It’s Sunday, 4:30 pm CST and I’m in Nashville Tennessee. I’m about ready to leave a 4 day conference (which I’ll share with you separately) when my friend Kristi Frank (you probably know her best from The Apprentice) buzzes by saying, “Crap, my flight to LA got cancelled!) Hmmm….she was on an earlier flight than me…I wonder if I have a problem with my flight?

Sure enough, my flight on American Airlines was cancelled too. So were a few of my other friends including Alexandria Brown, the Ezine Queen.

As I watched my friends scurry around, rebooking their hotel rooms or heading to the airport to get out on any plane possible, I noticed my friend Ali sitting calmly on the couch. I said, “So how do you envision spending your evening?”

Ali said, “I might be crazy but I think I’ll hire a private jet.”

Hence my “Big Thinker Adventure” began.

But I should probably back up ever so slightly and say that the most amazing thing had been happening all day. It was the last day of Dan Kennedy’s Super Conference and he had spent an entire day talking to us about Profit & Power, most importantly, marketing to the affluent.

So as Ali began to book a private jet to take us home I had a physical, emotional, and spiritual opportunity to get what being affluent is really like.

From start to finish, getting home changed my paradigm of how to turn a challenge into an opportunity forever. Plus, once you fly “private” you never want to go back. It was a total hoot to be chauffeured to our plane, flown home in a private leer jet, then have our drivers meet us at the plane, swiftly grab our bags and take us both to our respective homes.

There is just nothing like it and I don’t even know how to go back to flying out of LAX ever again. =-)

I’ll dissect more about my “Big Thinker Adventure” over a few posts and how we can create our own shift in reality at any time.

But for now, check out my little video chronicling my experience.

I’m getting ready to launch a BRAND NEW coaching program
in January. This program will be totally new and based on
feedback I’ve collected from my coaching clients over the
years.

But before I launch, I want to get your advice.

What is your number one question about accomplishing your
2008 goals?

Would you mind going to my AskCoachMel page and answering
this ONE question? This will help me tailor this program so
it’s what you want.

http://www.askcoachmel.com/

To your success,

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach

P.S. Your opinion is quite valuable and I appreciate you
taking 2 minutes to answer this question. You will be among
the first to know about the program when I launch it.

Its time to give you a peek into my own personal success tools that I’ve used along the way. Three years ago I participated in a 3 day workshop that changed my life forever. I’ve been to hundreds of personal growth workshops and this is one that I continue to share with my private clients over and over again. Now it’s time to share this wonderful opportunity with you.

Me with Chris Howard

Here is the scoop. I have the ability to send you and a friend to this live 3 day workshop. I don’t want you to think twice about going because as my guest, you and your friend can attend this $1,790 workshop free.

If you are in a hurry, you can skip right to: http://www.successconnections.com/breakthroughtosuccess

Here is all the information you need:

*****************************************

You Must Respond within the next 48 hours - Pay it forward - send this notice to everyone you know!! Christopher has taught tens of thousands of people around the globe, including multi-millionaires, billionaires, olympic athletes, celebrities and people from all walks of life how to supercharge their results and step up to a level of performance that others only dream of, and NOW YOUR TIME HAS COME!

Imagine living the life you’ve always dreamed of today.

• Do you feel like sometimes you are banging your head up against a brick wall and just not getting the results you should be in your business, your finances, your relationships or your health?
• Do you feel like you are capable of much more then you are currently exhibiting in life? Would you like to make more money, in less time?
• Would you like to increase the amount of fulfillment you have in life, and decrease the amount of stress and overwhelm you experience?
• Would you like to increase the depth of connection that you have with the people you care about most and decrease the amount of conflict that you have in relationships?
• Would you like to increase the level of energy and vitality you have and obliterate unuseful states such as procrastination?

