Have a Happier Monday

I recently read an article in Self about how attractive one feels during the week. According to their studies we feel less attractive on Saturdays and Mondays. The reasoning behind these feelings lean towards our mindset of weekday vs. weekend.

Everyone knows that Friday anticipation and the dread of a Sunday evening. Don't we all wish that everyday felt like a Saturday? Here are some pointers on keeping a balanced mood and mindset everyday:

1. Don't push back your sleep and wake up times. That all nighter on Saturday leads to sleeping in on Sunday which leads to going to bed later and waking up exhausted Monday AM.

2. Maintain the same diet and exercise routine. Allow yourself two cheat meals on the weekend instead of a two day binge. Nobody likes to start their week bloated and dehydrated.

3. Wake up at a reasonable time. The most effective way to tackle the work week is not by waking up extremely early on Monday, only to walk around like a zombie for the second half of the work day. Pre-plan your week on Friday so you can walk in feeling confident on Monday.

4. We feel our most attractive on Thursday. Why you ask? Your almost done with the week, you feel accomplished! Why not have everyday feel like that? Do little things for yourself to you reclaim your week. Plan something special for everyday - check out that new place around the corner for lunch, catch a movie with your best friend, get some pampering at a salon.

Stay Motivated!

One ability that is vital in our business is the ability to be self motivated. As a manager, I can set incentives and bonuses for all types of rewards. I've set challenges to win time off, LED TVs, cash, Wine Tours, and even something as simple as a beer. That's only a temporary boost. You need to be able to still work as hard when there are no extra incentives. What can you do when the reward is strictly your long term growth? Here's how you can stay motivated.

1 Reward yourself. Small victories. Set benchmarks

2 Know what motivates you and act on it-  surround yourself around positivity. One example us music. As humans, we typically listen to sad music when we're feeling down. Why not always listen to music that can keep you productive?

3 Don't let the small stuff affect your opportunity

Albert Einstein once said "Life's like riding a bike. To get balance, just keep it moving."

4 Be unique- be something different and you'll stand out

Set Goals for Your Life!

One of the groups we belong to on LinkedIn is the Leadership Think Tank. Here is an awesome email we received from them right after the holidays. 

Group: Leadership Think Tank Subject: Notification from Olivier Madel January 2014 comes to an end this Friday. What were your top New Year's Resolutions and how are you doing so far? Be sure to set goals for your life, share them with others, & create a solid support system for greater success! I speak with lots of people everyday about how the can meet their goals in life. And I came to the conclusion, that, we all share 4 primary goals in life and they are as follows: 1. The first is to be healthy, enjoy high energy, and live a long life. 2. Second, everyone wants to have good relationships with people they love and care about and who love and care about them. 3. Third, everyone wants to do work that they find interesting and challenging and that pays very well. 4. Fourth common goal of humanity is to achieve financial independence, to reach the point where you have enough money so that you never have to worry about money again. The best news is that it is more possible for you to achieve these four goals, at a higher level, faster, by starting and building your own successful business than in virtually any other way. When you start and build your own successful business, you take complete control of your life. You become the master of your own destiny. You remove all limits to what you can do, have, and be in life. By building a successful business, you open up a world of opportunities and possibilities that the majority of people can only dream about. And that's the chose I made 4 years ago. I started my own business, and I have the honor everyday to tell my story, share my knowledge and help other people enhance their quality of life. Up until now, I was really reluctant to share what I do here with you guys. This morning I wake up feeling that this was not right, this could only mean that : “I don’t believe in me.” “I don’t believe in my opportunity.” “I don’t believe in my product.” “I’m too ashamed to talk to you.” “I don’t think this opportunity is a good deal for others.” “I’m worried about what you will think of me.” “I’m afraid that you will not join and that I’ll feel rejected.” “What if I fail? I wouldn’t want my friends and family to know that I even tried.” And all of that is just not looking like me. Right now, my first obligation is simply to let you know that I have started my own business. My job is not to sell my products or to convince you to join. I'm here to educate you with the facts so that you can make the best choice for yourselves. That’s it. I'm an Herbalife Health Coach and Network Marketer, this is not high-pressure selling, convincing, manipulating, cold-calling, or a coercing business. Networking is simply giving people an additional choice in their lives, and allowing them to accept that choice if it helps them get what they want. That’s my job – educating people. That’s what I do as networker. I take Herbalife nutrition products, I eat healthy balanced meals, I train, I do personal development every single day so I maintain a positive mental attitude about myself, others and life, I make money doing what I would do for absolutely free which is help people enhance their quality of life. I am clear that some want it and some don't.. My mission is to just simply share the opportunity to beast this beautiful life with me whether you want health results, or make some extra income helping your friends and family along with your self get health results. This life is for everybody who wants it and are serious so if you’re looking to lose weight, gain lean muscle, need more energy or need a lifestyle change contact me so I can explain you what this is all about. Remember this is a notification. Not a call to action. Since I know we're all reactive people, I expect any kind of reaction to me. Have a great day, Olivier

Nelson Mandela: 4 Lessons His Legacy Can Teach Us All

Mandela was an inspiration and hero to many. In his passing we can learn how to better ourselves and our surroundings. Below is an article of lessons we can learn from this great man. 

