Hitting and exceeding goals!

Do you know what it feels like to be the top performer in your company? Capstone Consultants, Inc. definitely knows what it feels like to have top performing sales representatives in the entire country. Anna Strole and Joe Outen were ranked top 50 in the country for the month of November. They were individual pacesetters and are continuing their success in the month of December.

Anna was ranked number 1 in sales the first week of December in the entire southeast region.  She is a great coach and mentor to her team.  She pushes herself and others to be the best at what they do. Not only does she push herself and others professionally, but personally as well. Anna is known for exceeding the standards that are set and going above and beyond.

Along with Anna and Joe, our team here at Capstone is always striving to be the best and work towards hitting and succeeding our goals. We are proud to be involved with such a growing organization, and are looking forward to what’s to come in 2013.

Something you can hang your hat on

I once read that an ordinance in one of America’s major cities forbids “walking about aimlessly, with no apparent purpose, lingering, hanging around, lagging behind, idly spending time, delaying, sauntering and moving slowly about.”

I can’t tell you how disturbed I felt. Some of my best days are spent like that.

But then, I don’t want my whole life to be basically described as having “no apparent purpose…lagging behind…idly spending time…delaying” and generally moving about aimlessly. On the other hand, neither do I want to take myself too seriously. An occasional day spent doing next to nothing sounds perfectly fine.

My problem is that I am usually busy. I schedule tightly and work long hours. I plan my time and make lists.

But it would be a mistake to believe that, just because I am doing many things, I am necessarily doing the right things. Or, perhaps, the BEST things. At least if I’m busy, I want to stay busy at things that matter.

News commentator Dan Rather asked himself a vital question several times a day. Largely because of this one question, he became one of America’s leading journalists. Rather wrote the question on three slips of paper. He kept one in his billfold, one in his pocket, and one on his desk. The all-important question he constantly asked himself was “Is what you are doing now helping the broadcast?”

If the answer was no, then he stopped what he was doing and put his efforts into something else. He discovered early on that if he did not focus his time, he would end up in a job where he was under-utilized and dissatisfied.

What if you were to ask yourself a focusing question several times a day? Your question might relate to work, or perhaps to another area of your life that is important to you – family, relationships, personal development, spirituality..

You might ask yourself if what you’re doing now is helping you succeed. Or if what you’re doing now is helping you to be a better parent or a better person. You decide. The point is this: one simple question can focus and transform your life.

Try writing the question you choose on small slips of paper or on the back of a business card. Carry it with you. Post it on your desk. You might even affix it to a conspicuous spot inside your car.

Then read it several times a day. That one question will help you choose activities that contribute toward your best self. And if you are busy, at least you will be busy doing the right things – things that matter.

Then, if you decide to spend an occasional day walking about aimlessly, with no apparent purpose, lingering, hanging around, lagging behind, idly spending time, delaying, sauntering and moving slowly about, why not? The down time will probably do you good.

And that’s something you can hang your hat on.

-Steve Goodier

Life = Taking Chances

Take a minute to watch this video. It will make you think about life and the different experiences that come your way!

Whatever you dwell in your mind, you give power to. So, of course it makes sense to focus on what you want rather than what you don't want. Yet there are many ways in which the things you don't want  can sneak into your thinking.

Worry and doubt focus your thinking on what you don't want. Rather than worrying about the bad things that might happen, direct you actions toward making positive things happen.

Complaining can also get your mind sidetracked into thinking about what  you don't want. What do you complain about? The things you don't like. Rather than complaining, take action. Action moves you towards what you do want.

Anger is one more way to get your thinking negatively directed. Rather than getting angry about what you don't like, use that energy to give you determination for what you want to achieve.

Keep your mind positively focused on the good things that life can offer. Those things will grow stronger and more abundant in your world.

Capstone Consultants has a few techniques you can use to motivate your employees:

There are different types of employee motivation techniques that are intended at helping employees to do their job proficiently and work better. The success of your company will depend on motivated employees. If they are motivated, they will do the work which leads into more productivity and more profits for your company. However, there are many different ways of motivating your employees. Therefore, choose the ones that go along with the culture of your company. Here are a few techniques that you can use to motivate your employees:

Employee of the Month: For employee of the month, each month an employee is selected. This specific employee will be demonstrated as the “top player”. This means that the employee has done an outstanding performance in the particular month. The employee that was selected could be rewarded a gift or any appropriate recognition. When this employee is recognize and seen by everyone, this will motivate other employees to work harder so they can be recognize as the employee of the month.

