Don't Give Into The "Domino Effect!"

I go to a chiropractor who is struggling with his business. He’s very good at what he does, funny guy, gets along with his patients. He should be quite successful, but he’s not.

But there lies the problem. Patients & cash flow (and his monthly nut put a strain on him)

His patients who are being laid off don’t have any more health insurance so they are (you guess it) are NOT going into to his office any more.

His funnel of new patients is drying up. (I am sure if it’s happening to him, it’s happening to his competition.)

And it’s now becoming the domino effect. Because he is not making the money he deserves to make, his spirit is taking a beating. Once that happens he will completely lose his passion and once it happens... he will close shop... because he HATES what he is doing right now. (Surprisingly, he is turning 50 shortly just like my other buddy.)

On the flipside I am sure he would be happy with his career choice, if he was having a great year. Instead, he wants to get out instead of fixing the problem.

I’ve given him marketing ideas… pushed him towards getting “out of his comfort zone” to take decisive action during this recession, (but still he resists making any changes.)

I think it has to do with work ethic… he’s lazy. He figures he puts his time at his office during working hours... then that’s all he wants to do with his business.

He works within his own “box.” (His flaw is his ego and his 'it's his way… or the highway' type of mentality.)

Instead of taking action, trying new marketing ideas to drum up business (perhaps ADVERTISING) he is burying his head in the sand.

Every time I give a suggestion he shoots it down. Doesn’t want to try it, or he did, and it didn’t work. Blah, blah, blah!

Instead he would rather play his guitar, watch TV… and do activities that don’t bring an immediate ROI.

Yes, we all need R & R. It’s important to our physical and mental health…

BUT how is watching TV every night (while his practice suffers during the day) going to get him out of the hole and revitalize his practice?

It’s the same with your reinvention. FACT: We are in a recession. FACT: from all walks of life people are hurting FACT: No one is immune to this economic tsunami that is wreaking havoc on people.

BUT you have a choice: Instead of saying no one is “hiring” these days… then NOW is when you should work on your second career that allows you to have another stream of income coming in.

NOW, is when you should reinvent yourself for the turnaround that is occurring.

DON’T keep watching TV and the news and listen to the “doom and gloom” crowd. DON’T bury your head in the sand like an ostrich hoping things will get better. Hope is not a proactive activity… it has no teeth. Yes, stay positive, but be based in reality

What my friend should do is find a successful chiropractor who is really doing well and model HIS behavior like his. Ask for assistance… pick his brain…. Discover why this chiro is doing well.

He should position himself NOT as just another chiropractor… but an alternative health practitioner who can ease you pain and stress during this difficult time. He has to try different ideas and see what works… he needs to take action.

And you should do the same. You should dig deep within yourself and take one particular action every day… one hour of your time to move forward with your new career.

It’s a gorgeous Sunday right now. I would love to be outside with my dog. What am I doing? I am inside writing to you… giving you ideas that can help you move forward.

That’s important to me, so I am doing it. THEN I am going to do some cardio… come back and do some more writing to my subscribers. (Work on finishing my book)

Discipline is just deciding what is really important to you NOW… or in the long run!

Come back periodically to check out my blogs and to get new ideas. I hope you can tell me how you are doing or respond to my blogs with your ideas.

To your reinvention,

Peter “The Reinvention Guy” Fogel
www.reinventyourselfnow.com

PS Need to over come your lack of self confidence? Need to learn a skill that can get you more clients? Then learn the art of public speaking with my FREE 7 Days to
Effective Public Speaking E-course (Value $65) go to www.publicspeaklikeapro.com

Do you know someone who is going through this?

I need to tell you about a stand-up comedy buddy of mine for over 25 years by the name of Chuck.

Chuck is a clean, good-looking guy. During the comedy boom he was what I called an overachiever.

He wasn't a natural born performer, but a good writer who really worked at his craft. Great guy.

For the last 15 years he's been a cruise ship comedian juggling that career and family life. It's been tough. He loves and is devoted to comedy. It's not been an ardous journey, to say the least. His wife was never supportive of his career with his absences to work and make people laugh.

Her rants were the usual, "Can't you get a real job?"

Well, that time has finally arrived. Because of the recession cruise ships are cutting back their schedules and the hiring of comedians. They usually go with their "favorites"... not to mention that land work has dried up. Chuck is getting depressed because of money woes...PLUS he's hit 50. (AAAAAAAAARGH!)

