The Success Blog

Welcome to The Success Blog

 Welcome to The Success Blog with Kevin Richardson.  It is my goal to encourage and to facilitate personal growth and leadership in your life.  I am not an expert on everything success, but I am confident I will achieve the goals I have set for myself.  I also know one of the best ways to learn is to teach others what you already know about the particular subject you are learning about.  I hope you will check back often and will gain an understanding of what success is and how you can achieve it for your life.  

Expect Success,

Kevin Richardson - The Success Blog

14 Qualities of Being a Successful Parent

14 Qualities of Being a Successful Parent

	1.  Enjoy being a parent. They enjoy parenting not because it’s easy or instantly rewarding, but because of the sheer joy and privilege of cooperating with God in shaping another unique and precious life. Any parent of grown children will tell you "they grow up so quickly." Successful parents remind themselves of that and try to savor every day with their children. They immerse themselves in their children as much as possible and just enjoy them – even the days of dirty diapers, illness and disappointments. They don’t just LOVE their children, they LIKE them and look forward to spending time with them. 2.  Identify good qualities in your children. Telling your children about their good qualities is the quickest way to help them build self confidence. Make a conscious effort to identify and compliment your children for their good qualities. Sometimes it is necessary to take a pause from the rush of life and enjoy the wonderful qualities that your children possess. Don’t think for a moment that a mental note is enough. Point out your children’s good qualities and let them build upon them.
	3. Make time daily to spend with your kids. Life has a way of consuming all of your time. It is easy to become “too busy” to do anything with your kids. If you can’t find the time, make the time. No matter how busy you are, or how tired you may be; there is no reason to deny your children of 30 minutes of your daily time. Give your kids thirty minutes every day for whatever they wish to do.
	4.  Communicate positively with your children. Talk to your kids in a positive way. Talk to them in a friendly manner about whatever subject they wish to discuss. Avoid falling into the trap of speaking to your kids only when you need to discipline them. Kids get your attention most easily when they are getting into trouble, but don’t make this the only time you talk to them because your speech will be less than pleasant. Give your children the benefit of positive communication and they will be more likely to talk to you in good times and bad.
	5.  Involve children in household activities and family trips. Don’t allow children to become isolated in some remote corner of the house. It is important to allow your children a reasonable amount of privacy, but don’t encourage them to become reclusive in their rooms. Although this will be a subject of controversy, I would suggest keeping as many electronic “toys” in common family areas. Keep televisions, computers, and phones out of children’s rooms whenever possible. Additionally the daily time allowed to use these attention demanding items should be regulated. Encourage family time and whenever possible do the unthinkable…talk to each other. In addition to household activities, plan fun events outside of the house in which the kids can be involved. Plan simple, but exciting activities that everyone can enjoy. Also plan vacations and trips together when possible. Allow your children to contribute their ideas for your times together. Make a habit of giving the children something to look forward to with the family.
	6.  Listen attentively to your children. Be aware of the way you listen to your children—especially when you are busy. Take care to assure your children that you think that what they say is important. At times when you are preoccupied, it is easy to make the mistake of answering your children without paying full attention to what they are saying. When you find yourself answering your children by saying, “uh huh,” “yeah,” or a similar manner of thoughtless speech, take note of it and pay closer attention to your children. As a parent, you would surely take offense if your children answered you in this way. Be sure to look at them when they are talking to you. This may take a little extra effort, but it will make you give them the attention they deserve, and your children will see that you believe that what they say is important.
	7.  Be willing to change. Part of being a successful parent is knowing when to change something about yourself. Don’t allow your determination to be a good parent prevent you from being one. Everyone wants to be a perfect parent, but there truly is no such thing. Parents do make mistakes from time to time. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes as a parent, as long as you can admit it to yourself and make changes for the better.
	8.  Protect your children’s safety. Caring for the safety of your children may seem to be so obvious that it does not need mention. It is amazing how many parents fail to care for even basic elements of their children’s safety. From parents who call upon their young children to cross a busy street after school while they sit in their cars, to others who let their children roam the streets without any knowledge of where they are, it can be disturbing to see how some parents deprive their children of basic safety. Never gamble on the safety of your children.
	9.  Do not allow your children to disrespect you or your spouse. Being a good parent does not mean you must allow your children to disrespect you or your spouse(or partner). Be certain that your children understand what you expect of them in regard to respect.
	10.  Don’t argue with your spouse in front of the children. In heated moments, this may seem difficult to avoid; but there is nothing that can be gained from arguing in front of your children. When something becomes a big enough issue that an argument is unavoidable, be aware that the children are watching and find a way to bottle it up and discuss it in private. There is nothing wrong with your children knowing that you have disagreements with your spouse (or partner), but unless you want your children to be a part of the argument, it is best to take care of the disagreement privately. Don’t put children in a position where they will take sides or hear utterances that will be apologized for later. Whatever it takes keep your children out of your arguments.
	11.  Tell your children you love them. Never refrain from telling your children you love them. Ignore any thoughts in your head that tell you not to do so. It is difficult to tell your children you love them too much, but it is easy to tell them too little. Don’t let such a simple thing be a cause of regret. Tell your children you love them. 12.   Be the person you want your children to be There are no formulas for parents. You can’t just "program" children like a computer and be guaranteed of the result. But children are great observers and imitators. They watch, listen and absorb values and habits from the people who have the greatest influence on them – their parents. So successful parents resolve that they will set the best example they can for their children. 13.  Pray with your children I believe praying for your children and with your children is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. The most important thing in life is a relationship with God.  What better way to point your children to that relationship then by praying with them.  Not only will this help your children learn how to pray, but it will also help strengthen their relationship with our heavely father and bring you closer to your children as well.   14. Get Support Successful parenting means trusting yourself, but not being a Lone Ranger. No one has the experience or answers to every parenting challenge. But each of us has some of the answers and, together, we’ve got them all. So successful parents aren’t reluctant to seek out the wisdom of others. They know that, at the end of the day, the decision is theirs, but before they get there, there is plenty of wisdom along the way waiting to help them.

