Category: Life Lessons

8 Inspirational Quotes to Enjoy

by mike

Greetings to you on an early fall morning! I hope the changing of the seasons inspires you as much as it does me. 😉

Speaking of inspiration, here are some of my favorite quotes for you to enjoy today:

“If one asks for success and prepares for failure, he will get the situation he has prepared for.” –Florence Shinn

“Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it.” –William Durant

“All the mistakes I ever made were when I wanted to say ‘No’ and said ‘Yes’.” — Moss Hart

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” –Robert Brault

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” –Charles Dickens

“It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.” –Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.” –Aldous Huxley

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have a laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” —Victor Hugo, writer

If you enjoy quotes like these, you’ll be pleased to know that I send out three new ones every Wednesday. You can sign up for free by clicking here.

As some of you know, I’m beginning my new career as a writer. It’s hard work, and I need all the support I can get. If you are interested in being a part of this journey, do sign up above. I’ll keep you in the loop on when my first novel, The Angel, will be published, and you’ll have a chance to join my Street Team of advanced readers and join in other fun events.

If not, that’s perfectly okay. Thanks for all your support in the past, and I wish you much success in your own journey.

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today

Complimentary Sample of The Owner’s Manual To Life

by mike

Hello everyone! Thank you for all the best wishes on my new book, The Owner’s Manual to Life: How to Worry Less & Enjoy Life More. Finding ways to remain calm and collected during our busy jobs in sales is certainly needed!

If you’ve been interested in learning more about the book, I’d like to offer you a complimentary sample. Click Here to download a copy.

I use 100 quotes and write a quick, two-word essay to help you get the most wisdom from each one. You’ll find proven tips, strategies, and other ways to shed stress and be happier. Here are the first fourteen quotes in the book:

#1: Is that a bad thing?

#2: Stop comparing and judging; start identifying and connecting.

#3: “You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.” —Ethel Barrymore

#4: Trying to meditate is the same thing as meditating.

#5: “Happiness is pretty simple—someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to.” —Rita Mae Brown

#6: Remember: Success is a journey, not a destination.

#7: “Life is half delicious yogurt, half crap, and your job is to keep the plastic spoon in the yogurt.” —Scott Adams

#8: Focus on the twenty-four hours ahead of you.

#9: If you don’t like someone, get to know them better.

#10: “Never hurry, and never worry.” —E. B. White

#11: Switch teams on the debate club.

#12: One sure way to conquer fear: make a decision and take an action.

#13: Write a heartfelt card to someone you care about.

#14: Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

 If you’re looking for a way to stay centered in your career and in your personal life, this book will help you slow down, be more kind (to others and yourself!) and will offer you ways to capture the peace and contentment you may be looking for.

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today

New Book Release Today! Learn “How to Worry Less & Enjoy Life More.”

by mike

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend and that you’re charged up for the best time of the year: fall! Starbucks already has pumpkin lattes out, and the stores are already stocking fall items—make me giddy just thinking about it!

As some of you know, today, September 5th, my new book, The Owner’s Manual to Life: Simple Strategies to Worry Less and Enjoy Life More has been released! You can order your copy here.

In this book, I’ve collected 100 of my favorite quotes and I write a brief, two-page essay on how to get the most from the wisdom the quotes contain. It’s a quick read, and it’s designed to help you deal with challenges better and to help you live a happier life.

Early reviews are in, including this from Brian Tracy:

“In The Owner’s Manual to Life, Michael Zajaczkowski has compiled 100 of the most important life lessons, and in his unique way makes them accessible and exciting for everyone. This book will truly make you worry less and enjoy life more!”

–Brian Tracy, Author/Speaker/Consultant

And:

“Imagine sitting across from your favorite teacher and asking for their advice on how to live your best life. Their answers—as shared through Michael Zajaczkowski’s stories, lessons, and insights—are in this humorous, delightful, and inspiring collection of essays. The Owner’s Manual to Life is about to become your most dog-eared guidebook.”

—Kathleen Guthrie Woods, creator of 52Nudges and author of The Mother of All Dilemmas

If you’re looking for an inspirational, “feel good” book, this is it! See a sample below and have a wonderful rest of your year!