Then commit yourself right now to the best investment you may ever make in yourself. Commit yourself right now to taking a step that can change your life forever! Christopher Howard is returning to an area near you with his ALL NEW Breakthrough to Success Wealth and Power Weekend.

In this inspirational and transformational 3 day experience you will discover the next generation of cutting-edge sciences for powerfully resculpting your life in the likeness of your dreams. In it’s brand new 3 day format the Breakthrough to Success weekend will rock your world and put the actual tools in your hands to kick your life up to a whole new level.

You will learn:

• The secret behind the secret - How to tap into the power of the other 95% of your mind
• How to take charge of your finances once and for all, no matter what level you are currently playing at
• How to expand your business way beyond what you previously conceived
• How to take immediate control of your physical health and blast through the barriers to being lean and slim
• How to enrichen you relationships and live a truly rich life on every level
• How to put the scaffolding underneath your boldest dreams and visions and turn them into real world results

Like me, Christoper Howard is a missionary for transforming peoples’ lives. Over the past 12 years Chris has developed the most effective tools I have seen in the field of neurological re-patterning, and the science of thought and accelerated change. These are exactly the tools that are essential in a person’s ability to actualize the universal law of attraction and produce real world results in his or her life… in YOUR life! His seminars in which he teaches participants to use these extraordinary tools have transformed the lives of thousands of people around the world. - Bob Proctor, World-renowned philosopher and author, contributing author and Teacher of The Secret

This weekend is one of a kind - and what makes it so special is the power of the sciences that are taught, and experienced. Christopher’s research team have discovered the latest and best next generation tools, and now is your opportunity to use them in your own life in order to rocket forward to new levels of achievement and fulfillment.

“Chris Howard gave me the direction and woke me up to the realization that I do indeed have the ability and tools to create my own reality. My results have been amazing.” - Dr. Daniel Helm

USA Dates and Locations: ·

• Los Angeles, CA: September 21 - 23, 2007
• Santa Clara, CA: October 12 - 14, 2007

“Christopher Howard’s programs are incredibly powerful. Before attending his Breakthrough to Success - Wealth and Power Weekend I had struggled to achieve financial success pursuing my passion. Within nine months of completing the seminar, I had cleared six figures. Today I am facilitating my own business success workshops and enjoying financial freedom! I am living proof that Chris’ technologies are highly effective tools in today’s business world.” - Melanie Benson Strick; Founder and President of Success Connections, USA

This weekend is priced at $895 per person, and we seriously recommend coming with a friend to share in the transformation. Many people also love to share the weekend with their families, transformation is even more powerful when we take along those we care about most. Many share it with their sales teams or their offices, because they are committed to getting the entire organization playing at the top of their game. The weekend is priced at $895. But Christopher Howard has a commitment to creating WORLD WIDE WEALTH, and as a member of the Christopher Howard Community we are sharing this amazing 3 day experience with those of you who register before the room fills up - absolutely free of charge! Send this email to everyone you know and share the gift of transformation. The programs are filling up quickly.

You must register now at: http://www.successconnections.com/breakthroughtosuccess for your complimentary tickets and prepare for the transformation of a lifetime!

Once again share the gift will all those you care about most!!

Enjoy!!!

Fast-tracking to more money-making energy…

Hello,

I recently shared with you a tool called the Clean Sweep Challenge, that is a very powerful way to clean up distractions and energy drains that are getting in the way of focusing on making money. I thought I’d share a win from one of the Challenge participants:

************************
Helloooooo Melanie and Team Success Connections!

We here at Epiphanies, Inc. are absolutely elated to find out we’re among the lucky winners of your Clean Sweep Challenge giveaways. Woohoo!

But you wanna know how the Clean Sweep Challenge REALLY rocked our world? Our productivity this week has SKYROCKETED. In fact, now that it’s Friday afternoon, we are thrilled to say this has been our biggest billable week EVER.

The official total? $6,690.00!!! (And this is a 4-day week because of the Labor Day holiday!)AND we’ve had a bunch of new work and new clients “magically” come our way this week.

