by Jim Cathcart

Where do you run when everything seems to be scary?

I watched some news programs last night with the predictable panic-inducing content. They were pointing out all the things we cannot control and how disastrous they might become. At the end of the show I was getting anxious!

Well, wait a minute. If I spend my time monitoring Congress, the President, International Affairs, Wars & Atrocities around the globe, fluctuations in Weather conditions and the rest of the news… what good am I doing? Seriously, what possible value can I get from staying acutely aware of these things? (I’ll pause while you ponder that one.)

<This is me pausing>

I’m not suggesting that you ignore the news, nor that you dissociate from what is going on in the world. What I AM suggesting is that you and I need to control the in-flow of information we receive. We need to take Conscious, Intentional and Relentless control over what we expose ourselves to and how much of it we ingest at a given time.

“Indoctrination” is what this process is called. It is a systematic method of molding a person’s thoughts and feelings through control of the information they are exposed to. When we habitually listen to one or two sources for our daily information we naturally will become shaped by that point-of-view. It’s a form of brainwashing.

Everybody is being indoctrinated. Everybody. It’s either being done by others without your awareness or, through your choices of what to hear and read, with you awareness. It is either intentional or unintentional but it is always going on. I say it’s time for you to take control over your own indoctrination.

Let’s begin with the underlying question: What do you want? Once you get clear on what you want then the ways to get it start to become evident. So ask yourself, what do you want to have, to experience, to feel, to do and to be? What kind of person do you want to be?

The kind of person you decide to become will determine the potential futures you are likely to have. To have you must do. To do you must be. To be you must choose and then act on your choices.

First thing in the morning what do you feed your mind? Music, talk radio, quiet reflection, reading, prayer, what? Once you are dressed and fed, what goes into your mind? In your car do you play the radio, listen to podcasts on your iPod, sing to yourself, what? During your daily workout do you watch TV? Which channels? What does that bring you? Keep up this process as you mentally walk through your day. Notice from dawn till dark what you allow into your mind. Be sure to also notice whom you spend time with. They have influence too.

Now, reflect on the above and Notice More. Notice the patterns, the theme in the information sources. Ask yourself, “Is this indoctrinating me to become the person I wish to be or more like someone else?” (Or even everyone else.)

Next, choose the inputs that will take you where you want to go and make them a daily routine, a new habit. Find the ways to incorporate new inputs into your morning routine, your commute, your workout, your evening unwind and your last impressions of the day.

If you’d like some good resources for this start with the “Online Store” on this website, or scan the 140+ blogposts I’ve inserted here. Sign up for the free weekly Acorn e-letter. Visit iLearningGlobal.tv and subscribe to the inspiring messages and practical lessons from all the top experts. Whatever you do, make it Conscious, Intentional and Relentless until you have achieved the results you want. Don’t abdicate control over your life to the fear-mongers, stay informed but don’t let others indoctrinate you unless you want to be like them.

Come and hear Jim Cathcart in person

Here’s an opportunity to jump start your year . . .
As part of International Coaching Week, the Orange County Chapter of the International Coach Federation (ICF-OC) will be offering an event to showcase the power and benefits of coaching on Friday, February 13, 2009.

Keynote speakers will be John Gray, Ph.D. the world’s foremost relationship and gender expert and author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and the new best seller, Why Mars & Venus Collide, and Jim Cathcart, one of the most recognized professional speakers in the world and author of the best seller Relationship Selling and number two best-selling e-book The Acorn Principle.

Would you like to obtain better results in life and work?

Members of the Orange County Chapter of the International Coach Federation will be offering workshops on a variety of coaching topics. Some of the subjects to be presented are:

Coping with the Inevitability of Change
Ignite Your Internal Spark
Inside Track for Career Growth
and much more!
Chapman University College Leadership Services Program, our Platinum Sponsor, will present a workshop on Coaching for Leadership Excellence.

John Gray, Ph. D. will be speaking on, “Coaching and Relationships, Why It Matters” and will follow his session with a book signing opportunity. An expert in the field of communication, John Gray’s focus is to help men and women understand, respect, and appreciate their differences in both personal and professional relationships.

