MOJO MICHELE

By Larry Prevost, Dale Carnegie Training Instructor

As sales executives and account managers, one of the things that we need to be aware of is how our audience is responding to the words that we are using. As one of my mentors told me, we can see the results of our communication through the response that we get from our audience.

For sales executives and account managers, the audience consists of our prospects and clients.

We have talked before about the effect our words can have on our prospects. Here are two more types of words or phrases to use when presenting your solution and favorably impacting the prospect.

Bridges . A bridge is a brief phrase that links a fact about our product or service to a stated benefit and it implies a causal relationship. Think of the bridge as helping your prospect cross over from the hard, real world fact to the more tenuous and desirable benefit. Words and phrases like:

Therefore...

Which means...

So...

You will find this helpful, because...

For example, "Our instructors are required to take a refresher program annually, which means..."

The bridge keeps the dialog between you and your prospect conversational, which allows you to maintain rapport with your them.

Cushions . We use cushions primarily when a prospect states an objection. It is a statement that acknowledges that you were listening to the prospect, you heard the objection and you understand its importance. However, the cushion does not agree, disagree or address the objection. When you use a cushion after hearing an objection, you allow yourself to maintain rapport with your prospect while trying to understand their position on the subject at hand.

Most of the time, your cushion will be specific to the objection or point raised. However, some of the more generic phrases that can be used as cushions are:

I can appreciate that.

I understand what you are saying.

I can see where you are coming from.

Examples of words that we commonly use as cushions but are more like staging areas for a verbal ground assault are:

...but...

However...

Nevertheless...

These words typically are used between two opposing opinions or views, and they have the undesirable effect of putting you and your prospect on uneven ground in the conversation. The perception is that they tend to lessen or negate everything that comes before them and elevating everything that comes after them. Statements like, "I can see your point, but..." or "I feel your pain. However..." don't really build bridges or establish common ground. A good cushion will maintain rapport and keep the channels of communication open so that you can address the concern or determine if the concern is real.

In all of our communication as sales people, we are trying to convey our ideas to our prospects and clients. In order to do that, we need to maintain rapport throughout the sales process. Keep your communication conversational and directed by using bridges and cushions. Your prospects will appreciate the effort and they will show that appreciation by becoming clients.

About the Author: Larry Prevost is an instructor and an IT consultant for Dale Carnegie Training of Ohio and Indiana .

Entrepreneurs - 5 Things You Must Do Every Day to Build Your Business

By Michele Reed

September 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm

By Joshua Black

If you are an entrepreneur there are a few critical tasks that you need to turn into a daily habit in order for your business to keep moving in a positive direction and to make you money. Read on to find out those key items and how you can add them to your daily routine.

Entrepreneurs have to wear many hats when a business is just starting. Many things need to be delegated to others in order for the business to run smoothly and there are a few things that you must do yourself. If you can create a habit of performing these 5 things every day, some for just a few minutes, then you will see your business grow right alongside your dreams:

1. Plan for the future a few minutes each day. Assume that your product has stopped selling all of a sudden. What direction will you take your company next? What new income stream can you add? This is a time for day dreaming and recording notes in preparation for the future. You don't necessarily have to take action on these items, but you need to think about them daily in order to bring out the golden ideas.

2. Work on your marketing in some aspect every day to get new customers. If your prospective customers don't know about you they won't buy from you. Work on getting your message out every day even if it is just for a few minutes.

3. Work on closing a sale every single day. whether you are doing this on-line, on the phone, through the mail, or face-to-face you need to be selling every day. Without the close of a sale there is no business. This is not something that you can delegate all the way. even if you have a sales force you need to be out there looking for deals.

4. Develop or strengthen your business network. You need to join or create a business network where you can help others and they can help you back. This is a great place to get free customers through referrals and an excellent mentoring opportunity using the mastermind principle.

5. Contact your current customers. Don't ever forget about the people that have already purchased from you. These are your best customers. They already like what you have to sell and they don't cost anything to acquire. Contact your current customers frequently, even if you are just saying hello. They need to know what you have to offer and they need to know you are still breathing. They won't seek you out. You must go to them.

LEARN THE RULES SO YOU KNOW HOW TO BREAK THEM PROPERLY

By Michele Reed

August 24, 2010 at 1:16 pm

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT GREAT LOVE AND GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS INVOLVE GREAT RISK...JUST LIVE YOUR DREAM!

FOLLOW THE R'S RESPECT FOR SELF, RESPECT FOR OTHERS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF YOUR ACTIONS!

