Seven Steps to Selling MORE!

Are you a salesperson who’s frustrated each month trying to reach sale quotas? Do you worry that a career in sales might not be a good fit for you? Sales can be frustrating and complicated, or it can be very simple. Now when I say “simple,” I don’t mean that it is not difficult. Selling is difficult. However, once we take out some of the complications you’ll be able to sell more, and hopefully, enjoy doing so.

Take it from me, I have been in sales, and I know the frustrations. I remember when I first got into sales; I thought it was going to be easy. I thought that all I had to do is be a good talker, have a nice smile, knock on doors and the sales would start coming in. I learned the hard way, after being fired from one of my sales jobs, that success in sales required much more. I learned that it is an art; and, to be great at sales, you have to work on yourself as much as you work on the job.

Here are seven ways to being more effective in sales:

First, you must have a positive attitude. What do I mean by that? You must begin each sales day with a positive attitude. If you wake up dreading your job and hate what you do, it will be almost impossible to sell anything and your potential customers will see right through you. You must carry yourself in a positive way, and have the confidence in yourself, product and the company you work for.

Second, develop personal and production goals. The important step to achieving any type of goal is to write it down. If you don’t write the goal down, I consider it a wish. You must know what you are aiming for. You can wish for how many sales you will have for the year, or how much money you will make. After writing them down, you must look at them on a daily basis. I find having personally goals helps me stay on track toward productive career. They will help you do the same.

Third, manage your time. Take five minutes each day to plan your next day. Also, take ten minutes each Friday, to plan your next week. Make it a point to know where your meetings are each day, and plan to visit nearby prospects before and after your meeting. This will also allow you have all your meetings in one area on the same day. Having a day planner, and using some king of application on your phone, will help you with these tasks. Remember time is money. If you’re wasting your time, it’s your income that’s wasting away.

Fourth, prospect. This is the time you must go out and add qualified customers to your inventory. There are several ways to prospect. You can do it the hard way: by going out and cold calling; or you can be smarter about it. Ask the customers you already have, and the people you know, for referrals. Did you catch that last phrase? You not only can ask, but you should ask for referrals. A woman once told me, after one of my seminars, that cold calling is a way of God punishing us for not asking for referrals. I loved that comment! Referrals are the best way to get business. One of the best ways to get solid referrals is to join a local chapter of Business Network International, BNI. It is a smart way to increase sales!

Fifth, know your presentation. Do you know that 76% of all sales people wing their presentation? That is why those same salespeople fail. They don’t present their product in a professional manner. They are simply all over the place and the customer gets confused and gets scared and….. doesn’t buy!

Your goal is to know your presentation backwards and forwards. The only way you can do this is practice. Practice. Practice!

Here are three keys to a great presentation:

1. Emotion – you must have enthusiasm. Be excited about what you sell. If you are excited they will be excited.
2. Value – You must show value. No prospect will buy if you don’t show how it will benefit them, and how it will be a value to their company.
3. Momentum – One of the best things you can do in your presentation is to ask questions. The best are open ended questions, those that can’t be answered simply with a “yes” or “no.” That way you keep the client involved. Telling is not selling.

Sixth, ask for the sale. The number one reasons why sales professionals fail is because they never ask for the business, or they get to the end of their presentation, and ask a question, such as, “what do you think?”. The customer will reply, “Let me think it over.” You don’t want to ever get that answer. This is one of the most if not the most important step, because this where you either go back to the office with a sale or with nothing. There are dozens of closing techniques. Learn several of them and make them part of your presentation. I promise, you will see great results.

Seventh, take time to educate yourself. As I stated above, sales is an art. It takes work and dedication, to you, your company and client. One of the best ways to become a better salesperson is to work on your skills. Grab a book on sales, a CD set or attend a seminar. These three ways you can help yourself to become a better sales person. Your goal is to become an expert. How do you become an expert? Take an hour a day and sharpen your skills. How good you are in sales, is a direct result on how much time you invest in learning and mastering the appropriate skills.

If you follow these seven ways, and build upon them, you will be more confident, and able to sell more. Remember at the end of the day, it’s not about you need, it’s about the customers needs. I promise, if you take care of customers needs; and serve them with the utmost respect, they will sing your praises and give you more referrals than you know what do with.

Now get off your attitude and go sell more!

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Sales, Positive Attitude in Sales, Get off your Attitude, Sell More, Slidell, New Orleans, Dallas, Louisiana, Texas, Professional Speaker, Public Speaker, Sales Training, Sales Tips, Get off Your Attitude in Sales, Hire Ryan Lowe

What do you Believe?

My question to you is, what do you believe about yourself? Do you believe you can do great things and that you have great things ahead in life, or do you believe that everything around you is hopeless? Unbelievably, the way you think and the way you talk to yourself, play a huge role in what happens to you for the rest of your life. Your thoughts are fundamental to greatness or failure, and can lead you to either the highest or the lowest points in your life. The secret is to keep your thoughts positive. Positive thinking and positive affirmations are the key ingredients to being successful in life.

One of my favorite quotes by Brian Tracy is, “Whatever you believe with feeling, becomes your reality.”

What are you telling yourself? Do you tell yourself that you “can do” something or you “can’t do” something? Do you tell yourself you “have what it takes” or that you “don’t have what it takes” in life to win?

The average person has 60,000 thoughts a day – did you know that 80% of them are negative?

We are always thinking about our failures or mistakes, or believe the words of someone else telling us we’re no good, or we can’t do something. We let others – or our self-limiting beliefs – tell us how far we’re going to go in life. In most cases, we are our own worst enemies. We are the ones that set the bar so low for ourselves.

