I have become more and more aware of how people are feeling as I continue on the journey of Servant Leadership. A couple of weeks ago, my girls got up early all excited to go to their first day of Day Camp. The bus picks them up at 7:45 a.m., and then they head off into the wilderness and return home by five. Their hair was braided back, their backpacks and lunch boxes were ready, and then came the call. I answered it and was told, “Due to the storm last night, camp is closed for cleanup and will resume tomorrow.”

 My girls were devastated. As is the routine every morning, I grabbed Maggie, our dog, and set off for her morning walk. Usually on my walk, I think about the meetings I have scheduled and everything that I wish to accomplish for the day. I decided to think about my girls and wondered, “How can I serve them and create something they’ll never forget?” I started planning a new itinerary and began to giggle inside.

 I walked into the house and announced, “Girls, grab your lunches and all your stuff. Today is Daddy Day Camp!” Danica looked at me with a curious grin. “Really?” she said. I nodded and said, “Girls, today we will begin with a pancake breakfast followed by crafts at the office for one hour (I had an hour meeting). We will then have a short music session (I let them play on the piano in my office during a short second meeting). After music it’s off to Festival where you will practice Servant Leadership by writing a letter to your mom on the three ways you appreciate her (during my last meeting of the morning). We will then head off to the public swimming pool and water slides for the afternoon where we will also have a picnic lunch. I will then bring you home for tennis lessons (I then headed out for my last meeting of the day).”

 Daddy Day Camp was a HUGE success. I’ll never forget it and neither will they. Always find a way to serve. It will do more for you than it will for them!

 Joe Kiedinger

 ACTION PLAN: Be Creative! There’s always a way!

Say ‘cheese’! My engagement with Kraft Foods!

Who says you need to have years of success before you land a huge fish! Next week I’m off to Dallas to do a one-day engagement with Kraft Foods using the About Me Card program. It’s the beginning of an international brand.

All international brands must start somewhere. Disney started as a cartoonist making independent cartoons for entertainment movie and news features on the big screen. Hallmark started in 1910 with Nebraska teenager Joyce Hall and her shoebox of picture cards. And About Me International/Prophit Marketing is beginning a journey of Employee Engagement that is starting to get noticed.

We put the “International” on our name for a reason—Vision. What is your vision? Do you realize you are making history with each decision you make? What do you aspire to become? I will tell you, it’s not an easy road. You must always remember to live your life looking out the windshield and only glance at the rearview mirror. Do not dwell on how fast or slow a dream is growing. The question is this: Is it growing? As long as you make small steps each day, you will reach your dreams.

Our company has a long way to go, but that’s OK. I’m going to continue to push the flywheel until the momentum takes care of itself. People need their own time to become aware and ready for you. Allow them to understand and believe. Do that and you will have anything you want!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Keep a short journal of the steps you are taking each day to accomplish your long-term goals!