Jim Cathcart will be presenting, “Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World.” He will show you how to use today’s strategies and technologies to create greater equity and outcomes from your existing contacts. His latest work is Relationship Intelligence® and was featured in the October 2008 issue of Success Magazine.

Whether you are currently part of the coaching community, considering coaching as a profession, or exploring the possibility of working with a coach, you will benefit from attending this exciting, dynamic day.

Attendance will be limited to 300 participants and it is suggested that you register early as last year’s event sold out. Mark your calendar and join us on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm., at the DoubleTree Hotel Santa Ana/Orange County Airport.

Just click here for more information, a detailed schedule, and how to register – register by January 31st and take advantage of the $10 early registration discount.

Experience the power of coaching!

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible . . .

Platinum Sponsor:
Chapman University College Leadership Services Program

Gold Sponsors:
Accomplishment Coaching
CTI
iPEC

Silver Sponsor:
Indra Successful Coach Marketing
The Hunter Partnership Alliance
Red Barn Coaching

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about the ways sponsors can participate in this event, contact Emily Woodman-Nance at emily.woodman@icforangecounty.org or 562-212-3715.

Let me tell people what YOU have to say!

Take a look at this link to see how I can act as your online spokesperson.

Whether as your official spokesperson or as an on-camera or voice-over talent I can speak on your behalf and gain more interest and trust from your customers and prospects.

MAKE JIM CATHCART YOUR ONLINE VIDEO SPOKESPERSON

Jim Cathcart, Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World

Thursday, January 22, 2009 Online and Interactive Video Advertising Hot for 2009 According to a recent survey of more than 400 senior-level decision makers, conducted by PermissionTV,  online video is the top priority for digital marketing budgets, along with a strong preference among marketers for increased sophistication and interactivity in online video capabilities to promote their brands. Matt Kaplan, VP of Solutions and Chief Strategy Officer of PermissionTV, said “… online video will play an increasingly critical role in all interactive campaigns… survey results demonstrate the strategic importance of online video in the overall marketing mix… as well as more sophisticated video experiences.” The study finds that more than two-thirds of respondents identified online video as a primary focus of their 2009 digital marketing campaigns, as respondents consider interactive video experiences to be the next evolution for online video. 62 percent believe that non-linear, interactive storytelling will become the most effective medium for marketers. Digital Marketing Focus in 2009 (% of Respondents, Multiple Response OK) Anticipated Focus % of Respondents Online video 66.8% Social media 41.6 Search 34.1 Podcasts/Webcasts 32.0 Rich media 30.5 Banner ads 22.8 Mobile 17.4 Source: Permission TV, January 2009 Least Likely Media Budget Cuts in 2009 (% of Respondents) Unlikely Cut % of Respondents Digital (banner ads, email, online video, podcasts, webcasts) 33.7% Traditional (print, radio, TV) 24.7 Trade shows/events 21.3 Guerilla (viral, outdoor, social media) 14.5 Source: Permission TV, January 2009 Linking to other videos, graphic overlays, user comments and user-defined contents paths are the most widely needed interactive capabilities for respondents. In Q2 of 2009, more than half of the respondents expect to be implementing or extending an online video project, whereas currently less than one-third are doing so. Most Likely Online Video Initiatives in 2009 (% of Respondents) Video Initiative % of Respondents Branded content/video destination 63.9% Viral video 39.0 Interactive experience 38.3 User-generated video 29.1 E-mail video campaign 28.8 Video syndication 22.5 E-commerce 21.8 Source: Permission TV, January 2009 More than two thirds of respondents reported that strengthening relationships with existing customers and prospects is the primary goal of online video initiatives. The report notes that traditional and digital/interactive advertising agencies are are overwhelmingly confident in their ability to recommend online video initiatives to clients, though digital/interactive agencies expressed more confidence in recommending online video to clients. However, traditional agencies claim more responsibility for driving online video initiatives than digital/interactive agencies. Ways Online Video Expected to Enhance Customer Engagement (% of Respondents) Enhancement % of Respondents Increase brand awareness 71.4% Lead generation 47.2 Loyalty/retention 44.7 Converting customers 41.6 Improving service/support 39.8 Source: Permission TV, January 2009 Chad Ciesil, President at WhittmanHart Interactive, said “We’re recommending the use of online video in all of our client’s campaigns as it can lead to greater customer engagement and better campaign ROI.” For additional information about this study, please visit PermissionTV here. Post your response to the public Research Brief blog. See what others are saying on the Research Brief blog. We use the term research in the broadest possible sense. We do not perform an audit, nor do we analyze the data for accuracy or reliability. Our intention is to inform you of the existence of research materials and so we present reports as they are presented to us. The only requirements we impose are that they are potentially useful and relevant to our readers and that they pass the rudimentary test of relying on acceptable industry standards. We explicitly do not take responsibility for the findings. Please be aware of this and check the source for yourself if you intend to rely on any of the data we present. You are receiving this newsletter at betsy_sandberg@timeinc.com as part of your free membership with MediaPost. If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to begin receiving a copy of your own, please visit our site - www.mediapost.com – and click on [subscribe] in the e-newsletter box.� For advertising opportunities see our online media kit. If you’d rather not receive this newsletter in the future click here. We welcome and appreciate forwarding of our newsletters in their entirety or in part with proper attribution.� (c) 2009 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001