It’ll never be all right until it’s all right, right now.

Many of us tend to spend a lot of time delaying our happiness. We convince ourselves that we will only be at peace, feel secure, or be truly happy when we finally have enough money in the bank, when we’re finally debt free, when we’ve received the promotion at work, or when we’re retired—that’s when we’ll be able to relax and enjoy things. Or maybe when the kids have moved out, graduated college, and have started a career they like, that’s when we will begin living for ourselves again. As many of us have discovered, though, when those things do come to pass, we find that they either didn’t give us the security or peace we thought they would, or as is often the case, something else has replaced them and off we go chasing that next thing that is sure to give us those feelings of finally feeling all right.

A wise friend and I were talking about this one afternoon, and as I was describing the next set of circumstances I felt sure was going to give me that level of peace and comfort, he said, “Michael, things are good enough for you to feel that sense of peace right now.” He then explained that he, too, used to set conditions on his happiness, and each time he did, he watched those goals get pushed further and further into the future. He said that as he reviewed his past, he saw that happiness and serenity were always available to him; he just couldn’t see it because he was so focused on getting something or achieving something else first. Ultimately, he told me I already had everything I needed to feel secure and happy right here, right now, and that if I couldn’t see that, then chances are I wouldn’t be able to see it in the future either.

Many of us have a similar experience as we rush through life chasing the next thing or condition that we’ve convinced ourselves is a prerequisite for our happiness. As we do, we pass by the moments that are already filled with everything we need to experience those feelings right now. The ability to enjoy the coolness of a fall morning, or the loving hug of a spouse or child, or the abundant material wealth we already possess can give us the feelings of comfort and security we all long for. All these things are here, right now. Unless or until we accept and appreciate them in this very moment, we will continue to delay our joy until that elusive “someday.” Stop right now and look around you. Everything is all right, right now, and that realization is the true start to the peace and happiness you’re looking for elsewhere.

Read more here.

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today

Life Quotes To Enjoy

by mike

Here are some of my favorite life quotes you may enjoy:

“A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded it on friendship.” —John D. Rockefeller 

“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.” —Leonard Bernstein 

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”—Winston Churchill

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”—Stephen King

“It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.”—Lena Horne

“To attain Knowledge, add things every day. To attain Wisdom, remove things every day.”—Lao Tzu

If you enjoy quotes like these, I send a new one out every Wednesday. You can sign up to receive one on my author’s site. Click here and scroll to the middle and sign up for free.

Have a great week!

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today

Transform your interactions: practice courtesy and kindness

by mike

In today’s world of communicating through texting, memes, and hashtags, we’ve lost the warmth and underlying decency that make our everyday interactions enjoyable and respectful. Though we’re sometimes not aware of our tone and demeanor, other people do feel its impact, and they react to it as well. A few years back, my wife and I were on vacation in Venice, Italy, and we were having trouble navigating our way back to St. Mark’s Square. I was a little harried, and I approached a local who was sitting by a fountain. Abruptly, I asked, “Where is St. Mark’s Square?”

He looked up at me, not smiling, shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know.”

I knew he did, so I said, “Sure you do. How do I get there?”

He paused, stared at me and said, “If you’re going to ask me like that, then I don’t know.”

At this point, I stopped to consider what he meant, and it occurred to me that I was being another rude tourist. In that instant, I knew what was wrong—and I knew how to correct it.

“Let’s start this again, okay?” I then walked away, turned and approached him again. I said, “Good afternoon, how are you?”

His face brightened, and we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, and then I asked politely for the directions to St. Mark’s Square. He not only showed me which path to take, but he carefully explained where to turn and what to look for. When he was done, he shook my hand and wished me a good trip.

I still think back to that interaction, and it reminds me of how important it is to greet and treat others the way I’d like to be treated. The easiest way to do this is to remember to be courteous and kind toward others. Throughout my inside sales career, as both a sales rep and as a sales coach, I have always stressed the importance of those two words, “Thank you” and “Please.” Nothing gets you further with a gatekeeper than using those magic words, and being polite and professional always helps you with both prospects and clients. If you want to transform your interactions with other people, and therefore your day-to-day experience, simply consider what other people might be going through and be kind to them. By taking a moment to empathize with them, you’ll be able to brighten someone else’s day—and yours, too.