REMEMBER THAT NOT GETTING WHAT YOU WANT IS SOMETIMES A STROKE OF GOOD LUCK!

LEARN THE RULES SO YOU KNOW HOW TO BREAK THEM PROPERLY!

DON'T LET A LITTLE DISPUTE INJURE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP!

WHEN YOU LOSE YOU DON'T LOSE THE LESSON

WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE MADE A MISTAKE TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO CORRECT IT!

SPEND SOME TIME ALONE EVERYDAY

OPEN YOUR ARMS TO CHANGE BUT DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR VALUES

REMEMBER SILENCE IS SOMETIMES THE BEST ANSWER

LIVE A GOOD AN MEMORABLE LIFE AND THEN WHEN YOUR OLD YOU CAN ENJOY IT FOR A 2ND TIME!

A LOVING ATMOSPHERE IN YOUR HOME IS THE FOUNDATION FOR A GOOD LIFE!

IN DISAGREEMENTS WITH LOVED ONES DON;T BRING UP PAST DEAL WITH ONLY CURRENT SITUATION

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IT IS A WAY TO ACHIEVE IMMORTALITY

ONCE A YEAR GO SOMEPLACE YOU NEVER BEEN

BE KIND TO THE EARTH

MY LOVE EXCEEDS THE NEED

JUDGE YOUR SUCCESS BY WHAT YOU NEED TO GIVE TO GET IT

ALAGE

By Michele Reed

August 12, 2010 at 8:54 pm

Water garden plants help to keep garden ponds in balance by removing nutrients on which pond algae feed. Algae(tiny plants) is normal in all ponds, lakes, rivers but there are balance between the growth nutrients available for the algae and the rate of the growth of algae. The algae never reaches the level at which they cloud the water, in other words algae are dying as fast as they are multiplying and the water still remains clear. Algae are still there but you just can’t see them. If there is a lot of nutrient(food), lots of sunlight and warm water then algae will thrive and shift from equilibrium infavor of the algae growth rate being higher then death rate. Since the growth of algae population is now outpacing the rate of those dying it is a matter of time before water goes cloudy, this happens because the algae rises to the water surface where they can gather as much sunlight as possible to aid in their growth rate…(photosynthesis) YOUR CHOICE IS TO KILL THE ALGAE OR REMOVE ITS FOOD SOURCE: “Food” or nutrients as far as algae are concerned are essentially nitrates and these are produced by the normal fish metabolic processes. Plants to some extent help in removing nitrates but never reduce the nitrates to zero levels otherwise the plants would die. The “UV” light has one single function it is design to kill the algae faster then it forms… it does not eradicate algae. Algae suspended in water, is pumped through the UV unit. The living algae is irradiated and killed. If there is enough power in the UV unit to completely suppress algae growth then the water will remain clear. If UV is not clearing the pond then there is 3 possible reasons: 1. The lamp has gone beyond its active period (max 8000hrs or approx. 1yr running24/7) after which it must be changed. After a period in use the capacity to irradiate is completely lost. Lamps don’t always last 8000hrs. 2. The UV may not have enough power (Watts). Water is warm and too many fish including your fishes has grown over the last year and still produce more nitrates nutrients. This means what works last year may not work this year. 3. If your UV contains a Quartz tube (and most do) there’s a possibility that it is “fogged up” there by reducing light transmission in this case it needs cleaning since this also results in reducing irradiation levels. Irradiation capacity is expressed as Watts…still an UV is specified as *watts, 15watts and so forth. UV can be undersized for the pond conditions.

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

By Michele Reed

August 1, 2010 at 11:31 am

EATING FRUIT

This is informative!

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it up and popping it into our mouths. It's not that easy. It's important to know how and when to eat fruit.

What's the correct way to eat fruit?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUIT AFTER A MEAL! FRUIT SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

Eating fruit like that plays a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread, then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it's prevented from doing so.

In the meantime, the whole meal rots and ferments, and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach, and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

Eat your fruit on an empty stomach, or before your meal! You've heard people complain: Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. This will not happen if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas. Hence, you bloat!

There's no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the Secret of Beauty, Longevity, Health, Energy, Happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT the concentrated juice from the cans. Don't drink juice that has been heated. Don't eat cooked fruit; you don't get the nutrients at all. You get only the taste. Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.

Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit-fast to cleanse your body. Eat fruit and drink fruit juice for just 3 days, and you will be surprised when your friends say how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fibre. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange!

AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

EATING 2 - 4 ORANGES a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Also a key source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon: Vitamin C and Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes.

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!

Can you believe this? For those who like to drink cold water, this applies to you. It's nice to have a cold drink after a meal, however, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you've just consumed, which slows digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks.