"On Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, the world lost a leader, activist, fighter for freedom, and a universal symbol of peace and equality—Nelson Mandela. At age 95, Mandela lived not only a long life, but one of inspiration for us all.

To honor his legacy, I thought we’d take a look at the former president’s life, because although his path was one most of us will never have to endure, every person—no matter his/her profession or aspirations—can learn a lesson from the leader’s journey.

Nelson Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest. He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.

Lesson #1: Take action

Most would not count it wise advice to get expelled for joining a student protest, but there’s a lesson in Mandela’s misfortune: take action. He was obviously passionate about a cause (or causes) while in school, and instead of just talking and voicing his opinions about the issue, Mandela joined others to take action and bring awareness to it.

Maybe you want to make a difference in your career or see so many issues in society that you hope to change. These are both great, but actions speak louder than words. Mandela showed us that 1) it’s important to actually put action behind your feelings and desires and 2) you don’t have to wait to do so. Mandela was a college student when he first joined the protest. It doesn’t matter how young or inexperienced you are; if you decide to take action and follow your passions, you can make a difference and become successful.

Meanwhile he began studying for an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand. By his own admission he was a poor student and left the university in 1948 without graduating. He only started studying again through the University of London and also did not complete that degree.

In 1989, while in the last months of his imprisonment, he obtained an LLB through the University of South Africa. He graduated in absentia at a ceremony in Cape Town.

Lesson #2: Follow your own route

Mandela dropped out of school, began studying again, yet didn’t finish his degree. It wasn’t until he was in prison over the course of 27 years that he obtained a law degree. His life shows that not everyone has to (or is meant to) take the “conventional” route. Although most are taught to go to post-secondary school and receive an education right after high school, many people like Mandela and others didn’t do this and were still successful.

Find the route in life that works best for you. There are plenty of successful (and millionaire)entrepreneurs without a college degree or who completed a degree later down the road.

In October 1963 Nelson Mandela joined nine others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial.  Facing the death penalty his words to the court at the end of his famous ‘Speech from the Dock’ on 20 April 1964 became immortalized:

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Lesson #3: Prepare for adversity

The path to pursuing your goals will inevitably be met with adversity. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid; he was even willing to sacrifice his life for the cause. In today’s society, most of us are not called to sacrifice our lives for a cause, but do we desire to reach our goals enough to meet and overcome every obstacle we will face along the way?

In 1993 he and President FW de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize and on 27 April 1994 he voted for the first time in his life.

On 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated South Africa’s first democratically elected President.

Lesson #4: Embrace your destiny

So many of us have hopes and dreams, but are we actually prepared to step into those rolls? Are we prepared to start that business, be that CEO or conduct that heart transplant? After many years of fighting against (and helping defeat) apartheid, Mandela was elected as South Africa’s first black president. What an immense role, especially at the age of 76, but his life teaches us to fully embrace our destinies. Be confident in your calling and purpose, and be prepared for when the time arrives to step into the role of your dreams—not matter what age you are.

There are SO many more lessons we could learn from Mandela’s life, but I think a final one is best summed up in the influential leader’s own words:

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” — Nelson Mandela"

My Path to Entrepreneurship

As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur.

