Out of the Box with David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog Out of the Box Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:15:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 en In Search of the Magical Other http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/in-search-of-the-magical-other/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/in-search-of-the-magical-other/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:14:46 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=235 I’ve just struggled through a pretty intense book, and pulled out some interesting gems which I’ll quote here.

At the end I’ll ask:

What are your thoughts? Do you resonate with any of this in your life? How have you learned to overcome it?

“(Most people spend) the bulk of their journey suffering the loss of relationship with their own best selves.”

“Who among us (can be) capable of agape or “disinterested love” i.e. love wholly invested in the well being of the other, without the shadow of self-interest cruising beneath the surface like a surly shark?”

“Consider the courage of those truly willing to look within and own what they find.”

“It is the nature of our condition that we long for the Other. As life began with the primal separation from the Other, so we seek, for ever, to return. In our age we may even be said to have a culture of longing. We long for the Gods who went underground. We long for connections, the fixes. We are all addicted, seeking connection through chemical substances, money and power, and most of all through the Magical Other. We long for nurturance, for safe harbor, for completion.”

“…has left us stranded on an isle of narcissism, alone, afraid, self-absorbed, and longing for some Other to save us.”

“More people look for salvation through relationship than in houses of worship.”

“…At least one partner must be extremely and overtly needy, with the other needing to be needed - thus
co-dependence, a state in which both are emotionally constricted and developmentally stuck, fused in the
psychologically naïve fantasy that the Other can truly take care of them. Welcome to ‘happy neurosis island.’”

“…and yet he refused commitment, for therein lay the profound abyss of his childhood fear of being abandonded.”

“Rarely is this progression (in the later stages of relationship, when projections dissolve) welcomed as a
chance for personal growth, or as an opportunity to know who the Other really is, if not the one we thought we’d hooked up with.”

“…where he can move into uncharted territories to seek and find the anguish and terror of total realization and discover that he can survive.”

“But when we can comfort our frightened child, stand watch on the ramparts of our own soul, then we may experience transformation.”

“We may even come to bless those who have most hurt us, for they have most contributed to our transformation. We may even love them, allowing them to be who they are, even as we struggle to be ourselves on the journey toward our own destined end.”

* * *

I’d like to hear your thinking on this:

What are your thoughts? Do you resonate with any of this in your life? How have you learned to overcome it?

Taken from “The Eden Project: In Search of the Magical Other” by James Hollis

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/in-search-of-the-magical-other/feed/ Mentor Monthly #102: The Power of Packages http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/mentor-monthly-102-the-power-of-packages/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/mentor-monthly-102-the-power-of-packages/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:58:08 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=233 1. Announcements/Offers

What People are Saying About ‘First Fifty Clients’?

For Serious Players Only…

Ready to really BUMP your practice to the next level?

Ready for advanced training on creating long-term marketing engines?

Then listen in to this extensive collection of my most powerful mentoring sessions over the last three years, with your own copy of:-

“EXPLODE YOUR COACHING PRACTICE™: Proven Practice Building Secrets to Give You More Clients Than You Can Handle.”

Get your copy now:

http://www.ExplodeYourPractice.com

Join the Small Business Growth Club

Get the Step by Step Training You Need to GROW, and ProfitNOW from Your Coaching Practice. Even in this economy! If you are tired of not implementing. Not getting results. Well finally, here is the step by step action program you have been looking for, for years.

Small Business Growth Club

2. FEATURE: The Power of Packages

Scott Hallman REALLY knows business.

So in this issue of MentorMonthly I’m bringing you his article
on how to greatly increase your revenue with packages…..

How To Turbo-charge Conversion and Skyrocket Profits By Finding “Sweet” Spots in Your Product or Service Offerings

Recently we have been having enormous success with teaching clients how to use packages - that is a combination of products or services that create greater perceived value and allows you to reach different price points in the market place.

Here is one of the three ways we teach on how to use The Power of Packages to instantly increase profits without spending a dime.