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE

Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they're asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Be careful, and be aware. The more we know, the better our chance to survive.

A cardiologist said if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Goal: Do it NOW! NO Procrastinating--Self-discipline is powerful to help you accomplish anything you desire

By Michele Reed

July 30, 2010 at 12:06 am

Having self-discipline is powerful to help you accomplish anything you desire. With self-discipline, you can control your emotions, actions, thoughts, words and personal direction. Some people seem to be naturally self-controlled and some seem to have no self-control at all. Others seem to constantly struggle with self-discipline.

Discipline is learning to say "no" to our primitive uncontrolled cravings and selfish destructive desires. We learn to develop this discipline when you can distinguish the difference between what is actually needed and what is really necessary.

It is more difficult today, than in any other time in history, to exert self-discipline because of our ability to get almost anything we want with a push of a button or swipe of a credit card. We are also constantly bombarded with advertising that enhances our cravings for things.

An important step to gaining self-control is to identify the areas where we are out of control. Work on self-denial in the areas you want to change. Deny your self a certain pleasure each day. Then begin to start small with little victories each day, like eating one less snack or watching one less television show.

Developing new routines is a key to self discipline. People who have routines tend to be more disciplined and accomplish more. If you are one of those people who have trouble with routines, try adding just one at a time. Keep it simple. Work on the things that are most important first. Evaluate yourself regularly to see how you are doing. Reward yourself for keeping at it. Once it becomes a habit, it is much easier to maintain.

Of course, routines can be done to excess, so remember to give yourself a little healthy leeway in case the unexpected comes up.

Kris de Leon

(702) 635-9571

Skype: krisdeleon

kris@krisdeleon.com

NOW IS THE TIME TO KEEP FAITH ALIVE!

By Michele Reed

July 26, 2010 at 11:08 am

Faith is not necessary when you know how things are going to work out, - that's knowledge. It's in the time of unknowing that having faith is what sees you through to the other side. Faith is what gives you strength. Faith is that light in your heart that keeps on shining even when it's all darkness outside. Now is the time to keep that faith alive!

It takes a strong person to live the kind of life they want, based on his or her own ideals

By Michele Reed

July 26, 2010 at 10:52 am

We all know how easy it is to follow what everyone else is doing. It takes a strong person to live the kind of life they want, based on his or her own ideals. This type of person shows strength simply by choosing to remain on a path regardless of counter forces and what everyone else is saying.

The fear of these counter forces keeps most of us away from our natural desire to live the kind of life we choose. This fear causes people to not take action rather than face the possibility of failure.

Although we tend to restrict ourselves, we admire those who have the tenacity to face up to these forces in order to live the way they choose. We also admire the character of those who go the extra step of being a living example of their beliefs.

We offer our highest admiration to those who take action and those who demonstrate character. We recognize that it is not only amazing to have knowledge, but it is incredible to veer from the norm and act in a way as to be a living example of one’s beliefs.

Rather than placing these individuals on a pedestal, we should learn to model our lives after their examples. Thomas Edison is one such example – a person who took massive action and held on to his belief that he can invent the world’s first light bulb, regardless of the criticism and ridicule he encountered.

Edison also made a point to clearly demonstrate his determination through an open door policy with the media. He gave the rest of the world a clear picture of his character character.

Edison and his team showed their persistence and determination often throughout the years, especially with the invention of the light bulb. Edison and his team could have given up after a couple attempts, yet they persevered even after several thousand attempts.

Edison could not be discouraged. He rationalized that since he had only found thousands of ways it could not be done, he could only be closer to the right answer. Edison and his team showed character. Their determination pushed aside the counter forces and their diligence was rewarded after thousands of attempts.

Determination such as this should be ours since it is the very substance that promotes action. This, of course, is easier said than done. Recognizing that action is spurred by determination may be a key to a new way of living.

If we believe in something, then the beliefs of others, particularly those who speak of impossibilities, should be ignored. Since we all are able to rationalize that error and potential failure are part of human nature, we should not be afraid of it. We should look at it, like Edison did, as a stepping stone towards getting to our goals.

We should strive to make character our own. This empowering thought is fuel to drive us to success. We have the power to be the best we can be by acting on our dreams. We can learn what we need along the way.

Kris de Leon

Skype: krisdeleon

(702) 635-9571

kris@krisdeleon.com

Ways You Can Stop Worrying

By Michele Reed

July 23, 2010 at 3:01 pm

A philosopher once coined an adage: “Today is the tomorrow you worried about, and all is well.” Think about that when you’re tempted to time travel into the future to put out fires that haven’t even started yet. Don’t worry about something that will take place in a week, a day, or even an hour. The variables will be different then, than they are today. If you have to make a decision on Friday, wait until Friday, and see what the day brings.