Team Performances: For team performances, employees can be organized in groups and compete against each other in various performances such as superior work or faster completion of projects.

Being interested in your Employees: For being interesting in your employee, if you are the manager or even part of the management team, be interested in your employees. Find out what they do in their spare time, what they like, what their plans are and the like. Don’t try to be in their business, but just get a feel on what they like to do. People like to talk about their selves and in the process will like you and be motivated.

Give Challenging and Exciting Projects: Give your employees a project that they are excited to do because that makes them more motivated. They would be interested in it. Acknowledge their accomplishments and praise them. People like it when their efforts are recognized. Do this both on one-to- one basis and as a group.

All Work and No Play: At certain times, reward your employees with an unexpected leisure. Take them out for that annual holiday. Have lunch with all employees. Do something nice to them!

If you apply the above employee motivation techniques, you will be amazed at the results that will follow!

Capstone Consultants wants to know: Why do you seek success?

“The word “success” seems to always be up in the air. Are you one of those who are trying to catch it? Grasp it? Breathe it?”

The modern man seems to want success more than ever. He has pursued it with much enthusiasm and passion. He has gone through a lot of sacrifice in the name of “success.” But only a few actually thought about the success they are pursuing. Most of us pursue success and not really have a clear end goal. Why I am doing this? Why am I searching for success?

In us, lies a natural longing for happiness and eventually eternal contentment. Look into yourself and you will see that most of your actions are fueled by the desire for joy.

When we look at it, we pursue success to be happy. Success is just the means to find joy.  Some say that they pursue success to be fulfilled, but even fulfillment is accompanied by joy. That is how you can say to yourself you are fulfilled, when you have a sense of joy in you.

Our problem today is that we have sought the means and not the end. We have pursued success for its own sake. We seem to be obsessed with the process and not the product. We sought wealth crazily only to find in the end that our possessions did not make us happy. At that point we are left with the question “What now?” It is a question that has driven many to despair.

To try to be successful for the sake of “being successful” is to have an unsubstantial goal. Success is the process of buying the food, not the food itself.

If you end up miserable in the process of pursuing success, then you just have defeated your purpose. All your accomplishments will mean nothing if you are not happy. You might have the resources to numb the pain, but it does not take it away.

Too many people think that success is wrapped up in things, but the truth is, success is wrapped up in how you see yourself and how you are able to enjoy life.

So what is your reason in pursuing success?

Capstone Consultants would like to say “Happy Administrative Professionals Day!!!!!”

Today marks the 60^th anniversary of Administrative Professionals Day!! The job of an administrative professional has changed radically thanks to new tools, techniques and shifts in the economy and culture itself. However, admins have remained the steady center of competence through it all, helping ensure that jobs get done right, on time and under budget. Admins are one of the instruments of business, particularly in a complex economy. In a world that demands the accurate and speedy movement of digital information, admins are masters of data. And they do this while maintaining their more traditional role as the doorkeepers for many customers, clients and employees. We extend a big “THANK YOU” to all of you who make our jobs easier and serve as leaders of business.

Capstone Consultants: How to Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities

“Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.” Leonardo Da Vinci

Life is filled with obstacles. Experience has taught one that when you are pioneering towards a fresh dream, a new venture, or a heartfelt desire, there will always be obstacles. Why is it that we are so often surprised by them? Why are most derailed by the obvious? Why are we sidetracked? Why do we stop dead in our tracks? Why do we give up?

If you have found yourself in that position, I have good news for you. While ever there is breath in your body, it is still never too late to pick up that dream again and go again.

But there are a few important things that you must understand if you are going to fulfill that dream.

Obstacles can’t crush you!

Obstacles may delay you, but they cannot crush you. The only reason you will be crushed is if you start to believe that you can’t do it. Every obstacle that you come across will teach you a new lesson or a new skill that will position you for your next success.

Obstacles lead to firm determination!

It takes a firm determination to push through the pain barrier, the opposition, the questioning, the doubt, the fear, the lack of resources, and every obstacle that is standing between you and the fulfillment of your dream. This is where you step up into overdrive. This is where you get creative and imaginative. This is where you get sharper and where you kick over from amateur to professional. This is where you step up from being an under achiever and are transformed into an over achiever.

Don’t Change Your Mind!

