"Opportunities multiply as they are seized!" Sun Tzu

Sugar Ray Leonard

Sun Tzu

Donald Trump

On August 11 a number of you are going to be attending SCU's Summer Session. Over the 3 1/2 days we're all together you're going to hit overload on great information to help you build your business. And, if you're not joining us at SCU, then this post will help you with the next convention you attend, but you're missing an opportunity.

At a program like SCU, your NN, (Network Nerve) is totally over-stimulated with all the new people you meet.  It's an eye-opening experience to learn you're not the only one on the planet worried about business, looking for new ways to improve your marketing or on a quest to create the ultimate image.   

When you get back from any conference, consider doing a quick "inventory" of the new people you want to "friend" or "follow" and then send them a quick email just to connect.  They're in your network now and good networks require communication - sort of like the mortar between the bricks that hold a building together.

Your NIN (New Ideas Nerve) is totally fried.  It's on information overload and has been over-stimulated, leaving you sleepless, but filled with hope and optimism.  Sure, a few late night conversations added to the challenge, but it's the ideas running through your head that really take over.  Just remember you don't have to implement everything you learned right now, just put things in order.

Even more important is that if you don't inventory these ideas soon, they're going to go into that informational "shoe-box".  Then it gets kicked under the bed and not taken out until you're in a panic mode months from now, realizing you never took any action on all these great solutions and ideas to grow your business.

Last but not least is your PN (Priorities Nerve).  This is the toughest one to deal with, because you have to sort out the wonderful mess your head is in.  You simply don't know where to start first.  You've got new ideas about the business, your photographic and creative skills, your marketing and your relationship skills.   They're all screaming for attention at the same time and you're fighting to keep from going psychotic!  So, at the risk of sounding like Dr. Phil here's the priority list to consider.

First, to thine own self be true.  Take care of you first - you won't be good to anybody if you don't straighten out the mess in your head at the very beginning.  And, here's the cool thing about taking care of you - you don't have to do anything - in fact that's the prescription - just kick back and relax for a few days before dealing with everything new you learned during the workshop. 

Second, pay attention to your family and close friends.  More than likely they weren't with you, so they only know you've been away.  Give them some attention, share what you learned last week, welcome their input on all those new ideas.

Third - now it's time to attack the challenges, but prioritize them into the categories they represent.  Remember, you don't have to do it all at once!  Start with the low hanging fruit, the easiest new ideas to take on and implement and then branch out into the harder ones.

For those of you aren't joining us in August, you're missing out on one of the most amazing programs in the industry.  If you can join us, there are still openings, but if you honestly can't, then don't "should" on yourself.  Walking around mumbling, "I should have gone!" or "I wish I had gone!" isn't going to get you closer to anything except an over developed FN (Frustration Nerve).  That's the one that can really hurt, turn you gray before your time and create too many sleepless nights.  If you look in the mirror and the bags under your eyes are making you look like Yoda, it's your FN and you need to relax!

Not registered yet?  here's what you're missing

In terms of developing your own process of analyzing opportunities in the future, so you don't miss more events that might be life-changing, here are three of my favorite quotes...

"Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities."
Sugar Ray Leonard

"Every day, you'll have opportunities to take chances and to work outside your safety net. Sure, it's a lot easier to stay in your comfort zone.. in my case, business suits and real estate.. but sometimes you have to take risks. When the risks pay off, that's when you reap the biggest rewards."
Donald Trump

And my favorite from Sun Tzu, over 2000 year's ago... 

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."