Don’t let objects rule you. Don’t give them the power to spoil your day. No one’s advocating that you don’t react upon losing or damaging something, but worrying over a problem after the fact can’t restore or bring anything back. Let go of your attachment to things—no attachment; no worry. The less you have, the less anxiety you bring into your life. Detach and simplify and you minimize worry.

Worrying is a choice, and you can choose not to do it. Once you catch yourself, you can say, “Okay, I know all I’m doing is going around in circles. So I’m getting off this bus. I’m not going to do this to myself.” Then, get completely absorbed with something that requires your complete mental attention: do a Sudoku puzzle, add some numbers to your cell phone, write a book on Twitter, count the change in your piggy bank, start your taxes early, etc.

You can’t plan for every outcome. So worrisome thinking such as, If this, happens, I’ll do this. If that happens, I’ll do that. If this and that happens, I’ll do this and that, will only drive you up the wall. Truth is, you don’t know what will happen five minutes from now, let alone tomorrow, so stop trying to do God’s job. Acknowledge the Divine is in charge with a prayer. Prayer has a calming effect that can center you and drive worry away

Pretending you’re not anxious when you are interrupts the worry cycle so you can practice going about your business as usual—uncomfortable but still functioning. After you survive a series of nail-biting experiences that turn out to be nothing to worry about, your mind will say, “See I told you so.” Practice and pretend not to worry and, in time, anxieties won’t paralyze you. Remember, though, that you can’t just stop worrying all at once and expect results. Decreasing your tendency to worry takes dedication. But will I worry about not worrying and make myself anxious? I think not.

Kris de Leon June 23 http://krisdeleon.com/

By Michele Reed

June 23, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Kris de Leon June 23 at 10:03am Reply

You will achieve great results through developing mental toughness. So what is mental toughness? It is the desire of taking control of your emotions in performance situations. Some people claim that they work well under pressure. My mentors often argue that the statement is a myth, and pressure can actually hurt you. With added pressure, the chances are high that you will start having negative self-talk, and then lose belief in your ability to complete a task or project.

Some people appear to perform well under pressure. While a number of people may perceive some situations as pressure filled, the person who seems to perform well has a different perception on the level of threat of that particular situation. In other words, they excel under stressful situations because they can control their self-perception of it. That is, they learn to control their emotions because they have developed mental toughness.

Everyone is born with mental toughness, but how do you go about developing mental toughness? While some may not believe they were born with it, picture yourself in the following scenario. Suppose you had a bad day at work, and the only thing you can think about are the numerous problems stacked on top of one another. Your mind is scattered all over the place, and you don’t seem to have a clue where your life is headed. Let’s say you’re driving, and as you approach home, you see a house on fire. You notice that it’s your house burning down. You try to get close, but the fireman won’t let you through. You’re told it’s too dangerous, but you know your kids are in there. What would you do? I’m sure you would choose to ignore the firemen and fight your way through the fire and do whatever you can to get the kids out. Your mind forgets everything else and you lose all your fears because your mind is so laser focused on bringing your kids to safety.

This is called mental toughness, where you focus all your energy and attention on one single task. So if we’re born with mental toughness, why isn’t everyone achieving great results? The problem is that most people have no clue what they want, or a compelling enough reason to fight for it, just like trying to save your kids from a burning house. They are not developing mental toughness. Mental energy is scattered all over the place, and they watch life go by instead of living it.

So if you truly want to achieve great things, you need to decide what you really want and why you want it. Uncover the emotional fire within, and convert that fire into motivation that will propel you to take the necessary steps to succeed. Ambition is not the only thing that fuels success, but it’s the emotional power and feeling that you get from a winning experience. Take the time and think of what you really desire. If it doesn’t excite you emotionally, then forget it. You need that emotion to sustain motivation and overcome obstacles that get in your way. Once you have this burning desire, you will start developing your mental toughness and stay laser focused on your goals.

Kris de Leon

kris@krisdeleon.com

702-635-9571

Kris de Leon is passionate about attraction marketing coaching, and helping people reach peak performance. For more articles on leadership and personal development, check out his blog athttp://krisdeleon.com/

Adventure is Worthwhile

By Michele Reed

June 20, 2010 at 8:54 pm

Don’t Quit!

By Michele Reed

April 23, 2010 at 8:25 am

Don’t Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must – but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow,

You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup.

