Communication Part 4
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning" (Proverbs 1:5 niv)
Steve Clark, CEO of New School Selling, is one of the best sales trainers in the country. His number-one word of advice on selling is,
Listen intently. The 80/20 rule bears repeating: We should spend 80 percent of our time listening and 20 percent of our time talking. We are there to serve our customers' needs, but we won't be able to if we don't stop talking long enough to uncover them. If we ask a lot of questions and take notes on the answers, we force ourselves to listen carefully and help ensure that we remember important points of the conversation. We should sit on the edge of our seats, and be fascinated by what our prospects have to say. A big sale may be riding on every word!
An essential part of communication is listening. The word itself means "to make a conscious effort to hear; to pay attention." Good communication requires listening. Note that Jesus said, "'He that has ears to hear, let him hear'" (Mark 4:9 niv). But listening is not hearing until we fully understand what the other party is telling us.
Business runs on relationships. If we are going to be successful in building business, we need to listen until we know where others are and what they need. Discovering needs through listening is the first step in helping someone. Wise men become wise from listening.
Practical Helps for Life
Free Printables For Garage or Yard Sales
Posted June 15, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer
Flowers are blooming, birds are singing ... and the voice of the yard sale shopper is heard in the land.
Thinking of holding a garage sale or yard sale this year? We've got everything you need to cut your clutter and score some cash with our garage sale tips--but if you're looking for more help, try these free printables for yard sale success:
Printable Yard Sale Checklist
Guide To Planning A Garage Sale (.pdf format) from SuddathRelocation.comPrintable Garage Sale Signs and Tags from FamilyFun.com
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
More on Communication and Travel Tips
Communication Part 3
"Better, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32 niv)
Sometimes our actions speak so loudly it becomes difficult for others to hear what our mouths are saying. We all have emotions, and we all can get upset about things. It's extremely important that we control and manage those feelings, or they will destroy us.
We are mirrors, and our job is to reflect God in all our ways. God wants us to reflect His goodness so He can show the world that the right ways work. We businessmen and women can ruin our reputations by slamming a door, blurting out harsh words, or even simply displaying a mean look in silence. Emotions are like gasoline: They are dangerous and destructive but valuable when controlled or channeled properly. The emotions in us are a source of energy, and if that energy is harnessed, it becomes a valuable asset within us. Remember that people will judge us by how we act and react. Whose reflection will they be judging?
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." (Proverbs 25:28 niv)
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Practical Helps for Life
Travel Tips: Get Organized For Family Travel Pt. 2
Posted May 28, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer of OrganizedHome.Com
Pack It Light, Pack It Right
Packing prowess separates veteran travelers from the armchair variety. Keep these ideas in mind as you pack for vacation travel:
Lighten the load. It's an old saw that still cuts--when traveling, less is more. For each family member, lay out all clothing and personal care items needed for the trip. Remove half before you pack the rest.
Forget what mother told you, and pack your oldest underthings! Collect worn-out socks and underwear throughout the year. When traveling, wear and toss. You'll lighten the load and make room for souvenirs as you go.
Investigate packing organizers. Pack clothing, socks, underwear and personal items in zipper food storage bags to cut wrinkles, protect clothing, and organize suitcases. Commercial organizers can be worth the cost for frequent travelers. Check them out!
Pack children's clothing day-by-day. For easiest travel with kids, use large zipper food storage bags to pack a complete outfit for a single day. Dirty clothing can be re-stored in the bags.
Plan for T-shirts. Family vacations mean t-shirts, t-shirts, t-shirts. Deliberately under-pack, knowing you'll add these garments along the way. Take care of yourself! Put together personal care kits for each family member in a zipper bag or cosmetics organizer. Include sample-sized bottles of shampoo, shower gel, lotion and sun block. Use motel supplies along the way to replenish care kits. At vacation's end, re-stock care kits and store inside suitcases for the next trip.
"Better, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32 niv)
Sometimes our actions speak so loudly it becomes difficult for others to hear what our mouths are saying. We all have emotions, and we all can get upset about things. It's extremely important that we control and manage those feelings, or they will destroy us.