Here is another fact: you have the power to choose. You have the power to choose if you want to be positive or negative, you have the power to choose if you want to be happy or unhappy. You also have the power to listen or not to listen to the negative people around you. You are in control of your life and your well-being.

The following is one of the best examples I can give you about choosing to be positive in life. The other night I turned on the TV to look for something inspirational and came across a program on ESPN that featured Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. The name of the show was The Brady 6. The show was all about Tom and his career, and the six quarterbacks picked before him in the 2000 NFL draft. Can you believe that six quarterbacks were picked before Tom Brady?

If you are not familiar with Tom, he has three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and is probably one of the best quarterbacks that has ever played the game. I mean can you believe he was only picked up in the sixth round, picked number 199? In the story, they showed the six other quarterbacks and their strengths; but with Tom, all they talked about during the draft process were his weaknesses!

One thing I admired and learned from Tom was that his position wasn’t just handed to him, in college or the Pros, Tom fought for his Job in college and in the NFL. The one thing he always told himself in both cases was that he believed he was the right man for the job, and the position was his for the taking.

That’s what he believed, and that’s why I think he is such a successful person. What I truly love about this story is that not one of the professional coaches, scouts, or owners of any team in the NFL, with all their so-called expertise, could pick out an obvious winner, and I’m sure one day Tom will be a Hall of Fame quarterback. Tom did not listen to all the negativity and the naysayers, telling him how slow he was or how he had bad form, he believed in himself. This is a great example of how you can do anything in life if you have the right mindset and think positively.

Here is my advice to you – and this is what you should learn from this story. If you feel that you‘re at a point in life where you’re stuck, believe that you can get out of it. If you think you are a failure, start believing that you can do anything in life, and that failure is just a brief moment in time. See failure as just one event that will come and go in life – learn and move on. Look at challenges and adversity as growing pains – these are only tests that get you to the next level in life. Make sure you adopt the habit of Positive Thinking today.

It takes 21 days to form a new habit, so for the next three weeks I challenge you to start thinking positively about every person, every circumstance and each event, and watch to see how quickly your life will turn into something great and positive.

Here is a simple formula I learned a long time ago: positive thinking turns into positive feelings, which then turn into positive actions.

I believe, like Tom Brady, that everyone has greatness in them. I believe that everyone already has the tools for what it takes to be successful, and I believe that when people believe in themselves with clear and strong conviction, without any doubts in their minds, they will be successful.

I will leave you with this passage from one of my favorite articles written by George M. Adams.

“Never mind what others think! It is what you think, what you plan, what you dream, what you know you are capable of achieving that is going to count. Nothing else matters.”

Remember to always BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to “Get off Your Attitude” and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Positive Attitude, New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Texas Motivational Speaker, Positive Mental Attitude, New Orleans Author, Get off Your Attitude, Slidell, LA, American Cancer Society, New Orleans, Get off Your Attitude Bracelet

5 Habits that will give you the energy to accomplish more in life

Don’t you hear people say, “I wish there was more time in the day!” We all live a very fast-paced lifestyle. It seems like everything is happening at a hundred miles an hour. We’re being pulled in a hundred directions – all at the same time. We have our family, business, career, church, hobbies, friends, and everything else. Too often, we let our personal health take a low priority. Trying to balance all our daily activities depletes our energy level. Not taking care of bodies only makes the problem worse.

No wonder we’re tired all the time!

Just a little time and the right habits can give us the energy to tackle everything else in our lives. Our energy will determine how successful we are at anything. With more energy, we can accomplish more in less time. If we want to be at the top of our game and to be productive, we need a high level of energy – mental and physical – at all times. It will let us take advantage of all the opportunities around us, help us maintain a positive attitude, and keep us full of enthusiasm.

We can feel amazing about ourselves – all the time!

Here are 5 habits we can do to help us live a more positive and energetic lifestyle.

1. Eat right

The first and most important habit is choosing the right food for our body. We are what we eat. We wouldn’t drive somewhere on an empty tank, would we? Why do many people try to go all day without breakfast or lunch? What about the type of fuel? Do we really expect fast food and junk food to supply our body the energy it needs? An improper diet keeps our body from performing at its highest level. Our diet alone will play a large role in how our body handles stress, our sleeping patterns, and – most important of all – our performance as we go through the day. We have to make sure we pick a balanced and a nutritional diet to give our body the energy we need for success.

2. Exercise

The second important habit of living a positive and energetic lifestyle is a great exercise program. Our body needs routine exercise. While nearly any form of exercise is better than nothing, the best kind to increase our energy level is aerobic exercise. But regardless of the type we choose, our overall goal is to get our heart rate up to an appropriate count for our age and level of fitness. We should exercise for a minimum of twenty minutes at least twice a week to get our body to respond accordingly. Find an expert to help you design the right exercise program for you.

3. Feed the brain

The third important habit is our body responds to our emotions. If we’re mentally stressed out, our body will react negatively. We should feed our mind with positive ideas and thoughts which encourage us. Where can we get such ideas? My suggestion is to grab a book, CD, or go to a seminar. I ask people all the time, “What are you feeding your brain? What are you putting into it on a daily basis?” This is just as important as what we feed our body. A healthy mental diet will keep our energy level high. As we feel more positive, we’ll feel more energetic and our body will positively respond.

4. Rest

The fourth important habit is learn to rest. Yes, I said rest! I know it’s hard to believe we can rest. You might ask, “Where do I get the time to do that?!” My first suggestion is to make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep a night. Get into a good habit of turning the TV off and getting in bed at a decent time. You do yourself and others no good trying to run on only four hours of sleep.