Show business is a tough, rewarding, career with more lows than highs. You have to be a lifer to stay in it. Bookers and agents look out for #1 - themselves!
They have no loyalty and you are at their beck and call. It's demeaning, to say the least. It's the law of supply and demand. More comics than venues to work in.

One cruise line who he has worked for uses him ONLY as a fall-out act. If another scheduled comedian CANCELS... then and only then will call Comedy Kelly Girl Chuck!

Here's the irony: Even though he helps them out time and time again... even though he is reliable they show no loyalty to give him set dates.

Soooooooooo... he sits by his phone every week (Well, no one really sits by their phone. More likely he stares at his cell phone hoping it rings) waiting for the call to hop on a ship to earn-a-living-that-week!

Yes, this lifestyle is something you can put up with when you’re single in your twenties… But NOT when you’re a family man with an Ivy League education hoping to have enough money to send your child to college in a few years.

Every time Chuck gets a fall out date... does a good job making drunk vacationers laugh... he PRAYS that the cruise line booker (who he has helped out NUMEROUS times) will reward him with new, steady work.

Like a dog who does tricks for a treat.

But you know what? It never happens... in their eyes he is their Comedy Temp Guy.

Unfortunately, their perception of him... is their reality.

He always says to me, "You did the right thing, Pete, years ago... you learned another skill that's in demand... and you created your own luck. Me? I kept holding on thinking things would change!"

I told Carl, "Let it go and reinvent yourself.... get a life where you are NOT beholden to a gypsy existence. Create value for your client, make money for them, and you will make the money you deserve!.”

I told him, "Listen: the secret to doing that is to TOTALLY (notice I
used caps) to commit to being a full-time sales person and giving up this crap of jumping like a desperado every time the booker calls you and pulls your strings.

If you're going 9-5 then be there for your employer. If they sense you are going to go on cruise ships at a moment's notice... you are toast! They’ll know it immediately!"

And because Chuck has had a career in sales before he is now looking to do that again full-time. Being a stand-up comic is a great background for doing that.

Chuck is going to take his past skills and transfer them to his new one.

BUT I warned him, "There's no looking back... there is no doing this half-assed… there is NO hoping Cindy calls you to do another date on the ‘Fun Ship!’ Get a new career and when her majesty calls you, you turn-her-down. She's done! If you don't your life will end up the same... being a rat on a wheel. “

About 10 years ago I got tired of being treated the way Chuck was being treated now.

This why I switched careers. Yes, I still do stand-up (but I cherry pick the gigs) Yes, I do a lot of speaking... work my Internet business... write copy for major multi-million dollar companies. As you probably notice, I have multiple streams of income!

BUT I do these businesses on my terms... NOT other people's!!!


But THAT is what a true reinvention is. Being disciplined... focusing like a laser on doing what you have to do to bring joy to your life in a new career. It takes perseverance.

It takes 100% total commitment. Carl will succeed... he's a hard worker, smart, and tenacious. He is willing to do what it takes to succeed.

What about you?

Are you ready to take the plunge and really move forward? Are you ready
to "let go" of your past to deal with your present?

Yes, times are tough now... but they will change... and now is the time to position yourself and do what my friend Carl is doing.

If I can guide you to reaching your goal just let me know!

Keep checking out my blog for new articles, tips, and tricks to helping
you reach your goals. And don’t forget to check out my website
at www.reinventyourselfnow.com for my books and other reinvention products!

On tomorrow's blog I show you how one professinal I know refuses to "take of business" and why he gets in his own way.

To your reinvention,

Peter "The Reinvention Guy" Fogel

PS Please leave a post to his blog and let me know your thoughts!

Have You Found YOUR Defining Moment?

When it comes to successfully reinventing yourself I always refer to my audiences that they examine and find their “defining moment.”

So let’s discuss what that is.

And the best way to do that is give you a little background on myself. Being a middle child (and you know what we go through in families) I realized from an early age that if I could make people laugh I could get attention.

Family friends and relatives always seem to reap praise on me for my impressions and jokes. So as young man of eight years old I knew then and there I was going to “become a comedian/actor. That was my defining moment. I know I had made the right career choice. It was in my blood, my soul: Entertainment.

I went onto work steady in show business and working on over 14 television shows.

When I left show business for speaking and writing, I used that background to propel me into working as a copywriter and marketer.

You see, I realized if I can excel in show business, anything else is a piece of cake. And it was (sort of).


