5 Tips To Staying Motivated

February 29, 2008 in Proven Business Principles, Troy's Reflections with 1 Comment

Staying motivated in today’s world can be one of the toughest chores we face as leaders. Here are five tips I use on a regular basis, that has made all the difference for me as I live Life’s Epic Adventure.

Tip 1 – Write out a clear Life Blueprint.

Clarify your ultimate life goals and purposes, and read your blueprint daily.

Tip 2 – Exercise Daily.

When you exercise you increase your heart rate, which increases your energy levels. And with more energy, we are more motivated to complete our daily action plan as we strive towards our life goals and dreams.

Tip 3 – Reward Yourself For Completing A Difficult Project.

When you are tackling a lengthy and cumbersome project, especially one you really didn’t want to start in the first place, then when you have completed it, take time to reward yourself for the successful accomplishment.

Tip 4 – Keep Your “Chazown” In Front Of You At All Times.

Chazown is Hebrew for “Purpose” Maybe your purpose is more time with family, a new house, paying off debt, or sending your parent’s on their dream vacation. Whatever your purpose keep it in front of you at all times. I personally use 3×5 cards that I can carry and read at all times.

Tip 5 – Find Out How Much Sleep You Need Each Night, And Hit It Nightly.

Most people need 6 to 8 hours of sleep nightly. A few folks who have served time in the Military or are into extreme sports may need less sleep. So find what works for you and stick to it.

When you get enough sleep the chemicals in your brain that fuel your inspiration and appetite are at their highest, which gives you the clarity and a healthy eating pattern.

These five tips will help you stay motivated and completely focused on your life purpose.

Never Give Up,
Troy Dooly

Hero’s Die Legends Live Forever

February 20, 2008 in Troy's Reflections with 1 Comment


I can feel the heat of the bullet I just can’t tell where I am hit. I heard the door latch just as he began to shoot. The bullets started slamming through the door. I looked around and saw Alec and called out – “Alec open the windows and get everyone out.” He may be the brightest student I have seen in 38 years. He reminds me of myself when I was that age; full of questions, and willing to buck the system to find a new answer. I can feel another bullet hit. My feet are slipping. I wish I was younger, my strength isn’t what it use to be.

Yahweh, please give me strength! My eyes lock onto Alec’s. Alec hurry, make sure you get them all out! I’ll be fine. After 38 years I had finally seen myself. Alec was a great one. He would change the world somehow, I just know it.

My mine was drifting, I know I have been hit more than once, Alec is out the window, I am the only one left. I’m tired I just want to lie down. Marlena will be upset because my shirt is messy…

Thank you, Yahweh, for the life you have blessed me with. If the Nazis would have known what I would become, they would never have let me live. 280 – 380 thousand of us killed in Romania alone and you allowed me to live.

Thank you for all these years with Marlena. No other woman could have put up with me. Joe will take care of her now. Well, I guess I will retire after all. Marlena, I love you…

Thank you Yahweh for allowing these kids to escape this slaughter… No pain, just tired. I think I will go to sleep and wait for help to arrive… I can hear more shooting down the hall… they’ll be here for me in a few minutes… I’m just going to sleep.

Dr. Liviu Librescu – Born 8/18/1930 – 04/16/2007 He was a pure servant leader!

His life was invested in serving others and equipping the next generation of leaders.

His final breath was taken serving those who had nothing to offer him, but their future potential. He died doing what he loved… serving others!

When you are through reading this post, take time to hug those you love.

And remember…

Dance as if no one is watching!
Sing as if no one is listening!
And live each day as if it’s your last!

The Starbucks Experience Are You Living It

February 17, 2008 in Proven Business Principles, Troy's Reflections with 0 Comments

As most of you know by now I am a “Starbucks Fan!” Not because their coffee is much different than other quality gourmet coffee, but because their leadership and business strategy mirrors that of another company I love A.L. Williams (Primerica Financial Services) when they first got started.

Well this last week I finished a great book that I strongly suggest every entrepreneur or future entrepreneur should read.

The name of the book is: The Starbucks Experience
Author: Joseph A. Michelli

Wake Up And Smell The Success!

I think we all know the story of Starbucks. And since 1992 their stock has risen a staggering 5,000%. In his book, Joseph shares the genius of Starbucks success. And, it doesn’t lie in the fact their coffee is the greatest. He shows how their ability to create personalized customer experiences, stimulates business growth, generates profits, energizes team players, and secures customer loyalty – all at the same time.

The Starbucks Experience contains a robust blend of home-brewed ingenuity and people-driven philosophies that have made Starbucks one of the world’s “most admired” companies, according to Fortune magazine. With unique access to Starbucks personnel and resources, Joseph uncovers that the success of Starbucks is driven by the people who work there – the “Partners” – and the special experience they create for each customer. Joseph reveals how we can follow the Starbucks way to:

· Reach out to entire communities
· Listen to individual team players and consumers
· Seize growth opportunities in every market
· Custom-design a truly satisfying experience that benefits everyone involved

This book is filled with real-life insider stories, eye-opening anecdotes, and solid step-by-step strategies; this fascinating book takes the reader deep inside one of the most talked-about companies in the world today.

For anyone who wants to learn from the best – and become the best – The Starbucks Experience is a rich heady brew of unforgettable user-friendly ideas.

After filling my Starbucks coffee mug, I sit down and started reading this wonderful book.

The first reflection I wrote on my 3×5 card was the five guiding principles of Starbucks that make up the foundation of all they do.

1. Make It Your Own
2. Everything Matters
3. Surprise and Delight
4. Embrace Resistance
5. Leave Your Mark

These five principles are simple but sure ring deep on how we should run our own businesses.

The second important reflection I gained was that Howard Schultz went through exactly what each of us have or may be going through as we launch our own home-based business.

“Early critics of Schultz’s vision maintained that he had happened upon a short-lived gimmick that would quickly fizzle.”

WOW! How many of us have had “Dream Stealers” try and take our dreams away because they just don’t get it?

The third reflection was that from the very beginning to its current dominance in the world of coffee, they became the category creator. Now don’t get me wrong, we all know Starbucks didn’t create “coffee” but they did create the “Experience” one associates with Coffee.

They rank in the same class as Coke, McDonalds, Krispy Kreem and Chic-Fil-A. When people think coffee, they state “I’m going to go get a “starbucks.” Until Starbucks came around the only place to get a cup of coffee (Fresh or Not) was a greasy spoon, grease pit, or some Vending Machine. Now there are quality gourmet coffee houses popping up all over the place.

I could go on and on. Let me leave you with this one parting through on this book.

Starbucks demonstrates on a daily basis that they know what they #1 asset truly is… The people they build relationships with ever and every day. Not just the consumers they serve, but the Partners they attract. It is this competitive advantage over traditional business that sets them apart. Day in and day out they touch and interact with their people.

They fully understand that “People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.” Hence the Starbucks Experience!

So ask yourself – Are you part of something BIG; something that can change the world and make it a better place? Something where you can make your dreams come true?

Are you sharing this Crusade with those you serve… your consumers and your business partners? If not, then start today!

Never Give Up,
Troy

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