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt –

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit -

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Author Anonymous

Heather Steigerwald BEAUTIFUL GIRL! XO

April 23, 2010 at 8:27 am

Michele Reed lol what r u doing? not supposed to bring attention to my pics

April 23, 2010 at 8:55 am

Heather Steigerwald oh you love it!! <3

April 23, 2010 at 9:17 am

Tikisha Nieto this is a nice oic aww how cute

April 23, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Gina Calhoun Looking good.

April 24, 2010 at 1:16 pm

Michele Reed LOL..what would I do w/o girl power!

April 24, 2010 at 1:41 pm

Matthew Schnars That was great honey!

April 24, 2010 at 6:04 pm

Jamie Deluise Wow, Michele! That says it all! How'd you get so smart!! Thankyou for that note..I will read it more than once..fosho :))

June 30, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Property Preservations-Spring Maintenance

By Michele Reed

March 21, 2010 at 12:06 pm

March is coming to an end and spring maintenance time is here!

The simplest way to preserve your property is to stay current with routine inspections, maintenance and repairs. Just like your car and teeth your home needs TLC with routine check up, maintenance and repairs. Maintaining a home is quite a duty, but if you break it down by month it is not so overwhelming and much more manageable.

Winter takes a toll on your property and in order to prevent deterioration and costly repairs it is imperative to know what to look for and how to maintain or repair any issues.

Hot Water Heater Check Your Hot Water Heater for leaks. It is recommended to drain your hot water heater quarterly.

Inspect Brickwork and Stucco Check for chipping, deterioration and abnormal deposits such as mold, mineral deposits, corrosion, etc.

Inspect Roof, Fascia, Eves and Trim Check for rotting, chipping and flaking paint. Check damaged shingles and tiles for potential leaks.

Inspect gutters and downspouts Check for clogs, sags, dips and chips

Inspect Attic Check for proper ventilation, obstructions, leaks and light coming through detecting roof damage.

AC/Heater Unit Change filters, clean the air purifier and remove debris from exterior unit.

Inspect Doors and Windows Check weep holes in windows and doors. Clean out dirt and dust. Lubricate rollers and latches

Lighting Replace burnt out light bulbs

Faucets and Drains Check Interior and exterior Faucets for leaks. Clean Aerators. Replace if needed. Clean drains with baking soda and run water through unused drains.

Alarms and Detectors Check and Replace dead batteries

Landscape and Yard Debris Clean Debris in Rocks and Planters, trim trees near or touching property, maintain your plants and shrubs to prevent soil erosion.

Check Sprinklers Check Sprinklers for broken heads and pipes and replace if broken

MOJO understands that homeowners and property managers are busy with daily work and life and may need a helping hand, if this is the case, please don’t hesitate to give us a call 702-445-1561. MOJO provides frees estimates and can customize your home maintenance, repairs, and improvements needed for any size budget.

Mar 04, 2010 -- Upside refi option for homeowners extended through 2011

By Michele Reed

March 21, 2010 at 9:57 am

Mar 04, 2010 -- Upside refi option for homeowners extended through 2011

A special federal program that allows homeowners who are upside down to refinance has been extended through June 2011.

The sad news is that this extension of the Making Home Affordable refi program might not make any difference. So far almost no one has taken advantage of the program. Barclays Capital reports a mere 188,000 borrowers have done so. Yet millions of homeowners were expected to take advantage of the program.

Even more shocking, only 2,000 of the hardest-hit homeowners across the country -- those who are up to a full 25 percent upside down -- have taken advantage of the refi, according to Barclays.

Why so few? High closing costs have been prohibitive.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports about 40 percent of homeowners have a mortgage that's at 6 percent or above. So there's certainly no lack of people who could potentially benefit from the extension.

Are you eligible? Contact Fannie at 1-800-7-FANNIE and Freddie at 1-800-FREDDIE from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET to find out.

There's no time like the present to do this. Today, a 30-year fixed mortgage is going for five percent and a 15-year fixed is around 4.5 percent. There's a lot to suggest those rates may rise later in the year.

33 comments | Permalink

Self-Assessment: Are You Born To Be A Billionaire? Yes!

By Michele Reed

March 11, 2010 at 10:14 am

Why Go Big at All?

Mapping out your long-term goals for the business is critical before you decide to kick growth into high gear. Aiming to sell out in a few years? Fine. Suffused with competitive desire? OK. Just want to be left alone to trick out your product, with little care for the bottom line? Stay small.

Can You See Around Corners?