But I’ll be honest with you. When I learned freelance copywriting, I was scared. Is work out there for me? Can I earn a steady income?

Can I get clients? We both know when we get to a certain age there is unfortunately more baggage in our lives. (You don’t have any? Okay, just me then! :)

But let’s face it. You’re a different than the person you were in your 20’s and 30’s right? Of course, you are. You are wiser for one thing. BUT also you’ve had more ups and downs.

And you might be scared!

You might think, “How can I reinvent myself at this age?” I needed a sign from the heaven’s that I could really do this.

Well, I attended a copywriter’s boot camp and was given an opportunity to write a sales letter. I did and fortunately for me it went onto mail for a few years and I made some nice royalties on it…

Well, THAT was my defining moment! Writing that sales piece gave me the confidence to move forward with my career. It proved to me that I could indeed earn a very nice living at copywriting.


So that in a nutshell is a very important piece of the “reinvention puzzle” that you need to succeed! It’s imperative you find yours (or it should find you!)

“A defining moment” is particular time in your life that gives you a strong indication that you have to make a change in your work and, or, in your career. Or that you made the wise choice. It can come from internal or external forces or as I stated earlier, “a sign” from above (i.e. see Moses and burning bush)

Or perhaps serious health issues leaves you no choice and insists you make a change. Another defining moment could be an unexpected opportunity that comes to you… You rise to the occasion, grab the brass ring, and oila— you hit pay dirt and realize that THIS is the career direction you should be heading into.

Either way, you are taking action. My advice is found your defining moment so that you will feel more secure and happy about moving forward and reinventing yourself. It’s a must!

Peter Fogel is the “The Reinvention Guy.” He is the author of “If Not Now… Then When? Stories and Strategies of People Over 40 Who Have Successfully Reinvented Themselves.” For more info on his books and other products go to www.reinventyourselfnow.com

Are YOU Ready to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!?

I have learned a few things in my ½ century of living. And that is some thing come easy to me and some things take work. For a long time while I was in show business I always blamed anything that wasn’t go right in my life on outside sources.

And yes, some things are out of control. When I would go into an audition for a commercial… the odds of me booking it were slim to none. I mean, “the suits” were auditioning 85 to 95 people for ONE role.

A lot of times they didn’t know what the hell they were looking for.
Yes, I booked commercials… and made some nice money at it over the years. BUT, it was stressful. The reason I did well was because I got into “the game.” I didn’t allow outside sources dictate my success.

The same thing was with my reinvention. I took the necessary actions to become a copywriter and earn six figures. I did NOT let any negativity stand in my way. I was obsessed to learning my new skill… to gaining more knowledge. I had to; it was also a competitive profession.

BUT with one difference; good actors DON’T always work. But good copywriters do.
The secret to a successfull reinvention is enter a career YOU have control of.

Discovering skills that are in demand and are recession proof. Yes, that
goes working for a company (or going out on your own.)

So you have to step up to the plate and take action to reinventing yourself.

Remember: A body in motion; stays in motion… and body at rest; well… zzz.

I think you get the picture. Having coached people over the years in reinventing their careers I have discovered that people tend to be “happy” in their miserable zone and will do everything they can to NOT to take action for fear of the unknown (or failure.)

You need to shake up your own perception of your reality and say to yourself, “What is the worse that can happen?” and still put yourself in the position to reach your goals even you don’t like doing a particular activity that you KNOW you must do if you are to move forward.

Hey, it’s like losing weight. Going on a vacation and want to look good in a bathing suit? Well, guess what… those pounds AIN’T coming off unless there is some sweat and tears, my friend!

Same with reinventing your life and your career.

Tom Hanks said in a the movie, A League of their Own” to one of the other characters, “It’s baseball… it’s supposed to be hard… if it wasn’t then everyone would be doing it.”

YES! Reinvention is hard, especially in this economy. YES! It will take time and focus. Do you want to get into a whole line of work? Or do you want to make a lateral ‘reinvention’ with in your present work niche.

I wanted to get OUT of show business and enter a new field. I wanted to shed my own skin and become the person I wanted to always be.

You can do the same thing, I promise you. BUT only you can make that determination. Only YOU know what head and heart tell you to do. Know this: I am here to help you accomplish it with either my products or advice.

Let me know how I can help you!

Check out Peter "The Reinvention Guy" Fogel's book at reinventyourselfnow.com
"If Not Now... Then When? Stories and Strategies of People Over 40 Who Have
Successfully Reinvented Themselves"

Can You Handle FEEDBACK About Your Speaking?

