Monday, March 22, 2010

THERE'S SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON HERE!

THERE'S SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON HERE! from Rebecca Fine - SOGR


The situation looked grim for Johnny Yokoyama.

The seafood market where he had once been an employee but was now
the owner was more than $300,000 in debt and sinking deeper fast.
In fact, employee morale was at an all-time low, and the business
was almost as dead as the fish no one was buying.

Now fast-forward to today and imagine yourself in Seattle's
lively landmark, the Pike Place Market, overlooking Puget Sound
and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains beyond. As you walk closer
to the crowd gathered near the open-air center of this sprawling
bazaar you can't help wondering what all that laughter and
shrieking are about ...

... until you see a hefty two-foot long salmon
flying over the gathering and into the waiting
arms of the young man behind the counter --
and the crowd goes wild!

Someone asks another rubber-aproned fellow for two pounds of
halibut. "TWO POUNDS OF HALIBUT!" the order-taker calls out. "TWO
POUNDS OF HALIBUT!" comes the reply, in unison, from EVERYONE
else on the fish market crew.

Tourists are snapping photos like crazy, even handing their
giggling toddlers up to pose with fish bigger than they are. And
every so often, someone leans in for a closer look at that giant
monkfish -- the one there on the lower shelf, that
prehistoric-looking fish with a mouth as big as a dinner plate.

But that someone doesn't linger long because
one little tug on the string that's tied to
the fish's tail and hidden under the ice
makes that fish MOVE-- and makes the
curiosity-seeker straighten up fast!

This is certainly like no fish market you've ever seen before.
Then you notice that in addition to all the silliness and
good-natured clowning, something else is happening here.

People aren't just laughing, they're buying fish.

A LOT of fish!

Now, in his life-changing 1910 rediscovered classic, The Science
of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles has laid out for us the basic
principles by which the Pike Place Fish Market crew has turned
what appeared to be failure into a stunning "World Famous"
success.

No, they didn't have the book to guide them; they just happened
onto some of these principles in an instinctive way. Their backs
were against the wall and they clearly saw that SOMETHING had to
change.

Amazingly, they didn't focus on the obvious question: How can we
sell more fish?

Instead, they imagined a thriving market filled with happy
customers and happy employees. And then they realized that if
visitors were to enjoy the experience, first THEY had to change
their own thinking and their own behavior.

Sound familiar?

Oh, you see those two dozen executive-looking types over there,
giggling like little kids? The ones wearing the matching jackets
emblazoned with their famous corporate logo? They're here as part
of a seminar on how to revitalize their customer service teams.

Turns out the fish flingers have stumbled upon some "secrets"
that big corporations spend millions looking for. In fact, there
are now several seminars, a couple of training videos, and even a
best-selling book endorsed by some of the world's top business
speakers and authors -- all aimed at spreading this "fish
philosophy" to other businesses.

So what exactly happened to turn a dark, dingy,
dying seafood store into the star attraction of
a famous city's famous landmark?

Well, listen up to the four main principles as outlined by
Charthouse Learning Corporation's CEO John Christensen. Not too
long ago Mr. Christensen wandered into the Pike Place Fish Market
craziness just as I did (although I don't know if they hooked him
with that monkfish gag the way they "caught" me!). ;-D

Mr. Christensen is the man who immediately realized that there
was something special going on here that needed to be "world
famous." Here's what it boils down to:

1. "Play: We put more energy into what we enjoy, and finding ways
to 'play' can lead to greater productivity and creativity. Play
is NOT about acting irresponsibly. In the livable workplace, it
is about finding ways to have more fun accomplishing serious
goals."

Now Mr. Wattles doesn't say anything about "play" at all -- and
it's a little difficult to imagine it being taken seriously back
at the turn of the last century when the "efficiency movement"
was the darling of the industrial world. But today we can easily
see that a light-hearted sense of "play" can be a major component
of achieving consistent "efficient action."

(Wally DOES advise "full enjoyment." Close enough!) ;-D

2. "Be There: The glue in our humanity is in being fully present
for one another. Being there also is a great way to practice
wholeheartedness and fight burnout, for it is those halfhearted
tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out."