 

The Successful Dad

The Successful Dad

I may never be as clever as my
neighbor down the street,
I may never be as wealthy as some
other men I meet.
I may never have the glory that some
other men have had,
But I've just got to be successful as
that little fellow's dad.

There are certain dreams I cherish,
that I'd like to see come true,
There are things I would like to do.
There are things I would like to
accomplish before my earthly life is through.
But the task I've set my heart on is
to guide a little lad,
To make myself successful as that
little fellow's dad.

Oh, I may never come to glory, I may
never gather gold,
And when my business life is over,
I may be considered a failure as told.
But the task I've set my heart on is
to guide a little lad,
To make myself successful as that
little fellow's dad.

It's the one job that I dream of,
The task I think of most,
For if I fail that little fellow,
I have nothing else to boast.
For the wealth and fame I'd gather,
all my fortune would be sad,
If I fail to be successful as that little
fellow's dad.

- Author Unknown

9 Secrets of Motivated People - Live Your Dream - Your Life - MSN Lifestyle

By Lesley Alderman

New year, new you. It's the perennial January catchphrase that holds such conquer-the-world promise. And then, well, you get sidetracked with conquering your to-do list. But even the loftiest resolutions (running a marathon, writing a book) don't have to fall by the wayside come February. Staying motivated―and achieving what you set out to do on that bright New Year's Day―is surprisingly possible. Just follow these nine mantras, provided by researchers who study motivation and backed up by women who have used them to realize their biggest ambitions.

1. When you make a plan, anticipate bumps. Before even trying to achieve a goal, target potential pitfalls and troubleshoot them. Peter Gollwitzer, a professor of psychology at New York University, in New York City, says that people who plan for obstacles are more likely to stick with projects than those who don't. In a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Gollwitzer compared two groups of women who wanted to be more active. Both groups were given information on leading healthy lifestyles. But the second was also taught how to foresee obstacles (example: "The weather forecast is bad, but I'm planning to go for a jog") and work around them using if-then statements ("If it rains, then I'll go to the gym and use the treadmill rather than skip exercising altogether"). No surprise, those in the second group fared better. Michelle Tillis Lederman of New York City practiced this strategy when she was writing a book last year. She installed blinds on her home-office door to minimize disruptions and hired an editor to give feedback on each chapter so she wouldn't get stuck along the way. She also established rules, like checking e-mails only after she had written for two hours. "It was easier to follow this plan," says Lederman, "than to wrestle with every distraction in the moment." Her book, The 11 Laws of Likability (American Management Association), will be published later this year.

2. Channel the little engine that could―really. A person's drive is often based on what she believes about her abilities, not on how objectively talented she is, according to research by Albert Bandura, a professor of psychology at Stanford University. His work has shown that people who have perceived self-efficacy (that is, the belief that they can accomplish what they set out to do) perform better than those who don't. That self-belief is what helped Ingrid Daniels of Newark, New Jersey, leave a stable corporate job to develop a T-shirt line after the birth of her first child. "It never occurred to me I could fail, even though I had no experience," she says. Today Daniels runs two successful small businesses (the T-shirt company and a line of stationery), which allows her to stay at home with her three children.

