How Do You Deal With It?

On the recent holiday to Bali, I came face to face with nature. It was an interesting and unexpected encounter. Luckily we got some of it on video. Click the image below to watch it.

It is not often you have a monkey on your back! The guide had mentioned if a monkey did interact with you to remain calm. I did get a bit of a fright. I had no idea what it was going to do. I didn't know how the situation would end, I didn't know what the monkey wanted and I certainly was not prepared for the second monkey (who seemed to want to take my shirt off!)
Life is a bit like that too. Things happen without prior warning and you have to deal with them as best and as quickly as you can. You can find yourself in a situation you didn't plan on and like the monkey, you need to remain calm and deal with it.
So how do deal with these situations?

Why Do You Do It?

Today I am enjoying the Queen's Birthday Holiday. It always makes me laugh that the UK don't get a holiday for her birthday but we in the colonies do! 
What better way to start the day than staying in bed reading a book. One of my favourite authors is Stephen King. Not because I am a horror fan (far from it) I just love the way he writes.

His short stories are some of my favourites. Many don't realise he wrote (among others) The Green Mile, The Mist, Running Man, Stand By Me and Hearts in Atlantis.

In the introduction to Just After Sunset (my current read), he mentions that he writes not for the money, not for the fame and not for himself.  He writes for those who will read his stories. He writes to create a better experience for them. He is also serious about his writing. In his non-fiction book "On Writing" he says if you are serious about writing you need to read 4 hours a day and write 4 hours a day.

So why do you do what you do?  Is it for the money, to provide for those you love, to master the art of it, is it a game or is it to improve the lives of your end customer? How much effort do you spend at your skill?  Why Do You Do It?


P.S. This is the blatant promotion piece.  I have just had a new demo reel created.  You can see it here.  To celebrate, as well as it being the end of financial year, any bookings made with deposits paid before 30 June 2011 will get over $300 worth of books, CD's and eCourse's PER ATTENDEE. Send an email to warwick (at) warwickmerry (dot) com for more detail.

Are You Crazy?

Are You Crazy?

Wifey and I had a great week in Bali. On the last day, we had time to fill in between checkout and our midnight flight. So we went for massages, manicures and pedicures. As they were pedicuring my toes I asked, "Can I have purple toenails?"

The young girls just laughed at me. Then they realised I was genuine. So we went through the colours until I got the purple I was after.
As she was painting she jokingly asked, "Do you want a flower?"
Naturally I said, "Yes please!"
Again she laughed but did it. The photo is the finished result.
Their reaction was one of "are you crazy?"

Many times I have done things and normal, sane, professional people have asked "are you crazy?"

Sure I could have done the normal thing and not had my toes painted. But I would never have seen an artist at work creating flowers with nail polish.
Sure I could have stayed in Melbourne and not taken a job in Wahgunyah 3 hrs from Melbourne but I would never had the exposure to head office that I had working on a small account rather than a large one
Sure I could have not competed in Raw (the Stand Up Comedian competition) but I would not have been able to get the experience in honing my funny bone or know how to hit other peoples.


My biggest fear is that my life will be "beige". Being crazy or doing crazy things gives me experiences that most don't have, understanding many search for, perspective few ever see and joy many seek.  So when people ask me "Are you crazy?" I reply, "Yes, and thanks for the compliment."


What about you?  Are you Crazy? Try it, it does wonders for you.

A Month to Go

It's only a month until the end of the financial year (in Australia). Are you ready for it?
There are many things you can do to ensure you make the most of it. Some ideas are:

• Book an appointment with your accountant
• Make a donation for a tax deduction
• Give year end bonuses
• Buy new capital items
• Prepare your financial documents
• Transact between entities (ie Trusts, companies and so on)
• Plan how to celebrate end of financial year

Take advantage of the month and make the most of it!

What Inspires You?

They say life is short. Billy Connolly pointed out it is the longest thing you ever do!

For many people, one week is the same as the next...is the same as the next...is the same as the next.
What inspires you to get up each day and get on with your life? Is it your pay cheque? The idea of living a better life? Is it contribution to others? Is it providing for your loved ones?

If you don't have an inspiration, how can you expect to face the day energised and ready to rock?

So what inspires you?

Who Are You Selling To?

So many sales people run around trying to get new clients, they forget about their existing ones. One company I was talking to last week is in severe financial crisis. They are so focussed on getting new customers to get them out of debt that they forgot about their existing ones.

It is a commonly accepted figure is that it is 5 times easier to sell to existing customers than get a new one. Soooo many people know this, but most RARELY act on it. So today, what additional or repeat product or service can you sell to your existing client base? 

Who are you selling to? 

What Do You Want?

It has often been said that you will get what you want once you want what you've got.

The book Affluenza talks about how many people spend money they don't have buying things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Whether it is the "stuff" or people you have in life or the clients and customers you have, once you start showing appreciate for them, you can't help but attract more of the clients, customers, "stuff" and people into your life.  You just have to show your existing ones how much you appreciate them.

What do you want and what have you already got?