"Put your whole mind into present action," Mr. Wattles says. And
when one of the fish market guys stops goofing and turns to help
a customer, that customer becomes the only other person in the
place.

Don't you wish EVERYONE you deal with in the course of a normal
day had that kind of focus?

(Don't they wish YOU did, too?)

3. "Choose Your Attitude: When you look for the worst you will
find it everywhere. When you look for the best you will find
opportunities you never imagined possible. You have the power to
choose your attitude. If you find yourself with an attitude you
don't want, you can choose another."

Mr. Wattles says, "You must learn to see the underlying truth in
all things," and we know that our prevailing attitudes make this
either possible or impossible. If your attitude is negative,
you're expressing faith that what you do NOT want is on its way
to you. But as Mr. Christensen notes, if the attitude you have at
the moment isn't serving you -- or anyone else -- you can always
choose again!

4. "Make Their Day: When you 'make someone's day' (or even
moment) through a small kindness or unforgettable engagement, you
can turn even routine encounters into special memories. Few
things are as rewarding and infectious as lifting another
person's spirits, and the act of serving others quickly returns a
feeling of satisfaction."

What a wonderful way to embody Mr. Wattles' advice always to
"give more in use value than you take in cash value!"

The fish guys add value to every transaction in many ways: By
letting the customer know that s/he is important (whether s/he
buys anything or not!), by providing a light moment of
entertainment (simply by being themselves and not taking
themselves too seriously), and in countless other ways, large and
small.

See, making money selling fish isn't just about selling fish.

It's the same with ANY business. And if you think you aren't "in
business" just because you work for someone else or some big
company, look at it this way: You ARE in business -- a one-person
business with you as CEO, employee, and even as the product or
service!

(Maybe your "business" is taking care of
your home and family. Same principles
STILL apply!)

You can learn a lot from a bunch of fishy guys in Seattle, and in
a moment I'll send you off to do just that. But first, let's wrap
this up with a brief excerpt from the book, Fish!, a modern
"business parable" that teaches the valuable lessons at the heart
of the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market's stunning turnaround:

"Let me tell you about my grandmother. She always brought love
and a smile to her work. All of us grandkids wanted to help in
the kitchen because Grandma was so much fun. In the process a
great deal of kitchen wisdom was dispensed. Us kids were given
something truly precious, a caring adult.

"I realize now that my grandmother
didn't love dishwashing. She BROUGHT
love to dishwashing, and her spirit
was infectious.

"Likewise, my buddies and I realized that each day when we come
to the fish market we bring an attitude. We can bring a moody
attitude and have a depressing day. We can bring a grouchy
attitude and irritate our coworkers and customers. Or we can
bring a sunny, playful, cheerful attitude and have a great day.
We can choose the kind of day we will have.

"We spent a lot of time talking about this choice, and we
realized that as long as we are going to be at work, we might as
well have the best day we can have. Make sense to you?"


Makes sense to me! And if you agree, my friend, take a closer
look. See, what the Pike Place Fish gang intuitively discovered
is that ...

... if their situation was to change,
first THEY had to change.

And so they did. They decided to turn their dreary and
unprofitable work into fun. Fun for themselves and for everyone
who steps into their world, whether they buy fish or not.

Ask Johnny Yokoyama what he's most proud of these days and he'll
tell you: "My employees and I made Pike Place Fish 'World
Famous!'"

Then ask him what "World Famous" means to him, and you get the
real scoop: "It means that we never stop creating possibilities
-- every day gives us the opportunity to grow, to learn something
new, to get better than we were yesterday. We are gonna make your
day!"

Why not make it YOUR objective to become "World Famous?" To find
ways to bring the same "sunny, playful, cheerful attitude" to
YOUR job or business or to ANY- and EVERYTHING you do -- and to
begin to revel in the delight of seeing the very same kind of
RESULTS, including the ones you can take to the bank?

If the fish guys can do it, so can YOU!

