Little Things Matter

Becoming a Respected Leader

Stand Out From the Crowd

The Go Givers are the Winners

The Most Important of All Human Qualities

To Earn Respect You Must Show Respect

10 Simple Ways to Show Your Sincere Interest in Others

Playing The Odds to Win

10 Rules For Social Media Marketing

What’s Your Email Brand?

Make a Good Last Impression

70 of the Dumbest Things You Should Never Say or Ask

Carefully Select the People who Influence Your Life

Do You Say Things You Later Regret?

Don’t Play Guessing Games

Do You Get Defensive?

10 Ways To Stand Out at The Next Party

I’m Sorry!

25 Unexpected Ways to Make Someone’s Day

Be Open to the Ideas of Others

The Damaging Effects of Sarcasm

Taking a Good Look in the Mirror of Truth

A Simple Life Is a Better Life

Todd Smith — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:45:30 +0000

What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What do you value most? What kinds of activities are on your list of the most favorite things to do?

I’m guessing that making repairs, paying bills, managing investments, shopping for insurance, filing paperwork, or dealing with problems aren’t anywhere near the top of your list. If you’re like me, they don’t even make the cut.

I like the simple things like spending time with my family and friends. Going for long walks on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Relaxing in the majestic, serene Smoky Mountains where there’s no phone or Internet service.

Today’s lesson is about recognizing the advantages that a simple life has to offer. And I truly believe that a simple life is about making decisions that result in your ability to spend more time doing the things you enjoy—the activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

Accumulation of Possessions

Over the years, I have learned that it is the accumulation of things that prevents us from doing what we enjoy. I know this having lived both kinds of lifestyles—one of material affluence and a simpler, unencumbered life. I can tell you with certainty that a simple life is a better life.

From the earliest days, my goal was to make enough money so that I could invest wisely, retire early, and have plenty of time to devote to the things that bring me the most joy. Ironically, I ended up getting trapped (temporarily) by the very things I purchased to make me happy.

As most people do when they achieve a certain level of financial success, I made a list of things to purchase, including a dream home, new cars and a boat. I succumbed to the false notion that having bigger and better things—jet skis, properties, and yes, even a Harley Davidson motorcycle—would lead to more happiness.

What I quickly discovered was that when you accumulate more than you need, you pay a much higher price for these things in terms of your time, worry, frustration, and emotional energy.

How to Avoid the Trap

The best way to trap a monkey is to build a cage with an opening just large enough for his hand to fit though so that he can grab a cookie or banana inside the cage. He will grab the item in his fist and will not be able to pull his hand back out of the hole. This makes for a very effective trap because it never occurs to the monkey that he will be free if he will only loosen his grip and let go of the treat in his hand.

While I like to think I’m smarter than a monkey, it took me a while to realize that my responsibilities as a landlord, repairman, and investment manager were taking over my life. In short, taking care of my stuff was consuming me. I wasn’t even able to enjoy what I had. I knew I had to let go of something in order to get out of the trap.

Are you enjoying your favorite things at this time in your life? If you find that you’re too busy to do so, it may be time to prioritize. Do you enjoy a balance between work and your personal life? If not, what could you change about your present situation?

Deciding to let go of things you own and have worked hard to attain isn’t always easy. But usually it’s letting go of things that frees you to live a fuller and richer life.

Start Living a Better Life

I now think twice before buying anything that has the potential to add complexity to my life. We live in a modest home that meets our needs. It’s easier and less expensive to maintain than any of our previous homes.

My family and I like to travel during the hot summer months, so rather than purchase a vacation property we rent one whenever and wherever we want. When we check out, we don’t have to worry about a thing.

The concept of renting instead of buying certainly isn’t new, but it used to be thought of as an option for people who didn’t have money to buy things. I say that even if you have money to purchase something, always consider renting as a first option. This is one of the wisest ways to not only live a simple life, but also to live within, not beyond, your means.

When you do have money to spend, ask yourself:

Do I really need to own this?
Will this purchase add more complexity to my life?
What kind of time will I have to invest if I make this purchase?
Does this purchase come with any hidden emotional energy investment that I may regret later?

More often than not, you will find that the purchases you’re considering will cost you much more than the price tag leads you to believe. As your income and success grow, I encourage you to keep things simple and put an emphasis on saving and giving, not on spending.

Happiness doesn’t come from the accumulation of things. It comes from being satisfied with who you are and the pleasure you get from the relationships and quality of life you enjoy.

Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #53 in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Was Napoleon Hill Wrong?

Count Your Blessings

Fly First Class Free of Charge

10 Tips For Balancing Your Career and Family

10 Reasons Why It’s Ok To Prosper

My Top Investment Tip

Living Beyond Ourselves

What Will Be Your Legacy?

