Greg Karoly Intl - Success Blog

Your Success is Your Responsibility

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:48:41 -0600

You Failed, so what, don't be a Failure

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:36:51 -0600

Have you ever failed at something really important or vital? Of course, what a ridiculous question. How did you respond though?

Everyone fails in life. Some people more than others. Some fail by doing the same thing over and over. Pure insanity. Some fail by trying to achieve a goal or result, they don't get what they want, and then they commit the ultimate failure - they never try again. Others fail simply by never putting themselves out there.

For the sake of space, let's forget those who never put themselves out there. That's just pure loser mentality. Let's deal with how to handle failures.

What separates the successful in life from everyone else, in regards to failure, is to view and approach failure differently. First, don't view failure like everyone else. See the results you’re getting for what they are, and accept them as just that. Don't see them worse than they are. The result is just some form of outcome.

What can you learn from your result, and how can you change your approach to get a different result - preferably the one you're after? It's about measuring and managing the process. You must think of it this way.

Next, you absolutely must learn to love failure. Nothing in life is easy or free, and everything worthwhile requires effort and sacrifice. I don't know a single successful person who doesn't fail over and over. They step up though, and respond. They welcome the failures, because they know that right around the corner lays their next greatest successes.

The legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan, said it best, "I fail over and over again, and that is why I succeed". Words to live by. It's not about looking for failure, it's about accepting it for what it is, learning from it, and changing your approach when it happens.

There's one more element to dealing with failure, and probably the most critical - the emotional element. Rather than go on-and-on, let's get right to the strategies to prepare you. Here are 5 simply ways to prepare yourself emotionally for dealing with failure:

Start each and every day reading something positive and uplifting. You must set your mind up in a positive way each and every day.
Get the heck away from negative people. Toss them, expunge them, fire them, do whatever you have to, but get them out of your life and as far away as possible.
Surround yourself with positive upbeat goal driven leaders.
And while we're on the topic of goals, review yours regularly. If you don't have any, now is the perfect time to create some
Create a list of your last three failures. Then write down absolutely everything you can do differently to achieve what you were originally after. No you have a plan. Go do it.

Look, you failed in life at some things. So what, who cares. The only person in the world, who should matter to you, is you when it comes to your success. Don't be a failure. Welcome it when it happens, then step up and take some responsibility and action. Go after what you want. You failed - so what - don't be a failure! It's your choice.

12 Steps that actually work to get you hired NOW!

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:04:30 -0600

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5 Strategies Separating Winners from Losers

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:21:01 -0600

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My Rant for you to Dig Deeper

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:33:41 -0600

If you really want something in life, you absolutely must commit to going for it 1000%. You must live, eat, sleep, breath, be willing to die to get what you want. Watch this video and enjoy!

Technology and Relationships

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:42:26 -0600

How many articles have you read on the topic, "how the way we do business has radically changed over the past 5 to 10 years", or something related to that.

Everyday another expert offers his or her opinion on how the business climate has changed and the absolute steps you must take or fail miserably. You know what, they're all correct. Technology has repainted the business landscape. You know what else, they are all missing and dismissing one critical element though.

RELATIONSHIPS! No matter how you slice business, at the end of the day you still have a product or service to sell and those who develop sincere relationships sell the most.

Don't get me wrong, use technology and new paradigms to meet and reinforce relationships. But at its core, businesses are built by face-to-face and over-the-phone interactions. Over 80% of all communication in non-verbal, according to the most recent Stanford University study, so you must commit to honing your interpersonal communication skills.

Here are 5 actions to take now to build your interpersonal skills:

Put down the phone, iPad, and shut off your computer when your talking to someone - be fully present
Do not text or email when your talking with someone. It's so damn rude and unprofessional
Make a list of topics or ice breakers to use at networking events
Practice active listening. You have two ears and one mouth. Use them proportionally
Ask open-ended questions that engage both the mind and the emotions

And one more... if you make a promise, keep it. Nothing destroys the value of your commitment like breaking your word.

Okay, okay, one last one...
...send a hand written note to new contacts that includes just a brief note about something you either talked about or have in common. They'll never forget you for it, and it will fortify solid ground to build a genuine future on.
Technology is wonderful. It has changed the way we do business from a functional standpoint. Use it to augment relationships, but don't ever let it get in the way of real relationship building skills. People still buy from people. Go out, shake a hand and make a friend.

Who do you spend your time with?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:03:36 -0600

Do you play a sport? Actually, do you do anything competitively?

If you're reading this, it's safe to assume you do. When you want to improve your skills, performance or results, who do you surround yourself with? People like you with similar level of talent that you can relate too, those with inferior abilities so you can dominate, or do you demand of yourself to compete against stronger talent?

Most people play against similar talent levels or lower talent levels, and that's exactly why they never improve. You see, when you your standard is set exactly at the level you're currently at you will never improve. Even worse, when you compete against lesser talent your level doesn't stay the same, it DROPS.

You actually get worse by lowering your competitive level. Your standard winds up becoming that of your competition. If that's the case then you must raise your standards and compete against, sell against, work with, and play against opponents that are significantly better than you.

You become who you spend your time with. I bet if you look at and analyze your peer group, you probably earn within $5,000 of what the average is and you probably weigh within 5 pounds what everyone else does. If you want different results, raise your standard and develop a higher performing peer group.

You don't have to say goodbye to your friends. Help them raise their standards and bring them along for the ride. Bottom line, you become who you spend time with. So, do you want to compete against a lesser opponent, similar opponent or someone or some company that is significantly stronger than you?