We should also make a date with ourselves for a vacation day and mark it on our calendars. It doesn’t have to be a trip to Disney World. It can be as simple as getting a massage or just curling up on the couch with a great book. These days should be low-stress and low-energy. This is the day to recharge our batteries, mentally and physically. On top of that, we should take a yearly vacation to somewhere that will help us find peace and tranquility.

5. Create a “Can Do” Attitude

The fifth important habit is to create a “can do” attitude. This allows us to block out all the negativity we encounter on a daily basis. Just by talking positive and believing we can do something will help us find energy we didn’t even know we had. We’ve got to keep our minds on what needs to get done. If we’ll find the positive aspect of each situation we face, we can keep a great attitude, low stress, and good emotional health. With a positive mental attitude, our mind and body will respond with the focus and energy we need to finish the tasks at hand.

What determines your level of health and happiness more than anything else? Finding what you love to do in life. If we love what we do, the energy to do it comes naturally. When we have a passion for what we do, we’ll find the willpower and the motivation for everything we want to accomplish.

Love what you do and do what you love!

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to “Get off Your Attitude” and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Positive Attitude, New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Texas Motivational Speaker, Positive Mental Attitude, New Orleans Author, Get off Your Attitude, Slidell, LA, American Cancer Society, New Orleans, Get off Your Attitude Bracelet

Seven Ways to Live a More Productive and Positive Lifestyle

Doesn’t it seem like every time you turn on the TV or get on the computer, there is always more negative news that just weighs you down. On top of that, you have your own personal issues to deal with. This “negative storm” can cause someone to feel stuck, lost and full of anxiety. It is the fear of the unknown that builds up in our mind and takes over like a dark cloud. This dark cloud follows us and rains on us, making us negative in our personal and professional lives. As humans, we sometimes focus on the negative and stay under that negative cloud that we created. We must understand that we can walk from under this cloud at anytime, and we have the power to make our days sunny and bright.

I am sharing with you 7 ways that I have found to be the most effective when attempting to live a more productive and positive lifestyle along with my Get off Your Attitude Exercise (GOYAcise) to get you moving.

1. Think Positive

Thinking Positive is probably the most important of the ways that I can share with you, because you know that everything starts in the mind. Thoughts turn into feelings, which then turn into actions. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, you will ultimately find failure. If you tell yourself you can do it, you have increased your chances of accomplishing that goal. Keep your mind clear and your thoughts positive. This way will bring great success to you in your personal and professional life.

GOYA-cise: When a negative thought comes into your mind, instantly swap it with a positive one. An example of this would be thinking about a child’s smile or someone you know. This will keep the mind clear of any negative thoughts.

2. Get Around Positive People

Stay away from negative and pessimistic people. Surround yourself with positive people, and you will be more positive! This is a simple and crucial way in reaching a positive lifestyle. Negative people can rob you of your energy and your drive. We must learn to get around people that are like minded, have goals and the ones that have courage to go forward in life.

GOYAcise: Think about someone that you respect and has the positive traits that you want to possess. Try to meet with that person frequently so that their positive attitude will become part of you.

3. Read and Listen to Positive Information

One of the best ways to create a positive mindset is by filling it with positive information. Too many times we get our information from the wrong places. We get focused on the negative news of the world and it bleeds into our subconscious. We need to learn to be careful on what we let into our mind. To get out of the negative rut, we need to get in the habit of picking up an inspirational book, find a positive article on the web or just listen to a positive inspirational CD. These positive items will open your mind, encourage, inspire, and teach you how to create a positive mindset. (Some of my favorite inspirational authors are Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy and Les Brown)

GOYA-cise: Put a Positive CD in your car, home stereo or in at your office. Listen to it for the length of the car ride or 30 minutes in your home or office. Try to implement that one new positive idea that you learned into what you are doing that particular day.

4. Focus on the Future

Too many of us dwell on our past and let it block our vision of our future. We think about something disturbing that happened to us or we think about something that someone has told us that upset us, and we play it over and over like an old movie reel. We need to break this bad habit and visualize on what we want our future to be. The next time your past is haunting you, instantly think about something in your future. Write down your goals and create a vision board. This way you can always focus and see the positive things you want in life.

GOYA-cise: Make a list of all things that you want in life. Go online and find it, print a picture of each item. Pin them up on a board in your office or home where you can see them. Look at this vision board daily and visualize yourself possessing all of these items.

5. Plan Ahead

Using time efficiently helps to maintain a positive attitude. The best way to do this is to plan your day and your week ahead of time. We need to adopt this habit so that we won’t let procrastination take over and keep us from reaching our goals. The habit of planning and focusing on your priorities and important tasks will help you accomplish more in less time. This very act will keep your life in check and help you stay on track towards your goals and let you know stay aware of your accomplishments.

GOYA-cise: Each day sit at your desk for ten minutes and map out your next day. This exercise can save two hours the next day.

6. Be Grateful

Take some time everyday to be grateful and thankful for everything that you have in your life right now. It is easy for us to focus on what we don’t have or things we didn’t accomplish. Find these great things and recognize them. The very thought of what you are grateful for will help you maintain a positive attitude in your life. This habit is one of the best ways to turn negative thinking into positive thinking instantly.

GOYA-cise: Write down the top 10 things you are grateful for and read them over at least 10 times daily!

7. Exercise More

Daily exercise will help you improve your mood, along with helping to against stress and depression. This healthy way of life will keep you living longer and living a healthier lifestyle. Remember exercising will also make you feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, it breeds confidence which will help you in your personal and professional life.

GOYA-cise: Go for a 30 minute brisk walk on a treadmill or around the neighborhood. This is a great exercise to create positive thinking.