Short of getting a paycheck and future work, there is no greater high then giving a compelling presentation and “feeling” it from your audience immediately. This is why I love public speaking.

Nothing beats putting your heart and soul into your preparation, believing in your message... and then delivering that message to an eager audience.

And even though you got good vibes from them, it’s important that you still know “where to improve” in your craft.

You may be doing something on stage that annoys them... that you are not aware of. You might need to go into more detail on a particular subject, that you thought was more than enough.

Experience and going with your gut will always help you, once you get more stage time... but IMMEDIATE feedback is what you need to boost your performance.

Higher evaluations = more gigs at more money!

That being said, a few months ago I spoke at the National Speakers Association convention in New York City. While there I gave a break out session for speakers and their staffs on the craft of copywriting.

Once home, later that week, one attendee sent me an e-mail

"Hi Peter -
Thank you for sending the e-book. I wanted to
get in touch with you and let you know that I found your
presentation one of the most beneficial of all the
break out sessions I attended."
LP

Naturally, I was thrilled to get this e-mail. But then I thought - how does this help me improve my presentation for future engagements?

So here's the reality of YOUR situation:

If you give your speech to at least 50 people there will be at least three people that will come up to you afterwards and kiss your butt saying, "Great speech." You could have been lousy (and they still would've said the same things.)

You don't want ABSTRACT feedback. Abstract does NOT help you improve. ABSTRACT and general feed back is useless. All is does is feed your ego for the next presentation.

Instead, respond by saying,

"Wow, that's very kind of you... tell me please what part of my presentation resonated with you?"

If they can't tell you the parts they liked... then "Houston you have a problem" and you have unfortunately didn't deliver the decisive blow of a targeted presentation. (Cheer up, failure is the BEST teacher there is and here's how you can improve your speech!)

BUT if they, then quickly write it down and emphasize those points in your NEXT speech. (Another great way to get feedback is to give an audience evaluation form.)

Remember: Most people will tell you that you were GREAT after your presentation - because they don't want to bruise your ego. So please take all of them for what their worth.

It's also important to note when people do compliment you, well,

1) they just might have an agenda and want a job from your...
2) they may want to get you as a client...
3) they may even give you a "big THANKS for a great speech spiel" because it makes them feel important that they connected with the speaker.

So as they say, “ya just never know” where they feedback is coming from.

Here’s a thought that could help you: If you have "none speaking” friends or speaking colleagues in attendance... great! These folks know you well.

Ask them where you can improve. They won’t have an agenda and will give you the necessary feedback to help boost your speaking prowess.

Oh, and by the way… I did ask that audience member for feedback? And do you know what resonated for her?First, she took copious notes on the content I gave her which she sent to me.

This proved to me she was listening. Secondly, she said I was the only speaker who didn’t PITCH the audience to buy anything (as other NSA speakers did at the convention) what impressed her was that I gave my audience value and content.

So there you have it. Get the feedback you need that can help improve your performance. Either speak to them, one on one, if the case calls for it. Maybe at the refreshment table!

But know if this happens the person will probably tell you what you WANT to hear, instead of what you NEED to hear!

Either way, your best bet is to use evaluation forms. They create anonymity for the person writing it and it allows them to “let it all hang out.”

To great speaker and even greater PROFITS in the coming year!

Peter Fogel

Peter “The Reinvention Guy” Fogel is a speaker, author, and seminar leader. His e-book, “Making the Bucks for Getting he Yuks” can be purchased at www.publicspeaklikeapro.com/silver.html

His full program can be found at www.publicspeaklikeapro.com

Are You Using POOR Articulation?

Let's face it: To be an effective speaker you really need strong articulation. And you would think this is a “no-brainer” for most speakers, but it's not. It's still a problem for beginning speakers and pros, a like.

From the moment you bound onto the stage, you really need to enunciate every time you open your mouth. “Slurring of words” is as bad as including “fillers” in your speech…like, “uh,” or “okay”

How does this happen? Well, it occurs a lot if your pacing gets to be too quick or you’re using words that are too difficult to present. I think you will agree that words that are too difficult to pronounce is not the way to relay a message to an audience.

You do not want your audience members to turn to each other and go, "What he say?"

You want to speak the speech so it tripplingly falls off the tongue, to paraphrase a dead English playwright (Shakespeare)


Know this: Even if you’re talking to rocket scientists… you should always use language that a sixth grader can understand. Shorter sentences can help.

