Balancing Act #176: April 2014

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BALANCING ACT: BLENDING LIFE, WORK, AND RELATIONSHIPS®

A free monthly newsletter about balancing life, work, and relationships based on the books and popular workshops conducted by Alan Weiss, Ph.D. Past copies are archived on our web site: http://www.summitconsulting.com.

Copyright 2013 Alan Weiss. All rights reserved.

ISSN 1934-3116

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Balancing act is in four sections this month:

1. Techniques for balance

2. Musings

3. The human condition: Macho

4. ORTIYKMWOYBNT-O Department

 

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1. Techniques for balance

2. Musings

 

You know, there must be such a thing as "writer's block," because I have nothing to say this month. It's strange, but I can't think of a thing that's worth determining or discussing, dissecting or debating.

 

It's sort of like the bizarre way that TV reporters keep referring to the anchors as "you guys" even when one or both are female. If you chugged a beer every time an on-air reporter said "you guys" you'd be drunk in ten minutes. We're not watching news anymore, we're watching look-alike Barbie and Kens engaged in happy talk, video at 11.

 

That's how vacant I feel. It's similar to the flight attendants who keep insisting that their primary job is safety, yet they spend five percent of the flight on safety and 95 percent on passenger service. Shouldn't THAT be their primary job? It creates cognitive dissonance for me, and it's why I can't think of anything to say about it.

 

I'm just idea-less, idea-deprived. Perhaps it's due to the current propensity to elect people who believe they should act like our parents and not people elected to be in service to us. My problem is that I'd love to see New York City's intersections unclogged again, but I need to learn that it's more important to set soft drink cup sizes and to remove horses from Central Park rides, despite the fact both people and horses seem quite content. But that's because I'm failing to look at the big picture, and I can't think of anything relevant to say.

 

I began thinking that when you give bullies an inch the next thing they do is to take a yard, and that Crimea is the first inch. But no one seems really excited, the Europeans are more concerned with natural gas than territorial rights, so once again, I'm not hearing a tree that hasn't fallen in an empty forest. Is that right? I'm not sure, I just can't get anything cogent down on paper.

 

It must be because I'm bored. After all, the following sectors are all showing healthy, positive improvement: healthcare, hospitality, housing, auto, manufacturing, professional services, unemployment, job creation, exports. It's kind of boring, right? Nothing much you can say about that, which must be why practically no one is talking about it.

 

Well, I apologize, there clearly is the phenomenon of "writer's block" and I'll try to shake it and have something interesting to say next month.

 

3. The human condition: Macho

 

"Machismo" is a Spanish word meaning "strong masculine pride." I've noticed that it's not really gender-restricted any more, and it also has become an overbearing compensation for insecurity.

 

Bullies are actually very insecure (often abused as children). They seek to bring everyone down to their own perceived level of inferiority by emotionally and/or physically assaulting others. If you confront them, they'll usually wither.

 

We see emotional bullies everyday, much more subtle than the obvious cases of school children picking on each other or the loudmouth in the workplace.

 

When I go to church, I have to enter the parking lot by turning left against oncoming traffic. It's bewildering to me that many people (maybe half) who are in the opposite lane and turning into the lot themselves—and who clearly see my turn signal and recognize my car—don't stop to allow me to turn. I think it's a matter of false price, of misplaced machismo, that they will be "inferior" if they allow someone else to get ahead of them.

 

I know that may sound crazy, but I encounter drivers who informally "race" to always stay ahead of certain other cars; people who won't give up a seat or a view to share with others, but hoard it for themselves; who take the remainder of the candy or the largest piece of pie. There are people who claim they were in line before you, or they deserve special attention because of one claim or another.

 

These are all "false fronts," façades applied to cover up a feeling of rot within. It's the person yelling at the restaurant help because the service isn't fast enough, or talking during someone else's speech to demonstrate his erudition or her disdain.

 

Teddy Roosevelt talked about speaking softly and carrying a big stick. You might think these people speak loudly and carry a big stick. But they don't. They're merely carrying shtick.

