Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 09/23/2024
Since I “turned” 65 I’ve commercially published 15 books. I’ve conducted about 6,800 coaching sessions, hosted about 130 remote workshops and 65 live sessions. I’ve visited north of two dozen other countries, and posted somewhere around 4,800 public blog posts and the same number of private blog posts, as well as 6,000 or so social media posts. I’ve read perhaps 500 books, been interviewed in various media about 600 times.
I tell you this not to boast—maybe I should have been more productive—but as a form of “social proof” that the ancient artifact of “retirement” at 65 is like believing that Rudolph has a red nose. (He was a normal flying reindeer, but with a degree in navigation.)
I’m not implying that we should stick with our “work” or “job” or even “career” endlessly, but I am emphasizing that we need to continue to contribute until we’re physically, emotionally, or mentally unable to do so. That’s not just because it helps us stay active and healthy, it’s because society desperately needs all the resources available. We are not replacing ourselves, which is a multi-generational fact for the future. Conforming to the math that went into the social security system (in the US) makes an abacus look like high tech. And in Europe and elsewhere, the pressure to resist higher retirement ages or even lower them is like insisting that we legislate more sunny days.
In medicine, the need for the support of geriatrics and elder care and related aging issues is going to go through the roof. By around 2030 there will be more people over 60 than children.
Allow me to stress that this is not merely a concern for those of senior generations. It’s a concern for all of you reading this. Society is changing, as are demographics and technology. We need to prepare ourselves for more independent existence and not rely on an ephemeral government “safety net” which is fraying every day.
Thus, I’m not talking about “work,” I’m talking about “contribution.” What is your continuing contribution going to be? The flower garden doesn’t need all that much attention. To be harsh, don’t get to a certain age and wait around to die. To be kind, don’t get to any age without continuing to contribute to the improvement of society. Like fine wine, the impressive taste of wisdom improves with age.
But it needs to be carefully stored and graciously pored.
If you’d like to see a unique, comprehensive interview (1:45) with me covering my career, here’s a free link for access.
Aging has a wonderful beauty and we should have respect for that. —Eartha Kitt
Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength. —Betty Friedan
Some calamities—the 1929 stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, 9/11—have come like summer lightning, as bolts from the blue. The looming crisis of America’s Ponzi entitlement structure is different. Driven by the demographics of an aging population, its causes, timing and scope are known. —George Will
I feel smarter and more effective every day. —Nido Qubein (president of High Point University) and Alan Weiss, contemporaries, at a meeting on campus.
NEW: The Esteem Machine: Low self-esteem creates high stress levels, guilt, and fear, and “masks” natural talents. You can never succeed to the utmost of your abilities if you’re worried about being “found out” and constantly concerned about how to “wear a costume” pretending you’re someone else.
Join me for 90 minutes and I’ll help you design a program for yourself that you can implement and follow by yourself, daily, to create a far greater sense of confidence and certainty about your true value and worth.
I’ve been helping people do this for 25 years in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. However, this is the first time I’ve codified it so that, once the process is mastered, you need no further coaching or external support.
In other words, I’ll help you gain the esteem to perpetually power your Esteem Machine.
Oct 8 via Zoom, 10:30 to noon US eastern, recording provided. $450
https://alanweiss.com/growth-e
New Newsletter: Not Without Honor…. (Begins October 15) “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” —The Gospel of Mark, 6:4
Join me for a monthly newsletter that will explore, analyze and predict ramifications of issues and events in global societies. Each issue will focus on topics that will include politics, social mores, the arts, sports, technology, financial affairs, and other contemporary issues.
Develop the ability to discuss current issues with dexterity and insight and become an object of interest to others, whether clients, colleagues, or friends. The discussions will be brief and focus on several issues per edition. Letters and commentary from readers will be welcome.
For example, as we are undergoing the dynamics of morbidity outpacing fertility in most developed countries, there will be a profound labor shortage if actions are not taken rapidly. This includes such diverse political systems as China and the US. There are three key areas, that must be utilized to accommodate what is apparently a multi-generational problem. We’ll discuss what they are and analyze what must be done to successfully resolve the dilemma.
You get the idea. The first issue launches in October. The fee is $500 for the year of newsletters, including all back issues if you join during the year. . https://alanweiss.com/growth
NEW!! The Spontaneous Session: People laugh today when I tell them I’ve “prepared” for a Zoom or live session. They know my speeches are mainly riffs, and that I never change a word or phrase when I’m writing my books. (My all-time best-seller, Million Dollar Consulting, through six editions, has had exactly one paragraph changed by the publisher.)
What I want to do on Halloween is give you a treat by showing the tricks of my trade. I will actually demonstrate how you can be spontaneous and also highly impressive, controlled, and effective. You will walk out of the morning able to use spontaneity in business meetings, social and civic settings, in speeches and presentations, and in conflict. If you stay for the afternoon, you’ll be able to practice this with your colleagues and then with me. If you can do this with me, you can do it with anyone!
If anyone else is providing this kind of help, I don’t know about it. If you stay for the afternoon, I’m buying lunch. And at the end of the day we’ll vote as a group on the best extemporaneous performance of those remaining and I’ll provide a credit for your entire fee to use for any of my future programs.