Empire-building isn't just about goal-setting and pinpoint execution. Superstars like Bill Gates and Sam Walton are bona fide revolutionaries. Self-made billionaires don't dominate industries, they transform them--and spawn new ones. That takes more than intelligence, courage and luck; it takes divine-like vision.

Can You Tolerate and Manage Ambiguity?

Successful entrepreneurs can see through a jungle of conflicting data. The chief operating officer might want to expand into Asia, but the chief marketing officer thinks the move is premature. If ambiguity doesn’t grind you to a halt, then you might have what it takes to go big.

Do You Prize Independence?

Most entrepreneurs do--that's why they start their own businesses. Early on you can make key decisions with impunity; better yet, you can do it by your own clock. Not so when the business starts growing and the to-do list scrolls past your feet. Worse, you'll most likely have investors and board members to appease.

Do You Have the Guts to Double-Down?

It's hard enough for many of us to muster the courage to abandon our cubicles and start a small company, let alone build an empire. And while the risks pile up as businesses expand, billionaires have a confidence bordering on arrogance that checks their fear and doubt. (They also go to absurd lengths to prove to themselves that the bets they do make will pay off.) The other challenge: Amassing $1 billion means spurning tempting million-dollar offers from larger competitors and buyout shops. Now that takes true fortit

Many entrepreneurs start companies on raw creativity. They envision a new niche--a brand new world, even. But such imagination can get in the way when it comes time to install--and live within--the systems and processes necessary to accommodate growth.

Are You Willing to Make Tough Decisions For the Growth of the Company?

Sure, your sister and college roommate helped launch your business, but they may grow less useful as the business outgrows them. If you're not comfortable supplanting (or firing) them, stay small

Do You Like Speaking in Public?

Companies of any significant size need a public face. Entrepreneurs who thrive on public performances--weekly meetings, shareholder gripe sessions, even television interviews--have an easier time than those who prefer to stay out of the spotlight. If public speaking isn't your forté but you still want to grow, find a confident substitute who can sell your story.

Are You a Consensus-Builder?

In most cases, the bigger your business, the more input you need from those around you. That means being willing and able to marshal consensus. Entrepreneurs with a my-way-or-the-highway mentality should think about staying small.

Can You Delegate?

The bigger your business, the less time you'll have to interact with your employees. Clearly you can't know what's going on in every department all the time. If you can't delegate, forget about growing.

If You Say You Need it On Your Desk By 9 a.m., Will it Get Done?

Anybody can hand out pink slips, but leaders of growing companies have to go a step further: They must command a certain degree of respect. As the stakes rise, you need a few drill sergeants on board. Not willing to sacrifice a little camaraderie to reach new heights? Put a cap on your growth plans

Can You Work on Christmas?

The road to the top is paved with sacrifice. If you can stomach the idea of missing family events--and you will miss them--you might have what it takes to see through a 10-figure dream.

Can You Deal with Isolation?

Being a billionaire can be lonely. "Friends" appear out of nowhere, and authentic relationships are harder to develop. Balanced billionaires can sniff out parasites and cultivate a loyal inner circle of people they trust and enjoy.

Systemizing Your Business: What Do You Do All Day?

By Michele Reed

March 8, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Thoughts from Sandye Linnetz, Systems Coach and Goddess

Ready to create some systems for your company? Don't know where to start? Well, as they say in the soundtrack from the Sound of Music, "Let's start at the very beginning... a very good place to start..." It's time to develop some job descriptions, folks.

Gather your team together and ask these questions:

==> What is your job - your primary function? How would you describe your position to a new hire?

==> What do you do all day?

==> What are you responsible for?

==> Who are you accountable to? Who is accountable to you?

==> Approximately how much time do you spend on of your tasks?

==> Where are you being most effective? Least effective?

==> Repeat this for each person in the company.

==> Who does what?

==> Who's responsible and/or accountable for what?

==> What is the location where the work take place? (home? office?)

==> Are any special tools (computer? fax machine?) required? Who supplies them?

==> What is the required physical space like?

==> What education and previous experience is required to do each job?

==> What are the physical and social requirements (e.g., lifting? language? driving?)

==> What special skills, certifications or abilities are needed? (proficiencies with specific computer programs? great phone voice? math skills?)

The next step is for each person - including the boss - to keep a Daily Tracking Log for one week. For five days each of you will write down the specific tasks that you do - just notes; this isn't a diary. It will be helpful to see if jobs are being duplicated and how much time is being spent on each. Create a simple form that will work for every position. This can be a form that allows for 15-30 minute time blocks and short notations.