One of The Most Powerful Things You Can Say

Carefully Select the People who Influence Your Life

Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy

Connecting with Family

Enjoy Life’s Journey

Loving People the Way They Need to Be Loved

Happiness is a Choice

Know When to Slam on the Brakes

Don’t Wish You Could Rewind the Clock

10 First Impressions That Matter

Todd Smith — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:45:42 +0000

We have all heard of the value of making a positive impression when meeting someone for the first time. It only takes a few seconds for someone to evaluate you. This opinion is usually based on your demeanor, mannerisms, body language, speech, and appearance, but it’s even more than that.

When you meet new people and enter into new relationships, what do you notice? Do you notice the clothes they wear in different settings? Do you notice the first email they send you? Do you notice the amount of time it takes them to respond to your first email or phone call? Do you notice how they interact in the first meeting you’re in together? The fact is, you intuitively notice many things that, when combined together, form your opinion of them.

I learned early in my career that there is no other impression you can make on someone more important than the first impression. The school of hard knocks taught me that if you don’t make a positive first impression, you seldom get a chance to make a second impression, especially in sales.

As a Realtor there were countless little first impressions I focused on making that, when combined together, made me stand out from my competitors.

When I broke down all the actions I could take to make a positive first impression, my list was long. Here are a few I always focused on:

I arrived at my prospective client’s home five minutes early.
I rang the doorbell at the exact time of the appointment.
I dressed in a suit and tie, looking my best.
I offered a friendly greeting along with a welcoming smile.
I intentionally showed an interest in the unique things people had in their homes, including their pets and children.
I focused on making equal eye contact with both the husband and wife.
I left a professional marketing book, highlighting my services for them to review between appointments.
I sent a hand-written, thank-you note after my initial appointment.
In my phone conversations, I spoke with a smile and a friendly tone.

Every little thing I did during the entire sales process created a first impression on a prospective client. From the car I was driving to the way I handled myself in the follow up call, everything was a first impression. I am convinced that all of these little first impressions when added together played a valuable role in placing me in the top 1% of 1% of all Realtors. It is the same philosophy that has allowed me to excel in my various endeavors.

I want to challenge you to start being aware of all the little first impressions you are making on people. Remember, these tiny impressions when combined together form your personal brand, ultimately influencing every part of your life.

Let me encourage you to make a list of all the first impressions you are making on the people who are important in helping you achieve your goal. To give you a headstart, here is a list of ten.

1. The first email you send. The first email someone receives from you makes an impression. How is it formatted? Is the tone friendly? Is the message clear? Is it concise? Has it been proofed?

2. The first time you greet someone. Do you smile? Do you make eye contact? Are you friendly? Do you repeat their name? Is your greeting warm and welcoming? Do you initiate a handshake?

3. The first time someone sees you. The way you look leaves a big imprint in someone’s mind. What clothes are you wearing? How much make up do you have on? What do your shoes look like? Is your hair neat and are your nose, ears, and eyebrows trimmed? It all matters.

4. The first time someone sees your car. While the car itself will certainly be noticed, the cleanliness of the car—both inside and outside—will draw attention. I have never met anyone who took pride in their work, but not their car.

5. The first time you engage in a meaningful conversation with someone. Is it all about you? Do you listen with interest? Do you talk non-stop? Do you ask questions showing an interest in the other person? Do you use inappropriate language?

6. The first time you are faced with a challenge. How do you react? What is your process for addressing the situation? How do you treat others involved? You can be assured everyone will be watching.

7. The first time you interact with a waiter or waitress. The way people treat the waitpersons tells me a lot about how they treat people.

8. The first time you are involved in a group conversation. How someone interacts with a group of people, from their listening skills to the eye contact they make with each group member is recognized.

9. The first time you have a phone conversation with someone. How do you answer your phone? What is your phone energy? Do you listen without interrupting?

10. The first time someone hears your personal cell phone greeting. Don’t think your voicemail greeting isn’t a big deal. It’s your conscious choice of how you want to brand yourself to every caller. Does your voicemail greeting properly reflect how you want to be perceived?

I’m sure you could list many more first impressions we make on people. Each of these little first impressions will play a defining role in everything from your relationships to your career. To improve the first impression you make on people, let me encourage you to read the related posts below.

Start focusing on making your first impressions count, while at the same time becoming the person who is consistent with the brand you are creating for yourself. As you strive to become the person you need to be to achieve your goals, you will begin to make many positive first impressions without even trying. They will become part of your standard operating procedure.

Don’t ever allow yourself to think something doesn’t matter. Everything matters.

Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

The Ripple Effect of a Smile

The Importance of Being On Time

Handshakes Really Do Matter

Modeling Builds Rapport

The Fundamentals of Eye Contact

Cell Phone Etiquette

20 Tips for Important Dinner Engagements

The Value of Remembering Names

Make Your Appearance an Asset

Stand Out From the Crowd

10 Ways to Enhance Your Online Brand

Phone Greetings That Make a Positive Impression

10 Ways to Make a Positive Impression When Greeting People

10 Ways to Make a Positive Impression Through Your Voicemail Messages

20 Business Texting Etiquette Tips

10 Ways To Be A Good Listener

Make a Positive Impression With Your Personal Voicemail Greeting

The Power of the Written Word

10 Simple Ways to Show Your Sincere Interest in Others

My Top 10 Phone Tips (Part 1)

My Top 10 Phone Tips (Part 2)

The Value of Being Clear and Concise in Your Communications

What’s Your Email Brand?

My Top 33 Email Tips (Part 1)

My Top 33 Email Tips (Part 2)

20 Tips for Positive Group Interactions

Sometimes Five Seconds Is All It Takes

Consistency Wins the Race

Todd Smith — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:45:07 +0000

After being beaten by Tortoise, Hare reminds himself, “Don’t brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!”

There’s wisdom for today in this age-old Aesop fable, and today’s lesson is about the power of being consistent when it comes to reaching your goals.

Whether you have committed to eating healthy, to exercising regularly, or to achieving an aggressive sales target, being consistent will play a crucial role in achieving your goals.

Why Strive to Be Consistent?

To illustrate the value of consistently, consider this amazing fact:

A single penny doubled every day for 31 days results in a whopping $10,737,418.24.
A single penny doubled every other day for 31 days yields just $163.84. That’s less than 1/100^th of 1% of the ten million you would get if you doubled it every day!

The real value of being consistent isn’t about how to make ten million dollars. It’s much more practical and widely applicable than that. Consistency is about developing the persistence and patience necessary to stick with your goal until it is realized. I have learned repeatedly, throughout my career, that the fastest way to achieve any goal is by being consistent.

What Are Your Consistency Zappers?

The greatest challenges you must be prepared for are YOUR excuses.

“There are a million other things I have to deal with. It’s impossible for me to focus on just one.” (It’s too difficult.)
“It’s hard for me to be consistent because I’m just so busy.” (I’m overwhelmed.)
“Sure, __________ was important last week, but my priorities are constantly changing.” (I’m not control.)

Do any of these sound familiar to you? It’s ironic to think that our excuses are the biggest challenges we must overcome to be consistent in doing what is required of us to achieve our goals. Isn’t that ridiculous? It’s the excuses we allow that sabotage us from achieving our goals.

I have fought this battle of excuses enough during my career to know that the only way my excuses won’t keep me from being consistent is if the goal is important enough to me.

Consistency is the Key

When I decided to begin a career as a residential real estate agent at the age of 23, my lack of experience put me well behind the ‘pros’ who had been making a living selling real estate for years. But I did have one distinct advantage: I was determined to succeed.

Because I had such a strong desire to become a successful Realtor, I was consistent and prospected nearly every morning (Monday-Saturday) whether I felt like it or not. There were always other things I needed to do (and would much rather have done), but I knew that doing this one activity consistently was key to achieving my goals, so I did it.

Within 4 ½ years, I was one of the nation’s top-selling Realtors, selling over 115 homes a year. At age 28, I became one of the youngest Realtors ever inducted into RE/MAX’s Hall of Fame. As I look back, I credit being consistent in my daily prospecting efforts as one of the defining keys to my success.

Do you have a goal you want to achieve? If so, start by making a list of those activities that are most important in helping you reach your goal. Then follow my seven recommendations below.

Seven Ways to Increase Your Consistency

1. Make a commitment. After you identify the activities you need to do to accomplish your goals, make a commitment to do them consistently—without fail or excuse. Make that decision as to when and what you will do in advance, rather than waiting until the time you plan to do it.

2. Set up routines. Establish a routine to do your daily activities. For example, if you are going to exercise every morning, set up a routine. Allocate the amount of time you will need to do each activity up to and including your exercise period—such as getting out of bed, dressing, morning chores, and travel time.

3. Don’t allow excuses. Resolve right now that you will not permit yourself to make excuses.

4. Take advantage of your peak energy state. When is your energy level at its highest? Whenever possible, use these times to devote to the activities you need to be consistent about. It’s much easier to do what you know you should do when you have energy than when you are exhausted!

5. Do the challenging tasks first. I have found it is always best to do the most important activities first. If the tasks that will drive your results and help you achieve your goal are hard, do them first. It’s too easy to put off the things we don’t enjoy.

6. Review your goals often. After writing down your goals, consider writing a commitment letter to remind yourself why your goal is important and to list the reasons you want to achieve it. Review the letter anytime you find yourself procrastinating or rationalizing that something else is more important.