We’re convinced this is no small coincidence.Removing the clutter that has been KILLING us and our business – emotionally and organizationally – has made everything seem less daunting, less aggravating, and way more possible than ever before.

Thanks again for lighting the fire under our butts to FINALLY get around to getting rid or the muck of our lives and business so we can see what’s really in front of us. You guys are OUTSTANDING, and we’re so grateful for your guidance and support. Enjoy your weekend!

Lani and Allen Voivod
aka “The Content Lovers”
***********************************
Even though the “official” challenge is over until our next one in the Spring, you can still reap the benefits. Sign up for your f.ree tool kit at http://www.cleansweepchallenge.com.

Wishing you great successes,

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach
www.successconnections.com

What Does a $17 Hamburger Have to Do With Your Success?

A couple of weeks ago I had hit the wall. I was exhausted, feeling a tad bit overwhelmed and to be quite honest, I was cranky. My honey, knowing exactly what I needed, packed me in the car and took me on a little excursion.

Two hours later I was in hog-heaven. Mark pulled up to a five-star resort called The Montage in Laguna Beach, CA. Now this might not seem too newsworthy to you so let me explain.

It’s the middle of the week, on an uncharacteristically sunny day in February and I’m sitting in front of the sparkling Pacific Ocean enjoying a $53.00 lunch, which included the most amazing hamburger I’ve ever eaten. And I started thinking to myself….

“How many people can a) just take off to decompress and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach whenever they want and b) would be ecstatic that they had just ordered a $17 hamburger?”

That is the power of having a business that supports your ideal lifestyle.

Many of us start our businesses with all the excitement and passion in the world only to find that the business we have created is exhausting and not delivering the results we desire.

Well I say STOP THE MADNESS!! It doesn’t have to be that way.

But what DOES have to happen is you have to take massive steps to change the way you think about your business, your life and to have the discipline to focus on what you know you need to do every day. (Not what is comfortable, exciting or the bright, shiny object of the moment.) This is the path to MASSIVE wealth, results and prestige

As the famous Albert Einsten quotes goes, “You can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that it was created.” And the truth is, until you invest in a coach that can help you shift into a whole new dimension of what’s possible, you will probably continue to have the same results you do right now.

So here is the question, “Are you willing to keep having the SAME RESULTS you have right now?”

If not, then you have one last opportunity to take action to guarantee you are in one of the few last seats for the ULTIMATE Business Breakthrough Intensive. I’ll be the first to admit that it might be a stretch to attend but everything that is worthwhile is a stretch. Doing it anyway is what separates the wildly successful from the strugglers. Click here to register for one of the final remaining seats:
http://www.successconnections.com/event.html

How would you like to be able to say:

“90 days from the completion of the November UBBI I had my first private seminar – and it was a HUGE success. Not only did I nail my goal EXACTLY as I created it at the Intensive but I also got additional speaking gigs from the event. This is light years beyond where I was when I arrived at Melanie’s event. I was overwhelmed, frustrated and focusing on a lot of things that weren’t really making any money. This program was one of the best investments I’ve ever made!”
– Sean Smith, MVP Success Systems

“Melanie is THE ONE I turn to when I need to get my motivation turned on.
After just one breakthrough session I transformed a burn-out, dragging my feet, procrastinating-like-there-is-no-tomorrow project into a $50k profit…in just one month!”
– Alexandria Brown, The Ezine Queen

“I doubled my income one month my massive breakthrough at the Intensive.”
– Michele PW, MichelePW.com Copywriting

The choice is yours. I just hope you make the choice that will get you the results you say you want. Here are a few ways we can help:

** We are still offering a two part payment plan through Thursday, March 2nd.

** You can bring a friend for ½ price.

** We have a roommate board set up to find someone to share a room with.

** We are buying your lunch on Sunday.

** You will be connecting with other people who will probably want to do business with you. (At least ½ of the participants hired someone in the room to help them!)

