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.

 
 

Balancing Act®: The Newsletter

(No. 312, July 2025)

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 2025 Alan Weiss. All rights reserved. 

ISSN 1934-3116

Balancing Act® is our registered trademark. You are encouraged to share the contents with others with appropriate attribution. Please use the ® whenever the phrase “Balancing Act” is used in connection with this newsletter or our workshops.

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Balancing Act® is in four sections:

  1. Essays
  2. Musings
  3. Developmental Stuff
  4. ORTIYKMWOYBNT-O Department

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Essays

Covid in Retrospect

What will the sociologists (and scientists) be thinking 50 years from now? Were the school closings, business bankruptcies, earnings declines, and cancelled family gatherings worth it? Did masks, prohibitions on travel, closed restaurants, multiple vaccinations, and social distancing really make a difference? What did it cost all those kids who lost years of school and socialization, and normal growing challenges and competitions? Covid was a dreadful tragedy, but did we over react?

Perfect Storm for Higher Education?

We have astronomical tuitions, a government attempt to crackdown on campus protests and discrimination, university presidents under severe criticism and forced departures, a renewed focus on the trades and not attending college, and a faculty radicalization that has gotten out of hand. Oh, yes, and also increasing effective remote education and no need for those brick and mortar buildings for most purposes. University leadership needs to go stand in the corner.

The Pope

Ironically, on the heels of the movie The Conclave, and actual conclave was called by the Catholic Church to elect a new Pope. And beyond expectations, an American was chosen. (The fact that he spent decades in Peru or served in the Vatican doesn’t make him any less of an American!) About one in five people on earth claim to be Catholic (with varying intensity), and three in five Christian. In an increasingly secular world, there was amazing focus on the process of electing the new Pope and what his influence might be. It was high drama. After all, the church has been around for over 2,000 years.

Credibility in the Media

No matter how convinced you are that you’re right, you’re not going to convince others if you don’t have an objective view. Almost every headline in the New York Times excoriates Trump (so far the weather and sports sections have stayed nonpartisan). The TV show “The View” is so far left that you have to watch it lying on your side. When you’re so sure that you’re morally above all others, you have altitude sickness. The Providence Journal loathed former mayor Buddy Cianci, who was a colorful and unrepentant figure. He told me once that it was such vile hatred, that if he walked across the surface of the Providence River one evening, the next morning that paper’s headline would be: “Mayor Can’t Swim!!”

Musings

I was addressing one of my coaching groups the other day, and we were talking about self-worth, powerlessness, and so forth. And it occurred to me that this is a pivotal time in terms of trust.

If you consider the essays above, many of us have lost trust (faith) in religion, science, politicians, journalists, and education. We’ve seen medicine politicized, plagiarism by university presidents and professors, terribly skewed “news” reporting reflecting partisan bias, sexual scandals among clergy, and slanted talk shows (“The View” I cited on TV is simply one continual progressive rant without any attempt to really provide other “views.”)

I read somewhere once that “there is no one as corrupt as the morally certain.” I believe that wholeheartedly. To shut down other opinions and disrespect other people simply because you disagree with them is beyond arrogance—it’s smugness (and smugness is arrogance but without the talent). From the Crusades to the present, blood has been massively spilled because people cannot accommodate others’ beliefs.

There is no empirical evidence for many such beliefs, but there is plenty of confirmation bias. A great Broadway musical called “Avenue Q” had a song called, “The Internet Was Made for Porn.” In a similar vein, I’d say it was created for confirmation bias, so that every strange belief, every conspiracy theory, every personal opinion can find support, and all contrary views (and factual evidence) can be safely ignored.

The onus is on us to find original and reliable sources of information, to separate opinion from fact (and folly), and to draw conclusions based on empirical evidence and observed behavior.

The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. But nor is it evidence of presence.

