There are two kinds of people in the world . . .

Those who make your life easier — and those who make it harder.

Those whose presence helps you perform better — and those whose presence makes you do worse.

Those concerned about doing the work — and those concerned about getting the credit.

Those who leave you feeling up — and those who leave you feeling down.

Those who simplify — and those who complicate.

Those who listen when others are talking — and those who wait when others are talking.

Those who give — and those who take.

Those who last — and those who fade.

Which are you?

-Dan Pink, http://www.danpink.com

December Leadership Book of the Month.

“Find your voice and inspire others to find their voice.” –Stephen R. Covey

Voice is unique personal significance- significance that is revealed as we face our greatest challenges and which makes us equal to them. 

In the Network Marketing profession, we call this your “WHY”.

-Gary Hasson

For things to get better, you must get better.

Every great success is the result of hundreds and even thousands of little efforts that no one ever sees or appreciates. The interesting fact is that the law of probabilities determines your success as much as anything else. The more that you do the things that other successful people do, over and over, the more probable it is that you will get the success that successful people enjoy. It is not a miracle. It is not luck; it is merely law, the law of probabilities.

Interestingly enough, when it comes to success, achievement, and wealth creation, nature has no favorites. Nature doesn’t really care. Nature is neutral. Nature operates on the iron law of the universe, the law of cause and effect. If you put in the causes, you will eventually get out the effects. And if you don’t, you won’t.

Perhaps the most important mental law I have ever discovered is the law of correspondence. This law says that your outer world is a mirror-image reflection of your inner world. If you want to change anything in your outer world, your health, relationships, income or success of any kind, you must first begin by changing yourself on the inside.

They say that everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. Everyone wants to be successful, but very few people want to put in the many months and years of hard work necessary to achieve it. But you cannot accomplish something on the outside that you have not prepared yourself for on the inside. That is why we say that, “To achieve something that you have never achieved before, you must become someone that you have never been before.”

We are living in a turbulent and challenging world today. And if anything, the achievement of the success you desire will be more difficult and challenging in the months and years ahead than it has ever been before. You need everything possible going for you if you are going to survive and thrive in the “new reality” in which we live today.

The most important quality of successful people is “action-orientation.” When they hear an idea or get an opportunity, they move fast. They develop a “sense of urgency.” They are constantly in motion. They are proactive rather than passive. As a result, they take and keep complete control of their destiny.

You must do the same. Each time you get an idea for an action you can take, implement it immediately. Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t put it off until another day, or until everything is “just right.” Your future destiny is in your hands, and you can step on the accelerator of your potential and accomplish more in the weeks and months ahead than most people will accomplish in many years.

by Brian Tracy

Do You Have a Mission Statement?

I first learned about mission statements when I took a class from Stephen R. Covey in college at BYU back in the late 80’s.

Several people have asked about my personal mission statement recently and I have three; personal, family and business.

Our family mission statement is the broadest of the three, so I’ll share it below. It is specific to our family, but I hope it can help you as you look for ideas in developing your own mission statements.

This mission statement builder will help you start right now: http://www.franklincovey.com/msb

Hasson Family Mission Statement

The mission of our family is to achieve happiness in this life and prepare for Exaltation as an Eternal family.

We will accomplish this with unconditional love and gratitude for each other. We respect one another with our words and actions allowing us to live in peace and harmony.

Our home provides a place of order, kindness, trust, understanding, safety and individual responsibility.

We have an appreciation for diversity among family members and others – for their thoughts, experiences, and individual talents.

We value time together where we comfort one another, pray, build self worth and work together, in an environment filled with encouragement, patience, honesty and fun.

We are committed to lifelong learning and continuous improvement. We strive for optimal physical and mental health. We enjoy serving others.

We will be guided by principles of the restored gospel, including faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, love of our Heavenly Father and family and obedience to the commandments.

The Time to Act
by Jim Rohn

Engaging in genuine discipline requires you develop the ability to take action. You don't need to be hasty if it isn't required, but you don't want to lose much time either. Here's the time to act: when the idea is hot and the emotion is strong.

Let's say you would like to build your library. If that is a strong desire for you, what you've got to do is get the first book. Then get the second book. Then get the third book. Take action as soon as possible, before the feeling passes and before the idea dims. If you don't, here's what happens:

You Fall Prey to The Law of Diminishing Intent

We intend to take action when the idea strikes us. We intend to do something when the emotion is high. But if we don't translate that intention into action fairly soon, the urgency starts to diminish. A month from now the passion is cold. A year from now it can't be found.

So take action. Set up a discipline when the emotions are high and the idea is strong, clear, and powerful. If somebody talks about good health and you're motivated by it, you need to get a book on nutrition. Get the book before the idea passes, before the emotion gets cold. Begin the process. Get down on the floor and do some push-ups. You've got to take action; otherwise the wisdom is wasted.