You only have a few days left – take action right now to make sure you get everything you need!

Here’s that link again http://www.successconnections.com/event.html

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach
www.successconnections.com
(877) 830-3139

P.S. This is NOT your typical seminar. There’s NO pitching — it’s just you, me, my other coaches and the other participants all in a room getting laser coaching to help all of you breakthrough your barriers and start playing the biggest game of your life. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by: http://www.successconnections.com/event.html

How Do I Accomplish it All? Six Insightful Lessons from my Mastermind Retreat
<<<<<<<<<
My mastermind team: James Malinchak (collegespeakingsuccess.com), me, Liora Mendeloff (virtualbooktourgal.com), Adam Urbanski (themarketingmentor.com)
<<<<<<<<<

These six lessons I am sharing come from the process of presenting our huge visions to make a difference in the world, and the challenges and processes we go through to live our dreams. So here goes…

Lesson #1. Commit to Playing a Big Game. If you have a big vision, you must have a big game. This means if you want to have a million dollar a year business, you have to act like a million dollar a year business owner. If you are still doing your own administrative tasks, programming your html-based e-zine, or spending hours finding the cheapest long distance service – you are not playing a big game. Be willing to take a risk, jump in (with a plan of course) and break ahead in your game today!

Suggestions: First, hire a Virtual Assistant, intern, part-time contractor or your retired neighbor to help you. Whatever it takes, you have to start acting “as-if” you run a million $$ business. Second, your services, image, programs, and marketing materials must reflect a high-end game – or your client base will reflect that.

Lesson #2. Pay Attention to What Shows Up. This is a tough one. If you are not generating the revenue you want, if you are confused or overwhelmed, or you are not having fun – there is a reason. What shows up in your world is a reflection of who you are. If you want to have different results, you must be willing to put something new in. The old adage “what goes in must come out” is true.

Suggestions: Are you feeding your mind things like “I’ll never get caught up” or “I’m always broke” or “I don’t know what I’m doing?” What is your belief that creates these messages? I guarantee you that this thought pattern is helping you attract more of this very thing…trust me on this one. If you want to change it, change your thinking.

Lesson #3. Clean Up Your Act. Are you someone who is constantly late? Behind on your commitments? Do you say you will do something then weeks later realize you never followed up? This is the “Over-Promise and Under-Perform” syndrome. And it is VERY unattractive to powerful alliances, clients and friends.

Suggestions: Find out what is causing you to do this and handle it. It may be that you don’t know how to say no (I have worked with clients who learn how to fix this in two sessions – and their profits soared.) It may be that you have unrealistic expectations of how much time it takes to get things done. Whatever it is, it can be resolved and you, your clients, and your co-workers will be much happier when you do!

Lesson #4. Focus Your Energy. I admit, like any visionary with creative tendencies, I take on too much. When I shared with the group what I was up to, their mouths dropped and they laughed at me. Why? Because not only do I believe I am super-human, love what I do, and want to save the world before I am 40 – I try to be everything to everybody. Can you relate to this one?

Suggestions: Stop it! Look at the top 3 things you do well and are most passionate about, and focus on it 100%. Align with others who can support you, hire support, and let go of the rest. This will help you have more freedom in your life for what matters most.

Lesson #5. Be Willing to Tell the Truth. One of the hardest things to do is tell the truth in a tactful way – especially if you think you will hurt someone’s feelings. (And it can be even harder if you are not telling yourself the truth!) Our minds are very adept at “hiding out” when our comfort zone is being stretched. What happens when you don’t? Overwhelm, anxiety, stress, and shut down.

Suggestions: Know that it’s OK and take some time to get quiet. I believe that we always know the answer but often times it gets buried in the layers of expectations, obligations and misplaced loyalties. But when you can learn to tell the truth with compassion and clarity, your life will open up to greater possibilities.