7. Commit to 21 days in a row. It takes 21 consecutive days to make something a habit. Consistency will be easier once it becomes a habit for you. Will you do what is required of you for 21 straight days?

How to Win the Race

Look at your goals and decide what you need to do with consistency to achieve them.
Determine which of the seven suggestions above apply to your situation.
Put together a daily action plan.
Set a consistency goal that you can maintain over an extended period of time.
Be realistic. Biting off more than you can chew will only result in frustration.

You are in control of your life and how you spend your time. You can achieve any goal you set if you will be consistent in doing the correct activities correctly.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

11 Ways to Increase Your Discipline

Was Napoleon Hill Wrong?

Formula for Success

Your Greatest Obstacle

The Hidden Benefit of Discipline

Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

My Top Time Management Tip

My Second Best Time Management Tip

Becoming a Respected Leader

How to Put Together an Action Plan

How to Kick Butt in this Economy

I Said It And I Meant It!

The Power of Self-Talk

The Uncomfortable Path to Success

How to Prepare and Plan for New Projects

Learn to Enjoy What You Don’t Enjoy

What Is Easy to Do Is Easy Not to Do

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Yourself

Todd Smith — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:45:53 +0000

(Author: Josh Cearbaugh, Todd’s son-in-law)

How’s your memory? Can you recall the thoughts, emotions, reactions of family or friends, or even subtle prayers from earlier today? How about yesterday, or last week? What about the warm feeling of your toes thawing after playing outside in a cold winter day five years ago? Unless you have a memory like Brad Williams, there’s a good chance you won’t recall the minute details of life as you lived it.

Memory Versus Journaling

When Todd, my father-in-law, asked me to write a post for the Little Things Matter blog I asked myself this question. “What is the one lesson from my life that would contribute the most to the LTM community”. My answer to that question was simple, “give them the best gift possible”. Since we’re not all blessed with the ability to capture the details of life like Brad Williams, one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is journaling. Keeping a journal has benefits that far surpass the time that you take to write down what’s happening.

Jim Rohn, one of the greatest teachers of personal development, said, “If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.” There’s a reason he associates becoming who you want to become with the simple, yet powerful method of writing down the things that impact your life.

Most successful people will tell you that achieving success is accomplished by several small steps taken in a direction that lead you to who you want to become. Two clear examples of this are the publisher of Success Magazine, Darren Hardy, who recently published his book “The Compound Effect,” and this blog Little Things Matter. To me, there is no better way to gauge the direction you are going than by keeping a journal and referring back to it from time to time.

Journaling Builds Confidence

If you have been completely honest with yourself throughout your journey, you will get to read about the sweaty palms when you went into a meeting, the doubts you had about taking the new job, and all the other trials you overcame. When you can read about the things that used to intimidate you but now they don’t, it will build a belief in yourself and help you keep moving in the direction you’re headed.

You’ll also read about the emotions you felt when you landed that new client, how you felt when you lost the 10 pounds you always wanted to loose, the times you beat your father-in-law in tennis, as well as the rest of the accomplishments you’ve had. The goals that have been achieved become fuel to keep you going when you’re down, and they challenge you to push yourself even harder.

When you spend time reviewing both the trials and accomplishments you’ll begin to look at future obstacles differently. You’ll say things like “I was successful at creating my own business, I know that I can take on this new challenge!”

More Advantages of Journaling

There are several benefits of keeping a journal. Here are just a few:

It gives you an outlet to be 100% honest with yourself.
It’s easier to remember where your journal is than to remember all the details of life.
You can revisit past experiences, including the emotions and thoughts you had at the time.
It can become a source of inspiration when you’re down.
You can read, in your own words, the growth you are going through with each challenge.
You will improve your writing skills.
It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your children and grandchildren.

I challenge you to make journaling a part of your daily habits. I’m not saying you have to write a book each morning; I don’t think any of us have the time for that. But if you will take 10-15 minutes each day to write down the significant events and emotions in your life, you will look back in six months and be amazed at all the little things you had forgotten.

“It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You’ll be so glad you did.” Jim Rohn

About the Author: Josh Cearbaugh is the President/CEO of Catalyst R.O.I., member of the mastermind team for Little Things Matter, a blessed husband, and a proud father of his one-year-old son, Titus Joshua Cearbaugh.

Exploring a New World of Possibilities

Maximizing Your Value

Do You Have What It Takes?

The Valleys Define The Leaders

The Power of Personal Initiative

What Distinguishes You?

Todd Smith — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:45:20 +0000

When Wally Amos was 12 years old, his parents divorced so he went to live with his aunt. He showed interest in cooking and began adding new and unique ingredients to his aunt’s chocolate chip cookie recipe. So good were the cookies that a friend suggested to Amos that he set up a store. In 1975, the first “Famous Amos” cookie store opened in Los Angeles, California. Eventually, “Famous Amos” chocolate chip cookies could be found on supermarket shelves across America.