If you follow and implement these 7 life changing ways of life daily, they will bring you the success and happiness you desire. They will take you from underneath that dark cloud of negativity and bring you out into the sunshine of a positive lifestyle. Use the GOYA-cises to improve your productivity and see the positive things like peace and happiness that will come into your life.

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Positive Attitude, New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Texas Motivational Speaker, Positive Mental Attitude, New Orleans Author, Get off Your Attitude, Slidell, LA, American Cancer Society, New Orleans, Get off Your Attitude Bracelet

Get off Your Attitude gives back to the American Cancer Society

Just recently, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was very blessed because they found it in the early stages and removed it successfully. Since then he has gone through several chemo treatments and is now cancer free. It was a serious life changing experience for him and my family.

I also have a close friend that is fighting cancer. His name is Darryn DeWalt, the marketing agent for New Orleans Saints player Darren Sharper. He is also the founder and president of a company by the name of Get Checked or Check Out! His company aims to teach everyone how important it is to stay on top of their health. The amazing thing is, he does all of this while battling cancer!

I’m telling you about these two individuals because they are the reason why I have chosen to work with the American Cancer Society. They both possess a positive attitude towards what life has given them and they are both inspirations to me about how we decide to deal with life.

Every time a Get off Your Attitude bracelet is sold, I will donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. I give a portion of each sale because I don’t want anyone else to go through what my father and friend had to go through.

I believe one day we will find a cure for cancer, and I want to be part of that. I also believe you must have a positive attitude to deal with this or any disease

I hope you decide to donate and wear your ‘Get off Your Attitude” bracelet. Wear it with pride to show others you are making a difference in someone else’s life. It is a great reminder every day, no matter what you are dealing with, that you have the choice to live life with a positive attitude.

We are also in the process of starting the “Get off Your Attitude Foundation.” If you would like to donate and be part of this, please email us at info@getoffyourattitude.com . Any amount you donate will help us get this great organization started.

Be someone’s miracle today and donate. Remember it’s your choice to “Get off Your Attitude” and you can make anything possible!

Thanks

Ryan Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Positive Attitude, New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Texas Motivational Speaker, Positive Mental Attitude, New Orleans Author, Get off Your Attitude, Slidell, LA, American Cancer Society, New Orleans, Get off Your Attitude Bracelet

Hello my name is Ryan Lowe

Hello, my name is Ryan Lowe; I am a motivational speaker in the New Orleans area and the Gulf South Region, which includes Texas. I host Motivational Seminars; conduct Sales and Attitude Coaching, and Business Consulting Services. I have been in the business for close to ten years now.

I have had the privilege of working with many great organizations such as Brian Tracy Seminars,

Brian Tracy Programs and the Productivity People and travel regularly all over the United States working with entrepreneurs, new and seasoned sales professionals.

I started a company by the name of “Get off Your Attitude Seminars” in 2009, and I’m also in the midst of having my first book published, which is also titled “Get off Your Attitude,” I was signed at the beginning of the year by Sound Wisdom Publishing. The book will be launched in the summer of 2011 and available in stores and online in August, 2011.

I decided to start this company and write my book to help others understand the importance of a positive mental attitude and my goal is to inspire people to live a positive, professional and personal lifestyle. In my seminars and book, I discuss stories about my own personal choices when dealing with adversity. One story in particular is about when I was shot while in high school.

I feel it’s my passion and purpose in life to teach how everyone has the choice to do or be anything in life, as long as they can maintain a positive attitude. Many call me the “Positive Attitude Coach”

My dream has always been to be a motivational speaker and an author. I am really excited that I have started my business here in my birthplace of New Orleans, near to my hometown of Slidell, Louisiana where I grew up. I get a lot of my inspiration and material from working with local businesses and entrepreneurs while helping them to achieve their dreams.

I also have Get off Your Attitude Merchandise such as bracelets and T-shirts and a portion of all sales go to the American Cancer Society.

Once again, my name is Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, Positive Attitude Coach and Business Consultant.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about me and sincerely hope we‘ll get the opportunity to meet one day!

Take Care
Ryan

Tags: Ryan Lowe, Motivational Speaker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Positive Attitude, New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Texas Motivational Speaker, Positive Mental Attitude, New Orleans Author, Get off Your Attitude, Slidell, LA

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Live in the Now

Haven’t we all seen the quote that says, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present.”

It’s absolutely true – this moment is the only one we have. They say time is money – but I say time is more valuable than money. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. Once you spend it, it’s gone forever.

How can we make sure we’re living a fulfilling life in each moment? Here are some ideas to help you have a positive attitude about your time.

Don’t live in the past

We waste so much of our lives reliving the past. We all have regrets and moments of former glory. But we rob ourselves of the present by always wishing we could go back. If we’re constantly looking over our shoulder, we can’t enjoy what’s around us and we can’t look ahead at what’s coming.

I know a friend of a friend who’s always reliving his high school glory days. He talks about the wild times they had and the crazy stunts they pulled. It’s fun to hear about – but he doesn’t talk about much else. He doesn’t talk about the great things that are happening now or what he hopes to accomplish in the future. It’s like he hit the pause button on his life in high school, and that’s where he still is. While I’m glad he has some great memories, I wish he would focus on making more instead of reliving the same ones over and over.

Positive people don’t let their past keep them from achieving their future. Whether they had failures or victories, they let the past stay in the past. They don’t try to redo it or relive it. They don’t have a victim’s mentality about what others did to them, or how unfair life is. They don’t believe “the good old days” are as good as they’ll ever get. They believe the best of their past is the worst of their future.

We all have to make peace with our past, accept it, and move on with our lives.