Lesson #6. Who’s a Workaholic? One of the biggest realizations a few of us shared was how much of our life is wrapped up in being a successful business owner. Because we love what we do we could do it non-stop. But is that healthy? – not really. And are we living the rich, abundant and amazing lives that we deserve? – truth be told, probably not. What drives us to succeed is part of our gift to the world. But deep inside is a need to prove ourselves, a need to be accepted as a powerful, successful person.

Suggestions: Implement the tools and support to create balance. If you are working every day, challenge yourself to create a sacred “do not work” zone in your calendar. When you give more down-time to yourself, you actually have more time and energy to get things done.
In summary, each of the people on our team have an insatiable desire to make a difference, and exude passion and commitment to personal mastery. That is why we are attracted to each other as a Mastermind team.

I hope that at least one of these powerful insights will help you create more freedom in your life. I challenge you to take one of these ideas and implement a solution over the next 30 days. I’d love to hear your success with it!

© 2005-2006 Melanie Benson Strick, Success Connections. All rights reserved.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? That would be great as long as you include this statement with it: Melanie Benson Strick, “The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach,” offers keynotes speeches, mentoring, training and products designed to get people out of overwhelm and onto the success fast-track. “The 5 Massive Mistakes that can Put you Out of Business…and How to Avoid Them” is available FREE at http://www.Successconnections.com.

More Pictures:

Brainstorming and planning.

James M in the “hot seat” where we drilled him on his plans and ideas.

“How Can I Play with the Big Guys….
if I feel financially challenged?”

Last week my ezine prompted the above question that I get asked all of the time. I think it is worth posting here and answering for everyone that is challenged with how to make the leap forward.

“Melanie,

I’ve been reading your ezine for months and I like what you have to say, however, I’m stuck in that I’m just not able to play with the big players because I don’t have the money to go to these 3 day seminars or take the costly teleclasses or workshops or buy the expensive programs. Until I find a way to grow my business to where I am covering my monthly expenses and have some disposable income for educational purposes, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks, A”

Here is my answer:

Making the leap to the next level of success can seem elusive for many people who are still struggling to generate enough revenue. First of all let me say, “I totally understand.” I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to struggle and think, “How can I spend this money when I can’t afford to pay my bills.” What I’m about to suggest may seem radical but it works.

You can’t afford to have that conversation in your head.

First of all, when you focus on “I can’t afford” then you are focusing on what you don’t have. One of the laws of the universe is: What you focus on expands. When you focus on what you do want, a powerful attraction magnet is activated and you begin to experience new opportunities that may have been hidden before.

The question you should be asking yourself is: “Who do I need to be or what do I need to do to create these opportunities RIGHT WHERE I AM TODAY!”

When I was at my lowest of lows, I put my focus on what can I do to create the opportunities. I quickly realized that I had to work on my belief that I deserve success and the inner monkey chatter that spewed regularly with things like, “I can’t afford that,” “How come this is so hard,” and my personal favorite, “Why is everyone else ahead of me!”

I guarantee you that there are affordable opportunities right in front of you. What if every day you woke up excited that you were going to connect with one opportunity to “play with the big guys” today? What might you do differently?

Here is a powerful truth. Most people spend money on events, products and even coaching, with the hopes that just by showing up it will transform your life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those of us who understand that investing in our professional growth know that we do so with a strategic intention — a plan — of how we will leverage that investment to get at least a 10 times return.

A quick story. The first time I plunked down $2,000 to attend an event across the country I did not have it. I was eye-ball deep in debt, my credit cards were close to maxed and I was barely making ends meet. My friend who invited me said, “You must be there. It will transform your life.” OK, I took a deep breath, put it on my credit card, said a little prayer and clicked the purchase button on my screen. I also set an intention to walk away with at least one new client and a speaking opportunity.