Stop saying, “I wish I had said….” or, “Next time what I’ll do is….” You don’t have to risk $200,000+ (as I once did) and I guarantee you won’t be risking this tiny investment either in freeing yourself to be even more successful immediately.
October 31, 2024. Las Vegas, venue TBD 9 am to 4 pm (afternoon optional) Full day $1,250, Half day $950 Lunch included with full day. https://alanweiss.com/gro
Million Dollar Consulting® for the World: I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? We have over 500 people from 47 countries. https://milliondoll
Million Dollar Consulting® for the World ADVANCED: The new program contains over 60 videos and has 15 modules focusing on what to do in the buyer’s office, overcoming crises, financial planning, and much, much more. https://alanweiss.com/gr
Million Dollar Consulting® for the World: GRADUATE
Another 12 modules with videos by me and your peers on contemporary issues such as Raising Fees Aggressively, How to Be Consistently Interviewed, Maximizing Happiness, and Managing Multiple projects. Join the people from 57 countries who are availing themselves of this inexpensive way to dramatically grow their businesses in any economic times. How does 100:1 ROI sound? https://milliondollarco
NOTE: I’ve reinstated my inexpensive, limited coaching program I last used during Covid because I’ve found people who need help right now growing their practices. I’ve offered it to past coaching participants, but I can handle several more people at this point. Five calls at your desire: review proposals, prepare for meetings, create passive income, etc. $2,024. You simply have to use them before the end of the year, 30 minutes each. Should pay for itself 20 times over. You can write to discuss ([email protected]) or sign up by paying here: https://alanweiss.com/st
Want to join me for my Book Sprint? In 60 days complete a proposal for an agent or an acquisitions editor (or the outline and marketing plan for a self-published book). We have an 80%+ “hit rate” for obtaining book contracts, complete with my introductions. The schedule is flexible and I’ll create one around the first people to register. The fee is $4,500—we meet weekly by Zoom with assignments in between and a common Drop Box to review each other’s work. Write me at [email protected].
2024 Virtual Workshop Series: Major Growth Issues for Professional Services Providers
I’ve designed this series around the most frequently asked questions in my global coaching program, and from the advice I’ve provided that has most rapidly propelled people to much higher income and far less labor intensity. Everyone enrolled in each 90-minute program will receive a recording. I also encourage questions in advance. You can choose individual sessions to attend. If you join during the series, all prior recordings will be sent, as well.
All sessions are on Mondays at 10:30 US Eastern time so that you can begin your week with new approaches. The sixth session is intended to create a far more powerful 2025.
Session One: Ghostbusters (recording available) July 22, 2014: Learn how to prevent people from “ghosting” and what to do in case they do refuse to return calls and emails. However, my methods for avoiding this entirely are highly effective, and can be applied immediately—in fact, as soon as you leave the workshop or video. People call me back because they can’t afford not to.
Session Two: The Real Story: August 26, 2024 Story telling has been proven to be one of the most effective and high impact methods to influence others. Learn the three components of any great story, how to create them, introduce them, deliver them, and exploit the results. Discover the events in your life that are great stories that you don’t even realize you own. And learn how to immediately recall the appropriate story when needed extemporaneously.
Session Three: Brevity: September 23, 2024 Learn to shut up.
Session Four: Achieving and Sustaining Results Leadership: October 21, 2024 Step away from the hackneyed “thought leadership” (Does that mean you have more thoughts than everyone else?) and into the rarefied atmosphere of unequivocal achievements and concomitant brand power. Believe it or not, the thinking didn’t go into creating drills, but rather how to create holes.
Session Five: How to Be A Contrarian and Live to Tell About it: November 18, 2024 You need an “edge,” the ability to unsettle people. There IS such a thing as “too much quality,” and “overly happy employees.” The customer is NOT always right, and while the early bird may get the worm, it’s the early worm that gets eaten. Follow me right to the edge without falling over it, and learn how be a constant object of interest.
Session Six: The 20-Hour Week, the Million Dollar Year: December 9, 2024 Some people say, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” I say, “The smarter I work, the luckier I get.” Learn how YOU can create a 20-hour-a-week approach to your profession and/or practice, and how that can create a million dollars (or more) annually. These are not metaphors. I’m serious. You don’t believe that? Well, what if a thousand people bought this entire series that you are considering right now? That’s over a million dollars for me “working” 90 minutes a month for six months. If you think I can do that, but not you, I thank you, but shame on you! Don’t you think you ought to invest enough to see what you’re capable of, and if it’s possible for you? I mean, even if it’s 25 hours….
All sessions are recorded and distributed promptly as part of the program. The Special Sessions (below) are arranged with me at mutually-convenient times over the ensuing 12 months.
Single Session: $350
Two Sessions: $650
Three Sessions: $900
Four Sessions: $1100
Five Sessions: $1,200
Six Sessions: $1,300
Register for all and you’ll receive videos of any you’ve missed.
Special Sessions: All six plus six 30-minute Zoom coaching calls with me, one-on-one: $2,500. These appointments will be adjusted to accommodate differing time zones.