The emotion soon passes unless you apply it to a disciplined activity. Discipline enables you to capture the emotion and the wisdom and translate them into action. The key is to increase your motivation by quickly setting up the disciplines. By doing so, you've started a whole new life process.

Here is the greatest value of discipline: self-worth, also known as self-esteem. Many people who are teaching self-esteem these days don't connect it to discipline. But once we sense the least lack of discipline within ourselves, it starts to erode our psyche. One of the greatest temptations is to just ease up a little bit. Instead of doing your best, you allow yourself to do just a little less than your best. Sure enough, you've started in the slightest way to decrease your sense of self-worth.

There is a problem with even a little bit of neglect. Neglect starts as an infection. If you don't take care of it, it becomes a disease. And one neglect leads to another. Worst of all, when neglect starts, it diminishes our self-worth...

Once this has happened, how can you regain your self-respect? All you have to do is act now!Start with the smallest discipline that corresponds to your own philosophy. Make the commitment: "I will discipline myself to achieve my goals so that in the years ahead I can celebrate my successes."

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Smart Parents, Happy Kids.

I read one of the best articles on parenting recently in Time Magazine by Dr. Oz. I hope it helps you as it has me!

“There is a great moment in the movie Parenthood in which Keanu Reeves’ character says something to the effect of “You need a license to catch a fish, but anyone can become a parent.”

That is absolutely true. In this issue we explore some of the many illnesses and chronic conditions with which children can struggle, along with the progress that’s been made in diagnoses and treatments. Yet while science has made spectacular strides to the benefit of countless children, a definitive manual for a human being’s ultimate responsibility — bearing and rearing our young — remains elusive. Ironically, when we look to the educational, medical and social-work establishments, there is more guidance and reference material about children with challenges and problems than those without. As it pertains to the “average” child, there is less emphasis on how to keep healthy kids well and detect problems as they arise.

My wife Lisa and I have four children. We had our first when we were in our early 20s. Through the challenges of raising them, we’ve learned a lot — mostly from our own parents and children but also by observing the parents of our children’s friends. Never underestimate what you can absorb by watching and conversing. My training as a physician tempted me to look at every situation as a medical riddle. It took my wife’s gentle guidance to show me that children don’t often present those kinds of problems (except when they might need stitches).

Over time we realized that smart parenting is like guiding your child on the boat ride of life down a long, unpredictable river. You help control the canoe’s direction and speed, while your youngsters sit back and take in everything around them so they can learn to steer on their own. Your goal is to teach your passengers enough about the river so that you can eventually pass them the paddle. This includes explaining everything you see and telling them what they need to know about the boat itself — their bodies, their genetics, their family history. You also need to fill them with enough self-esteem and awareness of their strengths and weaknesses so that they will navigate wisely and well.

These insights became the foundation of our new book with Dr. Michael Roizen, You: Raising Your Child. To tackle many of the debates on parenting, we surveyed some top child-development specialists and pediatricians who happen to be parents. Here are some of our practical insights on how to be a smart parent:

You can be the greatest parent in the world by not being the greatest parent in the world. While it’s no surprise that an absentee parent isn’t healthy for kids, the 180-degree turn is also bad. An adult who overparents can actually hinder development. It’s better to be somewhere in the middle, giving children enough attention but also knowing that exploration and independence are crucial to their learning. Let them run the canoe close to the embankment periodically or they won’t learn how to recover from failure.

Pretend you’re a 3-D-movie maker. A child’s brain is like a sponge, so parents need to make the biggest mess they can. Spill everything: words, sounds, tastes, colors, shapes and smells! This will help nudge your child in the directions in which they 1) have the most interest and 2) have the most potential for success.

Kids are copycats. Parents need to be strong role models. Children will treat themselves much the way you treat yourself, and that should give us all pause. If you are overweight, your child has a 40% chance of being obese. If both parents are heavy, the odds rise to 80%. Taking care of yourself helps them learn the same skills.

Playtime teaches life lessons. “Play with your kids” is my favorite bit of advice. In our home, we hold frequent Oz Olympics — a mix of challenging physical and mental games — with all the kids to see how they respond to stress. I also adore telling bedtime stories, because the children are getting tired and so are more willing to listen. Within the stories, I embed allegories of life lessons. Stories and playtime are teachable moments. Never underestimate their value. They are the language our children speak.

For my fellow parents: You are better at this than you think. For future parents: You will be better at it than you expect and enjoy it more than you’d ever guess. ”

Original article:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2026672_2026707_2026709,00.html#ixzz131icp4eM

Two Choices We Face by Jim Rohn.

Each of us have two distinct choices to make about what we will do with our lives... The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension instead of a life of wondrous anticipation.