Tony Robbins Gets it - To the Tune of $1.7M Per Event

My friend Chet Holmes invited me to attend a Tony Robbins Unlimited Power Weekend. To my amazement, there were 3,500 people there. I noticed that people had different colored name tags and quickly learned that that was based on the “package” they signed up for. The basic “package” seemed to include the right to sit 400 rows away from Tony and a free name tag holder for $995. Then you can upgrade to the Executive Package that cost $1,295 that gives you the right to wait in line for 45 minutes before you get to make a mad dash with 1000 other people to try to get the best available seat….and you get a free coaching session (another word for soft sales call)….and then the VIP…even closer seats and a few more slicers and dicers at $1,595…then Diamond at $2,095 which lets you sit upfront and includes several extra cool things…and finally Diamond Premier at $2,595.

Based on the seating chart I created a quick Excel chart and guesstimated that this “packaging” strategy adds about $1.7M in revenue to the event I attended!

 

It hit me that there are ALWAYS people that will pay for a premium service. Yet few businesses take advantage of this simple to use strategy.


Real World Example #1
Increased New Clients Revenue by over 325%

Derek Lee of betterHealth used packages to increase average client revenue from $450 to over $1,500 by offering a package of services that are delivered over a 12 week time frame. And the cool thing is they created it and tested it on 6 prospects in just one week….all 6 took the upgraded package at an average of $1500!

Real World Example #2
Doubled profits on 20% of the Customers

Pasha Lake Cabin’s income is limited by the available cabins to rent. So they recently decided to create special premium packages that include fishing guides, special meals and more. This is a new offering but they expect 20% of the lodgers to take the package upgrade.

Real World Example #3
Increased average patient income by 30%

Dr. Eric created premium packages for the purpose of making their standard package look like a great deal…but unexpectedly, over 50% of the people opted for the premium package that cost 60% more!

As with every strategy I share with you, the Power of Packaging costs virtually zero to create and test. So go for it and ProfitNOW™.

For coaching, you can use packages in several ways:

  • Sell a “package” of months as opposed to month to month coaching. If you typically keep clients for 4 months, try selling a six month package at a discount. This can dramatically increase your income per client.
  • If you provide more than one service or product, bundle these at a discount. For example, a Fitness Coach could have a Platinum Package that includes 24 training sessions, the supplement pack, and a body fat index test.
  • A business coach could have an “upsell” package, four hours a month vs standard two, or a “downsell” package of two half hour sessions. This not only leads to increased revenue per client but also an increased client conversion as well.

So create a few versions of packages and test them out. You will be surprised how many people take advantage of them…and how your profits grow.

To Your Success,

Scott Hallman

www.smallbusinessgrowthclub.com

 

***

Action

1. Brainstorm a list of packages you could offer your clients.

2. Choose one to test out this month. Share with the blog how the package works.

3. If you already use packages in your business, share with the blog your experience with them.

***

 

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the BLOG

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/12/mentor-monthly-102-the-power-of-packages/feed/ which is the best ‘online web site builder”? http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/11/which-is-the-best-online-web-site-builder/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/11/which-is-the-best-online-web-site-builder/#comments Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:58:03 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=229 Hi guys,

I’m seeking the perfect ONLINE web site building software for dummies, so I can profile it in The Wealthy Gypsy book. (The writing is going really well, and it’s time for research ;-)

Anyone should be able to go to a web site, pick a template, upload a picture, type in some text, and BANG - they have their own web site.

SIMPLE. Easy.

Which is the best? (for dummies)

What are the pros and cons?

Please post your answers below.

And much appreciated!

David

www.SolutionBox.com

P.S. Advanced note: if there’s an open source software that I can install on a huge server and give people free or cheap hosting accounts, I’m open to it. But surely there are people out there already doing it, and better than I could.

P.P.S. I know software like Joomla is amazing, but remember this is for dummies - they can’t go installing stuff like that and setting it up. I’m thinking there has to be a third party who has installed it and offers free or low cost accounts. 

