Response is one of the five keys of successful direct marketing. And if you have that, the other four don’t matter.
- Dean Rieck

On Memorial Day, my wife and I went to Great Fall National Park and caught a glimpse of this lizard being the attraction of several photographers. During the time I was at the look out watching the great falls, there was someone taking a picture of our scaly friend here.

Lesson:
When you’re directly engaging people either to means of advertising or PR, be different from what’s already there. Be outstanding in your presentation. You’ll know you were successful if you got the viewers to respond (take action as a result).

If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.
- Zig Ziglar

As part of our trianing in martial arts, each class started off with a moment of meditation visualizing the next hour as a successful hour of training. At the end of the class we’d do the meditation again except focusing on what we wanted to improve on and visualizing performing that with excellence.

This training carried over in sales, visualizing myself successfully securing the client. Although I didn’t get the sale every time, my confidence was always at it’s best.

This photo is from my trip to Whistler, British Columbia (north of Vancouver) in summer of 2009, the year before the Inukshuk was made famous by the 2010 winter olympics. The gentleman sitting in the photo is my friend Irtiza Hasan.

Yes, I sell people things they don’t need. I can’t, however, sell them something they don’t want. Even with advertising. Even if I were of a mind to.
- John O’Toole

Just like in life, there are things within your domain of control and things outside of your control. Focus your efforts on areas you have control.

You can sell, so take action and sell. If they don’t buy, don’t get discouraged. You’re one person closer to close to someone who wants what you have to offer.

This photo is from my trip to India back in December of 2001. Little boy saw me fascinated with the chicken that was walking around, so he picks it up and tells me to take a picture of it.