Yes, that's my version of the famous "Goodfellas" quote, but also very true. I can think back to being a kid, and how I always wanted to own a business.  I started martial arts when I was five. I don't have a whole lot of memories of the experiences at five years old, but I can remember looking at my karate teacher and thinking "I want to do that". It wasn't only the teaching that interested me, but I loved the leadership of it. I loved the independence. Seeing him do whatever he wanted and knowing it was his own business. With his hard work, integrity, and dedication, he made it a successful one.
I got a taste of it when I earned my black belt at 10 years old. Even though I was so young, I was helping run classes. I had to be able to look up at a grown 30 year old man (and I was also very short for my age!) and tell him what to do. I remember thinking it was weird, but I also remember them listening to me. By the time I turned 12, I became an Assistant Instructor. I changed karate schools after my family moved, and I had to get to know the new environment. It wasn't long, however, before I became the Assistant Instructor at that school as well.
Dreams and goals can always change throughout your life, and they definitely did with me. I started serving in college. No experience, but my friends were doing it so I figured I could make money doing it too. Wasn't long before I knew I wanted to own a restaurant/bar. I was serving and collecting tips, but also striving to be the best server and eventually get to management. I didn't want to own a karate school anymore, but I did have it as a back up plan.  One day, however, I remember talking to the manager and she was saying how she wanted to start serving again. I found out that she was putting in double the hours, hated her job, and got less pay than I did. I felt like that didn't make sense. My goal of owning a restaurant quickly changed.
I also wanted to own a recording studio/record company. I did music on the side. I started writing when I was 12, and I wrote everything! I wrote poetry, short stories, R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, and eventually, even a full length movie script. I found it as a way to get my thoughts out and express myself. I noticed that when I wrote, I felt stress free. The feeling developed and so did my music. I eventually focused on Hip Hop and spent most of my time with my Hip Hop/R&B/Acoustic group. They were my closest friends and we always spoke a big game of making it big. In college, we started to really make a name for ourselves around New Brunswick, NJ. We did every show we could find and eventually opened up for The Cool Kids and performed at Miss Brasil USA in Philadelphia. After college, we all continued work in entertainment, but went our separate career paths. I sometimes still wonder how far we could have taken it, but I know we're all working towards our own goals now.
So then I graduated. One of the only days that can be both the most scary but exciting time for someone. Like many others who earned their degree, I walked up on that Rutgers stage in 2009 clueless on what I'd do next. I went on job searching sites like indeed.com and looked for anything. Everything from music stuff to business related positions. I found that there were so many sales positions, but that scared me in a way. I've never done sales before. None of my friends or family had either. After interviewing at a sales office in New Jersey, I took the position anyway. I figured "What's the worst that could happen?" If I didn't try it, I would never know if this was something I could do. The pay was all commission. I remember that on my interview, I didn't even know what commission was. When it was explained to me, it made sense. You get paid for what you do. The better you do, the more you get paid. When the average rep was making like 500 bucks, I could work harder and possibly make 1000.
It was a lot of hard work and attitude adjustments. It took me about six weeks to really get consistent at it, but soon I was training and interviewing for positions. After exactly a year, I got to Assistant Management. It was around this time that I knew this was for me. I was going to own a sales office. The office I worked in did sales for Verizon FiOs. It was a huge client, and I sold a lot for them. Not only did I make them a lot of money, but I trained other people to do the same. FiOs was expanding. They wanted more outsourced marketing offices, and they needed the managers to do it. I knew that once I was ready, I could approach them and get an opportunity to do my own thing.
Sure enough, the time came. 2011 arrived and I had an opportunity to open my office in Staten Island, NY. I'd get to chose a company name, get incorporated, bring a team with me, and start my empire. I finally reached my goal- entrepreneurship.
A lot has happened since 2011. There's been ups and downs. I've lost people and gained people. I even moved my office from Staten Island, NY to Syracuse, NY. Throughout my experience though, I can confidently say that I would have never got to where I am now without having big goals. I still have big goals. I will be promoting out my Assistant Manager to a second location. I will be promoting a second Assistant Manager and start training them to do the same. I will create an organization of entrepreneurs who share the same dedication and work ethic that I had. I run my business based on it's name- Long Term Goal.

Smokey Bones is Smokin' Fun!

Smokey Bones has slowly become a regular spot for our office. Besides the fact that their food is delicious, they always have something going on! We first started going to Smokey Bones for their Trivia Nights on Thursdays. Come to find they have Pong Tournaments and soon to be Bingo (for those who are geriatric at heart, which would be a handful of the LTG crew). Each event has either a gift card or cold hard cash for the winner.

Our office attended the Pong Tournament last night (which we swept it by the way) and had such an awesome time. The bartenders were super friendly and the GM even introduced himself to us. We highly recommend having an experience at their Syracuse location!

No, Smokey Bones has not paid us to write this.

Goodbye Summer 2013

The summer is coming to end, which means all of our interns are headed back to school. It was amazing to see the growth of each individual after such a short amount of time. Here are a few testimonials:

"My summer at LTG Marketing and Development was more than I ever could have asked for out of an internship. I received more experience and was able to earn more money than any other internship I’ve ever looked in to. Coming in, thinking it was just a sales job, I quickly found out that was not the case. This job not only teaches you sales skills that will be helpful with any occupation that you do, it also teaches you how to teach, train and develop others. No other internship that I know of allows you the chance to interview potential employees, go on business trips, and also participate in fun games and activities in the office. LTG was also one of the most fun places I ever got the chance to work at. Everyone is young and filled with new ideas, hardworking, and most of all, helpful with everyone who has questions. Even though sales are an individual task, since my days of playing football, I have never felt more apart of a team than I have at LTG. The overall energy, structure, and positive attitude in the office will help allow any self-motivated person to succeed in this business. The skills I've learned here will be carried with me to every occupation I have in the future. Coming in with no sales or marketing experience, and leaving with a bunch of money and a top intern plaque, I think I’m a good example of what LTG can do, not only for a college student, but also for anyone with a student mentality, and is motivated for something better. " - Dave Chini


"My summer interning at LTG was the greatest summer of my life. The professional training I received at LTG not only developed my business skills, but my personal skills as well. Going to "work" everyday was fun! The office atmosphere is young, energetic and everyone is very friendly! I came out of the internship a much better man, more confident, driven, personable, and goal oriented.

This is not just an internship, it is a professional experience that will guide you to new personal heights in as little as 3 months. On top of it all, there is some serious potential to make a lot of money! Just stay determined and always keep the "long term goal" in mind and you can do anything!" - Tom Bennett