We are mirrors, and our job is to reflect God in all our ways. God wants us to reflect His goodness so He can show the world that the right ways work. We businessmen and women can ruin our reputations by slamming a door, blurting out harsh words, or even simply displaying a mean look in silence. Emotions are like gasoline: They are dangerous and destructive but valuable when controlled or channeled properly. The emotions in us are a source of energy, and if that energy is harnessed, it becomes a valuable asset within us. Remember that people will judge us by how we act and react. Whose reflection will they be judging?
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." (Proverbs 25:28 niv)
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Practical Helps for Life
Travel Tips: Get Organized For Family Travel Pt. 2
Posted May 28, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer of OrganizedHome.Com
Pack It Light, Pack It Right
Packing prowess separates veteran travelers from the armchair variety. Keep these ideas in mind as you pack for vacation travel:
Lighten the load. It's an old saw that still cuts--when traveling, less is more. For each family member, lay out all clothing and personal care items needed for the trip. Remove half before you pack the rest.
Forget what mother told you, and pack your oldest underthings! Collect worn-out socks and underwear throughout the year. When traveling, wear and toss. You'll lighten the load and make room for souvenirs as you go.
Investigate packing organizers. Pack clothing, socks, underwear and personal items in zipper food storage bags to cut wrinkles, protect clothing, and organize suitcases. Commercial organizers can be worth the cost for frequent travelers. Check them out!
Pack children's clothing day-by-day. For easiest travel with kids, use large zipper food storage bags to pack a complete outfit for a single day. Dirty clothing can be re-stored in the bags.
Plan for T-shirts. Family vacations mean t-shirts, t-shirts, t-shirts. Deliberately under-pack, knowing you'll add these garments along the way. Take care of yourself! Put together personal care kits for each family member in a zipper bag or cosmetics organizer. Include sample-sized bottles of shampoo, shower gel, lotion and sun block. Use motel supplies along the way to replenish care kits. At vacation's end, re-stock care kits and store inside suitcases for the next trip.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Communication and a Travel Tip
Thank you for taking a few minutes with me today! For the next few weeks we will look at COMMUNICATION at home and work.
Communication Part 2
"A gentle answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1 niv)
When we are confronted by someone, our natural tendency is to become defensive and argue. Arguments turn into harsh words, and harsh words can turn into anger.
Someone once said, "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." We may win the argument but lose the battle or the point we are trying to make. When we have disagreements, it is not only important to settle matters quickly with our adversaries, but it is equally important to manage and control our tone of voice. The King James Version of the Bible puts it well: "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
The man who is confident about his position does not need to raise his voice. When he speaks, he does so as one having authority. It is embarrassing to be wrong while screaming at the top of our lungs! We can avoid a lot of problems by giving a soft answer to the arrogant and abrasive.
Practical Helps for Life
Travel Tips: Get Organized For Family Travel Pt. 1
Posted May 28, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer of OrganizedHome.Com
Summer's here and school's out: it's time to take to the road!
Summer vacation travel can be enriching, enjoyable and exciting--but only if you're organized. The family that fails to plan for summer travel can end up frazzled, frustrated and longing for the quiet comfort of home.
This year, get ready! Whether it's car trips, plane travel or close-to-home "stay-cation" picnics or camping trips, we've assembled OrganizedHome.Com's best, easiest tips to organize summer vacation travel.
Bon voyage!
What To Know Before You Go
A smooth, stress-free vacation begins well before the trip. Use these ideas to streamline vacation travel planning and preparation:
Establish Travel Central. Whether it's a new divider in a Household Notebook notebook, a dedicated section in a paper planner, or a Vacation category in your handheld organizer, keep all travel information in a single location. Include contact information for airlines, car rental agencies and travel agents, passport and frequent flyer numbers, and itineraries.
Three most important factors for vacation planning: lists, lists and more lists. Filed in Travel Central, vacation lists can include personal packing lists for each family member, a "before we leave" checklist, instructions for house-sitters, packing checklist, picnic planner checklist or camping checklist.
Enter the packing zone. As you plan and prepare, set aside an area to gather travel essentials. In addition to tickets, passports, and travel documents, add travel-sized toiletries, tissues, travel appliances and personal care items. Moving from "list" to "packed" is easier if all your gear can be viewed in one place.