Don’t live in the future

I encourage people to think about the future – to envision the life they want and pursue it. But some people are so wrapped up in tomorrow they forget about today. They worry about what might or might not happen. They’re in a hurry to get over the next bridge or get through a situation. They talk about what they’re going to do when they have enough money or the kids are grown or when they find the time. They try to live tomorrow, and completely miss enjoying today.

I used to have a coworker who was always on the verge of something great. Every time I saw him, he had a new business or was working on some mind-blowing opportunity. If we had lunch together, the whole conversation was about how things were looking up and how he was about to hit it big. He was an enthusiastic person to be around, but he never seemed to be celebrating anything happening right then. He always talked about what was going to happen.

We can’t enjoy the present if we’re always mentally in the future. Just as we can’t go back, we can’t go forward either.

Live in the present

The only time we have is right now. If we can’t enjoy this moment, we’ll never enjoy any of them.

There’s a fairytale about a man who received a magical spool of thread from a fairy. The fairy told him when he pulled the end of the thread, life would quickly go by. Thereafter, every time the man was faced with an unpleasant situation, he would unwind a little thread from the spool and time would leap forward.

When the babies were sick, he would pull the thread and it would magically be a few days later. When he lost his job, he pulled the thread and he was instantly further down the road of life and had found another job. When his marriage was suffering, he would whisk himself ahead in time so he wouldn’t have to deal with it.

After what seemed like just a few months, he found he had turned old and gray. When he looked back on his life, there weren’t any unpleasant times – but there wasn’t much else, either. By fast-forwarding through the less-than-perfect parts of his life, he missed nearly all of it.

Happiness isn’t having a perfect life. It’s choosing to have a positive attitude in spite of what happens. The important thing is to live in the here and now. We need to enjoy every moment as if it were the only one.

Right now is all we have. Enjoy it!

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to “Get off Your Attitude” and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Get a Healthy Attitude with Mackie Shilstone

I was able to pin Mackie Shilstone down for a quick interview which, considering his clientele, wasn’t easy. As sought-after as he is nationally and internationally, many people don’t realize we have one of the foremost experts in the world and a true pioneer in the health and fitness field right here in our own backyard.

Mackie Shilstone’s worked with over 3,000 athletes and celebrities such as John Goodman, Riddick Bowe, Serena Williams, Michael Spinks, Bernard Hopkins, Steve Wynn, and Ozzie Smith – just to name a few. He is a special advisor the U.S. Olympic Committee; has held positions at Tulane, LSU, and Nicholls; has served on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; has been praised in or on USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, HBO, and People; and was voted one of the 50 most influential people in the history of boxing. Mackie holds four degrees, including an M.A. and an M.B.A. He is currently the director of The Fitness Principle at East Jefferson General Hospital and the owner of six area GNC franchises.

To have one of the foremost experts in the world sitting across from me was an incredible opportunity. I wanted to know how he began, what kept him going, and what he’d like to share with us.

How did you get into the field?

I’m a third-generation Tulane alumnus. When I was attending Tulane, I knew I was going to play – but at 5’8” and 130 lbs., I knew I would have to prove myself. I trained, I pushed myself, and did everything I could. As I ran near Tulane’s stadium, I kept telling myself, “I’m going to be in there someday.” I was.

While in college, I created one of the only “real” gyms in New Orleans in my own backyard, across from the old Tulane stadium on Audubon Boulevard. I was in the health and fitness field before there even was a health and fitness field. In 1975, the Pittsburgh Steelers came to play Super Bowl IX at Tulane. There was no gym in town, so the entire team came to my covered backyard gym to work out. Their strength coach was my own mentor, so I had the exact same equipment they already used. They won that Super Bowl.

Later that year Arnold Schwarzenegger was just coming out with his book Pumping Iron and he came to New Orleans to promote it. Again, there was no real gym for photo shoots or anything else, so he came to mine. I had Arnold Schwarzenegger working out in my backyard.

There’s a lot more to the whole story, but that’s really how it all began – believing in myself and in what I was doing.

Who do you look to for inspiration?

My father, may he rest in peace. He fought in WWII in Asia and in Europe, ending with the pivotal Battle of the Bulge. He was a captain and a chemical engineer, commanding Company A of the 94th Chemical Mortar Battalion. He blew holes in enemy lines to make way for Allied troops, including General Patton himself. At one point, he was ordered to take control of a German town. As the company was searching building by building, he came into a room at the same as a German soldier. As my dad told his brother later, “It was him or me and, luckily, I shot first.” If my father could survive the horrors of war and still accomplish all he did later in life, then I have no excuse.

What is your formula for success?

For me, success is straight-forward. One, study – you have to be knowledgeable in your field. Two, plan – you have to know what your goals are. Three, preparation – you don’t jump into a fight with training for it. Four, execution – you do it. Five, follow-up – you have to finish it. And the driving force behind all of it is attention to detail.

What advice would you give everyday people?

First, I’d say there are no excuses. My body doesn’t know I’m 59 because I don’t treat it like it’s 59. I challenged the Tulane football team the other day to 14 minute conditioning drills before the start of their summer conditioning program and some of them didn’t finish. There are no excuses.

Second, I’d say there are no barriers between professional athletes and the average person, only different target goals and training times to reach them. After working with million-dollar athletes and everyday people alike, I know this is reality.

Third, I’d relate three easy-to-do tips:

1. Get a pedometer and count how many steps you take per week. On average, an obese person takes 4,600 to 6,000 steps a week, an overweight person takes about 6,000 to 7,000, and people of normal weight take between 7,000 and 8,000. You need to add about 2,000 steps a week to your routine to move into the next fitness bracket.

2. Cut out 100 calories a day from your diet. This alone will help you lose a pound every 35 days – between ten and twelve pounds a year. Keep a simple food journal to find ways to cut just 100 calories a day.