 

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

THIS DAY ISN'T OVER YET: The Obstacle Buster

April 16, New York City area

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/TodayIsNotOverYet.php

Bring with you your toughest hurdles and obstacles and we'll deal with them then and there, whether a writing assignment, the creation of products, Internet concerns, financial growth goals, constant interruptions, inability to move projects along, "overwhelm," poor time use—and so on.

Can we do this in just a single day together? Of course we can, and you'll never be the same. Sign up now if you want to change your habits and life for the better.

SPECIAL: ANNOYING IN LONDON.

Join a very small group in my suite on the morning of April 25 to be provoked, hounded, and intimidated into success. We'll develop more aggressive approaches and marketing expressly for each person in the room that morning. $2,500: [email protected]

 

ALAN'S GROWTH CYCLES®

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/alans-growth-cycle.php

 

We are forming groups for the third year of this very powerful mastermind experience. Use the link above or write to me to be placed in a group consistent with your goals, or to form your own. Groups renew or are created in March for the ensuing 12 months. These include personal meetings and group meetings with Alan and unlimited access.

 

RATIONAL PROCESS FOR THOUGHT LEADERS

April 1, New York City, Palace Hotel

June 3, LA, Airport Hilton Hotel

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/TheRationalProcessWorkshopForThoughtLeaders-2014-04-01.php

There are critical thinking skills which can be used instantly with impressive influence to solve problems, make decisions, innovate, negotiate, and so forth. This session will explain them in both detail and rapid fire use, and make you adept at utilizing them.

 

IMPROV WORKSHOP: IMPROBABLY IMPROV

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/ImprobablyImprov.php

March 31 in New York, Palace Hotel

June 2 in LA, Airport Hilton Hotel

Learn improve in the morning, how to apply in the buyer's office and stay in the moment in the afternoon. Unique.

 

MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING® COLLEGE

May 5-9, Newport, RI, Ocean Cliff Hotel

http://summitconsulting.com/consulting-college/consulting_college_2013-12.php

I keep moving out and they keep pulling me back! I've had requests and people throwing money, so I'll do another at a time of year when it's often possible to have drinks on the beach. Join me for the longest continuing major event I conduct, now in its ninth year.

 

 

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 2014

Four Seasons, Palm Beach

Oct. 22-24

 

SOLD OUT, wait list only. Dan Pink thrilled everyone this year, and 18 of those participants immediately signed up again! The internationally famed political analyst James Carville is my special guest. The fee is $10,500.

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/the-thought-leadership-symposium-2014-10.php

 

LONDON

Personal Power

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/PersonalPower.php

 

London, April 23

 

This workshop will explore and build "presence" and charisma. We'll create and practice the traits that work for you to:

 

• Command a discussion

• Influence a meeting

• Turn objection into advantage

• Be instantly accepted and heeded

• Enable others to be successful by being with you

• Set the standard for others

• Build personal and/or professional communities

 

We'll use actual examples and then create scenarios where participants will role-play with feedback from peers in a "fishbowl" environment.

 

In one day, we will increase your personal power. What's that worth to you?

 

Fee: $1,495 until February 1. $1,795 thereafter.

Growth Cycle discounts, Alan and Bentley Cards apply.

 

Note that Bali setting will be in a casual "retreat" atmosphere.

10% additional discount on Bali sessions until February 1!

 

The Pivot Point

http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/PivotPoint.php

 

London April 24

 

The pivot point is that point at which you dig your foot into the conversational turf and change direction. You "run to daylight" in the immortal coach Vince Lombardi's words.

 

Great athletes turn quickly toward opportunity. People do the same in successful careers and conversations. This is how to escape wandering and meandering discussions and "run to daylight." Your daylight, of course, is a proposal and a project.

 

In this half-day session, we'll:

 

• Practice the language and techniques to suddenly shift a discussion

• Identify and master how to use others' language to change course

• Accelerate the speed of progress suddenly

• Practice standard and customized pivots

 

We'll use extensive role-play which participants are encouraged to record for personal reinforcement.