3. Don't let your goals run wild... When your sights are too
ambitious, they can backfire, burn you out, and actually become demotivating,
says Lisa Ordóñez, a professor of management and organizations at the Eller
College of Management, at the University of Arizona, in Tucson. Instead of
aiming unrealistically high (such as trying to save enough money for a down
payment on a home in six months), set goals that are a stretch but not an
overreach (come up with a doable savings plan for your
budget).

...But work on them everyday. According to
Daniel Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us ($27,
amazon.com), taking small steps every day will not only help hold your interest
in what you're trying to achieve but will also ensure that you move slowly, but
surely, toward your goal. So, for example, set up a down-payment-fund jar and
dump your change into it every night. You'll get a sense of accomplishment each
day, to boot.

4. Go public with it. Instead of keeping
your intentions to yourself, make them known to many. "Other people can help
reinforce your behavior," says James Fowler, a political scientist who studies
social networks at the University of California, San Diego. After all, it's
harder to abandon a dream when you know that people are tracking your progress.
Take Stefanie Samarripa of Dallas, 25, who wanted to lose 20 pounds. She created
a blog and told all her friends to read it. "I wanted something to hold me
accountable," she says. Samarripa weighs herself weekly and announces the result
on Desperately Seeking Skinny (skinnystefsam.blogspot.com). During her first
three weeks, she lost six pounds. "People read my updates and make comments,
which helps me keep going," she says.

5. Lean on a support crew
when struggling. Think of the friends and family who truly want to see
you succeed. Enlisting those with whom you have authentic relationships is key
when your motivation begins to wane. Choose people who may have seen you fail in
the past and who know how much success means to you, says Edward L. Deci, a
professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, in New York. For Jane
Arginteanu of New York City, support came in the form of her fiancé, Glenn.
Arginteanu had smoked from the time she was a teenager and had tried to quit
before. When she decided to give it another go, Arginteanu says, "Glenn stood by
me and told me, without ever issuing an ultimatum, that he wanted to grow old
with me. That was terrific motivation." A year later, she's smoke-free.

6. Make yourself a priority. Put your needs first, even when
it feels utterly selfish. You will derail your progress if you sacrifice
yourself for others in order to please them (such as eating a cupcake that a
coworker baked even though you're on a diet). A few years ago, Karen Holtgrefe
of Cincinnati was at the bottom of her own priority list. "I had a demanding
full-time job as a physical-therapy manager and was teaching physical therapy
part-time," she says. "Plus, I had a husband and two children to care for." As a
result, she found herself stressed-out, overweight, and suffering from constant
backaches. "I hit a wall and realized I needed to make some changes for my
sanity," Holtgrefe says. So she quit the part-time teaching job, joined Weight
Watchers, and scheduled nonnegotiable walks six days a week―just for her. In a
year, she lost 85 pounds, and her back pain (and stress)
disappeared.

7. Challenge yourself―and change things up.
It's hard to remain enthusiastic when everything stays the same, says Frank
Busch, who has coached three Olympic swimming teams. To keep his athletes
motivated, he constantly challenges and surprises them―adding a new exercise to
a weight routine or giving them a break from one practice so they can recharge.
Amy Litvak of Atlanta did the same thing. She had several half-marathons under
her belt but wanted something new, so she signed up for a series of mini
triathlons. "Each race was longer than the last or had a slightly different
challenge," she says. She breezed through them and is now training for a full
marathon.

8. Keep on learning. To refuel your efforts,
focus on enjoying the process of getting to the goal, rather than just eyeing
the finish line. Janet Casson of Queens, New York, set out to teach yoga. She
completed her training, but finding a position took longer than anticipated. So
she wouldn't lose steam and become discouraged, Casson used the time to perfect
her skills. She attended workshops and studied with different teachers. "It was
invigorating and kept me working toward my goal," says Casson, who now teaches
five classes a week.

9. Remember the deeper meaning.
You're more likely to realize a goal when it has true personal significance to
you, according to Deci. (For example, "I want to learn to speak French so I can
communicate with my Canadian relatives" is a more powerful reason than "I should
learn French so that I can be a more cultured person.") And when the process
isn't a pleasant one, it helps to recall that personal meaning. Not all
dedicated gym-goers love working out, Deci points out, but because they have a
deep desire to be healthy, they exercise week after week. Jennie Perez-Ray of
Parsippany, New Jersey, is a good example of this. She was working full-time
when she decided to get her master's degree. However, she knew that pursuing
that goal would mean spending less time with her friends and family. "But I was
the first person in my family to get a degree, so it was very important to me,"
Perez-Ray says. She kept this in mind every evening that she spent in the
classroom. Although the sacrifices she made were hard, she reflects, "reaching
my goal made it all worthwhile."