by Jim Cathcart 

Hey we’re headed for the Future. Give us some room, we’re going to build a new dream. 

Lean on me and I’m gonna lean on you. We’re headed for the Future and the Future’s ours. 

Neil Diamond, Headed for the Future

If you listen to the news media you’ll hear nothing but situation analysis and speculation. In other words, they are focusing on the past and the present, not the future. Despite claims to the contrary, most people do not look toward the future. If we did we would see it coming and be well prepared for it. 

The truth is; the Future sneaks up on us and surprises us. We don’t see it coming… unless we decide to. 

Our culture celebrates visionaries because they are so rare. We look to the Walt Disneys and Bill Gates’ of the world and marvel at their capacity for seeing the future then making it a reality. But the truth is, we are all capable of that on various levels. In fact, you have done it many times in your own life. 

Visionaries think about what they want and then commit to the behaviors that bring it into form. You have done that many times. When you decide on an item or an experience that you are committed to achieving you are doing what Disney & Gates have done. This can be a job, a home, a relationship, a trip, or a level of fitness. Whatever you want, when you see it in your mind and then alter your behavior to make it real, you are creating your own future. 

Futures are not built by fortification. All that does is protect the current reality. When you put up defenses, build walls, cut back, and lay low, you diminish the future possibilities that are open to you. I’m not saying you shouldn’t protect your assets, but protectionism is not a growth strategy. 

What people want most during a challenge is: Hope and Direction. 

They are thirsting for an optimistic viewpoint, a direction to pursue, and the confidence that comes with doing intelligent things that have a great potential for success. They don’t want a mere cheerleader who has them chanting “I think I can” or, to be more current, “yes we can.” That is nice but it’s not enough. They need faith in something. 

I suggest that you provide that “something.” Instead of doing as others do, take the brighter path and Focus Forward. Acknowledge today’s temporary realities and then shift your gaze to what you want. Look at what can be. Be the person whom others want to be around because you give them strength and assurance. 

“But what if I don’t know the way?” you ask. Leaders don’t always know the way, they just know that looking at the ground around you isn’t it. So they raise their sights and focus forward while acting confidently in the direction of their goals. If you had to know every step of a journey before taking it you’d never move. There is always uncertainty, but you are up to the task. You can handle whatever you encounter. Maybe not alone, but you can find the resources and answers you need…IF…you move confidently toward what you want. 

When you grow this new orientation and others observe the change in you they will be attracted to you. You will possess an energy that they want. You will not simply be an optimist in a sea of pessimists and “realists” but you will be a Solution Source. You’re the one with a better way. 