And the second choice? To become all that we can possibly be! To read every book that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give and share as much as we possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can. All of us have the choice.

To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all, or to be less.

Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for us all to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of our capabilities. Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?

Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than we could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.

Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential suggests that they should be, then we must strive to become more today than we were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

The Seven Truths.

by Michael S. Clouse

A wise man once defined success as a refined study of the obvious. How true. Most of what we need to know, say, and do to achieve mastery in Network Marketing could be easily taught—and understood—by a 12 year-old.

Why then are we making this business so difficult?

Let's agree to start teaching The Seven Truths of Network Marketing to those who actually want to create their own destiny, and leave the rest of the world alone. After all, we're involved in a great industry, with wonderful people, offering unprecedented opportunity. And we should be proud to speak the truth...

1) Network Marketing is a business.

Networking is a unique form of enterprise, and you've got to understand the game you're playing. Therefore, mentally consume every page of your distributor manual, online or the day it arrives. Listen to your audio training programs again, and again, and again. Like a song on the radio, you master the words by hearing the music one more time.

2) Freedom by the numbers.

Understand the numbers, and your compensation plan. Start by involving three or five people—whatever number of legs and leaders your plan dictates—and go to work. By your fifth year, the commissions paid on your invested efforts could well equal a mid six-figure annual income. After that, the sky's the limit.

3) Attend every live event.

The weekly presentation is part of the process. You need to be in attendance every week—to see the presentation again. Remember the music? You need the association, and the environment to showcase your company for your prospects. True, not everyone attending every meeting earns $10,000 a month. However, everyone earning $10,000 a month attends every meeting. Now that's a refined study of the obvious.

4) Work only one company.

Leaders understand this truth, because no man or woman can serve two masters.

5) Have a compelling written "Why?"

Success in Network Marketing is 20% how to, and 80% why to... The best part is, if your reasons are strong enough, you'll learn everything you need to know along your journey.

6) Invest in yourself first.

Some people are still trying to earn an exceptional wage, using an ordinary education. It can't be done. If you want to earn more, you've got to learn more. Therefore, read all the books, attend all the classes, and learn everything you possibly can.

7) Decide in writing you'll be here a year from now.

Long-term written goals possess the power to pull you right to the top of your company. Put your dreams for your future on paper, and begin building your life of magnificence.
The great Winston Churchill once said, "The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." The Seven Truths.

September 2010 Leadership Book of the Month.

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine.

Do you want success?

More success than you have now?

And even more success than you ever imagined possible?

That is what this book is about.

Achieving it!

You can purchase a copy, download a free chapter, listen to a free sample of the audio book and watch an introduction video by Darren at http://thecompoundeffect.com

Leadership Retreat - Zion National Park

September 23rd, 2010. Don't miss out!

This video shows some views from the park and a look inside the Lodge where we will be dining that evening, which includes a wildlife museum.

- Gary Hasson

Real Wealth.

by Mark Sanborn

Wealth is an accumulation of assets, tangible and intangible, that have value. A person’s net worth is the difference between what he or she owns less what he or she owes.

In times like these, many if not most have seen their net worth decrease. Our investments are worth less as are our homes. We are, in real dollars, worth less than we were just a few short months ago. This decrease has created deep sadness.

Economic wealth is important. It provides security and means. But it isn’t our only wealth nor our most important.

Someone once said that when something is diminished it enhances the value of what is left. If there is an upside to our current situation, it is that with less economic wealth we might better appreciate the real wealth that is left.

In December I spent a week recovering from surgery. I had dodged the bullet on a serious health issue through the power of modern medicine, an extraordinary doctor and prayer (not necessarily in that order). The time resting gave me an opportunity to do some serious reflection. As I watched the grim news about the global economy and took into account the impact on our family’s finances, I was reminded of something I’m betting you already know. What ultimately count are faith, family and friends. The rest is icing on the cake.

Sure, we all really, really like the icing: the money, the toys, the trips. But we can live far better without them than we can with an absence of faith, family and friends. For me at least, the choice would be an easy one.

Faith of course is spiritual in nature. In my worldview I am reminded of what Jesus said: What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and yet lose his or her soul? (Paraphrased). Even if you don’t hold a similar worldview, the principle transcends religions. If your soul is the essence of who you really are, wouldn’t that be the greatest loss of all? If you trade your values, hopes and dreams for something less important—if you “settle down”—haven’t you at least diminished if not lost your greatest wealth?

We all need faith in the future right now. We don’t have to agree with all the ways and means others are suggesting for coming out of this crisis, but we can use history as a guide. Americans in particular and people in general are resilient. Nietzsche’s often used but still appropriate quote holds: that which does not kill me only serves to make me stronger. This applies to nations as well as individuals.