P.P.P.S. Remember it has to be online….(so not dreamweaver)

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/11/which-is-the-best-online-web-site-builder/feed/ Update - the past 3 months http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/update-the-past-3-months/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/update-the-past-3-months/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:01:19 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=227 OK - time to report. 

For those I haven’t kept in the loop, this Aussie is no longer officially NY resident. 

Here’s the bullet summary: 

  • Left NY July 10 for 1 week trip, and just never went back 
  • Found a ‘base’ of lovin friends in Calgary - did two BIG schmoozing conferences 
  • Did another round with Kristina then decided to move on with 6 months no contact to free myself up
  • Harbin Hot Springs was awesome 
  • 28 days with Byron Katie of www.thework.com (intense!) 
  • Enjoying time being single (read ’self-partnered’) 
  • Achieved 5 year goal of connecting personally with Jack Canfield (and as a bonus, his delightful better half) 
  • $125,000 tax bill this week for 2 years ago. (and still last year’s to pay) Wow! 
  • Got notice yesterday I have 2 weeks to vacate NY apartment. Wow! (was subletting bunch, so they want me out. Will handle via remote) 
  • Sequestered now in the malibu canyon (LA) writing a book; The Wealthy Gypsy (it’s fun auditioning top ghostwriters and chatting with agents and publishers) 
  • Heading to Oz in a week or two for family, government grant, time away with Dad, and a speech. 
  • And then? I’d love to do communal living in December if anyone commits, and if not I’m guessing I’ll land in Marin or Calgary to chill for a bit, or wherever the wind blows. 

Other than that it’s been pretty quiet ;-) I’m feeling pretty emotional currently, with lots of stuff coming up around relationship and wanting to protect myself. GREAT food for doing Enquiry/The Work. I’m doing my best to focus on Enquiry rather than trying to change the outside world. Discipline! 

;-) Love and fun and hugs and a touch of mischief to you all 

David

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/update-the-past-3-months/feed/ Create #56- The Best Teachers http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/create-56-the-best-teachers/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/create-56-the-best-teachers/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:42:31 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=221 1. Announcements/Offers

Celebration

I’m celebrating my friend Maria Andreu’s debut on the national writing stage - she just sold her first nationally piece of writing to Newsweek.

There’s hope for all us writers!

I was surprised to find myself crying while reading it. It’s a short, very interesting read.

This (Illegal) American Life

Maria’s email address is mariandreu@earthlink.net if you want to send good wishes or supportive comments as she works on her book of the same topic.

Call on Thursday - Passion can help you and the planet

Can you imagine helping yourself, and at the same time, all of humanity, to move from: Survival to Self-Empowerment to Sustained Abundance?

Join us for a call with Charlie Gay about passion and about
Humanity Unites Brilliance (HUB) on Oct 30th.

Sign up here:

===> http://www.SolutionBox.com/teleclass-hub.php

2. FEATURE: The Best Teachers

This is an excerpt from Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho:

A Warrior knows that his best teachers are the people with whom he shares the battlefield.

It is dangerous to ask for advice.  It is even more dangerous to give advice.  When he needs help, he tries to see how his friends resolve- or fail to resolve- their problems.

If he is in search of inspiration, he reads, on the lips of his neighbor, the words that his guardian angel is trying to say to him.

When he is tired or lonely, he does not dream about distant men and women; he turns to the person beside him and shares his sorrow or his need for affection with them- with pleasure and without guilt.

A Warrior knows that the farthest-flung star in the Universe reveals itself in the things around him.

***

Action

1) Make a list of the inspirations and pleasures that surround you.

2) Post here at the blog right now and share your list.

* * * *

Enjoy!


P.S. Got a comment on this article? Add it to the blog

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/create-56-the-best-teachers/feed/ What’s your Gypsy Index? http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/whats-your-gypsy-index/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/whats-your-gypsy-index/#comments Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:32:00 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=215

What’s your Gypsy Index? 

Add up your score out of 100.