At the event, a woman I was talking to in the bathroom (of all places) hired me on the spot. I ended up generating $5,000 in revenue over the course of our coaching. (Doubled my investment.) I also met people who later offered me free products ($1,000 to be exact) and other speaking and joint venture opportunities surfaced over the next 6 months.

By replacing fear with commitment to show up no matter what, little by little my business transformed to a thriving six figure company. But I had to start taking steps somewhere. I had to be strategic and establish a plan for every step. And most importantly, I am focusing on what I DO WANT.

Along the lines of starting with taking a step forward somewhere, here is a suggestion. I have a program where you receive a CD every month where I teach you the principles of mastery and you can eavesdrop on our coaching clients on these principles. Plus you have access to one of my coaches during “open call day.” The first month is only $9.95 and after that, it is $57.00 per month. It also includes access to our coaching tools on the Success Forum and networking with other entrepreneurs.

So for $9.95 this month, you can start having access to people committed to playing a big game and the programs that I teach. That sounds like something you can’t pass up. Demonstrate your commitment to your growth by taking one step. You can sign up here. Or learn more about the program on my website.

I know you can do it…now it is your turn!

To your success,

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach
www.successconnections.com

What is a Release Process?

In my Jan 03 ezine, I shared with my readers:

“In addition to playing with my nieces and enjoying the holiday, I took some time on New Year’s to do my annual celebration process. First, I took inventory of anyone or anything that felt “incomplete” and did a release process. Then I wrote out all of my celebrations for 2005.
Then I wrote out my top goals for 2006. I’ve already put together a strategic plan for the business….this is for my lifestyle. Things like going to Europe in the Spring and buying my dream car. And last, I’m working on my 2006 Vision Board – pictures of all the things I’m creating so I’m constantly inspired.”

For the rest of the article, visit http://www.successconnections.com/newsletter/012006.htm.

Zee, a reader, posted a great question:

“Happy New Year Melanie!
Will you explain to me what you meant by taking an inventory of anything or anybody that felt “incomplete” and did a release process?
Thank you, Zee”

Here is my answer for all of you who want to know more:

“Zee, great question. I take a look at all my relationships, situations, environment, etc to see if anything feels blocked, or if there are unresolved issues or problems. If I can’t do anything personally with taking action, then I do a “release process.” On one level it is just energetically releasing it by writing and throwing it in the fire. On a deeper level, I use a visualization process to cut energy cords and release people who I can’t do anything to resolve the issue with. I teach this in the Intensive too.”

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach
www.successconnections.com

Six Experts Share Their Insider Secrets, Hot Tips and Aha Moments from Past Seminar Successes

JUST ADDED – What do Alexandria Brown, Adam Urbanski, James Roche, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, James Malinchak and me – Melanie Benson Strick – know about attending seminars? Don’t look at the price to get in because you can actually MAKE money by coming! Every one of us has done it time and time again (Why do you think we’re such seminar junkies? It’s all about the ka-ching!) Well, for the first time ever we’re spilling the beans in the Small Biz Marketing Summit Behind Closed Doors session. But only IF you sign up here http://www.successconnections.com/smallbizsummit for the event in Irvine, CA May 20 - 22.

Each and every once of us has had a business turn-around opportunity at events like this. We want to share with you our insider secrets and help you strategize your very own breakthrough opportunity!

One of my greatest pay-offs was learning to network with the other speakers. At an event last Summer, I met someone who later invited me to co-author a book. 90 days later we had a co-authored book! Less than one year later, a publisher picked us up and I’m proud to say that we will be in bookstores everywhere within 3 - 6 months. Be sure to ask your local Barnes & Nobel for a copy of Visionary Women Inspiring the World. If you just can’t wait, you can get your very own autographed copy at http://www.successconnections.com/visionary_women.html

How is that for a signicant ROI on a seminar! What success story do you want to tell in 6 months?

To your success,

Melanie Benson Strick
The Entrepreneur’s Success Coach

See you there!