My most commonly asked questions about sales, success & life

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:44:14 -0600

Here is a list of my most frequently asked sales, business and overall life questions. The answers are distilled from years of failure, years of success, and also come from some of the most successful people on the planet. Enjoy!

Question: How early should I get up?
Answer: At least an 1 1/2 before everyone else you're competing against. You need that time to prepare mentally, emotionally and physically.

Question: How come I always get the same objections?
Answer: You're presenting the same way every time, delivering no value, making undue assumptions, not asking thought provoking and insightful questions and you're not prepared.

Question: What's the best way to plan my day?
Answer: Pick a system, one system only, and focus all your efforts on making it work for you. Don't use two or three different methods. There are dozens of great systems out there including just a pen and paper. They all work if you use them. Pick one and stick with it.

Question: Is eating well and exercising that important?
Answer: Let me put it to you this way - if there's no fuel, or the wrong type of fuel, in your car's tank you're not going anywhere. Your goals, dreams and aspirations require fuel.

Question: I can't get passed the gatekeeper, what should I do?
Answer: Much has been written on this area. Keep it simple. The simplest way, connect with them through social media and build a relationship. Earn the right to approach them. Next easiest approach, find a salesperson at the company and have them introduce you around. Salespeople love to talk and give you information.

Question: What can I do to get my voice mails returned?
Answer: Be creative, add tons of value, earn the right to receive a return call, and when all else fails - hang up in the middle of your message. Curiosity will cause most of your messages to get returned.

Question: What are the best places to network?
Answer: Chambers of Commerce, local business mixers(Business Journal event, breakfasts, seminars), networking clubs(only if they make sense for your business model), health clubs, Toastmasters, civic organizations, the airport, social media, anywhere there are potential clients.

Question: How do you stay in such a great, upbeat mood all the time?
Answer: This isn't a Greg trait, but rather a trait of all high performers. We take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally. We read something inspirational throughout the day, we review our goals daily, we exercise on a regular basis(usually 5 days + per week), we fuel our bodies with high quality nourishment, we have a positive outlook on life and tell ourselves such, and we look for the good in every situation no matter how dire it may be.

Question: What's the best method you've found to close someone?
Answer: First, this isn't the 1960's. Build a relationship and become friends with your prospect, build more value than anyone else, create a winning environment, act selflessly, and let them buy - don't sell.

There are dozens more questions, and these listed are condensed into what I get asked most frequently. Now, how can you apply them to your own life?

Have you done your homework yet?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:37:31 -0600

How many of you are blessed with children, and how many have homework to contend with nightly?

Growing up you went through school, just like your kids, and came home with homework. Homework is designed to test, reinforce and condition what you've learned. It's also designed to expand your knowledge and your belief systems.

Children have homework right through high school for some, college and post graduate work for others. The fact is, homework is effective at improving your skill sets. Why then, do you stop doing homework, stop expanding and stop growing, learning and reinforcing the moment you graduate?

It's not because you've decided to stop growing and learning. It's because you've gotten so wrapped up in the day-to-day minutia of your professional and personal life, that knowledge takes a back seat. It's also because you've never been given a blueprint to succeed beyond the school systems.

What we know is from traditional education, and the focus has always been on structured academia. That works in the school systems, but in the real world, the professional world where you get downsized, laid-off and fired for not performing, this model simply doesn't work.

It's not enough to rest on your laurels any longer. Great performers get fired everyday, because there's a class of elite professional who constantly focuses on improving their industry and personal knowledge, professional skills, and mastering their relationships.

These elite members of all professions are safe, because they do their homework. Daily, weekly, monthly and annually they look for ways to improve. They're not satisfied with the status quo. They actively seek out the latest success books, industry journals, and related seminars. They network effectively, and their constant focus is on moving upward in all ways. They do their homework.

So, what homework will you do to dominate your company, market and competition?

Lesson from a 6 Year Old

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:32:56 -0600

Our middle child, Carter, has an incredibly valuable lesson he can teach all professionals. It's the lesson of mastery.

You see, Carter is a passionate movie lover. He completely and totally immerses himself in the experience; acting out the scenes of the characters, reciting the lines as they happen and mimicking every move the actors make. Its as if he's apart of the movie. As proud parents, it's so amazing to watch him in action.

I asked him why he does it. His answer was simple. "I want to be just like them, so I pretend and do what they do."

How profoundly intelligent of a six year old. That begs the question, if a 6 year old can master a character, why don't adults do the same thing?

As professionals, many people have already paid the price and achieved great success in every profession. So what can we learn from a child watching movies and pretending to be the main character?

Well if you want the same results as someone else, here's my recommendation:

seek out who is the absolute most successful in your chosen field
find a way to connect with them - use LinkedIn, facebook, their website, their blog, seminar, event, anything that puts you in their line of sight. There's always a way if you're determined.
Be humble and ask for their guidance or mentorship
Buy them breakfast, lunch, a cup of coffee, or pay them for an hour of their time and pick their brain
Create an outline to implement what you've learned - they have a success plan, use it
copy and emulate them - drink what the drink, eat what the eat, model their behaviors and actions, plan the way they plan, prospect the way the prospect, and so on - whatever it is for your profession

If they can do it, heck if a six year old can do it, so can you. Commit to mastery. It's not hard if your passionate about your profession. It's serious fun, and nets you serious results!