Development Opportunities
Million Dollar Consulting Remote College 2025

NEW!! Million Dollar Consulting® Remote College 2025:

September 10th: 9 am to Noon, September 11th: 9 am to Noon, September 12th: 9 am to 10:30 am

I’ve been providing this seminal educational and business development event for over two decades, with many people attending several times because there is so much content and so many changes to consider. That certainly applies today more than ever. This is my third virtual session. You will gain and learn and master:

Personalized approaches to your attraction, acquisition, implementation, and expansion of business

  • Creation of increased revenues through a thorough exploration and a model of the three components of a new business.
  • Creation of an organized, guaranteed referral system and sample promotional approaches.
  • Building your brand to increase unsolicited inquiries from qualified buyers.
  • Increasing your media exposure.
  • Positioning yourself as an expert with a powerful brand.
  • Creation of a “larger picture,” abundance mentality.
  • Increasing the size of your proposals.
  • Decrease your labor through increased advisory work and appropriate creation of remote and passive offerings.
  • Improve your standing as a “results leader.”
  • Improving the quality of your life.

That’s right, 2.5 days that will produce a lifetime of results. There is preparatory reading I’ll provide and more I’ll recommend. You’ll also receive three books and extensive prep work,  30 days of post-program coaching from me (which will be extended if you’re already in a coaching relationship with me).

The fee is $12,000. (Graduates of the College may return for $6,000.) 

Please register here: https://alanweiss.com/shop/gexp/2025-million-dollar-consulting-college-remote-workshop/

 Register before July 10 and your fee is $10,000, $5,000 for past graduates.

An Alan Live Experience: Beyond Success

AI: Alan Intelligence™

My unique AI resource which will direct you to the relevant aspects of my entire body of work to answer your “real time” questions about proposals, value based fees, conceptual agreement, avoiding “ghosting,” and thousands of other issues with text, audio, and video resources, all of which you can download. Please go here to gain lifelong, constantly growing access to my work, including referral to specific pages in my books which you can access online: https://alanweiss.com/ai-alan-intelligence/ If you decide at any time to engage in one of my two elite, personal coaching relationships, I'll deduct the full fee you've paid for this resource.

An Alan Live Experience: Beyond Success

Six Figures to Seven (6-2-7)

This is by far one of my most popular programs (along with the Million Dollar Consulting® College and Master Class). I’ve delivered it a total of six times on three continents, each time different, because the focus is on contemporary events and the near future. Join me to learn and apply how, for example, to: 

• charge over $100,000 for nearly every project. 

• go beyond coaching to the more lucrative advisory work 

• build a brand that’s on every buyer’s mind 

• develop novel and new IP weekly and AD HOC 

• use language to control any conversation 

• stimulate evangelism as a sales strategy  

• create instant eBooks 

• dramatically improve your speaking and videos 

• overcome esteem issues dealing with buyers and fees

There will be role plays, so if they make you fearful, I’ll have a “safe haven” for you (out in the hall). There will be a practicum, so if working on client issues makes you nervous, bring medication (enough to share, of course). So man-up. Woman-up. Human- up. Whatever. I cannot guarantee that you will accept and apply what I share with you. But you will have already paid me, so what the hell? I will promise that if you apply even some of my techniques consistently and completely, you’ll make a minimum 50:1 return on this investment. Social proof? Just ask my clients: https://alanweiss.com/testimonials/

Location: Chicago (Palmer House) Dates and Times: September 17-18, 9am to 4pm. Continental breakfast and lunch are included along with 30 days of follow-up Q&A based on program content and including a free Zoom session for registrants, based on the program.

Your investment: $5,000 https://alanweiss.com/shop/gexp/six-figures-to-seven-2025/

 

Alan Weiss's Zoom Workshops 2025

Zoom Workshops 2025:

2025: Join me on July 8 for our next installment. If you can’t attend “live” you’ll still receive the video and the AI Companion transcript. 

https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/zoom-workshops-2025/ 

July 8: Dramatic Conversational Pivot Points.

