Nothing builds your confidence like 60 seconds of Positive Focus? every day. My fave is a Moleskine Xsmall notebook.
Positive Focus? is a trademark of Strategic Coach.
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About the Author
Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.
He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.
57 Comments on “Positive Focus”
Great idea! will implement it :)
Perry,
you rock! I like your planet.
m.
Hi Perry, you did it again: GREAT + SIMPLE! I love that combination. Very cool.
It’s a nifty little trick to positively focus on one area, don’t forget the other areas though, rain does not always fall out of the same cloud. You may have to have a notebook for each cloud. :-)
Hi Perry,
Great tip ….
However, had to wait and get to my desktop to see it.
Can’t watch it on my ipad …
Thanks
In Him,
JMb <
Very positive!
Good advice…
I can’t find the xmall notebook for $3.00. Its showing up for $231.38. LOL.
Some solid advice here Perry – I do a positive affirmation in the morning as well, but I keep a record of them on my smartphone because I hate carrying around pens.
Absolutely great advice! I was in need of this today, right now. Thanks mate!
It’s also amazing how the great mystical creator plays your dice. I was really feeling low today and needed a boost. I rarely read every email I get but for some reason I clicked your link and what do you know – a nugget of an advice waiting for me to boost my CONFIDENCE.
Sometimes we can’t help feeling down but we need to keep reminding as you say to focus on the battles that have been won.
Thank you!
I agree, I always tell my sales team not to watch the news, especially here Bogotá, Colombia where I live. They are terrible for your mindset.
One thing I do with my team to keep a positive attitude and the momentum going is that I make them “Celebrate Each Victory”. That means every time they closed a sale no matter how little it is, I tell ´em to come to my office and “give me a high five”.
Nicolás Laverde
Perry,
How very true.
We’re all so surrounded by negativity that we tend to assume its characteristics after awhile if left unchecked, just like the beautiful smelling rose that has the misfortune of being planted in … well, you know.
The positive reinforcement that you described is an excellent tool in the battle to keep negativity at bay.
It was my own consistent positive reinforcement that kept me going with my online endeavors when well-meaning loved ones were consistently, and offensively at times, negative about them.
Postive reinforcement result? 9-5 went the way of the dinosaur in late 2009.
Warmest Regards and Best Wishes Always,
Felix J Torres
Free Life Insurance Quotes and Information Center
And here is another one
“Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)
Ha, exactly what I told my mother this weekend. Stop watching crime dramas and the 10 o’clock news! No wonder you’re stressed. But this is a good reminder, and I think you stole this from Paul, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” But how many of us actually do this! Thanks for the reminder, my friend.
Hey,
Just waking up to the start of another day is positive!
Thanks
Hey Perry,
Have you heard of this book?
Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America
http://www.amazon.com/Bright-sided-Relentless-Promotion-Positive-Undermined/dp/1427208360/
I’m wondering how you’d address the author’s point of view?
Barbara Ehrenreich lives in a world of misery. I read her book “Nickeled and Dimed” and it told me all about how hard it is for poor people to make it in America but I don’t recall that she offered one single solution for how they could solve their problems. I’m not surprised she has health problems.
I got a moleskin notebook at a local store and have written in it something good that happened almost every day .. Amazingly, in doing so, we had a fantastic month, thank God .. and as I read it back even over just 30 days, I realize what great blessings and victories we have seen .. Thanks for the seemingly small and simple advice that lead to big results ..
Absolutely great advice! I was in need of this today, right now. Thanks mate!
It’s also amazing how the great mystical creator plays your dice. I was really feeling low today and needed a boost. I rarely read every email I get but for some reason I clicked your link and what do you know – a nugget of an advice waiting for me to boost my CONFIDENCE.
Sometimes we can’t help feeling down but we need to keep reminding as you say to focus on the battles that have been won.
Thank you!
Love that “notebook for studs”.
Thanks again Perry for all the FREE value you give. This small tip on how to maintain a positive focus would be helpful to so many if it was understood and practiced.
I heard today about to young teenage girls in NJ, ages 16-17 that tried to kill themselves by drinking anti-freeze and taking lots of pills. Why is life so hopeless for our teenagers. I don’t understand.
Maybe we need more parents and teachers providing guidelines on how to KEEP and MAINTAIN a positive focus.
Thanks again Perry. This is a good reminder.
Well said Perry. It’s great to see you step outside of the master PPC marketer shell and into the personal development. You have a lot to offer in that arena just by sharing your mindset.
Thanks Again,
Kenny
That’s an interesting comment, Kenny. One of the primary reasons I follow Perry is BECAUSE of his dedication to personal growth as a fundamental ingredient to marketing success…..
When I was younger I spent a couple years in Italy. When I returned there were two things (at least) I missed – a great notebook and great bread. When I found Moleskine my search for a great notebook was over. Great bread is still hard to find.