Strong family relationships, even when imperfect, are a blessing. We don’t always control the quality of family relationships, but we control the effort we exert in developing them.

Of course family goes beyond those people with whom you share genetics. I’ve worked with organizations that had a literal feel of family about them. People truly cared for, encouraged and protected each other. Regardless how rare this type of organization may be, it gives us hope for what our organizations could be.

Community, church, synagogue and association provide a sense of family. Some of my closest friends are those I know through the National Speakers Association as well as Cherry Hills Community Church. In tough times, this extended family is an important source of support.

Using those definitions of family blurs the distinction between family and friends. Friends can feel like family even when they aren’t literally. But maybe a looser definition of friends will help us get a better handle on real wealth.

Many of the people we refer to as friends are really acquaintances; we wouldn’t share our deepest secrets and concerns with them. Yet they create real wealth in our lives. There are some I only cross paths with occasionally, yet they lift my spirits and enrich my experience. I have a few friends I’ve never really met. They are authors, speakers and thinkers whose works have influenced me greatly. While they don’t know me as such, I feel a kindred spirit with them.

Real wealth isn’t just about the size of our net worth but the substance of our lives, and that substance in large part is defined by faith, family and friends. Do whatever you can to protect your financial assets, but work just as hard to shelter and preserve those beliefs and relationships that constitute real wealth.

August 2010 Leadership Book of the Month.

Network marketing is obviously a relationship business. Whether you’re trying to build a successful business or to have a loving environment at home, you need to know how to communicate interest and concern for others.

I’m recommending you read or reread “The Five Love Languages” this month not only because it has helped me strengthen by business relationships, but it’s helped me become a better husband, father, son, brother & friend.

Of the countless ways we can show love to one another, five key categories, or five love languages, proved to be universal and comprehensive—everyone has a love language, and we all identify primarily with one of the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
Since The 5 Love Languages debuted in 1992, over five million copies have been sold, making The 5 Love Languages a perennial New York Times bestseller.

I hope the information within the book impacts your life as it has mine.

- Gary Hasson

Sneak peek at The Five Love Languages. Please choose the following statement that is most true of you or your loved one:

• I feel especially loved when people express how grateful they are for me, and for the simple, everyday things I do. See #1.
• I feel especially loved when a person gives me undivided attention and spends time alone with me. See #2.
• I feel especially loved by someone who brings me gifts and other tangible expressions of love. See #3.
• I feel especially loved when someone pitches in to help me, perhaps by running errands or taking on my household chores. See. #4.
• I feel especially loved when a person expresses feelings for me through physical contact and touch. See #5

1. Words of Affirmation: Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important–hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

2. Quality Time: In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there–with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby–makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

3. Receiving Gifts: Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous–so would the absence of everyday gestures.

4. Acts of Service: Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most wants to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

5. Physical Touch: This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face–they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Now go get the book for your personal library and read it! - Gary Hasson

July 2010 Leadership Book of the Month.

177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold.

I believe to succeed in the Network Marketing Profession you have to be mentally tough. After 20 years of interviewing, coaching and competing against world-class performers, Steve has broken down their secrets into mini-modules that are easy to read and simple to understand. You can preview examples of Secrets 1-5, just as they appear in the book at: http://www.mentaltoughnesssecrets.com

You can then purchase the book on the site or any other online bookstore.

Take a few minutes this weekend as well to watch some of his brief videos on his blog at: http://mentaltoughnessblog.com

-Gary Hasson

The Evergreeen Tree.

We just planted some new trees in our yard. Through each season the Evergreen tree continues to stay green and vibrant. The Evergreen embraces every second of every season of its life; always green, always growing. How many of us are embracing every second of every season of our lives in a way that today’s ceiling is tomorrow’s ground floor?

-Gary Hasson

Direct Selling News just published their Global 100, the top 100 global direct selling companies ranked by sales in 2009. http://is.gd/brFtb

Agel Entreprises, one of just a few companies younger than 10 years old that made the list, came in at number 62!

February 2010 Leadership Book of the Month.

Dr. Covey was a profession of Melissa & mine back in the late 80’s at Brigham Young University (BYU) and he lives just a few miles from our home here in Utah. He’s been a mentor of mine for over 20 years now. If you have not read this book yet, read it this month! If you have read it in the past but have not read it yet in 2010, read it this month!

We’ve all heard that in order to earn more, we must learn more. Well this is the book that can make that happen. Not only will you become a better leader in business, but you’ll become a better father/mother, a better son/daughter, a better brother/sister, a better neighbor and a better friend.

Celebrating its fifteenth year of helping people solve personal and professional problems, Stephen R. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has been a top-seller for the simple reason that it ignores trends and pop psychology for proven principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity.

Gary Hasson