3. I recommend taking between 500 and 1,000 mg (EPA + DHA) of a high quality fish oil every day, with physician approval. The American Academy of Cardiology and scores of others have endorsed the long-term health benefits. Some people may need more based on their medical history, so they should consult their doctor.

To put it another way, Mackie’s success is mostly due to his attitude – there’s no excuse for anything less than the best. We’ve got to get off our attitude and focus on achieving a wealth of health to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

To learn more about Mackie and achieving a wealth of health, go to www.mackieshilstone.com and visit one of his six stores.

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

During the holiday season, it’s important to have “an attitude of gratitude.” This is the perfect time of year to remember how blessed we are, how truly amazing life is, and how wonderful the people around us are. Now – more than ever – is the time to show our appreciation towards the things in our lives that makes us happy. Adopting this habit – showing how thankful and grateful we are – will put us in a state of mind to better enjoy the holidays and life altogether.

How do you achieve an attitude of gratitude? Here are five ideas to help you feel more optimistic, happier, and at peace during this season.

Love the little things

We should be thankful for everything in our life, not just the big things, like a nice house or a stable job. We should show appreciation for the small things, too. A stranger’s hello or a pet’s cheerful bark is sometimes as inspiring and wonderful as an artist’s masterpiece. Showing appreciation for the small things in your life can help your reach a better understanding of what happiness really is. Even a compliment or saying thank you can put you in a peaceful and grateful state of mind. Make sure you keep an eye on the smallest prize. Remember the little things can sometimes be the biggest gifts in the world.

Watch what you take for granted

We often look right past what we see every day – the events or things so common as to be unnoticed. It’s called taking things for granted. We even can do this to people in our lives. We must adopt the habit of being aware of everything and everyone we have in our life. We take for granted our family, our health, our friends, and our freedoms. We usually don’t know what we have in our life until we lose it. Don’t wait until it’s gone – make an effort to see the little things and be appreciative of them.

Consider your comparisons

We all have the tendency to look at others and see how well they are doing vs. how well we’re not doing. This is the wrong way to live our lives. We shouldn’t compare our lives to others’. We don’t know what the other person’s journey was to reach that point in their life. What we should be doing is showing a sense of happiness that they were able to achieve that measure of success. If you want to constructively compare your life against someone else’s, consider those less fortunate than you. This should help you be thankful for what you have and inspire you to help them, too. Make them feel special and especially try to bring peace and happiness to their lives. Don’t look at others to see what you do not have – look at what you have to see how you can help others.

Look for the good

Anyone can find the good in any situation, no matter how bad it is. We have all had seasons in our lives where we couldn’t see the good, but trust me – it’s always there. Sometimes we just didn’t want to accept it. I have learned those are the times we grow and find some good things about ourselves. Adversity shows our true character during these times. Being thankful for what you have in life is a way to see on the good in any situation. In fact, seeing the good in our lives should always be our main focus, all the time. If you’re going through hard times, remember this: it’s not always as bad as it seems. Having an attitude of gratitude during these times will help you remember what is going right and inspire you to keep going on.

Journal what you’re grateful for

Write it down. Make a list of all the people, events, and things you’re grateful for. When you do this exercise, take time to feel the difference in yourself. Go ahead and write down everything that you love about your life, your family, your school, your friends, your job, and anything else you can think of. Write down as many things as you can for each area. If you find yourself being negative or taking any of these for granted, watch the magic come alive as you use your pen to write down all the things that are good.

See how different you feel? This simple little exercise will give you a whole new perspective. The next time you find yourself grumbling and complaining about your situation, go back to this list and be reminded of all the things you’re blessed with. Let it inspire you to have the right attitude and to make an even better life than you are already living.

I think Zig Ziglar said it best: “Of all the ‘attitudes’ we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing.”

Keep this attitude of gratitude during the Christmas season and throughout your life. Make sure you are keeping the right perspective when it comes to what you have already in your life and the importance of your relationships. Make sure your life is an example others can live by and be inspired by. It is amazing that something as small as showing appreciation and saying thank you can create some of the best and most inspiring moments in others’ lives.

One last thing – and this is the most important – thank God everyday for the life He has given you and the things you are blessed with. One of the best things we can do with our lives is take the talents and blessings He has given us and put them to great use while we are here on this earth. Merry Christmas and may your holidays be as blessed as mine.

“Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to “Get off Your Attitude” and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitud.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Seven Habits for Creating and Maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude

In today’s world, we are experiencing more uncertain and troubling times than ever before. Every time you turn on the TV or get on the computer, it seems there is always more news that just weighs you down. On top of that, you have your own personal issues to deal with. This “negative storm” can cause someone to feel stuck, lost and full of anxiety. It is the fear of the unknown that builds up in our mind and takes over like a dark cloud. This dark cloud follows us and rains on us, making us negative in our personal and professional lives. As humans, we sometimes focus on the negative and stay under that negative cloud that we created. We must understand that we can walk from under this cloud at anytime, and we have the power to make our days sunny and bright.

I am sharing with you 7 habits that I have found to be the most effective when creating and maintaining positive mental attitude along with my GOYA (Get off Your Attitude) Tip to get you moving.

1.Think Positive

Thinking Positive is probably the most important of the habits that I can share with you, because you know that everything starts in the mind. Thoughts turn into feelings, which then turn into actions. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, you will ultimately find failure. If you tell yourself you can do it, you have increased your chances of accomplishing that goal. Keep your mind clear and your thoughts positive. This habit will bring great success to you in your personal and professional life.