Wally Amos found what he was good at and developed that unique gift to bring him fame and fortune. In today’s lesson I want to help you identify your most distinguishing trait—your unique gift that if used to its fullest potential can bring greater fulfillment and happiness into your life. This gift is what makes you stand out from the crowd and what sets you apart from everybody else.

My Story

A couple years ago, I found myself in a rut. I had strived for excellence in my career. I conquered my craft and enjoyed a very rewarding and fulfilling career. After two decades of success, I was grateful; however, I was no longer challenged.

When I went through the same process that I will share with you, I discovered that my greatest gift—my most distinguishing trait—was the ability to teach others. Though I cannot fully explain how this ability came about, I discovered that I have a unique talent for taking complex information, breaking it down into a detailed, step-by-step sequence, and teaching it in a manner that people can understand and relate to.

How to Identify What Distinguishes You

You’ll read about the rest of my story later, but for now, let’s focus on finding your key. What is the one thing about you that is unique? There are two sources where you can find answers:

1. What You Believe

When you consider your unique gifts, try to identify the things that, for whatever reason, you do better than anyone else. What things seem to come natural to you? What do you believe you do well? What accomplishments have you been proud of? What brings you the greatest satisfaction? What are the activities or accomplishments that come to your mind right now?

2. What Others Say

Imagine that your family, friends, and co-workers got together and someone stood at the front of the room and wrote on a large flip chart the words people said describe your greatest talent, skill, ability, or contribution you make each day. What words would they write down?

You can do the friends and family exercise on your own by considering things people have said about you in the past, or by identifying the things you’ve been recognized for. Or, you can actually ask them to tell you!

Take some quiet time to make a list of your most unique gifts. After you make this list, narrow it down to your top 10, then your top 5, then to your single most distinguishing quality. Once you have identified it, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use it to bring more enjoyment into your life. This is assuming you are not already using it to its full potential.

The Rest of My Story

So I discovered that there was something unique in my approach to teaching that comes very natural to me. Even though I wasn’t sure what if anything I should do with it, at least I became aware of what it was.

Since this discovery a couple years ago, a number of things happened. I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life and what kind of legacy I wanted to leave.

Having the benefit of working in an environment that was like an entrepreneurial incubator for the past 20 years, I began to see that part of my gift was the ability to identify the little things that played a role in people’s personal and professional success.

My Ah-Ha Moment

It was at this time, I began to see how my gift for teaching might be used to share something with others that I was genuinely interested in, believed in 100%, and that would allow me to leave a legacy of meaningful contribution.

Once I had this realization, the idea of writing a book came to mind. I quickly discovered, however, that if I was going to write a successful book, people had to know who I was. I started my Facebook page and my Little Things Matter blog to begin interacting with people who might be interested in what I had to teach.

Five months into this new endeavor, my blog in June attracted nearly 50,000 visitors. I am listed on Feedburner’s Top 100 Podcasts, and recently I welcomed my 17,667^th Facebook connection.

This was all the result of identifying my most distinguishing trait (teaching), combining it with something I am passionate about (the little things that lead to success), and using it to leave a legacy of giving back and helping people understand what they can do to achieve greater personal and professional success.

Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?

Once you have identified your most distinguishing trait, consider your options for how you might use it to its full potential. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t answer the question of how to use your gift right away. It took me more than a year before I was completely clear on which direction I needed to go, but it wasn’t a year wasted. I learned something every step of the way.

While this exercise may take some time, identifying and using your greatest strength may be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things you’ll ever do.

You have a unique gift that can bring great joy and happiness into your life. When you identify your most distinguishing trait, you hold the key to unlocking a future of limitless possibility.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

How to Kick Butt in this Economy

People Are As Different As They Look

Exploring a New World of Possibilities

Maximizing Your Value

Do You Have What It Takes?

The Valleys Define The Leaders

The Power of Personal Initiative

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

An Investment Strategy With Lifelong Rewards

Todd Smith — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:45:59 +0000

Today I want to talk about making investments that will reap you big dividends. No, it’s not on Wall Street. I’ll share with you a different, much more rewarding way to look at investing—investing in your life and in your relationships.

When I talk about investing in your life, I’m referring to the fundamental, universal truth that says, “What you give, you get back.”

When you show love, you get love.
When you show respect, you get respect.
When you smile at people, they smile back at you.
When you show an interest in others, they will show an interest in you.
When you encourage others, they will encourage you.