Communication Part 2
"A gentle answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1 niv)
When we are confronted by someone, our natural tendency is to become defensive and argue. Arguments turn into harsh words, and harsh words can turn into anger.
Someone once said, "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." We may win the argument but lose the battle or the point we are trying to make. When we have disagreements, it is not only important to settle matters quickly with our adversaries, but it is equally important to manage and control our tone of voice. The King James Version of the Bible puts it well: "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
The man who is confident about his position does not need to raise his voice. When he speaks, he does so as one having authority. It is embarrassing to be wrong while screaming at the top of our lungs! We can avoid a lot of problems by giving a soft answer to the arrogant and abrasive.
Practical Helps for Life
Travel Tips: Get Organized For Family Travel Pt. 1
Posted May 28, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer of OrganizedHome.Com
Summer's here and school's out: it's time to take to the road!
Summer vacation travel can be enriching, enjoyable and exciting--but only if you're organized. The family that fails to plan for summer travel can end up frazzled, frustrated and longing for the quiet comfort of home.
This year, get ready! Whether it's car trips, plane travel or close-to-home "stay-cation" picnics or camping trips, we've assembled OrganizedHome.Com's best, easiest tips to organize summer vacation travel.
Bon voyage!
What To Know Before You Go
A smooth, stress-free vacation begins well before the trip. Use these ideas to streamline vacation travel planning and preparation:
Establish Travel Central. Whether it's a new divider in a Household Notebook notebook, a dedicated section in a paper planner, or a Vacation category in your handheld organizer, keep all travel information in a single location. Include contact information for airlines, car rental agencies and travel agents, passport and frequent flyer numbers, and itineraries.
Three most important factors for vacation planning: lists, lists and more lists. Filed in Travel Central, vacation lists can include personal packing lists for each family member, a "before we leave" checklist, instructions for house-sitters, packing checklist, picnic planner checklist or camping checklist.
Enter the packing zone. As you plan and prepare, set aside an area to gather travel essentials. In addition to tickets, passports, and travel documents, add travel-sized toiletries, tissues, travel appliances and personal care items. Moving from "list" to "packed" is easier if all your gear can be viewed in one place.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thank you for taking a few minutes with me today! For the next few weeks we will look at COMMUNICATION at home and work. If you have a thought to share or a comment to make, please send me a message to brad@gotdirtygrout.net, I will respond and possibly use your insights in a future memo.
Communication Part 1
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary" (Matthew 5:25 niv)
Jesus is not telling us to agree with wrong; He is referring to our attitudes toward those people who oppose us for doing what is right. He understood that we can disagree agreeably. When we argue with those who don't understand, we build walls of opposition and lose their respect. We cannot help those who do not believe in us.
Most of our relationships-whether they are with family, friends, customers, or business partners-are broken because of differences of opinion that can easily be resolved if we understand and practice the principle of "Settle matters quickly with your adversary."
Practical Helps for Life
Traveling with Kids? Print An Activity Binder for Stress-Free Family Vacations
Posted June 14, 2009 by Cynthia Townley Ewer on OrganizedHome.com
Here at OrganizedHome.Com, we love 3-ring binders. That's why we adore this travel tip for families with children: use free printables to create a kid's activity binder before traveling.
Use these links to print free coloring pages, word games, puzzles and activity sheets. Assemble a binder for each child, and add a zipper bag containing crayons, markers, pencils and game tokens to keep the kids amused for hours of peaceful drive time.
Find free printables for kids at these Web sites:
Kaboose.com Printables
PBSKids.org Games, Stories and Coloring Pages
TheKidzPage.com Coloring Pages
FamilyFun.com Printables
What is Integrity?
Thank you for taking a few minutes with me today! The Memo of Integrity is to encourage you both spiritually and practically in life. If you have a thought to share or a comment to make, please reply to this e-mail and share it with me. I will respond and possibly use your insights in a future memo.
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What is Integrity?