GOYA Tip: When a negative thought comes into your mind, instantly swap it with a positive one. An example of this would be thinking about a child’s smile or someone you know. This will keep the mind clear of any negative thoughts.

2.Focus on the Future

Too many of us dwell on our past and let it block our vision of our future. We think about something disturbing that happened to us or we think about something that someone has told us that upset us, and we play it over and over like an old movie reel. We need to break this bad habit and visualize on what we want our future to be. The next time your past is haunting you, instantly think about something in your future. Write down your goals and create a vision board. This way you can always focus and see the positive things you want in life.

GOYA Tip: Make a list of all things that you want in life. Go online and find it, print a picture of each item. Pin them up on a board in your office or home where you can see them. Look at this vision board daily and visualize yourself possessing all of these items.

3.Read and Listen to Positive Information

One of the best ways to create a positive mindset is by filling it with positive information. Too many times we get our information from the wrong places. We get focused on the negative news of the world and it bleeds into our subconscious. We need to learn to be careful on what we let into our mind. To get out of the negative rut, we need to get in the habit of picking up an inspirational book, find a positive article on the web or just listen to a positive inspirational CD. These positive items will open your mind, encourage, inspire, and teach you how to create a positive mindset. (Some of my favorite inspirational authors are Zig Ziglar, Julio Melara & Brian Tracy)

GOYA Tip: Put a Positive CD in your car, home stereo or in at your office. Listen to it for the length of the car ride or 30 minutes in your home or office. Try to implement that one new positive idea that you learned into what you are doing that particular day.

4.Plan Ahead

Using time efficiently helps to maintain a positive attitude. The best way to do this is to plan your day and your week ahead of time. We need to adopt this habit so that we won’t let procrastination take over and keep us from reaching our goals. The habit of planning and focusing on your priorities and important tasks will help you accomplish more in less time. This very act will keep your life in check and help you stay on track towards your goals and let you know stay aware of your accomplishments.

GOYA Tip: Each day sit at your desk for ten minutes and map out your next day. This exercise can save two hours the next day.

5.Get Around Positive People

Stay away from negative and pessimistic people. Surround yourself with positive people, and you will be more positive! This is a simple and crucial habit in reaching a positive lifestyle. Negative people can rob you of your energy and your drive. We must learn to get around people that are like minded, have goals and the ones that have courage to go forward in life.

GOYA Tip: Think about someone that you respect and has the positive traits that you want to possess. Try to meet with that person frequently so that their positive attitude will become part of you.

6. Be Grateful

Take some time everyday to be grateful and thankful for everything that you have in your life right now. It is easy for us to focus on what we don’t have or things we didn’t accomplish. Find these great things and recognize them. The very thought of what you are grateful for will help you maintain a positive attitude in your life. This habit is one of the best ways to turn negative thinking into positive thinking instantly.

GOYA Tip: Write down the top 10 things you are grateful for and read them over at least 10 times daily!

7. Exercise More

The habit of daily exercise will help you improve your mood, along with helping to against stress and depression. This healthy habit will keep you living longer and living a healthier lifestyle. Remember exercising will also make you feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, it breeds confidence which will help you in your personal and professional life.

GOYA Tip: Go for a 30 minute brisk walk on a treadmill or around the neighborhood. This is a great exercise to create positive thinking.

If you follow and implement these 7 life changing habits daily, they will bring you the success and happiness you desire. These habits will take you from underneath that dark cloud of negativity and bring you out into the sunshine of a positive lifestyle. Use these 7 habits and tips to improve your attitude and see the positive things like peace and happiness that will come into your life.

”Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

Don’t let a negative attitude block you from your success

The other night I was reminded by a close friend of mine why I decided to write the book “Get Off Your Attitude.” She had mentioned that she thinks that most people let their negative attitudes block them from their successes in life. It could be any type of success; it could be in friendships, marriage or their career. We discussed several possible reasons for this, and the ones that really hit home to me are your past, your current situation and the influence of your circle of friends. The reason why these hit home to me is because they are areas in which I have personally struggled. Please note that I am writing these blogs and the book because I have know how it feels it how these areas can drain you and keep your from your success.

Your Past

Our past is something that always reminds us of where we have been, and too often we let it dictate our present and our future. This is a habit that I think we have all struggled with at some point in our lives, and some of us have never learned how to let go of the parts of our past that haunt us. We simply must learn to let it go. No one on this earth can change it, rewrite it or relive it. We must accept that it is over. The one thing you can’t do is forget the lesson. There is beauty in every lesson of our past, and is the most important aspect of our past. Have you ever noticed that when we first choose not to see the lesson, that it just keeps coming back at us until we do?

I firmly believe that one of the most powerful things we can do to discover these lessons in life is to journal. I write in my journal every day. I write down the good, bad, and the ugly. I write it down and move on. This is one way that can help you know that you are moving on and that you are a student of life.

Your Current Situation

Whether your current situation is good or bad, always remember that it will change. We all seem to think that the current situation is forever, but it is important to realize that it is only for a season. This is true whether you are in a bad relationship, a bad job, or in a bad financial situation.

One of the things you can do to get into a better current situation — it doesn’t matter what it is, how bad it seems, or how long you’ve been in it — is to have a game plan to make it better. You also must have goals. Your goals and game plan will keep you on track to a better situation. One the things I have learned is that you can’t change this overnight, but you can work on it a little bit daily and take it one day at a time. This will put you in control and it will definitely help you to develop a better attitude.