President Kennedy’s famous words from his inaugural address in 1961 are a fitting mantra for today’s lesson. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

I have lived a life that is proof of the fact that when you invest your life in helping others get the things they want, you will get what you want. The key is to stop focusing on your wants and desires and start focusing on what you can do for others.

Long-Term Returns are Worth the Wait

The kind of long-term return I’m talking about is the lifelong realization of success and happiness you receive based on how you treat others and how you manage your expectations. Simply put, you get out of your life and your relationships what you put into them.

Giving more than you get must become a way of living, and you must focus on the big picture of how you can improve the lives of others. You must not allow yourself to be discouraged when one person here and one person there doesn’t appreciate or notice your efforts and respond in the way you had hoped. Just like in the stock market, think of what you put into this effort as a long-term investment. It will pay off.

What We Can Learn from Warren Buffet

Buffet is one of the most successful financial investors ever and is currently noted as the third wealthiest person in the world. Riches aside, there are a few lessons from Buffet’s life and investment philosophy that can be applied to helping you reap a return on the investments you make in your own life.

Become a Value Investor

One of the strategies Buffet is famous for is finding things to invest in that are valuable but not recognized as such by the majority of other buyers.

This is very much the philosophy of doing the little things that matter. Little things are the habits and choices you make that cause you to stand out from the crowd. Doing the little things that others simply don’t do or profess not to have the time for are what helps you develop the personal initiative and character it takes to become the person you need to be to achieve your goals and live the life you want.

Become a Philanthropist

Buffet is known for his frugality as well as his generosity. Several years ago, he announced a plan to give away more than 75% of his fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation upon his death.

While Buffet may be giving away his fortune when he dies, I encourage you not to wait that long to give generously of what you have. You have been endowed with special qualities, unique to you. By sharing yourself, your time, your encouragement, your love with others, you are also making a generous donation—one that cannot be measured in dollars— to family, friends, and our society.

Giving or Getting

Do you currently give more than you expect to get? Or, are you preoccupied with waiting for people to do things to meet your needs or expectations?

It’s common for people to say, “When you start showing an interest in me, I’ll show an interest in you.” Or, “When you love me the way I need to be loved, I‘ll love you the way you need to be loved.” Employees in the workplace have said, “When you start paying me more, I’ll start doing more.”

When you concern yourself with how others should be serving your interests and desires, you set yourself up for disappointment.

Picture a Fuller Life

Are you more concerned with giving or getting? One way to determine this is to take a quick self-assessment to help you make an objective observation.

Think about a significant relationship you have with someone—a specific person such as your spouse, close friend, parent or child. Do you spend more time thinking about what this person should be doing for you rather than what you could be doing for them?

Think about your job or whatever you spend the majority of your day doing. What influences your decisions in this role? Is it how the outcome will benefit you, or how it will benefit your employer, community group, or other?

When you are intentional about giving more than you expect to get in your life and in your relationships, you will experience a more rewarding, enjoyable, and successful life.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

Becoming a Respected Leader

The Go Givers are the Winners

The Power of Showing Your Appreciation

10 Ways To Be A Good Listener

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 1) [March 11, 2010]

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 2) [March 12, 2010]

Is Your Attitude Helping or Hurting You? (Part 3) [March 15, 2010]

To Earn Respect You Must Show Respect

10 Simple Ways to Show Your Sincere Interest in Others

What Will Be Your Legacy?

Living Beyond Ourselves

Make a Good Last Impression

Carefully Select the People who Influence Your Life

20 Tips for Positive Group Interactions

Sometimes Five Seconds Is All It Takes

I’m Sorry!

25 Unexpected Ways to Make Someone’s Day

The Power of The Word “Please”

What’s in Your Rulebook?

Todd Smith — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:45:50 +0000

Each of us has our own rulebook. Our rulebooks contain the rules from which we each live our lives and see the world. It includes everything from how we want the toilet paper to unfold on the roller to the things we do when no one is watching. It is the book that governs how we make decisions and influences every part of our lives.

Taking the Rules Test

The truth about all of our rulebooks is they contain things that break the law, go against our religions and violate others trust. Now before you get all excited thinking “You’re wrong, Todd. I’m not guilty.” Consider these questions:

If you are driving through an empty parking lot late at night and see a stop sign with no car in eyesight, will you come to a complete stop before proceeding?
Do you go over the posted speed limit?
Do you follow your religious leaders’ doctrine/theology without exception?
Are there things that you do privately that your spouse or significant other would not approve of?
Do you ever make personal calls, scan your own emails, or handle your personal matters when your employer is paying you to do your job?
Do you feel that under the right circumstances it is acceptable not to tell someone the whole truth?
Do you ever find yourself exaggerating the facts to persuade others to your point of view?

If we are honest with ourselves, none of us do everything the world’s laws say we should do. We have each chosen to accept some and justify not doing others.