Whenever an obstacle stands in your way it is so easy to convince yourself that it must have been a mistake. So you change your mind. Once you know that obstacles cannot crush you, that it has led you to a firm determination in your heart and mind, then don’t change your mind. Stick with it. Improve. Learn. Grow. Go. Persist. Persevere. Never quit. Don’t give up. You can do it. You will make it.

“Capstone Consultants can help you have fun at work with these 7 simple tips"

1. On the way to your workplace, get yourself motivated to face the day. Think of how the work you have allows you to have your life outside of it. A positive attitude will make the day more pleasant and productive.

2. Keep your work in perspective. You can only do the best you can in each situation. Look beyond yourself and your work, and consider the bigger picture.

3. Plan your time. In your to-do list include long term projects. Prioritize your to-do list, do the most important things first.

4. Concentrate on the task at hand. Do not let yourself be distracted by worrying about all the other things to be done or losing energy over the undesirable situation you find yourself in. Stay in the moment.

5. Clarify anytime you are not sure or where you are faced with conflicting demands. The more upfront you are with your manager and the other people you work with, the better it will be for you in the long term.

6. Have regular breaks. Get away from your normal workplace even if only for five minutes. Try taking a break from the computer, emails and do leave the mobile behind. Make sure that you do have that lunch break – it is not just for food but also for fresh air and a mental break.

7. Contribute towards creating a pleasant work environment. Do not gossip in the office as it just creates negativity all around. Do not listen to any gossip either. Minimize your time with people that you do not resonate with or like.

Learn to have more fun at work. Laugh more!! Perform with a more fun orientated approach.

See your work as a game. Life is meant to be fun and if you are going to spend a third of it at work, you might as well enjoy the game!!! J

10 Excellent Reasons to Do Good Business

 

Good Business is more than a product, more than a sales method, more than a service. It has everything to do with building relationships.

The following are 10 reasons to do “Good Business”

1.     Good Business means listening more than talking. Find out what your customer needs and seek to meet it.
2.     Good Business is about clear communication. Make sure it’s crystal clear to those whom you do business with. Always look below the surface of their answers when you ask them questions.
3.     Good Business is more than sense of self. It’s showing that you care.
4.      Good Business is more than technology. It’s about applying technology to help people and it’s about taking the time to cultivate a relationship with someone.
5.    Good Business is more than promises. It’s fulfilling what you promise.
6.         Good Business is more than getting the next sale. It’s about going the extra mile.
7.           Good Business is more than making a profit. It’s about making sure that the customer is taken care of, even if it costs you money to achieve that.
8.           Good Business is about reliability. Your word is your honor.
9.     \    Good Business says that whether you buy off me or not I like you.
10.      Good Business is about honesty.

Capstone Consultants with a story about an inspirational little girl

http://www.alexslemonade.org/about

Alex’s Lemonade Stand

This foundation was created to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer causes, primarily focused on research into new treatments, and cures.  Their purpose also is to encourage and empower others, especially children, to get them involved with making a difference for children with cancer.

Their founder and creator is a little girl named Alex. She was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday. When she was 4, she told her parents that she wanted to set up a lemonade stand in the front yard. When asked by her parents what she had planned to do with the money, she stated that her plan was to raise money to give to doctors to help them find a cure for cancer. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” was held with the help of her older brother Patrick; they raised an astonishing $2,000 in one day. Alex continued to set up her lemonade stand every year, while very bravely fighting childhood cancer herself. As news spread of this remarkable little girl, so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands and donating proceeds to her cause.

Sadly in 2004 Alex passed away at the age of 8. Her stand and inspiration had at that point raised more than one million dollars towards finding a cure for the disease that took her own life. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex has started. Their mission is simple: to raise money for, and awareness of childhood cancer causes- especially research into new treatments and cures- and to encourage and empower others (especially children) to get involved in making a difference for children that suffer with cancer.

Since Alex set up her very first lemonade stand back in 2000, and truly exemplifying the saying “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”- ALSF has raised more than $50 million. That money has helped to

-Fund over 200 cutting-edge research projects

-Set up a travel program to help the families of children receiving treatment

-Develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer

This foundation is the living embodiment of Alex’s determination and hope. Alex believed that every person can make a difference, and that together they could find a cure. 