"It is staying true to what you believe in your heart, regardless of outside circumstances. You manifest what you believe to be true--in those outside circumstances. It is honesty. It's all about SACRIFICE. In my personal experience, anyway, the truth costs. Always, it is a sacrifice of some advantage you would otherwise seem to have. Integrity is not being bought off by the devil! Integrity is begin willing to pay the price." ---Dr. David Yeagley
"Integrity means doing the same thing whether people are with you or whether you are alone." - Ed Anderson
"Are you a person of integrity? Are you honest, reliable and trustworthy? Because that is what having high integrity means. A person of integrity is honest. Let's say one day, you find one hundred dollars in your school. Would you keep it, or would you hand it to the teacher? He does not lie to other and is reliable, you can always depend on him. He is also trustworthy, you are able to put your trust on him. It is not easily to have all of this qualities and more. Who says having a high integrity is easy?" -Siu Kai Character Training
"Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do, INTEGRITY is doing it." -Greg Grimaud
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." ~Alan Simpson
"You can out-distance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you." ~Rwandan Proverb
"I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for a private man." ~Thomas Jefferson, 1809
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Edmond Sun Article
Last week I was interviewed by Trey Bowden of the Edmond Sun. This is not the entire article, it is the section I was in...
"...Another important area of the home is the tile and grout. This area is more often overlooked than it is addressed by sellers. "It's just plain bad to go into a house and immediately be knocked out by a mildew odor coming from the bathroom," said Brad Womack, owner of Integrity Tile Services (www.gotdirtygrout.net). "Grout that has molded or mildewed in and around the tub and shower areas is usually the culprit for mildew odor."Besides replacing broken, chipped or missing tiles anywhere - including kitchen counter and backsplash areas - all tile and grout should be thoroughly cleaned in order to eliminate stains and odors and to make the home look its best. "If you choose to clean/seal the tile and grout yourself, make sure that the surface to be sealed is very clean; you don't want to trap any dirt under the sealer," Womack said. There are a number of products on the market that effectively seal grout. But if you don't have the time or energy to do the job yourself, Womack suggests calling a professional who has the knowledge, skill and equipment to do the job quickly and effectively."
**********************************************************
What is Integrity?
"It is staying true to what you believe in your heart, regardless of outside circumstances. You manifest what you believe to be true--in those outside circumstances. It is honesty. It's all about SACRIFICE. In my personal experience, anyway, the truth costs. Always, it is a sacrifice of some advantage you would otherwise seem to have. Integrity is not being bought off by the devil! Integrity is begin willing to pay the price." ---Dr. David Yeagley
"Integrity means doing the same thing whether people are with you or whether you are alone." - Ed Anderson
"Are you a person of integrity? Are you honest, reliable and trustworthy? Because that is what having high integrity means. A person of integrity is honest. Let's say one day, you find one hundred dollars in your school. Would you keep it, or would you hand it to the teacher? He does not lie to other and is reliable, you can always depend on him. He is also trustworthy, you are able to put your trust on him. It is not easily to have all of this qualities and more. Who says having a high integrity is easy?" -Siu Kai Character Training
"Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do, INTEGRITY is doing it." -Greg Grimaud
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." ~Alan Simpson
"You can out-distance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you." ~Rwandan Proverb
"I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for a private man." ~Thomas Jefferson, 1809
***********************************************************
Edmond Sun Article
Last week I was interviewed by Trey Bowden of the Edmond Sun. This is not the entire article, it is the section I was in...
"...Another important area of the home is the tile and grout. This area is more often overlooked than it is addressed by sellers. "It's just plain bad to go into a house and immediately be knocked out by a mildew odor coming from the bathroom," said Brad Womack, owner of Integrity Tile Services (www.gotdirtygrout.net). "Grout that has molded or mildewed in and around the tub and shower areas is usually the culprit for mildew odor."Besides replacing broken, chipped or missing tiles anywhere - including kitchen counter and backsplash areas - all tile and grout should be thoroughly cleaned in order to eliminate stains and odors and to make the home look its best. "If you choose to clean/seal the tile and grout yourself, make sure that the surface to be sealed is very clean; you don't want to trap any dirt under the sealer," Womack said. There are a number of products on the market that effectively seal grout. But if you don't have the time or energy to do the job yourself, Womack suggests calling a professional who has the knowledge, skill and equipment to do the job quickly and effectively."
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