A Note From The President

Avil Beckford, President

We are often influenced by what we see, read and hear. Recently while reading Entrepreneur Magazine, there was an ad for the book Masters of Sales. The copy for the ad did what it was supposed to do, and get me to take action by buying the book. When I read the ad, I thought that by buying the book, I would glean ideas that I could pass on to clients. I was under the impression, could be my misinterpretation, that the authors interviewed over 80 masters of sales to share tips for successful selling. I bought the book and was so disappointed because most of the stories were not actual interviews, but excerpts pulled from a variety of books. I felt somewhat cheated because the ideas weren't fresh but recycled. Perhaps, I am asking for too much. However, one great tip is the Rule of Five, which I already knew about. Essentially, every day, you do five things to take you closer to your goal. So if you have written a book and want to promote it, one day you could send out five copies to reviewers, and another day you could send out five press releases and so on. Small steps taken have cumulative effect and you cover great distances. There were a few other great ideas. The ad for Masters of Sales reinforces the power of words.

In this issue of Ambeck Edge, we interview Charles Citrin who talks about a switch in career and we review James Allen's As a Man Thinketh. I received a complimentary ticket to see Debbie Travis at the Women of Influence Series, so I have included her 10 Commandments - tips for success.

From my desk to yours! Avil

P.S. Like this newsletter? Will customize for medium-sized firms that want to distribute it to their staff. Contact me at avil.beckford@ambeck.com and let's talk!

Book Review

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all thoughts," says James Allen in his 1908 classic bestseller, As A Man Thinketh. As the title suggests, the book is about how your thoughts influence your results in life. Allen explains that we are where we are in life because of our thoughts, and if we are in an undesirable situation, we have the power to change our circumstances by changing our thoughts because we are the directors of our lives, and masters of our thoughts. In Allen's own words, "Every man is where he is by the law of his being. The thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there… Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life."

Five Great Ideas

1. A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.
2. Man is where he is so that he may learn and grow.
3. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.
4. A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself. He must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another.
5. He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little. He who would achieve much must sacrifice much. He who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.

At 22 pages, the e-Book version of As A Man Thinketh can be read in no time at all. Despite the length of the book, it is chock full of nuggets of wisdom. I recommend this book. You can download a complimentary copy at http://www.asamanthinketh.net/download.htm.

Debbie Travis' 10 Commandments

1. Dream it, do it and live it
2. Use the element of surprise: fill your heart - challenge yourself to be surprised
3. Passion: love what you do. If you have a passionate team, you'll be successful. Be hungry and want to do it
4. Talent: hire the best people. Surround yourself with great people who make you look better
5. Fear: have to have a knot in your stomach, you have to have adrenaline
6. Keep it all in proportion. None of us is immortal
7. Have balance: Get away. Debbie likes to hike and participates in Charity Trek
8. Inspiration: Get ideas from the outside world - try to see and understand people who are different from you
9. Importance of colour: Colour cheers you up. Colour is a science and speaks to your soul
10. Humor: Debbie says that Brits have a wicked sense of humor. Humor brings out the hardiness in people
    

April's Book List

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

Survey Results

This month I am providing you with a couple of tidbits I came across recently.

Did you know that...?

• You should keep your toothbrush in a cupboard or medicine cabinet and not on the bathroom sink because it's usually in close proximity to the toilet. A toilet bowl has 3.2 million microbes per square inch, and when you flush, these microbes can travel up to six feet
• The worst places to use headphones are in noisy environments such as an airplane, train, or subway where you are likely to turn up the volume too high
  

Source: Prevention.com, The Worst Places for Your Health (The article is an interesting read)

How Did They Do That?

Interview With Charles Citrin, Citrin Financial & Insurance, Inc. http://www.citrinfinancial.com

Challenge: In 1996, when I was 48 years old, I realized that investment banking and being a bond lawyer wasn't working for me, so I decided to go into insurance. I didn't want to travel all the time and I also wanted to spend time with my children. It was a very tough transition for me because I had to redefine myself. I was no longer an important lawyer and I had to develop a thick skin.

Resolution: For two years I worked for others, but didn't find them helpful so I opened my own firm, Citrin Financial & Insurance, Inc., in 1998. I was very lucky to hire an extraordinary assistant, Carmen Dumas. I then found two wonderful law clients, the City of Hialeah Gardens, and the Hialeah Housing Authority, and got pulled back into law. Now I work in insurance and in law representing young political people as a lawyer and advisor. I have grown to like the insurance business because I feel I can help people.

Lessons Learned

1. Life is long and we can make changes
2. We, and not other people, define who we are
3. Nobody gets through life on a scholarship. You have to adjust and adapt
4. You have to believe in yourself and stay positive
   
   

What Can Ambeck Do For You:

Ambeck Enterprise provides diverse business research and analysis services to senior executives, through the relevant distillation of diverse facts and data.

Formula for Success

1. Believe in yourself
2. Do what is right
3. Take care of yourself physically
4. Have a sense of humor
5. Always remember what your Mother taught you. Mine always said, "Never get down, and if you do, wash your face, smile, and start again"
   
   
   
   

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