 

 

 

LEARN MORE

 

An Alan Live Experience: Beyond Success

An Alan Live Experience: Beyond Success

What happens when you’re meeting your aspirations, when your lifestyle is fabulous, and your prospects are excellent? How much is “enough”? Is there a “retirement”? How do you change (or sell) your business and IP? Are philanthropy, volunteering, and service right for you? Are you able to care for family and important others? What will keep you excited and positive—and “youthful”? We’ll explore this and more over two days of intense discussion and exercises in a small group. We’ll get together in New York for two 9-to-4 days, September 24th and 25th, including a reception. As you know, you’ll learn a lot from your colleagues and peers in that room. $7,500. https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/beyond-success/

LEARN MORE
 
Million Dollar Consulting® Global Online Program

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://milliondollarconsultingcourse.com

LEARN MORE
Million Dollar Consulting® Global Online Program ADVANCED

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/growth-experiences/advanced-global-learning-program/

LEARN MORE
Million Dollar Consulting® Global Online Program GRADUATE

New: 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://milliondollarconsultingcourse.com/graduate-learning-program/

LEARN MORE

You can ask for an ideal proposal format, and then ask the system to fill that format using information you gathered. Of course, you can first ask the system for what information to gather, and what the best questions are for that purpose! Accelerate your results, brighten your sky!

July only, celebrate the Fourth with $2,625 in benefits for your $600 purchase.

July 4 Special: Freedom from Undercharging and overdelivering

I'm offering during the month of July a fireworks special: Become a lifetime member of AI: Alan Intelligence™ and you'll receive a complimentary 45-minute Zoom coaching session (normally $2,000), including recording and summary, AND a 50% discount on my premium membership of $1,250: $600!

Celebrate your independence from "ghosting," rejected proposals, being undervalued, and suffering through too much labor.

I just asked my AI (in other words, I asked myself) "How best to promote a new offering to my ideal buyers?" And here's what I was told:

To effectively promote a new offering to your ideal buyers, consider the following strategies based on the context provided:

  1. Understand Your Ideal Buyer: Identify who your ideal buyers are by focusing on those who have a true need for your value and can pay for it. They should be individuals who are passionate about your offerings and can benefit from your innovative ideas and process skills.

  2. Leverage Existing Relationships: Use your current network and ask satisfied clients for recommendations. A pleased buyer should have no hesitation in sharing your value within their company, as long as they are not shortchanged.

  3. Focus on Value Proposition: Clearly articulate how your new offering enhances the goals of your buyers, both professionally and personally. Demonstrate the value and benefits they will gain from your offering.

  4. Utilize Onsite Opportunities: When visiting client sites, take the opportunity to market your new offering to potential buyers within the organization. This can be done gracefully by engaging in conversations and showcasing the value of your offering.

  5. Create Relevant Content: Develop content that resonates with your ideal buyers, such as case studies, testimonials, and success stories that highlight the impact of your offering.

  6. Engage in Direct Conversations: Intiate conversations with potential buyers by asking questions that test their interest and need for your work. Focus on understanding their goals and decision-making processes.

  7. Highlight Unique Value: Emphasize the unique aspects of your offering that set it apart from competitors. Avoid focusing solely on methodology or technical details; instead, demonstrate how your offering will make the buyer better off.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively promote your new offering to your ideal buyers and increase the likelihood of successful engagements.

And if you do it by the Fourth, I'll make it $500!

SIGN UP Here

 

I'm an Old Cowhand...

Freshman year in college I was taking a required history course called Western Civilization. (Could they get away with that name today?) It was taught by a Swiss professor with a heavy German accent, who also reverted to French and Italian expressions, at 4pm, and it could be a snooze. I sat next to a guy who was having trouble with the content.

Early in the semester he said, “I’m going to drop the course, won’t be seeing you again here. If I do it this week there’s no penalty.”

“You don't need a great mark,” I pointed out, why not just do what you can and get a passing grade?”

“Are you kidding?” he said, “this is confusing as hell. Last week he talked about five French kings all on the throne at the same time.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, thinking maybe I had missed something.

“There was Louis XIV, Louis the Great, Louis Quatorze, the Sun King, and le Roi Soliel,” he had counted on his fingers.

“Maybe you’d better drop it,” I said.

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