Your Friends

The people you are surrounding yourself with will dictate your future. I remember growing up and my mom and dad always saying things like, “birds of a feather flock together,” or my favorite is: “You lay down with dogs and you will get fleas.” I never really understood it until I was older and I must admit I didn’t listen to them. I thought I could hang out with anyone and I could keep on moving towards my goals in life. Take it from me, it does not work that way. You must surround yourself with people that are on the same playing field you are on. If you are looking to live a great life and you are looking to better yourself, you must. I remember going to one of my first motivational seminars at a young age and the speaker said, “If there is someone in your life that consistently stresses you out, get rid of them.” I did exactly what he said and it worked. I focused on others that could lift me during tough time. Remember also that you don’t want to be the person that they want to get rid of, and so make sure you bring value to your relationship to them. The way you can do that is to be positive with them and be truthful when it comes to helping each other.

One of things you can do is write down the top five people you surround yourself with. Ask yourself, are they bringing a positive effect and bringing joy to your life and are you doing the same for them? Also, you must ask yourself, “Are these individuals people that you can trust and are they people you wan to help achieve success their own lives?” This will be one of the most important things you do to help yourself achieve and maintain positive attitude.

Keep in mind that these three areas are only a few that I decided to write about in this blog. There are more that I will discuss in future blogs and in the book. I strongly welcome your feedback and I ask you to please let me know if this has helped you and if you have any suggestions on how to work on these areas and make them better. I love to hear how people have gotten of their attitude. Also, please feel free to share this blog with any of your friends who you think will benefit from its message. I truly want help others reach their dreams and goals in life with a positive attitude.

”Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyouratittude.com or www.Ryanclowe.com

The Key to Reaching Your Dreams – New Orleans Style!

This may be one of the most exciting times to ever live in Southern Louisiana, particularly in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Just ask New Orleans Saint Quarterback Drew Brees, he’ll be happy to share with you the journey that he and his team made these past few years that led them to their first Super Bowl victory in the franchise’s history.

I personally have been watching the Saints since the time I started to walk. For years, friends and family dreamed of how exciting it would be to see our team win a Super Bowl, but we would often walk out of home games in disgust because the team could never win. For us, it was simply a dream.

Then the unimaginable happened to New Orleans and the surrounding areas. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked devastation leaving 80% of the city flooded and thousands homeless – including the New Orleans Saints. There were rumors of the team moving to San Antonio, Texas, and many believed that the Saints had given up on the city and the elusive championship title.

Fortunately, the Saints and the National Football League came up with a plan to keep them in New Orleans, but the team’s journey had just begun. Adversity seemed to be their theme that year. The saints had a new coach, new players and had to play in Baton Rouge, about 45 minutes west of New Orleans, and in San Antonio, Texas. The team became nomads as their home games became away games. But, none of that mattered. They were determined and united in their purpose and their fans were the 12th man on the playing field with them every Sunday.

In my eyes, three people played key roles in the team’s rebirth – New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, Coach Sean Payton and Quarterback Drew Brees. Drew Brees is the individual that became the leader of change for the Saints. He suffered what many believed to be a career-ending injury while playing with the San Diego Chargers before joining the Saints. His story is an inspiration to us all.

I remember watching him for the first time at a news conference when he first joined the Saints. There was something in his eyes that made me realize he would be the team’s catalyst for success. You could tell he was a winner. A warrior. A dreamer. Even with the weight of the team and the city of New Orleans on his shoulders, Drew continued on his determined path. He not only gave his heart and soul on the field, but also on the streets of his community. He and his wife, Brittany, are enthusiastic philanthropists and strive to make the city they live in a better place.

Drew made a promise to the city that he would succeed. He kept his promise. None of the team’s accomplishments would have been possible without having a commitment to a goal and having a dream. The entire city experienced the fruits of their labors when the New Orleans Saints achieved the impossible. After 43 years, they won the Super Bowl. Against all odds, this young team marched onto the field and into the hearts of America.

I remember watching Drew raise his son, Baylen, above his head with the word, “champion,” highlighted on the video board behind him. It brought a tear to my eye and taught me what hard work, dedication and a positive attitude can accomplish.

I believe that we can all learn from Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. God can put a dream in our hearts and minds and it is up to each of us to pursue every possible avenue to make it come true. He is one of my personal heros that I have learned a life lesson from that is invaluable. Always remember that dreams are what we live for – we live for that moment and it can happen to anyone.

Drew is definitely a person that “Got Off His Attitude” and overcame tremendous odds to achieve his dream. So, the next time you are struggling in some aspect of your personal life or professional career and need to refocus your energy on what you can do to accomplish your goals, just ask Drew.

”Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyouratittude.com or www.ryanclowe.com

A Positive Attitude is a Must Have!

I personally think that a Positve Attitude is a MUST have in life and in business. I have personally worked with professionals all across the country and one thing I noticed is that the successful ones all had a great attitude. They also had a love of what they do and a passion. That is what it takes to be successful in anything in my opinion.

Here are several other attitudes that I think that are a must have:

* Winning Attitude
* Never Give Up Attitude
* Attitude of Grattitude
* Giving Attitude
* Optimistic Attitude
* Learning Attitude
* Fun Atttitude
* Do it Now Attitude
* Loving Attitude
* Healthy Attitude

These types of attitudes should be on everyone’s goal sheet to achieve on a daily basis. I know it is not easy. Nothing is easy, but from experience having a great attitude makes life easier. This is a simple rule, people love to be around people that have any of the attitudes listed above. I challenge you for the next 7 days to ”Get off your Attitude” and adopt one of these great attitudes and please let me know how that works for you. Please respond to this blog with your success story. I know that it will work for you and I wish you the best of luck.

”Remember that it is up to you to choose everyday to Get off Your Attitude and to create a positive lifestyle for yourself and others” Ryan C. Lowe

For more information please visit www.getoffyourattitude.com or www.ryanclowe.com