 

1) Financial Freedom

___ (0-5) I have 6 months of living expenses in a savings account

___ (0-5) I am debt free

___ (0-5) I earn more money than I spend (my savings are going up)

___ (0-5) I have enough money to buy everything I need

___ (0-5) I have enough money to buy at least 80% of the things I want

___ (max 25)

2) Geographic Freedom

___ (0-5) I work at an outside office less than 2.5 days a week

___ (0-5) Out of the entire world, I’m living in one of my top three preferred cities.

___ (0-5) If I choose, I can easily be away from my home town for 1 month per year.

 

___ (0-5) If I choose, I can easily be away from my home town for 6 months per year.

___ (max 20)

3) Time Freedom

___ (0-5) I can and do take at least four weeks a year off work (or 10 weeks, working half the time).

___ (0-5) I can and do take at least 10 weeks a year off work (OR I LOVE the work I do).

___ (0-5) I work no more than 3 days a week.

___ (0-5) I REALLY enjoy my spare time.

___ (0-5) I absolutely LOVE the work I do

___ (max 25)

4) Inner Freedom

___ (0-5) I tell the truth always, regardless of how I will be seen, or the consequences

___ (0-5) I accept and embrace all of who I am, including my faults. I see myself as perfect, warts and all. I do not need or want myself to change.


___ (0-5) I accept and love my entire current life situation, in relationship, health & body, money, and living environment. I do not need or want my situation to change.

___ (0-5) I do not need or want anyone in my life to change; I want them to be exactly as they are.


___ (0-5) I am always happy and at peace, and rarely worry.

___ (0-5) I feel complete with everyone who every upset or wronged me, and everyone I ever upset or wronged.

___ (max 30)

 

Post your score out of 100!

What are TWO actions you will take to increase your score, and by when? 

]]> http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/whats-your-gypsy-index/feed/ Mentor Monthly #100 - Special 100th Issue http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/mentor-monthly-100-special-100th-issue/ http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/2008/10/mentor-monthly-100-special-100th-issue/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:37:55 +0000 David Wood http://life-coaching-resource.com/blog/?p=212 1. Announcements/Offers

What People are Saying About ‘First Fifty Clients’?

Simply Brilliant!!!!!   

I listened to the disc for the first time on Monday and have already booked 45 people for exploratory sessions. I may have to extend my goal to 100 people in 100 days. I never knew I could inspire people to take advantage of a free session. You have motivated me into action and I wish to thank you for this. ” - Loretta Digger, UK

 

Visit http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com

 

Want to become a coach? Could you use a coach?

If you want to become a coach, well… it makes a lot of sense to experience coaching, don’t you think?

And if you are a coach, could this be the time to work with a coach for a month or three to move some big goals forward?

Coach Christina Johnson is offering a 75% discount on coaching if you contact her by October 20th and she still has slots available.

Even if you’re not sure you want to go for a month or more, she has 15 complimentary sessions to give away. If you’ve been wanting to move something forward in your life, I encourage you to take advantage of this offer today, by contacting Christina at workofheart123@yahoo.com or 646 420 8124.

2. FEATURE: Special 100th Issue

You might expect something for this centenary issue about getting clients, making money, or being a more effective coach.

But you know….let’s reach bigger than that. Let’s look at impacting….well, say, the planet?

Most of you know that I am passionate about the environment. So for our special 100th issue of Mentor Monthly, let’s look at how you can make a positive impact on the environment. You don’t have to do everything but the more you can do, the better for us all - yes?

I invite you to PICK THREE and implement them within a week:

What you can do

1. Replace all of your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. 

Fact: They use only 1/3 of the energy of a regular bulb. Bonus- they last longer and lower your electric bill.

Bonus - Buy your bulbs and even holiday lighting here

2. Start a compost to fertilize your plants.

Fact: Enriches soil, reduces landfills, prevents erosion on embankments of lakes and rivers, protects water resources from chemical runoff.

