Make sure you understand what other people mean...

...especially during negotiations.

Misinterpretation of just a single word can potentially lead to miscommunication.

If you believe there is a chance of misunderstanding, simply ask: Could you please elaborate on what you mean by "".

My down-to-earth approach to negotiations...

...may be too much down-to-earth.

At least a little preparation in order to properly leverage the 7 triggers to yes would be in its place - the down-to-earth and close relationship/trust building is however still working perfectly fine.

In any case - Be yourself!

Elaborate on stories and create feelings and emotions...

...instead of just asking questions all the time.

A secret little tip: After asking on what a person is doing, follow up with "Amazing, I really admire when people ... "

Example: Amazing! I really admire when people follow their dreams and let nothing in their way for achieving the things they dream about here in life! It must really feel great to know that you are always doing the things you are really passionate about! 

Follow up with interesting in-depth question on the persons passion.

It simple, and powerful!

But don't tell anyone about this! Not even the source of where you get these learnings from! Its a  secret!

Make it secret...

...if something is secret, and you get it, you appreciate it a lot more.

Even a free day off as I got today, which was a secret.

It is my little advice to you, but don't tell anyone! :)

Role modelling is quite smart - yesterdays learning actually

Learn by role modelling allows you to effectively control and leverage the amazing power of your subconscious mind. The conscious mind is quite limited, so we need to use it to just instruct the subconscious mind.

1) Find role models that possess the skills you wish to learn - then simply observe them.

2) When having observed them perform the skill for some time, perform role modelling visualization trick by visualizing the role model in action, doing the skill you wish to internalize, and then jump into it.

So easy, and yet so powerful.

Challenge now:

1) Find skills to learn

2) Find best role models to copy

3) Actually DO the exercise

Amazing how effective mind-conditioning is

Already feel all the benefits.

It's like an instant habit conditioner!

Spend time on ensuring that you spend time on yourself

Make sure you schedule time focused on improving your life by committing yourself to continuous improvement. (rather than just saying "I will improve my life").

It will in turn make you happier, enjoy life more, and ultimately make you more effective and productive in all areas of your life.

Today my top priority will be to:

- Complete mind conditioning to commit myself to continuous life-improving mind-conditioning to commit myself to continuous life-improving actions (yes, its not a typo)

Bulking tasks is perfect...

...even on a larger scale, like taking a week off to focus 100% on one thing.

This requires pre-planning, but the rewards are amazing, as you are focused on getting things done all the time - while at the same time really enjoying the process of course to get the most out of every second of your life.

Sick on the 4th day now...

...and the learning has been the same each day - only re-enforced and made stronger.

Don't let anything compromise your effort to stay healthy and take good care of yourself :)

Call more often than emailing...

...especially when you are uncertain of the situation and the other persons perception of it.

Remember that words only correspond to a very little part of the communication - and therefore you are at a high risk of misintepreting more complex situations over email.

Motivation Series: Continuous growth...

...is a personal key for motivation.

Having clear indications of continous growth (rather than e.g. yearly only), by indicating progress and providing courses with feedback/outcome effect is a great simple way to increase motivation (given that the learning mechanisms are in place of course).

Motivation series: Teamwork

In times where perceived impact of work is low, it appears that simple teamwork will increase motivation and output significantly.

Been observing this lately, and got indications from conversations today as well.

It has always been clear to me that teamwork is a great motivator, but it seems especially impactful for boring/less interesting tasks.

Interesting way to improve work morale for simple repetitive tasks e.g. support, administrative or sales tasks. Next question would be how to make it clear teamwork (rather than simple cooperation/splitting of tasks) for those types of tasks...

Motivation series: Public positive feedback...

...works wonders. And it is so easy to do.

Learning: If possible, keep feedback to a point where other people are present.

Direct marketing...

...is a great way to attrach customers.

Target e.g. most wealthy people and focus how to provide them with special service.

Focus on the 7 triggers to yes, and also apply the triggers to pursuation such as scarcity, special info.

Internet marketing and sales techniques is becoming a more and more interesting subject to me - will defintely attend undergroundonlineseminar next year.

Also another learning during the recent week - motivation requires that the person is aware of the importance and impact of the task they are doing.

Also explaining the entire process and focus on making the purpose of the task (use of end product) clear, are important factors to increased motivation.

Wow, big learning day...

...have literally a whole sheet of learnings filled out. Too much to cover here even.

Also the variety of learnings is amazing, and I believe the key here is back to the point of the importance of role modelling - and finding the right people to role model.

Not that you should take everything from the specific person, but rather specific things from each person to be inspired by.

Thus a good mix of rolemodels within different areas of your life would be ideal.

So this person from today specifically has inspired me in many useful ways, especially for his directness and ability to communicate feedback in a very precise and constructive way, while constantly calibrating with clarifications and ensuring the message comes across correctly.

I believe he must have read my earlier learning blog on communication: "It does not matter what you say. The only thing that matters is how the other person perceives it".

Also, I see the point of insecure overachievers being made here, and luckily with my knowledge of this, I am able to ensure I don't fall into the trap of taking unimportant things too seriously.

So all in all a great day! Both personally and professionally - still with a slight lack of motivation though.

Its amazingly easy to get a work permit in Switzerland...

I can easily stay here for 4 more years now.

Must be some european thing.

Ohh, and another small thing - cold water splash every morning does wonders!

I got too many things going on these days...

...and as with anything, you cannot succeed at everything, you need to focus on the most important things and finish of projects in a one-by-one manner - unless of course you like a random life where you start lots of stuff and never finish anything thing...... :)

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about A :)

Ahh, its the kitty kitty story!

Of course. 

They are all waiting for the biiig reward.

Big personal learning.

Critcal to explain process very clearly, otherwise the mere thought of not being on track or doing the right thing can heavily de-motivate.

Certainty that you are on the right track helps alot.

Can it really be so boring to not work on your own company...

...how does anyone get through life as a non-entrepreneur?

Today I learned that I don't really understand. 

I need to find out what it is that motivates people here to work so much.

If I get that, then it should help at a later point with own employees too.