And yes, use jargon to make more of an impact with your targeted audience, but try to use words that are NOT going to trip you up once you say them.

I can’t tell you how many times that is happened to me on the platform, when I knew I shouldn’t even be using that word.

f course, I would make a joke about it. I would try pronouncing the word (at least two times) give up and then just go to the easier synonym.

For some reason I have a terrible time trying to say the word “specificity” in a sentence. Again, I try it … once (screw up) twice (screw up again)

Finally, I’ll look perplexed and exhausted at my audience and replace the word with, ”Exact.”
BTW - this is a self-effacing humor technique I might use with my audience if I want to get
a LAUGH!

Remember: bad articulation of any word (or rushing a thought out to your audience, suggests to them that you’re lazy, lacking education and you don’t care.) Pros know this very well.

Especially the ones that know their livelihood rests on their making sure that-every-single-thought are understood. Notice how I spelled out that sentence?

I did that for a reason. So you get my point and to show you what happens when you “over articulate.”

One colleague of mine talks very fast on stage. He can’t help but slur his words in just a normal conversation. His mind goes quick and his thoughts can’t always catch up.

And because he performs comedy for elderly people in large arenas… he’ll actually go over the top and – slow-down-his-delivery-and-over-enunciate-every word. He does this for his own survival on stage.

Yes, it sounds a tad unnatural to other speakers, (especially to the ones who know him well), but it seems to work for his audiences. My good friend knows his limitations and does his best to compensate for him. Know yours and work on improving your articulation. To this day, I still do!

Peter "The Reinvention Guy" Fogel is an author -speaker - marketing consultant of creator of the e-book “Making the Bucks for Getting the Yuks” Sure-Fire Comedy Secrets For Speakers That Can Help You Earn $500- $5000 a Month Making People LAUGH—Without Having to Be a Comedian

http://www.publicspeaklikeapro.com/silver.html

Do You Have "Master Plan" To Reinvent Yourself?

The new year is upon us. Here’s your OPPORTUNITY to get a fresh start…
Perhaps THIS is what you need to begin your reinvention.

But you have to know where you are going on your journey, am I correct?

You don’t just don’t “reinvent yourself” do you?

I mean, if you are going on a spectacular vacation don’t you make plans? You take succinct action! You go on-line and check the sights you might want to visit. You look for the best airfare, the best hotel that suit your needs!

You-make-plans! You get a tour guide and you take care of business, as they say.
Well, it’s the same thing with your reinvention.

If you are ready to take the plunge I recommend you have a MASTER PLAN to reinventing yourself.

You Have To Do Your Homework!

When I decided to become a promotional direct mail copywriter, I studied up on what it would entail. What the sacrifices I would have to go through to learn how to become a successful copywriter. I talked to other copywriters to find out what the pros and cons were, and how much a typical copywriter could earn.

What I had was a MASTER PLAN! And so should you!

Here’s the nitty gritty: Unless your health is at stake... don’t just quit your job. Instead, if you’re serious about moving onto a new career (just like going on a safari) you must have a map with directions (or a good guide) to get you to your new destination.

Do your due diligence and investigate what this new career will give you.

1) Is this new career going to give financial stability?
2) Is it a saturated market?
3) What obstacles will I encounter?
4) If I am going to start my own business and what are the costs?

Remember: If you do go cold turkey and quit your present position, it’s important you have enough funds (around 6 months of salary in the bank to sustain your standard of living.)

One more success idea:

To “reinvent yourself” you must have a take-no-prisoner’s attitude to changing your career and life. FAILURE is not an option.

Today, I am a six figure copywriter writing for major multi-million dollar companies in a recession proof industry. I have written a best selling book, and have an internet and public speaking career as well.

I am telling you this NOT to brag… but to inspire you on to greatness! Honestly, if I can do it... so can you! BUT how much do you realllllllllllly want it? Screw the economy and the recession— excuses are for losers.

You CAN reinvent yourself if you take the necessary steps. If I can assist you in anyway… just write me at reinventnow@yahoo.com

And keep coming back to my blogs!

Peter “The Reinvention Guy” Fogel
Author – Speaker – Seminar Leader
Author of the book, “If Not Now…Then When? Stories and Strategies of People Over 40 Who Have Successfully Reinvented Themselves"
Get the book at www.reinventyourselfnow.com

Check Peter out on the Miami's Jim and Jade Show

http://cbs4.com/video/?id=58377@wfor.dayport.com