3. Properly inflate the tires on your car.

Fact: Reduces 400 to 700 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and you can save up to 2 weeks of gas money per year.

4. Give your car scheduled tune-ups.

Fact: Keeping your engine properly tuned can save you up to 165 gallons of gas per year.

5. Recycle as much as you can.

Fact: Glass recycling saves over 25% of the energy necessary to make glass with virgin materials. Over 1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics are recycled annually. Recycling aluminum saves about 95% of all the energy it would take to produce aluminum from its original source and recycling just one can saves enough electricity to run a TV for 3 hours! Producing paper from recycled paper reduces air and water pollution by 50%. Recycling one ton of steel (including tin cans) saves 2,500 lbs. of iron ore, 1400 lbs. of coal, and 120 lbs. of limestone.  

6. Carpool or use public transportation.

Fact: If everyone did this only once a week it would cut vehicle emissions by 20%.  

7. Combine your errands or outings- shop for groceries only once a week.

Fact: Cutting a 20 mile trip out of your schedule each week can reduce your global warming pollution by more than 1,200 pounds a year and save you over $100 in gas.

8. Switch to natural cleaning products.

Fact: Indoor air pollution levels can be 25% to 62% greater than outdoor levels.

Bonus- Cut to the Chase Cleaning

9. Eat local produce.

Fact: Shipping burns fuel- a 5 pound package shipped by air creates 12 pounds of carbon dioxide and 3.5 pounds if shipped by truck.

10. Buy on the internet.

Fact: Eliminates the need to drive so eliminates carbon dioxide.

11. Telecommute! 

Fact: If all commuters worked from home just one day a week, we could save 5.85 billion gallons of oil and cut over 65 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Wow.

12. Fly non-stop when you travel.

Fact: Non-stop flights use less fuel because most of fuel use is during take-off and landing.

13. Turn off or unplug electronics.

Fact: Your electric meter is often adding up kilowatt hours when you don’t think you are using an appliance. Unplug toasters, cell phones, and other chargers when not in use. Cable boxes and video game boxes, and to a lesser extent TVs and DVDs, use almost as much energy when they are off as when they are on. Make it easy to turn them all the way off by plugging them into a power strip and turning off the whole strip. 

14. Weather-strip and/or caulk around windows and doors.

Fact: Uses less energy for heating and cooling.

15. Insulate house.

Fact: Uses less energy for heating and cooling. 

16. Turn off lights when not in use.

Fact: A great way is to install motion sensors that will turn lights on and off for you. Lighting accounts for 12% of home energy consumption. That equals just over a ton of carbon dioxide each year.

17. Think before you print; set printers and copiers to automatically print on both sides.

Fact: It takes more energy to make a piece of paper than to print the image onto it.

18. Bring lunch to work or walk to lunch.

Fact: Reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and get good exercise.

19. Stop junk mail.

Fact: Average adult receives about 41 pounds of junk mail in a year. Eliminating 80% to 95% will keep at least 100 million trees in forests cooling the planet, protect 28 billion gallon of clean water, and would prevent the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions of 2.8 million cars.

Bonus- http://www.41pounds.org

20. Eat less meat.

Fact: If you are a vegetarian, you save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emission a year compared to someone who eats meat. Poultry is less green-house gas intensive than beef. So eat a few more chicken and vegetarian meals per week. Cutting back on meat even once a week can make a difference.

21. Use energy star appliances. 

Fact: Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions.

22. Choose green electricity from your power company. (Really - call them up and ask for the green option if they have one).  

23. Write your elected officials about your interest in improving the environment. 

Want to know your carbon footprint?

You can calculate your carbon footprint here:

http://www.terrapass.com

I hope you have enjoyed the 100th issue of Mentor Monthly. We can make a difference, so let’s!

***

Action

Choose three actions from the above list and post your commitment to doing them at the blog.
 

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a comment on this article? Please add it to the blog.

P.P.S. (I know we already sent issues #100 and #101, but those were articles we re-printed. We didn’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate.)

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