Here's where you can meet the Pike Place guys and gals, see and
hear the fun, check out their philosophy, and pick up some great
seafood recipes, too!

--> http://www.pikeplacefish.com


Have FUN, my friend -- and remember to watch out for those
low-flying fish!

Certain Way Productions Inc., 5190 Neil Road, Suite 430,
Reno, NV 89502, USA. Phone: 775-333-5949 Fax: 314-480-9229
CUSTOMER SERVICE: at-your-service@scienceofgettingrich.net

Get more information about SOGR - Science of Getting Rich Click Here for a Free Book

Enjoy
Fran Watson

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Stuck?

There is a wealth of information on the internet and oftentimes we suffer from information overload. I subscribe to a Weekly Word by Joe Nunziata.
This week's word struck a chord with me as I am feeling a little stuck right now. I have 2 jobs, 2 Toastmasters Clubs, 2 homes (mine & my Boyfriends) and I feel stuck not knowing which direction to head in.

This Week's Word: Stuck

Every day someone I speak to says, "I feel stuck." My questions is, "Why do you feel stuck?" In almost every case this feeling is based on what we feel should happen. If the situation does not follow the exact path we believe it should, we feel stuck.

In reality this is your negative ego setting you up for failure. When you cannot control a situation you begin to feel frustrated. You want it the way you want it, when you want it...right! Sounds a little like a spoiled child.

The next time you feel stuck ask yourself...why? Are you really stuck or are you being a brat?

I decided to take another look at last week's word - CLARITY

This Week's Word: Clarity

Where are you going and how will you get there? This is something many of us ponder on a daily basis. Unfortunately most people are unclear regarding their desires and dreams.

How can you expect to move forward when are living in a fog? You will require clarity and focus to move your energy in a positive direction. Is your mind clear or are you filled with distraction?

You will gain clarity when you remove the drama and disruption from your life. The more you attach yourself to the material world the more difficult it will be. Stay focused on what you desire and the universe will give you the clarity you seek.

Therein lies the clue on how to get unstuck - FOCUS. That's exactly what I need.

I need to FOCUS on what it is that I want. How can I do that? Back to Joe's Weekly Word.... there it is. I need the space to think clearly.

This Week's Word: Space

Most people today live very busy, over-stuffed lives. Unfortunately most of what we stuff ourselves with is not feeding our souls. We have become fast-food junkies in our spiritual lives as well. Much of our energy is focused on accomplishment and survival.

Creating a better life requires space for new energy and opportunity to enter. Nothing new and exciting can enter when you fill in every minute of your life with tasks and obligations.

Take a look at your busy life, make it your priority to create some space and quiet time. This will help you create space for higher energy and more love. Without space no new energy can enter your life.

Next I need something more - a little faith in myself and my purpose.

This Week's Word: Faith

Many of us grew up connecting our faith to religious beliefs. We were conditioned to believe in something most us did not understand as children.

True faith is belief in yourself and the ability to hold that feeling. In times of struggle or adversity it is very easy to lose faith in what you are doing. Those with the fortitude to endure these difficult times will surly be rewarded.

We all lose our faith from time to time. When this happens move into a feeling of gratitude and love. Suddenly your faith will be restored.

And the way to restore it - Gratitude - Joe comes through again.

This Week's Word: Gratitude

We all have many blessings in life but at times tend to focus on the negative aspects of this world. Many people spend the majority of their lives fixated on what they do not have or how they have been wronged.

Every morning I begin my meditation in a state of deep gratitude. This helps to elevate my level of energy vibration and create a positive focus for the day.

Start to feel gratitude for the simplest things in your life. Food on the table, a warm bed or a kind word. This will help you move into a much higher level of energy and love. Be grateful and the universe will bless your life.

I am indeed grateful that I found Joe's Weekly Word and that it continues to bless my life. I encourage you to sign up for your own Weekly Word by going to info@jnunziata.com and asking to be subscribed.

So, if you are STUCK, get some CLARITY and SPACE, keep the FAITH and express your GRATITUDE.

Have a wonderful week!!!

Fran