Note: If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love my new book: The Owner’s Manual to Life: Simple Strategies to Worry Less and Enjoy Life more. You can find it here.

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today

Being of Service Beats Trying to Sell Someone

by mike

Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback on my new upcoming book: The Owner’s Manual to Life: In case you missed that day in school when they handed it out. Several readers wanted a sample, so here is Quote #68 (out of 100):

Quote #68

“Seek ways to be of service.”

One concept that always changes my interactions with people is when I shift from an attitude of “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I be of service?”. When I started my business many years ago, it was sometimes a grind to have to prospect to find new clients. Many mornings, I’d wake up dreading a day of cold-calling companies, trying to uncover a need or a fit for what I was selling at the time. One day, though, I reframed my attitude from trying to sell things to looking for companies or people I could be of service to and help. While my pitch remained essentially the same, this change of focus and intent had a dramatic and immediate effect. Suddenly, I didn’t take the rejection I always got so personally; instead, I just told myself they didn’t need my help that day. Then when I did find someone with a need and interest, I was able to put on a helping hat rather than a selling hat. This made the interaction more authentic and resulted in a much better experience for us both.

Looking for ways to be of service in other areas of life pays off as well. Whenever I go to a party these days, I make a beeline to the kitchen and begin helping the host with their preparations. There are always things to do, like setting things out on tables, helping to prepare appetizers, or assisting with the drinks, and so on. While the host usually says they don’t need help, I find there are still many things I can do to make things easier on them. In addition to feeling useful and a part of the gathering, being helpful in this way gives me a chance to interact with all the guests, and this is especially useful when I don’t know a lot of people. I always find I’ve enjoyed a party much more when I participate in this way.

At home, there are endless opportunities to be of service—even if it’s not my chore or my day to do something. I don’t mean you should do others’ chores for them; however, if you have an opportunity to lighten someone else’s burden one day, go ahead and do it. They will greatly appreciate the little gesture you’ve made, and you may even find they return the favor. Doing little things like this around the house is the easiest way to reduce tension and create a more harmonious home.

Looking for ways to be of service is so gratifying that I now make it my focus whenever I’m out in public. When I arrive at a doctor’s office, I always hold the door open for people behind me, and then step aside and let them go in first. It’s an unexpected gesture, and it’s enjoyable watching the surprise and smiles on their faces. Checking in and interacting with the receptionists presents another opportunity to be of service in a more subtle way. I’m quick to compliment someone who has obviously spent time and money on their appearance, or who has a good attitude. If they seem to be in a bad mood, I attempt to empathize with them. My attitude is that if I were working at that same counter eight hours a day, I’d want someone to be nice to me! There’s an old saying that what goes around comes around, and I believe that’s true. The more we can extend ourselves by helping others, the more we help ourselves by receiving grateful looks and smiles and thereby creating a kinder world. Just imagine if everyone sought ways of being of service and helping others. That’s the world I want to live in, and since I’m part of this world, let it begin with me.

Download a Sample of the book here!

Need More Proven Responses to the Selling Situations You Face Every Day?

ON DEMAND SALES TRAINING THAT GETS RESULTS!

If your team is struggling with call reluctance and is tired of the endless rejection they face, then get instant access to our On Demand training today. We provide the exact talk tracks, templates, and proven tools your team will be motivated to apply, all structured around an award winning comprehensive inside sales approach that gives your team the confidence to succeed in every selling situation they face today.

Unlimited License: One to 100 reps can attend for one low price!

Perfect for reps dealing with the following issues:

  • Reps struggling with call reluctance
  • Getting screened out by the gatekeeper
  • Overcoming blow off objections like, “Just email me something”
  • Identifying decision makers
  • Qualifying prospects
  • Setting call back appointments that stick
  • Giving successful presentations and dealing with objections
  • Staying motivated
Get Access Today