By Lesley Alderman

via lifestyle.msn.com

Why People Become Network Marketers and Why They Don't

 

"Sell Products and you will earn money for now.  Recruit and you will earn money forever."

First,  What is the number-one reason people start a network marketing, direct sales or party plan business?  The answer is that they started the business because someone asked them.  The overwhelming majority of people never considered the business before they were approached.  This is not surprising.  Our business is word of mouth.

Second,  What is the number-one reason people don't start a network marketing or direct sales business?  And the answer is that nobody asked them!  People are not going to come knocking on your door.  You have to reach out to them - preferably before someone else does.  Believe me, there will be no harsher lesson than seeing some you could have approached, but didn't, turn up as someone else's recruit.

Every day, thousands of people who never seriously considered a network marketing business sign an agreement.  Luckily for them, they were in the right place at the right time when the right person came along.  That person could be you.  Don't prejudge, don't hesitate, and don't hold back.  Approach people and talk about the business at ever opportunity you get.  If an opportunity doesn't present itself, create one.  The more people you talk to, the more successful you will be.  All you need is a belief in yourself and your opportunity.

No matter how great your products or how much support you get from your corporate partner, your success will be up to you.  You decide how much time and effort you want to put into your business.  What will happen if you have what it takes to create an amazing life from your network marketing business, and then you give up without giving it your best shot?  Nothing!

To put yourself out there every day takes courage, and you will almost certainly face a few setbacks.  This is when you have to make a choice-to pull into an emotionally handicapped space and stay parked or to drive on regardless.  Courage is not the absence of fear, but it is moving on despite your fear.  It's realizing your goal of a better life is much more important than your fear.  When you have a strong enough why, you can overcome any fear that comes your way.

If you wait to become confident before you start recruiting you will waste your best opportunities.  Confidence will come once you see the positve impact you can make on others.  If you wait until you have an enclyclopedic knowledge of your business, it may be a long wait.  Skills come from practice.  The only way to learn to play the guitar is, well, to play the guitar.

It takes courage to build a network marketing business.  No matter how nervous you feel, reach out to as many people as you can.  Encourage every person you recruit to do the same.  Don't buy into the fiction you don't have what it takes to succeed.  Or that it's difficult to find the right people.  Or that something may go wrong.  If you want it - and believe you derserve it - you can do it.

There are over 300 million people living in the United States.  A new person is born every seven seconds, and an immigrant enters the country every fourteen seconds.  Very few people are living the life of their dreams.  You may hold the key.  Find the courage to reach out to people every day, knowing you ahve the power to change lives.

If you lack confindence at the start, turn it to your advantage.  Knowing exactly how your new recruits feel when they start out will make you an empathetic leader.  When you say, "I know you you feel, I felt the same way," you will be speaking from the heart.  A leader who says, "I am still learning too, " is a more powerful rold model than one who appears flawless.  The message you will be communicating is, "If I can do this, you can too."

Put yourself in a room of networking marketing achievers and you won't immediately spot an obvious common denominator.  Every socioeconomic back goung, education level, profession, job, ethinicity, race, gender, personality, and age will be represented.  You have to look beneath the surface to see what they have in common, which is a belief in the business, the ambition to succeed, and the courage to make it happen.

You can be whoever you want to be, have whatever you want to have, do whatever you want to do.  What better way to realize your dreams than to build a network marketing, direct sales or party plan organization by one person at a time?

 One of the network marketing businesses I am partnered with is Jerky Direct.  The Jerky Direct home business opportunity offers anyone the ability to start a business for $12. This includes two bags of jerky of your choice shipped to you each month, your own Website, Account Manager, Marketing tools and Training.  And, distributors do not have to stock and sell products unless they wish to. Jerky Direct handles all the orders, payment processing, shipping and handing direct to your customers and you get paid!  Learn more at www.welovejerky.com

If you are not interested in the business opportunity you can still buy great jerky from the site either by the bag, case or choose the $12 a month auto ship option.  I understand the business opportunity is not for everyone, but this Jerky is so good, I know you will want to try some.  You can buy it at www.welovejerky.com

Expect Success, Expect More!

Kevin Richardson

Integrity Is About The Small Things

"One of the realities of life is that if you can't trust a person at all points, you can't truly trust him or hear at any point." - Cheryl Biehl

    I once heard someone say if a good reputation is like gold, then having integrity is like owning the mind.  One way to Maintain your integrity is by taking care of the little things.  Your character is made in the small moments of our lives.  Your integrity is not determined by circumstances. 

