For many years, I used to be driven to perform.

I worked long hours to reach the top of my field.

I ran marathons and ultramarathons, competitively. 

I was hungry to achieve.

And then, something happened. I lost my way. I didn't care as much any more. I let go of my goals and aspirations. Everything suffered.

It is only recently that I dusted myself off and clarified a new pathway to move forward again.

Do you know the feeling, Amanda?

Knowing where I have been and where I want to go are two different goal posts. 

We can measure them. And what we measure, we can change radically. 

Being crystal clear matters. 

But I also learned that our mind can be confused, blurry and unfocused. Our actions then are uncoordinated. They lack impact and strength. 

Now, more than ever, do I value clarity of mind, a burning passion and focused effort. 

Our energy and drive depend on them. Whenever we catch ourselves on "being low on energy", it just means that we have slipped off track. 

Suc...

I recently went to Gold Coast for a family holiday.

Guess who I bumped into for the second time over there!?!

Yep. Cowboy Don Tolman. 

We met him 4 years ago when my wife did a health/wellness course with him...

Not only did we meet the American again in the same city, we also stayed in the same hotel and even the same room number on a different level. Talking about 'coincidences'! 

Deepak Chopra calls this "synchro destiny", while other people would comment that it was meant to be.

Either way, I asked Don if he'd like to be interviewed and share what he's been working on as of late.

Find out more in the interview...

For easy reference, all parts of this interview are listed below:

Part 1 https://youtu.be/4_Okux_6UIQ

Part 2 https://youtu.be/5iZAPxBWr0Q

Part 3 https://youtu.be/cnHKWDGnL24

Part 4 https://youtu.be/mChAe9KDA0g

Part 5 https://youtu.be/mty1xlBw-gk

Part 6 https://youtu.be/mcqs04GAzDk

Part 7 https://youtu.be/C246UoWpUO0

Part 8 https://youtu.be/n7-gn1qmQNE

Happy new year!

Glad to be back on deck. If you can keep a secret: I missed doing what I love over the holidays :)

Let's raise a glass together and make a toast: that 2021 may be a welcome game changer in business and life!

After the turbulence of last year, if it didn't happen yet back then, then it's time to take ownership NOW. Time to take back control.

On our way back from the beach, my son and I noticed how a mother duck got separated from her baby ducks... (see image)

There's a deeper meaning to this...

The road border creates two different levels. The lower level is easy to get trapped on and is full of danger. The baby ducks can get hit by a fast car!

(the fast care being Covid, for example, or a business that struggles to stay relevant)

Reaching the higher level requires vision, boldness, personal strength and ability. It's not a given. Only a 'happy few' are here.

So, think about what level you are at. And how can you take back control?

Personally, I made a consciou...

Last night, I watched an episode of Suits on Netflix. If you don't know this series, it's about a top end NY law firm. Very entertaining! 

Anyway, one of the name partners, Louis Litt, turned out to be bullied in school. He lacked the ability to stand up for himself.

It occurred to me that at one stage, most people have had a similar painful experience in which they felt out of control and gave in to someone else.

Sounds familiar?

I bet it does. I’ve been there too.

Time to become a superhero!

Learn how to become more conscious and assertive in my new video training

Consciousness and assertiveness are the third out of twenty elements that make up your emotional intelligence (in short: EI or EQ). 

Because we can measure it, we can transform it.

We also know that there is a fine balance between been blunt and borderline aggressive on one hand, and overly pleasing and submissive on the other. 

An assertive person has developed the ability to say their truth while being respectab...

Most probably, you have met business leaders whose behaviour truly put you off, without them even knowing. Right?

You also might have met salespeople who made you feel really awkward as a client and still be completely oblivious to your emotional experience...

I certainly remember how I kept repeating a destructive pattern until well into my thirties before I became more self-aware. Only then, did I make a commitment to make a change for the better.

Self-awareness is one of twenty subcategories of emotional intelligence. 

Because we can measure it, we can transform it.

Watch my second video in this series on EQ

Why would you watch it?

• Great leaders have developed high levels of EQ
• Exceptional sales professionals, especially those in the top 10%, have high levels of EQ
• People that society perceives as unique role models and human beings tend to display high levels of EQ

The opposite is true too: poor leaders, average salesmen and women, and questionable citizens tend to st...

Time to get personal!

Since March 2020, I noticed that many people got a beating. That is: emotionally speaking.

It made me launch a new series on emotional intelligence (EI or EQ in short). I'll show you what it consists of and how you build each element of it.

In the first video, we'll look at building self-appreciation, self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Golden nuggets - and yes - next time the small video will actually show my full face!! 😁

Watch the new training here

Interesting times, for sure!

Looking forward to reading your comments and questions. Just select the Facebook button.

Note: even if no one else cares about you - the last man/woman standing should be you. 

Is it time to build your self-esteem?

Let me know.

Bram Lagrou
Author of Selling is out. Create buy-in
Creator of Communication Mastery, Business Development Academy and Digital Business Development Formula
Lead facilitator of Gold Membership
EQ Coach

I'm not sure about you, but I surely haven't been sitting around... 

In fact, more than ever before have I been learning, trying and testing, refining and expanding my various marketing, business development and sales processes. 

Even though COVID represents a significant hit to my traditional business (being consulting and live events), I am so grateful that it has given us the time, the pain and the drive to make smart changes for the future.

Consider what we used to do to generate new business:

• Research companies and people that we could do business with
• Go to networking functions to expand our network
• Host our own events and invite prospects to it
• Invite people to coffee meetings
• Do a needs analysis for them
• Put a proposal together and then pitch it
• Deal with all the reasons under the sun why to delay or defer a decision
• Etc

You get the gist. A lot of valuable time goes into these activities. Possibly also a great deal of money. And only a percentage of all opportun...

Yep. Business Development is definitely going digital! "Business As Usual" is no longer. Although some traditional BD ways still work nowadays, digital ways are taking over by storm. And the question is... Are you ready for the BD revolution in your business? Find out more in my new video

When I reflect on the last few years, and put my finger on what truly made my heart sing at work, it was when I engaged in the act of selfless giving.

I would deliver a talk to an audience and give them my heart and soul.

I would train a group of people and seek to inspire them to make meaningful changes in the way they operate in business.

I would consult to an organisation in a manner to solve a pressing problem for them with all my love.

And finally, I would coach a client 121 with an accountability stick to guide them towards progress without ever wanting the outcome more than they wanted it for themselves. 

Equally, I have chased the carrot for personal glory too. And how wonderful the Universe operates!

Each time I did, I was treated on a learning experience that taught me better. One that reminded me of the Universal Laws such as The Law Of Cause and Effect, The Law of Fair Exchange, The Law of Detachment, The Law of Intent and Desire, The Law of Least Effort, The Law of P...

I've been busy creating more free resources to help you succeed.

Let me summarise them briefly for you, so that you know which ones are most relevant for you:

1. Time Management. After years of facilitating time management programs by Brian Tracy and others, I created my own little system that is now freely available to you. It includes my #1 tool AND 4 training videos to boost your personal productivity starting today. 
2. DIGITAL Business Development. In conjunction with my daily Facebook Live streams, I created a 21-day challenge booklet. People love the content that I am putting out there, so you might as well join the challenge too and grow your business now!
3. Business Development Mindset & Skills. I have a few hard copies left of my best-selling book "Selling Is Out. Create Buy-In". I paid for them. If you want one, just take care of shipping and handling. I suggest you get a free copy now before purchasing it at $37 retail.
4. Service Providers. If you offer services, you'll benefi
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