I like that reminder. I also like how “tweet” as a verb has taken on a whole new meaning. It is so easy to focus on the negative even if you are a glass half full type of person. I was told that it takes five positive impressions of someone before one negative impression is discounted as “out of character.” It’s tough out there for many people, so thanks for the positive tips.
Who painted that door behind you? They got paint all over the glass and should stick to their day job. My OCD kicked in and I didn’t hear a word you said in the video. All I could think about is that damn paint! :)
Thanks, Perry. This is such a worthwhile thing to do everyday. I have been housebound with serious Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 30 years. My ‘lifeline’ is reading positive affirmations and Bible texts before going to sleep each and every night, and doing the same in the morning. Writing down something positive or something to be grateful for is part of this. It is amazing to experience the difference this focus on the positive makes in a tough day and how it just gives a vibrant color to the new day. I believe that doing this has kept me from becoming depressed.
CFS is a tough one. I pray you find the healing you seek. Blessings, Perry
Thanks, Perry. Appreciate your response. Yes, CFS is a tough one, but I have a great support system and a strong faith. And the internet offers many opportunities (such as this) to connect with people, even though my physical world is so limited! Loads to be grateful for.
Simple. Easy to implement, and very powerful. Sometimes, my fiercest battles are with myself so I’m very open to any ammunition that I can use to “kill” negative thoughts and improve my self-image. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Perry,
Great post and if one can’t spend 2 minutes a day to focus on the good then there’s not much hope I guess.
Once you have done this for a while you can always reflect back on it when you need a boost in your confidence or morale.
Thanks for this, got more out of this 2 minute video than I got out of some guys’ 10-20 min vids.
God bless ya!
Thanks for the positive focus tip Perry, I’ll give it a try.
Awesome reminder of what the written word (which reveal the Living Word) says we are to do in Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things…” It goes without saying that the opposite is also true- (whatever is NOT admirable, insulting, negative, hurtful, or of bad report-do NOT dwell on…) The power of positive thinking wins over negative every time. Thank you!
Thanks, Perry,
I do something of the same sort, although I tend to write down really good quotes that I find (or solve in the daily cryptogram). I use a mini-composition notebook from the stationery store because it is bound so the pages don’t come loose and rip out.
Nothing like a really short, sweet, powerful focus to set your sights on for the day! Thanks for the tip on starting every sentence with something positive – really knocking out that negativity!
OT: You remind me Gregory House MD, by both your look and confidence :)
Very timely Perry, its been one of those “get dumped on days” and this little video was precisely what the doctor ordered to reset the tone of the day.
I find it interesting that Amazon lists this item for me as having 26 new @ $1.53 and used @ $4.19. Who knew used notebooks cost so much more, lol. I know they are not really used, but maybe Amazon knows something here that I don’t.
For me it’s prayer — including much gratitude. Just gets the heart and mind right first thing in the morning, especially looking outside. I’m thankful if it’s raining and thankful if it’s sunny and thankful if it’s foggy and mysterious.
Also love the shirt – reminds me of Castle’s SWAT team vest. Everyone else has POLICE on theirs and Castle has WRITER. Armed and dangerous!
By the way, Rich can really trademark a term like positive focus? That surprised me.
Becki
Perry,
I think you should make that T-Shirt a bonus for your next “copywriting” related promotion.
Hi Perry,
Thanks for sharing a personal success routine.
I have a GA journal with two daily entries: Prompt and Guidance/Gratitude.
If I have something on my mind I write it in as a Prompt to my Guardian Angel and somewhere during the day, or in a dream that night, the Guidance will come through with the answer. As I write the guidance, I express my gratitude. The guidance is always simpler, more obvious and a whole lot easier than I would have come up with. I tap into something bigger and more wonderful than I can imagine.
I highly recommend this type of ritual and thanks again for sharing.
Ronald
I’m actually a little surprised at how explicitly spiritual these responses have been! Thanks to all of you for sharing your own angles on this.
very good tip…thanks Perry.
Hi Perry, great Suggestion….
Let me Plus it…. meaning add to it.
We all need positive affirmation and we all need to manage our Self Talk …if you like.
Here is something that I do on a daily basis that might be of help for others too and I give the Credit to Mary Morrissey for that…she works with Bob Proctor and is a FunTastic Lady and Trainer.
Ok…so I have two good buddies of mine that all use Google Voice (it does not have to be, but it makes things easier for us)…so what we do is CALL each other (actually our Google Voice) and we Leave a 60 to 90 Second message for each other.
And here is what we do… we actually answer these three Questions:
1. Who I am is…..
2. What I am Grateful for is….
3. My Stretch today was…. (in PAST TENSE, please note that!)
So it could go something like this:
1. I am a Successful business owner that makes smart decision every day and I attract just the right deals and the right people to work with. …..
2. I am Grateful for my Health and Wealth and all my friends that I support and they support me and I am extremely grateful for all the great business contacts I have and all the great deals that are coming my way. ….
