One of the commitments I make to myself each year is to attend live events where I can learn from the ‘masters’. I don’t always want to hear about success stories – I want to hear about failures, lessons and ‘bounce back’ observations. That’s where I believe the ‘gold’ is when it comes to growing a business, attracting ideal clients and making more money.

The event I attended last week, ‘The Secret Knock’, provided all of that. The agenda was a ‘secret’ – the speakers were a ‘secret’ – and the content was pure gold! What I particularly loved about all of this is that it was a risk just making the investment in time, money and travel to get there (San Diego). I am grateful to Greg S. Reid for inviting me.

The beauty of attending this event was to meet and hear from entrepreneurs who have failed, who have lost everything and who have bounced back. I always pick up tips on ways to improve my own live events – let alone all the great content from guest speakers. This was a fun, intense, timely and meaningful event for me at this point in my business.

The speakers were very diverse – and yet, most of them all had the same message to share. That’s why I wanted to write this article to pass on the best tips I heard so that you, too, can learn from these masters. It’s not just what you know/learn in business, it’s what you actually apply of what you learn when under stress!

1) GREG S. REID. “MAKE MONEY DOING WHAT YOU’RE ALREADY DOING!”

Greg explained that he learned this from Bob Proctor, actually. Get people to pay you money in order to pay you money. The example used was that Bob often hosted people at his home for dinner. The conversation most often was about business. Talk about an ah-ha moment – invite people to come to dinner at his house, charge them a significant amount of money, and continue the dinner conversation about business growth and development. Duh! Why not? You’re doing it anyway. Business development does not need to be complicated. WE make it complicated. Put your thinking cap on. Where are you leaving money on the table (pun intended!)??

2) ROB ANGEL (Developer of the Pictionary game) – ‘JUST GET STARTED!”

His presentation really hit home with me – because I am constantly reminding my coaching clients about ‘progress, not perfection’. Rob talked about the process of getting the Pictionary game to market – and the constant reminder to him and his partners, ‘just get started’. He stressed the importance of taking ego out of business decisions. And a few additional tips included getting coaches/mentors, go with your gut, and USE THE TELEPHONE! The question I have for you is – where are you waiting for perfection…….whether it’s in making a decision to hire a coach, waiting for every little detail of something to be perfect, and thinking you need that ‘perfect’ script for making a sales call? Stop it! Get going. Start today!

3) STEVE SIMPSON (http://www.thebluefish.com) – ‘KNOW WHO YOU ARE!”

You’ve got to look this guy up! Seriously. What a unique individual – and what a story. His message, loud and clear: KNOW WHO YOU ARE! In his line of work, he said that when approached by potential clients, he always asks himself the question – ‘does this arouse and excite me?” If not, the answer is no. Move on. He continued sharing his success strategies which included making great connections and asking for help. So, do YOU know who you are in the market? In your everyday life? Is there a difference? What you project is who you attract.

Other speakers also expressed a common theme:

1. Ask for help.
2. Have an attitude of gratitude.
3. Give back.
4. Don’t ‘find’ an opportunity – create it!
5. Disappointments can become your greatest blessing.
6. People use the excuse of time and money which gets in the way of having more time and money (good one!!!)
7. Risk should never be risky – it should be planned.
8. Leverage. Leverage. Leverage.
9. Surround yourself with people you have respect for, not influence over.

So many great lessons from so many humble, generous and sharing individuals. The key here is to get out of your little bubble – meet new people – listen to the lessons shared – and take action in your own business.

What will you implement, beginning today???…….