It has been said that you don't really know people until you have observed them when they interact with a child, when the car has a flat tire, when the boss is away, and when they think no one will ever know.  But people with integrity  never have to worry about that.  No matter where they are, who they are with, or what kind of situation they find themselves in, they are consistent and live by their principles.

Integrity begins with a specific, conscious decision.  Choose today to live by a strict moral code, and determine to stick with it no matter what happens.

Kevin Richardson - The Success Blog

Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership

-  If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives - Do good anyway.

-  If you're successful, you'll win false friends and true enemies - Succeed anyway.

-  The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow - Do good anyway.

-  Honestey and frankness make you vulnerable - Be honest and frank anyway.

-  The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest mind - Think big anyway.

-  What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight - Build anyway.

-  Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth - Give the world the best you have anyway.

 

Kevin Richardson - The Success Blog

A Short Course In Human Relations

 

The least important word:  I

The most important word:  We

The two most important words :  Thank you

The three most important words:  All is forgiven

The four most important words:  What is your opinion?

The five most important words:  You did a good job

The six most important words:  I want to understand you better

- From "Relationships 101" by John C. Maxwell

        Kevin Richardson - The Success Blog

 

The Critical Moment

The critical moment in your life is the time you feel like you need to make a change.  That moment is the time to take action.  Don't wait!  Do something even if it is writing out your goals or a plan.

We often feel we need to make a change when in a time of hardship.  When hardships happen, there is a reason and opportunity.  If you do not take advantage of the opportunity the reason can become an excuse.  Once the reason becomes an excuse, you are no longer taking responsibility for your actions, you lose control of your life, and ultimately you lose your freedom.

Don't let frivolous activities keep you from taking acion.  It is the small actions that we take everyday, especially during the challenging times that ultimately create our outcome.  People will watch Television, tool around in their cars, mow the grass and do things that make them feel busy, but do not get them anywhere.  

Just remember their is not one single action that is going to make a huge difference.  It's the series of small ones done consistently everyday that add up to big changes in your life.  So, if you feel like you need to make a change, start now!

Kevin Richardson - The Success Blog

The Midst of Change

  
  

 In the midst of change, it is important to know  that God often places you in a situation because you are supposed to be an encouragement to others.  Encouragement  is something you can do any time, any place.  Proverbs 3:27  Tells us "not to withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act,"  so I suggest this also means do not withhold good words when it is in your power to speak.

Excerpt from Bill Cornelius - I Dare you to change

John Maxwell says it best, "Flatter me and I may not believe you.  Criticize me and I may not like you.  Ignore me and I may not forgive you  Encourage me and I will never forget you."

I have to tell you that Change will happen to you whether you like it or not.  But, I also have to tell you without change there can be no improvement.  Its time to pay a price and make a commitment to change.  And remember that change must happen within you before it can happen around you.  You must decide what you are willing to change, but the best thing it is never to late to change.  So get started changing into a better you now.

Kevin Richardson

 

Two great books I recommend this week:

"I Dare you to chage" by Bil Cornelius

"The Difference Maker" by John C Maxwell

 

 

Find a Need and Fill It by Zig Ziglar

When I was in the seventh grade I was on the boxing team and later I boxed while in the Navy. I don’t want to sound boastful, but it’s a matter of record that the worst I ever finished was second. I finally quit boxing because of my hands—the referee kept stepping on them! As a boxer, the coach would always instruct us in the early part of the fight to feel our opponent out, probe and discover his weakness, and then exploit that weakness. The same basic procedure is followed in all athletic endeavors.

In the world of selling and business, a similar approach is taken but for a very different reason. In sales, we explore by asking questions to find out where our prospect “opponent” is weak, that is, needs help of some kind. Only then are we in position to offer our goods and services designed to “strengthen their weakness.” To be successful, any business must provide goods or services that meet the weakness—that is, need—of the potential customers.

The oldest success advice going is, “Find a need and fill it.” It is more true today than ever. Not only must we find the need and fill it, but we must find more needs and fill them better. That’s one of the prime reasons more and more businesses are maximizing their people. Each one is crucial, from the lowest-paid member of the staff to the chief executive officer. Businesses must encourage all their employees to find the needs of their customers, whether internal or external, and fill them. Each employee must have an attitude of responsibility for the company and its goods and services. This enhances the company’s competitive edge, increases sales, and ensures employment for employees.

The rule today is keep your eyes open and think about solutions to problems. Your value to your company will grow immeasurably. Keep your eyes open and keep offering those suggestions. Who knows? Maybe the next one will be the magic one!