3. * Now in this third party you TALK to yourself as it has ALREADY HAPPENED and you do this first thing in the MORNING so that you Project out what you SAW Happened for you that day.
..so here goes:
My Stretch for today was, I finally got my Video Transcript and template DONE….and also am very happy that I completed all 33 sales calls and that I made a great decision on the new contract with the SEO company….
Get it!
This is a GREAT way to start your day and I just wanted to share that.
Alf Marcussen
Inventor / Founder
http://www.RipCard.com
….Now go get some RipCards from me…they are the Latest and Greatest in Referral Marketing and works especially well if you are in the Service industry.
Make it a Magical days out there guys ;-)
Thats good stuff. Your right…. I beat myself up way too often. In fact the Mainstreetmarketing launch has got me all bummed about my upcoming product launch.
Mostly because those guys have bigger budgets and kick butt videos and staff and resources I dont have.
My positive thought.
I got Street Cred. I really do and operate the information that I sell and I am damn good at it.
Thats it… I got Street Cred… My stuff works… period.
Thanks Perry.
Very Cool Perry! I realize this isn’t the place for religious conversation, but just yesterday I was telling a Christian friend of mine (I’m a Bible Believing Christian as well) that focusing on our failures only re-inforces the guilt-shame-sin cycle… I told him something similar to what you said, I told him to keep his eye on the prize (Jesus) and over time he will become like him as the Scriptures say we become like what we worship.
Anyway I know it was off topic (sort of) but I’m going to definitely put your little tip into practice as I had some great stuff happen yesterday and as soon as I sat down in front of the computer today (I do affiliate marketing) I felt defeated. I have had a few projects bomb lately and rather than focus on my successes, I was totally consumed by my failures.
Great motivational pep talk!
Great stuff, Perry! I sometimes forget that simple things are usually the most effective in making change. Thanks for the reminder…
Happy Spring
This is a great technique. I often do this several times a day, especially when I feel like I’m not accomplishing as much as I wanted to.
Cool meeting you at The System this past weekend Perry!
I have a moleskin and use it religiously! Great tip!
A method I use is:
– write down my number one goal (my definite chief purpose)
– re-write it on every line of the page
Notes:
– I find the re-writing of it 20-30 times has the affect of drilling it into my mind and charging me up
– I get into a good headspace before I start writing and feel what it would feel like to have achieved my goal
We do this every night during family prayer time, but there’s something more powerful about writing it down. Thanks for the simple but powerful tip!
PS: Love the t-shirt!
Thanks Perry…I needed this one on this day! Sometimes we get the messages we need to hear in totally unanticipated ways!
Thanks again! I ordered 5!
John
I’ve been using the next larger size Moleskine for quite some time now. It’s great to keep in your pocket and keep track of things.
I like the write down one positive item everyday.
Always love your attitude, ideas and simple, always practical approach to things. I find that if I don’t read positive non fiction books (the Scriptures, leadership, marketing, Christian apologetics,biographies, people skill related books) 15-20mins in the morning and before I sleep, that I have more roller coaster ups and downs. It sort of evens me out be being inspired by other people’s great thoughts. And it helps to not dwell on your problems at the critical times in your day- waking up and falling asleep.
Perry,
First off… nice shirt!
This is a great habit. I recently listened to a personal development seminar and the guy talked about the importance of having a positive attitude.
He mentioned that when you say to yourself “It’s Monday… I love going to work on Mondays!” whether you believe it or not, your subconscious will repeat it “Yes, I love going to work on Mondays..” and over time it starts to become a reality…
On the other hand, if you say to yourself “It’s Monday… I hate going to work on Mondays!” your subconscious will not only repeat it, it normally will triple up on it and say “Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays!”
and just like Henry Ford said “either way you are right…”
Thanks for the tip,
Jorge
Perry,
Starting the day with something to be thankful definitely starts the day with a positive tone.
BTW, where did you get the t-shirt? “Everybody remain calm …, I’m a copywriter”. Love it!
John Deck
That’s the best notebook out there. I just bought it a month or so ago, to use it as a “business journal” in Howie Shwartz terminology.
Mine seems a little bigger, but it’s truly the best out there, it’s solid, and it has a strap that keeps it closed when you don’t use it so it will last forever. They claim Hemingway and Van Gogh had one (or probably more).. Thanks for the tip Perry: I didn’t think of using it this way, but from this moment on I will start for sure.
DUDE!!!!
I couldn’t even finish the video, once I read your shirt — I was like “WHERE CAN I GET ONE????!!!”
So … where?
— Caleb
There’s a link to it under the video!
“I’m smart enough, I’m good enough, an doggone it, people like me!”
–Stuart Smalley
Thanks Perry. This, and all your tips are always extremely helpful.
-Mark
Great idea Perry.
Loved the T-Shirt too.