Now it's time to actually create written job descriptions for everyone in the company. Oops, are you a one-man-band or a one-woman-show? No problem. If that's the case you will write up job descriptions for each of the jobs that either should exist or will... someday. Plan for growth. Yes, you may be doing everything right now, but when the time comes - as you grow - you will be replacing yourself, so prepare for it now by writing up those job descriptions so that you will know what you are looking for down the road. It's much easier to fill a position when you know what you are looking for...

Here are some possible headings for your JOB DESCRIPTION form:

Date:

Title:

Reports to:

Location:

Primary Function:

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Education and Experience Requirements:

Physical Context/Work Environment:

Other Special Skills/Certifications/Abilities:

Design the Job Description form that will work best for your situation, including whatever information will be of value when hiring or evaluating an employee. Print the forms and make them accessible to all. Review them annually and update as jobs change. Add new job descriptions as necessary.

Systems are so much easier to design and implement when you have a clear picture of who is on the team and what they can be expected to do. You are on the road to getting the systems in place!

NEVER GIVE UP

By Michele Reed

March 2, 2010 at 2:56 pm

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail". Ralph Waldo Emerson

Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

All things are possible until they are proved impossible and even the impossible may only be so, as of now.

Pearl S. Buck

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.

Orison Swett Marden

Each of us has much more hidden inside us than we have had a chance to explore. Unless we create an environment that enables us to discover the limits of our potential, we will never know what we have inside of us.

Muhammad Yunus

A limit on what you will do, puts a limit on what you can do.

Anonymous

You can give in to the failure messages and be a bitter deadbeat of excuses. Or you can choose to be happy and positive and excited about life.

A.L. Williams

Try new things: Overcome the fear (i.e., fear of failure, rejection, or pain)! When you're learning or doing a new sport or hobby, you don't think about what's bothering you. Last year, I tried snow skiing for the first time, and now I am hooked! Believe me, when I let one of my daughters (who had taken lessons) talk me into going down a "blue" hill on my first day, I wasn't thinking about my "problems" while I was tumbling down half the mountain! My daughter later told the whole family how she had never seen anyone fall the way Daddy did.

Roland D. Nolen

Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be.

Anonymous

No one will ever see me quit, because I simply won't. If I start something, I will finish it and do it well.

Steve Belmarsh

Things will happen in your life that you can't stop, but that's no reason to shut out the world. There's a purpose for the good and for the bad."

Crazy Pete

Financial Success

By Michele Reed

February 19, 2010 at 11:25 am

Letting Go of Resentment & Bitterness Prayer

By Michele Reed

February 19, 2010 at 11:17 am

Heavenly Father, I (we) come to You now in the Name of my (our) Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

Heavenly Father, life seems so unjust, so unfair. The pain of rejection is almost more than I can bear. My past relationships have ended in strife, anger, rejection, resentment, and bitterness.

Father, help me to let go of all bitterness and resentment. You are the One Who binds up and heals the broken-hearted. I receive Your anointing that breaks and destroys every yoke of bondage. I receive emotional healing by faith according to Your Word, Isaiah 53:5, "and with His stripes we are healed". I thank You for giving me the grace to stand firm until the process is complete.

Thank You for my wise counselor, I acknowledge the Holy Spirit as my wonderful Counselor! Thank You for helping me work out my salvation with fear and trembling, for it is You, Father, Who works in me to will and to act according to Your good purpose.

In the Name of Jesus, I choose to forgive those who have wronged me. I choose to live a life of forgiveness because You have forgiven me. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I get rid of` all resentments, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. I desire to be kind and passionate to others, forgiving them, just as in Christ, You forgave me.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, for I know that without holiness, no one will see You. I chose to see to it that I do not miss Your grace and that no roots of resentment or bitterness grow up within me to cause trouble. I will watch and pray that I will not enter into temptation or cause others to stumble.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, that You watch over Your Word to perform it and that whom the Son has set free is free indeed. I declare that I have overcome resentment and bitterness by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the word of my testimony. Amen.

Nelson Mandela

By Michele Reed

February 16, 2010 at 9:10 pm

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL....

By Michele Reed

February 14, 2010 at 11:27 pm

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

By Michele Reed

February 3, 2010 at 2:48 pm

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!

3. Every Time

Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions,Switch to Espresso.

5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.

6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.

11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell Your

Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

14.. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE T HE FITTING ROOM IS..