Pledge to yourself today that you are done with the habit of feeding on the cynical world view of the media. Commit to habitually thinking of what you want, not what you do not want. Refuse to dwell on the limits and negatives. Change the subject when others start complaining. Limit your exposure to skeptics and cynics. Talk often about what you want, how it will look and feel, the rewards that will come from it, and the joy of achieving it. What you think about, talk about and go toward…will become a reality. You are a creator. 

Make it so!

by Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE

Click this link to see a 49 second video message from me about how I can help you or your team to become better communicators.

For more information on my Speaking Skills Training and Coaching visit this page on this website.

I’ve designed a Master Course on Public Speaking, including 53 briefings on DVD, to share with you all of the insights and techniques that Professional Speakers use to captivate and motivate an audience. These tips will build your Confidence as a presenter and increase your Skill as a communicator. 

Review the entire table of contents and then give us a call if you’d like to improve your ability to confidently move others into action. 800-222-4883

by Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE

This video message is just five minutes long and in it I explore the many ways to negotiate speaker fees so that you assure that the right speaker is booked for the meeting even when budget and fee don’t match.
(This is the first in a series based on my e-book: “10 Vital Issues for Bureaus and Speakers“.)

Your comments are welcomed.

New Video Resource: Viddler.com

by Jim Cathcart 

I just discovered a new free video posting source much like YouTube. It is called Viddler.com. 

My colleague Ed Oakley of Leadership Made Simple referred me to them. 

Check it out. Here is a 1 minute 38 second message I recorded today.

by Jim Cathcart 

“The way you Think today will shape the way you Live tomorrow.” 

Most of us do not direct our thoughts but rather we simply experience them. It’s a shame that more people don’t realize that their thoughts are within their control. 

Witness all of the million-seller book titles over the years: 

• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale 
• Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude by W. Clement Stone 
• As A Man Thinketh by James Allen 
• The Strangest Secret (You become what you think about) by Earl Nightingale 
• and I could go on for hours listing more recent titles. 

The point is: for many generations it has been known and proven that Thought is the starting point of Circumstance. If you don’t like your current circumstances then your first and most important task is to determine what you want. 

Let me say that again, your first and most important task is to determine what you want. 

Not what you don’t want, but what you do want. Think clearly about the circumstances that you desire. If this is difficult for you then seek helpful resources. For example: clip photos from magazines of the objects of your desire. A photo of a home you’d like to build or buy, a place you’d like to visit, a position you’d like to earn, or a goal you wish to achieve. The more you can clarify your target visually the stronger your thoughts will be. Post a photo of yourself into the picture of your goal. 

Next, seek information sources about your goals. Do a Google Search, look up the links and listings related to it. Read and explore them. Get your goal clearly in your mind. Interview others who can shed light on the goal. Find out what it is like from those who have been there. Caution: do not accept input from those who are skeptics or who have not “been there.” 

See how many ways you can actually experience your goal, physically and mentally. If it is a home or car you desire, go test drive the car, visit the showroom, sit in it. See yourself holding a paid-in-full title to the car. Tour the home or ones like it. See yourself living there, debt-free. Visit the websites of your dream destination. Watch the video clips, hear the sounds, etc. 

The real key to all of this is Activating Your Emotions. Once your picture is clear then the feelings generated by that picture will activate your commitment and discipline to achieve it. We can’t just instantly produce the emotions we want until first we have learned to direct our thinking. Once you master your thoughts, you will have mastered your life. 

The way you Live tomorrow is being shaped by the way you Think today. 

Visit the Online Bookstore at Cathcart.com for access to the great books on this topic and to my own resources designed to help you live as fully as you can.

by Jim Cathcart

Let’s start 2009 off on a different foot. Instead of me writing an article to you, how about you taking one of my articles and sharing it with your family, friends and coworkers? 

Here are three especially relevant articles that go well with the emergence of the new year.

Just go to the link and copy it then paste it into your email to others. Or, if you prefer, open the link, copy the article and send that to them. Please include my authorship & contact information. Thanks. 

15 Powerful Ways To Grow Your Business This Year 

11 Ways To Expand Your Life This Year 

21 Ways To Grow Sales This Year 

2009 will be what we all decide to make it. Let’s make it the best year we’ve had in a long time. 

May God bless you and our world.