 

Bonus Option

 

In the afternoon, we'll practice in an informal discussion group for anyone who chooses to perfect these skills still more. We will challenge each other with instant feedback on progress. This will be a strenuous workout.

 

Fee: $750 for the morning until February 1. $1,000 thereafter.

Bonus afternoon: $495 until February 1. $$750 thereafter.

You must attend the morning to attend the afternoon.

 

Note that Bali setting will be in a casual "retreat" atmosphere.

10% additional discount on Bali sessions until February 1!

 

MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING® MINDSET

This is a free newsletter which is my fastest growing, with monthly, brief insights about consulting and expressing expertise. NEW: For those of you who would like more of an experiential approach and to accelerate learning and results, I'm offering a Professional Subscription. For just $50 I'll provide in addition:

1.      A quarterly teleconference expressly for Professional Subscription members, which will include Q&A and a free download within 48 hours.

2.      A quarterly video on implementation and methodologies. This will also be a free download.

The first two alone are worth between $200 and $400, and you'll receive 8 learning experiences which you can retain and replay whenever need. This will be all new material. The deadline is January 31. That's $6.25 per video and audio!

 

THE WEEKLY SABBATICAL

http://www.summitconsulting.com/seminars/TheWeeklySabbatical.php

 

Build your energy, renew your focus, create greater growth by taking an ongoing, weekly break, guided by these five-minute videos. A breath of fresh air in a busy life.

 

QUARTERLY TELECONFERENCE ON PERSONAL GROWTH

http://summitconsulting.com/teleconference/2014.php

 

An hour's guide to personal and professional success with free downloads.

 

ENLIGHTENED SELF-PUBLISHING

http://www.summitconsulting.com/seminars/Enlightened-Self-Publishing.php

Do you have a small niche audience, or a book commercial publishers don't understand, or a need to launch a book quickly? I've self-published, have a crack team, and we can get books into print that are highly impressive, hard copy and/or electronic. We can even create special web pages and video promotion.

 

SUPER COACHING

I have selected openings in the Super Coaching Program (KAATN: Kick Ass and Take Names): http://summitconsulting.com/seminars/Supercharged-Coaching.php

 

I've helped people: obtain six-figure contracts, make major media appearances, gain meetings with top people (some nationally known), have proposals closed, start new businesses, gain greater visibility, build self-worth, obtain book contracts, create new brands, improve their web sites and blogs, and so on. The original group's nine months is about to end, so there are a few openings.

 

THE ALAN CARD and THE BENTLEY CARD now available for 2014:

 

http://www.summitconsulting.com/seminars/theAlanCard.php

 

SPECIAL ENDORSED PROGRAMMING

 

Use my excellent professional colleagues as resources in areas such as personal wealth building, positioning messages and brands, and establishing C-level relationships. You can see what Phil Symchych, Mark Levy, and Andrew Sobel  are offering with my endorsement here: http://summitconsulting.com/Licensed-and-Endorsed-Development-Experiences/

 

 

4. ONLY READ THIS IF YOU KNOW ME WELL OR YOU'LL BE NEEDLESSSLY TICKED-OFF DEPARTMENT

 

I pull into the gas station for my first fill-up on my brand new Corvette Stingray convertible. The attendant makes a fuss, and then tells me he can't open the gas tank. We both struggle, I push an assortment of buttons, and then the two of us consult the owner's manual while trying to pretend nothing unusual is going on.

 

We finally find the answer under "fuel": the tank automatically unlocks when the engine is shut off. The engine is off, however. We look at each other, as cars are lining up. "Reboot" I think. I get back in, start it and stop it, and the tank pops open when he presses it. We both act as if nothing has happened.

 

However, I am happy my cars don't require operator's tests and that my license is good well into my 70s….

 

 

Reading is not the same as comprehending. Hearing is not the same as understanding. Speaking is not the same as influencing. -- Alan Weiss

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