We ALL have our own set of laws or rules from which we each live our lives. These rules influence everything, from how we live our lives today to who we become tomorrow.

As an example, many of these blog posts represents the rules that govern my life.

Helping or Hindering Me

Let me encourage you to start paying attention to your rules. As you look at the decisions you are making each day, start questioning them. Ask yourself, “What is my rule for making this decision? Is this rule helping me achieve the things that are important to me, or is it is hurting me?”

If you choose to sleep-in rather than get up early to knock out an important project, question your rule for making this decision.
If you feel it’s acceptable to scan your phone for messages while engaged in a conversation, then question your rule.
If you make the choice not to exercise today, question your rule.
If you feel it is okay not to focus on meeting the needs of your spouse, if he or she is not making an effort to meet yours, question your rule.
If you think it is okay to show up five minutes late when meeting a friend for lunch, question your rule.

To identify the rule behind any decision you make, ask yourself, “What is my basis or justification for this decision?” The answer is one of the rules in your rulebook. Try it out.

Finding the Answers

What is critical to comprehend is that all the decisions you make that ultimately influence your success, happiness, and fulfillment are based on your rulebook.

If your career is not headed in the direction you would like, the answer can be found in your rulebook.
If your marriage is not going as you had hoped, the answer is located in your rulebook.
If your relationships are not growing and developing, the answer once again can be found in your rulebook.
If you are not happy, guess what! The answer can be found in your rulebook.
If your life is not fulfilling, you’re right, the answer is in your rulebook.

The reason all the answers are in your rulebook is because you are where you are at this very point in your life, based on the choices you have made. All these decisions are based on your rules.

If you had a business that went bad because you didn’t do your research, then your rulebook does not put an emphasis on research.
If you continue to show up late for your appointments, then your rulebook does not have a strong position on respecting other people’s time.
If you’re constantly broke, then your rulebook doesn’t include living below your means.
If you are overweight, then is there a chance your rulebook puts a greater emphasis on your selfish desires rather than on proper eating, exercising, and taking care of your health?
If you’re not challenging yourself to get better, then your rulebook doesn’t believe that “getting better” is important.
If you are not someone who pushes yourself to do the things you know you should do, then your rulebook does not place a high value on discipline.

Your entire life today is the sum total result of the quality of your choices and decisions to this moment. If you are not happy with any part of your life, it is up to you to begin to make different choices and better decisions and the place to start is by questioning the underlying rules behind your decision.

You are the author of your own rulebook. You can rewrite those rules that are holding you back from becoming the person you want to be and from achieving the happiness and success you desire.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

Our Lives are a Mirror Image of the Little Decisions we Make

How to Consistently Make Good Decisions

How to Make Critical Decisions

Stand Out From the Crowd

The Importance of Being On Time

The Most Important of All Human Qualities

A Tip to Improve The Accuracy of Your Decisions

The Power of Self-Talk

What Is Easy to Do Is Easy Not to Do

Taking a Good Look in the Mirror of Truth

Success Doesn’t Come As Advertised

Todd Smith — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:45:27 +0000

Will you allow me to rant for one post? Today, I opened an email and read this headline, “12 Easy Ways to MAKE MILLIONS for Your Business THIS YEAR (and spend next to nothing to do it!)”

The worst part is that this email was not a spam message. It came from a company that has been in business 50 years. Of all the people and organizations who should know success does not come over night, they should know. The fact is they do know, but they have lowered their integrity to a level where the almighty buck is more important than their corporate integrity.

Recently, I read an interview between leadership expert and best selling author Mark Sanborn and Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine. Mark asked Darren why he wrote his new book The Compound Effect. Here is what Darren said:

“I wrote it because I was ticked off. Our current society has grown up with a microwave mentality expecting success and the results on effort to be immediate. Coupled with mass commercial marketing and in its competitive zeal, companies have exaggerated their claims of overnight success appealing to our weakness of wanting immediate gratification. We are constantly bombarded with increasingly sensational claims to get rich, get fit, get younger, get sexier… all overnight with little effort for only three easy payments of $39.95.

“These repetitive marketing messages have distorted our sense of what it really takes to succeed. Then those with the sincere interest in learning what it takes to be more successful continually get bamboozled, distracted, frustrated and disappointed when they don’t experience the results they are after. I was tired of watching it happen!

“I wrote this book to return people to the basics—the truth and the core fundamentals of what it really takes to succeed. I wanted to clear the clutter, demystify the truth and tell it straight—with no fat or fluff included.”

Like Darren, I am disgusted with companies and people who have lowered their integrity to a level where they lie to consumers to make money. Of course, they have figured out a way to justify their deceptive marketing tactics, so they can sleep at night. Perhaps the company I am referencing above could say, “Well sure, if Procter and Gamble implemented these lessons they could earn millions of dollars this year.” The fact is that their marketing message was sent to all their subscribers and their message was not targeting GM, Exxon, or Citibank.