LIFE CHANGE TO REMEMBER; ACTION AND DECISIVENESS ARE MY NEW OPERATIVE DESCRIPTORS

By Michele Reed

January 2, 2010 at 2:36 pm

I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF MAKING THIS LIFE CHANGE FOR A WHILE NOW. NOW I WILL STOP RATIONALIZING AND START DOING. I HAVE THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME MY WORST BAD HABIT AND THE RESOULTION TO SET OFF IN A NEW DIRECTION. PROCRASTINATION IS A THING OF THE PAST, ACTION AND DECISIVENESS ARE MY NEW OPERATIVE DESCRIPTORS. I WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS NEWFOUND DETERMINATION. I AM GRATEFUL FOR WILL.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

By Michele Reed

January 2, 2010 at 12:24 pm

Materials and Tools:

drill

permanent marker

220-grit sandpaper

latex bonding primer

tack cloth or rags

flush spackling compound

paint (Blanched Almond 1060) (Benjamin Moore)

Steps:

1. Remove the door from the cabinets, and then remove the hinges and door knobs from the doors. Put a number on the top of each cabinet using a marker, and then make a map of the cabinets matching the number of the door to its exact location. If you'll be changing the knobs and drilling new holes, fill the existing hole with flush spackling compound.

2. Sand the entire surface of the cabinet doors and frames, and then remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag.

3. Prime each door front. Position one on the edge of a work surface so that two of the edges are hanging over the end. Once the two edges are done, turn the door around and finish the other two. Run your finger along the bottom of the door to remove any paint that has crept underneath. Once the front dries, flip all the doors over and repeat the process for the back. Sand the doors again to smooth out the surface.

4. Paint from the inside out in the same manner as above. Let dry and flip to repeat on the other side. Apply another coat, allowing it to dry completely between layers.

5. Once the doors have been painted, reinstall the hardware and hang each door according to its number.

I like this it is HR basics

By Michele Reed

December 2, 2009 at 12:29 pm

I like this it is HR basics.

- The least important word: I

- The most important word: We

- The two most important words: Thank You

- The three most important words: All is Forgiven

- The four most important words: What is Your Opinion?

- The five most important words: You Did a Good Job.

- The six most important words: I want to understand you better.

MY FAVORITE QUOTES

By Michele Reed

November 27, 2009 at 4:30 pm

"Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences."

—Susan B. Anthony

"The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race."

—Susan B. Anthony

"We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever."

—Susan B. Anthony, Declaration of Rights for Women, July 1876

"There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers."

—Susan B. Anthony

"In passing, also, I would like to say that the first time Adam had a chance he laid the blame on a woman."

—Nancy Astor

1908 STAGGERING STATS

By Michele Reed

September 30, 2009 at 10:00 am

Show this to your children and grandchildren

THE YEAR 1908

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!

The year is 1908.

Over one hundred years ago.

What a difference a century makes!

Here are some statistics for the Year 1908 :

************ ********* *********

The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles

Of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.

The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .

A competent accountant could expect to

earn $2000 per year,

A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500

and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical

engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which

Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used

Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from

Entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza

2. Tuberculosis

3. Diarrhea

4. Heart disease

5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada, was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea

Hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.' ( Shocking? DUH! )

Eighteen percent of households had at least

One full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !

Imagine that I have forwarded this from someone else without typing

It myself, and sent it to you and others all over USA,

Possibly the world, in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

STAGGERS THE MIND!

Doesn'€™t it?

3's

By Michele Reed

August 10, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Three names I go by:

1.MOM

2. Michele

3. MOJO

Three Jobs I have had in my life:

1. Travel Sales Agent

2. Manager/Director

3. Business owner-every job function

Three places I have lived:

1. Las Vegas, NV

2. Evergreen, Colorado

3. Los Angeles, CA

Three Favorite Drinks:

1.Water

2.Ice Coffe

3. Rum and pinneapple

Three TV shows I watch:

1. Haunting

2. American Justice

3. Chelsea Latelyl

Three places I have been:

1. Zion Natl park

2. Brazil

3. Europe

People that text me regularly:

1.My sister

2.tons of friends

3.

Three of my favorite foods:

1. ketchup

2. advacado

3. Ice Cream

Three friends I think will respond:

1.Des

2.Tasha

3.Toya

Three pets that I've had:

1. Dog

2.Cat

3.Fish

Three places I want to visit before I die:

1. Greece

2. Miami

3. Amazon Jungle

Updated 19 hours ago · Comment · LikeUnlike · Report Note

Michelle Beverstein cannot divulge that info to the entire facebook community...gotta keep my "others" a secret incase one of them has to sneak up on somebody..u know how it is girl....

August 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Michele Reed LMFAO!!!!

August 10, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Downloaded by Michele Reed (http://www.facebook.com/MOJOMichele) on October 25, 2010 at 8:02 am