Capstone Consultants with an inspirational story

The Elephant Rope

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

Original post: http://www.inspirationalstories.com/the-elephant-rope/

Capstone Consultants Operations Manager wins trip to Malibu

Capstone Consultants’ management team would like to offer congratulations to our Operations Manager Shenna, for being selected to attend a professional development seminar in Malibu this May. Shenna was hand selected out of over sixty other office managers to enjoy three day retreat in Malibu. She will get the opportunity to visit one-on-one with executives of the largest outsourced direct marketing firm in the world and partake in a Franklin Covey training course. Shenna was selected based on her ability to manage the operations and drive the growth of the largest and fastest growing marketing firm in the Carolina's, Capstone Consultants, Inc. 

Over the last four months alone she has helped three people get promoted into a management position and has helped create the strongest team at Capstone Consultants to date. Malibu won’t be all work for Shenna though; she gets a free day in Malibu to shop enjoy the beaches and have dinner with some of the best in the business. Shenna has been with Capstone for over three years and hit several promotions since starting at the entry level in December of 2008. She has consistently shown an amazing work ethic and is always going above and beyond her day to day task. 

Capstone Consultants at Keys to Success

The management team here at Capstone Consultants spent the first weekend of February in the warm, sunny, and beautiful downtown Atlanta at the annual Keys to Success conference where we learned, and were motivated for our 2012 goals by some of the best in the business. It was a very educational and entertaining weekend!

The keynote speaker for the weekend was a gentleman by the name of Eric Greitens, he’s a navy seal who served time overseas for the war and is founder and CEO of his own non-profit organization, The Mission Continues, which is an organization that helps veterans find a way to serve their community and country after they return from war. Eric also spoke about the intense training (Known as BUDS Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal training) that someone goes through to become a navy seal and how it tests them mentally and physically.

Other speakers at the conference focused on the successes of the business in 2011 and the goals set for 2012. We discussed new clients and potential markets, as well as had breakout sessions for more specified training in different areas of our business. We were also entertained by Cirque du Soleil and clowns in between speakers, and Saturday evening’s dinner was and event full of fun, games, activities, and networking.

Capstone Consultants will help you dress for success at your next interview!

How to dress for success!

First impression by definition means the lasting image or effect that stays in someone’s mind upon first encountering them. The first impression that you make on a potential employer is an important one. The first impression a potential employer will have on someone is typically based on what they are wearing and how they present themselves. This is why it is important to dress professionally for a job interview even if the dress in the office is casual.

What exactly is the appropriate dress for an interview? You want your first impression of your future employer not to just be good, but to be great. A candidate who is dressed in a suit and tie is by far going to make a much more lasting impression that a candidate who is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Here are some tips to follow for when dressing for an interview.

Men’s Interview Attire

-Suit: Solid color (navy, dark gray, or black)

-Long sleeve dress shirt (either white or coordinated with the suit)

-Belt

-Tie

-Dark socks with conservative leather dress shoes

- Little to no Jewelry

-Neat and professional hair style

- Little to no aftershave and cologne

-Neatly trimmed nails

-Portfolio or briefcase

Women’s Interview Attire

-Suit (Navy, black, or dark gray)

- Suit skirt (if worn) should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably

-Coordinated blouse

-Conservative shoes

-Limited Jewelry (no dangly earrings, big necklaces, or arms full of bracelets, no jewelry is better than cheap jewelry)

-Professional hair style (up or pinned back)

- Neutral pantyhose

-Light to no make-up, and minimal perfume

-Neatly manicured clean nails

-Portfolio or briefcase

What not to do/wear/bring to an interview

-Gum

-Cell phone

-Ipod

-Coffee or soda

-Lost of piercings (ladies may wear one set of earrings, all others should be left at home)

-Cover all tattoos

Interview attire tips

-Before you go on an interview, you want to make sure that your suit fits properly and is clean.

-Get your suit ready the day before so that you don’t have to waste time getting it together day of.

-Take your suit to the dry cleaners after an interview, that way it is ready for the next time.

-Polish your shoes

-Bring a breath mint, or breath spray, and use before entering the building.

Capstone Consultants will help you stay motivated

How to keep yourself motivated

Original Writer- Editor in Chief, Pick the Brain

Keeping yourself motivated can be a struggle no doubt. Drive is constantly murdered by negative thoughts and worries about things that haven’t even happened yet. The thing that separates successful people from people who fail is the ability to stay motivated and keep moving forward.