The part that makes me equally sick is that companies are using these marketing tactics because they work. People buy into the fact that they can lose 30 pounds in one week by swallowing this magic pill while sitting on their sofas watching TV eating candy bars, so they buy them. Or as this headline represents you can make MILLIONS THIS YEAR with six months left, by buying their product.

I am here with Darren to stand on the rooftop and YELL as loud as I can that there are no quick fixes in life. Success doesn’t come as advertised.

You are NOT going to buy an audio program, watch a webinar or read a book that is going to miraculously make you a millionaire in less than one year.
You are NOT going to start some Internet business with your current market value of $20 an hour and suddenly begin making $200 an hour, unless you are extremely lucky.
You are NOT going to lose 30 pounds in one month with ANY healthy weight-loss solution, unless you are very overweight.

Real success at anything takes time, discipline and persistence. Don’t get suckered into buying people’s marketing pitches when your common sense is telling you otherwise.

As a society we must get back to the truth about what it really takes to achieve our goals, but this won’t happen until we start being honest with ourselves about what it really takes to succeed.

Thanks for allowing me to rant. Whew. I feel better!

If something sounds too good to be true, there is a 99% chance it is.

About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 29 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)

The Most Important of All Human Qualities

Your Greatest Obstacle

My Top Time Management Tip

How to Kick Butt in this Economy

10 Reasons Why It’s Ok To Prosper

11 Ways to Increase Your Discipline

My Top Investment Tip

The Uncomfortable Path to Success

Do You Have What It Takes?

Maximizing Your Value

What Is Easy to Do Is Easy Not to Do

The Power of Personal Initiative

What I’ve Learned as a Young Entrepreneur

The Ripple Effect of a Smile

Todd Smith — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:45:53 +0000

Author: Danielle Cearbaugh (Todd Smith’s daughter)

Did you know that a smile is contagious? It costs nothing to give, but reaps great rewards for both the receiver and the giver.

A Smile Spreads Good Cheer

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

It’s amazing that your simple smile can brighten someone’s day in a moment’s notice. Too often we underestimate the power of a smile. Although it may be considered the smallest act of caring and it takes little or no effort on our part, it has the power to turn a life around—in fact more than one. Like the ripple effect of a pebble tossed into a pond, your smile will spread far beyond the first person who receives it. You never know how many people will benefit because you smiled first.

A Smile Benefits The Giver

Not only will you enhance someone’s day but you, too, will benefit. When you make a conscience effort to smile throughout your day people will remember you in a positive way.

Just the other day I was over at my parent’s house having coffee with them. When my dad handed me my coffee, he said, “This cup is yours because each time you come over you are always smiling.” The cup that he gave me had a big yellow smiley face on it!

What took me by surprise was that even though I wasn’t aware that I was “always” smiling, my dad seemed to notice. My point is that even if people don’t always verbally acknowledge your smile, they will associate you with what stands out most in their minds.

Have you ever noticed someone who is always smiling? Take a moment and think about how they made you feel. Did that person make a positive or negative first impression? When you were at your last party, was there one person that comes to mind whose smile made him or her stand out?

People are always watching you, paying attention to how you react to any given situation. That’s why making sure you have a smile on your face throughout the day can make such a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.

Les Giblin—renowned lecturer and author of the well-known book Skill with People, said, “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.”

Simple Ways to Be Intentional about Smiling

When someone smiles at you, smile back. I always wonder why people don’t smile at me when I smile at them. The more you smile, the easier it gets.
Smile when you answer your phone. People can hear the difference in your voice, and it can produce positive results.
Smiling makes others feel welcome, special, and appreciated. So when you are with your friends, family, and coworkers be aware of your demeanor.
Think positively about yourself and others. Through that mind-set, smiling will come more naturally.
Smiling even reduces stress. Did you know that stress could actually appear on your face?
Be the first one to smile when you walk into a room.

A Few Facts to Remember

55 % of all communication is nonverbal, and a large majority is in facial expressions, according to A. Barbour, author of Louder Than Words.
72% of people think of those who smile frequently as being more confident and successful.
86% of people say that they are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers if they are smiling.

Knowing that people will remember you, like you more, and be more comfortable with you in conversation, I challenge you to become intentional using your smile to positively impact the people around you. Make it your goal to become the person who is known for your smile.

The smile you pass on today will have the ripple effect that will spread beyond your family, your friends, and your community. It will improve the outlook of others, and it will help you win the affection and friendship of others.

About the Author: Danielle Cearbaugh is the daughter of Todd Smith founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s daily lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are listed in America’s top 100 podcasts.)