Author: Scott

Embrace Your Freedom

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 1.5 minutes

"The last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." -Dr. Viktor E Frankl
How often have you stopped to think about how free you are? In the U.S., today is the day we've decided to celebrate our freedom. But with all the BBQ, beer, fireworks and fun, it's all too easy to forget the importance of such a word. While today may be a subtle reminder for some of us, we must embrace and cherish our freedom every day. It's all around us. And it's so easy to take for granted. Today and everyday forward, I encourage you to embrace what we have at our fingertips. Make the below a part of your everyday life and allow yourself to live freely.

The Art of Slowing Down

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 3 minutes

Five days ago I sat on top of a 14,000 ft. mountain taking in the most breathtaking view I'd experienced in years. I was on top of Mt. Shasta in Northern California and I'd spent the past two full days camping on snow and climbing with crampons and an ice axe to get myself to the top. Do you know what the best part about it was? There was no rush. With as badly as I wanted to make it to the top, there was absolutely no hurry. In fact I had no choice but to go slowly. If I didn't, my legs would tire, I'd risk slipping and my lungs wouldn't acclimate to the thinning oxygen. The faster you go, the more dangerous the trek. Where else in life is going slowly so strongly encouraged and even enforced? That's what made my experience up there so perfect.

There was no rush. There couldn't be. And I loved it.

When was the last time you felt no hurry in doing something? For many of us it's been too long.

How to Cure an Emotional Hangover

Written by: Scott Dinsmore Have you ever felt on top of the world one minute and moments later felt like you'd fallen off an emotional cliff? Why is it that some of our favorite and most exciting experiences with others can often lead to us feeling drained or craving attention? Often the answer is that you're hung over...emotionally that is. Let me explain.

Symptoms of an Emotional Hangover

You've just had an amazing set of experiences and you suddenly:

  • Feel empty and alone
  • Are craving attention
  • Feel anxious, hurried and stressed
  • Lose your motivation to be healthy (mentally and physically)
  • Experience a feeing of excitement quickly replaced by feeling lost

Overcoming Phone Phobia: Making More Contact Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 3.5 minutes

Have you ever been scared to approach someone? Maybe a prospect or even an interesting looking man or woman? We all have. Even if it's only an email we need to write, let alone a phone call or an in-person approach, we often put off contacting new and important people until the last minute possible, if ever. I call this Phone Phobia: The fear of making contact. But it doesn't stop at the phone. Phone Phobia covers any type of contact whether it's phone, email, snail mail or face to face. Why does this happen? We know deep down what needs to be done yet we often don't do it. We are intimidated, scared, insecure or simply lacking confidence. All for what? To avoid the ever-powerful...Rejection. That one word causes more stress and anxiety than most any other. As humans we crave acceptance and any thoughts or actions that could lead to the opposite are avoided like the plague. But what's the worst that can happen? Maybe you'll gain a little experience in handling an objection. Who couldn't use a little practice there? And that's if they turn you down. If you get a yes, then suddenly the world's at your fingertips. But how do we gain the confidence necessary to approach the people and prospects who are so potentially important to our futures? I have found an answer in two words: Making Contact. Here's the rule of thumb: The longer you wait between contact with a person, the more intimidating it is to make future contact.

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 3.5 minutes

"Life is just a quick succession of busy nothings." -Jane Austen

Do you remember the last time you asked someone how work was? How about life in general? What was their response? What did you say the last time you were asked those questions? I bet I know. It's the same thing almost everyone I talk to says, and something I've been keeping track of the past few weeks. The unanimous answer: "busy" The response is almost programmed. No need to even think. And then they look at me proudly, as if I should be impressed. Well, I can't say that I am. I must admit that "busy" has been my response for years. But how did we all of a sudden find ourselves in a society where busy was the most acceptable way to be spending our time?

Average Reading Time: 9 minutes

Have you ever come across someone who knew exactly what they want out of life? Anything they say, they mean, and will quickly act on. They seem confident, eager, excited and downright passionate. You can just feel the energy. What impression did that put upon you? Chances are you were experiencing the power of congruency. Tony Robbins first brought this term to my attention in his Unleash the Power Within 4-day seminar as well as most of his CD's, talks and books. Tony is about as congruent as they come. But what does that mean? This was not the same math term I learned in high school and to be honest, it's a way of life that is difficult to define. The best way is to experience it. But let me give it a try. The general definition of congruence is: identical in form; in agreement or harmony. Now apply this to a life approach. Someone who lives with congruency acts in direct accordance with their dreams, desires, beliefs, values, mission and goals. They do not let the thoughts of others affect their approach to the world. They take their own unique path paved by their understanding of themselves.

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 7.5 minutes

What do you think a pickup artist could teach a salesman? I bet you'd be surprised. I know I was. Can you think of a more crucial and technical sale than convincing a man or woman to go out with you, spend their time and maybe even locking lips? That sale can take a lifetime to master. A couple years ago when starting my investment business, a respected mentor and salesman recommended only one book: The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists. I laughed until I realized he was serious. Then I bought the book. He promised the techniques for picking up women were just as relevant for business relationships (well most of them at least...). A little common sense and discretion is required. It turns out that these days the author, Neil Strauss, does one-day workshops on social dynamics and rapport building for the likes of premier global management consulting companies and he charges top dollar. These guys are the cream of the crop when it comes to consulting and we can be pretty sure he isn't teaching them how to get a date. Understanding how to interact in social situations is crucial and this was a pretty entertaining (and very real) way to learn a few things.

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 6 minutes

Who's a bit confused on how to get 140 characters working for you and your brand? My hand's up. At least it was until I finished up Shama's new book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing. I have been aggressively learning about social media marketing for the last few months and I was still having trouble connecting the dots. Shama got me excited to the point that I started making changes before I finished the first couple chapters. On top of that, Twitter finally is starting to make sense. And it actually is useful. And she more than fully covers the others as well: Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs and video. In fact my last couple articles got more Facebook and Twitter mentions than the previous ones combined. I love immediate results.

Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 5 minutes

What's more likely to get you to buy something: a slick sales pitch or a friendly referral? It's no surprise that we'd all prefer to do business with someone we like and trust. And who couldn't use a reminder? Well a group of 150 entrepreneurs and I had the chance to make this a life motto when we heard Jim Cathcart speak at a Catalyst For Thought event in Santa Barbara last week. What followed was an hour-long energizing, motivating, belly laughing, masters education on how to live life. Jim's written 14 books on relationship selling and speaks, coaches and inspires behavior across the world. Yet we had him all to ourselves. He learned early in life that business should be an act of friendship and has guided his life accordingly. If that's where you start, there's no limit to where you'll end.

Avoid the Chatter! Written by: Scott Dinsmore

Average Reading Time: 4.7 minutes

I propose an idea. A call to action to fight the chatter and enjoy what's presently in front of us. Let me explain. Last week I found myself at a social media marketing event in San Francisco called SMASH. Fascinating and inspiring to say that least. Of all I learned, there was one word that stood out more than most: Chatter. Talk about a buzz word! In fact that one word summed up the whole event. For those of you not aware, chatter is the noise all the social networks in the world make when they have something to say...which is at least every second. It can be heard through your iPhone, your computer, your RSS and your iPad-and just about anything else you carry around that needs electricity. At some point it became our job to listen to and follow it. Anyone with a blog or interest online feels the interest and likely the obligation to keep up with this chatter. But how much better off does it leave us?