To be honest there really is no simple solution for this problem even after getting motivated again there will always be those negative things that try and drag you down and squash your motivation.  The thing to be constantly working towards is learning to understand your thoughts and how they drive you emotions. You have to learn how to nurture motivating thoughts, focus at the task at hand, and you’ll be able to achieve anything you set out to.

3 Most common reasons why we lose our motivation

1- Lack of confidence: if you don’t believe you can succeed, then why are you trying?

2- Lack of focus: if you don’t know what you’re working towards, then is there really anything you want?

3- Lack of direction: if you don’t know what to do, how can you be motivated to do anything at all?

How to boost confidence

The first way to lose your motivation is a lack of confidence. When you lose your confidence it is usually because you’re choosing to focus on what you want and are neglecting what you already have. When you only think about want, your mind will create reasons and excuses for why you aren’t getting it. This creates negative thoughts. 

The way to steer away from these thoughts is to focus on gratitude. Set aside time to focus on the positive things in life. Keep a mental list of your strengths and accomplishments. Most of us have a tendency to take our strengths for granted and focus on our failures. Learning to feel grateful will help you to realize how competent and successful you already are. This will rejuvenate your confidence and help you get motivated to accomplish your next success. 

When you think negatively your mind finds examples and distorts reality to confirm your beliefs. When you really believe that you deserve success, your mind will generate ways for you to accomplish it.

Developing Tangible Focus

The second way to kill your motivation is lack of confidence. Don’t focus on what you don’t want, focus on a tangible goal. Normally we think in terms of fear, afraid of being poor, afraid of being alone, afraid of losing respect. When you focus on your fears, it feeds on itself and grows and drains you.

Focus all of the energy you’re wasting on fear on a well defined goal. When you set a goal, you have a set of actions or a step by step process in place that will assure you reach that goal. The key is moving from an intangible desire to concrete, measurable steps. 

By focusing on a positive, attainable goal instead of an ambiguous fear, you put your brain to work. It instantly begins devising a plan for success. Instead of worrying about the future you start to actually do something about it. This is the first step in motivating yourself to take action, when you know what you want; it motivates you to devise a plan to achieve it.

Developing Direction

The final piece in the motivational puzzle is direction. Focus is the ultimate goal; direction is how you get there. Having a lack of direction will make you lose your motivation because without that step by step process, you’ll succumb to procrastination. The key to finding direction is identifying the activities that lead to success. Make an action plan that focuses on the activities that lead to big returns on your goals

Capstone Consultants rules for setting goals

The Rules for Good Goal Setting

Originally posted by Posted on May 13, 2008 in: IQ Matrix Maps, Life Success http://blog.iqmatrix.com/mind-map/smart-goal-setting-mind-map

Happy New Year to all of our readers! Here are some really awesome rules to follow when you’re setting goals that you want to accomplish this year.

1. Write positively: All of your goals MUST be written in a positive manner. This means writing them in a fashion that keeps your mind set on what it is that you want or want to accomplish, not what you want to avoid.

2. Have a personal benefit: Your goals that you set must have a beneficial outcome for you. This means that for every goal you set must help or benefit you in some way with your long term fulfillment and what you want in life.  Lots of people fall into the trap of achieving goals that are set for them by other people. This is definitely something to be avoided. If this sounds like you then you have to break the habit or else you will never be able to reach your full potential. Take control and responsibility of your goals and adjust them so that they benefit you.

3. Preserves current life benefits: Another one of these goal setting traps is when people set goals that have no relevance to their interests and what is best for them and their life style. If goals are set in this manner then the goal can almost become un-motivating.  If you are setting goals that do not benefit your lifestyle it ends up being a waste of time, you’ll be un-motivated to reach it and will also be unsuccessful in attaining it.

4. Desirable: you have to WANT to achieve the goals you set. Without the desire to reach your goals you will consistently have problems staying motivated. When you set undesirable goals you will simply give in to any obstacle that comes in the way. Lack of motivation is a waste of time that will keep you going around in circles for the rest of your life.

5. Challenging: If you don’t appropriately make your goals challenging you’ll get bored with trying to reach them. You want to your goals to just slightly be out of your reach so that it is physically attainable but keeps you pushing yourself to reach them.

6. In Everyone’s Best Interests: Always keep in mind the moral high ground. Your goals have to always stay consistently in the interest of everyone who surrounds you and will be influenced by its achievement. If your goals don’t support interest and goals of who you are surrounded by then you are guaranteed to face many challenges trying to achieve it and could possibly never reach them.